The next day, just as Tian Qin finished her morning ablutions, her second sister Xianqiu arrived with her maid in tow. Her demeanor was as warm as a spring breeze as she took Tian Qin’s hand affectionately, immediately asking whether she had liked the gifts sent the previous day. She deliberately mentioned, “Most of the gifts were from your brother-in-law.”
At the word “brother-in-law,” Tian Qin’s right eyelid twitched involuntarily. Understanding the implication, she replied, “Thank you, Sister and Brother-in-Law, but the gifts are too extravagant. Tian’er is truly overwhelmed and must ask you to take them back.”
Xianqiu tapped her lightly on the nose. “We are sisters—what’s mine is yours. There’s no such thing as deserving or not deserving. While you’re young, you should dress beautifully; time waits for no one.”
Tian Qin responded with a faint, wry smile. “I already have similar things, but Ku Ju doesn’t. Yesterday, I heard Ku Ju crying for a long time. We are all sisters, and it truly pains me to see this.”
She attempted to redirect the trouble toward Ku Ju, but Xianqiu saw through it and deflected calmly, “That was my oversight—I didn’t think it through and neglected Ku’er. Don’t worry, I will prepare a gift for Ku Ju as well, so you won’t be caught in the middle.”
A fleeting emotion hidden behind her lips, Tian Qin seized the topic. “Actually, Ku Ju is also very fond of you and Brother-in-Law. Last time, she gazed at the Thousand Carp Pond at Xie Residence for a long time and said, ‘If only I could live here with Sister and Brother-in-Law forever.’ Perhaps, Sister, you could consider Ku—”
Xianqiu gently interrupted, shattering her illusion. “No matter how close we are, Ku’er will eventually marry. Father mentioned that he’s already arranging a match for her.”
“Unlike you—Father isn’t in a hurry to arrange your marriage. It would be perfect for you to come to Xie Manor and keep me company for a while. You could also help take care of me when my headaches flare up.”
“You’ve always been closest to me. Why not live with your sister and brother-in-law from now on? We will treat you well and take care of you for the rest of your life.”
Beneath Xianqiu’s gentle tone lay an unyielding edge, leaving no room for refusal.
Tian Qin crumpled the brocade handkerchief on her lap, her expression cold and silent as she resisted without agreeing.
The marriage matter was progressing faster than expected. Xianqiu knew she had startled her sister, but there was no other way—Tian Qin was the only suitable candidate for the concubine position.
Xianqiu’s illness was congenital. The traditional Chinese medicine practitioner had said it required slow, careful treatment, and for now, there was no hope of bearing a child. Not only that, but she couldn’t even fulfill the usual marital duties as a wife.
With the head of the Xie family surrounded by countless eager women all vying to enter the household, the matter of taking a concubine had to be expedited.
In truth, the more Tian Qin resisted becoming a concubine, the more reassured Xianqiu felt. Once brought into the manor, she would be less likely to pose a threat by seducing her husband.
As an illegitimate daughter, if Tian Qin entered Xie Manor as a concubine, she would enjoy a life of luxury—far better than marrying into a poor family as a wife.
A destitute couple faces sorrow in all things. The wife of a humble household would toil over daily necessities, exhausting both mind and body—a fate arguably worse than that of a concubine in a wealthy family.
Moreover, there was no guarantee that a man from a poor background would remain faithful. If he rose to prominence, his first act might be to cast aside his humble wife. Even without success, he might still sneak off to pleasure quarters, lavishing attention and money on courtesans.
After a moment of heavy silence, Xianqiu softened her expression and changed the subject. “The spring chill is still sharp, and it’s been snowing these past few days. Grandmother has been unwell, so the whole family will go up to Fa Hui Temple to pray for her recovery. It’s said wishes made there are very effective. It will be a good chance to relax.”
After a pause, she added, “Your brother-in-law will be there too.”
Tian Qin was taken aback and inhaled softly. “Brother-in-law is also going to pray for Grandmother?”
Xianqiu shook her head: “Silly girl, your brother-in-law is the chief examiner for this year’s Late Spring Strategy Examination. He needs to contemplate the examination questions in a quiet place.”
Tian Qin felt both joy and apprehension – her brother-in-law was actually at Fa Hui Temple.
On one hand, she didn’t want to see her brother-in-law, yet on the other hand, she hoped to meet him so she could find an opportunity to ask him to mentor Xu Junzheng.
He was even more impressive than she had imagined, actually being the chief examiner.
She had originally considered feigning illness to avoid this trip to Fa Hui Temple, but now it seemed necessary to go.
“In that case, I’d be honored to comply with your arrangement, sister.”
She vaguely sensed that the trip to Fa Hui Temple wouldn’t be peaceful, as hidden dangers lurked in the shadows, approaching her like a hand clutching at her throat.
