Mộ Thanh Thư was once a princess of the highest standing, with a noble mother as a consort. Born with a golden spoon in her mouth, she grew up surrounded by luxury, never needing to worry about anything. However, fate cruelly played with her. She lost everything in a single night. Her mother was burned to death in a sea of flames, leaving her alone in the cold, desolate palace. Since then, her father, the emperor, had become as invisible as air... "What peace until the end of my days? What is 'never parting ways'? All of it was a lie..."
Chapter 1 Leaving the wild mountains, she became the phoenix in a golden cage.
The beaded curtain was lifted, and a cold wind blew, signaling that winter was approaching. In front of the towering palace, her heart was heavy with mixed emotions, difficult to express. Perhaps the coming days would be difficult to endure. Leaving the wild mountains, she had once again become a phoenix trapped in a golden cage. The sound of footsteps echoed loudly, leading her to the Mạn Hoa Palace, where her "mother" was leisurely sipping tea.
She stepped across the threshold, passing through a courtyard where the roses bloomed fiercely, beautifully, and slightly menacingly, their sweet scent filling the air. A Persian cat with snow-white fur, upon seeing her, stretched its body and pranced towards her playfully. Mộ Thanh Thư was startled and took a few steps back, her heart filled with a trace of confusion and fear, causing her to shiver.
The noblewoman behind the jade curtain remained silent, sipping tea and admiring the flowers with a graceful and composed demeanor, glancing at her briefly, as though nothing was amiss.
"Thư nhi, greet your mother, may mother be blessed with peace and longevity."
The woman didn't say anything, only smiling enigmatically. In that moment of awkwardness, the sound of the tea cup shattering suddenly broke the silence, stirring up long-buried memories.
The gate of Mạn Hoa Palace creaked shut, and Mộ Thanh Thư's small heart trembled, as if it might not remain steady. The world seemed to spin, and so many fragmented memories returned to her mind. Lan Tâm, the servant beside her, gently supported her.
"Your Highness, your sedan chair."
Mộ Thanh Thư waved her hand and smiled faintly.
"It's been a long time since I've returned, I want to visit the nuns and chat with them. You all may leave."
Turning, she left the withered orchard, glancing at the Ngự Hoa Garden, now just a pale shadow of its former glory. Her footsteps were steady, stopping in front of a small courtyard that had long been abandoned. Pushing open the weathered wooden door, a familiar feeling rushed over her. "An Vũ Palace."
She smiled mockingly and muttered to herself, "What peace until the end of my days? What 'never parting ways'? All of it was a lie... What ruler isn't selfish and indifferent? Even my father, whom I once admired, is no different."
Mộ Thanh Thư closed her eyes, feeling the cold wind of winter. Her heart was like ashes.
"My heart is weary, and all love is drifting away with the eastern river's flow."
She gently closed the wooden door. The small courtyard, which had once been burned down in a sea of flames, had now been repaired. The phoenixes in the courtyard fluttered gracefully, blending with the wind and clouds. Passing by the old swing under the ancient pear tree, it swayed gently in the breeze, where so many childhood memories were stored.
Pausing for a moment, she followed the narrow path leading to a delicate wooden door, thickly covered in cobwebs. Her hand trembled as she softly pushed the door open.
"Mother, Jiu nhi has arrived."
Chapter 1 Leaving the wild mountains, she became the phoenix in a golden cage.
05/01/2025