I unfolded grandfather’s letter and got the shock of my life. It was a letter giving me permission to have the Grand Empress dowager put to death for her crimes.
I read the list of crimes grandfather had had investigated in secret and my blood ran cold. My brother’s words came back to me. The deaths now all seemed suspect.
Had she murdered my father, my Princess? Pain like a knife cut through me and I buckled over in my seat. Eunuch Van came running from his place in the corner.
“Your Majesty!” I held up my hand to stop him and fought to catch my breath. Once I’d collected myself the anger burned hot and bright. “Who else knows that my father left me this?”
“I told no one, but it has been left unattended all these years…”
“Did anyone see you bring it here?” He shook his head no and looked at me worriedly.