Chapter 5 — Ky Y Lac

Offering a performance is just a matter of completing the formalities. Tran Thuong Thu's case was immediately ordered to be investigated. After a month of investigation, Luong Kien Son was charged with embezzlement, accepting bribes, manipulating salt merchants in Jiangnan, and extorting large-scale wealth to impeach Tran Thuong Thu. Tran Thuong Thu and his entire faction were uprooted, and his entire family was beheaded. … The news reached the Royal Palace just as Luong Kien Son was playing chess with us. He holds the black piece, I hold the white piece. The chess position on the table is completely clear. The black army wins. After hearing the secret guard's report, Luong Kien Son conveniently threw the black chess piece in his hand back into the chess box. He leaned back in his chair and breathed a sigh of relief. The political enemy had fought with him for many years, and was finally defeated by him. "A Dao, you are indeed the king's blessing." He turned to look at me, his eyes filled with undisguised appreciation. This was the first time he called me directly by name. "It's the King's plan, I don't dare take credit." He was extremely satisfied with my obedient appearance, not competing for credit. Immediately leaving the chess game unfinished, picked me up and went straight to the bedroom. That night, under the flickering candlelight, he hugged me tightly in his arms. "A Dao, if you get pregnant in the future, this king will give you a title." Just a title. I heard clearly, but on the outside I was still obedient and gentle. I buried my face in his arms, hiding the coldness in his eyes. The day of autumn hunting soon arrived. Luong Kien Son was the Regent Prince, of course he had to follow the king to the hunting grounds on the outskirts of the capital. At first he didn't intend to take me with him. But rarely do I proactively make a request, saying that I'm bored in the Royal Palace alone and have never seen the hunting scene with my own eyes. Luong Kien Son immediately agreed. "That's fine, let her see with her own eyes how majestic this king rides his horse and hunts." When he said that, the corners of his eyebrows slightly raised, his tone carrying a bit of a teenager's pride. I smiled and replied, praising him as if he were a god on earth. The palace in the hunting ground is not too big, but it exudes a discreet luxury. I was placed in a small monastery located closest to Luong Kien Son's palace. Butler Zhao personally brought someone to arrange everything, even the scent burning in the room was changed to the scent I usually use. At night, after completing military matters, Luong Kien Son came to have dinner with me. He was in a good mood, saying that he would personally go into the forest to hunt deer tomorrow. "I heard that in the deep forest of the hunting ground there is a white octopus whose whole body is as white as snow. In the past, when the First Emperor was still in power, he wanted to hunt it many times, but every time he let it escape." "If this king can hunt it, he will definitely have someone skin it and make a cloak for her." I bowed my head in gratitude, revealing a bit of admiration at the same time. "The Royal Family's archery skills are unparalleled in the world, if you want to hunt them, you will be able to hunt them." Isn't it just a simple thing?" Sure enough, after hearing those words, he was extremely happy. That night, he was in an extremely excited mood, clinging to me in bed until past midnight. The autumn hunting period lasted three days, Luong Kien Son returned with a full trophy. He indeed hunted that white octopus. There were still dried blood stains on the deer's antlers, so he carried them in his hand and boldly walked into the palace. The following officials all took turns coming forward to congratulate. He laughed loudly and gave me a pair of deer antlers, telling me to keep them carefully. Right in front of everyone, he even pulled me to stand a little closer to him. On the last day of the autumn hunting period, it is customary to hold a party at the large camp in the hunting grounds. Little Emperor Luong Trinh was only fourteen years old, sitting on a dragon-backed position

tallest, his skinny body was even more highlighted by his loose dragon robe. Luong Kien Son was the last to arrive. He changed into a dark purple brocade robe and leisurely walked in from outside. Everyone had long since settled down, even the Little Emperor had finished his two weeks of tea. Yet he finally appeared. Didn't admit his mistake, just casually clasped his hands in ceremony and sat down in his seat. That seat is only one step away from the dragon's chair. "The Emperor's uncle is a bit late. Just now, the Ceremony official said that we must wait for the Emperor's uncle to make offerings to heaven and earth first before the banquet can begin." The Little Emperor's voice was somewhat lacking in confidence, but he still tried to remain calm. Luong Kien Son raised the cup of wine in front of him, completely unconcerned. "Your Majesty, just now this king was on patrol to defend the hunting grounds, that's why he was late." "Your Majesty is still young and doesn't understand these things, just let me take care of it for you." Not only was he late, he also publicly blamed the prince for not understanding life's affairs. What an extravagant statement that is. The Little Emperor's face turned pale. The Queen Mother quickly stood up to make peace and quietly urged the banquet to begin. After singing and dancing were offered, the atmosphere calmed down a bit. During the banquet, the Little Emperor mentioned an old regulation related to military fields on the border, but before he could finish his words, Luong Kien Son loudly interrupted. "What Your Majesty just said happened twenty years ago." "The situation on the border today is very different from the past, the military land regime should have changed a long time ago." "Your Majesty lives in the palace all year round, and really does not understand these practical things." As soon as the words ended, even the sound of the flute in the palace was silent for a moment. The Little Emperor tightened his grip on the throne, but because he was afraid of Luong Kien Son's immense power, he did not dare to say anything. It seemed that Luong Kien Son was completely unaware of the unusual atmosphere, on the contrary, he slightly raised his chin, raised his wine cup and looked around at everyone.