Chapter 8 — Champion Flower Queen

18 Because I knew how to treat horses, could make them docile, and know how to choose war horses, I soon received a job at the royal court. I must go to the north to choose a war horse. The Northwest border is tense, the shortage of troops and horses is extremely large. Inside and outside the court, everyone had headaches. I don't know who mentioned this sentence:
“The fourth young lady of Vinh Xuong Ba Palace knows how to treat horses.”
So I was temporarily given a nondescript position called Ap Ma quan, leading a team of men and horses on the road to the north. This trip lasted more than half a year. The north is windy and sandy, life is arduous. But for me, it's like a fish in water. There are many horses on the steppe. Each child has a lot to say. The animal looks fat and healthy but has a hot temper. The animal looks weak but has amazing endurance. The animal that appears docile on the surface actually softens its legs as soon as it steps onto the battlefield. We all know it well. Choosing horses, training horses, raising horses. Everything went extremely smoothly. When I returned to the capital, I brought eight thousand horses with me. Losses on the road were almost negligible. Every child is obedient and healthy. Just need a little more training to be able to go to the battlefield. The news even reached the capital before me. When our carriage entered the city gate, the attitude of everyone in Thai Boc was clearly more enthusiastic than before. Without seeing each other for half a year, my reputation in the capital has also changed. From "the crazy girl using a hen to win against the Liu Ngu family", I have become "Lady Lam Tu choosing horses for the court". It's strange to say. Before I left the capital, those ladies invited me mainly because they wanted to help me treat the horse. After I returned, invitations flew in like snowflakes. Not just horse treatment. Choosing a horse, taming a horse, watching horses, cockfighting... Come to me for everything. Thanks to these two hands, our money is growing more and more, and our relationships have also been built extremely widely. I bought a larger building outside, and hired someone to look after and protect it. Although the rooms in the house were red with jealousy, no one dared to openly cause trouble. But I have a bad habit. The more favorable things get, the more we feel like something is about to happen. Certainly not unexpected. 19 That day, I still went to Thai Boc to check roll as usual. As soon as I walked to the door of the duty room, I heard people talking inside. The goatee mandarin's voice was very low, as if he was advising someone.
“Sir, this time Miss Lam has achieved success.”
“If you make things difficult for her now, I'm afraid it won't look very good…”
Another voice snorted coldly, sounding harsh like fingernails scratching on a bamboo pipe.
“What does a girl like her know?”
“It's just luck, a blind cat finds a dead mouse.”
"Her reputation is so great. In the future, who will know of Tien Mo in Thai Boc Tu?"
The speaker was Thai Boc Khanh Tien Trinh. I stood outside the door, eyebrows raised.
“But I heard that the number of horses that Miss Lam chose in the north was considered superior by the Ministry of Military Affairs…”
The goat-bearded mandarin is still advising. Tien Trinh smiled coldly.
"That's because the Army respects her."
"A woman who hasn't been married yet, tosses around horses every day, what kind of system can she have?"
“This official only thinks about her reputation.”
“From now on, there is no need for her to be too deeply involved in matters at the horse farm.”
“Just give her a few unimportant chores.”
“As for choosing horses and training horses…”
He stopped.
“This official has arrangements.”
It turns out that's it. He is afraid that my reputation is too great and that one day I will replace his position, so he wants to secretly suppress me. The goat-bearded mandarin sighed softly.
“Sir, this subordinate has something I don't know if I should say it or not.”
“Miss Lam really has the ability.”

“If you are too wary of her, I'm afraid it will make others feel cold…”
“If it's cold, it's cold.”
Tien Trinh's voice turned cold.
“What kind of trouble can a girl with no foundation like her cause?”
I took half a step to the side, then deliberately stepped forward from the hallway. The voice inside immediately fell silent. I pushed the door open and walked in, smiling and bowing to Tien Trinh.
“Lord Tien, good morning.”
Tien Trinh held a cup of tea, with a fake smile on his face that was often seen in officialdom.
“Miss Lam is here?”
“Sit down.”
"No need."
I brushed the dust off my dress.
“I just came to talk to you sir.”
"The people in my family don't allow me to continue showing up."
“Sir doesn't seem to welcome me either.”
"That's why I won't go to Thai Bo Temple again in the future."
“I came specifically to let you know.”
“Farewell.”
I rely on my own bravery to help Thai Boc build a solid career. Does he still want to oppress me? Huh. People with courage can shine wherever they go. I immediately quit my job. Let's see how he raises those eight thousand war horses. The horses just brought back from the north knew many more secrets than he thought. 20 Not even three days after I left Thai Bo Temple, the place was already in chaos. The news was brought back by a tabby cat that I often fed. It sat on the wall, licking its claws.
“The big horses have gone crazy.”
“Every day, he kicks people and bites people.”
“There was a person wearing a red shirt who was kicked and lay down for a long time before getting up.”
I continued to brush the old hen's feathers without stopping.
“What happens after that?”
“After that, that big mandarin had a black face every day.”
“Curse one person and then curse another person.”
“There was an old mandarin with a long beard who advised him to come find you, but he scolded him and chased him out.”
I smiled and gave the tabby cat a piece of dried fish. The next day, the swallows under the eaves came to announce the news. They nest under the roof of Thai Boc pagoda, watch the excitement every day, and chirp in more detail than the storyteller.
“A group of very majestic-looking people came to see the horses!”
“As a result, the black horse kicked someone's hat off!”
“That person's nose is so angry that it tilts to one side!”
Today is the day the Army comes to Thai Boc to inspect the warhorses themselves. Those people are definitely Army officers.
"The Tien family had to laugh and make up for a long time before they calmed down."
“The vets gave the horses medicine again!”
“The horse kicked over the bowl of medicine!”
“Medicine spilled all over the vet!”
I listen to each story, imagining the horses causing trouble in my head, the more I think about it, the happier it gets. But gradually, we feel that something is not right. Thai Boc temple has become so chaotic. Tien Trinh was scolded by his superiors and pressured by the Ministry of Defense. Logically, he should have bowed his head long ago. Even if he doesn't come personally, at least he must send Young Khanh Ta to say a few pleasant words. I am also not the type of person who ignores important matters of the border because of personal anger. As long as he is willing to go into the water, it is not impossible for me to return. But he stubbornly refused to say a word. Even the goat-bearded mandarin who came to advise him was scolded and chased out. This is a bit unusual. Although Tien Trinh is narrow-minded, he is not stupid. He had to know, if this continued, the chair under his butt would also shake. There's only one possibility for him to be so calm. He is preparing a bigger plot.