Chapter 21 — Between Two Worlds: A Bride Exchanged for a Dumpling

Ten days after the tumultuous market, the official verdict from the district mandarin was announced to all Bai Tro villagers. Standing on the steps of the village communal house - the place where Ma Dac Uy had so many times spoken with authority - was now an official representing the royal court, holding an edict in hand, reading it out loud to the waiting, breathless crowd.

"Considering that Ma Dac Uy, former head of Bai Tro village, has committed the crime of embezzling food aid for many years, re-committed the crime of slander, bribery of false witnesses to harm honest people, hereby declares the permanent removal of the position of village chief, confiscation of all ill-gotten assets, punishment of three years of community service at the district's reclamation site, and full refund of the intercepted aid to the affected families."

The crowd burst into cheers and sighs of relief. After many years of living under the harsh and unjust rule of Ma Dac Uy, only now do they truly feel that justice has spoken. Ma Dac Uy, his face haggard, was escorted away under the scornful eyes of the very people who had to bow before him.

The official continued to announce the decision to appoint a new village chief. To the surprise of many people, he did not nominate Thua An - even though his reputation and prestige were now far beyond anyone in the area - but nominated the widowed carpenter, whose three children Thua An had saved from the very beginning, based on Thua An's own recommendation.

"I asked the district official to choose a carpenter," Thua An explained to Tieu Mien that night, when the whole family gathered around the dinner table. "I still have too many things to worry about - the business, the gate, our family. I don't want to hold on to more political power, easily making others suspicious and jealous like what happened to Ma Dac Uy. The carpenter is a simple, fair-minded person, popular with the people, that is the right person to lead Bai Tro village into the stage of revival after the famine."

Tieu Mien nodded in agreement, unable to hide her admiration for her husband's foresight. "You're right. Power is not something we need to pursue. We just need a peaceful, fulfilling life, and the ability to help those in need."

The inauguration ceremony of the new village chief was simple but cozy, different from the artificially luxurious atmosphere that Ma Dac Uy once favored. The carpenter, in a clean, rough shirt, stood in front of the village communal house, his voice still shaking with nervousness. "I'm just an ordinary carpenter, not used to governing. But I promise to always put the interests of people first, learning from what Prince Ky and his wife have done all the time - fairness, transparency, no personal gain." The crowd applauded, everyone believed in a brighter future for Bai Tro village under the guidance of a village chief who came from the same difficulties they had experienced together.

In the following days, the atmosphere in the village gradually returned to normal life, but it was a new normality, much brighter than before. The relief grain warehouse was managed transparently under the general supervision of the new village chief and Tieu Mien, and there was no longer the situation of cutting corners and cutting corners like before. Families who suffered losses because of Ma Dac Uy were fully reimbursed for the food they should have received. Many families also received a small compensation from his confiscated assets, helping them had more capital to restore their fields and gardens after the famine.

At the same time, in modern times, a long letter from Pham Dinh Nam brought news no less gloating. Kieu The Vy was arrested on a series of charges: illegal breaking and entering, assault, extortion, and when the police investigated further into his business activities, they also discovered many other illegal antique trading deals that he had carried out over the years. His shop was closed, his assets were frozen for investigation, and his reputation among antique collectors completely collapsed.

Regarding the antique item with a shady origin in the past that Kieu The Vy used to threaten, Pham Dinh Nam proactively reported the entire incident to the authorities, clearly explaining the situation at that time when he was inexperienced and completely unaware of the true origin of the item. Thanks to his sincere cooperation attitude and the reputation of his three-generation family, he was only given a warning and did not have to suffer any serious punishment, and the reputation of Van Nien Antiques Shop was thus preserved.

"I'm truly grateful that everything ended well," Pham Dinh Nam wrote in the letter. "My grandfather would certainly be proud if he knew we had overcome such a great challenge together to protect this miracle. From now on, I will be much more careful in choosing collaborators, and I believe that the relationship between us will be even stronger in the future."

Thua An read the letter, his heart filled with an indescribable relief. He wrote back, thanking Pham Dinh Nam for steadfastly protecting his secret and safety to the end, even at the cost of his own safety. The two people, though separated by an immeasurable amount of time, have now become true friends, bonded by a trust tested by fire.

Tieu Ha, when hearing about all the developments on the other side of the gate, could not hide her excitement and admiration. “So we have a trustworthy ally from another era,” she said, her eyes shining with excitement. "I think from now on, we should build a stricter working process with Mr. Pham, to avoid the same loopholes from being exploited again. Perhaps there should be a two-layer confirmation system before any shipment is sent, so that if someone intentionally plants something, we can detect it from the other side before it can cause harm."

Thua An nodded in appreciation at his brother-in-law's sharp suggestion. "That's a good idea. I'll discuss this with Brother Pham in the next letter. From now on, we can't be as subjective as before."

A few days later, Thua An and Tieu Mien together visited the old monk - the person who witnessed their simple worship in the middle of the hungry market last year. The old man, now much weaker than before but still mentally alert, was moved when he heard the entire journey they had gone through.

"I still vividly remember the day you two stood before me, with only two cups of water instead of rose wine," the old man laughed, his voice shaking with age. "Who would have thought that from such a simple beginning, you would build a great fortune and overcome so many storms. This is the blessing of those who truly appreciate each other."

Thua An and Tieu Mien bowed their heads to thank the old man, their hearts filled with gratitude. On the way back, the sunset yellowed the green rice fields in season, and in the distance was the silhouette of Bai Tro village gradually reviving after the darkest years of famine. The two held hands and walked in silence, but both knew in their hearts that the most difficult chapter of their life story had ended, making way for a brighter future waiting ahead.

On the way home, they stopped by the small market at the beginning of the village, which was now bustling with stalls selling fresh agricultural products from the first crop after three years of drought. Children ran and played, crisp laughter echoed throughout the alleys - sounds that just not long ago, no one dared to dream of amid extreme hunger. Tieu Mien stopped, bought a hot steamed bun from a small stall, carefully broke it in half, and gave half to Thua An, her eyes sparkling with meaning.

"Do you remember your first dumpling?" she asked, her voice gentle.

"How could I forget," Thua An replied, took the cake, took a small bite, the simple but warm flavor spread in his mouth. "That was the beginning of everything we are today."

The two of them walked and ate cake, just like those difficult first days, but this time, it was no longer the desperation of two strangers trying to survive, but the simple happiness of a couple who had gone through many challenges together to reach this peaceful shore. Behind them, the sunset gradually fell, dyeing the whole Bai Tro village in a warm yellow, like a goodbye to the turbulent chapter that had just ended, and a promise of good things still waiting ahead.