Brother-in-law, this is my betrothed…
Yu Yuan and He Shi were momentarily stunned upon seeing Xie Tanwei, their spirits chilled by his austere demeanor, leaving them silent. Xu Mu also froze, the lively atmosphere instantly solidified as if all sound in the world had ceased.
It was a narrow-path encounter, like needle tip meeting wheat awn—nowhere to flee, no gap to slip through, a true close-quarters confrontation.
Tian Qin shielded her dimmed eyes briefly before revealing a brilliantly appropriate smile. Treating her brother-in-law as the closest of kin, she linked arms with Xu Junzheng and stepped forward, saying cheerfully:
“Brother-in-law, this is my betrothed. You must mentor him more in the future.”
Her words fell, and heaven and earth fell into utter silence.
The empty, stern atmosphere grew heavier, as if instead of sweltering summer breezes, blizzards and howling winds blew, filled with a terrifying, oppressive low pressure that seemed ready to devour anyone in its path.
Xie Tanwei’s dark eyes reflected their figures as he let out a soft laugh.
“Betrothed?”
His lips moved, but his expression remained deathly still, sinking like a stone into deep, stagnant waters—a silence as profound as death.
His faint smile held half self-mockery and half an indescribable complexity, like bright light reflecting off accumulated snow.
“…Esteemed Teacher Xu?”
Though bathed in the soft afternoon summer sun, he remained as cold as the moon, offering not a trace of warmth.
Yu Yuan and He Shi exchanged glances, tacitly falling silent, as if frozen solid. Xianqiu, intimidated by Xie Tanwei’s aloof and unapproachable aura—like the harsh winds of late autumn—also refrained from stepping forward to speak.
Everyone waited for Xie Tanwei’s reaction, watching to see how Tian Qin would respond, given the intricate ties between them.
When Xu Junzheng heard Tian Qin address him as “Brother-in-law,” his mind roared—the man before him was the Sage Teacher revered by scholars across the land, radiant as the sun and moon, and his own mentor for the current imperial examination.
Overwhelmed by the sudden appearance of the one he admired, Xu Junzheng felt indescribable emotions, his eyes instantly bloodshot. He bowed deeply, hands clasped, his forehead nearly touching his knees, his voice strained: “This humble scholar, Xu Junzheng, pays respects to my esteemed mentor. I am deeply honored.”
Xu Junzheng felt a pang of guilt, knowing full well that the answers Tian Qin had provided came from Xie Tanwei’s hand. Yet, for the sake of fame and fortune, he had deliberately recited and transcribed them word for word into his examination paper.
The sharp, incisive, and profound viewpoints in that paper had actually originated from another soul.
He had stolen the top honor with plagiarized answers, and the Large Red Plume Hat of the Number One Scholar felt precarious on his head, anything but secure.
Xie Tanwei glanced sideways at Xu Junzheng, responding with cold yet polite courtesy, his tone and demeanor markedly different from usual.
Clearly, the identical arguments and borrowed perspectives in the examination paper had been instantly recognizable to him during grading, yet he had not exposed it.
He had still awarded Xu Junzheng the title of Number One Scholar.
“Young Master Xu.”
Xu Junzheng, wearing a Square Cloth Cap, embodied the spirit of a scholar—refined yet nervous, his expression uneasy. Xie Tanwei, in contrast, was deep as an abyss, solemn and profound, exuding the innate scrutiny of nobility and the natural bearing of one in authority.
This invisible confrontation bristled with countless transparent blades.
Unwilling to let Xu Junzheng speak further with Xie Tanwei, Tian Qin leaned in close: “Yes, Brother-in-law, this is Xu Junzheng, the husband Father arranged for me. I mentioned him to you before.”
Xie Tanwei let out a soft scoff, the corner of his lips twitching, his heart like the night sky split by lightning.
“Betrothed”—such an unfamiliar term coming from her lips. What a fine act of presenting a fait accompli.
“When did my sister ever mention this? Your brother-in-law must be growing forgetful.”
His voice remained gentle and calm, like a deep pool of wine, serene and profound, causing one to feel as if lost in a thick fog.
Brother-in-law and sister-in-law—the former caring for the latter was only natural. He was so young, yet carried the aura of an elder.
But within that gentleness lay a sharp, gleaming blade, like a bone-carving knife. He wanted to lock her away, to slice her apart piece by piece, to destroy her.
“Brother-in-law didn’t know before, but now he does,”
Tian Qin said simply.
Xu Junzheng, unaware of the undercurrents between them, was still immersed in the joy of unexpectedly meeting his mentor. He respectfully invited, “Mentor, on my wedding day, I humbly request you to share a cup of celebratory wine as our guest of honor, to repay your guidance and support.”
Xie Tanwei, now the one being invited, had become a guest. Between her and him lay the most unimaginably vast distance in the world—the situation was utterly unbelievable.
He withdrew his gaze and smiled, tinged with a detached coldness. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he neither lost his temper nor publicly shamed her. Instead, he responded with an indifferent, almost terrifying calm:
“Of course, certainly.”
“Brother-in-law will kick the bridal sedan for you and escort you onto it.”
He ignored Xu Junzheng and spoke only to Tian Qin.
There was no overt sarcasm, yet it felt more cutting than any sarcasm could be.
Tian Qin admitted she was gambling—betting that Xie Tanwei would uphold his impeccable morals in public. He was a gentleman, and how could a gentleman be jealous? How could a gentleman get angry? A gentleman could only accept defeat.
This was her only chance to stand against him.
She smiled sweetly, like a blooming flower, “Thank you, brother-in-law. You’ve always been the kindest to me.”
