Chapter 29 Broken Engagement: “Make my sister call it off.”

Chapter 29: Breaking the Engagement: "I want you to call off the engagement."

Tian Qin felt like cold water had been dumped down her back; her numb giving in wasn't saving her, only made her tormentor bolder.

She stumbled back repeatedly, pulling free from his cold, pale fingers that could easily snap her neck, taking a deep breath to steady herself: "The emperor died suddenly. You killed the emperor, you traitor, you rebel. You can fool everyone else, but not me."

"Dynasties change, order gets restored—it happens all the time."

Xie Tanwei didn't flinch, listening with a straight face: "What, now my sister's threatening me?"

Maybe her reckless defiance sparked his interest; a smile flickered across his face, half-curious, half-contemptuous, tinged with a hint of probing, and utterly confident in her predicament. "I don't see how you can threaten anyone when you can't even leave your room."

"Brother-in-law, just kill me outright. I know your secret; I'm a loose end. Killing me would be tidier. Besides, I've betrayed you before. You said you wouldn't show mercy if we met again, and with your black heart and ruthless hands, you're more than capable."

Tian Qin was deliberately provoking him, hoping for a quick death.

Xie Tanwei saw right through her and shot it down: "I'm not going to kill you; you're not worth it. The Yu family has fallen from grace. If you stick with me, you can dodge disaster. Both the Yu and Xu families have bullied you; this time, their ruin will help settle the score for you."

"As for betrayal, I did say we'd sever ties. If I wanted revenge, I'd keep you around to torment you slowly, like in that 'past life,' bit by bit. That would be the ultimate. Yu Suanzhi died too fast; I'd have to pick up your body and waste a burial shroud. What's the point? Too boring. What do you think, little sister?"

Tian Qin was suddenly overwhelmed with helplessness. His graceful bearing, sleeves whiter than snow, filled with the winter wind, hid a heart dripping with poison. Just touching him felt like a scorpion's sting—terrifying and cunning.

A lot of times, she felt he wasn't even human—lacking basic human feelings, but having inhuman cruelty and sharpness, like a demon wearing a human skin.

She suddenly felt dazed, cold and weak all over, as if stuck in a recurring nightmare.

But this wasn't a nightmare—it was real.

He was the most powerful, most influential man in the country, and she was just a lowborn girl stuck in her chambers. She couldn't outsmart him.

After all her scheming and running, heaven had given her a brief illusion of happiness, only to snatch it away, leaving her back in his hands, torn apart, flesh and bone.

Tian Qin's warm eyes went blank, like a walking corpse, sitting on the little couch in her room. "Brother-in-law won't kill me, but he'll torment me bit by bit. I can't go out and scream about you killing the emperor. Your plan is truly airtight."

Xie Tanwei thought it was funny. "How is it regicide? It's fine to say that in private, but outside, they'd think you're crazy. Don't worry. I said I'd torment you slowly, but with your second sister looking out for you, how could I pull it off?"

He seemed to have an unspoken understanding with her, knowing full well but not saying a word. He was the righteous brother-in-law, Xian Qiu the sweet and virtuous sister, and she the obedient, fragile, a little neurotic sister who needed protecting. The three of them, each in their proper place.

A single tear rolled down Tian Qin's cheek.

"What do you really want, brother-in-law?"

At this point, she was exhausted, completely drained, like a dying fish on a cutting board, just waiting to be gutted.

Xie Tanwei smiled casually. With things clear, there was no need for more bluster. His gaze fixed unwaveringly on her cheek, gentle like a spring night's cold star, he said:

"I want you to call off the engagement."

"Of course, this marriage is already ruined, but for the sake of completeness, it's better if you break it off yourself. It gives the Yu family an explanation and the Xu family one too."

Tian Qin turned her head without surprise, suppressing a chill. His ultimate goal was to break the engagement. He stated it so plainly because he was certain she had no choice. Even as he made this demand, his tone remained tender, but that tenderness was shrouded in murderous intent.

"What if I say no? Xu Junzheng can't threaten me, and the Yu family can't either. Without Xu Junzheng, I'll find someone else. If brother-in-law takes my life, I'm not afraid."

A person with nothing naturally has no fear. She had nothing left to lose.

Xie Tanwei lightly touched her cold, tear-streaked cheek, a faintly pitying look in his eyes, and gave a cold smile: "Sister wouldn't be that foolish, would she? You know the outcome will be the same. If you break off the engagement now, I'll consider it a sign of repentance. You can come to the Xie residence, and your sister and I will take care of you. Though there's no deep affection, we're still family, bound by blood."

Tian Qin understood her situation. Whether she entered the Xie residence willingly or was dragged there, the outcome would be the same. The only difference was that the former would mean less suffering, the latter more.

"Father has already given me to you, hasn't he?"

Xie Tanwei hummed softly.

"Using you in exchange for your sister not seeking a divorce. A fair trade. Everyone gets what they want."

The Yu family were remnants of the former dynasty, about to be purged. When the nest overturns, no egg remains intact. Going to the Xie residence could at least avoid disaster.

Tian Qin felt a suffocating pressure, her brows deeply furrowed. She said nothing more in protest, like a frostbitten eggplant.

Xie Tanwei gently pulled her into an embrace, a hint of laziness in his manner. The kite he had once lost was finally back in his hands, sparking an unprecedented interest in her—not love, but a simple desire to keep her by his side.

