Chapter 62 Attempt: “Open your eyes. Look at me.”

Chapter 62: An Attempt – "Open Your Eyes and Look at Me."

Xie Tanwei had always been careful about keeping his boundaries, rarely crossing such treacherous lines.

Tonight was his birthday, and a subtle shift in his emotions made him unusually gentle. That ineffable, sticky pull could only be sensed by their souls.

Tian Qin knew that even if he stayed tonight, it wouldn't cause any stir.

Nanny Chen and the others were tight-lipped, and Xian Qiu had tacitly acknowledged their relationship. The other servants in the Xie household didn't dare to gossip about the master.

But no wall is airtight; once the seal was broken, the truth would eventually come out, like fire bursting through paper.

Since he, a cautious man, dared to act, he must have prepared to take her as a concubine—this thought made Tian Qin's scalp tingle, more than being under the Love Gu. She absolutely could not become his official concubine; she would be stuck in the Xie family forever.

"Brother-in-law, but you are still my brother-in-law. You should go..." She struggled against his hold, backing away, trying to create distance.

Xie Tanwei slid his hand under her skirt, tearing through the last veil of pretense, and said coldly, "I can also stop calling you my sister."

His words made Tian Qin flinch. The image of her tragic death in her past life flashed before her eyes. She rose resolutely, summoning courage she didn't know she had, and walked straight toward the door.

Xie Tanwei sat still, maintaining the position of holding her, his arms filled with the autumn wind. He smiled bitterly and did not stop her.

Tian Qin pushed at the door in vain—it was locked. Without his order, she couldn't leave.

"Why is the door locked?"

Xie Tanwei remained unruffled.

Tian Qin pushed hard twice, her embarrassment driving her to the brink of madness.

Xie Tanwei rose slowly, stepped behind her, his long shadow enveloping her completely. He propped his elbow against the door, noble, cold, and restrained, with an eerie gentleness. "What are you running from? Tired of me?"

Forced to turn around, Tian Qin hated his seamless control and effortless cunning, even scheming about a door. His calculations came as naturally as breathing, as if it were instinct. Setting aside personal grievances, how terrifying it would be to live with such a man for long.

His warm breath brushed her nose, teasing and intermittent, a prolonged prelude, just like every time he prepared to possess her. Tian Qin felt an indescribable fear, turned her head, closed her eyes, and pressed her body hard against the door.

"Open your eyes and look at me." Xie Tanwei suddenly cupped her face, his warmth mingled with the scent of aloeswood. The gentle bond in his instructive tone was both command and invitation. "Don't resist. Learn to follow the rhythm. Breathe, relax."

Tian Qin was trapped in this impenetrable web, with no crack to slip through. At times like this, she was helpless, like a bird caught in a whirlwind, destined to be toyed with.

The worst part was that while her mind resisted, her body unconsciously obeyed his orders and matched his rhythm. Over two lifetimes, her body had been conditioned until it no longer belonged to her.

"No, not today, please."

She pleaded breathlessly, her words broken.

On his birthday, he should be with his legitimate wife.

On her birthday, she wanted to be a little happier.

The night was deep; he should leave her private chamber. No matter how you looked at it, they shouldn't be together tonight.

"You smell so good." Xie Tanwei grasped her dodging arm gently, sniffed her hair, and sighed. "Did you use clove and cardamom water to comb your hair?"

Driven by wine and birthday cheer, a sensual haze thickened. He was more unbridled than usual, trapping her, reluctant, in the bamboo-shaded Painting Garden, forcing himself on her, while leaving Xian Qiu alone in the Autumn Hall's empty boudoir.

Xie Tanwei scooped her up and tossed her onto the couch. After taking a contraceptive to avoid pregnancy, he leaned over her.

