Chapter 61 Bell: “Try it on.”

Chapter 61: Bell: "Try it on."

Four days later, Tian Qin arrived at the Thousand Gold Hall again.

Master Xizhong, seeing that she had been missing for a long time, thought she would never come again. Suddenly seeing her again, he was very worried about her and her family's recent situation. How was the patient's condition? Had the poisonous gu penetrated the lungs?

Without much explanation, Tian Qin threw herself into researching how to break the Love Gu.

In the evening, as it was almost time to go home, she hadn't finished reading her book yet, so in a stroke of desperation she smashed a series of jars and bottles in the hall. The medicinal liquid burst, and precious herbs like large ginseng and Jiulongpan spilled all over the ground, drawing gasps and a crowd.

The clerk was instantly shocked and furious, and instantly had people surround Tian Qin: "You! What are you doing!"

These herbs were priceless, some were one-of-a-kind items.

Tian Qin put on an arrogant attitude and was detained by the assistant. They wouldn't let her go until she paid enough to be ruined. Thus, she managed to gain some precious time to read ancient texts.

She couldn't borrow the books to take back to the Xie mansion; to break the gu, she had to do it here in secret. Every opportunity was crucial; if she left this time, she might not be able to go out again next time.

Soon, Zhao Ning came to pick her up, but because Tian Qin had caused a great disaster, the Thousand Gold Hall was adamant and refused to release her.

Zhao Ning had to go back and report to his master, which wasted half an hour round trip. Taking advantage of this precious time, Tian Qin struggled with all her might to memorize the solutions from the ancient text.

When Zhao Ning returned again, he brought silver and medicinal herbs. The herbs from the Xie family's private collection were even better than those of the Thousand Gold Hall. The Xie family upheld personal integrity and did not wish to use their court power to oppress others. The Thousand Gold Hall, constrained by the Xie family's reputation, accepted the settlement and smoothed things over. In the end, Tian Qin, still shaken up, boarded the carriage for home.

Today, the Xie residence had prepared several extra dishes, originally to celebrate birthdays, but unfortunately the accident had ruined everything.

When Tian Qin was brought back, she was in a mess. The lower half of her pale pink dress was soaked with spilled medicine, dripping wet, and there was a cut on the back of her hand from a shard of porcelain.

Xian Qiu had been waiting anxiously, pacing back and forth, unable to eat. Upon seeing her, she hugged her at once: "Tian'er, what grievances did you suffer outside to be detained by those insolent servants!"

Tian Qin sobbed without speaking.

Xie Tanwei gently separated the sisters and said to Xian Qiu, "Alright, go get some rest now. You've been up half the night and are tired."

Xian Qiu wiped her red eyes and leaned on Xie Tanwei, seeking comfort. "Tian'er is my only sister in the capital. If something happens to her, I won't be able to answer to our parents."

Xie Tanwei threaded his fingers through her hair and comforted softly, "Don't worry, I'm here."

Tian Qin stood to the side with her wet sleeves hanging down. After finally waiting for Xian Qiu to finish crying and be escorted back to her room by servants, Xie Tanwei glanced at her silently and said flatly, "Come, I'll take you back to your room."

The bright moon hung high in the dark sky; wisps of night clouds revealed an ink-blue light. The spring night felt especially bleak, soaked by the east wind, with thin black branches hidden deep in the night, and a few old crows with ruffled, shabby feathers perched on the treetops.

Tian Qin followed silently behind, her embroidered shoes stepping on the stone path through the bamboo grove. The hazy moonlight draped over her clothes; the ground was full of tree shadows, and the bamboo rustled in waves. Xie Tanwei was like a cold moon glimpsed through gaps in the clouds, keeping everyone at arm's length.

"Keep up."

He turned his head, and the lantern cast a dim yellow light.

The atmosphere seemed too quiet, eerily quiet.

Tian Qin's heart was in her throat as she walked through the bamboo grove. As they were about to reach the Painting Garden, he said coolly: "Found the handkerchief?"

