Ch 86: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

Qin Zhao was silent for a while.

They had already entered the forest beside the racetrack. It was midsummer, and a gentle breeze swept through the mountain forest, bringing a refreshing coolness.

Jing Li leaned into Qin Zhao’s embrace, looking up at him.

“All you care about is this,” Qin Zhao chuckled quietly. “Yes, I’ve remembered a few things.”

Jing Li frowned, “A few?”

Qin Zhao didn’t hide anything. “Just some fragmented memories, and they need a trigger to resurface.”

The best way to recover memories is to revisit old places, and this worked for Qin Zhao too.

For instance, being taken to the gambling den reminded him of times he had once disguised himself and gone to gamble for fun.

And coming here now, he recalled fragments of his past experiences and skills in horse racing.

But that was it; when he tried to probe further, his mind went blank.

“So… you still don’t know who was behind harming you?” Jing Li asked.

Qin Zhao shook his head. “I can’t remember. But I think, even if I hadn’t lost my memory, I probably wouldn’t have known who the mastermind was back then.”

He didn’t believe anyone could openly poison the once powerful regent. And knowing his own character, if he had been aware of anything, he would’ve left some kind of evidence behind.

But so far, Qin Zhao hadn’t found anything pointing to a culprit.

Jing Li felt a little discouraged but still murmured softly, “It’s okay. You’ll remember gradually.”

Qin Zhao asked, “Is this all you want to know?”

“Of course I care about these things,” Jing Li misunderstood him, replying earnestly, “If you remember who the enemy is, we could avoid potential danger, right? Who knows why you only recall things about having fun…”

He gave Qin Zhao a suspicious look. “You weren’t actually some spoiled rich kid like Gu Heng, were you?”

Qin Zhao: “…”

Qin Zhao had an extraordinary demeanor, well-read, clearly educated, and he was skilled in the leisure pursuits popular among the elite…

The more Jing Li thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

“If I were like that…” Qin Zhao paused, then cautiously asked, “What would you do?”

Jing Li held his gaze for a moment, then sighed, “Not much. We already have a little fish to look after. It’s not like we can just leave it behind.”

The little fish fry, now aware that this name referred to him, swam a few laps in the fish tank, happily flicking his tail against the tank walls.

Qin Zhao raised an eyebrow and leaned in, pressing Jing Li against the horse’s back. “So, you’re just going along with it?”

Jing Li instinctively tightened his grip on the chestnut horse’s mane. The horse, feeling the pull, suddenly halted, then lifted its front hooves.

“Aah—control it!”

Jing Li had never ridden a horse before and was instantly terrified, forgetting whatever he’d meant to say.

“Coward…” Qin Zhao tightened the reins, chuckling softly. “It’s just trying to scare you.”

Qin Zhao sighed, “I originally wanted to take you for a run through the woods, but with courage like this, maybe a stroll will have to do.”

The chestnut horse snorted disdainfully.

“I agree,” Jing Li said, still a bit shaken. “I don’t understand why you enjoy this so much; it’s way too dangerous…”

Qin Zhao replied indifferently, “Someone seemed quite entertained just now.”

Jing Li retorted, “Watching from the sidelines is completely different from riding myself!”

“So is watching others the same as watching your husband?”

Jing Li froze for a moment.

Looking up at Qin Zhao, he suddenly realized, “You’re jealous.”

“…I’m not,” Qin Zhao turned his gaze away.

“Yes, you are,” Jing Li asserted confidently. “It’s because I praised Gu Heng but didn’t praise you, so you’re upset.”

Holding back a laugh, Jing Li said sincerely, “You were amazing just now, better than everyone else combined, really.”

Qin Zhao still ignored him, so Jing Li thought for a moment, then shielded the little fish tank with his sleeve and leaned in to kiss Qin Zhao on the cheek. “Give me a reaction, I’m already trying to soothe you.”

Qin Zhao couldn’t help but laugh. “Do you really think I’d be petty enough to feel jealous of a bunch of teenagers?”

But he was.

This man had been growing more childish lately.

Thinking that, Jing Li shook his head. “No, Mr. Qin is very magnanimous, not petty at all, doesn’t get jealous, and definitely isn’t trying to show off.”

Unable to hold back anymore, Qin Zhao pulled him in and kissed him deeply on the horse’s back.

Jing Li’s initial excitement for horse riding faded quickly, and soon he felt weak in the legs and afraid of heights. Qin Zhao returned the horse, then, holding his husband in one hand and the fish tank in the other, led them into the forest.

