Thai Thuy's face is troubled as he stares at the bullet on the table. Of course, it's troubling. That bullet will endanger Huu Quan's life with just a slight deviation.
Thai Thuy is certain that this bullet was aimed at Huu Quan.
Huu Quan didn't block in front of him at the time, if the enemy targeted him, he would not pass up the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to assassinate the Emperor.
Why is that person aiming at Huu Quan, who is only a civilian? Because of Sir Nguyen Huu's case? How can Sir Nguyen Huu's exoneration make someone feel so unsafe that they have to assassinate an ordinary person like this?
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Rites comes to see you." says a guard.
"Let him in." Thai Thuy replies, still staring at the bullet on the table.
Khac Tuan steps inside after the bodyguard has left. His demeanor appears hurried and concerned.
"Hey, what's up? I heard you nearly died the other day?"
"Not me." Thai Thuy shakes his head. "This guy seems to be looking for Huu Quan."
Khac Tuan looks surprised. His expression changes from "I told you not to leave the palace alone" to one of disbelief. Others may not realize it, but Khac Tuan understands what it means to have followers who want to assassinate Huu Quan right now.
"How do you know for certain that they're going to kill Huu Quan? What if it was a misunderstanding?"
"If that person wanted to assassinate me, I would probably be dead by now. Those who are against me won't use this mediocre pistol to kill me. It will always be sniping or using bombs."
"Make sense." Khac Tuan nods "Wait, a pistol?"
Thai Thuy shows Khac Tuan the bullet.
"This bullet looks familiar, I think I've seen it somewhere before," He mutters as he holds it in his hand.
The bullet is small and light, made of advanced metal, and has deep grooves engraved on the body. Khac Tuan, unlike Thai Thuy, is sensitive to danger and guns. That is also why Thai Thuy frequently brings or goes out with Khac Tuan.
"Familiar?" Thai Thuy turns around and sits like a child in a royal robe on the chair in front of Khac Tuan. "Try to remember, how familiar?"
Khac Tuan knows he needs it, but at Thai Thuy's urging, he could only frown and say: "I'm trying."
Khac Tuan exclaims after rubbing the bullet in his hand for a while and noticing the words "Indochine française.":
"Hey, isn't this the bullet used by the Ministry of Justice army?"
"Where?" Thai Thuy is taken aback when he sees the line of words that Khac Tuan has highlighted.
"The code is right here, next to it." Khac Tuan says "Just look up to see who is using it right away."
Thai Thuy clenches his fists and grits his teeth. It's there, but he can't think of it. If the person who wanted to assassinate Huu Quan was a person from the Ministry of Justice, it's certain to assume that the person who wanted to harm Huu Quan and Sir Nguyen Huu came from the court.
Thai Thuy immediately writes an edict, pressed the seal twice on it, and then exclaims loudly:
"Prepare the car!"
…
Late afternoon, the Ministry of Justice place is in a commotion.
The reason for this is that the Emperor personally comes from afar to issue a ban on detention. The Ministry of Justice mandarin is accused of covering up someone who wanted to assassinate the Emperor and is temporarily removed from his position until he's apprehended, all the ledgers in the house are also dug up. Good rumors spread far and wide, while bad rumors spread even further. The story is heard by everyone.
Huu Quan and Sir Nguyen Huu are also heard.
Sir Nguyen Huu was still stunned when he heard the news, enthusiastically commenting on who that person was, who was so brave that dared to assassinate His Majesty in such a way. Because he's not a man who prefers the official place and also despises the scandals that occur there. Only Huu Quan remains calm because he understands what is going on. The story must be this big because Thai Thuy has discovered the assassin's clues. He wouldn't have acted so shallowly otherwise.
"I heard the French delivered the bullet that shot you that day to the Ministry of Justice." The bodyguard says "There's also the code."
Huu Quan laughs and shakes his head. Leaving code when assassinating people? That's too flawed.
Sir Nguyen Huu's gaze is fixed on the conversation and the smile. "Are you involved in these things as well? How indecent."
Huu Quan takes a breath and sighs: "Father, what's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me? Is that even a question?" Sir Nguyen Huu exclaims loudly "You better tell me, what agreement you have with people, don't think dragging me out here is good enough."
Huu Quan places his teacup on the table and turns to face his father: "You're correct, I've negotiated a lot of things with a lot of people. But that person is the Emperor of Linh Nam. Do you want to go to prison for slandering His Majesty?"
Mr. Nguyen Huu raises his brow and looks at his son: "What exactly do you mean, His Majesty? Hoang Chinh?"
"Do you think Linh Nam has a lot of Emperors?" Huu Quan responds "He examined your situation and advised Sir Resident Superieur to save you as soon as possible. You should have thanked him rather than slandering His Majesty, even God can't forgive."
Sir Nguyen Huu is at a loss for words and simply snorts to express his frustration.
Huu Quan suddenly realizes that his family might not be able to return to their previous state. Sir Nguyen Huu, who is already skeptical, is now even more so, and Madam Nguyen Huu, despite her husband's return, is still depressed. Huu Quan sighs, perhaps it was God's will that his father's reputation was tarnished. Perhaps he shouldn't have pushed so hard to get his father out so quickly. But it's still his father, no matter what. So he'd do it again if he had the chance.
"Father, there will be a court hearing next week, and Sir Resident Superieur will personally examine the evidence for your innocence. You will soon restore your reputation and property" Huu Quan says.
"Oh my God, what did you promise people in exchange for all of that?" Sir Nguyen Huu says calmly. And this time, Huu Quan is furious.
"I didn't pay for anything. It's all for you." He states "You're right, I'm not good, so I won't be able to make 800 dong to redeem you. It'll be your responsibility to pay for it later."
"What do you say, don't be disrespectful! Don't expect me to pay anything."
"Nothing was said about your property." Huu Quan gives a bitter smile "In the future, everyone will talk about your son, who is the Emperor's favorite man. Are you happy?"
"What?"
Sir Nguyen Huu sits back in his chair with a shocked face, Huu Quan thought that after this prison sentence, would no longer be able to see that expression on his face, but it's still here.
"You… You're going to rebel, aren't you? His Majesty is a man, are you going to marry a man? Do you realize you're going against God's will? Are you going to stand up against me?"
Huu Quan shakes his head, a sad smile on his face:
"I don't dare, Father, but think about it, if you hadn't been so arrogant and dismissive of people in an official place, people wouldn't have harmed you to the point of slanderously tearing the entire family apart. Similar to this, your son was almost killed by someone yesterday, and you didn't ask any questions, only doubted and blamed. Please forgive me but God understands my heart, and I can't keep talking to you calmly."
Huu Quan then turns and leaves the house.
"Hey, where are you going, I still haven't finished talking?" Sir Nguyen Huu yelled. "If you continue like this, society will discriminate against you."
Huu Quan turns to his father and says:
"Pardon me, I want to go see His Majesty."