The scene was sharply divided into two factions, two contrasting colors—Tian Qin and Xu Junzheng stood closely together on one side, while Xianqiu and Ku Ju stood with Xie Tanwei on the other. The former was vibrant and celebratory, painted in rich hues, while the latter was silent and dull, like faded paint.
The situation was indeed too sudden.
Yu Yuan stepped in to ease the tension, making small talk and introducing the opposing sides. Indeed, Tian Qin had originally been intended as a concubine for Xie Tanwei, but circumstances had changed, and what was done was done—what else could be done?
The frozen expressions of the guests gradually thawed, and laughter returned as the atmosphere revived with the joy of celebrating the upcoming wedding. The strange interlude from moments ago vanished without a trace.
“You must visit our residence more often, dear in-laws, so we may catch up. Junzheng has even been teaching Yan Ge’er to read,”
Yu Yuan said warmly, as Xu Mu was escorted out of the Yu family home, surrounded by the crowd.
Xianqiu glanced fearfully at Xie Tanwei, regretting not having mentioned the matter of the concubine swap earlier. She cautiously said, “Husband, I’m sorry. You’ve been so busy with official duties lately, and I didn’t dare disturb you lightly. Tian’er and Junzheng…”
Xie Tanwei waved his hand, signaling her to say no more. A faint, appropriate smile hung on his face, but a cold light lurked in his eyes, concealing a turbulent darkness beneath.
He turned and left, still the understanding, unconditionally considerate husband, brother-in-law, and son-in-law he had always been. Throughout, he did not blame anyone present.
Yet, an lingering solemnity clung to his retreating figure.
…
In the evening, Tian Qin was embroidering her wedding dress in her chamber when Wan Cui entered, her face full of worry. She leaned in and whispered, “Miss, Lord Xie has sent word that he wishes to see you—alone.”
Tian Qin had expected that the events of the day would not be easily forgotten. Hearing this, she rose and put on her shoes, throwing on a cape as she headed for the door. Wan Cui hurriedly stopped her, “Miss, are you really going?”
Tian Qin nodded firmly. Avoiding the issue would solve nothing—he would only resort to harsher means to force her out.
She hoped this matter could be resolved peacefully, reaching a state satisfactory to both him and her, turning conflict into harmony.
For this, she was willing to pay some price within her bottom line.
“I’ll be back soon.”
Since she couldn’t avoid what was inevitable, she simply stopped avoiding it.
One or two persimmon-red streaks of sunset adorned the western horizon, the fading sun casting golden streams like torn shreds of brocade. Within this tranquil beauty lay a certain destructive power.
Tian Qin tightened her Dou Peng (Cape) and pulled up the hood, still making her way to the Yu family’s serene and secluded lakeside pavilion.
A natural spot for quiet contemplation and cool respite.
The daytime bustle had faded, leaving behind a silence as profound as that of a tombstone.
Xie Tanwei stood tall and elegant, already waiting. The moon glimmered faintly in the twilight, merging with the tranquil sky. Dewdrops on the potted orchids sparkled like translucent gems.
Tian Qin walked over silently and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him. The setting sun and shadows intertwined, yet neither spoke.
Having weathered countless storms, an extraordinary tranquility prevailed, as if silence itself was a tacit understanding brimming with unspoken words—neither dared shatter this infinitely beautiful dusk.
For a long, long time, perhaps never before, had they watched the sunset together.
“Brother-in-law.”
Amid the rainbow-like evening glow, she came straight to the point: “Brother-in-law asked me to come, and I’m here.”
“I love Xu Junzheng and wish to marry him. Just tell me what it will take for you to grant your sister’s request.”
Of course, Xie Tanwei would seek her out. She had taken the initiative to become engaged to Xu Junzheng without his consent, truly crossing his bottom line.
Beneath his high moral standards lay a venomous heart. He hadn’t exposed her during the day to save face. Matters unfit for public scrutiny could only be settled privately.
Xie Tanwei remained unmoving, letting the north wind cleanse him as darkness gradually enveloped them. Drinking in the wind, he seemed uncharacteristically desolate.
Previously, they had concealed and evaded, playing a cat-and-mouse game, hiding their forbidden love for so long. Now that it was exposed and brought into the open, there was nothing left to say.
He tilted his head back and took a swig of wine, the clear liquid tracing his prominent Adam’s apple—a rare moment of loss of control, reeking of alcohol, dusk, and icy decadence.
At this moment, he truly resembled a scholar who only knew how to pore over classics, his mind rotted by pedantic teachings, a useless Confucian moralist powerless to change anything.
“Congratulations on your engagement, third sister. It’s been a few days since we last met.”
Xie Tanwei finally broke the silence with a faint opening line, marking the start of this mutually understood judgment.
Before she left, they were still lovers who could embrace; after she left, they inexplicably reverted to the distant relationship of brother-in-law and sister-in-law, no longer entitled to hugs.
Who wouldn’t feel unsettled by this?
Tian Qin said, “Thank you, Brother-in-law.”
Her pomegranate-fresh voice remained, but her person and heart were gone.
Xie Tanwei, distanced by the scent of alcohol, gazed at her lingeringly, his words slow and sticky: “I asked you to wait for me, yet you turned around and married someone else.”
She didn’t respond, keeping her head bowed.
He murmured to himself, like spring water freezing over, as if speaking to an invisible specter of judgment: “…Sister, you went back on your word.”
“Brother-in-law is drunk.”
She reminded him.
Xie Tanwei smiled self-mockingly, watching the last strands of molten gold in the twilight. “Since things have come to this, I can only wish you both well.”
“Mm.” A polite curve touched Tian Qin’s lips, but upon closer look, it was entirely hypocritical. “Father has already arranged for Ku Ju to serve Brother-in-law in my place.”
“You’re so thoughtful, little sister.”