"The Xu family isn't that great. Do you know they see you as a jinx? They've cursed you many times, plotting to break off the engagement. Xu Junzheng can't defy his mother and cries every day. When you cry, it's somewhat beautiful, like pear blossoms in the rain. But a grown man crying is just pathetic and disgusting."

"Listen to your brother-in-law. Break off the engagement. Later, your brother-in-law and sister will find you a better match, a hundred times better than Xu Junzheng. Our family will give you the best."

His tone was unhurried, uniquely delicate and damp, like raindrops falling by her ear, stroking every inch of her spirit.

Tian Qin remained silent as a shadow, as if she had become completely mute, offering neither rebuttal nor response.

Xie Tanwei said no more. All his talk of tormenting her and revenge—he hadn't really meant it. In the end, he tore up his own firm words and indulged her.

But he had his limits. This was the last chance. If she remained stubborn, he would use every harsh method she feared, one by one, until she accepted her fate.

...

With the late emperor's death, the Yu family's fortunes plummeted from the clouds to the abyss. The Xu family, once indebted to them, did not repay kindness but instead distanced themselves, turning a blind eye and refusing to help. The two families had completely severed ties.

The eleventh day of the tenth month was originally the joyous day for the wedding procession, but the Xu family's attitude was cold and indifferent, tacitly ignoring it.

Yu Yuan, beset by internal and external troubles, was so agitated he coughed incessantly. He Shi also suffered from headaches, lying on the couch groaning. A once harmonious family was falling apart.

On the day she was supposed to marry, the girl couldn't leave, becoming a laughingstock and further cementing her reputation as a "jinx."

Tian Qin was at the center of a dangerous vortex, torn by various forces, her internal organs feeling as if they were splitting apart, filled with pain and despair. After Xie Tanwei's visit, she had no way out.

Dressed in plain clothes, quiet and depressed, her face like an autumn withered leaf, she found Yu Yuan and He Shi, lifted her skirt, and knelt down.

He Shi was furious at the sight of Tian Qin and repeatedly drove her away. It was Yu Yuan who weakly said, "Tian'er."

Tian Qin crawled forward on her knees, revealing her thin wrists from her sleeves, serving Yu Yuan his medicine. Her movements were gentle, her expression low and dejected, as she said, "Father, I beg you to take back the marriage agreement with the Xu family. I am willing to stay home and serve you and mother forever, or become a nun, but I will no longer marry into the Xu family."

Yu Yuan and He Shi were momentarily stunned, then understanding dawned. Their faces were weary and complex. Yu Yuan sighed, "Good child, if you don't want to marry, then don't. Don't talk about becoming a nun. Father will find you a better match."

He Shi also went along with it: "Your sister and brother-in-law happen to need a capable person by their side. You can fill that role."

In truth, things had already been decided. Tian Qin provided a way out, and the Yu couple conveniently agreed. The Yu family was in dire straits, and the only one who could save them was Tian Qin.

Both Tian Qin and the Yu family were battered and cornered.

Yu Yuan, leaning on his sick body, went to the storeroom. With Yu Ye's help, he sorted out the Xu family's betrothal gifts, retrieved the marriage contract and birth certificates, and had Yu Ye return them all to the Xu family.

The grand dowry was returned untouched, an ugly sight. Neighbors gossiped, mocked, scorned, gloated, and pointed fingers.

Xu's mother couldn't save face and couldn't help but insult Yu Ye. Yu Ye, young and hot-tempered, got into a verbal altercation. Former in-laws turned into enemies, and both sides were deeply unhappy.

"Your daughter was always meant to be a concubine for the powerful. Don't think we didn't know. Treating her like gold? She's unclean and brings bad luck. My son's bright future was ruined by her!"

Xu Junzheng's mother was in tears, her emotions spiraling out of control.

Yu Ye’s face was as black as thunder, while Xu Junzheng, flustered and panicked, quickly covered his mother’s mouth, at a loss. He repeatedly bowed to Yu Ye, his voice strained and trembling, even on the verge of tears: “I’m sorry, Brother Yu! Mother spoke without thinking! I won’t break off the engagement with Third Young Lady! Please…”

Yu Ye let out a low snort and stormed off with his men.

Seeing Xu Junzheng siding with an outsider, Mrs. Xu was furious. She shut the door and scolded him.

“What’s so good about that jinx from the Yu family? She’s a kept woman for the rich and powerful, entangled with her brother-in-law, probably a woman with a sullied reputation! Breaking off the engagement with her is her being sensible. Mother will find you a new match another day.”

“Enough, Mother…” Xu Junzheng was in deep pain and misery, crouching on the ground with his head in his hands, tears pooling into a small puddle. “I truly love Third Young Lady. If Mother hadn’t locked me up when the Yu family fell, forcing me to sever ties, how could Third Young Lady have proposed breaking off the engagement? Tian Qin is the love of my life. I can’t live without her.”

“Are you still stubborn?” Mrs. Xu glared. “Don’t you know the Yu family can’t even save themselves? If our Xu family gets involved with them, disaster will strike! Your career has been ruined by that woman.”

Xu Junzheng couldn’t listen at all. His mind was filled with Tian Qin’s gentle and lovely figure, her voice and smile, unforgettable. If he couldn’t be with Sister Tian Qin in this life, it would be an endless regret, and he couldn’t imagine how to get through the rest of his days.

Mrs. Xu urged Xu Junzheng to quickly sign the annulment papers and send them back to the Yu family, breaking off all relations completely. In case the Yu family ended up on death row one day, at least it wouldn’t drag the Xu family down.