Chapter 7 — Breaking the Nine Rings

7 The Nam District case was quickly investigated. Based on the waterway map, Bui Van Chu found out that a foreign merchant team had colluded with river transport officials in Giang Lang, secretly swapping relief food boats, sending good food out across the border, and then using moldy rice to replace it. His father and Bui Van Chu both contributed their names. The Emperor was furious. The envoy was arrested, and the official Giang Lang was imprisoned. The situation that was originally set up by the kings to make things difficult for the Eastern Palace was instead directly turned over by Bui Van Chu. Quy Canh Hanh is not responsible. But also did not receive credit. At the court, everyone praised Young Khanh Hong Lu Tu for his youth and talent, and also praised Khuong Thi Lang of the Ministry of Public Works for teaching his girls methodically. I was mentioned again. But this time, they no longer say "skillful and intelligent, worthy of the Eastern Palace". Which says:

"That day, second lady Khuong broke the nine chains, which was considered an unintentional achievement."

The words "accidentally" sound really satisfying. Accidentally is good. The more cruel it is, the less anyone will remember putting me in the Eastern Palace. Thanks to the Nam District case, Bui Van Chu was promoted to Hong Lu Tu Khanh. The day he came to Khuong's house to give him a copy of the case file, his father kept him for dinner. His mother treated him very politely. Sister A was also present. She sat quietly at the banquet table, occasionally serving food to her mother, dignified and gentle. But Bui Van Chu rarely looked at her. He and his father discussed irrigation, trade in the West, and also talked about hidden patterns on tributes from other countries. I heard that I was in a trance and couldn't help but interject two sentences. Bui Van Chu immediately turned and seriously continued to discuss with me.

“Which route does Miss Khuong think should be settled first on the exchange of salt and horses in the Western Region?”

I haven't answered yet, but she smiled slightly:

“Master Bui says these things, I'm afraid my sister will want to argue to the end.”

The dining table immediately became quiet. In my previous life, just one sentence like that was enough to make me shut up. I'm afraid of appearing too aggressive. Afraid that others will feel that I dominate men. But today, I picked up a piece of bamboo shoot and slowly placed it in a bowl.

“Master Bui asks me, of course I have to answer seriously.”

"If sister feels bored, why not try this steamed fish dish with lotus leaves. Mother specially told the kitchen to prepare it."

Her smile stiffened. Mother looked at her and seemed to feel that what she said just now was inappropriate. Bui Van Chu seemed not to notice the undercurrent at the banquet table and just continued to bring the story back.

“Miss Khuong, please keep talking.”

I raised my head to look at him. His eyes were gentle. Not surprised, not teased, nor did I feel that it was strange for a woman to open her mouth to discuss business matters. Just like what I say is right, he will listen. If I say something wrong, he will argue. I haven't experienced this feeling for a long time. In my previous life in the Eastern Palace, before saying anything official, I had to pay attention to Quy Canh Hanh's face. If I think faster than you, you will stay silent. If I say it too precisely, sister will laugh and explain:

“Younger sister is really smart, it's just that your highness has been thinking about this for a long time.”

Gradually, even when we open our mouth we learn to hold back. But now, Bui Van Chu just stays quiet Wait quietly for me to finish speaking. I said:

"In exchanging salt and horses, we must first stabilize the tribal leaders outside the pass, then clean up the middlemen traders in the inner pass. If we just stare at the envoy, the court captures one person, there will still be others appearing."

Bui Van Chu nodded.

“I think so too.”

My parents burst out laughing.

“The two of you talk to each other, it's like you're in court.”

His mother glared at him.

“While having dinner, let alone the court.”

Bui Van Chu lowered his head to drink soup, but his ears were slightly red. When I saw it, my heart suddenly trembled. This person usually looks so calm, but turns out he also has red ears. After dinner, my sister took me back to the hospital. She stopped down the hallway.

“Leng Nghi, recently I've been very close to Lord Bui.”

I laughed:

“Just because it's related to the case.”

She looked at me, her expression a bit complicated.

“Do you really not want to go to the Eastern Palace anymore?”

“Yes.”

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been to the palace several times in recent days, and I have always avoided seeing him."

I nodded.

"If you want to meet me, just go see me."

She bit her lip.

"You know I don't mean that."

I looked at her. There was unwillingness and a bit of panic in her eyes. Since the day I stopped accepting the Nine Links, many things have escaped her control. The Crown Prince began to doubt her. Mother began to realize the thorns in her words. Her father no longer saw her as a gentle and completely harmless eldest daughter. Of course she will panic. I said softly:

“Sister, that Eastern palace road, I leave it to you.”

“If you want to go, then walk steadily on your own.”

Her face is a bit white.

“I never wanted to rob you of anything.”

I nodded.

“That's best.”