Chapter 13 — In Rebirth, My Sister Stole My Cold-Faced Husband

In early November, the court indeed began to discuss the war in Northern Cuong. The barbarians on the border are moving, the Crown Prince is leading the fight, a part of the civil servants are leading the peace. Ta Lam Uyen did not show his attitude, but we know he is preparing. His daily martial arts training time increased from one hour to two hours. In the wardrobe, a new set of armor appeared. We pretend like we don't see. On the fifteenth of November, at court, the Crown Prince named three people——candidates to lead the Northern expedition. Ta Lam Uyen's name is in there. The news was transmitted to the palace, and the mother-in-law's face suddenly turned pale.

“Go again?”

The Marquis next door said in a deep voice: "The Crown Prince trusts Lam Uyen, this is a good thing."

"Good thing? Last time he almost died there!" The husband's mother tightened her handkerchief.

Ta Lam Uyen stood next to him and scratched his head: "Mother, you haven't decided yet——"

"You haven't decided yet and you've already started sharpening your sword? Do you think I'm deaf?"

He was scolded to the point that he did not dare to speak up. I sat next to him, quietly saying nothing. Returning to the room at night, Ta Lam Uyen hesitated before speaking.

“You say it.” I let him sit down.

“If the Crown Prince chooses me——”

“You go.”

He looked at me surprised.

“I know his bravery.” My throat was a bit choked, but I still finished my words, "You are a martial artist, the battlefield is where you should be. I can't stop you, and I shouldn't stop you."

“But you must promise me three things.”

“She said.”

“First, write a letter every three days.”

“Second, don't try too hard on the old injury in your left hand.”

I looked at him deeply.

“Must come back alive.”

He reached out and hugged me. Something wet his chest. He did not lower his head to look. Just gently pat my back, rhythm by rhythm.

“I promise you.”…

On the first day of the twelfth month, the Crown Prince officially issued an order, ordering Ta Lam Uyen to lead thirty thousand elite soldiers to attack the North. On the day of the expedition, the whole capital sent farewell. I stood in front of the city gate and personally tied the strings of his cloak. Ta Lam Uyen wore silver armor, rode on a war horse, so heroic that he was not like the person who laughed and joked with us every day.

“An Ninh.” He lowered his head to look at me, "Wait until I return, I will buy Bac Cuong specialties for you."

“I don't need specialties.”

“So what do you want?”

He froze a bit. Then he burst out laughing—still the familiar toothless smile, only this time the eye sockets were red. He bent down and gently touched my forehead. The great army departs. Dust flew blindly. His figure became smaller and smaller, finally disappearing at the end of the road. I stood at the city gate, until everyone left, I still stood there. Thanh Hoa said softly: "Madam, let's go home."

“Wait a little longer.”

“But I can't see it anymore——”

“Wait a little longer.”

The wind dries my tears and then makes them wet again. The days after Ta Lam Uyen left were extremely unpleasant. It's not because of a lack of material things—the Marquis Vu An palace doesn't lack anything. It's like a piece of my heart has been ripped out. Every morning when I wake up, I habitually look to the side, it's empty. Then I remembered he was gone. My mother-in-law saw that I was sad, and every day she would talk to me, and sometimes even take me to the temple to burn incense.

“That year, my father and I also went to the battlefield.” His mother-in-law offered three sticks of incense before the Buddha statue, "At that time I was young and cried for three days and three nights. After that, my husband's father and children returned."

“What happens after that?”

“After that, every time he went to war, I didn't cry anymore.”

“Because you're used to it?”

“Because crying is useless.” His mother-in-law smiled, "If only I could save those three days and make two sets of clothes for you to send."

I returned and immediately started sewing clothes. Each needle and thread is done with utmost care. After sewing, he asked Quy An to bring it to Bac Cuong. Quy An went on a trip and brought back Ta Lam Uyen's first letter. The letter was very short——

“An Ninh: arrived, everything is fine. It was very cold but I wore thick clothes. I received the outfit you sent yesterday, very warm. Miss her.”

Below are two dilapidated drawings of two small people. Next to it was written: me and her. I turned the letter over and over and read it three times. Then carefully fold it and place it at the bottom of the jewelry box. Three days later, the second letter arrived.

“An Ninh: let's play a small battle, we won. I'm not hurt, don't worry. Yesterday I ate a whole grilled lamb, I kept the best piece of leg—then it got cold by the wind and I didn't have time to eat it. But it's okay, later you come with me to eat freshly baked food. Miss her.”

Three days later, third letter.

“An Ninh: It's snowing today. The snow is huge. I have never seen such a big snowfall. Just now there was a soldier building a snowman, I changed it to her face—that kind of round shape—the people next to her laughed. No problem. Miss her.”

He really sends a letter every three days. Not more, not less, exactly every three days. Sometimes it's very short, just a few lines of text. Sometimes it's a bit longer, telling some interesting stories in the army. But the last two words of each letter are the same——