Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 40

40: They Have Connections in the Court

Though Tian Qingyi already had dishes and wine in mind, she didn’t order immediately. Instead, she turned to Yun Jingchu and asked, “What would you like to eat, dear?”

“Whatever you choose is fine,” Yun Jingchu replied absentmindedly, her gaze lingering on Tian Qingyi. Since leaving home that morning, the two had been strolling and shopping together—no servants, no interruptions. She loved this intimate, natural state between them.

They didn’t have to maintain the dignified air of masters, nor worry about servants judging their casual behavior. They could do and say whatever they pleased, as if the world consisted of only the two of them. But now, seated in the restaurant, Yun Jingchu realized that after this meal, they would likely return home. She wished this time could stretch longer, much longer—yet she knew that no matter how long, it would eventually end.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?” Tian Qingyi asked after placing their order, noticing Yun Jingchu’s pensive expression.

Yun Jingchu snapped back to reality and answered without hesitation, “I was wondering why people are so contradictory. Even when we know something is meaningless, we still can’t help wanting to do it.”

“Like what?” Rather than lecturing about contradictions, Tian Qingyi was more curious about what had prompted this thought.

Yun Jingchu: “For example, just now, I wished time could freeze at this moment. But deep down, I know time doesn’t stop—certainly not for you or me.”

Tian Qingyi nodded. “Time truly won’t stop for us. Sunrise and sunset follow nature’s laws; no human can change that. But I’m more curious—why did this thought occur to you?”

Knock, knock. The waiter had closed the door when leaving earlier. Just as Yun Jingchu was about to respond, the knocking interrupted her. “Come in,” she said reflexively.

A server entered, carrying fine porcelain tableware. The two fell into a comfortable silence as the dishes were arranged. Only after the server bowed and left did Yun Jingchu speak again. “Do you really want to know?”

“Yes. Because I don’t think you’d have such thoughts for no reason.” The more time Tian Qingyi spent with Yun Jingchu, the clearer it became—she wasn’t an ordinary woman of this era. Her demeanor was deceptive; her thoughts were remarkably forward-thinking.

Yun Jingchu smiled. “You understand me so well, Qingyi. I felt this way because I cherish moments like today—just you and me. This is actually our first time shopping together.”

So that was it. Tian Qingyi chuckled. “I can’t stop time, but I can certainly make time to accompany you. If you enjoy it, I’ll take you out again next rest day.”

As they spoke, the portly man who had excused himself earlier returned and immediately summoned the servant he’d sent to follow Tian Qingyi and Yun Jingchu. Learning they were in the next room, he grinned at the dark, skinny man across from him. “Guess what I just saw?”

“Stop playing games. Spit it out,” the skinny man grumbled after downing another cup of wine, clearly in a foul mood.

Not daring to drag it out, the portly man feigned seriousness. “I just saw an exceptionally beautiful young lady. Her looks, her figure—you’d be hard-pressed to find her equal in all of Huating County. And she’s a new face. How about we, as usual…?” He raised an eyebrow suggestively.

The skinny man’s interest was piqued—until he recalled his sister’s warnings from yesterday. Deflated, he waved a hand. “My sister told me to rein it in from now on.”

The portly man took a fan from a servant and began fanning the skinny man, coaxing, “Brother Wang, you’re kin to the Pu family. Who in Huating County wouldn’t give you face? We’ve only done what others dare not. It’s not like we’ve broken any laws—why hold back?”

“That’s how it should be. But this new magistrate—he has connections in the court. Even the Pu family had to swallow their pride after getting beaten. What chance do we have? Listen to me: it’s best to lay low from now on. If you cross the magistrate, not even the Pu family can save you.” The skinny man drained another cup bitterly.

Had his sister not drilled it into him and revealed the Pu family’s failed appeal to the Two Zhe Circuit Fiscal Commissioner, he wouldn’t have cared. When the Pu men were flogged and paraded through the streets, he’d outwardly feigned sympathy while inwardly gloating—surely this new magistrate was digging his own grave by targeting the Pu family. Wasn’t that slapping the Fiscal Commissioner in the face?

But the Commissioner’s reaction had stunned him. Instead of backing the Pu family, he’d told them to tread carefully and avoid offending the new magistrate—practically ordering them to fall in line.

