Chapter 8 — Little Grass Under The Sun

13

When I was just stuffed into the carriage, Giang Lam Phong was about to come back to surprise me but discovered something unusual, I was not at the library at all. Based on the symbol of the Hai Dong Thanh bird, he knew I had gone to the West citadel. As someone who grew up in a great family, he immediately sensed danger and went to Tan Tri Lam. Tan Tri Lam sent people to go to the places he often went but found no sign of him, immediately resorting to the network of underground facilities that To Van Nguyet left behind in the capital. The To family's network covers the North and South, capturing water and land trade routes. The news quickly spread, and the Wen family's trading team was immediately affected. Before even one stick of incense was finished, the Wen family was already frantic. On Than personally found Tan Tri Lam who was rushing around and asked what all this was about.

"If something happens to Lam Tieu Thao, you won't need to do any more business for the Wen family."

Even though On Than was bewildered, he also knew the weight of the three dynasties of To, Qin, and Giang shaking hands. Even if the loss can be salvaged after this incident, the Wen family will definitely suffer damage to their vitality. He immediately ordered his butler to investigate my whereabouts, only to find out that I had actually been kidnapped.

"Dare to pull this depraved trick on the Wen family's territory, after all, she is..."

His words suddenly fell silent, then immediately ordered to report to the mandarins, and at the same time gave all the notes entering and exiting the palace gate and the alley to quickly transfer them to Giang Lam Phong and Tan Tri Lam. Tan Tri Lam calculated the direction and time of our departure, immediately mobilized the pair of Hai Dong Thanh, the most robust among the falcons kept in the house, tied flares to them and enjoyed the arrow (the arrow made a hissing sound). On the other side, Giang Lam Phong turned over on the back of the horse Xich Diem, one hand holding the reins, the other hand waving the smoke signal tube, his voice cold as iron: "It's me, Giang Lam Phong. Bring out all the horses that can run in the barn, gather as many as you can, block all the exits in the old brick kiln area of the West Citadel for me! Yes, immediately!" In the upper class of the Imperial Capital, a sentence from the Jiang family's son has power far beyond the imagination of ordinary people. In just a short moment, countless handsome horses and fast carriages galloped from the palaces, monasteries, horse fields... Thanh Thong, Ngoc Hoa Thong, Chieu Da Bach... converged into an iron stream, disregarding the ban on traveling at night (tieu ban), rushing straight in the same direction, causing people in the wards to chatter, and the lights at the guard posts (vu mau pho) also became chaotic. 13 (continued) In the ruined hospital. The rusty iron barre ripped through the wind, fiercely slashing straight at the top of my head! I closed my eyes tightly. The expected sharp pain did not come, instead there was a dull impact and the man's pitiful screams.

“What kind of low-class trash is worthy of touching her?”

Giang Lam Phong threw a strong kick that sent Bui Canh flying away, hitting a wooden shelf full of scrap, causing a loud explosion. His bangs were a bit messy, his breathing was uneven, it was obvious that he had tried his best to ride his horse here. Almost at the same time, the sound of birds flapping their wings was heard on the roof of the shabby house, and several arrows with flares hissed and tore through the dusty windows, bursting with dazzling light, illuminating the sky. leaving Bui Canh with nowhere to hide. Tan Tri Lam also hurriedly ran over, her eyes were cold, she reached out and pulled out a white feathered arrow from the quiver at her waist, raising the bow in a semicircle.

“You don't know life or death.”

The arrow tore through the wind and flew away, accurately piercing Bui Canh's knee when he was just about to crawl up. Bui Canh let out a pitiful scream, unable to stand up anymore. Giang Lam Phong quickly walked in front of me, his hands trembled slightly, but he quickly cut the rope. Tan Tri Lam also hurriedly stepped closer, saw the dark purple mark on my wrist and the handprint on my cheek. Her cold, clear eyes suddenly flared up in anger, she turned around and was about to throw another kick. I looked at Giang Lam Phong and Tan Tri Lam, whose eyes were still filled with extreme panic, only to realize the trembling after escaping the accident, hugging Tan Tri Lam and sobbing:

“I thought… I would never see you again…”

Tan Tri Lam's body stiffened for a split second, then relaxed his shoulders, hugged me, and patted me gently. At this time, the sound of horse hooves and loud footsteps could be heard outside the yard. The officials rushed in and controlled Bui Canh who was groaning on the ground. Following closely behind was On Than, along with his wife, their faces as pale as paper, regardless of everything they rushed towards me.

"Nie Niep! My Niep Niep!"

A nang pulled away from On Than's hand, staggered and ran over, hugging me tightly: "Are you safe? Are you safe? It's all because you're not good! It's because you couldn't protect me! It's all my fault..." I was stunned by this unexpected warm and genuine hug. I tremblingly reached out my hand, cautiously hugged her back, my voice choked and broken: "Auntie, are you feeling well now? Don't you resent me anymore?"

