Ch 125: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

The house had been unoccupied for over a year, yet there was hardly any dust, clearly indicating that someone had cleaned it in advance. Qin Zhao had planted a courtyard full of flowers and plants. Before leaving last year, he had asked the village chief to take care of them, and the cleaning was likely also his doing.

After a year away, the courtyard was still flourishing with greenery, though the vines climbing the bamboo fence around the yard had become somewhat untidy due to a lack of care.

Qin Zhao didn’t mind.

The villagers weren’t the type to meticulously tend to plants, and at best, they probably just watered them to keep them alive.

As the group pushed open the gate and entered the yard, only Ah Qi hesitated momentarily at the sight of the bamboo courtyard, lagging a step behind the others.

Qin Zhao noticed and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing… I just didn’t expect…” Ah Qi’s gaze dimmed slightly as he mumbled, “I didn’t expect you, sir, to have lived in such a place.”

A modest bamboo courtyard, a narrow wooden house, and a poor, remote mountain village… Who would have imagined that the former regent, who once wielded immense power in the capital, would one day fall to such circumstances?

Qin Zhao caught on to his thoughts and smiled faintly.

Chen Yan’an, however, said, “Little brother, you’ve never been to the village before, have you?”

He was carrying the little fish fry at the back of the group and explained, “This place may not compare to the provincial city, but Qin Zhao’s courtyard is already one of the nicest homes in the village.”

“You didn’t see where Qin Zhao used to live. It was run-down and drafty. I stayed there a few days to study and caught a cold. I don’t know how he managed to live there back then.”

Chen Yan’an had no ill intentions with his words. That house, after all, had originally belonged to his family, and he didn’t mind making a casual complaint about it.

But to Ah Qi, it made him feel even worse.

Even Jing Li fell silent.

Chen Yan’an blinked, sensing the atmosphere had turned awkward.

…Did he say something wrong?

Only the little fish fry remained carefree, oblivious to their conversation or the environment’s shortcomings. His bright eyes darted around, curiously taking in the surroundings.

Chen Yan’an hurriedly steadied him in his arms.

After much effort, he finally convinced the little fish fry that he was the same “fat uncle” from before, regaining the child’s precarious trust and earning the chance to carry him a little longer.

“All right,” Qin Zhao interrupted. “Why are you all just standing outside? Go inside.”

As the person involved, he didn’t think there was anything worth lamenting, and he couldn’t understand why the other two seemed so sentimental.

Once inside the courtyard, the little fish fry was thrilled by the abundance of flowers and plants. As soon as he entered, he demanded to be put down, and the moment his feet touched the ground, he darted into the flowerbeds, impossible to catch.

Jing Li stayed in the courtyard to play with the little fish fry, while Qin Zhao, Ah Qi, and Chen Yan’an went inside to unpack.

Ah Qi didn’t dare let Qin Zhao lift a finger and eagerly took on most of the work, insisting that the host rest. Chen Yan’an, having last visited before Ah Qi’s arrival, wasn’t used to seeing this gentle and refined young man being addressed as a servant.

But Qin Zhao said, “It’s fine. Let him handle it.”

When they first moved, many items were left behind, packed up and stored at home. Qin Zhao began taking out the tea cups and plates one by one, heading to the kitchen to boil water and brew a pot of tea.

The aroma of tea filled the air, adding a touch of life to the bamboo courtyard.

Chen Yan’an glanced at the industrious Ah Qi and sighed, “When we get to the county town, I’ll have to find someone to take care of the household too.”

Hearing this, Qin Zhao raised an eyebrow and asked, “Your mother has agreed to let you move to the county town?”

Chen Yan’an was well aware of his own capabilities. Having struggled for so many years, passing the xiucai exam was already an accomplishment, and he had no intention of continuing the imperial examinations. Over the past year, he had been helping the village chief manage the school, but he knew this wasn’t a long-term solution.

The county town offered more opportunities.

Of course, moving to the county wasn’t just about making a living.

Thinking of this, Qin Zhao asked again, “So, how are things between you and A-Yi?”

These days, Jing Li had kept in touch with their old friends through letters, but A-Yi, being a shy and reserved person, rarely mentioned his private feelings. Occasionally, he would write about how Chen Yan’an would visit him in the county, bringing delicious food and fun trinkets, or taking him out for walks.

