Chapter 102 Fever: “You’re burning up.”

Chapter 102: A Fever: "You've Got a Fever."

The sky was about to brighten, and birds chirped incessantly. Strong beams of light penetrated the heavy curtains, filling the cramped space within with a warm, sunlit glow.

Tian Qin awoke in the damp, sticky heat, held tightly in Xie Tanwei's seamless embrace.

Her clothes were completely ruined, and the hemp rope from the previous night lay tangled among the bedding. Two or three deep red marks encircled her wrists, faintly hinting at the misty, fragrant scenes of the night before, the lingering traces of turmoil.

It was a strange sensation. Her head was dizzy from just waking, her limbs aching as if run over by a thousand-pound boulder, yet her body felt relieved.

"Mm..." Tian Qin let out an instinctive soft groan, grumbling at the man's crushing embrace, and tried to turn over.

But he was already awake, his distinct brow bones and long, dark eyelashes softly parting in the morning light. His Adam's apple lightly brushed her forehead, radiating nobility and a hint of arrogance. "Sleep a little more."

Xie Tanwei seemed like a person of stark contrasts—unrestrained and wanton at night, restrained and ascetic during the day. Violence and gentleness were balanced within him alone. Especially in the morning light, his demeanor was cold, pure as ice and snow, with saintly restraint.

Tian Qin was eager to break free from his embrace. Whenever her mind was clear, she wanted to stay far away from him.

Xie Tanwei adjusted his posture but pulled her even tighter, letting out a fragmented laugh. "Stop trying to get away."

"It's time to get up," Tian Qin urged repeatedly, but she didn't dare to act too forcefully, fearing a repeat of his hot-and-cold treatment from the night before. "I'm a bit thirsty. I want to go down for some water."

Hearing this, Xie Tanwei reached for the white porcelain cup on the table and tilted her chin up to pour water into her mouth. His strength and rhythm were just right, the water flowing gently without choking her. Tian Qin stuck her neck out stiffly, like a helpless pet being hand-fed water.

"In the morning, I like to drink cold water—it refreshes the lungs, cool and sweet," he said with a straight face. Before Tian Qin could react, he lowered his head to kiss the shimmering droplets at the corner of her mouth, cool and sweet, moistening the barren sleep of the night.

So it was her that he wanted to drink after all.

Startled, Tian Qin could barely contain her emotions, and any trace of sleepiness evaporated. The cold water had a peculiar taste, and Xie Tanwei's kiss was sweet and soft, cold yet gentle, like frost-covered leaves in the mist—light and ethereal.

This kiss, completely pure, without any hidden agenda, exuded devotion, a morning ritual. In the depths of his lazy, frivolous eyes, only her reflection was imprisoned there.

After a long, tangled delay, the two finally got up.

Lately, Xie Tanwei always styled her hair, pinned flowers, and put on earrings for her. His fingers were nimble and long, moving through her hair bun without clumsiness, creating styles that Nanny Chen couldn't manage.

His hands were those of a doctor, handling dissection knives and precise dosages—accuracy and steadiness were basic skills. He was also intelligent, able to learn common women's hairstyles at a glance, and styled her hair with ease.

The few newly tailored garments Tian Qin had were cumbersome with ribbons and hidden clasps. Xie Tanwei put them on her one piece at a time, his expression patient and calm, as if handling a major affair with seriousness.

Tian Qin was the impatient one. For her, being exposed to his gaze for so long was extremely agonizing. There were simple, easy-to-wear clothes, but she was forced to wear such impractical, showy ones.

Xie Tanwei pulled her in and smiled kindly. "Girls all love beauty. Wearing nice clothes is better." Otherwise, so many precious fabrics would sit in storage, gathering dust and wasting their value.

For breakfast, there was osmanthus sugar congee with milk-flavored small buns, with extra syrup for dipping. The small buns had undergone eighteen processes by specialized kitchen artisans, soft and chewy in the mouth, with a light wheat fragrance, specially modified for Tian Qin's taste. Though her name contained the word "sweet," she didn't like sweets and had a small appetite. The small buns were just the right size for her.

