Chapter 7 — Tran Bac Vuong Phi

We see a lantern at the beginning of the alley. A yellow lamp swayed in the rain, coming this way. It was a horse-drawn carriage, with lanterns of the Tran Bac Vuong Palace hanging on it. Rainwater wet the silk covering the lantern, but the fire was still bright. The carriage stopped in front of me. The car curtain was lifted, the same face as in the nightmare, but completely different appeared in the rain. You have the same eyebrows, your eyes are the same eyes, but in those eyes there is only worry and heartache. Tieu Truong Linh jumped down from the carriage, took off his large cloak, and wrapped himself inside. That cloak still carried the heat on his body. The warmth came from all four directions, making me shiver even more violently. "Oanh Nhi." In his voice was an unconcealed panic, "It's because I'm no good, I can't protect you." I opened my mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't utter a word. I leaned on his shoulder and finally burst into tears. Tears mixed with rainwater, flowing hotly across the cheeks, making no sound, but making people feel more heartbroken than crying. He didn't ask questions, didn't say much, just carefully helped me onto the carriage. The car curtains fall, blocking the wind and rain from outside. The horse-drawn carriage departed, amid the sound of clattering, he leaned against the wall of the carriage, an arm's length away from me, not getting any closer. I gradually stopped crying. I realized that my whole body was wet and leaning on him. I quickly pushed away and sat up straight. He didn't stop, just pulled back the large cloak that slid off my shoulders, covering a torn inner garment on my shoulder. "I'm late." I bowed my head, tightening the lace of the cloak, my nails turning white. When he took me back to the palace, the rain gradually subsided. At the side door, my mother held a lamp, I don't know how long she waited. Seeing me get off the carriage, the lantern in her hand shook and almost fell down. She didn't ask anything, just used her trembling hands to hold me in her arms, repeatedly saying "it's good to come back, it's good to come back". That night, Tieu Truong Linh stood in front of the palace gate for a long time. Looking out from the bedroom window, I could see that his dark robe was soaked by the rain, and the ivory-white hem was covered in mud. He stood there quietly, like a tree. It wasn't until the lights in my room turned off that the figure turned around and walked into the night. 12 The big kiss. It was not yet dawn, the princess had already knocked on the door, put on makeup, changed clothes, and was busy non-stop. The dark red wedding dress was embroidered with phoenix peonies made of gold thread, and the phoenix hat was heavy, causing pain in the neck. I sat in front of the bronze mirror, letting the maid apply blush on my face. Suddenly a wave of dizziness struck, the blush box slipped from the maid's hand, fell to the ground, and broke into several pieces. Then there was boundless darkness. My consciousness was submerged in chaos, I vaguely heard someone calling me, and it felt like I was being tugged by something. I don't know how long it took, I reluctantly opened my eyes. Red, everything in front of my eyes is red. Below the body is a swaying palanquin, outside the bustling sound of trumpets and drums resounds endlessly. Flower palanquin. Someone put incense on the sleeve of the wedding dress. That scent mixed with the incense on the wedding dress, it was impossible to tell which was which, but it was enough to make people fall in love. I mustered the last bit of strength and lifted a corner of the palanquin curtain. Not the wedding reception team of Tran Bac Vuong Palace. It is the ceremonial staff of the Eastern Palace. I used my fingernails to dig into my palms, desperately trying to stay awake. But the scent was too strong, and my vision began to become blurry. Right now... The palanquin suddenly stopped. Outside, there was a rush of horse hooves, followed by the clang of swords drawn, the cries of the inner servants, and the music of joy suddenly fell silent. The palanquin curtain was lifted. Two identical faces appeared in the light. A face as dark as water, a face still

again... from worrying to feeling like a burden has been lifted. Tieu Truong Linh reached out, picked me up, and took me out of that palanquin. Tieu Truong Minh stood in front, his face pale: "Truong Linh, do you want to confront me?" "Royal brother." Tieu Truong Linh's steps did not stop, his voice was gentle as usual, but the sound was firm, "My younger brother's engagement contract was personally given by your father. Is this your intention to defy the order?" His body tilted slightly, wrapped around the blocking arm, and carried me onto another palanquin. When the palanquin curtain fell, I heard him say in a low voice outside: "Don't be afraid." The palanquin departed again. This time, it was towards Tran Bac Vuong Palace. The big wedding ceremony is complicated and lengthy. When worshiping heaven and earth, the veil obscures our sight, we can only see the auspicious cloud pattern embroidered on the surface of his shoes. When paying homage, the Queen sat in the upper chair and said many auspicious words. When my husband and wife bowed, I bowed my head and saw his hand clenched slightly under his sleeve, his knuckles turning white with force. Commencement ceremony. 13 Flowers and wishes in the cave room. The whole room was filled with swaying red candles, flickering light and darkness. He wore a dark red robe, highlighting his jade-like face with a hat on. The gentleness between his eyes and eyebrows under the candlelight added a bit of warmth and attachment.