Ch 82: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

Qin Zhao indeed wanted to give it a try.

He had never let his husband suffer in life, and now that they also had a son to raise, expenses would not be small. Compared to manual labor, working as a tutor for a wealthy family was naturally the best choice.

“But that young master Gu looks hard to handle; he’s already driven away so many tutors…” Jing Li was still worried.

Qin Zhao, however, didn’t seem to mind: “There’s always a way, don’t worry.”

There was still work to be done at home, so he wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

In the following days, they bought supplies in the city and, once the custom-made furniture arrived at their residence, they decorated their home according to their preferences.

On the afternoon of the second day after their house was fully arranged, Qin Zhao brought up the topic again.

At that time, Jing Li was feeding the little fish. Hearing this, he turned his head to look at Qin Zhao and said, “I’ll go with you.”

The little fish, after taking a bite, looked up and, seeing Jing Li holding the egg yolk without feeding him, anxiously swam back and forth under his hand.

“No need,” Qin Zhao said. “This little one can’t be left alone right now. We can’t take him everywhere.”

Jing Li replied, “Why not? Didn’t you used to take me everywhere before?”

When Jing Li couldn’t take human form, Qin Zhao would carry him around the village every day.

Recalling those times, Qin Zhao walked up to Jing Li and, picking a spot where the little fish couldn’t see, leaned down and kissed him on the lips: “I’m just worried that my little fish at home might get eaten by a cat.”

The little fish splashed around even more energetically in the water.

Jing Li paid no attention to what his son was doing and even put the egg yolk back in the bowl, raising a hand to straighten Qin Zhao’s collar: “Alright, I’ll stay home with your son.”

“Good.” Qin Zhao added, “What would you like to eat? I’ll buy it on my way back.”

“Anything you make is fine.”

Qin Zhao smiled, “Alright.”

His Xiao Yu was becoming easier to care for.

The two fathers finally stopped doting on each other just before their son, about to jump out of the fish tank with impatience, calmed down. Qin Zhao turned and left the house, while Jing Li continued feeding their son.

“I know, I’ll feed you right now.”

Jing Li dropped two pieces of egg yolk into the tank and sighed, “So greedy. I don’t know who you got that from.”

Son: “…”

Qin Zhao did not go directly to the Gu residence but headed to another place first.

“This is Jiangling Academy. Whom are you looking for?” At the academy gate, a young boy stopped him.

Qin Zhao bowed and presented a letter from his sleeve: “I am from Linxi Village and here to see Assistant Instructor Ye. This is a letter from the village head for Instructor Ye.”

The boy took the letter and nodded, “Please wait a moment.”

He went inside the academy, and shortly after, returned with a message: “Instructor Ye is in the study room answering questions. Please follow me.”

The boy led Qin Zhao inside.

Jiangling Academy was considered one of the top academies among the twelve provincial academies, largely because the Prefect of Jiangling valued education highly. The academy was built grandly. Qin Zhao followed the young boy through the front courtyard, past several lecture halls, and along a long, covered corridor before they arrived at a more secluded courtyard.

As soon as they stepped through the ornate gate, faint sounds of a debate could be heard: “I believe Brother Li’s argument is flawed. Even if this phrase can be interpreted, its deeper meaning…”

The boy led Qin Zhao to the eaves and said, “Please wait here. I need to return now.”

Qin Zhao responded, “Thank you.”

The door to the study was open, and standing under the eaves, Qin Zhao could hear the debate clearly.

Inside, the two students were discussing their interpretations of classical texts. These were topics that even scholars of the current dynasty had not definitively concluded, so it was natural that their arguments would not result in any resolution.

As expected, after listening for a while, Qin Zhao heard an older man inside say, “You both have valid points. There is no use arguing further. Go back and each write an essay for me. You may go.”

“Yes, sir.”

With that, two young men in their twenties came out of the room.

Soon after, an elder who appeared to be in his fifties also stepped out.

“You must be Qin Zhao?” the elder asked.

Qin Zhao bowed to him. “Instructor Ye.”

Assistant Instructor Ye looked him over for a moment and then smiled, “I know of you. The Academic Director participated in the provincial examination grading and mentioned that this year, there was an outstanding essay that greatly pleased the Prefect, who immediately declared it the top of the list.”

