Ch 137: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

Cough, cough, cough—! Qi Xuan’s reaction was even bigger than Jing Li’s, choking on a sip of tea to the point of almost losing his breath. He couldn’t stop coughing.

Qin Zhao, on the other hand, remained calm. He walked over and sat down beside Jing Li. Xiao Yue followed suit, returning to his original seat, refilling Qi Xuan’s cup with tea as he muttered under his breath, “Pathetic…”

Jing Li: “…”

Jing Li sat up straighter in discomfort. Qin Zhao didn’t mention the earlier incident, taking the teapot Xiao Yue had set down and pouring himself a cup.

As he raised his hand, Jing Li caught a faint whiff of blood.

…Was it already taken care of?

Jing Li sneaked a glance at Qin Zhao’s expression. The latter seemed completely normal, showing no signs of anything amiss. Qi Xuan also refrained from bringing up the previous topic, chatting idly with Qin Zhao about recent happenings in the capital.

For most of the time, it was the young emperor talking while the others listened quietly.

This young emperor’s demeanor was very different from what Jing Li had imagined.

Though he outwardly appeared quite intimidated by Qin Zhao and Xiao Yue, he wasn’t overly restrained during their chat. Jing Li even felt that he seemed more at ease in front of Qin Zhao and Xiao Yue than he did around his own guards and attendants.

This was likely a result of the trust they shared.

Xiao Yue invited Qin Zhao to stay for dinner at his residence, arranging for a carriage to take them back before nightfall. Their current lodging was quite far, requiring two or three hours’ travel, and it wasn’t convenient to journey at night.

Jing Li ate too much during dinner and felt uncomfortable as the carriage jolted along. He curled up in Qin Zhao’s arms, asking him to rub his stomach.

“I told you not to eat so much,” Qin Zhao said helplessly.

“It was delicious,” Jing Li mumbled.

Jing Li didn’t think it was his fault. After all, the young emperor had specially brought a chef from the imperial kitchen today. That level of culinary skill wasn’t something he could enjoy every day—it would’ve been such a waste not to eat more.

Qin Zhao chuckled softly. “If you like it, just send word to the young emperor and have him instruct the imperial kitchen to prepare some and send it over.”

For something this minor, Qi Xuan would definitely agree.

“You’re right,” Jing Li nodded solemnly.

He said nothing more, resting his eyes as he leaned against Qin Zhao’s shoulder. The faint scent of blood he had previously detected on Qin Zhao was now completely gone, replaced by the familiar, subtle aroma of herbal medicine.

Jing Li didn’t ask Qin Zhao about dealing with the traitor.

Qin Zhao always knew the most appropriate course of action, and whatever choice he made, Jing Li accepted and supported him.

From the very moment they met in Linxi Village, Jing Li had believed in him this deeply.

Right now, the sun was setting. In early spring, the mountain paths were lined with blooming wildflowers, and the carriage was filled with their fragrance.

Breathing in the floral scent, Jing Li suddenly murmured, “Spring has arrived.”

“Yes, it has,” Qin Zhao replied.

“…Are you really not going to take the imperial exams this year?” Jing Li finally asked the question that had been on his mind.

The exams were in February, and the registration deadline was fast approaching.

Jing Li could tell that Qin Zhao wasn’t entirely at ease with the young emperor yet. The empress dowager had fallen, but the forces behind her wouldn’t be so easily eradicated. As for Xiao Yue, while he excelled at military strategy, his experience in governance was lacking.

Right now, the young emperor needed capable people by his side more than ever.

“If you don’t want to go as the Prince Rong, you could still take the exam and aim for the top scholar,” Jing Li suggested.

Qin Zhao lowered his gaze to look at him. “Do you really want me to return to the officialdom?”

“I want you to do what you truly want to do,” Jing Li replied, his fingers toying with the strands of Qin Zhao’s hair that had fallen forward. Meeting Qin Zhao’s eyes, he continued, “Last time, you said your decision was for yourself, but I still have to ask—giving up the chance to be in politics, living a life of farming instead—will that really make you happy?”

Qin Zhao fell silent.

“I knew it,” Jing Li said with a blink. “You once said you chose to become the regent because of the lure of power, but I don’t think that’s true. You’re so talented, so ambitious—you should stand in a place where you can shine and be admired by all. Pursuing what you love isn’t the same as being infatuated with power.”

“Xiao Yu, but I…”

“You’re worried about me, aren’t you?” Jing Li said. “Of course, I’ll worry about you. That’s why I have one condition: you have to take care of your health. No more overworking and neglecting everything else like before, or I’ll get upset and argue with you again.”

“…Why are you laughing?”

