The letter doesn't say much, just the time and location of the Six Ministries meeting. That day, Khac Tuan returned home before Huu Quan looked at the letter, which also appeared he also got the same one.
The court meeting occurs as usual early that morning. Until all the mandarins leave, Huu Quan realizes Hoang Chinh didn't call all the Six Ministries. Only he, Khac Tuan, Sir Pham, and a mandarin from the Ton That family.
This is a meeting for family discussion.
"Your Majesty, what command does Your Majesty want us to do?"
Sir Ton That is the oldest, but also the highest-ranking, who is qualified enough to ask Hoang Chinh.
"I have read Ton That Khanh's marriage proposal, and I believe it's very reasonable." Hoang Chinh states "The court must quickly cultivate a strong successor. That is why I chose someone to share the country, my empress."
Sir Ton That is an elderly man with narrow eyes, gray hair, with a long beard. The elderly man bows his hunched back and says:
"Your Majesty is correct. I wonder whose family's daughter did you choose, and what is her background?"
Sir Pham's eyes catch that one glance Hoang Chinh gives to Huu Quan.
He misjudges Huu Quan's character. Nguyen Huu Van Quan is more avaricious than he appears. Only once in his family's danger had he risked his life to climb high, so high that he didn't think he needed to worry about anything else.
Hoang Chinh's look says it all, he chose to marry into Nguyen Huu's family. And Huu Quan's evasive bow confirms that he's correct in his guess. Nguyen Huu's family, on the other hand, has only one daughter, who is married to a Western mandarin. Where can they find a suitable bride for His Majesty?
Hoang Chinh speaks up.
"The Ministry of Justice?"
"I'm here Your Majesty" Huu Quan responds anxiously.
He understands why Thai Thuy mentions it. That day, he said that when he returned, at the appropriate time, he would properly and fully propose to him. A marriage proposal has enough flowers, candles, and rings as long as Huu Quan likes it.
When he looks around the Ki Liem palace, he notices that many orchid pots give off a sweet fragrance. It's hard to recognize the bright candlelight in the middle of the day, but that small fire lit up Huu Quan's eyes.
Dare to propose to him in front of all of these people, it's more romantic than a thousand flowers and hundreds of candles.
Thai Thuy takes a step back from the wooden collapse. A maid approaches him with a beautiful brocade-covered wooden tray on top of which is a small box wrapped in brocade cloth. Hoang Chinh takes the wooden box, opens it, and kneels on one knee to Huu Quan, in front of the most powerful mandarins in the court.
"Would you like to be my wife, Huu Quan?"
Huu Quan smiles brightly and nods.
"Your Majesty, yes. I do."
This scene is like a thunderclap. The mandarins are stunned and look at each other. Only Khac Tuan is unaware of his expression. Not sure if he wants to laugh or cry.
Pham Khac Tuan desperately wants to cry. Nguyen Duc Thai Thuy is, in fact, Minh Dinh's son. Both are so extra and flashy.
He could keep the proposal to Huu Quan hidden behind his back and continue to give him the title as usual. Is it necessary to bring all of these old-fashioned, difficult, and stubborn people here to watch a show right now, and then let him suffer?
Sir Pham frowns his brows and remains silent. Anyone who looks at him can tell the old man is furious. Sir Ton That appears to be the most rational. The old man says as he rushes over to Hoang Chinh:
"Your Majesty, this is not right. I don't accept this. His Majesty and the Ministry of Justice mandarin are both men who are unable to marry each other, what about morals and ethics, what about inheritance later? I hope Your Majesty reconsiders."
"I gave it a lot of thought. I also prepared thoroughly before discussing this with you guys. I'd like to hold a wedding ceremony here with Mr. Huu Quan by proper etiquette."
"Your Majesty, what will the people think if this news gets out? People will look down on the mandarins in the court. The Ton That family will be vehemently opposed if His Majesty insists on marrying Mr. Huu Quan."
Thai Thuy turns around and looks at Sir Ton That, his cold eyes different from Huu Quan's:
"Whomever I marry is for myself, not for the court or Sir Ton That."
Sir Pham stands to one side for a long time before speaking, his voice is heavy, not panicked or shaky:
"How about the succession? Even if you don't care about the mandarins, please consider the court as well, Your Majesty. Are you going to let this court repels like that?"
Thai Thuy nods thoughtfully, then turns to Sir Pham and says:
"You're right. However, isn't this court already repelling?"
