Chapter 6 — Where Spring Returns

Not many days after the banquet, I received a letter from the elder sister. Muc Thanh Nguyen was indeed pregnant. The elder sister also said that when Mu Thanh Nguyen's health is stable, Doctor Lam will go to Qin Palace to examine the eldest sister's health. I was afraid something would happen midway, so I only talked about this with Tan Nghien Tu, telling him not to reveal it for now. Tan Nghien Tu lifted my face, bent down and gently kissed my lips over and over again.
"Madam, why are you so good? Being able to marry you is truly my blessing."
“And yet you still don't know how to appreciate it.”
“Why don't I appreciate her?”
Tan Nghien Tu also expressed injustice.
"Is there anyone in the court who doesn't know that I'm afraid of my wife?"
“Then why did I hear that you had a conflict with the Chancellor?”
"Who is that talkative person coming in front of you and talking nonsense like that? That's not a conflict, just a normal discussion of political opinions."
"Really?"
"Real!"
I sniffled softly, feeling sorry for myself and said:
"But I'm scared. You have a straightforward personality, and in official positions, it's easy to have conflicts with others. Every time I think about that, I can't stand still at home, can't eat well, and can't sleep well."
"Can't eat well, can't sleep well?"
Tan Nghien Tu gently pinched my clearly round face, tried to hold back his laughter and said:
“So it's been really hard for you, ma'am.”
“…”
I craned my neck and said with a serious face:
"I don't care. In short, before doing anything, you must think carefully. Your wife's body is weak and cannot endure hardship. If you offend someone more powerful than yourself and are demoted to exile, I will have no way to live!"
Tan Nghien Tu looked at me for a long time with deep eyes, then spoke:
"What you mean is, if unfortunately I am demoted, will you not leave me and be willing to follow me?"
This person's way of thinking...
"What I mean is that you don't suddenly get excited and do something that will get you demoted."
“I understand.”
Tan Nghien Tu hugged me again.
"The lady is cowardly and has never suffered since she was a child. Since the wife married her, he will definitely protect her and will absolutely not do anything that will cause her to be implicated and suffer."
I raised my head to look at him.
“You swear!”
Tan Nghien Tu raised his hand.
"I swear, from now on, I will definitely act carefully and protect my wife's life in peace."
… That divine doctor named Lam soon arrived. When checking the pulse, the elder brother and mother-in-law were both present. The whole family held their breath, just waiting for Doctor Lam's conclusion. Fortunately, the results were very positive. Doctor Lam prescribed a remedy and advised some things to pay attention to, telling the sister-in-law to take the medicine on time and rest assured. The next morning, my sister-in-law immediately came to my hospital. He placed all the cards, butler's keys, and books on the table.
"Dao Nhi, I've heard what Doctor Lam said. From now on, I have to rest in peace. I've discussed it with my mother. From now on, the management of the house will be handed over to you."
I was so scared that I almost fell out of my chair.
“Big sister, you are repaying kindness with resentment!”
The eldest sister covered her mouth and laughed.
"Don't worry, although everything is left to you to handle, I won't completely let go. I will still do the things that should be done."
What else can I say? I just had to grit my teeth and accept it. In the evening, when Tan Nghien Tu When I returned, I was looking gloomily through the books. He placed the package of roasted chestnuts with sugar next to my hand.
“What are you busy with, ma'am?”
I raised my eyes to look at him.
"Watching my feet get smashed by the rock I lifted myself."
Tan Nghien Tu immediately bowed seriously, intending to lift my skirt.
"Which leg is injured? How was it beaten? Is it serious? Have you called the doctor yet?"
Looking at his tense appearance, I couldn't help but laugh.
“Not this foot.”
I pushed the books in front of him.
"The eldest sister-in-law must rest, everything in the palace has been handed over to me."
Tan Nghien Tu immediately understood and reached out to pat my head.
“Don't worry, I still have you.”
Tan Nghien Tu said he could do it. From that day on, every day when he returned, he helped me arrange the books. On his day off, he also went with me to check out the estate and shops. Although life is busier than before, fortunately it is not as complicated as we think. We gradually get used to it. It wasn't until late spring of the following year that the eldest brother and eldest sister finally received the good news that belonged to them. The elder sister also said that when Mu Thanh Nguyen's pregnancy is stable, Doctor Lam will go to Qin Palace to examine the eldest sister's doctor. … This is the biggest joy of the Tan family. Therefore, my father-in-law and mother-in-law specially prepared generous gifts, sent Tan Nghien Tu and me to Than Vuong's palace to pay our respects, and thank Muc Thanh Nguyen and the elder sister. Of course I don't want to go. Regardless, that palace is still an indelible ghost in my heart. But the eldest sister sent a letter, saying the Princess wanted to see me. That day, as soon as I walked through the big gate of Than Vuong Palace, my heart immediately jumped. It was a feeling of tension that naturally arose, completely uncontrollable, mixed with a bit of fear that was hard to put into words. Mu Thanh Nguyen called me to the front and gently spoke:
“I don't know why, every time I see you, I feel heartbroken, like I owe you a lot.”
My heart suddenly feels sour. I remember my previous life, every time I went to the main courtyard, I was so scared that my whole body trembled. After that, Muc Thanh Nguyen definitely exempted me from asking for peace morning and night. I stayed in the hospital day after day, not stepping out the door, living like an invisible person. Muc Thanh Nguyen once sent someone to give me an invitation to attend a banquet, but I didn't dare to go, every time I used the excuse of being sick to refuse. As the number of times increased, perhaps Mu Thanh Nguyen became suspicious and said he would send a female doctor to examine me. I was extremely scared, worried that the lie being exposed would make the Princess angry, so I thought it would be best if I really got sick. In the middle of a cold winter, I poured a basin of cold water on myself. That same night, I started having a high fever that wouldn't go away. Also because of that illness, I had a cough, and since then I've been in the hospital bed constantly. Now that I think back, perhaps Muc Thanh Nguyen just wanted to show me good intentions, but I didn't understand. It's because I'm too shy.