Chapter 4 — Where Spring Returns

Even though Tan Nghien Tu and Than Vuong did not have a conflict, thinking about it again and again, I still felt uneasy, and finally decided to make an appointment with him about three things.
“I'm a coward, you're my husband so you have to protect me.”
“Every day when court ends, you have to come back and have a meal with me.”
“On my day off, you have to take me out to do the things I like.”
We must fill up all of Tan Nghien Tu's free time, so he will no longer have time to resent world affairs. What the elder sister said was right, when I look at others with sparkling eyes, no one can refuse my request. Of course, Tan Nghien Tu is no exception.
“Okay, I promise you.”
He hugged me and said in a low voice:
"You can see that the lady has been pampered since childhood, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law both regard her as a treasure. If I were to marry her, of course I would not let her suffer any self-pity."
Tan Nghien Tu said he could do it. Every day after court ends, the first thing he does is return to us. On hand, sometimes it's the rimmed cherries that we just happened to mention the other day, sometimes it's the cakes that have just come out of the bakery. On his day off, he also refused all appointments with colleagues to walk with me in the suburbs, admire the early spring scenery, and row a boat to enjoy lotus flowers. Even he himself admitted that he has been neglecting his work a lot lately. I tilted my head to look at him.
“So do you think it's more fun to paint your eyebrows for me, or to drink wine with your colleagues?”
Tan Nghien Tu's eyes immediately softened.
"People always say that beauty captivates people's hearts. Before, I just thought it was empty talk, but now I truly understand."
I placed the eyebrow ink stick in his hand, my fingertips gently touching his palm.
"The husband who has just entered the court should still show off his talents less, know how to hide and wait for the right time, step by step progress is the long-term plan."
His long fingertips held the eyebrow ink stick and gently placed it on my eyebrows.
“Madam, what you say is very correct.”
… My sister-in-law is very busy, so every day I go to her hospital to keep her company. He was busy with accounting, so I sat next to him and complimented him on his skill, his quick calculations, his beautiful handwriting, and complimented him that he was the most beautiful when he was working attentively. Every time that happens, the eldest sister-in-law laughs and scolds:
"I was truly deceived by your younger brother's mouth as sweet as pouring honey. I willingly volunteered to be your buffalo and horse."
I laughed and stuffed a sweet cherry into the mouth of my pipe.
“It's called talented people who should do many things!”
Waiting for my pipe to be free, I took it out for a walk on the street. I know every shop and restaurant in the capital like the back of my hand. Which lipstick shop has the most beautiful colors, which silk shop always has new designs first, which wine shop has the best goat meat, which bakery makes the most authentic lotus cakes... The eldest sister often exclaimed:
“The past few months walking around with my younger sister have been more fun than the last twenty years combined.”
I am not humble at all.
“From now on, I will make my sister-in-law happy like this every day.”
It's just a pity, there aren't so many smooth sailing days in the world. That day, my sister-in-law and I went to Vong Nguyet Lau to enjoy a crab feast. Coincidentally, in the next room was the big brother of the Tan family, Tan Nghien Tu.
"It's been a few years since brother Qin got married? Why don't we have any children in the palace yet?"
"Correct So. People of the same age as you, no family has a lot of children and grandchildren."
“Brother Qin is truly a rare and passionate person. Every man who is successful in this world does not have a house filled with wives and concubines."
“Or let us choose some beautiful ladies for you. Even if it's just to continue the family line, that's good."
“…”
I turned to look at my sister-in-law. I just saw him tightening his handkerchief, his face turned a little pale. Immediately afterwards, Tan Nghien Tu's angry voice came from the next room.
“My wife is very kind, I have never intended to marry her. Let's leave things up to God's will, I just hope to be able to rely on her until the end of my life. Don't repeat such words again in the future."
I breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, big brother is still an understanding person.
“Don't be sad, big sister. Big brother is protecting the pipe. If you're still angry, let me scold those disciples."
The eldest sister quickly stopped me.
"It's okay, I'm not angry, just... a little sad."
I guess what makes the eldest sister-in-law sad is the fact that she still hasn't had children. That night, I told Tan Nghien Tu everything, then asked him whether it was big brother or big sister who had the problem. Tan Nghien Tu also did not hide it. It turns out that three years ago, the eldest sister-in-law was pregnant, but unfortunately had a miscarriage. The doctor said that the miscarriage had damaged her vital organs, and she was afraid it would be difficult to have children again in the future. It turns out that's it. No wonder, on the way back from Vong Nguyet Lau, the eldest sister-in-law was always gloomy and unhappy. I suddenly remembered that in my previous life, the Divine King's concubine was also damaged due to a miscarriage, so she searched everywhere for a famous doctor to treat her. Everyone said she would never be able to have children again in this life. But in the end she was still pregnant. Because Than Vuong found a mysterious physician named Lam to treat her. Calculating time is also around this time. If I can invite that Doctor Lam to treat my eldest sister-in-law, maybe she can get pregnant. The next morning, I immediately wrote to my eldest sister, asking her to help me pay attention to this matter. But I was afraid that because of that, my eldest sister would displease the Royal Family and the Royal Highness, so at the end of the letter I added:
“If this makes the Princess unhappy, don't be reluctant. I will think of another way. The eldest sister in the Royal Palace is in many dangers, so you must know how to take care of yourself."
The next day, the elder sister's response letter was sent.
“Dao Nhi doesn't need to worry. You live in the Royal Palace very well, the Princess treats you closely like a friend. Lately she's been taking care of her body, so I'll help you pay attention to Doctor Lam."