Chapter 44 Hot Spring: His Lips a Breath Away

Chapter 44: The Hot Spring: His Lips Were Only an Inch Away from Hers

After Xu Junzheng left, Tian Qin immediately wiped away her tears, like an actor on stage removing a mask after a performance. She resolutely got off Xie Tanwei, returning to her usual calm and impassive demeanor.

Xie Tanwei watched her skilled display of flattery and deception with a cryptic smile. He grabbed her wrist, "What, is my sister-in-law reluctant to part with her beloved?"

"Whether I am reluctant or not doesn't matter. What matters is what my brother-in-law wants me to do." Tian Qin's voice still carried traces of crying, but there was no hint of sorrow in it, as rational as it was ironic. "My brother-in-law told me to make Xu Junzheng give up, so I made him give up."

Xie Tanwei curled his lips into a cold smile, using his authority to pressure her. He leaned close to her ear, "My sister-in-law knows what's good for her."

She was a person with the Love Gu. She belonged to him.

Tian Qin took a deep breath, struggling to calm herself, her heart almost frozen stiff by the poison of the Gu. "Does my sister know that my brother-in-law planted the Love Gu in his wife's sister's body?"

Xie Tanwei replied nonchalantly, "She doesn't need to know."

"She does need to know." Tian Qin raised her voice in emphasis, her stubbornness intensifying. "What kind of scum my brother-in-law really is."

Xie Tanwei listened to such insults without flying into a rage, as if hearing something irrelevant. "I advise my sister-in-law to behave. Without solid evidence, empty words slandering an Imperial Official, your brother-in-law who feeds and clothes you—people will think you're having a fit. If they lock you up and label you a madwoman, wouldn't that be even more convenient for your brother-in-law..."

He smiled, both affectionate and cold, not finishing his sentence.

Tian Qin's heart raced. Since he dared to say such things, he was confident that no traces of the Love Gu were left on her, and no ordinary quack doctor could detect it. His poison skills were not just exceptional—they were extraordinary.

Her fists clenched tightly, emitting a cracking sound, then relaxed again. She was trapped in a bottomless pit, ultimately powerless.

Such days seemed endless.

...

Winter deepened, reaching the coldest time of the year.

The milky white, gloomy sky remained overcast all day. The dry, biting wind that entered her nostrils carried ice crystals, and every exhalation turned to frost.

Several heavy snowfalls sealed the Xie mansion in a world of ice and jade. The wind chimes under the eaves were frozen solid, unable to move.

Tian Qin, dressed in a thick sable coat, sat by the stove, cheerfully roasting sweet potatoes with Nanny Chen and the others.

Outside, goose-feather snowflakes swirled. The hot sweet potatoes warmed her from mouth to stomach, a stream of sweetness flowing through her, bringing immense comfort.

The Lord and the Lady were going to avoid the cold at the hot spring estate. The Lady, Xian Qiu, feared the cold, and every year at this time, the Lord would take her to the hot spring villa for a short stay.

The estate was warm with geothermal steam, like summer, with natural hot springs bubbling and even large butterflies fluttering about.

"The people in the Autumn Crabapple Court are bustling about, packing for the Lady. The carriage is also padded with cotton flannel," said Zhaolu, speaking while gulping down a scalding sweet potato. "I went to collect supplies earlier. I thought that snobbish steward Li Fu would prioritize the Lady's courtyard first, but he generously gave us ours and even added extra sweet potatoes, longans, and many other snacks."

Nanny Chen nodded in agreement, "Now that the Lord is protecting our young lady, they dare not give less—only more."

Wan Cui smiled foolishly, "When will the young lady endure until she marries and finds a good husband? Then her hardships will finally end."

Tian Qin ate her sweet potato in silence, unable to smile, knowing in her heart that she might never have a wedding day.

Oh well, he and Xian Qiu were going to the hot spring estate. She would be happy to have some peace in the mansion alone, at least not forced to go to the Autumn Crabapple Court for meals every day.

