Chapter 15 — My Father Was a Great General of Tran Bac, He Married Me to a Cold-Faced Prime Minister

“What does this have to do with temperament?”

"Northern people respect the strong, you are more powerful than your husband. When he sees you, he will know that Dai Te is not easy to provoke."

“Father, this is not about choosing a beauty——”

"Who said to choose beauty? I said to choose prestige!"

I was forced by my father to drag me to Bac Cuong. On arriving at Bac Cuong camp, Co Dien Chi stood at the camp gate. He was wearing a thick black robe, the north wind blew past, causing his face to crack slightly, but his figure was still as tall and straight as a pine tree in the winter sky. The moment he saw me, his expression cracked a small crack. In that gap, there was surprise and joy.

“Why did you come?”

“Being tied up by my father.”

He glanced at my father standing behind. My father crossed his arms, his face filled with dignity.

"Sir, I've brought your father's breath, Bac Cuong is cold, you have to worry about warming him up."

The corner of Co Dien Chi's mouth twitched slightly. Then he walked over, took off his robe, and put it on her. The big robe also carried his temperature, so warm that I almost cried.

“Are you cold?”

"Northern people don't even feel cold, why am I cold?"

“She is not from Bac Cuong.”

“I am your wife, wherever you are I will be there, not cold.”

He looked at me, the corners of his lips curled up. Then he bowed his head and gently kissed my forehead. My father coughed loudly behind him.

“Right in front of father-in-law——”

“Sir-in-law, this is Northern Cuong etiquette, a sign of welcome.”

The meeting in Bac Cuong went better than we imagined. Bac Cuong Vuong is a man over forty years old, with a muscular body, full beard and beard, and a voice like thunder. When meeting my father, the two of them first competed in archery. My father's three arrows all hit the bull's eye. King Bac Cuong also hit three arrows. The two burst into laughter and immediately hugged each other's shoulders and went out to drink. Co Dien Chi and I were left standing outside the tent, looking at each other not knowing what to say.

“So the conversation is considered over?” I asked.

“Northern people respect heroes.” he said, his voice calm, "your father's three arrows are enough to replace two months of me sitting and negotiating documents."

“So what you talked about before——”

“It's for lining the floor.” he replied, his eyes calm, "The final blow of the hammer must be struck by your father."

I took a look at him.

“You knew my father would come?”

“I can guess.”

“The letter you only wrote four words——”

“It's not that my father-in-law refuses, it's that I say 'refuse first and then go'. Refusing is a posture, then coming is sincerity.”

“You even count my father?”

“It doesn't count.” He looked at me, with a smile in his eyes, "I understand, I understand you, of course I also understand your father, the Tham family - you say no with your mouth, but your body is the most honest."

“What did you say?!”

"I said that she and her father-in-law are exactly alike, their mouth is hard and their heart is soft."

I kicked him once. He dodged. But he laughed even louder. After three arrows from my father and a drink, the peace talks ended smoothly. Bac Cuong retreated, opened a trade route, and the two countries formed an alliance. This is Dai Qi's most beneficial peace talks in the past thirty years. The news spread to the capital, and the whole court was shocked and delighted. For Co Dien Chi's merits, the historian wrote three full pages. But in his home letter, he only wrote one sentence——

“The negotiation is over, we go home.”

On the way back to the capital, he and I sat in the same carriage. My father was riding outside, dead or alive, refusing to sit in the same carriage with us.

“Sitting with the two of you makes me feel cramped.”

He was clearly afraid of being a troublemaker. In the carriage, I leaned on Co Dien Chi's shoulder, watching the white snow pass by outside the window.

“Co Dien Chi.”

"You said something before that you have to wait until you get home to say it."

His body stiffened slightly.

“We still haven't reached the capital yet.”

“But it's already on the way home.”

“So did you say anything?”

He turned his head to look at me. The Northern Cuong wind made his face thinner, but his eyes were brighter than before.

“Tham Niem Khanh.”

“Before you married me, were you afraid?”

“Afraid of what?”

"Afraid of marrying the wrong person, afraid that this person is not good, afraid of a cold and lonely life."

I thought for a moment.

“What now?”

"Now?" I laughed, "Now I see that my father's eyes are more accurate than mine."

The corners of his lips curled up. He bowed his head, his forehead touching mine. Their breaths entwined, warm enough to melt even ice and snow.

“For the rest of my life, she is the only person I want to protect from behind.”

“Not because of your father's military power, nor because you helped me.”

“But the best decision of Co Dien Chi's life—— was standing behind the screen that day, watching her argue with her father.”