Chapter 22 — 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.

Co Nguyen Tu's lips moved twice, but in the end he couldn't say a word. I put down the tea cup.

"Master Gu, what your sister did... didn't just harm Dung."

“The records of that remedy started two years ago.”

"In other words, before Dung Concubine, as long as there was another concubine in the palace..."

“Your sister also used the same method.”

His face immediately turned gray.

“What happened before… I don't know…”

“It's okay if you don't know.”

“As long as the Queen Mother knows, that's enough.”

When Co Nguyen Tu left, his steps were a bit unsteady. That afternoon, another group of people from the Co family arrived again. I'm just sorry you didn't come find me. Instead, go to the palace to find Emperor Tieu Duc. But Tieu Duc did not see him. For three consecutive days, all the people who came to pray for Co Van Thu were blocked outside the palace gate. Day four. Tieu Duc issued an order. Co Van Thu's position as Empress was officially stripped and demoted to commoner status. Ban lived in Vinh An palace for the rest of his life, not allowed to step out of the palace gates. The aftertaste is left blank. On the day the edict was issued, the Co family's palace in the capital closed the main gate overnight. Several officials who had had close interactions with the Co family also began to hastily erase their relationship. The investigation of Lord Phuong's dismissal finally had results. Permanently cannot be reappointed. An underground fire that had been smoldering for twenty years... was finally completely extinguished that spring. When Han Chinh returned home, he rarely drank a few more cups of wine.

“Thanh Hoa.”

“Are you afraid?”

“Afraid of what?”

“Afraid of these things.”

“Afraid of the people in the palace.”

“Afraid of the storms on the road.”

I think for a moment.

“I was afraid in my previous life.”

The cup of wine in his hand paused for a moment.

“Previous life?”

I immediately realized I had spoken out loud.

“I've been drinking too much, I'm just talking too much.”

He did not ask further. Just put your hand over my hand that was placed on the table, gently squeezing it.

“No matter what you've been through before…”

“I will be here later.”

When he was drunk, his speech was more fluent than usual.

"I, Han Chinh, don't know how to read books, don't know how to write poetry, and don't know how to say those cliche words."

“But if anything happens to you, just tell me.”

“If the sky falls… I will be the one to take responsibility first.”

I lowered my head to look at his rough hand covering each of my fingers. In my previous life, someone gave me a whole palace... but looking back, it was nothing. In this life, someone gives me a shoulder. It turns out... the real precious thing is the latter. After Co Van Thu was deposed, the wind direction in the capital completely changed. Those who looked down on the Han family before, now that they saw me, they wished they could go another way. Not out of fear. It's because of loss of face. Who ever laughed at me for not marrying well? Who once said behind his back that Han Chinh was not worthy of the young lady of the Tong family. Who used to openly oppress me at the palace banquet? Now everything is crystal clear. Mrs. Liu even deliberately went to the door to pay her respects, bringing with her a whole cart of offerings.

"Lady Han is generous, the previous words were all because of my talkativeness."

"Don't take it to heart."

I replied: "Forgot it a long time ago." But I still told Mom to return all the gifts intact. After the news spread, The ladies in the capital immediately raised a small storm. Some people say we don't know how to treat people. There are also people who say we did the right thing. I don't care what other people say. Thanh Uyen's situation has stabilized. The Queen Mother personally inquired about her living arrangements, and also replaced a group of other trusted servants. Thanh Uyen's body gradually recovered, and her face was much better than before. She wrote letters to me from the palace, with more and more words.

"Sister, the Queen Mother treats me very well. The other day she even gave me a pot of orchids."

“Sister, the doctor said that my body is no longer a concern.”

“Sister, the Queen Mother said that if you are willing, you can ask for permission to leave the palace.”

This last letter gives me pause. During this dynasty, concubines had only two possibilities. Or commit a serious crime and be kicked out of the palace. Or receive a special pardon from the Emperor. Thanh Uyen can leave the palace... it can only be because Tieu Duc nodded. Sure enough, the next day, a decree was transmitted from the palace. Grace allowed Dung to leave the palace and return to the Tong family.