Ch 84: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

“How come I didn’t know you could roll dice?” Jing Li tossed Qin Zhao’s changed clothes into the wooden tub and asked, intrigued.

“Once it’s in your hand, it comes naturally,” Qin Zhao replied. “I must’ve played it before.”

Jing Li looked at him suspiciously.

Qin Zhao smiled and explained, “The court doesn’t ban gambling. Pitch-pot, horse races, dice—these amusements were quite popular among the noble young men in the capital back in the day. The provincial cities simply followed suit.”

Jing Li mumbled under his breath, “Looks like you weren’t exactly a proper person before.”

Qin Zhao glanced at him and said slowly, “They say the reason the court doesn’t ban gambling is because the Regent favors it—especially horse racing and betting. He often goes incognito to the gambling halls and splurges a fortune.”

Jing Li knew who Qin Zhao was referring to and snorted coldly, “Abusing his power for personal gain—he’s no decent person either.”

Qin Zhao: “…”

Then Jing Li seemed to think of something, his eyes lighting up, “You said you won two hundred taels from that young master today?”

“Don’t be silly.” Qin Zhao gave a gentle tap on his forehead, “Gambling should only be for fun, not for making money. The more you gamble, the more you lose, and it’d be the same even if you’re with me.”

Qin Zhao’s winning streak today wasn’t just due to his skill; the blessings of his little koi fish’s good luck also played a part. But that was because he only wanted to win from Gu Heng to bring him home, not for profit.

He had no desire to turn his little koi into a tool for ill-gotten gains.

Otherwise, how would he be any different from those who place heavy bounties on his Xiao Yu, hoping to confine them for good fortune?

He refused to do that. He didn’t want to exploit him.

“I know,” Jing Li whispered, “but at least those two hundred taels should be reclaimed…”

If they got that money back, they could repay Fang Tianying and still buy some things for the house.

“There are other ways to earn it,” Qin Zhao said. “Listen, Xiao Yu, this isn’t the same as finding herbs or meeting a benefactor. Relying on this method for money is taking someone else’s wealth, robbing someone else’s fortune. We can’t do that.”

He paused, then chuckled, “And besides, you wouldn’t be able to do it.”

“… Someone’s out of luck.”

Jing Li: “…”

Jing Li: “Hmph.”

Qin Zhao laughed, “I’ll go make dinner.”

Jing Li replied, “Then I’ll go wash the clothes.”

“No.” Qin Zhao stopped him. “Just leave them there. I’ll wash them tonight.”

“No need.” Jing Li lifted the tub of dirty clothes and blinked, “You’re already out there making money to support us. You can’t be doing everything. I’ll handle this little task.”

With that, he carried the tub to the courtyard.

Qin Zhao watched his back, momentarily lost in thought, then let out a soft chuckle.

The sound of splashing water caught Qin Zhao’s attention. He turned and saw the little fish fry splashing around, sending water droplets flying everywhere.

It seemed as though he was protesting being ignored.

“Mm, I know, and there’s your dinner too.” Qin Zhao patted his head and whispered, “Daddy hasn’t forgotten. I’ll go make it now.”

The little fish fry wagged its tail contentedly.

The next day, Qin Zhao arrived at the Gu residence just as promised, before the time of Chen (between 7 and 9 a.m.).

He was once again led to the same small study to wait, but surprisingly, it wasn’t long before Gu Heng actually showed up.

The young master of the Gu family had dark circles under his eyes, looking listless as he staggered into the room and, without a word from Qin Zhao, sank into the chair beside him.

“You’re a quarter-hour late,” Qin Zhao said calmly.

Gu Heng replied weakly, “Do you know how many years it’s been since I’ve woken up this early? I didn’t even get a chance to eat breakfast!”

“Well, you’ll need to start getting up even earlier from now on,” Qin Zhao replied. “Open your book and start reading from the Xue Er chapter.”

Gu Heng no longer had the energy to argue with Qin Zhao and opened his book. “How much do I have to read?”

“All of it.”

Gu Heng stared at Qin Zhao in disbelief, but the latter paid him no mind, instead pulling a book from the shelf behind him that he hadn’t finished yesterday and resuming his reading.

Helpless, Gu Heng bowed his head and began, “To study and review what one has learned…”

He had learned some passages of the Analects from previous tutors, though he hadn’t remembered much. However, reading through it was manageable.

Whenever he misread a passage, Qin Zhao would quietly correct him, then have him read it again.

