Chapter 135: Relentless
Author: White Pear Flower
Raws: https://book.qidian.com/info/2386994/
Translated Gumihou
Proofread by Pill Bug
Jin Fengju was quick to echo, “The emperor is right, this minister only has five or six wives and concubines at home, but already suffers a terrible headache from their antics.”
The emperor laughed out loud, “It is no wonder they would fight. You are very good-looking. So young, but already a man of high position with great riches, what woman would not love you? I fear the battles between your wives and concubines would only become fiercer from now on, ah. A few days ago, the Empress spoke to Us, saying that it had been a few years since you last added anyone to your harem. We heard that she intends to matchmake you with someone. However, We also know that you do not pay much attention to matters between men and women, and declined on your behalf.”
Jin Fengju thought: What? I… I already have seven or eight women in my inner court, the empress still has the time to care about me not adding any new people into my harem these past few years? This… this idle old lady, if a decree for marriage actually came down, my heavens, ah. Others aside, if Qiuning finds out… I’m afraid…
He automatically flinched at this thought. With a trembling heart, he dropped to his knees with a ‘putong’ and in the most sincere voice, cried, “This minister thanks the emperor for his kindness. Should the Empress think of this minister again, this minister begs the emperor to please intervene. Though this minister is considered young, all this minister’s energies have gone to ministering the country and there is no time to waste on inner court disputes, ah. What if a fire happens again, wouldn’t this minister be a laughing stock of the common people?”
“Hahaha…” the emperor could not help but laugh out loud as he slapped his thigh. “What is it? To be frightened to this point? Be at ease, the Empress is merely speaking in passing. There is not only you, there are many princes and princesses that have yet to marry.”
Jin Fengju hastily said, “That would be the best, Your Majesty, this minister is very grateful.”
As he spoke, he climbed to his feet, thinking: What just happened, ah? Luckily, the emperor is someone who loves the people and is diligent in his governance. Otherwise, should the emperor be the type who likes to meddle and watch the fun, my life would have been ruined.
After exiting the imperial study, Jin Fengju wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, thinking: No, I must find a way to have the Old Madam enter the palace for a little chat with the Empress. Otherwise, she might suddenly spring a woman on me.
As he plotted, he eventually made his way towards the palace gate and found Prince Rong waiting for him. The prince pulled him aside and said earnestly, “Brother, you must not refuse me today. Come with me to my palace today.”
“Brother-in-law, I really, have some important business to attend to today. Another day, I promise to come to your doors with food and wine,” how could Jin Fengju be in the mood to drink wine with his brother-in-law, ah. He still had a lot to do, he had to find a secluded place to speak to Yang Ming. No matter what, he must succeed tonight. Otherwise, he would really be at the end of his rope.
“I, too, have some important matters, ah, brother,” Prince Rong held on Jin Fengju’s hand did not loosen. “Brother-in-law, I beg you to please come, ba. Otherwise, your older sister will really eat me alive. It’s been a few days since she had started ignoring me. Aih, it is also my fault, that day… I accidentally… in short, I must speak with you about something. You must first help me placate her a little.”
Jin Fengju frowned, “Brother-in-law, it is not my intention to say anything, but no matter what, you are still a prince. Although my sister is a princess consort, she cannot go against you. Back at the estate, she properly studied the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. You listen to me, just ignore her. After leaving her out cold for a few days, do you fear that she won’t chase you back? It’s all your fault for spoiling her. This is the result of you overindulging her. That’s right, you must never let my sister know what I’d just said, otherwise she would beat me to death.”
Prince Rong, who had been on the verge of jumping off a building from sheer nerves, suddenly laughed. He gritted his teeth and said, “So, you also understand just how powerful she is, yet you still dare to say all those things so confidently.”
“You and I are different,” Jin Fengju said with one raised hand. “I am her younger brother, and as the saying goes, an elder sister is like a mother while an elder brother is like a father. How dare I offend her, ah? You are different, you are her husband. It is only natural for the wife to follow her husband once she has married out of the family. Listen to me, Brother-in-law. No matter how uneasy you feel, you must endure for another two days. Once the messy business on my side has been untangled, I shall come to find you. When the time comes, no matter the outcome, I shall take responsibility and help you. How about it?”
Jin Fengju even patted his chest confidently, never expecting this careless advice would result in something that would turn his guts green from regret each time he thought back to it. By then, it was already too late.
Placated by his promise, Prince Rong finally left. Freed from his brother-in-law, Jin Fengju hurried to the appointed place to meet with Yang Ming. Jin Ming was already there with a bag in hand. Inside the bag was a selection of a few ghostly costumes for their important mission.
“How about this one? Black and white clothing is often associated with death.”
Inside the nameless inn, Jin Ming held out the set of black and white clothing for inspection. Before anyone could comment, Jin Fengju was already shaking his head, “No, that one is not frightening enough, something else.”
“Then, how about this one? It is a hanging ghost costume, complete with a long tongue. This is the scariest yet.” Jin Ming held up a set of creepy-looking white changpao complete with a red strip of cloth that formed the ‘tongue’.
Jing Fengju nodded, “Good, this one.”
“Master, you don’t think this one is too scary looking?” Yang Ming held up the hanging ghost outfit with some hesitation.
“Do you think you should be worried about frightening her or not frightening her?” Jin Fengju asked in an ominous tone.
“This subordinate understands. Tonight, this subordinate will… that is… will strive for success,” Yang Ming half stuttered as he accepted the order with cupped fists. He eyed the costume in his hand, thinking: Isn’t the madam just a woman? If even this can’t intimidate you, I shall admit defeat.
