Chapter 115 Critical: She hangs between life and death.

Chapter 115: Severe Injury: She Is at Death's Door.

Bo Ge recuperated at home for four or five days until his wound scabbed over. Only after nervously confirming that the Zhang family's ruffians would not come again did he pick up his carrying pole and return to the streets to sell. Tian Qin could no longer continue her laundry work, so she joined Bo Ge in selling buns.

Although Tian Qin came from a wealthy family, she worked quickly and efficiently, without any of the pampered airs of a spoiled miss. With her help, Bo Ge sold more than twenty extra buns in one morning, and passersby envied him for having such a beautiful and capable wife.

The two were very happy and discussed going to a restaurant for lunch.

Seeing how thin and frail Tian Qin was, Bo Ge felt pity and took the initiative to suggest, "Today we should go to a better restaurant, not always eat at street stalls. Besides, we earned a lot today."

Tian Qin smiled and refused, "No, we need to save the money for your medicine."

Their money was precious, every tael had its use, and they couldn't indulge in pleasure.

Bo Ge said, "It won't cost much. You eat, and I'll watch, so we can save for one person."

Tian Qin scolded, "How can that be?"

The two argued briefly about eating out, the atmosphere warm and happy. Though poor, Bo Ge gave a sense of solid security and was a reliable man. Despite her dishonorable past, Tian Qin was a considerate and good girl. The two complemented each other well and were a suitable match. Bo Ge worked himself to the bone just to give Tian Qin a better life.

They didn't dare linger on the street too long, afraid of running into Zhang's local thugs. Just as Bo Ge was about to pack up, a pair of imposing officers suddenly swept through the street, holding long halberds with solemn expressions, driving the crowd away to clear a path.

"This must be a high official passing through," Bo Ge said, pulling Tian Qin back to avoid trouble.

Tian Qin lowered her head and mixed in with the crowd.

Soon, a black lacquered gold-carved carriage passed by, stirring up a cool breeze that carried a refreshing fragrance, making people shiver with awe. It was imposing and untouchable, a sight to behold.

The people along the way waved to welcome, as if brainwashed, shouting "Sage," "Sage Teacher," "Chancellor," their faces beaming with joy, their support overwhelming. The carriage did not disappoint the common folk either; the street was mostly filled with beggars and peddlers, impoverished and destitute. Where it passed, many gold coins and silver pellets were left behind.

People scrambled for them, with officers maintaining order. The scene was lively but not chaotic, and almost everyone got some compensation.

Bo Ge's eyes reddened as he picked up a few gold coins, but Tian Qin stood frozen, as if her soul had been taken.

She recognized that carriage—it was Xie Tanwei's, even if turned to ashes. So, this was how great his reputation was outside, buying off the entire street's poor with small favors. And judging by the scene, this wasn't the first time.

Tian Qin couldn't help but feel a chill. Luckily, she hadn't confronted them forcefully during the arson. If she had, with his prestige, she would have been devoured to the bone. She had been long confined to the inner chambers, like a frog at the bottom of a well, her mind in chaos and ignorant of the outside world. Going against him was like an egg striking a stone.

Tian Qin clutched her chest. When Xie Tanwei passed by, her Love Gu emitted a faint electric current, sending a numbing sensation through her, resonating from afar.

The Love Gu was forever incurable. He had once said it required his heart's blood to dissolve. But he had discarded her like trash, throwing her out naked and bare. How could he risk his life to cut out his heart for blood? The Love Gu was like an ugly scar between them mentally, one that could never heal in this lifetime.

She could only hope that time would slowly wear the Love Gu away.

Bo Ge was excited to have found the gold coins but didn't show it. Lord Xie was a great benefactor here, but Tian Qin had once served Lord Xie. There were countless entanglements between them, and Bo Ge was afraid that saying the wrong thing would offend Tian Qin.

