Ch 74: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

After three months away, Jing Li and Qin Zhao finally returned to the bamboo courtyard.

The yard had been left untended for months, with weeds sprouting in the flower beds. Before they left, they’d covered the furniture with burlap to keep off the dust, but there was still some dirt on the floor.

Jing Li instinctively moved to go to the back kitchen to get a broom, but Qin Zhao stopped him.

He placed the luggage aside, lifted the burlap from the bed, and pressed Jing Li down to sit. “Stay put, don’t wander around.”

With that, he rolled up his sleeves and headed to the kitchen.

For all his renown as the top scholar in the county exams, back home, he still had to sweep, water the plants, and cook.

Jing Li felt a bit of secret pride.

Qin Zhao didn’t hesitate as he worked. He soon had the house tidied, then went out to the yard to water the plants and pull the weeds.

Perhaps because of his rural upbringing, Jing Li felt uncomfortable watching Qin Zhao work alone. He started organizing the luggage and even took down the bedding to change it.

Just as he finished spreading a new sheet, he heard Qin Zhao’s voice behind him, “I told you not to move around.”

Qin Zhao strode over and pulled him aside. “I’ll take care of this. Be careful.”

Jing Li: “…”

It was starting again.

“I’m pregnant, not an invalid.”

In the village, no one was so fussy; he’d even seen a woman working in the fields at five months pregnant.

Qin Zhao pressed Jing Li into a chair, and Jing Li complained, “In the village, which family has the mother-to-be sitting idle like this?”

“My family,” Qin Zhao replied matter-of-factly. “Now rest and change your clothes. The village head is hosting a banquet tonight.”

Jing Li sighed, “…Got it.”

Before the county exam, the village head had promised that if Qin Zhao returned as the top scholar, they would celebrate with a banquet in the village, and today, he was fulfilling that promise.

Outside the village head’s home was a clearing where gatherings were often held.

When Jing Li and Qin Zhao arrived, dozens of square tables were already set up. Large pots simmered nearby, and the sizzle of stir-frying dishes and the aroma of meat filled the air.

The village saw meat rarely, much less a feast this abundant—not even during New Year.

The villagers, eager for the celebration, had already taken their seats. When they saw Qin Zhao arrive, they rose to greet him.

The village head came forward. “Finally! We were waiting for you two.”

They were led to the table at the front.

This was the place of honor, usually reserved for the most respected members of the community. Alongside several village elders and the head’s family sat another family: the Chen family.

Chen Yanan had placed fifteenth in the county exams, a notable score for the town. The village head, likely wishing to avoid any hard feelings, had also invited them to the head table.

Qin Zhao greeted Chen matriarch and paid his respects to the elders before he and Jing Li took their seats.

“You’re back pretty quickly! Why not stay out for a few more days?” Chen Yanan leaned over and whispered to Qin Zhao, “I regret coming back to the village already. I’m being nagged every day. I should’ve stayed in the county to study with Brother He!”

Chen Yanan had thought life would be easier after the exams, but it turned out he had underestimated. After the county exams, there was the prefectural exam, and after passing the childhood exams, there was the provincial exam. Unless he became a top scholar, his mother would likely keep nagging him.

Jing Li hesitated, wanting to say that even if he passed as the top scholar, Sister Chen would probably still have plenty to say. But before he could get a word in, Chen Yanan was dragged away by his ear by his mother.

Jing Li: “…”

Once Qin Zhao had sat down, the village head announced the start of the banquet.

Dish after dish was brought to the table. Though simple home-cooked fare, the variety was impressive, and the aroma and appearance were enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

The village head said, “Today’s cook is someone I specially invited from the neighboring village. He used to be a chef in a restaurant in the prefectural city, so his skills are top-notch.”

The chef happened to be bringing a dish over at that moment. Hearing the village head’s words, he smiled, “It’s a privilege to cook for our top scholar. Consider it a bit of luck coming my way!”

Qin Zhao, however, shook his head. “It was only the county exam, village head. No need to go to such trouble.”

“Don’t say that! It’s been years since anyone from our village passed. This deserves a celebration,” the village head insisted. “Ever since news of your success reached us, we’ve had more and more people signing up for the village school. Now everyone sees the value in studying, and that’s all thanks to you.”

