Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 67

67: What Lovers Do

Hearing this, Tian Qingyi pulled Yun Jingchu to the main hall while chiding worriedly, “What’s the rush? You could’ve sent word, and I’d have come to meet you. How could you skip meals like this? Don’t do it again.”

“I was too focused on hurrying back to eat,” Yun Jingchu admitted, omitting that she’d only had a few spoonfuls of porridge for breakfast—otherwise, she wouldn’t have been this famished.

Eager to surprise Tian Qingyi, Yun Jingchu had traveled nonstop by boat after departure. The servants chasing her in a fast vessel took nearly two days to catch up. By the time she read the letter and turned back, more time was lost—hence her delayed return.

Seeing Tian Qingyi’s furrowed brow, Yun Jingchu suddenly deflated. “Had I known you’d return early, I wouldn’t have left. Not only did we reunite later, but all this back-and-forth was exhausting.”

“Don’t say that,” Tian Qingyi said, still holding her hand as they sat side by side at the table. “You left early to surprise me, just as I returned early to surprise you. Our intentions were good—just some mishaps along the way. But the outcome is good: we’re reunited. Shouldn’t we be happy?”

Yun Jingchu’s hand felt like cool, smooth jade—Tian Qingyi couldn’t bear to let go. If not for the servants present, she might have kissed it.

“I was blaming myself for being presumptuous,” Yun Jingchu admitted, squeezing her hand back. “But you’re right. Our hearts were in the right place, and so is the result. Minor setbacks don’t matter—I shouldn’t dwell on them.”

When food arrived, Tian Qingyi reluctantly released her. They chatted about mundane matters during the meal, reserving private topics for their bedroom later. Learning that the Yun family estate had been divided equally among all sons—partly due to Yun Jingchu leveraging Tian Qingyi’s name—Tian Qingyi wasn’t surprised.

Yun Changliang’s sudden death, the older illegitimate sons refusing to relinquish gains, and the weak position of the young legitimate heir (whose mother, Lady Yuan, had mistreated Yun Jingchu) made equal division the best possible outcome.

Yun Lanchu, as an unmarried daughter, received her dowry portion, though her and Yun Anzhi’s shares were temporarily managed by Lady Yuan.

The division occurred last year. With no management experience yet insisting on micromanaging, Lady Yuan overwhelmed the staff, neglecting business affairs. Rumors said shop stewards were miserable.

As for any secret agreements between Yun Changliang and Jiufang Xin, neither Yun Jingchu nor her family knew. Jiufang Xin had severed ties after the funeral, rendering the once-sturdy economic alliance between the families void—dissolvable at will.

Tian Qingyi hadn’t anticipated this turn. A foreboding struck her: if she and Yun Jingchu remained childless, Jiufang Xin—and society—would likely blame Yun Jingchu, pressuring Tian Qingyi to divorce or take concubines.

Early on, replacing her wife might have delighted her. Now, the thought appalled her. They were partners—divorce or concubines were unthinkable. Besides, the infertility issue wasn’t Yun Jingchu’s fault. She refused to let her bear the stigma.

Noticing Tian Qingyi’s dark expression, Yun Jingchu changed the subject, asking about her two years in Huating County. Tian Qingyi’s words poured out like floodgates opening.

From her account, Yun Jingchu gathered that under her governance, Huating wasn’t perfect but thrived: powerful clans subdued, taxes fair, streets clean, and bribery-free litigation for commoners. Modest but commendable.

Even after washing up and retiring, their conversation continued endlessly, as if compensating for two years apart. Before reuniting, Tian Qingyi had worried Yun Jingchu might have changed—that they’d feel like strangers.

Fortunately, Yun Jingchu had only grown more mature, poised, and beautiful. No awkwardness arose—just effortless chatter, as if the separation had lasted mere moments.

Tian Qingyi couldn’t recall when they’d fallen asleep, only Yun Jingchu mentioning her thriving spice trade in Hangzhou—profits now several times Tian Qingyi’s annual salary.

Despite the late night, Tian Qingyi woke at her usual hour. Watching Yun Jingchu sleep, especially those pink lips, captivated her. After resisting, she finally pecked them lightly.

