Chapter 6 — Ke That Hau Phu

The curtain of the palanquin was blown up at one corner by the wind, and suddenly a melodious male voice flew into my ears. "Kieu Kieu, be happy." I was startled and suddenly raised my eyes to look around. There were basically no other people in the palanquin. 15 The red candles burned high, filling the room with warm light. I don't know how long it took, but I fell asleep. In the dream, golden sand fills the sky. I have never been to the border, but I know that this place is the border. A very old Nguyen Trinh stood in front of an old, dilapidated temple, in front of him was a Tay Vuc monk wearing a robe. His voice was hoarse: "Shaman, I have something to regret, even if I die, I can't close my eyes. I'm willing to pay any price to get it back, is there any way?" The high monk was silent for a long time, then slowly opened his mouth: "The general who protects the country has great merit. Using this merit, plus a hundred years of ferrying in the underworld, perhaps he can gain a glimmer of ability." He paused: "The general's merit can be exchanged for a rich life in the next life, a smooth life, no illness or trouble. The general must think carefully." Nguyen Trinh did not hesitate at all. He knelt down, his voice firm: "I am willing to give you a good life." The high monk recited the Buddha's name: "Love-sick child." The wind and sand suddenly blurred my eyes. I woke up from the dream, tears streaming down my face. We finally know who the voice in the palanquin is. Exactly like Nguyen Trinh's voice in the dream. In his previous life, Nguyen Trinh used his merit and a hundred years of solitude as a ferryman in the underworld, in exchange for a new start for me in this life. Nguyen Trinh woke up and saw my face full of tears. He immediately sat up and his voice also changed: "Kieu Kieu? What's wrong? Having a nightmare?" I threw myself into his arms and hugged his neck. He was stunned for a moment, then tightened his embrace, placed his chin on top of my head, and gently patted my back. "It's okay," he said, "I'm here." 16 On the third day after getting married, something happened to the Do residence. Do Thanh knew that after I got married and gave birth to his mother, he would die of illness, so he decided to take advantage of the chaos to take her away. When his father found out, he got angry. The mother did not want to implicate Do Thanh, so she smashed her head to death on the pillar. Do Thanh pushed his father in anger and sadness. His father was unable to stand and fell to the ground, hitting a sharp rock on the back of his head. By the time the doctor came running, the person was gone. Killing one's father is a serious crime and must be beheaded immediately. Before the execution, Do Thanh said he wanted to meet me once. In the dark dungeon, the smell of mold mixed with the smell of rusty iron. Do Thanh sat on a pile of hay, wearing a death row shirt, his hair scattered. He saw me, his cloudy eyes brightened a little. He said: "Kieu Kieu, I dreamed a dream." "It's not like that in the dream." "You will marry into the Marquis Palace, everyone will be safe and sound, your mother is still the most prosperous lady in the capital..." "Everyone is still alive, living well." He turned his head, staring at me, his eyes filled with hatred and pain. "Isn't it good for you to marry into the Marquis Palace? Why don't you marry? Why must you destroy it? ruin everything?" "Not good." "Why do I have to sacrifice myself for your happiness?" His pupils suddenly contracted. "The peace you talk about is in exchange for pushing me into the fire pit." "Your so-called 'everyone is safe and peaceful', is built on the pain of me, my lady, and Nguyen Trinh." I looked into his eyes: "Even if I did it a hundred times, I would still choose the current path." His face turned every inch white. He bowed his head, buried his face in his palms, his shoulders shaking violently. I stood outside the prison door, between the iron bars, looking at the senior brother who used to beat my family for me, crying like a dog that had lost its home. I turned around and went out. From behind came his hoarse voice: "Kieu Kieu... sorry..." Me

don't turn around. Stepping out the door, the sunlight was blinding. Nguyen Trinh stood next to the carriage, he stretched out his hand towards me. I walked over and placed my hand in his palm. His hand was very warm, covering mine completely. "Let's go." He said. “Um.” I curled the corners of my lips. 17The story of Bui Kinh looking for a doctor to treat his illness spread and became a joke throughout the capital. In the past, the temple was crowded with guests, but now it is as empty as Ba Danh Pagoda. He drank a lot of folk remedies, spent a lot of money, his illness did not heal, and he completely collapsed. That day, he vented his anger on a maid in the palace, strangled her, and slammed her against the wall. The maids couldn't stand it anymore, they joined forces to pin him to the ground, and used a belt to strangle him. By the time his friend ran over, his body was already cold. The Marquis did not inform the mandarins, only said he was sick and died. The second-in-command successfully inherited the title, stuffed Bui Jing's tablet into the corner of the hall, and even omitted the ceremony. My sister's two children saw me from afar on the street once, they followed behind the new Marquis, their faces were gloomy, unlike what they should look like at that age. I withdrew my gaze and didn't look anymore. I spent all my heart and soul raising the white-eyed wolves in my previous life, this life has nothing to do with me. Another year passed, I gave birth to a daughter.