“I had no idea the new Number One Scholar had such deep connections with you, Third Sister. Otherwise, I would’ve given higher marks.”
Xie Tanwei’s tone hovered between sincerity and mockery as he leaned closer. In the twilight, the most striking thing was his snow-cold gaze that seemed to pierce through human hearts.
“You directly recited the model answers to Young Master Xu, no wonder he managed to hit every point precisely without missing anything.”
He laughed lazily, his breath reeking of alcohol, thoroughly drunk.
Tian Qin’s right eyelid twitched as she defended herself: “Brother-in-law, you’ve long been established as an eminent examiner. There’s no need to dwell on such matters.”
Xie Tanwei coldly interrupted, his tone bordering on threatening: “That day at the mountain temple, you begged me repeatedly to answer those questions, only to leak them to your beloved. You’re clever enough, but doesn’t this constitute imperial examination fraud? Is it fair to other scholars who’ve studied hard for ten years? Those were my answers – you shouldn’t have copied them verbatim.”
“Chief Examiner, since you know I’m the chief examiner, I must uphold fairness and justice, hmm? You ungrateful little thing.”
He pinched her chin and lifted it mercilessly. His touch was colder than the moon reflected in the lake, his gaze scraping over her inch by inch.
Tian Qin froze. The two stood in a standoff in a dark corner of the small pavilion, her sharp nails tearing through her skirt.
It was true – she had leaked the exam questions. Without doing so, Xu Junzheng wouldn’t have passed the imperial exams, and she couldn’t have married him.
She never expected Xu Junzheng to be so foolish as to copy the answers word for word – a true bookworm through and through.
Knowing she was in the wrong, she was willing to endure any of his sarcasm. Even after becoming engaged to Xu Junzheng, she still came to meet him secretly tonight, submitting to his whims.
That day, he had known she would use the answers for cheating, yet he still provided them. It was hard to say this wasn’t a trap he had deliberately set.
“This is my fault. I beg Brother-in-law to be merciful and not expose this matter. I’ll agree to any conditions.”
Tian Qin tilted her head back, her faint pleas trembling in the night breeze like fragile reeds. “Tian Qin is about to obtain what she has long dreamed of. I don’t want to fail at the last moment. I beg Brother-in-law to grant me this, as compensation for my previous life.”
Forced to stand on her toes, she deliberately emphasized the words “previous life,” trembling slightly. Her neck felt as if it were being strung up, transforming the dry air in her throat into words.
Xie Tanwei’s drunken eyes showed no trace of compassion, only an almost ruthless cruelty. She wielded their past life as a tool, skillfully bringing it out for manipulation. It was impossible to tell whether she truly suffered from it or not.
“What does your dream have to do with me? You obtaining what you desire means I cannot obtain what I desire. Everyone is selfish.”
He bent down, forcing her to sit on the cold, hard bench of the Goose-Neck Corridor in the pavilion, lightly gripping her neck:
“You’ve been planning this for a long time, working so hard. Wanting to take revenge on me? Congratulations, little sister – you’ve succeeded.”
“But your brother-in-law regrets it too. In our previous life, I was so cold and heartless toward you. I’ve regretted it till my guts turn green.”
Tian Qin stared blankly, her spirit cowed by the pressure on her neck, thinking he could easily snap her slender neck with slight force. Maintaining her difficult posture, she looked up at him and said:
“Why must you do this, Brother-in-law? Even if you obtain my person, you cannot obtain my heart. You’re brilliant and elegant, a top-ranking court official – what kind of woman couldn’t you have? Though Tian Qin is weak and useless, when pushed to the extreme, I can still choose death. What you’ll obtain can only be my corpse.”
Her words were resolute.
Xie Tanwei remained unmoved, impervious to both soft and hard tactics. Those pitch-black eyes that held no concern for anything continued their languid flow. Even if she threatened suicide—death, what could death accomplish? Death was the behavior of the weak and incompetent.
“How heartless, little sister. You know our past life’s matters remain unresolved, yet you begrudge me a chance to make amends, attempting to deceive heaven and cross the sea.”
Whatever she wanted, he would compensate for it—but she simply couldn’t use such extreme methods.
His gaze traveled up and down her form with calm assessment. “Why deceive your brother-in-law like this? Do you think threatening suicide would work? Do you believe I’d be helpless facing your corpse?”
He chuckled lightly with frivolous coldness, his gaze scraping over her snow-like skin. “Little sister might not know—your brother-in-law has some minor peculiarities… When the time comes and you can’t move at all, wouldn’t it be even more… It takes seven days after death for the soul to leave the body. You’d have to watch helplessly…”
Tian Qin shuddered violently, horrified to the core, her hatred reaching its peak.
His emotionally turbulent eyes appeared deeply affectionate and persistent, as if his obsession with her were genuine, as if all the harm from their past life were false, mere flowers in a mirror or the moon’s reflection in water.
A devil. He was a devil.
She impatiently, almost rudely, brushed away his hand, stubbornly repeating: “Enough, brother-in-law, stop joking like this. You don’t need to compensate for anything else, and I don’t need it either. I’ve repeatedly emphasized—all I want is your blessing. It should be easily granted.”
As for death, she hadn’t overestimated herself by using it to threaten him. Rather, it was an escape route she reserved for herself. Having died once already, she naturally no longer feared death. Nothing could be worse than her previous life.
Tian Qin had originally hidden a small, sharp pair of scissors in her sleeve—not large, but enough to pierce a person’s neck and cause blood to gush forth, whether it be his or her own.
But after his purely degenerate threatening remarks, she hesitated to reveal them now. Her pearly teeth ground together with difficulty as she gripped the scissors, issuing her final ultimatum.
Xie Tanwei chuckled calmly.