The four of them continued roasting by the fire. Zhaolu brought Tian Qin's cloud-pattern brocade cloak, ready to accompany her to the bamboo grove in the painting garden to enjoy the snow. A senior maid from Xian Qiu's side arrived to invite Tian Qin to lunch—the daily routine.

Tian Qin had no choice but to go for the meal, though her stomach was already filled with sweet potatoes and she wasn't hungry. Today, the Autumn Crabapple Court was busy packing, rushing about, yet they still called her for lunch.

Xian Qiu looked better than usual, dressed in a lotus-purple gown. She kept piling food onto Tian Qin's plate at the table.

"Tian'er, pack your things quickly. We're going to the hot spring estate. We'll set off after noon and have dinner there with barbecue."

Tian Qin's ears buzzed. She snapped out of her vain thoughts. They were actually taking her, the burden, along.

She didn't want to go. What would she be there? A cloying, distant relative squeezed in between them? A younger sister who nearly had a nervous breakdown and needed constant watching by her elder sister and brother-in-law? Or a concubine favored by the Lord and Lady?

"I don't..." Before she could finish, she was abruptly cut off as Xie Tanwei looked at her quietly, "Come."

Just two words, shutting down all her arguments.

"A family reunion. Let's have a good meal together. Your sister has been looking forward to it for a long time. Without you, the younger sister, it wouldn't be lively."

He gave a perfectly legitimate reason.

Tian Qin was cowed. The air grew heavy. She had the right to refuse everyone else, but not him.

The Love Gu stirred faintly inside her, like a seedling about to burst from the earth, silently urging her to agree.

Xian Qiu also smiled, "Yes, Tian'er, it would be so dull for you to stay alone in the mansion. We can't leave you behind. We've specially cleaned a room for you at the estate. I promise you'll be comfortable."

Under pressure from both sides, Tian Qin had no choice but to comply.

Xian Qiu continued chatting happily with Xie Tanwei, who nodded from time to time. The couple was deeply in tune, their love lasting for years. A single glance between them was infinitely sweet.

Tian Qin was distracted, her meal tasteless. She was lost in her own thoughts, unable to hear what they were saying.

Nanny Chen and the others were somewhat pleased and relieved when they heard that Tian Qin also had the chance to go to the hot spring estate. In the bitter cold of winter, soaking in the hot springs was the most comfortable thing. The spring water from underground was infused with various medicinal herbs, beneficial for a woman's health.

Tian Qin simply packed her things. There wasn't much to bring. She went directly to the Autumn Crabapple Court to wait for departure.

The sunlight fell in patches, and snowflakes danced wildly outside the window, just like her—endlessly circling a dream.

She sat outside the screen, catching a faint glimpse of Xian Qiu's lotus-purple silk skirt with gold embroidered edges behind the green gauze curtain in the inner chamber. Xian Qiu twirled, asking in a low voice, "Husband, do I look proper like this?"

"Proper," came Xie Tanwei's voice.

Xian Qiu let out an extremely soft laugh, "And beautiful?"

"Beautiful," Xie Tanwei replied again.

Their laughter blended together.

Tian Qin felt a chill run down her spine. She regretted arriving so early, having overheard their intimate whispers.

At that moment, she was nothing but a true thief, a shadow that couldn't see the light, an impurity in someone else's relationship.

She felt deeply embarrassed, tiptoeing to leave, but then a cold voice came from behind: "Where are you going? We're about to set off."

Tian Qin froze. Xie Tanwei pushed aside the green gauze curtain and stepped out, walking directly to her—so he had noticed her all along.

Flustered, she stepped back awkwardly, making up an excuse: "Brother-in-law, I forgot my hand warmer. I need to go get it."

Xie Tanwei casually handed her a hand warmer and fastened the ribbon of her cloak for her. "Use your sister's."

Tian Qin lowered her head, her lips pressed into a thin line.

She might not fully understand his intentions, but he clearly knew hers. Undercurrents surged, dangerous whirlpools brewed. The look in his eyes as he watched her was playful, penetrating, and aggressive, exactly like the night he possessed her—nothing like a brother-in-law looking at a sister-in-law.

