Chapter 91 — The Medicine Bearer Through the Chaos

The Ceremony of Debate Cong

Ten days after the Northern Dich army completely withdrew from the area around the capital, the Holy King convened a special audience to debate and reward those who had great contributions in protecting Yen Phung. The Great Hall, which had witnessed a tense confrontation many weeks ago, now wore a completely different atmosphere — solemn but filled with the relief of people who had just overcome one of the darkest periods of the dynasty together.

Ve Khai Trach was the first person whose name was called. The Holy King personally read the edict, officially erasing all the vague accusations that had been spread by the Can Ba Thong faction against the Tran Bac Hau family over the past several months, and at the same time conferred titles and land conferments in recognition of their merits in guarding the border and their decisive role in protecting the capital.

"I know that over the years, you have had to endure many unfair scandals just because you dared to stand in the way of those who profited from soldiers' blood and bones." The Saint spoke, his solemn voice resounding throughout the Great Hall. "From today, the honor of the Tran Bac Hau family has been completely restored before the entire court, no one is allowed to doubt your loyalty again."

Ve Khai Trach knelt down to give thanks, his voice choked with emotion - a rare emotion revealed in front of a large crowd of officials from a general who had always maintained a calm and stoic demeanor throughout many years of battle. Thanh Phong, standing in the line of young generals, was also recognized with an official promotion, along with special praise for his courage in the battle to block and protect civilians in Nghinh Phong.

When it was Tinh Yen's turn to be called, the entire Great Hall suddenly fell silent in a moment of curiosity - a female medical student from a fishing village had never before been honored before the royal court in this way. She walked out, knelt down and bowed amid the watching eyes of hundreds of mandarins.

"Do Tinh Yen." The saint called his name, his voice carrying a true respect. "From an unknown doctor on the border, you have constantly proven your talent and virtue through every challenge - treating wounded soldiers on the front lines, vindicating yourself against a plot to harm you, leading the rescue work amid the siege of Nghinh Phong, and now, making a decisive contribution to controlling the epidemic in the midst of the most dangerous time in the capital. I want to ask you, what do you want for me to reward you worthy of your merits?"

That question made the entire Great Hall wait in silence, and Tinh Yen also clearly felt the weight of this moment - this was not just a social question, but an opportunity for her to shape the path forward for her own life.

"The Holy One." She replied, her voice steady even though she was still a little nervous. "I do not dare to ask for titles or benefits for myself. If the Holy Spirit allows, I have only one request - to have the Royal Medical Institute officially recognize the treatment methods that combine folk medicine and orthodox medicine that I have applied, so that they can be taught more widely, not only limited to the capital city walls, but also in remote rural areas like the place where I was born."

Kinh Ba Van, standing in the row of royal physicians, nodded slightly in agreement, his eyes revealing undisguised pride. The Saint pondered for a moment before speaking.

"A humble but meaningful request." He said. "I am in charge. From today, you are appointed Chief Medical Officer of the Royal Medical Institute, a new position specifically established to supervise the combination and transmission of folk medicine and royal medicine throughout the kingdom. At the same time, I grant you the privilege that, whenever you wish, you can apply to establish a private medical shop anywhere in Dong Lam territory, under the official patronage of the royal court."

Tinh Yen bowed her head in gratitude, her heart filled with a complex and indescribable emotion - not necessarily simple joy, but a profound relief when she realized that the path she had chosen from the first days following Mrs. Khue to the forest to pick medicine, was now finally recognized by an entire dynasty and given the opportunity to spread more widely.

Immediately after Tinh Yen returned to the ranks, Linh Ho Ba Tuyen was also called and received praise for not hesitating to change his old viewpoint to coordinate effectively in the fight against the epidemic. He bowed his head in gratitude with a rare humility compared to his initial arrogant attitude, and before retiring, he turned to Tinh Yen and gave a meaningful nod - a belated but sincere gesture of reconciliation between two people who once had harsh opinions.

Au Ba Tuong was also mentioned by name for courageously testifying during the cross-examination session, despite the previous relationship between his family and the Can Ba Thong faction. When leaving the Great Hall, he went to greet Tinh Yen, a relieved smile clearly visible on his face.

"You are now a first-class medical doctor, and I am still just an ordinary first-class medical student." Au Ba Tuong said, his tone was light and joking. "Who would have thought that the day you first entered the hospital, being looked down upon by many of us because of your background, you would end up being the one who went the furthest."

"Everyone's path is different, there's no need to compare." Tinh Yen replied, smiling friendly. "I believe you will find your own path that will make your family proud, in your own way, not according to what others have imposed."

Amid the crowd of mandarins gradually dispersing from the Great Hall, Thanh Phong came to her side, his eyes filled with undisguised pride. "First-rate Medical Chinh." He said, his voice half joking and half serious. "I'm afraid that from now on, I'll have to learn to be more formal when I talk to you."

"Don't joke." Tinh Yen replied, lightly punching his shoulder, although she couldn't hide her smile. "To you, I am still Tinh Yen as before, nothing has changed."

"I'm glad that hasn't changed." He spoke, his voice low, just loud enough for her to hear. "Because so much has changed throughout our journey, I want this to at least remain the same as it was in the first days."

After the public debate, the Holy King moved on to announce the official verdict against Can Ba Thong - stripped of his entire position as Secretary of the Household Ministry, confiscation of property, and detained until the final trial date before Dai Ly Tu, on charges of corrupting military provisions and intentionally sabotaging the defense of the capital in the midst of war - a crime that could lead to the death penalty if fully proven before the entire court.

The audience ended in an atmosphere of both solemnity and relief, but as soon as people began to leave the Great Hall, an official in charge of Dai Ly Tu quickly found Nhuoc Tran, leaned into her ear and said something that made her face change slightly.

"What's up?" Tinh Yen asked, when she saw Nhuoc Tran turn around and call her, Kinh Ba Van and Ve Khai Trach closer.

"Chu Dac Hoanh, after many days of detention, finally confessed." Nhuoc Tran said, her voice was both relieved and serious. "He asked to meet Doctor Do in person before revealing everything he knew, saying there was one thing he just wanted to tell you in private first."

Tinh Yen paused, a heavy premonition rising in her heart. She had been waiting for this moment for a long time, ever since the night she discovered the connection between the lotus symbol and the failed relief food of the July epidemic year, but now, when that moment was really close, she felt a vague fear of what she was about to face.

"I'll go see him." She spoke, her voice determined even though her heart was not as calm as her appearance showed. "No matter how cruel the truth is, you still need to know it, so that you can completely end the journey you have been pursuing for so many years."

Kinh Ba Van placed a hand on her shoulder, his eyes filled with the understanding of someone who had witnessed many tragedies during his decades at the head of the Thai Hospital. "I will go with you." he said. "No one should face such heavy truths alone."

Ve Khai Trach also nodded in agreement, his eyes looking at Tinh Yen with an appreciation that had grown over the past months. "If you need any support, just speak up." He spoke, his voice warmer than the usual seriousness of a general. "You have done so much for my family and for this entire capital, now is the time for us to stand with you."

Thanh Phong did not say anything more, just gently held her hand for a moment, a short gesture but enough to convey all the silent support he wanted to give. Tinh Yen nodded to thank each person, then along with Kinh Ba Van headed towards Dai Ly Tu, where Chu Dac Hoanh was waiting with testimonies that could forever change the way she looked at her own past.