Chapter 9 — Her Road Is Still Long

I'm grinding Ly Qi Tan prescribed by Mr. Ngo. Each flavor must be ground into a very fine powder. This job is very time consuming. After grinding, it must be sifted three times. Can't be hasty.

“Your Majesty?”

Mother Sun called out again.

“I heard.”

I poured the crushed medicinal powder into the ceramic bowl, brushed off the medicinal dust from my hands and asked:

“Is your great-grandmother's body still healthy?”

“I'm fine, I just miss you.”

It's been three months. Not even a single envelope has been sent. Now that Mid-Autumn Festival has arrived, the scene of the whole family being reunited cannot be complete without me, this "living girl". Otherwise, when relatives ask, it will be difficult to answer. The previous life was also like that. Every holiday, I am an item displayed in the temple. Place it in the main hall for everyone to look at and admire... The old lady is truly benevolent. Taking in an orphan from her mother's side to raise her. Treat her like your own niece. After praising the old lady's virtue and kindness, everyone immediately bowed their heads to eat. No one pays attention to me anymore. But this year is different.

"Sun, mama, wait a moment, I'll go in and change my clothes."

When I entered the dressing room, Tiet To Man was leaning against the door frame biting melon seeds. Today she did not go to the mountain to pick medicine. He was wearing a half-old rough cloth outfit. The sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, revealing two strong, dark tanned arms.

“Do you really want to go back?” she asked.

“It's the Hongmen banquet.”

“Even if it's Hongmen Banquet, it's still a party.”

She snorted in disdain, spitting the melon seed shell into her palm.

“You are also very strange.”

“Before, it was a closed gourd.”

“Now it's become a hard bone.”

She threw the pile of melon seed shells into the sieve in the corner of the wall and then wiped her hands.

“Do you need me to come with you?”

"No need."

I smoothed my hair and placed the silver hairpin on my head. Pomegranate flower pattern. Two days ago, Tham Quy Bach just brought it back to me. He said he found a silversmith in the village and reheated it once more. So it's much brighter than before.

“She stayed at the manor and waited for me.”

"If I still haven't returned after three days, I will immediately report to the official."

Tiet To Van was momentarily stunned. Then burst out laughing:

“Okay.”

“I'll know if I tell the official.”

“But who to sue?”

"First, sue the Shen residence's main house for not being strict and tolerating servants' assault."

I tied the strap of my cloak tightly.

“Then sue Chu Uyen Nhu for taking the medicine.”

“Where is the evidence?”

I took out two pieces of paper from under the pillow. Fold it carefully and tuck it into your sleeve. The bow has Bich Dao's fingerprints. Old Ngo is the one who helped us connect. In the past, when he was a doctor in the district pharmacy, he knew a dentist. That servant was acquainted with a clerk in the office of the palace. Tiet To Van took my place on a trip. Using the identity of a "patient's family member", Bich Dao was able to find from the pharmacy's books a receipt for medicine purchased more than three months ago. On that invoice, the quantity of Hoan Hop Tan was clearly stated. Not much. Not a lot. Just enough to make a person's mind faint and his whole body weak and helpless. As soon as she got that bill, Bich Dao couldn't stand it anymore. She has long been gone from Tham residence. After the night I fell into the water, Chu Uyen Nhu was afraid of what would happen exposed, so he secretly chased her to a manor house outside the city. That Zhuangzi was only about three miles away from Trang Thanh Tuyen. Old Trinh's son knew Bich Dao. After exchanging words twice, she immediately confessed. Who gives money? Who gave the order? Who told her to help me through that door? Every sentence, every word. Not a single word wrong. Finally, there is the confirmation point. Now that confession is hidden in my sleeve. Separated by the traditional medicine class. The edge of the paper rubbed against my wrist, causing a dull pain there.

“How do you plan to use it?”

Tiet To Van asked.

“Let's see the situation first.”

We step over the threshold.

“If she doesn't move, I won't move either.”

“If she moves.”

“I will make her unable to touch her again from now on.”

The carriage stopped in front of the Zhuangzi gate. Tham Quy Bach is also there. He led a gray horse. The dark blue uniform on his body had been replaced with a dark blue one, making his whole body look a bit calmer.