Chapter 8 — After being slapped by the Crown Prince, I hugged the Queen's thighs for help, finally causing Giang Son to change hands

I put down the bowl of water and stood up.

"Your Highness, rest well. I'll go call the doctor."

But he suddenly pulled my hand. His hand was cold because he had lost so much blood, but his strength was very strong.

“Tham Vu Vi.”

He looked at me, his eyes were so serious that I had never seen them before.

“What happened that day… I was wrong.”

I was stunned.

“On that big wedding day, I shouldn't have hit her.”

My heart suddenly trembled violently. I didn't expect him to mention this. I didn't expect him to apologize.

“It's over.”

I withdrew my hand from his and turned away, not wanting him to see my current expression.

“Can't get through.”

He stubbornly opened his mouth.

"That slap lost not only her face. But also..."

He didn't speak anymore. I didn't ask either. There are some words that, once said bluntly, will hurt people even more. The identity of the assassin was quickly investigated clearly. A martyr raised by the Tieu family. It was a dead chess piece that Tieu Sach had arranged before leaving the capital. What he cannot have will be directly destroyed. He not only wants to kill me, but also wants to kill Tieu Canh Diem. He wants the Emperor to destroy his son. What a cruel plan. The witnesses and evidence were all complete, and the Tieu family's treason charges were sealed so tightly that they could not be overturned. The emperor issued an order, the entire Tieu family except the princess was married, all the remaining people, regardless of age, male or female, were... beheaded. On the day the holy edict was spread throughout the capital, a huge snowfall fell outside. I stood in the hallway of Duc Tu palace, looking at the white sky outside. A great family that had existed for hundreds of years was completely reduced to ashes like that. Tieu Canh Diem's wound is gradually recovering. However, his personality became more and more quiet. He no longer calls "Lien Nhi" anymore. Just often sitting alone by the window, looking at the snow falling outside, just looking at it is a long day. I know he is in pain. Those were his mother's clan, the relatives who had grown up with him since childhood. But I cannot comfort him. Because the person behind everything is me. It was me and the Tham family who, step by step, forced the Tieu family into a dead end. We are separated by a sea of blood and hatred. It was a deep abyss that he could never cross. When spring comes, I will be born. Is a boy. Because he was the eldest son, the Emperor personally named him Tieu Thua Khai, placing great expectations on the opening of a new prosperity. It became the crown prince's righteous name. The birth of the baby brought a little joy to this deathly quiet palace. Tieu Canh Diem also thanks to me to give birth to his son, further consolidating his position as a military commander. He hugged Thua Khai lying in diapers, his eyes were extremely complicated. There is the joy of being a father for the first time, and there is also the sadness that cannot be dispelled. His attitude towards me is also much more polite. We are like a normal husband and wife who respect each other like new, raise children together, and handle Eastern palace affairs together. No more arguments. No more cold war. But there wasn't any warmth left anymore. It's like there's an invisible wall between us way. I know he has never forgotten how the Tieu family was destroyed. I also know he has never forgotten Tieu Lien. He just kept all his hatred hidden deep. When Thua Khai was three years old, the Queen fell ill. Illness came like a falling mountain. In just a few short months, Tham Nhuoc Lan, who used to be the head of the six palaces, and the power that swayed the court, was so thin that it completely changed. The royal physicians were at a loss. I know, it's a mental illness. During these years, she spent too much time thinking, planning too much, and losing too much for the Tham family, for me, for power. Now the general situation has been decided, the string that has been tight for half her life has finally broken. I took Thua Khai to Kun Ninh palace to visit her. She lay on the hospital bed, holding my hand, her breathing was as weak as silk.

"Vu Vi, cousin... I'm afraid it's not over yet."

“Sister Bieu, don't say that, you'll get better soon.”

I choked and opened my mouth. She shook her head, looking at Thua Khai standing next to me.

“Good child, come here to let your uncle have a look at you.”

Thua Khai obediently walked forward. Tham Nhuoc Lan used the last bit of her strength to take out a small talisman from under her pillow, embroidered with gold thread and put it into Thua Khai's hand.

"This is... what uncle prays for you. You must... grow up well, in the future... become a good Emperor."

She looked towards me again.

"Vu Vi, from now on... the Tham family will have to rely on you. Remember... absolutely... absolutely do not trust... the Tieu family..."

Her hand slowly slid down from mine. The eyes are also permanently closed.