She couldn’t retreat. Moving forward offered a chance to fight, while retreating meant admitting defeat, leaving her helpless at others’ mercy.
Xianqiu patted her head and spoke many doting words before reluctantly departing.
After seeing Xianqiu out of the courtyard, Tian Qin noticed Ku Ju standing not far away, watching eagerly like a crane stretching its neck in mournful cry, her eyes filled with resentment.
The immense wealth of the Marquis Manor, the celestial and jade-like brother-in-law, the gentle and considerate Zhumu sister, the status of an honored concubine, and even the chance to be elevated to principal wife – all these were destined for Tian Qin.
As fellow illegitimate daughters, Ku Ju couldn’t accept this.
Tian Qin pretended not to see her and tried to brush past, but Ku Ju grabbed her sleeve and whispered: “Third sister, are you going to enjoy good fortune at second sister’s home? Does brother-in-law fancy you?”
Tian Qin frowned displeased: “Yes.”
Ku Ju sighed blankly: “Your fate is indeed better than mine.”
Tian Qin interrupted: “I don’t want this either.”
Ku Ju’s eyes immediately reddened, breaking down: “What do you mean by that? Getting advantages while pretending to be reluctant? If you don’t want to go, can sister and brother-in-law force you to the Marquis Manor?”
Tian Qin couldn’t be bothered to explain further, simply stating: “Exactly so.”
Yu Xianqiu pressured her, and Xie Tanwei pressured her even more.
Ku Ju’s face turned redder than a cooked crab, her throat choked up, tears streaming down her face. Her overwhelming jealousy hung over her cheeks like dark clouds as she ran away crying.
“I’ll never speak to you again!”
…
After learning from Xianqiu that Xie Tanwei would be preparing examination questions at Fa Hui Temple, Tian Qin spent all day calculating how to help Xu Junzheng benefit from this situation and win the examination.
This was her first approach.
Secondly, she continuously provided Xu Junzheng with various advantages – books, ink, paper, brushes, connections – almost everything this illegitimate daughter could access, she tried her best to give him.
Thirdly, she was also trying her utmost to avoid the concubinage matter. Xianqiu’s stance was too firm, offering no hope, so she steeled herself and approached He Shi, the Zhumu who had always disliked her.
He Shi remained completely unmoved by her gentle and submissive act, seeing through her schemes with contempt. Her tone was even stricter than Xianqiu’s, warning Tian Qin to behave properly – if she quietly accepted being a concubine, she might still have a place to stay; otherwise, they would remove her songstress mother’s memorial tablet from the Yu family ancestral hall.
Tian Qin felt chilled to the bone.
The path through He Shi was completely blocked.
Recognizing that He Shi and Xianqiu were birds of a feather, Tian Qin held no hope of swaying them and went to seek out Yu Yuan, the great Zhujun of the Yu family.
Although her father was an indifferent bureaucrat, he still held some affection for his deceased former lover, the songstress, occasionally composing poems in her memory.
Tian Qin deliberately visited Yu Yuan on her mother’s death anniversary, asking if she could burn paper offerings for her mother in the courtyard.
Her fair and delicate cheeks showed faint dimples, a stark contrast to her usual coldness toward Ku Ju. With her glossy black hair and snow-white dress, she appeared utterly sorrowful.
Touched by the scene, Yu Yuan readily agreed, “Go ahead and burn it with Yan Ge’er, just make sure the Zhumu doesn’t see you.”
Tian Qin covered her cheeks with both hands, tears streaming down her face. “Thank you, Father. Since Mother passed, you’ve always been so kind to Tian’er.”
“No need for thanks.”
Yu Yuan took her hands and, showing rare paternal affection, wiped her tears. “Silly child, crying so hard—you’ll ruin your pretty face.”
Tian Qin’s clear, beautiful eyes continued to shed tears drop by drop as she said sorrowfully, “Mother was of lowly status. The Zhumu said she wants to move Mother’s memorial tablet out of the ancestral hall. I dare not object—I’ll just worship Mother separately from now on.”
Yu Yuan indeed looked displeased. “She actually said that?”
Tian Qin nodded, tucking a perfectly fallen strand of hair behind her ear, her nose red. “The Zhumu misunderstood, thinking I’m unwilling to serve Elder Sister and Brother-in-law at Xie Manor. I’m truly wronged. I only mentioned this privately to you, Father—please don’t breathe a word of it.”
Yu Yuan narrowed his eyes. He was well aware of the plan to send Tian Qin to Xie Manor as a childbearing concubine. He also knew about her resistance to becoming a concubine and her flirtatious exchanges with the private tutor in the manor.
Confident in his discernment, he recognized Xu Junzheng as a man with a bright future and intended to win him over early.
