Chapter 33: Sons of the Tu Family
At the entrance of Diep Manor, two refined young men alighted from the carriage. The one in front looked briefly at the steward standing at the entrance who was waiting to welcome them at the gates of Diep Manor. A trace of dissatisfaction flashed in the young man"s eyes.
With a disgruntled sound, he turned his heads towards the horse-drawn carriage and said: "It would seem like elder brother"s face isn"t enough. No one came to welcome us."
The adolescent behind was older by two years. He glanced at the one in front and said: "Did elder brother allow you to accompany him to show off?"
The young man in front pretends he didn"t hear and made a silly face towards his older brother. "Who cares? I only came to visit older sister Ly."
"Tu Thanh Viem, you need to pay attention to how you conduct yourself." A calm voice said from within the carriage.
Tu Thanh Viem looked towards his older brothers with wide eyes and complains despondently: "Second brother is even more fierce than eldest brother."
Tu Thanh Bach rolled his eyes at him. You know that he"s fierce, yet you still provoke him?
Standing on the side, the steward of Diep Manor was in an awkward place as he watched the two brothers of the Tu family talk. Apparently, these two brothers treated his invitation like it went in one ear and out the other. They had no intention of entering the door. Not to mention, there were still people in the carriage that had yet to show themselves. With hesitation, the steward didn"t know if he should step forth and offer another invitation.
Within the manor, an excited voice drifted towards the group. "Is that Fourth older brother and Fifth younger brother?" It was Diep Ly.
Tu Thanh Bach leaned over and looked at the young lady in green hurrying over to them. The gaze that was just filled with something a little peculiar thawed after Diep Ly came. It was more tranquil and warm. "Ly nhi, I am your Fourth older brother. Do you still remember?"
Diep Ly nodded slightly. Tu Thanh Bach was the fourth child of the Tu family; he was about her age., being older by only one year. That was why, when she was still young, he was the person closest to her. Whenever she was with the Tu family, the two went to school and played together.
"Fourth older brother…"
"Haha, older sister Ly nhi, I am Thanh Viem." Tu Thanh Viem rushed forth, not wanting to be left out.
Diep Ly looked at the cute boy before her. Her lips curved into a smile and said: "Fifth younger brother is all grown up, looking more and more like eldest aunt. When you left the capital that year, you were still a little baby."
Tu Thanh Viem"s handsome face immediately crumbles. "Older sister Ly is bullying me."
"Where are Eldest brother, Second older brother, and Third older brother?"
The curtain on the carriage is lifted. Tu Thanh Phuong jumped off the carriage with a chuckle and said: "Fortunately, Ly nhi still remembers this Third older brother. Otherwise, Third older brother would be jealous."
Two more young men, following the first, alighted from the carriage. The two were Tu family"s eldest son who is acclaimed to be the first Ranked Scholar, Tu Thanh Tran, and second son, Tu Thanh Trach.
"Ly nhi," Tu Thanh Tran, in a white robe, looked at Diep Ly with a gentle smile.
Different from Tu Thanh Tran"s elegant and refined aura, though Tu Than Trach was just 19 years old, he was more mature and n.o.ble. It gave people the impression that he was cold and distant. Nevertheless, Diep Ly could still see the love and warmth within his gaze.
"Eldest brother, second older brother." Diep Ly greeted in a small voice, her eyes slightly burning with unshed tears.
A bizarre feeling overwhelmed her. In this time, Diep Ly thought that she had matured. Even though she had a lot of sisters within Diep Manor, Diep Ly still felt alone and isolated. Suddenly seeing these brothers, it was as if she had returned to a time when her mother was still here and her uncles and grandfather had not left the capital. It was like in her previous life; though there were quarrels and bickering, it made people feel the warmth of a big family.
Tu Thanh Tran tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear and whispered softly: "These years have been tough on you, right?"
Diep Ly shook her head. She felt like something was stuck in her throat, stopping the words.
"Third older sister, why are you letting our cousins stand on ceremony at the door? That is too discourteous. Hurry, invite them in." Diep Oanh steadily walks forward an in an elegant way said to Diep Ly. She turned towards Tu Thanh Tran and lightly afforded him the proper ceremony. "Oanh nhi greets Thanh Tran older cousin."
Tu Thanh Phuong, standing behind his older brother, scratched his nose awkwardly. How many times has he visited Diep Manor? Diep Oanh eyes are on top of her head and had never shown him such respect.
Diep Oanh’s face changed and she forced out a giggle.
Diep Ly quickly adjusts her mood and, with a smile, said to Tu Thanh Tran: "It was Ly nhi that was rude. Eldest brother let"s enter. Father and grandmother are waiting for all of you."
Tu Thanh Tran nodded. On the side, Tu Than Trach signals towards the carriage and a servant from the Tu family retrieved the gifts from the carriage. With respect and reverence, the servant followed behind everyone as they entered the manor.
Diep Ly walked alongside Tu Thanh Tran and Tu Thanh Trach. She asked: "Eldest brother, are eldest uncle and aunt doing well?"
Tu Thanh Tran nodded and smiled. "Mother stayed at Van Chau. Father is also well, but the journey was long and he"s a bit tired. He"ll be fine after some rest."
"Eldest uncle and eldest brother"s group had already arrived. Why didn"t you inform Ly nhi ahead of time so that I could go and welcome you?" Diep Ly complained softly.
Tu Thanh Phong walked behind and chuckled. "You can"t blame me on this. Eldest uncle didn"t want a grand welcome. It was only after they had already arrived and settled into a manor within the capital that my father found out."
