Ch 126: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

The wedding banquet was held as scheduled.

At the banquet, Qin Zhao delivered a speech as the witness to the marriage, while the little fish served as the flower child, carrying tea to the newlyweds.

The little one wore a bright red jacket with a simple fish tail sewn onto the back using red silk, making him look like a koi fish. As he walked, the tail wobbled adorably, earning endless praise for his cuteness.

This was Jing Li’s idea, symbolizing the blessing of the koi for prosperity and happiness in their household, with the couple respecting and cherishing each other.

---

The day after the wedding, Qin Zhao went to the village head’s house to bid farewell.

“Why take your husband and child along on such a long and arduous journey? And why leave so early?” the village head sighed.

Hearing this, Qin Zhao smiled and replied, “Village head, I dare not make such suggestions anymore. Last time I tried to persuade them to stay behind, I was thoroughly lectured.”

Jing Li, holding the child beside Qin Zhao, gave him a sharp look.

Was that what the village head was talking about?

If Qin Zhao were only heading to the capital for the imperial examination, Jing Li might not have insisted on going. But since he was investigating the events of years ago, how could Jing Li possibly feel at ease staying behind?

“I misspoke—it’s me who cannot bear to be separated from you,” Qin Zhao corrected himself with a solemn expression.

This explanation wasn’t entirely wrong either. Even if Qin Zhao were merely going for the exam, the journey would take at least half a year. Being apart for so long was unthinkable, both for them and the child.

As for why they were leaving now, Qin Zhao had prepared his excuse in advance. “The mountain roads are treacherous. My husband and I plan to take a boat to the capital. If we leave too late, the river might freeze in winter, making the trip impossible.”

“Besides, the Jiangling Weaving Mill happens to have a shipment heading north, and they agreed to take us along.”

Officially, Qin Zhao was the private tutor for the young master of the Gu family at the Jiangling Weaving Mill. Under this guise, Gu Zhou arranged for a merchant ship to transport cargo northward, offering Qin Zhao and his family a ride to the capital to avoid suspicion.

The village head nodded. “Your employer seems to treat you well. That’s good. Merchant ships usually hire guards for protection, so you’ll have some security.”

As they spoke, the village head’s wife entered with a group of women from the village.

“Qin hasn’t left yet, has he? Perfect timing. Look at this—some things from the neighbors for your journey!” The village head’s wife held up a bamboo basket filled to the brim with eggs.

The other women also carried various items—dry food, cured meat, and other local goods.

Looking at the large basket and the pile of gifts, Qin Zhao was silent for a moment. “There’s no need for this; you’ve all been too generous…”

“Nonsense! It’s just food for the journey,” the village head’s wife interrupted, urging him to accept. “You’ll be on the boat for at least a month, won’t you? Take some dry rations to eat on the way. We’re just a poor village and can’t offer much, but it’s a token of our care. Even if you don’t eat it, don’t let your husband and child go hungry!”

The little fish had already caught the scent of the pancakes in the basket and couldn’t take his eyes off it, staring longingly.

Jing Li and Qin Zhao exchanged a glance, covering their faces in embarrassment.

It was hard to say which parent the child resembled in this regard—they liked all food and were never picky eaters.

Unable to refuse the villagers’ kindness, Qin Zhao accepted the gifts. The result was that the carriage sent by Gu Zhou to pick them up ended up looking like a freight wagon, piled high with bundles of local produce.

Anyone unaware might have thought Qin Zhao and his family were merchants returning to restock.

The carriage transported Qin Zhao’s family to the dock, where they boarded the ferry that had been waiting for them.

The village of Linxi, where Qin Zhao’s family resided, was in the opposite direction from Jiangling. Since the Gu family’s merchant ship couldn’t come directly to the village, Qin Zhao’s family first had to take a ferry to the dock outside Jiangling City to transfer to the merchant ship.

When the ferry reached the Jiangling dock, a merchant ship could be seen in the distance being loaded with cargo.

As the ferryman docked, Gu Zhou could be seen approaching with several people.

“Mr. Qin.” Gu Zhou nodded politely toward Qin Zhao.

In the presence of others, Gu Zhou maintained the appearance of an employer and tutor relationship with Qin Zhao. They were neither overly familiar nor distant.

Qin Zhao cupped his hands in a respectful gesture. “Master Gu, I’ve troubled you greatly this time.”

“Not at all. Mr. Qin has done our family a great service in educating my son. This is a small effort, not worth mentioning,” Gu Zhou replied with a smile. He then gestured to a middle-aged man in merchant attire beside him. “This is Mr. Li, whose ship will take you north.”

Qin Zhao politely greeted him. “Mr. Li.”

Mr. Li returned the courtesy quickly. “Mr. Qin, you are too kind.”

Gu Zhou glanced to his side and said, “Didn’t you insist on coming to see Mr. Qin off? Why are you hiding back there?”

Stepping aside, Gu Zhou revealed Gu Heng, who had followed along.

