Ch 107: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

“Do we really have to do this?”

An incense stick later, Jing Li’s eyes were slightly red as he gently tugged on Qin Zhao’s finger. “Can’t we stop meddling in these matters?”

It was nearing noon, and the street wasn’t exactly empty, but most of the people hurrying along were busy citizens, with few stopping to linger amidst the occasional commotion.

However, one particular building stood out on the street—a solemn and imposing mansion.

The Jiangling Prefecture Office.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Zhao raised his hand to wipe a trace of moisture from the corner of Jing Li’s eye and smiled faintly. “Are you scared?”

“I…” Jing Li glanced across the street and hesitated. “I just feel… there’s no need to bring trouble upon ourselves.”

Qin Zhao replied, “Do you not believe that Boss Chang has been wrongfully accused? Murder cases are no trivial matter. Without concrete evidence, the authorities wouldn’t so easily arrest someone and throw them in prison. Right now, besides us, there’s no one else who can overturn his conviction. If we do nothing, his fate will only be to die unjustly.”

“But we don’t have any evidence,” Jing Li said. “Everything we have is just speculation. What if he really did commit the crime…”

“Whether he did or didn’t, we’ll find out by investigating.”

“But…”

“Xiaoyu, are you treating me like an outsider?” Qin Zhao asked softly.

“Ah?” Jing Li quickly shook his head. “Of course not! I… I just…”

“But you keep worrying that you’ll be causing me trouble,” Qin Zhao said. “By that logic, with my illness recurring over the past few months, and you managing both the household and earning money outside, wouldn’t that mean I’ve been troubling you all this time?”

Jing Li was taken aback. “I never thought…”

He had never felt that Qin Zhao was a burden to him. Falling ill wasn’t Qin Zhao’s fault.

“I’ve never thought of you as a burden either,” Qin Zhao interrupted. “Besides, none of this is your fault.”

Jing Li pursed his lips and lowered his head. “It’s my fault.”

If he hadn’t been unable to resist getting involved in the matter at the beginning, he wouldn’t have made a wager with Ji Zhifei, and none of the subsequent events would have happened.

Qin Zhao sighed silently and took Jing Li’s hand, leading him across the street.

The gates of the prefectural office stood wide open, with two bailiffs stationed on either side.

Qin Zhao was now quite well-known in the prefectural office. The two bailiffs guarding the gate recognized him immediately and stepped forward. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Qin. What brings you to the prefectural office today?”

Qin Zhao returned the greeting with a bow, pointed to the large drum standing in front of the gates, and said calmly, “To strike the Drum of Justice.”

The large drum set up in front of the office was called the Drum of Justice. It was placed there for the public to use when seeking justice from the authorities. Once the drum was struck, regardless of the reason, the court was required to hold a hearing and resolve the case. This was a rule established by the late emperor.

Even if the person seeking justice was an ordinary citizen, the bailiffs wouldn’t dare dismiss them. And in this case, it was none other than the highly regarded Mr. Qin standing before them.

The two bailiffs exchanged a glance and quickly stepped aside, allowing Qin Zhao and Jing Li to approach the Drum of Justice.

Qin Zhao picked up the mallet and struck the drum with force.

The stillness of the street was immediately shattered.

The deep, steady sound of the drum echoed, each beat resonating in the hearts of those who heard it.

Passersby instinctively paused, and within moments, a small crowd of onlookers had gathered. After more than ten strikes, several bailiffs emerged in a line. The leading bailiff called out loudly, “Who is striking the Drum of Justice?”

Qin Zhao set down the mallet, turned around, and bowed slightly. “I am Qin Zhao.”

“Qin Zhao?!”

“Is it the same Qin Zhao who achieved Triple Top Scholar?”

“No way. Could it just be someone with the same name?”

…

The surrounding citizens erupted into whispers and speculation.

The lead bailiff was the same one who had delivered the Triple Top Scholar congratulatory notice to Qin Zhao previously. He momentarily froze in surprise upon seeing Qin Zhao, then quickly recovered. “So it is Mr. Qin. The prefect is currently waiting in the main hall. Please, follow me.”

Qin Zhao turned to Jing Li and said, “You should wait outside.”

“No.” Jing Li immediately refused without hesitation.

It was Jing Li’s first time facing such a formal and intimidating situation, and though his heart trembled with unease, he couldn’t let Qin Zhao face it alone. After all, Qin Zhao was only here because of him.

In a soft voice, Jing Li added, “I’m not afraid. I’ll go in with you.”

Qin Zhao smiled. “Alright.”

