Chapter 4 — The Marquis was wronged, I hid with my young master, and later overturned the capital to collect debt.

The strong, rusty taste of blood makes me awake in the blink of an eye. We see light ahead. Not fire, but water. A small stream. We see hope. I staggered and ran to the riverbank. Using both hands to hold the cool spring water, little by little, he fed it into Co Chieu's dry, chapped lips. Water flowed down the corner of its mouth. It doesn't swallow. My heart, little by little, sinks. I placed it on the soft grass beside the stream. After that, I buried my head in the cold water. The bone-chilling cold made my dazed mind completely awake. I raised my head and took a big breath. Can't give up. Absolutely impossible. We started searching around the small stream. I remember when I was young, the old people in the village used to say. Where there is water, there will be life. We look for wild vegetables that we can eat. Also look for herbs that can save lives. I don't understand anything. We can only rely on vague memories to identify the shapes of those plants. We see a type of grass blooming with small purple flowers. I remember, my aunt once said that this herb can reduce fever. It's like I grabbed a straw that saved my life. I picked it up frantically. I put the herbs in my mouth and chew them. The bitter taste immediately filled the mouth. I don't care. I pried open Co Chieu's mouth, took the chewed herbs, and fed him little by little. It still has no response. I sat next to it, calling its name over and over again.

“Chieu Nhi.”

“Young master.”

“Open your eyes and look at me a little.”

“I beg you.”

My voice was so hoarse that I didn't even recognize it. The sky gradually darkened. The night in the mountain is scary cold. I hugged Co Chieu in my arms, took off my tattered outer coat, and wrapped it tighter. I picked up some dry branches and leaves. I use two rocks, constantly hitting each other. I want to light a fire. We need fire. Fire can bring warmth and can also chase away wild animals. My hands were very quickly torn. Blood flowed profusely. But I cannot strike out even a single spark. I threw away two stones in despair. I hugged Co Chieu and leaned against a large tree. We hear the sound of wind and wolves howling. We feel death is very close to us. We started telling stories to it. Tell stories that we ourselves do not know. Stories about Marquis.

“Young master, your father is a great hero who conquers the heavens and the earth.”

"The border guard has won countless battles."

"Your mother is the number one beauty in the capital. Even the fairies in the sky are fascinated by her music."

"Your grandfather is the reigning royal deputy, even the emperor has three points of respect."

I can't continue talking anymore. Tears, silently sliding down. All of these things have become a passing smoke. The person in my heart is no longer the true Marquis. Just a newborn baby in a time of chaos, at any time he could die prematurely. And I am not a loyal servant protecting my master. I am just a pitiful person, struggling to survive for a promise. Don't know how much time has passed. I feel like I'm about to freeze. Co Chieu's body also became colder and colder. Just when my consciousness is about to disintegrate. We heard a series of footsteps. Not like military officers. Neither like exiles. I cautiously raised my head. In the darkness, a tall figure stepped out. He wore a bow on his back and carried a wild chicken in his hand. Like a ghost in the deep mountains. He walked in front of me. His eyes, bitterly, fell on Co Chieu in my heart. I instinctively hugged Co Chieu tighter. Use your body to block his vision. That person said nothing. He squatted down. He reached out a rough hand and placed it on Co Chieu's forehead. His fingers carried the cold aura of ice and snow. But it makes us feel an inexplicable peace of mind. He opened his mouth. His voice was like his hand, rough, but calm. We don't know who he is. Be a good person. Or bad guys. He seemed to have seen my precautions.

“If you don't go anymore, the baby will lose his life.”

This statement hits me in my weakest spot. I looked at Co Chieu who was struggling in my heart. We have no other choice. I hugged it and staggered to my feet. Follow the man, step deeper into the darkness. He was a quiet man. He walked ahead, his steps steady, like a lone wolf familiar with his territory. I hugged Co Chieu and followed him. My physical strength was soon exhausted, I almost collapsed several times. He didn't seem to notice at all. Maybe just lazy to pay attention. We stayed like that, one front, one back, going for a very long distance. Until we saw the mountain valley in the distance, a faint light glimmering. There is a small wooden house there. Very simple. It looks like it was arbitrarily built from wood in the mountains. The man pushed the door open and entered. A stream of warmth, mixed with the smell of herbs and kitchen smoke, hit me straight in the face. Inside, the decoration is extremely simple. A wooden bed, a table, a few chairs. On the walls hang animal skins and bows and arrows. The man pointed to the wooden bed.

“Put it up there.”

I did as told, carefully placing Co Chieu on the bed. The blankets on the bed are old, but very clean. The man lights a candle in the house. Under dim yellow candlelight. I just saw his face clearly. It was a weathered face etched with traces. About forty years old. Eyes sharp like an eagle. He is not an easy person to approach. That was my first feeling. He walked to the bed and carefully checked Co Chieu's condition. His finger placed his finger on the baby's weak pulse. Eyebrows slightly furrowed. Our hearts also hang in the balance.

"The fever is very severe, there is evil fire in the lungs."

He came to a conclusion.

“What did you feed it?”

“Wildflower Grass and Dia Dinh.” I replied in a low voice.

He glanced at me, a bit of surprise in his eyes.

“Do you still know herbs?”

“Just… only recognize that type.”

He snorted coldly.

"This medicine is too cold. How can a small body like it endure it?"

My face, for a moment, turned pale.