Chapter 8 — This Eastern Palace has been my hunt from the beginning

Just two days later, news came: Lieu Trac Phi was detained at Lam Nguyet Hien, because of "excessive sadness, crazy talking, spreading rumors, cursing the Crown Princess", and was ordered by the Crown Prince. Without an edict, she was never allowed to go out. When Tieu Canh Huyen came to my palace again, he was even more protective of me, even a little cautious. He absolutely did not mention that day, only found ways to reward me and stay by my side. Tieu Canh Huyen treated me like treasure, from the pre-dynasty to the harem, no one dared to say a single disrespectful word about me. Even Your Majesty and the Queen, because of their achievements in the Northern region, have a little more respect for me. The days continue to follow the flat path we have meticulously laid out, step by step. In the fall, the dew was heavy, His Majesty suddenly fell seriously ill and could not get up. The Royal Hospital was helpless, and his dragon's body became increasingly exhausted. At the royal court, underground waves were rolling, princes and forces everywhere were silently watching and preparing to take action. Tieu Canh Huyen, as the Crown Prince, oversees the country and handles political affairs, so busy that his feet don't touch the ground. At night, he walked into my palace with a cold breath, dismissed all the palace servants, and then hugged me tightly: "Dao Dao, father... I'm afraid something is wrong." I leaned into his arms and softly reassured: "Your Highness, please rest assured. Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune, and you will definitely be able to meet evil and turn good." He shook his head: "The third royal brother... has linked up with the old remnants of Lieu Thua Tong, and there is also the vice-commander of the forbidden army Tran Phong... they, I'm afraid are about to take action." The third prince, always named Hien Vuong, has no small power in the court. Although the Liu family has collapsed, there are still many disciples, and vice-commander Tran Phong, if he betrays, the consequences will be unpredictable.

“Your Highness…” I looked at his eyes filled with blood, “Do you have any countermeasures?”

He smiled bitterly: "You have secretly mobilized soldiers and horses in a large camp on the outskirts of the capital, but far water cannot put out a near fire. In this forbidden palace... if Tran Phong is really... I'm afraid we won't be able to wait for reinforcements." The candlelight in the temple swayed, illuminating his worried face. The final moment, has arrived. Having been in disguise for all this time, it's time for him to see his true face. I walked to the window, looking at the night outside: "Your Highness, do you trust me?" Tieu Canh Huyen was stunned, unable to understand why I suddenly asked like that: "Dao Dao, you..." I turned around, the familiar soft and timid look on my face had disappeared, replaced by sharp alertness. I walked to the desk, spread out the paper, picked up the pen and dipped in ink, scribbled a short letter, stamped it with my personal seal, and then softly whistled. A black shadow knelt down in the middle of the palace. That's the dark guard I've been secretly cultivating for a long time, An Anh.

"Bring this envelope at night to the big camp outside the capital city and personally deliver it to Trieu Ngang, General Phieu Ky. He knows what to do."

An Anh received the letter, and in an instant, his body disappeared without a trace. Tieu Canh Huyen looked at everything in front of him, his voice was broken: "Dao Dao... she... when did she..." I did not answer, continued to order: "Van Tu, immediately go invite Doctor Lam, say that this palace is worried about Your Majesty's illness, can't sleep at night, please come and check your pulse. You must definitely invite him." Doctor Lam, not belonging to the Lieu family, has profound medical skills, and should be able to temporarily stabilize His Majesty's illness.

"Yes!" Van Tu ordered to leave.

I turned to Tieu Canh Huyen, walked in front of him, grabbed his hand: "Your Highness, the head guard in the palace is Truong Uy, single-handedly promoted by my father and concubine, absolutely trustworthy. I have let him secretly control important palace gates, especially the road leading to Your Majesty's palace." Tieu Canh Huyen pushed my hand away: "You... you already arranged everything in advance? Everything is in your calculations? Including... including you?!" His eyes looked like he had been stabbed from behind by the person he trusted the most, filled with pain and a feeling of betrayal. At this moment, the sound of rapid footsteps was heard outside the palace. The palace man rolled over and rushed in to report: "Your Highness! Your Highness! It's not okay! The Third Prince, leading his soldiers and horses, has... surrounded the Eastern Palace and His Majesty's palace! Saying... saying that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is plotting treason and wants to clear the military!"