Chapter 10 — Brother Poinsettia Forced Me to Replace Him as Official

But it's terrifyingly accurate. I raised my head. What catches your eye is Bui Dien Chi's face at a close distance. He didn't smile today. The expression in those peach blossom eyes was extremely serious. So serious that it made my throat unconsciously tighten.

"Tham Tri Hanh."

He called my brother's name. But his eyes were looking straight into my eyes.

"... Master Bui, is there something wrong?"

I tried my best to stay calm. He stared at me for a long time. It took so long that I almost thought that in the next second, he would directly expose my identity here. But then he let go. Take a step back. Suddenly smiled. There was relief in that smile. There is understanding. There is another emotion... Something that I cannot see through.

"Nothing."

"Just wanted to confirm something."

"What's going on?"

He turned around. Take two steps. A voice carried by the gentle wind:

"Confirm that I'm not looking at the wrong person."

I stood there dumbfounded. My heart beat wildly in my chest. He already knows. I can almost be sure - Bui Dien Chi already knows. He knows I am not Tham Tri Hanh. So why didn't he expose me? I panicked and returned to the palace, telling my brother everything from beginning to end. On a rare occasion, brother Tham Tri Hanh remained silent for a long time. He sat in front of the desk. Fingertips gently tapped on the table top. It's a habit every time he thinks.

"He won't say it out loud."

He finally opened his mouth.

"How do you know?"

"Because if he wanted to expose it, he would have done it from day one."

Brother looked at me. Complicated eyes.

"He's always been waiting."

"Wait what?"

Brother did not answer. He stood up. Go to the window. Turn your back to me. The afternoon light stretched his shadow very long.

"Exam Tri Y."

He called my name. Such a serious tone is rare.

"Is something wrong?"

"There's something I've never told you until now."

He turned around. Stand against the light. Making it impossible to clearly see the expression on his face.

"Bui Dien Chi, this person..."

"Three years ago, he came to our house to ask for marriage."

I was stunned.

"Court?"

"With you."

My mind instantly went completely blank.

"At that time, my father was still alive."

"The Bui family came to pray."

"Father felt that I was still young, so he tactfully refused."

"After my father passed away, no one talked about this anymore."

I opened my mouth. But not a single word could be said.

"I always thought he forgot."

The brother's voice slowly lowered.

"But now it seems..."

He stopped for a moment. A reluctant smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

"This crazy dog... I'm afraid he's already recognized me."

My mind completely exploded. Wait, wait. So from beginning to end, Bui Dien Chi was not basically testing to see if "Tham Tri Hanh" would be replaced by someone else —— He was confirming whether "I" was really "me" or not?! The first day he said:

"Today Lord Tham is much more interesting."

Not because he discovered a loophole —— But because he recognized me? Recognized me, but he did not expose me. On the contrary, every day he tries to "coincidentally" meet me, tries to test me, and even looks at me with those peachy eyes. staring at me and smiling —— Is this guy sick?! I took a deep breath.

"I want to renegotiate the terms with you."

"What conditions?"

"From today onwards, odd days or even days, it's all up to you."

He raised his eyebrows.

"So what do I gain?"

"You benefit from the fact that I won't tell His Majesty about you forcing me to take your place on your behalf."

The expression on brother Tham Tri Hanh's face finally showed a crack. He coughed lightly:

"This isn't that bad——"

"Whether it's that bad or not, you have no right to decide."

I crossed my arms across my chest.

"Tham Tri Hanh, you owe me more than thirty thousand taels of silver."

"Now add in the cost of mental damage, the cost of being scared, and the danger allowance for almost revealing your daughter's identity."

"At least I owe you——"

"Okay, okay."

He raised his hands in surrender.

"We'll go on even days, okay?"

"What else?"

I look at him. Each word clearly says:

"Help me solve Bui Dien Chi."

Brother was silent. Then, he showed a meaningful smile.