Chapter 20 — Holy Order of Dowry

“The people circled in this list, I'm afraid most of them have been targeted.” “But father left a signal.” I pointed to the tiny dots of ink next to each name. “One dot, family in the capital.” “Two dots, the old minister himself still has military power.” “Three dots, used to keep old evidence of the transfer to the West.” Han Than raised his head in surprise. “Eldest lady, did the old general even write these things?” My throat Choked bitterly. "Father knew soon enough that someone would purge the Tham family." "Father has hidden the escape routes to save people, in the relics reserved for me." The emperor immediately ordered his inner servant to bring a map of the capital's defense. I knelt in front of the royal court, comparing each name on the list with the map. "Near Vinh An alley, there are three households, the widows of the former god Tham family." "Next to the old horse market in the north of the city, there are two Western war invalids." "General Tran Tham, the person on duty at the gate of the Southern Treasury of the Ministry of Military Affairs, on the list has three dots." The emperor heard the three words Tran Tham General, his eyes suddenly turned cold. "Southern Treasury Department of Military Affairs?" Han Than's face also changed. changed. "Nam Kho is the place where the records of import and export of Western military weapons were kept that year." My heart skipped a beat. If they were going to attack the former god Shen family this morning, the most urgent matter was not just human life. But there is also an old notebook in Nam Kho. The royal concubine seemed to hear it too, a cold trace appeared at the corner of her lips. "Have you figured it out?" "Unfortunately it's too late." I looked at her. "You guys intentionally burned down the old road tonight, not to rob the ice box." "But to stop us." The concubine did not respond. But her eyes said it all. The Emperor slammed the table and stood up. "Pass on my edict. The capital patrol team must immediately go to the Southern Military Department." Tieu Thua Canh also knelt down. "I wish to take the royal palace's personal guards with me." I coldly spoke: "The Royal Family's people just brought a fake order to block the way of the person bringing the evidence." His face was pale. The Emperor said in a deep voice: "Your uncle stays in the palace." Tieu Thua Canh raised his eyes, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just swallowed it. I stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I wish to go with General Han to Nam Kho." The emperor frowned. "You have been up all night." I looked straight into his eyes. "If my father rests, the old evidence of the Tham family will probably never wake up again." The palace was silent for a moment. The last emperor nodded. "Correct." "The commander of the forbidden army personally escorted." Tieu Thua Canh immediately looked at me. "Tham Van Chi, if the Nam Kho really has an ambush, if you go, it will be like surrendering yourself to the sword." I walked to the palace gate, stopping half a step. "The prince can rest assured." "From the main hall of the Royal Palace to the sea of fire on the old road, I have passed by the blade countless times." "This time, at least, at least The blade was not brought from the person next to his knee.” The blood on his face drained little by little. I don't look at him anymore. Outside the palace gate, the sky was already dawning, the morning fog weighed heavily on the long street. Han Than turned himself onto his horse, and the soldiers escorted my carriage and rushed straight to the Southern Military Department. The closer you get to Nam Kho, the quieter the streets are. So quiet that the sound of horse hooves seemed to pound straight into one's bones. Suddenly, the scouts in front grabbed the horse's reins and ran back. "Your Highness, the door to the Southern Treasury is open." "There are no soldiers guarding." Han Than's face immediately turned pale. I lifted the car curtain and from a distance saw a billowing strip of black smoke rising from the southern direction of the warehouse. The next moment, a loud explosion rang out from inside the warehouse. The firelight tore through the morning mist, illuminating half of the long street. 19The fire in Nam Kho did not burn from one point. East wall, west corridor, back door of main warehouse, bronze

A series of three fires broke out. Thick smoke rolled along with pieces of wood flying into the sky, the morning dew was burned bright red. Our carriage was so shaken that it shook violently. Mother Qin hurriedly protected me, the evidence box hit her arm, making a dull sound. Han Than drew his knife and dismounted from his horse. Even though he only had one hand, he was still faster than anyone. "Protect the Princess." The commander of the forbidden army led his men and rushed towards the warehouse door. I lifted the curtain and got out of the car, a heat wave hit my face, almost stinging my eyes. The guard station at the South Gate of the Infantry Department indeed had no guards. Two thick wooden doors opened wide, the door latches were cut off from the inside. There is blood on the ground. The blood trail dragged into the warehouse, then was half obscured by ash. Han Than lowered his head to look, his face darkened fearfully. "The warehouse guard did not escape." "But he was purged before." I tightened my sleeves. "Where is General Tran Tham?" As soon as he finished speaking, a coughing sound came from inside the warehouse door. The Imperial Army pulled out a person whose entire body was completely black from the smoke. The man's armor was burned, but his hands were holding an iron scroll covered in leather. Han Than rushed forward, his voice cracking. "Tran Linh." General Tran opened his eyes, his pupils bloodshot from the smoke.