Chapter 3 — The Shadow Doesn't Exist

She did not mention Chien Vuong, nor Ta Quan, just said one sentence: "Ninh Nhi, if you are determined to marry Chien Vuong, then just marry." I looked at her lowered eyes, my throat was a bit sour. The needle in the mother's hand stopped. She raised her head, her eyes red, as if she wanted to say something. But in the end she just sighed softly, bowed her head and continued sewing. I thought tonight would pass like that. But mother suddenly opened her mouth, her voice was very light, as if she was saying to herself: "If my sister was still here, she would definitely not make me feel so sad." I tightened my sleeves. "Mother." I interrupted her, my voice very low. “My sister passed away when I was three years old.” Kim stopped in mid-air. The hospital was so quiet that you could hear the crackling sound of lamp wicks. Mother slowly raised her head to look at me. Her eyes gradually changed, from dull to empty. I waited for her to hit me, like when I was seven years old, she would slap me and say, "You're talking nonsense." But she didn't. She bowed her head, folded her fox fur coat, and carefully placed it next to my hand. Then she stood up, walked to the door, turned her back to me and stopped for a moment. "Ninh Nhi." Her voice was very light: "The other day your sister asked someone to pass the word, saying that she missed you." She pushed the door and went out. The night wind poured in, causing the flame on the lamp to tilt. I sat in place, holding the fox fur coat in my hand, my fingertips gradually tightening. The next day was the party to celebrate the grandmother's life. The house was full of guests. Grandmother sat in the highest position, mother sat next to her, smiling gently and thoughtfully. Ta Quan also came. During the party, after three weeks of drinking, he suddenly stood up and walked into the middle of the hall. Before anyone could react, he lifted up his shirt and knelt down. The entire hall immediately fell silent. Ta Quan raised his head to look at me, his voice still gentle: "This junior has fallen in love with the eldest lady of the Co family, and wishes to marry her as his wife." The elder brother frowned and put down the wine cup: "Thank you, little Marquis, Ninh Nhi already has someone in his heart." Ta Quan was silent for a moment. He did not stand up, just slowly raised his head. "If Miss Co insists on not agreeing, then what about the second young lady?" His voice was not loud, but each word clearly fell into everyone's ears. "I often heard the court order mentioning you, saying that you are a rare and free-spirited lady in the capital. I wonder if you have promised to marry any family yet?" The whole hall was plunged into deathly silence. The smile on the mother's face stiffened. She held the cup of wine, her fingertips gradually turning white. Father was the first to regain his composure and said in a deep voice: "Little Marquis Ta is drunk." Ta Quan still knelt very firmly. "You're not drunk yet." He raised his head to look at his mother, his voice still gentle: "You often say that your second young lady is beautiful, generous, a rare person in the capital. I've heard this for a long time, so I'm filled with admiration." "If Eldest Miss Gu already has someone in her heart, then I don't dare to force her." I haven't promised to marry anyone yet, I vow to use the bride's ceremony to propose marriage." Each sentence was like a needle, stabbing straight into the face of the Co family. The elder brother put down the wine cup, his face cold and scary: "Ta Quan, today is the grand mother's birthday party, not the place to discuss marriage." Ta Quan lowered his eyes: "It is because the elders and relatives are all present that the junior dares to openly express his sincerity, not wanting to disrespect the second young lady of the Co family." I looked at him and suddenly felt ridiculous. He's always been like that. Peaceful, correct, sincere. Then use your gentlest voice to force others into a corner. Finally, her mother opened her mouth: "Linh Nhi is not in the palace." She smiled

extremely reluctant. "Yesterday he went out of the city to ride a horse." Father closed his eyes. The leader clenched his fist. Ta Quan seemed to have finally grasped something and immediately said: "Then you can wait." His mother suddenly looked towards him. Ta Quan said in a low voice: "When the second lady returns, I will personally apologize to her. Today's sudden interruption is rude." The way the guests looked at their mother had changed. They didn't know that the second lady had died prematurely. They can only speculate. Guess why the Co family had to hide the second lady. Guess if she has any disease or not. Guess why when it comes to this marriage, the Co family feels like they have met a great enemy. At that moment, an announcement came from outside: "His Royal Highness Chien Vuong has arrived!" Everyone turned their heads simultaneously. When Tieu Triet walked in, his body was still carrying the cold air of the night. He was wearing black clothes, his face was cold, and he was holding a brocade box in his hand. "This king is late, please wish him a long life." The grandmother reluctantly nodded. Tieu Triet raised the brocade box, his eyes fell on Ta Quan who was kneeling in the middle of the hall. His voice was very faint: "Thank you, little Marquis." Ta Quan raised his head. Tieu Triet said: "Forcing a wedding in front of everyone right at the banquet." "Are the rules of the Marquis Palace like that?"