Chapter 9 — On the wedding night, when he was forced to marry Vuong Gia Khat's wife, I used a needle to acupuncture his life.

Prime Minister Ly raised his head and saw that the Emperor's expression had recovered. His face instantly turned pale.

“Your Majesty… Your Majesty?!”

“Very surprising?” The Emperor smiled coldly, "I'm not dead yet, aren't you very disappointed?"

Prime Minister Ly's face was as gray as ash, but he quickly tried to calm down:

"Your Majesty, what does this mean? This old man is loyal to you..."

“Enough!” Duong Huc shouted loudly and threw a stack of secret letters down in front of him.

"This is evidence that you interacted with the traitor Bac Canh! As for these..."

He took out a few small porcelain vases:

“Han Tam Tan, exactly like the one you gave to the Emperor!”

Prime Minister Ly's face changed greatly: "This... this is slander!"

“And this.” I took a step forward and took out a piece of apricot jade pendant.

"This is what the Prince obtained from the assassin who assassinated the Prince, exactly like the jade pendant you wear at your waist."

Prime Minister Ly instinctively covered the jade pendant at his waist, his eyes finally showing fear: "You... you..."

“Prime Minister Ly, do you know your crime?” The Emperor asked coldly.

Prime Minister Ly knew that the great situation was lost and suddenly laughed fiercely:

"Being the king lost to the enemy, the old man admitted defeat! But do you think that's the end? Han Mai Quan has spread throughout the royal court, you..."

"Ot my banh"

“All arrested.” Duong Huc interrupted in a cold voice, "Your fellow party members, no one can escape."

"Even Trieu Ho that you placed next to me, I also captured. He has already confessed everything."

"I already suspected him. It's a shame you asked him to save me in exchange for my trust."

Prime Minister Ly felt like he was struck by lightning and sat down on the ground:

"Human calculation is not as good as God's calculation... I ordered him to secretly poison you, thinking that God does not know that ghosts do not know."

The emperor waved his hand: "Pull down, tomorrow at noon, go to the Nine Clans." Cam guards dragged Prime Minister Ly away with his face like ash. In the palace, quiet was restored. The tired Emperor closed his eyes:

“Uncle Hoang, leave the rest to you.”

“God obeys.”

When I left the palace, it was late at night. The stars were bright, the night wind was cold, I took a deep breath, feeling that the burden of five years had finally been let go.

“Mother… you can rest in peace…” I silently chanted in my heart.

Duong Huc walked beside me, silent for a long time, then suddenly opened his mouth: "Tomorrow... come with me somewhere."

“Her mother's grave.”

I looked at him in surprise: "How do you know where your mother and concubine are buried?"

“I already looked it up.” he said softly, "Tomorrow... I want to personally thank you."

My eye sockets were hot, speechless. Early the next morning, Duong Huc indeed took me to a bamboo forest on the outskirts of the city. The mother's grave is located deep in the bamboo forest, so simple that it makes people feel sad. Duong Huc solemnly lit three incense sticks in front of the grave, then knelt down on one knee and performed a grand ceremony.

“Mrs. Sun, thank you for raising such a good daughter.” His voice was low but sincere.

"Duong Huc swears here that he will never betray her in this life."

I stood next to him, tears streaming down my face. This arrogant man actually made such a promise in front of my mother's grave... When leaving the bamboo forest, Duong Huc suddenly asked: "What are your plans for the future?" I was stunned: "My dear... I don't know."

“The Emperor wants to appoint her Princess, reward thousands of gold."

He said softly, "You can leave the royal palace and live a free life in the princess's palace." My heart suddenly tightened: "Your Majesty... do you want to send me away?"

"Are not." He stopped walking, turned around and looked straight into my eyes, "I just... don't want to force you anymore."

I looked at his somewhat tense face and suddenly understood something, the corner of my lips curled up slightly:

“Do you still remember what you said on your wedding night?”

He frowned: "What words?"

“‘Peace be safe, this king told you not to die’.”

I imitated his tone at that time, then smiled softly, "What a coincidence, I also think so." Duong Huc was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing, holding me in his arms with one hand:

“What a clever-tongued Princess!”

I leaned against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, suddenly feeling that this change of marriage was perhaps the best arrangement of fate. A month later, the Emperor completely recovered and publicly rewarded me and Duong Huc at court. I was given the title of "Princess Dieu Thu", Duong Huc was given the title of "Ho Quoc Cong", but I still chose to stay in the royal palace and be his royal concubine. Prime Minister Ly's party was completely eliminated, and Han Mai Quan also disintegrated. Duong Huc and I published our mother's medical book, compiled the antidotes in it into a book, and distributed it to medical shops everywhere. Half a year later, we opened a medical clinic next to the royal palace, specializing in treating poor people. Duong Huc let me manage everything, I personally attended the examination, life passed fully and happily. That afternoon, I was arranging medicinal herbs when Duong Huc suddenly hugged me from behind.

“Your Highness, what are you thinking?” His chin rested on my shoulder, his voice incredibly gentle.

I smiled and turned around, wiping away the sweat on his forehead for him: "I was thinking... fate is wonderful."

“If my sister hadn't abandoned the marriage, if the royal family hadn't been poisoned, if I hadn't changed my marriage…”

I said softly, "We probably won't see each other forever." Duong Huc looked at me deeply, then suddenly leaned down and kissed my lips. This kiss was gentle yet steadfast, as if telling an eternal promise.

“There aren't many ifs.” He touched his forehead to mine, his voice low but firm,

"From now on, you and I will live and die together, we will never be apart."

The sunset falls, lengthening our shadows, becoming one, inseparable. [END OF FULL TEXT]