"No resentment, I've never resented you! I'm sorry for you, my baby..." I cried without a sound, just hugging me tighter, as if I wanted to use this hug to make up for all the shortcomings in the past.

"Auntie, I miss you very much. I passed the exam, I'm Quoc Tu Giam, in the future... in the future I can apply to be a female official, I can serve you well." My words were mixed up, the sadness, longing, and longing that had accumulated over the years finally found a way out, turning into flowing tears.

"Good, very good, my Niep Niep is the best..." A Nuong caressed my hair, tears falling more quickly.

Besides, On Than looked at us hugging each other and crying, his expression complicated. He took a step forward: "Lam Tieu Thao, I'm sorry. Before, I didn't understand things, said a lot of nonsense, did a lot of things to hurt you... I hope you'll forgive me." Giang Lam Phong stood with his arms folded to one side, snorted softly, punched On Than's shoulder, neither too heavy nor too light: "Stop it, it's better to apologize properly than to apologize. Why do you show this kind of appearance? Everyone of you, it's really too cheesy." He glanced at the shabby and dirty warehouse, frowned in disgust: "Is this tattered place a place for people to live? Hurry up, everyone go back to the palace! Today is Lam Tieu Thao's big day, passing the Quoc Tu Giam exam is also a great event! Isn't it worth having a party to celebrate?"

14

It was the most beautiful summer of my life. After returning to the Wen family, every night I also act like a baby and sleep in the lady's room. On her body there is a faint herbal scent, making people feel secure, blending with the warm sunny smell of the blanket and mattress. I am like a young animal that has finally found its nest, curled up next to her, holding her arm tightly, afraid that if I let go, this warmth will turn into an illusion. Sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night, sweating profusely, I always see a pair of gentle eyes staring at me. Under the moonlight, my aunt's fingers gently brushed away the sweaty locks of hair on my forehead. The movement was still a bit clumsy, but it carried an unimaginable care and respect.

“Nightmare?” Her voice was very light, carrying the slightly hoarse tone of someone who had just woken up.

I shook my head, buried my face in her warm neck, greedily inhaling her mother's unique scent. The fear, anger, and sadness that had accumulated over the years, like snow and frost melted by the sun, quietly disappeared in this hug. From now on, Lam Tieu Thao is also a child with a loving mother.

15

Many years later, as I wished, I was able to wear the white robe of a female official, running around between Van Uyen Cac and large and small temples. On the path of holding a pen and pen to approve books and economic affairs (governing the country and saving the people), I can't help but remember the girl with a high fever and coma in the living room that no one cared about in the past. Today, we finally have the strength to spread out a small canopy to protect people like "Tieu Thao". The next full reunion was at To Van Nguyet's wedding ceremony. On the brilliant beach, starlight and lights harmonize. The bride was so beautiful that she was fluttering, holding the bridegroom's arm wearing a red dress, the corners of her eyebrows and eyes still carried the bright and arrogant silhouette of the past, only adding the gentleness that had been honed over the years. I offered a thick envelope of red envelopes. I know you are not short of money, but this is the thought I must give - because the heavy incense stick is forever in my mind, because of the robe tinged with the scent of gardenia, because of all the softness and tenderness that you have given me. Some of us sat at a special banquet table. Giang Lam Phong is now the "Giang Dong family" calling the wind and rain in the marketplace, wearing a brocade shirt and a jade belt, the youthful aura between his eyebrows has faded, leaving behind a calm and thoughtful look. But when he met us, he still followed his habit of raising his foot to kick Trieu Vien's chair, but was stopped by Tan Tri Lam's gaze. Tan Tri Lam is now the youngest scholar of the Academy. Everyone chatted excitedly throughout the party, from the difficulties of compiling history books at Han Lam Institute, to discussing the turbulence in Giang Lam Phong's water transport business, from the story of Trieu Vien's failed barbecue, to anecdotes about To Van Nguyet's marriage across the sea. Time seems to have never moved, everyone still has the appearance of those years when they were teenagers. A Niang sent someone to find me, specifically instructing: "Nie Niep, just drink a little wine, come home early. A Niang has stewed the soup to relieve the hangover, waiting for you to come home to drink." I heard the message, the corners of my lips suddenly curled up. The chest is flattened, filled with warmth. I raised the cup of wine, the bubbles of the soy sauce appeared flowing up the side of the clear crystal cup. Looking up at the precious people that fate has given us.

“Dear everyone.”

“Respect us both.”

The lapis lazuli cups gently touched each other, emitting a clear and pleasant sound, like the echo of close moments and joyful laughter throughout the years. How good it is. Tieu Thao, from now on, every day, I will have someone to love, a home to return to, and friends to rely on. Starlight falls into the eyes, the sea breeze blows gently. Although the road ahead is still long, we know clearly that we will never, ever have to walk alone again. RUN OUT OF.