Chapter 1 — Tyrant T /An S /At Throughout the Martial Court, Again Calling My Father Father-in-law

Tieu Dien is a tyrant. Everyone is afraid of him. The lieutenant scolded him and he killed him. The traitor flattered him, he beheaded all nine of them. My father trembled as he walked up the hall.

"The harem is empty. Your Majesty should soon consider continuing the royal family."

Everyone is guessing how my father will die. However, Tieu Dien personally helped my father get up.

"The state minister (the Empress's father and the emperor's father-in-law) said it very well."

The entire civil and military court was so frightened that their chins almost fell to the ground. I stood behind the pearl curtain, my legs were weak. He called my father... national officer? My name is Tham Dien. She is the only daughter of Prime Minister Tham Hoai An. In all of Dai Luong, my father is considered the longest-living official. It's not because of how strong his ability is, but because of who he is, how to say it, small-hearted, never taking sides, always keeping three ways out when talking. But it was such an honest person who said that sentence today on the court.

"Your Majesty, the harem is empty, so think about the royal family."

I hid behind the curtain in the heavenly palace, my whole body trembling. My father is crazy. Have you lived enough? Tieu Dien ascended the throne three years ago and killed forty-seven great ministers. The heads of the Imperial Palace have changed three times. The great general a month ago, just because he looked at the dragon one more time, his whole family was exiled three thousand miles away, and he himself was dismembered by five horses. My father actually dares to mention the harem? I closed my eyes and began to think about how to arrange my father's funeral. Then I heard a voice.

"The National Staff said it right."

I suddenly opened my eyes. The street was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop to the ground. Everyone had the same expression as me, I couldn't believe it. Tieu Dien stood up from the bed and personally helped my father up. My father's legs are shaking. Everyone is shaking. Tieu Dien's hand was placed on his shoulder, his voice was not loud, but each word hit everyone's heart straight:

"The Prime Minister's daughter, with impeccable talent. I am very happy. Three days later, welcomed into the palace and appointed Queen."

My mind made a "buzzing" sound. The Prime Minister's daughter. So isn't it... me? When I returned to the palace, my father had not yet returned. I sat in the yard, raised a cup of tea and then put it down again, my hands still shaking. Thanh Ha squatted in front of me and said in a low voice: "Miss, don't be afraid." How can I not be afraid? Marry Tieu Dien? Marry that tyrant who kills people without blinking an eye? I am not a peerless beauty, nor do I have any talent. Why did he choose me? When my father returned, his face was whiter than paper. The first thing he said when entering the door was: "Dien Nhi, I'm sorry to you." The second sentence is: "But I can't not go." I looked into my father's eyes, filled with fear and guilt. I didn't say anything, just nodded. If you don't go, the entire Tham family will die. Three days later. I sit on the palanquin. Along the way, gongs and drums resounded in the sky, people from the capital crowded both sides of the road to watch. But no one congratulated me. I heard someone talking in low voices.

"Pitiful for the Prime Minister's lady."

"Once you enter that palace, how many days can you live?"

"No tyrant needs a Queen, no It's just another life to play with."

I tightened the scarf in my hand. They're right. I probably... won't live much longer. The palanquin lowered to the ground. The palace door opened. Two rows of eunuchs and palace maids knelt all over the ground. I stepped on the red carpet and walked forward, with each step I felt like I was walking towards the scaffold. A hand reached out. The joints are clear, elongated and strong. I looked up at the other hand. Black dragon robe. Pattern embroidered with gold thread. A face... extremely beautiful. You look for eyes, deep lines. But those eyes were too cold, so cold that it made one's spine numb. Tieu Dien bowed his head and looked at me. My legs felt weak, I almost knelt down directly.

"Afraid of what?"

He opened his mouth. The voice was low, yet... not as ferocious as I imagined. His hand held mine.