Ch 133: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

The loud knock at the door was accompanied by a booming voice, startling the monks inside the temple. One of them, hearing the commotion, quickly went to open the door without delay.

Standing outside was a young man dressed as an Imperial Guard, his head and shoulders dusted with snow. The moment the door was opened, he barked at the monk, “What’s taking so long? Hurry and welcome His Majesty inside! If the Emperor catches a chill, can you bear the consequences?”

The monk, who was still young and inexperienced in dealing with officials, turned pale with fear.

At that moment, a gentler voice came from outside. “Commander Yang, don’t frighten the young monk.”

Jing Li immediately recognized it as Deng Tianyou’s voice.

The lotus pond was in the center of the courtyard, partially obscured by a decorative screen, so Jing Li couldn’t see the situation outside. Swimming closer to hear better, he listened intently.

Deng Tianyou was explaining to the monk, “Don’t be alarmed, Master. The person outside is indeed His Majesty. The Emperor was on his way to the Ancestral Temple for a ceremony when he encountered this auspicious snowfall. The main road ahead is blocked. His Majesty has sent people to clear it, but in the meantime, he wishes to rest here in your temple.”

So that’s what happened.

The journey from the capital to the Ancestral Temple required crossing several mountains. Although the roads had been maintained, they were treacherous, especially in heavy snowfall like this. It was no surprise that the path ahead had become impassable.

But wasn’t it too much of a coincidence for the Emperor to be stranded near this very temple? And Qin Zhao just so happened to be here as well…

Jing Li glanced toward the main hall. The man was still seated, quietly sipping his tea, showing no reaction to the commotion outside, not even lifting an eyelid.

However, the elderly abbot who had been speaking with Qin Zhao hurried outside.

Jing Li quickly hid among the lotus leaves. Soon, he heard the abbot’s polite voice. “So it is His Majesty. My deepest apologies for our lack of preparation. I beg forgiveness from His Majesty and the officials accompanying him.”

No one dared to stop the Emperor from entering the temple. However, the imperial carriages couldn’t pass through the temple gates, so everyone traveling by horse or carriage had to dismount and proceed on foot.

The abbot greeted them with impeccable manners, while Jing Li, the koi spirit, peeked curiously from the edge of the pond.

He was finally about to see the legendary Emperor.

Since learning about their shared history from Qin Zhao, Jing Li had been eagerly anticipating this moment. He wanted to see what kind of person the Emperor, who had been raised and taught by Qin Zhao, truly was.

The little koi fish didn’t bother to hide. Straining to lift his head out of the water, he feared missing a single detail.

The first to appear were several armed guards.

Then came a young man dressed in a black brocade robe, his hair tied neatly under a crown.

The young man showed no signs of frailty. Surrounded by attendants, he looked nothing like the Emperor Jing Li had imagined. At twenty-two years old, the Emperor had delicate, refined features and an air of gentle curiosity. As the abbot explained the temple’s layout, the Emperor glanced around with interest.

He looked more like a white rabbit surrounded by wolves than the ruler of a nation.

“…”

No wonder Qin Zhao never believed it was the Emperor who had tried to harm him.

This man didn’t even look like he could kill a chicken, let alone orchestrate anything sinister.

Inside the temple hall, Qin Zhao was also watching the figure.

It had been six years since he last saw Qi Xuan. Six years was enough to change many things. He had grown taller, and his features had matured. Wearing the black dragon-embroidered robe, he finally resembled a proper ruler.

But as a monarch, he was still sorely lacking.

A ruler of a nation should not be so devoid of gravitas.

Did he think he was out for a casual stroll?

Qin Zhao withdrew his gaze just as the first few blade-wielding guards entered the temple hall.

The moment they stepped in, they spotted Qin Zhao sitting calmly to the side.

“How dare you! The Emperor has arrived, and yet you remain seated without paying your respects!” bellowed Commander Yang, his voice booming through the hall.

