Ch 101: Reborn to Raise My Husband

In the Hanlin Academy, Qi Beinan was working with the Ministry of Rites to organize the appointment of newly ranked scholars.

For this year’s scholar selection, the exam questions were to be composed jointly by the Grand Academician of the Hanlin, two shidu xueshi, and the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites, then distributed to the prefectures and provinces. In due course, both the Ministry and the Hanlin Academy would send officials to oversee the regional evaluations.

Qi Beinan, newly married, had hoped to avoid being assigned out of the capital. He had escaped the earlier round of examination inspections, but this time there was no avoiding it. Still, such postings would not last long, so he was not overly troubled.

After a busy day, he finally finished work and headed home.

The new residence was far closer to the government offices. From the palace gates to his doorstep took less than half an hour by carriage. He no longer had to rise so early in the mornings, and the eight or nine hundred taels spent on the new home had been well worth it.

“You’re leaving so early today?”

As Qi Beinan stepped out from the Hanlin offices, he ran into Jiang Tangyuan, who was also heading home.

In June, the Hanlin Academy would conduct its annual review. Those who failed would be reassigned, often to lower posts. Everyone in the Academy was therefore on their best behavior, especially the shujishi.

Qi Beinan, however, had little to worry about. His written assessments would surely be solid, and since his appointment he had worked diligently—he had nothing to fear.

“There are guests at home today, so I’m heading back a bit earlier,” he replied.

Jiang Tangyuan slowed his pace to walk with him. Since Qi Beinan’s new residence was not far from the Jiang household, the two often left the palace together.

As they made their way toward the palace gate, Jiang Tangyuan said, “My mother came up from the provinces. She wishes to call on the Lü family, who used to visit us often.”

Qi Beinan understood at once.

Xiao Yuanbao had mentioned before that Madam Lü hoped to arrange a marriage with the Jiang family for her eldest son. Even without Yuanbao’s reminder, Qi Beinan had already heard of it.

“Then you’re right to go home early,” he said.

Jiang Tangyuan clasped his hands and smiled faintly, clearly hoping things would proceed smoothly. He had only one younger brother and was protective of him, always wishing to find a trustworthy and well-matched household.

Qi Beinan, knowing his thoughts, said nothing further. They parted ways at the palace gate.

When Qi Beinan reached home, he did not find Xiao Yuanbao there. He changed out of his official robes and ate a small plate of steamed yam cake before Yuanbao finally returned.

“Where have you been? It’s late already.”

Seeing the boy’s flushed cheeks, Qi Beinan took up a fan and gently waved it at him. The May sun blazed fiercely, and the heat was stifling.

Xiao Yuanbao gulped down half a cup of his tea before answering. “I went to finalize the shop.”

Qi Beinan raised a brow. “Already? Why didn’t you let me go with you?”

“I’ve gone with you to look at several houses now, and seen how you negotiate shop rentals. Even if I were duller than I am, I should have learned something by now,” Yuanbao said, smiling. “You’re busy at the office—I can’t let you handle everything.”

Qi Beinan chuckled. “It’s my duty to manage our own household affairs.”

Then he pinched Yuanbao’s cheek lightly. “But with such a capable little Bao, I really have nothing to worry about.”

Yuanbao sat down beside him, pried his hand away, and said with bright eyes, “I chose the shop on the busy street in the outer city. It’s a good spot—Teacher thought so too.”

“The front space isn’t large—just enough for seven or eight customers at a time—but there’s a small courtyard behind it with a kitchen, and a ladder leading to an attic that can house two or three people.”

“It used to belong to a couple who ran the business themselves, but they’re old now and wish to retire to the suburbs. That’s why they’re leasing it out. The rent is five taels a month—quite reasonable for a busy district. The space out front isn’t big enough for food stalls to set out tables, so those wanting to sell meals all turned it down.”

“The notice had been posted for months without anyone taking it.”

“I thought since we’re selling youjiangcai, we don’t need a large display area. Even our old street stall worked fine, so this little shop will do perfectly. It has a kitchen and sleeping quarters—ideal for us.”

Jiang Fulang had taken one look and agreed it was an excellent find. But instead of signing immediately, Yuanbao had first made inquiries—whether trouble often arose there, whether the elderly couple had debts or lawsuits.

After confirming there were no such concerns, he negotiated the price down to four taels and six qian, paid a year’s rent in advance, and with other fees spent fifty-five taels in total.

Qi Beinan couldn’t help but praise him. “Our little one is becoming ever more prudent and shrewd.”

Yuanbao corrected him softly. “Not little one—fulang.”

Qi Beinan laughed. “Quite right. My mistake.”

With the weather warming, Yuanbao had shed his thick winter clothes, wearing instead a white silk inner robe and a spring-green patterned gauze overcoat.

