Chapter 5 — Ten Years in the Backyard

She looked at me, then spoke softly after a long time:

"This sister... doesn't believe Nguyet Nhu?"

"Should I believe? I remember how my cousin 'took care' of Canh Nhi these years. Every whip, every stick, I count for you."

"If you already know everything, then Nguyet Nhu doesn't need to hide it anymore. That's right, I sent someone to beat you. Is the son born of a criminal from the Tham family also worthy of being the son of the Marquis? Sister, do you really think that the Marquis let you give birth to this child because he loves you?"

"Oh? So tell me, why?"

"Because of guilt. Because the Marquis owes money to the Shen family. But how long can the guilt last? It's been ten years, sister, the Marquis has already lost patience. He kept you, just because the old Shen family case hasn't completely ended yet, he needs you alive, to silence some people."

"Wait until the case settles down, think about it, can you still sit in this court? Can your son still be your son?"

I looked at her and laughed loudly, laughing so much that tears welled up in my eyes. To Nguyet Nhu was startled by my laughter and took a step back:

“What are you laughing at?”

"I laugh at you, stupid. To Nguyet Nhu, you think you've won, right? You think the Marquis Palace will be yours sooner or later, right?"

"Isn't it true? The Marquis is my cousin, the To family is his greatest support. And you, Tham Thanh Tu, what do you have? The Tham family is no longer there, the mother's family is no longer there, and even the son cannot be protected. Why are you fighting with me?"

"I don't need to fight. Because there are things that are not yours, no matter how much you fight, you won't be able to fight."

She hated it and threw my hand away:

"Don't stay here pretending to be a ghost. Tham Thanh Tu, I came today to give you the last chance. After tomorrow's palace banquet, personally tell Marquis, to adopt Canh Nhi as my adopted son in my name. That way, he can at least keep his identity as his son, and you can still continue to be Mrs. Hau, and die peacefully in this backyard."

“What if I don't agree?”

"Then the next time your son suffers, it won't just be a whip. Behind the old man there is a shallow well, very deep, where one or two children fell, not even a sound could be heard."

The smile on my face became even brighter.

"My sister," I said softly, raising my hand to fix a strand of hair tangled in her ear, "I accept your good intentions. But you should still save these words and tell Marquis."

On my hand there is a layer of fine, bland powder that I wiped behind her ear. It is the powder medicine Lam Thai gave this morning. It is colorless and odorless. If it sticks to the skin for three hours, it will cause redness, swelling, and ulcers, which will take seven days to heal. To Nguyet Nhu was completely unaware, just coldly looking at me:

“You just wait and see.”

She waved her sleeves and left. A Nhuan closed the door, his eyes full of worry. I waved my hand, walked to the water basin, and carefully washed my hands. It's been ten years. I pretended to be submissive, pretended to be timid, pretended to be a chambermaid and let people trample on me. I thought I could protect Canh Nhi and myself, but I almost risked my son's life. From now on, I won't pretend anymore.

“Ah Nhuan, go tell doctor Lam Thai, I need the medicine to fake death and Cao Cai Dung medicine tomorrow.”

"The palace banquet is an opportunity. The Queen Mother called the roll and wanted to see me, the official Literature and martial arts are all present. If I suddenly became seriously ill at the palace banquet, in front of so many people, On Thua Diep would not dare not invite the Royal Doctor. But Thai Doctor Lam is the most trusted Royal Doctor by the Queen Mother."

A Nhuan realized:

“Madam, do you want to use yourself as bait?”

“Yes. I want to die in front of everyone, then leave completely.”

Outside the window there was a commotion, someone shouted in panic:

“My lady! What's wrong with Miss Biao?!”

I walked to the window and saw To Nguyet Nhu being supported by two maids. She covered her face and cried in her voice:

“My face… my face hurts…”

When passing by our hospital, she suddenly raised her head. From a distance, I saw red rashes on her face and neck, her eyes staring at me. I smiled at her, then closed the window.

“Madam, Marquis is here.”

Before he finished speaking, the door was pushed open. On Thua Diep walked in, his face pale, glanced at the red clothes on his body, then looked at the messy jewelry on the dressing table, and finally his eyes stopped on my face:

“What is Nguyet Nhu's face?”

“Your face? I saw that she was fine just now.”

“She said that after leaving her place, it started to become red and swollen with sores. Tham Thanh Tu, what did you do to her?

“The Marquis asked a strange question. My cousin came and said a few words and then left. What can we do to her? Can I still put my hands and feet on her face?”

“Doctor Lam Thai came today, right?”

“Yes. Come for Canh Nhi's follow-up examination. If you don't believe me, you can go ask the doctor."

“I already asked. The doctor said, Nguyet Nhu was infected with a rare poison."

“So what does that have to do with me? Does the Marquis think that I poisoned him? I live in the palace all year round, where can I find such a rare poison?"

He remained silent, holding my hand but not letting go:

“Thanh Tu, I know you hate Nguyet Nhu. But after all, she is my cousin, the daughter of the To family. If she does so, she will bring great trouble."

“Troublesome?” I smiled faintly, “Master Marquis, compared to the injury on Canh Nhi's back, compared to the wrongs I have endured for ten years, this little trouble is insignificant. Sister-in-law just has a sore face. But what about Canh Nhi? The wound on its back, some of which cannot be cured in a lifetime!”

“So you use this trick to get revenge? Tham Thanh Tu, when did you become like this?

“Isn't it all because of what you gave me to become like this?” I walked up to him, raised my head and looked straight, "On Thua Diep, it's been ten years. He let me watch my son being tortured. Now, I just made my child's bully suffer a little pain, have you seen how I've changed? So tell me, what kind of person should I be? Should I resign? Should I be grateful?

“Tomorrow, she must go to the palace banquet. The Queen Mother wants to see her, all civil and military officials are present, this is the last chance."

“Last chance? What opportunity?”

I stood still in place, looking at the person in the mirror wearing a red shirt, suddenly remembering ten years ago, the day I married into the marquis' palace. It's the same brilliant red color, it's the same heavy pearl. I sat in the flower palanquin, listening to the bustling sounds of drums and gongs outside, my heart was filled with anticipation, thinking that from here on, there would be a place to take refuge, a place to rely on.