Chapter 6 — Tham Dien

He dismissed all his subordinates. Bring the jade talisman that can mobilize the old ministry and the secret guards of the marquis' palace, as well as the place where the list of political contacts is hidden, and tell me everything.

“Take good care… Tranh Nhi…”

He barely survived and said:

“The Marquis… I… have to rely on you…”

I slowly knelt down and respectfully bowed my head before him.

“I remember.”

That old man gave me the last card of the Marquis. Of course I will listen to him and take good care of Ta Tranh and the Marquis. Just this kind of care... It may not be what he thinks. I took the position of a concubine to take care of his funeral arrangements. Welcoming guests, setting up a shrine, reciting sutras, paying funerals... Everything is carefully done, without any loopholes. Even the relatives waiting to see the joke couldn't find even a single flaw. After taking care of the funeral, I devoted all my efforts to treating Ta Tranh. Ginseng, antlers, snow lotus... He did not hesitate to pour money into his medicine. But his body still became more and more stiff. Words become less and less. His eyes also became increasingly empty. Finally, Mrs. Hau also became suspicious.

"Why don't you feel any better with Tranh Nhi's medicine? Do these medicines really work?"

I leisurely stoked the fire under the medicine pot, the corners of my lips curled slightly:

“Of course it works.”

“The poison of the Western Region yellow scorpion is the most nutritious.”

"The more supplements you take, the faster the residual poison will develop, and your good son... will also rot more thoroughly."

As if she had been struck by lightning, Mrs. Hau staggered and took a step back:

"You... what did you say? That scorpion... could it be because of you?"

“It's me.”

I calmly admitted, slowly walked forward, looking straight into her frightened eyes:

“That night of the big wedding, the maquis guarded the room as tightly as an iron barrel.

“Even guests with status must have a card to enter.

“And yet, To Vong easily sneaked into my new room without any problems.

"Did he barge in on his own, or was he intentionally let in by a family of three of you? Do you really think I don't know?"

“My husband gave me a cheater, I gave him a scorpion, what's wrong?!”

The Marquis's face immediately turned white as paper. Trembling fingers pointed at me:

“You… you are truly cruel!”

“Yes, I am truly cruel.

“But compared to your whole family, it's still far behind.”

I enjoy her collapsed face:

“If you didn't want to destroy my innocence and cut off my way out, why would I need to go to this step?”

"I'm not afraid to tell you that not only Ta Tranh, but also the old man's body was destroyed by me."

“I'm just sorry…”

“You understand too late.”

As soon as she finished speaking, two rough ghosts quietly appeared behind her, each holding one hand tightly. The lady was frightened and struggled:

"What are you doing?! Let me go!! I am the matriarch of the palace! Tham Dien, you dare?!"

"Whist…"

I raised my finger and put it to my lips, making a silent gesture:

“In this Marquis Palace there can only be one master and mother.”

“Mother, you should rest.”

Having finished speaking, I raised my eyes and signaled. The two ghosts immediately grabbed her chin and forcibly poured a bowl of thick black medicine into her mouth. She choked and coughed violently. If I wanted to vomit, my mouth was tightly gagged. I bent down, got close to her ear, and whispered in a voice that only the two of us could hear:

“Don't worry, it won't be too painful.”

"The Marquis has just passed away. It is reasonable for him to die because of extreme grief. Absolutely no one will suspect him."

“Very quickly…”

"A family of three of you will be reunited under the golden stream."

Mrs. Hau opened her eyes wide. Fear, resentment, despair... Countless emotions flared up in her eyes, then quickly extinguished, leaving only numb ashes. That night, news of the princess's death spread throughout the capital. The spiritual hall was built again. White flags covered it again. I dressed in white mourning clothes, knelt before the spiritual altar and burned paper money, tears falling at the right time. Inside, I was extremely calm. There's one less person blocking the way. … Those two old men went to the grave one after another, the sky of Truong Hung Marquis Palace finally completely changed hands. In name, Ta Tranh inherited the title and became the new Marquis of Truong Hung. But everyone knows... The invalid is lying on the bed, unable to speak, his skinny body like a skeleton is just a decoration. The one who truly controls the life and death of the Marquis Palace... is me. On my son's first full month, I held a big party. Not for conflict. It's not because of face either. I just want the whole capital to see clearly. Right now in this Marquis palace, who is the final decision maker? I took off my pale mourning clothes and changed into a formal floral outfit. Although the shirt's color is elegant, it uses premium marble, deep embroidered gold patterns, and each needle and thread is as delicate as a painting. Each embroidered line has wordless prestige. I sat neatly in the main position, my expression was calm, and I responded skillfully. Whose house is going on, what direction the court has taken recently, we know in the palm of our hand. Guests throughout the hall, regardless of high or low rank, entering the door only bowed to me. In all matters big and small in the palace, the administrators look to me alone to decide. Even my father, who was always noble and noble, came to please me:

"My daughter is now the only mother of the Marquis Palace, extremely noble!"

“The Shen family will have to rely on you from now on!”

He rubbed his hands, his eyes flashing:

"Father, I'm really tired of doing this council position. Dien Nhi, see if you can help me take it one step further?"

I put down the teacup and the lid made a slight click.

“Father… why do you still have the face to mention these things to me?”

The smile on his face stiffened.