“Master, is it this servant’s imagination or… somehow, this lowly one gets the feeling that Imperial Guard Yang seems a little… not confident,” said Jin Ming as he watched Yang Ming strutting away from them.
“If it were you, would you be confident? Don’t forget, those six snakes of yours have already been wiped out,” Jin Fengju rolled his eyes. Was Yang Ming the only one not confident? Even he, a person who had no faith in either God or Buddha, was already quietly praying for heaven’s blessings.
“As the wind rustles over the cold water, the hero steps forward to never return,” Jin Ming murmured, this line from some famous predecessor suddenly streaking through his mind. His surroundings appeared bleak.
“If you dare to spout more nonsense with your crow’s beak, you shall go ahead and be the ghost,” Jin Fengju angrily kicked at Jin Ming’s bottom. “When the time comes, I’ll let Yu Jie and Aunt Yu cook you for dinner.”
Jin Ming shrank his head, not daring to say anything else. He had no idea whether Yu Jie and Aunt Yu would be so cruel as to eat him, but he knew that he must not take up this playing ghost mission. Even if he were to succeed, Second Madam Ning would definitely want his life.
After Yang Ming left, Jin Fengju and Jin Ming also returned to the residence immediately. They were about to set out for Night Breeze Pavilion when they heard the sounds of children laughing. After looking around, they found Jin Zhenxuan, Jin Xiuzhen, Jin Xiuru and Jin Zhenyi walking this way. He stopped and frowned at them, “Why are you not at school? Why are you walking around outside?”
When the children saw him, they all stood in line properly. As the eldest, Jin Zhenyi saluted his father respectfully and said, “To answer Father, it is close to noon. The teacher has some business at home and bade us to return early, stating that there will be no afternoon classes either. We just came from Old Ancestor’s place, Elder Madam and Second Madam are also present. The family has just received a letter from Aunt Yanfang, saying that the family will return to the Capital soon. When the time comes, our house will be very lively again. Us brothers and sisters are very happy and could not help but be a little presumptuous.”
“Oh? Yanfang will be returning?” Jin Fengju nodded, before saying mildly, “go then.” He was about to continue on his journey, but Jin Zhenxuan and Jin Xiuzhen stayed in place, refusing to move. The two children had flattened their mouths, looking like they had something to say, but dared not speak their minds.
“What is it? Has someone bullied you two?” Jin Fengju still loved his children, and seeing how wronged they looked, he knelt and reached out to hug them. Unexpectedly, Jin Xiuzhen burst out with a sudden ‘waah!!’ and fell, crying at his shoulder. Through loud sobs, she cried, “Father doesn’t like Xiuzhen or Little Brother anymore. It’s been so many days but Father did not come and see us. Our classmates all say that because Mother did wrong and angered Father, making Father hate us. They say that we will be abandoned children in the future, they all bullied us… wuwuwu… Father… Xiuzhen is scared. Please don’t abandon Xiuzhen and Little Brother. Mother’s sin… Ziuzhen will make Mother acknowledge her mistakes to Father, wuwuwu…”
Jin Fengju’s heart went sore in an instant. When he looked over at Jin Zhenxuan with his shoulders shaking, but still trying not to cry, he sighed. He patted the two children’s shoulders and said, “Don’t listen to those people’s nonsense. Father did not abandon Xiuzhen or Zhenxuan. These days, too many things happened at the same time and things became complicated. How about this, once Father’s job is done, I’ll come and see Zhenxuan and Xiuzhen, alright? Father likes the two of you most.”
“Truly?” Jin Xiuzhen raised a pair of large dewy eyes and smiled through her tears, “Father must keep your promise. Xiuzhen and Little Brother will wait for Father obediently.”
“Alright,” Jin Fengju smiled, kissing the two children on the cheeks, before sending them off to play. Once the children had left, they continued their way towards Night Breeze Pavilion.
“Young Master and Young Miss are really attached to Master,” Jin Ming commented with a smile as he trotted along behind Jin Fengju.
Jin Fengju’s answer was an indifferent, “It is true that they missed me. However, for them to suddenly cry before me like this, it is impossible for Wanying’s hand to be absent. Could this kind of bullying happen in the estate school within the dukedom? It has only been a few days since I had last visited Clear Soft Pavilion, but the Zhenxuan and Xiuzhen were being bullied? If that is so, just how much suffering Feng’er and Jiao’er endured on a daily basis? Jin Ming, tomorrow, send someone to visit the teachers at the school, find out what you can about this matter. If the atmosphere is as bad as the children reported, proper measures must be taken.”
Jin Ming quickly acquiescent. He continued to trot after Jin Fengju, as they rounded a corner, he hastily said, “Master, this is not the way to Night Breeze Pavilion.”
Jin Fengju smiled, “I know, I am heading towards Health & Longevity Court. I wish to ask after Yanfang.”
Jin Yanfang was Second Old Master Jin Shi’s daughter. Back then, she married the son of the Minister of Rites who was later transferred to become a high official at the frontier. However, after only two years, someone sent a memorial to the emperor, reporting on corruption, broken laws and extravagant living. Naturally, the emperor was very dissatisfied and immediately ordered his return.
However, since this person could still be regarded as fairly honest, it was possible that he was just momentarily confused and that his sudden wanton behaviour could be attributed to the illusion of the emperor being far away, and thus he became greedy. Seeing that his sins were not really that heavy, it was finally decided that he should return to the Capital as an official. Jin Fengju knew all of that, but had not expected them to come to the Capital so soon.
Gumihou: Shockingly enough, there are no footnotes today.
AR Qiuning: Kyaa~ Fengju is shooo handsome~~
Gumihou: As expected, you’re the culprit
Fu Qiuning: Humph
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