Chapter 20 — Receiving Seven Envelopes for Help, I Alone Stormed into the Royal Palace

I threw a kick and kicked away the enemy who had just climbed to the top of the citadel, laughing out loud.

“Open the side door!”

“Let them enter the city!”

When morning came, the Northern Enemy's flag outside the Lang Nha pass had retreated ten miles away. All over the valley are charred wooden shelves and broken weapons. On top of the city, no one cheered. Everyone was so tired that they had no strength to speak. Han Chieu leaned his back against the city wall and sat down, his face smeared with dust.

“Your life is really tough.”

I conveniently threw the chipped blade aside.

“Say something new.”

He reached into his chest and pulled out a packet of tar paper. Inside was only half a dry cake.

“On the way from the capital to here, only this remained.”

I took it and took a bite. So hard that it almost chipped my teeth.

“Why did brother Cam send it so quickly?”

Han Chieu let out a breath.

"I returned to Thanh Thach station and handed over the Ta family's iron badge and the fake order to the inner servant to pass on."

"That inner servant was also a decisive person. During the night, he continuously changed horses and returned to the capital."

“After the emperor finished watching, he immediately mobilized the most elite cavalry team of Kinh Ky.”

He turned his head to look at Cao Liet who was tied up under the castle.

"In the capital... it's starting to move."

Three days later, the Emperor's edict arrived at Lang Nha pass. Cao Liet was dismissed from his position and escorted back to the capital. Minister of the Ministry of Defense, surnamed Ta, was sent to prison. Lord Ta, whose mandarin hat was blown off by me the day before, was also invited by the Imperial Army to the palace to join the Ministry of Justice. In the decree, there is no mention of the Queen Mother. But the two ghosts who were close to the Queen Mother were sent to the Royal Mausoleum to take care of the mausoleum. Everyone in the palace understands. This knife... Slashed all the way to the front door of Tho An palace. Truong Lac was imprisoned in Chieu Hoa palace. The title will no longer be restored from now on. The forbidden army in front of the Tham family's door has not yet withdrawn. My brother returned home to recuperate. Every day, the Thai doctor visits twice a day. I heard that when my mother met him again... She hugged him and cried for half an hour. Then he picked up a chicken feather broom and chased him, hitting him halfway across the street. The reason is... Being bullied so much but still refusing to speak. Hearing Han Chieu tell this... I laughed so much that my wound hurt. A month later, Bac Dich withdrew its troops. I took Tran Bac Camp back to the capital to report. On entering the city, Chu Tuoc street was packed with people. Someone threw flowers at us. There were also people whispering in each other's ears.

“Is that her?”

“The one who whipped the Emperor?”

“The person who saved brother?”

“The one who holds the Lang Nha pass gate?”

I sit on horseback. Pretend like you didn't hear. Arrive at the door of the Tham family. My brother was already standing on the steps waiting. He's still skinny. But his face was already bloody. The wrist is wrapped in a clean white bandage. His mother stood next to him. Both eyes were red. But in my hand... Still holding the feather duster tightly. I got off the horse. My brother looked at me and smiled.

“Are you home yet?”

I threw the ugly patched piece of peace jade at him.

“Repay brother.”

He took it. The rims of the eyes turned red again. I immediately pointed my finger at him.

“Hold back.”

He really tried to hold back, forcing his tears not to fall. Mother stepped forward. First, gently stroke my face with your hand. Swinging the chicken feather broom, he hit my calf hard.

“Without a word, I entered the capital.”

“Another one Without saying a word, he ran to the border."

"You two, brother and sister, each knows how to make others angrier than the other."

I don't dodge. My brother also did not dare to advise. Because he knows... If he opens his mouth to advise, the next person to be beaten will be him. The next day, I entered the palace to obey my destiny. The Emperor sat in the Imperial Study Room. The wound on his shoulder has healed, leaving only two faint scars. When he looked at me, his eyes were still not very friendly.

“Shen Qingtang.”

“The merit of guarding the Lang Nha pass is enough to make up for the crime of injuring your king.”

"But in a crowded place, people dare to be disrespectful and still have to be punished."

“What kind of punishment?”

“Redemotion to half the rank, penalty for one year of benefits.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

He looked at me.

“Do you think the punishment is too light?”

I honestly answer:

“A little.”

The Emperor's face immediately darkened. I turned around and left immediately. Walking to the door, he called me again.

“Shen Qingtang.”

I turned my head. He was silent for a moment then said:

"In the future, if you still encounter any grievances, please present the chapter first."

I think for a moment.

“What if the chapter doesn't work?”

He stared at me. I add one more sentence.

“I will try... not to whip your majesty.”

The inner servants in the Royal Study Room simultaneously bowed their heads. The Emperor put his hand on his forehead.

“Get away for a bit.”

I smiled and walked out of the palace. Outside the palace wall, the sunlight is beautiful. At the end of Chu Tuoc street, the Princess' palace has been sealed. The pair of white jade lions in front of the door are also covered with dust. I took the horse across. I'm too lazy to look one more time. It doesn't matter how high the door step is. Once people are imprisoned... Then someone will come and break down that door. My brother has returned home. Truong Lac also had to pay the price. As for the story of me whipping the Emperor... It has been passed down orally by people in the scriptures for many years. And every time it reaches the end... It will turn into my brother's pitiful screams.

“Sister... the person you whipped was the Emperor!”

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