Chapter 3 — Phuong Hoa Van Thien

11 “See, people will soon forget you.” - Returning from the clouds, the mother threw grapes into her mouth and said - "The Emperor is the Emperor of Heaven, things are so busy, how can there be time to miss a little phoenix?" I just bowed my head and looked at the tip of my shoe, not responding. That night, I secretly took the ring the Emperor gave me, laid out each item inside, and then put it back. At the bottom of the ring, there is a piece of golden scale, which is the dragon scale from that year in the Dong Hai Dragon Palace, removed by the Emperor from my collar. The next day, I put it on a necklace and hung it around my neck, and since then I have never taken it off. “Ugh…” The sound of a hungry stomach pulled me back to reality. I sighed, took my bag of money and went out. This time the mother left in a hurry, but also remembered to leave a few coins behind - stuck under the leftover roasted chicken on the stove. Late afternoon in Thanh Khe, the busiest area is the West Street. I used to turn into Truong Ky noodle shop. As soon as I saw the owner, she smiled: "Miss Phuong is here again? Where is your mother?" “Going to look for pearls.” – I held up two fingers – “Same as before, two bowls of Duong Xuan noodles.” Thinking about it, I changed my tone: "Just one bowl. One bowl today." After eating the third spoonful, the street suddenly became bustling. A few girls in floral dresses rushed past, their silk scarves flying into my bowl. "Hey! My noodles!" “Sorry Miss Phuong!” - the girl in the green dress looked back and smiled - "Mr. Bach has finished school, if you're late, there won't be a place to sit!" I pouted. The person they mentioned was a new gentleman who had just moved in and opened a private class. Rumor had it that he had profound knowledge and his appearance made all the young women in town flock to listen to the lectures every day. Before leaving, my mother encouraged me to "expand my knowledge", but as a result, I took a broom and chased me out the door. Having finished the last spoonful of noodles, I somehow followed the flow of people and walked to that classroom. 12 The courtyard of a private courtyard is so full of people that even if you tiptoe, you can't even see inside. Just as he was about to turn back, a clear, clear voice suddenly rang out: "Today I'll teach you the Phoenix chapter from the Mountains and Seas Sutra." My ears immediately straightened and my spirit became enthusiastic. I turned around a few times, skillfully climbed up an old tree outside the courtyard, and finally saw clearly the besieged person in the center. A green robe, jade hairpin. He turned his back to me, holding a pen and writing on a blue stone slab. “The phoenix, once every five hundred years bathed in fire, is reborn…” I leaned over to adjust my posture to see more clearly. I did not expect the tree branch under my feet to “crack” with a “crack” sound — “Ah ah!” In the moment of falling, our instincts make us want to spread our wings and try to be patient. The expected pain did not happen — someone caught me. “Be careful, miss.” Raising my head, I immediately encountered a pair of smiling eyes, in which a golden light flashed as if there was a hidden stream of light. The sound of breathing was heard all around. Only then did I realize I was being carried by him. He quickly jumped down, his face burning like fire. Mr. Bach's eyes fell on my figure: "This lady also researched the Phoenix chapter?" “I…” – my throat was dry, choking on words. In the crowd, someone laughed: "Little Phuong doesn't know anything about education!" Immediately there was a burst of laughter. But Mr. Bach just held out his hand to me: "Tomorrow I will teach Dong Hai Chi Di. Would you like to come and assist?" I looked at his palm for three breaths, then suddenly turned around and ran away. This is so strange… Run After two streets, I stopped, holding onto the wall and panting. That night, I dreamed of the Peach Table above the thirty-three heavens. Under the canopy of the tree, the Emperor reached out to welcome me. But when I jumped down - that face turned into Mr. Bach. 13 In just one month, everything can change a lot. For example —— I have memorized the exact moment every day Mr. Bach passes by Lieu Lane. For example —— I know he likes Minh Tien Long Tinh tea the most, and hates coriander the most. For example - I started to pay attention to see if the flower brooch on my bun was askew. “Girl Phuong, are you going to listen to the lecture again?” – Lady Vuong selling tofu winked and teased. I pretended not to hear, walked faster, but my hand unconsciously touched the butterfly brooch I had just bought. “Today I'm talking about Tears between people.” – His voice was clear, like a gurgling stream. "Legend says that when people cry, their tears turn into pearls. But the most precious thing is not pearls, but..." "...are tears of blood, falling because of deep love!" – I blurted out. The entire hallway was silent for a moment. Mr. Bach turned his head, his eyes fell on me, the corners of his lips curled slightly: "Miss Phuong really has a wide range of literature." My face "burned" with heat. It's clear that it's a classic story I once read in the Emperor's study. After class, Mr. Bach called me back: "Tomorrow I want to go to Kinh Ho to look at the