Chapter 10 — The night before the Crown Prince paid the royal concubine, the Ministry of Ceremonies mistakenly gave me my Queen's Order

If I accept, the Ta family will be free from the old debt with the Eastern Palace, but at the same time will stand next to the new emperor, becoming his flag to repay the Crown Prince. The courtiers will look at me, the border troops will look at me, the Tham family and the old Eastern palace party will also look at me. Tieu Thua Quan suddenly burst out laughing: "Minh Duong, do you think the position of Queen is a good thing? Today the emperor uses her, tomorrow he can also throw her away." I touched the pearl in my sleeve. His father's old relic was pressed against his palm, cold and hard. I raised my head to look at the new emperor.

“Your Majesty, if I accept the edict, can I ask you something first?”

Tieu Hanh replied: "Ask."

"Father's military merit, will the Ta family's brother change for the sake of whether or not the goddess accepts the edict?"

He answered quickly: "No."

"Does the matter of questioning the Crown Prince change because of whether or not the court accepts the decree?"

"If the goddess accepts the decree, can I still not respect that tea cup?"

Tieu Hanh glanced at the white jade tea tray on the altar. He said: "No one can force you to respect." I gently lowered my eyes. The tea has cooled down completely. The reassessment of the Ta family's military merits was announced right on Dong Cung Street. The new emperor did not give anyone a chance to breathe. The Minister of Rites knelt on the red carpet, both hands holding up the posthumous document that had just been discussed. His voice gradually became steady and steady from trembling.

"Posthumously promoted Ta Tranh to the title of Trung Vo Marquis, and bestowed the rank of Lieutenant Liet Trung. Ta Hanh Chu posthumously promoted the position of general of Tran Bac, Ta Hanh Xuyen posthumously promoted the title of general of Van Huy. Ta Thi was a loyal member, the awarding and rewards were immediately recorded, no further delay was allowed."

I heard the names of my father and elder brother, word by word, returning to their original positions. It's been three years. Finally, they are no longer the names pushed to the sidelines in the Eastern Palace's application for awards. Tham Quoc uncle sat down on the ground. Tham Lenh Nghi was supported by the palace servant, the blood on his forehead had not yet dried, his eyes were as empty as a light that had gone out. Only Tieu Thua Quan was still standing there. He looked at me, his face no longer had the anger from before, only a gloomy, almost calm expression remained.

“Minh Duong, do you really want to accept it?”

I don't answer him. Han Truc lifted the bright yellow marble box and stepped forward. Last night, it was mistakenly brought to the door of the palace by a servant of the Ministry of Rites, and almost became evidence that led to the destruction of the Ta palace. Today, it is placed on the East Palace court, becoming the final document of the impeachment ceremony. Han Truc opened the door. The bright-yellow edict slowly spread out. The whole hall simultaneously prostrated and knelt down. Standing in front of the court, I suddenly remembered my mother's broken Buddha necklace last night, remembered the cup of tea that the Dong Palace's inner lady brought, and remembered Tham Lenh Nghi's words "I will do everything for you". For the past three years, everyone wanted me to be successful. The complete face of the Crown Prince. Completely accommodate Tham Lenh Nghi. Fulfilling the old debt of the Eastern Palace. Completing a marriage contract doesn't even exist in the original book. Only no one asked if Ta Minh Duong was satisfied or not. Han Truc raised his voice and read:

"Phung Thien inherits destiny, the first emperor inherits the destiny, the new emperor inherits the decree. Ta Thi Minh Duong, a loyal descendant, virtuous, respectful, knows how to maintain good manners, and distinguishes between right and wrong. Now she is appointed Queen, choose an auspicious day to welcome her into the palace, to comfort the soul and regulate the palace."

I knelt down to receive the mat. When my knees touched the red carpet, I discovered that the carpet was still strewn with flower petals used to welcome Tham Lenh Nghi's entrance. The flower petals had been trampled, and the perfume had seeped into the carpet, like old blood stains.

“Goddess Ta Minh Duong, continue screening.”

Tieu Thua Quan suddenly took a step forward: "Minh Duong." The Forbidden Army immediately stopped him. For the first time, he didn't get angry, just looked at me, his voice much lower.

"Do you remember, three years ago at Ta Phu spiritual hall, you promised you that you would protect you for the rest of your life?"

I lifted the envelope and looked up at him. His eyes immediately lit up a bit.

“Then you should also remember that I am not completely heartless towards you.” His voice was hoarse. “Lanh Nghi was just an accident. The old military case is not as simple as she thought. Everyone in the court competes for credit, if you don't accept it, it's unlikely that the Ta family will be able to keep it."

I looked at the sign in his hand. He had been rotating that jade plaque for three years. Before, I always thought that what he was doing was annoying, awkward, and the pressure of having to manage for the Ta family. Only today do we know that what he used... was calculation.

“Your Highness.” I said. "The protector is not the Ta family, but yourself."

His face was pale.