Higher Level Wife – 062 – Harmoniously View the Osmanthus Flowers

Chapter 62: Harmoniously View the Osmanthus Flowers

Translated by Pill Bug

Edited by Gumihou

 

Jin Fengju’s fan instantly flashed up. The fan waved in a dignified manner as a sarcastic smile crossed his face, “Look at you, I was just teasing a little, but already you’re all frightened. Do not worry, although I am not the emperor, my word still carries some weight. I shall never backtrack on what I have promised you. Speaking of which, do you know why I am telling you this?” He lightly and skilfully switched the subject.

“This humble woman is also curious, why would the Young Marquis mention this for no reason? Moreover, you are from the Hanlin Academy, so why would you involve yourself with the Ministry of Justice’s affairs?” In fact, Fu Qiuning knew perfectly well why Jin Fengju had told her all this. He was indirectly telling her that the favour enjoyed by Prince Hong was dropping like the setting sun. With Zhang Shaoyan disposed of, Zhenjiang Palace would also take a hit. To enjoy her precious peace in the future, she had no choice but to rely on Jinxiang Marquisate.

“No reason, I brought it up as a random conversational topic,” Jin Fengju studied Fu Qiuning’s expression and knew that she had already caught the underlying messages he was trying to give. However, she still wore a modest expression and did not say more than she ought to know. He also did not waste his words on more nonsense, saying instead, “Although I am officially stationed at Hanlin Academy, I am also the Sage’s Sword. I am obligated to deal with matters as His Majesty sees fit. Everyone thinks that I go off now and then to enjoy unlimited sightseeing, but in fact, it is also quite tiring.

Enough about that, let’s not dwell upon these dull things. I believe they should be done with the dates in the kitchen by now. I will take Feng’er and Jiao’er out in a while. We shall be back for dinner, and after that, let’s view the Osmanthus flowers under the light of the moon.”

 

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The night had grown deeper. Though it was not yet the 15th [1], the weather was fine enough that there was plenty of moonlight to light up the garden.

Placed under the sweetly-scented osmanthus trees of Night Breeze Pavilion were several rattan chairs. Jin Fengju, Fu Qiuning, Aunt Yu and everyone else were seated together, enjoying various snacks while chatting and telling jokes to each other. As for Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao, the children were playing and running about with two small lanterns. The lanterns were exquisite glass lamps brought over by Jin Fengju on the same day. The surface of the glass was painted with flowers, birds and even human figures, looking very sweet and lovely.

“It will be Mid-Autumn Festival in a little more than a month. We should take this opportunity to collect the osmanthus flowers and pickle them in sugar to make osmanthus cakes,” Fu Qiuning instructed Aunt Yu as she waved a small, round Qingluo fan [2] at herself. The cloth on the fan was thin and exquisitely embroidered. Though there were no chemical insecticides or insect repellents in ancient times, the wisdom of the ancients could not be underestimated. After their evening bath, everyone rubbed down their bodies with some kind of faintly scented oil that somehow discouraged mosquitoes from coming three feet to them. It was much better than those potentially dangerous and smelly mosquito repellents or sprays.

Fu Qiuning did not recall seeing such essential oils in modern times. She had no idea whether the formula was lost or that the ingredients needed had become extinct. Regardless, she was thankful for the oil. She, who had always been plagued by mosquitoes and insects each summer in her previous life, no longer hated summer ever since coming here.

“Still want to make your own osmanthus cake? There are plenty at the marquisate, if you like, I shall have someone send a large box over tomorrow,” said Jin Fengju through a mouthful of crisp and juicy pear.

“The ones made in the marquisate may not be as tasty as ours…” Yu Jie laughingly interjected from the side. Fu Qiuning quietly stepped on her foot.

“Really? Is your osmanthus cake extraordinarily delicious? Do you have some secret recipe for it?” Unfortunately, Jin Fengju’s interest had already been hooked. He leaned forward and urged Yu Jie to continue. However, when he caught Yu Jie looking nervously at Fu Qiuning, he grunted and said, “Good girl, be brave and don’t be like your Madam who guards against me like a thief. It’s just some small thing, but you are still unwilling to let me know. As if I would steal all your food away. Who do you think backs you up in this marquisate? Who gave you all this food and clothing? Really, this is a great example of returning good deeds with a grudge.”

