Chapter 3 — The First Female Guardian

“Brave!” I bowed my head: “The women don't understand court rules, they only know how to speak human language.” A soft laugh rang out behind the screen. The expressions on the faces of the ministers were different. An old man spoke up: "For a woman to set up a household, it will disrupt the clan's morality. Today you want to establish a household for the sake of your business, tomorrow all the women in the world will imitate you, won't the family be in great chaos?" I said: "Sir, people who steal things will cause great chaos in the family." The old man's face sank. I continued: "The women in the world who do not ask for anything, all imitate it. They only ask for someone's belongings and write that person's name. If a woman cannot inherit property, then when a woman is in debt, can she also say that she is a woman so she does not need to repay the debt?" The old man did not speak anymore. Another official asked: "Are people from the Tham clan here?" The clan leader was led forward. He knelt down very slowly, his mouth still unconvinced. "Your Majesty, please consider clearly, the common people are not greedy for property, just because Tham Le is young and a woman, it is reasonable for the clan to manage on her behalf." The person behind the screen asked: "How long will the manager take over?" The patriarch was stunned: "Wait until she gets married." "If she doesn't marry?" "How can there be any female who doesn't marry?" "I ask you, if she doesn't marry." What about getting married?" The clan leader's forehead sweated: "Then... then continue to be managed by the elders in the clan." I laughed out loud. Everyone looked at me. I quickly bowed my head: "You ladies are rude." But I really couldn't bear it. In the end, I still want to swallow it. The person behind the screen asked again: "If it is the manager, who does the income belong to?" The patriarch could not answer. Third Uncle hastily said: "Of course it belongs to Tham Le." I immediately brought up the books. "This is the account of the past years in the clan managing the estates of the orphans. All profits were entered into the clan's treasury, not a single penny was handed over to the old owner." Third Uncle's face changed: "Where did you get it from?" "Uncle's son lost money, used it to sell ten taels. I spent twelve taels to buy it back." Third Uncle's eyes widened. Mr. Ta, in the distance, bowed his head and his shoulders shook again. He laughed again. This person is really not proper at all.07The other book was offered. After several ministers watched, their faces were all very ugly. The patriarch knelt on the ground, finally frightened. He repeatedly said the books were incomplete and could not be considered real. I nodded repeatedly. "It's really not complete. There should be a ledger in the patriarch's place." The patriarch suddenly looked at me. I spread my hands: "I don't have it." As soon as he breathed a sigh of relief, the person behind the screen spoke up. "I have it." The whole patriarch's body stiffened. I'm also stiff. Tram? Even though I already knew that the person behind the screen was the emperor, when I heard it with my own ears, my back still tensed up. The inner lady brought out a very thick notebook. As soon as the book was opened, over the years, how much property the Tham clan had swallowed up, how much land they had managed, how much rent they had collected, were all clearly written down. The third uncle's face turned pale, and the patriarch sat down on the ground. I stared at that notebook, my heart beating violently. Since when did Mr. Ta investigate? Incorrect. This is not something an idle person like him can investigate. I turned around to look for him. I don't know when, he was standing behind the row of officials. An inner servant walked up to him and respectfully bowed. "Your Highness Viet Vuong." My mind was buzzing. Viet Vuong. Younger brother of the current emperor. On the way, I scolded him for being stingy. Also say he doesn't look like a good person. Done. If my father under the yellow stream knew about it, he would definitely scold me. Mr. Ta, no, Viet King Ta Hanh Chu saw me looking over and even smiled at me. How can this person still smile? Tone

The emperor rang out again. "Patriarch Tham Thi, using the name of management to usurp the property of an orphan in the clan, the evidence is solid. Where are you, escort down." The patriarch screamed and complained. No one paid attention to him. The third uncle repeatedly bowed his head. "Your Majesty, the common people are suddenly confused. The common people are willing to return all of Brother Tham's property!" The emperor coldly asked: "It was originally her property, why do you call it return?" The third uncle trembled and could not say a word. I knelt on the ground, my mind confused. I originally thought today was just a fight over having a female household. Unexpectedly, he first turned over all the old debts in the clan. No wonder Ta Hanh Chu said today was very exciting.08But the story is not over yet. A minister suddenly stepped out of the line. "Your Majesty, people in the Tham clan are guilty, of course they must be severely punished. But we still need to be careful when it comes to women establishing households. If we set a precedent today because of a case, I'm afraid the clan in the world will feel uneasy." My heart sank. Here we go. They may judge the patriarch guilty, but they may not be willing to let me establish a household. After all, punishing the greedy and changing the rules are not the same thing. The Emperor did not immediately speak. The other minister said again: