Chapter 6 — Ten Years in the Backyard

6

The second day after To Nguyet Nhu's face became ulcerated. The shopkeeper of the Tay Nhai pawn shop brought a secret letter. 「The person who looks after the Trieu family, named Trieu Lao Tu, is an alcoholic and especially likes the thirty-year-old wine of Xifeng Lau. His son had a gambling debt of three hundred taels, and within three days he could pay it off and save his life. In addition, the Jiangnan Ministry of Defense has completed contact, three waterways, two land routes are fully prepared, and there are twelve support points along the way, which can be used at any time. Just waiting for the lady to give orders.」

“A Nhuan, tell the shopkeeper to prepare silver and wine. On the fifteenth, I will go to Tay Phong Lau.”

"Are you going yourself? It's too dangerous."

"There are some things that you definitely have to do on your own. What about Doctor Lam?"

"The medicine to fake death and the herbal medicine have been prepared. It can be delivered today. The doctor said that the medicine will make the pulse completely disappear within twelve hours, making it look like you are really dead, but you must take the antidote within twelve hours, otherwise..."

“What if not?”

“If not, you will really die.”

On Thua Diep suddenly ordered and thoroughly examined the old man. When the news came, I was changing medicine for Canh Nhi. The wound on my back has begun to scab over and new skin has grown, but those dark scars are forever imprinted on that skin.

“Mother,” Canh Nhi lay face down on the bed, “Does father... not like me?”

My hand stopping to change the medicine: "Why do you ask that?"

"Because father has never come to visit you. The nanny at the old house said that father called you stupid and said you couldn't memorize books, so he took you away."

"Canh Nhi," I put down the medicine and gently stroked your hair, "Your father... has his own sufferings. But you must remember, no matter what happens, I will always love you. You are not a child that no one needs, I have a mother."

“So will you always be with me?”

“Will.” I hold your hand, "I will always be by your side, I will take you with me wherever I go."

There were footsteps outside the door. A Nhuan pushed the door open and walked in, his face pale:

"The Marquis has arrested all the nannies and housekeepers at the old house! Detaining them all in the firewood room in front of the yard, being interrogated! Miss Biao has also been called in!"

“Now?”

"Yes! It's not yet dawn. Marquis has already led people to the old house, just returned!"

I glanced at Canh Nhi, the child was looking at me uneasily. I bent down and gently kissed my child's forehead: "Good boy, wait here for me. Ah Nhuan, watch over you." I walked quickly to the front of the hospital. Outside the firewood room in the front yard, the family surrounded a circle. The door was slightly open, and cries and prayers could be heard inside.

"Master, please spare your life! This old slave is all doing his job!"

“Serving orders? Serving whom?”

I went to the door and stopped walking. In the firewood room, seven or eight nannies knelt on the ground, On Thua Diep sat in the middle, To Nguyet Nhu stood next to him.

“Say, who told you to attack the young master?”

The nannies looked at each other, no one dared to speak first.

"Don't say? Okay. Housekeeper, go invite their family members to come. Parents, children, brothers and sisters, not even one person is left out."

“Master!” An old nanny crawled up and kowtowed, "The old slave said! The old slave said it all! It was... it was Miss Bieu who told me! Miss Bieu said that the young master had a disobedient temper and needed to be strictly disciplined, telling the slaves... not to show mercy!"

"That's a lie! When did I say those words?! You bunch of slaves, you have done wrong yourself, and you dare to slander your master!”

“My lady! You can't cross the bridge like that! Last year's Mid-Autumn Festival, the young master couldn't memorize the book. He personally ordered him to be beaten ten times, not missing even one! That whip was also given by you, made of cowhide!”

“What about winter next year! The little boy refused to drink the ginseng soup that was given to him. People said he was unreasonable and was punished by kneeling in the snow for two hours! As soon as the young master returned home, he had a high fever and almost…”

“Shut up! Everyone shut up for me!” To Nguyet Nhu pointed at the nannies, then turned to On Thua Diep, "Brother! I believe in you! They were ordered by others and deliberately framed you! It's definitely Tham Thanh Tu! She hates her sister, so she bribes these slaves..."

“That's enough.”

On Thua Diep spoke, the whole firewood room immediately quieted down. He stood up, walked in front of To Nguyet Nhu, and bowed his head to look at her.

“Nguyet Nhu, before your mother died, she gave you to me. For the past ten years, I have let you take charge of the house, give you dignity, and let you speak as one in the Marquis' Palace. Do you repay me like that?”

“Brother, I really don't…”

“So what are these?” On Thua Diep pulled out a stack of papers from his sleeve and threw it in front of her.

“This is the money you withdrew from the marquis's books over the years. Three thousand taels, send it to Thanh Nam casino to repay your useless brother's debt. Five thousand taels, bribed a deputy from the Penal Department, to inquire about the progress of the old Tham family case. As for these things, the correspondence between you and the Ministry of the Lang Lai family is named Vuong, and the Minister of the Ministry of the Household family is family name Ly. Nguyet Nhu, is truly my good cousin."

To Nguyet Nhu fell limply to the ground.

"My brother... my sister... I'm just..."

“Just what? Just watching me on behalf of the To family? Just replace those who want to overthrow me and supervise Tham Thanh Tu?”

“You clearly know she is a disaster! Who knows how many people will be offended by keeping her here! Why are you still protecting her?! What good is she?! A sinful daughter, someone who can't help you at all! I'm the one who truly cares for you! I'm the one who can help you!”

“So you mistreated her son? So you tried every way to force her to death? Nguyet Nhu, it's not because of me, it's because of you. You just want the position of Mrs. Hou, you want this entire palace.”

He stood up, no longer looking at her, and said to the butler:

“Take these people and hand them over to the government officials. Say whatever you want. As for the young lady... take her back to the To family. Tell your father, from now on, To Nguyet Nhu and Ninh Vien Hau palace will no longer have any relationship."

“No!” To Nguyet Nhu hugged his leg tightly, "Brother! You can't treat me like that! I have done so much for you! For your sake, I don't even need my reputation! How could you…”

On Thua Diep did not turn around and walked straight out of the firewood room. He saw me standing outside the door. We looked at each other, no one said anything. In the firewood room, To Nguyet Nhu's cries gradually diminished, turning into desperate sobs. The family began to drag the other nannies away, the sounds of begging and crying mixed together.

“You heard it all.”

“I heard it, it turns out Marquis knows everything.”

“I know more than you think.” He took a step forward, "Go back to your room, I have something to say." speak."