Diep Ly understands her eldest uncle"s temperament. He doesn"t like those uncomfortable customs and rituals.
She laughs and said: "Then tomorrow I will go and greet eldest uncle. Are Lam mama and Nguy mama doing well?"
"Very healthy, Lam mama and Nguy mama are completely loyal to auntie. The two of them are willing to follow younger sister to Prince Dinh of the First Rank’s Manor. That"s why grandfather allowed the two to come with us." Tu Thanh Trach said.
Diep Ly nodded and didn"t want to add anymore small talk. She felt even guiltier towards her grandfather. She couldn"t serve her grandfather in old age and even caused him to worry about her.
Tu Thanh Tran looked down and gently patted Diep Ly"s shoulder. "Don"t think too much. As long as you live well, grandfather will be very happy."
"I understand." Diep Ly replied.
From a distance, Diep Lam and Diep San looked at all the son"s of the Tu family gathered around Diep Ly. They turned and saw Diep Oanh"s gloomy face. The two exchanged a look.
Diep Lam looked at Diep Oanh and carefully asked: "Fourth older sister… these people… are all older brothers of Third older sister?"
Diep Oanh looked up and fiercely glanced at them. Diep Lam had never seen such a menacing expression on her sister"s face before. Scared, she took a few steps back, almost b.u.mping into Diep San.
Diep Lam heard Diep Oanh"s chilly laugh. Diep Oanh said contemptuously: "Younger sister should give up. What kind of family is the Tu family? You aren"t qualified!"
Once Diep Oanh finished speaking, she ignored Diep Lam"s response and kept walking.
Dazed by Diep Oanh"s words, Diep Lam"s youthful and beautiful face fell apart. Thinking about Diep Oanh"s meaning, shame filled her.
Diep San looked at her and shook her head. "Older sister"s mood is not good. Why did you go and bother her? Walk faster. If we are late, grandmother"s mood will be ruined."
Diep Lam had not put much thought into it. Lately, she hadn"t been feeling well and Diep San would try to comfort her. As she turned around she saw that not even a shadow was seen and quickly followed Diep San.
Vinh Nhac Hall
"This one of the younger generations have brought along his brothers to greet Elder Madam… greetings uncle-in-law." Tu Thanh Tran moved forward first and performed the proper greetings towards the two. Afterwards, the others also accorded the two the proper ceremony. Diep Elder Madam looked at the five young men standing in the hall that was already famous throughout the world. Tu Thanh Tran was handsome and elegant. Even though Tu Thanh Viem was only thirteen, his face was n.o.ble and he had a refined demeanor. Though she might be unwilling to admit it, she still had to say that the Tu family taught their offspring much better than the Diep family.
Diep Elder Madam"s eyes flashed brightly. She hurriedly said: "We are all family. These greeting rituals and ceremonies could be suspended. How is your father?"
Tu Thanh Tran stood tall and elegantly replied: "Father is doing well, but the journey was long and he is tired. That is why he was unable to come and greet Elder Madame. Would Elder Madame please forgive father."
Even though this was just empty words, Diep Elder Madame couldn"t add more. She laughed and said: "The journey is arduous. He should rest more. Dung nhi, come over here and greet your older cousin."
Diep Dung, standing beside Vuong thi, wanted to say what, but saw his father closely observing him. Reluctantly, he stepped forward and said: "Dung nhi greets older cousin."
Diep Dung was not a calculative person. Furthermore, he couldn"t even keep up a good facade. He didn"t like Diep Ly. Of course, he wouldn"t like Diep Ly"s cousins either. Therefore, even though he was warned by father and grandmother, he couldn"t completely hide his true intentions. Even when he was greeting, his movements were perfunctory and careless. Seeing this, Minister Diep"s face darkened.
Tu Thanh Viem smirked and looked the other way. Anyways, he was the was the youngest one here. It was not his turn to speak.
Tu Thanh Tran acted as if he didn"t see Diep Dung"s carelessness. His smile was still gentle and polite. Additionally, he tried to be even more harmonious. "Diep gentleman is too polite. I have heard that Diep gentleman is a scholarly talent. Thanh Viem and Diep gentleman are the same age, but my brother is still too playful and mischievous. If you are free, please interact more with him."
Tu Thanh Viem thought he might go mad. Who would want to interact with that guy? On his face, he didn"t dare to show his displeasure and go against Tu Thanh Tran. He gave a well-behaved smile. "Eldest brother is right. This younger brother will learn more from Diep gentleman."
Tu Thanh Tran heard his brother"s words and was quite satisfied. He turned to signal for the servant to present the gifts to Diep Dung and every one of the Diep family.
Diep Dung immediately had a better impression of Tu Thanh Tran. In comparison, Tu Thanh Phong always showed him a holier-than-thou att.i.tude, showing traces of disdain and hostility. Tu Thanh Tran did not show an ounce of derision towards him. This made people like Tu Thanh Tran much more.
On the side, forced to make a new friend, Tu Thanh Viem moved towards Tu Thanh Bach. In a stealthy manner, poked at his brother"s arm. Trying to convey with his eyes: Why does eldest brother like this idiot?
Tu Thanh Bach"s eyes showed righteousness and justice: Because he is ignorant enough, foolish enough.
If the person isn"t foolish enough, how can their eldest brother like anyone from the Diep family, excluding their younger cousin? How can his brother"s ability be lower than when he was giving Prince Dinh a hard time?
Note: I have decided to translate this story because I really like it. Unfortunately, I am using a Vietnamese source so names and such are different. I am still debating if I should go back and translate from chapter 1. If anyone wants to pick this up from the Chinese source, please let me know.