Chapter 7 — Kieu Hoa went to the wrong door, I don't want to go back

Co Hoai Nghien took a half step forward.

“Let me see.”

Thanh Chi immediately blocked in front of me. She was so scared that she trembled, but still gritted her teeth and said:

"This is the veil of the slave family's young lady. Outside men are not allowed to touch it."

Co Hoai Nghien was not angry at all. He just looked at me. I gave him the veil.

"If we've come to this point and still keep those rituals, I'm afraid it's too late."

Thanh Chi was so impatient that tears fell again.

“Miss.”

I said softly:

“If that piece of red cloth was really cut from my veil and stuffed into manager Liu's mouth, I will keep the ceremony, but he will have to pay with his life.”

Co Hoai Nghien took the veil and just used two fingers to grasp the edge of the scarf. He observed very carefully. The entourage brought the lamp closer, the firelight clearly illuminating the small jagged threads in the cut. Co Hoai Nghien said:

“The cut was very neat, it was cut by a thin blade.”

We relive every detail along the way. The float swayed. The people carrying the palanquin whispered loudly. Thanh Chi leaned close through the curtain many times. The lady kept urging. There were times when the wind blew the palanquin curtains. But if there is someone who can cut off a corner of a veil without alarming me, then that person must be very close to me. I raised my head to look at the woman with the Tham family's dowry. She was originally bowing her head, but when she heard the impudent person mention the red cloth, her whole body visibly stiffened. We asked her:

“Before I got married, who touched my veil?”

The lady quickly raised her head.

“The old slave doesn't know.”

“What about the matchmaker?”

"After the matchmaker brought the young lady to the palanquin, she returned to the palace."

“You followed all the way, really didn't see anything?”

The woman's eyes rolled back and forth.

"The palanquin's curtains are covered, so how can the old slave see clearly?"

I stared at her.

“Then why did you insist on wanting me to return to the Luc family just now?”

The woman's face turned pale.

"This old slave is only afraid of missing a good time."

I burst out laughing.

"You're already dead. Mom still remembers the good times. She's truly loyal."

She knelt down with a thud.

“Young lady has wronged this old slave.”

I don't look at her anymore. There are people who are more hasty to complain, and it's like writing the word "guilty" on their faces. Co Hoai Nghien instructed his entourage:

“Separate all the people who followed the Tham family to take statements.”

As soon as the Tham family's wife heard that, she immediately exclaimed:

"Master Gu, this old slave is a member of the Tham family, how could he be questioned by the Thai Pho Palace?"

Co Hoai Nghien calmly replied:

“You can also wait for the Kinh Trieu government to come for questioning.”

The lady immediately fell silent. Luc Thua Uyen coldly looked at his family name.

"The people who followed the Luc family also separated to take statements."

The family member was so scared that he repeatedly bowed his head.

“Young general, you really don't know anything.”

Luc Thua Uyen said:

"Know it or not, you have to ask before deciding."

At this time, the inner servant slowly spoke up.

“The two masters worked very quickly, and the servants returned to the palace and were easily obedient.”

He looked towards me again.

“Miss Shen, it looks like you have to stay at the Thai Phu residence tonight.”

This way of addressing "Your Highness" is truly wonderful. Don't say which house I'm the new wife of. It's not like I'm the Luc family's unmarried fiancee. Only temporarily keeping my identity as the daughter of the Tham family. I bowed to worship.

“Disturbing the public labour."

The maid smiled.

"Tomorrow when you enter the palace, Lady Tham, don't forget what your majesty told you."

“Honestly.”

“But we also have to say it in a way that keeps us alive.”

He left that light sentence and then led the people away. I stood in place, a layer of cold sweat suddenly forming on my back. Honestly it's not difficult. It is difficult to have true words that, once spoken, will offend the living. Co Hoai Nghien sent someone to arrange a place for me to live. There are no female relatives in the Thai Pho Palace. Although the guest rooms are clean, there is a cold look everywhere. On the wall hangs a painting of bamboo in the snow, on the table there are only pens and a blue ceramic incense burner. After Thanh Chi closed the door, she finally couldn't help but burst into tears.

“Miss, have we offended everyone today?”

I sat down on the edge of the bed, the heavy phoenix crown pressing against my neck and shoulders ached.

“Not quite yet.”

“Is that still not enough?”

“At least your Majesty hasn't forced me to return to the Luc family yet.”

Thanh Chi raised her hand to wipe her tears.

“But what should I do if I enter the palace tomorrow?”

I was about to answer when there was a knock at the door. Thanh Chi immediately stopped crying.

“Co Hoai Nghien.”

He did not claim to be an official. Don't let your entourage spread the word. Thanh Chi turned to look at me. I nodded slightly. The door opened, Co Hoai Nghien stood in the hallway, holding a wooden box in his hand. The night wind gently brushed his sleeve, carrying the faint scent of ink and pine.