Chapter 65 Shared Spring: “Let me sing you a lullaby.”

Chapter 65: Together in Spring: Brother-in-law will sing you a lullaby.

Tian Qin left the Gold Hall and laid low for a long time.

She stayed deep in the Xie residence, keeping the mistress company as she tended the garden, her days as still as well water, without a single ripple.

Xian Qiu, eager to cure her stone disease, searched far and wide for renowned doctors and secret remedies, while also toiling over the master's birthday banquet, physically and mentally drained. She had been listless for days, with medicine plasters on her forehead.

The master dispatched a pair of imperial physicians from the court to the Xie residence to treat Xian Qiu. This pair, however, consisted of only two men, personally trained by the master and inheriting his medical expertise, and were trusted confidants of the Xie family. On normal days, they cared for the sick young emperor in the inner palace.

Xian Qiu was unaware of this and thought Xie Tanwei had simply summoned the imperial physicians using his influence.

The two imperial physicians were quiet but extremely skilled, far superior to those fame- and money-chasing medical fanatics at the Gold Hall. With just a few acupuncture needles, Xian Qiu's sharp headaches eased quite a bit, and after a few more decoctions, she was able to walk again.

Tian Qin attended to her by the bedside and noticed that besides the neatly arranged medicine box, moxa pack, secret remedies, and forceps, the two physicians also had a letter from Xie Tanwei, the strokes like a dancing snake, stamped with Xie's seal. Clearly, Xie Tanwei had called them over with that single letter.

Today she finally saw for the first time: the country doctors of the Gold Hall were nothing compared to real imperial physicians.

The two imperial physicians silently finished treating Xian Qiu and packed their medicine boxes to leave.

Tian Qin watched their retreating figures and suddenly felt that breaking the Love Gu should be well within their capabilities.

A shadow fell over her heart, and she clutched it tightly.

Xian Qiu noticed and asked with concern, "Tian'er, what's wrong? Are you unwell too?"

Tian Qin's hands and feet turned cold and were soaked in cold sweat.

The imperial physicians were right there, and Xian Qiu asked them to examine Tian Qin.

But unexpectedly, the two were very distant—the master had ordered them to treat only the lady of the house.

Xian Qiu fumed, "Tian'er is our sister! How dare you refuse?"

The imperial physicians remained unmoved; no matter what anyone said, they only followed Xie Tanwei's orders.

Zhao Ning heard the commotion and rushed over. After learning the situation, and recalling how Xie Tanwei had always doted on Tian Qin, he took the liberty to suggest, "The Lord is discussing affairs at the Ministry of Rites and may not be free for a while. Miss Tian, if you are unwell, you can go to the study and write a letter yourself, stamp it with the Lord's seal, and the imperial physicians will naturally treat you."

The reason he told Tian Qin to go was that he and Xian Qiu could not enter the Lord's study, but Tian Qin had been allowed there before—the Lord had always treated Miss Tian differently.

Xian Qiu disliked such formalities but had no choice.

Following Zhao Ning's guidance, Tian Qin, despite her illness, found Xie's seal in a hidden compartment in the study, wrote a letter herself, stamped it, and handed it to the two imperial physicians. Only after receiving this order did they relent and take Tian Qin's pulse.

Tian Qin was afflicted with the Love Gu, and her pulse was very strange. Yet the two physicians remained calm, took out a few pills from their medicine bag, crushed them, and had Tian Qin swallow them. They also needled her arm, their ease and skill reminded her of Xie Tanwei.

Xian Qiu wiped Tian Qin's forehead and asked, "Feeling better?"

Tian Qin nodded weakly.

Xian Qiu glared at the imperial physicians for disrespecting her as the mistress. She said she would report them to Xie Tanwei.

After completing the diagnosis, the imperial physicians took their leave.

Tian Qin rested on the couch, growing more convinced that the two imperial physicians had the ability to break the Love Gu.

Later, Xie Tanwei returned. Hearing about what had happened, he did not blame Zhao Ning for his presumption and went to visit Tian Qin. Tian Qin's forehead was pale as she bowed low; Xie Tanwei sat by the couch, gently stroking her, his sleeves brought a chill. "Is the Love Gu causing you pain?"

