“Want me to divorce your sister and marry you instead?…”
Time flowed with excruciating slowness. Tian Qin had to numb her mind to finally endure until Xie Tanwei released her. He smiled while tucking away her stray hairs, advising her with the gentleness of a genuine brother-in-law: “It’s dark outside, return early.”
The sustained tension and torment, like a bowstring stretched to its limit after being played with at his whim, pushed Tian Qin to the brink of collapse.
Yet she had nowhere to voice her grievances—unable to speak out or complain. The slightest rumor reaching the Yu family would spell disaster, branding her as a wanton woman seducing her sister’s husband behind her back, making concubinage an inevitability.
Encountering that drunkard was her misfortune.
Coincidentally, she hadn’t brought any maids with her.
He had calculated perfectly that she’d be like a mute tasting bitter herbs—unable to voice her suffering.
Tian Qin fled as if granted amnesty, rushing back to her courtyard. Seething with rage, she locked all doors and windows, then wrecked the meticulously tended plants in her garden. Still unsatisfied, she burned the clothes that carried his scent.
Zhao Lu, Wan Cui, and Chen Momo dared not make a sound. Tian Qin had always been gentle-tempered and had never erupted in such fury.
Yet she refused to utter a word about what had aggrieved her, guarding the secret tightly while weeping incessantly, making the matter all the more mysterious.
Her nails swollen from clenching and eyes puffy like walnuts, Tian Qin remained terrifyingly silent, burying herself under the quilts through the night.
The next morning, just as Chen Momo was worrying about how to get her to eat breakfast, someone from the outer courtyard stumbled in with a grief-stricken expression: “Terrible news! The Fourth Young Miss has tried to kill herself!”
Tian Qin jolted awake as if from a dream.
The entire Yu family had gathered in Ku Ju’s courtyard.
Accompanied by Chen Momo, Tian Qin moved as if still half-dreaming, her steps unsteady. Ku Ju’s courtyard was packed with maids, servants, and even the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner.
Fortunately discovered in time, Ku Ju survived, though her face bore a gruesome gash, blood streaming freely.
Rather than endure a miserable life married to the impoverished scholar, Ku Ju preferred to disfigure herself. She adored her ethereally handsome brother-in-law, not the destitute and dull scholar Xu Junzheng.
Several practitioners bustled about while Yu Yuan raged, loudly condemning Ku Ju’s unfilial behavior in resorting to such a foolish suicide attempt.
What would they have done if she’d died?
The arrangement of two sisters serving one husband was an unsavory topic. The Xie family demanded discretion—a concubine shouldn’t see the light of day.
Moreover, the Xu mother and son were still guests in the mansion. The marriage negotiations had just been settled last night. Ku Ju’s suicide attempt at this juncture clearly insulted the Xu family. Where would the Yu family’s dignity be? They’d be handing others ammunition for gossip.
“I tell you! You belong to the Xu family in life and in death! Even your corpse would be carried to their household!”
Blinded by anger, Yu Yuan thought this ungrateful daughter might as well be dead. Had Yao Yiniang not desperately shielded Ku Ju in tears, the enraged Yu Yuan might have beaten her to death.
“Master! Don’t force her anymore, I beg you! She’s still trying to kill herself! She’s still your daughter after all!”
“Let Tian Qin take the Xu marriage instead. She’s been making eyes at that Private Tutor anyway—why must you ruin my Ku Ju?”
When Yao Yiniang mentioned Tian Qin, Yu Yuan grew even angrier. Tian Qin happened to be present, and the entire crowd simultaneously turned their gazes toward her.
Tian Qin stood with sleeves drooping, silent. Both her eyes were severely swollen, her haggard appearance beyond description.
Assuming Tian Qin was being pressured by Ku Ju and Yao Yiniang, Yu Yuan said: “Sweet child, this doesn’t concern you. Go back first.”
Ku Ju, her face covered in blood, wept even more bitterly. Everyone knew Lord Xie was an immortal-like gentleman. Her second sister was sickly and childless—if she were to pass away one day, a concubine could be elevated to become the official wife.
Even if that didn’t happen, her brother-in-law was gentle and held a high position of power, making him a husband hard to find even after searching a thousand miles.
Why should such a good fortune be taken by Tian Qin, the daughter of a singing girl?
Tian Qin left dejectedly, and Yu Yuan once again locked Ku Ju’s courtyard, leaving maids and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner to keep strict watch.