Xie Tanwei scooped half a spoonful of congee to feed her. Tian Qin hesitated for a moment, then slowly opened her mouth. He was very satisfied with her cooperation, wiping the water stains from the corner of her mouth with a silk handkerchief. The girl was delicate and fragile; no matter how long he fed her, she never gained weight.

Nanny Chen stood by, holding her breath, witnessing the lord's grace and favor toward Tian Qin.

She couldn't help but think of her son, Bo Ge, feeling inferior—his appearance, family background, and power were nothing compared to the lord's.

Tian Jie'er, immersed in this wealthy nest for so long, nurtured like a pearl in the palm, could she adapt to life outside if she left? Would she despise Bo Ge?

After a moment, Tian Qin pushed away Xie Tanwei's spoon and said, "I'm done."

"Picky eater," Xie Tanwei remarked. She had barely touched her chopsticks.

He fastened a white jade double-dragon ring-pendant with a connecting bi disc to her waist, smoothing the tassels. He wore an identical one at his own waist, of obvious preciousness in color and jade quality.

Tian Qin immediately pressed on it. "No, this isn't suitable."

Wearing a jade pendant identical to the lord's would invite so much gossip. If Xian Qiu saw it, the conflict would surely escalate.

But Xie Tanwei insisted, "Wear it."

He had always done things his way, indifferent to others' consequences. Moreover, he gave her the jade pendant precisely so others would see it.

Not only the same jade pendant, but their clothes today were both a pale shrimp-green color, with hidden water-pattern embroidery on the front placket and cuffs. He forcefully infiltrated her life, wanting everything to be the same as hers.

Tian Qin was merely a manipulated puppet, with no right to refuse. The ornate pendant added a luxurious radiance to her waist but also added restraint. Even if it were a pearl net, it was still a net.

"Say you like it," Xie Tanwei bit her nape. "Quickly."

Tian Qin's pale fingers pressed together, and she repeated flatly, "I like it."

"Mm—"

He let out a long, comfortable sigh, pleased with the lie, endlessly amused by it.

The two went together to the mansion's pharmacy. Xie Tanwei planned to select some herbs to make into sachets to hang at the four corners of Tian Qin's bed, to calm the restless love gu. Tian Qin had complained that she hadn't been sleeping well lately.

Unexpectedly, they happened to run into Xian Qiu.

Since losing her hearing, Xian Qiu had kept to herself, rarely seen even under the same roof. She had practically become a medicine jar, frequenting only the pharmacy and the Buddha hall.

Xian Qiu had sought medical treatment everywhere, sparing no expense, hoping to cure the deafness in her right ear and the stone disease, but it seemed unsuccessful—Tian Qin was startled at the sight of Xian Qiu. In just a few days, Xian Qiu had become emaciated and haggard, with dark circles like a layer of dead ash, lacking not just femininity but even a trace of humanity.

Xie Tanwei, however, seemed unperturbed.

Xian Qiu bent down and said in a low voice, "Husband."

Xie Tanwei nodded, and then they passed by each other without any marital warmth. Xie Tanwei held Tian Qin's hand in his, as if Tian Qin were his wife.

Tian Qin wanted to break free but couldn't. Their ambiguous tug-of-war was clearly seen by Xian Qiu.

A flash of jealousy and a cold blade of wariness passed through Xian Qiu's eyes as she walked away, as if subtly warning Tian Qin: The battle isn't over yet. Don't be too smug. You may win for a moment, but you won't win forever.

Tian Qin gave a scornful, bitter smile.

At the pharmacy, Xie Tanwei skillfully took out various medicinal stones, crushed them, and cut his own palm to add his blood as a catalyst. Only his heart's blood could break her love gu, and even daily medicine to suppress it had to be mixed with his blood.

