Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 32

32: Then Why Can’t She Like Her?

Tian Qingyi kept telling herself that she couldn’t like Yun Jingchu, yet she couldn’t stop thinking about her—it was agonizing. If they had parted in Kaifeng and never met again, she wouldn’t be so conflicted. She knew that with time, her fondness for Yun Jingchu would fade. But the real difficulty lay in knowing that Yun Jingchu would come, and not make her wait too long.

No matter how much she reminded herself not to like Yun Jingchu, it was useless. Especially when idle, her thoughts of Yun Jingchu were as inescapable as the air itself.

Word had spread that the county magistrate’s wife was arriving soon, and the idle clerks in the yamen craned their necks in curiosity, wondering what kind of woman could match such an outstanding gentleman.

The bustling street outside the yamen made the magistrate’s gate seem unusually quiet, with only a few clerks coming and going. Fortunately, Qingyu and Wei Shier, eagerly waiting, added a bit of liveliness. When they spotted three carriages approaching, Wei Shier, holding a large parasol, exchanged a few words with the gatekeepers before stepping forward with Qingyu to greet them.

The carriages stopped, and Yuan Qi stepped out first, followed by Yun Jingchu. Wei Shier quickly raised the parasol and said, “Greetings, Second Lady. The Second Young Master is occupied and couldn’t come, so he sent us to escort you.”

Qingyu also stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings, Second Lady.” “Greetings, Madam.” Wei Shier had already arranged for porters, and over a dozen yamen runners arrived in unison, their loud greetings turning the heads of passersby.

“In that case, Qingyu will stay with Yuan Qi to oversee the luggage, and Wei Shier will lead the way.” Though she had a parasol the moment she stepped out and was greeted by Jiufang Xiyan’s trusted aides, Yun Jingchu still felt a pang of disappointment that Tian Qingyi wasn’t there.

Traveling in the heat of June was something only those who had experienced it could understand. Even though most of the journey had been by boat, Yun Jingchu was unbearably hot. Her first long trip had left her with a terrible impression—until she remembered she was coming to see Jiufang Xiyan. That thought made the journey bearable, even filling her with anticipation.

The annotations in the unnamed book and the specially placed draft note were deliberate. To avoid awkwardness, she had chosen to give them at the moment of parting. Under the influence of The Polished Mirror, her worldview had expanded—but Jiufang Xiyan’s had not. People weren’t born with knowledge, and she wanted to open Jiufang Xiyan’s eyes to this new world.

To test whether Jiufang Xiyan had read the book and her reaction, Yun Jingchu had even sent a letter to Huating County—but received no reply.

During their time apart, she had accomplished much. The six people she had hired proved highly capable, so after their probation, she signed them to five-year contracts. Those suited to be shopkeepers were promoted, those fit for accounting became accountants. Whether in shops or estates, all managers were now her people, and she had set annual targets based on past performance.

Now, both shops and the Bamboo Garden Estate were firmly under her control. She had also spent a month learning household management from Li Yan, who patiently answered all her questions—a key reason for her swift reorganization.

With such major changes, she couldn’t leave without someone trustworthy overseeing things. Since Rain Bamboo Residence also needed managing and Kaifeng’s news had to reach her promptly—and she trusted no one else—she reluctantly left Baoqin in Kaifeng with fifty strings of cash for daily expenses.

Baoqin had initially refused. This was the Fourth Lady’s first long journey, and to a small county town at that—how could she not worry?

Having spent over a decade together, if given a choice, Yun Jingchu would have kept Baoqin by her side. But she had no choice—Baoqin was the only one she trusted completely.

Instead of forcing compliance as usual, Yun Jingchu explained her reasoning in detail. Only after understanding the necessity did Baoqin agree to stay—though she still wept bitterly when they parted.

Additionally, Yun Jingchu had secretly met with her elder brother Yun Yongzhi and third brother Yun Suzhi twice, reaching preliminary agreements before her departure.

Yuan Shi, who had monopolized Yun Changliang’s favor after bearing a son, Yun An, believed the entire Yun family fortune was hers. Yun Changliang, prioritizing legitimate heirs over concubines’ children and sons over daughters, groomed Yun An as his sole successor, ignoring his elder sons’ feelings and constantly admonishing them to stay obedient and assist Yun An in the future.

Yuan Shi loved to torment her in secret—withholding allowances, setting traps, and playing hypocritical games. Well, if Yuan Shi dared to act, she shouldn’t fear retaliation. Had Yun Jingchu not married into the Jiufang family, even her mother’s dowry might have been seized.

“Forgive and forget”? “Return kindness for malice”? Such notions didn’t exist for her. She believed in clear retribution—unless powerless, she would repay the kindness and grudges. Whatever Yuan Shi desired most, she would ensure she never got.

