A brief summary of the story between Tran Quoc Tuan and Princess Thien Thanh

Trần Quốc Tuấn is the son of Trần Liễu – Emperor Trần Thái Tông’s older brother. The year of Quốc Tuấn’s birth was unknown, but when he was born, a chiromancer had looked at him and said: “This person could save his country when he grows up.” After reaching adolescence, Quốc Tuấn was handsome, intelligent, knowledgeable and highly skilled at both literature and martial arts. Meanwhile, Thiên Thành, the first daughter of Emperor Trần Thái Tông, was engaged to Prince Trung Thành - the son of Prince Nhân Đạo. The Emperor allowed Princess Thiên Thành to stay in the palace of that Prince, and held a seven-day festival in 1251 to notify the common people of the incoming royal marriage. Trần Quốc Tuấn wanted to marry Princess Thiên Thành, but was powerless to do anything, so he snuck into the Princess’ room during the night. Princess Thụy Bà (Quốc Tuấn’s adoptive mother and the Emperor’s sister) immediately asked to see the Emperor. When he asked what had happened, Thụy Bà answered: “Quốc Tuấn snuck into Thiên Thành’s place and was captured by Nhân Đạo. Your Majesty, he could be killed at any minute; please save him.” Only when the Emperor had ordered his men to come to Prince Nhân Đạo’s palace did Prince Nhân Đạo know of Quốc Tuấn’s action. The next day, Thụy Bà offered 10 trays of gold as the gifts to the bride’s family. The Emperor unwillingly allowed his daughter to be betrothed to Quốc Tuấn and offered land as compensation to Prince Nhân Đạo for his son’s loss of marriage partner. The Emperor held in the palace another feast, in which all the officials attended to celebrate the marriage of Quốc Tuấn and Thiên Thành. Quốc Tuấn and Thiên Thành went through three Mongol invasions of Dai Viet, in which Quốc Tuấn played a substantial leading role to fight the invaders. In the autumn of 1288, after the third successful defense of Dai Viet, Thiên Thành passed away. Twelve years later, Quốc Tuấn also passed away in autumn.