Ch 62: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

Qin Zhao had stopped taking his medication for over two months, and the poison of Chenhuan in his body had long been cured. Over these months, he had been drinking medicinal soups to restore his health and working alongside Jing Li in the fields. He was no longer the bedridden patient who had once left Jing Li to manage everything on his own.

With his current stamina, it was common for him to pull Jing Li in for multiple rounds when the mood struck, as if he was making up for the years of restraint and abstinence.

But today, he showed restraint.

Considering that Jing Li’s body hadn’t fully recovered yet, Qin Zhao only indulged once that night, moving slowly and gently, enough to make Jing Li feel a bit impatient.

…Though it was still quite enjoyable.

The next morning, Jing Li, full of energy, woke up early, like a little demon who had just absorbed a lot of vital essence.

“I’m the little demon, so does that make you the scholar whose vital essence I’ve drained?” Qin Zhao said this just as Jing Li knelt on the bed, letting him tie his robe sash. Jing Li hooked his arms around Qin Zhao’s neck, grinning mischievously. “You’d better watch out, or I’ll drain you dry.”

Qin Zhao wrapped his arm around Jing Li’s waist and kissed his brow. “I’m afraid this little demon will cry and beg for mercy before even succeeding.”

Jing Li’s ears turned red. “…Shut up.”

Qin Zhao chuckled, continuing to tie his sash. He tilted his head, leaning in for another kiss, but Jing Li slipped out of his arms like a fish, hopping off the bed.

“I’m going out with A Yi to eat and browse the market. You be good and stay home to watch the shop!”

With that, Jing Li wrapped himself in Qin Zhao’s fur-lined robe and dashed out the door.

You wouldn’t have guessed that the day before, he had been looking so sickly.

Qin Zhao watched him leave, lost in thought.

He hadn’t expected temperature changes to affect his little fish so much. It seemed that staying in the village during winter wouldn’t be possible. But what could they do in the future? They couldn’t rely on staying in someone else’s home every year.

However… houses in the city were much more expensive than in the village.

Qin Zhao sighed deeply, once again feeling the frustration of having an empty purse.

The two young men had gone out early, leaving only Qin Zhao and Xue Ren in the pharmacy.

Of course, Elder Xue wasn’t going to help, but A Yi had already shown Qin Zhao the layout of the pharmacy’s herbs and their prices the previous day, giving him some time to learn the ropes since business was so slow.

However, the lack of customers was surprising even to Qin Zhao. The entire morning, only two people had come to buy medicine.

Qin Zhao recorded the herbs sold, along with their prices and weights, in the ledger. Once he finished, he set the pen down and, uncharacteristically, found himself daydreaming.

He wondered how his little fish was doing.

What kind of husband leaves their spouse at home while they go out to have fun?

Xue Ren tapped his pipe beside him, snapping Qin Zhao out of his thoughts. Qin Zhao turned his head to see Xue Ren chuckling. “This old pipe’s been clogged for years.”

He gave up on smoking, tucked the pipe into his belt, and asked, “Missing your husband?”

Qin Zhao didn’t deny it. “Yes.”

“You young folks…” Xue Ren scoffed, then continued, “There’s a reason I had you stay behind. I’ve finished reading those medical books you gave me last time, and I’ve already prepared the prescription. Want to take a look?”

Qin Zhao shook his head. “This prescription was created by Mr. Xue. I cannot look at it.”

Exclusive prescriptions are highly valuable and often priceless, so doctors generally don’t allow others to view the full formula to prevent theft.

Though Qin Zhao wasn’t the type to engage in such behavior, it was still necessary to respect this boundary.

Xue Ren didn’t seem to mind. “Aren’t you supposed to help me promote it? Don’t you want to take a look first?”

Qin Zhao replied, “That can wait until I pass the imperial exam and have the means to truly promote it. Only then will I come to you for the formula.”

“Fair enough.” Xue Ren didn’t press the issue and joked, “Anyway, I still haven’t found anyone to test the medicine on. I was thinking of using you, but you recovered from the poison faster than I could finish making the medicine. What a shame…”

Qin Zhao remained silent.

As the two spoke, a series of coughs sounded from outside the door.

The person who entered was a poorly dressed scholar, walking unsteadily and looking extremely frail. He coughed repeatedly between words. “I’ve come to get… cough cough… medicine.”

He took out a crumpled prescription and laid it on the table. “Cough… please help me… cough cough…”

Qin Zhao glanced at the prescription and then at the man’s face. He asked, “Who prescribed this for you?”

