Chapter 7 — Tham Dien

I raised my head to look at him, still smiling on the outside, but the bottom of my eyes were frozen:

"My little lady was originally a peaceful maid, but you deliberately accepted her as a concubine, let her be oppressed by her mother until she became sick, and finally sent her back to her hometown to die on her own."

"That year I knelt on the ground and begged people not to chase her away. Who was it that had the heart to kick me out?"

"I was humiliated at the Marquis' Palace, so I came back crying and told people, but who told me to hold back and not ruin the family's future?"

My father's face changed from blue to white. He reluctantly smiled and said:

“Why… why suddenly bring up the old story?”

"Father was also helpless back then! Look, aren't you living a very good life now?"

"If we live well, it's up to ourselves."

“It has nothing to do with your so-called reluctance.”

I interrupted him, my voice was not loud but every word was clear:

“When the people at the Civil Service were in charge of repairing the water canal on the outskirts of the capital and three major bridges, they embezzled three parts of the money.”

“I just found out that those books were seen and I even copied a copy.”

“I have already handed it over to Do Sat Institute.”

“The officers and soldiers should be on their way at this time.”

His whole body trembled violently, his eyes immediately widened:

"You... you are an unfilial child! You dare to denounce your biological father?!"

Before he finished speaking, his eyes turned red and he rushed towards me. But he was pinned down by the soldiers who had just arrived, and dragged away by his arms. Three days later, the court issued a verdict. My father's embezzlement was true, all his assets were confiscated, and the whole family was exiled three thousand miles away. As for the little lady... I quietly welcomed her back to the palace. Sai maid mama wholeheartedly serves her, from now on she no longer needs to look at anyone's face to live. ... After arranging things for the young lady, the last rock in my heart also fell. But looking at that closed room in winter fog all year round, I feel uncomfortable. Although Ta Tranh was paralyzed, mute, his body was shriveled, and he looked haggard, he still watched with his own eyes as I sent him to the grave. Yet, people still serve me attentively. It's so comfortable. But that scene... It's not something I like to see. Something must be done to make the palace bustling. As soon as this thought appeared, it couldn't be suppressed anymore. I took the title of a young prince, needed talented assistants, and recruited a few handsome young strategists. Every day, we discussed work with them in the study room, recited poems at the water fountain, and enjoyed the scenery in the garden. At night, they also let them take turns staying at the Marquis' Palace to educate the young prince. Every time we laughed and talked happily with them, Ta Tranh would be pushed outside to get some fresh air and then see them. At night, when we are looking for fun and pleasure, Ta Tranh can always hear those vague sounds. He was paralyzed in a wheelchair, his yellow face twisted like a ghost. Even if I want to scream, I can't make a sound. If you want to move, you will be as stiff as rotten wood. He could only widen his bloodshot eyes, staring at the misty room, his whole body trembling. Finally... He spat out a mouthful of blood, staining the front of his shirt red. Tieu Tu was scared to death and kept calling out to someone. I hurriedly ran over with my clothes disheveled, my face full of worry, I knelt down and used a towel to wipe the corner of his mouth:

"Master Marquis! What's wrong with you? Are you unwell somewhere?"

Ta Tranh stared wide-eyed at the red kiss mark on my neck, his eyes almost cracked, but he couldn't say a word. But... I read his lips again. He is scolding me for being an independent woman. You're scolding me for being an untouchable. I burst out laughing. Leaning close to his ear, he asked softly:

"It's just like that and you can't stand it already?"

"In the past life, when you stood outside the door, listening to To Vong ruin my innocence, weren't you still very calm?"

Ta Tranh's whole body shook violently, his pupils constricted sharply. We continue:

“At that time, were you thinking…”

“If you destroy me, you will be free, right?”

“But have you ever thought about…”

“I, Tham Dien, am also human.”

"You don't deserve to be held in someone else's hands and exhausted for the rest of your life."

“That's it.”

“If I tell you, you won't understand.”

I took a half step back, my eyes calmly scanning his terrified face.

“Later I often think…”

“If you had woken up that night, pushed open the door and come in to save me, would things have been different?”

“Unfortunately, there are no ifs in this world.”

“Your parents and younger siblings from the To family have both paid the price for their choices.”

“And you… don't deserve to die.”

“Ta Tranh, I want you to live well.”

"Look at how life and water arise in me."

“Look at how I raised my son, see how he inherits your title.”

“That is the payment I want.”

Having finished speaking, I stood up straight and said in a calm voice:

“The Marquis is full of blood and spirit, quickly send him back to his room, use the best medicine.”

He was pushed away. Like a piece of rotten wood that has completely rotted. Less than two days later, a servant came to report:

“The Marquis… is gone.”

When the news came, I was taking my son to fly a kite in the yard. The spring sky is surprisingly clear and blue. The swallow-shaped kite flew higher and higher with the wind, almost entering the blue clouds.

“Madam…”

Mom reported in a low voice, just wanted to say it again.

“I know.”

I firmly held the rope, a piece of clarity in my heart. Dien... is originally a eagle. Should have been free, flying high in the sky. But I was bound by a rope, letting people trample me on for half my life. Now... maybe I'm still just a kite held by a string. The only difference is, the person holding the rope has changed to me. If I want to fly, I can ride the wind. I don't want to fly, and no one can move me even half of it. The sky and earth are vast, the wind is thousands of miles long. Finally, let me come and go as I please, roam freely. Full text complete.