Chapter 7 — I Am Your Royal Highness, Not Your Puppet

My hand holding the pen is still as steady as a rock. Wait until the last stroke of the pen falls. I slowly put down the brush. Gently blow the ink dry.

“What are you panicking about?”

My calmness caused Xuan Hoa to gradually regain some reason.

"But Princess! Everyone outside has gone crazy!"

“They all said... they all said the Tham family was about to collapse!”

“The Tham family would collapse so easily.”

“I couldn't stand it until today.”

I stood up. There was not a single ripple in his eyes.

“They targeted my father.”

“It's also targeting me.”

I understand all too well these devilish tricks of the capital. Father holds a heavy army. The merit is too great. It has long been a thorn in the eyes of some people. They did not dare to confront their father directly on the battlefield. So we can only secretly pull such despicable tricks behind our backs. Which chose to launch at this exact moment. It's also an extremely accurate calculation. Tieu Canh Diem and I are at odds. In their eyes. That is a signal that cracks have appeared in the relationship between the Tham family and the royal family. They thought that since I had lost the protection of the Royal Family, the Tham family had also lost a talisman. It's ridiculous. They simply did not know that Tham Thanh Ninh had never needed anyone's protection. I am the sharpest blade that the Tham family has planted in the middle of this capital.

“Shen Nhat.”

I headed out the door and called out. Tham Nhat's figure immediately appeared at the door.

“What does the princess have to say?”

“Go investigate to see who is playing tricks behind your back.”

“Bring me out those 'generals' who have pointed out the confirmation, even if I have to dig it up from the ground, I still have to find it.”

“Obey orders.”

“Also, prepare the carriage.”

“I want to go to Trinh Quoc Cong's palace.”

Trinh Quoc Cong was my father's close friend for many years, and was also one of the very few people in the court who dared to stand up and speak for the Tham family at this time. As soon as I reached the courtyard gate, I bumped into Tieu Canh Diem who was rushing towards me. He looked even more impatient than me, with worry and insecurity clearly visible on his face.

"Thanh Ninh, have you heard the news? Your father-in-law..."

“I heard.”

My reaction was much calmer than he imagined. He was stunned for a moment, then immediately grabbed my wrist.

“Don't be afraid, I'm here.”

“I will go to the palace to pray to my father.”

“Father-in-law fought all his life, loyal and devoted.”

“Father will definitely not believe those baseless slanders.”

He enthusiastically expressed his stance, as if he was trying to prove something. If it were before, maybe I would be touched. But now, I just feel extremely sarcastic. I pulled my hand out and looked at him faintly.

“Your good will, I accept it.”

“But the matter of the Tham family, there is no need for the Royal Family to worry.”

“Thanh Ninh!”

He took a step forward, as if he wanted to say something. But I passed him directly and went straight out.

“I still have important things to take care of.”

“Disrespectful.”

I won't give him any more chances. I'm afraid that if he continues talking, I won't be able to help but ask him. Tieu Canh Diem, in your heart, my father's purity and your grandmother's tears My dear, what is more important in the end? I'm afraid that answer will cause me to completely collapse. I stepped on the horse-drawn carriage, leaving behind a curtain of dust and quickly left. Only Tieu Canh Diem was left standing in place, looking in the direction I left, her face filled with surprise and hurt. He doesn't understand. Why, at a moment like this that involves life and death, do I still refuse his good intentions? He did not understand that his goodwill had come too late. Trinh Quoc Cong Palace. In the study room, sandalwood scent gently spreads. After hearing the purpose of my coming here, Trinh Quoc Cong with white hair and white beard sighed softly.

“Girl Thanh Ninh, you and your father are truly identical.”

"Even if Thai Son mountain collapsed in front of you, your face would not change."

“The Duke is too praiseworthy.”

Let me pour you more tea.

“It's not like it hasn't changed.”

“But it cannot be changed.”

“If even you are in chaos, then the Tham family will really be in chaos.”

“It's good that you understand.”