“Mm.” A restrained sound escaped her.

He smirked and gave a soft scoff: “It shouldn’t be.”

Tian Qin couldn't figure out his meaning and said with indignation, “You think I’m faking illness?”

Xie Tanwei didn’t argue, explaining unhurriedly, “Those bugs are well-behaved; I’ve carefully calibrated the dosage for you.”

Tian Qin couldn’t help sneering, “Brother-in-law is far too confident in his medical skill.”

He gave a noncommittal hum, brushing it off: “Perhaps. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

With that, he handed her the milk tea, just the right temperature, neither too warm nor too cool.

Tian Qin’s gaze fell on the floating black tea leaves. Suddenly it struck her—could the Love Gu let them share sensations? When she hurt, he hurt too, which was why he was so certain she was faking.

If so, it was truly terrifying.

Xie Tanwei rubbed her head, doting and gentle. Tian Qin felt tickled by his touch, suppressing a sniffle as the milk tea sent waves of warmth through her body.

“No more pain now, right? And it’s sweet.”

A bit of milk spilled on Tian Qin’s lips, and he carefully wiped it away with a handkerchief, the milky fragrance lingering.

“I’m stuffed.” She patted her belly.

Xie Tanwei patted her back. “Then stop drinking. Rest a while, and Brother-in-law will hum a lullaby for you.”

Tian Qin lay down as told, her heart in turmoil. Soon, his soft humming started, soothing her spirit, drifting her into a daze.

…

In late spring, the weather was warm and clear. Clouds as white as egg whites drifted, the distant mountain ridges sharp and clear. Golden sunlight scattered like golden sand over the earth, while birds circled in flocks in the sky.

Xie Tanwei held a birthday banquet that drew the capital's elite. The hall teemed with distinguished guests, a sea of visitors, each bearing lavish gifts—even the young emperor was brought along to join the fun.

In previous years, Xie Tanwei had never celebrated his birthday. This year, thanks to his virtuous wife Xian Qiu, who busied herself both inside and out, invitations were widely sent.

For the capital’s elite families, this was not merely an ordinary feast; it represented choosing sides. “A tall tree provides good shade”—allying with the Xie family meant a smooth official career.

Tian Qin had also changed into new clothes: a lotus-colored pleated gauze skirt embroidered with subtle patterns of red plum blossoms and butterflies, like moonlight shifting among flowers; her long hair was lightly pinned like flowing clouds, bright and gleaming, like a pampered lark.

Now she lived in the Xie residence as the family’s Second Miss. Those seeking to curry favor with the Xie family mentioned marriage, offering handsome betrothal gifts to take Tian Qin as their principal wife.

Xian Qiu tactfully declined, saying her sister was still too young.

Tian Qin disliked the bustle. Watching the guests exchanging pleasantries and flattery, she only felt exhausted. Later, even her fake smile couldn’t hold up. She sat silently in a corner of the hall, fading away, with even less presence than a shadow, feeling lonely amidst the cheer.

Zhaolu quietly approached Tian Qin and whispered, “Miss, I just caught a glimpse of the birthday gift the mistress prepared for the lord. It’s both exquisite and grand—the lord will surely like it. Miss, should you exchange your gift?”

Tian Qin’s prepared gift was merely a half-moon plaque made of chalcedony, nothing valuable. She had bought it on the street a few days ago with money she had secretly saved. Compared to the room full of gold and pearls and the ingenious gifts, it was negligible.

“We can’t compare with others.”

Zhaolu said, “Be that as it may, if your gift is overshadowed by the mistress’s, it might make things even harder for you in the future.”

The lord was their only support in this deep mansion. Whomever the lord favored, the servants and old women below would trim their sails to curry favor with that person.

Although the miss didn’t want to fight, in this dire situation, she had to fight. Tian Qin touched her forehead, her wide sleeves covering her face, concealing her expression. Since returning from Qianjin Hall, she had been mostly silent, as if the last of her vitality had been drained.

They asked Xian Qiu for leave and returned to the Painting Garden to rest. Tian Qin stole a glance at Xie Tanwei, who was the center of attention in the crowd, and was almost dazzled by his brilliance, so she quickly looked away.