“Besides,” the village head continued, “I didn’t cover all the costs myself. These ingredients were donated by families across the village. Everyone genuinely wanted to celebrate with you!”

Only then did Qin Zhao relax a bit.

However, the meal wasn’t a peaceful one for him, as people kept coming over to chat. Jing Li didn’t get a moment’s rest either.

“You’re fortunate, dear. When I was expecting my eldest, I had no appetite for the first few months,” the village head’s wife commented, seated beside him. “You haven’t had any symptoms?”

Jing Li paused mid-bite, forcing a smile. “No… no symptoms at all…”

Strangely enough, since becoming pregnant, he hadn’t experienced any of the usual lack of appetite, nausea, or morning sickness. Not only did he feel better than he had during the winter, but his appetite was also better than usual.

If it weren’t for the occasional sensation of fullness in his abdomen, he might even forget he was carrying a child.

But they’d only been back half a day, so how did the village head’s wife already know about his pregnancy?

A woman at the neighboring table overheard and turned to comment, “Not all shuang’er are like that. My uncle’s husband, who’s also a shuang’er, couldn’t eat a thing for the first three months of pregnancy. He practically lost a whole round of weight!”

“I’ve heard shuang’er suffer even more during pregnancy than women. Ones like Qin Zhao’s husband are rare indeed.”

“You all don’t understand; it’s because her husband cares for her so well and takes good care of her.”

Jing Li listened silently, his ears turning a bit red.

Seeing this, Qin Zhao gently patted Jing Li’s back in reassurance and placed some food on his plate. “My husband is a bit shy, so please, don’t tease him too much.”

“Oh, look at him, already feeling protective!” A few village women chuckled a bit more before finally letting them be.

When the meal ended, Qin Zhao carried a lantern in one hand and held Jing Li’s hand in the other as they walked home.

Jing Li kept his head down, lightly touching his stomach, clearly with something on his mind.

Qin Zhao glanced over at him and asked softly, “What’s on your mind?”

Jing Li shook his head. “Nothing…”

“The news about your pregnancy didn’t come from me,” Qin Zhao said. “It’s most likely from Chen Yanan.”

Jing Li sighed, “…I guessed as much.”

That boy never could keep his mouth shut; it was no surprise the news had spread.

But that wasn’t what he was really worried about.

They wouldn’t be moving anytime soon, and this child would be born here in Linxi Village, so the villagers would find out eventually.

But…

Jing Li bit his lip. “Qin Zhao, if I keep looking like this, won’t people start getting suspicious?”

When they first discovered the pregnancy, Jing Li had only been two months along, and it wasn’t noticeable, so he hadn’t thought much of it. But now, three months had passed, and he still wasn’t showing.

If things continued this way, how would he explain it to the neighbors?

And, according to Abbot Jingchen, koi don’t carry a pregnancy for the full ten months. The timing… wouldn’t add up.

“So that’s what’s bothering you.” Qin Zhao stopped, pulled him close by the shoulders, and looked him in the eyes. “Didn’t I already tell you? All you need to do now is take care of yourself. Don’t worry about anything else.”

“But I…”

“There’s no need to worry about this,” Qin Zhao said confidently. “Trust me, everything will be fine.”

Jing Li opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but when he met Qin Zhao’s steady, calm gaze, the words slipped from his mind.

The moonlight was perfect tonight, casting a cool glow that highlighted Qin Zhao’s handsome, sharp features.

He gave Jing Li a slight smile. “If you keep overthinking, I’ll have to punish you.”

Jing Li’s heart skipped a beat, then sped up uncontrollably. He swallowed and mumbled, “Then… what if I can’t help it?”

Qin Zhao understood perfectly, leaning down to place a light kiss on Jing Li’s lips. “Will that help you stop thinking?”

Jing Li felt a bit weak in the knees.

He knew Qin Zhao was only talking about his “overthinking,” yet his thoughts couldn’t help but wander off course.

Ever since learning of Jing Li’s pregnancy, Qin Zhao hadn’t touched him, and, as if worried about losing control, had even restrained himself from more than the lightest kisses.

Several times, Jing Li had noticed Qin Zhao’s reaction, but he never acted on it.

Those villagers weren’t wrong—his husband really did know how to be caring.

