Chapter 7 He Doesn't Want Me to Be His Wife, So I Will Be a Good Subject

Mộ Thanh Thư gently covered her mouth, her innocent eyes holding a hint of fear. She tugged lightly at the sleeve of the guard A Vệ, her voice trembling.

"There was fresh blood at my cousin's memorial hall. What an ill omen..."

She softly covered her mouth, her beautiful and innocent eyes showing a touch of embarrassment. The madam of Bình Lăng Duke's house froze for a moment but still respectfully responded.

"Third Princess, today is the funeral of the young lady of the house. Please, be cautious with your words."

Mộ Thanh Thư blinked innocently, a hint of fear flashing in her eyes.

"The ancient saying goes that a fierce tiger doesn't eat its cub... Is it wrong for me to say 'no place to rest for the dead'?"

The wind blew lightly through the gaps in the windows of Bình Lăng Manor... The memorial hall was dim, the incense mingling with the murmurs of the crowd... Snow had been falling since early morning, adding to the quiet atmosphere. The only thing that remained was the dark red bloodstain on the cold snow. The wind whispered softly... Everything in the world is ever-changing... The sound of the temple bell echoed, breaking the stillness. Life was a play with its tragic twists.

It had been exactly ten years...

"Empress, it's getting late," Liên Tâm gently reminded.

Empress Thẩm silently gazed at the white snow outside. The wind blew through the cracks, making the Palace of Changning unbearably cold. She smiled faintly, as though to console herself. She stared at the bare plum blossoms in the snow, lost in thought. She silently turned her head. She had waited her whole life for this moment. Since she entered the palace, she was no longer the pampered Thẩm Đan Đan that her father and brother doted on... What kind of beautiful dream was that?

"I liked him, but he didn't like me..."

Now, she was the Empress, no longer a young girl of the Thẩm family... No more indulgence.

"For so many years... I was just the Empress... not his wife." She murmured, her tears falling like a string of broken pearls.

She had been forced to marry him... Even on their wedding night, he hadn't come. Years had passed, and she was no longer the naive girl she once was. She had lost all hope. She once believed, under the blooming peach blossoms, that standing with him beneath the cold pavilion would mark the beginning of their love. She thought it was a fresh start, but perhaps in the Emperor's heart, all he wanted was the throne. She had constantly reminded herself not to overthink, not to expect too much.

"He doesn't want me to be his wife, so I will be a good Empress."

The snow fell thicker, and the plum blossoms swayed in the wind. She stood in front of the window, staring into the distance, lost.

"My Majesty, the sky has already darkened," the old eunuch gently reminded.

He gazed at the pure white plum blossoms, standing strong in the snow. He looked toward Lan Đình Tự, where it was desolate and cold.

"Lan Nhi... she..."

The old eunuch gently replied, "Lan Đình Tự has already turned off the lights, Your Majesty."

He smiled bitterly, tears and laughter blending. All the happiness he had stolen was now coming to an end. Perhaps the Emperor wasn't at fault for the young man's death, it was just that he had always loved only one person.

"Triệu Tương Di, I will return Lan Nhi to you..."