Chapter 12 – Wang Yuhe Ran Away

Chu Xiaoqi prepared two back baskets and placed the sharpened hatchet inside one. Just as she finished packing and turned around, she bumped straight into Ji Jingxuan’s chest.

“Hiss… Who was that?” Chu Xiaoqi winced in pain. She had already injured her forehead in a fall yesterday, and now she had hit the exact same swollen bump again. The pain made her grimace, and tears welled up instantly.

Ji Jingxuan fumbled in panic and reached out to touch her forehead. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry…

I just came to see what you were doing. I didn’t expect you to turn around so suddenly.”

Chu Xiaoqi smacked his hand away with a glare. “Why are you back so early today?”

Ji Jingxuan didn’t mind the slap at all. Smiling warmly, he untied the money pouch from his waist and handed it to her. “Here, the bookstore paid me today.”

Chu Xiaoqi looked up at him, smiling as brightly as the spring sun. She reached out, took the pouch, weighed it in her hand, and opened it. “Yo, this looks like several hundred wen?”

Ji Jingxuan pressed his lips together. “Five hundred wen…”

“How much do you get paid for copying one book?”

“It depends on the book’s content. For short ones, 10–30 wen. For longer ones, up to 50 wen.”

“How long does it take you to copy one?”

“For shorter books, about two or three days. For longer ones, at least five to seven days.”

“So this 500 wen is a month’s worth of work?”

“Yes… a whole month’s.”

Chu Xiaoqi tugged at the corner of her mouth. What cheap labor—working tirelessly for a month only earned him 500 wen, not even enough to buy one shi of rice.

She took the pouch inside, poured the money out, and counted 100 wen before putting it back into the pouch. Just as Ji Jingxuan entered the room, she handed it back to him. “Here, your pocket money. Ask me for more if you run out.”

She then put the rest of the money into a small box in the wardrobe. “You’ve done well with your copying, earned a decent amount too, but don’t do it again.

Just stay home and focus on studying. The autumn exams are coming up soon.”

Holding the money pouch, Ji Jingxuan felt a warm current ripple through his heart. An indescribable emotion rose within him.

He put the pouch away and sat on the kang bed, his expression gentle as he looked at Chu Xiaoqi. “I was just about to tell you—today the academy announced that the autumn exam has been postponed by a month.”

Chu Xiaoqi turned to him in surprise while tidying up the money. “Huh? Did something happen?”

“I’m not sure. The other students said something big happened in the capital palace.”

“Something big?”

Chu Xiaoqi furrowed her brow, trying to recall the book’s plot. She didn’t remember anything about an incident in the palace or the exam being delayed.

Could her transmigration have disrupted the original story’s timeline and caused unexpected changes?

“What’s wrong?”

Ji Jingxuan noticed she was staring blankly while holding the money box and called out to her.

Chu Xiaoqi snapped back to reality and shook her head. “Nothing. A one-month delay is actually a good thing—it gives you more time to review and prepare.”

“By the way, where is the exam held?”

“We have to go to Mangzhou for it.

From Beihe County, it takes about four or five days on foot, two days by carriage, and if you’re on horseback, maybe a day at the fastest.

But the quickest way is by water—it could get us there in half a day.”

Chu Xiaoqi pouted. “Why do you have to go that far just to take an exam?”

“Because Mangzhou is the largest city in the northern region, guarded by the General of the North. All official bureaus ranked fourth grade and above in the north are located there.

They say Mangzhou is like a mini-capital of the North!”

“Oh, I see.

So if water travel is the fastest, why don’t you all go by boat?”

“Well, that depends on luck.

Our Beihe County doesn’t have a direct route to Mangzhou. Passenger boats only pass through once every few days…”

“…The passenger boats only pass occasionally.

Plus, there’s always the risk of the boat breaking down and delaying the exam. No examinee dares to bet their future on luck like that. Most of us prefer walking or using land transportation instead.”

Chu Xiaoqi nodded. A county like Beihe, without even a dedicated route to Mangzhou, clearly wasn’t very prosperous. If she wanted to strike it rich here… well, it might be tough.