If not for the sake of maintaining this dog shit ladylike appearance, Fu Qiuning would have flipped over the plate of snacks on the table into Jin Fengju’s face: Curse this bastard! Did he think that everything he sent over was eaten by me? Did your children eat none of it? From the day you stepped into Night Breeze Pavilion, just how much of my food have you eaten? Fine then, eat, eat as much as you like and explode, but this bastard even forced me to give away my food to other people. Otherwise, why would I be afraid?

As for this Yu Jie, her eyes were nothing but holes in her head, only caring about momentary satisfaction and bragging about our osmanthus cakes to this black hole. Good, very good. Just wait and see how many more cakes we’ll have to make this autumn. I’m sure you will be very happy to make all those extra cakes? Also, as the one who blabbed about it so proudly to the world, she must be given the pleasure of personally sending all these delicious cakes to each and every one of those wives, concubines and in-laws. After receiving snubs from all those random women, let’s see if she still dares to flap her mouth rashly.

Her heart was filled with angry thoughts, but her face was still as a mirror. She could only turn her face to the side and listen as Yu Jie excitedly waxed on and on to Jin Fengju about how fragrant and delicious their osmanthus cakes were.

In her past life, Fu Qiuning had lived in Suzhou and enjoyed eating. She had done some research on various dim sum and snacks. After transmigrating, even though she did not have any precise recipes, having access to natural and organic ingredients meant that nearly everything she made was exceptionally tasty.

As expected, thanks to Yu Jie’s blabbing, Jin Fengju’s interest was piqued. He turned to Fu Qiuning, “When will you make the osmanthus cakes? Send Yu Jie to inform me, I want to have them hot and fresh. That’s right, Old Madam mentioned that she wished to come to your place for a stroll. How about we set a day when the sweet potatoes are ready? After a stroll, Old Madam could also taste some freshly steamed sweet potatoes from your backyard.”

“Don’t.” Fu Qiuning was shocked, “Whether it is osmanthus cakes or other things, we can send them to her. However, we are a whole garden away from Health & Longevity Court, surely it would not be good to bother the Old Madam? If she loves sweet potatoes, I can have them steamed and immediately send them over while still hot.”

Jin Fengju put away the folding fan, helplessly saying, “I said the same thing to her. The moment she arrives, all manner of peace and quiet would be gone, and a whole group of people would follow over. It would attract more than a few pairs of eyes too. However, from the Old Ancestor’s intention, I don’t think she will give up. When the time comes, I’ll have to trouble you,”

Fu Qiuning frowned and said, “I’m not afraid of being troubled, I’m more afraid of getting bullied.”

At this, Jin Fengju laughed dispassionately. He lowered his voice and said, “Bully you? I know that there will be a few who are eager to step on you, but Qiuning, there’s no need to speak of such dark things before bright people. A person who is capable of bullying you doesn’t exist in this marquisate. I know, back then, I promised to keep you out of the inner court because you do not wish to involve yourself in the disputes.

On the other hand, if Old Madam gets involved, I’m afraid I may not be able to keep that promise. Then again, you should also consider this. Even if Old Madam comes to visit, at worst, you will only be disturbed for a few days. You should also be sensible enough to understand the situation and seize every opportunity without falling into anyone’s plots. Surely a few days of inconvenience is better than me having you move into the inner court and be faced with those troubles every day, right?”

Since he put it that way, Fu Qiuning could only reluctantly agree. She thought: So long as I don’t have to enter the inner court, it’s fine. For the rest, if it cannot be forced, there’s no need to force it.

In the end, she still needed Jin Fengju’s shelter, therefore, she could not be overly insistent on certain things.

It was a happy scene at the Night Breeze Pavilion. In contrast, Clear Soft Pavilion appeared that much colder and lonelier.

 

[Gumihou: This dastardly family]

 

Pill Bug TL Notes:

[1] Means a full moon night. 1st day of each Lunar calendar month starts on a new moon.

 

[2] This kind of round Chinese fan. The centre is made from cloth:

Image from https://kknews.cc/zh-cn/history/jm6j42y.html

 

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