Even Old Master Xue would send letters complaining that when A-Yi and Chen Yan’an were together, it was as if he, the grandfather, didn’t exist.

In short, everyone but the two of them seemed convinced they were in love.

As for Chen Yan’an, he spoke even less about A-Yi.

It wasn’t because he didn’t care but because his mother had yet to relent. Madam Chen was a traditional woman who disapproved of her son marrying a shuang’er as his primary spouse. Unable to resolve this issue with his mother, Chen Yan’an felt embarrassed to bring it up in front of others.

As for why Qin Zhao brought up the topic today, it was naturally because Jing Li had been nagging about interrogating Chen Yan’an when they met.

Hearing Qin Zhao’s question, Chen Yan’an averted his gaze, his ears turning slightly red. “What…what’s there to say?”

“Speak the truth,” Qin Zhao said.

Chen Yan’an hesitated, mumbling, “You know how it is. My mother feels that he’s a shuang’er, always out in public running a business… She thinks it doesn’t look good. But…I’ve been persuading her for so long, and she’s starting to soften.”

“Not long ago, A-Yi came to the village to restock goods. I brought him to…to…”

Chen Yan’an’s voice trailed off, growing so faint that Qin Zhao could barely hear. “Speak clearly.”

“I brought him to meet my mother!” Chen Yan’an blurted out, gathering his courage. “My mother changed her opinion of him! Even Old Master Xue is willing to officiate for us. This…this year, we’ll have the wedding.”

“Bang—”

A soft thud sounded from outside. Jing Li, who had just entered the door, happened to catch the last part of Chen Yan’an’s sentence and, startled, bumped his head against the doorframe.

“Ah…” Jing Li staggered back, dizzy from the impact.

Qin Zhao quickly stepped forward to steady him. “Let go, let me check if it’s swollen.”

“It’s fine,” Jing Li muttered, his eyes watering from the pain. Though the bump wasn’t serious, he rubbed the sore spot indignantly. “A-Yi didn’t tell me anything about this. I’m writing him a letter to scold him!”

With that, he stormed inside, grumbling and looking for paper and a pen.

Qin Zhao shook his head with a chuckle. He picked up the little fish fry, who had been left near the door, and turned back to Chen Yan’an. “Have you set a date?”

“Not yet,” Chen Yan’an replied, his embarrassment forgotten after the interruption. “My mother and Old Master Xue discussed it and want you to be the witness. She specifically sent me over today to ask how long you plan to stay in the village.”

“Well…” Qin Zhao hesitated and then shook his head. “I’m not one of your elders; it might not be appropriate.”

“How is it not appropriate? You’re my teacher!” Chen Yan’an argued. “If it weren’t for you teaching me, I wouldn’t have passed the xiucai exam. And if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have met A-Yi. You’re the perfect person to be the witness.”

“But…”

Qin Zhao’s return was originally intended as a visit to the village chief and a chance to see a few old friends, not to linger long. However, if he were to attend the wedding banquet, it would inevitably delay his departure.

Qin Zhao hesitated, unable to make a decision. Chen Yan’an rubbed his nose and said, “Actually, Old Master Xue has already chosen a few auspicious dates for us. It won’t be too far off, Brother Qin. You see…”

As he spoke, he took out a red sheet of paper from his pocket and handed it over.

Qin Zhao: “…”

So everything was already prepared, and all that was left was for him to confirm the date, huh? No wonder this guy had been so diligent in losing weight.

Chen Yan’an’s expression was nervous, and not far away, Jing Li sat at the table grinding ink, his gaze darting around as he strained to listen to their conversation.

Qin Zhao instantly saw through his intention. Walking over to the table, he handed the red paper to Jing Li and said, “You pick. We’ll leave after attending the wedding banquet.”

Chen Yan’an and A-Yi’s wedding banquet was set for ten days later, to be held in Linxi Village.

It was rare for a marriage to a shuang’er in the village to be celebrated with such grandeur. In fact, most shuang’er who married into the village were purchased and held a status lower than even concubines in their households, let alone having a proper wedding banquet.

