Chapter 8 — Holy Order of Marriage for the Northern Marquis Town

“That fast?” “Um.” He smiled softly. “I'm afraid someone will steal you away.” I buried my face in his arms, hearing the steady, strong sound of his heart in his chest. A month later, I followed him to the northern border. Later, I heard that Tham Van Nhu had completely ruined his reputation and could only marry a businessman. In less than two years, because of her jealous nature, her husband sent her back home. Her parents wanted to take her back to the palace, but the story of the Marquis's annulment spread throughout the capital, and the Tham family's reputation fell into the abyss. Mom spent the whole day washing her face with tears, and dad kept complaining and sighing. After that, Tieu Triet won many more victories. We opened a school on the northern border, teaching the children of generals to read and write. Every few months, Giang Nguyet writes to me. She told the bustling stories in the capital, and told what happened to the Tham family. She said her mother had asked someone to pass on the message, asking when I would return home to visit. I put the letter in the box and did not reply. Tieu Triet had just returned from training and walked into the room carrying a cold feeling. I helped him take off his coat. He took the opportunity to hold my hand and hold it in his palm. "Did the capital send a letter?" He looked at the paper on the table. "Um, mom told us to go home for Tet." "Do you want to go home?" I thought for a moment then shook my head. Tieu Triet laughed and pulled me into his arms: "Then I won't go back." Outside the window, the north wind howled, in the camp, the brazier burned warmly. I leaned on his shoulder and listened to him tell stories about today's military training, about the wind and snow on the frontier, and about how when the grass grew in the spring, he would take me horseback riding. Outside, a general called him, he replied, bowed his head and kissed my forehead lightly. "Wait for me to return." He put on his coat, walked out the door, his back gradually disappearing in the wind and snow. I sat under the lamplight, raised my hand to touch the pair of white jade bracelets on my wrist, the corners of my lips slowly curled up. In this life, the best thing I ever did was walk out of the Tham family. Step into his arms. Run out of.