Chapter 105 Consummation: The Lord and Lady consummate their marriage.

Chapter 105 Consummation: The Lord and the Lady of the House Consummate Their Marriage.

On the eve of the Flower Festival, joyous news seemed to arrive at Qiuju Hall. Xian Qiu had finally found a renowned physician who could cure her stone ailment. After nearly two months of treatment, the physician determined that her menstrual flow would arrive on schedule next month, and she had a good chance of getting pregnant.

The servants at Qiuju Hall were overjoyed. Soon the estate would welcome its legitimate eldest son, allowing them to clean house and expel the concubine sister who had usurped her sister’s place.

The news reached the Lord, who was also pleased and rewarded the servant who brought the tidings. Having reached the age of twenty, the Lord had no children, and he needed legitimate children to inherit the family enterprise. The consummation, delayed for years, between the Lord and the Lady of the House was finally coming to fruition.

“On which day does the Lady plan to invite the Lord to her chambers?”

Tian Qin poked at the early spring green peach chunks, feeling not at all threatened by losing favor; instead, she felt inexplicably relieved.

Nanny Chen said, “I heard that on the day of the Flower Festival, the Lady intends to consummate with the Lord, and the Lord has agreed. The servants have prepared white kerchiefs and are joyfully ready to receive the virginal blood.”

The Flower Festival—perfect timing, beautiful scenery, flowers blooming in harmony. This was Xian Qiu’s first time consummating with Xie Tanwei, and it carried great significance, so naturally she chose a memorable day. Once they had a legitimate eldest son, they would likely kick her out of the estate. After all, her purpose in entering the household was to help the Lady bear a child. Now that the Lady could conceive, her role as a concubine had lost its meaning.

“He did promise he would let me go,” Tian Qin murmured to herself.

“Miss…” Nanny Chen said in a low, warning tone. “We need to prepare early.”

Tian Qin understood. She had to prepare a way out from the estate in advance.

Given Xie Tanwei and Xian Qiu’s hypocritical benevolence, they wouldn’t skimp on money. When the time came to settle accounts, they would certainly give her a large sum to buy her silence. She wanted to take the indentures of three close servants, including Nanny Chen, and Xie Tanwei would probably be generous and agree, even offering her a seemingly decent marriage. But accommodation wasn’t guaranteed.

Nanny Chen whispered, “Don’t worry, miss. I’ve already spoken with Bo Ge. He’s already prepared a room, all set for your arrival. Though it’s a simple brick-and-stone place, we’ll keep the fire blazing so you won’t feel any cold.”

She paused. “Don’t misunderstand, miss. Though Bo Ge adores you and helps you, he’s not forcing you to marry him. From now on, he and I will support you. Bo Ge sells baked cakes and makes a few hundred coppers a month; I do laundry and cleaning, earning over a hundred coppers. Our days will be good, and they’ll only get better…”

As she spoke, her voice cracked with tears. After all the suffering and tears, her miss would finally taste sweetness after bitterness.

Tian Qin’s heart was a storm.

The final moment was almost here.

But she didn’t dare make a move yet, nor test Xie Tanwei’s reaction to this matter prematurely.

If he caught on that she was desperate to leave, he’d only get in her way. In these last days, she’d keep things as they were—docile and obedient—until he himself came to say that the Lady had given birth and that she must go.

If she played along, she could leave and get a big payout.

Tian Qin left the bedroom and went outside, gazing at the dense bamboo groves of Painting Garden and the deep courtyards of the Xie Estate. The golden lock had fallen; she would sprout wings and soar free. The freedom she had dreamed of was now just a step away, within reach.

After the midday meal, Xie Tanwei came to the Painting Garden to inform her about his impending consummation with the Lady of the House.

“Don’t overthink it,” he said. “It’s still the same as before.”

The word he might have meant was “us.”

Tian Qin’s temple veins throbbed. Why was it still the same? Did he intend to go back on his word and not let her leave? Would she remain a concubine even after the Lady bore a legitimate heir? No—if he had planned that, he would have given her a title long ago; there was no reason to delay.