“I’ve read that essay—it’s truly unmatched.”

Qin Zhao said modestly, “You flatter me, sir.”

The elder, kind and unassuming, brought Qin Zhao into the study and even poured him a cup of tea. “I have been friends with your village chief for decades. He wrote in the letter asking me to look out for you. But I must say, with your credentials as the top scorer, the Academic Director would be eager to take you as a student—there’s no need for me to intervene on your behalf.”

Jiangling Academy had strict admission requirements. Passing the provincial examination alone was not enough; students needed to have excellent grades, good character, and a certain reputation. Thus, many students tried to pull strings to gain entry.

However, even if a connection secured a spot on the list, applicants still had to pass the entrance examination, making the selection process very rigorous.

But Qin Zhao shook his head. “I’m not here to enroll in the academy.”

Assistant Instructor Ye asked, “Then why are you here…”

Qin Zhao replied, “I heard that the Gu family in the city is recruiting tutors from the academy.”

At these words, the smile on Assistant Instructor Ye’s face faded. “Are you talking about the Gu family of the weaving mill? Yes, that’s true.”

He seemed to harbor some resentment regarding the matter and said coldly, “We did send some students there before, but they were sent back within days after being treated poorly. That young master of theirs has no interest in studying. If it weren’t for the close ties between the Gu family and the Prefect, why would the academy even bother with them?”

“Why are you asking about this? You’re not thinking of…”

Qin Zhao said, “Would you be willing to recommend me, sir?”

The Gu family’s recruitment notice had already lowered its requirements from provincial graduates to promising academy students. However, Qin Zhao did not meet those requirements at present.

So he needed an intermediary to make an introduction.

“Your qualifications are better than most of the students in the academy, but…” The elder paused and advised, “You must think it through; this is not an easy job.”

Qin Zhao replied, “I have considered it thoroughly.”

The elder fell silent again for a moment, then sighed, “Alright, let’s give it a try. I happen to be free this afternoon, so I’ll accompany you.”

Assistant Instructor Ye found a carriage and took Qin Zhao to the Gu residence.

The Gu residence was located on the main street of the city, with a plaque hanging over the entrance and two imposing stone lions sitting on either side of the stone steps leading up to the door. Just from the grand entrance, one could tell the wealth of the household.

Compared to this grand mansion, the government office a few hundred steps across the way seemed rather modest.

The carriage stopped in front of the Gu residence, and a doorman immediately came forward to greet them. Upon seeing who it was, he bowed, “Instructor Ye, are you here to see the madam?”

“Yes,” Assistant Instructor Ye replied, “Is the madam at home?”

“She is. Please wait a moment; I will go announce your arrival.”

The doorman hurried into the residence. After getting off the carriage, Qin Zhao asked, “The madam?”

“The young master’s tutors are all selected personally by Madam Gu,” Assistant Instructor Ye said. “Don’t worry, Madam Gu comes from a literary family and treats scholars with kindness and respect.”

This was evident from the courteous manner in which the doorman treated them.

It must be that the household’s upbringing was good.

To be able to train such well-mannered servants but not manage to teach a child well—it was something Qin Zhao couldn’t help but sigh about inwardly.

He glanced up at the plaque above the entrance of the Gu residence and asked, “Does Master Gu not take part in this matter?”

“You wouldn’t know this, but the weaving mill must deliver new silk fabrics to the palace before winter sets in, so Master Gu is busy with these affairs. I heard that a few days ago, he even personally went to the county to oversee silk production. He has no time to deal with these smaller matters,” Assistant Instructor Ye explained.

Qin Zhao was silent for a moment, his eyes still fixed on the plaque.

His reason for wanting to come here was not just for money.

Ever since he had seen Master Gu once outside a restaurant, he had wanted to come back and visit.

He had the feeling… that Master Gu seemed familiar.

The doorman soon returned and led them through a side door into the Gu residence.

They arrived at a reception hall in the side courtyard. After sitting down, a maid came in to serve them tea.

Even the maids in the Gu residence were exceptionally beautiful, but Qin Zhao paid them no attention and just sipped his tea.

Although they had been let into the residence, Madam Gu did not appear immediately. Qin Zhao wasn’t in a hurry and continued drinking tea. When he finished one cup, a maid refilled it, and this happened a third time until the tea turned cold. Only then did he hear footsteps approaching from outside.

