Chapter 2 — Two Fathers

I took the jade button from my sleeve and placed it on condemnation. "Father." My voice is very small. “You won't make people lose face, will you?” His throat moved slightly. "Are not." "It won't make that person lose face, will it?" He was silent. A long time later, he raised his hand to cover the jade button engraved with the word Ta. "Are not." Suddenly there was a drum sound outside the palace. One hour. Two hours. Three hours. The maid's voice came from outside the palace door, high-pitched and trembling. "Your Majesty's master returns to the court!" The entire martial arts hall stood up at the same time. Even my father stood up. I raised my head. This is the first time I have seen an official reveal such an expression. Awe. Be cautious. There is also tension that is hard to put into words. Outside the palace gate, footsteps came from far and near. No rush. No chaos. Every step is like stepping on everyone's heart. I lowered my head to look at the jade button on the case. The word Ta reflects the cold light under the lamp. But the voice outside the hall rang out again. “Ta Thu enters the palace!” 03 Father Ta Thu. I stared at the jade button. It felt like someone knocked on my heart. Dumbbell. The father's name is also Ta. I want to ask dad. But dad stood up straight. There was no longer half of the usual laziness on his face. The spine is tense. Like hearing a trumpet command before going into battle. I have never seen him like that. Who is Tham Hac Tranh? Commander of 300,000 northern soldiers and horses. When the Emperor asked about it, he still dared not to kneel yet. The royal historian in the royal court criticized him for his stubbornness, he tore up the chapter right in the palace. But at this moment, just hearing one name made him feel like he was nailed to the spot. The door of the Tai Chi Palace was completely opened. The night wind blew in the snow. The light shines gently. That person entered the palace. Dark red organelles. Pearl waist belt. Black hair is tied high with gold mandarin. His face was cold, his eyebrows and eyes were cold. Behind him was a team of officials and generals who had just returned from the northern front line. They still have road dust on them. But no one dared to go more than half a step beyond that person. The officials in the palace simultaneously bowed. “Welcome Lord Father's triumph.” I don't kneel. I am small and obscured by the sentence. I just raised my head to look at that person. That person doesn't look like a civil servant. Officials should hold pens. That person looks like someone holding a sword. That person's eyes swept across the palace. Don't stop on anyone. Until I saw my father. In that moment, that person's footsteps stopped. Very short. So short that others may not notice it. But we see. Because my father's hand also tightened at the same time. The two of them looked at each other across the Tai Chi Palace. No one said anything. The palace was so quiet that you could hear the sound of lamp oil crackling. The Emperor sat high up, smiled and spoke. “It's been hard for Ta Khanh.” Father Ta Thu retracted his gaze. That person lifted his robe and knelt down. “Lord Xie Wu Cuu, see your majesty.” Ta Vo Cuu. That name fell into my ears. I lowered my head to look at the jade button. The word Ta above suddenly became heavy. The emperor grants the chair. Ta Vo Cuu sat in the first position of civil officials. Just a short distance away from my father. One literature, one martial art. One red one black. Like two swords that had both come out of their sheaths. The banquet continued. The weapon moves forward. The sound of the flute rang out. But I didn't listen at all. I just stared at Ta Vo Cuu. That person drinks very little alcohol. Eat almost nothing. Someone comes to drink wine, but he only raises the cup to his lips. Everyone who approached laughed and then retreated. But after leaving, the smile was frozen on his face. I asked Uncle Tan in a low voice. “Is that person very ferocious?” Ba Tan bowed his head. “Father Xie is not ferocious.” I looked at him. Ba Tan added another sentence. “It's just that people who offend him usually don't end up well.” I nodded. “So it's very ferocious.” Uncle Tan didn't speak anymore. My father also said nothing. Today he drank alcohol very quickly. One cup after another. I pressed his hand back. “Don't drink anymore.” He looked at me. The bottom of the eyes is slightly red. “A Dien.” "Yes?" “No matter what happens later, don't be afraid.” I frowned. “What will happen?” He did not reply. At that moment, the lady from the Phung family opposite did not know when she raised her head. Just now she knelt before me, clearly not convinced. She saw me keep looking at Ta Vo Cuu and suddenly laughed coldly.

“Miss Shen is really brave.” I don't pay attention to her. Her voice became higher again. “Is your master also someone you can look straight at?” As soon as the words came out, the ladies next to him all looked over. I put down my chopsticks. “I look at that person, what does it have to do with you?” Miss Phung's face darkened. "Just now you relied on your father's military merits to oppress others, and now you dare to be rude in front of Lord Patriarch." Perhaps she wants to regain lost dignity. She stood up and bowed towards Ta Vo Cuu. "Your Excellency, Miss Tham is attending a palace banquet for the first time. She doesn't understand the rules. She just had a conflict with the Phung family. Now she's still staring at you and won't let go. It's really rude." Electric eyes gathered again. I'm so annoyed that I'm angry. Why does this person keep meddling? Just as I was about to speak, my father suddenly pressed my hand. His hand is very heavy.