Her nerves instantly tensed; she clutched the handkerchief in her hand. "Found it."

Xie Tanwei did not inspect it.

Inspecting it would be pointless; she could easily take any handkerchief and claim she had retrieved it from the Thousand Gold Hall.

"Don't lose it again."

Tian Qin's face was ashen, dappled with tree shadows.

"I slipped and accidentally knocked over those jars and pots. I didn't mean to cause trouble for you."

She started her usual apologies again.

Xie Tanwei gave a light scoff, touched by the bamboo-moonlight, as if understanding. "Tian Qin, your petty tricks won't cut it."

Tian Qin was choked up.

Entering the main hall of the Painting Garden, Nanny Chen, Zhaolu, and Wan Cui stood respectfully off to the side. The square table was laden with delicate dishes, a pot of strong liquor, and a pot of fruit drink. Rising white steam obscured the chill of the night.

"This..."

Tian Qin frowned, seeing Nanny Chen and the others bowing their heads without daring to speak. She turned to look at Xie Tanwei. Xie Tanwei took off his robe as usual and said, "You haven't eaten yet, have you? Let's eat first."

Their birthdays were originally supposed to be celebrated with a proper banquet.

Tian Qin obediently sat down, not daring to defy him. Having not been punished for causing trouble at the Thousand Gold Hall was already lucky. She silently topped off his wine.

"Please, Brother-in-law."

He didn't allow her to drink alcohol, so she only poured fruit drink for herself.

Xie Tanwei's bright eyes narrowed. "Tian'er, please."

Nanny Chen and the others were all dismissed. In the quiet of the night, the two of them celebrated their birthdays together, alone together, man and woman, with no one to disturb them.

He raised his glass: "On the birthday of the girl of our house, wishing you happiness, health, and eternal youth."

Tian Qin awkwardly raised her glass: "Same joy to you, Brother-in-law."

The liquid in the glass slid down their throats, turning into a thousand flavors.

Between them, it was either tension or intimacy in bed; there were few moments of such harmony. Especially today, she had made a mistake and hadn't been punished.

"Come here, give me a gift." After a few rounds of drinks, Xie Tanwei's voice, steeped in aged wine, was soft and sticky, flowing like a low stream. He beckoned to her.

Tian Qin slowly walked around the table, reluctantly moving in front of him.

Xie Tanwei lifted her delicate hand and kissed it, leaving a moist, moderate tooth mark—it was the birthday present he wanted.

Tian Qin tensed, instinctively trying to withdraw the back of her hand, but he held it firmly.

Xie Tanwei's drunken black eyes were like a black bird, indifferently instructing. "What should you do?"

He was testing her like a teacher.

Tian Qin's throat burned; she clenched her jaw. Following what he had taught her, she slowly knelt at his feet, nestled her head affectionately on his lap, and in turn held his hand, bringing it to her lips and kissing it peck by peck like a sparrow pecking rice, as if granting a favor.

He felt both tickled and pleased by her actions, pressing down on her neck with some force. She cried out in pain, her scream choked in her throat, deepening the abnormal, sick atmosphere.

Tian Qin gritted her teeth, a hint of grievance in her eyes. "So this is the gift Brother-in-law wanted."

"Mm..." Xie Tanwei raised an eyebrow. It was a fairly pleasant exchange. He pinched her chin. "Still need to practice."

This ambiguous feeling, tangled ambiguously, he was immersed in the ambiguous relationship, just like the ambiguous bright night sky beyond the world. Darkness, covering the blazing sunlight of the day, allowed people to hide in a nest of security.

Tian Qin coughed twice to steady her disordered breathing. "Will Brother-in-law also give me a gift?"

Technically, today was also her birthday celebration.

Xie Tanwei pinched her blushing cheek. "Isn't this a gift?"

She gritted her teeth. "Of course not."

"I thought this was something we both enjoyed."

He teased, "Then what does little sister want?"

Tian Qin grasped his hand, as if begging for mercy. "Freedom."

Two short words, light as a feather yet heavy as a thousand pounds.