scenery. I heard there are hidden acquaintances. Would you like to go with me?" My fingers tightened the hem of my shirt: "I... I still have to look after the store..." "Only half a day." – he held out a willow leaf – “At the third hour of the Dragon, I will wait at the ferry wharf.” That night, I rummaged through all the classics about human relations in the Emperor's ring and read them in one go. If my mother were present, I would definitely laugh out loud - I actually prepared my "schoolwork" carefully for a walk! Kinh Ho is beautiful beyond imagination. Mr. Bach leaned on the pole and the boat glided smoothly on the water. Today he is wearing a white long shirt, his appearance looks... very similar... "Like who?" – he suddenly asked. I waved my hand in panic: "No... nothing like that!" “Miss Phuong seems to have something to say.” – he lightly tapped the bamboo pole on the lake surface – “Could it be… waiting for someone?” I was startled and suddenly raised my head to look straight into his eyes. 14 Mr. Bach's eyes suddenly became deep, making me suddenly remember the fog that could not be seen clearly in the Tam Sinh mirror. “My mother once said…” – I tightened my skirt – “waiting is the stupidest thing.” He laughed softly, suddenly bent down to pick a water lily, and put it in my hair: "The order is really smart. But there are some expectations... worth betting your whole life on." My heart skipped a beat. On the way back, it suddenly rained. Mr. Bach pulled out a green bamboo umbrella and spread it small, forcing us to walk shoulder to shoulder. His body temperature was transmitted through his sleeves, unlike the Emperor - the Emperor was always warm, while he carried the coolness of the mountain rain. “Are you still coming to listen to the lecture tomorrow?” – he asked standing in front of our house. I don't understand why, I just nodded instinctively. “So it's an appointment.” – he reached out to wipe away the raindrops on my shoulder – “I will wait for you.” Those three words are like a mantra, keeping me awake all night. For the first time, I hope mother comes home a little late. Unfortunately, God's will is teasing. "My child! Let's see what my mother brought back!" – early in the morning, she rushed in like the wind. I wrapped myself in a blanket and pretended to sleep. “Don't sleep anymore!” - she tugged at the blanket - "Guess what news I heard at Nam Thien Mon? Diep Thien De has gone into seclusion! I heard that if you want to enter the Heavenly Way, don't expect to leave the seclusion in less than a thousand years!" My fingers tightened the necklace around my neck. “Oh, it has nothing to do with me.” Her phoenix eyes narrowed, suddenly close: "Eh? This necklace..." As soon as her finger touched the piece of golden scale, she immediately retracted and took a deep breath: "Dragon energy... so powerful!" I rolled over on the bed and quickly stuffed the necklace into my shirt: "You admitted your mistake." The mother's face became unpredictable. She slowly stood up straight, took out a glass from her sleeve: "Actually... I even secretly went to Thirty-Third Trung Thien." In the mirror, a familiar scene appeared —— The peach garden table where I and the Emperor used to frequent, has now been blocked by a barrier, yellow leaves are scattered, no one is cleaning up. “The gardener said that before the retreat, the Emperor stood under the tree that he liked to climb for three days.” – her voice was soft. I grabbed the glass and threw it on the ground. "Enough!" Mother was scared by me, so she mumbled for a long time: "Who said he doesn't need me anymore..." But I didn't want to listen. I rushed out the door, the rain mixed with tears streaming down my face. The willow leaf that Mr. Bach gave me was burning hot in my palm, I ran with all my strength towards the ferry wharf. The ferry station is empty. There was only rain pattering on the floating duckweed, each ring of broken water ripples like a torn promise. “You liar.” – I sat down and hugged my pillow – “They are all liars.” A willow branch gently brushed my head. Looking up, I saw Mr. Bach holding an umbrella, standing quietly in the rain. “I said, I will wait for you.” I rushed into his arms, choking: "Mother is right... waiting is the stupidest thing." 15 Three years passed, like a stream quietly flowing through the green stone road in Thanh Khe town. I squatted on the tiled roof, watching Mr. Bach's figure walk out of the private residence. Today he is wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, the hem of his shirt fluttering, looking exactly like the Emperor from years ago in Ban Tao Vien. “Stealing another look?” – He raised his head, the corner of his lips carrying a smile. I almost fell off the roof: "Who... who's peeking! I'm... drying phoenix feathers!" He jumped slightly, his body gently fell to the side, sitting down next to me: "Are you done drying, my little phoenix?" That call made my heart tremble a beat. Because that was originally a way of addressing... only the Emperor used to call him. “Here, for you.” – He took out a packet of fragrant roasted chestnuts with sugar from his sleeve. “Tomorrow…” – he suddenly grabbed my hand – “I want to come visit the court.” Chestnuts fell all over the tiled roof. "She... she's not at home! She went to Nam Hai to find a place to sing!"