Chapter 51 Fireworks: “Escape from you.”

Chapter 51: Fireworks: Escape from You

On the day of the Beginning of Spring, the weather was exceptionally clear and fine. Returning early, flocks of wild geese craned their necks in loud calls, while distant mountains were veiled in a faint, ethereal purple mist—an auspicious omen.

The hot spring manor now had a new Manor Lord, who kowtowed to the master before leading the tenant farmers in planting rice seedlings—bustling cheerfully, with fresh energy everywhere.

On the manor’s final day, Xian Qiu—acting as Matriarch of the Xie Clan—distributed red envelopes to everyone, young and old, along with generous rewards of gold, silver, food, and silk, thanking the staff for their care over the past days.

Every tenant farmer beamed with delight; they would rather serve as slaves for generations than venture out into freedom, for the Xie family treated them far more generously than ordinary landlords, and life here was incomparably better than outside. The Head of the Xie Family was a man of pure, kind nature—nearly saintly.

Tian Qin also received a red envelope containing several star- and crescent-shaped gold pieces. They felt heavy in her palm—the first money she’d held since leaving the Yu family.

She treasured them deeply—but dared not show it.

After an unprecedentedly grand feast at noon, night gradually fell. Servants laid the fuse for the fireworks outside the manor, awaiting the appointed moment to ignite them and celebrate the Beginning of Spring.

The night was like water. On the high terrace, the gentle evening breeze carried the bright spring stars into Xie Tanwei’s eyes and brows. He guided the blindfolded Xian Qiu step by step up the stone steps, then smiled and removed her blindfold. Instantly, fireworks erupted across the pitch-black sky.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

It wasn’t just fireworks exploding—it was happiness, too.

Xian Qiu stood stunned by the beauty and spectacle, utterly spellbound.

The dazzling light illuminated her pale, sickly face, transforming her—usually so composed—into a childlike figure leaping with joy, laughing, tears streaming down her cheeks, her cries swallowed whole by the thunderous explosions.

Xie Tanwei stood leisurely beside her in the balmy night air, the wind lifting his white robes with a soft rustle. His bearing was divine, his presence imposing—his gaze so intensely affectionate that being looked upon by him felt like the greatest happiness in the world.

Tian Qin, wrapped in a cloak, stood behind them. She glanced up at the fireworks but found them unremarkable. Standing in the cold wind, bored, the explosive bangs hurt her ears—and she longed to leave soon.

The fireworks’ spectacular bloom lasted only an instant, leaving behind cold, spent remnants buried in the night—a melancholy sight, truly.

She quietly tried to step back—but suddenly remembered the range of the *Love Gu*, and froze, daring not to act rashly.

“What are you thinking?” Amidst the roaring cacophony of fireworks, Xie Tanwei’s cool voice drifted to her ear. Tian Qin flinched. He wasn’t watching the fireworks—or his wife—yet somehow his gaze had turned to her.

Her lips moved, her voice lost amid the frenzy of explosions—but she spoke with startling honesty: “…Escape from you.”

She was thinking of escaping—from *you*.

Those words shouldn’t have reached him. Yet as she uttered them, a brief lull fell between two bursts—pure coincidence.

Xie Tanwei raised an eyebrow in disbelief, stepping closer and closer until he cornered her against the thick wall. Bracing one arm beside her, he spoke these cruel words in a gentle, cultivated tone:

“Next time you dare think that, I’ll lock my little sister-in-law in the cellar—and day and night, I’ll activate the *Love Gu*, forcing you to kneel, eyes bloodshot, begging me on your knees.”

Tian Qin swallowed hard; her breathing quickened involuntarily. She said sternly, “You’re insane. This is a high place—they’ll find out.”

“Shh.” Open, composed—and utterly mad—he covered her mouth with cloying tenderness. “How loud the fireworks are. Little sister, don’t scream—and they won’t hear.”

Tian Qin stared fixedly at Xian Qiu, not far away. Just one turn of the head—and she’d see. Yet Xian Qiu stood with hands clasped tightly to her chest, gazing raptly at the ceaseless fireworks, completely unaware.

