Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 43

43: I’ll Always Like You, No Matter Who You Are

Tian Qingyi first learned to play Go because she wanted to keep Yun Jingchu company. Back then, she only knew the basic rules. Later, she deliberately studied under Xun Chang, claiming that “one can never have too many skills,” but deep down, she knew the real reason—she wanted to become Yun Jingchu’s Go partner, even if she had been stubbornly lying to herself at the time.

Tian Qingyi didn’t know how others felt watching Yun Jingchu play against herself, but for her, it was a mix of pity and regret—pity that Yun Jingchu had no opponent, regret that she could only play alone. That was why Tian Qingyi wanted to be her partner.

Yes, she knew her skills were mediocre at best. But no one was born a master. If a month of practice wasn’t enough, she’d practice for a year. Her expectations weren’t high—just enough to make Yun Jingchu willing to play with her.

After they confirmed their relationship, their games became more frequent. Even though she still lost every time, her stubborn refusal to admit defeat only made her more determined. Now, she has genuinely grown to like playing Go—but only with Yun Jingchu.

Even if she lost every game, her heart was always full of joy, just like when she lost herself in painting, completely unaware of time passing. Playing with others didn’t give her the same feeling. So when Zhang Sancheng or Clerk Li invited her for a game, she usually made excuses to decline. On the rare occasions she couldn’t refuse, she only played one round. In total, she had only played a handful of times. Zhang Sancheng was better than her, while Clerk Li was about her level—so the only person she had ever beaten was Clerk Li.

If she knew Yun Jingchu’s thoughts, Tian Qingyi would have smiled and said, “It’s because of you that I seriously learned Go in the first place—of course I prefer playing with you!”

Soon, Yuanqi and the others brought the Go board. After setting it up, the two began their game. As usual, Tian Qingyi made the first move. Yun Jingchu even offered to let her start with two extra stones to compensate for her weaker skills. Fully aware of her shortcomings, Tian Qingyi didn’t refuse. As they took turns, the board gradually filled with black and white stones.

“One more round! I’ll definitely do better next time!” Tian Qingyi finally conceded defeat, but her spirit remained unbroken.

Yun Jingchu took a sip of perilla drink and smiled. “It’s time for our nap. You still have official duties to attend to later. We can play again in the evening.” Every time she saw Tian Qingyi lose so cheerfully, she couldn’t help but admire her optimism.

With a losing streak like Tian Qingyi’s, most people would have given up long ago. Yet she only grew more determined—almost excessively so.

“Alright, we’ll play tonight.” Tian Qingyi stood and pulled Yun Jingchu along for their nap. Yun Jingchu, her eyes curved in amusement, let herself be led away. Yuanqi and the others swiftly cleaned up and retreated, closing the door behind them with practiced discretion.

Though the rain had cooled the air slightly, it was still midsummer, and the heat lingered. The ice for relief had been prepared in advance and couldn’t be returned, so blocks of ice were placed in the room.

To stay cool, they used porcelain pillows. At first, Tian Qingyi had found the hard pillows uncomfortable, but now she could fall asleep the moment she lay down. The bed was covered with a bamboo mat—when sleeping alone, she could shift to a cooler spot when one side grew warm.

But with only two spots to alternate between, the bed felt even smaller with Yun Jingchu there. Tian Qingyi longed to replace it with a larger one, but all the furniture in the residence was government property. As a mere user, she couldn’t change it—let alone take it with her.

Every time she resented the cramped bed, she missed her modern 1.8-meter-wide mattress. Once I’m free, she thought dreamily, after traveling with Jingchu, I’ll choose a beautiful place to retire lazily with her, design our home just the way we want, and have a custom 1.8-meter bed made. Perfect.

Lost in her fantasies, reality struck the moment she reached the bedside. Sullen, she began removing her outer robe to prepare for the nap. Yun Jingchu, also undressing, found it odd that Tian Qingyi remained silent but assumed she was just tired.

Lying side by side in their inner robes on the cool mat, their bodies accustomed to naptime, they soon fell asleep. The gauzy mosquito net around the bed and the landscape screen in the corner ensured privacy—even if Yuanqi and the others tried to peek, they wouldn’t see much.

During the hotter days, even though they slept together daily, they instinctively avoided contact like repelling magnets, barely touching at most. But this time, when Tian Qingyi woke, she found Yun Jingchu half-draped over her, pinning her in place. Delighted yet troubled, she hesitated.

Delighted by the embrace, troubled because it was almost time to return to work. Her biological clock was more precise than a modern alarm. If she delayed now, she’d be late.

But Yun Jingchu looked so sweet and peaceful in sleep that Tian Qingyi couldn’t bear to wake her. If only time could stretch a little longer…

As for work? Well, I’m the highest-ranking official in Huating County. A little tardiness won’t hurt. Since taking office, Tian Qingyi had been punctual, diligent in her duties—far more responsible than her former supervisors at the planning institute, who often vanished for days. Missing once or twice won’t matter.