The previous magistrate? The Commissioner had treated him entirely differently. Without that backing, would the Pu family have dared flout taxes and act so arrogantly? If this new magistrate didn’t have high-placed supporters, the Pu family wouldn’t believe it—and neither would he.

If even the well-connected Pu salt merchants had to take the humiliation, what hope did a small-time merchant like him have? So he’d resolved to truly keep a low profile.

Seeing his persuasion fail, the portly man lost interest. Tossing the fan back to a servant, he slumped into his seat and drank morosely. “Who knows how long this magistrate will stay? What’s the point of life if we can’t flirt with pretty ladies?”

The wooden walls offered little soundproofing, but between the bustling hall and the noisy street outside, Tian Qingyi and Yun Jingchu only knew someone was next door—not what was said. They remained oblivious to the vile intentions or the resentment stemming from the Pu family’s punishment.

Once the food and wine arrived, they began eating. Knowing Yun Jingchu had a low alcohol tolerance and that the Qingruokong wine was strong, Tian Qingyi kept her from drinking too much and frequently served her vegetables.

Yun Jingchu’s eating habits defied her delicate appearance. Though she looked sweet and slender, she adored meat—especially lamb dishes, which she never tired of. To balance her diet, Tian Qingyi had made it a habit to serve her vegetables whenever they dined together, with at least three to eight helpings.

When Tian Qingyi moved to serve her more greens, Yun Jingchu pulled her bowl away. “Enough vegetables. I want more meat.”

Chopsticks poised midair, Tian Qingyi looked at her with fond exasperation. “I’m not forbidding meat. But an all-meat diet isn’t healthy. Can you eat a little more greens, please?”

“…Fine.” After a brief internal struggle, Yun Jingchu reluctantly extended her bowl.

After the meal, as they stepped out to settle the bill, they encountered the neighboring party—two richly dressed men, one plump, one lean, followed by four servants. The portly man averted his gaze in frustration, while the skinny man paled and turned away in fright.

Unfamiliar with them, Tian Qingyi paid no mind and moved to pass by, hand in hand with Yun Jingchu. The skinny man hastily yanked his companion aside to make way.

Yun Jingchu didn’t recognize them either but found their behavior odd—especially the skinny man’s terror, which seemed genuine. Yet she and Tian Qingyi were hardly intimidating. How strange.

Once the pair had descended and vanished from sight, the skinny man dragged the portly one back into their room. Slamming the door, he smacked the latter’s shoulder and hissed, “Who gave you the gall to set me up?!”

Bewildered, the portly man protested, “Setting you up would ruin me too! Brother Wang, with our friendship, how could you think that?”

“Do you know who that scholar was just now?” Seeing his genuine confusion, the skinny man cooled slightly.

The portly man scoffed, “Just some tall, pretty-faced boy.”

Infuriated, the skinny man smacked him again. “You fool! How do you not recognize the magistrate?! With brains like yours, we’re better off cutting ties.” He had to leave.

The portly man panicked—he’d worked too hard to ingratiate himself to let this slip away. After desperate pleas, promises, and a night’s entertainment at the pleasure quarters, the rift was mended.

Back at the county’s office rear residence, the two napped. By afternoon, their morning purchases had arrived. Lethargic from the heat, they tasked Qingyu with inventory and packing.

The rest of the day was spent in the ice-cooled main hall—playing chess, reading an unofficial history of the Han Dynasty (wildly divergent from official records), and debating its contents. Influenced by Tian Qingyi and The Nameless Book, Yun Jingchu had grown fond of such texts. Before coming to Huating, she’d bought dozens—both to pass time on the road and to bond over with Tian Qingyi.

Unexpectedly, their relationship had progressed faster than planned, rendering the books unnecessary. Still, reading together was enjoyable, and they soon lost themselves in discussion.

Back in modern times, she had enjoyed a standard five-day workweek with two days off. Even during busy periods with consecutive overtime, she could always request three or four days off afterward to travel and unwind. After transmigrating to the Northern Song Dynasty, things had been tolerable before assuming office—but ever since taking up her post, not only was she limited to just one day off every ten days, but even her time for painting had drastically diminished.