Ch 86: Reborn to Raise My Husband

When May arrived, the gentleness of spring had faded from the capital’s air, replaced by the restless heat of early summer.

The days grew longer, the nights shorter. As dusk deepened, tall buildings lit their lanterns early. By the time the sky turned pale gray at the horizon, the streets and markets were already glowing. From above, the twelve bustling districts shimmered like a river of gold.

The results of the metropolitan exam would be posted on the fifteenth. By tomorrow, the list would hang on the walls outside the examination compound.

Qi Beinan stood in the cool night breeze, hands clasped behind his back. He didn’t know the exact day Xiao Yuanbao had set out, but judging from the timing, he should arrive around the day the results were announced.

He looked out into the deepening night, thinking that perhaps he wouldn’t get to see Xiao Yuanbao before the list was posted.

The air was dry, and though he had drunk several cups of tea, he couldn’t fall asleep. Stepping outside, he noticed that the lamp in Zhao Guangzong’s room was still lit—clearly, he too was too anxious to rest.

Qi Beinan didn’t disturb him. Instead, he left the residence for a walk.

But as soon as he stepped out the gate, a carriage turned into the alley. He stopped instinctively.

These past few days, he had often come out at night to watch the street, glancing at every carriage that passed. Translated on Hololo novels. His reaction now came almost without thought.

The carriage drew nearer, and the young man at the reins, whip in one hand and bridle in the other, was unmistakably Qin Jiang.

Qi Beinan’s heart leapt with joy. He hurried down the steps toward the gate.

“Whoa—”

Seeing him, Qin Jiang brightened. “Langjun!” he called.

Qi Beinan smiled. “At this hour? I told you not to travel at night.”

“The ge’er said the list comes out tomorrow,” Qin Jiang replied. “If we stayed outside the city another night, we’d miss it. So we pressed on and arrived now.”

Qi Beinan went quickly to the carriage, reaching to lift the curtain—but a hand beat him to it, pulling it aside from within.

A yellowish, sallow face appeared before his eyes.

He started. “What’s happened to your face? Are you that worn from the road?”

Xiao Yuanbao couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m not that exhausted. I painted it myself—makes traveling easier this way.”

Qi Beinan exhaled, smiling faintly. “Always full of tricks, you.”

Then he reached out and took Xiao Yuanbao’s hand. It had been nearly two months since they’d last seen each other, and his heart was full.

Xiao Yuanbao was about to step down, but Qi Beinan, still holding his arm, slid an arm around his waist and lifted him down from the carriage.

Early summer in the capital was warm, and Qi Beinan’s clothes were thin. Under Xiao Yuanbao’s palm, pressed against his chest, he could feel the firm, taut muscle beneath the fabric—so unlike his own soft skin.

A tremor ran through him; his fingers curled slightly, and the tips of his ears turned red.

“You’ve lost weight.”

Qi Beinan’s hand gave a light squeeze at his waist as he said it.

“It’s only that I’ve shed the winter fat,” Xiao Yuanbao replied quickly. “My figure’s the same as before.”

Qi Beinan smiled. “You’ve always preferred being a little leaner. Then this suits you.”

He called for the newly hired housekeeper and the gatekeeper to bring the luggage in, then told Qin Jiang to rest—after three long trips, the man had earned it.

Xiao Yuanbao went inside, washed his face, and stopped by Zhao Guangzong’s room to greet him. They exchanged only a few words; Zhao Guangzong could tell how tired he was and didn’t keep him long.

Back in his own room, Xiao Yuanbao dropped onto a stool, too weary to move another step.

It was his first time traveling such a long distance, and the novelty had worn off quickly—he realized just how tiring it was. Days spent cramped in a carriage had left his calves sore and swollen, his feet puffy. Sleep in the inns along the way had been light and restless.

He was rubbing his aching legs when Qi Beinan entered, carrying a food box. Behind him, the housekeeper followed in with a large bucket of steaming water.

“Eat a little,” Qi Beinan said. “You probably haven’t had a proper meal for days.”