The weary sound of Gu Heng’s reading drifted from the study, and the servants waiting in the courtyard, hearing it, curiously peeked around the corner.

Their young master had never been so diligent before; this new tutor indeed had some skill.

They whispered among themselves until the voice of Madam Gu sounded behind them, “What are you all doing?”

They quickly turned. “Madam—”

“Shh.” Madam Gu placed a finger to her lips and, stepping lightly, went to peek inside the room.

Gu Heng sat up straight, reading from his book, stumbling occasionally but still diligently.

Madam Gu’s eyes brimmed with tears.

A boy of about Gu Heng’s age said, “Madam, the young master didn’t even have breakfast today to start his studies. He’s working so hard. Do you want to go in and see him?”

“No need.” Madam Gu said, “Go to the kitchen. I’ll make something for him myself.”

Inside the room, Qin Zhao remarked, “They’ve left.”

Gu Heng immediately slumped over the table. “I’m exhausted.”

Qin Zhao reminded him, “You still have half the book left.”

“I need a break! Just a short one!” Gu Heng complained, “I’m parched, and I’m starving!”

Qin Zhao poured him a cup of tea. “Your mother is making you breakfast. Just wait a little longer.”

After taking a sip of tea, Gu Heng felt a bit better and looked over at Qin Zhao. “Actually, you’re different.”

Qin Zhao raised an eyebrow. “In what way?”

“All the other tutors who came here thought I was beyond help, only ever wanting to control me with those grand principles. But you’re not like that,” Gu Heng replied.

“And how am I?”

“You knew I was just putting on a show for my mother, yet you didn’t expose me.”

Qin Zhao replied, “Reassuring Madam Gu benefits me.”

“I took you to that kind of place, and you don’t even think I’m incorrigible?”

“Rebellious, perhaps, but not beyond redemption.”

Gu Heng scoffed, “Don’t think I’m convinced just because of that. I only came today because of the bet—I don’t want to go back on my word.”

Qin Zhao said calmly, “Rested enough? Continue reading.”

Not long after, a servant brought in food, even preparing a portion for Qin Zhao. However, Qin Zhao had eaten breakfast at home and didn’t touch any of it, letting Gu Heng have it all.

Starving, Gu Heng dug in, too hungry to care about anything else.

Qin Zhao quietly sipped his tea, his gaze drifting to the calligraphy hanging on the wall, and asked, “Who wrote that piece, and why is it hanging there?”

Glancing back, Gu Heng said, “That was a gift to my father from some bigwig in the capital. It used to hang in my father’s study in the front courtyard. A few years ago, for some reason, he suddenly moved it here and told me not to mess with it.”

“I don’t get it. If he treasures it so much, why put it here?”

Qin Zhao said slowly, “Because if anyone saw it, it might cause trouble. Putting it in your study keeps it out of sight.”

“Trouble?” Gu Heng looked at the piece again and asked, “Do you know who wrote it?”

Qin Zhao replied, “I do.”

“Who?”

Qin Zhao didn’t answer.

He withdrew his gaze and said in a steady tone, “Hurry up and finish eating. Once you’re done, finish reading the rest. We’ll go over the Xue Er chapter today, and if you drag it out, you’ll miss lunch. It’ll be your own loss.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll read!”

Gu Heng stuffed the last bun into his mouth, wiped his hands with a cloth, and picked up the book again.

Noticing the two untouched plates of pastries, Qin Zhao asked, “You’re not eating those?”

Gu Heng shook his head, “Too sweet. My mother always forgets I don’t like sweets. Take them if you want; there’s a portion for you anyway.”

“Can I take them with me?” Qin Zhao asked, “My husband likes these.”

“Of course.” Gu Heng perked up, leaning in, “I meant to ask yesterday—how does someone like you, a top scholar, end up with a husband and treat him so well? Is he good-looking?”

Qin Zhao raised an eyebrow and gave him a long, steady look.

Gu Heng quickly backed off, clearing his throat, “Right, back to reading.”

Before noon, Qin Zhao finished explaining the Xue Er chapter to Gu Heng, instructing him to copy down what he learned today and have it ready for tomorrow’s lesson.

He politely declined Madam Gu’s invitation to stay for lunch and left the Gu residence, pastries in hand.

As Gu Heng sauntered out of the study, a young servant around his age came over, full of enthusiasm, “Young Master, how was your lesson?”

