Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 53

53: Happy Birthday, A’Dan!

Tian Qingyi warmed herself by the fire while savoring the tea Yun Jingchu had prepared. She couldn’t help but sigh, “We used the same tea leaves, the same tea set, and the same water—so why does the taste differ so much? The tea you prepared is fragrant and aromatic, with a lingering sweetness and smoothness, while mine… well, let’s not even talk about it.”

In her heart, she thought that if she added some milk and sugar to Yun Jingchu’s tea, it would taste a bit like milk tea. If she had the time to experiment, she might even recreate the long-lost milk tea she once loved.

“Isn’t that normal? It’s like studying—so many people study, but how many actually pass the imperial exams?” Yun Jingchu, holding a warming pan, glanced at Tian Qingyi’s tea and agreed it was better left unmentioned.

After their tea competition, the winner was obvious at a glance—no formal judging was needed. The contest had been a spur-of-the-moment idea for Yun Jingchu, but now she felt almost guilty for winning so easily.

What surprised Yun Jingchu the most was that Tian Qingyi had actually asked to share her tea this time.

To most people, Tian Qingyi might seem like a tea enthusiast, since she never refused tea offered to her. But Yun Jingchu, with her keen observation, noticed that Tian Qingyi didn’t seem to love tea as much as others did. Whenever there was another beverage option, she would choose it without hesitation.

“True, people eat the same grains, yet they all look different,” Tian Qingyi said, grabbing a handful of sunflower seeds and placing them in Yun Jingchu’s hand before taking some for herself and starting to snack.

The seeds were part of the New Year’s goods Fan Zhuzhu had specially sent from Kaifeng. The gifts had arrived mid-month, including a chest of clothing—eight winter outfits, two fur coats, two cloaks, two pairs of shoes, two pairs of boots, and matching accessories—some for her and some for Yun Jingchu.

There was also a chest of cured meats like lamb and beef, snacks like pistachios and sunflower seeds, and two jars each of lamb wine and Tusu wine—all purchased by Fan Zhuzhu from the most famous shops in Kaifeng, worried that she and Yun Jingchu wouldn’t have access to such things in Huating County.

Though Huating County was far less prosperous than Kaifeng, daily necessities were still available. But to Fan Zhuzhu and others, Huating seemed small and shabby, always lacking something. In less than a year since Tian Qingyi’s arrival, she had already received two batches of gifts.

While touched by Fan Zhuzhu’s meticulous care, Tian Qingyi couldn’t help but worry—was Fan Zhuzhu spending beyond her means? And what if, one day, Fan Zhuzhu learned the truth? Would she hate Tian Qingyi for it?

Tian Qingyi didn’t know. Though the deception wasn’t her doing, nor the original host’s, they had still deceived Fan Zhuzhu. It would be understandable if Fan Zhuzhu resented her after learning the truth.

The only silver lining was that very few people knew the truth. Some who had known were silenced by the former leader, and with so much time passed, the number of people aware was likely negligible—except for Ma Zhusege, who surely knew.

The thought of the Liao Kingdom’s affairs weighed heavily on Tian Qingyi, so she tried to avoid dwelling on it to spare herself unnecessary distress.

Yun Jingchu nibbled on a few seeds and noticed they tasted different from usual. When she asked, Tian Qingyi explained that Fan Zhuzhu had sent New Year’s gifts, and she had reciprocated with local specialties.

Aside from Fan Zhuzhu’s gifts, since Yun Jingchu hadn’t returned on time, Tian Qingyi worried she’d be too busy preparing for the New Year upon her return. Not wanting her to exhaust herself, Tian Qingyi had asked Qingyu to arrange the New Year’s goods in advance.

Learning that Fan Zhuzhu had sent clothes for her too, Yun Jingchu was delighted. As for the gifts and New Year’s preparations, she thought Tian Qingyi had handled it perfectly. Mundane matters might seem trivial, but being practical was better than being clueless. Especially since she might be away from Tian Qingyi for long periods—it was reassuring to know Tian Qingyi could manage on her own.

“By the way, did the Pu family cause you any trouble while I was away?” Yun Jingchu’s biggest worry in Hangzhou had been Tian Qingyi’s safety. With Zhou Ba by her side, if the Pu family resorted to underhanded tactics, Tian Qingyi might suffer. She’d asked about it repeatedly in letters, but Tian Qingyi had always reassured her. Now that she was back, she had to ask again.

“They probably wanted to cause trouble, but they lacked the capability. Especially after the fiscal commissioner was transferred last month—they’ve been unusually quiet, even sending mediators and gifts repeatedly. I only agreed to meet them the third time, sending Uncle Zhang in my place. Don’t worry—I didn’t accept any gifts, but I made them pay a price by forcing them to repay the salt workers they owed.”

