Chapter 1 — An Y

Since redeeming myself from the Song family, I have opened a small bakery in the west of the city. Every day, kneading dough and steaming cakes, welcoming guests and sending them off, although busy, life is truly peaceful and leisurely. However, on a stormy, rainy night, the eldest son of the former Tong family suddenly knocked on my door in the middle of the night. In his arms, he was carrying a little girl about three years old. "Miss An Y, our family is facing a big incident, the situation is critical, my little sister has no one to look after her, I wonder if you can temporarily help me take care of her?" I hesitated for a moment, then replied: "Okay." Anyway, the Song family has shown me the grace of reincarnation, I am not an ungrateful person. After that, for ten years, I kept the bakery and watched that little girl slowly grow into a beautiful young woman, waiting for the Song family to restore its reputation. I think, I have fully repaid my love from the past, now is the time to worry about my life. But unexpectedly, on the day we met, the eldest son of the Song family wore a crimson coffin and sat upright in our yard. His sharp eyes swept across, making everyone feel like they were sitting on fire. He said: "I came to take a look for you." 1「Knock, knock, knock.」 A series of rapid knocks on the door rang out in the middle of a huge storm, the wind outside blew loudly on the roof. I lit the candle, put on my coat, then carefully walked to the door and asked: 「Who is there?」 A deep, hoarse male voice replied: 「Tong Hanh Van.」 I can never forget that voice. I quickly released the latch and opened the door. Lightning tore through the night sky, illuminating the scene outside. We immediately recognized the man standing in front of the door. He was wearing a loose shirt and the wide brim of his conical hat was slightly raised, revealing his handsome but cold face. 「Come in quickly.」 I quickly closed the door, turned on the lamp, and yellow candlelight spread throughout the room. Tong Hanh Van took off his clothes and carefully lifted a little girl from his arms. That baby was as pretty as a jade, wrapped tightly in a shirt, with eyes as big and round as grapes. When he saw me, he immediately raised his hand and smiled happily. I hesitated for a moment, a bit uncertain: 「Is this... Second Miss?」 Tong Hanh Van looked at the little girl in his arms, with a complicated expression: 「Yes.」 When I left the Song residence, Second Miss Tong Hanh Vu was only two years old, maybe three years old now. Tong Hanh Van patted the second lady's head, looking at me with difficult eyes: 「Miss An Y, I have a request that I cannot bear to say.」 「My family is facing a big incident, the situation is critical, little sister has no one to take care of her, I wonder if you can temporarily help a little?」 Saying this, Tong Hanh Van's eyes slightly lowered: 「If you don't want to, I will. Look elsewhere.」 At that time, I realized that there were still blood stains on Tong Hanh Van's coat that seemed to have not yet dried. I was stunned, then immediately exclaimed: 「Okay.」 The Song family has given me the gift of reincarnation, I am not an ungrateful person, if there is anything I can help, I will be willing to help. Tong Hanh Van was slightly surprised, as if he didn't expect me to agree so decisively. He put the second lady down, bowed down and solemnly thanked me: 「Your kindness, I will never forget it for the rest of my life.」 I quickly helped him stand up: 「Young master, there is no need to do that, if it weren't for the kindness of the Song family, I don't know where I would have been sold. The Song family is my benefactor.」 Tong Hanh Van's eyes were red, he took out a jade pendant from his belt: 「This is the only valuable thing on my body right now, please leave it to the lady, let her handle it as she pleases.」 He seemed to be a bit shy, his eyes avoiding looking at me. My heart is hundred

messy. Tong Hanh Van, the eldest son of the Song family, who in the past was as noble and brilliant as the moonlight, now only has one heirloom jade pendant left as a gift. We accept it. 「A Vu from now on will be entrusted to the care of the young lady, let her take her last name, called An Ninh.」2That year, when I was five years old, I was sold by my parents to the Song family. A small bag of rice, an ounce of scrap silver, my parents sold me in exchange for food for my newly born brother. The Song family is a good family, not harsh with the servants and subordinates in the palace. Lady Song is kind and generous. She found me likable so she kept me by her side. I spent my childhood carefree in Song Palace. Tong Hanh Van is two years older than me. Because I always follow and serve Lady Song, I often see you. He was brought up very well. Although he was born into a wealthy family, he was not infected with the arrogance of a noble family. He treated everyone around him, including the servants in the palace, always properly, politely, peacefully and noblely. He was a proud son of heaven, from a young age he was exceptionally intelligent, at the age of five he memorized the four books and five classics, the literature left behind by ancient people, he could write poetry at the age of seven, and at the age of twelve he wrote essays that were highly praised by the great scholars in the capital. When I was eighteen years old, I asked Lady Song to let me redeem myself and leave the Song family. Even though Mrs. Song couldn't bear it, she still arranged everything for me. During the thirteen years I lived in the Song Palace, I learned many things, and the thing I was most proficient at was cooking. I opened a bakery in the west of the city. Although life is simple, it is enough for me to live in peace. But less than a year later, the Song family encountered great disaster. For unknown reasons, their entire family was imprisoned in prison and all their assets were confiscated. When I heard that news, my heart was as hot as fire, wanting to find a way to meet them, but no matter what I said, no matter how much bribe I offered, the good guards still guarded me very strictly, not allowing me to meet anyone in their family. I don't know how Tong Hanh Van got out of prison and took the second young lady with him, but I know that the Song family has a great favor towards me, I will definitely take care of the second young lady with all my heart, and take care of An Ninh. After handing An Ninh over to me, Tong Hanh Van immediately left, instructing me not to tell anyone about his coming here. I nodded in understanding. The door slowly closed, Tong Hanh Van's traces were gradually washed away by the rain, leaving nothing behind, except for the piece of jade pendant that still had some warmth from his body, now lying in the palm of my hand. I hugged An Ninh, letting her small hands hold my hair. Little An Ninh, from now on you will grow up with me.