Chapter 9 — I heard that I had a loving husband and wife, and had many children and grandchildren. He crushed the white jade bowl in his hand.

He opened his eyes and looked at the rafters above.

“Are you not sleeping yet?”

He paused for a moment then continued:

“During the day, two soldiers from the infantry came to the barracks and said they wanted to check my military salary records.”

"Checking the books? Why?"

"I don't know. It's never happened before."

He turned around to face me, in the darkness only his bright eyes could be seen.

"But don't worry. The books are clear and transparent, they won't find any problems."

I don't speak up. But a bad premonition arose in my heart. Co Van Thu's letter mentioned Thanh Uyen first. Check the books later. Co Van Thu's hand has reached much farther than I imagined. Han Chinh is right. The books are really no problem. People from the Infantry came to investigate for three days, but in the end they couldn't find anything, so they could only leave in shame. But soon something else happened. The Ministry of Households sent an official dispatch to the Han Palace: Han Chinh's benefits were cut by three parts because of "calculation adjustments". Han Chinh looked at the document for a long time without saying anything. I stood next to it and saw it. This number is neither large nor small, and does not cause people to starve to death, but it is clear that someone behind the scenes is deliberately trying to cause trouble. Han Chinh folded the document and stuffed it into his sleeve.

"It's okay, just reduce it. Enough food and clothing is enough."

“Aren't you going to investigate to see whose intention it was?”

"What happens after the investigation? Things that offend others... I can't do."

This person on the battlefield rushed to kill the enemy without blinking an eye, but when dealing with people, he was as slow as a log. Fortunately, I lived in a harem for fourteen years in my previous life, and I saw those round curves better than anyone. Benefits are managed by the Ministry of Health. The Minister of the Household's name is Phuong, and he is an in-law of the Co family. The next day was the 60th birthday of General Manh - the former minister under General Tran Quoc in the past. Han Chinh took me to the party. The Manh family invited all of them old acquaintances in the military camp, mixed with a few sporadic officials. After three weeks of drinking, a middle-aged military officer at the next table staggered over and clasped hands with Han Chinh.

"Old brother Han, I heard that your Han residence has had its benefits cut off? Tsk tsk, not long after we got married, people are trying to make things difficult for you. This life isn't very pleasant, is it?"

When he said the three words "unpleasant", he even deliberately glanced at me. The obvious meaning is: You marry a wife who makes others look at you, worthy of your life. Han Chinh tightened his grip on the wine cup in his hand, not speaking. I opened his mouth for him.

"This general, my husband's benefits, more or less, are all the grace of the court. On the contrary, you have not even drunk much wine yet and are already drunk."

The other person's face immediately darkened.

“You are just a woman…”

“What about women?”

I stood up and looked straight at him.

"My husband's salary was cut by three parts, but the military salary of the three thousand generals in his camp was not missing a penny. Those three parts were cut, he saved from his own mouth to make up for it. If the general doesn't believe it, just go check last month's military salary mobilization slip and you'll know."

The whole table immediately fell silent. Han Chinh was stunned People. The middle-aged military official opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say. Old General Manh sitting in the main seat suddenly put the wine cup down on the table and made a "pop" sound.

"It's great that the Han family married this daughter-in-law! She has strong bones!"

"Come on come on, this cup is empty! Mrs. Kinh Han!"

A group of martial generals immediately raised their cups noisily. The middle-aged man who intentionally caused trouble returned to his seat in embarrassment, and from then on did not dare to say another word. In the midst of a bustling noise, Han Chinh stood next to me, the corners of his lips slightly pursed, bowing his head and asking a question in a low voice.

“How do you know about military provisions?”

"Every day when you come back you say there's nothing wrong, but the document still has ink stains on your sleeve that hasn't dried yet. I saw it when I packed up my clothes."

His ears slowly turned red.

“Have you… seen those documents?”

"Han Chinh, do you really think you married a big lady who doesn't understand anything?"

He opened his mouth, but for a long time he still didn't say a word.