Once Ji Jingxuan passed the exams and earned his official title, they’d divorce. She would move to a bustling city and settle down.

Her goal? Make a fortune and live as a carefree little rich woman—maybe even keep a harem of ten or so pretty ancient-style young men and reach the peak of her life.

“What are you thinking about? You’re drooling.” Ji Jingxuan saw her hugging the money box and grinning to herself like a fool. He walked over and gently touched her forehead.

Startled by his words, Chu Xiaoqi slapped his hand away and wiped her mouth with her sleeve. “I was just thinking about the braised intestines we’re having tonight…”

Then she turned and put the money box away. “I’m taking Xiao Ze and the others to Yama Mountain. You stay home and study.”

She had just stepped out of the bedroom when Ji Jingxuan followed her out. “I’ll go with you.”

“But don’t you need to stay and—”

“Brother Jingxuan, Brother Jingxuan… you’re home?” Before Chu Xiaoqi could finish her sentence, Wang Yuhe walked into the courtyard with a basket in hand.

Seeing Chu Xiaoqi, she pretended to be surprised. “Oh! Sister Xiaoqi, you’re home too? Not at the village entrance gossiping with the aunties today?”

Who is this? She reeks of fake sweetness…

Chu Xiaoqi sized up Wang Yuhe from head to toe with a sharp, scrutinizing gaze.

Wang Yuhe felt a chill run down her spine under that intense stare and quickly changed the subject.

“Brother Jingxuan, you and Sister Xiaoqi didn’t have a fight yesterday, right?

Sister Xiaoqi must’ve just acted out in a moment of anger, saying she wanted to sell little Lan as a concubine. Don’t blame her, okay?”

“Sister Xiaoqi, please don’t sell little Ze too.

If you’re ever hungry, come to me. With the bond we sisters have, if I have food, there’s no way I’d let you go without!”

Chu Xiaoqi rubbed her arms and shuddered. She leaned in close to Ji Jingxuan and whispered, “Ji Jingxuan, who’s this Longjing Tea? Why is she so tea-scented*?”

(T/N: “tea-like in tea” or “tea-scented” is internet slang used to describe someone—usually a woman—who acts fake sweet and innocent while being scheming or manipulative underneath. The term “Green Snail Spring” (Biluochun, a type of green tea) is a tongue-in-cheek nickname to describe this personality type.)

Ji Jingxuan didn’t quite understand what she meant by “Longjing Tea,” but he still quietly replied, “That’s Wang Yuhe. Don’t you remember? You two used to be the closest friends.”

Chu Xiaoqi lowered her head and muttered, “Wang Yuhe… Wang Yuhe…” Then suddenly her eyes widened, and she turned sharply, raising her voice, “What?! She’s Wang Yuhe?!”

Holy crap… So this is the fake green tea childhood sweetheart, Wang Yuhe?

Chu Xiaoqi’s death in the original story—this woman played a major role in that.

The incident where Chu Xiaoqi injured the Prime Minister’s daughter could have been small or big, depending on how it was handled. But Wang Yuhe had fanned the flames in front of Ji Jingxuan, then went to the Prime Minister’s mansion to stir things up even more. Eventually, the Prime Minister demanded accountability, and Ji Jingxuan steeled his heart and threw Chu Xiaoqi into the dungeon.

But Wang Yuhe didn’t end up much better either.

After Ji Jingxuan earned his title, she followed him to the capital, claiming to be Chu Xiaoqi’s personal maid.

During that time, she incited Chu Xiaoqi to make all kinds of foolish mistakes, which led to her being tormented by both Ji Jingxuan and the Prime Minister’s daughter.

After Chu Xiaoqi died, there was no way the Prime Minister’s daughter would keep someone so intimately tied to her rival in the household. Not to mention, everyone knew Wang Yuhe had a long-standing ambiguous relationship with Ji Jingxuan. Her intentions were crystal clear.

So they gave her a bit of money and kicked her out.

What happened to her afterward wasn’t detailed in the novel.

“Brother Jingxuan, what’s wrong with Sister Xiaoqi? She doesn’t recognize me?” Wang Yuhe was startled by Chu Xiaoqi’s sudden outburst. She blinked in confusion and looked at Ji Jingxuan for answers.

