Thai Thuy not only ensures that Huu Quan's father's trial will go smoothly, and that Sir Nguyen Huu will be represented by the best defense attorney in Linh Nam.
The trial begins on the fourth, early in the morning, in the presence of Thai Thuy, the Resident Supérieur, and the Governor General of Indochina.
The evidence is submitted quickly, and though the processing between sessions takes a long time, it's almost certain that Sir Nguyen Huu will be acquitted.
Huu Quan notices that Thai Thuy doesn't look at him once during the trial, sometimes he is distracted by other things, but Huu Quan has a feeling that Thai Thuy is deliberately avoiding him. Thai Thuy turns around and smiles at Huu Quan when his gaze towards Thai Thuy becomes too intense for him to ignore.
Because it's winter, people unconsciously wear more clothing.
Huu Quan is dressed in a long dark shirt that reaches his knees and a layer of white cotton shirt outside. Thai Thuy is sitting solemnly on the seat of honor, his entire body dressed in a stunning Western military uniform. Huu Quan can't deny that he's staring at him a little more than usual today.
Sir Pham appears unexpectedly in the middle of the trial.
Huu Quan knows, he comes here implying that he's looking for information about the trial, to see if any unfavorable news has leaked out, after all, the entire process has his traces. Scared is understandable.
"All right, Mr. Huu Quan." The lawyer says "The next part is the presentation of the most important evidence. Your father's innocence through evidence has already been submitted. However, to end this case quickly, you must have proof that someone falsely accused your father. Even better if the suspect's identity is known. The other person can be acquitted in this manner, and they may also be investigated in reverse."
Huu Quan nods to indicate that he understands, then looks at Sir Pham, who is sitting in the last row, then at the file in his hand. Huu Quan's throat tightens as he remembers what that old man has done to his father and family. A wave of nausea washes over him as his anger rises.
Huu Quan wants revenge.
However, the venerable vicar he used to meet after Mass every Sunday afternoon in France has taught him: "Know how to let go. Revenge does not restore what has been taken from you. Instead, seek God's side and the peace of your soul."
God is not here, but his Emperor is, Huu Quan sighs. Thai Thuy told Huu Quan that he trusted him and that whatever he did with the evidence was up to him. Huu Quan sighs, remembering his bright smile as if to console him earlier.
He opens the file and hands it to the lawyer.
"Here you go, Sir. These are the current proofs I have. Perhaps it will help the case."
"Excellent." The lawyer takes Huu Quan's file, rearranges it, and places it in a black leather briefcase.
The trial starts again. While the indictment is being read, the lawyer begins to stand and presents the evidence that Huu Quan has given him. Huu Quan exhales a sigh of relief as he looks down at the pile of documents still in his hand.
He only made public information that could help Sir Nguyen Huu's acquittal, Huu Quan chose to keep the identity of that person private.
It's not that Huu Quan lacked the courage or was afraid of something. Huu Quan, on the other hand, wants to save that valuable evidence for something bigger and more worthy. That person was so enraged and bitter that he wanted to kill him. If he made these things public too soon, they might play dirty to end him as well.
Thai Thuy catches a glimpse of Huu Quan's eyes, which are also fixed on him. Huu Quan looks at him, his eyes sparkling and befuddled. Thai Thuy read his biggest question in those eyes:
"Did I do well?"
Thai Thuy nods and smiles, seeing that Huu Quan stops worrying and sits up straight. Yes, I did exceptionally well. His Majesty is proud of him, Huu Quan only needs that.
Thai Thuy is well aware that Huu Quan wouldn't use this opportunity to exact revenge. Even if Huu Quan presented all of the evidence to the court at this point, Thai Thuy may be surprised.
Huu Quan is a person who can envision the future. If he has something useful for himself in his hands, he will carefully consider when and for what he can use it. Will it have any consequences? Thai Thuy is not overly cautious or defensive. But, for some reason, as he's interacting with Huu Quan frequently, he becomes more suspicious than usual.
Sir Nguyen Huu is declared innocent after the trial, and his property is returned entirely.
Sir Nguyen Huu notices Hoang Chinh approaching and turns around to see Huu Quan standing dumbfounded. He snorts angrily and waves away his sleeve.
"Such nonsense."
When Thai Thuy hears Sir Nguyen Huu's words, he assumes Huu Quan has said something to his father. He doesn't pay attention, just staring at Huu Quan.
"How are you? I haven't seen you in a few days."
Huu Quan nods, his hair tucked behind his ear.
"I'm good. It was exhausting to study with Khac Tuan and take over at the Ministry of Justice. But I'm still able to keep up. So, how about you?"
"Not very good." Thai Thuy whispers in Huu Quan's ear "I always miss you very much."
