Chapter 19 — Past Fairness Restored

"That wooden box was given to me by the Crown Prince." “He said if someone comes to pick it up, just hand it over.” “I didn't know there was a needle inside.” I suddenly looked at her. “The Crown Prince gave it to you?” She nodded continuously. "Correct." “He told me to hide it in the embroidery room.” “He said no one from the Marquis Palace searched my room.” "He said that as long as I listen, he will give me the position of concubine in the future." Lieu Thi felt like she was struck by lightning. “Bao Chau, how can you…” Tham Bao Chau shouted: “Why can't you?” “You always have to be careful when you live in the Marquis Palace.” "After Tham Duong Am returned, you guys said you loved your child, but father sent someone every day to search for her old things to bring back." "You all hope to find what Lam Chieu Vi left on her." “If I don't count for myself, should I wait for you guys to throw it away?” Tham Hoai Chuong closed his eyes, his whole body seemed to have been drained of all strength. The commander of the forbidden army immediately ordered her to be escorted to the palace to serve her orders. But I don't look at her anymore. I just looked at the doctor's hand. Every time the needle falls, I fear that Ta Tam Lang will never open his eyes again. Half an hour later, the doctor finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Most of the poisonous blood has been released.” "The King's physical condition is good, he can temporarily save his life." "But the residual poison is not yet clean, we must find someone to mix the poison and ask how to cure it." My legs were weak, I almost fell. Aunt Dao helped me. “You can keep it.” “Duong Am, you can keep it.” I nodded but couldn't speak. Ta Tam Lang was in a coma, his eyebrows were still slightly furrowed. I raised my hand to wipe his sweat. Normally he's so noisy. It's quiet now, so quiet that it scares me. After searching the embroidery room, the army found a secret letter written by the Crown Prince himself in the wall. The letter mentioned hidden books that Lam Chieu Vi had obtained that year, related to border military provisions and private soldiers in the capital. One more thing to mention. If King Chieu has not died, he must be eliminated first. I tightened my grip on the envelope, my fingertips were cut by the edge of the paper and bleeding. It turns out that Ta Tam Lang's three years of wandering outside were not an accident. Turns out the fact that I fell into the water and was taken away was no joke in the backyard. We are all just considered by them as people who can be thrown away at will. But I don't want to continue being thrown away anymore. At dusk, someone in the palace urged us to return. Ta Tam Lang was still in a coma and could only be escorted by Huyen Giap guards. In the car, I sat next to him, holding his uninjured hand. Aunt Dao sat opposite, her eyes were red but she still didn't cry. “Duong Am.” She said in a low voice: "Don't be afraid." I looked at Ta Tam Lang's pale face. “I'm not afraid.” “What they owe my mother, what they owe him, what they owe me.” “I will ask for each item back.” As soon as the carriage arrived at the palace gate, the old eunuch rushed over. His face was whiter than paper. “Miss Shen.” “When the Eastern Palace was blocked, the Crown Prince disappeared.” “In prison, only his torn outer robes were left behind.” My fingers tighten. Before I could open my mouth, a heavy bell suddenly sounded in the distance. One hour. Two hours. Three hours. Inside the palace gate, there were soldiers full of blood pouring out. “Your Majesty meets an assassin!” “The assassins are rushing towards Chieu Vuong's carriage!” 19 When the assassin rushed in front of Chieu Vuong's carriage, Ta Tam Lang was still in a coma. The wind lifted a corner of the car curtain, and we saw the torches in front of the palace door in a chaotic array. Someone called for a price. Someone shouted to capture the assassin. The sound of horse hooves,
The sounds of soldiers and swords, the sounds of crying, all mixed together. Aunt Dao pulled me hard behind me. “Duong Am, don't go out.” I hugged the wooden box tightly in my heart. The letter my mother left behind is still pressed against my chest. The fragile warmth of the paper is like her hand reaching through nineteen years to hold me. I bowed my head to look at Ta Tam Lang. His face was pale, his lips were still pale blue. But his fingers moved slightly. I quickly bent down. “Ta Tam Lang?” His eyelids trembled, his voice was as light as the wind. “I heard someone looking for me.” “Is the rice cooked?” Tears immediately welled up in my eyes. “Don't talk too much.” He tried to open his eyes. Seeing my red eyes, he wanted to laugh. “So I don't say much.” “Let me be serious.” “Duong Am, don't hand over the notebook.” My heart tightens. Suddenly there was a familiar cold laugh outside the car. “Your uncle has become like this and still remembers half of that notebook.” I lifted the car curtain. The Crown Prince stood in the darkness in front of the palace gate, wearing military armor, his shoulder covered in blood. Behind him were more than ten people in black clothes. One of them was holding a bottle of medicine. The Crown Prince's eyes fell on Ta Tam Lang, then fell on the wooden box in my heart. “Tham Duong Am, give me your things.” “You can save the lives of Aunt Dao and the villagers.” Aunt Dao immediately spat. "Fly." “Do you think my wife was scared and grew up?” The Crown Prince's face was gloomy. “Even a village woman dares to confront you.” I grabbed the car door and got out. When my feet touched the ground, I realized I wasn't shaking. Before, at the Marquis Palace, even saying the word no, I had to practice it over and over again in my heart for a long time. But now Ta Tam Lang is in the car. Aunt Dao stood behind me. Mother's letter is in my heart. If we still retreat, we will truly blame ourselves for living until today. I look at the Crown Prince.