Chapter 26: Teasing
Translated by Pill Bug
Edited by Gumihou
As a matter of fact, this was the general mentality of women in this ancient era. [1] Jin Fengju’s actions of testing Fu Qiuning was neither cruel nor shameless, [a] in fact, it was the common sense of that period. While many women had fallen in love for real or thought their husbands finally loved them, they would inevitably end up crushed when they did not pass the ‘test’.
Fortunately, Fu Qiuning’s body now hosted a soul from the 20th century where men were no longer a [a] woman’s main source of survival or the only route to a good life. Without this [a] instinctive need to depend on a man, Fu Qiuning was able to maintain her true spirit and was not at all moved by the bait he had set out.
On the other hand, when it looked like Jin Fengju had no intention of pestering her, Fu Qiuning was more relieved than anything else. In the end, both parties were very satisfied with the arrangement.
Jin Fengju, happy with Fu Qiuning’s ‘restraint’, no longer harboured thoughts of divorce. Anyway, she was just an insignificant shu-born daughter of Prince Zhenjiang. Later, once Prince Zhenjiang lost power, he could just plead for this little favour from his brother-in-law. Zhao Lun would surely not refuse him this bit of face.
For the woman who had educated two unfavoured children with minimal resources and poor circumstances to such useful talents, surely she deserved this bit of effort? Moreover, considering the difference between her real feelings and attitude towards him and his children, he could tell that she was a good and virtuous person by nature. A woman who understood when to advance and when to retreat is worth him putting in a word or two in her stead.
As the capital was situated in the north, other courtyards also had this type of kang beds, but they were mostly used as a place to sit and chat. Few people would sleep on them. However, when Jin Fengju laid down on the kang bed that night, he felt especially warm and comfortable. So comfortable that he managed to sleep until midnight, when suddenly, his eyes opened and saw moonlight streaming in through the window. The late-night vision was very hazy, almost dream-like, turning the flowers and trees into a play of shadows and light.
He cast a look to the side and saw that little Changfeng had kicked his quilt away. Perhaps the child was feeling hot?
Fatherly love suddenly bloomed in Jin Fengju’s chest as he leaned over and, with a little smile, personally pulled the quilt back over the child. Little Changfeng made a grunt, frowned, flipped his body and pushed the quilt away.
“… …” [a] well, wasn’t this a perfect reflection of his position in this child’s life?
Amused and a little exasperated, he nevertheless laid down on the bed again. However, though the hour was late, he felt very awake. Therefore, he decided to dedicate the time to analysing the current situation at the capital, the relationships between the emperor and the princes, the future of the marquisate as well as plans and steps needed to make that future happen.
As he continued to ponder, Jin Fengju eventually fell back to sleep again.
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Early next morning, he was woken up by the sound of whispering laughter. When he opened his eyes, Jin Fengju saw two little heads lined up together by his bedside. The little faces reminded him of himself as a child. In an instant, he was fully awake and he sat up on the kang bed to laugh and said, “Why are you two up so early? Don’t want to sleep any longer?”
“It’s not early anymore. Mother already made breakfast,” Jin Changjiao giggled, her voice tender and childish. “Father is really good at sleeping. Mother said that father is lucky to be human. If he’s a pig, he would have been dragged out and chopped up for meat long ago.”
Jin Fengju choked on his saliva and suffered a mild coughing fit. When he finally managed to control himself and look up, he saw Fu Qiuning standing at the doorway with a rather embarrassed expression. She had probably not expected the children to transmit her careless remark to him so quickly.
[b] Jin Fengju stood up and begin to dress himself without waiting for Fu Qiuning to come and help him. He picked up a light blue brocade tunic that had been set aside and put it on methodically. [b] While his back was to her, he said lightly, “Children are unrestrained with their mouths. When speaking in front of them, one should pay attention as they do not yet know the difference between good and bad words. The words you speak could be spread in a blink of an eye.” [b] While pretending to fix his cuff, he flashed a glance at Fu Qiuning’s face, which had reddened all the way up to her ears. She was glaring at the twins. Seeing her look of dissatisfaction immediately improved his mood.Yu Jie brought over a wooden basin containing soap and other grooming essentials. Jin Fengju washed his face and studied his reflection in the mirror. His chin was covered in stubble. In this era, men below age 40 do not grow out their beards to prove their youth.