Originally, he had planned for his two illegitimate daughters—Tian Qin to help Xianqiu bear children, and Ku Ju to marry Xu Junzheng—each finding their place.
If Xu Junzheng failed the exams, so be it; after all, the marriages of illegitimate daughters were of little consequence. As long as his legitimate daughters, Suanzhi and Xianqiu, married well, that was enough.
Unexpectedly, circumstances had suddenly changed. Ku Ju was determined to enter the Marquis Manor, while Tian Qin had fallen for Xu Junzheng.
It seemed as if their roles had been reversed.
Adjusting the marriages of these two girls was a trivial matter for him. What he pondered was how to maximize his own official advancement.
In the past, he had been reverent toward Xie Jia because the Xie Family relied on the Empress Dowager’s backing, making them the most influential imperial relatives.
But now, with the new emperor on the throne, the Empress Dowager had become the Taihuang Taihou, Suanzhi had become the Empress, and the Yu family had become the most prominent imperial relatives of the new dynasty. The Yu family no longer needed to curry favor with the Xie family; in fact, he faintly sensed that the Xie family was on the verge of being cast aside.
Yu Yuan helped the sobbing Tian Qin to her feet and said kindly, “Alright, if Tian’er truly has feelings for Mr. Xu, I’ll speak with your second elder sister. We’ll have Ku’er serve at the Marquis Manor and arrange for you to marry Mr. Xu, alright? No more crying, hmm?”
Tian Qin lightly brushed away her tears with her slender fingertips, feigning reluctance before finally breaking into a smile.
“Tian’er will do as Father says.”
Yu Yuan said sternly, “But there’s one condition—Xu Junzheng must earn a rank in the Late Spring Strategy Examination.”
Tian Qin nodded, her voice unusually choked. “Daughter understands. I hope he will work diligently and not disappoint your expectations.”
She had come today to test Yu Yuan’s attitude. After all, it made no difference which of them married Xu Junzheng; she simply wanted to strive for it.
Ku Ju cried bitterly every day, lamenting the unfairness of fate and their parents’ injustice—that Tian Qin could enter the Marquis Manor as a noble concubine while she had to marry an unattractive, impoverished scholar.
Tian Qin thought to herself, she would simply take care of her younger sister Ku Ju. She would yield that elegant and powerful brother-in-law to Ku Ju and marry the “unattractive, impoverished scholar” herself—a perfect arrangement for both.
Having secured Yu Yuan’s support, she felt slightly more at ease on her way back and couldn’t help but smile as she envisioned the future.
…
For several days, rumors had been quietly circulating that the Yu family intended to form a marriage alliance with Xu Junzheng.
Unfortunately, the daughter the Yu family was marrying off was not the celestial beauty Miss Tian, but Miss Ku.
Xu Junzheng’s heart was tormented by anguish and conflict, tossing and turning restlessly. The Yu family was wealthy and influential, and their willingness to form a marriage alliance with someone of his humble background was an immense blessing. It seemed he had no right to be picky.
Since their last secret meeting nearly ended in discovery by the Zhumu, he and Tian Qin had not seen each other again. Yet she appeared in all his dreams.
He wandered through his days in a daze, his heart twisted in strange discomfort. For several days, he had no mood to study properly, feeling vacant and lost. Before his eyes floated Tian Qin’s enchanting image—her smile blooming like a flower, her lively eyes sparkling with anticipation.
He would gladly trade ten years of his life for just one more meeting.
The writing brushes, ink, and paper she had given him, he treasured too much to use. He stored them like precious jewels in his cabinet, taking them out to gaze at whenever he had a moment.
Every morning, he eagerly graded Yan Ge’er’s homework first, hoping Tian Qin might have slipped him another message.
At first, there were some, but gradually, it seemed Tian Qin no longer left any words for him. Their connection slowly faded.
Could it be that Tian Qin had learned of Old Master Yu’s intention to marry Ku Ju to him? Was she angry and jealous, hence ignoring him now?
Even more frightening was the rumor that the entire Yu family would soon journey to a mountain temple, far from the estate. He would not see her again.
The thought made Xu Junzheng uncontrollably panicked.
While grading Yan Ge’er’s homework that night, he acted with unprecedented boldness, conveying his true feelings.
It was Miss Tian he loved, not Miss Ku.
Yan Ge’er, still naive, packed his book bag and left after school. Xu Junzheng waited anxiously, fearing he would receive some harsh rejection the next day, or worse—blank silence.
In the end, Tian Qin’s reply left him both bitter and disappointed, yet within the pain flickered a faint thread of hope.
She had rejected his feelings.
Her meaning was clear—”My family has already decided my marriage fate. I dare not make a private commitment to you.”
“Unless… you succeed in the policy essay examination and earn an official rank.”