Chen Yan’an’s actions made a clear statement to the villagers: A-Yi was his lawfully wedded spouse, deserving of respect and not to be mistreated.

In the following days, Jing Li busied himself with wedding preparations, running around constantly, as if he were the one getting married.

As dusk fell, Jing Li finally returned home, and as soon as he entered, the familiar aroma of home-cooked food greeted him.

“Did you cook dinner today?” Jing Li asked Qin Zhao.

“You have a sharp nose.”

With Ah Qi around to help and Qin Zhao preoccupied with other matters, it was rare for him to cook personally. Ah Qi’s cooking was good, but Jing Li still preferred Qin Zhao’s.

Having worked all day, Jing Li was famished. He eagerly headed to the kitchen to grab bowls and chopsticks, only to notice some charred remnants of paper in the stove.

“Did a letter come from the capital?” Jing Li asked.

“Yes, but let’s eat and talk.” Qin Zhao helped bring the dishes to the table and then, unhurriedly, said, “Gu Changzhou delivered it this afternoon. It’s news from the capital.”

Jing Li bit his chopsticks, staring intently at Qin Zhao.

Qin Zhao remained calm. “The letter says that His Majesty has been ill for over a month. During this time, all state affairs have been handled by the empress dowager in the rear palace.”

Jing Li let out a soft “oh.”

The empress dowager was none other than the former empress who had vied for power with Qin Zhao years ago.

“So, the young emperor’s illness…is it connected to the empress dowager?” Jing Li asked.

“It’s not clear yet,” Qin Zhao replied. “It’s said that in recent years, the empress dowager has rarely interfered in state affairs, devoting herself to Buddhist practices. This time, His Majesty issued an imperial edict himself, coupled with petitions from the officials, requesting her to handle governmental matters temporarily.”

Jing Li said, “I don’t believe it.”

He always unconditionally trusted Qin Zhao. In his eyes, both the emperor and the empress dowager were suspects in harming Qin Zhao, and neither of them were good people.

“We’ll only truly understand what’s happening once we reach the capital,” Qin Zhao said calmly as he placed some food on Jing Li’s plate.

“Aren’t you worried at all?” Jing Li asked.

“Worried about what?”

Jing Li hesitated, then said, “Worried about all these things. It just feels like there’s something really complicated going on…”

“Worrying won’t help,” Qin Zhao replied. “We’re a thousand miles away from the capital. Whatever happens there, we won’t know for at least half a month. A round trip would take a month—we can’t intervene.”

“That’s true.”

Jing Li pursed his lips and murmured, “I’m sorry. It’s because I wanted to stay here longer. We’ve been in the village for so many days; who knows how the situation in the capital might change…”

“It’s fine. The Chen family has done much for me—I should stay to repay their kindness.” Qin Zhao paused briefly, then added, “Besides, all this has reminded me of something else.”

“What is it?” Jing Li asked.

Qin Zhao said, “Chen Yan’an knows how to give the person he loves a dignified and grand wedding banquet. In this regard, I fall short.”

Jing Li was stunned.

“We…we didn’t have the money back then,” Jing Li said softly. “And we did have a wedding—it was that Mid-Autumn Festival.”

That modest wedding was Jing Li’s first gift to Qin Zhao.

“These years with me, you’ve suffered.”

Qin Zhao raised a hand to gently caress Jing Li’s cheek. “I remember everything I owe you. Once we return to the capital and settle these matters, I’ll make it up to you one by one.”

Jing Li’s ears felt hot.

He glanced at Ah Qi, who was feeding the little fish fry nearby. Ah Qi kept his head down, focusing intently, even managing to distract the baby by slipping food into his mouth whenever he curiously looked up.

Poor Ah Qi, a young bachelor through and through, had already trained himself to keep a straight face while listening to Qin Zhao’s affectionate words, even subtly helping to shield them from prying eyes.

Jing Li quickly withdrew his gaze, his ears growing even redder. “Then let’s head to the capital soon. We’ll leave as soon as the wedding banquet is over!”

Qin Zhao nodded. “I’ve already sent a letter to Gu Changzhou. After the banquet, he’ll send someone to pick us up.”

“…We’ll go straight to the capital then.”