The King

"What a play this is!" the king's voice came out of nowhere.

Hung Dao, Ngu Lao, and Thien Thanh were surprised to see the king here by himself. The three have the same thought.

"Why is he here? What happened to the banquet? How can the king walk around without the eunuchs behind?"

"Hung Dao!" the king said, breaking them from their thoughts. "I have heard everything. How could you say that you heard nothing? Do I look like a joke to you?"

Hung Dao, for the first time, afraid of someone who isn't his father. He kneeled immediately,

"It is my fault, your majesty. I will accept your punishments," Hung Dao said shakingly.

"Do you think I will just let it pass like that? Explain yourself. You think that I made the wrong decision, don't you? That is why you forgive your servant."

Hung Dao didn't say anything. He is not the type of person to give excuses. He just kneeled and accepted his wrongdoings. The king waited for Hung Dao to answer, but it was only silence. If it was anyone else, the king would have thought that they were disrespecting him. But he knew Hung Dao's personality. His silence means there is nothing more to say. This trait of taking responsibility straight ahead is probably why Hung Dao is his favorite prince even though Hung Dao is not his own.

"Hung Dao. Go to the punishment room and receive one hundred cane hits. I only go easy on you because I know you are a good person," the king said, then his eyes turned cold, "Make sure this will never happen again."

"You are too generous to my king," Hung Dao responded.

"Wait, your majesty. This is all my fault. Why is my prince the only one taking punishments?" Ngu Lao suddenly spoke.

"Ngu Lao, shut your mouth," Hung Dao yelled.

The king turned to Ngu Lao. When their eyes met, Ngu Lao knew why he was the king. The aura, the confidence, the look that as though he owns the whole world even though Dai Viet was small. His eyes were completely different from when he was talking with the ambassador.

"Hung Dao," the king called, still kept his eyes on Ngu Lao.

"Do you know why I only punish you?"

"Because it is the leader's responsibility for his men's wrongdoing."

"I was thinking if you understood my intention. You haven't disappointed me." The king said and walked away.

"Be careful what you said, because it is not you, but your master, that will be punished for it," the king's final words to Ngu Lao.

The night seemed to be peaceful again, but then,

"Your majesty! I don't agree with what you just said!"