Chapter 8 — An Y

17 "Hoa Duong said that just to get revenge because I had made her lose face twice. But it cannot be denied that at first, I really paid attention to her out of gratitude."Tong Hanh Van trembled slightly, his voice was somewhat tense: "But the feelings started with love, then became deeper and deeper."I stood dumbfounded looking at him, my heart in turmoil. "When the Song family was in trouble, An Ninh had no one to trust, it was my mother who told me that there was There's probably only one person I can trust, that person. My mother told me to find her." "I've always known about you, because you're by my mother's side, she's the person you love the most, and you're also the one who's good at making the most delicious dishes." "At first, I thought she was just an ordinary maid, but when she adopted An Ninh, I realized she was nothing like what I thought. She was kind, gentle, steadfast, and could rely on herself make a living." "She is skillful, can make many delicious dishes." "She always has her own thoughts, is always steadfast on her path..." "An Y, I like you, not just because of gratitude." His words were like thunder exploding in my heart, my mind buzzing. I repeated his words over and over in my head, emotions of joy, confusion, and doubt were interwoven and torn: "But am I... really worthy of you?" All my emotions turned into a question, and in Tong Hanh Van's eyes, restlessness gave way to joy and determination: "An Y, you should ask if Tong Hanh Van is worthy of An Y."... "An Y, you don't need to rush to answer me. You can think about this as long as you want. I will use my whole life to prove that Tong Hanh Van is worthy of An Y.” This is the ninth winter since An Ninh came here, and also the first New Year's Eve with Tong Hanh Van with us. "An Y, the sticky rice cake and wine are done!" Tong Hanh Van's clear voice echoed from the kitchen, I quickly responded with a smile. This year, Tong Hanh Van took charge of preparing the New Year's Eve meal, while I, An Ninh and Kim Ngoc were outside playing firecrackers. I quickly ran into the kitchen, went to Tong Hanh Van's side, took the bowl of floating balls from his hand, and smelled it. Tong Hanh Van looked at me hopefully: "How's it going?" I pretended to think: "It's okay." Then I smiled softly, turned around and called everyone in to eat. At the dining table, An Ninh tried a spoonful of sticky rice wine and smacked her lips: "Normal, a bit sour. Not as delicious as what sister makes herself." I turned my head to hide my smile, not daring to look at Tong Hanh Van's face. But he remained calm and gently replied: "Yes, it cannot compare to An Y's skills, she is the best." This statement made me blush. Regarding the question that Tong Hanh Van once asked, we still do not have an answer. He still kept his promise, silently proving his affection and determination for me. Over the years, Tong Hanh Van has gradually appeared before everyone's eyes. He worked for the Emperor, trying to exonerate the Song family. Thanks to that, Mr. Tong and Mrs. Tong were also secretly picked up by him. When brilliant fireworks explode in the night sky, we all understand that winter is about to pass, and spring is approaching.19In the tenth spring since An Ninh arrived here, Song Hanh Van exonerated and vindicated the Song family. He presented complete evidence of the perpetrator's crime in front of Kim Loan Palace, personally leading troops to surround and arrest the traitors. The net that had been spread for ten years had finally tightened. The Emperor personally issued a decree allowing the return of Old Master Song and Lady Song. To compensate for the losses of the Song family, the Emperor not only promoted and conferred titles on Song Hanh Van, but also ordained An Ninh as Gia Trach District.

God. The person who brought the decree to confer An Ninh was Tong Hanh Van. After he finished reading, he suddenly took out another decree. That was the decree appointing me as Nghi Minh District Military Officer. Tong Hanh Van stood straight, handsome, and smiled gently: "Nghi Minh Quan Quan, you still haven't received the command?" Many years later, I still clearly remember that spring day, apricot petals flying in the wind, between the vast sky and earth, Tong Hanh Van smiled at me and said: "An Y, this is the title you have earned yourself, Nghi Minh District Quan." The day Mr. Tong and Mrs. Tong returned, the weather was beautiful and sunny. I, An Ninh and Tong Hanh Van waited at ten miles Truong Dinh, outside the city gate. Tong Hanh Van couldn't take his eyes off the official road ahead, while An Ninh sometimes stood and sat, unable to sit still. When a black dot appeared in the distance, Tong Hanh Van immediately stood up. The black dot got closer and closer, the horse carriage carrying the wishes of relatives for ten years finally returned from the distant border to the capital. The clouds drift apart, the water flows for ten years. Mrs. Tong and old man Tong looked much older, with deep wrinkles on their foreheads and dewy white hair. Both eyes filled with tears, the four of us hugged each other tightly. When I let go, Lady Tong trembled and walked towards me, calling as she walked. She held my hand tightly, looked at me from head to toe, choking: "Good child, thank you." Having said that, she burst into tears. Old man Tong also stood next to him, supporting Mrs. Tong, his eyes could not help but tear up: "Fortunately to have you, we are able to reunite today." I smiled and replied: "If it weren't for the Song family to take care of you in the past, how could we have the children of today. A good person sows good fruit, Mrs., this is what you taught me..."This spring, the grass has turned green again, those who are far away, finally Let's meet again. 20Since I was appointed Nghi Minh Quan Quan, the people who came to ask for my hand in marriage came one after another, to the point of trampling on the threshold. Judge Cui looked at the stream of people bringing gifts to the house, stunned and surprised: "Ancestor blessings, the Thoi family will also one day make friends with the royal family..." As for Tieu Ha, with the spirit of a city gate guard, she placed a large sign right in front of the door, on which was written: "Line up to go inside." An Ninh is sharp-eyed, holds a pen and carefully reviews each candidate's profile, eliminates those who are not suitable, then passes the remaining list to the matchmaker to arrange a blind date. When the candidates were full, An Ninh pushed me onto a chair, opposite the boys sitting in a row, not like a blind date but more like a consultation session. An Ninh seriously declared: "Your happiness is protected by me!" I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but since they were already here, I decided to take a look. Just as I was looking at the list, the main door was suddenly pushed open with a "bang" sound. Tong Hanh Van boldly walked in, still wearing his dark red official uniform. An Ninh glared madly at Tieu Ha, and Tieu Ha blinked repeatedly, signaling that she could not stop Tong Hanh Van. An Ninh looked at Kim Ngoc angrily and reproached: "Why did master go to tell my brother the news?" Kim Ngoc looked at the sky and the earth, but decided not to look at An Ninh. I swallowed hard, took two steps back, and was about to hide the list in my sleeve, but Tong Hanh Van quickly snatched it away. I could only cover my face in embarrassment. Tong Hanh Van glanced at me with reproachful eyes, as if I were an ungrateful person, and he was preparing to eliminate all the "little goblins" out there before dealing with me. He pulled out a chair, sat straight, and scanned each person with sharp eyes: "I came to help you choose a husband." Everyone in the room was so tense that they felt like they were sitting on fire. Tong Hanh Van read each one

names, looked at each face, then scrutinized and retorted every little detail, making those people blush but still had to endure. "These people are not suitable." Finally, Tong Hanh Van concluded. I raised my eyebrows and asked: "So who do you think is suitable?" Tong Hanh Van coughed lightly, his face serious and solemn: "Of course... the eldest son of the Song family, Tong Hanh Van." "Does Miss An Y agree?" The clouds drifted lightly, the spring breeze did not make a ripple. Under the blue sky, I heard my voice softly say: "I agree." End.