Chapter 7 — Old Love Like Flying Clouds

The little bit of happiness on his face instantly disappeared and turned into contempt: "I thought you were some kind of treasure of the Du family. If you go to celebrate, will people consider you a daughter?" “Now come back to me, the main room is still yours.” Truong Thuan also chimed in: "Madam, please go back quickly. The young master has been sick these past few days, no one can cook medicine like him, the young concubine can't manage the housework, the old lady has a relapse of her headache, the tenants still ask for tax reduction... a bunch of big and small things, no one can take care of them!" I heard it, I just felt tired, I just wanted to turn around and run away. Ta Van Khoat pursed his lips and did not speak. Truong Thuan looked at his face and added: "Actually, these past few days, the young master has been hanging around here, just hoping to meet someone..." Ta Van Khoat kicked him and shouted softly: "Talk too much!" But no denying it. Truong Thuan pretended to slap himself. This must be the rare time he bows his head. I was both angry and amused: "I'm not going back." Ta Van Khoat's face no longer had arrogance, only doubt and unwillingness: "Why?" I thought for a moment, then replied in a soft voice: "Maybe because I'm lazy." I don't want to continue cleaning up that mess for him anymore, I don't want to be bothered with the never-ending things at Ta Palace. At the Du family, Mrs. Du did not scold me because I was a servant, but was worried that I would hurt my hand while washing clothes. Du Huu Nien is even more understanding and has never caused me any trouble. On the contrary, he was so good that it made people feel sad, sneaking out to the desert in the middle of the night to plow the land, and even copying notes for me before class... "Maybe... I'm inherently shallow and like to listen to good words." I patched Du Huu Nien's shirt. On the torn sleeve, a blue bamboo branch was embroidered. He held it up under the light and looked carefully, sincerely praising: "A sister's embroidery is so beautiful!" When A Sister found out, she also wanted to embroider flowers, her mouth was as sweet as honey. We are easily satisfied, just a few compliments can make us happy all day. But Ta Van Khoat never understood. “The Du family is so poor, what good is there?” He still has to differentiate between high and low, so I will explain clearly: "You are arrogant and disobedient, Du Huu Nien is obedient and understanding." "Your mother has a sour mouth, the Luc family's lady is gentle and approachable." "There's still a lot..." I don't know when, I've gotten used to comparing them, comparing them back and forth, Ta Van Khoat has nothing left besides his beautiful face. I mumbled good things about the Du family, about Du Huu Nien, and Ta Van Khoat finally couldn't hear it. Pursing his lips, he rarely let down his voice: "That... at least I'll be a little nicer to you in the future..." He looked at me, his eyes full of expectation, for a moment like the stubborn child ten years ago. I am inherently a soft-hearted person. But this time, I just gently brushed the hem of my skirt. "Lately I read a book and learned a sentence: It's easy to change countries, but it's hard to change nature." “Now that someone treats me well, I don't need you to change anymore.” I turned around and walked away, not looking back. The moon has risen to the top, we have to go release river lights! 14 Arriving at the riverbank in a daze, I suddenly remembered that I had just given all the lamps to Du Huu Nien, but there were none left in my hand. I found a quiet corner on the shore, hugged my pillow and sat down. The mind flies away. Ta Van Khoat's words from earlier rang in his ears again. Du Huu Nien did not consider me his wife. I'm a bit disappointed. If you don't consider it, there's nothing wrong with being a slave. The Du family treats me well, I will stick with them for the rest of my life. While in a daze, someone stood next to me. I reflexively turned my head, in the dim night light, the hem of Du Huu Nien's shirt was slightly shaking, his breathing was still a bit rapid. "Why did you leave so quickly? I kept calling but didn't answer." I glanced at his hand still holding two river lamps tightly, and couldn't help but ask: "Didn't you go release the lamp with that lady?" He tilted his head, looking surprised: "Why should I release the lantern with her?" Before waiting for me to answer, he brought a lantern in front of me, the corners of his eyes curved, and he smiled: "Didn't I say that we should release the lanterns together tonight?" My heart warmed slightly, I picked up the lovely lotus lamp, and asked: "What wish is written on your lamp?" He immediately hid the light behind his back, his ears turning slightly pink: "Don't watch." "Stingy." I laughed softly, pushed the lamp away, clasped my hands together: "As for me, I wish you to pass the exam one day, your future will be bright, and the whole Du family will be safe and healthy. Sister will marry the person you want." "That's right, next year the fields will have two more harvests, the chickens and ducks will lay a few more eggs..." He laughed at me greedily. 15 My wish seems to have come true. On that winter solstice, the autumn exam announced the golden table. Du Huu Nien passed his bachelor's degree in the old small courtyard of the Du family. The door step was almost kicked down because people came to congratulate him. Neighbors, both familiar and unfamiliar, brought chicken eggs and green vegetables to share the joy. I was busy welcoming guests, and looking at that bustling scene, I couldn't help but feel happy. The Du family will definitely get better and better in the future. Du Huu Nien in an instant became an expensive figure in ten miles and eight villages, many people brought their daughters, green willow roses, graceful and graceful, dazzlingly gorgeous. Among the crowd, I saw the girl I met at the night of the lantern festival. She was the young lady of the Truong family in the silk shop, and also a younger sister of Du Huu Nien. She wore exceptionally beautiful makeup, wore a jade flower brooch, and smiled brightly as she chatted with Mrs. Du. During the day, if you look closely, you look like a lovely flower. I pursed my lips. So that's right, a lady like that is worthy of a new bachelor's degree. It's just this idiot Du Huu Nien, he didn't say a word, he didn't even look at her from the front. The girl bowed her head shyly and offered the breakfast she had made herself, but he didn't know how to reach out to receive it. Is it shame? I quietly pulled Sister A back from the flower hall. Sister A pouted and mumbled in a low voice: "I don't like you, I like sister Bach Lo." My heart warmed, and a little bit bitter, I rubbed the head of her little bun: "Don't talk nonsense, maybe... that's my future sister-in-law."