Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 71

71: Funeral Before Celebration

If Yuanqi and Wei Shier felt sympathy because they could relate to the woman’s plight, then for Tian Qingyi, this was the first time she had personally encountered parents who valued profit over their own child. Although she had always known that not all parents in the world were as devoted as hers, knowing something and experiencing it firsthand were entirely different concepts.

Yun Jingchu was not made of stone either. Since the woman was willing to stay even as a servant, she could certainly accommodate her—but not necessarily in the way the woman hoped. She looked questioningly at Tian Qingyi.

“It’s entirely up to you,” Tian Qingyi said. For the Jiufang family, having one more or one fewer servant was inconsequential. If they kept her, fine; if not, they could simply give her more money to ensure she left without trouble.

“Very well, she can stay,” Yun Jingchu finally decided. However, contrary to what Tian Qingyi and the others expected, the woman—Yang Qiqi—was not assigned to Yuzhu Residence but was instead sent to Fan Zhuzhu’s quarters.

Fan Zhuzhu had previously had a full complement of maids, but one had recently left after getting married, leaving her short-handed. Since Yang Qiqi was skilled in singing and dancing, she could help keep Fan Zhuzhu entertained.

Yang Qiqi, who had been nervous, finally relaxed when she learned she would be staying. She knew that at her age, she wouldn’t be able to work as a maid for many more years, but this period would give her enough time to establish herself—which was exactly what she needed.

By the time they returned to Yuzhu Residence and went to bed, it was nearly the fourth watch (1–3 AM). Yet before dawn, they were abruptly awakened by urgent knocking. Tian Qingyi, too groggy to even open her eyes, grabbed the fan beside her pillow and hurled it toward the door—only for it to hit the privacy screen and clatter to the floor.

Yun Jingchu, already roused by the noise, was startled by the sound. Realizing it was Tian Qingyi’s doing, she sighed and sat up, straightening her disheveled robes before draping a summer quilt over Tian Qingyi, who was still lying stubbornly on her side. Then she called for the person outside to enter.

Though Tian Qingyi hadn’t gotten up, she was now fully awake. To their surprise, the visitor wasn’t Qingyu, Yuanqi, or Wei Shier—it was Steward Liu. Even more puzzling, he insisted on speaking privately, refusing to let anyone else remain in the room.

Once he confirmed that no one else was present and that Qingyu and the others had withdrawn from the corridor, Steward Liu delivered his news from behind the privacy screen: Jiufang Qiyu, stationed in Minquan County, had died suddenly.

Considering Jiufang Xin’s poor health and the early hour, Steward Liu had chosen not to report to Shangfu Courtyard or Qinhai Residence first. Instead, he had come straight to Yuzhu Residence. With the eldest son gone, the second son was now the undisputed heir. His visit was both an attempt to curry favor with the future head of the household and a show of loyalty to his current master—a move no one could fault.

For Tian Qingyi, however, this posed a dilemma. If she concealed the news from Jiufang Xin, he would eventually find out, and she would suffer the consequences. As for Li Yan, the situation was even more delicate. What should have been a joyous occasion—the baby’s upcoming full-month celebration—had now turned tragic with Jiufang Qiyu’s sudden death.

Already awake, Tian Qingyi sat bolt upright at the shocking news. Yun Jingchu, fearing she might react impulsively, quickly grabbed her hand and didn’t let go until she was sure Tian Qingyi had calmed down.

Jiufang Qiyu’s sudden death had caught everyone off guard. There had been no warning, no time to prepare. Tian Qingyi ordered Steward Liu to keep the messenger under control and suppress the news, but she herself was still reeling, unable to believe it was true. Only when Qingyu and the others entered to help them dress did the reality finally sink in.

After washing up and changing, they dismissed the servants. Once alone, Tian Qingyi, seated on the daybed, frowned and said, “How unpredictable life is. We haven’t even had time to celebrate the happy occasion, and now we must arrange a funeral. No one could have seen this coming.”

“Eldest Sister-in-Law always said Eldest Brother was in good health—he rarely fell ill, though he did get short of breath easily,” Yun Jingchu mused as she poured Tian Qingyi a cup of freshly made perilla drink before serving herself. “I can’t help but feel something’s amiss. Perhaps we should speak to the messenger first, just to be certain.”

Though the morning was cool, the drinks were served at room temperature—too early for anything chilled.

Tian Qingyi drained her cup in one go and refilled it. “We should indeed question the messenger. But right now, the most pressing matter is how to break the news to Father. His health is fragile—I fear the shock might be too much for him. As for Sister-in-Law, I’m less concerned about her, but I’ve heard that the postpartum period is critical for a woman’s recovery. Should we tell her? What do you think?”

Yun Jingchu took a sip before setting her cup down. After a moment’s thought, she replied, “Father’s health is indeed a concern, but an event of this magnitude can’t be hidden for long. Given how tightly controlled this household is, attempting to conceal it would be futile. If we can’t keep it a secret, we might as well be upfront about it.”

