Chapter 7 — I tore up the marriage letter, the father knelt for three days and three nights

To Hanh sat on the side of the female family, crying so much that he wet his head scarf. My mother sat in the chair, the smile on her face could not be contained, then she told me, that day my father's face was very special - while wanting to show off his appearance as a father-in-law, he did not dare to offend the father-in-law, so choked up that his face turned purple. While worshiping, the host shouted "husband and wife worship", I turned around, through the head covering I saw Co Truong Dien's shoes. He was so tense that he stood straight, like a log. I said in a low voice: "Relax a little." He also replied to me in a low voice: "I'm nervous." His voice trembled a bit, "I'm afraid I'm dreaming." I reached out and took his hand. His hands were very cold, his palms were sweaty. But he held my hand very forcefully, as if afraid that if he let go, I would disappear.

“It's not a dream.” I said.

He said "yes", then I felt his hands no longer shaking. On the night of the wedding, he lifted my veil and saw me for the first time and was stunned for a long time.

"What's up?" I touched my face, "Is there something on it?"

"Do not have." He shook his head, his voice hoarse and hoarse, "I just think... you look beautiful in red."

“Is my belly still beautiful like this?”

He said, "beautiful, of course beautiful."

“This time she is my wife.” He sat next to me, gently holding my hand, "not my fiancee, not the 'Miss Shen family' in other people's mouths, but my wife."

I looked at him and suddenly remembered many years ago, the young man on the edge of the moat. He said, Chieu Ninh, when I pass the exam, I will come and marry you. He did it.

“Co Truong Dien,” I said, “in the future, if you dare to make decisions for me——”

“Not again.” He walked closer to me, his forehead touching mine, "never again."

He placed his hand on my belly again, the baby seemed to sense its father, and immediately kicked a few times... Co Truong Dien's face was blank. The moonlight outside the window is very round, the moonlight spreads all over the ground. I leaned on his shoulder, listening to his heartbeat, beat by beat, steady and strong.

“Co Truong Dien.”

“I forgive you.”

He hugged me tightly, placed his chin on top of my head, and said in a deep voice: "Thank you."

“Thank you for what?”

“Thank you for being willing to give me another chance.”

I didn't answer, I just found a comfortable position with the two of us in his arms, closing my eyes. This sleep is the most peaceful sleep I've had in over half a year. There will be a lot of things later, it would be too long to talk about... I gave birth to a child, a boy, named Co Niem An —— "niem" is the thought of peace, "an" is the thought of peace. Co Truong Dien said this name is too ordinary, I told him what he understood, peace is happiness. The shop did not close, I hired someone to help take care of it, the affordable salt shop expanded to twelve main streets of the capital. His Majesty knew about it and even specially issued an edict to reward me, saying I was "a woman who is not inferior to a man". Bui Van was promoted, transferred to Bac Cuong, took over his father's position, and before leaving, he even came to visit me, still with that fluttering appearance, laughing and teasing my son for a long time.

“Tham Chieu Ninh,” he stood at the door, his back to the light, his expression unclear, “you live well, so do I. Rest assured.”

"You too, stay in Bac Cuong well, don't rely on force."

“I know.” He turned around and walked a few steps, then turned back again, "Oh right, those salt slabs, no need to return them, consider them as gifts for my adopted son as a meeting ceremony."

“…Who said you are my child's adoptive father?”

“I declare myself!”

He laughed loudly and walked away, his back gradually disappearing at the end of the alley. I stood at the door, the wind blew through, carrying the scent of cinnamon flowers. Autumn is here again. (FULL TEXT)