Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 86

86: I Only Wish for You to Grow Up Healthy and Strong

Tian Qingyi had a dream. In it, she failed her mission and was executed by Ma Zhusege, only to wake up back in the modern era. Her parents hadn’t changed at all—still full of energy and still nagging her about marriage in every conversation.

Her sister, brother-in-law, and even Xiao Pang were just as they had always been. It was as if time had never fractured, as if she had never left. She was overjoyed, so much so that she completely forgot the pain of her past breakup. Xiao Pang and the others even tried to console her, saying it was okay to cry if she was sad and that no one would laugh at her.

But Tian Qingyi was genuinely happy—deeply, sincerely happy. Because she no longer had to be a reluctant spy, no longer had to compromise her principles by offering bribes, no longer had to live in constant fear, and most importantly, no longer had to engage in hypocritical diplomacy with those sanctimonious officials.

She was free. Her fate was in her own hands!

But the moment she thought of Yun Jingchu, still far away in the Northern Song Dynasty, her heart ached again. Before meeting Yun Jingchu, she had believed love was simply about companionship. But after meeting her, she realized love was more than that—it was a meeting of souls.

No one had ever captivated her the way Yun Jingchu did, making her feel as though their souls were perfectly aligned. That was why her choice could only ever be Yun Jingchu, not anyone else.

She had also grown accustomed to Fan Zhuzhu, Yuchen, and Li Yan—they were her family now. Of course, her parents, sister, and Xiao Pang were also her family. She couldn’t bear to part with any of them. She wanted it all.

She prayed to the heavens, asking for the key or ability to traverse time and space. But the heavens, angered by her greed, sent her back to the Northern Song Dynasty—right at the same moment. Ma Zhusege not only killed her but also slaughtered Yun Jingchu and the others. Their bl00d stained the floor tiles and walls crimson.

Unable to accept this outcome, Tian Qingyi jolted awake in terror. Seeing the familiar study around her, she realized she had just been napping and had a nightmare.

The scenes from the dream left her uneasy. If death truly meant returning to the modern era, would she want to go back? The answer was yes—but she couldn’t bear to leave Yun Jingchu. And the thought of Ma Zhusege not even sparing Yun Jingchu filled her with rage.

She was sick of living a life where her fate wasn’t in her own hands. She wanted to fight back! Now that her sister and the others were no longer under Ma Zhusege’s control, why should she still obey him?

At worst, she’d die. She decided to use herself as a bargaining chip to negotiate with Ma Zhusege. Once her mind was made up, Tian Qingyi felt much lighter and headed to the family shrine.

When Yuchen turned six, Tian Qingyi had written to Li Yan, asking her to hire a tutor for the child’s early education. The school was set up in the family shrine, where Yuchen studied alongside Wanyue. Their basic education lasted four years, and at age ten, they were assigned a more advanced tutor to study literature and history.

Today was Tian Qingyi’s day off. Though she had already visited the shrine in the morning, she wanted to check on their progress again. Before even entering, she could hear the two children reciting their lessons. After listening for a while, she realized they were studying the Spring and Autumn Annals and Zuo’s Commentary.

The tutor, Mr. Zhou, spotted Tian Qingyi from afar and immediately stood to bow. Tian Qingyi gestured for him to remain seated and returned the courtesy with equal respect.

Mr. Zhou was a middle-aged scholar who had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, though he always made it to the final round. Unwilling to give up, he took a teaching position in Kaifeng to support himself while continuing to study. The generous pay from the Jiufang family, coupled with the fact that he only had to teach two children, made the job appealing.

Li Yan had done her due diligence—she had thoroughly vetted Mr. Zhou’s character and background before hiring him.

Seated at their respective desks, Yuchen and Wanyue were reciting their lessons with rhythmic head-shaking, completely unaware of Tian Qingyi’s presence.

Satisfied with their diligence, Tian Qingyi left as quietly as she had arrived.

In this era, children typically studied year-round with only a few days off, lest they fall behind. Tian Qingyi didn’t want to conform entirely but also didn’t dare deviate too much, so she allowed them four days off per month.

The frequent breaks suited Mr. Zhou just fine, as it gave him more time to prepare for the exams. The ones who disapproved were Fan Zhuzhu and Li Yan, who worried the children would become too playful. Tian Qingyi countered by citing her own past experiences.

Though Li Yan still didn’t fully agree, she stopped objecting. After all, Wanyue was a girl—she didn’t need to pursue an official career. Even her uncle and aunt weren’t worried about Yuchen’s future, why should she be?

Fan Zhuzhu, on the other hand, was mainly concerned about the wasted money. If they were paying for a tutor, why have so many days off? But Tian Qingyi’s words reminded her—Yuchen’s identity meant he couldn’t take the imperial exams anyway. What difference did it make if he had one day off or four?

By the time Tian Qingyi returned to Shangfu Courtyard, Yun Jingchu was still out inspecting the shops.

At Fan Zhuzhu’s suggestion and with Li Yan’s support, while Tian Qingyi and Yun Jingchu were away from Kaifeng, Shangfu Courtyard had been completely renovated to mimic the layout of Yuzhu Residence. Fan Zhuzhu had also moved to Qinxiang Residence.

During their first short stay after returning, Fan Zhuzhu and the others suggested they move into Shangfu Courtyard, but neither Tian Qingyi nor Yun Jingchu wanted the hassle, so they declined. This time, however, after returning for a longer stay, they gave in to Fan Zhuzhu’s insistence and finally moved.

At first, neither Tian Qingyi nor Yun Jingchu could adjust. Sometimes, out of habit, they’d find themselves walking toward Yuzhu Residence instead.

