Higher Level Wife – 127 – Interrogation

Chapter 127: Interrogation

Author: White Pear Flower

Raws: https://book.qidian.com/info/2386994/

Translated Gumihou

Proofread by Pill Bug

A majestic entourage was making its way towards Night Breeze Pavilion. When Xu’shi and Huo’shi heard about this magnificent parade, they quickly changed clothes and rushed over to join the fun. Though they both hated Jiang Wanying, they also did not like Fu Qiuning. Any woman who could take Jin Fengju’s love away was their enemy. If these two Madams come to blows, whichever side won or lost would only benefit them. Therefore, how could they miss the opportunity to spectate this wonderful show?

Yu Jie and Aunt Yu were in the Yong Cui Garden behind the false stone mountains, collecting apricot blossom branches when all of a sudden, they saw a group of people come trooping through. From the looks of it, they were heading for Night Breeze Pavilion. The two of them exchanged a glance. They thought of Fu Qiuning’s words that morning and both quickly hurried back, still clutching the apricot branches in their arms.

They rushed inside, just in time to see that Fu Qiuning had changed her clothes, ready to leave for Health & Longevity Court. Seeing her maids, she smiled and said, “You’re done collecting the branches? Good, go fetch the snacks, we shall leave now.”

“Madam, I think there’s no need to go. The excitement you mentioned this morning, I fear it will be upon us soon,” Yu Jie gasped, patting her chest. “Just now, this maid and Aunt Yu were behind the fake mountain to collect apricot branches when we saw a large group of people heading this way. Although they are still quite far away, I believe that Old Madam and Elder Madam should be among them. There were two sedan chairs in the group. If not the elder ladies, who else could it be?”

Fu Qiuning [1a] was a little surprised. “What? They are here already?” Then, she sneered, “Good, it’s better to get over this matter quickly. Come, we should prepare ourselves to receive Old Madam and Elder Madam.”

After that, Aunt Yu and Yu Jie rushed out to prepare. Fu Qiuning [1b] allowed herself a moment of weakness as she leaned back and closed her eyes in contemplation. Did she do the right thing? With the arrival of those people, if they prove her lack of v, she would forever be stuck inside this place. It is a completely different matter if she had wanted to be here, but… did she? Is it better to be here than anywhere else? Jin Fengju wanted her, that was for sure. For now anyway. Is it better to milk all she could from this man’s affection before it inevitably fizzles out? She could at least negotiate for a shop or a restaurant for herself before the guy inevitably moves on to someone else, right?

At the very least, now that the [1c] rice had been cooked, they would not be able to mess with her as much if she stays within the estate. [1b] However, since they dare to come and disturb her peace, they should compensate her in some ways.

The sound of the gate opening interrupted her thoughts. She breathed in deeply and slowly breathed out. Finally, she stood up and, after collecting the apricot branches left by Aunt Yu and Yu Jie, walked towards the courtyard.

When she opened the door, she immediately saw Old Madam and Madam Jiang. With a service smile on her face, Fu Qiuning stepped down the few stairs and stopped before the massive group. “Why has Old Madam come to this humble woman’s Night Breeze Pavilion? Just now, this humble woman even bade Yu Jie and Aunt Yu collect some apricot branches to bring to Health & Longevity Court. Unexpectedly, Old Madam arrived just as this humble woman was about to set out.” As she spoke, she helped the Old Ancestor out of the sedan chair. Then, she turned to Madam Jiang, “Elder Madam and Little Sister are here too? Everyone’s presence has brought light to this humble dwelling.”

Madan Jiang and Jiang Wanying openly snorted together. They simultaneously thought: No matter how flexible your tongue might be, today, we shall certainly have you driven out. They were about to speak when Old Madam heartily laughed and said, “I guessed that you might come these two days. Oh, are these for me? You sure know how to get the best at the least expense. Do you think I do not have blossoming apricot flowers in my court? Do I need your little favours? These things are barely worth half a copper coin. If put in charge of a household, I dare say you’ll be excellent at defending your family’s wealth.”

Fu Qiuning [1d] beamed back, “Old Madam has wronged this humble woman. The apricot branches are just a side gift, this humble woman had already prepared Flaky Almond Pastries and Osmanthus Cakes for Old Madam. [1d] Since Old Madam had personally visited this humble woman’s place, do allow this humble woman to honour you with these small snacks.”