The curve of Xiao Yuanbao’s neck showed pale and slender beneath the collar, carrying a faint scent of green bamboo and jasmine.

Qi Beinan looked at him, brows lifting slightly. “You seem fairer than before.”

Xiao Yuanbao touched his cheek. “It’s this spring-green silk. It makes one look paler. Teacher said the same this morning, so I bought another length of the same fabric for him—to make a robe of his own.”

Qi Beinan barely caught the rest of his words. His eyes had already lost focus, drawn to the whiteness of that throat.

He slipped his arms around Yuanbao’s slim waist and, with one motion, lifted him, setting him atop the flower-carved table.

Yuanbao knew at once what mischief he was planning.

Qi Beinan loved to draw him close, perch him higher, and do entirely indecent things—especially in bed, where he was never content unless Yuanbao sat astride him, coaxed into shameful acts that left him speechless.

Now, as the man leaned in, his warm breath brushed Yuanbao’s neck. Yuanbao flushed scarlet and pressed a hand against him to stop the kiss.

Qi Beinan kissed the center of his palm instead. “What’s the matter?”

“You know perfectly well,” Yuanbao said, turning his head slightly toward the bright daylight spilling through the window. “It isn’t even a day since last night.”

He truly could not understand how Qi Beinan had so much vigor. In the first month after their marriage, they had been together once every few days—but as time passed and Yuanbao had learned a little of the rhythm, Qi Beinan lost all restraint, sometimes every two days, sometimes several nights without pause.

He had once thought Qi Beinan the picture of composure, never showing the least worldly indulgence, yet once married, it was as though another man had taken his place.

Still, in all other things he was the same as ever.

“That was last night,” Qi Beinan said. “We ate dinner yesterday—does that mean we shouldn’t eat today?”

“How could you compare such things?” Yuanbao retorted. The man could twist any logic to his liking. “Doing this in broad daylight—it’s like something out of those indecent storybooks.”

Qi Beinan raised an eyebrow and pinched his chin. “And how is it the same? We’re lawful husbands. Whatever we do together is proper. Those storybooks—aren’t they about aunties and younger uncles? Tell me, is that the same?”

Yuanbao pressed his lips together, speechless.

“And besides,” Qi Beinan added, “you reminded me yourself that you’re not my little brother, but my fulang.”

He smiled faintly. “I took it as a hint from you.”

Yuanbao’s eyes widened. He had spoken plainly, and somehow it had turned into a provocation. How could a man so thoroughly twist another’s words?

His chest rose and fell; he drew a quiet breath. There was no reasoning with an official from the Hanlin Academy.

“Then… then…” He lowered his gaze, his face burning. “At least close the window.”

Qi Beinan’s mouth curved. He kissed the edge of Yuanbao’s ear, then went to shut the window.

Yuanbao stole a quick glance as he turned his back. The moment the shutters drew together, he slid off the table, and by the time Qi Beinan turned around, the table was empty—Yuanbao had already darted out the door.

From the threshold he called, “I still have to get the shop fitted up. No time to waste!”

Qi Beinan frowned. “So that’s how you repay my sincerity?”

Yuanbao wanted to say, Sincerity? You mean your broad-daylight wickedness, but servants were passing outside, so he merely pursed his lips.

Qi Beinan narrowed his eyes. This little one was growing ever more cunning.

Two days later, Yuanbao arranged for craftsmen to repair and fit out the rented shop.

They needed to install a counter for receiving payments, fix several rows of shelves along the walls, and build a flat table in the center for tastings. It wasn’t much work—the carpenters had already measured everything the previous day. Four of them came that morning with ready-made shelving, and by day’s end the shop would be set.

Meanwhile, Jiang Fulang had heated water on the stove and scrubbed the attic until it shone. The elderly couple who’d run the shop before had been fastidious folk; everything was spotless, the air clean and fresh with the window open.

From the attic window one could see the entire small courtyard below—a round-bellied water jar stood in the middle, with three glossy green gourds floating inside, lending the space a cheerful life.

Jiang Fulang thought he might stroll to the pottery workshop later to pick up a few cracked earthen jars. He could fill them with soil and plant scallions, garlic sprouts, and chives, just as Tian Ken did back at the manor.

It wasn’t as spacious as the countryside, but this was the capital—convenient for buying and selling. The night market was close by. Once the shop opened, he planned to make braised delicacies in his spare hours, to sell at the market when they closed each evening.

And when Master Qi and little Bao had children of their own, he would take more leisure and help care for them.

The thought filled him with a quiet, long-forgotten anticipation for the days ahead.

Yesterday he had sent a letter to the Zhao family, reassuring them that all was well in the capital and that he was managing life there in good order.