Tian Qin's neck went stiff, veins bulging, her mind alternating between clarity and daze, tears streaming from start to finish. After he was sated, he seemed to notice these glistening traces but didn't wipe them away or order her not to cry. Instead, he used his lips to slowly kiss away these tears of the spring night, relishing the taste, as if savoring her despair.

He enveloped her gently and fatalistically, using actions to tell her that crying would change nothing and win no pity.

The Painting Garden, the last vestige of purity, was finally tainted. Tian Qin had lost her retreat, like a lamb that had nowhere to hide, pitifully scrambling for a sliver of living space.

The fragile, collapsing boundary between brother-in-law and sister-in-law was shattered by his overnight stay.

It was a sleepless night.

...

Five days later, the emperor was to conduct an ancestral sacrifice.

Such a major event required Xie Tanwei to accompany him. The emperor, still a toddler learning to speak, would let Xie Tanwei handle the ceremonies on his behalf, keeping him away from the mansion for several days.

Xian Qiu was reluctant to see him go, making small talk at the table. Xie Tanwei said warm words to soothe her heart, making her laugh behind her sleeve and drink an extra bowl of porridge. Xie Tanwei also smiled along, the atmosphere warm and harmonious. He was skilled at socializing; when he set out to charm someone, he could make them beam with joy.

Tian Qin was enveloped in this atmosphere, ignoring her awkwardness, as she plotted another matter.

"Go to the Thousand Gold Clinic?" Xian Qiu exclaimed in surprise. "Tian'er, those insolent servants were so rude to you and extorted money. Why would you still go to the Thousand Gold Clinic?"

Tian Qin quietly drank her porridge, the porcelain spoon clinking against the bowl. "The people at the Thousand Gold Clinic falsely accused me of being a thief. I want to clear things up in person, so as not to tarnish the Xie family's reputation."

She felt guilty like a thief, and her cover-up wasn't very convincing.

On the skin hidden beneath her collar, there were still remnants of red kiss marks and bruises.

She had already been to the Thousand Gold Clinic twice, causing trouble each time. Three times was the limit she could manage, and also Xie Tanwei's bottom line.

Her attempts to break the Love Gu had been mostly seen through, and she hadn't planned to go again. But with Xie Tanwei accompanying the emperor for the sacrifice, and Zhao Ning also following, the gap of several days tempted her to gamble—gamble that his attention would be temporarily on state affairs, relaxing his surveillance. If she made a brave attempt, with luck, she might break the Love Gu.

How free she would be then.

The allure of victory was too tempting, making her disregard everything, even if the cost was being tortured more cruelly by the Love Gu.

Xian Qiu rambled on complaining, but Tian Qin didn't listen. She focused all her attention nervously on Xie Tanwei, not daring to lift her head, stirring the lotus seeds in her porridge again and again.

After an eternity of silence, she heard Xie Tanwei say, "Alright."

Before they could discuss further, Zhao Ning called from outside that it was time to depart.

Xie Tanwei put down his chopsticks. Xian Qiu stepped forward to wash his hands and straighten his court attire, her reluctance clear. "Husband, go early and come back early. I'll be waiting at home. Your formal birthday banquet hasn't been held yet."

Xie Tanwei readily agreed, "I'll return early once things are done."

He grabbed his cloak and left hastily, without a single glance at Tian Qin.

Tian Qin also stood up, like an outsider left out. But she had finally gotten his verbal "Alright," meaning she could go to the Thousand Gold Clinic again.

She had studied the medical texts almost thoroughly, and Master Xizhong had also stayed up studying for days. She held immense hope that this time she could break the Love Gu in one go and escape.

She would be able to breathe freely, free from the fear hanging over her head.

...

The Xie mansion had pavilions, towers, purple reeds by the water, and upturned eaves that enclosed the soft spring light. Willow branches swayed, the scenery so beautiful it often felt like wandering in a painting.

