Chapter 1 — Tiet Uyen

When I was most favored, I once made the Emperor personally remove my brooch, and the Queen personally offered tea. The favors of the six palaces all fell on me alone, while the previous dynasty scolded me for being a demon and a disaster for the country. That extravagant appearance is unmatched by anyone in the world. Therefore, later when my whole family was exiled, my title was stripped of me, I was exiled to the cold palace to live the rest of my life, with applause everywhere. Everyone said that the Tiet family's power was too great, His Majesty just pretended to be fascinated, temporarily letting the Queen he loved suffer the frustration and push the boat along. The truth is also true. In the following days in the cold palace, Tieu Tu often tormented me. Even though I was struggling and tears were flowing, he still said with hatred: "Is it so painful? You have suppressed Do Tuyet for many years, this is the debt you must pay. Tiet Uyen, I want you to spend the rest of your life to atone for your sins."But I don't want to. In extreme pain, I knocked over the candle, pulling him down with me into the sea of fire. When I opened my eyes again, I returned just at the moment when the Emperor, because of the great merits of the Tiet family, wanted to appoint me as Crown Prince Tieu Tu's concubine. I took a step forward, stood up, pointed at the quiet man with a dull face standing next to Tieu Tu, then imitated the defiant appearance of my youth, raised my chin and said: "Your Majesty is very stingy. Since you want to reward, A Uyen does not want to be Trac Phi. A Uyen wants to marry that person, to be Chinh Phi!"1 My words rang out clearly and decisively. Causing the already bustling palace party to suddenly fall silent. The first person to raise his head in surprise was Tieu Tu. The smile still lingering at the corner of his lips stiffened, his eyes looking at me were full of disbelief. "A Uyen, what are you talking about?" Of course he couldn't believe it. Because in my previous life, at this exact moment, he convinced me. He once said: "I married Do Tuyet because I had no choice. A Uyen, the only person in my heart from beginning to end is you." At that time, because he married the Crown Princess, I cried until my eyes were swollen. I don't understand. Obviously the person who grew up with him since childhood is me. The person he once swore to marry was also me. Even that crimson wedding dress, I happily and sweetly embroidered it for three years. Fingertips full of needle puncture marks. To the point that all the noble ladies in Kim Lang laughed at me: "You're so confident, aren't you afraid that the Crown Princess is someone else? At that time, I'm afraid you won't have a chance to wear this wedding outfit anymore." Hearing that, I just snorted with satisfaction. "No! If he dares to trick me, then I won't marry him anymore!" Originally just a joke, I never expected it to come true. That day, the sound of gongs and drums was bustling, and a large group of people carrying the holy decree of marriage came. My heart was filled with joy, and just as I was about to step forward to welcome her, I saw a well-coordinated group of people passing by the General's palace, turning straight into the courtyard of the Prime Minister's wife, Tu Do Tuyet. The two palaces are close to each other. The high-pitched voice of the eunuch announcing the decree rang out: "Dame Tu Phu, intelligent, kind and virtuous, loved by the Crown Prince, worthy of being appointed..." "Crown Prince!" Crown Prince? If she is the Crown Princess... Then what do I count as? I stood frozen in place, as if someone had hit me in the head with a stick. Moreover, countless eyes were focused on me, some laughing, some pitying. No matter what look, it's enough to make me the biggest joke in Kim Lang city. Everyone said that I had false hopes of climbing high and wanted vain glory. "If you have rude behavior, stop it. It's not even as good as Miss Tu, who is gentle, generous, dignified, and gentle. Just like you, I dare to dream of the position of Crown Princess? How ridiculous!" Those were the words they had hidden in their hearts for a long time. Just because

They came from a prestigious family and had always looked down on the Tiet family who had just moved back from the border. Therefore, he also despises me, who speaks frankly and acts frankly. Among them, Tu Do Tuyet was also one of the young ladies who teased me. But she was also the person who treated me the best. She didn't laugh at me for eating three bowls of rice at each meal, nor did she criticize me for walking with too wide a stride. I once held her hand and called out with a smile: "Sister Tu, you are exactly like my big sister. Mother never gave birth to an older sister for you, now you have found one yourself." Hearing that, the corner of Tu Do Tuyet's lips curled into a wry smile, the round fan in her hand gently waved. "I also don't have a sister. So from now on, you will forever be my sister." Having said that, she looked at the lake surface filled with flowers. The lotus sparkled, a look of longing appeared in her eyes. "The lotus flowers in Kim Lang are truly beautiful." Only then did I know that she did not grow up in Kim Lang. The Prime Minister's wife passed away early, and the Prime Minister remarried. As the daughter of his deceased wife, she naturally became lost in the palace. After the funeral was over, under the pressure of his family's crying, the old Prime Minister took her to a manor on the outskirts of the city to live for more than ten years under the pretext of recuperating. If it weren't for the fact that her stepmother never gave birth to a son, and at the same time as she was of age, I'm afraid no one would have welcomed her back. Therefore, she, like me, had to endure the isolation and contempt of the noble ladies in Kim Lang. We have compassion in our hearts. Hearing the desire in her words, I said without hesitation: "Do you like it? If you like it, A Uyen will pick it for you!" "Of course I like it." Tu Do Tuyet laughed, then hesitantly said: "But the water in the lake is quite deep, if I go down there alone, I'm afraid..." What are you afraid of? When I was still on the border, going into battle, this little danger was basically nothing. I just couldn't bear to make her worry, so in the end I had to say: "If you don't feel secure, just hold one of my hands. That way I can pick flowers for you, and you can also protect me." At that time, she slightly nodded in agreement. She is no different from any other sister who is worried about her younger sister. Therefore, I was completely unaware of her suddenly letting go. Amidst the screams, a "boom" sound rang out as the heavy object fell into the water. I couldn't believe my eyes, I immediately jumped after without hesitation. "Sister Tu!" She struggled in the water, but just as I was about to reach her, she suddenly kicked me hard, knocking me away. Until…another hand reached out. The lake water was cold, I kept facing Tieu Tu with four eyes. Almost instinctively on guard, he hugged Tu Do Tuyet tightly in his arms. Just like when Tu Do Tuyet just got ashore, the ladies from all the surrounding ladies hurriedly gathered around. Seeing her trembling and curled up in Tieu Tu's arms, her face pale and full of fear, she looked at me and choked up and said: "I don't know what crime I committed against sister A Uyen, allowing her to cruelly harm me like that!"