Chapter 5 — Two Fathers

The wine bottle in his hand suddenly burst. Porcelain shards shot out. But the wine in the jar did not fall to the ground. The liquid under the light emitted a dark blue light, like a living snake, thrown straight towards us. Ta Vo Cuu hugged me and turned back. I only hear the sound of the wind passing through my ears. Immediately after, the wine fell on condemnation. The sandalwood surface immediately emitted white smoke. I widened my eyes. If this thing splashes on your body, I'm afraid your bones will also be corroded. A deafening scream rang out throughout the palace. The Phung family girl was so scared that she fell to the ground and couldn't even cry. The soldiers drew their swords and rushed forward. The little maid pulled out a soft blade from her sleeve, her body like a ghost passing through the crowd. He did not rush towards the emperor. Nor did he rush towards Ta Vo Cuu. He rushed straight towards us. My heart is cold. Ta Vo Cuu is right. Tonight someone really wants to take my life. Father blocked the front. He did not have a sword, so he immediately grabbed the sword of a forbidden soldier. The sword entered his hand as if it had finally found its owner. He took a step forward, the sword light swept across. The little internal lady was forced to take a half step back. But behind him were three archers who launched at the same time. A guy pulled out a short crossbow from among the musicians. A person turned a poisoned needle from under a wine bottle. And another person is a minor and is kneeling in the row of civil servants. When he raised his hand, a tiny silver thread shot out from his sleeve. Silver silk rushes straight to my throat. Ta Vo Cuu hugged me with one hand and waved his sleeve with the other. Wide red sleeves entwined with silver silk. The person's wrist turned and the silver thread wound back. The little guy's wrist immediately broke with a cracking sound. I lay on that person's shoulder, looking at my numb scalp. This is not like a mandarin. That person knows how to fight better than Uncle Thuong. I couldn't help but ask: "Are you really the Master?" Ta Vo Cuu lowered his voice: "It is now." I asked again: "What happened before?" That person did not answer. Because the short crossbow was shot. Three black arrows formed a letter shape, all aimed at my back. My father angrily shouted: "Ta Vo Cuu!" Ta Vo Cuu hugged me and suddenly lowered his body. The arrow grazed the metal, pinning it to the back column. The arrowhead stuck three inches deep into the wood. The tail feathers are still buzzing. I was pressed into his arms, the tip of my nose hit the mandarin's robe. The cold scent is even stronger. I don't know why, I suddenly wanted to cry. Not out of fear. It's a place in my heart that feels like someone is squeezing me really hard. Before, I always thought that the words mother were very far away from me. Far away like a light that cannot be seen on a winter night. But right now, the person I call mother is blocking my face with her body. I grabbed his shirt tightly. “Don't die.” Ta Vo Cuu's breathing stopped for a moment. That person bowed his head and looked at me. Those eyes were very deep. It was as if many words had been suppressed for twelve years, and finally a crack was opened by one sentence from me. “I can't die.” That person said. “I haven't heard you call me yet.” I was stunned. What do you call that person? Mother? My lips moved, but I couldn't really call out. The light in Ta Vo Cuu's eyes faded. As that person had already guessed, but it still hurt once. My heart suddenly became more and more uncomfortable. But before I could think clearly, there was a slight noise at the top of the palace. I raised my head. On the golden beam, a black shadow silently fell. The other person was dressed in black, covering his face, with a long sword in his hand pointing down. The tip of the knife pointed straight at Ta Vo Cuu's back. My father was surrounded by four assassins and had no time to turn around. Ta Vo Cuu hugged me, but in front there was a poisonous blade approaching. Can't retreat. Cannot be avoided. My mind was hot, I pulled out the golden hairpin from my head, and used all my strength to stab him in the back. The gold brooch stabbed into the wrist of the man in black. He snorted softly. The blade deviated half an inch. But only half an inch. The long sword still slashed down. Ta Vo Cuu suddenly pressed me into his arms. I heard the sound of a sharp tongue piercing flesh. Very light. But it was like thunder booming in my ears. Warm blood fell on the back of my hand. The whole person stiffened. Ta Vo Cuu's arm around me still didn't let go. That person even laughed softly. “A Dien.” His voice is close to my ear. So light that it feels like it's about to melt away. “Do you believe it now?” I raised my head. Seeing behind his shoulder, the red mandarin robe was soaked in blood. But outside the palace gate,

leading to a rush of footsteps. Someone shouted loudly: "The Queen Mother's order has come, arrest Ta Vo Cuu and Tham Hac Tranh!" 05 As soon as the four words representing the Queen Mother fell, the firelight in the Taiji Palace seemed to darken in the blink of an eye. The footsteps of the forbidden army that were rushing towards the assassins all stopped. My father turned his head, the tip of the sword still dripping with blood. Ta Vo Cuu hugged me, the wound behind my shoulder was constantly bleeding, the dark red organ was dyed even deeper. Outside the palace gate, a team of black armor poured in. They are not soldiers in the palace. On the armor was engraved a blue-eyed crow. Thanh Nha Ve. The people who just assassinated me were in the same group as them. My heart is cold. The Queen Mother sent someone to arrest my father and Ta Vo Cuu. But those who want to kill me also bear the mark of Thanh Nha. Does this intention ultimately come to save lives, or to kill others? The Emperor suddenly stood up. "I haven't given the order yet, who gave you permission to enter the palace?"