Chapter 6 — We Don't Fight or Win, We Just Quietly Take It All

The people complain. Ly Minh Chieu was so sad that his hair turned gray. He was fit to rule the country, but not fit to fight. This battle is very difficult to win. During the court, countless generals and soldiers died. The courtiers presented their petitions, wanting Ly Minh Chieu to make a confession. Under all the pressure, Ly Minh Chieu was sick and could not get up. It's me, who approves the draft on his behalf. It was me who comforted the courtiers for him. It's me, in front of the people and courtiers, acting as a confessional proclamation. I let my children keep him company, and I help stabilize the government on his behalf. Gradually, he discovered that without him, the court could still function. Gradually, I don't know when, I have fostered a lot of good friends. My ambition is getting bigger and bigger day by day. Turns out, this is the taste of power. One hand covers the sky, one hand covers the rain. Even my father had to come and kneel before me. Trieu Toai beat the drum to cry injustice, asking for justice for his dead fiancee Dan Que, accusing Giang Minh Nguyet of murder. Dan Que is not a servant of the Prime Minister's Palace, nor is he a maid who signed a death contract. Giang Minh Nguyet has no right to kill her. My father was at court, his face was extremely ugly, he almost couldn't hold his breath. Ly Minh Chieu does not care about politics, now it is up to me to manage the country. My father's chest is full of confidence, believing that I will punish Trieu Toai.

“Your highness, this person's tongue is indiscriminate, defaming my daughter, truly a crime worthy of death!”

I smiled faintly.

"Is that so? This palace also clearly remembers that incident."

"When Giang Minh Nguyet cut off Dan Que's hands, this palace seemed to be right next to me, witnessing it with my own eyes. Did the Prime Minister feel that this palace would lie?"

"We have high power and important positions, and we must obey the law. We absolutely must not cover up our family members and disappoint the people."

My father's lips trembled, he looked up at me in disbelief. At this moment, he understood. I was never a pawn in his hands. My obedience is all a pretense. Bringing me into the Eastern Palace was the worst choice of his life. I will not become a stepping stone for the Jiang family's descendants to enter the court. I am the life-saving talisman of the Giang family. But, all of this, they brought on themselves. The battle with the Third Prince caused a great blow to Ly Minh Chieu. He had nightmares every night and relied on me more and more, unable to leave my side. Every day before I left, he would hold my hand tightly and beg me like a little cat.

"Ah Thien, don't go, don't go, okay? Hug me a little more, hug me a little more."

He will cry, shed tears, and beg me to love him. His mother became ill because of him, and the courtiers who supported him in the past all left him. He is trapped in this deep palace, trapped in failure under his mercy. It's just me and our children keeping him company. Now he can hold only my hand. But I broke his arms, finger by finger, and pushed him away. Then, laughing without a sound, she spoke gently to him.

"Ly Minh Chieu, I have to go kill someone. You will wait for me to come home and make dinner for me and A O, right?"

He nodded, panicking and begging me.

“A Thien, please come back soon, I will wait for you.”

I happily rubbed his face.

“Ly Minh Chieu, I suddenly don't want to you're dead again. Can He be with us? I'm alone, so bored."

He obediently nodded.

"Okay, A Thien, I'm with you, I will always be with you."

I will have someone stop Ly Minh Chieu's Ngu Thach Tan medicine. If he continues to use it, he will become a fool. Then it's too tasteless! I haven't been to Giang family for a long time. I wrapped up my mother's tablet and ordered someone to place it in the Thai temple. When the lady saw me, she did not stand up to greet me, nor did she greet me. She was still the same as before— Looking at me with disapproving eyes, not hiding her distaste.

“Tell me, what do you want?”

I picked up the tea lid in front of me and laughed softly.

“Dan Que's hands were cut off by Giang Minh Nguyet. But I didn't let anyone come and treat her, so she had a high fever and died, it was you."

“How did you talk to my mother in the past? You used my life and future to force her to commit suicide."