Commander Yang, tall and well-built, carried an air of rugged heroism between his brows. Yet, as a man of action rather than finesse, his loud voice intimidated everyone present, including the monks, who shrank back in fear.

But it was hard to blame him.

Qin Zhao’s subordinates were still tending to the horses in the rear courtyard, and the other monks had gone to the front gate to greet the Emperor. In the vast main hall, only Qin Zhao remained seated with an air of nonchalance, standing out starkly.

“Commander Yang, calm down. There’s no need to shout,” the Emperor’s voice rang out, gentle and patient. “We’re only here to take shelter from the snow for a short while. Let’s not disturb the other worshippers.”

As he spoke, the Emperor stepped onto the stone steps outside the main hall, his attention fully focused on Commander Yang, failing to notice the figure seated inside.

Commander Yang, however, was indignant. “But, Your Majesty, this man has shown you disrespect—”

The soft clink of porcelain interrupted him.

Qin Zhao had placed his teacup back onto the table, the sound ringing gently yet distinctly in the hall.

He rose from his seat and took a half-step forward. This single movement finally drew the Emperor’s attention to the unassuming man dressed plainly and exuding a strong scent of medicinal herbs.

One glance was all it took for the blood to drain from Qi Xuan’s face.

Under the Emperor’s stunned gaze, Qin Zhao lifted his robes and knelt sharply, his posture straight and resolute.

“This humble commoner pays his respects to Your Majesty,” Qin Zhao said, his clear voice echoing in the quiet, empty hall. It was soft yet carried an indescribable depth.

The Emperor did not respond.

He stood frozen, pale-faced, his eyes fixed intently on the kneeling man before him. His lips moved, but no words emerged.

Qin Zhao remained silent as well, head bowed, waiting patiently.

The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy.

The court officials accompanying the Emperor had just arrived at the hall, their expressions puzzled by the scene before them.

Earlier, in a nearby valley, the sudden snowstorm had blocked the road, forcing the Emperor’s procession to halt on their way to the Ancestral Temple. Most of the carriages, including the Empress Dowager’s, had already passed through the valley. Left behind were only the Emperor, his bodyguards, and a few officials at the end of the procession.

Now, while most of those left behind were still clearing the road, Commander Yang had escorted the Emperor and a few officials to the temple for shelter.

Among them was Deng Tianyou. Walking with the officials, he immediately recognized the figure kneeling before the Emperor.

Qin Zhao.

What on earth was happening?

Was he seeing things?

Deng Tianyou had spent countless sleepless nights planning for this ancestral ceremony, rehearsing every possible scenario. After the failure at the tea house and the unexpected snowstorm, he had already resigned himself to the likelihood that the plan would fail.

But could someone please explain to him how, while merely seeking shelter from the snow, the Emperor and the Prince Regent had ended up meeting by sheer coincidence?

Not only had they dared not plan for such an eventuality, but even in fictional stories, such a turn of events would seem too far-fetched to write.

For a moment, Deng Tianyou was at a loss, unsure how to react. Fortunately, his response wasn’t required. The Prince Regent had been absent from the capital for six years, and the court officials who had once allied with him had either been reassigned or executed. Among those present, only Deng Tianyou and the Emperor could recognize that face.

The Emperor, as if forgetting Deng Tianyou’s presence, took a deep breath and stepped forward—only to nearly collapse down the stone steps as his legs gave way.

Commander Yang reacted swiftly, stepping in to steady him.

“I’m fine… I’m fine,” the Emperor rasped, his voice hoarse. Closing his eyes briefly, he said softly, “I am tired. Abbot, take me to the guest quarters.”

Without looking at Qin Zhao again or entering the main hall, the Emperor bypassed it entirely, heading directly to the inner courtyard.

---

By midday, the mountain winds and snow had finally lessened.

Qin Zhao made his way through the temple corridors to the tightly guarded inner courtyard. As he approached, he was stopped by none other than Commander Yang.

“You again?” Commander Yang snapped irritably. “The Emperor is resting inside. What are you doing here?”

