Chapter 10 — The Day I Retired, I Reversed My Destiny

It's no longer about taking exams and painting or doing home economics. What I study is the way of governing a country, the way of law and order, and the way of commerce and business. Father said, since my uncle has given me this status, I must shoulder it. My uncle also often summoned me to the palace, not to review old stories. He showed me some chapters so I could give my opinion. He took me into the Royal Library and taught me how to analyze times and how to balance forces. Only then did I realize that my uncle's thoughts were much deeper than I thought. He didn't just want to give me a place to stay. He is training me. Cultivate a woman who can comfort him, can assist the future prince, and even when needed, can support half of the Great Qi country.

“For me, this is both a challenge and an opportunity.”

“My life becomes rich and meaningful.”

"I am no longer Lady Co confined in the backyard, I have seen a wider world."

“I see the people of Great Qi, see their suffering.”

“I see corrupt officials, I see their evil.”

“I started thinking, what can I do for this country?”

Co Yen's case was concluded very quickly. Ministry Hinh and Dai Ly Tu joined forces and discovered that during these three years, the Co family had swallowed a huge amount of white silver from my dowry. Gu Yen also confessed to the crime of blasphemy and defamation of the prince. The final verdict is, collection and beheading. All of the Co family's assets were confiscated and the Co family was exiled thousands of miles away, never allowed to return to the capital. As for Lieu Nhu Yen, she was sent to the Northern military camp. I no longer asked about her fate. But we know, life there will be more painful than death. This outcome makes me feel satisfied. It is not only the destruction of Co Yen and the Co family, but also a warning to all those who want to oppress the weak and trample on morality. I sat in the garden of the princess's palace, watching Xuan Dao and Ha Ha pruning flower branches. The sunlight is beautiful, the wind is light and not harsh. My life is finally returning to peace. But my insides are no longer peaceful. We begin to proactively expose ourselves to areas that we were never interested in before. We look for irrigation maps everywhere, research how to repair irrigation, and create blessings for people. We looked up tax regimes through dynasties, thinking about ways to ease the burden on farmers and promote commercial development. I even started reading military books, studying military formations, and practicing in the field. When my father saw me working so hard, he often showed a satisfied smile.

"Van Khanh, this personality of yours is becoming more and more like your mother's."

"Back then, my mother was also a strange woman who did not like red clothes but liked martial arts."

I smiled softly and said nothing. I am no longer a woman suffering because of a failed marriage. I am a being, trying to rise up. One year later. The capital welcomed a solemn hunt. The uncle, along with civil and military officials and royal relatives, gathered at the royal hunting grounds. I, as Princess An Ninh, am of course also on the invitation list. I wear a neat cavalry outfit, with a sword on my waist that was personally given to me by my uncle. On horseback, I am no longer The weak lady of the prime minister's palace too. I am a princess who can draw a bow and shoot a great eagle, and can spur a horse and swing a whip. I rode the horse that was given to me, galloping quickly across the hunting grounds. The wind whistled in my ears, the trees in front of my eyes passed by quickly. We feel that kind of extreme speed and freedom, our heart is open. We draw the bow, nozzle the arrow, and aim accurately. A sharp arrow cut through the wind, hitting a running deer. The deer suddenly fell down. I turned around, got off my horse, and went to see my prey. The guards and maids behind them all cheered.

“Your Highness the Princess, good archery!”

I returned to the barracks, looked at my prey, and nodded in approval.

"Van Khanh, your arrow technique is stronger than those princes."

I smiled, said nothing. I know, this is not just an affirmation of my arrow method. It's also recognition for our efforts and growth over the past year. At this moment, a commotion was heard in the distance. Several guards escorted a woman with messy hair over.

“Princess, this is a beggar discovered at the edge of the hunting grounds.”

“She stole our food and cursed non-stop, her words were disrespectful.”

I raised my head and looked over. The woman was pressed to the ground by the guard, struggling desperately. Her face was covered in dirt, her hair tangled like a pothole. But I still recognize those eyes. Lieu Nhu Yen. She escaped from the military camp on the northern border.