Chapter 12 — I Didn't Choose the Crown Prince, The One I Chose Made Everyone Stunned

Crown Prince Trieu Dich also bowed his head repeatedly.

“Your father and mother have always been kind and gentle, you absolutely cannot do such a thing!”

“There is definitely a misunderstanding in this matter, please clarify!”

The Queen and the Crown Prince both cried and argued, each sentence and each word coordinated in harmony, in just a moment they pushed all responsibilities away from themselves. The Emperor looked at the two of them, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger. Anger seemed to be curling up at the bottom of his eyes, ready to explode. But he didn't get angry right away. He slowly turned his gaze, stopping at my father.

“Qin Ai Khanh, what do you think about this?”

The entire Royal Library was silent. All eyes turned to his father. His forehead was covered with cold sweat, but his expression still maintained the composure of an official who had many years in court. He stepped out of the line, knelt down, his voice was calm:

"Your Majesty, this foolish young lady unintentionally wore an object of disrepute. Please punish her."

He paused for a moment then continued:

"But this really wasn't this young lady's intention. She was just someone who got caught up in it and was taken advantage of."

“As for the Queen…”

He gently clasped his hands, and finally bowed deeply.

“I dare not make false suggestions.”

Those words both protected me and skillfully pulled the Tan family out of the vortex. He understood very clearly that when the royal power and the Eastern Palace collided, the person standing in the middle only needed to say one wrong word and it would be enough to break bones and flesh. The emperor looked at him for a long time, then let out a heavy breath. The fatigue of a monarch caught in the middle of a choice is clearly visible on his face. He waved his hand.

“Everyone stand up.”

His eyes fell on the Queen, cold as night dew.

"Queen, stay in detention at Phuong Loan palace for three months, close the door and self-examine."

"The Crown Prince failed in his duties of supervision, he was punished for one year, he soberly self-reflected, and must not commit the same offense again."

His voice was not high, but each word sounded like it was hitting the stone floor, so heavy that no one dared to breathe loudly.

“And this jade…”

His eyes turned to me.

“Tan Duyet, this thing is unusual, I will take it back for you.”

He paused for a moment, then continued:

"Please, go into my private treasury and choose the highest quality set of South Sea pearls and give them to the future Seventh Princess. It will be considered that I will resolve the unexpected for her, and at the same time show the royal family's intentions."

The words just ended. The whole room shook. The Queen and Trieu Dich's faces were as white as paper with blood drained from them. My father also froze, his eyes filled with surprise. There is only me, my heart is as clear as a mirror. The Emperor has chosen. He did not pursue it to the end, because pursuing it to the end would mean tearing apart the royal dignity and shaking the Eastern Palace. But he was not completely lenient either. Three months detention, one year fine — that's a warning. As for the reward given to us... That is reassurance. Reassure the Tan family. Reassure me. And also an implicit message sent to the person standing behind us - Trieu Hanh. In this chessboard, the Emperor does not turn over the board. But he tilted the balance. And there is also General Ly - although the old general has told him to return home, he still holds his old reputation and military power, enough to make the court wary. Even though it's not possible to pull the Queen down from her position. But I was able to put a thorn in the Emperor's heart. A thorn called doubt. Doubtful towards the Queen. Skepticism towards Crown Prince. As long as there is the first stretch mark, the following marks will automatically spread. That's enough. As soon as I stepped out of the Imperial Library Room, on the long hallway, Trieu Dich blocked me. His eyes were bloodshot, like a wild animal driven to the edge of a cliff.

“Tan Duyet.”

He gritted his teeth and called my name, each word crushed through his teeth.

“It's you, right?”

“It was you who set a trap to harm your mother, and harmed her too!”

I look at him. Looking at the face that I once considered my life in my previous life, now I only have a feeling of cold disgust. I smiled.

"What are you talking about, Your Highness the Crown Prince? I really don't understand."

"Not understand?"

He took a step forward, reaching out to grab me.

“You are truly an independent woman!”

“You were really blind back then!”

Before he could reach me, his hand was held tightly by another hand. It's Ly Cong Cong. I don't know when he was standing behind us. He still kept his familiar gentle smile, but his eyes were as cold as ice.

“His Royal Highness, Your Majesty has instructed.”

"The future Seventh Princess has just been frightened and needs to rest."

"No matter who you are, don't bother."

Trieu Dich looked at Ly Cong Cong, then looked at me. Finally, he jerked his hand away, his eyes filled with resentment.

“Tan Duyet, you are very good.”

“We… just wait and see.”

He left a sentence, waved his sleeve and left.