Chapter 6 — I Am Your Royal Highness, Not Your Puppet

As for the gift I prepared, my father found a piece of thousand-year-old jade from the North, then invited a famous craftsman to make a pair of knee warmers.

“Royal Ancestor Mother.”

I said smiling.

"Sun Tien knows that every time it's rainy or the weather is humid, your knees ache. This pair of knee warmers made from jade eggs can nourish the meridians and reduce pain. Would you like to try it?"

At first when she saw Tieu Canh Diem, the Queen Mother's face was still quite pale. But just saw my offering. She immediately smiled. Right on the spot, I immediately asked someone to help me put it on. Then he moved his legs a few times and said in surprise:

“Oh my, it's true!”

“Incredibly warm and comfortable, much more comfortable!”

"It's still this child Thanh Ninh who has the heart!"

She pulled my hand back. Let me sit right next to you. Then asked all kinds of questions, extremely friendly.

“Is your father still healthy in the North?”

“Someone heard not long ago that he had just won a big battle.”

“Truly the defining pillar of our Dai Ha nation!”

“Thank you so much for your concern, Grandmother Hoang.”

“Father, everything is very good.”

“He also said that waiting until the end of the year to return to the capital would bring him some of the freshest deer antlers.”

“Good good good!”

The two of us, one old and one young, chatted happily. From beginning to end, he completely left Tieu Canh Diem by his side. His facial expression. It's also getting more and more unsightly. During the banquet, the Queen also paid great attention to me, constantly serving me food.

"Thanh Ninh, you've become thinner lately. Is there anything you don't like at the palace? If so, just tell me, I'll take care of it for you."

The Queen is my father's great-grandmother's daughter, and I have been loved by her since childhood. Her words clearly have meaning. I quickly stood up and thanked him.

"Thank you so much for your concern. I mean everything is fine. It's just that the weather has been hot lately and my appetite isn't very good."

I do not accuse. Bad things in the house cannot be spread outside. But I know. My attitude. They've all seen it all. During the entire banquet. We are like a fish in water, chatting happily and responding naturally. And Tieu Canh Diem is like an outsider. Couldn't squeeze in a single sentence. His face was so gloomy that he could almost cry. First time. He understood it so clearly. That I Tham Thanh Ninh never existed by relying on him. My identity. My glory. My support. They all come from the powerful family behind me. The so-called noble Royal Family. Once he lost the support of the Tham family. In this center of royal power. He is nothing. On the way back to the palace. The atmosphere in the carriage was so stuffy that it was almost impossible to breathe. When approaching the Royal Palace. Tieu Canh Diem finally opened her mouth. His voice was hoarse. Bringing with it an obscurity that has never appeared before.

“Thanh Ninh, we... can't go back to the way we were before?”

I lifted the car curtain. Look at the familiar road outside. Don't answer his question. I just said a simple sentence.

“Your Majesty, look.”

“The weather is about to change.”

It's really about to change. Three days later, the Queen Mother attended a banquet. A thunderclap exploded in the clear sky on the royal court. Ngu Su Dai jointly performed the song. Accused my father, Tran Quoc General Tham Sach, of holding heavy troops with arrogance, cutting off military provisions, and plotting nefariously in the North. The "evidence of the crime" listed in the chapter is extremely detailed. There are even autographs signed by several "Northern generals". The whole dynasty was shocked. The emperor's father sat on a long chair. His face was gloomy. No one can tell if someone is happy or angry. People don't get angry on the spot. Just gently say one sentence:

“Let's discuss this later.”

Then immediately declared the tidal flat. But everyone knows. A huge storm is silently forming. When the news reached the Royal Palace. I am sitting in the Buddha hall in the heavenly monastery copying scriptures. Xuan Hoa almost crawled in and ran in. The voice has completely changed.

"Wang Hao! It's not good! There's a news from the palace... saying that the Great General..."