Countryloves

 In my hand, the glowing seed Lied against the shadow's greed Whispers of the elder tree Set the dying forest free To the roots and To the sky From the ashes We will grow Watch the wildwood wake alive In my hand, the glowing seed Lied against the shadow's greed Whispers of the elder tree Set the dying forest free To the roots and To the sky From the ashes We will grow Watch the wildwood wake alive 

In my hand, the glowing seed Lied against the shadow's greed Whispers of the elder tree Set the dying forest free In my hand, the glowing seed Lied against the shadow's greed Whispers of the elder tree Set the dying forest free To the roots and To the sky From the ashes We will grow Watch the wildwood wake alive In my hand, the glowing seed Lied against the shadow's greed Whispers of the elder tree Set the dying forest free To the roots and To the sky From the ashes We will grow Watch the wildwood wake alive

 According to many historians, the “Lệ Chi Viên Case” was not merely a tragic accident of fate but likely a carefully staged conspiracy led by Queen Mother Nguyễn Thị Anh. Later on, Emperor Lê Thánh Tông—who posthumously cleared Nguyễn Trãi’s name—may have also known the truth. Yet, for the dignity of the royal house and to preserve the face of the Lê dynasty, he chose silence over scandal. To this day, it remains one of the most hotly debated mysteries in Vietnamese history.

The Shadows of Destiny

Records from Đông A Di Sự note that Nguyễn Trãi’s maternal grandfather was Trần Nguyên Đán, a powerful and virtuous minister of the Trần dynasty, renowned for his deep knowledge of astrology and destiny. He had foreseen the downfall of his dynasty through Hồ Quý Ly’s ambition, and in an attempt to protect his descendants, allied his family with the usurper.

As fate would have it, his grandsons—Trần Nguyên Hãn and Nguyễn Trãi—would both become national heroes. However, upon reading Nguyễn Trãi’s horoscope, Trần Nguyên Đán warned him: “Conquer the city, then withdraw.” He sensed greatness and tragedy intertwined within the same destiny—glory that would one day demand a price from three generations.

The Rise and Fall of a Scholar–Statesman

Nguyễn Trãi was instrumental in the Lam Sơn uprising against Ming invaders, drafting strategies and proclamations that led to victory in 1427. In recognition, Lê Lợi conferred upon him the title Quan Phục Hầu, along with rare honors and privileges—proof of his unmatched contribution.

However, his brilliance also made him a target. After the deaths of his allies Trần Nguyên Hãn and Phạm Văn Xảo, Nguyễn Trãi’s influence waned. He was gradually pushed away from state affairs, confined to cultural and scholarly duties. Even the royal surname “Lê” granted to him was later omitted from inscriptions.

It wasn’t until King Lê Thái Tông recognized his wisdom and recalled him to serve again that Nguyễn Trãi’s prestige was restored. By 1439, he had regained most of his former ranks. Yet, destiny had already set the stage for tragedy.

The Night at Lệ Chi Viên

In 1442, the king visited the East to inspect the troops. During his stay, Nguyễn Trãi invited him to rest at Côn Sơn. Soon after, at the “Lệ Chi Viên” (Lychee Garden), the 20-year-old king suddenly fell ill and died. Nguyễn Trãi and his wife, Lady Nguyễn Thị Lộ, were accused of regicide and sentenced to “extermination of three generations.”

But centuries later, scholars revisited the case and found clues that pointed elsewhere. Before his death, Lê Thái Tông had replaced his crown prince—Nghi Dân—with Bang Cơ, the child of Nguyễn Thị Anh. Meanwhile, Lady Ngô Thị Ngọc Dao (mother of the future king Lê Thánh Tông) was pregnant and persecuted by Nguyễn Thị Anh. Nguyễn Trãi and his wife had secretly sheltered her at temples in Hanoi and Từ Liêm, protecting her until she gave birth to Prince Tư Thành.

Such compassion, however, marked them for death. Nguyễn Thị Anh feared exposure of her son’s illegitimacy and conspired to eliminate the king during his visit—then blame Nguyễn Trãi. The perfect scapegoat was ready.

Following the king’s death, Nguyễn Trãi’s entire clan was executed. Soon after, even two eunuchs—Đinh Phúc and Đinh Thắng—who had known court secrets, were killed. Historians believe they had advised Nguyễn Trãi to tell the king about Bang Cơ’s true parentage, but he hesitated—and paid the ultimate price.

Years later, King Lê Thánh Tông reversed the verdict, honoring Nguyễn Trãi with the words:
“The heart of Ức Trai shines bright as the Khuê Star.”

In 1464, the king officially pardoned him, restoring his descendants’ names and titles.

Modern scholars—including Phan Duy Kha, Đinh Công Vĩ, and Lã Duy Lan—have offered compelling evidence supporting the theory that Nguyễn Thị Anh orchestrated the conspiracy. Their findings were detailed in the book “Lễ Nghi Học Sĩ Nguyễn Thị Lộ và Thảm Án Lệ Chi Viên” (2004), restoring the dignity of two unjustly condemned souls after centuries of silence.

