Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 66

66: A Joyful Reunion in Body and Mind

The root cause still lay in the pressure to produce heirs. Though Jiufang Xin had previously promised Fan Zhuzhu he would stop nagging, as the years passed without any sign of grandchildren—neither from his eldest son’s wife nor the second son’s—he grew anxious again.

Since the second daughter-in-law was still in mourning, he couldn’t press her, so he turned his focus to his eldest son and daughter-in-law. Unfortunately, after Fan Zhuzhu’s birthday celebration, his eldest son had grown resentful. At first, he stopped returning home altogether. Later, after Jiufang Xin reprimanded him, he only came back sporadically.

Had Jiufang Qiyu kept a mistress outside, Jiufang Xin might have respected him more. Instead, the man spent his days indulging in debauchery—drinking, visiting brothels, and gambling. Over the years, he never contributed a single coin to the household; instead, he took plenty from it.

His hedonism soon affected his work. Thinking no one would notice, he embezzled tax revenues. But his subordinates not only caught on—they followed his example. Over time, the deficit grew so large that higher authorities, finding it illogical, discreetly sent investigators. When an official audit was conducted, the truth came out immediately.

Jiufang Qiyu, having taken the most, faced the harshest punishment. His official rank was demoted two levels. After painstakingly climbing to the position of Court Attendant, just a few steps away from Western Head Palace Attendant, he was now relegated to Palace Duty Officer of the Right Rank—likely only due to Jiufang Xin’s influence.

Beyond the demotion, Jiufang Qiyu was stripped of his supervisory duties. The Jiufang family had to compensate for the embezzled funds, forcing them to sell land and property, further straining their already precarious finances.

Without an official post, Jiufang Qiyu became an idle low-ranking military officer. Gambling soon consumed him. Had Jiufang Xin not strictly limited his allowance, he might have gambled away the entire family fortune.

Steeped in Confucian ideals of officialdom and societal reverence for rank, Jiufang Qiyu desperately craved power and high office. But after years as a minor official, he realized how excruciatingly difficult it was for low-ranking military officers to rise. Becoming a chancellor? A pipe dream. Meanwhile, his illegitimate brother, having earned the Doctoral degree, found promotions far easier—even a chancellorship seemed within reach.

This blow was harder to bear than his father’s favoritism. Yet he could do nothing—he knew he wasn’t cut out for scholarly pursuits. Now demoted and dismissed, he saw no hope and simply gave up, drowning himself in pleasure and gambling. He loved the escape it provided—no thoughts, just the thrill of a good hand.

Jiufang Qiyu’s antics infuriated Jiufang Xin, who fell ill intermittently for over half a month. After recovering, he had no choice but to scheme for his son. His feelings toward this eldest child swung between love and hatred—at times, he wished to bequeath him the entire family fortune; at others, he wished he’d never been born.

After careful consideration, Jiufang Xin decided direct intervention might repeat past mistakes. Instead, he adopted a conditional approach: his assistance hinged on his eldest son impregnating his wife. Jiufang Qiyu, after deliberation, agreed—and thus, Li Yan’s pregnancy came to be.

True to his word, Jiufang Xin secured another official post for his son—this time as a patrol inspector. Unlike the previous Kaifeng posting, this one was in Minquan County, one of Kaifeng’s most remote districts.

According to Fan Zhuzhu, since Jiufang Qiyu left for Minquan at the end of last year, he had only returned twice—both times at Jiufang Xin’s insistence. He showed no interest in Li Yan’s unborn child, making it clear he cared little for either his family or his wife.

Initially unaware of Jiufang Xin’s renewed pressure, Fan Zhuzhu only learned of it when Li Yan inadvertently revealed it during a visit. Fearing Jiufang Xin might turn his demands on Jiufang Xiyan and Yun Jingchu, she stormed off to confront him, demanding whether he’d sent any letters urging pregnancy to Huating County. Jiufang Xin looked at her as if she were an idiot, refusing to engage. The one-sided argument escalated, leading to their current strained relationship.

As Fan Zhuzhu recounted this, Tian Qingyi could almost picture Jiufang Xin’s internal meltdown—likely just shy of outright calling Fan Zhuzhu a fool. After all, with the second daughter-in-law in mourning, how could he disregard ethics like that? The thought of Jiufang Xin’s stony face masking seething fury nearly made her laugh.

It wasn’t until Fan Zhuzhu grew drowsy and retired for a nap that Tian Qingyi took her leave.

Watching her foster daughter’s slender retreating figure, Fan Zhuzhu felt both content and satisfied. Of course she knew the rule-bound Jiufang Xin wouldn’t flout ethics—but that didn’t stop her from using it as a pretext to pick fights and provoke him.

Jiufang Xin had fathered no shortage of children, yet only two survived to adulthood. Some of this was her doing—but his first wife also played a role. Between their covert efforts, it was no wonder the family line dwindled.