Tian Qin gave up hope, looked away—and snapped fiercely at him: “Brother-in-law, you only see me as a plaything.”

Xie Tanwei smiled even more knowingly—her words igniting something deep within him, warming his breath.

“A pet,” he tapped her cheek—fresh, plump as a peach. “Little sister is a lively, gentle, adorable little creature.”

Tian Qin felt nauseated.

Xie Tanwei stirred. Adjusting his stance, his broad cloak enveloped her. He guided her hand to grasp his manhood through the thin fabric, murmuring softly: “Do you like it?”

Tian Qin felt a violent inner quake—recoiling as if she’d touched a viper or scorpion, wrenching her hand away as though severing her own limb.

He wouldn’t let go—instead, forced her grip tighter.

Tian Qin nearly suffocated, her face burning crimson.

Fortunately, just then the fireworks ceased—deliverance. She fled swiftly, cooling her flushed thoughts in the chill night breeze.

Xie Tanwei didn’t pursue her. He smiled quietly, adjusted his clothes and appearance. After all, they were outdoors—tonight, he’d let her off lightly. But she was hopeless. After all his instruction, she remained as simple as paper—truly disappointing.

He cleared his throat and resumed his solemn, dignified facade. Paying no further attention to Tian Qin, he returned to Xian Qiu’s side, slipping seamlessly back into the role of the proper, composed, steadfast husband.

“Do you like it?”

The fireworks had stopped—and he asked Xian Qiu.

The same three words—but when spoken to Xian Qiu, they held no emotion, no warmth—only routine.

“Yes.”

Xian Qiu paused, momentarily stunned—then forced a smile. Yet her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and her nails dug deep into her palms. Fully aware of the sordid affair between her husband and her younger sister, she endured in silence—a cowardly endurance.

…

Winter in a wealthy, powerful household was warm. After spending the harshest days of winter at the spring-like hot spring manor, the Head of the Xie Family and his wife returned home—resuming their former life.

Tian Qin sat alone in a small carriage, personally escorted by the highly skilled Zhao Ning, speeding along the road.

She still clutched the tiny gold nuggets Xian Qiu had given her. To the wealthy, they were mere trifles—red envelope tokens. To the poor, they could sustain three months of frugal living.

Every bit helped. These scattered coins were vital to her—because she knew the priceless jewels adorning her head and the elegant vases gracing her boudoir bore the delicate inscription “Everlasting Joy Without End” in hidden places—the Xie family’s unique crest.

Xie Tanwei was no fool. He knew that if she had money, she’d try to escape—so he deliberately restricted her.

Previously, she’d secretly saved a pitiful sum—mostly from the monthly stipends Zhao Lu and others had given her.

Money—such a fickle thing. In her past life, she’d lacked it to buy the rare purple ginseng fungus needed to save a life. In this life, she still lived in poverty.

As Tian Qin sank deeper into thought, the carriage jolted violently. Zhao Ning’s apologetic voice came from beyond the curtain.

“Miss Tian, the road is rough here.”

Tian Qin didn’t reprimand him. Her throat tightened; she hesitated—then said, “…Could you lend me some silver?”

Zhao Ning’s ears were filled with the wind’s sharp whistle—he thought he’d misheard. “What?”

Tian Qin quickly covered herself, saying, “I caught the scent of cherry pan-fried cakes. I’m hungry—I’d like to stop and buy some.”

Zhao Ning stood stunned for a long time. With his formidable martial prowess, he’d served masters of every stripe—good, evil, temperamental—but never once had a mistress asked to borrow money from him.

In fact, his hiring fee was exorbitant—only the wealthy and noble could afford such a guard. The line between master and servant was strictly drawn: masters never borrowed money—and rarely spoke to servants for entire days.

Seeing Zhao Ning’s prolonged silence, Tian Qin realized her request was shocking. But she had no choice. The gold pieces clenched in her palm were too meager—the desperate measure of someone who couldn’t survive outside.

Her voice dropped to a mosquito’s whisper: “Is it okay?”