“What do you mean… still the same as before?”

She faltered, hiding her sharpness.

Xie Tanwei said nothing vivid, his expression was distant and guarded. He clearly had his own plans regarding the consummation and the dismissal of the concubine, and he did not want to reveal them too early.

“I have matters to attend to. I’m leaving.” He rose and left, his usual tenderness all but gone, replaced by an untouchable chasm. The lofty Lord of the Xie clan kept her at arm’s length.

Tian Qin remained where she was.

Nanny Chen had heard their conversation clearly, and deep worry settled in her heart.

All their schemes and plans rested on the premise that the Lord would willingly let go. Otherwise, everything was empty.

Tian Qin endured more than ten days of agonizing uncertainty until the Flower Festival arrived.

During those ten days, she secretly sent people to probe the attitude at Qiuju Hall. Indeed, Xian Qiu intended to send her away, severing all sisterly ties. Because the Lord had promised Xian Qiu that once they had a legitimate child, the couple would no longer keep the younger sister.

Later, Xian Qiu repeatedly hinted at this promise, and the Lord never denied it. Combined with the Lord’s other promise to Tian Qin—that he would release her when the right opportunity came—it was all but certain that he did not intend to keep her.

Tian Qin prayed fervently for heaven’s blessing.

On the evening of the Flower Festival, Tian Qin, Nanny Chen, and the others made a few flower lanterns to set adrift and ate flower-shaped pastries.

The Painting Garden felt particularly lonely and desolate. The usual fawning and obsequious servants were nowhere to be seen. Tonight, the Lord and Lady were consummating—a day of great joy. All the servants had gone to Qiuju Hall to ask for tips.

At least Tian Qin could get a good night's sleep.

She burrowed into the bedcovers. Nanny Chen sat by the bed and vividly described Bo Ge’s skill at making baked cakes—with perfect color, smell, and taste. Lots of big shots bought them in dozens, and on cold winter days, they often sold out.

“It’s not that I’m boasting, miss, but that Bo Ge is square-jawed and honest-faced, strong and sturdy, with a sincere heart. He’s simple-hearted, knows how to treat a woman well, works hard, and hands over every copper to his wife. The old monk at the temple says he’s blessed, and it all lands on his wife.”

“Between us, Bo Ge is way sturdier and plumper than the Lord. The Lord is as thin as a crane, soaked in luxury his whole life, but he hasn’t even developed a rich man’s gut. Besides, the Lord has pale, translucent skin—too soft. Bo Ge’s fists are like iron; he can carry hundreds of cakes on a pole. His skin’s dark as charcoal, and his belly alone could stack ten cakes. He’s got strength and plenty of manliness.”

Tian Qin couldn’t help laughing. Nanny Chen was being way too vulgar. Seeing Tian Qin’s cheeks flush like spring peach blossoms, Nanny Chen leaned close to her ear and added, “And it’s good down there too!”

Tian Qin’s mind buzzed. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Nanny Chen swore that once was just the baseline for Bo Ge, and twice was no problem. Tian Qin let out a faint “oh,” thinking in that department, probably no match for Xie Tanwei, who could manage five or six times—perhaps even beyond that.

She couldn’t stop her mind from wandering. He was probably consummating with Xian Qiu at this moment. What scene might that be?

Tian Qin stopped Nanny Chen from pursuing the matter further. The night was deep; she should sleep peacefully.

Nanny Chen hoped that Tian Qin and Bo Ge would end up together. With children on both sides, how perfect that would be. Tian Qin was like a daughter to her.

The night was like gauze; the bright moon cast clear radiance. Tian Qin lay under a thin blanket, barely drowsy; tossing and turning for a bit, she still couldn't fall asleep. Suddenly a gust of wind howled, and the door seemed to swing open, and soft, steady footsteps were heard.

Tian Qin’s alarm bells rang. Startled, she rose to see—it was Xie Tanwei.

