Chapter 5 — The Day I Retired, I Reversed My Destiny

He said one thing at a time, listing my crimes. Turn yourself into a pitiful person oppressed by an evil wife for many years. He spoke with tears in his eyes, as if he had suffered the ultimate injustice. On the court, it was as quiet as paper. All eyes, as if present or absent, glanced towards the father who was the head of the mandarin. Father's face was expressionless, eyes looking at nose, nose looking at heart, as if the person Co Yen was talking about had absolutely nothing to do with him. Co Yen finished speaking and bowed her head heavily.

"To Thi is so virtuous, she really doesn't deserve to be the wife of an official!"

"Yesterday I abandoned her. Today I beg your Majesty to reconsider and allow me and To Thi to separate, and at the same time issue an edict to reprimand To Thi, to serve as a deterrent to the future!"

He finished speaking. The palace was still as quiet as death. The coffin rested on the dragon's bed, not speaking for a long time. In his hand he twirled a jade pendant, one, another. Co Yen knelt on the ground, her forehead covered in sweat. He started to feel a little uneasy. According to his calculations, after hearing his words, the emperor must have been very angry and immediately issued an edict to reprimand me and reward him. But right now, that deathly silence gave him chills. Finally, the uncle opened his mouth. His voice was very light, but like a heavy hammer, hitting people's hearts.

"You said To Thi was jealous and didn't let you take concubines?"

“Yes, yes, Your Majesty!”

"You say To Thi is unfilial and conflicts with your mother?"

“Thousands of corpses!”

“Are you saying To Thi is greedy for money and squandering your inheritance?”

“That's it!”

Cuu nodded.

“I heard it, it's truly a heinous crime.”

Co Yen's heart was happy.

“What you say, is there evidence?”

Co Yen paused. Those are all just his one-sided words, with no evidence.

"It's just a family matter, it's just a family matter, there's no evidence..."

“No evidence?”

The mournful voice turned cold.

“Without evidence, you dare right here in Kim Loan Palace, speak indiscriminately, and frame the daughter of a first-class minister in the court?”

“Co Yen, your courage is so big!”

Co Yen was so scared that her whole body trembled and she quickly bowed her head.

"Your Majesty, calm down! Everything I said is true, there is absolutely no lie!"

The uncle's eyes turned to my father.

“My dear khanh.”

“Listen, your good priest is accusing your precious daughter.”

“About this, what do you want to say?”

The entire school's focus instantly fell on his father. I know, it's our turn to fight back. Father stepped out of the line, bowed towards the dragon and bowed.

“Your Majesty.”

“I have nothing to say.”

Everyone was stunned. Including Co Yen, including me. What are the parents planning in the end? I only saw my father raise his head, look straight at Co Yen, and slowly say:

“I just want to ask your Majesty, to summon my daughter, To Van Khanh, to the upper palace.”

“Let her confront Master Gu herself.”

I understand. Father here wants to give me a chance. An opportunity to personally tear off Co Yen's hypocritical face. I stood outside the palace and took a deep breath. Our battlefield. The high-pitched voice of a eunuch rang out.

“Thuyen, maid To, To Van Khanh, high palace!”

I adjusted my clothes, raised my head, puffed out my chest, and entered the palace that symbolized the pinnacle the power of this great nation. All eyes, like illuminating beams of light, simultaneously shine on people. I didn't glance sideways, step by step, walking to the center of the main hall. Go to Co Yen's side. After that, I did not kneel. I pointed towards the coffin on the dragon's chair and bowed softly.

“Goddess To Van Khanh, I pay my respects to your Majesty.”

I don't kneel. On Kim Loan Palace, hundreds of officials lined up, except for the Emperor on the throne, all of whom were either standing or kneeling. Only I, a woman without official position, stood up straight. This in itself is a wordless declaration. When Co Yen saw me, it was like seeing a ghost. He probably thought I would cry and beg, kneel down and beg for forgiveness. He didn't expect me to use such a posture and appear in front of him. The uncle's eyes stopped on him for a moment, then turned to Co Yen.

“Co Yen, you have arrived.”

"The first thing you accuse her of is jealousy."

"Go right in front of the civil and military official and confront her."

The uncle's tone was very calm, as if he was talking about something unimportant. But underneath that calm appearance, there is a turbulent underground current. Co Yen calmed her mind and stood up. He pointed at me, with that hypocritical look on his face again.

"To Van Khanh! You still have the face to come!"

"I ask you, I want to accept Lieu as my concubine, will you have to stop me in every possible way, even threaten me with your life?"

I looked at him like I was looking at a dancing clown.

“I stopped you, not because I was jealous.”

“It's for the reputation of the Co family, for Lord Co's future.”

As soon as these words were uttered, the whole court was in an uproar. Co Yen was also stunned.

“You…what nonsense are you talking about!”

"Whether or not I'm talking nonsense is clear in Lord Co's heart."

I turned to lean on Long, bowing slightly.

"Informing Your Majesty, I have something to ask Sir Gu."

"Standard." The old voice seemed to carry some interest.