Chapter 19 — The day my mother wanted to reconcile, I tore up her letter of reconciliation

I quietly looked at her, suddenly understanding in my heart why this part had to go to this step. It's not just about exposing the conspiracy that can be called victory. The fact that my mother went from patiently backing down, to daring to sit up straight and stand up to protect me... in itself, was a turning point.

"Okay." I replied once.

The light burned quietly. Mother and son sat opposite each other, no one said anything else. But some things have quietly changed in silence. Before the night's night watch from the street ended, I opened the death book to look at it again. The other lines are still intact. If you want to change your destiny, you must first cut it off at the root. I stared intently at those words, suddenly appearing in my mind were the silhouettes of people who had gradually appeared over the past few days. Willow Nhu Nuong is just a branch and leaf. Bui Thua An is just the result. The real root is a whole set of rules in this palace, which have existed for many years by default, tolerated, and used women and blood as exchange pieces. But tomorrow, at least we can cut off this immediate root. When it wasn't quite dawn yet, I finally closed the book and stood up to change my clothes. The first early morning bell rang loudly outside the window. From the street, the incense burner must have begun to be placed. When the door from the street opened, the sky was gloomy as if covered with a layer of lead. The Bui family came in large numbers. The old lady was indeed still sick. She was supported by someone and sat in the upper position, her face gray and white, her eyes fixed on the incense burner in the middle. The uncles in the second room were all present, even the old men who were usually rarely seen were invited to a few people, everyone looked solemn, as if today was not a child's reputation, but the reputation of the entire Bui family. Lieu Nhu Nuong arrived the latest. She wore a light-colored dress, no makeup, only the most ordinary silver hairpin, holding Bui Thua An in her arms, her eyes crying until they were red. The child also seemed to know that today was different, always stirring uneasily in her arms, occasionally crying a few times. This appearance is truly the image of an orphan and widow that could not be more beautiful. People who don't know what's going on will probably soften their hearts three times before seeing it. When I helped my mother enter, many eyes were gathered in the hallway. Unlike Lieu Nhu Nuong's pitiful and weak appearance, today Tham is dressed extremely neatly. A light-colored loose sleeve, hair neatly tied without a single strand of tangle, although her face was still pale, her spine was straight. When she sat down next to the chair, even the elders who were inclined towards the old lady couldn't help but look at her one more time. This is the appearance of the Duke's wife. It was also the first time she actually sat in front of everyone with this status. The old lady glanced at Thi Tham, a gloomy light flashed through her eyes. Obviously, she didn't like to see Thi Tham sitting so firmly. But today, it is no longer a play that she can complete alone. When everyone had gathered, the third uncle with the highest status in the clan gently cleared his throat.

"Today's opening ceremony is to determine the succession after the death of the National Duke. Whether Bui Thua An will be recorded in the family tree or not, it must be clearly stated in front of the ancestors and the clan. Old lady, you have advocated this, so say it first." Go."

The old lady slowly rotated the rosary, her voice was weak, but still carried a powerful presence.

“Before he passed away, Triet Nhi was most worried about this child. Now that you are gone, your blood cannot stray outside. Although Thua An is not his biological son, he is also a member of the Bui family. Tham Thi doesn't have a son, so write him down in the family tree, both emotionally and logically."

The word "rules" was emphasized very heavily by her. Several clan elders who had already leaned aside also nodded. The second old man continued:

“That's right. No matter how you say it from the outside, this child still has the last name Bui. Now that the National Duke is no longer there, if the Bui family still does not recognize it, wouldn't it make people feel cold when spreading it out?

I just want to laugh. Putting a child of unknown origin into the temple is what makes the ancestors cold. Seeing this, Lieu Nhu Nuong immediately hugged the child and knelt down, crying until her voice trembled.

"I don't ask for anything else, I only ask for a title for Thua An."

“Even if I told you to immediately die, I would still accept.”

"But he is the son of the Duke, he can't even be recognized by his ancestors..."

While crying, she pushed the child forward. The child burst into tears just in time. The street immediately became quieter. This scene is the thing that most easily moves people's hearts. In return, the person who couldn't keep calm was afraid that this cry would disrupt the previous battle. But I just looked at her, waiting for her to cry enough. Waiting until the crying gradually subsided, my mother Tham Thi slowly opened her mouth.

“Are you done talking?”

Lieu Nhu Nuong froze, her crying stopped for a moment.