He had not alerted Nanny Chen or the other servants. He lit a candle himself. The dancing flame cast his clear, handsome profile in shifting light and shadow, his jawline glowing with dark orange warmth.

“Brother-in-law?” Tian Qin asked in surprise.

He was heavy with gloom, cold and somber. He should have been warm in Xian Qiu’s chamber, yet here he was, rushing to her room through the chilly night breeze. He fixed his eyes on her steadily, step by step closing in. Tenderness mingled with a dense, murderous aura. His expression was clearly displeased.

He raised a strong, lean arm and gently clamped it around her throat.

Tian Qin felt suffocated, terrified beyond measure.

“Brother—in-law…” she gasped intermittently, not knowing what she had done to offend him.

Xie Tanwei moderated his grip; he didn’t break her neck. He controlled the force just enough to choke her into submission, depriving her of the strength to resist. With swift movements, he tore off her nightgown, shed his own clothes, and pressed himself over her coldly. “Tian’er, take off your clothes.”

Tian Qin dared not provoke him now. She didn’t understand what was happening. Could it be that Xian Qiu had displeased him in bed? Or that her illness still stubbornly resisted, making his trip in vain, and thus he vented his cold rage on her?

That doubt was soon dispelled. His actions toward her were not like venting anger; they were like repeated acts of possession. This time there was no gentle, patient foreplay. He invaded her directly, ignoring her nearly shattering composure.

Tian Qin was dragged into his rhythm, feeling a drowning suffocation. After it was over, Xie Tanwei regained his gentleness and refined demeanor. He called for water, his rationality returning.

Panting coldly, he lightly stroked her damp hair and brows, examining her inch by inch, over and over. “I’m sorry.”

Tian Qin silently gathered her clothes. Only when a bowl of bitter contraceptive brew was placed before her did she suddenly grasp the meaning of his "I'm sorry"—today's events had been sudden, and he hadn't used the male contraceptive medicine.

"Just this once, I'm imposing on you."

Xie Tanwei said earnestly.

Of course, she could choose not to drink it, if she wished to become pregnant.

Tian Qin's expression flickered, sharp as a blade, glinting with hidden resentment. In the end, she chose compromise, picked up the contraceptive brew, and drank it all in one gulp, her breath ragged as she nearly choked on the bitterness.

"Brother-in-law, didn't you say you would be at Sister's place tonight? How come you're back? I didn't even leave a lamp for you."

After drinking, she suppressed her pent-up anger and resentment, thinking of the escape plan that was within easy reach, and forced herself to endure for now.

As soon as she spoke, she realized her voice was still hoarse from their earlier passion—unpleasant to hear.

Xie Tanwei turned his face away from the moonlight. Instead of answering her question directly, he questioned with a cold, glazed look, "Do you really want me to stay with Xian Qiu?"

The question was turned back on her, and Tian Qin was taken aback.

She absolutely should not wish for that. In the end, even if she left the mansion, it should be because he abandoned her, not because she was eager to leave him.

After deliberating for a moment, she whispered a compromise reply: "I know that carrying on the family line is Brother-in-law's responsibility. I cannot be so selfish as to keep you all to myself."

It was only natural for the Lord and Lady to consummate the marriage. She was only a concubine; how dare she be so audacious as to be jealous of the Lady?

Xie Tanwei took a few sips of the icy-cold tea, feeling his anger gradually subside. With his clothes half-draped and trailing on the ground, he explained calmly, "I didn't stay with her. Her body hasn't fully recovered yet."

He himself didn't know why he needed to explain; he just wanted to explain to her, afraid that she might misunderstand.

Seeing her half-believing and half-doubting, he pressed her wrist, feeling her pulse racing, and said firmly, "Trust me. With the Love Gu in place, I cannot lie to you."

Love Gu—these two words struck Tian Qin's mind like a sledgehammer.

Yes, how could she have forgotten the Love Gu? There was a Love Gu between them, a lifelong bond that could only be broken with his heart's blood—but at the cost of his death.

So, how could she leave under the bond of the Love Gu?