Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 13

13: Accompanying Yongnian on Her Return Visit

In the blink of an eye, the maids had cleared the table. Yun Jingchu kept her head slightly lowered, silent, while Tian Qingyi also found herself at a loss for words. The atmosphere grew awkward, so she stood up to leave.

Seeing Tian Qingyi about to go, Wu Ma immediately grew anxious and said, “Tomorrow, the Fourth Madam will return to the Yun family for the bridal visit. Will the Fourth Son-in-law have time to accompany her?”

The reason the groom hadn’t attended the wedding procession was that it had clashed with the day of the imperial examination results announcement. In their eyes, the latter was clearly more important, so the Yun family had been understanding and supportive. Eager to meet the rumored scholar son-in-law who supposedly disliked merchant daughters, Yun Jingchu’s father had instructed Madam Yuan to order Wu Ma to ensure that the Fourth Son-in-law would accompany his wife back to the Yun family for the visit.

Thus, before coming to Yuzhu Hall for dinner, Wu Ma had already nagged Yun Jingchu for a long time. Yun Jingchu had agreed readily, but now, with Tian Qingyi about to leave, she still hadn’t mentioned the visit. Wu Ma grew frantic.

The bridal visit—also called “returning to the door”—was a customary post-wedding tradition. Hearing this, Tian Qingyi stopped and glanced at Yun Jingchu, whose lowered head concealed her expression, then at the anxious Wu Ma. She replied, “Tomorrow, I only have time in the morning.”

If Wu Ma hadn’t brought it up, Tian Qingyi would have completely forgotten about the bridal visit. This marriage had been so sudden—practically dropped from the sky. In fact, it was practically dropped from the sky.

After these past two days together, Tian Qingyi had noticed that not only had the original body been dissatisfied with this marriage, but Yun Jingchu seemed equally displeased. In private, she was rather cold toward her. Without Wu Ma around, she’d probably be even frostier.

In truth, Yun Jingchu was deliberately cold to her. In Yun Jingchu’s eyes, the fact that the other party disliked merchant daughters was reason enough for her own dislike. Then, yesterday, she’d discovered that he was bent on becoming a corrupt official, and today, he’d acted like the proverbial “why not eat meat” noble who knew nothing of hardship—only deepening her distaste.

Having heard that men preferred assertive women, Yun Jingchu resolved never to take the initiative in private, never to speak unnecessarily, and to deliberately act cold toward him—all to make Jiufang Xiyan dislike her so she could have her wish of an empty bedchamber.

As for the bridal visit to the Yun family, she couldn’t care less. If given the choice, she wouldn’t go back at all—not even for a single trip. How could she possibly fulfill Wu Ma’s wish and beg Jiufang Xiyan to accompany her?

“Then we’ll follow the Fourth Son-in-law’s schedule and return to the Yun family tomorrow morning,” Wu Ma replied cheerfully, pleasantly surprised that Madam Yuan’s task had been accomplished so easily. All her earlier anxiety had been for nothing.

“Agreed,” Tian Qingyi said before leaving. Since she’d already decided to protect Yun Jingchu as much as possible, she would naturally accompany her for something as important as the bridal visit—if she could.

Logically, she should have stuck to the original body’s plan—maintaining the persona of someone who disliked merchant daughters and leaving Yun Jingchu to an empty bedchamber. But the thought that the girl was only eighteen, still at an age where she needed care and protection, made it impossible for her to be cruel. She couldn’t bear to let an innocent girl suffer.

Yun Jingchu watched Tian Qingyi leave in astonishment, an indescribable frustration welling up inside her. She’d assumed he would refuse, allowing her to go through the motions of the visit alone. But he’d actually agreed!

Compared to this sudden, uncontrollable “pleasant surprise,” Yun Jingchu would have preferred the expected outcome—being lectured by Wu Ma or even Madam Yuan.

Back in the study, Tian Qingyi slammed the door shut with a bang, nearly causing Wei Shier to bump his nose. After an awkward cough, he leaned against the wall, preparing to doze off. He’d been plagued by nightmares half the night and hadn’t slept well.

Then, with a creak, the door opened again. “Go inform Steward Liu that the madam and I will visit the Yun family tomorrow morning. Have him prepare everything in advance,” the Second Young Master’s voice emerged before his face.

Wei Shier hurriedly replied, “Yes, I’ll go at once.” After bowing, he turned to leave, but Tian Qingyi added, “The carriage must also be arranged early. Go handle it.”

