October is the month Halloween month. However, because Halloween is only for children, people in Linh Nam hold a wine party instead of a costume party. French mandarins and luxurious ladies are invited to Sir Resident Superieur's villa, which is located separately on his private flower hill in Da Lat.
"Are you sure, Huu Quan?"
Phat An draws Huu Quan back, concerned. Huu Quan, no matter how clever, is just a child who hasn't experienced life. Nonetheless, he chose to trust a fast set he had only met once. That can't help but make Le Phat An worried.
"Uncle, it's okay," Huu Quan assures him. "Even if we can't believe it, we have to try it once."
Speaking of this, Huu Quan is a little hesitant. Le Phat An looks at his little nephew, and can't help but feel upset. He knows Huu Quan doesn't dare to say anything next, which is that they have nothing else to lose.
"All right" Phat An sighs. "I trust you."
They walk together into the villa, one in front and one behind. As expected, a guard stops the two as they enter the lobby.
"You can not enter if you don't have an invitation."
This has been predicted by that strange customer. He came to see him not long after Huu Quan was redeemed.
…
"Do you come to pick me up so that I can meet the Emperor?"
Huu Quan inquires as soon as he sees Thai Thuy. In contrast to his enthusiasm, he simply shakes his head silently.
"No, not yet. It's not the right time."
"If not right now, when?" Huu Quan is perplexed.
"What is it that bothers you so much? I've come to see you, so don't think I fool you."
Huu Quan is certain. If Thai Thuy fooled him, he wouldn't have wasted his time coming here. But he can't help but worry because he's afraid Sir Nguyen Huu doesn't have much time left.
"My father was exiled." He says "On this Lidong day, the train will board to France."
Thai Thuy is startled and turns to face Huu Quan.
"What? But there haven't been any recent court cases?"
"They judged him not to be present." Huu Quan says, lowering his head. "My father can't even defend himself."
Thai Thuy's eyes are streaked with red from his rage. The trial papers, whether present or not, must go through him. How can there be a criminal he doesn't know? Someone tried to fool him. He may be a puppet emperor, but he's not stupid. That person must be crazy to overstep the bound.
A banging sound comes from the Cadillac door he just kicked, big enough to make Huu Quan startled.
"Here. Take it." Thai Thuy gives a blue invitation to Huu Quan. "Dress appropriately and come here. On this day, the Emperor will attend a private dinner. Your job is to go there, tell the Emperor everything, and trust."
Huu Quan flips open the paper. It's a greeting card.
"What if they refuse to let me in?" Huu Quan inquires, concerned.
Thai Thuy shakes his head and grabs Huu Quan's shoulder.
"Be assured that having this card means you are His Majesty's honored guest. No one dares to refuse."
Huu Quan looks nervously at the invitation in his hand before returning his gaze to Thai Thuy:
"Thank you very much. Please let me know your name so that I can repay you if there's an opportunity."
Thai Thuy shakes his head and lit a big cigarette:
"There is no need. If I ever need your assistance again, I will come to you."
...
Huu Quan places the invitation into the guard's hand. His heart is pounding like a drum. Huu Quan is worried. What if he gets blocked out here? What if these people recognize him and refuse to let him complain... What if...?
"Do you have any proof that you are the person named on the invitation?"
They don't ask him why he comes here? Isn't that a promising sign? Huu Quan takes the identity paper from his bag, which is folded into quarters and hands it to the guard. The guard takes it, checks it against the name on the invitation, and then returns the papers to him.
"I apologize for the inconvenience, please come inside Sir Miguel Thretcher"
Huu Quan sighs, nods, and smiles before dragging Le Phat An inside.
Sir Resident Superieur's villa is large and designed in a modern and sophisticated French architectural style. Stone columns, gilded cells, and Renaissance paintings hang on the walls that are all illuminated by electric lights. Huu Quan misses France, as much as how he misses his school, his friends, and his family.
"Huu Quan."
From behind, a familiar voice calls out. Huu Quan turns around, shocked for a moment, then calls the other person's name, surprised.
"Khac Tuan."
Huu Quan looked at his schoolmate perplexed, wanting to say more but stopping himself. During school time, that should have been for a long time later, unfortunately, Huu Quan had to use that phrase since he was only seventeen years old.
"I have heard about your family." Khac Tuan says "My deepest sympathies."
"No, don't say that." Huu Quan waves his hand off. "Anyways, things have happened, I'm here to see the Emperor. Everything will be fine if His Majesty helps me."
"You haven't informed the Emperor?" Khac Tuan is surprised.
Huu Quan shakes his head, his face slightly lowered.
"No, but I'll do it."
Khac Tuan frowns, recalling his conversation with Thai Thuy that day. It appears that he already knows everything, but Huu Quan stated that he hasn't said anything, so does this mean that the scarecrow discovered it on his own?
When did Nguyen Duc Thai Thuy get so sharp?
...
"Oh? Is it?" Thai Thuy asks, turning to face Khac Tuan "How special?"
"He's also a friend of mine." Khac Tuan replies "If it weren't for some family problems, he'd probably be a courtier by your side right now."
"You seem to highly appreciate Huu Quan." Thai Thuy says.
Khac Tuan is taken aback, partly because Thai Thuy cares enough to remember Huu Quan's name, and partly because this is the first time Thai Thuy speaks to him seriously like an Emperor.
"Yes. He means a lot to me. I know you didn't know who he was last night, but please don't hurt him if you go there again."
"Why would I?" Thai Thuy says as he waves his hand to make all the maids and bodyguards go away. "I'm not the one who blamed his father, nor the one who sent his father to prison. I didn't prevent Head Quarters from filing an appeal to the Ministry of Justice. I didn't even make a fake decision that exile Huu Quan's father, how could I hurt him?"
Khac Tuan is surprised at Thai Thuy's words, raising his eyebrows as if he haven't heard any of it happened to Huu Quan.
"How did you find out all of that?"
Thai Thuy laughs, pats Khac Tuan on the shoulder, says, and then walks away:
"What do I know? I'm just a puppet Emperor."
…
Khac Tuan knows that Thai Thuy only said that, but he already knew everything. But before that, Thai Thuy only wanted to fulfill the role of a puppet Emperor assigned to him by the mother country. Thai Thuy doesn't have an interest in power and has no desire to gain it for himself. Why would he want to help someone he hasn't even met before?
"I guess he probably already knew even if you don't say." Khac Tuan chuckles.
"However, I still need to meet the king." Huu Quan responds.
"Did I mean to stop you?" Khac Tuan says "It's just that I've known the Emperor for a long time. His Majesty has the right but has never used it. He left the decision to the Mother Land People. My father is not very pleased, but His Majesty thinks this is the best way."
"You mean?"
"This is the first time he has used the privilege of an Emperor to help you. I have heard of the Emperor. His Majesty has researched the case much more deeply than you thought. Maybe he wants to help you."
"His Majesty is probably coming as well." Huu Quan says. How did the Emperor know everything? It could just be that person who said it. If the Emperor really helps his family, that's a blessing. But what about that man, who took nothing from him and yet wholeheartedly recommended everything to His Majesty, how should he repay?
As soon as Huu Quan finished speaking, the lights on all sides faded and then turned off.
"His Majesty is here." Khac Tuan speaks quietly into Huu Quan's ear.
The light in the room's center gradually turns on. Huu Quan then hears the bodyguard exclaim in French:
"The Emperor of Linh Nam, His Majesty, Emperor Hoang Chinh!"