Madam Jiang and Jiang Wanying patiently stood on the side as the two made their cheerful exchange. Both knew in their hearts that the Old Madam would protect Fu Qiuning. However, this time, they had already made up their mind to risk offending the Old Madam. If they failed in their mission today, there was still the Duke of Jing, Jin Yu, who valued the face of the family most. On the day that Fu Qiuning entered the family, if Jin Fengju himself did not agree to it, according to the old man’s temper, he would have fought against the forced marriage to the end.

If he were to find out that this forced-in daughter-in-law was so proud and arrogant, to the point that she refused to put his son in her eyes, he would be the first to demand a divorce. When that time comes, even with the Old Madam and Jin Fengju’s protection, things would not be so easy for Fu Qiuning.

With this thought keeping their breasts afloat with confidence, they continued to listen to the banter between Fu Qiuning and the Old Madam. After a long while, Fu Qiuning finally turned to say, “Has Elder Madam come to accompany the Old Ancestor? Or is Madam here for this humble woman? Madam’s expression does not look too good.”

Madam Jiang snorted, “You still know how to care about me? What a heart.” She looked around once, seeing that aside from the four mistresses of the house in the room, there were only Aunt Yu and Yu Jie as well as her own two personal maids and Jiang Wanying’s Qiu Xia. She addressed Ling Long, one of her personal maids, “Go and guard this place. Do not let anyone close. Humph, family shame should not be seen outside.”

The Old Madam knew that her daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law were chomping at the bit to appear on stage, therefore, she said nothing and continued to drink tea and chew on her snacks. Privately, she thought: Fengju, ah, Fengju, my good grandson. Your granny lent you a hand today so that you may stand tall in the future. You should quickly make up with Qiuning and become a truly loving husband and wife. When that time comes, you must remember this favour from me.

It turned out that Old Madam had already made her decision. Even if Fu Qiuning turned out to still be a maiden, so long as she roughly pushed the fault of her maidenhood on Jin Fengju, she believes that her grandson would be willing to bear this black pot. At that time, if he still wanted to be with Fu Qiuning, the woman would owe him one and no longer have any reason to deny him. This way, she could also help her poor grandson achieve his fervent wishes a little earlier.

The Old Madam also understood how upright and outspoken Fu Qiuning could be. However, she also saw more deeply than Madam Jiang and Jiang Wanying. It could not have been easy for Fu Qiuning to survive these few years. While embarrassment was one thing, as a divorced woman, Fu Qiuning would have a lot more to lose. The Zhenjiang Palace would not accept a divorced shu-born daughter back into their family. As a survivor, surely she should know that her best chance to live through this ordeal was a compromise with Jin Fengju.

It could be said that there were many thoughts going through everyone’s mind right then. Once Ling Long went out, Madam Jiang snorted coldly and turned to Yu Jie and Aunt Yu, “You two, kneel. I have something to ask you.”

Aunt Yu and Yu Jie obediently knelt as commanded with a soft ‘yes’. The two maids knelt [2a] fearfully, not daring to look up.

“I ask you, ever since the Young Marquis had entered Night Breeze Pavilion from spring onwards, has your madam completed the husband and wife ceremony with him?” asked Madam Jiang coldly from her seat.

“This… has been done,” Yu Jie [2b] answered haltingly. Then, more boldly, she said, “Yes, the ceremony had been completed.”

“You dare, why are you stammering over this matter? If the ceremony has indeed been performed, then why do you sound so hesitant?” Jiang Wanying snapped, pouncing at this flaw.

Yu Jie [2c] squeaked at being questioned so directly, but rallied to say, “It is not our place as maids to question this. This maid never thought about it, and barely just recalled the matter of Aunt Yu mentioning putting a bedsheet away without washing.”

Aunt Yu interjected from the side, “Indeed, to answer Old Madam, Elder Madam and Second Madam Wan, this maid had personally put away the bedsheet. Therefore, this maid believes that the husband and wife ceremony has been completed.”

Madam Jiang and Jiang Wanying exchanged a glance. They looked a little surprised, but determined that these two maids were just desperately covering up for their mistress. Observe just how hesitant their answer had been, their behaviours were just too suspicious. Jiang Wanying sneered, “What was that? Already shared a room? Then, why did they not bring the stained sheets for Mother-in-law to inspect?” According to the rules of this era, after a couple consummates their marriage, the daughter-in-law must prove their virginity to their mother-in-law with the bedsheets.”

Aunt Yu and Yu Jie exchanged a look before saying [2d] stupidly, “This… we maids do not know.”

Fu Qiuning’s answer was a mild, “No one asked me to.” [2e]

Jiang Wanying was immediately [3] incensed by Fu Qiuning’s short reply. She sneered and said slowly, “Is that so? Since that is the case, now that both Mother-in-law and the Old Madam are here, surely Elder Sister would not mind showing them the bedsheet? This is, after all, something that Elder Sister should have done.”

