Every word Nam Phong said stunned Khac Tuan, all he knew before coming here to meet him was a never-ending confession. But, as he listened to every word about his father's wrongdoing, Khac Tuan's heart was embarrassed, so embarrassed that he was stunned.
After a long struggle, Khac Tuan can organize his scattered thoughts.
"How long have you known?" He asks.
"It's been a while since I received the documents from His Majesty after the Da Lat party." Nam Phong folds the paper in front of him slowly. "I had enough time to consider whether to bring this secret up for discussion before my father's trial."
Khac Tuan recalls the Da Lat party where the two met. That appears to have been over a year ago. He was the one who sent people to investigate and personally delivered it to Hoang Chinh, but he is the last one who knows what was inside.
So, both Hoang Chinh and Nam Phong are privy to those heinous dark secrets? And they both decided not to tell him? Let him continue cursing and swearing at the person who caused the scandals without realizing it was his father.
"For that long? How come you didn't say anything?" Khac Tuan inquired.
Nam Phong smiles faintly and stands up slowly:
"So what? Would you like me to say it? Say it all like a child wringing his unwashed nose and wailing for justice?" Nam Phong says with a smile.
Khac Tuan remains silent, unsure of what to say. To be honest, he is relieved that Nam Phong hasn't done so. On the contrary, if he made a big deal, Khac Tuan would have despised him.
Khac Tuan suddenly hears his father's voice ringing in his ears.
Nam Phong didn't become mandarin, but he can still be the Emperor's spouse. And you, what else can you do if you're not a mandarin?
"Life is not fair, the Ministry of Rites." Nam Phong speaks softly. "I understand. But don't get me wrong, I'm not going to sit still. In an instant, a happy wealthy family was bankrupted. When I want revenge, God will undoubtedly understand my selfishness. It's just that if I get my vengeance by bringing this to light, it'll be far too trivial. Isn't the Ministry of Rites feeling extremely grateful to me right now?"
Khac Tuan understands the meaning of Nam Phong's sentence. Yes, he is moved enough to cry. Nam Phong can completely rely on his Empress title to publicize all of the evidence he has about the mastermind in his father's case, while also using the prestige of that title to pressure the Ministry of Justice to dismiss the appeal, if there's one, just like how his father has done with Sir Nguyen Huu. However, he did not. Nam Phong played the role he needed to play, proving his father's innocence, and that was enough. The act is left open, implying that he, Pham Khac Tuan, needs to do something for Nam Phong to repay the favor.
"What do you want me to do?" Khac Tuan agrees.
Nam Phong laughs, looking at Khac Tuan's face as if he is about to rush to his death:
"Don't make a face like I want you to die. There isn't any. It's just that I'd like you to do something for me."
"I'll do whatever you want as long as it doesn't harm my father." Khac Tuan responds.
Nam Phong nods and turns away from Khac Tuan as if he doesn't want him to know what is on his mind.
"No harm, but it seems you'll have to betray your father a little." Nam Phong speaks "I know your father is secretly plotting to depose Hoang Chinh. So, please assist me in looking into this. Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt your father. I simply want to destroy the man your father plans to put on the throne."
…
"Hold on, hold on, repeat that part."
Hoang Chinh exclaims joyfully. Nam Phong smiles helplessly as he resumes playing from the middle of the song. The forehead between Hoang Chinh's brows remains wrinkled until the end when he turns to look at him.
"I give up, I don't know." Hoang Chinh shakes his head.
"It's Mozart." Nam Phong speaks up. Hoang Chinh also sighs.
"I won't guess anymore because it's so difficult." Hoang Chinh grabs his long, slender fingers on the keyboard. "If I have to give you an answer, they're all yours to play."
Nam Phong laughs and pats lightly on the back of Hoang Chinh's hand.
"Your Majesty, you're such a charmer."
Hoang Chinh approaches Nam Phong and hugs him while shaking his head.
"How can I trick you to become mine if I'm not slick-talking?"
They stand there hugging each other for quite some time. Hoang Chinh's heart is pounding, and Nam Phong can hear it. He speaks softly:
"You know what, I'm so grateful for what you've done for me."
Hoang Chinh laughs as he hears the muffled words coming from his chest:
"Why do you say that, that's the least I can do for you." He says, letting go of Nam Phong.
Nam Phong laughs and jokes:
"That's the least? You bestowed upon me a high title and the authority to do anything. Do you forget what it's like to be called little?"
"It's just about money and power." Hoang Chinh speaks up. "I wish I could give you more, but that's all I've got."
Nam Phong remains silent, unsure how to respond. He takes Hoang Chinh's hand in his, fiddles with the ring on his finger for a moment, then speaks softly.
"I've... I've been plotting something lately."
"Oh, is that so?"
Hoang Chinh pours a cup of tea, brings it to his lips, takes a sip, and asks:
"Is the plan that you are plotting related to the fact that you sent the Ministry of Rites to investigate his father?"
Nam Phong looks surprised at Hoang Chinh, not expecting him to know so much. Hoang Chinh simply shrugs and sits back in his chair, pulling Nam Phong to sit beside him. His expression seems to say that he knows everything.
"Has Khac Tuan told you?" Nam Phong inquires.
"No, but his sources are all loyal to me, so if Khac Tuan wants to dig, I'll know."
Hoang Chinh sees Nam Phong's puzzled expression and knows he is worried, so he pats his shoulder to reassure him:
"Rest assured, only I know. Although I am the straw Emperor, I am not that stupid, at least, I understand what happens in the palace."
Nam Phong sighs and pushes Hoang Chinh's shoulder, saying:
"Can you say it all at once, you make me so nervous?"
Hoang Chinh laughs, then suddenly, his face becomes serious.
"Are you worried that Khac Tuan's father might also know? Do not worry. As far as we know all about what he did, he didn't even find out. Then he won't know this. Right now, your title is very big, he will be warier of you in front of you than behind your back. But he is a sly fox. You have to be careful. It's no wonder he can control my father, and hold me in the palm of his hand."
Nam Phong ponders. He is aware of this. But Sir Pham can keep both Emperors under control because he knows them well and can use the power of the court to put pressure on them. Sir Pham is unfamiliar with Huu Quan and even less familiar with Nam Phong. Nam Phong can win as long as he doesn't let him catch anything.
Nam Phong takes away Hoang Chinh's tea cup, places it on the table, and then grabs his warm fingertips, saying:
"I understand, I'll be cautious."