The Invitation

"Should I be beheaded?" Ngu Lao asked Hung Dao. Their eyes fixed on each other after that question.

A long silence went on, everybody felt tense and breathless. Hung Dao didn't say anything for a while, then he told his soldiers, "Help him into the cart. He needs treatment."

Everyone was surprised. The soldiers quickly bought a cart from a lady selling vegetables and helped Pham Ngu Lao.

"Thank you, brother. That would be a lot of trouble if things turn bad ha ha ha," Ngu Lao for the first time smiled. The other soldiers smile back at him, thinking to themselves this guy must have bear's guts. After Ngu Lao firmly sat on the cart, they continued walking.

The ambassador witnessed the whole thing without saying a word.

Now the plan changes. Hung Dao has no more interest in continuing touring the ambassador. Instead, the group started to go to Ngu Lao's home. The injury on his thigh was temporary care, but he shows no pain at all. On the way, Hung Dao and Ngu Lao talked with each other. Hung Dao was impressed with how wise Ngu Lao was about warfare and treating talents.

A few hours later, they got to Ngu Lao house. The house was simple and small. It mostly made off of leaves and dried mud but looked just as stable as if made of bricks. The soldiers helped Ngu Lao walk inside and saw an old lady cooking.

"Mom," Ngu Lao called, smiling.

"Where have you gone? Do you know how late it is?" The old lady said and turned towards Ngu Lao's voice. Behind him, she saw other strange men were in the house "Huh! What happened to you?" She gasped when seeing the injured leg.

"Don't worry mom. It is just a misunderstanding. And please don't be cautious, these men are good people," Ngu Lao calmed her.

"It is our fault for his injury mam. We are truly sorry," Hung Dao stepped up and bowed to her. Seeing the prince did this, the soldiers bowed as well.

"Oh if Lao Lao said you are good people, then you are good people," the mom smiled and relaxed a bit. "Have you all eaten yet? Even though we don't have much, it is our pleasure."

"It is fine mam. You don't need to care about us. Do you have bandages?"

"Oh yes."

The soldiers lay Ngu Lao on his bamboo bed and started treating him. Hung Dao and the mother were watching carefully to the process and gave advice along the way. After the treatment, Hung Dao gave hand signals to his soldiers to leave.

"Ngu Lao, mam, I want to discuss something with you two," Hung Dao suddenly said.

"?" was the face of them both when hearing this.

"I would like to bring Ngu Lao back to the palace with me."