Chapter 9 — The Day I Retired, I Reversed My Destiny

Tears at the Co family's house had long since dried up. I called softly.

“The daughter is not filial, making people worry.”

I will tell the listeners what we have experienced in these three years, incident by incident. From the humiliation of marrying into the Co family, to the humiliation of being retired. From his father's anger, to his uncle's actions. From Co Yen's ending, to Lieu Nhu Yen's fate. We speak very calmly, as if we are retelling someone else's story. But only I know that every word is stained with blood and tears.

“Niang, I've done it.”

"Everyone who has bullied you, everyone who has been spying on my family's property... you will make them pay the right price."

“Co Yen and the Co family have completely disappeared.”

“Liu Nhu Yen, has arrived where she should go.”

"The people of the golden stream can rest in peace."

I bowed my head three times and stood up. The door to the spiritual hall was pushed open and father walked in. He looked at me, with both sadness and pride in his eyes.

“If my mother knew, she would definitely be happy for me.”

“She always said that the daughter of the To family absolutely cannot be bullied by others.”

I walked to my father's side.

"You already knew that your uncle would help you, right?"

Parents nodded.

“My uncle is the one who watches me grow up.”

“He loves you, no less than me.”

"It's just that as an emperor, he can't show favoritism and can't reveal his identity easily."

“So, he needs a suitable opportunity.”

“One chance, let Co Yen put her own neck on the blade.”

I understand. From the moment Co Yen played the harp, he stepped into the trap set by his uncle. I'm just a decoy, luring him into the agency.

“So yesterday at court, why didn't you say it directly?”

“Why do you still let me confront myself?”

Father walked to the mother's altar and lit a stick of incense.

“Because there are things that you must go through and complete on your own.”

“Only when you crush those beasts with your own hands can the bond in your heart be released.”

“Only when you personally reclaim justice for yourself can you truly stand firm.”

"I now understand that I am no longer a woman who has to rely on my husband to survive."

"I am To Van Khanh, also Princess An Ninh."

“You are an independent girl, with your own strength and dignity.”

I looked at my father's back, my eyes slightly moist. My father is not only my protector, but also my guide. He transformed me from a bound wife into a true strongman. When we returned from Pho Te Pagoda, it was already dark. The princess's palace had been swept clean, the palace maids and eunuchs stood neatly at the door to welcome her. They bowed to me, calling themselves "Your Highness the Princess". I looked at this magnificent palace, and there was no wavering in my heart. This place is just my new beginning. I changed my simple clothes and put on the princess's plain clothes. In front of the dressing table, we look at ourselves in the mirror. Her hair has been cut short, accentuating her elegant appearance. In his eyes, there was no longer the weakness and patience of the past, replaced by confidence and determination.

“Princess, what do you want for dinner tonight?”

The close maid Xuan Dao asked softly.

“Just make some frugal dishes casually.”

I replied leisurely. From today, we no longer need to gain favor anyone. I no longer need to feel sorry for myself because of anyone. It was late at night. I lay on a large bed and couldn't sleep for a long time. Co Yen's pitiful cries, Lieu Nhu Yen's cries, Co Thi's curses. Those sounds still linger in our ears. These three years have been like a nightmare. Now, the nightmare has awakened. But we know, the scars still remain. We need time to heal. We need time to once again re-aware of this world, as well as re-aware of ourselves. I closed my eyes, my uncle's eyes appeared in my mind as he looked at me. You made me a princess, not just to compensate me. He is giving us a completely new identity, a new starting point. An opportunity for us to completely escape the past and live for ourselves. I cannot betray you. You can't depend on yourself either. Tomorrow is another new day. I will take on the identity of Princess An Ninh and welcome my completely new life. We will find back what we lost little by little. I will rekindle the glory that once belonged to me. I, To Van Khanh, have returned. Furthermore, it's even stronger than before. The announcement of the princess's appointment quickly spread throughout the capital. Those who once laughed at me and pitied me, now the way they look at me has completely changed. It's awe, it's flattery, it's jealousy. I don't pay attention to those things. Every day I stay in the princess's palace, studying with the teachers invited by my father.