Chapter 1 — This Eastern Palace has been my hunt from the beginning

Aren't men born to be conquered? A holy edict was given, and I became the Crown Princess. Throughout the capital, it was rumored that the person the Crown Prince truly loved the most was his concubine, and I was just the person who came between him and the white moon light in his heart. But it's okay. What I want... From beginning to end, it was never his heart. It's the only position next to him. For the first time, during the spring banquet, I fell off my horse in front of everyone. The Crown Prince himself bandaged my wound. The second time, I was falsely accused in the East Palace. I cried until I fainted in his arms. The third time... After the coronation ceremony, he hugged me and said in a low voice:

“The holy edict disbanding the harem has been prepared.”

"You never need to learn those dirty tricks again."

They all don't understand. The most intelligent predator... has always taken the form of prey to enter the hunt. The day I was appointed Crown Princess, Tieu Canh Huyen knelt all day outside the royal study. When the news reached General Tran Bac's palace, I was standing in front of the mirror, trying on the Crown Princess's uniform. The maid who was close to Van Tu was so angry that her eyes turned red and her voice trembled:

"Miss! They, they are too much! You haven't even stepped through the door yet, and you dare to humiliate me like that!"

In the bronze mirror reflects a brilliant face, phoenix robes, and sparkling pearls.

“What's the hurry?”

"Isn't the whole capital waiting to see if I, this Crown Princess with only an empty name, can actually live for a few months in the Eastern Palace?"

"They don't understand, the most intelligent predators often enter the hunt with a prey attitude."

“This play is so good, it should be me opening the show.”

Big wedding day. The Emperor's face was majestic, the Queen's eyes were complex and difficult to fathom. I bowed and worshiped, looking perfect, but Tieu Canh Huyen, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, did not appear at all. It is said that because the concubine was too worried and suddenly became mentally ill, he did not take a step away, staying by the bed to guard. Truly, love is profound and meaningful. In the new room of the East Palace, red roses burned brightly. I sit alone on the bed of happiness. Outside the door came the sounds of palace servants cautiously asking for peace, along with the sound of steady footsteps gradually approaching. He has arrived. The footsteps stopped in front of the bed, he didn't immediately lift the veil, he just stood still.

“Raise your head.”

His voice was even colder than I imagined. After lifting the veil, I reflexively squinted my eyes a bit, then clearly saw the man standing in front of me. Tieu Canh Huyen, current Crown Prince. He was born extremely handsome, with clear eyebrows, a high straight nose, and a dark red dress that accentuated his straight figure and noble demeanor. It's just that those eyes looking at me don't have even half the joy that is due to a big wedding day. I followed what my mamas taught me, stood up and bowed:

“My concubine, I pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”

He didn't tell me to get up for a long time.

"General Tham's daughter is truly a tiger girl at the general's door. Even in this situation, she can still be so calm."

We maintain the same ceremonial posture:

“Your Highness is too complimentary, I don't dare.”

He laughed coldly:

“Don't dare?”

“I see you are very brave.”

"You clearly know that you already have someone in your heart, yet you still dare to step into this Eastern Palace."

I raised my head up, her eyes red, looking at him, her voice carrying a choked and resentful tone:

"Your Highness... the decree has been given, I... I and my father, how dare you resist and disobey?"

I saw a flash of panic in his eyes, then continued:

"I know that Your Highness and Lieu Trac Phi have a deep relationship, and have never thought of intervening between the two."

"I just ask... I only ask for a place to live, to serve your highness wholeheartedly, and never dare to have thoughts beyond my destiny."

Tears fell at the right moment. The disgust in Tieu Canh Huyen's eyes seemed to fade a bit. Perhaps he did not expect me to be so timid and so reasonable.

“Stand up.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

I stood up obediently. Because I had kept the ceremonial posture for too long, my steps slightly staggered, and he instinctively reached out to block me. I was like a frightened little rabbit, I immediately withdrew my hand, a blush appeared on my face, and my head bowed even lower. That look made him satisfied.

"You're tired today, please rest early." He said faintly: "You still have political affairs to handle."