He had promised to marry her off once he grew tired of her, and she never forgot.

Xie Tanwei heard these ridiculous words. To him, she was like a trapped prey longing to return to the forest, unaware that the dangerous forest was no paradise either and that prey would still be devoured.

Her freedom was too precious; for now, he couldn't afford to grant it.

He brushed off the request as if it were a child's tantrum, then pulled out another brocade box. "For you."

Opening the box, a pair of brilliant gold bells came into view, with hoops and fine chains, suitable for wearing on the ankle or around the neck.

Tian Qin's dimples immediately showed anger, half pout, half scold. "Brother-in-law, how could you give me such a gift?"

Xie Tanwei smiled broadly. "Why can't I?"

"Am I a cat or a dog, that I need to wear bells?"

"It's just a gift. If you don't like it, throw it away after tonight." His tone was like the wind alighting on a cold branch.

The bells glistened dazzlingly in the candlelight. The gift she begged for was freedom, but what he gave her was a shackle—as if deliberately arranged, bitterly ironic.

Xie Tanwei dimmed the candle a little, making her moonlight-white porcelain skin appear even more fragile.

"Try putting them on."

She lowered her head in refusal. "I won't."

"Put them on." He repeated, not a request.

The Love Gu, suddenly awakened, trapped her like a storm, making her hallucinate, unable to breathe, electricity coursing through her body.

The power of the Love Gu had grown stronger.

Tian Qin had learned her lesson; she swallowed her stubbornness and silently picked up the gold bells.

The clasp fastened perfectly around her ankle, the size just right, every inch custom-made for her.

She walked, and Xie Tanwei watched leisurely, maintaining an unspoken understanding in the silent atmosphere. The thick cashmere rug on the floor absorbed all sound of her bare feet.

The sound of the bells was muffled by her trailing long skirt, dull, as if the bells themselves were gagged.

Until Xie Tanwei lifted her hem, the crispness of the bells and her smooth legs were revealed together.

Xie Tanwei made her walk back and forth a few times, the bell sounds shattering the night into fragments, before he was satisfied and reached out to pull her into his arms.

Tian Qin sank into his deep embrace, as if drowning.

Her heart was already bound by the Love Gu, and now this restraint on her ankle made her feel like a walking corpse, her soul locked in a dark room with no way out.

"Brother-in-law, you should go back now."

Today is his birthday; Xian Qiu must be waiting for him. This is his wife's sister's private chamber; he shouldn't stay.

Xie Tanwei nuzzled her in his arms, the long night seeming to have no end. "She's already asleep."

"She will definitely wait for you," Tian Qin insisted. "She loves you; she'll wait no matter how late."

"I still have many days left to serve you, brother-in-law."

The night's water clock was gently dripping, drop by drop.

"I know. Let me stay a little longer with little sister."

After a long moment, Xie Tanwei sighed.

He was indulging in the tenderness of this moment, shifting to a more comfortable and relaxed position, saying he would leave in a while but who knew how long that would be. Even a man of his self-control couldn't suddenly extricate himself from such intimacy.

Tian Qin guessed he might want to stay overnight. A brother-in-law sleeping in his wife's sister's courtyard would be a scandal of epic proportions, even within the Xie residence.

Unable to control the situation, she lay listlessly in his arms, the gold bells on her ankle occasionally clinking.

Xie Tanwei kissed her dark hair, twirling a lock around his long fingers, passing time, watching the candle tears drip, as if he simply wanted to be with her, doing nothing in particular.

"Brother-in-law."

Her voice was a little hoarse, her fan-like lashes trembling as she urged again: "You really should go. Sister will be scared alone."

It was really very, very late.

She didn't want to fall out with Xian Qiu; Xian Qiu was the only person she could use, and she would need Xian Qiu's help to leave the Xie family in the future.

Moreover, she didn't want to sleep with him.

Xie Tanwei gave a long "hmm," not listening, and instead tightened his arm around her waist. "She's not scared. We've been sleeping separately anyway."