Chapter 5 — After being chased away by my husband, 18 years later, I took my poinsettia back and trampled on his entire palace.

"Madam! The minister of etiquette, surnamed Bui, has presented his business card and is currently waiting outside the palace for an audience!"

I received the greeting card, my eyes stopped on the familiar handwriting (a standard, neat, formal calligraphy style), each stroke seemed to recall long-buried memories. The corners of the lips curled slightly into a cold curve. Bui Van Chu. We are finally about to meet again. In the reception room, burn premium quality agarwood incense. I sit respectfully in the middle of the hall. In front of it falls a thick beaded curtain, not revealing a single gap. This type of curtain, from the inside looking out, is clear little by little, but from the outside looking in, it is just a vague piece that cannot be clearly seen. Compared to eighteen years ago, Ban Ha has matured from body to appearance, almost unrecognizable, standing quietly outside the curtain. A somewhat chaotic sound of footsteps came from the hallway. Bui Van Chu walked in. Eighteen years without seeing each other. He no longer had the immaturity and decline of an old scholar. He was dressed in a dark red official uniform, his body was slightly out of shape, and his eyes carried the arrogance of someone who had been in a high position for a long time. Just dark circles under the eyes, revealing fatigue from day and night scheming. He entered the hall, his eyes immediately locked on the figure behind the pearl curtain. Then, he lifted the flap of his official robe, bowed deeply, and bowed.

"Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, Minister Bui Van Chu, I don't know that Mrs. Giang has come to the capital. The dog boy, the other day, offended the lady at the city gate. The lower officer came here specifically to apologize."

His voice is still the same as that year, dignified and neat, without any gaps. I lifted the tea cup and gently brushed away the foam floating on the surface. Don't say a word. The hall was so quiet that a pin dropping could be heard clearly. Bui Van Chu still maintained the posture of clasping his hands in worship, his forehead gradually seeping drops of cold sweat. In this capital city, other than the royal family, no one had ever dared to let him - a second-rank high-ranking mandarin in the court - stand and wait like that. But right now, my destiny level is on par with his, and I also have a golden token from the royal family, so he doesn't dare to attack at all. After half a cup of tea, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Master Bui is exaggerating.”

I deliberately lowered my voice, carrying a bit of laziness and indifference.

"This lady has also lived in Jiangnan for many years and does not understand the rules of the capital. She did not expect that the road in this capital would have to rely on the card of the Minister's Palace to be able to travel."

Bui Van Chu's body stiffened slightly. He smiled wryly twice and stood up straight.

"Madam, you were joking. This ignorant young dog has been severely punished by the lower officials."

He stopped for a moment, trying to take a tentative step forward.

"The lower official heard that the lady in the Jiangnan commercial sea calls wind and rain, and is the backbone of the country. This time she entered the capital, is it because of the internal treasury's purchases?"

He's looking into my insides. That year, in order to support the Northern Expedition, I offered three hundred thousand taels of silver, shocking the tide. Now that he's in charge of the Ministry of Rites, he naturally wants to reach out and get his hands on this fatty piece of meat.

“When it comes to business, you have to have your own servants handle. This lady entered the capital this time, just for one thing."

I put down the teacup, making a clear crashing sound.

“Bring my son to the spring trip.”

Bui Van Chu was momentarily stunned, then immediately revealed a pleasing smile.

“So that's it! I wonder how old Lang Lang is this year? Are you a disciple of which great scholar? The lower official, who is in charge of the Minister of Rites, is also considered somewhat knowledgeable about this matter."

Although his words were roundabout, the meaning was extremely clear - he wanted to make friends, implicitly expressed goodwill, and was ready to take care of him. It implies that, in this exam, he can completely secretly support one or two. Truly, his courage is as big as the sky.

"My son is still young and his education is only so-so." I gently refused.

"On the contrary, he is Lord Bui's eldest son. I heard that his reputation has spread throughout the capital. I'm afraid I already have a nine-tenths chance of winning the position of primogenitor this year?"

Speaking of Bui Ke Nghiep, the proud look on Bui Van Chu's face cannot be hidden.

“Madam, you are too complimentary. This kid Ke Nghiep really has some talent. For the past eighteen years, the officials and the family have poured countless efforts into it. It does not disappoint expectations, it can definitely make the temple shine."

Eighteen years. Pour all your heart and soul. Every word, every word, seems to be mocking what we spent all those years ago. I softly let out a cold laugh.

“So what? Then I'll keep my eyes open and wait and see.”

Right now. Hac Xuyen walked out from the back hall, in his hand holding a plate of breakfast that had just been served. He didn't look at Bui Van Chu, just bowed his head and walked in front of the pearl curtain.

“Mother, this is the Jiangnan high cloud that you told me about.”

Bui Van Chu's eyes were immediately attracted to Hac Xuyen. The young man's body is straight, his demeanor is calm, and his body exudes a kind of ease that is not commensurate with his age. Bui Van Chu stared at half of Hac Xuyen's face. Suddenly, his face changed. As if seeing something unbelievable, the pupils suddenly shrank. Hac Xuyen's eyebrows look more like mine. But that high, straight nose, and the slightly pursed lips when not smiling, clearly carry some shadow of the Bui family.

“This little gentleman…” Bui Van Chu took a step forward, his voice trembling somewhat.

Doubt arose in his heart. But reason told him that was impossible. That year, Tham Ngung was pregnant, and he saw me leave the palace empty-handed.