“Who knows when this little guy will be able to transform into human form.”

As noon approached, the two sat under a tree for shade. Qin Zhao divided the pastries he had brought and handed one to Jing Li. “There’s no rush; when you first transformed, it also took you many years.”

“That’s exactly what worries me.”

Jing Li took a bite of his pastry, then broke off a piece and tossed it through a gap in the fish tank to the little fish. “The academy exam is in two months. Chen Yanan and the others are sure to come to the capital by then. How will we keep it a secret?”

He looked down at the little one in the tank. “You have two months to learn to transform, got it? Or there’ll be no food for you.”

Hearing this, the little fish’s tail shivered as it hurriedly grabbed the pastry and sank to the bottom of the tank.

Jing Li sighed. “Whose silly nature did he inherit?”

“…Mine,” Qin Zhao replied calmly, handing him a water pouch. “He definitely takes after me.”

Jing Li took a bite of his snack, changing the subject. “Speaking of which, it’s strange that Gu Heng didn’t bother you today. Do you think he’s finally accepted you and genuinely invited you out to have fun?”

Qin Zhao didn’t answer.

Based on that young master’s behavior these past few days, he doubted Gu Heng had accepted him.

Gu Heng was dutiful in class only because he lost the bet, not out of genuine intention.

However…

Qin Zhao chuckled, “Did you forget your own constitution? If he really tries to do something to us, he’ll likely end up unlucky himself.”

Anyone who had messed with Jing Li in the past had faced the same outcome.

Jing Li opened his mouth, intending to say that his constitution wasn’t always so reliable, but a sudden commotion sounded in the distance.

They both turned to look.

It was coming from the direction of the racetrack.

Jing Li: “…”

Qin Zhao pressed his fingers to his temple, “Let’s go back and check it out.”

The racetrack was in chaos. A few wealthy young masters stood outside the field, pale with fright, shielded by their servants.

Qin Zhao asked, “What happened?”

“It’s Chiyun!” Zhou Qi exclaimed. “Heng-ge thought… he thought the reason you rode so fast was because of the horse you chose, so he wanted to try that horse too… But Chiyun is new, I only bought him recently, and he hasn’t been fully trained yet…”

“So he provoked the horse,” Qin Zhao muttered, looking into the distance. “Idiot.”

In the distance, the chestnut horse named Chiyun neighed loudly, galloping wildly around the racetrack.

Behind him, several servants on horseback shouted, “Young Master Gu, hold the reins tight! Make sure to hold on!”

These young masters had brought along plenty of servants for their outing, some of whom were skilled equestrians.

However, Qin Zhao knew Chiyun’s potential — he was likely a horse with the endurance of a thousand-mile steed. Even if they caught up, it would be difficult to rescue Gu Heng unharmed.

In a matter of moments, Chiyun had reached the edge of the track, but he showed no sign of slowing down, instead leaping over the fence and charging into the forest.

Amidst the trees, Gu Heng’s hoarse cries echoed.

Qin Zhao cursed under his breath, then turned to Jing Li. “Stay here and wait for me. Don’t run off.”

“You—”

Before Jing Li could say anything, Qin Zhao strode forward, took hold of a horse by the roadside, mounted, and rode off in pursuit.

“Oh no, oh no…” Zhou Qi was sweating, his face pale. “If Heng-ge gets hurt, my father will kill me! I never should have listened to him — now I’m in deep trouble…”

Jing Li, overhearing everything: “…”

In the forest, Qin Zhao quickly caught up to the servants chasing Chiyun, shouting instructions, “You all circle around from the west side and drive Chiyun toward the east. There’s a waterfall there that should slow him down.”

The servants exchanged glances and redirected their horses, heading to the right.

Qin Zhao kept up closely behind Gu Heng.

As the two horses gradually drew closer, Qin Zhao called out, “Gu Heng, calm down! Just like when you race — remember how you balance yourself!”

Gu Heng’s body was being jolted up with each of Chiyun’s strides, his hands gripping the reins tightly, knuckles white. Hearing Qin Zhao’s words, he finally started to focus.

He lowered his body, and his feet found their way back onto the stirrups.

“That’s it, just like that.” Qin Zhao maintained a steady distance, quickly giving instructions, “Hold the reins tight. When I tell you to let go, you must let go immediately. Do you understand?”

Gu Heng couldn’t speak but nodded frantically.

The team of riders from the west drove Chiyun toward the east, deeper into the forest, where the air was tinged with a hint of moisture.

Qin Zhao locked his gaze forward, taking a deep breath.