Tian Qingyi had to agree. Though Fan Zhuzhu was temporarily managing household affairs on Li Yan’s behalf, major decisions still required Jiufang Xin’s approval. Even the accountants and stewards answered to him. How could they possibly keep this from him?

By the time they finished discussing their next steps, the day had broken. After a quick breakfast, they summoned the messenger. According to him, Jiufang Qiyu had grown increasingly addicted to drinking and gambling in Minquan County, spending his entire salary on these vices—often running short.

A month earlier, he had briefly fainted after a losing streak but ignored it. The previous day, after finishing his official duties, he had gone gambling again. At first, he lost repeatedly, but then his luck turned. After a big win, he became overexcited, collapsed, and never regained consciousness.

Yun Jingchu, who had initially suspected foul play, dismissed her doubts after hearing the account. Tian Qingyi, however, was exasperated. She had assumed Jiufang Qiyu’s death was due to a prolonged illness, which was why the news had been delayed. But to die like this?

Given Jiufang Qiyu’s portly physique, it was likely a stroke or heart attack. At least his death had been quick—unlike his father’s prolonged suffering.

Once they had a clearer picture of the circumstances, they timed their visit to Shangfu Courtyard for when Jiufang Xin would be awake. They first fetched Fan Zhuzhu, then went together to see him.

Jiufang Xin, whose poor health made sleep elusive, had been awake for some time but stayed in bed later than usual. He had planned to summon musicians after breakfast, but a servant informed him that the Second Young Master and his wife had come to pay their respects.

What truly surprised him was Fan Zhuzhu’s presence—today wasn’t a scheduled day for greetings. A sense of foreboding gripped him. After hastily dressing, he received them at once.

Steward Liu, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, arrived just as the three were bowing to Jiufang Xin. He could only follow suit, panting, while shooting desperate glances at Tian Qingyi’s back—his silent pleas to stop the revelation going unheeded.

Steward Liu had kept the news quiet, assuming Tian Qingyi would prioritize filial piety and continue the deception for Jiufang Xin’s sake. But he had misjudged the situation—and forgotten that the entire Jiufang household was under Jiufang Xin’s thumb.

Before Jiufang Xin could ask why they had come, Tian Qingyi—uncharacteristically taking the initiative—said, “Father… Steward Liu sent a word early this morning, instructing us to come here. He said he had something important to tell you.”

When Jiufang Xin’s sharp gaze turned to him, Steward Liu felt as though he had been struck over the head. He had painstakingly passed the burden to the Second Young Master, only for it to be tossed right back at him. He was doomed!

Tian Qingyi, who hadn’t given it much thought, found herself at a loss when the moment came to break the news. She simply couldn’t muster any grief over Jiufang Qiyu’s death. Hearing Steward Liu’s greeting, she seized the opportunity to return the responsibility to its rightful owner.

Logically, since Jiufang Xin was still the head of the household and Steward Liu was his trusted aide, protocol dictated that Steward Liu should have reported the news to Jiufang Xin first—not to her, the uninvolved second son.

Forced to shoulder the blame for the second time, Steward Liu knelt as Jiufang Xin’s patience wore thin. Choking back tears, he stammered, “Master… word has come from Minquan County. The Eldest Young Master… he… has passed away.”

“What did you say? Say it again!” Jiufang Xin’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the armrests, straining to rise. His eyes bulged in disbelief.

Steward Liu, resigned to his fate, repeated the devastating words. Upon hearing them again, Jiufang Xin, overwhelmed by the sudden loss of his son, spat bl00d and collapsed unconscious.

The normally orderly Shangfu Courtyard erupted into chaos. Tian Qingyi, already burdened, now had an even bigger headache.

The physician arrived shortly after, but the prognosis was grim. Jiufang Xin’s already frail constitution had been shattered by rage and grief. He had at most a month to live—if he ever woke up at all.

Though they had anticipated this outcome when deciding to tell him, facing it in reality was still a blow. With Jiufang Xin incapacitated, they reconsidered their approach regarding Li Yan. They resolved to keep the news from her as long as possible and immediately imposed a gag order on all household servants.

Since Jiufang Xin could no longer manage affairs and Jiufang Qiyu’s funeral arrangements had to be made, the three of them divided responsibilities: Fan Zhuzhu and Yun Jingchu would handle preparations at home, while Tian Qingyi would travel to Minquan County to retrieve the body.

Given the summer heat and the risk of decomposition, Tian Qingyi had to set out immediately under the scorching sun.

Speed was essential, so she took only eight men—including Wei Shier and Zhou Ba—all on horseback. Fortunately, her two years in Huating County had given her ample riding practice during countryside inspections. Otherwise, she would have been the weakest link on this journey.