Chapter 2 — The night before the Crown Prince paid the royal concubine, the Ministry of Ceremonies mistakenly gave me my Queen's Order

Tieu took out a piece of paper from his chest that was wet at one corner:

"There is the minister's seal, the servant's seal, and the number of Che Cao's room."

I received the letter. Under the light, the number column reads:

“The first year of Thien Thuan, the book of rearview, number one.”

Thien Thuan. The era name of the new emperor. The first emperor passed away half a month ago, passed the throne to King Tieu Hanh of Tan, three days ago the new emperor ascended the throne, changing his reign name to Thien Thuan. But East Palace Crown Prince Tieu Thua Quan is still in the East Palace. Because before the first Emperor was seriously ill, the Crown Prince had long since fallen out of favor. After the new Emperor succeeded, he only abolished his authority to oversee the country, and had not yet officially taken on the title of Crown Prince. The whole capital was waiting, waiting to see if the new emperor expressed brotherly love or wanted to overturn old debts. But tomorrow, Tieu Thua Quan wants to pay the concubine again. The person he wanted to betray was his cousin, Tham Lenh Nghi. Coincidentally, this very night, the Ministry of Rites delivered a proclamation to our doorstep. The maid's voice trembled, but she still tried to resist:

"Fake. It's definitely fake."

“Ta Minh Duong, you dare to hide this, the Eastern Palace will absolutely not forgive you.”

I looked at him: "You said just now, the Eastern Palace wants to carefully examine the rewards of the Ta family." The housekeeper gritted his teeth: "So what?"

“Then let's investigate.” I tightened the jade knot in my sleeve. "Check to see if tomorrow's tea cup should be honored or not, and also check to see if this edict should be sent to the Ta residence or not."

The maid still wanted to continue speaking, when suddenly the sound of armor rang out outside the courtyard. Neat, heavy. The Imperial Army surrounded Ta Palace. The captain took the lead and entered the door, his eyes glanced at the bright yellow brocade box, he clasped his hands and said:

"The palace received an urgent report that the posthumous decree was mistakenly sent to the Ta palace."

"Your Majesty has an order, seal the decree, Ta Thi Minh Duong is not allowed to leave the palace, tomorrow come to the palace to testify."

I look at that marble box. Mother almost couldn't stand and had to hold on to the edge of the table:

“Your Majesty… do you really know?”

The captain did not answer, only said:

“The passport number has been returned to the policy reconciliation office.”

The maid sneered coldly, as if he had finally grasped the weakness: "Did you hear that? You sent it wrong! Ta Minh Duong, you wait to be questioned." But I stared at the military ban card on the captain's waist. Not the Eastern Palace Guard. It's the Royal Forbidden Army. I asked softly: "If the number is fake, what will happen?" The lieutenant looked at me: "Fake a decree, cut it."

“What if it's true?”

He was silent for a moment, then said: "Then the person being questioned will not be Miss Ta." Rainwater dripped down along the eaves, drop by drop hitting the stone steps. The little guy knelt on the ground again, shaking like a late autumn leaf. I reached out and pushed the marble box back under the light. Chu ne has not been broken yet. Long text is still intact. In the corner of the message there was also a very small seal of the palace's policy. I've seen that seal before. Three years ago, when my parents died in battle, when the Ministry of Rites sent supporting documents to the Ta Palace, they also had that seal stamped on them. But later, that document was taken away by the Eastern Palace, saying that he wanted to ask for military merit on behalf of the Ta family. Once taken away, it is three years. I suddenly burst out laughing. The maid was laughed at so much that his hair stood out: "What are you laughing at?" Ta looked up: "I'm thinking, tomorrow's cup of tea, maybe it shouldn't be my honor." After the military confiscated the palace, the Ta palace spent a whole night without anyone sleeping. The mother sat under the lamp, picked up each broken Buddha bead and put it back in a silk scarf. She picked it up very slowly, her fingertips still shaking. I stood in front of the window, watching the sword light of the forbidden army outside the courtyard being washed by the rain curtain until it was cold and shiny. That brilliant-colored brocade box was placed in the middle of the main hall, all four corners of which were pasted with royal seals, like a locked fierce beast. It was almost dawn when people from the Eastern palace arrived again. This time it's not the inner city. It's Tham Lenh Nghi. She was wearing a silver-red robe, and the golden knife in her hair swayed slightly, like a begonia being lifted into the rain. Behind her were four palace maids following, each holding an offering box in their hands. As soon as she entered the door, she smiled charmingly and said: "Sister, I'm here to make amends with you." The mother's face changed slightly. Tham Lenh Nghi, as if he did not see the forbidden army, walked directly in front of me, his eyes glanced over the brocade, the smile at the corner of his lips became deeper.

"Last night, this servant said that the Ministry of Rites would send something from the decree to your sister, but you still don't believe it." She covered her lips with her sleeve and smiled softly. “Your blessing really makes others afraid.”

I don't answer. The servant behind her opened each gift box one by one. Inside are the clothes and flower bows used for the concubine ceremony tomorrow, and there is also a completely new tea tray. Thinner than the white jade blanket last night. Also more transparent. Tham Lenh Nghi picked up the tea tree and stuffed it into my hand: "Your Highness said, last night I was a bit rude, I'm afraid you will be resentful. Today I personally came to invite you. Are you sure you will fulfill it for me?" Her voice was soft, but each word felt like a sharp thorn stabbing into her body.