She’d wanted to kiss—and more—last night, but Yun Jingchu had been engrossed in conversation. Concerned about her fatigue from travel, Tian Qingyi had restrained herself.

Now, restraint faltered. Married over three years—first due to Yun Jingchu’s youth, then her mourning period—they’d never kissed, let alone been intimate. Countless nights, Tian Qingyi ached to fly to her.

But this era lacked planes, phones, or computers—even timely communication was a luxury.

Emboldened by Yun Jingchu’s undisturbed sleep, Tian Qingyi leaned in again—only for Yun Jingchu to suddenly open her eyes. Blinking drowsily at the close face, she instinctively pouted and reached out.

Caught red-handed, Tian Qingyi’s embarrassment vanished into excitement. Clasping Yun Jingchu, she kissed her cheek, nose, then lips with a loud “mwah!”

Now fully awake, Yun Jingchu broke free, staring bewildered.

Propping herself sideways, Tian Qingyi hastily explained, “Wife, I want to… tie-tie with you. May I?”

“Tie-tie? What’s that?” Yun Jingchu asked innocently.

Tian Qingyi facepalmed. “What lovers do together. Happy things.”

Still confused but trusting—since it was for lovers, and they loved each other—Yun Jingchu nodded under Tian Qingyi’s eager gaze.

Pulling her close, Tian Qingyi finally tasted those longed-for lips: soft, smooth, fragrant—irresistible. After savoring them, she ventured deeper, inviting a dance. But her novice partner, breathless and timid, struggled to follow.

After several attempts, a flushed Yun Jingchu finally mastered breathing between kisses, eyes glistening like she’d been wronged.

Tian Qingyi’s hands weren’t idle either. Soon, Yun Jingchu’s scant clothing vanished.

What followed flowed as naturally as sunrise—even though the newly risen sun, glimpsing the scene, shyly hid behind clouds.

Afterward, sweat-drenched Tian Qingyi (forehead, back, chest glistening) found Yun Jingchu slightly better off—just flushed with a dewy brow. Ignoring her own discomfort, Tian Qingyi fetched a handkerchief. Yun Jingchu, seeing her stride over naked, squeezed her eyes shut in shyness.

Mistaking this for sleep, Tian Qingyi tiptoed, gently dabbing Yun Jingchu’s forehead with her clumsier left hand.

Yun Jingchu, overwhelmed by this new world, kept up the act until the wiping made her hotter. Snatching the cloth, she stopped pretending and wiped herself—then noticed Tian Qingyi’s greater perspiration.

Attempting to return the favor, she sat up—only to wince at the soreness below.

Tian Qingyi had known she was feigning sleep (closed eyes don’t dart). Now hastily wiping herself, she hugged Yun Jingchu, kissing her brow apologetically. “Does it hurt? I rushed—should’ve let you rest longer.”

Confident in her skills (past girlfriends had approved), Tian Qingyi worried three years’ hiatus might’ve dulled them. Though she’d limited their coupling to twice, Yun Jingchu’s discomfort gnawed at her.

“I’m fine—I just need rest. Don’t worry,” Yun Jingchu reassured, accidentally spotting the bedsheet’s crimson stain. Quickly covering it with her leg, she relaxed when Tian Qingyi seemed oblivious.

Once assured, Tian Qingyi cuddled her against the headboard before dressing. After washing up, she helped Yun Jingchu into clothes and tucked her under the kicked-off quilt.

Summoning servants, she ordered hot baths—the melted night’s ice left the room stuffy. Maids Yuanqi and Xiazhu, assuming the heat prompted this, hurried to prepare them.

Qingyu was off-duty; Wei Shier and Zhou Ba had been given leave by Yun Jingchu.

Prioritizing Yun Jingchu’s comfort, Tian Qingyi had the bath brought to their room, using the adjacent side chamber herself.

As she washed, Tian Qingyi recalled Yun Jingchu biting back moans despite encouragement—likely due to night guards outside. Next time, she resolve, I’ll post them farther away.