Holding the real gold and silver in his hands, Bo Ge felt full and comfortable. Lord Xie might have failed in matters of love, but his integrity as an official was beyond reproach.

Bo Ge wanted to grab a few more gold coins to buy Tian Qin two new dresses. But Tian Qin's sharp eyes spotted Zhang Xia and his gang among the crowd, searching fiercely for something.

"Stop picking. Let's go." Tian Qin tugged at Bo Ge's clothes.

Bo Ge's face turned pale. Disaster was imminent. He didn't dare be careless. The Zhangs had clearly spotted them too, shouted something from afar, and charged toward them aggressively.

"Stop!"

Tian Qin and Bo Ge once again experienced a life-and-death escape, feeling helpless and exhausted. Offending these local bullies meant endless days of hiding.

When they got home, Nanny Chen lamented bitterly, "The Zhang family has connections in the government and exploits loopholes in the law. They snatch unmarried young women as their own, so even if you go to court, they can't be convicted of taking another man's wife."

If Tian Qin married Bo Ge, held the wedding, and became Bo Ge's legitimate wife, Zhang Xia would have to restrain himself and stop coveting her.

Tian Qin keenly caught the implication. She sighed deeply. The issue of marriage, avoided for so long, could no longer be evaded.

Bo Ge, observing her expression and worried about offending her, tugged at his mother's clothes. "Mom, for those bullies who oppress the people, we can't just keep giving in."

Nanny Chen said sorrowfully, "Then what other way is there to protect Tian'er now?"

Bo Ge was silent for a moment, filled with grief and indignation, but at a loss.

Tian Qin was suffocated by the oppressive atmosphere and returned to her room. She lay on the bed, emptying her mind, when suddenly there was a knock.

Nanny Chen pushed open the door and said earnestly, "Tian'er, there's something I need to discuss with you. It can't be delayed any longer."

Tian Qin understood. "Do you want me to marry Bo Ge, Nanny?"

Nanny Chen, caught off guard, choked and didn't deny it. She secretly observed Tian Qin's expression. Tian Qin was calm, not refusing, but not overly enthusiastic either.

"Tian'er, marrying Bo Ge is the best choice for everyone. Of course, if you don't like him, you can refuse. Nanny won't force you. Wherever you go, I will always serve you by your side."

By saying this, Nanny Chen put herself in a lower position, making herself seem even more pitiable, which made it harder for Tian Qin to refuse.

"I agree," Tian Qin said bluntly.

Nanny Chen was overjoyed, hardly believing her ears. "What did you say?"

Tian Qin repeated word for word, "I said I agree. Nanny, go ahead and arrange my marriage with Bo Ge. As long as he doesn't take a concubine in the future."

"How could that ever happen!" Nanny Chen seemed even more indignant than Tian Qin. "Don't say he's too poor to afford a concubine. Even if he becomes rich later, if he dares to be unfaithful and betray you, Tian Jie'er, I, this old woman, will be the first to dash my head against him."

Tian Qin nodded. "That's good."

From outside the door came extremely heavy breathing. Someone was eavesdropping, extremely excited. The door opened to reveal Bo Ge, his face and neck flushed like a purple sauce. He was speechless, stammering, ecstasy overwhelming his reason. Seeing Tian Qin, his eyes turned red, and he couldn't utter a single word. He felt so ashamed he wanted to die, then bolted away.

"This..." Tian Qin started to speak.

Nanny Chen quickly explained with a smile, "This child hasn't seen the world. He likes you too much."

Tian Qin sighed and smiled knowingly.

That evening, when Zhaolu and Wan Cui returned from work, Nanny Chen prepared a sumptuous meal, breaking tradition by killing a chicken. The family sat together, and she announced Tian Qin and Bo Ge's wedding. Zhaolu and Wan Cui were surprised but also not unexpected, and they offered congratulations.

Tian Qin glanced at Bo Ge, who was so shy he couldn't lift his head, almost burying it in the soup.