Yuchen had always lived in the side rooms of Yuzhu Residence. Now that the main rooms were vacated, the entire residence was given to her.

But Yuchen wasn’t particularly thrilled. After finally getting her father and mother back, they were now living separately again. How could she be happy about that?

Ruoshui, who took care of Yuchen’s daily needs, noticed her displeasure and asked about it. Yuchen hesitated at first but, fearing Tian Qingyi’s disapproval, finally mumbled, “They just came back, and now they’re living apart from me again. What kind of parents do that? Am I even their real child?”

If Ruoshui hadn’t been standing close, she might not have caught it. As the only one who knew Yuchen’s true identity, she thought to herself, Of course not—otherwise, why would her academic performance be so average? But out loud, she said, “Of course you are. You’re already eleven—it’s time for you to have your own courtyard. Some children separate from their parents much earlier.”

Seeing Yuchen still sulking, Ruoshui added, “Now that the master and mistress are back, you can see them every day during morning and evening greetings, and even have dinner with them. Isn’t that better than just missing them through letters like before?”

“Aunt Ruo is right. I was being unreasonable. I should just be happy they’re back—how could I let such a small thing upset me? Earlier, the tutor even told me Father came to check on me not just in the morning but also in the afternoon. That makes me so happy.” Yuchen’s mood shifted quickly, her earlier gloom replaced by excitement.

In Ruoshui’s eyes, Yuchen might not be as brilliant as her parents, but at least she was obedient and reasonable. Even when Yuchen had once questioned her gender, Ruoshui simply explained it was Tian Qingyi’s request, and Yuchen never brought it up again—only following Ruoshui’s instructions to protect herself and keep her identity a secret.

Because this matter involved the Jiufang family’s greatest secret, Ruoshui didn’t dare write to Tian Qingyi and Yun Jingchu about it. It wasn’t until their short return that she privately reported it to them.

Tian Qingyi and Yun Jingchu had anticipated Yuchen’s confusion as she grew older and had prepared explanations. But unless Yuchen asked directly before turning twenty, they wouldn’t bring it up.

As for Ruoshui’s explanation, Tian Qingyi found it acceptable—after all, it was indeed her own carefully considered request. Since Yuchen hadn’t pressed further and had learned to protect her identity, they were somewhat relieved.

By the time Yun Jingchu returned, it was almost dinner. Tian Qingyi sent someone to fetch Yuchen while she and Yun Jingchu discussed business. With winter approaching, preparations for growing off-season flowers were already underway.

When Yuchen arrived at Shangfu Courtyard, she saw her parents deep in conversation about the shops. Only when they paused upon noticing her did she step forward and bow. “Father, Mother, may you be blessed with peace and health.”

“Yuchen’s here! Come sit by me.” Yun Jingchu gestured for her to take the seat beside her.

Tian Qingyi said nothing, only glancing at Qingyu to signal the kitchen to start serving.

Normally, Fan Zhuzhu and Li Yan dined in their own courtyards. It wasn’t that Tian Qingyi and Yun Jingchu hadn’t invited them—Li Yan felt it would be too intrusive to eat at Shangfu Courtyard every night, using Wanyue as an excuse. Fan Zhuzhu, meanwhile, simply couldn’t be bothered.

As for the regular family gatherings Jiufang Xin had once mandated, Tian Qingyi, who disliked such formalities, abolished them outright. Even daily greetings were reduced to once every three days. But Yuchen and Wanyue, raised to be overly proper, had been paying their respects almost daily since their return.

Li Yan, fearing lax discipline would spoil the children, was especially strict with them. Before attending lessons at the family shrine, they had to greet their elders—a daily ritual. Yuchen used to envy Wanyue for being able to greet her mother every day.

Li Yan was equally strict about their behavior. Wanyue was rarely allowed out, only accompanying her mother on visits to her maternal family during festivals. Yuchen, already confined at home due to secrecy, had never left the household either.

When Yuchen was ten, she and Wanyue, desperate to see the outside world, tried to sneak out by climbing a tree near the wall. But they were caught by the servants and dragged back, their hands swollen from Li Yan’s punishment. The tree was chopped down on Li Yan’s orders.

When Tian Qingyi heard about it, she not only didn’t object but even praised Li Yan for handling it well. Though she privately missed that tree, she knew cutting it down was for the best—she even began to suspect Ma Zhusege might have used it to climb in.

Yun Jingchu asked Yuchen about her studies, and Yuchen answered honestly, occasionally stealing glances at Tian Qingyi, afraid of disappointing her. According to her grandmother and aunt, her father was not only incredibly smart but also an outstanding scholar who had passed the imperial exams at a young age and entered officialdom. (The days of slacking off and driving tutors away before his success were conveniently omitted.) As a result, Yuchen idolized Tian Qingyi and dreaded letting her down.

Noticing her furtive looks, Yun Jingchu smiled and reassured her, “When it comes to studies, just do your best. Don’t be upset if you’re not as good as others. Your father and I only wish for you to grow up healthy and strong—we don’t expect you to top the exams. There’s no need to pressure yourself.”

“Your mother’s right. As long as you put in the effort, that’s enough. Even if the results aren’t perfect, don’t blame yourself.” As the dishes were being served, Tian Qingyi wiped her hands and chimed in.

“I’ll remember your teachings, Father and Mother.” Yuchen’s heart warmed. Though her parents hadn’t been around much in the past, every time they returned, they brought her gifts, asked about her studies, and taught her things her tutor didn’t. She loved feeling cherished and protected like this.

Refusing to sit idle, Tian Qingyi secretly wrote to Ma Zhusege, arranging a meeting at Taiping Xingguo Temple on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.