Without needing reassurance, she justified it to herself and settled in, savoring the warmth of her partner. She admired Yun Jingchu’s long lashes, her elegant nose, and the more she looked, the more she adored her. Now I understand why “the emperor neglected the morning court.” Right now, she has zero desire to go to work.

It wasn’t until the time it took for an incense stick to burn that Yun Jingchu finally stirred—and froze in embarrassment. Her entire head and half her body were sprawled over Tian Qingyi, her face pressed against something unexpectedly soft. Realizing where she was, her face flushed crimson, and she hastily retreated to the far side of the bed, turning her back.

Tian Qingyi, who had been drowsily admiring Yun Jingchu’s sleeping face, snapped awake at the movement. Seeing Yun Jingchu’s flustered expression, she burst out laughing—only to be scolded by the still-groggy Yun Jingchu: “What’s so funny? It’s not like I climbed on top of you! And no one saw, so… hmph!”

“I didn’t say anything. You’re the one admitting it!” Tian Qingyi laughed harder, utterly charmed by this rare display of sleepy defiance.

Yun Jingchu, incensed, pinched Tian Qingyi’s waist. The laughter died instantly as Tian Qingyi yelped, “Okay, okay, I’ll stop! Let go!”

Only then did Yun Jingchu release her, grumbling, “I was embarrassed and upset, and you just laughed like it didn’t matter. Do you even care about my feelings? I must’ve been blind to think you were a good match.”

Seeing she was genuinely angry, Tian Qingyi sobered and scooted closer, tentatively pulling her into an embrace. The first attempt was rebuffed, the second rejected—only on the third try did Yun Jingchu reluctantly allow it.

“To be honest,” Tian Qingyi said, half-teasing, half-sincere, “I do care. I laughed for two reasons: first, you looked so beautiful just now, it made me happy; second, I wanted to ease your embarrassment with laughter.”

“Really? You weren’t just laughing at me?” Yun Jingchu’s voice was muffled against Tian Qingyi’s chest. I must’ve looked a mess—hair all over the place. How could that be beautiful? The thought made her insecure.

“Really. Truer than pearls. And no matter how you are, I’ll always like you. So with me, just be yourself.” Tian Qingyi pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

Now fully awake, Yun Jingchu sat up abruptly. “Fine. You said it. Just so you know, I’m not always gentle—I can be fierce too.” She put on a stern face. “Get up and go to work right now, or I’ll break your legs!”

“Yes, yes, I’m going!” Playing along, Tian Qingyi feigned terror, trembling as she lifted the mosquito net—though the shaking was from suppressed laughter. This “fierce” side of hers… I kind of love it. She barely held back another chuckle.

Outside, hearing the commotion, Qingyu called, “Second Young Master, Second Lady, shall we come in to assist?” Yuanqi, slower to react, stayed silent but pricked up her ears, not wanting to miss a word.

“Behave yourself,” Yun Jingchu whispered sternly.

Tian Qingyi, already at the clothing rack, nodded obediently before calling, “Come in.”

Summer attire was simple, so Tian Qingyi usually dressed herself. Only her hair—now being deftly tied up by Qingyu—required help. Since Yun Jingchu was also awake, Yuanqi and the others entered to attend to her.

By the time they stepped in, Tian Qingyi had already donned her green official robe with its curved collar and wide sleeves and was fastening her belt. Qingyu moved to assist, but Tian Qingyi had already finished—she had mastered dressing and grooming long ago.

Though the layered robes were light and breathable, her feet suffered the most in their heavy boots. For comfort, she kept a pair of wooden clogs in her office. Hidden behind the desk’s cloth screens, she could switch without anyone noticing.

Back in the residence, she swapped her boots for clogs, replaced her stiff official hat with a light gauze cap or hairpin, and on sweltering days, even changed into loose, comfortable robes.

Once Qingyu had styled her hair and she had washed up and donned her hat, Tian Qingyi turned to bid farewell to Yun Jingchu, who was still having her hair done. “A-Dan, I’m off. If you’re bored, you can visit me at the central hall.”

The central hall was essentially her private office. Only her “secretary,” Zhang Sancheng, and her assistant, Zhou Ba, worked there. Few people came by in the afternoons, so Yun Jingchu could drop in if she wished.

“Go on, then,” Yun Jingchu replied without turning, though inwardly she was glowing. Her earlier fierceness had been an act—Tian Qingyi’s words had filled her with such joy and emotion that her heart threatened to leap out. Unable to express it, she chose silence instead.

After Tian Qingyi left, Qingyu attended to Yun Jingchu, noticing her subdued mood. Their relationship wasn’t close enough for her to pry, so she pretended not to see—until Yuanqi ventured, “Second Lady seems upset. Did you not sleep well?”