The maids in the room all bowed and greeted in unison, “Madam.”

A beautiful woman in luxurious clothing, surrounded by two maids, entered the room and said in a soft voice, “You may all leave.”

The maids responded, “Yes.”

Assistant Instructor Ye and Qin Zhao both stood and bowed to Madam Gu.

“No need for formalities, please sit,” Madam Gu said as she sat in the main seat. She looked Qin Zhao up and down, noting his dignified demeanor, and showed an approving expression. “Are you a student of the academy?”

“No.”

Madam Gu asked again, “Then, are you a scholar by title?”

“Not that either.”

“…”

Assistant Instructor Ye smiled and said, “Madam, he recently took the academy examination and was the top scorer in both the county and academy exams.”

Madam Gu said in surprise, “You are Qin Zhao?”

Qin Zhao nodded, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Did he really have such a reputation in the prefecture?

Assistant Instructor Ye explained, “Master Gu is well acquainted with the prefect, and Madam has a love for literature. She read your essay long ago.”

Madam Gu also smiled. “Mr. Ye should have said so earlier. If I had known it was Young Master Qin coming, we wouldn’t have needed all this trouble.”

Qin Zhao replied, “Conduct and knowledge are not the same. It is good for Madam to test me.”

Madam Gu asked, “Did you figure out that I was testing you?”

“From the moment I stepped into the Gu residence, I knew it was an evaluation,” Qin Zhao said. “Having a maid serve tea tested my conduct. Waiting through the three rounds of tea tested my patience. From entering the residence until now, everything tested my manners.”

“If I am not mistaken, the next test should be on knowledge. Please, Madam, ask your questions.”

Hearing this, not only Madam Gu but even Assistant Instructor Ye was momentarily stunned.

Madam Gu laughed. “There’s no need to test your knowledge. With the prefect selecting your essay as the top piece, there is no question I could pose that would stump you.”

Her way of addressing Qin Zhao had already changed.

“However…” Madam Gu hesitated a little.

Qin Zhao asked, “What does Madam wish to say?”

Madam Gu shook her head and sighed. “Sir, your conduct and knowledge are exemplary. Having you teach my foolish son seems like a waste of your talents.”

Qin Zhao: “…”

Qin Zhao replied, “A jade needs to be carved to become a useful tool. I am confident I can teach the young master well.”

“Ah, you don’t understand,” Madam Gu sighed again. “Many tutors said the same on their first visit. But within seven days, they would inevitably come to me, saying the child was unteachable and asking me to hire someone else.”

Qin Zhao was silent for a moment and said, “I am willing to make a bet with Madam. Within seven days, I will bring the young master around, but Madam must agree to one condition of mine.”

Madam Gu exchanged a glance with Assistant Instructor Ye and said, “Go ahead.”

Qin Zhao left the Gu residence, declining Madam Gu’s offer to send a carriage to take him home, and walked back on his own.

He asked for the shortest route home and, along the way, bought some vegetables and pork ribs from a fruit and meat stand. He arrived home in about the time it took for an incense stick to burn.

Since he would be visiting the Gu residence frequently for the foreseeable future, calculating the time needed for the journey was important.

Qin Zhao first placed the ingredients in the kitchen and washed his hands before returning to the inner courtyard.

The door to the main house was open, and the entire courtyard was silent without a sound.

Qin Zhao stepped into the house quietly. Jing Li was lying on the desk in the inner room, a book spread out beneath him, fast asleep. Next to him, in the fish tank, the little fish fry was also peacefully sleeping on a small bamboo leaf bed, perfectly still.

Qin Zhao smiled and leaned down to kiss Jing Li on the lips.

“Mm…” Jing Li was woken up by the kiss and opened his eyes drowsily. “You’re back…”

“Shh.” Qin Zhao glanced at the little fish fry nearby and, seeing that it hadn’t woken up, said softly, “I’m back. Why are you here? Why not sleep on the bed?”

“I wasn’t sleeping.” Jing Li rubbed his eyes.

He had been reading, after all.

Qin Zhao glanced down and saw that Jing Li had not been reading a storybook, but one of the medical books from his collection in the study.