The estate had four courtyards divided into inner and outer sections, separated by the Drooping Flower Gate. The inner quarters were for women, enclosed by thick walls. No matter how loudly they laughed while swinging inside, outsiders couldn't hear. While offering a sense of security, it also meant women faced many obstacles when going out. Maids and matrons had to go through layers of reporting and approval to leave the mansion for shopping or visiting relatives.

Xian Qiu, as the Lady of the House, was reluctant to let Tian Qin go out and cause trouble. Tian Qin's frequent visits to the Thousand Gold Clinic made Xian Qiu fear she might take a fancy to someone and, in a moment of folly, end up with another Xu Junzheng.

But Xie Tanwei had approved, leaving behind a single "good" word, so Tian Qin used it as a free pass, and Xian Qiu had no choice but to let her go.

The tricky part was that Zhao Ning, who usually accompanied Tian Qin, was also absent, so Xian Qiu assigned a porter to go with her instead.

Ordinary porters were simple-minded, and Tian Qin could toy with them like she would a dog; she needed someone clever and sharp, able to handle pressure.

Additionally, Xian Qiu sent two maidservants along, to prevent Tian Qin from pulling another elopement stunt like last time.

With everything arranged, only then did she allow Tian Qin to leave.

"Your brother-in-law isn't here, and I'm alone in the residence. Tian'er, come back early to keep me company."

Xian Qiu stroked Tian Qin's temple, tousled by the wind. "Spring is warm and pleasant. If you want to go out and enjoy the scenery, don't sneak off. Go with me instead. I don't want to be cooped up in the mansion, growing old and stale."

Tian Qin read between the lines. "Second Sister, rest assured. I only go to the Thousand Gold Hall to reason with them, nowhere else."

Xian Qiu said, "Don't get into arguments with them. If they bully you again, come home and tell us, and we'll stand up for you."

Tian Qin boarded the carriage and left the Xie residence.

Inside the carriage, the two maidservants watched Tian Qin.

Tian Qin stared back, their eyes meeting now and then.

One of them poured tea for Tian Qin, but accidentally spilled it on her cloak, which disgusted Tian Qin.

"This is the Suyun gauze fabric my brother-in-law gave me. How can you be so clumsy?"

The maidservant apologized slowly, but Tian Qin remained stern and unforgiving. The gentle lamb who was sweet and obedient to the lord and his lady showed her true colors the moment she left the Xie mansion, becoming arrogant and domineering.

Upon arriving at the Thousand Gold Hall, the two maidservants tried to follow her in, but Tian Qin took off her cloak and handed it to them, scolding, "Clumsy fools, are you trying to ruin my clothes? Take it back immediately and have it washed."

The maidservants were in a dilemma. "Miss Tian, the mistress ordered us to accompany you."

Tian Qin said boldly, "Do you think sister loves me more, or brother-in-law? You've treated me rudely and scalded me with boiling water. You think brother-in-law won't flay you alive?"

The maidservants, terrified, knelt and begged for mercy.

This Miss Tian was far from innocent; she was clearly a concubine without a proper title. The rumors that the lord had been staying in the Painting Garden for days had been haunting the residence like a ghost.

Tian Qin laid down the law, "If the cloak is washed well, I won't blame you. Otherwise, I won't let you off lightly."

At this point, the two maidservants could stay no longer. Trembling with fear, they handed the cloak to the porter and asked him to take them back.

Having gotten rid of the maidservants, Tian Qin felt another layer of the yoke around her neck loosen, and she calmed down.

Golden sunlight fell on her shoulders, hope shining in her eyes. She had never had such a good opportunity—the right time, the right place, and the right people—freedom was within arm's reach. Once she broke the love gu, she would have a chance to leave the Xie residence.

Success or failure hinged on this one move. No matter the outcome, she had no intention of retreating. Living in constant fear, being pinned down and taken against her will by her enemy on the bed—that kind of existence was worse than death. She would rather die fighting. She resolutely stepped forward and walked through the familiar gates of the Thousand Gold Hall.