Chapter 10 — In this life, the Crown Princess will no longer be my sister's turn

There are also clues about Lam Chi's route through Tran Kinh to obtain rare poisonous objects, along with witness testimonies. These things were all during the half year I spent in the Eastern Palace, using the resources that Trieu Canh Hanh tacitly allowed, to find out little by little! Trieu Canh Hanh took the notebook, didn't even look at Tran Kinh, just coldly uttered two words: The dust settled. Bo Lai's maid, Tran Kinh, tolerated his wife's assault, was removed from office, investigated, and exiled three thousand miles away. His wife, Lam Chi, plotted to murder the Crown Princess, the evidence was clear, and she was euthanized with poisoned wine. Thang Lam Thi and Thang Thanh Ngo, abetting evil, plotting to harm their eldest sister, an unforgivable crime. Judge Thang devoted many years to serving the court and was spared death penalty. Stripped of Tang Thanh Ngo's civil status, demoted him to a commoner's position, and made him a slave. Thi Lam was punished with fifty lashes and sent to Tinh Tam Am, the coldest and harshest place outside the city, to light up the ancient Buddha, ending the rest of her life. The holy day is given. I stand on the high wall of the Eastern Palace. Looking out the city gate. A horse-drawn carriage covered with tattered green cloth, carrying Lam Thi who was beaten until she was barely alive, her eyes were deathly quiet, slowly rolled towards the cold land outside the city. An even smaller donkey cart carrying Thang Thanh Ngo was escorted by two strong women. She wore a rough cloth shirt, with a blade of grass on her head to mark her status as a slave. Her eyes were empty and numb, like a wooden puppet whose soul had been drained. The rolling wheels groaned. Grind through green stone. It also crushes all of our delusions and delusions. The pain of the eight poisons that permeated my previous life seems to have truly left me now. I closed my eyes. Feel the late autumn breeze carrying a gentle cold breeze across your cheeks. Behind him came the sound of quiet footsteps. Trieu Canh Hanh walked to my side. Standing shoulder to shoulder together. He looked in the direction of the disappearing carriage, his tone was flat and without ripples:

“Are you satisfied?”

“My concubine, thank you very much.” I didn't look at him, my voice was as calm as water.

“That block of jade,” he suddenly said, “if it breaks, it will break.”

He turned his head, his eyes fell on my face, carrying a sense of scrutiny.

“Tang Tuyet Thuoc.”

“The concubine is present.”

“What you want is already in your hand.”

"So," his voice lowered a bit, "now you're standing next to her. Do you still feel... tall enough?"

I was slightly stunned. Then I immediately understood. He is asking me, after taking revenge, what else do I want as the Crown Princess? I turned around and, for the first time, seriously looked straight at the future king in front of me. His appearance is elegant, his eyes are deep, and his whole body exudes innate majesty and cold aloofness.

"Your Highness," I met his gaze, calmly and calmly, "this concubine standing here is the honor given by your highness. How high the road under your feet can go, how far it can go, has never been about what I want, but about -—"

I paused for a moment, each word clear:

“What kind of blade does Your Highness need?”

The wind arose. Rolling up the hems of the two of us. The Buddha's part resonated. He looked at me attentively. In those bottomless eyes, under the layer of ice and cold, there seemed to be something, for the first time first, slightly shaking. An extremely pale curve, almost imperceptible, flashed across the corner of his lips. He didn't say anything. Just turned around and looked towards the palace wall outside, where the thousands of miles of mountains and rivers that belonged to him were spreading out.

“The wind has picked up.” he said.

“Yes,” I looked into the distance where the clouds were rolling, “the sky is about to change.”

Another spring year. The crown prince's ceremonial staff was majestic and resplendent, returning to the palace to visit his home. Thang Phu is now different from before. Traces of Lam Thi and Thang Thanh Ngo were completely erased. Father has grown very old, and when he sees me, he is both scared and strict.

"I... pay my respects to the Crown Princess."

“Father, there is no need to be so polite.” I gently reached out my hand to help, my voice distant.

In the flower hall, everything that was once familiar now exudes the coldness of a changing landscape.

“In the palace… is everything okay?” I raised my cup of tea and asked as if I wanted to.

“Thanks to the lady's blessing, everything is fine.” Father bowed his head, not daring to look at me.

“Where is the second sister?” I put down the tea cup, my voice calm. “Long time no see, I wonder how she is doing these days?”

The father's body suddenly stiffened, his face instantly turned pale.

“It… it…” His lips trembled, unable to complete the sentence.

Next to her, the housekeeper quickly stepped up and cautiously said: "My lady, second lady... Thang Thanh Ngo... is currently working in the laundry room."

"OH?" I raised my eyebrows. “Take this palace to see.”

The laundry room is located in the most secluded corner of the backyard. Low, damp, the air is filled with the strong smell of soapberry mixed with the smell of dirty water. A group of uncouth assistants were bowing their heads, washing piles of clothes as high as mountains.