The Pu family were major salt merchants and upper-class salt households. Some middle and lower-class salt households, lacking resources, relied on the upper-class ones. The court would allocate funds to the upper-class households, who were supposed to distribute them to the others.

The salt field supervisor, Wang, had personally explained to Tian Qingyi in late August that he hadn’t withheld the funds intentionally—the fiscal commissioner simply hadn’t allocated the money. Tian Qingyi immediately submitted an official request to the prefect and fiscal commissioner, but it went unanswered.

She considered her duty done after filing the request and didn’t pursue it further. But the sheriff, Wu, was more concerned. Guessing the higher-ups wouldn’t act, he lamented to Tian Qingyi that over a hundred salt households hadn’t received their funds. Without the money by winter, many might not survive the New Year.

Realizing the severity, Tian Qingyi remembered her original purpose—to serve the people. She wrote a memorial directly to the emperor.

Before the new graduates left the capital, the emperor had granted them the privilege of submitting memorials directly to him. Soon after, the fiscal commissioner was transferred.

Later, Supervisor Wang thanked her in person, saying the funds were being allocated and would arrive by early next year. The Pu family, meanwhile, sent mediators and gifts repeatedly, but Tian Qingyi refused to play the corrupt official. She didn’t need their money, but the salt workers did, so she had Zhang Sancheng hint that the Pu family should advance the payments.

The Pu family, shrewd as major salt merchants, understood immediately. The next day, they advanced the funds without any deductions—a first—and even praised Tian Qingyi as the benevolent new magistrate.

After the fiscal commissioner was transferred without warning, the Pu family realized they’d been abandoned. Without their powerful backer, their plans to relocate collapsed, forcing them to seek Tian Qingyi’s favor and boost her reputation.

But their flattery backfired, irritating Tian Qingyi, who just wanted to be an average magistrate. Why were they sabotaging her?

Zhang Sancheng and others, however, were pleased. The Pu family’s praise was based on facts, helping build Tian Qingyi’s reputation.

With the Pu family subdued, Yun Jingchu relaxed. Open enemies were easier to handle than hidden schemes.

Though Tian Qingyi’s methods might seem like bullying, which of the major salt merchants was clean? Their wealth was built on the sweat and bl00d of salt workers. Making the Pu family advance the funds wasn’t theft—it was a necessary measure in urgent times.

Yun Jingchu was delighted that Tian Qingyi hadn’t accepted a single gift or embezzled a single coin, instead genuinely helping the people. Back at Fan Zhuzhu’s place, she’d thought Tian Qingyi might become a corrupt official. Now, she realized she misjudged her.

As New Year’s Eve approached, few citizens came to file complaints, and even the yamen staff’s minds were elsewhere. But under the magistrate’s strictness, they still had to clock in. Acting Registrar Li became the busiest person in the yamen.

As for Tian Qingyi, since Yun Jingchu’s return, she has spent at most half a day in the office. On cold days, she’d arrive an hour or two late. After the holidays, the yamen was nearly empty, but the county grew livelier.

On New Year’s Eve, Tian Qingyi and Yun Jingchu held a family sacrifice together and enjoyed a lavish reunion dinner. For their first New Year together, they took it seriously—though not in Kaifeng, they followed Kaifeng customs for food and rituals, even drinking plenty of Tusu wine and lamb wine.

The Pu family, to curry favor, organized a fireworks show to ring in the New Year, publicizing it widely. Many headed to the streets after dinner, but Tian Qingyi wasn’t interested—until Yun Jingchu insisted.

So they went together, accompanied by Wei Shier, Zhou Ba, and servants. Once on the street, they realized Huating County’s New Year’s Eve festivities rivaled Kaifeng’s—vendors, performers, and crowds filled the streets, keeping them out until midnight.

The Pu family’s fireworks lasted over ten minutes, lighting up the awed, joyful faces of the spectators.

As the fireworks ended, everyone exchanged greetings. Tian Qingyi happily bowed to Yun Jingchu: “May my wife enjoy a prosperous New Year, with smooth sailing and thriving business!”

“May my husband enjoy a fortunate New Year, with good luck and all wishes fulfilled!” Yun Jingchu replied, her joy overflowing. Since her mother’s death, she hadn’t celebrated such a carefree New Year.

The Yun family, though not officials, had strict rituals—tedious sacrifices, rigid dining orders, and formal toasting sequences. The atmosphere was always stifling. Only in private with her mother had she ever enjoyed the holiday freely, just like today with Tian Qingyi—relaxed and happy.

After the greetings, they smiled at each other. Yun Jingchu was about to suggest heading back when Tian Qingyi turned to Wei Shier behind her. Wei Shier’s eyes lit up as he pulled a small square box from his chest and handed it to Tian Qingyi.

“A’Dan, happy birthday!” Tian Qingyi took the box and presented it to Yun Jingchu with both hands.