Chapter 1 — Wu Yang Flower – Jade Snow Palace

Tieu Quyet and I died on the same snowy night. When we open our eyes again, we are all back on the big wedding night. There was no argument, just silent understanding as we looked at each other. We separated, he married Bach Nguyet Quang, I went to Giang Nam, from then on no one owed anyone anything. I originally thought we would never see each other again in this life. Until ten years later, at the palace banquet, the emperor held a purification party to welcome him. But he stared at me, his voice trembling and asked: "You live, it seems better than me?" White Moonlight next to him had a pale face. Heavy snow flew blindly into the sky. Life passes little by little. We can feel the warmth in our body being unintentionally taken away by the blanket of ice and snow in the sky. Next to me is Tieu Quyet's body. He died one step before me. Blood spilled out from his chest, staining the snow under his body red, then was quickly covered by the newly fallen white snow. We died amidst the pursuit of the enemy in the court. It's ridiculous. We fight for ten years, hate for ten years, resent ten years. Finally died on the same snowy night, in the same place. If there is an afterlife… No, I don't need an afterlife anymore. Too tired. Consciousness is completely submerged in darkness. Don't know how much time has passed. A noise woke me up. I suddenly opened my eyes. What meets my eyes is not the cold snow, nor the underworld. It's a dazzling red color. Bright red dragon and phoenix candles, dark red canopy, bright red blankets. Along with the heavy, cumbersome red robe he was wearing. In the air there was a faint smell of wine and the scent of joy. I was stunned. I turned my head and saw the man sitting at the table. He also wore a dark red dress, highlighting his jade-like appearance and unparalleled beauty. It's just that in those deep eyes there was not even half of the bridegroom's joy. There is only confusion and terror just like mine. Tieu Quyet. He is also alive again. Or to be more precise, we also go back together. Return to our big wedding night. This day was ten years ago. That night in our past life, we had a huge argument. He scolded me for my deep intentions, relying on family power to force him to marry me, separating him and Lieu Nhu Yen. I scolded him for being dishonest and ungrateful, saying that since he was married to me, he should forget that woman and fulfill his duty as a man. That argument opened the door for ten years of us tormenting each other. The room was so quiet that it felt like death. There was only the sound of burning dragon and phoenix candles, occasionally making a few clicking sounds. We look at each other, the emotions in our eyes, only the other person can understand. Is tired after surviving the disaster. It's empty after ten years of resentment. It would be wild to do it again. Unlike his previous life, he smashed the wine cup on the table. I'm not like my previous life, coldly mocking him. It turns out that death is the best remedy. We are all tired. Don't want to continue fighting anymore. The hatred in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a deep, bottomless fatigue. The resentment in my heart also dissipates, leaving only the desire for freedom. A long time later. I was the one who spoke first. The voice was a bit hoarse, as if coming from a far away place.

“Tieu Quyet.”

He raised his eyes and looked at me quietly. Wait for me to continue. I looked at him, word by word, clearly extremely.

“Let's break up.”

When we utter those four words. Tieu Quyet's pupils suddenly shrank. He seemed unable to believe his ears. In my previous life, those two words were taboo and I never mentioned them. They are the chains I use to bind him, and also bind myself. I originally thought he would be crazy happy. Or at least will breathe a sigh of relief. But he doesn't. He just looked at me, his eyes as complicated as a thick fog. There is shock, there is scrutiny, there is also a trace of... emotions that I cannot understand.

“What did you say?” he asked, his voice carrying a bit of uncertainty.

“I said, let's get along.”

I repeated it again, my tone calm as if I were saying the weather wasn't bad today.

“You set me free, you also set yourself free.”

"You go find your Lieu Nhu Yen, I'll live my life."

"From now on, one separates two, everyone brings joy."

I even smiled slightly at him. That smile did not contain half of the resentment and unwillingness of the previous life. There is only liberation. A radical liberation. Tieu Quyet was silent.