Chapter 23 — On the big wedding day, the Queen Mother exchanged me for another prince

Tong Hanh did not meet anyone.

"No rush."

"Now meet them."

"Then it will become me deliberately trying to win people's hearts."

"Just let them wait more."

"Wait for what?"

"Waiting for Tong Duc to finish the last stupid thing himself."

Tong Duc actually did it. December fifteenth. There is less than half a month left until Tet. Tong Duc took Lieu Ngam Suong to Vinh Hang to visit Queen Trieu. That's not unusual at all. It is reasonable for a son to visit his mother. But after leaving Vinh Hang. He went to a place he shouldn't have gone. Lam Thi's tablet was brought into Thai Mieu less than a month ago. Tong Duc stood in front of Lam Thi's tablet for a long time. He did something that made everyone dumbfounded. He changed Lam Thi's tablet from the official position to the partial position. That evening. The guard of Thai Mieu discovered that the tablet had been touched and immediately reported it. The Emperor was furious. The next morning. During the adoration. The emperor called Tong Duc to appear before the civil and military officials.

"Tong Duc, Concubine Lam Thuc's tablet in the Thai Temple was moved, was it your doing?"

Tong Duc knelt under the palace, his face ashen. Originally, he thought he would be able to do what God doesn't know about ghosts. I didn't expect the person who took care of Thai Mieu to be so dedicated.

"Your Majesty, I... I just feel that Lam Thi was originally a palace maid and is not worthy of being placed on the main throne in the Thai Temple..."

The emperor slammed down the dragon's sentence.

"The posthumous promotion of Lam Thi was ordered by me myself!"

"You touch her tablet, which means denying my decree!"

"Do you still have this father in your eyes?"

Tong Duc prostrated himself on the ground. Don't dare say another word. Right in front of the royal court. The Emperor declared. The fourth prince, Tong Duc, was disobedient and unfilial, disregarding the holy order. From today, he closed his doors to self-criticism. If he did not have a decree, he could not step out of the palace. Close the door for self-criticism. Exactly like his mother. When Tong Duc was escorted out of the main hall by guards. Passing in front of Tong Hanh. He paused a bit. Raised his head to look at Tong Hanh.

"Tong Hanh, don't be complacent."

"Today I lost."

"But don't forget either."

"For thirteen years in that Orchid."

"You pretend to be someone who lives and dies."

"Where are you better than me?"

Tong Hanh looked at him. Don't say a word. Tong Duc was escorted away. After the tide ends. Tong Hanh stood in front of the main hall door. Quietly looking at the empty square ahead. I stood waiting for you next to the carriage. When he stepped forward. I noticed that his hand was shaking slightly.

"Nothing."

He got into the car. Lean against the side of the car. Close your eyes.

"Thirteen years ago."

"He followed his mother to Lan Vien to meet me."

"I'm only six years old."

"He's ten years old."

"He's standing in the yard."

"Look at the room I live in."

"Then say something."

"He said..."

"'Are you staying in a place like this? It's no different than holding a prisoner.'"

Tong Hanh opened his eyes.

"That was the only time I cried in Lan Vien."

I hold your hand. He did not withdraw his hand. The carriage rolled slowly. Leave the palace gate. After Tong Duc was imprisoned in the Fourth Prince's palace. Lieu Ngam Suong came to see me once. She came alone. Do not give notice. Just quietly waiting in front of the big gate of Thuy Vuong Palace. When Chung mama came in to report. Her face was very unsightly.

"King phi."

"Lieu Ngam Suong is standing outside the gate, saying she wants to see someone."

"Do we need to send someone to chase them away?"

"Let her in."

When Lieu Ngam Suong entered the lobby. She was completely different from the first time I met her. No more goose-colored dresses. No longer looks weak and pitiful. There are no more tears of retreating to advance. She was wearing an old gray cotton shirt. The hair is only loosely tied into a simple bun. The rough look of a person who has been worn down by life is clearly visible on his face. But her eyes were much more alert than before.

"Ninth prince concubine. No, now it should be called Thuy Vuong Phi."

"Please sit down. If you have anything, just say it directly."

She doesn't sit. Just stood there looking at me for a long time, never opening my mouth. Finally, she said one sentence.

"The words you said to me last time at the Fourth Prince's Palace have all come true."

"People say that when the day I'm no longer useful, the first person to throw me away will be His Highness the Fourth."

She smiled softly. Bitter smile.

"After His Highness the Fourth was put under house arrest, on the first day he sent someone to spread the word, telling me to 'leave on my own, don't get involved'. In eight years, he has never even said 'sorry'."

I look at her. Don't speak up.

"I didn't come here today to ask for pity. I can't pray anymore, I don't want to pray anymore. I just want to ask you something."

"On that big wedding day, she was saved by the Queen Mother and then married to Her Highness the Ninth. Have you ever thought, if the Queen Mother hadn't opened her mouth that day, what would she have done?