The young man’s eyes were slightly red, and after being called out by his father, his ears flushed as well. “I didn’t insist on coming! I just…”

Under everyone’s gaze, Gu Heng fidgeted, unable to finish his sentence.

Qin Zhao said gently, “Gu Heng, don’t neglect your studies after I leave. If a new teacher arrives, you must listen to them. Do you understand?”

“What do you mean by that? Are you not coming back?” Gu Heng shot back.

Gu Zhou scolded him sharply, “Is that how you speak to your teacher?”

Gu Heng huffed and looked away.

Qin Zhao calmly replied, “Even if I return, I won’t be your teacher anymore. Our relationship as teacher and student ends here. I’ve already explained this to you, haven’t I?”

“I…” Gu Heng sniffled and muttered, “I understand. You’re just going to take the imperial exam—it’s not like you’re the only one who can do it.”

Qin Zhao smiled faintly. “Then I’ll wait for the good news from you.”

Gu Heng’s eyes turned red again. Jing Li interjected, “What are you crying about? You can write to us, and you can even come visit us. It’s not like we’ll never meet again.”

Gu Heng opened his mouth as if to say something, but hesitated.

Qin Zhao encouraged him, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Gu Heng lowered his voice. “I was wondering… will I still be able to visit you in the capital in the future?”

Jing Li’s smile froze. “?”

Gu Heng quickly added, “I’m afraid you’ll become a top scholar and a high-ranking official, and you won’t want anything to do with our family. Besides, you still haven’t taught me how to ride or play games yet!”

Qin Zhao chuckled and shook his head.

If he cared about such differences in status, he wouldn’t have agreed to teach Gu Heng in the first place.

“Don’t worry,” Qin Zhao said. “When you come to the capital, just find me anytime. I’ll take you out to play.”

Hearing Qin Zhao’s reassurance, Gu Heng’s mood visibly improved. Gu Zhou ordered his workers to load Qin Zhao’s family’s belongings onto the ship. Before long, the cargo was cleared, and Mr. Li gave the command to set sail.

The merchant ship had three decks: the lowest was for cargo, the second housed the crew, and the third contained a few passenger cabins.

Standing on the third deck’s corridor, Qin Zhao watched as the Jiangling dock receded into the distance. On the shore, he could vaguely see Gu Heng waving at him. Qin Zhao raised his hand in response. Turning his head, he noticed Jing Li staring at him thoughtfully.

Qin Zhao asked, “What’s on your mind?”

“It’s nothing,” Jing Li said, “I just realized something after seeing Gu Heng earlier. If the Emperor is still thinking about you after all this time, I wouldn’t find it surprising.”

After all, Gu Heng, that pampered young master, had shed a few tears over parting after only a year of being taught by Qin Zhao. How could someone who had been taught for seven years feel any less attachment?

“Are you always this good to your students?” Jing Li added, a hint of jealousy in his tone, before carrying the child into the cabin.

Qin Zhao: “…”

---

The journey on the merchant ship lasted nearly a month.

At first, Jing Li found it novel, but after a while, with nothing but the same monotonous scenery, the excitement wore off. Occasionally, they would stop briefly at a major port, but for the most part, the landscape remained unchanged. Even the little one, who had been excited to play on the deck, eventually lost interest.

Finally, one morning after over twenty days, Mr. Li knocked on Qin Zhao’s cabin door. “Mr. Qin, we’ll reach the dock near the capital tonight. That’s as far as the ship can go. There’s a postal station near the dock where you can hire a carriage to reach the city before the nighttime curfew.”

Qin Zhao thanked him, then turned to see Jing Li, who had been drowsy moments ago, suddenly wide awake and eagerly packing their belongings.

It was clear that Jing Li had had enough of the inconvenience of travel. He muttered under his breath that he never wanted to set foot on a boat again.

---

By midday, Qin Zhao and Jing Li disembarked at the dock.

This dock wasn’t large and was mainly used for resupplying merchant ships rather than for passenger travel. Nowadays, all ships and horses entering the capital required proper documentation. Since Mr. Li hadn’t planned to enter the city, he hadn’t obtained the necessary papers, so his ship couldn’t stop at the main passenger dock.

Fortunately, the area around the dock was bustling with merchant activity, with postal stations and inns readily available.

After having lunch at the dock, Ah Qi went to the station to rent a carriage.

The coachman was a young man, plainly dressed, with skin tanned from the sun. After Ah Qi provided the address, the coachman enthusiastically helped load their belongings, moving quickly and efficiently.

Their destination in the capital was a residence in the inner city that Gu Zhou had arranged for them.

After resting briefly, the coachman returned with another man in tow. “Excuse me, dear guests, this gentleman would like to share the ride. Would that be alright with you?”

The man was dressed like a hawker, carrying an empty basket on his back. He was thin and unassuming. “I’m just heading back to the city. I’ll sit at the front and won’t disturb you,” he said politely.

Ah Qi glanced back at Qin Zhao for confirmation, and Qin Zhao nodded.