When Xiao Yuanbao lifted the lid, a wave of fragrance filled the room—spicy stir-fried rabbit, tofu soup with greens, a dish of pickles, and a bowl of polished white rice.

The rich aroma made his stomach tighten with sudden hunger.

“Just bought it fresh from a nearby tavern,” Qi Beinan said. “Eat it while it’s hot.”

Xiao Yuanbao picked up his chopsticks and began eating heartily.

“This tavern’s food is delicious,” he said between bites. “The rabbit isn’t the least bit gamey, and it’s perfectly seasoned.”

“Good, eat more if you like it. Guangzong and I have been ordering from this place while we’ve been here—it’s small, but the cooking’s homey.”

“The capital is wonderful,” Xiao Yuanbao said in surprise. “Even this late at night, you can still get hot food.”

Qi Beinan chuckled. “That’s the capital for you—so many people, so much competition. Until the curfew, you can buy almost anything.”

Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes sparkled. From the hills outside the city, he had already seen the sea of lights; now, walking through it, he felt as if time itself had stopped. Even at midnight, the streets teemed with people—like a festival night back home.

He looked around the street—shops lined both sides, spotless and orderly, selling every imaginable thing.

The alleys wound and branched like a maze; buildings rose tall and elegant, packed tightly together in neat rows.

The streets were broad, and fine horses and carriages passed by one after another, dazzling the eyes.

It was truly a city of wealth and splendor.

“If you like it, I’ll take you out to see it properly when there’s time,” Qi Beinan said.

He fetched a basin, poured in the freshly delivered hot water, and added a handful of rose salt.

Crouching beside Xiao Yuanbao, he said, “Soak your feet a bit—you’ll feel much better.”

Xiao Yuanbao was about to put down his chopsticks, but Qi Beinan stopped him. “You just eat.”

He gently lifted Xiao Yuanbao’s foot, removing his shoes and socks.

The feet, already slender and pale, were now swollen from the long journey, the skin stretched tight.

Qi Beinan’s heart ached at the sight.

“I can do it myself,” Xiao Yuanbao murmured, face reddening, trying to pull his feet back. But a large hand caught his ankle firmly, keeping it still.

“Don’t move, or you’ll kick the basin over.”

After testing the water temperature, Qi Beinan lowered the foot into the basin. The water was just hot enough to reach the calves.

Xiao Yuanbao took a long breath—the warmth was blissfully soothing.

Seeing his eyes relax, Qi Beinan wiped his hands and let him soak quietly.

When the meal was done, Xiao Yuanbao leaned back in his chair, half-dozing. The inns along the road had basins too, but none of them had felt this comfortable. It was true—nothing was as restful as being home.

When Qi Beinan saw the water cooling, he came over, dried Xiao Yuanbao’s feet with a towel, and said, “You’re not used to sitting in a carriage that long. Your legs and feet are swollen—I’ll massage them.”

Before Xiao Yuanbao could protest, Qi Beinan lifted him easily and set him down on the soft couch.

Xiao Yuanbao knelt upright at once. “You write with those hands—how can you do such work?”

Qi Beinan sat beside him. “Hands don’t know what’s proper or not proper. If a man who hauls dung can still hold chopsticks, why can’t I do this?”

Xiao Yuanbao pressed his lips together, unable to answer.

“I’m not an outsider,” Qi Beinan said gently. “Why be afraid?”

He looked into Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes. “You don’t want your husband to massage your feet?”

At the word husband, something fluttered softly through Xiao Yuanbao’s chest, like a feather brushing the heart. His ears burned hot.

After a moment’s hesitation, he sat properly and stretched out his feet.

Qi Beinan smiled faintly, took the warm, flushed foot into his hands, and drew him closer.

Xiao Yuanbao’s skin was fair, his calves smooth and slender, his ankles fine enough for one hand to encircle completely.

He wasn’t thin, though—there was a gentle softness to him, a kind of living warmth that made him all the more endearing.

Qi Beinan’s thumb pressed into the tender sole; the skin yielded under his touch like dough.

He kneaded slowly, eyes half-shadowed, suppressing the stir of long-contained desire.