 Once upon a time, there were two rice grains that were carefully kept aside to be used as seeds for the next season, for both were healthy, plump, and full of life.

One day, the farmer decided to sow them in the nearby field. The first grain thought to itself:
“Why should I let him take me to the field? I don’t want my body to be crushed and buried in the soil. It’s better to keep all my nutrients inside this shell and find a safe, cozy place to stay.”
So, it rolled into a dark corner of the granary and hid there.

Meanwhile, the second grain longed day and night to be planted into the earth. It felt pure joy at the thought of starting a new life.

As time passed, the first grain withered away in the corner. Without sunlight or water, its nutrients became useless — it slowly dried up and died.
The second grain, though broken and buried in the dirt, sprouted into a golden rice plant heavy with new grains. It gave birth to a new generation of life.

Moral:
If you lock yourself inside your own shell just to preserve a meaningless sense of safety, you will live an empty life and lose your true value.
Therefore, learn to step out, embrace challenges, and dare to be broken — for only through such courage can your life gain meaning and bring real value to the world.

2. The “Ugly” Class Beauty

When the female students in a university class held an open vote to choose their class beauty, Xiao Mai — an ordinary-looking girl — stood up and said to everyone:

“If you vote for me, then a few years from now, each of you can proudly tell your husband: ‘Back in college, I was even prettier than our class beauty!’”

The result? She was elected with an overwhelming majority of votes.

Moral:
To win people’s support, it’s not always about proving that you’re better than others. What truly matters is showing them that because of you, they can become better, more accomplished, and more confident themselves.

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 For centuries, our ancestors relied on nature and simple home ingredients to stay healthy. Even without doctors or modern medicine, they found ways to heal, relax, and keep both body and soul in balance. Let’s rediscover some of these precious folk remedies that have stood the test of time.

1. Helping Children Speak Faster – Red Beans and Pig’s Tongue

Long before speech therapy existed, parents used natural tricks to help their kids learn to talk.
One popular method was using red beans. Dry them completely, grind into fine powder, and mix with a little white rice wine. Then gently apply the mixture under the child’s tongue twice a day. It is believed to stimulate speech reflexes naturally.

Another long-standing tip is cooking porridge with pig’s tongue, especially the tip part. This part is rich in nutrients and helps strengthen nerves and oral muscles. Parents should also talk to their children daily, teaching simple words and encouraging repetition — that’s the best form of natural language training.

2. Beating Insomnia with Simple Natural Ingredients

Insomnia is a modern plague, but old remedies still work wonders. A cup of warm honey water 30 minutes before bed can help you relax thanks to its tryptophan content, which boosts serotonin and calms the mind.

For those who prefer herbal solutions, Passionflower tea (Lạc Tiên) is a great choice. Steep 10–15 grams of dried leaves in hot water. Its flavonoids and alkaloids help you fall asleep peacefully.

Another traditional ingredient, lotus seeds, has strong calming properties. Drink tea made from the dried lotus heart or add lotus seeds to your soups and desserts — it soothes the nerves and encourages deep sleep.
And remember: put down your phone at least 30 minutes before bedtime — no herb can fix sleeplessness caused by blue light!

3. Folk Remedies for Cough – From Steamed Pears to Roasted Oranges

Seasonal changes often bring on coughs. Instead of antibiotics, try steamed pear with rock sugar and fritillaria bulbs. It soothes the throat and helps clear phlegm.

You can also boil slices of white radish and drink the water several times a day — it naturally relieves throat irritation. For a quicker fix, roast an orange until the skin turns slightly black, peel, and eat while warm. It tastes wonderful and relieves coughing fast.

4. Easing Neck and Shoulder Pain – Heat, Ginger, and Massage

Office workers sitting all day often struggle with stiff necks. Applying warm compresses can improve blood flow and relax muscles.

For an extra kick, pound fresh ginger with coarse salt, wrap it in gauze, and place it on the sore area for 10–15 minutes. The heat and natural oils from ginger work like a mini massage from Mother Nature herself.

Finally, gentle self-massage — rotating your neck and shoulders — helps release tension and restore flexibility.

5. Helping Babies Walk Sooner – Folk Beliefs and Nutrition

One traditional belief says gently tapping a baby’s legs with a chopstick brings good luck and helps them walk sooner — 7 taps for boys, 9 for girls.
Some also touch the child’s feet with the head of a live snakehead fish, symbolizing agility and quick movement.

Beyond the symbolism, make sure your child gets enough milk, calcium, and vitamin D for strong bones and muscles — that’s what truly builds steady steps.

6. Curing Teeth Grinding – Relax, Meditate, and Breathe

Nighttime teeth grinding often comes from stress. To reduce it, start meditation or yoga before bed. These practices calm your mind and make your sleep deeper.

You can also use a diffuser with lavender or bergamot essential oils — their gentle scent reduces anxiety and helps you sleep more soundly.

These folk remedies may be old, but they’re full of timeless wisdom. They remind us that healing doesn’t always come from a pill — sometimes it’s found in a cup of honey tea, a kind word, or a good night’s sleep.

In the rush of modern life, it’s worth pausing to appreciate these simple traditions — the kind that heal not just the body, but the soul. 🌙✨