Chapter 1 — Ngoc Om Thanh Hoan

I went to the chief's residence to visit my relatives. As soon as I entered the courtyard, I saw a young lady staggering out. She conveniently pulled off her cloak and threw all the pearls in her hair to the ground.
"I give it all to her! Is that satisfactory?"
Only later did I learn that she was the eldest sister's daughter. She quarreled with the nanny in the same palace over a piece of cloth. That night, the little girl was so angry that she had a high fever that wouldn't go down. I advised: "Why don't you go visit a little?" Under the candlelight, the eldest sister was watching the nurse practice her writing, her voice indifferent: "She has always been arrogant, the more she cares, the more fuss she makes." I silently replied, silently making up my mind. If you don't care, why not give the child to me to raise?
1
I used an excuse to go out for a walk and went to Thanh Hoan's room. As soon as I saw a doctor walking out with a trunk, I stopped and asked: "How's it going?"
"Young lady has a lot of pain in her heart, she's cold, she needs careful nursing."
My heart is sobbing, at the age of just over ten, I should be so innocent and radiant, but why is it filled with so many warm and heavy memories? In the room, the lady was serving her some medicine. When she saw me enter the door, the little girl reluctantly swallowed the bowl of bitter medicine and softly called out: "Mother." I reached out and touched her head, it was incredibly hot.
“Why do you have to be so angry, hurting yourself, is it worth it?”
The self-pity that Trieu Thanh Hoan had just suppressed rose again, the edges of his eyes were slightly red.
“Did my mother send someone to advise me?”
I didn't answer, just asked: "What happened this afternoon? Can you tell me?" Thanh Hoan wiped his tears and slowly told the story clearly. A few days ago, when she went hunting in the fall, she and the noble ladies competed in a horse-riding competition and won first place. The reward was a rare brocade brocade. Trieu Thanh Hoan was born into a general's family and was an outstanding horse rider from a young age. She won a glorious victory in that horse-riding battle. In her heart, she especially cherished the cloth she had won with her own hands. She originally intended to make a new cotton shirt at the Winter Solstice. Nurse Trieu Lenh Nguyet happened to see it, her fingertips gently caressing the silk, her eyes full of admiration: "I have never seen such good fabric." Thanh Hoan's personality is straightforward, and he immediately promised: "In my warehouse, I still have a piece of knitted brocade, the color is even more beautiful than this one. Come back and I'll give it to you." But Trieu Lenh Nguyet's eyes were still glued to the brocade that afternoon, refusing to move even a little bit. Seeing this, the elder sister immediately opened her mouth and said: "If Linh Nguyet likes it, give it to him. Your warehouse is full of good fabrics, not one of these is missing." Trieu Thanh Hoan opened his eyes wide in surprise.
“This is the trophy I got from winning the horse, how can I casually give it to someone else!”
The elder sister immediately frowned: "At such a young age, you can only open your mouth with all the spoils of war, the house is not a battlefield, there is no need to think like that." While the two were arguing, Trieu Lenh Nguyet pulled the older sister's sleeve, forcing herself to appear docile and gentle.
“If you can't bear it, then that's it.”
These words, on the contrary, pierced Trieu Thanh Hoan's heart even more, making her more uncomfortable. She raised her voice to explain.
"What do I have that I can't bear? I told you something better, why don't you understand!"
“Why are you angry with Linh Nguyet!” The elder sister shouted sternly.
“That year, your father died to save your father, and our whole family is in debt Lenh Nguyet, don't say a single piece of silk, even if I give you the whole warehouse, it's fine!"
Thanh Hoan's throat choked and he couldn't say anything. Hot tears suddenly filled the edges of his eyes. A bit more disgust appeared in the elder sister's eyes.
“When encountering problems, I can only cry, every little thing has been carefully planned, and I absolutely do not have half the temper that a minister's daughter should have. You should study Lenh Nguyet more, be calm and polite, know how to advance and retreat.”
"Okay! All for her! Give her anything!”
Thanh Hoan screamed with red eyes, knocked over the silk sheet on the table, and without turning back, rushed out of the yard. That is the scene we just encountered. The little girl poured out all the anger in her heart, the tip of her nose turned red.
"She never listened to my explanation. When she opened her mouth, she said we owe Linh Nguyet, should I still pay her with my life?"
My heart is full of regret. That child doesn't necessarily want to paint a canvas, but rather the high or low position in this general's palace.
“Don't be sad anymore.” I gently comforted you.
"When your fever subsides completely, I'll take you out to play tag. There are a few famous restaurants in the city that I'm familiar with, so we'll take turns to taste the new breakfast."
Children are naturally easy to coax, as soon as these words were said, a ray of light immediately lit up in Thanh Hoan's eyes. She picked up the bowl of water, gulped it down in a few gulps, and quickly wrapped herself in a blanket.
"We made a promise, we can't go back on our word."
2
Saying goodbye in Thanh Hoan's yard, I originally planned to go find my eldest sister and talk for a long time. The woman guarding the courtyard stepped forward, her face awkward, and she bowed in response.
“My lord, the lady has already taken the second young lady back to her room to rest.”
My eyebrows slightly raised. Linh Nguyet is no longer young, but her eldest sister still keeps her in the same bed. Truly... strictly biased. If in her heart and eyes, she loves her daughter, she completely ignores her biological daughter. If only Thanh Hoan could be my heir, it would be considered perfect for both parties. I sighed softly, only feeling that fate was impermanent. In the year of birth, in order to save the Queen Mother, I fell into a cold lagoon. Since then, the foundation has been damaged and will not be able to have children for the rest of its life. At the age where marriage should be discussed, the families all avoided me as if they couldn't avoid it. The Queen Mother felt grateful for my kindness in rescuing her, and specifically asked to make me the district head. She provided food for the hamlet and rewarded countless amounts of gold, silver, and land. On the day of the ordination, she held my hand, her words were profound.