When his hands moved to the tight calf muscle, a shiver ran through Xiao Yuanbao—half from comfort, half from the heat of Qi Beinan’s palms, warmer even than the water.

He looked at the man before him—brows dark as ink, eyes bright as stars, his face so fine it could have been painted by a master’s hand.

With such a face bent over him, focused only on massaging his feet, Xiao Yuanbao’s heart fluttered wildly. Embarrassment tangled with a quiet, secret joy.

When Qi Beinan finally left the room, Xiao Yuanbao felt light and relaxed all over.

His body loose, drowsiness soon followed.

He stretched, about to blow out the candle.

As he neared the window, the red candle crackled, sending up a spark like a tiny firework in the winter night.

His eyes brightened—when a candle pops, it’s a sign of good luck. Tomorrow would surely bring fortune.

Outside, he heard a servant say softly, “Langjun, let me take care of this. I’ll pour the water out.”

Qi Beinan’s voice answered, low, “Bring some fresh water to my room—not too hot.”

Hearing that, Xiao Yuanbao’s ears perked in confusion.

He had clearly smelled the faint scent of soap on Qi Beinan earlier—surely he’d already bathed. Why take another? Was it because he’d sweated while massaging him?

The thought made Xiao Yuanbao feel a twinge of guilt. Had he known, he’d have told him to stop sooner.

The next morning, at dawn, Qi Beinan, Xiao Yuanbao, and Zhao Guangzong rose early and dressed to go see the exam results posted outside the compound.

Qi Beinan had planned to let Xiao Yuanbao sleep longer after his long journey, but surprisingly, he woke even earlier—bright and alert.

It was a big day; he couldn’t have stayed asleep even if he tried.

The results would be posted at mid-morning, so by early hour they were already on their way.

Whenever the examination lists came out, the crowd was always immense—it was best to go early and claim a good spot.

“Bao-ge’er, keep an eye on Anan,” Zhao Guangzong teased. “I hear the people of the capital are quite bold—there’s a custom of catching a husband right under the list.”

“Anan looks too good for his own good. If he ranks high, someone might try to drag him home as a son-in-law.”

He laughed. “These past days wandering the city, I’ve seen all kinds of antics—martial contests for marriage, embroidered balls tossed to choose a groom…”

“The young lady stood on a high balcony, veiled and dressed in bright red—she was impossible to miss. I thought it looked amusing, so I stopped to watch. Turns out she had a good aim—the embroidered ball flew straight toward Anan’s side.”

Xiao Yuanbao widened his eyes. “There really are such things as embroidered-ball matches? I thought that was just something storytellers made up.”

“It’s real,” Zhao Guangzong said. “First time I’d ever seen it myself—quite the spectacle. They say the girl’s from a wealthy merchant family here in the capital. Built a special tower just to toss the ball. Extravagant doesn’t even begin to cover it. The capital truly lives up to its name.”

Xiao Yuanbao couldn’t help glancing at Qi Beinan and asked quietly, “Did you catch it, then?”

Qi Beinan replied, “Don’t listen to his nonsense. I wasn’t even standing within the marked area.”

“Besides, I’m already betrothed—why would I join in? It would’ve been misleading. The ball was meant for a handsome young man standing just in front of me.”

Hearing Qi Beinan openly mention his engagement, even in front of Zhao Guangzong, made Xiao Yuanbao’s heart fill with quiet delight.

He smiled and teased, “Ah, I see now. It was Third Brother Zhao who wanted to catch the ball, but he didn’t dare go alone, so he dragged my brother along.”

“I had no such thought!” Zhao Guangzong protested at once, then shook his head with a laugh. “You two really are inseparable—no one could ever come between you.”

Qi Beinan smiled faintly and, without drawing attention, took Xiao Yuanbao’s hand.

By the time the three of them reached the examination compound, there was still a stick of incense’s time before the list would be posted—but the street was already jammed with carriages and people shoulder to shoulder.

It was fortunate they hadn’t come by carriage; otherwise, they’d never have found a place to stop.

