Chapter 12 — The Sister Who Stealed the Merit to Save People, I Smiled and Conceded Even to the Crown Prince

After the truth was revealed in the palace, Dai Zhou capital changed its sky almost overnight. Ly Hoanh Hao was removed from his position as Crown Prince and temporarily detained in the old Eastern Palace to await trial. Lieu Nhu Yen was stripped of her title less than an hour ago, from the Crown Princess in her dream back to being the second lady of the Lieu family, and was even charged with lese majeste for impersonating a magic doctor. As for me, who should have been in heaven awaiting trial, the Queen personally sent me a carriage to take me back to Lieu palace. When the carriage stopped in front of the main gate of the Lieu family, the whole palace was in chaos. Tiet Ngoc Truc stood on the steps, still wearing gorgeous clothes, preparing to enter the palace to enjoy the glory of the Crown Princess' mother. The gold hairpin in her hair was tightly closed, but her face was as white as paper. Seeing me step down from the carriage, she staggered back a step.

“Lieu Lang Suong?”

“Why did you come back?”

Her voice was both surprised and scared. I raised my head to look at the Willow Palace sign. This place, in my previous life, was once a cage to hold me. It is also the place where my mother closed her eyes in frustration. I used to think that I just needed to be patient, just needed to save face, just needed to not fight, then one day my father would remember that I was also his daughter. But in the end, the only thing he remembered was the inheritance his mother left behind, only the future of the Lieu family, and only his daughter who made it possible for him to cling to the Eastern Palace. As for me, in his eyes I am just an object that can be exchanged for benefits. Tham Thanh Du got off his horse and stood quietly next to me. He didn't say anything. But as long as he stood there, my heart felt much more at peace. Thanh Vu stepped forward, his voice cold:

"According to the Queen's will, seal the Lieu mansion and inventory all assets related to the old lady's dowry."

Tiet Ngoc Truc's face changed.

“Based on what?”

"This is Lieu Palace, it's not the place you want to search."

Thanh Vu looked at her.

"Based on your misappropriation of Mrs. Co's assets over the years, your intention to plunder Miss Lieu's private treasury, and your tolerance of Lieu Nhu Yen to impersonate the credit and defraud Dong Cung."

Every word falls. Tiet Ngoc Truc's face became more and more ugly. She still wanted to argue, but the guards behind her had already entered the palace. No one in the Lieu family dared to stop. Lieu Phong Nhan was helped out. Just one day without seeing him, it was like he had aged ten years. His face, which had always looked majestic, was now filled with panic, his coat was hastily worn, and his belt was not yet neat. When he saw me, his eyes immediately lit up as if he had caught a life-saving blade of grass.

“Lang Suong.”

“Quickly tell the Queen, this is all a misunderstanding.”

“We are one family.”

“Father was just confused for a moment.”

I looked at him. Suddenly there was no more hatred in my heart as I imagined. Maybe it's because after seeing someone clearly for so long, when that person bows their head, we no longer feel pain. I just calmly asked:

“Father, what do you mean by misunderstanding?”

"Is it the story that you want to record Lieu Nhu Yen in my mother's name?"

“Or is it that you want to transfer my private treasury to her?”

"Or is it the story of my mother being aborted by Tiet Ngoc Truc that year? She clearly knew but still chose to hide it?"

Lieu Phong Nhan's face immediately turned pale. Tiet Ngoc Truc shouted:

“You talk nonsense!”

“Co Dao Xuan's body weak, she couldn't keep the pregnancy on her own, what does it have to do with me?"

I looked at her.

"Related or not, the Queen already has the testimony of the midwife that year."

Tiet Ngoc Truc seemed to have been drained of all his strength, his whole body was weak, he almost fell to the ground. Lieu Phong Nhan is no better. He looked at me, his lips trembling.

“Lang Suong, I am your father.”

I nodded slightly.

“So today I don't need my father's life.”

“I only take back what belongs to my mother.”

As soon as those words came out, he was suddenly stunned. I don't want to argue anymore. Under the inventory of people in the palace, each book was taken out, each land contract and contract was compared with the dowry list from the past. The things secretly appropriated by Lieu Palace were also clearly recorded, not a single item was missed. Lieu Phong Nhan stood next to him, his face increasingly gray. Tiet Ngoc Truc was escorted away by the guards, his mouth still constantly complaining, but that cry was quickly swallowed by the sound of the door closing. I don't look at her anymore. Because I know, from today onwards, she will pay the price for everything she has ever done. When everything was counted, Thanh Vu walked over and said to me:

“Miss Liu, Mrs. Co's private treasury has been transferred to the Co family's mansion. Not one item is missing.”

I nodded. Throat suddenly choked. But hearing the phrase "not one thing is missing", my eye sockets still warmed up. We don't just keep the property. I keep what my mother used all her life to protect me. That afternoon, I walked in from Lieu family street. The mother's spirit is still placed there. On the tablet are engraved three words: Co Dao Xuan. I kneel before the spirit. For a long time, I couldn't say anything. Thanh Du stood behind me. Don't urge. Nor are empty words comforting. He just stood there quietly, as if telling me that from now on, I no longer have to fight alone. I bowed my head three times before my mother. The voice choked.

“Mother, I'm back.”

“I can keep the dowry you left behind.”

“Uphold your honor.”

“I can also keep my life.”

Speaking of this, tears finally fell. I took out the jade pendant from my sleeve and gently placed it in front of the spiritual throne. That is Thanh Du's jade pendant. It's also an appointment that I've missed in my life. I looked at my mother's tablet and said softly:

“Mother, this time I married the right person.”