Chapter 7 — Empress Dowager Marries the Regent Prince

That's my last hope. I don't know if he received the news or not. I don't know if he will be able to save me out after receiving the news. We can only wait. Don't know how much time has passed. That night, while I was sleeping very soundly, I was suddenly awakened by a noise. In the heavenly dungeon, fire rose to the sky. Outside, there was the sound of slashing and miserable screams.

"It's on fire! Come help!"

"There are assassins! Protect Your Majesty!"

My heart suddenly tightened. Is it your brother's person? Have they come to save us? The prison door was kicked open by someone from outside. A masked man in black rushed in. Without saying a word, he grabbed my hand and ran straight out. Heavenly prison has turned into a mess. There were bodies and fresh blood everywhere. We fought and rushed out, seeing that we were only a little more away from escaping the dungeon. Suddenly, a group of soldiers appeared ahead. The leader is Bui Triet. He was wearing battle armor, holding a long sword, with drops of blood still dripping from the tip of the sword. His eyes pierced the firelight and the crowd, locking onto me.

"Capture them!"

He roared.

"It's okay to live or die!"

The man in black pulled me and turned around to run away. A cold, whistling arrow rushed past my ear. I turned my head and saw Bui Triet holding his bow and arrow, the arrow aimed straight at me. His eyes were cold and determined. There was not the slightest hesitation. He really wants to kill me. Just when we think we must die. The man in black who was pulling my hand suddenly used force to push me forward. And he himself rushed straight towards that arrow. The arrow pierced straight through the chest. He fell right in front of me, blood staining his black clothes red. The veil over his face slid down. Revealing a familiar face that couldn't be more familiar. It's General Manager Ly. He looked at me, large mouthfuls of blood continuously flowing from the corners of his mouth. Using the last bit of strength he had left, he spoke to me.

"Quick... quickly run..."

General Manager Ly's body fell heavily right at my feet. Hot blood shot up, dyeing the whole skirt red. I looked at him bewilderedly, my mind completely blank. Why him? Didn't he just come to spread the word? Why did you risk your life to save me?

"Capture her!"

Bui Triet's shout brought my mind back. The forbidden army rushed forward simultaneously. I don't run anymore. I just quietly watched Manager Ly's eyes gradually lose their light. He used his own life in exchange for giving me a moment of gasping for air. Where else can we run? This vast royal palace, this vast world, has long ago no longer had a place to accommodate me. I was escorted back to heaven again. This time, both my arms and legs were locked with heavy shackles. Bui Triet doesn't come anymore. No one came to interrogate me. They seem to be waiting. Waiting for a suitable zodiac day to execute me. Or wait for news from my father and elder brother. I guess, the story of my brother activating the eyes and ears in the palace to save me has reached Bui Triet's ears. That is tantamount to confirming the Tham family's crime of plotting. I leaned my back against the cold wall and slowly closed my eyes. General Manager Ly's eyes before he died kept flashing in my mind. Why sir? did he do that? Just because I once received favors from the Tham family? Incorrect. I suddenly remembered his words.

"You just need to... just say that General Tham gave it to you and push everything to the Tham family."

He did not advise me at all. He is reminding me! Remind me that what Bui Triet really wants is not my life, but evidence to overthrow the Tham family! It is the best evidence! As long as I open my mouth to testify against the Tham family, Bui Triet will be able to speak righteously and take back his military power. As for me, I will probably become a pawn "to atone for my sins", kept by him. Manager Ly doesn't want me to die, nor does he want the Tham family to collapse. So he chose the most extreme way. If I escape, Bui Triet will lose the most important witness to convict the Tham family. The Tham family may still have a glimmer of hope for life. And he himself used his death to repay all the kindness of the Tham family, and at the same time forever bury that secret. Truly a General Manager Ly. Truly a servant.