“Uh, she…”

“I know you—how could I not know you?” Ji Jingxuan had just opened his mouth to explain that Chu Xiaoqi had hurt her head, when she hurriedly cut him off.

“You’re Ji Jingxuan’s childhood sweetheart, right? I remember now, I remember…

I even remember you once told me you liked Ji Jingxuan and asked me to put in a word so you could marry into our family, and we’d serve one husband together, as sisters.”

Wang Yuhe hadn’t expected Chu Xiaoqi to suddenly drop a bombshell like that. Her face instantly flushed bright red, and she bashfully lifted her handkerchief to hide her face.

“Sister Xiaoqi, you—you…”

Ji Jingxuan turned to look at Wang Yuhe in shock.

He had always known about Wang Yuhe’s feelings for him, but he hadn’t realized she’d said things like that to Chu Xiaoqi behind his back.

No wonder Chu Xiaoqi used to scold him for being two-faced, shameless, a heartless scumbag, and a Chen Shimei**.

(T/N: Chen Shimei is a cultural shorthand for an unfaithful man who abandons his wife for status or wealth.)

So it turns out Wang Yuhe had been talking behind his back, making Chu Xiaoqi believe he was some kind of disloyal jerk.

“No need to be shy! If you like someone, just say it loud and proud.

You like him so much—fine, I’ll have him take you in as a concubine… boohoohoo…”

Ji Jingxuan immediately covered Chu Xiaoqi’s mouth and pulled her tightly into his arms, his expression grave as he looked at Wang Yuhe.

“Yuhe, Xiaoqi bumped her head yesterday—she’s not in her right mind at the moment. You can’t take her words seriously.

And you’ve known since childhood, I’ve only ever seen you as a sister. Never anything more.

I’m sure what you said to her before was just in jest. But please, don’t say things that could ruin your reputation again. If the wrong person hears, it could affect your chances at marriage.

There’s still work to be done here at home—please, don’t stay for tea.”

Wang Yuhe’s tears burst forth at his words. Her lip trembled as she said, “Brother Jingxuan, after all these years… do you really not know how I feel about you?”

Ji Jingxuan frowned even more deeply, his face expressionless. “I didn’t know.”

“Well… now you do.”

“Then I’ll pretend I still don’t.”

“Brother Jingxuan… I’m not asking to be your wife—just to be—”

Before Wang Yuhe could finish, Ji Jingxuan cut her off coldly: “I have no intention of taking a concubine or marrying anyone else.”

Wang Yuhe covered her mouth with her handkerchief and ran off without looking back.

“Hey hey hey—don’t go! He may not agree, but I do!” Chu Xiaoqi stretched out her hand dramatically and called after her.

“Chu! Xiao! Qi!” A furious roar rang out behind her.

Chu Xiaoqi stiffened and turned around mechanically, only to meet Ji Jingxuan’s bloodshot eyes. Her heart gave a little jolt.

He usually looked like a mild-mannered scholar, but when he got angry… he was actually pretty scary.

“I-I-I’ll just go up the mountain… yeah, to the mountain…” she mumbled, her eyes darting around as she tried to edge toward the corner.

Ji Jingxuan grabbed her arm. “Chu Xiaoqi, I grew up with Wang Yuhe, but I have no romantic feelings for her.”

“Oh… oh… got it…”

Of course Chu Xiaoqi knew Ji Jingxuan didn’t love Wang Yuhe. But her goal had never been to play matchmaker out of kindness—she was trying to avoid her tragic ending by pushing Wang Yuhe into the role.

She’d eventually be leaving this story world. To keep the plot on track, someone had to play out her original fate in her place.

And who better than Wang Yuhe?

Didn’t she want Ji Jingxuan so badly? Fine—let her have him.

With her scheming nature, there was no way she’d stay quiet in the Prime Minister’s house. Let her go head-to-head with the Prime Minister’s daughter while Chu Xiaoqi found a quiet place to live a comfortable life.

Unfortunately… judging by how things were going now, her little plan might not work out after all.