That elusive attitude—sometimes cold, sometimes warm, sometimes distant, sometimes close—toying with people, had terrified her immensely in their past life.
He raised his hand, and she thought he would seize her scissors, but he merely brushed aside the disheveled strands of hair at her forehead.
He couldn’t be bothered to take the scissors.
She posed no threat to him because her life meant nothing.
Nor did he fear injury to himself, because her little scissors were too small, even somewhat cute—exquisite and delicate, more suited as a collectible trinket for the women’s quarters.
“I have no intention of threatening you, little sister. If you insist on wasting this hard-won chance at rebirth, your brother-in-law won’t stop you.”
His tone turned softly cold as he smiled sympathetically, yielding to her small scissors. “You came here tonight because you want to resolve this matter peacefully, correct?”
Tian Qin’s eyes grew faintly warm, tears rolling down uncontrollably as she quietly hid the scissors deeper in her sleeve.
“I sincerely wish to stay with Xu Junzheng, to marry no one but him. I beg you to indulge me this one last time, brother-in-law.”
She leaned her head slightly against his shoulder, pleading with him over and over, with the clinging dependence of a dodder vine. “Brother-in-law has always cherished Tian Qin the most, from childhood until now, in both our past life and this one—even more than elder sister.”
“When Zhao Lu was falsely accused of ‘theft’ in our previous life, and elder sister wanted to send us both to the authorities, it was brother-in-law who stopped her, allowing us to move to a thatched cottage instead, sparing us severe punishment. Tian Qin has always understood clearly—brother-in-law is my protector, the most admirable person.”
In the twilight, her eyes glistened with tears as she leaned softly and tenderly against his shoulder, evoking old memories—not to dwell sentimentally on the past or sway him with emotion into a momentary lapse of judgment.
“You’ve grown increasingly clever, little sister—more than I imagined, more than in your past life. I concede defeat.”
Xie Tanwei listened indifferently, his composure unbroken from start to finish, devoid of any trace of emotion or even a flicker of human vitality, leaving only icy clarity and scorn.
“Your cleverness has never been put to honest use—it’s always been for manipulation and deceit. Those tears are insincere. You’ve deceived me many times already; save them this time. Repeating the same trick grows stale.”
Tian Qin felt as though she had plunged into an abyss. With two lifetimes of mutual understanding, his words confirmed he remained utterly unmoved.
The half-crescent moon shimmered on the lake’s surface, swaying gently in the desolate night breeze. The distant black mountains faded into blurred outlines, as if drowsily merging with the starry sky.
Tear streaks glistened on Tian Qin’s brows and lashes. Just as she opened her mouth to argue, Xie Tanwei handed her a cup of wine.
“Don’t look so troubled. Your brother-in-law wishes you well and considers you family. Congratulations on your engagement—I haven’t had the chance to offer them until now.”
Xie Tanwei’s words were frank and open, spoken with the calm familiarity of a relative sharing a drink under the moonlight.
Tian Qin dared not drink the wine, as if it contained something extraordinary and weighty.
Xie Tanwei didn’t press her, drinking it himself instead. The dust motes floating in the air gleamed under the brilliant moonlight.
After downing the cup, he grew slightly more intoxicated, rubbing his temples.
Tian Qin noticed his index finger—slender and elegant, bathed in porcelain-white moonlight that seemed to tangle the cold, serene glow.
In her past life, those beautiful fingers had often been half-forced, half-guided into her mouth or other intimate places.
“Brother-in-law, promise me this, please? Will you?”
She averted her gaze from his fingers, pleading repeatedly and unable to resist urging him on. “Once we part ways, I wish you and sister a harmonious marriage, with Ku Ju serving you both devotedly.”
“During holidays when I return to my maiden home, I’ll still be your most obedient and understanding sister-in-law. Even after marrying into the Xu family, I’ll remain the same—sharing any treasures or worries with you as before.”
She laid out the benefits as persuasively as possible.
Xie Tanwei’s expression was like an invisible mist. He left her hanging for a long while, as if savoring the wine’s lingering effect.
“To be honest, little sister, I’m somewhat disappointed in you.”
His words silenced her instantly, dousing her in icy dread and shattering any lingering hope.
“What must I do to avoid your disappointment?”
Tian Qin clenched her fists.
“I’m already engaged to Xu Junzheng—what’s done is done, and split water cannot be gathered. Not even brother-in-law’s will can change that.”
“My will cannot change it, but yours can.”
Xie Tanwei gently tore away the mask of pretense, revealing his ruthless side as he elaborated calmly: “You just said you’d agree to any condition. Coincidentally, I have a clever plan.”
Tian Qin frowned deeply, instinctively stepping back.
He smiled nonchalantly, utterly at ease: “Go find Yu Yuan. Take the initiative to break off the engagement—claim you were deceived into marriage and insist that Xu Junzheng cheated in the imperial exams. After all, it was you who provided him the answers.”
“For the rest, Brother-in-law will handle it. Together we’ve crushed the Xu family who tried to take advantage of you. Not only will you avoid punishment for the imperial examination fraud, but you’ll emerge as a meritorious official. If Brother-in-law pleads your case before His Majesty, you might even receive an Imperial Mandate.”
“Then my sister can enter Xie Manor with full honors, becoming a distinguished concubine in name and reality. Though Brother-in-law promised your sister at their wedding not to take an equal wife, your actual status will be nearly indistinguishable from that of a wife. You’ll never have to worry about repeating past misfortunes – no one will ever bully you again.”
“In the future, if we have children, you shall raise them yourself. No one can take them from you, for you yourself hold an Imperial Mandate.”
“As for the steward Li Fu, whether you have him sliced to pieces or not is entirely up to you.”
