Ch 98: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

When Jing Li opened the door, the first thing that hit him was the strong smell of alcohol, followed by the sight of two men standing before him.

His husband, who had left home healthy and energetic, now looked pale, his lips bloodless, and was leaning weakly on a stranger for support.

Jing Li’s brows furrowed, and his eyes narrowed dangerously.

Qin Zhao caught his gaze, and his heart skipped a beat.

His little husband was angry—very angry.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Jing Li asked, “Did you drink?”

Qin Zhao didn’t dare to respond.

Of the three, Xiao Yue was undoubtedly the most confused. The mighty General Xiao Yue, who hadn’t been scolded like this in years, stood frozen, unable to react.

The boy in front of him was clearly just a slender youth, yet his stern questioning exuded a faint sense of danger—a danger Xiao Yue couldn’t ignore.

It was the kind of instinct honed by years of dancing on the edge of life and death.

Xiao Yue opened his mouth, intending to answer, but Qin Zhao didn’t give him the chance. Without hesitation, he pushed Xiao Yue aside.

Then Xiao Yue watched as the once-regal former Regent, who just moments ago had been sparring with him verbally, staggered forward, leaned down, and wrapped the boy in his arms.

“Xiao Yu…” Qin Zhao’s eyes fluttered half-closed, his voice faint and groggy. “I feel awful.”

Xiao Yue: “…”

Is this some sort of pity act?

Where’s your dignity?

Jing Li’s anger visibly melted away. His expression softened with worry as he reached out to touch Qin Zhao’s forehead. “You’ve got a fever again.”

Even his voice gentled.

Watching the scene unfold, Xiao Yue finally began to understand.

This youth must be the rumored Regent’s consort.

Xiao Yue had known Qin Zhao since they were young. Unlike Xiao Yue, who spent most of his life in military camps, Qin Zhao was the quintessential noble son, raised in the lap of luxury.

The scions of noble families in the capital were infamous for their indulgence and debauchery, and Qin Zhao had always been their shining example.

In all of the capital, no one played harder than Qin Zhao.

There was only one thing about him: Qin Zhao had never been one to indulge in lust or emotions.

Even before becoming the Regent, countless opportunists had tried every means to send people to his bed. After he took power, such schemes only increased. Yet Qin Zhao never touched a single one of them, even severely punishing several instigators.

That decisiveness completely extinguished any similar ideas others might have.

Xiao Yue had once thought this man to be so cold and emotionless that he was destined to shave his head and become a monk someday.

Who would have expected that during his time among the common folk, he’d end up marrying such a beautiful husband?

At this thought, a flicker of interest gleamed in Xiao Yue’s eyes.

…

Qin Zhao wasn’t entirely pretending.

He had caught a chill while out today and, combined with the bit of alcohol he drank, was already feverish and dazed by the time they were on their way back. He had been barely holding on with his last shred of willpower. Now, seeing Jing Li, he relaxed instinctively, and his legs nearly gave out.

Jing Li noticed his condition. While worry rose in his heart, so did a spark of anger.

Ah Qi had returned home an hour ago, saying that Qin Zhao had been held up and would be back late.

Clearly, this person was the reason.

He had kept Qin Zhao out so late and even let him drink.

Supporting Qin Zhao firmly, Jing Li narrowed his eyes in irritation.

Xiao Yue, meanwhile, was trying to figure out how to explain himself. Facing the boy’s unfriendly gaze, he felt a faint chill run down his spine.

Jing Li said stiffly, “Thank you for bringing Qin Zhao back. That’ll be all.”

With that, he prepared to shut the door and help Qin Zhao inside.

But a hand stopped the door from closing.

Jing Li looked up.

The man dressed in black gave a polite bow, his tone warm and courteous. “I am Xiao Yue. I had the pleasure of meeting Brother Qin today, and we hit it off immediately, which is why our conversation lasted a bit too long. I hope you won’t hold it against me, Madam Qin.”

Jing Li scrutinized Xiao Yue for a moment without replying. Before he could respond, Xiao Yue continued, “It’s already late, and the curfew will begin soon. Brother Qin has graciously agreed to let me stay overnight at your home. Would that be acceptable?”

Jing Li: “…”

This man had kept Qin Zhao out until he was in this state, and now he wanted to stay over at their house?

Jing Li’s emotions were conflicted.

Qin Zhao rarely brought strangers home. It wasn’t just to protect Xiao Yu’s identity from being exposed but also because the truth behind the attack on him had yet to be uncovered. Their life in the provincial city, both their day-to-day activities and social interactions, was far more cautious than it had been in the village.

Jing Li tilted his head to look at the man in his arms. Qin Zhao’s eyes were tightly shut, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he had already lost consciousness.

Asking him was out of the question.

But since this person was someone Qin Zhao had brought home, there shouldn’t be any major issue.

After a moment of thought, Jing Li nodded. “Come in. You can stay in the study for the night.”

Xiao Yue smiled. “Much appreciated.”

Xiao Yue helped Jing Li support Qin Zhao into the courtyard. Ah Qi was already waiting there and froze momentarily when he saw Xiao Yue. After a pause, he stepped forward. “What happened to the master?”

“He’s running a fever again.” Jing Li, preoccupied, instructed, “I’ll take Qin Zhao to his room first. This gentleman, Xiao, will be staying with us tonight. Ah Qi, show him to the study.”