Qin Zhao replied calmly, “This humble commoner wishes to request an audience with His Majesty.”

“The Emperor isn’t someone you can meet just because you wish to!” Commander Yang barked impatiently. “Leave now, or I’ll have you arrested as an assassin!”

Qin Zhao, unfazed, continued evenly, “Please inform His Majesty that I am Qin Zhao, the top scholar of Jiangling Prefecture this year, with some knowledge of medicine. I’ve heard of His Majesty’s prolonged illness and humbly offer my services for a diagnosis.”

Commander Yang hardly listened and waved dismissively. “The Emperor will see no one. Leave!”

No sooner had he spoken than the door to the main chamber opened, and a maid stepped out. “Commander Yang, His Majesty has instructed that this gentleman be invited inside.”

“What?”

A directive from the maid was effectively an imperial order, and the commander had no choice but to comply.

But instead of obeying, Commander Yang retorted, “The Emperor is unwell. How can we let an outsider see him so casually? If anything happens, will you bear the consequences?”

Qin Zhao frowned.

A mere commander daring to challenge the Emperor’s orders? What kind of ruler tolerated such insubordination?

Before Qin Zhao could respond, another figure emerged from the room.

Deng Tianyou strode quickly to the gate, speaking in a conciliatory tone to Commander Yang. “Commander, this is Qin Zhao, whom I have met before. I can vouch for him. Qin Zhao is highly skilled in medicine. I have already consulted His Majesty, and His Majesty has agreed to let Qin Zhao take his pulse. I ask for your cooperation.”

With the Emperor issuing the order twice, Commander Yang, though clearly reluctant, could no longer refuse.

He huffed coldly and stepped aside. “Fine. Go in.”

Qin Zhao bowed respectfully and stepped into the main room.

The guest quarters of this mountain temple were modest, with sparse furnishings that left little to the imagination. The room was quiet, and as Qin Zhao closed the door, his gaze fell on the young man seated on the low couch.

Approaching him, Qin Zhao bowed again. “Your Majesty, this humble commoner has arrived.”

The Emperor kept his head lowered, responding with a muffled acknowledgment but saying nothing further.

Qin Zhao frowned slightly but remained patient. “Please extend your hand, Your Majesty, so I may check your pulse.”

He took a wrist rest from his medicine box and placed it on the small table beside the Emperor.

The Emperor obediently extended his hand, allowing Qin Zhao to take his pulse.

After a moment, Qin Zhao withdrew his hand. “Your Majesty’s health is normal, but you must maintain a calm and steady mindset. Avoid emotional extremes and overthinking.”

“What… what do you mean by ‘overthinking’?”

“Relax, don’t be so tense,” Qin Zhao sighed. “Qi Xuan, after all these years, you’re still the same—hiding whenever something happens. Is this how you rule as Emperor?”

Qi Xuan instinctively straightened his posture, sitting rigidly upright.

Qin Zhao felt a headache coming on.

After all these years apart, he had hoped Qi Xuan would have grown more assertive. But here he was, still the same timid and hesitant figure.

When they briefly met in the temple hall earlier, Qin Zhao had thought the Emperor would come find him. Yet as noon approached, he received no word, forcing him to take the initiative.

… If he waited any longer, his husband back home might starve.

Qin Zhao decided not to waste any more time and cut to the chase. “There are rumors circulating that you’re gravely ill. What’s going on?”

“I… I’m not sick,” Qi Xuan muttered. “It’s the Empress Dowager…”

Just as Qin Zhao suspected.

The Empress Dowager had been orchestrating the situation, using the Emperor’s supposed illness as a front.

“Has the Empress Dowager been managing state affairs behind the scenes all these years?” Qin Zhao asked.

It wasn’t difficult to deduce. If the Emperor had even a modicum of authority, his guards wouldn’t have grown as arrogant and insubordinate as they were—ignoring their sovereign’s orders outright.

Qi Xuan lowered his gaze, remaining silent.

