Chapter 5 — Lady Tri District

Looking at her figure disappearing into the distance, I suddenly became curious about the new district governor - the person who the whole town praised.

“I want to meet the new district governor!”

When we arrived at the district office, under the apricot canopy in the yard, a man wearing a black official robe was standing with his hands behind his back. Previously there was an almond tree. Ta Khien once said that his conduct was too ordinary, not as pure and elegant, so he sent someone to replace him.

“Cut it down.”

The other person's voice had no ripples. Immediately, the servant next to him bowed and obeyed.

"Yes, this apricot tree is really not suitable for a public place."

At that moment, it seemed like there was a feeling, that person turned his head to look back, his eyes immediately met mine. I was suffocated — is there really someone more handsome than Ta Khien in this world? He has bright eyebrows and bright eyes, and a dark red cinnabar spot at the end of his eyes. Compared to Ta Khien's indifferent appearance, he has a bit more of a romantic and carefree look. The sunlight passed through the apricot branches, casting sparse shadows on his body. His tall, thin, straight figure, and the rigid mandarin robe worn on his body became unusually generous. His eyes stopped on my face for a moment, as if there was a brief undercurrent, but quickly returned to calm. I only saw him slightly hiding his right hand behind his back, as if intentionally concealing something. Not knowing where I got the courage from, I quietly walked in front of him.

“Are you the new district governor?” I raised my head and looked straight into his eyes. “I have something to discuss.”

He raised his eyebrows slightly and looked to the side: "Who is this lady?" Bookkeeper Ly knew me and quickly came forward to report: "Back when sir, this is Miss Duong family - the unmarried fiancee of the previous district governor, Lord Ta."

“Miss Duong.” He clasped his hands, the corners of his lips curved up into a faint smile: "I wonder if you have any advice, young lady?"

I tightened my sleeves, trying to suppress the urgency in my heart:

“Lord Tieu, can you let me say a few words in private?”

He pondered for a moment, then waved his hand to signal the servants to retreat. Waiting for everyone to leave, he leaned leisurely against the trunk of the apricot tree next to him, his sleeves drooping down, revealing his long, white wrists.

"If there's anything wrong, just say it, Miss Duong."

His voice was clear and soft, like a spring breeze gently passing through the water, far different from Ta Khien's usual coldness. I took a deep breath and looked straight into his eyes:

“Can you… marry me?”

Tieu Canh Minh paused, a flash of surprise flashed in his eyes, but quickly calmed down. He leaned slightly, his eyes seemed to carry a smile, and looked at me intently:

"Miss Duong, marriage is such a big deal, how can you joke?"

My voice trembled slightly, my fingernails pressed tightly into my palm:

"I'm not kidding. I want to become a district governor."

He suddenly leaned close to my ear, each stray hair brushed my cheek, his warm breath was so close that it made me confused.

"Miss Duong took the initiative to seek a marriage, aren't you afraid that you will marry the wrong person?"

“Please release Sister Manh.” I swallowed my saliva, my voice getting quieter:

“I believe you are a good person.”

Sister Manh's husband was originally a scholar who loved gambling and drinking heavily. Every time he lost money, he vented his anger on Sister Manh. One day, she was beaten until she was barely alive. Finally, she couldn't bear it anymore and grabbed the scissors on the dressing table... The incident. That sentence, while Ta Khien was still in office, was still suspended. Tieu Canh Minh, just three days after taking office, personally judged and acquitted Sister Manh, and said that scholar deserved to die.

“Just for that?” He stood up straight, the corners of his lips curled slightly, the cinnabar spots under his eyes became more brilliant in the sunlight:

“This lady... seems to trust people too easily.”

"And because..." I bit my lip, mustered up the courage to say: "You... look very handsome."

He was stunned, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"You should stay with me a little longer and then judge. I'm afraid it's too early..."

He lowered his head to look at me, the helplessness in his eyes mixed with a bit of gentleness.

“What about a month?” I grabbed his sleeve and said seriously:

“If after a month I still want to be the district governor... please agree, okay?”

Tieu Canh Minh raised his hand to gently rub his forehead, as if he was being bothered by me and was amused:

“Okay. One month is one month.”

When he lifted his hand, I glimpsed a scratch across the back of his hand - clearly a wound, why was it so familiar?

“Are you injured?” I couldn't help it, I raised my hand to touch it.

He calmly hid his hand behind: "Cat scratches."

“Cat?” My eyes light up:

"Do you still have cats? Can I see them?"

Lam Suong is allergic to cat fur, there has never been one in the palace. We just need to touch the head of a stray cat on the street, and when we get home, we have to change clothes, wash our hair, and rinse our mouths. Tieu Canh Minh's lips twitched slightly:

“Another day.”

"Miss! Butler Lam is back!"

Luc Nha quickly ran over, leaned close to my ear and whispered. I had to bow and retreat: "Lord Tieu, I'll come find you again tomorrow." He nodded slightly, waved his hand to send me away, a smile quietly rising in his eyes. Leaving the district, Luc Nha couldn't help but ask:

"Miss, do you know the new district governor from before?"

I don't know why I felt so comfortable after talking to Tieu Canh Minh, the corners of my lips curled up involuntarily.

“Today was the first time I met him.”

“Huh?” Luc Nha stopped in front of me and stared:

"Miss, there's something different about you..."

I covered my face, both cheeks burning: "Nothing." She wrinkled her nose, then turned back to walk beside me.

“The young lady was always cautious and careful before, but now she seems to be genuinely happy.”

I bowed my head, my eyes stopped at the tip of my shoe:

"Luc Nha, tell me... does father blame me for not listening?"

"What are you talking about, young lady! The old man loves the young lady the most, how can he blame her? If the old man knew that the Ta family treated the young lady like that, he would have personally annulled the marriage!"

That's right... My father never had the heart to let me suffer half of the wrongs.