Ch 122: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

The little fish fry was at an age where he couldn’t fully understand things but was extremely stubborn about what he believed. When he woke up and realized that his Little Dad wasn’t by his side, leaving him to sleep all alone in the water, he firmly decided that it must be because papa had bullied daddy and didn’t let him sleep on the bed.

That’s why he went to “comfort” Little Dad.

Jing Li spent quite some effort convincing the little fish fry that Little Dad hadn’t been bullied and daddy hadn’t stopped Little Dad from sleeping on the bed.

The little fish fry frowned, his face a perfect replica of Qin Zhao’s, showing clear suspicion. However, out of his unconditional trust in daddy, he let out an “uh-huh” and obediently slid down from Jing Li’s arms, wobbling over to Qin Zhao and asking daddy to pick him up.

Holding his “lost and found” son, Qin Zhao sighed helplessly, “I really can’t afford to upset you anymore. Even our son sides with you.”

“Upset one of you, and I’ll end up with both mad at me, and no way to smooth things over.”

“Obviously,” Jing Li replied smugly with a laugh, before adding, “By the way, don’t change the subject. We weren’t done talking about earlier. What’s your plan? Didn’t you say something about heading back to Linxi Village first?”

Qin Zhao’s expression hesitated slightly.

He suddenly seemed to find the little fish fry’s clothing extremely interesting, lowering his head to fuss with it.

Jing Li instinctively felt that his reaction was strange. A sudden flash of insight made him suspect something: “You’re not planning to leave me and the fish fry in Linxi Village and head to the capital alone, are you???”

“…Ahem.”

Jing Li snatched the fry back into his arms and said expressionlessly, “No explanations, no holding him.”

Qin Zhao: “…”

“Well, I did…” Qin Zhao carefully chose his words and said slowly, “I did… consider it.”

Jing Li narrowed his eyes in displeasure.

Clearing his throat, Qin Zhao explained, “Heading to the capital this time is fraught with uncertainties. If you two stay with me, it could be dangerous. Leaving you in Linxi Village would give me peace of mind.”

Jing Li hugged the fish fry tightly and muttered, “I don’t want that.”

Qin Zhao had anticipated this reaction.

Heading to the capital had always been part of his plan. With the authorities tightening checks on travelers, especially someone like him without an established identity, it was impossible to enter the capital under the guise of a merchant or laborer—let alone the imperial city.

Entering as a scholar heading to the imperial examination provided the perfect cover.

However, to use this route, he would need to arrive in the capital at least a month before the imperial examination.

The imperial examination’s first session was held every year on the ninth day of February, and the journey from Jiangling Prefecture to the capital took a month and a half. Calculating backwards, he would need to set off no later than the end of November.

As for when he would return, that was uncertain.

Such a long separation was something his little husband would never agree to, which was precisely why Qin Zhao had not brought it up earlier.

Jing Li said firmly, “I can agree to anything else, but not this. Don’t even think about leaving me behind.”

The little fish fry chimed in with a protesting “Hmph!”

In truth, the fish fry had no idea what his two fathers were talking about. He simply sensed that daddy seemed upset again and naturally had to help him out.

Faced with one big and one small protestor, Qin Zhao found himself with a splitting headache. “Let me finish…”

“There’s no need to say anything. No matter what you say, I won’t agree,” Jing Li interrupted. “The fish fry and I won’t cause you trouble. If we go with you to the capital, we can continue taking care of you. Otherwise, what will you do if you fall ill again?”

“But…”

“No buts. If it’s not up for discussion, then none of us will go. We’ll all stay in the village together. It’s not like we’re lacking food or drink now.” Jing Li’s tone was resolute.

Unable to win the argument, Qin Zhao had no choice but to agree for now.

Once the serious conversation was over, Jing Li could no longer resist his exhaustion. He rubbed his eyes, finally succumbing to the weariness brought on by his fluctuating emotions over the past few days and his sleepless night.

“Get some sleep. I’ll stay with you.” Qin Zhao gently removed the fish fry from Jing Li’s arms and helped him lie back down on the bed.

He then sternly instructed the little fish fry, “Daddy is very tired. Don’t make any noise. Let him rest properly, alright?”

“I know.” The fish fry obediently climbed into the space between Jing Li and Qin Zhao, lying still and quiet.

His tone and phrasing were almost identical to Jing Li’s. Qin Zhao tucked the blanket around him and then lay down as well.

With the little one nestled in between them, Qin Zhao couldn’t hold his little husband like he used to while sleeping. Instead, he lay awake, quietly watching Jing Li’s peaceful face. Every now and then, he would reach out to brush the strands of hair that fell onto Jing Li’s cheek back behind his ear.

“Qin Zhao…” Jing Li murmured drowsily, half-asleep.

“Hmm?”

“Do you think I’m being unreasonable?” Jing Li didn’t open his eyes, his voice muffled as half of his face was buried in the blanket. “But if you go to the capital, even a single letter will take over a month to reach me. I can’t bear not seeing you for so long or hearing anything from you.”

In this era, being separated by distance meant a complete disconnection.

There were no means of communication, no news. At the shortest, it could be months; at the longest, one or two years. They wouldn’t even know if the other was alive or dead.

Jing Li couldn’t endure such a life.

“I understand,” Qin Zhao replied softly. “But what about me? Do you think I’m being unreasonable?”

“Huh?”

Qin Zhao continued, “I could stay here and live a peaceful life with you without worrying about anything else. But instead, I insist on going to the capital and stirring up trouble. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m being too unreasonable myself.”

