Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 45

45: Yun Jingchu Catches a Cold

Regarding having Baoqin come at the end of the year, Yun Jingchu didn’t immediately respond. After dismissing Qingyu and the others, she carefully considered her words: “Baoqin didn’t come with us not because Grandfather or Stepmother wouldn’t allow it, nor because I didn’t want her to come or she was unwilling, but because I needed someone trustworthy to remain in Kaifeng. Until someone can replace her, she can only stay in Kaifeng.”

Yun Jingchu didn’t specify why she kept Baoqin in Kaifeng. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Tian Qingyi, but precisely because she trusted and cared too much that she didn’t want Tian Qingyi to see her less admirable side. After all, she was seeking revenge against her own father and stepmother, which most people would consider unfilial, even cruel.

“If we can’t have her here, writing more letters is just as good,” Tian Qingyi said, thinking Yun Jingchu kept Baoqin in Kaifeng to manage the shops and estates. “After you finish writing, give the letters to me. When the couriers come to collect official documents, I’ll have them deliver your letters to Kaifeng. The courier service is both safe and saves money—why not take advantage of it?”

The Northern Song’s postal system was divided into the document-delivery courier system and the lodging system for traveling officials. Each county had its own courier stations and posthouses managed by dedicated personnel. Initially, the courier system didn’t allow private letters, but after Emperor Taizong’s decree permitting sealed family letters, officials and nobles could use it for personal correspondence.

“That may be true, but unfortunately, the courier service doesn’t allow proper sealing. For ordinary letters, it’s fine, but for private correspondence, it’s not suitable,” Yun Jingchu said. Having researched mailing options, she had already made arrangements—Baoqin’s letters from Kaifeng were delivered by a dedicated messenger from Zhuyuan Estate.

Tian Qingyi, who had mistaken the Song courier system for a modern postal service, was embarrassed by her blunder. “I was so focused on helping you send letters that I forgot about the sealing issue. If it really won’t work, we can send someone specifically to deliver them.”

“No need for that. The letters are brought by a messenger from Zhuyuan Estate. He’ll rest tomorrow and set out early the next morning to return to Kaifeng. If you have any letters or items to send back, you can have him take them along.” Before coming, Yun Jingchu had agreed with Baoqin to exchange letters at least once a month, with urgent correspondence delivered as needed. The messenger had been carefully selected in advance.

Though Yun Jingchu loved money, she wasn’t stingy. In addition to covering the messenger’s travel expenses, she paid him an extra string of cash per trip as a reward—amounting to twelve strings a year. The travel allowance was fixed, so if the messenger was frugal, he could even save some money.

Before reading the letter, Yun Jingchu had personally met the messenger. Pleased to learn the trip had taken only twelve days, she thought, This is why I chose him—not only fast but also honest. Most importantly, he’s illiterate and has a family to support, so he won’t peek at the letters or neglect his duty.

Tian Qingyi was slightly surprised. Is managing shops and estates really so confidential that it requires a dedicated messenger? Making the long trip from Kaifeng just to rest one day before hurrying back? Is money really that easy to burn?

Personally, she would never send a dedicated messenger to Kaifeng. Writing to Jiufang Xin felt like official business, and even her letters to Fan Zhuzhu were mostly casual family matters—nothing worth hiding. Sealing wasn’t important to her.

Though Tian Qingyi privately thought Yun Jingchu’s dedicated messenger was a waste of money, since it wasn’t her own funds, she simply said, “A dedicated messenger is good—safe and fast. The birthday gifts for mother have already been sent to Kaifeng, so I don’t have anything else to send. I’ll just write another letter to make her happy.”

“Then go write it quickly. If sent this time, it should arrive before mother-in-law’s birthday,” Yun Jingchu said, standing up to walk to the desk on the left side of the room to finish her reply.

The main room of the rear courtyard had three sections: the left side was the bedroom, separated by a folding screen; the center was a private sitting area with a daybed and chairs; and the right side was an open study. The desk faced the sitting area, surrounded by bookshelves on two sides—the books they had brought from Kaifeng were stored here but didn’t fill the shelves.

Originally, the desk had faced the window, but Tian Qingyi disliked the arrangement and changed it. Before Yun Jingchu arrived, Tian Qingyi had often painted and written here, rarely using the study. But after Yun Jingchu came, she had to move to the study room.

Today, however, she didn’t want to go to the study ro. She wanted to stay in the main room, close to Yun Jingchu. Seeing that the open study still had plenty of space, she called Qingyu and instructed her to bring the desk and writing supplies from the study.

Yun Jingchu, who had heard everything clearly, said nothing, her expression calm as she dipped her brush in freshly ground ink and continued writing. But the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her happiness.

Qingyu worked quickly, soon returning with the desk and writing materials. Tian Qingyi directed them to place the desk beside Yun Jingchu, reminding them to be quiet. The two desks were arranged at a right angle, forming an inverted “L,” allowing them to easily see what the other was doing with just a glance.

After Qingyu and the others left, Tian Qingyi sat down and began grinding ink. She glanced at Yun Jingchu several times, opening her mouth as if to speak but ultimately saying nothing, not wanting to disturb her. Finally, she started writing her own letter.

Yun Jingchu, who had started earlier, finished first. She considered reading for a while but found herself distracted by Tian Qingyi’s striking profile—memorable at first glance and even more pleasing upon repeated viewing. Slowly, the book in her hands became mere decoration.

