Chapter 27 — The day my mother wanted to reconcile, I tore up her letter of reconciliation

“My lord, please remember.”

This engagement, here, is considered the end. But the residue in the palace has not yet subsided. The ladies who were previously still in the mood to watch drama, now looking back at me and Tham Thi, their eyes were completely different. Some people are more respectful, others are skeptical. Because today, not only was Tham's petition successful, but more importantly, we borrowed the Queen's mouth and raised this whole matter from "fighting for favors of the family" to "staying loyal to the family and maintaining reputation". Once raised, not everyone dares to touch it casually. Vinh Phi sat in her seat, her fingertips lightly tapping the rim of the cup, no longer looking at us. But we know, this is not over yet. She suffered a loss today and will definitely not let it go easily. When the spring nest ended, the sky turned to dusk. I helped my mother out of the palace. The long steps spread down, and at the end were layers of heavy palace gates and horse-drawn carriages waiting. When Tham Thi stepped into the car, her steps were clearly lighter than when she entered the palace. Waiting until the car curtains fell, she finally took a breath and reached out to hold my hand tightly.

“Ming Dao.”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“If I didn't have you today…”

“Mother.” I grabbed her hand again, "It's not you, it's us who have struggled together until today."

Her eyes turned red and she turned away. The carriage slowly left the palace gate. The car gradually became quiet, with only the sound of the wheels rolling gently on the stone surface. I bowed my head and took out the death notebook from my sleeve. It's been unusually quiet lately. But the quieter we are, the more insecure we become. I turn the first page. On the originally blank page, words finally slowly appeared this time. Like blood, stroke after stroke emerged. Bui Minh Dao: died of poisoning. My fingers suddenly tightened. The air in the car seemed to freeze for a moment. Mother noticed my strange expression and asked in a low voice: I slowly closed the death book, raised my eyes to look at the night gradually falling outside the car curtain, my heart became clearer than ever. After from the road. After the banquet in the palace. Those hiding in the darkness have finally targeted me. The first time I saw my name on the death book, I didn't panic at all. Like a blade that had been waiting for so long, it finally fell, instead making people feel at peace. Bui Minh Dao: died of poisoning. Just seven words are enough to say everything. The person behind is in a hurry. From the road, Lieu Nhu Nuong failed. At the spring banquet, Tham Thi's petition was successful. My mother and I both lived tougher lives than they expected. At this step, if you don't cover your mouth, what is brought into the light will not be just an exterior and a fake death. It's the concubines in the palace, the royal family, the whole chess board, they intend to use the empty shell of the Bui family to manipulate the old ministry and the family. When I closed the book of death, the carriage had just arrived at the palace. The night fell like ink, Bui's sign hung quietly above, seemingly unchanged. But I know, from tonight onwards, every lamp in the palace can hide poison. After Miss Tham returned to her room, I did not rest immediately. Just called Ngan Binh to watch outside, while I sat alone under the lamp, repeating those words three times in my heart. It's not a knife, it's not a rope, it's not an accident. This means that the other person doesn't want to make a big deal out of it, but wants us to die quietly. It's best to die for took the wrong medicine. Or because melancholy causes illness. Or like a noble woman who just dared to open her mouth in the palace and finally couldn't stand the storm after the funeral of the National Duke. That's the cleanest way. Also suits their taste best. It's just a pity, if I knew it, I wouldn't follow the path of death that they wrote. The next morning, I sent Ngan Binh to invite Ta Hanh. He came very quickly, as if he knew I would find him. Still a cold, neat official uniform. As soon as he crossed the threshold, his eyes only glanced at me once, then he coldly asked:

“The death record… is there any movement yet?”

I was stunned for a moment, then laughed softly. Last time, because I wanted him to quickly understand the truth, understand the seriousness of the incident, and at the same time promote the investigation to progress faster, I let him see it once.

“You guessed really well.”

“It's not a guess.” Ta Hanh sat down, "It's a strange thing that you're still alive and well after the spring banquet."

I didn't beat around the bush and directly showed him that page. He bowed his head and finished reading, his expression didn't change much, he just asked:

“Are you afraid?”

“What's the use of being afraid?”

“No use.” He replied, "That's why I ask you - are you going to hide, or are you going to fight?"

I look at him. This question is asked very directly and also very fair. He is not like other people, he does not advise me to be careful, avoid, close the door and not go out, but directly puts the choice in front of me. Of course you can hide. From today onwards, I will close the door and say goodbye, not receiving anyone. All food and drinks must be inspected carefully, layer by layer and part by part.