Chapter 16 — The Husband and Little Uncle Fake the Disaster, My Sister and I Clean Up the Marquis' Palace

Sunlight passed through the door and fell to the ground. In the yard, the Pipa tree was much taller than before. Over the past few years, we moved house, opened a store, bought a new hospital, but still kept this first house. Not because there isn't enough money to change to a better place, but because many things start from here. When I sat in front of the bronze mirror, Tieu Ngoc Xu walked over with a comb. I looked at her through the mirror.

“Shouldn't we let the happy lady do it?”

“I don't believe it, my lady.”

She spoke very naturally.

“I trust my hands more.”

I burst out laughing. She stood behind me, slowly combing my hair. Her movements are not too proficient. Obviously never done this before. But be very careful. The wooden comb goes through the hair little by little, as if combing back the years that have passed. After a while, Tieu Ngoc Xu suddenly spoke.

“Do you still remember the day we left the Marquis Palace?”

“How could I forget?”

She laughed.

“At that time, I still thought, I don't know if the two of us would die in the middle of the road or not.”

I remember the horse carriage that year, remember the people of the Tieu family chasing after us on the official road, and also remember the notebook hidden in the cotton shirt. At that time, we really did not know what the future would hold. I only know that if I don't go, I will be buried in the Marquis Palace for the rest of my life.

“Tell me.” Tieu Ngoc Xu looked at me in the mirror. “What if we don't go that day?”

I thought for a moment.

“If you don't go, you will still be the eldest lady of the Marquis Palace.”

She immediately scolded.

"What is it, Miss? At most, it's just an item waiting for someone to exchange for benefits."

I do not object. Because it's true.

“If you don't go.” I said softly. "Perhaps I'm still in a certain hospital of the Marquis Palace, calculating every day to see if I still have enough money to pay the debt this month. Maybe I'm still waiting for an explanation. Maybe I'm too tired to bear it anymore."

Tieu Ngoc Xu said nothing. She continued to brush my hair. After a while, he laughed.

“Luckily we went.”

“Luckily we went.”

The room became quiet again. The late autumn sunlight shines on the bronze mirror, reflecting a pale streak of light. By the time she reached the door, her hair had already been combed. The crimson uniform was put on. A red veil covers it. Outside the yard came the sound of fireworks and laughter. Everything is just bustling enough. Not too ostentatious. Not too cold either. Exactly like Ta Can Ngon's personality. Over the years, he's still like that. Don't promise big things. Don't do anything earth-shattering. He just stood there quietly. When you need help, help. When you need to retreat, retreat. When I was not ready, he never took another step. That's why today came. The flower palanquin arrived at the door at an auspicious hour. I was helped onto the palanquin. On the way, I suddenly remembered many old things. Remember the spiritual hall of that year. Remember your debts. Remember the first night in Jiangnan. Remembering the book of peace and separation that burned to ashes. But those memories no longer hurt people's hearts. They just look like a road gone by. There exists. But there's no need to look back. The wedding took place very smoothly. No one came to disrupt the party. There are no bride robbers. There were no incidents. Even Tieu Thua Duc did not appear. Because by this time, he understood. There are people Once you miss it, there's no going back. There are doors that, once closed, will not open a second time. But he lost the right to stand in front of that door a long time ago. In the evening, when the wedding party ended, the palanquin gradually disappeared from the alley. Tieu Ngoc Xu was still standing in front of the door, watching. The late autumn wind blew past, fluttering her shirt. Next to her, someone called her. She didn't reply. Just look at the road ahead for a long time. After a long time, she slowly laughed. That smile no longer carries bitterness. No longer carry resentment. I no longer carry the years of imprisonment in the Marquis Palace. First time in my life. She feels that the future truly belongs to her. Ten years later, the Pipa tree in the yard was taller than the porch. That year Tieu Ngoc Xu criticized the tree for not growing well, saying the fruit would definitely be sour. Later, the tree actually bore fruit again. The first year the fruit was small and tasted so harsh that she ate a piece and immediately frowned and threw it to the fish. The second year was a little better. By the third year, the fruit was golden and sweet, and every time the season came, the children stood under the tree and looked up in anticipation. Tieu Ngoc Xu now also has his own house. She did not marry into a high-class house, nor did she choose someone who could bring her dignity. That person was the teacher who had been argued with her until he blushed at the store that year. Her temperament is mild and her mouth is not as smart as hers, but every time she gets angry, she always stands still and listens before pouring her a cup of tea.