Ch 127: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

Qin Zhao listened to those words and fell silent for a moment before responding unhurriedly, “I’m in poor health and can’t get wet in the rain. I’m afraid I can’t help.”

The coachman was taken aback by his reply and blurted out, “Just need one person to help out. Is your entire family in poor health?”

Qin Zhao nodded seriously with a straight face. “Yes.”

Jing Li couldn’t hold back: “Pfft.”

The rain outside was heavy, so the coachman didn’t hear Jing Li’s reaction. He continued to persuade, “If worse comes to worst, how about you all wait outside for a bit? With so many people in the carriage, it’s really hard for the horses to pull. The sky’s already dark. If we stay stuck here, it’ll waste your time too, won’t it?”

Qin Zhao remained seated, steady as a mountain. “I don’t mind wasting time.”

The coachman: “…”

“Still haven’t woken him up?” A peddler-looking man, who had been tugging at the horses up front, shouted back impatiently when he noticed the delay. “I didn’t use that much of the medicine! How is he sleeping so soundly?”

Just as he walked over, his gaze met Qin Zhao’s. The atmosphere instantly grew awkward.

The coachman spat in annoyance, then kicked the peddler into the mud. “You brat! Always causing trouble. I should’ve never brought you along!”

After venting, he turned back to Qin Zhao, forcing a smile and speaking with surprising politeness, “Sir, don’t listen to his nonsense. There’s been a misunderstanding here. How about you step out of the carriage first? We’ll get it unstuck and explain as we go?”

“In such a hurry?” Qin Zhao smiled faintly. “And if I don’t feel like leaving?”

The coachman’s smile froze. “What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said.” Qin Zhao replied calmly. “If anyone’s worried about being delayed, it should be you, not me.”

The coachman said nothing.

He had been standing in the rain for a long time, water dripping from his straw raincoat. Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating his rugged features, now dark and menacing.

But Qin Zhao didn’t flinch, meeting his gaze steadily.

After a moment, the coachman wiped the rain off his face and sighed. “Ah, I knew you wouldn’t be easy to deal with.”

He straightened his previously hunched back, cupped his hands in a formal salute, and said solemnly, “Subordinate Sun Mengyi pays his respects to His Highness and congratulates you on your return to the capital.”

In an instant, his demeanor changed completely.

Qin Zhao responded coolly, “This doesn’t seem like much of a congratulatory gift.”

“Well…” Sun Mengyi hesitated for a moment, scratching his nose. “I beg Your Highness for forgiveness.”

Jing Li, who had been listening the entire time, grew more confused the longer he listened.

So… they’re not enemies?

Are they Qin Zhao’s former subordinates?

Jing Li turned to Qin Zhao. “You know them?”

“No.” Qin Zhao glanced at Sun Mengyi and added, “But I can roughly guess who sent them.”

Jing Li asked, “Who?”

Qin Zhao answered, “Xiao Yue.”

The person in question was none other than the Grand General of National Defense, Xiao Yue, who had once been a guest at Qin Zhao’s home. The two had always been at odds.

Although Jing Li had only met Xiao Yue once, nearly a year ago, the man’s distinctive appearance and commanding aura left a lasting impression.

When Xiao Yue visited Qin Zhao’s home, Jing Li had already suspected that his identity was far from ordinary. Recently, when Qin Zhao was revealing the truth to Jing Li, he explained this matter as well.

Still, Jing Li didn’t understand and muttered, “Has Xiao Yue got nothing better to do? Why would he send people to capture us?”

“Cough, cough…” Sun Mengyi, caught off guard, accidentally choked on some rainwater.

Qin Zhao held back a laugh and said quietly, “Who knows? When you see him, you can ask him yourself.”

Qin Zhao’s remark made the two standing by the carriage a little embarrassed. The man dressed as a peddler stepped in to smooth things over. “Allow me to formally introduce myself. This is Deputy General Sun under General Xiao. My surname is Geng, fourth in my family. Your Highness may simply call me Geng Si.”

“It’s true that General Xiao sent Old Sun and me to welcome Your Highness today.”

The rain, which had come so suddenly, began to subside just as quickly.

Qin Zhao and Jing Li stepped out of the carriage, and in an unusual act of kindness, Qin Zhao allowed Ah Qi to help push the carriage, finally freeing it from the mud.

As they worked, Jing Li quietly asked, “Why do you seem completely unsurprised?”

“Surprised about what?” Qin Zhao asked in return.

“Xiao Yue,” Jing Li said. “Isn’t he stationed at the border? Why would he suddenly appear here?”

“I wrote to him,” Qin Zhao replied matter-of-factly.

“What?”