“It's your family that makes you suffer, but in the life of a woman, you don't necessarily have to be confined to marriage. Now my power is no less than that of a normal man. Isn't it fun to listen to music and raise a few male pets?
I completely agree, I feel that what the Queen Mother said makes a lot of sense. But when the excitement dissipates, when you are alone, it is inevitable that some emptiness arises. That's why I came to the palace chief to chat and relax. That day I heard that she had a daughter, I couldn't stop admiring her. What she hates and hates is what I earnestly dream of. The next morning, when I woke up, there was a banquet in the palace. As soon as everyone sat down, Trieu Lenh Nguyet proactively approached me.
“Auntie, I heard that you are skilled in the law of sounds? I've been studying the piano for three years. I wonder if I'll be lucky enough to have someone to give me one or two pointers?
The tip of my finger holding the chopsticks paused slightly, a glimmer of sarcasm flashed through my eyes. I just like to listen to songs, where can I get the chance to master the laws of music? The elder sister next to her calmly chimed in.
"Lanh Nguyet has always been studious and diligent. If you have free time, just give him a few more points."
I couldn't refuse anymore, I nodded and said okay. Trieu Lenh Nguyet immediately gave a signal to the maid. A moment later, a black ancient guitar was carefully carried up. Over the years, I have seen many strange treasures, and at a glance, I realized that this guitar has extremely good materials. I couldn't help but praise: "Good piano." The bottom of Trieu Lenh Nguyet's eyes flashed with secret pride, but on the outside of her mouth, she was even more humble and gentle.
"Auntie is so complimented, this is a special gift for me."
The instrument is a good instrument, the songs are also neat, but the technique alone is deliberately immature and has a strong workman's smell. I sat quietly and listened, understanding clearly in my heart. It's just a deliberate attempt to show off his talent and take advantage of the opportunity to climb up. It's a shallow tactic that can be seen at a glance. At the end of the song, the eldest sister was the first to clap, her eyes full of pride. I don't want to judge her, just lightly tap on the edge of the table.
“Why didn't Thanh Hoan come to dinner today?”
The eldest sister's smile stiffened, as if she had suddenly remembered that she had a biological daughter. With a slightly unnatural look on his face, he said: "You're infected with wind and cold, you can't be hit by the wind. I've ordered someone to deliver food to your room." I asked step by step: "If you are sick, you have to be even more careful with your rice and soup. Sick people should avoid spicy foods and foods that make them sick. I don't know what dishes I gave you today. Have you seen them yourself?" The elder sister said lightly: "The mother serving Thanh Hoan is an old person, she has always been meticulous and meticulous, there is no need to worry too much." Trieu Lenh Nguyet next to him also chimed in: "Sister's body has always been healthy, just a little cold, two days of rest is fine." When I heard that, I just felt cold and funny. There's no way your daughter's high fever hasn't subsided yet. Outsiders can simply say "healthy body" and let it go. I said no more and stood up straight.
"My niece is sick. As my mother, of course I should personally visit her."
Trieu Lenh Nguyet rolled his eyes very slightly and immediately followed quickly.
“Auntie, I will go with you to visit my sister.”
3
Although Trieu Thanh Hoan's high fever had receded, his face was still pale and haggard. She wore a thin coat and sat alone in front of the table, barely scratching a bowl of rice. I scanned the entire table of food, luckily there was no spicy food that made me sick. It's just too frugal, just a few frugal vegetable dishes combined with a bowl of chicken soup. Seeing me enter the door, Thanh Hoan's eyes immediately lit up with joy. She suddenly stood up, the coat on her shoulders slid down more than half without even realizing it.
"Auntie, my fever's gone down, when are we going to throw cards at the wine shop?"
The elder sister was stunned when she heard that, her voice carrying some surprise.
“Ngoc Nhi, you secretly went with Thanh Hoan…”
Rarely do I feel a little embarrassed and explain quietly.
"I went to visit her last night. I was planning to find you later to talk to you, but the lady on duty at night said you had already retired."
The elder sister nodded and said no more. Next to him, Trieu Lenh Nguyet suddenly interjected, his eyes carrying the right look of expectation.
“Auntie, you and your sister are going out to play, can you also take me along?”
Instinctively, I looked at Trieu Thanh Hoan before. There was a clear tension in her eyes, she didn't want to write it all on her face. After all, he's still young, afraid of feelings, and doesn't dare to speak frankly. Just quietly turned away, trying to suppress the resistance in my heart. I saw clearly and calmly refused.
"If I go out alone and take care of two children, I'm afraid I won't be able to manage it. There will be many inconveniences."
As soon as the words ended, the elder sister immediately spoke for Linh Nguyet to make peace, her voice carrying some obvious advice.
"It's just that I'm just bringing along. They're all juniors. As an aunt, I can't respect or disrespect each other."
"Are not."
My voice was neat, this was the first time I rejected my eldest sister's dignity so decisively.
"I have never liked to mess up the planned plan. This time I will only instruct Thanh Hoan and Lenh Nguyet to discuss it another day."
The elder sister's face was a bit stiff, and in the end, it was not convenient to force her any further, so she had no choice but to give up. The three of them left the hospital together, walked through the garden, and in the middle of the street, Trieu Lenh Nguyet suddenly stopped.
“Aunt Mother, I want to walk in the garden with Mother, do you want to come with me?”
No matter how wise I am, of course I know: "No need, you and your mother can be at ease." It's just that my heart is a little moved, always feeling that she intentionally separates me like that for another purpose. I slowly walked forward a few steps, taking advantage of the cover of flowers and grass to quietly hide myself.