“Teacher, you should rest,” Xiao Yuanbao said. “I can easily hire someone from the street to help clean. In the capital, it’s not hard to find workers, and they don’t ask for much.”

When he returned to the courtyard, he saw Jiang Fulang bent at the waist, scrubbing the attic floor with great effort. Yuanbao quickly called up to him, “That’s hardly enough work to tire you out—no need to do it yourself!”

“It’s a trifle,” Jiang Fulang replied, not pausing in his work. “If I stay idle any longer, my joints will rust.”

Seeing him so determined, Yuanbao gave up trying to dissuade him and turned back toward the front.

But when he reached the shop, the carpenters who had been working were nowhere in sight. Stepping outside, he found them gathered in the street watching some commotion.

“Brat, open your dog eyes and see who you’re dealing with! You dare steal my woman? Try weighing what your bones are worth first!”

“You’ve gone too far! I paid fair silver—why shouldn’t she accompany me? You think her face belongs to your household now?”

Yuanbao hesitated, then joined the onlookers at the edge of the crowd. Before the doors of Meiyin Tower—a famous pleasure house—two finely dressed young men were arguing fiercely.

Beside them stood a strikingly beautiful courtesan, head bowed, dabbing her tears with a thin silk handkerchief, the very image of fragile sorrow.

It was clear enough what they were quarreling over—a courtesan.

The capital’s pleasure quarters were crowded with singers and courtesans of rare beauty and talent, and it was common for such disputes to arise among the wealthy patrons who frequented them.

Yuanbao had little taste for such scenes and was about to leave when a dull thud rang out. The two men, who had been trading words, suddenly came to blows.

The women inside Meiyin Tower screamed, and the heavily painted madam rushed out to intervene, only to be kicked aside by one of the fighting men. She cried out and fell heavily to the ground.

The scene turned chaotic. The man wearing a gold coronet stood back, letting his hired guards handle it. They surrounded the other man—who appeared to be alone—and beat him until he could only crawl away on the ground, bleeding.

The guards showed no sign of stopping.

When a few bystanders started murmuring about reporting to the authorities, the gold-crowned man barked, “Who dares meddle and call the constables? I’ll make you regret it!”

At that, the crowd fell silent.

The beaten man’s groans echoed through the street.

Yuanbao quietly slipped away.

“In so grand a capital, under the Son of Heaven’s very eyes,” he said as he returned, “how can such arrogance still exist?”

Jiang Fulang, hearing of the disturbance, came out to take a distant look.

Yuanbao had seen this sort of thing before—even in their county, merchants who thought themselves powerful had bullied others. He remembered the day one tried to seize Zhao Guangzong’s shop, hiding behind borrowed influence. The man he’d just seen, draped in gold, was surely another who relied on his family’s power.

“No doubt he’s from a great household,” Jiang Fulang murmured.

A nearby carpenter, overhearing, joined in the gossip. “You’ve the right of it. That’s the young master from the Qiao family—son of Commander Qiao of the Capital Guard. A real dandy, that one.”

At this, Yuanbao’s brows knit slightly. The name struck a faint chord. “This Master Qiao—his wife’s surname wouldn’t happen to be Lü, would it?”

The carpenter scratched his head. “Can’t say, sir. Don’t know the lady’s family name.”

Yuanbao didn’t press further, but the thought troubled him. How many Commander Qiaos could there be, and how many with a wife named Lü?

He asked again, “You’ve seen him before?”

“Not I,” said the carpenter. “Only heard the talk. That young master not only keeps favorites at Meiyin Tower, he’s got a pretty boy hidden away elsewhere. Lives in my very street, that one.”

“The fellow’s handsome and always dressed in jewels. No proper work to his name, yet he rides in sedan chairs whenever he goes out. Sometimes late at night, men are seen slipping into his house. Happens all the time in the capital—rich men keeping lovers in secret lodgings. Folks here aren’t surprised anymore.”

“But the boy’s tongue is loose, and he likes to show off. Told more than one person which high official keeps him, and so the story’s out.”

Yuanbao paid little heed to the gossip itself, but what he’d seen was enough. The man’s conduct alone marked him as unfit for trust. How could Tangtuan be given to someone like that?

Back home, he told Qi Beinan everything.

“This Qiao young master is utterly without restraint,” Qi Beinan said, his voice cool. “A reckless youth. Even with family rank behind him, such arrogance goes too far.”

“Should we inform the Jiang family?” Yuanbao asked.

“Of course,” Qi Beinan said. “I’ll speak to Master Jiang myself. You needn’t trouble over it.”

Yuanbao nodded. With Qi Beinan handling it, there was no need for him to say more. He would simply visit Jiang Tangtuan when time allowed.

A few days later, Qi Beinan invited Jiang Tangyuan out for tea after court.

