Chapter 6 — Cui Van Chieu

The marriage is still being prepared as planned. The wedding date was scheduled for the sixteenth day of the third month, the same season as peach blossoms bloomed. In early February, the border sent an urgent war report. Bac Dich violated the border and continuously kicked down three citadels. His Majesty was angry and immediately ordered his father to lead the army back to Bac Canh to reclaim the lost land. Parents take orders. Three days later, he departed. I begged to follow. My father shouted with a serious face: "Confused!" "The battlefield is dangerous, what is a girl like you doing going there?" I firmly replied: "I know martial arts, I also understand military techniques." "I can help you." "Father, please let me go." In the end, you still couldn't win over my persistence. He had to agree. Therefore, the wedding had to be postponed. The day we left, Lam Nghien came to see us off. His eyes were filled with worry. "Van Chieu, you must return safely." I smiled and nodded. "I will return." "Wait for me." "We will get married." He held my hand. "I wait for you." On the day of departure, heavy snow covered the sky and earth. I stood in front of the city gate to say goodbye to Lam Nghien and then boarded the carriage. Right before I let down the car curtain, I accidentally saw a familiar figure in the distance. Te Dien. He was riding a horse in the middle of the snow. Quietly look after me. Don't move forward. I withdrew my gaze and lowered the car curtain. … The war in Bac Canh was more fierce than we imagined. The Northern Dich people are fierce and good at fighting. His father had to fight hard for several months to barely regain a citadel. I disguised myself as a man and stayed in the military camp as a military advisor. At first, his father did not agree. But after seeing that some of our strategies were effective, he tacitly approved. Late summer. After a fierce battle, the army retreated and took refuge at Thuong Van Quan. Parents were injured. The arrow hit his shoulder, forcing him to recuperate. All matters in the army were temporarily assigned to the deputy general to handle. That night, after returning from patrol, I entered my father's tent. Inside there is a person. Te Dien. He was wearing battle armor, his body was covered with road dust, and he was discussing military matters with his father. As soon as he saw me, his eyes immediately lit up. "Van Chieu." I frowned slightly. "Why are you here?" He replied: "Your Majesty ordered me to lead reinforcements to Bac Canh, which just arrived today." "General Cui is injured, the army cannot lack a general, I will temporarily replace the leader." Father also said: "Van Chieu, Tu Tu came to help us." I said nothing. Military affairs cannot interfere with personal grievances. I just replied faintly: "If that's the case, please bother me." "Father, it's time to change your clothes, I'll go call the military doctor." "Let me go." Qi Dien stood up. "She stayed to chat with General Cui." Having finished speaking, he turned and walked out. Father sighed softly. "Van Chieu, you are still so indifferent towards The Tu." "Father, don't interfere in the matter between me and him." He shook his head. "It's not that Father wants to interfere." "It's just that in the past few months, The Tu has sent food and herbs three times and five times medicine to Bac Canh, all out of his own pocket." "This time he also asked for reinforcements." "Van Chieu, if he really wants to make up for it." cover..." I softly interrupted. "Father." "Stop talking." "You and him..." "This life is absolutely impossible."... After Qi Dien took over the military affairs, the war situation gradually improved. Although he came from a marquis' palace, he was not the type of playboy. He recited military books and used troops decisively. After several battles, the North Dich army was repeatedly kicked and fled. The generals and soldiers in the army also gradually became convinced. Only I... Still keep my distance from him. Public affairs are coordinated as usual. But outside of official duties, I absolutely do not spend time alone with him. He wanted to get close a few times. See

I've always been cold, and finally I'm not forced anymore. It's just... Every time he looks at me, the pain in his eyes gets deeper. Fall of that year. The final battle has come. Bac Dich gathered 100,000 troops, determined to fight and occupy Thuong Van Quan. Qi Dien made a plan: Lure the enemy into going deeper. Close the dog door. It was an extremely risky plan. But if successful... Bac Canh will exchange for ten years of peace. His father had not yet completely recovered from his wound, so he stayed behind to defend the city. I resolutely asked to follow the army into battle. Qi Dien immediately objected. "It's too dangerous." "I can protect myself." "Van Chieu..." I looked straight at him. "Te Dien." "This battle, I must go." He was silent for a long time. Finally I had to give in. "Follow closely beside me." "Don't run around." I nodded. That battle lasted for three days and three nights. Blood dyed the yellow sand red. Dead bodies covered the battlefield. Until the last moment. The leader of Bac Dich was cornered. He led his bodyguard team and risked their lives to rush straight into the central army. The target... is Qi Dien. I'm the one standing closest to him. No time to think. I drew my sword and rushed forward. Amidst the light of swords and shadows. I blocked an arrow for him. The moment the arrow pierced through the chest... The last thing I saw... was Te Dien's terrified face. "Van Chieu..."... Maybe... I was about to die again. In a coma. I feel someone is hugging me. His hands were shaking violently. "Van Chieu..." "Van Chieu, don't sleep..." "Military doctor!" "Where is the military doctor?!" It was Te Dien's voice. He... is crying. "Te... Dien..." I parted my lips. Blood immediately gushed out. He choked up. "Don't say..." "Save your strength." "Van Chieu..." "Come on." "Let's go back to the citadel." "There is the best doctor in the citadel..." I shook my head slightly. "Lin Nghien... is still waiting for me." "Tell him..." "... sorry..." "Don't say sorry!" He shouted. "Stop Van Chieu!" "You can't die!" "You still owe me!" "You haven't paid it yet..." "You can't pay it off..." "She can't die!" Owe him? After all… who owes whom? I want to laugh. But as soon as he opened his lips, he coughed out a mouthful of blood. I look at him. Slowly say each word: "Te Dien..."