Chapter 5 — Tham Nuong Does Not Marry Ta Family

13

Pho Hoai Tich took me all the way to the medical clinic. On the way, I realized that behind him there were many young deputy generals following. Suddenly remembering the promise that day, I thought, he must have come here to fulfill that promise. It was just that I accidentally got hurt. I secretly looked at those deputy generals. Although their appearance was not top-notch, their facial features were elegant and exuding righteousness. I just don't know what my morals are, if it's okay, I can try it out, rather than let my father always worry about my marriage. While I was thinking, I suddenly felt someone gently touch my calf. I groaned in pain, suddenly woke up, looked down, and saw Pho Hoai Tich kneeling next to me, his big hand holding my leg. Seeing me looking, his eyes softened a bit: "Don't worry, no bones are broken." The doctor sitting next to me saw that he was acting skillfully, so he didn't say anything more, simply checked my wound, applied medicine, bandaged it carefully, and then hurriedly went on to another patient. For a long while, the atmosphere in the room fell silent. I glanced at their tired, weathered group, remembered what I said the other day, and spoke up:

“Come to my inn, I'll invite you to dinner.”

The young deputy generals, with open personalities, happily accepted the invitation. Pho Hoai Tich pursed his lips slightly, but in the end said nothing.

14

The whole group went to the inn. I leaned on my cane and told the kitchen to make a few more dishes to treat them. After the meal, I asked the treasurer to arrange a room for each person in the group. When everyone else had gone upstairs, only Pho Hoai Tich and I were left facing each other. Not being able to find anything to say, my mind was confused. Without thinking carefully, I blurted out: "Little uncle, the young deputy generals next to you, who wants to come see me?" The man in front of me sat upright. Hearing that, he stopped, his eyes slightly raised, he stared at me for a moment, then slowly said:

“They are all married.”

“Ah?” So we misunderstood?

My face immediately turned red, I just wanted to find a hole to crawl into! But at that moment, a voice rang out, breaking my embarrassment:

“Hey, this upper room is really not bad, it's not in vain that we go to Duong Chau——”

I raised my head and immediately saw a deputy general coming down from nowhere, smiling brightly. Hearing Pho Hoai Tich's words, he opened his eyes in surprise, pointed at himself, and then asked in surprise:

"General, I haven't become a family yet! Old Ngo hasn't——"

Pho Hoai Tich's cold eyes immediately swept over. Me: “?” Deputy General: “？” His eyes glanced back and forth between me and Pho Hoai Tich, suddenly smiled, then winked at me:

"That's right, that's right, we're all family! Only the general hasn't yet! But it's probably coming soon!"

Ta: “……” I don't know if it was my illusion or not, but Pho Hoai Tich's ears, hidden under her black hair, seemed to turn slightly red.

15

Deputy Hoai Tich stayed in Duong Chau for two months, first helping the local government stabilize the displaced people, then personally quelling the bandits. The wound in my leg caused me inconvenience. He didn't say a word, took responsibility for me, and came to the camp every day to distribute porridge. Pho Hoai Tich's majestic appearance and strong aura made no one dare to cause trouble. Seeing this, my mother couldn't help but flirt many times reward: “This person is really good.” I understand what you mean, but remember what that deputy general said, Pho Hoai Tich is about to get married? … That's fair enough. But for some reason, there was something heavy in my chest. I did not expect that at night I would see Pho Hoai Tich sitting at the dinner table with my family. My father smiled and raised his chin towards him:

“Daughter, Deputy Little General is a righteous person, worthy of entrusting his whole life.”

I was stunned. Afterwards, listening to his father's story, Pho Hoai Tich won the battle, offered gold, silver and jewels in front of the palace, and immediately sent a letter to his father, expressing his desire to propose marriage. Thanks to that, the Tham family has a large sum of money to do good deeds. But after spending many days together, Pho Hoai Tich never mentioned this matter. I was surprised, confused, mixed with a bit of unspeakable joy, and suddenly didn't know what to do. It was only when I saw Pho Hoai Tich out the door after the meal that I couldn't help but ask:

“Why did you suddenly propose to me?… Also, why didn't you say so before?”

Two consecutive questions made him briefly stop walking. Turning his head, his eyes were quiet and serious as he said:

"The day you gave me ten thousand taels of silver, I already wanted to marry you. It's just that we haven't had much contact and don't understand each other well. In the past two months, I wanted to let you understand more about me, then decide."

He knows clearly where that thousand taels of silver came from. She suffered all the wrongs at the Ta family. The money she got from the divorce, but when she heard that the border was in trouble, without hesitation, she gave the entire ten thousand taels to him. Such a good lady, worthy of being cherished and protected. I looked at him blankly, suddenly feeling an indescribable softness in my heart. Suddenly, he added another sentence:

“Her eldest sister-in-law and nephew also miss her very much.”

Seeing his eyes secretly glancing at me, I suddenly burst out laughing, smiling slightly: "Then come with me back to the capital?" Hearing that, his eyes lit up, the corners of his lips curled slightly: "Okay."

16

The news that the Deputy Lieutenant General was getting married quickly spread throughout the capital within a few days. The Fu family had just achieved great success and was favored by His Majesty. Many people were vying to make friends. Of course, Ta Nam Tu also heard this news, so he ordered someone to prepare generous gifts and personally went to the palace to congratulate. But he did not expect that in the crowd, he would see a familiar figure. I held a round fan and worshiped with Pho Hoai Tich. Sister A Man stood next to me, smiling endlessly. She had a quiet personality and didn't make things difficult for me, just leisurely accepting a cup of tea to celebrate. (Grandmother: mother-in-law) When the ceremony ended, the maid helped me into the new room. As soon as I turned around, I immediately met Ta Nam Tu's eyes. His eyes were filled with surprise, shock, and even a bit of unwillingness. I didn't say anything, quietly walked past him and into the new room. Ta Nam Tu stood stunned, watching my back disappear. Next to him, an acquaintance patted his shoulder:

“Hey, I think this bride looks very familiar, doesn't she look a lot like your young lady?”

“……” Ta Nam Tu moved his lips, but couldn't say a word.

He must be thinking —— Why did she marry Pho Hoai Tich? And why could she marry Pho Hoai Tich?