He was ruthless to others and equally merciless to himself, taking half a bowl of blood before bandaging his palm. The sudden massive blood loss visibly paled his face, and his fingers trembled continuously, shocking Tian Qin.

"The smell of blood is strong here. I'll bring the medicine to you when it's ready. You go back first."

Perhaps noticing her furrowed brow, Xie Tanwei said.

Tian Qin felt a familiar nausea and agreed gloomily, a nagging confusion mixed within. Such self-harm and harm to others—why did he have to use the love gu to trap her? He was truly an incomprehensible madman.

Tian Qin returned to her own bedroom in the Painting Garden and drank several mouthfuls of cold mint water before the sick feeling in her throat gradually dissipated.

In the evening, Zhao Ning came to deliver the sachets, all tightly tied. "The lord says to hang them by your bed, smell them day and night, and keep them from getting damp."

Tian Qin stared at the sachets, remembering they were made with Xie Tanwei's blood, feeling an inexplicable heaviness and disgust.

Could such things really calm the mind?

She feared they would only bring nightmares at night.

In the dead of night, Xie Tanwei returned home extremely late from the Ministry of Revenue. Tian Qin had already slept her fill and was eating frozen bayberries as a midnight snack at the octagonal table. Seeing Xie Tanwei return, she hesitated, then forced herself to speak: "You're back so late today?"

Xie Tanwei said, "Something unexpected came up."

The dim lamplight accentuated his gaunt and wan face, leaving only the gentle bone structure. Perhaps due to the blood loss during the day, he looked unusually tired and haggard, a cold smile barely hanging on his lips.

Tian Qin had never seen him in such a vulnerable state.

"What are you eating?" Xie Tanwei asked casually, taking off his cloak and sitting beside her.

Tian Qin replied, "Bayberries, frozen by Zhaolu."

She picked one for him, and he opened his mouth obediently to take it, commenting, "Delicious, but too sweet."

Tian Qin complained, "It's not sweet at all." She tried to push his head away as he leaned in, but was startled by how hot his forehead felt.

"You have a fever," she said in surprise.

Xie Tanwei, being a top-tier physician, surely knew he was ill. He explained weakly, "Is that so? Caught a bit of a chill, it's nothing."

"Then you should rest well."

Tian Qin gave him some half-hearted advice, taking no action for his fever, not even asking Nanny Chen to bring a hot towel. In her eyes, he was trouble; it'd be better if he burned to death. Why would she care about her enemy?

"There's a doctor at your sister's place. Brother-in-law, you should go see him too. It's very convenient."

She pushed him away.

Xie Tanwei's eyes were blurred, as if veiled in moonlight mist, still wearing his signature smile. He lazily leaned on her shoulder, seemingly dependent or powerless, neither refusing nor agreeing to her suggestion, only saying, "I won't go. Keep me company for a while."

It was already midnight. Tian Qin was planning to finish her bayberries and go to sleep; how could she have the time or mood to keep him company? She tried to push him toward Qiutang Residence and urged him a few more times, but he was as stubborn as a child and refused to leave.

Tian Qin had no choice but to settle down with him. She'd thought his illness would infect her, and his feverish heat would make her uncomfortable. Unexpectedly, Xie Tanwei lay there quietly, not hot at all, but exuding an eerily cold stillness.

Xie Tanwei was truly ill.

Tian Qin thought silently in the darkness: Will he die? From a fever? Hard to say—after all, life is fragile. In her previous life, she died from coughing blood due to a cold. If Xie Tanwei died, that would be good; she would be liberated. But the thought of spending most of the night sleeping next to a cold corpse gave her the creeps. Xie Tanwei had better not die in her bed.

In the middle of the night, she listened closely and picked up the sound of Xie Tanwei's breathing—very light and clean, evidence that he was still alive.

A cold was indeed just a cold, a minor illness. How could he die from something so trivial?

With his superb medical skills, he could save himself ten times over.

Tian Qin sighed, lay down, and stopped her wild thoughts. She tossed and turned, but couldn't settle down to sleep.