“Let go!”

The waterfall appeared at the edge of the forest, and Chiyun neighed loudly, rearing up on his hind legs. Gu Heng let go of the reins, and Qin Zhao galloped past, grabbing Gu Heng by the collar and pulling him onto his own horse.

He tightened the reins, turning the horse around just in time to avoid the lake’s edge.

Gu Heng lay on the horse’s back, gasping for breath.

Several servants rushed into the water to rescue Chiyun, who had fallen in.

Qin Zhao brought Gu Heng back to the racetrack. Gu Heng was utterly exhausted, lying limp on the horse’s back, too shaken to lift his head.

Everyone scrambled to help Gu Heng down.

Qin Zhao dismounted and said to Zhou Qi, who had come up to him, “His wrist is dislocated. Find a doctor for him.”

“Understood. Thank you, Mr. Qin.” Zhou Qi, somewhat relieved to see Gu Heng unharmed, still looked pale. “Are you hurt? Should we have a doctor check you as well?”

“No need,” Qin Zhao replied calmly. “Could you arrange a carriage? I’d like to take my husband home.”

Amidst the racetrack’s chaotic scene, Qin Zhao and Jing Li soon boarded a carriage for their return.

Jing Li looked out the window, watching Gu Heng being carried into another carriage, and asked, “It’s just a dislocation; couldn’t you treat it yourself?”

Qin Zhao replied, “I don’t feel like helping that stubborn brat. He deserves a bit of suffering for his insolence.”

Jing Li turned to look at him.

Qin Zhao asked, “What?”

“Nothing. It’s just rare to see you this upset,” Jing Li said. “You’re becoming more like a teacher every day.”

Qin Zhao chuckled lightly, “Becoming more rigid?”

“No.” Jing Li lowered the curtain and gently brushed his hand over the reddened skin on Qin Zhao’s palm from the reins. “If anything, you’re becoming more tender.”

Qin Zhao turned his hand to hold Jing Li’s, sighing, “Strict teachers produce outstanding students. Being gentle won’t cut it; he deserves some discipline.”

Jing Li asked, “What do you plan to do?”

“It’s not about what I’ll do; it’s about what that young master Gu intends to do.”

In the following days, Qin Zhao did not go to the Gu residence.

The first and second days passed without incident, but on the third day, a message finally arrived from the Gu family.

The messenger was Gu Heng’s personal servant, who explained that young master Gu had been bedridden from the fright he’d suffered that day in the countryside and had only just recovered enough to resume lessons.

Not a word was mentioned about Qin Zhao’s recent absence from teaching.

However, Qin Zhao told the messenger outright that he would no longer be teaching at the Gu residence.

Qin Zhao hadn’t been completely honest with Gu Heng before; his agreement with Madam Gu was that she would not dismiss him within five days, but if Gu Heng hadn’t accepted him within that time, Qin Zhao would leave the Gu residence voluntarily.

The day they went to the racetrack had been the fifth day.

The servant left, looking thoroughly dejected.

Jing Li couldn’t quite grasp the reason behind Qin Zhao’s actions and asked, “Are you really not going back to the Gu residence?”

“Whether I go back or not depends on Gu Heng’s attitude,” Qin Zhao said calmly as he played with the little fish.

News spread quickly in the city, and the story of yet another teacher being driven away by the Gu family soon made the rounds. Normally, this wouldn’t have been particularly noteworthy, but since Qin Zhao was the top scholar of the year, it attracted more attention.

What was even more surprising was that, a few days later, the Gu family sent someone to Qin Zhao’s house again.

It was the same young servant as before.

“Mr. Qin, my young master admits he was willful and shouldn’t have treated you that way. He… he knows his mistake and has apologized. Please, would you consider coming back?”

The young servant pleaded, “Master Gu will be returning from the county in a few days, and if he finds out that young master Gu has driven away yet another teacher, he will certainly be reprimanded.”

Looking so pitiful, even Jing Li felt a bit softened.

But Qin Zhao replied, “A disciple should show proper respect. If he wants to invite me, then let him come himself. If he merely needs someone to placate his parents, young master Gu would do better to seek someone else.”

Hearing this, the young servant nearly broke into tears. Jing Li, unable to bear it, personally saw him out.

The Gu family had dismissed many teachers, but few had been invited back repeatedly after leaving. This unusual situation drew significant attention from the city’s intellectual circles.

Another two or three days passed, and finally, new developments emerged.

Early that morning, the eldest young master of the Gu family’s carriage stopped in front of Qin Zhao’s house.