Xian Qiu also arranged her attire and made up, emerged from behind the screen, and put on a brave face: "Tian'er, you're here. Have you been waiting long?"

Tian Qin said nothing. Most of the time, she was like a mute, a withdrawn child who depended on her sister and brother-in-law for care.

The family set off. Besides the masters, many servants followed, with a long line of carriages strung together—truly the ostentatious style of a wealthy clan, quite spectacular.

The carriage wheels rolled. Xian Qiu was frail and sensitive to cold; once in the carriage, she soon grew drowsy and leaned on Xie Tanwei's shoulder.

Their familiar, natural posture mirrored their everyday routine, as if there were no one else there.

Yet Tian Qin was beside them, sharing the same compartment with the couple, a sister in name only who did not even have the status of a concubine.

She was like forgotten air, an invisible person with no presence, staying there by sheer shamelessness.

The snow stopped. The sun pierced through the dark clouds, shooting thousands of golden rays onto the earth. The warm yet not harsh light faintly illuminated Xian Qiu's sleeping cheeks; Xian Qiu was bathed in light.

But Tian Qin hid in the shadows, pretending to look out the window. Her dwelling was darkness alone—a chained shadow forever denied the light, a silence frozen in ice and snow.

Though the two sisters served the same man, one bore love, the other bore desire.

"Unhappy?" In the stifling silence, Xie Tanwei's voice suddenly broke in as he grasped her slender fingers. "You've been quiet all this time. Don't you like the hot springs? Or are you not feeling well?"

Tian Qin was utterly startled, utterly shocked.

Xian Qiu was dozing with her eyes closed on his shoulder; how did he dare to grab her hand?

She immediately struggled, but Xie Tanwei smiled, like sunlight trapped in ice. Effortlessly and calmly, he trapped her hand, right under Xian Qiu's nose.

"Brother-in-law, you..." Tian Qin's voice was barely a whisper, her throat barely moving, and she was sweating all over from anxiety.

Xie Tanwei released her as he pleased, smoothed the messy strands of hair from her forehead, his fingertips gliding across her cheek like a shooting star, made her shudder involuntarily, so miserable she wanted to jump out of the carriage.

"What's wrong with Brother-in-law?"

His lips were just inches from hers, cynical and mocking.

"Don't you like it?"

Tian Qin could no longer endure it and intended to directly shout to wake Xian Qiu, but he pressed a long finger to her soft lips, an endless mocking in his eyes, "Shh, be quiet."

They were doing this in secret.

The lashes on Xian Qiu's sleeping face fluttered slightly.

Tian Qin's blood ran cold, as if she were walking on a tightrope.

It had to be said: this was Lord Xie's perverse pleasure. It wasn't that he didn't dare to openly make her his concubine; he simply thought she was unworthy—her heart was still attached to another man, and she had tried to run away time and again.

He kept her by his side as a sister in name only, relishing the thrill of toying with her, a novel game that came with no promises or responsibilities.

Outside, he was a gentle and considerate husband. But before her, he bared his fangs, a demon in his true form.

She was a daughter of a concubine, stranded after her entire family was exiled, with no one to rely on, forced to shelter under her brother-in-law's roof.

Xie Tanwei patted her cheek, leisurely and unhurriedly.

Tian Qin gnashed her teeth secretly.

She was right by his side; if she were willing, he could pull her over at any time to tease and play with her, to kiss and enjoy her.

As a 'sister', she had nowhere to seek justice, unable to openly speak of the filthy and dirty matters with her brother-in-law, trapped in the situation day after day.

Tian Qin silently endured for a long time again, and Xian Qiu still did not wake up.

After a little while, the Xie family's hot spring manor in the suburbs arrived. The carriage's stop brought Tian Qin some redemption.

The manor was built magnificently, complete with all amenities—there were Jiangnan-style courtyard gardens with flowing water, a market, a medical hall, a horse track, a tavern, just like a miniature city.

The fresh snowy wind blew through the window, refreshing the mind and heart, and from a distance, it seemed they could already smell the scent of the medicinal hot spring.