Back in her boudoir, she was physically and mentally exhausted and rested for the entire afternoon. Fortunately, the Painting Garden was secluded and hidden, with ink bamboo groves blocking out the sky and sun; outside the drooping flower gate, the noise of voices was bustling, but not a sound could be heard here.

Wan Cui was tidying up the messy medical books on the table, muttering, "Miss has stopped studying medicine; just a few days ago, she was completely absorbed." Tian Qin slept soundly, with tear streaks still on her cheeks.

She slept as if for an eternity; if the maid Zi Wan hadn't come from Autumn Begonia Residence to wake her, Tian Qin would still be groggy.

Zi Wan said, "The mistress invites Miss to come and have something to eat, to tide you over."

It was already ten at night, the stars filled the sky, and the guests had all departed.

Most dishes at banquets look good but aren't filling; usually, after a grand feast, the family has a late-night snack.

Tian Qin rubbed her sleepy eyes: "I'm not hungry."

Zi Wan said, "You should still go; the mistress is waiting, and the lord is also there. You can give your birthday gift while you're at it."

Tian Qin then remembered the birthday gift, picked up the carefully wrapped half-moon jade bi from her dressing table.

It was said to be cheap chalcedony, but it had cost her two months of saved loose silver. She had scraped together those coins from her meager survival funds, each one precious.

Money originally meant for escape and survival was forced into buying a gift for her abuser, and the back of the half-moon jade bi even had his name engraved on it.

The dim starlight flickered listlessly, and bamboo leaves rolled across the ground in the night breeze. A crescent moon shed light as clear as water, the night crisp and still; the night felt desolate and cold, with a few late-returning swallows circling over the lake.

Inside, traces of the day's celebration still lingered; servants were sweeping every few paces. Tian Qin arrived at the Four Waters Returning to One Hall, a pavilion open on all sides adjacent to the lake, with eaves turning upward, hanging clear wind chimes that tinkled repeatedly.

A monk from Mount Wutai was there, offering birthday blessings for Xie Tanwei.

Xie Tanwei and Xian Qiu joined their palms, bowed reverently, and silently listened to the Heart Sutra.

Afterward, when the monk was seen off, Xian Qiu said wistfully, "My family has always had the custom of honoring the Buddha, but I'm ashamed to say I don't even know where Mount Wutai is. They say the amulets from Mount Wutai are really effective."

Xie Tanwei held a string of sandalwood prayer beads that the monk had consecrated, and said gently, "The lady has been thoughtful, specifically inviting the monk to pray for blessings. If you want to obtain a safety amulet, I'll take you there another day."

"Really?"

Xian Qiu's eyes lit up, and she leaned on his shoulder, "My husband is so good to me."

Xie Tanwei smiled serenely.

Xian Qiu stood on tiptoe, slowly approaching his handsome features, leaning in for a kiss. Not long ago at the hot spring villa, she had yearned for this kiss but never received it. She had put so much effort into preparing the birthday banquet, her heart and eyes full of him; even if she didn't deserve praise, she deserved some recognition.

He Shi had advised her to buy a concubine to bear children, but she had always resisted. What woman would push her husband away? She didn't just want to secure her position as Clan Matriarch Xie; she wanted more than just status; she wanted his love.

Xie Tanwei's sideburns were tousled by the night breeze, giving him a softer, dreamier air. Finally, he no longer refused her. He cupped her face, full of longing, and pecked her forehead, quick and neat.

Xian Qiu trembled, moved to the verge of tears, and took a long time to come to her senses.

They whispered intimately to each other, a perfect couple.

Tian Qin watched this, then looked down at her half-moon jade bi, and suddenly felt it was ridiculous. A cold wind seemed to seep into her bones. There was nothing more mortifying in the world; she wanted to fling herself into the dark, bottomless lake.

She turned to leave, intending to throw the half-moon jade bi into the lake.

But after taking only two steps, the Love Gu sent a subtle jolt through her, like a gentle warning, forcing her to stop.

"Tian'er, what are you sneaking around there for?"

Xie Tanwei seemed to have noticed her earlier, his tone gave nothing away, "Come here, I saved some food for you."