Ch 65: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

As for what Qin Zhao’s plan was, he didn’t say.

Neither promoting the pills nor increasing profits was something that needed to be rushed.

The medicine had just been produced, and they needed to wait for patient feedback. If the response was positive, future sales would naturally go more smoothly.

For now, they just had to wait.

Fortunately, after Qin Zhao successfully treated He Zhixing, that scholar had recommended several other students preparing for the imperial exam to the pharmacy, more than half of whom bought the pills.

Their first batch consisted of only thirty packets, and within three days, they were sold out.

Qin Zhao gave all the profits from this batch to A Yi and Elder Xue.

Qin Zhao said, “If it weren’t for the help from both of you, these pills wouldn’t have been possible. Consider this a token of thanks. Future profits will be calculated separately.”

Elder Xue didn’t hold back, laughing as he said, “If this had been ten years ago, hiring me to make medicine would have cost you much more.”

Initially, Qin Zhao had only planned to find a suitable formula from medical books and turn it into pills for sale. However, Elder Xue raised an objection.

He believed that if they wanted to make money, they couldn’t use a formula that could easily be found in medical books. Otherwise, if word got out, the larger medical halls, with their greater resources, could mass-produce it and quickly take over the market.

If they were going to do it, they needed something exclusive.

So, the formula they used to make the pills wasn’t one found in any medical books. Elder Xue, who was highly skilled in formulating medicine, had helped Qin Zhao create this unique recipe.

He rightfully deserved his share of the earnings.

However, since he was living with A Yi’s family, eating and drinking without cost, he didn’t keep the money for himself. Instead, he gave it all to his grandson.

But A Yi, on the other hand, absolutely refused to accept the share Qin Zhao had offered him.

“I didn’t really do anything. I just helped shape the pills. I can’t take this money,” A Yi said.

Qin Zhao responded, “A lot of the pharmacy’s herbs were used in the process. This is compensation for that.”

“Exactly, just accept it,” Jing Li chimed in. “We’ll be making a lot more money together in the future. This is nothing.”

With no way to refuse, A Yi reluctantly accepted the money but added, “This time, we made only a small batch. If we produce on a larger scale, the cost of the herbs will decrease even more.”

Qin Zhao nodded. “In the coming days, I’ll refine the formula further to see if any adjustments are needed. Hopefully, we can produce a second batch before the new year.”

Jing Li raised his hand. “What do I need to do?”

“Of course, your job is to relax, eat, and have fun with A Yi while taking care of that baby!” Elder Xue clapped Jing Li on the shoulder and said seriously, “You’re pregnant now, no need to overexert yourself. Just sit back and rest.”

Jing Li’s ears instantly turned red. “I’m not pregnant—!”

Before he could get too worked up, Qin Zhao pulled him into his arms and patted his back. “We’ll need your help again when we make the second batch of pills. For now, take it easy and don’t run around too much.”

“I know…” Jing Li muttered quietly. “I just wish word about the pills would spread faster so we could start making money soon.”

Hearing this, Qin Zhao didn’t show it on his face, but he had a good idea of what was coming.

With his little fish saying that, it was likely the feedback would come faster than expected.

He had better finalize the formula quickly.

Sure enough, on the third day after the first batch of pills sold out, He Zhixing brought an elderly gentleman to the pharmacy.

On that day, Elder Xue had gone out with A Yi to purchase supplies, and Qin Zhao was busy working on the new formula, leaving only Jing Li in the shop, counting the herbs.

Hearing someone enter, Jing Li looked up from the counter. “Are you here to buy medicine?”

He Zhixing had never met Jing Li before.

On his previous visits, Jing Li was still unwell and hadn’t come to the pharmacy. So, when He Zhixing suddenly saw such a beautiful young boy in the shop, his face flushed red, and he immediately forgot what he had intended to say.

Are all scholars from this era so easily flustered?

Jing Li repeated, “Are you here for a prescription?”

“Y-Yes… No, I’m here to see Doctor Qin,” He Zhixing stammered.

