Chapter 4 — Widow Holding Flag

6

After returning to Lam's palace, I slept well. The sun was already rising, so the servant dared to gently step in and report:

“There are two guests who have been waiting for a long time.”

Is the third uncle of the Lam family - Lam Ha Vi, and female official Kieu Nguyet Di. They came, just because of Kieu Thi Thi.

“Go, invite the old clan to the palace.” I instructed, "Say there is an important matter that needs someone to take charge."

Then I slowly got out of bed to wash my face. In the bronze mirror, a tired face appeared. Very good, exactly the look of a widow who just lost her husband. Lam Kha hugged me from behind, took a pen to draw my eyebrows, meticulously drawing each stroke of my eyebrows, his movements were extremely skillful. Until it was reported from outside that the clan elder had arrived, even the second judge followed. I just leisurely walked to the flower hall. Kieu Nguyet Di saw me walking in wearing mourning clothes and nonchalantly let out a voice:

“My condolences.”

Then immediately get to the topic:

"Today I ventured to visit because of my younger sister - Thi Thi. She had a bit of a misunderstanding with the noble house, so she ran over on her own. The parents in the family were extremely worried, and specifically sent me to take her home."

“Bring it back?”

I took a sip of tea, raised my eyes, my gaze glanced past her, falling on Lam Ha Vi's dark face and the serious look of the old clan. Speak slowly:

"She has been recognized by the old clan and joined our palace, and is a member of the Lam family. Is it possible for this concubine to want to return to her mother's house?"

"That's right," Lam Ha Vi tried to forcefully say, "The baby in her belly is the bloodline of the Lam family, of course a member of the Lam family."

The old man stroked his beard and quickly nodded in agreement. Kieu Nguyet Di tried to save face:

"Our Kieu family is, after all, a family of mandarins. Even if Thi Thi is wrong, there should be three and six ceremonies, and a clear statement. Keeping it in this obscure palace and spreading it out will lose face for both families!"

I immediately shook my hands, dropped the teacup, and sobbed:

“Could it be that you want my husband to rise from the grave and come to your house to marry him?!”

“No… didn't mean that.” Kieu Nguyet Di instinctively glared at Lam Ha Vi.

With just one look, I immediately confirmed - she also knew whose baby it was. Yet, they still deliberately slandered a "dead person" who could not justify it. Hasn't Kieu Nguyet Di always called herself upright and honest? Why do we use different standards when it comes to our family? Poor Lam Kha, when he was alive, he was taken advantage of, and when he died, he couldn't rest in peace. The second judge was also angered by that look, forgetting how she coaxed me yesterday. Now he pouted coldly:

"Oh my, now you know how to worry about your appearance? What kind of lady of the royal family doesn't know the end of the story yet follows a man, and even comes to your door pregnant to ask to be your concubine?"

“Those who know say it's an affair, those who don't know think your family specializes in women who are shameless and offer their beds!”

Kieu Nguyet Di immediately stood up, so angry that her whole body trembled. Lam Ha Vi's face also darkened, but she did not dare to act in public. We walked out at the right time:

"Clan old man, yesterday you brought someone and told me to accept an outside woman for the sake of the Lam family's bloodline. Even though I felt a lot of resentment in my heart, out of respect for the family, I gritted my teeth and endured it."

“Today you see, not only did you want me to use my dowry to support her and her mother, but you also wanted to force me to replace her husband. When he dies, he goes to pray for three times and six ceremonies. So you're forcing me to suffer humiliation because I have no one to back me up?"

"If that's the case, I'll have to tear this face apart and go back to my mother's house and ask my elders to come forward and judge fairly!"

“No need! No need! Absolutely no need!” The old man was so frantic that he jumped out of his chair.

Quickly strode in front of me:

"Don't worry, I'm here to back you up, let's see who dares to force you!"

“But Minh Duong, you are also a woman, so you should understand the suffering of women. Three times, six ceremonies is enough, but you should give her some dignity, buy jewelry and utensils, to show the generosity of the main family."

“If even that little bit makes you regret it, then you will become stingy and ruin the hundred-year-old reputation of our Lam family.”

As soon as the words ended, I didn't react, but Kieu Nguyet Di's face turned blue and white. I'm afraid I didn't expect the elder Lam family to be so despicable, and I didn't expect that I would be so "weak" as the main family. I rarely see her like that - really interesting.

“I won't force you to spend money!” She was so angry that she choked up, "Call Thi Thi here, I have something to ask clearly!"

Of course I know she wants to force Lam Ha Vi to speak clearly.

"She doesn't want to see you," I said, expressing anger and helplessness, "as soon as you entered the door, the servants went to announce it."

I've seen enough drama, I no longer have the heart to keep them.

“My husband's bones are not yet cold, and you have already come to disrupt my palace. I can't stand this anger!"