Rebirth: Traveling To Ancient Times As A Companion Reading Chapter 1

The Wedding

This year’s winter in the Capital City seemed exceptionally cold.

The snow had fallen all through the night and was still drizzling down this morning.

The heavy accumulation of snow weighed the branches in the courtyard down low, with clumps sliding off from time to time.

It was the first quarter of the hour of Chen, and the sky remained dark and gloomy.

The person inside the house had not yet risen.

Several servants dressed in grey-green hemp-padded jackets had already begun clearing the snow from the courtyard.

The winter morning wind was far too piercing, cutting against the skin like a blade, making it truly difficult to endure.

Under such circumstances, the people in the courtyard moved back and forth, occasionally striking up a conversation just to alleviate some of the unbearable misery.

This weather is becoming harder and harder to stand.

I wonder when it will get warmer. Otherwise, how are we supposed to get through these days?

Just endure a bit longer. Tomorrow is the day the Prince and the second daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Manor get married. Once these few days pass and we aren’t so short-handed, we won’t have to get up early every day to do these chores.

Speaking of which, I really don’t understand. His Majesty only issued the imperial decree half a month ago. Why was the wedding date chosen so quickly for tomorrow? Why the rush?

Why do you think? Someone gestured toward the inner room not far away. The Emperor’s bestowal of marriage is a divine favor, but marriage has always been a matter of parental command and a matchmaker’s word. You’ve seen the situation lately. If the Prince and the second daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Manor don’t wed quickly, Prince Lin probably won’t be at peace.

Then…

The person seemed to want to ask more, but before they could speak, the sound of a door opening came from behind them.

With a creak, it seemed someone inside had heard the commotion and stepped out.

Everyone in the courtyard looked toward the sound.

A maid dressed in a water-red, round-collared jacket and skirt emerged from the house.

With willow-leaf brows, a slender waist, dark hair, and vermilion lips, she was a striking beauty.

She was one of the “two pearls” who always stayed by the Prince’s side, Miss Zhuqing.

The crowd was surprised. Why would Miss Zhuqing appear here at this hour? Shouldn’t she have already accompanied the Prince to Lingxiao Temple on Mount Xuechun outside the city to pray for blessings?

Unlike the undisguised confusion on the faces of the servants, Zhuqing’s expression was unpleasant; one could even say she looked angry. She took a few steps forward, and before even stepping out from under the eaves, she scolded them coldly. Instead of clearing the snow properly, you’re all huddled in a circle gossiping about your masters. Is this how the head steward taught you to work?

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was authoritative and stern, just enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear.

If you don’t want to do the work, I’ll report to the Prince tomorrow and ask the steward to transfer you elsewhere, so you don’t have to suffer the cold here.

We wouldn’t dare.

The crowd fell silent instantly, not daring to whisper another word.

If you wouldn’t dare, then disperse and get to work! Are you all standing there waiting for me to lend you a hand?

As soon as she spoke, the servants who had been standing with their heads bowed immediately scattered to resume their tasks.

Seeing that everyone was honestly sweeping the snow, Zhuqing turned and went back inside.

The inner room and the courtyard were two different worlds.

Closing the door behind her, a wave of warmth rushed toward her, dispelling the chill she had brought in from outside.

It was the third quarter of the hour of Chen, still early. No lamps had been lit, and the dim environment made it difficult to see the room clearly.

However, Zhuqing was familiar with the layout and quickly walked to the bedside.

She gently lifted the gauze curtain separating the bed from the rest of the room and whispered in a very soft voice, A-Qiao?

The charcoal in the brazier was still burning a glowing red.

Through the faint light, Zhuqing could see the bed clearly.

Qiao Yi was curled up inside a navy-blue velvet quilt. On the surface of the quilt was a black cat embroidered with dark silk thread.

His fair, smooth, and handsome face happened to be resting right on the black cat’s tail. He looked to be sleeping soundly, undisturbed by the noise in the courtyard.

Zhuqing breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the sleeping Qiao Yi, she thought, Fortunately, A-Qiao didn’t hear those words. Otherwise, if something went wrong between him and the Prince because of this, how could I ever clear my name?

Zhuqing lowered the curtain. Estimating that it was about time, she turned to go to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

However, not long after Zhuqing left, the previously silent bed suddenly twitched, causing the hanging gauze curtains to sway several times.

Following this, a complaining voice drifted out from the bed.

Wow! Finally gone. I almost suffocated!

As he spoke, a black cat unhurriedly crawled out from under a nearby chair. With a graceful leap, it bypassed the curtain and sat on the quilt that featured an embroidered cat identical to itself.

You heartless thing, you’ve been gone for so long. Are you finally willing to come back and see me?

Qiao Yi was both surprised and delighted to see the black cat. He scooped it up into his arms, rubbing his face against it and inhaling its scent, acting like an excited father who had finally found a son lost for years.

Meow!

The black cat swiped a paw at Qiao Yi’s face and let out several cries, as if telling him something.

Qiao Yi didn’t stop his hands, fussing over the cat with a casual attitude, seemingly indifferent to what the cat was saying.

Of course I know he’s getting married. I’m not deaf.

The black cat’s fur bristled, its back arching like a bow.

Meow, meow, meow!

If you know, then why aren’t you thinking of a way out!

Qiao Yi pressed the cat’s body back down. What is there to think about? This is the ancient world, not the modern one. Isn’t it normal for him to get married and carry on the family line? What are you worried about?

Meow!

Are you afraid I’ll be kicked out? Don’t worry, I’m not a ten-year-old kid anymore. Even if I really leave this place, I won’t let you miss a single bite of meat.

Meow?

Would I lie to you? Your master is no longer that little beggar from before. Let me tell you a secret: my hidden little treasury is quite full. Even if I do nothing after leaving here, it’s enough for the two of us to live comfortably for the rest of our lives.

Meow.

Hearing this, the black cat’s mood stabilized. After licking its fur, it even leisurely stretched in Qiao Yi’s arms, rolling over to reveal its belly.

Qiao Yi stroked the cat’s fur while talking to himself. No wonder he kept me locked in here for half a month. It turns out it was because he’s getting married tomorrow. But even if I knew, I wouldn’t be so blind to my own status as to make a scene with him. Let me think… the wedding is tomorrow. Then maybe we can leave around then too. There’s no time like the present. How about we leave tomorrow? What do you think, Heipa?

The black cat let out a cry. Meow.

I’ll take that as a yes. Qiao Yi made up his mind. While the Prince’s Mansion is busy tomorrow, there won’t be many people here at Baixiang Courtyard. I’ll just climb over the back wall and leave. What do you think?

Meow!

Qiao Yi made a snap decision, pretending not to understand Heipa’s meaning.

Then it’s settled! We leave tomorrow.

Meow?! Meow, meow…

Qiao Yi covered Heipa’s mouth. I knew you still loved me the most.

Wu…

–

The next morning.

The snow had finally stopped.

The sky was still dark.

The weather wasn’t great, but it didn’t affect some people’s moods at all.

The entire Prince’s Mansion was covered in festive, eye-catching red silk.

It seemed everyone was immersed in the joy of the upcoming wedding.

The lively sound of gongs and drums from outside had even reached Baixiang Courtyard.

Qiao Yi, who was squatting in the courtyard using the meager remains of the snow to build a snowman, paused his movements when he heard the sound of the suona again.

Zhuqing noticed his movement and stepped forward to explain. There are some things happening in the mansion today, so it might be a bit noisy. Do you want to go inside to avoid it?

Qiao Yi shook his head, his clean little face flushed red from the cold.

No need. It’s nice for it to be a bit lively.

Looking at Qiao Yi’s face, which was tucked into a red fox-fur collar and filled with innocence and understanding, Zhuqing suddenly felt a pang of pity for the simple person before her who knew nothing.

He had been by the Prince’s side since he was ten years old. Although his official status was that of the Prince’s study companion, those who served near them knew that if A-Qiao weren’t a man, the person marrying the Prince today might very well have been him.

In the entire mansion, A-Qiao was likely the only one who knew nothing.

Precisely because he was too simple, even after being confined to Baixiang Courtyard for half a month without being allowed to go anywhere or even see the Prince, A-Qiao wouldn’t suspect that the Prince was getting married during these days.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt Qiao Yi shouldn’t be kept in the dark like this. Zhuqing almost couldn’t help but tell him the truth.

But she couldn’t. This was the Prince’s order. Zhuqing knew she was just a servant and could not disobey her master’s command at will.

Moreover, if Qiao Yi became overly heartbroken or went out to cause a scene after finding out, that was not something Zhuqing wanted to see.

Wavering with hesitation, Zhuqing looked at Qiao Yi’s back and decided to leave temporarily before she lost her resolve.

A-Qiao, are you hungry? How about I go get some pastries for you?

Completely unaware of Zhuqing’s internal struggle, Qiao Yi appeared to be rolling a snowball, but his mind had already flown to how he could send Zhuqing away so he could make his escape.

As luck would have it, before A-Qiao could think of a way, Zhuqing provided him with an excuse.

Hearing her words, Qiao Yi frantically suppressed his inner joy, maintaining a look of confusion on the surface.

I’m not hungry. Are you hungry, A-Qing?

Zhuqing smiled and shook her head. Since the mansion is hosting an event today, I saw the kitchen preparing many delicious pastries yesterday. Many of them are your favorites. Shall I bring some for you to try?

Qiao Yi looked delighted. Really? Then I want to eat them!

Zhuqing: Good. I’ll go get them and be back soon. Wait for me here; don’t run off.

Qiao Yi: Okay.

Watching Zhuqing’s departing figure, Qiao Yi stood obediently in place, like a young bird waiting in the nest for its mother to return from hunting.

Before leaving, Zhuqing instinctively took one last look behind her.

Seeing her turn around, Qiao Yi gave a big smile, looking completely harmless and endearing.

But the moment Zhuqing closed the door, the smile on Qiao Yi’s face vanished instantly, as if it had never existed.

His cold little face held no expression. Qiao Yi casually tossed the snowball in his hand to the ground, where it happened to hit the unfinished, knee-high snowman.

Smack!

A black bundle landed on the bluestone path outside the courtyard wall.

Then, a grey-green figure leaped down from the wall, landing right next to the bundle.

Phew!

Qiao Yi brushed the dust off his hands and looked up at the wall. Not bad, I haven’t forgotten my old climbing skills.

Heipa! Qiao Yi picked up the bundle and called out to the black cat still walking along the top of the wall. Let’s go!

The cat ignored him, continuing its unhurried pace. It didn’t even spare him a glance, nor did it move to jump down.

Hey! You greedy cat, don’t you know who your master is? Do you insist on snatching that thing back from him before you’ll leave? It’s been half a month; your toy has probably been thrown away by him already. Stop thinking about it. Come down quickly! If we wait any longer, A-Qing will be back and we won’t be able to leave!

Meow. The black cat turned its head away, ignoring him.

Qiao Yi felt like he was going to be laughed into a rage.

It was just a cloth cat he had made on a whim years ago. Before that man took it away, he hadn’t seen the cat like it that much.

At worst, I’ll make a few more for you later, okay?

Meow!

I’m going to count to three. If you don’t want to go, I’m leaving by myself. Three, two…

Meow! ! !

Ah!

Caught off guard, Qiao Yi was struck in the face by the cat jumping down. Is there something wrong with your brain…

Before he could finish, the black cat leaped backward. It looked quite excited, as if it had seen something.

Hey! Qiao Yi turned around and saw a person sitting in a wheelchair on the bluestone path, holding a squirrel in his arms.

The black cat was charging straight for the squirrel in the man’s arms.