“Lord husband, apologies, but we do not have razors here. If my lord husband visit the inner court, the madams and concubines would surely be more properly equipped,” Fu Qiuning said with her eyes lowered from the side. Privately, she thought: If you have any sense, visit less in the future. I am not going to buy a razor just for you. That thing isn’t cheap, you know?!
Jin Fengju’s voice interrupted her private thoughts, “No problem. Jin Ming, be sure to bring one on our next visit.” Naturally, as an intelligent person [a] well versed with politics and dealing with slippery politicians of all kinds, he could almost hear her screaming at him from underneath that obedient facade. Moreover, her every sentence contained hints to just scram from this place, which, perversely, made him want to stick around even more.
This Young Marquis had been proud and arrogant for half his life. This is unsurprising since he was always praised to the moon and stars wherever he went. Therefore, when he finally encountered this mutant species called Fu Qiuning, he could not help but want to tease her.
Sure enough, just after his little declaration, Fu Qiuning’s face paled. She opened her mouth but then closed it again, swallowing tightly as though she was physically swallowing her words back. Jin Fengju pretended not to see anything and casually sat in the chair before the mirror. “Comb my hair for me, I do not have to attend court today, so something casual is fine. Just tie it back with a ribbon.”
Fu Qiuning had no choice but to go fetch a silver-blue ribbon normally used to tie back Jin Changfeng’s hair. She did Jin Fengju’s hair in the style he ordered. [a] It was a simple style and she did it often enough for Changfeng to automatically do it without much thought. When it was done, she stared into the mirror. That handsome man in the mirror, with his hair tied back like this. She first saw him like this five years ago, standing in the afterglow of the sunset. In terms of looks, he certainly was brilliant and awe-inspiring.
“What are you thinking about? So lost in thought?” at Jin Fengju’s sudden question, Fu Qiuning had to blink a few times before smiling back and replied honestly, “I was thinking back to the time when Lord Husband first visited Night Breeze Pavilion five years ago. That day, your hair was also loose, only tied with a ribbon, like an elegant prince in a turbid world. In terms of appearance, Lord Husband is indeed very good, living up to the reputation of the capital’s most beautiful man.”
This statement was not something that should be said out loud in this conservative era by women to men. Still, Jin Fengju and Fu Qiuning were officially husband and wife, therefore such rules need not be so strictly enforced. As a modern soul who had screamed more flower-brained words at famous stars and idols in her youth, Fu Qiuning did not appear to notice anything wrong in stating such obvious facts. [a] It was not like she was overly praising him.
Jin Fengju’s ears had long grown calluses from these kinds of compliments. However, when Fu Qiuning said it, he felt secretly pleased. It had nothing to do with love. This woman’s every other sentence to him all contained subtle and unsubtle hints to scram from this place. Thus, when something positive came from her mouth he felt happy.
Nevertheless, though he was happy, he hid this secret satisfaction and said lightly, “En? Are you saying that I am merely an embroidered pillow that is golden outside yet rotten inside?”
Fu Qiuning thought to herself: As if you still don’t know ah?
On the surface, she feigned a frightened expression and quickly said, “How could this humble woman mean that? Young Marquis has misunderstood.”
Jin Fengju nodded. Indeed, though he was the most beautiful man in the capital, he was most famous not for his looks, but for his favoured status within the imperial court as the long-term imperial envoy. Some thought he had been appointed purely for his looks and had no brains inside his pretty head. He was happy to exploit this misunderstanding and played the pig to hunt down tigers. Once he had trampled upon those who looked down at him, their regretful faces were a sight to behold.
Right now he was still young but had already held a high position for two or three years. There were none who would dare to look down on him anymore.
Gumihou: Everything JFJ said is all very 淡淡 – light/mild
Pill Bug: He should be nickname金淡淡, haha
Gumihou: Lol, Jin Tantan, sounds a lot like Jin Egg Egg
Kang bed for socialising
Pill Bug TL Notes:
[1] Author’s words, not mine! Please don’t roast me!
Gumihou’s notes:
[a] Gumi’s 2 cents: Added more details to author’s writing
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Thanks for the chapter!