Chapter 21 — I heard that I had a loving husband and wife, and had many children and grandchildren. He crushed the white jade bowl in his hand.

The way the words are used in this sentence is extremely magical.

"Her life" refers to the concubines who entered the palace before Thanh Uyen.

But in my previous life... the person sitting in that position was me. Co Van Thu prostrated herself on the ground, her voice trembling.

“I ask for the truth.”

She was silent. But that silence... is heavier than any answer. Tieu Duc closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened his eyes again, his gaze left Co Van Thu and fell on her. Just for a brief moment. What's in those eyes is too complicated. There is also an emotion that we cannot name. He withdrew his gaze.

“Transmission of instructions.”

"The Queen's virtue has shortcomings. From today, she will take off her phoenix seal and move to Vinh An palace to close the door to self-examination."

“All people in Tieu Phong Palace are handed over to the Queen Mother to handle.”

Co Van Thu suddenly raised her head.

“You once promised me!”

“You said that in this life you will not let me suffer any resentment!”

Tieu Duc's back paused for a moment. But he didn't turn around.

“I really did say that.”

“But I never said… I can harm other people's lives in exchange for your peace.”

He left. In the main hall, there was only the cry of Co Van Thu, who was prostrate on the ground. The Queen Mother looked at her and sighed softly.

“Bring it down.”

The palace man stepped forward to help Co Van Thu up. As she passed by me, she stopped for a step. I raised my head to look at her.

“Tong Thanh Hoa, do you really think you won?”

Her voice was hoarse.

"What he loves in his heart is still me."

"You can't steal it."

“I didn't steal.”

I calmly responded.

“I just came to protect my sister.”

She was a little stunned. Then he was led away by palace servants. The Queen Mother told me to stand up and personally gave me a cup of hot tea.

“Girl, you've worked hard.”

“Thank you, Queen Mother, for taking charge of my father.”

"Your sister's matter, I will let someone else handle it."

"From today, Dung's food and drinks will be delivered directly by people from Tu Ninh palace."

I knelt down and bowed my head.

“The Queen Mother's great grace, my father will remember.”

By the time we left the palace, it was completely dark. Han Chinh was still standing at the palace gate. Next to him was a small stool, with a pot of tea and two cakes on top.

“Are you sitting here all day?”

"Um. I bought a stool."

“Last time I stood for an hour and a half, my legs cramped.”

I looked at his face that was blown red by the cold wind, the bridge of my nose suddenly stinging. He took off his cloak and wrapped it around her body.

“Is the matter resolved?”

"Done."

“Let's go then, go home.”

“You're hungry, right?”

“On the street there is a shop that sells wontons.”

"The boss said the goods were about to be served. I told him to leave us two bowls."

He held my hand and went out. The moonlight is bright. The shadows of the two people were stretched very long on the ground. The news that Co Van Thu was transferred to Vinh An palace in just one day spread throughout the capital. The court was immediately shocked. The civil servants divided into two factions. One side believes that the Queen is at fault and is rightly punished. The other side says that family matters should not be exposed to the public. The generals are much more decisive. Especially Han Chinh's brothers, they wished they could set off firecrackers to celebrate. But the real consequences of this... are much more complicated than we imagine. Try your best send people to the capital. Co Van Thu's brother, Co Nguyen Tu, head of the Ministry of Rites, personally came to the door to find me.

"Lady Han, my sister is at fault first. Our Gu family does not dare to argue for her."

“But there is something I want to discuss with Mrs. Han.”

“What to negotiate?”

“Can I ask Lady Han to help me say a few words in front of the Queen Mother?”

“Let her leave Vinh An Palace and return to Tieu Phong Palace to atone for her sins.”

I held the cup of tea and looked at him.

“Master Gu, order your sister to give you the ultimate medicine in the palace for your concubine.”

"Do you think you can get away with just 'a few love proposals'?"

“Lady Han, my sister is after all the mother of the country.”

"If the Queen is ousted, where will the dignity of the dozens of members of the Co family be placed?"

“What about the lives of my sister and the other concubines?”

“Isn't Princess Dung still safe and sound?”

“Because I discovered it in time, and risked my life to stop it.”

“What if we don't find out?”