“Your brother-in-law will care for you all his life, protect you, take no other women, and we shall remain together forever. How does that sound?”
Tian Qin’s pupils gradually lost focus as he laid out his meticulous plans with such ease. A cold, calculated scheme for murder—no, for mass extermination—surfaced in his words. He was determined to take the lives of everyone in the Xu family, to force her into becoming his concubine. His cruelty was indescribable, the heart of a venomous snake and scorpion.
Madman… devil…
Her head throbbed with alternating waves of soreness and pain, as if she had endured an unparalleled earthquake. Her ears seemed to explode with ringing, her vision blurred and darkened, and she staggered, nearly losing her footing.
Xie Tanwei steadied her in time, his gentle strength as calm as still autumn waters. “What troubles you, sister?”
Tian Qin restrained the urge to slap him, her hoarse voice unable to conceal her fury. “You actually want Xu Junzheng’s life?”
He smiled calmly and objectively, his expression as clear and transparent as ice, neither confirming nor denying. His intentions had already been laid bare to her without reservation.
“Should I not desire it?”
Yes, he absolutely should. No one dared to cross him. If he weren’t overly soft-hearted, he would not only take Xu Junzheng’s life but hers as well—erasing her identity, casting her into some dark den, humiliating her thoroughly, and then sending her to her demise on an auspicious day.
But he was soft-hearted. The memory of her pale, emaciated face from her illness in their previous life made him forgive everything.
He hadn’t pursued her for her secret dealings with another man. Instead, he had painstakingly orchestrated a scheme to grant her an Imperial Mandate and, setting aside past grievances, taken her as his concubine.
He had been magnanimous enough. A prime minister’s heart is vast enough to sail a ship—his could perhaps sail a hundred.
“Sister should know that my patience is not boundless. When someone bullies you at your doorstep, it is time to retaliate.”
Tian Qin gasped sharply, finally understanding the truth that one must never associate with snakes and scorpions. He and she were fundamentally incompatible.
Could one’s nature ever change? She had witnessed Xie Tanwei’s cold indifference far too many times in her previous life. How could she hope that in this reborn life, he would show mercy? He would never tolerate her eloping with another.
Hatred had tied itself into an unyielding knot. Matters had reached this point—he would not relent, and she would not surrender. The only way was to confront him head-on, to see who was more formidable: him, or her united with the Yu and Xu families.
“Brother-in-law, I will not agree. Xu Junzheng and I are one as husband and wife. There is no reason for me to harm him.”
With the resolve of one facing death, she declared firmly, “If you insist on this, take Xu Junzheng’s life first, then mine. I believe you are capable of it. Since I cannot struggle free, there is nothing more to say.”
Xie Tanwei was displeased by her words, his expression frosty and his smile scarce. “Why must you be so resolute? Is that scholar truly so worthy? Is it so difficult for you to admit that your family forced you into marriage? You know I cannot bear to harm you, yet you deliberately say such things to wound me.”
Tian Qin grew even dizzier, overwhelmed by despair, feeling as if she were being driven to leap into a lake.
But before she could act, his grip tightened on her arm, pulling her completely into his shadow, leaving her no chance to escape.
Finally pushed to her limit, her composure teetering on the edge of collapse, she cried out, “I do not like you, brother-in-law. I never have. I love Xu Junzheng. Even if you argue until the heavens fall, I will never turn back—and even if I did, I would never marry you.”
Anger, venting, hysteria—she was breathless, yet these childish, harmless attacks could not shake his deep and unshakable composure.
Xie Tanwei simply watched her as she raged and struggled.
The gap in their life experiences was too vast. He had climbed and crawled his way through, witnessing and overcoming countless dirty tricks in the officialdom, skilled in killing without a trace, honing a talent for keeping his abilities hidden.
She, in her past life, had been confined to the inner chambers, bearing children, and in this life, relied on petty cleverness to manipulate fools like Yu Yuan. Compared to him, she was simply not on the same level.
This confrontation was inherently unfair.
Only when she had vented enough did Xie Tanwei grasp her cold, trembling fingertips—a sudden move tinged with a hint of force, causing her to collapse into his embrace.
The chilly night wind and the cold, clear moon watched them silently. They were each other’s only source of warmth, their only solace.
“Don’t cry, little sister.”
“It’s not marriage, just letting you be taken in by Brother-in-law.”
His expression gentle, he refuted her clearly, distinguishing between wife and concubine. “Brother-in-law has never played tricks on you, always helped you, even gave you exam questions, and risked his life to save you. Whatever good Xu Junzheng offers, Brother-in-law will do tenfold, a hundredfold.”
“Why can’t you stay with Brother-in-law for a while? It’s not about binding you to me for life. Once we tire of each other, we part ways. It might only be two or three months.”
Tian Qin cried even more bitterly, disgusted to the core. His affectionate words were just a prelude to discarding her once he grew bored.
She could never forget how he ignored her in her past life, how even when Zhao Lu was falsely accused and she knelt before him, pregnant and pleading, his heart remained as hard as stone. That pain could never be erased.
“I will not be a concubine.”
Her tears stained his white robe, her voice faint but resolute. “…Brother-in-law, I will never be a concubine in this life.”
Xie Tanwei forced her to look up, the dark depths of his eyes reflecting the bright moon. “If not a concubine, then what? A wife? That’s your sister. Have you no regard for sisterly bonds?”
“Brother-in-law promised her a lifetime together. Even after her death, I will guard her memorial tablet and never remarry. Little sister, don’t be so greedy. Don’t make things difficult for Brother-in-law or invite scorn from others.”
His harsh, icy words struck her ears, but Tian Qin felt not a trace of sorrow.