---

The carriage set off soon after.

The carriage was covered with a canopy, with fabric curtains on all sides to block the wind. From inside, faint silhouettes of the two men sitting at the front were visible through the gaps in the curtains.

The coachman and the hawker spoke in the local dialect, casually chatting about recent business ventures.

Jing Li, overhearing their conversation, couldn’t help but glance at the coachman a few more times.

Something about the coachman felt off.

Driving a carriage wasn’t a particularly lucrative job. Typically, it was done by the elderly or those too frail for heavier labor. But this coachman was strong and fit—someone who should have been able to find better work.

Jing Li felt suspicious but refrained from questioning further. Qin Zhao, however, took the initiative to start a conversation. “Brother, have you always worked as a coachman here?”

“Not really. I’m a farmer from a nearby village. I just finished the harvest and came out to find some work to supplement our income,” the coachman replied without turning around.

“There can’t be too many customers in this area, can there?” Qin Zhao asked.

At this, the coachman fell into an odd silence.

The hawker beside him spoke up instead. “Not many, that’s true. This is just a small dock, after all. Most travelers to the capital use the main dock to the north. That place is run by well-established businesses with proper rules, so even if we went there, we wouldn’t get much work.”

Qin Zhao continued, “So, the two of you know each other from before?”

“We’re from the same village,” the hawker said. “We came out together.”

Qin Zhao asked a few more questions, and the two men answered them one by one without raising any suspicions.

Jing Li convinced himself that he might just be overly tense and overthinking things, so he stopped dwelling on it. The carriage swayed gently as it moved forward, and as night fell, it began to rain in the mountains.

Raindrops drummed noisily against the roof of the carriage. Jing Li, holding the little carp, dozed off with the child nestled against him.

It was unclear how much time had passed when Jing Li heard faint voices coming from the front:

“They’ve all fallen asleep?”

“Asleep. I told you that drug would work—should’ve trusted me from the start.”

Jing Li, whose nerves had never fully relaxed, instantly snapped awake at these words. Just as he was about to sit up, he felt a light tug on his arm.

Qin Zhao was leaning against the carriage window, his eyes seemingly closed as if in a deep sleep.

His fingers brushed Jing Li’s hand and traced two words in his palm:

“Don’t move.”

Jing Li’s heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.

Something was wrong. Were those two men untrustworthy?

Jing Li dared not ask further. He could sense that not only was Qin Zhao feigning sleep, but so was Ah Qi, seated across from him. Ah Qi had his head bowed and appeared calm, though his hand rested near his waist where a dagger was hidden.

The little carp in Jing Li’s arms remained sound asleep. Jing Li tightened his hold on the child’s soft body, drawing a faint courage from the gesture. He steadied his breathing and traced in Qin Zhao’s palm:

“Who?”

“Unknown,” Qin Zhao replied.

Jing Li’s palms began to sweat.

Before heading to the capital, he had mentally prepared himself for anything. But he hadn’t expected danger to arise before they even reached the city.

Who were these two men? Ordinary robbers, or enemies of Qin Zhao?

Sensing Jing Li’s unease, Qin Zhao traced again:

“Don’t be afraid.”

“I’m not,” Jing Li responded. “You’re here.”

After writing those words, Jing Li felt his anxiety lessen, as though his trust in Qin Zhao had a calming effect.

Qin Zhao was so capable—no matter what happened, he would surely find a way out. Jing Li wasn’t afraid.

In the darkness, Jing Li clasped Qin Zhao’s hand, his racing heart gradually settling down.

The carriage continued forward.

Moments later, the muffled voices carried through the sound of rain again:

“I told you this wasn’t the right road! Damn it, can you figure it out or not?”

“It’s raining, isn’t it? Why don’t you try?”

“If I could figure it out, I wouldn’t have brought you along! It’s been years since I’ve been to the capital. Hurry up—we’ll be in serious trouble if we’re late. I’ll make sure you pay if that happens!”

Jing Li listened carefully, and the conversation seemed… off.

Were they lost?

And they appeared to be arguing.

Before he could think further, the carriage suddenly jolted violently. The horse neighed loudly, and the carriage came to a halt.

Jing Li instinctively tightened his grip on Qin Zhao’s hand.

A moment later, someone knocked on the side of the carriage. “Excuse me, passengers, wake up, please wake up.”

It was directed at them.

Jing Li lifted his head to find Qin Zhao looking back at him. Qin Zhao raised a finger to his lips, signaling for silence, then opened the curtain slightly, his voice deliberately drowsy. “…What’s the matter?”

The coachman, wearing a straw raincoat, stood beside the carriage and let out a helpless sigh. “The wheel’s stuck in the mud, and the horse can’t pull it out. What bad luck… If it’s convenient, could you step out for a moment? It’d be great if you could help give it a push.”

Qin Zhao: “…”

Jing Li: “…”

Drugging them and then asking them to help push the carriage.

How utterly shameless.