The two followed the bailiffs into the main hall.

The prefect, already seated in his high-backed chair, looked over at the approaching figures. Seeing who it was, he exclaimed in surprise, “Qin Zhao?”

Qin Zhao led Jing Li forward and stopped before the hall, bowing deeply to the prefect. “Greetings, Your Excellency.”

The atmosphere in the government office was heavy and oppressive. Those who stepped inside often did so with trembling steps and lowered heads, overwhelmed by fear. Yet, despite the weight of the moment, Qin Zhao displayed no trace of apprehension. His demeanor was calm and poised, exuding a natural grace and confidence.

The prefect couldn’t help but feel a growing admiration for Qin Zhao.

He had long held the young man in high regard.

When Qin Zhao achieved the prestigious Triple Top Scholar distinction, the prefect had entertained thoughts of recruiting him into the office. However, Qin Zhao had politely declined, citing preparations for further examinations as his reason.

Even now, the prefect often recalled the rejection with a sense of regret.

But he understood that Qin Zhao’s refusal wasn’t merely a polite evasion. It was also a message—Qin Zhao aspired to far more than a minor position in the prefectural office.

Qin Zhao’s ambitions clearly extended far beyond the small confines of this city. What he sought lay in the capital, where power and influence reigned.

Moreover, the prefect never doubted Qin Zhao’s capability.

Whether in talent or conduct, there wasn’t a single flaw to be found in him. Having served in office for many years, the prefect could discern at a glance that Qin Zhao was destined for a brilliant future.

Of course, the prefect, being an upright and impartial official, would not show Qin Zhao any favoritism despite his admiration and high regard for him.

Clearing his throat, the prefect struck the gavel and asked, “You just struck the Drum of Justice outside the yamen. Is there a grievance you wish to report?”

“Indeed,” Qin Zhao replied. “I’ve heard that the yamen detained a murder suspect yesterday, the proprietor of Jing’an Bookshop, Mr. Chang.”

The prefect recalled the name and turned to his clerk seated nearby. “Look up the case.”

The clerk quickly flipped through the files on the desk and reported, “Your Excellency, this case does exist. The day before yesterday, the authorities received a report of a male corpse discovered in the outskirts of the city, identified as the younger brother of Mr. Chang of Jing’an Bookshop. Upon investigation, witnesses stated they saw Mr. Chang leave the city the day before yesterday, heading toward the area where the body was found. Furthermore, a murder weapon and bloodstains were discovered at Jing’an Bookshop. With both witnesses and evidence, the case was concluded yesterday.”

The prefect frowned. “Is he a relative of yours?”

“No.”

“Then why do you concern yourself with him?”

Qin Zhao countered, “Anyone may strike the Drum of Justice to report an injustice. What law forbids me from seeking redress on behalf of another?”

“Well, that’s true…” The prefect was momentarily at a loss for words but then asked, “Do you intend to overturn this case?”

Qin Zhao replied, “I merely find the case suspicious and hope Your Excellency will agree to reopen it for investigation.”

With Jiangling being a populous city, cases of people striking the Drum of Justice weren’t uncommon. However, someone pleading for justice on another’s behalf was a first for the prefect, leaving him somewhat puzzled.

Has this man taken leave of his senses today?

Qin Zhao asked again, “Is that not possible?”

“It’s not impossible,” the prefect conceded. “But do you have any evidence to prove he was wrongfully accused?”

“I do not.”

“…”

At that, the prefect discarded all earlier thoughts of showing no favoritism. He knew that if the person standing before him weren’t Qin Zhao, he would have already dismissed them outright.

“Then what makes you think he’s been wronged?” The prefect’s patience was beginning to wane, though he maintained his composure. “Mr. Qin, I’ve always considered you a reasonable man. Yet here you stand in court accusing me of mishandling a case without presenting any evidence. How can you expect me to believe you? Or for the citizens to trust my judgment?”

“I can agree to reopen the case,” the prefect continued, “but if no evidence emerges to prove Mr. Chang’s innocence, how will you explain yourself then?”

Qin Zhao asked, “What does Your Excellency want to do?”

The prefect’s face turned red with anger. He stiffened his neck and declared, “Then I will sentence you for disrupting the court!”

Jing Li’s gaze wavered with unease.

The consequences were so severe.

He quietly tugged at Qin Zhao’s sleeve and whispered, “Maybe we should just drop it… We can go look for evidence first. If we can prove Mr. Chang’s innocence, we can come back later…”

“It’s too late,” Qin Zhao shook his head. “The case was closed yesterday. If we wait until we gather evidence, Mr. Chang will likely be executed by then.”