Jiang Tangyuan knew Qi Beinan was not a man for idle leisure. Realizing he must have something to say, he urged him to speak plainly. They were of similar age and long acquainted—no need for ceremony.

When Qi Beinan told him what Yuanbao had witnessed, Jiang Tangyuan’s face darkened with anger.

“There may be some misunderstanding,” he said tightly. “But I’ll make inquiries and confirm it.”

Qi Beinan replied, “Marriage arrangements concern not only your brother’s future but your family’s name as well. A man’s conduct speaks for his household—if he’s not upright, trouble will follow sooner or later.”

Jiang Tangyuan said, “Thank you for coming to tell me about this.”

Seeing that Qi Beinan had spoken out of genuine concern for his family, he did not hide the truth. “The Qiao family’s rank is higher than ours. My parents, being stationed away from the capital, never intended to seek a match here for Tangtuan. It was my uncle and aunt who kept pressing for it, saying how fine the Qiao family was. Since our family had been meaning to arrange a marriage for Tangtuan, they persuaded me to come to the capital for this purpose.”

“I’ve been occupied with my own affairs—exams, appointments, new duties. All I heard were my uncle and aunt’s praises, and when I met the Qiao family, they were gracious and courteous. I assumed they were good people and never took the time to look deeper into that Qiao son’s conduct.”

Qi Beinan said reassuringly, “The capital’s circles run deep. The Qiaos have been established here far longer than either of our families. If they wish to maintain appearances, it would indeed be difficult to uncover the truth quickly.”

What Jiang Tangyuan said was true—he had been busy enough with his own progress, newly appointed and constantly preoccupied. It was easy to be deceived by a family that knew how to present a fine face.

Jiang Tangyuan’s tone hardened. “If that man is truly like this, then my uncle and aunt have greatly disappointed us.”

After parting with Qi Beinan, he quietly sent trusted men to investigate behind his relatives’ backs.

And just as Qi Beinan had said, the rumors were no slander—if anything, the truth was worse.

The young master’s scandals were even more numerous than expected.

Jiang Tangyuan was furious, all the more because his mother had come all the way from her post to see the marriage through. Only days before, the two families had shared a cheerful meal and nearly finalized the betrothal.

No doubt, Qiao Lang had grown careless once he thought the marriage secure, letting his true nature slip.

The Jiang family had never sought the Qiaos’ influence—once they learned what kind of man he was, the engagement was off at once.

But Jiang’s uncle and aunt continued to speak in defense of the Qiaos. “Young masters from great houses all have their tempers,” they said. “A little indulgence is no sin. Once he marries, he’ll settle down.”

Tangyuan suspected they had accepted favors from the Qiaos—or perhaps simply coveted their connections. He could not bring himself to argue openly with elders, so he wrote to his father instead.

When Father Jiang received the letter, his rage was so great that he sent back three letters in succession, each more scathing than the last. Were he not bound by duty at his post, he would have come to the capital himself to give that brother and sister-in-law a proper reckoning.

The household had been in turmoil ever since.

Family discord was one thing—it remained private. But the Qiaos, insulted by the broken engagement, put on a show of magnanimity in public while nursing a deep grudge in secret.

Madam Lü’s own brother was a jinshi, serving in the Hanlin Academy as well. Older than Qi Beinan and Jiang Tangyuan, he had risen from shujishi to the rank of Doctor of the Five Classics, an eighth-grade official responsible not only for teaching but also for overseeing the Academy’s evaluations.

Thus, when Jiang Tangyuan entered the Hanlin as a newly appointed shujishi, he fell directly under the man’s authority.

The Lü official began to trip him at every turn—assigning him petty, menial errands one day, berating him in front of others the next.

As the academy’s assessments drew near, the intent was clear: to have him fail the review and be expelled from the Hanlin altogether.

“I understand well enough now what sort of people the Qiaos and Lü family truly are,” Jiang Tangyuan said bitterly. “Even suffering their spite is better than becoming kin to such households.”

He spoke with composure, yet his frustration was plain. For a man only just entering official life, such humiliation was hard to bear.

After work that day, he invited Qi Beinan to a quiet tavern in the inner city. Cup after cup, he drank in silence.

Qi Beinan stopped him. “If you endure their bullying without response, they’ll only grow bolder, thinking you’re weak and easily trampled.”

Jiang Tangyuan frowned. “My father is away on duty—he can’t intervene here. The only relatives we have in the capital are my uncle and aunt, and after our quarrel over the marriage, I can hardly count on them for help. They’re probably waiting to see me humiliated.”

Qi Beinan said calmly, “It doesn’t have to be them. There are always other ways. Remember the old saying—‘the enemy of one’s enemy is a friend.’ Do you know if the Lü family has any rivals at court?”

Jiang Tangyuan was a perceptive man. With that single hint, he already knew what to do.

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