She had long known his cruel nature—the worst of the worst—yet on the surface, he was a great scholar of the age, a staunch defender of morality, a model for the world. Morality forbade him from abandoning his lawful wife.
His love, respect, and care for Xianqiu, the tenderness he showed her from the depths of his soul, were a gentleness no one else could ever attain.
Tian Qin wiped her tears and resolutely pulled away from his embrace. “Brother-in-law has his principles to uphold, and Tian Qin has her own dignity to protect. It’s best we go our separate ways.”
Xie Tanwei fell silent for a moment before speaking gravely, “So, little sister is determined to marry Xu Junzheng.”
Tian Qin nodded.
“I will never look back.”
“From now on, there’s no need for Tian Qin and Brother-in-law to meet privately, lest we tarnish each other’s reputations.”
He was heartless, but she was even more so. Leaving these chilling words behind, she turned and walked away without glancing back at him.
Leaving Xie Tanwei alone in the cold moonlight and darkness.
They had long missed their chance—perhaps when the child was taken away, perhaps on the cold bed night after night, or perhaps when she couldn’t afford Zishenzhi and had nowhere to turn.
She had truly escaped the fate of becoming his concubine and flown away.
Xie Tanwei’s sleeves were steeped in a chill, silent and gloomy, his shadow stretching long and drowning in the eerie, ghostly twilight, as if he himself were not human but a wandering specter.
…
The marriages of the Yu family’s two daughters were settled. Lanterns were hung, decorations were arranged, and the household bustled with an unprecedented air of auspicious joy.
Ku Ju’s wedding was to be kept secret, hidden from the light, so all the grandeur was reserved for Tian Qin—the Fengguan Xiapei was also for Tian Qin.
“Where did you go last night, husband? I searched everywhere but couldn’t find you.”
Xianqiu worriedly handed him a bowl of sobering soup, her movements gentle and soft. “You’re still not fully sober, husband. Let me massage you.”
Xie Tanwei lay on the recliner as the morning sun poured down like rain, accentuating his tall, slender frame—pure as deep jade, noble and untainted. He stirred, propping himself up, and said softly, “Last night, seeing my younger sisters’ engagements settled, I drank a few extra cups on a whim and ended up drunk under the moonlight. Please don’t blame me, my lady.Xianqiu’s delicate fingers pressed against his temples as she blamed herself, “It’s all my fault.” I’ve been so busy these days taking care of my sisters’ weddings, staying at my parents’ home for so long that I’ve left you with no proper place to rest, forcing you to make do in this small Yu family courtyard with me.”
Xie Tanwei accepted her kindness. “This courtyard is where you lived before marriage. Coming here occasionally brings back memories—it’s nice to see the place where you grew up.”
Xianqiu smiled softly. He was always so understanding, with such high moral standards, willing to bear hardship himself rather than demand anything of others. Marrying him was the fortune of three lifetimes.
The couple fell silent for a moment.
Xie Tanwei asked casually, “Before I left, you had settled on Tian’er. Why was it changed?”
Xianqiu felt a hint of embarrassment, finding it difficult to speak of Tian Qin’s matter. He had said he didn’t care about the choice of concubine—that anyone would do.
“Husband, you may not know, but Fourth Sister Ku Ju scarred her face and keeps trying to take her own life. Aside from our care, she has no future in this life. They are all sisters under the same roof—it pains me to see her like this.”
Xianqiu wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “Besides, Father wants to form ties with the newly prominent Xu family, and they insist on marrying no one but Tian Qin. Father had no choice but to give Ku Ju to us and Tian Qin to the Xu family.”
Seeing that Xie Tanwei’s dark eyes remained unruffled, clearly unconvinced by these reasons, she bared her heart further, adding, “Also, I noticed Tian’er’s infatuation and clinginess toward you, husband. I feared she might stray down the wrong path, developing feelings for her brother-in-law, so I arranged for her to marry into the Xu family. It’s better for everyone—for us and for her.”
After hearing this, Xie Tanwei nodded slowly. “You’ve considered everything thoroughly. This arrangement seems appropriate.”
Just as Xianqiu breathed a sigh of relief, he added, “However, Tian’er is clever and unpredictable. I’m afraid you’ve all been deceived by her.”
“As for Ku Ju, it doesn’t matter that her appearance is ruined. I will step in and find another family to marry her into—one that is wealthy and noble, ensuring her security for the rest of her life. As for the Xu family, if Father-in-law wishes to befriend them, there are countless ways to do so without having to sell his daughter. You also said Tian Qin is devoted to us. Forcing her into marriage with the Xu family so abruptly will surely be difficult for her to adapt to.”
“As for her clinginess toward me—” He let out a noncommittal sound. “What ill intentions could a young girl possibly have? It’s just that I happened to save her at the mountain temple last time, and she’s held onto that memory. In time, with your guidance as Zhumu, she’ll be fine.”
“So, my lady, bring Tian’er back.”
Xie Tanwei’s emotionless gaze lifted imperceptibly, veiled in mist. It was not a request but a demand.
He resolved the issue with just a few words—there were no obstacles. As long as Tian Qin returned, all conditions could be overcome.
Xianqiu blinked subconsciously, caught off guard. This insistence on Tian Qin had actually reached such an absolute degree.
Deliberately relaxing her tense expression, she forced a stiff smile and sat beside him. “Well, your proposal is excellent, husband. But the Yu and Xu families have already exchanged betrothal documents, and the Xu family has sent the betrothal gifts. Spilt water cannot be gathered up—it would be improper to go back on our word now. Why not consider Ku’er instead, husband? If it truly doesn’t work out, we can think of other solutions later.”
Xie Tanwei’s smile faded as he leaned lazily against the cushion, his long, pale fingers tapping idly.
