Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 56

56: Husband and Wife Are One

“If you think that way, I’ll be angry,” Yun Jingchu said unhappily, putting down her chopsticks before even starting to eat. “Coming to Qinglong Town was my own decision—you didn’t force me. If anything, I’m the one burdening you.”

Seeing Yun Jingchu upset, Tian Qingyi smiled and placated her by adding lamb to her bowl. “Husband and wife are one—there’s no talk of burdening each other. I was overthinking it. Forgive me this once, A’Dan. I won’t think that way again. It’s cold—let’s eat while the food is hot, or the lamb will lose its flavor.”

“You said it yourself. If you think like that again, you’ll regret it.” Only then did Yun Jingchu relent and begin eating. She wasn’t truly angry—just concerned that Tian Qingyi took too much upon herself, and she didn’t want her to exhaust herself.

After dinner, they drank some fragrant perilla soup. The Northern Song Dynasty not only had a variety of cold drinks in summer but also hot beverages in winter. The cuisine was equally diverse, with stir-fried, fried, steamed, and boiled dishes, making Tian Qingyi grateful she’d transmigrated to this era. Had she ended up in the Qin or Han dynasties, even eating and drinking would have been a struggle.

Even though a millennium separated the Northern Song from modern times, it was the feudal society closest to contemporary life. Commerce thrived, food was abundant, night curfews were absent, taverns offered delivery services, and renting carriages was convenient.

Even Huating County, a coastal region, was relatively prosperous. While it couldn’t compare to the capital, Dongjing, it had all kinds of shops, taverns, and teahouses. Qinglong Town, a transportation hub, connected trade between the north and south.

“How did your business go?” Tian Qingyi asked, warming Yun Jingchu’s chilly hands over the brazier.

“I’ve decided not to open a shop here.” Yun Jingchu had walked around town in the afternoon and inquired at teahouses. While Koreans and Japanese did visit Qinglong Town for trade and were fond of spices, the market was already saturated. Compared to Hangzhou, Qinglong’s market was too small. Entering recklessly might not only yield little profit but also provoke collective resistance.

“Why?” Tian Qingyi looked up in surprise, clearly not expecting this answer.

Yun Jingchu didn’t hide her reasoning, explaining her findings and analysis. She added, “Besides, Qinglong Town is under your jurisdiction. If I conducted business here, it might invite impeachment for you. With little profit and high risks, why bother?”

While the Northern Song officially restricted officials from commerce, in practice, as long as they weren’t excessive, even the emperor turned a blind eye. Most officials engaged in business indirectly, just not in their own names.

“Impeachment be damned—it’s no big deal.” Tian Qingyi felt a pang of discomfort, sensing Yun Jingchu’s decision was partly for her sake. But under Yun Jingchu’s stern gaze, she amended, “You’re right, A’Dan. The world is vast—if we don’t open a shop here, we can do so elsewhere. Why take the risk? Caution is best.”

“You understand me well, Qingyi. So I plan to visit Guangzhou after spring.” Yun Jingchu, her hands now warm, examined Tian Qingyi’s fingers—still slender but slightly tanned from martial arts practice, with short, clean nails as always.

Embarrassed but feigning composure, Tian Qingyi’s red ears betrayed her. Noticing Yun Jingchu’s nails had grown, she offered, “Your nails are long. Should I trim them for you?”

Yun Jingchu immediately withdrew her hand, eyeing her skeptically. “They’re fine for now. Servants can handle such trivial tasks. Let’s focus on important matters.”

Tian Qingyi’s mood soured. Though Qingyu usually trimmed her nails, she’d done it herself in her past life. Was she so incompetent she couldn’t even use scissors?

“Are you upset?” Seeing Tian Qingyi’s silence and downcast expression, Yun Jingchu softened. “I’ll let you trim them next time, alright?”

Instantly cheered, Tian Qingyi agreed. “Alright. You want to go to Guangzhou? I’ve heard it has a Maritime Trade Office and many foreign traders. The opportunities there might surpass Hangzhou’s, and the market could be larger. It’s a good idea, though the distance is considerable, and the capital required might be substantial. Do you have enough?”

When Yun Jingchu went to Hangzhou, Tian Qingyi had offered financial support, but Yun Jingchu declined. Now, after investing heavily in Hangzhou with no returns yet, Tian Qingyi worried about her funds for Guangzhou.

“I don’t have enough capital, so I won’t start business immediately. First, I’ll survey the market and proceed cautiously.” Yun Jingchu’s unusually solemn tone indicated careful consideration.

Tian Qingyi frowned. “I have money. If mine isn’t enough, I can write to Kaifeng for more. Why didn’t you discuss this with me earlier? Do you not see us as one?”