In truth, Jing Li wasn’t wrong—there wasn’t only one path ahead for Qin Zhao.

He had a safer choice: to take his little husband back to the countryside, live under a false name, and spend the rest of their days in peace. With Gu Changzhou in Jiangling Prefecture and the provincial governor being an ally, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to live out their lives safely under their protection.

But if he chose to move forward, the road ahead was uncertain and fraught with danger.

It might even put his family at risk.

This was the very question Deng Tianyou had asked him during their meeting the previous night.

“…I don’t understand. Why not stay in Jiangling? It’s been so long since it happened. As for what happened back then… if His Majesty really intended to eliminate you, wouldn’t returning now be walking straight into a trap?”

Qin Zhao had heard this question more than once. Even his loyal servant Ah Qi had once asked why, if Gu Changzhou wasn’t allowed to rebel, Qin Zhao was still so determined to go to the capital.

He had never given a direct answer.

“I understand you,” Jing Li said, leaning over and resting his head on Qin Zhao’s shoulder. “As long as you don’t leave me behind, I’ll support whatever decision you make.”

Before, Jing Li had guessed Qin Zhao’s identity and deeply hoped he wouldn’t go to the capital.

At the time, he didn’t know all that had transpired, and he feared the dangers Qin Zhao might face on such a journey. He didn’t want him to take that risk.

But today, after Qin Zhao shared stories of his past—without mentioning the specific reason for going to the capital—Jing Li could sense what was in his heart.

He was unwilling to accept his fate.

The Qin Zhao of years past had dared to shoulder the heavy responsibilities entrusted to him by the late emperor, single-handedly cleansing the court inside and out. He was a man of unmatched pride. Yet now, even a slight breeze could leave him bedridden, relying on medicinal decoctions just to get by.

Such a life was unbearable for anyone, let alone a man like him.

Jing Li understood him and was willing to support him.

Of course, the condition was that Qin Zhao absolutely could not leave him behind.

Even if Qin Zhao thought he was being unreasonable, it didn’t matter.

“Besides, don’t forget, I’m useful too,” Jing Li added. “The fish fry and I are both koi, you know? With us by your side, we’ll bring you good fortune. Anyone who dares to harm you will definitely meet a bad end.”

Qin Zhao chuckled softly, choosing not to argue. “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

“Promise?” Jing Li pressed.

“Promise,” Qin Zhao replied. “Your husband was once second only to the emperor himself. I can’t let you and the child suffer any real grievances.”

Jing Li mumbled something in response, as though a burden had finally been lifted from his heart, and soon fell silent.

Did he just fall asleep?

Qin Zhao tilted his head to look. Jing Li’s head was still resting against his shoulder, and he was sound asleep.

“You were so worried about being afraid after learning the truth, and now you fall asleep just like that? Doesn’t look like you’re scared at all…” he murmured.

Qin Zhao muttered softly to himself, only to have a small, chubby hand press against his lips.

The little fish fry covered Qin Zhao’s mouth with a serious look. “Shh.”

Although Qin Zhao had already promised not to leave Jing Li behind, they had sent a letter to the village beforehand, stating that they would return to Linxi Village soon. Thus, the two decided to stick to their original plan and make a brief trip back.

“Take this too; the wind at night in the village is strong.” The day before their departure, Jing Li was up early, busily packing their clothes.

Watching Jing Li bustle about, Qin Zhao couldn’t help but ask, “Are you planning to stay in the village until winter?”

“Of course not. We agreed to only stay for a few days,” Jing Li replied. “Unless you still want to leave me there.”

Qin Zhao quickly shook his head, denying it.

Since he had promised Jing Li, he wouldn’t go back on his word. However… they were only going to the village for a short stay, yet Jing Li was packing as if they were moving house. It left Qin Zhao feeling helpless.

“Baby, you’re stepping on daddy’s robe!”

“Qin Zhao, if you’re not going to help, take the little fish fry outside and stop getting in the way.”

The house was a chaotic scene of noise and commotion when Ah Qi knocked on the door.

The door wasn’t closed. Qin Zhao had just pulled the baby out of a pile of clothes and responded without turning his head, “Come in.”

Ah Qi paused for a moment, stunned by the mess inside, but quickly remembered his task and walked up to Qin Zhao. “Sir, a message has arrived from the capital.”

Everyone in the room froze.

Earlier in the year, Gu Changzhou had gone to the capital under the pretense of delivering fabrics to the royal family. In reality, he was setting up an intelligence network in advance to prepare for Qin Zhao’s journey to the capital.

The network was still in its early stages, so messages traveled slowly. This was the first time Qin Zhao had received news from the capital.

Jing Li immediately set aside his work, took the fish fry into his arms, and sat quietly to the side. Ever since Qin Zhao had come clean with him, he had stopped hiding things. Jing Li knew this was Qin Zhao’s way of accommodating him and tried his best not to disturb him during serious matters.

Qin Zhao said nothing, directly opening the letter.

After reading it, he remained silent for a moment.

He dismissed Ah Qi with a wave and placed the letter into the brazier to burn.

“What’s wrong?” Jing Li asked softly, noticing the somber look on Qin Zhao’s face.

Staring at the ashes of the letter from the capital, Qin Zhao finally spoke. “The message from the capital says that the current emperor caught a cold in autumn and has been bedridden ever since. He has now retired to the harem to recuperate and hasn’t attended court for dozens of days.”

“…Huh?”

Jing Li blinked, not fully grasping the implications. His first reaction was…

Was his koi luck really that effective?

All those nights he spent cursing the emperor’s poisoner before bed weren’t wasted after all!