Chapter 3 — Nha Hoan Escaped From Second Family

I nodded bewilderedly and accepted the handkerchief.

“Thank you, young master.”

He smiled gently.

"You go work, don't pay attention to me. I'm just going out to get some fresh air."

I pushed him into the shade down the hallway, bowed my knees and bowed, then prepared to leave. A clear voice suddenly rang out from behind:

“Your back…”

I turned my head, meeting his eyes that had not yet retracted. I raised my hand to touch my shoulder, touching a few streaks of blood. I immediately panicked. I don't know if the other painting is damaged or not. If Ta Lan Dinh finds out, I'm afraid he will have to endure another round of torment. Ta Tan Tran's fingers on the wheelchair tightened, his joints turned white.

“It seems like my good brother hasn't improved at all after all these years.”

“What did you say?”

He took off his cloak and gave it to me, dimples slightly appearing on his lips.

“Put it on. Remember to apply medicine.”

5

That evening, Ta Lan Dinh called me again. I don't dare refuse. Because the young lady specifically came to warn:

“Your husband is in love with you, don't make him lose interest.”

How long will days like this last? If the devil is at your mercy, I ask:

"Second master, I haven't seen those sisters for a long time. Can you save them?"

Ta Lan Dinh's movements stopped. He nonchalantly said:

“Cam Duong didn't like them, so he found better places for them.”

It turns out... He knew. In my ears, the desperate cries of the three of them constantly rang out. After all, what do we expect? Is that a bit of fragile and illusory love?

“Thin Tuyet.”

He lifted a strand of my fallen hair and wrapped it around his fingertip.

"You're still young, Cam Duong will be able to accommodate you."

“What's more…”

Cold fingers lovingly caressed each apricot blossom on my back.

“How could such a beautiful picture of Han Mai be left lying around?”

“You should be pampered by my side.”

He bowed his head, his thin lips lowered. The bed sheet embroidered with osmanthus flowers was gradually held tightly in my hand. He suddenly stopped. His fingertips touched the undissolved scratches on my shoulder, then squeezed my waist until each fingerprint was imprinted.

“Didn't I tell you to preserve this painting? Do you want to destroy it?”

"No... Second master, slave... that day I accidentally fell down."

I stuttered to explain. He laughed, pulling me into his arms. Thin, pale fingers slid into my hand, intertwining ten fingers tightly.

“Look how scared you are.”

"As long as you listen to me. After a while, when Cam Duong is less arrogant, I will raise you to be my concubine."

6

The next morning, when I went to Do Cam Duong's room to ask for peace, she rarely did not punish me. She arrogantly pointed at my collar.

“Take it off.”

I hesitated. Last night, Ta Lan Dinh warned me not to damage his glazing plate. What if…

"The painting was drawn by Lan Dinh, can't I see it?"

She just glanced. Mother Sun immediately stepped forward and twisted my arm, forcibly revealing her back in front of Do Cam Duong. Seeing the unfinished "painting", she stroked her newly combed long hair and burst into laughter.

"So it's because of this painting that he can't bear to leave you."

"Go to the studio and pay some money, take good care of this skin. Don't let second master lose interest when he wants to paint."

Her eyes looking at me were like looking at a dead object. My whole body is cold. Is it the day tomorrow's cold weather will be completed? is the day I lost my life? The contract to sell oneself is still in the hands of the landlord, what should I do? I want to live. My eyes fell on the black robe drying on the rack. The sunken pattern made of gold thread on the black fabric is faded and cannot be seen clearly. There is a tear in the shoulder blade and the hem of the shirt is also slightly frayed. That pale, gentle figure appeared before my eyes. Ta Tan Tran... Before losing power, he was a famous and elegant gentleman in the capital, with a humble personality. I ask him to protect me, maybe it will work? I gritted my teeth in determination. I carefully folded my robe, carried the newly embroidered incense bag, and went to the eldest young master's house - Tinh Tu son. Indeed, the institute is just like its name. Unlike the hustle and bustle of the second family's courtyard, Tinh Tu Trai is terrifyingly quiet. There was no human breath, nor any vitality. Since he went to Jiangnan to investigate the case and was seriously injured, the doctor said that he could only use a wheelchair for the rest of his life. The person in charge of the Ta residence was changed to Ta Lan Dinh. The young lady who had been engaged to him since childhood also immediately broke up the engagement. From then on, he lived quietly in the courtyard, closing the door and not going out. Initially, there were servants. Later, seeing that the master had no future, the maids and servants immediately dispersed. There was only one old man holding the door. In the middle of the day, he got drunk again and fell asleep, unable to wake up. I pushed open the hospital door. I only saw Ta Tan Tran sitting alone under a pear tree in the yard. Hearing the noise, he raised his eyes to look over. Flower petals fell scattered in her hair, a cold scent wafted in the wind. That person is like an immortal who is not contaminated by the dust of the world. I used both hands to offer my clothes.

“Young Master, your robe and handkerchief have all been washed.”

He took it and placed it on his knees. His eyes fell on the embroidered flower on the shoulder of his shirt, which swayed slightly.

“You embroider?”

I nodded.