Transmigrated to the Northern Song Dynasty as a County Magistrate (GL) - Chapter 91

91: Your Devoted, Qingyi.

After struggling to compose herself, Yun Jingchu looked at Yuchen – now nearly as tall as her – and gently reassured: “Mother is fine. You must wake up early for studies tomorrow, go rest now.”

“Then may Mother rest early. This child will take his leave.” Seeing her mother’s face appear normal in the candlelight, Yuchen knew she’d regained composure but likely desired privacy. She could only bow and depart.

Yet exiting the study to find everyone waiting anxiously in the corridor, having never seen her mother so distraught, how could she rest easy? She decided to remain outside with Yuanqi and the others.

Truthfully, not just Yuchen but even long-serving attendants like Yuanqi had never witnessed their madam so undone.

The prevailing thought was: ‘What could the master have written to affect the madam so?’ The corridor was so silent one could hear a pin drop, none daring to disturb.

Winter’s chill was magnified in the drafty corridor. Soon Yuchen’s hands and feet grew cold, yet concern for her mother outweighed discomfort. Thinking of that distressing letter, she silently blamed her father – what could he have written to cause this?

When complete quiet returned to the study, Yun Jingchu collapsed into her chair. She’d imagined the letter might confess changed affections or explain an absence – never anticipating a frank farewell note. Just skimming it had shaken her profoundly.

To ensure she hadn’t misread, she wiped tear-blurred eyes and willed her trembling hands steady enough to reposition the letter on the desk.

My Beloved, May This Letter Find You Well,

This brush weighs as heavy as lead today. As the ancients said, eight or nine of life’s ten matters go ill. For me, no exception. Meeting you stands as my life’s greatest fortune – how blessed!

You once said worldly intolerance left you an island in the sea. My identity similarly bound me – society’s constraints like ox hairs innumerable. I dared not contemplate affection, lacking even the courage to long for it. I assumed my path was set – perhaps ending in lonely solitude. Yet heaven took pity, leading me to you.

To me, you are peerless, utterly unique in this world. Days and nights by your side have been my purest joy – like fish finding water, rabbits chasing the moon, birds returning to the forest. What supreme bliss! Meeting you brought happiness surpassing even passing the imperial exams. Through you I learned the soulmate’s true meaning, discovered mutual devotion’s priceless worth. Having found my match in you, what more could life offer? If time could pause, I’d wish only to remain by your side – zither and flute harmonizing, playing chess until earth’s end.

Yet fate proves fickle. When you read this, I may be gone. I’ve kept too many secrets from you – for this I’m deeply ashamed. May I rebirth as your ox or horse atone for my deceptions. Let my secrets die with me – I pray only for your lifelong peace and prosperity, endless springlike vitality.

My adversary is no ordinary foe! Do not investigate nor seek vengeance! After funeral rites, promptly sell our assets. Find some remote place to live anonymously and quietly.

Yuchen is my niece. I’m not Aunt Fan’s natural child, yet she raised me as her own. My regret is failing to care for her in old age – I entrust this to you. Dispose of household assets as you see fit.

Ink and paper limit what the heart would say. Though brief, my feelings run deep. May your life be peaceful, joyful, and fulfill all hopes.

Your Devoted, Qingyi.

Tears splashed onto the paper before Yun Jingchu realized she was weeping. Frantically blotting with her sleeve, she smeared the characters.

Emotions, like floodwaters, had swelled behind crumbling dams. Her trust in Tian Qingyi made her accept the letter’s contents without initial doubt, leaving only overwhelming grief.

As calm gradually returned and her mind cleared, Yun Jingchu reviewed their shared past. Based on what she knew, no hidden danger threatened Tian Qingyi’s life. The only anomaly was her recent distancing.

Moreover, Tian Qingyi had gone to meet a friend, not to war. How could a court official suddenly perish? If murder was anticipated, how did she know? If emotional matters, their issues weren’t dire enough for suicide. Doubts about the letter’s authenticity surfaced.