Family shame should not be publicized—this matter must never reach the ears of Xu Mu and her son. Otherwise, if a dispute arose, the Yu family would undoubtedly be at fault.
…
Ku Ju’s suicide attempt was tightly concealed.
Yu Yuan found himself at a loss, his well-laid plans now disrupted.
The matter of Ku Ju couldn’t be hidden for long. A daughter-in-law would eventually have to meet her in-laws, but with a large scar running across Ku Ju’s face, how could they explain it to the Xu family?
Though Xu Mu and Xu Junzheng came from humble backgrounds, they were no fools.
Yu Yuan was exhausted and plagued by headaches. For several days, he had taken leave from court, resting at home and drinking medicinal soups daily.
He Shi attended to him, advising, “That wretched girl ruined her own face. Master, you mustn’t let anger harm your health. When the cart reaches the bridge, a path will appear—there will surely be a solution to the marriage alliance.”
Yu Yuan couldn’t find the words to respond and waved his hand, signaling for her to leave.
Outside, Xianqiu had specially returned from Xie Jia, asking with concern, “How is Father’s dizziness? Does he need me to attend to him?”
He Shi sighed. “Your father is angered by his unfilial daughter. You didn’t see Ku Ju’s appearance—ugly and terrifying. No family would be willing to marry her.”
“Disfigured…”
Xianqiu murmured softly, her voice filled with sorrow. “How could this happen?”
With Ku Ju disfigured, she could no longer marry into the Xu family—this move was completely ruined.
Yet, at the same time, another thought occurred to her: if Ku Ju was disfigured, she would no longer attract men, making her safe.
As a concubine, all that mattered was the ability to bear children.
Xianqiu’s heart stirred, and she brought pastries to visit Ku Ju. Ku Ju’s face was truly a horrifying sight—not only would men be repulsed, but even women would find it disgusting. It stood in stark contrast to Tian Qin’s flower-like beauty.
She comforted Ku Ju, speaking softly through tears, “Fourth Sister, you must never harm yourself. If there’s anything troubling you, we can talk it over. Seeing you like this breaks Second Sister’s heart.”
Wrapped in thick bandages, Ku Ju leaned against Xianqiu’s knees, weeping uncontrollably. All the past neglect and coldness from her second sister seemed to be compensated for by her disfigurement.
“Second Sister, Ku Ju only wishes to stay by your and Brother-in-law’s side. I don’t want to marry.”
Xianqiu understood her underlying meaning all too well. Patting her back gently, she comforted her, “Silly sister, I too wish for you young sisters to stay by my side. How about this—I will speak to Father about your situation. You must never harm yourself again.”
Ku Ju was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. “Second Sister, really?”
Xianqiu nodded.
Ku Ju’s disfigurement had shaken Xianqiu’s resolve. While Ku Ju’s face would be a disaster for other families, for Xie Jia, which only required a concubine to bear children, she was the ideal candidate—fertile, without captivating beauty. This would solve Xianqiu’s childlessness while ensuring the concubine wouldn’t steal her husband’s affection.
Xianqiu sought out Yu Yuan and persuaded him: since Ku Ju had resisted so fiercely, they shouldn’t rush to marry her into the Xu family. After all, she was their own flesh and blood—if her life were lost, how heartbreaking it would be.
Yu Yuan was both surprised and puzzled. Did this mean they were changing candidates again?
…
Tian Qin had been frightened that night, then doused with cold water by Ku Ju and her mother, leaving her listless and bedridden for days. She suffered from nightmares, her delicate features now pale as if dusted with lime.
When Wan Cui and Zhao Lu brought her meals, she barely touched them, finding everything bland and unappetizing, her spirit utterly depleted.
She used to visit the private school to see Yan Ge’er and Tutor Xu, but now she didn’t even think of Tutor Xu, as if drained of all vitality, trapped in her own shadows.
Before long, late spring arrived.
He Shi insisted Tian Qin come to the reception hall. Reluctantly, she freshened up listlessly, concealing the dark circles under her eyes.
In the front hall, the family gathered for a meal, except for Ku Ju, who remained absent due to her disfigured face.
Xie Tanwei exchanged polite greetings with his third sister-in-law as usual, his demeanor perfectly proper, as if the incident under the bamboo grove moonlight had never occurred.
“Third Sister seems unwell.”
He served her a portion of food.
Tian Qin tensed.