Qin Zhao gently squeezed Jing Li’s hand to reassure him and then addressed the prefect, “We leave it entirely to Your Excellency’s decision.”

…

When they exited the yamen, Jing Li was still in a daze.

Qin Zhao waved a hand in front of him. “What are you thinking about? Let’s go home.”

“Home?” Jing Li asked, startled. “We’re… we’re just going home?”

Qin Zhao countered, “The complaint has already been lodged. Where else can we go?”

Jing Li blinked in confusion.

He thought they should immediately investigate, perhaps by visiting the crime scene to search for clues or at least examining the body for evidence.

But Qin Zhao had only come to the yamen to file a report?

On the way back, Jing Li, still dazed, voiced his thoughts aloud. Qin Zhao chuckled helplessly. “Those are matters for the prefect to worry about, not us. Besides…”

“Besides what?”

“Do you really think I’m capable of everything?” Qin Zhao gave him an exasperated look.

His little husband seemed to think he was all-powerful, though he couldn’t tell if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Qin Zhao was skilled at many things, but investigating murders and examining corpses? That was entirely beyond him. Where had this little one gotten the idea that he could solve such cases?

Jing Li, realizing his own error, lowered his head and muttered softly, “I was misled by mystery stories…”

Qin Zhao raised a brow. “What did you say?”

“Nothing,” Jing Li quickly changed the subject. “So what do we do next? Just sit and wait?”

“Of course not,” Qin Zhao replied. “The Jiangling prefect is upright and fair. He’s not the kind to easily wrong a citizen. If he has determined Mr. Chang is guilty of murder, it means that, at least from his perspective, there shouldn’t be any major inconsistencies in the case.”

Jing Li was momentarily confused. “So you think Mr. Chang isn’t innocent?”

“No,” Qin Zhao clarified. “What I mean is that if this is a wrongful conviction, it’s likely a very well-orchestrated one.”

That was precisely why Qin Zhao sought the help of the authorities.

A premeditated setup of this scale couldn’t be overturned by the efforts of just one or two people.

“Anyway, put your worries to rest,” Qin Zhao said. “If your husband can’t handle such a small matter, wouldn’t that make him utterly useless?”

“I’m not worried about that,” Jing Li hesitated before continuing, “I just… I just don’t want this to drag you into trouble. You don’t even know Mr. Chang…”

Besides, even Gu Heng was reluctant to get involved in this matter for fear of being implicated.

How could this be considered a small matter?

“But he’s the benefactor of my husband,” Qin Zhao suddenly thought of something, halting his steps. “Now that I think about it, we should head to the bookstore in the southern part of the city. I wonder if they still have a copy of Dream Note. I haven’t read it yet.”

“No, no, no, that’s not necessary!”

Jing Li had initially thought this issue would be resolved quickly. But after their visit to the yamen, several days passed without any updates.

Even Qin Zhao didn’t bring up the matter again.

Meanwhile, Gu Heng successfully passed the county examination. On the third day after the results were posted, the Gu family hosted a grand banquet, inviting all the notable figures in the city.

Naturally, Qin Zhao and Jing Li were among the guests.

As the sun began to set, a carriage from the Gu family arrived to pick them up. Just as the two stepped down from the carriage, another carriage pulled up nearby.

A Gu family servant approached the new arrival. “Master Ji, Young Master Ji, we’ve been expecting you both.”

Jing Li froze mid-step.

Noticing his reaction, Qin Zhao turned his gaze toward the other carriage. It stopped not far from them, and an older gentleman stepped out first, followed by a tall, slender young man.

Ji Zhifei jumped down from the carriage. His expression froze momentarily upon seeing Jing Li and Qin Zhao standing at the Gu family’s entrance. However, his demeanor quickly shifted. Smirking lazily, he shot a glance at Jing Li before turning to follow Master Ji into the estate.

“That’s Ji Zhifei?” Qin Zhao asked.

Jing Li had already told Qin Zhao everything about what had happened days ago. Though Qin Zhao had never met Ji Zhifei in person, Jing Li’s reaction confirmed his suspicions.

Qin Zhao’s usual gentle demeanor was replaced with a tone laced with unmistakable disdain and coldness.

Jing Li had never seen Qin Zhao display such an attitude toward anyone before.

He took Qin Zhao’s hand and whispered, “Forget him. But remember, this is Lord Gu’s banquet tonight, so don’t…”

“Don’t worry,” Qin Zhao interrupted with a faint smile, his voice calm and composed. “I won’t do anything—at least not tonight.”