After carefully storing the letter and composing herself, Yun Jingchu summoned Yuanqi. Seeing only slightly reddened eyes betrayed her distress, the maid relaxed.

“Bring Qingyu, Wei Shier and Zhou Ba to me.” Too unsettled for accounts, Yun Jingchu mechanically tidied the desk.

“Madam, Qingyu is on her day off. She left before dawn and hasn’t returned. Wei Shier and Zhou Ba are outside – I’ll fetch them immediately.” Yuanqi hurried out after reporting.

Finding Yuchen and Ruoshui still waiting, Yuanqi whispered to Ruoshui: “The madam has recovered. It’s freezing – please persuade the young master to retire.”

“I’ll try. Attend to your duties – don’t delay the madam’s business.”

With this assurance, Yuanqi fetched Wei Shier and Zhou Ba while Ruoshui attempted to persuade Yuchen. Surprisingly stubborn, Yuchen insisted on waiting another quarter-hour despite clearly overhearing Yuanqi.

Inside, Yun Jingchu questioned them about Tian Qingyi’s behavior that morning – indeed unusual. Her doubts momentarily wavered. She ordered Zhou Ba to Fan Tower to retrieve Tian Qingyi immediately, while Wei Shier would instruct the steward to lock down the household – no one in or out without her permission.

When Qingyu arrived, Zhou Ba had already departed and the lockdown was in effect. After gatekeepers relayed messages and received Yun Jingchu’s permission, more time elapsed before Qingyu entered.

Meanwhile, Tian Qingyi – having concluded matters at Fan Tower – returned home, missing Zhou Ba’s retrieval party entirely. Learning the master was back, Zhou Ba’s group turned back.

Despite the lockdown, gatekeepers immediately admitted the household’s nominal head. Barely able to walk from pain, Tian Qingyi abandoned pretense, leaning against a pillar while claiming a sprained ankle and requesting a sedan chair.

By arrival at Shangfu Courtyard, her earlier sweat had chilled beneath tightened robes. Yun Jingchu, having already debriefed Qingyu, made no move to greet her.

After dispatching Wei Shier and Zhou Ba, Yun Jingchu learned Yuchen still waited outside. Furious at the thought of her standing in the cold, she summoned and scolded the girl severely. Heartbroken, Yuchen returned to Yuzhu Residence to cry beneath her blankets.

As Yun Jingchu anxiously awaited news, Qingyu’s return with confirmation of only a leg injury and imminent return brought profound relief.

Though Qingyu’s knowledge of Tian Qingyi’s whereabouts on her day off raised questions, Yun Jingchu – while no saint – maintained dignity, neither interrogating nor punishing her, simply dismissing her to rest.

Waiting endlessly in her chambers, Yun Jingchu found herself torn between joy and rage upon Tian Qingyi’s return – too angry to greet her despite the injury.

Alighting from the sedan, Tian Qingyi refused Wei Shier’s assistance, limping inside alone while dismissing the servants.

As Wei Shier prepared to leave, Yun Jingchu interjected: “Now that the master is home, lift the lockdown. When Zhou Ba returns, have his group rest too.”

After Wei Shier’s confirming glance at Tian Qingyi and subsequent bow, he departed.

The lockdown had primarily secured exits. Fan Zhuzhu’s early bedtime and Li Yan’s habitual avoidance of household affairs during Yun Jingchu’s presence meant they remained unaware of the brief emergency.

Anticipating a cold reception, Tian Qingyi hadn’t expected such severity. Surviving mortal danger only to face her beloved’s hostility – though justified – stung nonetheless.

Limping to sit beside Yun Jingchu near the brazier, Tian Qingyi wordlessly extended chilled hands toward the flames. Before they could warm, a heated pan was thrust into her grasp.

As if floodgates opened, silent tears streamed down her face.

Prepared for confrontation, Yun Jingchu was startled into action by this unprecedented display. Gathering the weeping figure into her arms, she soothed: “It’s alright now…”