He had made himself perfectly clear. Her refusal wasn’t due to misunderstanding but unwillingness—a chilling realization.
“I only ask this of you once, my lady.”
He repeated.
Xianqiu’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt inexplicably more distressed. His obsession with Tian Qin seemed to surpass ordinary bounds.
She lowered her head, her voice tinged with grievance:
“Husband, you never concerned yourself with such matters before. Could it be… you’ve truly developed feelings for Tian’er? She is merely our sister.”
Xie Tanwei shook his head with a clear conscience, denying it. “Nothing of the sort.”
“That’s a relief.”
Xianqiu spoke with careful tenderness, softening her tone as she leaned gently against his shoulder, conveying unspoken attachment and warmth.
“My husband’s heart must belong only to me.”
His request had been tenderly yet firmly rejected, leaving no room for negotiation.
…
The poor scholar Xu Junzheng’s unexpected triumph in the imperial examinations caused quite a stir in the capital. For days, everyone from court officials to commoners talked about it enthusiastically during their leisure hours.
The marriage alliance between the Yu family and the Xu clan, a powerful union, added fuel to the fire of public discussion.
Everyone praised Yu Yuan, head of the Yu family, for his discerning eye. His eldest legitimate daughter had married the Emperor when he was still a feudal lord, his second legitimate daughter married Xindu Marquis Xie Tanwei, and now his illegitimate daughter was set to have a glorious marriage with the newly appointed top scholar. His calculations were indeed shrewd—each daughter married advantageously.
Yu Yuan, once a minor official from a remote region, had risen meteorically through his daughters’ marriages to become the foremost figure in court.
Times had changed. The Yu family was now so busy that even Xie Tanwei himself had to make several attempts before securing a meeting with Old Master Yu.
Due to Xie Tanwei’s past support for the Yu family and their marital connection, Yu Yuan couldn’t refuse him indefinitely. He arranged a modest summer banquet in a quiet hall of his residence, serving rare wines and delicacies.
“Lately, I’ve been preoccupied with Tian’er’s wedding preparations—mundane affairs have kept me neglectful of you, my worthy son-in-law. I beg your forgiveness.”
Xie Tanwei’s expression was less than pleased as he offered a slight acknowledgment.
Yu Yuan first summoned his eldest son, Yu Ye, to kneel and bow to Xie Tanwei, wearing a look of exasperation. “This useless son of mine failed the exams and has no prospects for an official career. He’ll need your guidance and advice, worthy son-in-law.”
Yu Ye brushed the dust from his knees and eagerly stepped forward to pour wine, flattering with every word. Xie Tanwei replied, “I am unworthy of such praise.”
Yu Yuan swelled with pride. In truth, whether Xie Tanwei helped Yu Ye or not mattered little—the Yu family’s current stature meant powerful clans would naturally offer support without needing to rely on outsiders.
Where the Yu family had once humbly pleaded with Xie Tanwei, the tables had turned. Their eldest daughter was now the Empress, and their dealings with Xie Tanwei were merely a matter of courtesy.
After three rounds of drinks, they broached the main subject.
Xie Tanwei set down his porcelain Feiyu cup and said, “This marriage arrangement for Sister Tian Qin seems rather sudden.”
Yu Yuan was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then laughed heartily. “As my esteemed son-in-law was presiding over the Policy Examination, naturally you wouldn’t know such trivial matters. It’s simply because Tian Qin and our family’s Private Tutor have developed mutual affection. That young man is quite ambitious too—he writes exceptionally elegant essays and won the top prize in the Policy Examination, so we decided to make this happy match for the two youngsters. I suppose you must have come across his papers during the grading?”
Yu Yuan kept boasting about his new son-in-law’s literary talents. While this might have been acceptable in other company, doing so before Xie Tanwei—”the finest writer in the realm, the ultimate model for aspiring scholars”—carried subtle implications, as if Xu Junzheng’s writing surpassed Xie Tanwei’s and Xie Tanwei’s reputation was undeserved.
Having personally read Xu Junzheng’s essays that day, Yu Yuan wouldn’t dare claim they surpassed Xie Tanwei’s, but they certainly matched them. The sharpness of Xu Junzheng’s perspectives and his incisive style were startling at first glance, almost as if one were reading Xie Tanwei himself.
After dominating the literary world for years and enjoying such exalted fame that he was practically deified, for Xie Tanwei to be effortlessly overtaken by an unknown scholar from a humble background would expose him as a fraud trading on false reputation.
Xie Tanwei’s smile faded slightly, his agreement clearly withheld.
“Young Master Xu’s essays are indeed remarkable, but literary talent is one matter, while his marriage to Sister Tian is quite another—it isn’t suitable.”
Yu Yuan’s tone lifted with a questioning “Oh? What profound insight does my esteemed son-in-law offer?”
“A family’s standing requires at least three generations to accumulate. The Xu family are commoners—hardly a match for the Yu family’s status. In court affairs, he may prove more of a hindrance than help to the Yu family in the future.”
Xie Tanwei offered this reason casually.
In truth, both knew the real reason perfectly well. Having settled on Tian Qin, he intended to have Tian Qin—there was no justification for arbitrary substitution, let alone doing so without even notifying him.
Having endured enough of this fait accompli game, there was no need to fabricate further lies. He spoke his mind directly.
Yu Yuan remained unmoved, his expression unchanged. “We all serve the Emperor in court—what hindrance could there possibly be? It’s rare to encounter such a brilliantly talented young man, and I am pleased to form this connection.”
Xie Tanwei fell silent briefly, then stated plainly: “I implore you, Father-in-law, to reverse the marriage arrangements. Let Ku Ju marry into the Xu family as originally planned, while Tian Qin enters Xie Manor. I will personally handle matters with the Xu family.”