“Of course we’re one! I’m discussing it with you now. Truthfully, lack of funds is only part of it. My experience in Hangzhou showed me I still need to improve before expanding further. I’ll wait until the spice shop turns a profit before taking the next step.”

“Is that so?” Tian Qingyi asked uncertainly. Yun Jingchu nodded firmly—this was her plan.

“Your caution shows how much you’ve learned in Hangzhou. As the saying goes, ‘Greed makes you chew poorly.’ Business should advance steadily. You’ve thought more thoroughly than I have—it seems you have a knack for this.” Feeling parched from the brazier’s heat, Tian Qingyi asked Wei Shier for perilla-infused water.

Tian Qingyi only knew modern Guangzhou. The ancient version, with its Maritime Trade Office, was something she’d read about but couldn’t recall clearly. Still, since Yun Jingchu had decided, she would support her.

Trapped in her official role, Tian Qingyi couldn’t even leave Huating County. Thankfully, Yun Jingchu wasn’t bound by such restrictions. Tian Qingyi wanted her to pursue her dreams and was willing to stand behind her as her supporter.

As they drank perilla water, the captain and coroner arrived. After greetings, Tian Qingyi had the captain report first.

Captain: “Your Honor, preliminary investigation suggests the Zhou residence fire started around 5-7 AM. The likely cause (90%) was an overturned candle holder. All eight victims died indoors, with doors and windows unbolted. No other anomalies were found.”

Tian Qingyi: “Was the candle holder overturned accidentally or deliberately?”

The captain, caught off guard, stammered, “This… this humble one isn’t sure. Please grant me more time—I’ll find out by tomorrow.”

Tian Qingyi: “You have until noon tomorrow. Dismissed.” Her confidence in the constables wavered, and she resolved to inspect the scene herself.

After the captain left, the coroner stepped forward.

Coroner: “Your Honor, preliminary examination shows the eight bodies were severely charred. Superficially, external injuries are indeterminable. However, the absence of soot in their nostrils confirms they were dead before burning.”

Tian Qingyi remained expressionless, but Yun Jingchu was startled. Deep down, she’d hoped the fire was accidental.

Tian Qingyi: “If they died before burning, there must be a specific cause. Re-examine them tomorrow—dissect if necessary. If you uncover the truth, I’ll reward you handsomely.”

The coroner, though temporary, seemed more reliable than the constables. Tian Qingyi wished she had Washing Away of Wrongs—Song Ci’s forensic manual—but it belonged to the Southern Song. Her memory of its contents was patchy at best.

After the coroner left, Yun Jingchu murmured, “So it was murder. How cruel—even a five-year-old wasn’t spared.”

Tian Qingyi: “Once solved, we’ll know who did it. Until then, we’ll keep this between us to avoid panic.” She glanced at Yuanqi and Wei Shier, who hastily vowed secrecy.

As for the captain and coroner—seasoned assistants—if they leaked details, Tian Qingyi would make them regret it long before returning to the yamen.

Yun Jingchu: “You’re right. Rumors are already spreading. Revealing its murder would cause unnecessary fear. We’ll wait for the truth.”

They chatted a while longer before retiring.

The next morning, Tian Qingyi woke early but, cozy with Yun Jingchu and deterred by the cold, struggled to rise. Yet the case’s urgency forced her to overcome her laziness.

After breakfast in the private room, she sent Zhou Ba to discreetly investigate the Zhou and Yang families before returning to the Zhou residence with the captain and constables.

This time, Tian Qingyi personally inspected everything—from the fire’s origin to every room, even the walls. She discovered clues: footprints and marks at the base of the wall, and clear signs someone had scaled it with tools.

By noon, the coroner’s preliminary dissection revealed Fourth Zhou had been stabbed through the heart; the others similarly. The captain confirmed the candle holder was deliberately overturned.

The case was clear: someone had scaled the wall, slaughtered the Zhou family, overturned the candleholder to destroy evidence, and escaped the same way.

Tian Qingyi ordered the collection of all ladders and blades within five li, with constables comparing footprints house by house.

With many households nearby, even with the village chief’s help, the process lasted until afternoon. The captain cross-checked ladders and blades, arresting three suspects—including Yang Dalang, the Zhou family’s neighbor.

Qinglong Town’s limited facilities and Tian Qingyi’s lack of a scribe made on-site trials impractical, especially for capital cases beyond her jurisdiction. She took the suspects, evidence, and bodies back to the yamen.

Zhou Ba’s investigation confirmed the Yangs were indeed honest folk. The Zhous and Yangs had no prior conflicts—until three months ago, when Fourth Zhou’s mother died. The Zhou family’s geomancer selected burial land overlapping the Yangs’ plot. Initially promising compensation, the Zhous reneged. Yang Dalang’s repeated demands failed, and he eventually stopped—instead secretly learning carpentry to build ladders and inquiring about quick methods of killing.