Zhao Ning frowned almost imperceptibly—forming a subtle “川” shape between his brows. “The master has given no such order.”

His words were as cold and rigid as his sword.

Tian Qin let out an "oh," as if she had expected it all along. The clatter of hooves suddenly rang out, and silence reigned for a long while, ashen.

She was so naive. Zhao Ning was Xie Tanwei's trusted confidant, deeply indebted and with his entire family's lives in Xie Tanwei's hands—how would he dare betray him? With Xie Tanwei's venomous cunning, he could toy with the Zhao family until nothing but rubble remained.

Asking for money was fine, but only with the patriarch's approval. Without his nod, the dark cloud hung over her. She was encased in a golden net on all sides—feasting on delicacies and living in grand mansions—yet she could not hope to possess even a tael or two of money she could spend freely.

"Don't tell my brother-in-law."

She said finally.

Zhao Ning made no reply.

Upon arriving at the Xie residence, Tian Qin was filled with anxiety. She saw Xie Tanwei speaking gently and laughing with Xian Qiu, appearing as usual. Zhao Ning had apparently not yet reported the matter of her borrowing money.

"Tian'er." Just as she was about to slip away in silence, Xie Tanwei called out loudly, like a demon and a bodhisattva rolled into one. Tian Qin's heart skipped a beat, and she turned back slowly.

"Your brother-in-law hasn't given you your red envelope yet."

Xie Tanwei took out something and handed it to her. It carried the scent of the agarwood incense on his lapel. With an air of magnanimity, he smiled, looking dashing and generous.

Tian Qin touched it; it was so heavy she could barely hold it.

Xian Qiu teased, "As expected of my husband's generosity, you've given Tian Qin such a big one—more than anyone else."

Xie Tanwei also teased, "You're jealous even of a child?"

Tian Qin quickly said "Thank you, brother-in-law," and carrying the red envelope, returned to her own Painting Garden. After many days apart, Nanny Chen, Zhaolu, and Wan Cui had been waiting with longing. They embraced Tian Qin, who was utterly distraught.

"Miss, you're back! We've been waiting for you like stars and moon!"

During the days they were away, Tian Qin felt as if she had lost her right hand.

The four gathered together and opened the red envelope from the patriarch. It was also gold pieces shaped into stars and moons, similar to what Xian Qiu gave—except Xian Qiu gave them one by one, while Xie Tanwei gave them by the handful.

"So much, so much gold..."

Wan Cui, reflecting in the golden glow, sighed with envy.

Nanny Chen slapped her thigh and said, "Quick, put them away!"

Zhaolu hesitated and said, "The patriarch is really good to you."

Nanny Chen fetched Tian Qin's little box and filled it with all the gold from Xie Tanwei and Xian Qiu. She sighed with contentment, "Miss is now a rich lady too! You've saved up so much at once!"

Tian Qin should have been happy, but she couldn't be happy at all. If this money had come from Xian Qiu or Zhao Ning, she would have seen it as golden hope. But since it was from Xie Tanwei, there was only one truth—

I give you the money openly. I know all your thoughts. I'm giving you chips, and I'll play this game to the end.

He had likely sensed her intentions again.

Tian Qin twisted the moon-shaped gold piece, unsure if this money could actually be used by her. Watching Nanny Chen cheerfully put it away, she let out a deep sigh, feeling a sense of helplessness as if besieged from all sides.

Zhaolu understood best Tian Qin's thoughts, and her expression also turned grim. Miss had no intention of staying in the Xie residence long-term; the pitiful money she had secretly saved in the box was a lifeline.

Now, the patriarch had reached his hand into her little stash—definitely not a good sign.

"Miss..."

Tian Qin waved her hand—don't scare herself first. What if he had just given a casual gift alongside his wife on the day of Start of Spring? She shouldn't assume he was so deep and calculating.

Zhao Ning had entered the manor with her at the same time; even if he wanted to report on her, he wouldn't have had enough time. Xie Tanwei's act of giving her the red envelope had occurred before Zhao Ning met him.

Her heart was torn, but no matter how difficult, she had to grit her teeth and move forward.