Chapter 7 — Mon Mi

I withdrew my gaze and stepped onto the carriage. The wheel rolls forward. Ta palace gradually retreated back. Thanh Chi sat next to me and said in a low voice: "Miss, we are going home." I replied softly. After returning to the Tham family, father transferred a manor and two shops to me. He said it was compensation. I do not refuse. If you really want compensation, let it be shown on the land deed and check. Empty words do not need to be accepted. Thi Chu has come several times. Every time she sits in my hospital, she wants to say it again. One day, she finally spoke up. “Chieu Vi, before that, my mother was confused.” I'm looking at the store's books. "Yes." Her eyes turned red. “Do you still resent your mother?” We turn to another page. “Every resentment.” Her face brightened slightly. I continued to say: "I'm busy now." She was stunned. I raised my head to look at her. "The store's books are many, and the spring plowing at the manor also needs to be arranged. I don't have time to resent anyone every day." Thi Chu looked like something had hit her hard. She sat for a long time, then slowly stood up. “Then from now on, mother will come to visit you often.” I can't say, I can't say I can't. When she left, her back seemed much shorter than before. I don't hate it enough to grind my teeth every day. But I will not return to her arms and continue to be a little girl waiting for that biased love. There are things that, once missed, are missed. 8 Later, the Ta family was extremely confused. Ta Nghien Tu lost his right to be a housekeeper, and his path to becoming a mandarin was also implicated in rumors. The Ta family's elders wanted to marry him to someone else. But as soon as the good families in the capital heard the words Ta Phu, they stayed away. Who would want to marry their daughter into a family that has forced the main wife to carry a bad reputation for adultery, and let her sister give birth to her own children? Tham Van Nhu was arranged to stay in the hospital. The Ta family gave her monthly silver, but did not give her a title. The child was not recorded in the main family tree, but was only arbitrarily recorded as a descendant of the descendant branch who passed away early. She was not willing. Several times she carried her child to the door of Ta palace to cause chaos. At first, Mrs. Ta still loved the child, but later she also hated him. “If it weren't for you, how could Nghien Tu become like this?” Hearing those words, Tham Van Nhu burst out laughing in the street. "Can I give birth alone? Can I spread rumors alone? Now you Ta family are turning to blame me." The two argued so much that the whole street heard it. When Ta Nghien Tu ran over, his face was extremely ugly. He picked up the child and was about to leave. As soon as he saw him, the child burst into tears. Tham Van Nhu smiled coldly. “He knows you don't need him.” Ta Nghien Tu's hands were stiff. When this news reached my ears, I was looking at the new products in the store. The shopkeeper said: "Dong sir, have you heard?" I nodded. “I heard it.” She asked: "Do you need to add more tea?" "No need." Ta Nghien Tu's regret, Tham Van Nhu's resentment and Mrs. Ta's regret are all their business. I have no interest in taking those things as entertaining topics at dinner. A few years later, I opened the third store in the capital. Some people call me Tham Dong Gia. At first, there were still people behind my back who said I was a separated woman.
Later, the lady came to my shop to place more and more orders, and they changed their tone, saying that the Tham Dong family knew how to do business. People are always like that. When you are weak, others will mention your wounds. When you stand firm, others will mention your bravery. That fall, I met Ta Nghien Tu on a long street. He had lost a lot of weight, wore an old blue shirt, and had no servants next to him. He stood outside my shop, looking at the sign in ecstasy. The barkeeper stood at the door calling me. “Dong master, the books have arrived.” Ta Nghien Tu turned his head. When he saw me, his eyes immediately moved. “Chieu Vi.” I stop walking. He took a step forward. “I just happened to pass by.” I nodded. "YES." He looked at me, as if he had a lot to say. Finally, just ask: "Have you lived well these past years?" I received the books from the clerk. "That's OK." He smiled bitterly. "In the past, in the Ta family, she should have lived days like this." We open the books and look at the numbers. "Before, in the Ta family, I could only live the life of the Ta family." This sentence seemed to hit him. I won't stop anymore. The shopkeeper followed behind me and said in a low voice that this month a new batch of fabrics had arrived from Giang Nam, the colors were extremely beautiful. I listened as I walked into the store. Ta Nghien Tu still stood in place. Behind him, people on the street passed by endlessly. No one gives way to him anymore. Before walking through the door, I heard him call again. “Chieu Vi.” The voice was very quiet. I don't turn back. The sunlight in the shop is just beautiful. On the counter were newly arrived notebooks, clean pages and clear ink. I sat down, took the pen and calculated the book. The person outside the door, along with that word, that rumor and the child that they once cherished in their arms and then used to hide bad things, were all closed outside the door. Thanh Chi brought hot tea. “Dong master, your tea.” I accept it. Faint scent of tea. She smiled and said: "This way of addressing is very pleasant." I also smiled slightly. “It's really easy to listen to.” Much easier to listen to than Mrs. Ta. Complete.