“Yes.” Wei Shier waited a moment longer, confirming there were no further instructions, before bowing again and departing.

As dusk fell, Ruoshui asked outside whether she should light the lamps. Tian Qingyi stowed away her calligraphy practice sheets before letting her in, instructing her to light several more lamps—worried that poor lighting might lead to nearsightedness. After all, this wasn’t the modern era; getting nearsighted here would be disastrous.

Once the lamps were lit, Tian Qingyi asked Ruoshui to fetch a large brazier. It wasn’t that the room’s charcoal burner wasn’t warm enough, but it was too small. If she burned all the practice sheets at once, the ashes might spill over.

The large brazier arrived before Wei Shier returned. Before starting the fire, Tian Qingyi opened the window. In the dim lamplight, she glimpsed banana trees outside—not many, but their new leaves stood out vividly.

The smoke from burning paper was thicker than expected, forcing Tian Qingyi to burn the sheets in small batches. By the time Wei Shier returned, the task wasn’t yet complete, so she had him report outside the door. Hearing that Steward Liu had made all the necessary preparations and the carriage had been arranged, she dismissed him to rest.

By the time Tian Qingyi finished burning the papers and practiced calligraphy a while longer, the distant sound of the night watchman’s drum reached her ears—it was already the second watch around 9 PM.

Assuming Yun Jingchu had already gone to bed, Tian Qingyi prepared to sleep in the side chamber. But as she passed the main bedroom, she noticed the lamp inside was still lit.

In truth, Yun Jingchu had wanted to sleep early, but Wu Ma wouldn’t allow it. First, she’d lectured her endlessly about the bridal visit, then stuck to her like a shadow, making it impossible for her to rest. Left with no choice, she’d resorted to playing chess against herself to pass the time.

Tian Qingyi didn’t ask the maid at the door to announce her. After standing outside for a moment, she decided to go in. Inside, she found Yun Jingchu seated at the table, pondering her next move, with Baoqin standing beside her. Wu Ma, looking utterly at ease, sat nearby, only scrambling to her feet to bow when Tian Qingyi entered.

Tian Qingyi didn’t know how to play chess, but the original body had. Though she couldn’t immediately apply the skill, she could at least recall enough to assess the game. Sitting opposite Yun Jingchu, she studied the board—only to freeze. Victory for the white pieces was already certain; there was no need to continue.

“One wrong move leads to endless mistakes,” Yun Jingchu murmured, her mind long having wandered from the game. She’d only snapped back to attention when Wu Ma and the others bowed to Tian Qingyi. Instinctively, she’d almost risen to bow as well, but remembering Tian Qingyi’s earlier dislike for formalities, she stayed seated.

“Then start over,” Tian Qingyi replied. The chessboard could be reset, flowers could bloom anew—but she could never go back.

“How do you know it won’t just repeat the same mistakes?” Yun Jingchu challenged.

“Without trying, how can you know the outcome?” Tian Qingyi blurted out, unsure whether she was encouraging Yun Jingchu or herself.

Yun Jingchu gave Tian Qingyi a scrutinizing look but didn’t respond further. Just then, maids entered with washing supplies, and the two took the opportunity to part ways for their ablutions.

Her curiosity having cost her the chance to retreat to the side chamber, Tian Qingyi only remembered while washing up that she’d soon have to share a bed with Yun Jingchu. She wished she could turn back time—but it was too late. After a quick wash, she lay down first, feigning sleep. Though her eyes were closed, her heart pounded nervously.

Plans could never keep up with changes. She’d lingered in the study precisely to ensure Yun Jingchu would already be asleep, allowing her to openly retreat to the side chamber. But man proposed, and heaven disposed.

Now, all she could do was silently pray that Yun Jingchu wasn’t the proactive type—or her secret would be exposed.

Tian Qingyi’s rushed actions left Wu Ma and the others frowning. But recalling that the Second Young Master had spent so long studying in the library—a mentally taxing activity—they dismissed their concerns. Once Yun Jingchu had finished washing up, Wu Ma and the others withdrew, leaving the main chamber of Yuzhu Residence in complete silence.

Having removed her outer robe, Yun Jingchu approached the bed cautiously, her heart uneasy. Only upon seeing that the other was already asleep did she relax, climbing in quietly to lie on the inner side.