“The day before we left, I sent him a letter,” Qin Zhao explained. “Judging by the timing, he should have arrived a few days before us.”

Jing Li blinked.

He was still puzzled, but Qin Zhao showed no intention of elaborating further.

Qin Zhao had mentioned that Xiao Yue had once promised to help him. But what exactly he needed help with and how Xiao Yue would assist him, Qin Zhao hadn’t said.

That day, Qin Zhao had shared too much information at once. Jing Li couldn’t process it all at the time, so he hadn’t paid much attention to that part. Now, thinking back, it struck him as odd.

The truth about what happened back then remained unclear. However, any investigation would have to start with the emperor.

Yet, according to Qin Zhao, Xiao Yue’s family was staunchly loyal to the imperial authority. Why, then, would Xiao Yue be willing to help Qin Zhao investigate the emperor?

Jing Li didn’t ask further questions.

He didn’t want to wait for Qin Zhao to explain everything. That would make him seem foolish and incompetent.

But if he had to figure it out on his own…

Holding the little fry, Jing Li furrowed his brows in frustration.

…He couldn’t think of anything.

This is so hard.

Ultimately, Jing Li failed to come up with an answer. Deputy General Sun approached them. “Your Highness, the carriage is ready. Shall we set off?”

Qin Zhao nodded. “Let’s go.”

On the next leg of their journey, Sun Mengyi no longer drove the carriage but instead rode inside with Qin Zhao and the others.

Previously, he had pretended to be the coachman, but now that his identity was revealed, it made no sense to leave him outside. Accompanying them was the proper way to show respect to a guest.

After the brief turmoil, Jing Li was wide awake and sat properly, straight as a rod. The little fish fry was also fully awake, babbling insistently at Qin Zhao to let him see the scenery outside.

Sun Mengyi observed this seemingly carefree family and grew increasingly perplexed.

Earlier, they had discreetly used a mild sedative inside the carriage to ensure their plan went smoothly. Though the dosage was minimal, how could it have no effect whatsoever—not even on a child who looked no older than one?

Sun Mengyi’s curiosity was unbearable, but he didn’t dare question the enigmatic former regent directly. Instead, he cast furtive glances at the incense burner in the corner of the carriage.

“Don’t bother looking; the incense burner isn’t the issue,” Qin Zhao said, catching him in the act.

“…” Sun Mengyi, caught red-handed, awkwardly scratched his nose and offered an apologetic smile. “It seems Your Highness already knew.”

Qin Zhao didn’t hide it. “Over the years, I’ve become highly sensitive to the scent of drugs and poisons.”

Having spent years on medication and delving deeply into medical principles, Qin Zhao could now identify most drugs and poisons by scent alone. Detecting such a common sedative was effortless.

Seizing the opportunity, Sun Mengyi asked his burning question. “Then how did Your Highness neutralize it?”

Qin Zhao gestured to a pouch hanging at his waist. “This sachet contains various herbs that repel snakes and insects, clear the mind, and detoxify.”

The formula was one Qin Zhao had recently concocted. Before departing, he had taken advantage of a wedding banquet to have Elder Xue review it. Only after confirming its efficacy did he prepare one for everyone to wear.

With these sachets, ordinary sedatives posed no threat to them.

“I see,” Sun Mengyi marveled. “As expected of Prince Rong.”

Roughly half an hour later, the carriage came to a halt.

When they disembarked, Jing Li realized they were not in the capital but in a remote mountain ravine.

Before them was an open space with dozens of military tents of various sizes, each illuminated by campfires. However, due to the terrain and the surrounding forest, no light could be seen from outside the ravine, even at night.

“This is General Xiao’s temporary encampment,” Sun Mengyi said as he led Qin Zhao into the camp.

Qin Zhao glanced around briefly before nodding. “Easily defensible, highly concealed. Truly worthy of General Xiao. If one were to launch an attack on the capital from here, the imperial guards would be caught completely off guard.”

Sun Mengyi opened his mouth, so startled that he forgot what he was going to say. “…”

“Spare me your nonsense!” a voice snapped as Xiao Yue strode out, clad in light armor and plain robes.

Having received word of their arrival as soon as they entered the ravine, Xiao Yue had intended to greet them. Instead, he overheard Qin Zhao’s outrageous remark as he stepped out.

Xiao Yue spat angrily. “I’ve brought no more than a hundred personal guards this time. I’ve no intention of aiding your rebellion—don’t drag my brothers into this!”

Qin Zhao stroked his chin thoughtfully. “If I were to lead the troops, a hundred personal guards should suffice to overthrow the young emperor.”

“…” For a moment, Xiao Yue couldn’t tell whether he was joking or serious.