Jing Li’s eyes twinkled mischievously as he said on purpose, “My husband is brewing medicine in the courtyard. What do you need him for?”

“…Husband?”

“I am his husband,” came Qin Zhao’s voice suddenly from behind. Jing Li’s ears burned, and he awkwardly lowered his head. Qin Zhao lifted the curtain and walked in, glancing at Jing Li without a word, then greeted, “Ah, it’s He Gongzi.”

He Zhixing’s face turned beet red, and he struggled to find the words. It was only when the elderly gentleman behind him spoke that he regained his composure. “Zhixing, mind your manners.”

He Zhixing stepped aside and bowed to the old man. “Yes, sir.”

He then explained to Qin Zhao, “This is Mr. Wu from our academy, my teacher.”

Qin Zhao greeted him with respect. “Is Mr. Wu here for a consultation?”

“Not quite.” Mr. Wu, dressed in a simple long robe, stroked his beard and said, “To be frank, many of my students have weak constitutions and cannot endure the cold of winter. But those boys are so focused on studying, they don’t even want to take time to see a doctor. I heard from Zhixing that you have pills that can both prevent and treat cold-related illnesses. Several of my students tried them, and they worked well, so I’ve come to see if I could purchase more.”

Jing Li’s eyes lit up, but Qin Zhao remained unsurprised and asked, “How many would you like, Mr. Wu?”

Mr. Wu said, “This year, there are twenty-two students from my academy preparing for the imperial exam. I’d like to give each of them a few packets of the medicine, just in case. Let’s start with an order of eighty packets.”

Eighty packets meant a total of 720 pills. The last batch of medicine had taken them more than half a day to prepare, plus a full day for drying. In other words, producing eighty packets would take at least three days, not including the time needed to restock the herbs.

Qin Zhao estimated the time needed for the herb supply and said, “We don’t have enough herbs in the shop right now. If you’d like the medicine, it’ll take four to five days. You can leave your address, and I’ll have it delivered once it’s ready.”

Mr. Wu nodded. “That works.”

He left a deposit of 500 wen along with the academy’s address before departing with He Zhixing.

As they were leaving, He Zhixing couldn’t help but glance at Jing Li one last time.

Jing Li: “…”

Qin Zhao also noticed this but merely chuckled softly, his expression unreadable, before casually turning and heading back to the courtyard.

Jing Li: “…”

A Yi and Elder Xue soon returned to the pharmacy, and Jing Li informed them about the academy’s order for the pills. Fortunately, A Yi’s latest herb order was sufficient, and the cost of the herbs had been cheaper than before. As a result, the cost per packet of medicine this time was reduced to just 8 wen.

However, the herbs wouldn’t arrive until the next morning.

That night, Jing Li was curled up in bed, reading a storybook that A Yi had given him, when Qin Zhao suddenly snatched it away. “Time to sleep. We have to get up early to make the medicine tomorrow.”

“…” Jing Li protested, “It’s only three quarters past Hai hour. Let me read two more pages before bed.”

He sat up to try to grab the book back, but Qin Zhao easily pushed him back down onto the bed.

Since stopping his medicine, Qin Zhao’s strength had increased noticeably, and where Jing Li used to be able to tussle with him for a bit, he was now completely outmatched.

Panting, Jing Li lay back on the bed and waved his hand. “I give up. No more playing.”

But Qin Zhao wasn’t done with him. With one hand, he pinned both of Jing Li’s wrists and leaned closer. “What did you call me today in front of those people?”

“…” Jing Li averted his eyes.

He should have known Qin Zhao wouldn’t forget so easily.

That term of address might be fine for teasing, but to call Qin Zhao that seriously made Jing Li feel embarrassed.

Since they had officially become a couple, Jing Li had almost never used that word—except when forced to by a certain someone in bed.

Jing Li mumbled, “W-What? I don’t remember.”

As he turned his head away, his delicate earlobe peeked out from between his hair. Jing Li’s skin was fair, soft, and thin, and it blushed easily. It was clear at a glance when he was feeling shy.