“You don’t seem particularly surprised to see me alive,” Qin Zhao remarked. “How much do you know about what happened back then?”

Qi Xuan hesitated before responding. “It was the Empress Dowager who ordered the attempt on your life. I only learned of it after you left for Jiangling. She had intercepted my messages, and by the time my men reached you, you were already gone.”

“My people found traces of your fall by the cliff. They searched along the river but couldn’t find you.”

At that time, Qin Zhao had already been rescued by Chen Yan’an.

Qi Xuan continued, “Later, the Empress Dowager sent people to look for you several more times, but when they found nothing, she assumed you had died.”

“So you weren’t aware of the poison I was inflicted with?” Qin Zhao asked.

“Poison?” Qi Xuan’s expression shifted to one of genuine shock. “What poison? You were poisoned?”

Qin Zhao didn’t answer.

Qin Zhao stared at the young man in front of him for a moment before averting his gaze. “Forget it. Let’s not talk about that for now. The snow is almost stopping, and you’ll likely be setting off soon. Let’s discuss the important matters first.”

“… Do you still want to be Emperor?”

The scene was rather surreal—this former Prince Regent, now a commoner, openly asking the reigning Emperor such a question, as if it were a casual matter to negotiate.

Even Qi Xuan was momentarily stunned before responding in confusion, “Can I choose not to?”

“You can,” Qin Zhao replied flatly. “But only if you die.”

“I want to!” Qi Xuan replied without hesitation.

Qin Zhao nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied. “When you return, forget everything that happened here. Do nothing unnecessary. Soon, there will be upheaval in the capital. Once it passes, you should be able to focus on being a proper Emperor.”

Qi Xuan hesitated and probed cautiously, “You… are you planning to assassinate the Empress Dowager?”

“You don’t need to know the specifics,” Qin Zhao said. “However, before that, I’ll need something from you—something to prove my identity.”

Qi Xuan, ever cooperative, rummaged through his belongings before untying a jade pendant from his waist and handing it to Qin Zhao.

Qin Zhao accepted the jade and tucked it away before pulling out a sheet of paper from his medicine box, quickly jotting down a prescription. “The fact that I’ve treated you will likely reach the Empress Dowager once the roads are cleared. This prescription is for strengthening your body—an excuse to allay any suspicion.”

“Will the Empress Dowager believe it?” Qi Xuan asked cautiously.

Qin Zhao looked up at him, and Qi Xuan quickly added, “I mean no disrespect. I’m just worried… if the Empress Dowager learns that someone got close to me, she might become suspicious. Your safety…”

“Rest assured, Your Majesty,” Qin Zhao said. “This humble commoner has his own plans.”

Packing up his things, Qin Zhao rose to leave. As he reached the door, he paused, as if recalling something.

“Is there anything else?” Qi Xuan asked.

“There is,” Qin Zhao said. “Your Majesty, could you arrange for someone to fetch me a wooden bucket?”

“A wooden bucket?”

“Yes. It doesn’t need to be large, just big enough to hold water.”

---

Jing Li swam aimlessly in the lotus pond, bored out of his mind.

The temple’s backyard had no accessible water source, so he couldn’t explore beyond the pond. Ever since the Emperor entered the temple, guards had been stationed everywhere, making it impossible for any idle person to linger in the courtyard.

By now, it was nearly noon, yet there was still no news.

What’s taking so long…

Jing Li’s stomach rumbled with hunger as he flicked his fins in frustration.

He hadn’t eaten anything all morning.

As he sulked, he noticed someone approaching from the distance.

It was Qin Zhao.

Startled, the little koi quickly darted under the lotus leaves to hide.

The water surface remained calm for a long time. Peeking out cautiously, Jing Li slowly poked his head above the water—only to lock eyes with Qin Zhao.

Jing Li: “…”

“I saw you ages ago. Why are you hiding?” Qin Zhao raised an eyebrow, setting a wooden bucket filled with clean water by the edge of the pond. With a faint smile, he said, “Come on, silly thing. It’s time to go home.”