“Third Sister was frightened by Fourth Sister that day. It’s my fault for not taking better care of them.”
Xianqiu murmured softly, “Husband, why not cheer her up with some novel trinkets? She’s always liked that Xiaxuzhuo bracelet you gave her last time.”
Xie Tanwei acknowledged with a calm voice, warm as the late spring sunshine, “The storeroom is open for you sisters to choose anything you like.”
He Shi added apologetically, “Son-in-law, don’t spoil them. These girls are already unruly enough to turn the household upside-down.”
Yu Yuan interjected, “When will you be leaving, worthy son-in-law?”
The Late Spring Strategy Examination was approaching, and Xie Tanwei, as chief examiner, would soon be sequestered.
Xie Tanwei replied, “I leave tomorrow. Scholars from various regions should be arriving in the capital one after another.”
He Shi nodded, “The streets are terribly crowded.”
Xie Tanwei said considerately, “During my absence, I’ll trouble my parents-in-law to look after my wife.”
Xianqiu blushed, her lips curving into a smile.
Yu Yuan and He Shi both laughed, “Nonsense, son-in-law.”
Tian Qin bowed her head, silently scooping her porridge, listening to their conversation as her porcelain spoon lightly clinked against the bowl.
After the meal, he tacitly stayed behind, and she knowingly remained as well. Once the servants had dispersed, only the natural sounds of birdsong filled the silence.
A dreadful tacit understanding unique to the two of them.
“That night, I mistook Third Sister for Xianqiu. It was Brother-in-law’s fault.”
Xie Tanwei spoke first, his voice echoing in the east wind of late spring, “But for Third Sister to shut herself away and abandon hope because of this… Brother-in-law finds it both heartbreaking and deeply disappointing.”
Tian Qin felt like a rootless waterweed, stranded on shore, powerless to retreat, “Brother-in-law… did you really mistake me for sister?”
Xie Tanwei paused, “Not entirely.”
Tian Qin fell into wordless silence.
“Just tell me clearly what Brother-in-law wants.”
After a moment, she spoke, her delicate eyes tinged with red veins, light yet cold, “Brother-in-law’s hot-and-cold behavior, manipulating as you please, makes me feel like a trapped jar—without even the escape of suicide like Ku Ju.”
“Third Sister should understand Brother-in-law’s feelings.”
He said quietly.
“Then Brother-in-law should understand mine as well.”
Tian Qin responded.
Outside the window, the spring lake thawed, its waters shimmering. Xie Tanwei’s expression turned cold as crab shell blue, “You’re still young, too inexperienced in matters of love. Forget that private tutor. Let Brother-in-law take good care of you.”
Tian Qin bit her lip, “Must Brother-in-law insist? Tian Qin doesn’t want to be a concubine. You know that perfectly well.”
“Then what do you want?” Xie Tanwei smiled, casually remarking, “Want me to divorce your sister and marry you instead?”
His fingers lightly rested beneath her chin, savoring her fine tremors like an autumn downy bird. “Does a girl of your background deserve such standing?”
“Sowing discord, intruding where you don’t belong, driving me to dote on a concubine while casting aside my wife—do you think the Yu family would let you off?”
Tian Qin’s face instantly turned ashen, the corners of her eyes glistening faintly with moisture as she stared down at her lavish lotus-root-colored skirt, beneath which lay nothing but festering flesh.
“I never meant to drive a wedge between sister and brother-in-law, nor cause you to favor a concubine over your wife…”
Xie Tanwei coldly interrupted, “I know. But you must obey.”
“If you behave, I won’t pursue how you borrowed my exam questions to curry favor with others. I might even ensure your beloved achieves a high rank.”
“But if you disobey…”
Tian Qin shuddered, instinctively lying that she had merely memorized the answers without any ulterior motive, and had given them all to Yu Ye.
“Brother-in-law finds it inconvenient to expose this matter.”
Her palms clenched tightly, unconsciously grasping his sleeve. The vibrant color of her lips faded to pale, her tension reaching its peak.
“Whatever conditions you have, I’ll agree to them all.”
Xie Tanwei smiled without responding, neither believing nor disbelieving.
“Brother-in-law doesn’t care whom you gave the answers to—that’s your freedom. I only expect you to return what you borrow, to understand gratitude and repayment. When you take rewards, you must pay the price.”
He lifted his gaze to her.
In his eyes, she was already his possession.
Author’s Note: