A few days after the wedding ceremony, Qin Zhao submitted a memorial to the present emperor, expressing that he had been away from home for a long time and missed his hometown very much and wanted to go back to visit.
Qi Xuan didn't believe this excuse.
Not to mention that Qin Zhaoming was born and raised in Beijing, so there was no such thing as returning home. Moreover, after the imperial examination results were announced, the court would grant the newly promoted tribute students a few months of vacation to allow them to return home to worship their ancestors.
Qi Xuan even specifically asked Qin Zhao at that time whether he wanted to go back.
Qin Zhao was too lazy to make any trouble at the time, so he just let the official take the news of his success back to his hometown.
Why do I suddenly feel so homesick that I can't suppress it and have to go back home
The current emperor was so upset that he went to Qin Zhao's house in person and chatted with the new prince for a whole morning. He repeatedly asked the other party to promise that he would never leave without a reply, and then approved the leave with doubts.
On the second day after receiving the emperor's instructions, Qin Zhao took her husband and wife and left the capital.
Qin Zhao's request for a vacation from the little emperor this time was certainly not just to go back home to visit relatives. It had been more than a month since he discovered Jing Li was pregnant. If he delayed any longer, her pregnancy would start to show and it would be difficult to hide it.
They must leave the capital before now.
Qin Zhao only brought a small number of followers, rented a boat, and went downstream, playing with his wife as they walked.
Jing Li suffered from severe seasickness when she was pregnant with her child last time. To prevent him from getting seasick again this time, Qin Zhao specially brought Jing Li's favorite transparent fish tank. Perhaps because this was her second child, Jing Li rarely felt uncomfortable this time.
"Maybe it's a younger sister." Jing Li thought.
Jing Li and Qin Zhao didn't care whether the baby in their belly was a boy or a girl. No matter whether it was a boy or a girl, they were the apple of their eyes and they would spoil them.
On the contrary, the little fish was a little concerned and even cried about it.
The story goes like this. On the day they were leaving the capital by boat, Jing Li and Qin Zhao finally stopped worrying about their little one leaking the secret. Jing Li called the little one over and told him the news that he was going to have a younger brother or sister.
The reaction was different from what he expected. The little fish boy just asked excitedly, "Is it your brother?"
Jing Li was confused: "Why do you think it's your brother?"
"Because I had a dream yesterday!" The little fish cub said happily, "I dreamed that daddy gave me lots of little brothers, so cute!"
Jing Li's voice was shaking: "A lot... How much is it?"
"More than ten!"
Jing Li: “…”
It is said that children speak without restraint. If any other child had said this, Jing Li would not have taken it too seriously. His child was a koi, and he had not forgotten the heroic appearance of the little fish when he was farming.
What this kid said will come true!
Jing Li felt as if he was facing a formidable enemy, and almost felt as if there were a dozen fish eggs in his stomach.
This is absolutely not possible.
He held a serious family meeting with Xiao Yuzai for half an hour, but he was unable to convince Xiao Yuzai to give up the fantasy of having more than a dozen younger brothers.
In the end, Qin Zhao stepped in personally and said that if he really gave birth to more than a dozen younger brothers, there would be more than a dozen mouths competing with the little fish for food, and then the little fish's snacks would have to be divided into more than a dozen portions and given to the younger brothers.
When the little fish cub thought of that scene, he was overcome with grief and burst into tears.
Jing Li coaxed her for another half an hour until she was done.
Finally, the little fish cub sobbed, tears hanging from his eyelashes, and tearfully tugged at Jing Li's sleeves: "Then I only want one brother."
He feels so wronged.
No matter what, Xiao Yuzai accepted the idea of having a second child smoothly and no longer insisted on having a dozen younger brothers.
This is cause for celebration.
It took the family two months to travel by water from the capital to Jiangling.
During these two months, they sailed south, traveling at their leisure and seeing the scenery and people on both sides of the strait.
When they arrived at Jiangling Prefecture after much delay, it was already winter. The prefect had learned the news in advance and specially brought Yue Qingzi to the dock to meet them.
Jing Li has been carrying the cub for more than four months. Her belly is slightly bulging, but it is covered by thick fox fur and nothing can be seen.
But now there is no need to hide it anymore, Jing Li openly shared the happy event with Yue Qingzi, and even received a big red envelope from the other party for the kid.
The family had a simple meal with the prefect, visited the Gu family, and also visited the shop that had been helping Jing Li out.
The final volume of Dream Talk was completed one year after Qin Zhao passed the imperial examination, and it was still published and distributed through Boss Chang. After the storybook was completed, Boss Chang still kept in touch with Jing Li, and from time to time sent him news about the reprint of Dream Talk and his plan to promote it to other prefectures.
Jing Li no longer has the pressure of life and has been very well supported by Qin Zhao. He no longer cares about these things and leaves everything to Boss Chang.
As for other storybooks, even if piles of letters urging manuscripts were sent to the capital, Jing Li remained unmoved.
Whenever this matter was mentioned, Boss Chang always looked distressed.
This time, when Jing Li returned home, Boss Chang brought up the old matter again, and even wanted to drag Qin Zhao, the top scholar, to urge him to submit his manuscript. But the latter just looked at his husband's innocent eyes and said calmly: "Your Mr. Zhao Li is now a princess personally appointed by the emperor. My status is lower than his. How dare I urge him?"
Boss Chang, dead.
After visiting relatives and friends in Jiangling Prefecture, Qin Zhao and Jingli did not stay in Jiangling for too long. They boarded a boat again and headed towards the county town.
Qin Zhao took Jing Li south this time, originally intending to find a beautiful place to wait until Xiao Xiaoyu was born before returning to Beijing. However, after Jing Li and A Yi exchanged letters, the other party learned of Jing Li's situation and sent a letter inviting them to stay in the county town for a while.
After getting married, Ayi and Chen Yan'an bought a small house in the county town and ran a medicine shop together. They lived a pretty enjoyable life.
Jing Li hadn't seen Ayi for more than two years and couldn't help but worry about him, so he agreed.
As for why they left in such a hurry, it was actually because they had played for too long on the road. Qin Zhao calculated the days every day and was worried that Jing Li was about to give birth, so he wanted to settle down as soon as possible.
"It'll be fine. You're just too nervous." Jing Li had a great time eating and playing all the way, and he looked very energetic. "Xiao Xiaoyu is very well behaved. He will definitely be able to hold on until we get to the county town."
The baby wasn’t born yet, so we didn’t know whether it was a boy or a girl, and couldn’t give it a name, so we just gave it a nickname, “Little Fish.”
Jing Li touched her belly and said heartlessly: "It's okay even if you can't hold on. You can give birth on the boat."
Qin Zhao quickly covered his mouth: "Don't talk nonsense."
Jing Li worried every day that what his little fish said would come true. He never thought that he was a koi. Once this golden mouth opened, it was more accurate than the little fish.
"Okay, I won't say anything nonsense." Jing Li coaxed him, "Fan□□ City is not far from the county town. It will take a few days to get there. Don't worry."
Qin Zhao remained silent.
The river was gurgling. Jing Li looked at the mountains slowly moving back from the shore and suddenly said, "Are we almost at Yunguan Temple?"
Qin Zhao looked out the window with him and thought for a moment: "It should be another half day."
"Let's go together." Jing Li said.
Qin Zhao fell silent. He originally wanted to tell Jing Li to stop messing around and that it wouldn't be too late to get married after the baby was born, but when he saw Jing Li's serious expression, he swallowed his words.
During this journey, she had already gotten used to her husband's various strange ideas. Apart from spoiling him, what else could she do
Half a day later, the ferry arrived at the foot of Yunguan Temple Mountain.
Jing Li rejected Qin Zhao's suggestion to change him back to his original form and carry him up the mountain. The couple led Xiao Yuzai slowly up the mountain road. It was already dusk when they arrived at Yunguan Temple.
Qin Zhao was about to knock on the door when the vermilion door was suddenly opened from the inside.
The temple's abbot, Master Jingchen, stood inside the door and smiled at Qin Zhao: "Donor Qin, long time no see."
Qin Zhao and Jing Li were arranged to live in the courtyard where had lived.
After many years, both this ancient temple and the abbot Jingchen in front of it seemed to have not changed at all. Only the little monk who had raised Jingli for a few years had grown into a handsome young man.
Seeing that Qin Zhao was visiting again, the little monk asked with concern: "Didn't the donor bring the little koi this time?"
Qin Zhao and Jing Li looked at each other, smiled and shook their heads: "He is not sick, but he is doing well now, young master, don't worry."
The little monk did not show any disappointment, but just put his hands together and said, "That's good."
After dinner, Qin Zhao prayed and worshipped with the monks in the temple, while Jing Li took Yuzai to rest in the yard.
Just like the last time, there was a lotus with two stems in the pond. However, the lotus had not yet bloomed, and the white buds were slightly closed, small and cute.
The little fish lay on the edge of the lotus pond and looked inside curiously: "Why are there no fish..."
Jing Li was afraid that he would fall, so he grabbed his collar and pulled him up, waving his dusty hem: "Yes, Daddy, we'll live here."
"Wow!" The little fish opened his eyes wide.
Jing Li said: "But that happened a long time ago, and..."
Moreover, Jing Li was not sure whether it was him.
Having been with Qin Zhao for so long, Jing Li no longer cared whether the little koi born in Yunguan Temple was him or the original owner's little fish. No matter who it was back then, Qin Zhao liked him now, not anyone else.
Just because he revisited the old place, he thought about these things again.
Why did he come here in the past, and why did he become a koi
The sound of footsteps not far away pulled Jing Li out of his thoughts. He looked up and saw Master Jingchen clasped his hands together and bowed to him: "Donor Qin is still in the main hall chanting for you. I am here to deliver some daily necessities for him."
Jing Li quickly stepped forward and said, "Thank you, Master."
Jingchen put daily necessities into their room and lit some calming incense for them. Jingli waited on the side without saying a word.
The young monk had a calm temperament. While continuing to light incense, he gently said, "It seems that there are some doubts in your heart that have not been resolved?"
Jing Li was stunned.
Jingchen lit the incense, turned around and smiled at Jingli: "Don't blame me, benefactor. It's just that we are old friends, and I am happy to say a few words. You and I have a deep connection. If you have any doubts, please tell me. I may be able to give you some advice."
Jing Li: "I..."
Jingchen knew that Jingli's true identity was the little koi, and Qin Zhao had told Jingli about this a long time ago. But he didn't expect Jingchen to say it so bluntly.
Jing Li hesitated for a moment and asked, "... Am I really your old friend?"
This is what he wants to know most.
Even though the answer would no longer have any impact on his life, he still hoped to get things clear.
Just like when Qin Zhao lost all his memories, he never gave up looking for his past.
No one wants to spend his life in this muddle.
In fact, Jing Li proposed to return to Yunguan Temple with this idea in mind.
He was not sure whether he could find the answer here, but he knew that if he wanted to find out the truth, Yunguan Temple was the only place where he could find clues.
Jing Li's question did not surprise Jing Chen. He smiled and said, "I believe that I am not so old and blind that I would mistake an old friend."
"But... I don't remember meeting Qin Zhao when I was just born." Jing Li said, "Master, have you heard of the story of soul possession? Is it possible that... my body is still yours, but my soul is no longer?"
Jingchen: "Why do you say that, benefactor?"
"Because my soul comes from another world." Jing Li told him the truth directly, "It's completely different there and here, I think both sides are real... I know this doesn't make sense, but it happened."
"My master once said that where we are is just one of the three thousand Xumi worlds. The Xumi worlds do not interfere with each other, and the speed of time flow is different. But since they exist, there is a possibility that they will intersect."
"The world is so vast that nothing is impossible. Why do we have to explain every single thing so clearly?" Jingchen said calmly, "In your opinion, isn't the transformation of a koi fish into a human being even more unreasonable than the possession of a spirit?"
"As for you saying that you don't remember the time when you met Mr. Qin when you were young..." Jingchen smiled and said, "To be honest, I can't remember anything about when I was just born."
Jing Li lowered his head thoughtfully.
Jingchen seemed to see that he was still confused, and said, "If you really can't figure it out, why not try to revisit the old place."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Jing Li blinked.
Hasn't he already revisited the old place
But Jingchen did not continue to explain. He bowed to Jingli and turned away.
Jing Li followed him out and noticed the twin lotus flowers in the pond again.
The lotus had blossomed without anyone noticing, and the faint lotus fragrance filled the entire yard, making the air pleasant and aromatic.
He suddenly understood what Jingchen meant by revisiting the old place.
To him, the old place does not only refer to Yunguan Temple, but also the Lingli Pond where he once lived. Jingchen left without looking back, and Jingli walked to the edge of the pond and looked around. The guards that Qin Zhao brought were all guarding various places in the temple to protect their safety, so there was no need for them to enter this courtyard.
The yard was silent at this moment, and the little fish didn't know where it had gone.
Jing Li raised his hand to untie his belt, a red light flashed across his body, and he turned into a small koi carp and entered the water.
The pool was cleaned regularly by someone, and protected by fish scales, so the water didn't feel cold in winter. Jing Li swam around among the lotus leaf stems and found nothing.
What about the monk donkey
It was almost the month for him to lay eggs, and his abdomen was very bloated, so it was a little difficult for him to swim. The little koi shook its fins and spit out a string of bubbles.
However, this carp pond did make Jing Li feel very familiar.
Even though he had been away for so long, the smell of the water and the growing grass made him feel very safe.
Apart from the fish tank Qin Zhao gave him, this was the first time he felt this sense of security in an aquatic environment.
Jing Li turned over in the water, lay down at the bottom of a lotus leaf, and fell asleep without realizing it.
When I opened my eyes again, there was a blinding light.
Jing Li raised his hand to block it, but found that he had unknowingly turned back into human form. The first thing he noticed was that his slightly bulging belly had disappeared.
Where is his cub
She gave birth to another baby while he was sleeping
Jing Li was flustered for a moment, then realized that he was no longer dressed the same way as before.
He was wearing a simple short-sleeved T-shirt and standing in a familiar small room. The room was cramped and items were cluttered. Jing Li thought that this was the rental house where he lived after traveling through time.
The surroundings were filled with warm and dazzling white light. Jing Li squinted his eyes, raised his hand and pushed open the door in front of him.
There is a lot of traffic outside.
Vehicles were flowing continuously under the overpass. Jing Li stood there in a daze. The noisy sounds in his ears gave him a slight headache.
Is he... coming back
He clearly remembered that he was in the carp pond before he fell asleep, so why did he suddenly come back here
Could it be that the Lingli Pond is the intersection of the Sumeru world mentioned by Jingchen
Thinking of this, Jing Li suddenly had a guess in his mind.
When he woke up for the first time after crossing over, he was not in the spirit carp pond. In other words, he did not cross over from this world, but originally belonged to that world. Looking at it now, the most likely possibility is that the little koi accidentally fell into the intersection of the Xumi world when he was young, and his soul came to this world. Due to the different speeds of time in the two worlds, he lived here for many years.
Until the accident that year, the little koi was stolen and left Yunguan Temple, and his soul was pulled back to his original world and his original body.
This may be the answer he has always wanted to find.
The person Qin Zhao met that year was himself.
After Jing Li figured this out, he fell into another dilemma.
… How should he respond
Jingli looked around.
It seemed that he had not completely returned to this world. The environment he was in was very strange. He had no body and there were people walking around him, but no one noticed his existence.
only…
Not far away, a chubby little white cat licked its paws and tilted its head towards him.
"Meow~"
Jing Li: “…”
Aaaaahhh!!!
Jing Li didn't think too much and turned around and ran away.
Then he woke up.
In the guest room of Yunguan Temple, Jing Li suddenly sat down and without saying a word, he went into Qin Zhao's arms, his voice was filled with tears: "Ah, there is a cat, the cat wants to eat me!!!"
Qin Zhao: “…”
Once again, I had a nightmare and woke myself up. This guy is really amazing.
Qin Zhao rubbed the furry head in his arms, soothing it until it stopped trembling, then gently pulled the person out of his arms and said, "You are in the house, there is no cat."
Jing Li looked at him with tears in her eyes: "I... I'm back?"
"yes."
Qin Zhao obviously didn't understand the real meaning of "I'm back" in his words, and said angrily: "You don't sleep in the house, but sleep in the pool. Aren't you afraid that if there is a cat in the temple, it will run away and catch you?"
"Donor Qin, you are worrying too much. Our temple raises koi and never keeps cats." Jingchen clasped his hands together and said calmly.
Qin Zhao: “…”
Jing Li didn't understand why Jing Chen came back again, but seeing that Qin Zhao was so angry, she tried to comfort her husband first: "I was wrong, don't be angry... I'm just a little sleepy."
"You're not sleepy." Qin Zhao said.
Jing Li: “Ah?”
Qin Zhao looked at him with an expression that was hard to describe: "Don't you realize that there is something wrong with you?"
Jingli blinked.
He realized it later and lowered his head.
He was only wearing a thin inner shirt, and his abdomen under the quilt had returned to its flat state, leaving only a slight bloating pain.
Jing Li: “…”
Is he really born
Jing Li looked at the two people in the room blankly. Jing Chen smiled and stepped aside. In the transparent fish tank behind him, a fish egg lay quietly at the bottom of the bathtub. The little fish turned into its original form and stood beside the fish egg, curiously poking it with its fins.
Qin Zhao said expressionlessly: "When I got back, you were sleeping soundly in the carp pond. As soon as I pulled you back into the fish tank, you gave birth."
It can be said to be extremely thrilling and unexpected.
The Regent was so frightened that he was almost stunned.