Chapter 5 — Widow Holding Flag

Before leaving, I didn't forget to return the butler's card. Passing by the eager second judge, I put it straight into Kieu Nguyet Di's hands.

"Now it's just you and your sister who belong to the Lam family's department head. Just leave it to you."

I know Kieu Nguyet Di will not dare to accept. The Lam family doesn't know what kind of person I am, but Kieu Nguyet Di knows better than anyone. If my dowry were to lose even one copper coin, the royal court would definitely make it impossible for her to raise her head in front of the queen.

7

Leaving the Lam family's palace, along the road, the servants walked and preached. The story of me being "forced to return to my mother's house" was spread all over the streets. The Kieu family's exterior arbitrarily boarded up the door, the Lam family forced me to accept it, and also plotted to invade my dowry. In large alleys and small alleys, neighbors everywhere were talking and chatting. Someone even mentioned the childhood engagement between Lam Kha and Kieu Thi Thi. In the carriage, Lam Kha sat next to me, his fingertips gently massaging my temples.

“Don't you have anything to ask?” I tilted my head to look at him.

“Whatever you do is right.”

“Of course.” I caressed his cheek, my voice was gentle, "That year you killed all your enemies, relieved your anger but also destroyed yourself. Enemies, not such retribution."

“The second room and the third room used to bully you and your mother, I will use my own way to deal fairly with them.”

He bowed his head and gently kissed my forehead:

“Is there anything we need to do?”

I ask the opposite:

“What kind of ending do you want for Kieu Thi Thi?”

“Using all the value is fine.” He was calm, not concerned at all.

“Then, let your third uncle give her to Marquis Thua An.”

Luu Ky - Marquis of Thua An - has long lusted after Kieu Nguyet Di. Now that she's given her weakness to him, he won't be able to easily refuse.

“A woman who lost her child, has no name or status, tell me, would your third uncle trade her for a way to make money?”

“He will.” Lam Kha's voice is firm.

It's understanding, it's also indifference. The old story between him and Kieu Thi Thi - he told it to me from his own mouth. He once promised to be with her forever, and she also responded. But when he joined the army at the age of fourteen and returned at the age of seventeen, she had an affair with his third uncle. At first he thought she was forced, but later he realized it was voluntary. The Kieu family did not agree, so they secretly made an arrangement: wait for him to marry her into the palace before secretly maintaining their relationship. After all, he was on the battlefield all year round, but his temperament was that he didn't pay close attention. Before he could take precautions, he heard bad news - his mother passed away. Then there was his subsequent outburst. The engagement contract was also canceled because of that. But Kieu Thi Thi and Lam Ha Vi still couldn't stop, to the point of getting pregnant. He couldn't hide it anymore, so he came up with this plan, trying to force me to accept her. Thinking carefully, all the plans in there were not told to Kieu Nguyet Di in time, causing her to be caught off guard and lose all face. No problem. That dignity will be lost further.

8

The carriage stopped in front of Ha Lan palace, Lam Kha wore a mask, his body suddenly disappeared into the darkness. The palace door opened wide, the whole Ha Lan family came out to welcome him, bowing down to welcome him. Mother's eyes were slightly red, she walked up and held my hand. Father stood half a step behind, looking tense. A few younger sisters bowed their heads even more, not daring to breathe loudly. It's not like welcoming a daughter dowry, but as if waiting for the superior to come. Truly a "superior". Since I received the first secret message, my name has been associated with "hidden station", "ganghu", "eyes and ears of heaven". The bloodline is still there, but the love has been blocked by layers and layers of responsibility. At first I was sad, but then I understood: keeping my distance like that, I won't let anyone take my family member as hostage. During these years, I secretly helped the Ha Lan family a lot - your future, the favors you gave me, were all nurtured by me. They all take this matter to heart, so they don't dare mistreat me. Sitting in the main hall, mother carefully observed my face and cautiously asked:

"Minh Duong, is your body okay? Don't be too heartbroken."

Seeing that my face was calm, without any sadness, she asked again:

“This time back to the palace, is it for something?”

The father coughed dryly:

"What reason do you need to go home? If you want to go home, go home, Minh Duong, you can stay as long as you want."

My mother glared at him, turned to me and sighed:

"I am currently the mother of the Lam family. When I come back like this, I don't know how many eyes are watching from the outside, but from your majesty's side..."

"It's because I'm working to serve His Majesty's orders that I need to go home and rest for a few days, away from the eyes and ears."

“Also, one more thing.”

In the quiet hall, only my voice spoke calmly.

“I want to choose a clever girl from the clan to recommend to your Majesty to take my place.”

“Replace?” His father raised his eyebrows, "Minh Duong, you... you're still young, and you're being favored by the gods, why do you say that?"

I just smiled softly, a bit reluctantly:

“Lam Kha's death made me understand many things.”

“In this life, once we have experienced power, we should try living freely once.”

My parents looked at each other, knowing my character, they did not advise further, just turned to instruct the servant:

“Go, get the list of children and grandchildren of age in the clan and come here.”