The scholar struggled to catch his breath, coughing for a long while before replying, “It was the doctor at Qingfeng Hall, on the west side of town. Their medicine is too expensive, so I… cough cough…”

Since A Yi’s pharmacy was in a more remote location, business was poor, and the prices of their herbs were much cheaper than those at other medical halls. As a result, impoverished people would sometimes come here to buy medicine.

Seeing Qin Zhao’s concerned expression, the scholar asked, “Is there… cough… something wrong with the medicine?”

Qin Zhao asked, “This prescription was written several days ago, wasn’t it?”

The scholar nodded. “It’s been over half a month.”

“The prescription itself isn’t wrong, but the medication is too mild. If you keep taking this, I’m afraid it won’t be very effective. And from the looks of it, your condition wasn’t this severe half a month ago.”

Qin Zhao paused for a moment before continuing, “Normally, if the herbal medicine doesn’t improve the condition, the doctor should prescribe a new one. Have you not returned for a follow-up?”

The scholar, embarrassed, admitted, “Cough… cough… You’re right, doctor. But Qingfeng Hall charges two hundred wen for a consultation, not including the cost of medicine. I couldn’t afford to go back. If it weren’t for today… cough cough… if I weren’t really at my limit, I wouldn’t have come for more medicine.”

“So… is my prescription no longer usable?”

Qin Zhao hesitated, then turned to look at Xue Ren, who was standing nearby.

The old man waved his hand dismissively. “What are you looking at me for? You’re in charge of the shop. Do whatever you want. I’m not helping.”

Qin Zhao nodded and then said to the scholar, “If you trust me, I can take your pulse and adjust the prescription. You’ll only need to pay for the medicine.”

The scholar was startled. “How… how could I accept that?”

Qin Zhao explained, “I’m just here to help with the shop and not officially practicing as a physician. That’s why I won’t charge you a consultation fee. It’s up to you whether you trust me or not.”

The scholar hesitated. “I… I…”

Xue Ren whispered from the side, “He’s helped a lot of people in the village before, even cured strokes. His medical skills are unquestionable, no need to doubt him.”

“Of course, I wasn’t doubting,” the scholar quickly responded. He stepped back and gave Qin Zhao a respectful bow. “Thank you, doctor.”

Qin Zhao took the scholar’s pulse, then wrote a new prescription, prepared the herbs, and handed them over. “Take it once a day for three days. After three days, come back for a follow-up.”

The scholar took the package and nodded repeatedly. “Yes, cough cough… I understand.”

Qin Zhao added, “Also, you need to rest in bed and avoid overexerting yourself.”

The scholar smiled bitterly. “But the county exam is coming up soon. How can I afford to slack off now? Thank you for the advice, though. I’ll be more mindful.”

After the scholar left, Xue Ren came over to glance at the ledger. “Why didn’t you add some astragalus root to his prescription? It would have worked better.”

Qin Zhao explained, “Good-quality astragalus is expensive, and the ordinary kind isn’t as effective. I substituted a few other herbs to balance the cost and effect.”

He had noticed the scholar’s impoverished condition and avoided prescribing anything too costly. The new prescription he had prepared turned out to be about the same price as the original.

Balancing both efficacy and cost—that was truly Qin Zhao’s style.

Xue Ren chuckled. “It’s a good thing you’re not running a medical hall. If everyone were like you, how would they ever make money?”

Qin Zhao replied, “I can’t profit from people’s suffering.”

Hearing this, Xue Ren seemed pleased and sighed. “You and my grandson are alike. A Yi is the same—he keeps the prices of the herbs in this shop the lowest in the city, always saying it’s more important to help people than to make money.”

“Fortunately, his parents left him plenty of inheritance. Otherwise, how would he manage?”

Qin Zhao thought of the time Jing Li had accompanied A Yi to town to sell vegetables and said, “A Yi has no shortage of ways to make a living. A kind heart will always be rewarded.”

“True enough.” Xue Ren smiled and added, “If it weren’t for your focus on the imperial exams, I’d insist on making you my disciple. With your talent and temperament, it would be a waste not to become a doctor.”

He paused, then asked with a grin, “Why not reconsider? Open a medical hall here in the county town. You’d never have to worry about providing for your husband.”

Qin Zhao hesitated.

If Xue Ren had asked him this six months ago, he likely would have agreed. But now…

Qin Zhao shook his head. “Once a decision is made, how can I give up halfway?”

“Well said! ‘How can I give up halfway’—I like you even more now!” Xue Ren laughed heartily. “Then I wish you success in your exams. When you rise to a high position, don’t forget old me and my contribution!”

