Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 76

76: Didn’t Consider Me at All

Seeing the situation, Yun Jingchu had no choice but to stop and persuade Jiufang Lai, who was leading the group: “Third Uncle, my husband likely fainted from overwhelming grief. His health should be fine—there’s no need for concern. The urgent matter now is Grandfather and Eldest Brother’s funeral arrangements. We need family members to oversee things. Please, Third Uncle and all the elders, go to Shangfu Courtyard first. Once my husband is settled, I’ll join you immediately.”

Though Yun Jingchu rarely interacted with Jiufang Lai in daily life, Li Yan was quite familiar with him and knew the character of his family. Once, when Jiufang Lai came to demand money, Yun Jingchu happened to be present, and afterward, she had briefly explained his nature to Tian Qingyi.

Thus, Yun Jingchu could guess why Jiufang Lai and the others were so eager to follow—it wasn’t out of genuine concern for Tian Qingyi’s well-being, but fear that if something happened to her, their own interests would suffer.

After all, the Jiufang family’s wealth and status came entirely from Jiufang Xin. Compared to established noble families, they were neither as wealthy nor as influential. If Tian Qingyi were to fall ill too, the Jiufang family’s decline would be inevitable within a few years. And without their current privileges, how could they maintain their comfortable lives?

After some thought, Jiufang Lai reluctantly agreed. In his memory, his second nephew had always been healthy—this collapse was surely just a temporary reaction to his father’s death. Besides, his niece-in-law made a valid point: someone from the family needed to oversee matters. “Very well. Take care of Second Nephew. We’ll handle Eldest Brother’s affairs,” he said.

For once, the usually obtuse Jiufang Lai showed rare clarity. Privately, he wasn’t particularly grieved by Jiufang Xin’s death. First, Jiufang Xin had been ill for years—he’d long been prepared for this. Second, after Jiufang Xin cut back on allowances, Jiufang Lai’s income had halved. At first, the impact wasn’t noticeable, but now, with finances stretched thin, he couldn’t help but resent his elder brother.

Though the Jiufang Lai family didn’t live in Kaifeng, their daily expenses in the ancestral home were extravagant—even surpassing some wealthy households in the city. As Jiufang Xin’s bl00d brother, Jiufang Lai received more than other relatives, yet he remained unsatisfied. Now, just because Jiufang Xin had reduced his allowance, his own brother resented him. If Jiufang Xin knew, how furious would he be?

Due to past hardships, the older generation of the Jiufang family hadn’t lived long. The remaining elders were of Jiufang Xin’s generation. Among them, Jiufang Xin’s branch was the most prosperous, having funded education for its members. Thus, Jiufang Lai—older in age and seniority—held a status second only to Jiufang Xin. The other elders largely followed his lead.

Now that Jiufang Lai had spoken, the other relatives quickly voiced their agreement. Knowing that convincing Jiufang Lai meant convincing the entire family, Yun Jingchu finally bowed and took her leave, rushing Tian Qingyi back to Yuzhu Residence.

Jiufang Lai’s authority over the relatives wasn’t due to any personal virtue. First, he was older and held higher seniority. Second, his interests aligned with theirs. As for why he received more benefits, no one begrudged him—after all, he was Jiufang Xin’s full brother. Bl00d ties mattered.

By the time Yun Jingchu’s group reached Yuzhu Residence, Qingyu had already fetched the other physician who had been waiting at Shangfu Courtyard. Knowing Tian Qingyi’s faint was feigned, Yun Jingchu felt somewhat guilty and considered sending the doctor away with payment. But just as Tian Qingyi was laid on the bed, she suddenly “woke up”—her eyes vacant, her gaze unfocused, like a soulless husk.

Before Yun Jingchu could speak, the physician—without even taking Tian Qingyi’s pulse—declared, “The master’s collapse was caused by overwhelming grief at his father’s passing. As the saying goes, emotional wounds require emotional remedies. Madam, you must comfort him in the days ahead. I recommend complete rest for three to five days, supplemented with nourishing foods.”

The physician’s expression was almost pitying. In his decade of practice, he’d never encountered someone as unfortunate as Tian Qingyi—losing an elder brother, only for his father to die before the brother’s burial. His final advice was deliberate, fearing Tian Qingyi’s vegetarian diet might weaken him further.

“I understand. Thank you, Doctor. Yuanqi, see the doctor out.” The physician’s pity was written plainly on his face—Yun Jingchu couldn’t pretend not to see it. For the first time, she was grateful for a doctor’s lack of rigor, as his diagnosis was exactly what she’d wanted.

Once Yuanqi escorted the physician out, Yun Jingchu sent Qingyu to the kitchen with instructions. During mourning, eating meat was inappropriate, but with the physician’s justification, ginseng chicken soup for “nourishment” was acceptable—especially since Tian Qingyi’s collapse was public knowledge.

After dismissing the others, only the two of them remained in the room. Yun Jingchu’s worried expression vanished instantly as she fixed Tian Qingyi with a stern gaze. “Why did you pretend to faint?”

Tian Qingyi, who’d planned to play dead, grew flustered under Yun Jingchu’s stare and averted her eyes to the foot of the bed with a sigh. “You know my relationship with Father wasn’t typical. Grief—I couldn’t fake it. And with everything happening at once, I truly felt overwhelmed. Fainting seemed the easiest way out.”

At this reminder, Yun Jingchu recalled Tian Qingyi’s past accounts of Jiufang Xin’s neglect and favoritism. Having once borne the crushing weight of “filial piety” herself, she remembered all too well how exhausting the pretense had been—an unforgettable ordeal.