Huu Quan blushes, takes a step back, and looks around. Thai Thuy seems pleased with his expression, and he clears his throat slightly to cover his giggles.
The pleasant atmosphere doesn't last long, and unpleasantness soon appears.
"Mr. Huu Quan, Your Majesty!"
Sir Pham approaches the two of them, his hands clasped behind his back as if he has something important to say. Thai Thuy feels a slight convulsion in his temples, as he always feels whenever there's something too disturbing in front of him.
"What happened?" Hoang Chinh inquires.
"Have Your Majesty read my petition opposing the Ministry of Justice appointment?"
Huu Quan is surprised and raises his brows to look at Sir Pham, who returns his gaze with a defiant gesture. It's unbelievable that this arrogant old man would speak so casually when he's here as if he isn't talking about Huu Quan but about someone else who also takes the position of the Ministry of Justice.
"Ah, I was planning to meet with you to discuss that as well." Hoang Chinh nods and motions for his bodyguard. The young man nods and passes him the golden brocade thread.
Hoang Chinh says casually as he opens the scroll:
"Both of your arguments about Nguyen Huu Van Quan's incompetence and inappropriate context have been considered." Hoang Chinh says slowly "Both are inaccurate. Your petition will be rejected."
Uncle Pham frowns, expressing his displeasure.
"Your Majesty, please explain. Everyone knows that Sir Nguyen Huu's case is a convicted felon of smuggling. Furthermore, Mr. Huu Quan does not have a high school diploma. Why is it called inaccurate when there is such clear evidence?"
"Can't you see that the recent court acquitted Sir Nguyen Huu?" Hoang Chinh frowns.
Mr. Pham snorts, disapprovingly:
"But the bad reputation left behind will cause the court's honor to suffer. Furthermore, his knowledge..."
"How's his knowledge?" Hoang Chinh intervenes "Are you implying that Huu Quan's ability is limited? Huu Quan has resolved two-thirds of the Ministry of Justice's outstanding cases, which the former mandarin you recommended to me cannot do, isn't it? According to the Ministry of Rites Mandarin, Huu Quan is receiving universal education in a very good and positive way. Aren't you implying that your son drew the incorrect conclusions?"
Sir Pham is so enraged that he wants to fight Hoang Chinh in the courtroom. He then falls silent. Opposing His Majesty is considered a mortal sin that cannot be atoned for. Furthermore, it's been a long time since this little Emperor has been so steadfast in doing something, if things don't go his way, he'll undoubtedly seek vengeance.
He knows he can't talk back to Hoang Chinh, so all he can do is take a deep breath and smile.
"I'm not saying that, Your Majesty."
"Alright then." Hoang Chinh gives a nod. "Anyways, just because I've closed my eyes and ignored your fool behind my back doesn't mean I don't know anything. So don't act as if the court lacks an Emperor."
Sir Pham bows his head, looking down like a true servant, rather than puffing out his chest as before. Hoang Chinh also stops talking to the old man, directing Huu Quan and his bodyguard to go straight.
"You made sure no one dug up this, Prime Minister." Sir Pham is approached by a small man.
Pham clenches his teeth and puts his hand over his mouth.
"Shut your mouth, did you know His Majesty personally participated in the trial? If you open your mouth, everything will fall apart, and you will be unable to stay in your position as a judge."
The small old man, who agreed to the case because he believed everything would go in his favor, looks worriedly at Sir Pham. But now that things are about to fall apart, he can't just sit back and watch.
"So, what should we do now?"
"Notify the opposing party." Sir Pham responds "Eliminate everything that gets in the way, including the Emperor."
The little man looks at Sir Pham, terrified.
"Hey, Prime Minister, do you know what you just said? Are you saying you want to depose the Emperor?"
Sir Pham smirks as he looks at the man.
"Isn't that why you're associated with Westerners and I'm associated with Communists?" Sir Pham whispers "Because we all want this corrupt feudal institution to crumble."
Leaving the court corridor, the east wind blows. It's like the dead of winter out on the streets.
Thai Thuy stands opposite Huu Quan, only then could he take a closer look at his appearance.
"This is the cotton cloth that the court grants for the first month." Huu Quan says when he sees Thai Thuy staring at him "I called the tailor to make it a cotton jacket."
"It suits you very well." Thai Thuy replies. Then he notices the sparkling light of the Indochinese coin in front of Huu Quan's neck. "You made it into a pendant."
Huu Quan nods and looks down at his neck.
"The bullet pierced a hole through it, I just asked people to string it up."
"It looks fantastic." Thai Thuy grins.
Huu Quan is about to say more when he notices Sir Nguyen Huu's unpleasant face in the distance, so he only smiles in response.
"Perhaps I should go." Huu Quan says "I'll see you later."
"Alright." Thai Thuy nods and says "See you later."