Nanny Chen happily went to town to buy some red cloth to decorate the bridal chamber.

Bo Ge spent half a month's silver to buy Tian Qin a few red velvet flowers. He was again in a dazed state of ecstasy. "Look, do you like them?"

Tian Qin smiled and put them in her hair, the murky copper mirror reflecting her face. "Pretty, I like them."

Bo Ge's heart pounded. Hearing her say "like" with her crimson lips was the greatest reward.

She was about to become his bride.

"I have no money, and my family is poor, but I have a sincere heart. I will treat you well. If you come with me, you will never suffer any grievance. I swear on my worthless life."

Tian Qin listened seriously to Bo Ge's promise, feeling calm and steady in her heart. On the bed lay a red robe, remade from Nanny Chen's wedding dress in her youth. They had no money for a new wedding dress. On their wedding day, they couldn't afford a sedan chair. They only stabbed an incense stick into a mound of earth and bowed three times to heaven and earth to complete the ceremony.

The household was bustling with preparations. The long-lasting gloomy clouds seemed to be dispelled by this happy event, filling everything with hope again.

The wedding was set for five days later; a poor family needn't bother with elaborate rites like betrothal inquiries and name divination. Nanny Chen set the date so soon to prevent any trouble from brewing, fearing that the profligate Zhang scion would make improper advances toward Tian Qin.

But no matter how carefully they guarded, a mishap still occurred.

Previously, Zhang Xia had been pushed into the river, choked on water, and developed a fever. He held a deep grudge against Bo Ge's poor family and swore revenge. They finally tracked down Bo Ge's home, intending to seize Tian Qin by force, and pushed down the courtyard wall.

The wall collapsed. Bo Ge's leg was lamed, and he narrowly escaped being crushed to death, thanks to Tian Qin's rescue. Tian Qin herself was not so fortunate; a falling brick struck her head, causing her to spit out a mouthful of blood and lose consciousness.

Seeing that someone had died and the beautiful girl was now a corpse, the Zhang family hastily slunk away, leaving behind Nanny Chen's family, who wailed and beat the ground as they held Tian Qin's body.

"No breath, no breath." Bo Ge's tears streamed like a torrent, his heart as if dead. His rough fingers kept testing Tian Qin's philtrum, but he could feel no trace of breath. His Tian Qin was dead, and the happy life that was about to be theirs had been shattered.

"Tian Qin—" he roared in heart-wrenching anguish.

Why did it have to be Tian Qin who was hurt? He would rather die himself.

"Quick, hurry and send Tian'er to the town doctor's clinic!" Several kind-hearted neighbors rushed over as well. Seeing Tian Qin's terrifying injuries, they too were shocked. Having eaten Bo Ge's buns before, they knew this was a good family that had suffered such a calamity, and they said, "The girl is bleeding too much; we need to stop it first."

Nanny Chen quickly pushed over a cart, placed Tian Qin, whose head had a gaping hole, onto it, tore off some cloth, and tried to staunch the blood gushing from Tian Qin, but it was useless.

"Who has wound medicine?" Nanny Chen and Zhaolu both shouted. But in this situation, Tian Qin's breath was faint, and even wound medicine could hardly save her.

A neighbor hurriedly fetched some wound medicine from their home and sprinkled it over Tian Qin's horrifying, gruesome head wound. At this point, they should brace themselves for the worst—the girl was beyond saving.

Nanny Chen and Bo Ge insisted on taking Tian Qin to the clinic, padding her head with thick rush mats to prevent further shock. Zhaolu and Wan Cui were tasked with gathering all the family's savings; the clinic wasn't a charity hospital, and without money, they couldn't treat her.

Tian Qin's consciousness blurred, her blood rapidly draining from her body. She felt no pain, no joy, not even the sensation of being alive. She knew her time had come; this time, she was truly going to bid farewell to the world.

She closed her eyes, lashes matted with blood and water, and her wrist drooped limply and her breathing stopped.