Qin Zhao’s eyes flickered slightly, and he replied softly, “I won’t dare to forget.”

Xue Ren waved it off. “Alright, leave the shop to me and go find your husband.”

“But—”

“Go on, stop dawdling,” Xue Ren waved his hand, ushering him out. “You’ve been distracted all morning. Keeping you here is pointless. They’ve probably bought a lot by now, so go help them carry their things.”

Qin Zhao no longer hesitated, thanked Xue Ren, and left the pharmacy.

…

“…Jing Li, I can’t walk anymore.” A Yi tugged on Jing Li’s sleeve, speaking softly.

Jing Li had been full of energy all morning, dragging A Yi around the market several times and buying lots of New Year’s goods. A Yi, with a naturally weaker constitution than most men, had been walking for nearly two hours and was finally worn out.

Only then did Jing Li remember that shuang’ers had a more delicate constitution. He quickly said, “I’m tired too. Let’s go get something to eat.”

There happened to be a small food stall nearby. The two of them walked over and placed their purchases on the table.

“This place has great wontons. Grandpa Xue and I come here often,” A Yi said.

“Oh, it’s A Yi!” The stall owner popped his head out and, seeing Jing Li, teased, “Wow, bringing your lover today?”

“N-no! He’s just a friend, and he already has a husband…” A Yi’s face flushed bright red.

“Sorry, sorry, my mistake.”

The stall owner quickly apologized, then asked, “What will it be today? Wontons again? Small bowl for eight wen, large bowl for fifteen wen, with free hot soup.”

Jing Li and A Yi exchanged a glance and, in unison, said, “Large bowls!”

A Yi, being a regular, got them two large bowls of wontons, generously filled and served in hot soup, topped with chopped scallions, making them look even more appetizing.

The wontons had thin skin and plenty of filling, soft and savory. With each bite, the rich broth exploded in their mouths, warming them from head to toe.

By the end, they had even finished the soup.

Feeling full and energized again, Jing Li turned to A Yi and asked, “A Yi, are you still tired now?”

A Yi, now feeling sleepy after eating his fill, silently stared at Jing Li: “…”

He looked at Jing Li, who seemed more energized than ever, and couldn’t help but ask, “Jing Li, what’s going on with you today? You seem… a little different.”

Jing Li blinked. “What do you mean?”

“Well…” A Yi hesitated for a moment, then reached out to touch Jing Li’s forehead. It was cool to the touch—no sign of a fever.

Retracting his hand, A Yi carefully chose his words. “You seem a bit… too energetic?”

Though he was being polite, Jing Li’s energy wasn’t just excessive—it was over the top.

Who else would walk around the market two or three times in a single morning?

Where was he getting all this energy?

Jing Li, hearing A Yi’s observation, also began to feel something was off. “I’ve been like this since I woke up this morning. I just feel really full of energy, like I need to burn it off.”

A Yi, concerned, asked, “Maybe we should go back and have Grandpa Xue check your pulse?”

“Being full of energy doesn’t mean I’m sick, what’s the harm?” Jing Li said dismissively. He stood up and tugged at A Yi’s arm. “Come on, A Yi, I want to go to the west side of town. We still haven’t bought Grandpa Xue’s tobacco, right?”

A Yi, feeling weak, pleaded, “Just let me rest a bit longer, just a little longer…”

Jing Li massaged his shoulders and bent down, softly coaxing, “Come on, A Yi, I’ll treat you to some pastries later, okay? Let’s go—it’s not even noon yet—”

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt someone grab the back of his collar, lifting him up like a kitten.

Jing Li looked up to see Qin Zhao standing behind him, his right hand still holding Jing Li’s collar. The rare sunlight glowed from behind Qin Zhao, casting his sharp, handsome features in silhouette, making it hard to see the expression in his calm eyes.

Jing Li swallowed nervously.

A Yi, equally uneasy, stood up. But Qin Zhao calmly said, “You can go back. I’ll take him around.”

And so, under Jing Li’s pleading gaze, A Yi hurried off, carrying the large bags of New Year’s goods they had bought in the morning, both relieved and eager to escape.

Jing Li: “…”

For a moment, the wonton stall was utterly silent. Jing Li awkwardly rubbed his nose and said in a small voice, “I was just messing around with A Yi earlier. Don’t be mad.”

“I know. I’m not mad.”

Qin Zhao gently straightened Jing Li’s clothes, his gaze dropping. “Your fish scales were showing—didn’t you notice?”