Chapter 18 — On the big wedding day, the Queen Mother exchanged me for another prince

The case at Dali Temple was overturned. The days that followed were no longer pleasant for Queen Trieu. The late Lord, Prime Minister of the Cabinet, presented the entire trial results to the Emperor. After reading it, that very day, the Emperor issued two decrees. The first religion. Restore Lam Thi's honor. Posthumously appointed her as Thuc concubine. The tablet was brought into the Thai Mieu. The second religion. Queen Trieu Thi, because she did not raise her children strictly and did not manage the palace staff properly, was punished with one year's allowance and was banned from Kun Ninh Palace for three months. Although not yet disabled. But being detained for three months in the harem was one of the heaviest punishments. Even the Trieu family, Queen Trieu's mother, was also implicated. Thai Ha was escorted to Dai Ly temple for interrogation. Not long after, everything from the past was revealed. The Bui family is also involved in this. Each key figure was investigated in turn. Although Tong Duc was not publicly punished. But in front of the Cabinet, the Emperor only said one sentence.

"My son, you can't even tell the difference between a witness's truth and falsehood, but you still have the face to discuss other people's marriages?"

Just that one sentence. More severe than any punishment. Tong Duc's prestige at court. Just for one night. Falling into the abyss. Those who once followed him also began to make excuses to keep their distance. But Queen Trieu still refused to admit defeat. On the seventh day, he was detained. She did something again. She let Lieu Ngam Suong leave the Fourth Prince's palace. Not being kicked out. It means being "released" out. Bring the silver given by Queen Trieu and a letter of recommendation. Lieu Ngam Suong came to the largest embroidery workshop in the capital. Accepted the position of administrator there. On the outside, he looks disgraced. But in reality, Queen Trieu arranged for Lieu Ngam Suong to go outside, letting her be the eyes and ears of the noble ladies in the capital. This news was investigated by Luc Hang.

"Leaving the Fourth Prince's residence, Lieu Ngam Suong went to two places first. One was Lady Qin's residence, the other was Tham Ngoc Dao's place."

"Why is she looking for Tham Ngoc Dao?"

"I don't know yet. But when she left Tham Ngoc Dao's place, her face was very ugly. The two seemed to have argued."

I thought for a moment.

"Tham Ngoc Dao originally joined hands with Empress Trieu, wanting to rely on that relationship to climb up. Now Empress Trieu is banned, Tong Duc has also lost all prestige, Tham Ngoc Dao's investment seems to have gone down the drain. She must be very upset in her heart."

"So Lieu Ngam Suong came to see her to reassure her?"

"Or maybe you want her to do something."

"Something that Queen Trieu could not do herself, so she had to borrow the hands of others."

Tong Hanh walked out of the study room. He just heard the last sentence.

"Empress Trieu is under detention and can't meet outsiders. There aren't many chess pieces she can use right now. Lieu Ngam Suong is a person."

"Her older sister is the other one."

"What do you think they will do?"

"It's hard to guess."

"But one thing can be confirmed."

"Empress Trieu right now is like a cornered animal."

"But animals are cornered..."

"...will often do the most unreasonable things."

He stopped one little.

"Be careful of your sister."

"She is not the kind of cruel person."

"But vanity is too heavy."

"As long as someone provokes her a few words, she dares to do anything."

I nodded slightly. Quietly remember those words in your heart. Tham Ngoc Dao has taken action. Not outside. But right in the Tham family. November 1st. Family ancestral sacrifice day. The entire Tham family was present. Me and Tong Hanh also came. This is the first time Tong Hanh took the identity of Thuy Vuong to attend a gathering of the Tham family. His father personally stood outside the door to welcome him. When Tong Hanh walked in. Dozens of people from up and down the Tham family all looked at him at the same time. Some people are curious. Some people are afraid. But mostly... It's silently considering.

"Is that Your Highness Ninth? He looks truly elegant."

"I heard that she has been appointed Thuy Vuong. So, isn't our Miss Tham family already a Princess?"

"The Princess is indeed the Princess, but wasn't that Her Highness the Ninth in the past..."

The whispers were immediately suppressed by a father's gaze. The ancestral sacrifice ceremony took place extremely smoothly. Trouble appeared again at the family dinner after the ceremony ended. After a few weeks of alcohol. Second uncle Tham Chinh Binh stood up. He raised his glass of wine, smiled and spoke loudly.

"Big brother, today is a happy day, the whole clan is full."

"I have something I wanted to tell you for a long time."

"Today, when everyone is present, I would like to mention it."