Almost too caring.

Jing Li’s cheeks grew hot as he awkwardly inched back, trying to hide certain feelings he shouldn’t have.

Qin Zhao smiled knowingly and kissed him lightly on the lips again. “I understand.”

He couldn’t hold back anymore.

His little fish missed him.

Straightening up, Qin Zhao took Jing Li’s hand and continued forward, saying, “Enough overthinking. Let’s go home.”

“…”

Jing Li felt a small pang of disappointment. Before he could respond, Qin Zhao calmly finished his thought: “If we don’t go home, how will I help you?”

Jing Li blinked, only realizing what Qin Zhao meant by “help” after a moment, his ears flushing red.

The following days, they both stayed in the village.

Just as Qin Zhao expected, being back in familiar surroundings gave Jing Li a stronger sense of security, and he no longer woke up in the middle of the night startled.

Before he’d left, he had entrusted his fields to the care of their neighbors, and on his return, he saw the wheat was growing well and the weeds had been thoroughly cleared, a clear sign of their attentiveness.

In gratitude, Qin Zhao gave each family 300 wen as payment for their help.

It was early spring, a busy time for farming. Qin Zhao planted a few seasonal vegetables in their field, ones that would grow quickly and be ready to eat in less than half a month.

As for the village school, the village head had initially suggested that Qin Zhao focus on studying for the prefectural exam and not bother with teaching. However, the eager students were persistent, and Qin Zhao, not one to refuse, readily agreed to resume his lessons.

However…

“You’re not allowed to go.” Qin Zhao firmly pressed Jing Li back onto the bed, his expression serious.

Jing Li frowned. “Why not?”

Qin Zhao buttoned his clothes slowly, replying with righteous resolve, “There are too many children at the school. I’ll be busy teaching and won’t be able to keep an eye on you. What if you get hurt?”

Jing Li: “…”

He was treating him like fragile porcelain, as if he’d shatter with a single fall.

Jing Li thought it over, his tone softening. “Qin Zhao, I’m so bored being at home alone…”

“It’s only two hours.” Qin Zhao gently stroked Jing Li’s hair, his voice warm. “Stay home and wait for me. If you’re bored, read or practice writing; think of it as early education for the baby. Be good, there’s soup simmering in the kitchen. I’ll make you something delicious when I get back at noon.”

“…Reading and writing as ‘prenatal education’? Is this the world of a scholar?”

Jing Li sighed but could only agree.

Qin Zhao left soon after, and the sound of bells rang from the school next door as Mr. Qin resumed his classes.

Naturally, Jing Li didn’t obediently read or write. He lay on the bed in a daze for a while, then got up and rummaged through the bookshelf for some storybooks. Oddly, though, none of the stories held his interest today. After swapping out several, he still couldn’t get into any of them.

He eventually moved on to Qin Zhao’s collection.

Qin Zhao’s books were even duller than the storybooks—either the Four Books and Five Classics or various medical texts. Out of sheer boredom, Jing Li pulled one thick book from the shelf, only for a thinner booklet to slip out from its pages.

Glancing at it, he realized it was the “Secrets of the Imperial Exam” he’d seen before, somehow tucked between the other books.

He was about to put it back when he paused.

Wait… was that character for “imperial” really written like that?

Jing Li was no longer the unlettered, gullible “silly little fish” from a year ago. He looked down and studied the title again.

Meanwhile, the schoolroom was silent. Qin Zhao had already gone over the lesson schedule with the village head, so he randomly picked a few students to quiz them on what they’d learned.

Most of the students answered haltingly, but Lin Qing’er responded fluently and confidently.

Qin Zhao nodded approvingly. “Very good, take your seat.”

“…Those who couldn’t recite earlier, copy the passage ten times at home and bring it next time I teach.” Qin Zhao continued, “Today, I’ll teach you—”

A gentle knock came from outside the classroom door.

Qin Zhao’s words trailed off, and an inexplicable sense of foreboding rose within him. In a low voice, he said, “Come in.”

The door opened, and there stood Jing Li, looking innocently at him.

Qin Zhao’s brow furrowed slightly. “What are you doing here?”

Jing Li’s lips curved into a smile. “I’m here to give our child some prenatal education, Teacher.”