A-Qi: “Understood.”

Xiao Yue also said, “Madam Qin, please don’t worry about me. Taking care of Brother Qin is more important.”

Jing Li nodded and turned to support Qin Zhao toward the inner courtyard. Xiao Yue watched the two retreating figures with a thoughtful expression.

Ah Qi said softly, “General Xiao, please follow me.”

Xiao Yue was taken aback before smiling. “I thought all of Qin Shu’s people had perished. Looks like your luck’s not bad.”

He rarely returned to the Central Plains, so anyone who could recognize him at a glance had to be one of Qin Zhao’s former subordinates.

Ah Qi remained silent, and Xiao Yue continued, “Does his husband know about this?”

“No,” Ah Qi replied. “Madam is simple and pure-hearted. The prince does not wish for him to be involved in such matters. I hope you—”

“I understand.” Xiao Yue waved dismissively. “Don’t let slip his identity, right? Rest assured.”

Xiao Yue’s eyes gleamed with growing interest. “For old times’ sake, as long as Qin does what he promised me, I’ll give him that courtesy.”

As he walked forward, a sharp cracking sound came from underfoot.

Having drunk quite a bit that night, Xiao Yue wasn’t entirely steady on his feet and hadn’t noticed the flowerpot in the courtyard, which he accidentally kicked and shattered.

Xiao Yue: “…”

Ah Qi: “…”

Silently cursing his bad luck, Xiao Yue cleared his throat. “How much silver? I’ll pay double.”

Ah Qi didn’t reply—such decisions weren’t up to him and would need to be discussed with the master and madam the next day.

Turning away, Ah Qi continued leading Xiao Yue to the study.

However, Xiao Yue’s drunkenness seemed to fully manifest at that moment. In the short walk to the study, he managed to kick over three more flowerpots, crush two of the little fish’s ceramic cups, and nearly toppled headfirst into the flowerbed in front of the study.

“How strange,” Xiao Yue muttered as he stumbled into the room, supported by Ah Qi. After knocking his head on a porcelain decoration on the flowerbed, he was seeing stars. “I don’t usually get drunk this easily…”

…

In the back courtyard, Jing Li helped Qin Zhao back into their room.

Their little fish fry was already asleep on the bed, cuddling the small quilt Jing Li had sewn for him. His chubby little body was curled into a soft pink ball. As soon as Jing Li pushed the door open, the cub stirred and opened his eyes.

“Yah… yah…” The little one sleepily rubbed his eyes, still too drowsy to fully open them, and tilted his head to look at his two fathers.

“Move over a bit. Daddy’s sick,” Jing Li said gently.

Obediently, the little fry hugged his quilt and scooted aside. Jing Li laid Qin Zhao down on the bed.

Qin Zhao had only drunk one cup of wine, but Xiao Yue had consumed so much that the smell had transferred onto him.

The little fry instinctively wanted to snuggle into his daddy’s arms like usual, but as he got closer, he caught a whiff of the alcohol and frowned. Wrinkling his nose, he covered his face with his quilt. “Yah!”

Jing Li, busy removing Qin Zhao’s outer garments, couldn’t help but laugh at the baby’s reaction. “Serves you right. Even your son can’t stand you. Let’s see you drink again!”

The little fry waved his tiny fists, letting out a string of babbling, “Yah yah yah!”

After changing Qin Zhao’s clothes, Jing Li wrung out a damp cloth and wiped him down, finally ridding him of the lingering smell of alcohol.

The little fry crawled around on the bed, sniffing like a small animal. Only when there was no trace of the alcohol left did he stop frowning and cuddle up obediently next to Qin Zhao.

Qin Zhao was still feverish and had completely lost consciousness.

Though his typhoid fever had mostly cleared, his health had always been frail. Combined with the toll of his recent illness, it would take a long period of rest to fully recover.

Jing Li knelt by the bed and brushed his face lightly against the back of Qin Zhao’s hand. “I told you not to push yourself.”

He knew Qin Zhao was up to something.

Although he didn’t yet know exactly what, he could tell it was something important—important enough for Qin Zhao to go out even in his weakened state.

Qin Zhao hadn’t shared everything with him yet, and Jing Li had no intention of pressing him. As long as Qin Zhao was safe, he didn’t care what he was doing.

No matter what Qin Zhao wanted to do, Jing Li would support him unconditionally.

But…

He couldn’t help but worry.

Jing Li pressed a kiss to the back of Qin Zhao’s hand and mumbled softly, “You sickly thing…”

The little fry lay on the other side of Qin Zhao, his round eyes watching Jing Li. Tilting his head as if deep in thought, he seemed to be trying to figure something out. Jing Li, suddenly realizing he had been caught, felt his face grow hot. He hurried to explain, “I… I was just trying to make your daddy feel better faster, not… not…”

The more he spoke, the softer his voice grew, unsure of how to explain.

The little fry blinked, then reached out to grab one of Qin Zhao’s fingers. “Yah… dya… dya…”

The sound was soft, faint, and indistinct.

Jing Li froze, his eyes widening. For a moment, he thought he had misheard. “Did… did you just call Daddy?”

The little fry seemed delighted. Crawling toward Qin Zhao, he mimicked Jing Li’s earlier actions and planted a loud kiss on the back of Qin Zhao’s hand.

“Dya dya! Dya dya!”