Tian Qingyi, absorbed in writing, didn’t notice Yun Jingchu watching her. When she finally looked up, Yun Jingchu had already anticipated the movement and pretended to be engrossed in her book. After a moment, she feigned surprise. “Are you done?”

“Yes, I ended up writing a bit more than I planned,” Tian Qingyi said as she sealed the letter and stamped it with her personal seal. If sent via courier, this step could be skipped, but since it was a private messenger, sealing it was safer.

Seeing Tian Qingyi finishing up, Yun Jingchu said softly, “I’m hungry.” Having eaten little at lunch, she had felt hungry soon after finishing her letter. But with Tian Qingyi still writing and the pleasant view of her beloved, she had ignored her stomach until now.

Tian Qingyi paused mid-stamp and called out loudly, “Qingyu!”

“Your servant is here,” Qingyu answered promptly from outside, opening the door to enter.

“Go check on dinner in the kitchen. If it’s ready, bring it immediately. If not, hurry them along. Quickly, go.” Tian Qingyi spoke urgently, as if she were the one starving. Then, remembering something, she added, “Has the rain stopped?”

“Yes, I’ll go right away,” Qingyu said, turning to leave but stopping when she heard the question. “It’s still raining, but lighter now.” Tian Qingyi said nothing further, and Qingyu departed.

Yuanqi, waiting outside, longed to enter, but since Tian Qingyi hadn’t called for her and Yun Jingchu hadn’t summoned her either, she could only gaze wistfully at the door.

“Qingyu has gone to hurry them. Just hold on a little longer,” Tian Qingyi said, scanning the room. Spotting grapes and pastries on the low table by the daybed, she suggested, “How about some grapes or pastries to tide you over?” She started to stand, but Yun Jingchu pulled her back.

“I can get them myself. Finish sealing your letter first.”

“Alright, you go ahead and eat. I’ll put my letter with yours when I’m done,” Tian Qingyi said, returning to her task. For extra security, she stamped every seam and edge of the letter.

Tian Qingyi, Yun Jingchu, and even Qingyu all knew that Qingyu’s errand was likely just to rush the kitchen. Unless instructed otherwise, the kitchen cooked meals precisely on schedule. Since it wasn’t yet dinner time, the food probably wasn’t ready.

About fifteen minutes later, dinner finally arrived—and to Tian Qingyi’s delight, the rain had stopped. Though they had initially planned to eat where they were, the clear skies changed their minds. After discussing it, they decided to dine at Lianfeng Pavilion instead.

With the rain gone, the flood threat over Huating County was lifted. Free of worries, Tian Qingyi ate an extra bowl of rice and slept soundly that night. The next morning, she accidentally overslept.

Seeing Yun Jingchu still asleep, she got up quietly as usual, dressed, had a quick breakfast, and headed to the central hall under the bright sun to handle official business.

She worked until noon before returning to the rear courtyard. Eagerly, she asked Qingyu where Yun Jingchu was. Learning she was in the main room, Tian Qingyi hurried there, failing to notice Qingyu’s subdued mood.

But when she entered happily, she didn’t see Yun Jingchu on the daybed or at the study desk. Just as she was about to ask, she heard coughing behind the screen. Without another word, she frowned and walked over to find Yun Jingchu listlessly propped up in bed while Yuanqi handed her water.

“Did you call a doctor?” Tian Qingyi asked, automatically taking over Yuanqi’s task.

Yun Jingchu tried to answer but coughed again. Qingyu explained that after waking up feeling unwell, Yun Jingchu had sent for a physician. The doctor had diagnosed a cold, prescribed medicine, and the first dose had already been taken.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Tian Qingyi rubbed Yun Jingchu’s back as she listened. When the coughing subsided, she held the water to Yun Jingchu’s lips, but Yun Jingchu only took two sips before refusing more.

“I’ve heard that drinking more hot water helps colds heal faster. Have a little more, please?” Tian Qingyi coaxed.

“I’ve never heard that,” Yun Jingchu said weakly, clearly skeptical.

“I recovered from colds this way before. If you don’t believe me, try it,” Tian Qingyi said. Though modern medicine might have helped, hot water definitely played a role. To persuade Yun Jingchu, she didn’t mind being slightly misleading.

Cough… “Fine, I’ll try,” Yun Jingchu said, slowly drinking the water Tian Qingyi offered. If it meant recovering sooner, she’d force herself to drink more, even if she didn’t want to.

Yun Jingchu’s nose had been stuffy the day before, but she’d ignored it. That night, she hadn’t objected to the usual ice blocks in the room. By morning, her nose was completely blocked, her headache, her throat was sore, and she felt miserable all over.

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to go to Qinglong Town with you for the Ghost Festival,” Yun Jingchu said, leaning against Tian Qingyi, her voice soft and weak—a far cry from her usual vigor. The sight tugged at Tian Qingyi’s heart, making her wish she could take the illness herself.

Since Tian Qingyi had suggested the outing, Yun Jingchu had been looking forward to it. But the flood crisis had pushed it from her mind. With the danger passed yesterday, she’d been excited again—so happy before bed that she’d finally get to visit Qinglong Town. But fate had other plans, giving her a cold at the worst possible time.