Qin Zhao averted his gaze, his face touched by the soft light of the setting sun. His faint smile only made him more strikingly handsome.

“Nothing, I just think you’re adorable.”

Jing Li: “You think I’m being silly, don’t you?”

Qin Zhao: “I didn’t say that.”

Jing Li gave a low huff.

Qin Zhao’s smile faded slightly, and his tone turned serious. “Regardless, I won’t be participating in this year’s imperial exams. After finally resolving a major concern, I need to take a proper break.”

Jing Li nodded. “That’s fine. Once you’ve recovered, you can take your time to reconsider.”

The exams were held once every three years, and while missing them was a pity, Qin Zhao’s health was far more important. Besides, if Qin Zhao truly wished to return to officialdom, the imperial exams weren’t his only option.

This thought reassured Jing Li.

“Wow!” The little fry who had been quietly leaning against the window, suddenly exclaimed in amazement.

He clearly didn’t understand or care about the conversation between his two fathers, his attention solely on the scenery outside.

At that moment, the carriage rounded a bend in the mountain road, revealing layers of mist-shrouded peaks glowing with the golden hues of the setting sun.

Jing Li lifted his eyes to the view, the light of the evening glow softening his gaze.

Before he could fully take in the beauty, his vision was abruptly blocked.

Qin Zhao lowered his head and captured Jing Li’s lips in a kiss.

“Mm!” Jing Li froze in shock, barely stopping himself from making a sound.

Their child was right there!

Jing Li had always strictly forbidden Qin Zhao from being too affectionate with him in front of the child to avoid setting a bad example.

What was he doing now?

Afraid of startling their son, Jing Li dared not make a noise and instinctively reached up to grab Qin Zhao’s sleeve.

But Qin Zhao caught his hand and held it in his palm, deepening the kiss silently and gently.

The little fry remained utterly captivated by the sunset, completely oblivious to the scene unfolding behind him.

After a long kiss, Qin Zhao slightly lifted his head. He touched Jing Li’s lips, now flushed from the kiss, and deliberately lowered his voice to ask, “Are you angry?”

“…” Jing Li didn’t even want to acknowledge him. “And you said you’d never bully me. I must have misjudged you.”

“Speaking of which…” Qin Zhao teased, playing with Jing Li’s hair as their strands tangled together. “What did you call me earlier in front of the young emperor? Say it again. Let me hear it.”

Jing Li turned his head to resist, only for Qin Zhao to gently turn his chin back and steal another quick kiss.

“Stop it! Someone might see us!” Jing Li tried to sit up, but Qin Zhao held him firmly in his arms, making it impossible to move.

“Just call me once, and I’ll let you go,” Qin Zhao said.

Jing Li rarely called him that. After all these years, they had long since stopped being so sappy with each other. Who knew what had gotten into Qin Zhao today?

Jing Li’s face burned with embarrassment. Seeing Qin Zhao lean in for another kiss, he gritted his teeth and muttered, “Stop—Husband…”

Qin Zhao wasn’t satisfied. “I didn’t catch that.”

“Hus-band!” Jing Li burst out in frustration, momentarily forgetting to lower his voice.

Even Xiao Yu, their little one, was startled. He turned around, blinking in confusion, trying to make sense of his fathers’ actions in the way he best understood.

Frowning, the little boy said in a soft, serious voice, “No fighting allowed.”

Jing Li: “…”

Thank goodness the child didn’t understand what the word husband meant yet.

Sitting up straight, Jing Li quickly reassured him, “Daddy and Little Dad aren’t fighting, really.”

“Okay.” Xiao Yu nodded and turned back to look out the window.

Meanwhile, Qin Zhao was struggling to contain his laughter. Only when Jing Li shot him a glare did he manage to suppress it.

He took Jing Li’s hand, gently rubbing it in his palm. “I was just teasing you. I won’t bully you anymore.”

“…Xiao Yu, I’m really happy.”

In his darkest moments, heaven had sent him this little koi fish, bringing him hope, courage, and deep love.

He didn’t know what he had done to deserve it, nor how he could possibly repay it all.

Qin Zhao’s gaze softened, and his voice grew tender. “You probably don’t know how happy you make me.”

Jing Li raised his hand to press it against Qin Zhao’s lips.

“You don’t need to say it—I already know.” Jing Li glanced at Xiao Yu, then quickly planted a kiss on Qin Zhao’s cheek. “Because I love you too.”

They had gone through conflicts, misunderstandings, tests, compromises, and doubts, but ultimately, they had grown into what they were now. No matter what challenges lay ahead, the one constant was their unwavering love for each other.

And it was this love that gave them the strength to keep moving forward, facing the future together.

In the end, Qin Zhao did not participate in this year’s imperial exams.