Tian Qingyi’s feelings toward Jiufang Xin might have mirrored Yun Jingchu’s toward Yun Changliang—or been even colder. If even Yun Jingchu, accustomed to acting, had struggled, how much harder would it be for Tian Qingyi, who was unskilled at deception? In this light, feigning a faint was the best option.

With so many eyes watching, if Tian Qingyi’s grief seemed insufficient—if her mourning appeared lackluster—a single accusation of “unfilial conduct” could ruin her future career.

After all, the Zhao-Song dynasty clung fiercely to “filial piety” as its last virtuous banner, one it could still openly wave to command public respect.

Seeing Yun Jingchu deep in thought, Tian Qingyi didn’t dare interrupt. Only when Yun Jingchu looked up again, her anger gone, did Tian Qingyi say guiltily, “I acted on impulse. At the time, I didn’t think it through. Now I realize how irresponsible I was—I’ve only made things harder for you.”

“What you were thinking, I can’t say. But what you did, I saw clearly. You didn’t consider me at all—it seems there’s no place for me in your heart!” Yun Jingchu pretended to be furious and made to leave. Tian Qingyi immediately clung to her like a koala, frantically explaining, “My heart is entirely yours—there’s no room for even a single strand of hair! Don’t be angry. The fainting was just a temporary measure. I can ‘recover’ right away!”

Yun Jingchu’s shoulders shook with suppressed laughter before she finally burst out giggling. Realizing she’d been tricked, Tian Qingyi huffily withdrew her arms and turned her back.

Instead of coaxing her, Yun Jingchu stood and straightened her clothes. Once presentable, she addressed Tian Qingyi’s back: “The doctor said you need rest, so stay here and recover. I’ll handle everything else with Auntie. I’m going to Shangfu Courtyard now.”

Knowing Yun Jingchu wasn’t truly upset, Tian Qingyi’s pride still kept her rigid. Her lips moved soundlessly before she finally stayed silent.

Jiufang Xin—a man of many regrets and misdeeds—had finally died at dusk, the same hour as his birth. Perhaps this, too, was a kind of cycle.

The next day, the menstrual cycle Qingyu had worried about—and Tian Qingyi had dreaded—arrived as expected. Their concern wasn’t due to severe cramps but because Tian Qingyi’s flow was especially heavy on the first day, usually confining her to bed.

Yun Jingchu, already overwhelmed with Jiufang Xin’s funeral arrangements, had forgotten her own cycle was approaching—until that night, when she visited Tian Qingyi and found her unusually pale and restless in sleep.

Alarmed, she summoned Qingyu for answers. Tian Qingyi had long since told Yun Jingchu about Qingyu knowing her secret—resolving Yun Jingchu’s earlier confusion. After all, while Tian Qingyi’s disguise fooled most, it couldn’t deceive those who attended her daily needs.

Though Wei Shier was Tian Qingyi’s page, Qingyu handled her dressing, meals, and other intimate tasks. If even Wei Shier remained unaware, Qingyu’s knowledge was inevitable.

Learning Qingyu knew the truth, Yun Jingchu felt only occasional mild embarrassment—no jealousy. After all, if years of close service hadn’t won Qingyu Tian Qingyi’s affection, it never would. Yun Jingchu wasn’t the type to nurse petty grudges.

Qingyu, who’d been brewing ginger brown sugar water, was initially annoyed at the summons—until she saw it was from Yun Jingchu. She dared not delay. Others might not grasp the mistress’s importance, but Qingyu did. Better to offend the master than the mistress!

Sometimes, Qingyu admired Yun Jingchu. Had she not known Tian Qingyi’s true gender, she might have agreed with outsiders that the pair was a matchless, devoted couple.

Assuming the summons was urgent, Qingyu was surprised to be asked only about Tian Qingyi’s condition. With no reason to lie, she answered truthfully.

Tian Qingyi, a light sleeper, stirred awake at the noise. Seeing Yun Jingchu at her bedside, she murmured drowsily, “You’ve worked all day—why aren’t you resting?”

Yun Jingchu waved a hand, and Qingyu tactfully withdrew to resume brewing the ginger sugar water. Though Tian Qingyi had never liked sweet drinks before marriage, she’d since developed a fondness for this remedy. Qingyu had prepared it often in Huating County—now, she was quite skilled.

“I’ll leave after checking on you.” Knowing Tian Qingyi was easily embarrassed, Yun Jingchu refrained from teasing this time. Instead, she took Tian Qingyi’s hand and asked gently, “Does your stomach hurt? You look terribly pale.”

“No, it’s just the first day—the flow is heavy, so I look pale. It’ll be better tomorrow.” Propping herself up, Tian Qingyi squeezed Yun Jingchu’s hand, her gaze tender.

“Good. Did you drink the chicken soup I had the kitchen prepare?” Yun Jingchu felt a flicker of gratitude for Tian Qingyi’s timely “faint.” Had it happened today, the timing would have been far worse.

After confirming Tian Qingyi needed rest and nourishment, Jiufang Lai and the others had wanted to visit, but Yun Jingchu barred them. First, “rest” meant no disturbances. Second, with Jiufang Xin’s funeral underway, everyone had tasks—keeping them too busy to dwell on other matters.

Tian Qingyi brightened. “I did. It was rich and delicious. I had Yuanqi save a bowl for you. Your cycle is coming soon—the soup will do you good.”

“Now that you mention it, I just realized something.” Yun Jingchu’s intellect, previously dormant, suddenly sharpened. “If we both have our cycles at month’s end, why haven’t I noticed yours before?”