Though Yun Yongzhi and Yun Suzhi appeared obedient, their ambitions ran deep. The net had been cast, and she had done all she could. If necessary, she would deploy her third condition—now, it was up to them not to disappoint her.

Since childhood, she had known she disliked men. Even her father and brothers disgust her, though she hid it for survival. While her second sister cozied up to their father, Yun Jingchu feigned timidity, inwardly scornful of such tactics.

To avoid marrying Jiufang Xiyan, she had tried everything—plotting escape, starving herself—but Yuan Shi, long wary of her, thwarted each attempt. When she tried starving, Baoqin was locked up.

Baoqin, her lifelong companion, was the only one from her mother’s retinue who had remained loyal, suffering Yuan Shi’s abuse for it.

On her wedding night, Yun Jingchu had prepared to resist fiercely, even arming herself with a hairpin, ready to face rejection or being sent back. Yet, miraculously, nothing happened. Only later did she learn Jiufang Xiyan was also a woman, equally anxious—hence the drunken stupor as a solution.

The unnamed book had opened a new world: women could love women. The revelation left her stunned yet exhilarated, and her first thought was Jiufang Xiyan.

After learning Jiufang Xiyan was a woman, her feelings shifted. She caught herself staring, even stealing glances, and grew endlessly curious. She had thought these feelings abnormal—until she realized they weren’t.

She sought more literature on the subject but found little. Yet she knew such relationships existed—perhaps among palace maids and officials, living happily or suffering in silence.

Their separation had clarified one thing: If palace women could love each other, why couldn’t she love Jiufang Xiyan? So she resolved to confess her feelings upon their reunion.

The thought of loving openly filled her with joy. Despite the grueling journey, she couldn’t help envisioning their future—even if they never had children, even if Jiufang Xiyan had to live as a man forever.

Many couples remain childless; countless others lived as strangers under the same roof. If she could spend her life with someone she loved and who loved her, even without becoming a great merchant, she would be content.

To ensure Jiufang Xiyan saw her at her best, she changed into fresh clothes before entering the city and wore the blue glass hairpin Jiufang Xiyan had gifted her. Yet Tian Qingyi’s absence soured her mood.

Wei Shier, playing tour guide, led the way under the parasol. As they approached the gate, some clerks who had hoped to glimpse the magistrate’s wife lowered their heads.

Those who hadn’t seen Yun Jingchu’s face exaggerated wildly, while those who had praised her beauty to the heavens. By day’s end, tales of the magistrate’s stunning wife had spread throughout the yamen.

Beyond the gate lay a paved path. Wei Shier began explaining the ceremonial gate ahead, but Yun Jingchu wasn’t listening—until she spotted a familiar figure in the distance. The world seemed to pause.

Noticing her stop, Wei Shier fell silent and saw Tian Qingyi in fresh attire. So the Second Young Master changed clothes instead of greeting her? Even swapped his clogs? He’s never this meticulous usually.

Dressed in a light blue robe with an overlaid gauze coat, Tian Qingyi had waited by the side gate for a while. Despite a parasol and fan, the heat was unbearable—she missed modern air conditioning.

Seeing Yun Jingchu halt, Tian Qingyi approached, her attendant following with the parasol. Zhang Sancheng and Zhou Ba, who had come to greet them, trailed behind.

Yun Jingchu was both surprised and delighted. When Tian Qingyi neared, her feet moved before her mind could react. Before they could speak, their attendants bowed in unison.

“You’ve had a long journey. I’ve prepared chilled melons, ice dumplings, and perilla drink in the rear courtyard to cool you.” Noticing Yun Jingchu’s light sweat, Tian Qingyi offered a clean handkerchief. “Here, wipe your face—it’s unused.” She then fanned her.

Immediately, she regretted it. Wasn’t I supposed to not like her? What am I doing? But with everyone watching, she couldn’t stop, so she averted her gaze to hide her embarrassment.

Initially unused to handkerchiefs (having relied on tissues in her past life), she now carried two—one in use, one spare—going through over a dozen daily. Thankfully, they were reusable.

Yun Jingchu wore a pearl-white under robe with a pale yellow overdress, her hair adorned with the blue glass hairpin Tian Qingyi had given her. Recognizing it, Tian Qingyi’s smile widened.

“Thank you, husband.” Flustered by the public fanning, Yun Jingchu’s own fan hung forgotten. Her earlier disappointment vanished.

Before the meeting, she had countless questions—Had Jiufang Xiyan read the book? What did she think? Why no reply?

But now, bathed in tender care, her mind overflowed with joy. All she wanted was to stay by her side—words could wait.