Yu Yuan hesitated. Without sufficient benefit to justify revoking his decree—after all, breaking an engagement was tremendously troublesome and meant severing all ties with the Xu family—he saw no reason to comply.
Truth be told, compared to Xie Tanwei, Xu Junzheng showed greater promise.
Although Xie Tanwei commanded high prestige, he was after all a relative of the previous dynasty’s imperial family, his influence gradually declining to make way for new elites.
The Emperor was vigorously consolidating power. Upon succeeding, he would likely issue an edict banishing the Xie Clan—one of the “Five Marquises” families—along with Xie Tanwei from the capital. Allying with Xie Tanwei would bring no advantage.
While Xie Tanwei had indeed shown kindness to the Yu family, that was in the past. One shouldn’t cling to old debts seeking repayment.
Back then, the Yu family had merely faced temporary difficulties, and Xie Tanwei had offered assistance voluntarily without demanding anything in return.
Not to mention marrying another important daughter to the Xie family as a concubine—even regarding Xianqiu, Yu Yuan hoped she could promptly divorce and sever relations with Xie Tanwei to avoid being implicated in the coming storm.
Xu Junzheng’s essays were truly excellent, and he was easier to control—perfect for becoming the Yu family’s pawn upon entering officialdom.
The Emperor had endured enough frustration from powerful families. When implementing the imperial examination system comprehensively in the future, he would certainly promote commoners.
However one considered it, Xu Junzheng as son-in-law was far more ideal than the supremely powerful yet difficult-to-control Xie Tanwei. Xie Tanwei had become expendable.
Yu Yuan chuckled hollowly, downing a large cup of wine with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re mistaken, my worthy son-in-law. The marriage contract is settled, the birthdate cards exchanged, and the betrothal gifts delivered. Tian Qin is irrevocably pledged to the Xu family. To break the engagement now would make us the laughingstock of the capital’s nobility. Say no more—drink, drink!”
With that, he shifted to other topics.
Xie Tanwei smiled calmly, draining his own cup as they made merry conversation. Tian Qin’s matter seemed to vanish like a wisp of cloud fading into the sky’s faint traces.
The biting wind whipped at their robes, making the fabric flutter wildly.
It was true. Since the late emperor’s passing, he was no longer the Grand Commandant at his peak, stripped of military authority. It was only natural for others to kick a man when he’s down.
Yu Yuan, being a petty man, would never offer help in times of need.
Yu Tianqin was truly going to marry Xu Junzheng—a fate he couldn’t alter.
Cup after cup of clear wine flowed down his throat before Xie Tanwei truly tasted the bitterness of defeat. That docile concubine from his past life was like sand slipping through his fingers—the tighter he grasped, the faster she slipped away.
He had underestimated her. Truly underestimated her.
Since his rebirth, events had spiraled beyond his control. Yu Tianqin would never be his again.
Knowing his place, Xie Tanwei didn’t mention the marriage exchange again. The kindness in his heart seemed to have crystallized and burned out, leaving his soul moldering in its depths.
This was a conspiracy—a single night that turned his world upside down.
Whether it was Tian Qin or Ku Ju, they were merely concubines for amusement. Beauty and ugliness alike would turn to bleached bones in a century’s time, leaving not a single trace in this world.
He sipped absently, Yu Yuan’s boastful words drifting faintly in his ears as he lost himself in his inner world.
Letting Tian Qin go was possible—it would save trouble. Though he’d wanted to taste her charms, he’d already sampled them in his past life and felt less eager now. Xianqiu would be pleased, the Yu family would be pleased, the Xu family would be pleased, she would be pleased—everyone would be pleased.
But why should they?
She had brazenly taken so much from him, plagiarized his essays, and publicly challenged him.
Xie Tanwei’s lips curved slightly as he finished his wine. The thought of releasing her gradually darkened, his gaze fixed with terrifying intensity.
A promise to care for her for a lifetime meant a lifetime—even if she unwilling, he would honor his vow.
Author’s Note: Here it is! [Rainbow Fart][Rainbow Fart]
Next chapter update remains at midnight.
Please don’t stockpile chapters, dear readers—it’s very important to me!
Teasing a upcoming story: “Spring Water, Slim Waist”
Yang Chun was a maid serving the eldest daughter of the Zhou family.
The pay was decent with good benefits, but the work was exhausting and humiliating.
She kept her head down, toiled silently, and planned to flee once she’d saved enough money.
When the eldest Miss Zhou married, custom dictated sending a maid to the groom’s household for a ten-day trial marriage—mainly to test the new groom’s… capabilities.
The manor was full of seductive women, so Miss Zhou chose the steady, simple-minded Yang Chun.
As a maid with no control over her fate, Yang Chun gritted her teeth and accepted.
Night fell, red candles glowing brightly.
The elegant new groom pressed down upon her.
On the bed, Yang Chun endured the splitting pain while feigning responsiveness.
The new groom was the Governor-General of Liangguang, a powerful and accomplished young man.
The trial marriage proved satisfactory, and Miss Zhou married smoothly, the couple harmoniously in tune.
Having fulfilled her duty, Yang Chun wiped her cold sweat and prepared to pack up and leave.
Just then, the new groom—who was drawing eyebrows for his bride—pointed at her: “That maid served quite diligently. Let her stay as a concubine.”
Yangchun was thunderstruck.
To be a concubine by the side of the Viceroy of Liangguang was an immense fortune, and everyone envied Yangchun for soaring to prominence overnight.
Xie Zheng thought so too. After that night, he had developed a taste for it.
But Yangchun yearned for the world outside, longing to breathe freer air.
She refuses to accept such a fate.
Maid vs. Scholar-Official
Synopsis 2024.11.24
Male lead is chaste, forced possession