Her return to Jiufang Xin’s household had always been about revenge. She never forgot her purpose. Beyond discreetly eliminating two of his offspring, she took special pleasure in brewing him potent “tonics.” As the saying goes, excess is worse than deficiency—and over-supplementation couldn’t possibly be healthy.

Unlike Jiufang Xin’s first wife, who pined for him to her dying day, Fan Zhuzhu’s obsequiousness served two goals: revenge and self-preservation. After all, who’d choose hardship when comfort was an option?

Just as she could harm others’ children, others could harm hers. Thus, she took extreme care with Jiufang Xiyan’s food and clothing.

Whether due to her tonics or Jiufang Xin’s karmic comeuppance for his misdeeds, he eventually suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed. Internally thrilled, she feigned grief.

In his current state, poisoning him would likely pass as a natural death—but she preferred letting him languish in half-life, the ultimate humiliation and torment.

Now that Jiufang Xiyan had proven himself, she no longer needed to play the meek concubine. At every opportunity, she deliberately provoked Jiufang Xin. If it killed him, all the better. If not, she’d at least collect interest.

Jiufang Xin, who never took women seriously and brimmed with arrogant self-assurance, simply dismissed Fan Zhuzhu as stupid—never suspecting deliberate vengeance. Still, her behavior grated. Were it not for his second son, he’d have long sold her off.

Returning to Yuzhu Residence, Tian Qingyi napped briefly, then spent the afternoon waiting restlessly. The homecoming banquet that evening was lively, attended by many relatives—even Yun Jingchu’s family sent representatives. Yet the absence of the one person she missed most left her disengaged throughout.

By bedtime, Yun Jingchu still hadn’t returned. The next morning brought fine weather. Though Tian Qingyi long to wait at home, her duty to report to the Bureau of Appointments couldn’t be delayed. After a quick breakfast, she donned official robes, gathered her documents, and set off by carriage.

At the Bureau, she queued for hours before facing an insufferably arrogant clerk. The ordeal left her more drained than prefecture meetings.

Her superior, the prefect, had written her a recommendation letter praising her performance and urging the court to assign her greater responsibilities.

Following Jiufang Xin’s advice, she’d prepared duplicates of everything—the recommendation, her performance review, identification papers—to guard against loss or blame.

Submission triggered another wait. Only after an afternoon interview with senior officials did the formalities conclude.

By the time she returned to the Jiufang residence, the sun was setting. Eager for news, she immediately asked the gatekeeper—only to deflate upon learning Yun Jingchu remained absent. She trudged back to Yuzhu Residence.

Where was Yun Jingchu now? Had the pursuers caught up with her?

Shortly after changing clothes, Fan Zhuzhu summoned her for dinner. Though in low spirits, Tian Qingyi went—aware she’d spent little time with her mother and might have even less in the future.

Midway through the meal, as Fan Zhuzhu served her roasted lamb, Qingyu arrived: “Greetings, Stepmother Fan. Greetings, Second Young Master. The Second Madam has returned—she should be at Yuzhu Residence by now.”

Tian Qingyi’s mood instantly lifted. Abandoning her meal, she stood to leave—then paused, turned back, and bowed: “Please forgive this child for leaving abruptly.”

“At my age, I’ve grown fond of dining alone. Go on,” Fan Zhuzhu replied, understanding spousal proprieties demanded her departure.

Yet she’d noticed Tian Qingyi’s transformation—one that, to her experienced eyes, resembled the joy of a lover’s return. Unwilling to dwell on it, she chalked it up to an unusually close sisterly bond formed in Huating County.

Racing back to Yuzhu Residence at unprecedented speed, Tian Qingyi finally saw her beloved—but restrained herself from approaching. Yun Jingchu was changing behind a screen, hastening at her arrival. The moment she finished, Tian Qingyi rushed forward and embraced her.

Servants like Yuanqi and Qingyu averted their eyes and silently withdrew, the last one closing the door behind them.

Tian Qingyi buried her face in Yun Jingchu’s neck, hands clasping her waist, knees slightly bent, inhaling the familiar, cherished scent. Every fiber of her radiated joy.

Caught off guard by the public display, Yun Jingchu froze before reciprocating the embrace, resting her head on Tian Qingyi’s shoulder—her face growing warm.

Regaining her voice, Yun Jingchu patted Tian Qingyi gently: “Alright, if we keep this up, I’ll faint from hunger. I skipped lunch to hurry back.”

Heart aching, Tian Qingyi immediately released her and called out: “Qingyu! Tell the kitchen to prepare food—quickly!”

“Second Young Master, the meal is already on its way,” Qingyu replied from the doorway. Wei Shier, Yun Jingchu’s attendant, had sent word to the kitchen upon arrival. After the day’s rushed journey, everyone—madam and servants alike—had missed lunch. Empty stomachs took priority.