Chapter 3 — A Life Without Return

The void in our hearts suddenly seemed to be filled. I can't help but imagine. What would a great general look like? He must be tall and muscular, with a face full of beard, and look so fierce that everyone is afraid. That's good. From now on, with my uncle by my side, no one will dare to bully my mother anymore. Carrying that expectation, I lay by the car window, watching the carriage roll through the long street and out of the city gate. When I started to feel sleepy, the carriage stopped in front of a magnificent mansion. I immediately woke up and was about to poke my head out to look outside. The car curtain was suddenly lifted, and a pair of strong hands lifted me out of the trunk. The uncle smiled, revealing his white teeth, and his chest vibrated regularly with the laughter. He is very tall and looks not too similar to his mother. But when I lie in those arms, I feel strangely secure.

“Iron Iron, I am your uncle.”

I'm a bit confused. From the time I remember until now, no one has ever held me like that. Grandmother always said that father is a man and cannot let a daughter ride on his shoulders, even if that person is me. After that, my father fell unconscious again... Seeing that I didn't say anything, my uncle calmed down and comforted me:

"What's wrong? Is there someone bullying Iron Sat in our family? Tell me, I'll take care of you..."

Before he could finish speaking, from inside suddenly ran out a teenager about the same age as his brother.

"Nguyen Nghia, why did you take so long to come back? Thanh Nhi misses you so much!"

05

I looked over curiously. The mother smiled and patted the young man's head, then said to me:

“This is my big brother Thanh.”

Ky Thanh also raised her chin at me.

"Little bad, from now on you will be under my protection. I am the crown prince of Hue Vuong. Anyone who dares to bully you, just report my name."

I don't know who His Highness Hue Vuong is, but this prince seems to be very powerful. I quickly nodded obediently.

“Okay.”

Ky Thanh paused, the corner of her mouth smiled, her chest puffed even higher. The uncle laughed and raised his big hand to ruffle his hair. Finally, he looked at his mother, his voice hoarse.

“A Thu, come inside. This house has been waiting for you for a long time.”

Let's walk into the mansion together. Inside the fake mountain, the scenery is exquisite and elegant, even larger and more beautiful than the Qin Palace. The dressing table in the room is full of women's brooches and jewelry. In the closet are all newly sewn clothes, using the most popular fabrics. There is my mother's, there is also mine. Uncle held my hand and led me to see each item.

"If Iron Sat doesn't like it, just tell me. I'll buy you something else."

I grabbed the fur ball on the small robe and gently squeezed it. It's incredibly soft. I couldn't help but happily said:

“I like it.”

Ky Thanh snorted.

"What's so important about this? I'll take you to see something better."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me out. From behind came the aunt's low voice:

"That day I said I would go with you to the Qin mansion, but you absolutely refused. If I were present, how dare that beast Qin Thoi Thua act like that!"

"Vuong Hue's matter is more important. His Highness has not returned to the capital yet. You are a confidant under his command, how can you casually appear first?"

"You worry about my future, don't I know how to care for you... A Thu, you can rest assured. In half a month, Vuong Hue will return. I will definitely collect the debt of the Tan family on your behalf. again."

The mother softly said something, but the wind blowing through the tree tops and the sound of rustling leaves covered everything. I can no longer hear the words behind me clearly.

06

Ky Thanh pulled me to a corner and pointed to the soft white cotton ball in the cage.

“Look, his name is Tieu Bach, isn't he cute?”

“Master knew you were coming so he specially hunted for you. Only after raising them thoroughly do we dare to bring them here.”

I raised my hand to touch it. The little fox huddled into a ball, his dark eyes timidly looking at me. Ky Thanh taught me to feed him chicken meat. Tieu Bach's wet nose rubbed my hand, then began to eat greedily. I was made to laugh by it. But after laughing for a while, I remembered my father. He once promised that when he was four years old, he would give me a little fox like that. Unfortunately, an unexpected match ruined all plans. Until the day my father woke up, I accidentally saw the butler ordering someone to carry a cage across the yard. A red fox cub huddled in fear under its mother's belly, constantly making panicked cries. I was extremely happy and excitedly ran to find my father. But just past the corner, I heard the butler whispering instructions to his servants:

“Be careful, don't damage this animal's skin. This is something the young master specifically sought to make a dress for Miss Lieu."

“I'm still careful, little man. It's just a mother fox, she sheds her skin to make a beautiful collar. But what's the point of taking this girl back?"

“What do you know? The young master said that in the winter, Miss Lieu had to prepare medicine to cook soup for him, her hands were about to crack from the cold. This girl is perfect for a heating bag..."

Their voices gradually faded away, and I was alone and absent-mindedly hiding in the corner. It turned out that my father had forgotten a long time ago. Furthermore, the only person hurt by the cold is Lieu Van Ha. In order to seek medicine for her, her mother went all the way to Mac Bac. On the way back, he encountered a bandit and had to hide in an ice cave all night to barely survive. She tried to fight her way to Qin Palace, but then fell ill. But all of that, my father completely did not see. In people's eyes, there is only Lieu Van Ha. Ky Thanh's hand waved in front of my face.

“What's wrong? Isn't Tieu Bach adorable?

I regained my composure, shook my head and hugged the soft little fox into my arms.

“It's very good.”

Not only that, everything here is very good. The decoration in the villa, everywhere suits the mother's wishes. Even though he had never met me before, he still carefully paid attention to my preferences. Even the position of Prince Hue Vuong suddenly appearing is extremely good. This place is much better than the cold Qin Palace.