Fu Qiuning [4a] nearly rolled her eyes out of her head. Why don’t you just ask me to open my legs for inspection now? Instead of speaking her vulgar thoughts out loud, she turned to Aunt Yu, “Bring out the sheets.” Then, she turned to the questioning women, “Mother-in-law and Little Sister clearly suspect this humble woman. Surely you could find out one way or another by asking the Young Marquis? Why the need to do this? It’s too shameful.”

Madam Jiang snorted coldly. Jiang Wanying tittered on the side, “Who doesn’t know that my husband favours Elder Sister to death? If asked, I fear he would fall all over himself to deceive us. Elder Sister’s skills are too great, to cause Lord Husband to stick to her like this, this little sister wishes to learn from Elder Sister as well. Only, I fear Elder Sister would not be willing to enlighten me.”

Fu Qiuning [4b] smiled pityingly at her, “What is Little Sister talking about? You are Lord Husband’s childhood friend. How could I ever compete with a friendship that had been nurtured since young? Within this estate, if asked who adores Lord Husband the most, if not Little Sister, who could it be? In this estate, even Concubine Huo and Concubine Xu have their own children, only I am childless, with only two adopted ones on my side. It would be more believable to say that I am the least favoured.”

Jiang Wanying was really angered. This Fu Qiuning was obviously mocking her for not her failure to capture a man’s heart. You, the childhood friend, have the nerve to ask me how to please your husband? Moreover, I do not even have a single biological child under my knee and was abandoned for so many years, yet, I am still able to suppress you. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?

As she continued to clench her teeth, Aunt Yu finally returned with a white bedsheet. They all watch as Aunt Yu blushingly unfolded the sheet before Madam Jiang, Jiang Wanying and the Old Madam. After all, Aunt Yu was still a virgin and therefore could not help but be shy over such matters.

Gumihou: The Duke of Jing aka Jin Fengju’s dad, would ‘fought the marriage to the end if Jin Fengju himself did not agree to it’? Are they trying to whitewash the Jin Family with an ‘upright’ head of the family and a ‘supportive Old Madam’? Just where were these people when FQN was banished away and the twins abandoned to die?

Oh wait, the Duke was ‘displeased by Jin Fengju’s action’ back then, but not enough to do anything about it. That’s about as useful as sending thoughts and prayers to help someone.

[1] Yeet the AR Qiuning:

[1a] In place of ‘leapt to her feet in shock’, go with ‘a little surprised’

[1b] In place of ‘oh, whew~! So lucky we did the deed yesterday~~ nyaha~! Orei! Rejoice~!’, go with ‘did I do the right thing?’

[1c] ‘Rice had been cooked’, a euphemism for having the v taken, has negative connotations of ‘we can never go back’. Gumi used it here in FQN’s thoughts to give the impression of ‘I have no choice but to go forward now’

[1d] Give FQN some dignity, please. Instead of ‘smiling hastily’ just ‘smiled back’, instead of ‘oh my oh my’ or ‘blablabla nervous word vomit, bla’ just give a short answer

[1e] Replaced a looonnnggg ass explanation of ‘I live far away… 7 years… empty house… no one asked… put away… etc…’ with less than 10 word reply.

[2] Correct the inconsistent IQ levels of the maids

[2a] The maids ‘knelt, knowing the weaker they acted, the louder the slap on the Jiang Wanying and Madam Jiang’s faces’

Gumihou: … weren’t you two a pair of idiots just a chapter ago? You are master minds now?

Just have them ‘knelt in fear’ along with all the implications that follow.

[2b] The doofiest of doofs is suddenly ‘bolder and smarter than Aunt Yu?’ What?

[2c] Yu Jie’s answer was ‘neither hurried nor slow’

Fu Qiuning: Who is that?

Gumihou: A new character?

[2d] Switch out ‘calmly’ for ‘stupidly’, and deleted ‘knowing that their part in this charade is over and it was time to hand the show over to FQN’ because there’s giving information and then there’s shoving information down a reader’s throat

[3] Adjust Jiang Wanying’s reply as per [1e]. She’s going to be angry regardless, so, let her anger be at FQN’s short and impertinent reply.

[4] More canon than canon Fu Qiuning’s reply:

[4a] Put more thoughts in her head other than ‘light blush’ and ‘calmly’

[4b] ‘Smile lightly’? Go right ahead and ‘smile pityingly’ at this poor woman

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