Qin Zhao gently tucked Jing Li’s loose strands of hair behind his ear and kissed the reddened earlobe, his voice soft, “You really don’t remember?”

“Mm…”

Jing Li shivered, a ticklish sensation rising from his spine to the back of his head.

He had been thoroughly worn out by Qin Zhao just a few days ago, and even now, the memory made him feel apprehensive.

But Qin Zhao clearly had no intention of letting him go easily.

He lowered his head and lightly nibbled on Jing Li’s earlobe, while his free hand traced down the slender curve of Jing Li’s waist, inching toward the hem of his clothes.

“Q-Qin Zhao!” Jing Li managed to stammer, trembling, “No, I can’t… I can’t…”

Qin Zhao murmured, “Why not?”

“I…” Jing Li, thinking quickly, blurted out, “Grandpa Xue said my body hasn’t fully recovered yet, so I shouldn’t be doing this!”

Hearing this, Qin Zhao actually paused and released his hold. “Did Mr. Xue take your pulse today? What did he find?”

Taking the opportunity, Jing Li quickly rolled to the other side of the bed, pulling the blanket over himself tightly. “Yes, he found that I’m two months pregnant—with your child.”

Qin Zhao: “…”

Jing Li had been teased by Elder Xue about this for days and had developed a thicker skin. With a serious expression, he added, “Grandpa Xue said the fetal heartbeat isn’t stable in the first three months. He told you to restrain yourself, or it would harm our son.”

Qin Zhao almost laughed out of frustration at Jing Li’s solemn act. He was tempted to put an end to the teasing right then and there.

But, as always, Qin Zhao had no intention of forcing Jing Li. Seeing that Jing Li truly wasn’t in the mood, he gave up. Half of Jing Li’s face was buried in the blanket, and when he realized Qin Zhao had stopped, he whispered, “Can I go back to reading my book now?”

In the next second, Qin Zhao blew out the oil lamp and pressed Jing Li back onto the bed.

“If you’re taking care of our ‘pregnancy,’ then rest early.” Qin Zhao said, “Close your eyes and sleep.”

The next morning, the herbs A Yi had ordered arrived at the pharmacy on time.

Since Elder Xue was elderly, the three younger men refused to let him do any of the labor. Having learned from the previous batch, the three of them now worked seamlessly together and managed to finish preparing all the pills in just under two days. The pills were left to air out in a cool, ventilated area for a day before being wrapped in oiled paper.

On the morning of the fourth day, Qin Zhao delivered the order of pills to Mr. Wu’s academy.

However, even after completing that order, there was no time to rest.

Word spread quickly within scholarly circles, and just after Qin Zhao delivered the first batch, a second academy had already come knocking on their door.

There was no helping it. The academies and private schools in the county were all secretly competing with one another. The more students a teacher had pass the exams, the greater their reputation would be, and the more students they would attract in the following year.

So, when other academies heard about Mr. Wu’s order of medicine, they were unwilling to be left behind and rushed to the pharmacy to buy their own.

Soon, the cold-dispelling pills, known as Quhan Dan among the townsfolk, became incredibly popular throughout the county.

Moreover, the popularity wasn’t limited to scholars. With the weather turning colder, many people were falling ill, and the city’s medical halls were already overcrowded. Word of this new medicine spread quickly, from one person to the next, and soon even ordinary citizens were flocking to buy it.

From mid-December until the end of the year, the small pharmacy was unusually busy, with no days off.

Even so, the demand for Quhan Dan far exceeded the supply.

As the pharmacy’s reputation grew, so did the number of people coming in for medicine and consultations. Qin Zhao and A Yi were so busy attending to customers that they could only make the pills after closing the shop at night. Worried about them overworking themselves, Jing Li volunteered to help with the pill-making.

While Qin Zhao and A Yi were busy outside during the day, Jing Li stayed in the backroom making pills—sometimes for the entire day.

