Chapter 22 — On the big wedding day, the Queen Mother exchanged me for another prince

Finally, Queen Trieu opened her mouth, her voice was hoarse.

"Your Majesty... that year, I was afraid... I was afraid that Lam Thi would be favored and my position could not be maintained... I was confused..."

In the entire hall, no one spoke. Lieu Ngam Suong cowered in the corner, her face even whiter than Queen Trieu's. The Queen Mother put down the tea cup, did not look at Queen Trieu, nor did she look at anyone. His eyes stopped on Tong Hanh, a deep emotion appeared in the bottom of his eyes. Replacing a deceased person. Finally waited until today. Behind the Lap Bat palace. Queen Trieu was officially demoted to the position of Noble Concubine, moved out of Khon Ninh Palace, and moved to Vinh Hang next to the Cold Palace. Although not yet disabled. But it's no different than being scrapped. The Emperor kept the title "Noble Concubine" for her, as if he could still save some dignity. But all authority in the harem was revoked. The phoenix seal was handed over. Everything in the harem was temporarily assigned to Han Thi and the Luc Prince Concubine to manage on their behalf. The Trieu family was thoroughly purged. Thai Ha was sentenced to exile. Several people from the Bui family involved in the case were also dealt with one by one. But all of that... Just matters on the official scene. The thing that caused the whole capital to talk the most. It is the scene of the day Queen Trieu left the Kun Ninh Palace. I went to the palace to greet the Queen Mother. Just happened to meet Queen Trieu's moving convoy. Less than ten people followed. Three horse-drawn carriages. Carrying everything she had accumulated over the decades. She was wearing a light-colored outfit. There is only one silver brooch on his head. When she saw me, she stopped walking. We stood facing each other on the palace path. The palace servants standing nearby all backed away, no one dared to interfere.

"Tham Nhuoc Van."

She called my name. His voice was hoarse, but he didn't cry.

"You won."

I looked at her. On that face there was no longer any nobleness or superiority, nor was there any calculation or precaution. Only a very deep fatigue remains.

"It's not me who wins."

"But you lost."

She laughed softly, very briefly.

"What's the difference?"

"It's different."

"From beginning to end, you had every chance not to lose."

"If on the big wedding day, you could manage Tong Duc and not let him force me to drink Liu Soaked Tea, then the person still sitting in the Kun Ninh palace today would be you."

The smile on her lips disappeared.

"That's right."

"It's because I can't control it."

She took one look at me then turned and left. Take two steps and stop.

"Please speak to His Highness Ninth for me."

"What happened that year..."

"...I did it."

"I don't ask him for forgiveness."

"I just hope he doesn't hate his father."

"That year, Your Majesty believed those words."

"It's not because people don't love it."

"But because I blindsided you."

She didn't turn back anymore. The carriage slowly went away. I stood still, watching the carriages gradually disappear at the end of the palace road. To ma ma stepped forward and said softly:

"The Queen Mother is waiting for you."

"I'll be right over."

Go to Tu Ninh palace. The Queen Mother leaned on her concubine's chair, in much better spirits than before.

"Has Trieu moved away?"

"Moved."

"What did it say to you?"

"She asked me to convey a message to Your Highness Ninth, telling you not to hate Your Majesty."

The Queen Mother was silent for a moment.

"Woman there."

"Do bad things all your life."

"To the end..."

"...can speak a sentence that sounds like a human voice again."

He held my hand.

"Later days."

"Let's live well."

"What anyone can do."

"Everyone has done it."

"The remaining path."

"You two continue on your own."

"The Queen Mother..."

"Don't cry."

The Queen Mother glared at me.

"What everyone hates most is seeing others cry."

"Your husband is still waiting for you outside."

I performed the ceremony and then left the Tu Ninh palace. Tong Hanh was indeed waiting in front of the palace gate.

"What Queen Zhao said."

"We all heard it."

"Where were you standing to hear it?"

"Behind the corner of the palace."

"He did it on purpose."

He extended his hand towards me. I put my hand in his palm. Thirteen years now. That hand. Finally there is warmth. After the fall of Queen Trieu. Tong Duc's situation deteriorated very quickly. The emperor did not publicly punish him. But everyone sees it. The fourth prince is no longer the prince whom expectations were placed on as before. The recommendations he made to the court. The Emperor no longer cared. The medal he offered. The Cabinet directly rejected it. Former officials always surrounded him. One after another, find every reason to keep distance. Someone took the initiative to visit Thuy Vuong Palace. People of the Household Ministry. People of the Army. People of the Ministry of Rites. Every few days, he sends out invitations, inviting Tong Hanh to drink tea, attend a party, or "discuss education".