Jing Li, holding the little fry, watched the scene unfold with great interest.

Xiao Yue, ever the accomplished young general, looked even more commanding in armor than when they had last met in Jiangling, making it hard for anyone to meet his gaze directly.

However, this only made the sight of him being rendered speechless by Qin Zhao even more amusing.

After a long pause, Xiao Yue failed to come up with a retort and glared fiercely at Qin Zhao. “Let’s discuss this inside the tent.”

Xiao Yue hadn’t lied—there really weren’t many people in the camp. Even the military tents were simple and lacked the full setup of an actual military campaign.

“I’ve prepared accommodations for you. Old Sun will show you the way later,” Xiao Yue said as he sat down by the table. “But you’re still as dull as ever. I thought you’d be a bit more excited to see me.”

“I didn’t see any intention of surprising me,” Qin Zhao replied coldly. “You sent people to pose as kidnappers and lured me to a place like this. What are you trying to do?”

Xiao Yue shot a glare at Sun Mengyi and spat, “Useless. You couldn’t even handle such a simple task.”

After a moment’s pause, he smiled. “It was just a joke. You haven’t been back to the capital in years. How could I not prepare a welcome gift?”

“A joke?” Qin Zhao said. “You drugged me and frightened my husband, and you think calling it a joke will settle things?”

Ah, husband again.

Xiao Yue had known all along that a small prank wouldn’t anger Qin Zhao this much. The real reason was that his precious husband had been scared.

This man who values love over friendship.

Accepting his bad luck, Xiao Yue picked up the wine jug and cups from the table and poured three drinks. “Fine, I’ll apologize to my brother’s wife. It was my mistake.”

As he spoke, he pushed two cups toward Qin Zhao and Jing Li.

Jing Li frowned slightly, recalling some unpleasant memories.

Wasn’t it this same guy who got Qin Zhao drunk last time, causing him to come back with a fever?

“My husband doesn’t drink,” Qin Zhao said without even glancing at the cups. “Neither do I.”

Xiao Yue was momentarily speechless.

Wasn’t the person who used to drink him under the table this very man?

Before he could respond, Qin Zhao shifted the topic. “What’s the matter that required me to come in person? Speak plainly.”

“What’s the rush?” Xiao Yue said. “It’s already late. Even if you leave now, you won’t make it back to the capital before curfew. Stay here tonight, and I’ll send someone to escort you back tomorrow.”

Just then, a guard at the entrance reported, “General, dinner is ready.”

“Let’s eat first. We’ll talk after the meal,” Xiao Yue said to Jing Li. “You’ve never tried our camp’s roasted lamb ribs, have you? Once you’ve tasted them, you won’t forget them!”

As he finished speaking, Jing Li’s stomach growled audibly.

In truth, from the moment he entered the camp, Jing Li had caught the pervasive aroma of roasted lamb ribs.

He was starving.

Qin Zhao had intended to continue the discussion with Xiao Yue but stopped when he saw the pitiful look on his little husband’s face.

The group left the tent together.

Xiao Yue was an unpretentious general, sitting cross-legged on the grass like the other soldiers. He used a small knife to slice off a piece of sizzling lamb and ate heartily.

The camp’s food wasn’t particularly refined. The lamb had been hunted in the mountains and seasoned with just a bit of salt and spices, far less elaborate than home cooking.

Yet, perhaps influenced by the atmosphere and surroundings, Jing Li found the simple fare uniquely delicious.

“Not bad, right? This was made by the best cook in my camp,” Xiao Yue said.

Qin Zhao, carefully cutting the meat into small pieces for the little cub, looked up and saw Xiao Yue alternating between bites of lamb and gulps of mare’s milk wine, clearly enjoying himself.

Qin Zhao glanced at the plain water Ah Qi had fetched for him and suddenly found it far less appealing.

Seeing this, Xiao Yue handed over a wineskin and whispered, “What do you say? Just one sip?”

Jing Li, focused on feeding the cub, didn’t notice their exchange. Qin Zhao’s gaze flickered, and even his fingers seemed to twitch slightly.

But the next second, catching a hint that Jing Li might turn his head, he immediately stopped himself.

Xiao Yue, equally quick, retracted his hand.

Jing Li simply reached over to grab a piece of meat Qin Zhao had just cut, popping it into his mouth.

“Hurry up and eat. Why are you both just sitting there?” Jing Li blinked innocently. “Is there something wrong?”

Qin Zhao: “…”

“No,” Xiao Yue replied solemnly. “There’s absolutely nothing wrong.”

Except for Xiao Yue’s newfound conviction that marrying early was completely unnecessary.

What a miserable fate.