“Why are you reading this?”

“Just bored, so I picked it up to read.” Jing Li yawned. “Who knew these books would be so hard to understand? They made me sleepy just looking at them.”

Qin Zhao closed the book and casually tossed it aside. “This one talks about using exotic poisons in medicine. Even I haven’t finished it.”

“Did it make you sleepy too?”

“No,” Qin Zhao said. “Because I don’t believe in it.”

Jing Li made a dismissive noise and didn’t look at the book again.

He wrapped his arms around Qin Zhao’s neck and whispered, “Did things go well at the Gu residence?”

“It went well.” Qin Zhao lifted him up and placed him on the bed. “I’ll start teaching Young Master Gu tomorrow.”

Jing Li said, “Make sure to teach that rascal a lesson.”

Qin Zhao kissed him again and smiled, “I seem to remember that he hasn’t done anything to provoke you, has he?”

“How hasn’t he?” Jing Li said righteously. “Did you forget the last time we met him? He almost made us miss our dinner.”

He was talking about when they first came to the city and were driven out of the restaurant by that young master.

When it came to food, no one held grudges better than Jing Li.

Jing Li asked, “So, what are we having for dinner?”

Qin Zhao replied, “I bought pork ribs.”

Without a second thought, Jing Li said, “Make them braised.”

“Alright.”

It was already getting late, and the braised pork ribs needed to simmer for at least half an hour to absorb the flavors, but Qin Zhao did not hurry to leave.

His gaze lowered as he traced the features of the young man bit by bit. His fingertips followed the path of his eyes, moving downward, without saying a word, but the meaning was so obvious that even a fool could guess.

Jing Li felt heat rising all over his body under that stare and grabbed his hand. “You…”

Qin Zhao lowered his head and kissed his fingertips.

A trace of wetness remained.

“In broad daylight…” Jing Li turned his face away, his voice slightly hoarse.

Qin Zhao said, “Then shall we wait for tonight?”

Jing Li: “…”

Qin Zhao took his hand and kissed his palm. “Answer me, tonight, yes?”

Jing Li’s face pressed into the pillow, his ears already flushed, and he gave a small nod.

Qin Zhao, satisfied, let go of him and went to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

They had been so busy lately.

Handling the mundane tasks before moving out of the village and, once they arrived here, setting up their new home and caring for the little fish fry.

Normally, it wouldn’t come up, but Qin Zhao’s teasing brought back all the thoughts, wanted and unwanted alike.

Jing Li found even dinner tasteless and, as soon as night fell, put the little one to bed and coaxed him to sleep early. He washed up and changed clothes before Qin Zhao returned from his own bath. Jing Li was already lying obediently in bed, reading and waiting.

Qin Zhao approached the bed and caught the faint scent in the air. “Did you light incense?”

“Mm.” There was a new incense burner at the foot of the bed. Wrapped in blankets, Jing Li kept his eyes fixed on the storybook in front of him, ears slightly red. “Just bought it.”

Qin Zhao took the book from him and glanced at it. “Learning from this?”

Jing Li wanted to shake his head, but after a moment’s hesitation, he nodded honestly.

Qin Zhao tossed the book aside and leaned in to kiss him. “What else have you learned?”

It had been a long time since Jing Li had felt such a passionate kiss, one that left him breathless. The flickering candlelight on the bedside cast warm shadows, and Jing Li instinctively tried to push him away, only to be pressed back into the bed by Qin Zhao.

Qin Zhao’s hot hand moved downward, lingering over his waist through the thin fabric.

With a smile, Qin Zhao looked at him and said, “Do you remember what you promised me?”

Jing Li, kissed until he was breathless, took a moment to understand what he meant.

“Isn’t it time to fulfill it?” Qin Zhao whispered seductively by his ear, “Change for me, little fish.”

Jing Li’s vision blurred as he was overwhelmed by the heat and passion. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a flash of bright red.

Bright red… what?

Qin Zhao noticed it too, and the two of them turned their heads in unison to look at the empty edge of the bed.

A moment later, a small fish fry leapt up from the side of the bed.

But it was so small and weak that it couldn’t reach the edge of the bed and fell back down gently.

The cycle repeated, with persistent effort.

Qin Zhao: “…”

Jing Li: “…”