Ahead, four guards were roping off the notice board to keep the crowd from pressing too close. This rule hadn’t always existed—it came about years ago when a man who failed the exam went mad and tore the list to shreds, ruining it for everyone else. Since then, guards had been assigned each year to prevent such chaos.

They squeezed their way forward, waiting for the announcement.

Before long, the Ministry official arrived with the red list, earlier than expected.

Xiao Yuanbao saw the curled red paper in his hands and felt his heart pound so hard it hurt. His whole body tensed.

Qi Beinan squeezed his hand lightly and murmured by his ear, “Don’t be nervous.”

Xiao Yuanbao turned to him and only then noticed his palms were sweating. He tried to pull away, but Qi Beinan held on.

Their wide sleeves hid their joined hands from view, and in the crowd, no one noticed. Qi Beinan leaned close and said softly, “So a bit of sweat—what of it?”

Xiao Yuanbao bit his lip, about to answer, when suddenly two men pushed through the crowd, knocking him straight against Qi Beinan.

Qi Beinan reacted quickly, catching him and shielding him in his arms.

“The list is up!”

The herald’s shout rang out, and the guards swiftly pasted the red paper onto the wall.

The crowd surged forward in excitement.

Before the list had even been fully smoothed out, the top few names were already visible.

Xiao Yuanbao’s breath caught. His fingers clutched tightly at Qi Beinan’s sleeve.

He looked dazed, turned his head toward Qi Beinan, and whispered, “There wouldn’t happen to be someone else with the same name, would there?”

Qi Beinan chuckled. “Not impossible. Check the name’s county of origin to be sure.”

Xiao Yuanbao leaned forward to read more carefully.

Spring Examination Results — Names of Successful Candidates.

First Class, Third Rank: Qi Beinan, of Ling County, Lin Prefecture.

The surge of joy left him dizzy, but in that very dizziness, he felt strangely calm.

Perhaps after years of seeing others’ names on lists, he had learned steadiness. Neither he nor Qi Beinan shouted or cheered—but the pressure of their joined hands tightened unmistakably.

Only they could truly feel the rush of emotion coursing between them.

They silently read through the rest of the list from top to bottom.

There was Jiang Tangyuan’s name, and Luo Tingfeng’s—but Zhao Guangzong’s was nowhere to be found.

Even after three careful passes, it remained absent. All three of them understood.

For Ling County to produce two successful scholars in a single national examination was already extraordinary.

Qi Beinan patted Zhao Guangzong’s shoulder. “There will be other chances. You’ve come far already—don’t lose heart.”

“I know,” Zhao said. “Few ever pass on their first attempt. I only just made the lower ranks last time; I knew I wasn’t ready for this level yet.”

He looked wistful for a moment, but the feeling faded quickly as he turned to smile at Qi Beinan.

“If I had passed now, I’d probably have felt unsteady—like standing on clouds without firm ground beneath me. I’d rather take my time and do it right.”

Qi Beinan nodded. “That’s the right mindset. Calmness matters more than results.”

Zhao laughed and clasped his hands in mock formality. “Anan, congratulations.”

Qi Beinan smiled. “Then I’ll accept your good wishes.”

A voice in the crowd called out, “That gentleman’s name is on the list! May we know your honorable name?”

As soon as the words left the man’s mouth, two sharp-eyed merchants pushed their way through the crowd and surrounded Qi Beinan with eager smiles.

“This gentleman has both talent and looks—what a rare young scholar.”

“My little daughter is just sixteen, fair and well-mannered. Looking at you two, I daresay you’d make a fine couple.”

Xiao Yuanbao froze. He had thought Zhao Guangzong’s earlier remark about “catching a husband” was just teasing, but it turned out the merchants truly did linger here waiting to offer their daughters to new scholars.

He felt relieved that he hadn’t cried out in excitement just now.

Qi Beinan, calm as ever, raised his still-joined hands before the merchants and said evenly, “I thank you for your kindness, but I am already betrothed—my heart as steadfast as stone.”

Xiao Yuanbao’s cheeks flushed when he felt the merchants’ gazes shift toward him.

