Chapter 2 — The Marquis was wronged, I hid with my young master, and later overturned the capital to collect debt.

The gates of the capital are extremely strictly controlled. Notices are plastered everywhere. Even though I'm illiterate, I recognize the faces painted on it. He is the male head of the Marquis Palace. From the old Marquis, to the newly born young master Co Chieu. Each and every person is drawn to the point of being lifelike. The bounty is so high that it makes people scared. I used a torn piece of cloth to wrap Co Chieu tightly in my heart. I used the ash from the bottom of the pot to smear it on my face. At first glance, I look like an ordinary woman on the run. I don't dare follow the official path. You can only go deep into the mountains and old forests. Sleep during the day. Set out at night. When you're hungry, go digging wild vegetables and picking wild fruits. When you're thirsty, drink mountain spring water. Co Chieu was so hungry that he cried non-stop. I don't have milk. You can only chew the wild vegetables in your mouth, then put them into its mouth little by little. He wasn't used to eating, he vomited while eating. Crying to the point of tearing my heart apart. Our hearts are like being cut by a knife. This was originally a young master who was cherished like a pearl. Have you ever had to endure such suffering? I can only hold it in my arms and comfort it over and over again.

"Chieu Nhi, be good, only after you eat can you continue to live."

“Living, is more important than anything.”

It seems to understand. Again, I don't seem to understand. I was just tired of crying and fell into a deep sleep. I carried it on my back, taking one deep step and then another sinking step as I walked through the forest. The shoes on my feet have long been torn. There were bloody cuts all over his legs. Every step is like stepping on a sharp blade. But I don't dare stop. I'm afraid that if I stop, I won't have the strength to continue. I'm afraid that if we stop, the pursuing soldiers will immediately catch up. The Marquis's enemies are too many. They will not ignore any living person. Especially Co Chieu. It is the sole deity of the Marquis Palace. It is a thorn in the eyes of many people. I don't know how many days have passed. We were finally able to leave that vast piece of mountain forest with no end in sight. A river appears before our eyes. On the bank of the river there is a small wharf. An old boatman was leaning against the boat and dozing off. I stepped forward and handed out the golden brooch that Lady Hou had given me.

“Uncle, take us across the river.”

The old boatman opened his cloudy eyes, looked at the golden hairpin, then looked at me.

“Running away?”

I nodded.

“Is there someone behind?”

I didn't say anything, just hugged Co Chieu a little tighter in my arms. He let out a sigh.

“Get on the boat.”

He took the golden brooch and untied the boat. The small boat was like a lonely leaf, slowly drifting towards the other shore. I turned my head to look back. The road that has been passed has been covered by darkness. Can't see anything clearly anymore. Just like the road ahead of us. It's so foggy that you can't see the way.

“Miss, where are you going?”

The old boatman asked.

“To a place… where no one knows us.”

“The world is so vast, there is no place that is truly peaceful.”

The old boatman shook his head.

“The current world is very chaotic.”

Chaos to the point of nothing. If there is no chaos, how can the Marquis Palace collapse? I reached out and touched Co Chieu's hot forehead. It's cold inside. It's got a fever. It started from yesterday, still Always in a coma and unable to wake up. No matter how much we call, we cannot wake it up.

“Boss, is there any town nearby?”

“Yes, after crossing the river, go another thirty miles to Thanh Thach town.”

“Is there a doctor in town?”

“Yes, yes, it's just…”

The old boatman said half a sentence and then stopped.

“Just what?”

"The town has not been peaceful lately, the investigation is very strict, it seems like they are hunting for some serious criminal."

My heart immediately sank to the bottom. We know who they're arresting. The boat slowly reached the shore. I hugged Co Chieu, taking one deep step and one shallow step, step by step towards Thanh Thach town. Thirty miles. We walked all night. As the sky was about to dawn, we finally saw the faint outline of Thanh Thach town in the distance. I don't dare enter the main gate. We went around the back of the town and found a section of the collapsed and ruined siege wall. I hugged Co Chieu and climbed over with difficulty. The town is extremely quiet. Occasionally, only a few dogs barking could be heard in the dead of night. I found a secluded corner, sat down and took a deep breath. Co Chieu's breathing in his heart became weaker and weaker. I know, we can't wait any longer. We must find a doctor. I hugged Co Chieu and knocked on the door of a shop hanging lanterns with the word "Medicine". The person who opened the door was a drug dealer.

“Did you come to the doctor so early?”

“The baby has a fever, please doctor to save him.”

Little boy let me inside. An old man with a white beard and white hair was yawning. He saw Co Chieu in my arms and frowned slightly.

“Very severe fever.”

He raised his hand to touch Co Chieu's forehead.

“Why did it take so long to bring it here?”

I don't know how to answer. The old doctor did not ask any more questions. He prescribed medicine and sent a servant to fetch the medicine.

"First stay here, wait for the baby's fever to subside before continuing."

I thank you endlessly. At that moment, a chaotic sound of footsteps was heard outside. Along with the shouts of the soldiers.

“Every house and every household must be searched!”

“Don't leave anyone out!”

My body instantly stiffened. The old doctor looked at me with complicated eyes. He pointed toward a shallow well in the backyard.

“Hide inside.”

I don't hesitate. I hugged Co Chieu and jumped into the dry well. The top was quickly covered with a well lid. In the darkness, I can only hear my heart beating rapidly. Also, the sound of Co Chieu's weak breathing.