Chapter 12 — When the General refused to kiss me on my wedding day, I used 10 miles of red pages to buy a royal family

I'm a little confused.

“Guardian Da Anh, is there anything else?”

He hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke.

“Your Highness, today… is the death anniversary of the first Princess.”

My hand, holding the pen, suddenly stopped. Immortal princess. The woman's name is "A Nguyen". It turns out... today is her death anniversary. No wonder. No wonder Tieu Huyen Nghi went to the banquet. I'm afraid I just need to borrow alcohol to relieve my sadness. It feels like something is blocking my heart, it's heavy and hard to describe.

“I know.”

I replied leisurely. Da Anh looked at me, bowed and then retreated. Tieu Thua Tu pulled my sleeve, raised his small face, and asked in confusion.

“Mother Concubine, what is a death anniversary?”

“Is your former mother… sick?”

I looked at his clear, dust-free eyes, and for a moment didn't know how to answer. Everyone in the palace avoided talking about the story of the first princess. I only know her name is To Nguyen, the sole daughter of the late Grand Deputy To Van Thanh. A year ago, due to illness, he passed away. Other things are completely unknown. I regained my composure and spoke to Tieu Thua Tu.

“Thua Tu, you can continue drawing here yourself.”

“Please go to the kitchen to look at the evening menu.”

I found an excuse and left the room. I don't go to the kitchen. And found the oldest flower statue in the royal palace, who was also the least noticed. I gave him a bar of silver. Ask about the fairy king's wife. This old flower statue has been in the royal palace for decades. The person who watched Tieu Huyen Nghi grow up. He accepted the money, sighed, then opened his mouth.

“Your Highness… you are a good person.”

“But… the princess should not marry the prince.”

"The king's heart has long been occupied by the fairy king's wife."

“There is no more room for others.”

From the flower statue's words, we gradually piece together a story. A story about Tieu Huyen Nghi and To Nguyen. They are childhood friends and have been inseparable since childhood. To Nguyen is the most talented woman in the capital, gentle and dignified, with an appearance like a flower. She is the person that many princes and princes yearn to marry. As for Tieu Huyen Nghi, in the past he was also a proud son of heaven. Both literature and martial arts are perfect, and the light is limitless. He is the emperor's most favored son. Everyone thinks that he will be the future crown prince. However, five years ago, an unexpected event happened that changed everything. During a battle on the frontier, in order to save the reigning emperor - who was also his brother - he was ambushed and seriously injured. The left leg has been handicapped for life since then. From then on, he became completely unlucky with the emperor's position. Falling from above into the mud. Everyone avoided him like avoiding evil. There is only To Nguyen, who won't leave or give up. She ignored pressure from her family and decided to marry him. She once said:

“I love you as a person, not your identity, not even your healthy legs.”

She married him. During his darkest time in life, be by his side and cheer him on. Little by little pulled him out of decline and despair. They had a very loving, extremely happy time. Tieu Thua Tu was born during that time. Everyone thought that they would be a pair of charming, silver-haired elders. But God does not please people. One year ago, To Nguyen suddenly fell ill. Medicines are ineffective. It didn't take long for the fragrance to come pepper jade still. To Nguyen's death, for Tieu Huyen Nghi, was a fatal blow. One night, his hair turned gray. Locked himself in his study room for three days and three nights. After stepping out, he immediately became the person he is today. Cold, quiet, joy and anger do not show. Like a body without a soul. After the old flower statue finished speaking, he raised his hand to wipe away the tears in the corner of his eyes.

“The Immortal Princess… is an extremely good person.”

“His Royal Highness… is also a pitiful person.”

I finished listening. My heart felt like it was being weighed down by a big rock. So heavy that it makes it difficult to breathe. It turns out that between them, there was once such a memorable past. It turns out, the coldness we see is just a hard shell that he uses to protect himself. Underneath that shell, is a heart that has long been filled with wounds. I suddenly felt ridiculous. I thought this was a fair transaction. I use money in exchange for his protection. I don't know, what he needs is not that at all. What he needs is someone who can heal the wounds in his heart. But I... obviously am not. I am just an intruder, not important, while he is alone, I can only be considered a replacement. I don't know how I got to Thanh Tam Uyen. In my head, over and over again, were the words the old flower statue had just said. There are also Tieu Huyen Nghi's eyes, always hiding sadness that will not go away. For dinner, I have no appetite. After eating a few bites, he immediately put down his chopsticks. Tieu Thua Tu realized my difference.

“Mother Concubine, what's wrong with you?”

“Aren't you happy?”

I forced a smile.

“No, the mother-in-law is just a little tired.”