Feigning composure, he straightened his back and said, “You both have fine taste, same as mine. It’s only unfortunate that I got there first.”

The two merchants could only smile awkwardly and back away.

After reading the list, the three were about to leave the crowd when they ran into Luo Tingfeng.

For once, the studious man wasn’t clutching a book, and his face shone with open joy. They exchanged a few words and congratulations before parting.

Just as they squeezed their way free of the crowd, a carriage pulled up. From it descended Jiang Tangyuan, holding a perfumed handkerchief to his nose, arriving late as usual.

Qi Beinan wasn’t surprised—Jiang Tangyuan had always been like this, even back in the academy days, perpetually tardy.

“Well then,” Jiang Tangyuan said, glancing from Qi Beinan to Zhao Guangzong, “how did you both fare?”

His gaze lingered briefly on Qi Beinan, then moved to Zhao Guangzong—and finally returned to Qi Beinan, noting the unfamiliar young man at his side. Curiosity flickered in his eyes.

“Your name’s on the list—twelfth place,” Qi Beinan told him first, so he wouldn’t grow anxious. Then added, “As for me, I was fortunate enough to place third.”

Zhao Guangzong congratulated Jiang Tangyuan, laughing. “Looks like I’ll need to spend a few more years in study yet.”

Jiang Tangyuan barely had time to rejoice for himself before turning to Zhao Guangzong, bowing politely. “There’s still plenty of time. This was my second metropolitan exam. You’re talented—don’t let it discourage you.”

“I’m fine,” Zhao Guangzong said. “Failing doesn’t sting so much now. If anything, it’s lit a fire under me. Coming to the capital wasn’t for nothing.”

Seeing how easily Zhao Guangzong took it, Jiang Tangyuan’s respect for him grew.

“Then this must be the fiancé Qi mentioned so often.”

Turning toward Xiao Yuanbao, Jiang Tangyuan smiled. “Qi, aren’t you going to introduce us properly?”

Qi Beinan chuckled and made the introductions. “This is Jiang Tangyuan. By coincidence, his family’s estate includes our village lands. His father once served as county magistrate.”

Xiao Yuanbao was slightly surprised and bowed courteously.

Jiang Tangyuan said, “I’ve heard much about you along the way. Even before meeting, I already had the pleasure of tasting your cooking. Now that I’ve seen you, I see Qi wasn’t exaggerating—skilled hands and a refined spirit indeed. No wonder he thinks of you constantly.”

Xiao Yuanbao, embarrassed yet polite, replied, “I hardly deserve such praise. It’s kind enough that you don’t find my simple cooking coarse. I should be the one thanking you for looking after my brother during the journey.”

Just then, another carriage came up behind them and stopped. From it stepped Jiang Tangtuan. He had come with Jiang Tangyuan to see the results, but the crowds had delayed his carriage.

Now arriving, he saw Jiang Tangyuan speaking with Qi Beinan and a young man he didn’t recognize, while Zhao Guangzong stood beside them smiling.

Perhaps sensing his glance, Zhao Guangzong looked back; their eyes met briefly before both turned away.

“Ah-Tuan, I passed!” Jiang Tangyuan called, hurrying over to pull him closer. “And Qi Beinan placed third! Only poor Guangzong shared my fate from last time.”

Jiang Tangtuan greeted them with a courteous bow.

“Victory and defeat come and go—examinations are no different. Zhao Langjun is a diligent man. A setback now only means a greater success later.”

Zhao Guangzong returned the bow. “Thank you, Young Master Jiang, for your kind words.”

Jiang Tangtuan smiled faintly, then turned to Qi Beinan to offer his congratulations as well.

Qi Beinan took the chance to introduce Xiao Yuanbao to him too.

He was glad for it—years ago, Xiao Yuanbao had only a handful of acquaintances among the gentry, and Jiang Tangtuan had been one of them.

They used to exchange letters; when Xiao Yuanbao’s literacy was still limited, many of those letters had been written by someone else on his behalf, but the friendship had been genuine and deep.

Now, meeting again under such circumstances, there was every reason to hope that bond could be renewed.

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