Chapter 6 — A Nhuoc's New Parents

07

We return to Su palace. Grandfather saw me and was so happy that his beard curled up. My grandfather ordered someone to prepare the largest courtyard for me, and there was also a swing set up in the courtyard. Every meal has a dish I like to eat, no one forces me to give chicken thighs to another brother. Bui Kieu Nhien became a regular guest of To palace. Every time he comes, he brings good things for me. Today he brought a very small pony, whose whole body was as white as snow, not even a stray hair.

“A Nhuoc, come see this.”

He called me in the yard. I ran out, and as soon as I looked at it, I fell in love with that little horse.

“For me?”

I raised my head and asked him.

“Of course. I can do what I say, much stronger than your old father who only knows how to talk.”

He picked me up and placed me directly on the horse's back. I was a little scared, clutching the horse's mane tightly. Bui Kieu Nhien led the reins forward, walking very slowly and steadily.

“Back straight, eyes looking ahead, don't be afraid. I'm here to guide you, you can't fall.”

His voice was resonant and made people feel secure. I gradually relaxed, sat on horseback and circled the yard round after round. Mother stood in the hallway looking at us, with a smile on her face. From then on, every afternoon Bui Kieu Nhien came to teach me how to ride a horse. He taught me how to pull the reins, how to clamp the horse's belly, and also gave me a soft red whip.

“Whoever dares to bully me, just use a whip.”

He put the whip in my hand.

“If something happens in a fight, I have your back.”

I nodded heavily, hanging the whip at my side. Half a month passed, and father's jokes spread throughout the capital. His grandfather's disciples were all over the court. Because of his unrighteous conduct, his father was impeached by the royal court. The Emperor dismissed his position as Minister and demoted him to Quang Loc to become a leisurely six-rank official. Benefits are reduced by more than half. To's servants went out to buy things and came back to tell me many rumors. They said that Concubine Lieu took Nguyen Bao to live in the Tham residence, and the father was so angry that he wanted to cut off relations with him and no longer allow the office to spend money on him. Nguyen Bao was in chaos at home every day. His father couldn't get money out, so he could only let Aunt Lieu coax him. Aunt Lieu could not coax her, so Nguyen Bao immediately broke the inkstone in his father's study. That inkstone is a pre-dynasty antique. His father was angry and went to beat Nguyen Bao. Aunt Lieu hugged Nguyen Bao and cried, saying that her father hated their mother and son. Now every day after court, my father hides in the study, not even wanting to come out of the door. After hearing these stories, I took a bite of the gourd candy in my hand. He chose Nguyen Bao. That's the family he wants. I don't find him pitiful at all.

08

In early autumn, the capital held an autumn festival. Every year at the competition, children and grandchildren of every family have to go on stage to read books or perform their talents. Years ago, my father always took me to participate. He will force me to recite the most difficult poem, win the praise of the whole hall, and then he can accept the flattery of others. This year, it was my mother who took me there. Bui Kieu Nhien also followed. At his waist he carried a long sword, no one dared to approach him. The competition was held at Luu Thuong communal house outside the city. As soon as we entered our seats, we immediately saw our father. He wore an old robe next to him accompanied by Nguyen Bao. Nguyen Bao became fatter and was fighting for walnuts on the table with a child next to him. As soon as father saw us, he immediately stood up. His eyes fell on people. I held Bui Kieu Nhien's hand and didn't stop for a single step. Father quickly stepped forward, blocking our front.

“Ah Nhuoc.”

His voice was dry.

“Get out of the way.”

Bui Kieu Nhien turned cold and directly pulled out half of the sword at his waist. Father cringed, but still stubbornly looked at me.

"A Nhuoc, this is the autumn competition. Before, I sat with my father."

I looked at him.

"Now I don't sit with you anymore."

I pointed to the table of my mother and Bui Kieu Nhien.

“I want to sit with my mother and uncle Bui.”

My father's face was very unsightly. He looked at the people around him who were pointing and talking, trying to lower his voice.

"A Nhuoc, don't be angry with me anymore. During this time, I've thought it through, it's me who made you feel angry. Come home with me, from now on I will never let Nguyen Bao touch your things again, okay?"

Before I spoke, Nguyen Bao ran over. It saw the red whip at my side and its eyes lit up.

“I want that red whip, give it to me.”

Nguyen Bao reached out to rob him. I directly patted its hand hard. Nguyen Bao let out a loud cry, fell to the ground and rolled around in anger.

"Father, he beat me. Help me beat him, I want his whip."

Everyone looked at their father. His father's face was sometimes blue and sometimes white. He looked at Nguyen Bao rolling on the ground, then looked at me. I placed my hand on the whip at my side and raised my head to look at him.

"Didn't you say that in the future you won't let him touch my things anymore? Now he wants to steal my whip, what are you going to do?"

My father's lips moved. Out of habit, he wanted to tell me to be gentle and noble, but seeing Bui Kieu Nhien's hand on the hilt of the knife, he had to go back on his word.

“Nguyen Bao, stop making trouble, stand up.”

My father went to pull Nguyen Bao. Nguyen Bao refused and took the opportunity to bite the back of his father's hand. His father cried out in pain and immediately pushed Nguyen Bao away. Nguyen Bao cried even louder, the whole Liu Thuong pavilion echoed with his dry screams. I looked at my father's struggling appearance and said loudly to him:

"Look, this is the son you chose for yourself. Just raise it slowly."

I turned around and held Bui Kieu Nhien's hand tightly.

“Uncle Bui, let's go over there for breakfast, this place is too noisy.”

Bui Kieu Nhien laughed loudly, picked me up with one hand, and placed me firmly on his broad shoulder.

“Let's go, I'll take you to eat the most delicious kim ti bowl.”

I sat on Bui Kieu Nhien's shoulder and turned my head to take a quick look. His father held the back of his bitten, bleeding hand, standing alone on the spot.