That afternoon, Yun Jingchu had spent the entire time organizing her dowry. It was indeed substantial—but not entirely hers. Her stepmother had explicitly instructed her that, aside from the gold and silver jewelry and specific gifts for Jiufang Xiyan, 2,000 guan in cash was to be used to subsidize the Jiufang family. Additionally, half the income from the manor and shops would go to the Jiufang household each year, with the remainder under her control.

Knowing her stepmother’s character—stingy and money-grubbing—Yun Jingchu was certain such a major decision couldn’t have been made without her father’s approval.

Even now, she remembered her stepmother’s pained expression while listing the dowry items, and the way she’d looked at Yun Jingchu in private—as if she were a debt collector. Outwardly, her stepmother played the part of the generous, virtuous matriarch who wouldn’t shortchange her. In reality, she pinched every penny she could. Yun Jingchu knew exactly how she was truly regarded.

In the Yun household, her father was the undisputed patriarch—an absolute authority and a strict father. If she didn’t comply with his wishes, Wu Ma would surely tattle the moment they returned. To avoid unnecessary trouble, she’d deliberately involved Wu Ma in organizing the dowry.

Even with the need to subsidize the Jiufang family, Yun Jingchu was satisfied. Thanks to the Jiufang family’s status, her dowry was far more lavish than she’d expected. If it had been too meager, the embarrassment wouldn’t have fallen on her—but on the Yun family.

Between the dowry provided by the Yun family and the one her late mother had left her (which her stepmother had kept), she now had a modest fortune. No more would she have to endure the straitened circumstances of the past.

Most importantly, she could finally do as she pleased. The thought excited her so much she couldn’t sleep—yet she had to feign calm, not daring to move a muscle for fear of waking the person beside her.

Equally awake, Tian Qingyi’s heart leaped into her throat at the sound of Yun Jingchu approaching. She feared the younger girl might take the initiative—until Yun Jingchu quietly climbed in from the foot of the bed and lay down without another move. Only then did Tian Qingyi gradually relax.

The next day, the sky was overcast. After washing up and having a light breakfast, Tian Qingyi and Yun Jingchu set out by carriage. Along with Wu Ma, Baoqin, Wei Shier, and Zhou Ba, they brought six additional servants.

After exchanging a few words that morning, the two remained silent throughout the journey. To avoid awkwardness, Tian Qingyi feigned sleep the entire way. By the time they reached the Yun residence, a light drizzle had begun to fall.

Tian Qingyi stepped out of the carriage first. As she took in the wealthy but not particularly distinguished facade of the Yun family home, a group descended the steps. Amid the crowd of servants, the two men in lavish attire at the forefront stood out sharply.

By the time Yun Jingchu alighted, the group had reached them. The eldest man at the front clasped his hands in salute and said cheerfully, “Fourth Sister, Fourth Brother-in-law, you’ve finally arrived! Father and Mother have been talking about your visit since morning.”

Yun Jingchu stepped forward to stand beside Tian Qingyi and returned the greeting. “Eldest Brother, Third Brother, blessings to you.” Her face bore the appropriate joy and warmth of a married daughter returning home. Wu Ma and the other two also looked delighted—especially Wu Ma, whose wrinkles nearly folded into each other from smiling.

Tian Qingyi likewise saluted. “Apologies for keeping Elder Brother and Third Brother waiting.”

The eldest appeared to be in his thirties, of average height, with a round face and small eyes. He wore a soft-angled futou hat and a dark blue round-collar robe with tortoise-shell patterns—likely the eldest brother. The other, in his twenties, had a sharp, weaselly face and similar attire, though the fabric’s pattern and color differed—probably the third brother.

In contrast, she and Yun Jingchu were dressed more plainly. Today, Tian Qingyi wore a scarlet round-collar robe with a stiff-angled futou, while Yun Jingchu’s outfit consisted of a light green upper garment and scarlet skirt, topped with a light green wide-sleeve over robe. A jade pendant hung at her waist, and her hair was styled in a high chignon adorned with beaded flowers and gold hairpins, accentuating her striking features.

“Let’s skip the pleasantries among family,” Third Brother Yun Suzhi interjected, his voice low. “Father and Mother are waiting in the central hall. Fourth Sister, Fourth Brother-in-law, please.”

“Third Brother is right. Please lead the way,” Tian Qingyi said, eager to move things along.

Yun Jingchu followed Tian Qingyi inside, her smile faint and silent. Yun Suzhi led the way, offering commentary as they walked. The Elder Brother Yun Yongzhi, after instructing servants to unload the carriage, caught up and joined the conversation.