Chapter 1 — Crossing the Moonlight at Khê Quân

I instructed Butler Ly to quietly carry the Grand Prince into the estate through the back gate, while I rode in my sedan chair through the main entrance. No sooner had I lifted the curtain than my father, Uncle Bui, Bui Canh, and several other uncles rushed toward me. Everyone’s eyes were bloodshot; they had clearly spent the entire night searching for me. Father pulled me into a fierce embrace, his hands trembling against my shoulders.

“Why didn’t you blow your whistle when you were injured? Do you have any idea how terrified I was last night?”

I suppressed the throbbing pain in my ankle, managed a faint smile, and signed: I lost my way, and I don’t even know where the whistle fell. Father’s gaze darkened, but he chose not to press further. At that moment, Uncle Bui yanked Bui Canh forward and shoved his head down before me.

“Lord of the City, this is all this disobedient brat’s fault! I entrusted A Quan to him for an outing, and he ends up losing her!”

Forced to bow, Bui Canh looked thoroughly dissatisfied. “Who could have expected a mob to surge through the crowd like that? How can you blame this on me?”

Uncle Bui immediately struck him across the back. “You still dare to argue? What did I tell you before we left? You were to stay by her side at every step! You took her out, you were supposed to bring her back in one piece!”

Father reached out to stop Uncle Bui from striking him again. “That is enough, brother. Bui Canh has searched for A Quan all night; he must be exhausted. Everyone, go home and rest.”

Uncle Bui seemed ready to protest, but Father had his attendants escort the guests out. I let out an involuntary yawn. Once the courtyard was clear, I followed Father into his inner sanctum. The moment the gate clicked shut, soldiers were posted at every corner. The Grand Prince had already been taken by the nurses to be bathed and tended to, but the child was now curled up on the bed, inconsolable, insisting on seeing me. As soon as he saw me enter, he lunged into my arms. Father massaged his temples wearily.

“The Emperor is critically ill, and the Crown Prince is acting as Regent. It seems there are those who can no longer sit still.”

As I patted the Grand Prince’s back, I signed: I heard rumors that Prince Vinh is arriving in Thuong Ninh soon. Could he be involved in this? Father nodded grimly. “Prince Vinh and the Crown Prince are brothers of the same mother. He must have followed the trail all the way here.”

After much soothing, the Grand Prince finally drifted into a deep sleep. I rubbed my aching shoulders and neck before returning to my own quarters. As I pushed open the door, I found Bui Canh sitting at a round table inside. He had climbed the wall again. In the past, he would sneak in to bring me gifts; tonight, however, he had clearly come to cast blame. Hearing my arrival, he looked up, his face grim, his eyes clouded with disappointment and resentment.

“A Quan, I know you are unhappy. If you are angry, take it out on me, but why must you make things difficult for Van Hoa?”

I froze, my hands mid-sign, and slowly lowered them. I signed: I have no idea what you are talking about.

“You disappeared for an entire night, and my mother punished her by making her kneel through the darkness. And you still ask what happened?”

He stood up, strode over to me, and gripped my shoulders tightly. “I know you did this on purpose. Come with me right now and explain to my mother that you wandered off because you were being playful. This has nothing to do with Van Hoa.”

As he spoke, he began dragging me toward the door. The sudden strain on my injured ankle sent a bolt of white-hot agony shooting up my leg. My face twisted, and my knees buckled, causing me to collapse. Nanny Chu rushed forward to catch me, her other hand instinctively swatting Bui Canh away with force. She was flushed with rage, pointing a finger directly at his nose.

“Is the young master blind? Can you not see the young lady is injured? Dragging her about like that! As far as I am concerned, that vixen deserves to kneel until she drops! At least she wouldn't be here bringing constant misfortune upon our young lady!”

Xuan Am chimed in from the corner: “Exactly! A total jinx! One of these days I am going to hang a sign at the main gate: Van Hoa and dogs are not allowed!”

The other maids in the room giggled behind their hands. Bui Canh stood frozen, his face cycling between shades of pale and crimson. “A Quan, you have truly been corrupted by the people in this house. Wait until I report this to your father; I will have all of them sold!”

These women had been by my side for years. Although I knew they could not be sold on his word alone, a deep, sickening dread settled in my heart. For the first time, I felt a genuine, visceral repulsion toward him. I bit my lip and signed: Leave. I do not want to see you again.

Seeing my gesture, his expression hardened further. He gave a cold laugh, his voice rising in volume. “Leave? Do you think I want to look at you either?”

“If you hadn't gripped my sleeve when we were children, weeping and claiming I was the only friend you had in the world—acting so pitiful—do you think I would have chosen to spend my days with a mute like you?”

When the words "a mute" left his lips, a deathly silence fell over the room. Nanny Chu, pushed beyond her limit, swung her hand to strike him. But Bui Canh was young and agile; he tilted his head and dodged. Because she had put so much force into the swing, Nanny Chu stumbled, and a crisp, sickening "pop" echoed from her lower back. She gasped and doubled over in pain. I scrambled to support her, panicked. Bui Canh did not even spare her a glance. He calmly dusted off his sleeves and turned to leave. At the threshold, he paused and glanced back.

“You brought this upon yourselves.”

Watching his arrogant, condescending posture, a fire ignited in my chest. I snatched a ceramic jar of wine from the table and hurled it at him with all my might.

"Crash!"

He instinctively ducked, and the jar smashed against the doorframe. Wine showered down over him, soaking him completely. Bui Canh stood motionless, stunned.