“It was terrible,” Gu Heng grumbled, tossing the book at the servant and gritting his teeth, “I’ll find a way to get back at him sooner or later.”

The servant blinked, puzzled, “But I thought you got along well with him. I’ve never seen you treat any other tutor so kindly…”

“What do you mean, ‘kindly’?” Gu Heng retorted, striding forward, “Come on, let’s go eat.”

The young servant caught up, “Oh, by the way, Young Master, Young Master Zhou sent a message just now, inviting you to go out for a countryside outing on the eighth since the weather’s been so nice.”

“What outing? That’s not a day off. That Qin bastard would never let me go.”

Gu Heng, feeling irritated, suddenly paused as an idea struck him, “Wait, I’ve got a great idea.”

Early the next morning, Gu Heng brought up his request to go on an outing on the eighth to Qin Zhao.

He’d already prepared his arguments for convincing Qin Zhao if he refused, but to his surprise, Qin Zhao agreed without hesitation, “Alright.”

Gu Heng: “?”

Gu Heng said, “But that’s not a day off.”

“I know,” Qin Zhao replied calmly. “So, on your next rest day, you’ll need to pick another day to make up the lesson.”

When recruiting a tutor, the Gu family specified that Gu Heng would have lessons only fifteen days each month. Being the son of a wealthy merchant, Gu Heng not only needed to study but also had to learn some business skills. The schedule for those fifteen days was usually arranged at the beginning of each month.

This month, Qin Zhao had suggested they start with a stretch of continuous lessons to get to know each other better and let Madam Gu see if he could handle the young master.

Based on their agreement, the next rest day was five days away.

Gu Heng replied, “Fine, whatever you say.”

“One more condition,” Qin Zhao added. “I’ll be bringing my husband.”

“For an outing?” Jing Li frowned, a bit concerned, “Is that brat plotting some kind of scheme against you again?”

“He probably is,” Qin Zhao replied.

Jing Li: “And you still agreed?”

“Even if I didn’t, he’d just come up with some other way to make things difficult for me. It makes no difference. Besides…” Qin Zhao paused, “It’s an invitation for an outing, so why not take advantage of it?”

Jing Li still looked uneasy.

“Don’t worry,” Qin Zhao reassured him. “Gu Heng isn’t a bad person by nature; he’s just mischievous. He’s likely planning some prank, but it won’t be anything serious.”

Since moving to the provincial city, Qin Zhao hadn’t had a chance to take Jing Li to explore the surrounding area.

Now that Jing Li had to take care of the child, he rarely went out, and with Qin Zhao often away, they spent less time together than before. Even if Gu Heng hadn’t suggested the outing, Qin Zhao had indeed been wanting to find a chance to take Jing Li out for some relaxation.

Jing Li asked, “What about the little fish fry? Are we bringing him along?”

“We’ll only be gone for half a day. We could leave him with Mr. Ye to take care of him.” Just as Qin Zhao finished speaking, the little fish in the tank, as if understanding he was going to be left behind, splashed angrily on the surface of the water.

Qin Zhao changed his tone, “But your son probably won’t agree, so let’s bring him along.”

Jing Li thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up, “I actually ordered a new fish tank a few days ago; it should be ready by tomorrow.”

On the eighth day, a carriage from the Gu residence arrived at Qin Zhao’s door as scheduled.

Qin Zhao helped Jing Li into the carriage, who carried a small square fish tank.

The tank was crafted entirely from glass, with a lid woven from bamboo strips that included a handle. When closed, the spaces between the bamboo strips allowed air to flow but were too small for the little fish to jump out.

The little fish flailed around inside, realizing it couldn’t escape, and furiously swished its tail against the tank walls.

Jing Li laughed triumphantly, “This tank was made specially for you by your daddy, so just stay put inside.”

Even Qin Zhao found the tank design fascinating. “How did you come up with this?”

“Well… I saw something like it before.”

This tank was similar to the plastic fish containers commonly seen in modern streets, though without access to lightweight plastic in this era, they had to substitute with other materials.

Qin Zhao frowned with mild suspicion, but Jing Li had already lowered his head, teasing the fish through the glass, leaving the topic behind.

The carriage traveled out of the city, and after about half an hour, they arrived at their destination.

Qin Zhao lifted the curtain to look outside. A few horses were grazing by the roadside, and several targets stood on a spacious grassy field in the distance.

It was a racetrack.

Qin Zhao raised his eyebrows slightly and couldn’t help but smile.