One evening, as Qin Zhao lifted the curtain and entered the backroom, he saw his little fish sitting on a small stool in the corner, diligently rolling the pills, so focused that he didn’t even notice anyone coming in.

Jing Li had become quite skilled at making the pills. His expression was serious, and his cheeks and nose were smudged with a bit of medicine, making him look especially adorable, like a little kitten.

It wasn’t until Qin Zhao stood directly in front of him that Jing Li realized someone was there.

Startled, Jing Li looked up. “When did you come in?”

Qin Zhao sighed and crouched down, using his sleeve to wipe the smudges off Jing Li’s face. “The shop is closed.”

“Is it that late already?” Jing Li smiled belatedly. “I made over 200 pills today! With all of us working together tonight, we should be able to—”

Qin Zhao interrupted him, “We’re not making any pills tonight.”

Jing Li blinked in confusion.

Qin Zhao smiled and said, “Did you already forget what I told you this morning?”

Jing Li blinked. “Huh?”

Qin Zhao reminded him, “Today is the 30th. We’re going to the lantern festival.”

Jing Li finally remembered.

In the morning, Qin Zhao had indeed mentioned this, but Jing Li had been preoccupied with the unfinished pills and didn’t pay much attention to it.

“I haven’t even put up the window decorations yet!” Jing Li suddenly remembered it was the New Year’s Eve and jumped to his feet.

However, he stood up too quickly, and his vision went dark for a moment, almost causing him to stumble. Qin Zhao quickly caught him and pulled him into his arms. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…” Jing Li shook his head. “Just a bit dizzy.”

“You’ve overworked yourself.” Qin Zhao scooped him up into his arms and said softly, “A Yi closed the shop an hour and a half early today. I’ll take care of everything. You rest for a bit, change into some nice clothes, and after dinner, I’ll take you out for a walk.”

Jing Li was forced to rest in the room for an hour. By the time he changed into his clothes and went to the main courtyard, everything was already prepared.

Spring couplets, handwritten by Qin Zhao, were pasted on the door frame, and the window decorations Jing Li had cut a few days earlier were now stuck on the windows. A few red lanterns hung from the eaves, giving the once cold and quiet courtyard a festive New Year’s atmosphere.

Qin Zhao had also taken charge of the New Year’s Eve feast.

In ancient times, people didn’t often eat luxurious meals, and New Year’s Eve was the one time of year when the food could be truly plentiful.

Since Jing Li had arrived in this world, aside from the first couple of months when life was a bit tight, Qin Zhao had never skimped on his meals or clothing. However, nothing compared to tonight’s spread.

The table was laden with dishes like roasted chicken, braised ribs, and red-cooked pork. A Yi had even suggested buying a carp to symbolize “abundance year after year,” but Qin Zhao had refused, claiming he never ate fish.

Recalling the first day he had arrived at Qin Zhao’s home when Qin Zhao had said the same thing, Jing Li muttered indignantly, “You’re lying. You eat fish all the time, and you enjoy it.”

By this time, night had completely fallen. The streets were lined with lanterns, and everyone’s faces beamed with the joy of the coming new year.

Qin Zhao held Jing Li’s hand as they walked through the market streets, turning his head with a smile at Jing Li’s words. “I really don’t eat fish. I only eat you.”

Jing Li: “…Hmph.”

Different places had different customs for celebrating the New Year, but in this small county, only on New Year’s Eve was the curfew lifted. After the family dinner, everyone would head out to admire the lanterns, set off fireworks, and await the arrival of the new year together.

With a sugar-coated hawthorn in hand, Qin Zhao quickly made Jing Li forget his earlier sulking. Jing Li happily munched on the treat while dragging Qin Zhao from one end of the street to the other. Before long, though, Jing Li grew tired and could no longer keep up.

“If you’re tired, let’s go home,” Qin Zhao said.

“I’m not,” Jing Li replied, finishing the last bite of his sugar-coated hawthorn and tossing the stick aside. “I want to wait for the fireworks. If we go home now, we’ll miss them.”

