Chapter 9 — The Crown Prince's Thanh Mai Missed the Great Ceremony, I Became the Crown Princess

"But when she returned, all she knew to do was fight and hate, causing trouble everywhere."

"You said I have changed, so what about you? Are you still the Wei Thien Thien of that year?"

Wei Thien Thien moved his lips slightly, but could not utter a word. The Crown Prince gently waved his hand: "The Wei family plotted to harm the royal family, take away his title, and be banished to the cold palace." When Wei Thien Thien was being dragged away, she was still smiling, laughing so much that tears streamed down her face. After Wei Thien Thien was banished to the cold palace, the Dong Palace was finally completely quiet. Ly My Nhan lived every day holding her daughter, and from then on she never stepped out of the door again. Chu Tai Nhan was made a commoner and assigned to the Cleansing Department. The other concubines also remained at peace, no one dared to create any more scandals. The Crown Prince can finally focus on handling political affairs. The Emperor's illness became more and more serious, the other princes began to move, the Crown Prince went out early every day and came home late at night, often busy until late at night before returning. I told the kitchen to always prepare hot soup and hot rice, so that as soon as he returned, he could eat it immediately. There are times when he is so tired that he doesn't want to say a word, so I just quietly stay by his side, massaging his shoulders and gently rubbing his temples. One night, he suddenly held my hand.

“Thu Noan.”

“All these years... you have suffered.”

I was slightly stunned and raised my head to look at him. His eyes were extremely complicated, filled with guilt, gratitude, and... a trace of emotion that even I couldn't see through.

“Before, you…” He hesitated for a moment. “I'm sorry.”

I smiled slightly. "What are you talking about, Your Highness? I am your wife, doing those things is the right thing to do." He shook his head. "No, I know she suffered a lot of self-pity. That wedding night, she did not share a room with her, causing her to be secretly laughed at by the palace staff. After that, she was cold towards her for a long time..."

"But she never once complained, nor did she ever compete with each other. She managed the Eastern Palace well, helped her deal with many messy matters, gave birth to her son, and even took care of her mother..."

"Before, I always thought she was stiff and tasteless, but now I understand that my mother was right, she is the best person."

I looked at him, my eyes suddenly stinging. Not because of what he just said. But... I finally waited until today.

“Your Highness.” I said softly. “It's late at night, let's rest.”

He nodded slightly, reaching out to hug me. That night, for the first time, he slept at my place until morning. Three months later, the Emperor passed away. The Crown Prince succeeded and became the new Emperor. After the coronation ceremony, the next ceremony is the Empress investiture ceremony. Appointing me as Queen is nothing worth mentioning, but you directly ordained my son as Crown Prince. The high-ranking officials in the court were talking loudly, all thinking that the New Emperor did so too hastily. But the New Emperor only said one sentence:

"The Queen is my beloved wife. The son born to her is my true son! The eldest son! The crown prince of the righteous name!"

I knelt in front of the main hall and listened as the eunuch announced that he had finished reading the long copy of the book bowed his head in thanks.

“My concubine thanks you for your grace.”

He personally helped me stand up. That night, he stayed in my palace and drank a lot of wine. He hugged me, constantly repeating the stories of the past. He said how stupid he was that year, because an unworthy Wei Thien Thien was cold to me all those years. He said how much he regretted it, if he could turn back time, he would definitely treat me well. I listened quietly, smiled, raised my hand to wipe away the tears at the corner of his eyes.

“Your Majesty, it's over, don't think about it anymore.”

He shook his head. "No, I have to remember. I have to remember the self-pity she has endured, I have to remember what I still owe her." I said nothing. It was late at night. He fell into a deep sleep. I sat on the edge of the bed, quietly watching his peaceful sleeping face. Outside the window, the moonlight is like water. In the cold palace, Wei Thien Thien continues to be friends with the Buddha's ancient green light every day; At the Laundry Department, Chu Tai Nhan still washes clothes every day; Still in the heavenly palace, Ly My Nhan hugged her daughter and lived each day, quietly letting the years wash away all attachments.