As the weather grew warmer, Qin Zhao cultivated several fertile plots of land behind the house, planting vegetables and wheat. After some time, the renowned physician the young emperor had summoned finally arrived. Following multiple consultations, a detailed regimen for Qin Zhao’s recovery was established.

Under the watchful eyes of Jing Li, little fry, and Ah Qi, who monitored him tirelessly day and night, Qin Zhao’s health gradually improved.

The following year, the situation in the capital began to stabilize. The emperor, citing a lack of talented individuals in the court, made an exception and opened a special round of imperial exams.

Qin Zhao, who had missed the previous year’s exams due to health reasons, participated this time as the jieyuan (top provincial graduate) of Jiangling Prefecture. He not only excelled in the huishi but also achieved the top rank of huiyuan (metropolitan graduate), a feat that shook the capital.

News of Qin Zhao’s accomplishments in Jiangling finally reached the capital, causing a stir in literary circles. Some even speculated that he could become the dynasty’s first six-time top scorer in the imperial exams.

His sudden rise to fame garnered numerous invitations from officials for banquets and gatherings. Qin Zhao, however, declined them all.

The huishi was followed by the dianshi (palace examination). According to tradition, all gongyuan (top-ranked scholars from the huishi) were eligible to participate in the dianshi, and barring significant offenses, no one would fail. The dianshi served only to determine the top three scholars: zhuangyuan (first place), bangyan (second place), and tanhua (third place).

Qin Zhao was unconcerned about the results, and even Jing Li, having grown familiar with the young emperor over the past year, stopped worrying. There was no way the emperor would dare deny Qin Zhao the zhuangyuan title, let alone anyone capable of competing with him.

It was a foregone conclusion.

When the day arrived for Qin Zhao to travel to the capital for the dianshi, Jing Li didn’t accompany him. It wasn’t for lack of desire, but their residence was too far from the capital. The round trip would take hours, and while Jing Li could endure it, Xiao Yu could not.

The two decided that A-Qi would accompany Qin Zhao while Jing Li stayed home to care for their child.

According to the dynasty’s regulations, the emperor personally set the exam question for the dianshi, which consisted solely of policy discussions. The scholars were required to answer on the spot, and the emperor would select the top three based on their responses. The rankings were announced the following day at the grand Honglu ceremony.

Including the time spent traveling to the capital, Qin Zhao didn’t return to their bamboo house until the evening of the third day.

The courtyard gate was left wide open, and the house appeared empty both inside and out.

With just a glance, Qin Zhao guessed what was going on.

He instructed Ah Qi to start a fire and prepare dinner, then grabbed the small wooden bucket hanging by the door and headed straight to the back of the house.

Behind the bamboo house was a winding path through a bamboo forest, with a stream trickling alongside it that led to a deep pool beneath a waterfall.

The pool was crystal clear. A brilliant red koi leaped out of the water, its tail scattering a spray of droplets.

A smaller koi darted around it twice before attempting to leap but barely managed a splash before flopping back into the water.

“Hopeless,” the larger koi teased, using its tail to nudge little fry. “Are you even a fish?”

Little fry wiggled his fins in protest.

Jing Li amused himself by teasing the little one until he looked up and noticed someone standing by the shore.

The man had filled out over the past year, his complexion much healthier. Dressed in a light green robe, his gaze was gentle as he looked at them.

Jing Li carried Xiao Yu as he swam over. “Back so soon? Did you skip the Deer Cry Banquet?”

“Mm.” Qin Zhao crouched down and stroked the larger koi’s head. “I missed you, so I came back early.”

“It’s only been three days…”

The larger koi nuzzled Qin Zhao’s fingers.

This man, confident in the young emperor’s reluctance to cross him, clearly had no regard for protocol.

Jing Li could already imagine the challenges the young emperor would face in the future.

“Why aren’t you asking me how I did?” Qin Zhao asked.

Jing Li countered, “As if you wouldn’t be the zhuangyuan.”

“Fair point.” Qin Zhao nodded, finding the question equally unnecessary. “Let’s head home. I’ve already asked Ah Qi to prepare dinner.”

The larger koi twirled in the water and innocently said, “I forgot to bring clothes.”

Xiao Yu spun around with him. “Me too!”

Qin Zhao chuckled and shook his head.

He placed the wooden bucket in the water, letting the two koi swim in before lifting it.

Carrying the bucket, Qin Zhao walked along the bamboo path toward home.

In the distance, smoke curled up from the bamboo forest, blending with the vibrant hues of the sunset on the horizon.

It was just like every other day they had spent together.

…

Thandar: Extra chapters will be password locked. Please find the password in TOC.