Qin Zhao sighed and pointed to a nearby pavilion. “How about we rest there for a bit?”

Jing Li nodded. “Alright.”

Most people were still out on the streets, so the pavilion was empty. Jing Li leaned against Qin Zhao’s shoulder, yawning sleepily.

“I used to be able to walk this street several times over…”

“That was when you were still in your ‘breeding season,’ with energy to burn,” Qin Zhao teased. “You’ve been working too hard these past few days.”

Jing Li absentmindedly played with Qin Zhao’s fingers and dismissed his concern. “Not really. You’ve been working much harder than me.”

After a moment of silence, Qin Zhao softly said, “Xiao Yu, you don’t need to push yourself like this.”

Jing Li paused at his words.

Qin Zhao gently clasped Jing Li’s fingers in his own, his voice warm. “I’ve told you before, you don’t need to do anything. I promised to take care of you, and I won’t go back on my word.”

“It’s not that I’m afraid you’ll go back on your word,” Jing Li replied. “We’re family. You’re doing everything you can to make life better for us, so of course I want to help. It’s just…”

“It’s just that I don’t know much, so this is the only way I can help.”

Jing Li snuggled into Qin Zhao’s shoulder, speaking softly. “I’ve been thinking lately—if I had known I’d end up here, I should have taken the chance to learn more when I could. If I knew more, you wouldn’t have to work so hard now.”

Qin Zhao tilted his head and asked, “End up here?”

Jing Li, feeling guilty, avoided his gaze. “It’s nothing…”

Qin Zhao had long suspected that Jing Li had secrets he wasn’t ready to share, but he didn’t press the matter. Instead, he said, “You’re doing great as you are. Don’t worry about it.”

He looked up at the sky, where the bright moon hung amidst a sea of stars.

“I’m the one who hasn’t done enough,” Qin Zhao said softly. “Give me a little more time, Xiao Yu.”

He would change their situation and reclaim everything that was rightfully his.

He had promised to give Jing Li a good life, and he wouldn’t go back on that.

“There’s nothing wrong with you,” Jing Li said, thinking Qin Zhao was belittling himself again. “Doctor Qin of Yi’an Pharmacy is quite famous in this county now. Who would dare say you’re not doing well?”

Qin Zhao chuckled quietly but didn’t explain further.

Jing Li tugged at his hand, pulling him up. “I’ve rested enough. I heard there’s a street performance over there. Come on, let’s go watch.”

Early in the morning, Jing Li had started making pills, and by evening, he had dragged Qin Zhao around the streets for most of the night. By the time midnight arrived, he was so exhausted that he could barely keep his eyes open.

As the clock struck midnight, fireworks exploded across the sky, lighting up the heavens as if it were daytime. Under the brilliant display, Jing Li leaned in and gave Qin Zhao a kiss.

As the hustle and bustle of the night began to fade and the crowds thinned, Qin Zhao carried Jing Li on his back as they made their way home.

“The pharmacy won’t open tomorrow. Sleep in a bit and stop thinking about making medicine,” Qin Zhao said softly.

Jing Li, completely drained of energy, mumbled sleepily, “I know…”

“You say that every day,” Qin Zhao replied, “but you never actually listen.”

For the past few days, Jing Li had been so preoccupied with making the pills that he would wake up at the crack of dawn, sometimes skipping breakfast to head straight to the backroom to work.

No matter how much Qin Zhao tried to persuade or stop him, it never worked.

Qin Zhao had seen all this and couldn’t help but feel distressed.

This little troublemaker had even used the excuse of “nurturing a pregnancy” to avoid intimacy before, but was this really something someone “nurturing a pregnancy” should be doing?

Qin Zhao thought about this and felt helpless. He was about to say something else when Jing Li suddenly kissed him on the cheek.

“You’re so good to me. Thank you.”

With his head resting against Qin Zhao’s back, Jing Li smiled softly, his eyes closed. In a quiet voice, he added, “…Husband.”