Khac Tuan, who is standing in those people, has to look up when he hears that. Nguyen Duc Thai Thuy has been looked at as a stupid guy who is regarded as an obedient scarecrow. The sharp tongue has never been his strong suit.
"Your Majesty?" Uncle Pham tenses.
"Don't you guys believe the story about Tu Cuc giving birth?" Don't you think I'm the biological son of the first Emperor? Based on your suspicions, I am not the royal lineage?"
"This..." Sir Ton That stutters.
"I want to inform you first about the marriage with Huu Quan, tomorrow will issue a decree to the whole Linh Nam. If you wish to resign as a result of this, or if you no longer wish to serve the court..." Hoang Chinh comes to a halt for a moment, and everyone stops breathing. "I will sympathize with your feelings."
…
The city is crowded like a festival, it's heard that the Emperor will go on a pilgrimage today. People are afraid to go out into the street, they stand on the steps or on the porch to look.
It's unusual for His Majesty to visit. It is said that they're announcing the marriage decree. Everyone wants to know which house the other lady is from, what background she has, and how beautiful and elegant she is, to be caught by His Majesty's eyes.
However, that person is a man.
The only information available about the man chosen by the Emperor is that he is originally from Linh Nam, a French citizen, and a Catholic. He appears with the Emperor that day, his face beautiful and gentle, and he smiles like a flower. People faintly hear his name is Huu Quan. A lovely man with a lovely name. A few people who know the man simply shake their heads when they are asked.
The glorious past of Huu Quan should not be revealed.
Huu Quan examines the engagement ring on his finger. Thai Thuy delivers on his promise of a standard white gold engagement ring encrusted with a large diamond.
Huu Quan appreciates the engagement gift, but what he remembered most was Thai Thuy's assurances to protect him the day before.
Huu Quan has heard many critics about this young Emperor ever since he became the Ministry of Justice. Some describe him as playful and feeble, while others describe him as cruel, greedy, and lustful. Huu Quan believes some of it, but the majority of it is false. At the very least, Thai Thuy is not a bad person, he has redeeming qualities that most people overlook.
Or rather, Thai Thuy was originally a good guy, but people forced him to be cruel.
Linh Nam street is not particularly noisy, but it is prosperous and bustling. Huu Quan is so preoccupied with his thoughts that he accidentally runs into a pedestrian.
"Are you alright?" The other man catches Huu Quan just as he is struggling.
"I'm fine. Thank you very much." Huu Quan bows his head in gratitude.
The other man smiles as he helps Huu Quan in cleaning his clothes, his demeanor resembling that of a monarch. Suddenly, another man appears out of nowhere, looks at the card on Huu Quan's shoulder, then asks the man who has run into Huu Quan:
"Nothing happened?"
The man who has run into him smiles and shakes his head at the other man.
"I'm all right, Vong Duc, nothing happened."
"All right, let's go."
Huu Quan notices Vong Duc's eyes, both in love and infatuation, looking at the person he ran into. That makes sense, who doesn't fall in love with that man? He appears to be in his thirties or forties, but he's still very attractive. Tall and slim figure with long jet-black hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a cotton white turtleneck and casual pants underneath, and a long unbuttoned blouse outside. Dressing up doesn't look too neat, and it's unclear whether the fashion style is American or Asian, but it provides a sense of beauty in a lazy, comfortable manner.
Huu Quan notices both of them walking away while holding hands. They still put their back straight, their legs are still walking, despite the whispering and pointing of the people around them, and his heart feels strangely peaceful. There are still people in this world who are both men but choose to hold hands for the rest of their lives, like him and Thai Thuy. Why can't Thai Thuy and he be happy if those people can?
"Where are you going to stand in the middle of the street and laugh like this?"
Huu Quan is surprised by the man pressing his hands to his cheeks, turns out that Thai Thuy has seen him and has been standing in front of him for quite some time, but Huu Quan is unaware. Huu Quan smiles even brighter and responds quickly.
"The market."
"You already speak in this manner? What happened before?"
Huu Quan looks surprised at Thai Thuy, then realized he is asking about hitting a pedestrian, so he shakes his head and says:
"It's nothing, I just bumped into someone."
Thai Thuy nods and embraces him on the shoulder:
"Is that so? Then I'll take you back to the mansion, okay?"
Huu Quan gives a nod:
"Yes, Your Majesty."