Chapter 142: Elegant Mansion
Author: White Pear Flower
Raws: https://book.qidian.com/info/2386994/
Translated Gumihou
Proofread by Pill Bug
A few steps into Yong Cui Garden, Jian Feng said, “Madam, is that the Elegant Mansion mentioned by Old Madam? Why don’t we go in and have a look around?”
Fu Qiuning smiled, “What is there to see? Isn’t it just another courtyard?”
Hearing this, Yu Jie chimed in, “It’s not like we are moving in, so what if we go and have a look? We have been exploring the garden these past two days, but have not visited this place yet because it is too far away from Night Breeze Pavilion.” Knowing how proud her mistress was, she quickly grabbed Fu Qiuning by the hand and ran into the courtyard.
“The Young Marquis is right, this Elegant Mansion is indeed not inferior to Night Breeze Pavilion,” said Fu Qiuning as she studied the exquisite courtyard with its rich row of plantains and strategic clumps of peach and apricot trees. One side of the courtyard was a rockery made up of several large Taihu stones [1] dotted with seasonal flowers. Unlike Night Breeze Pavilion’s wide garden filled with spices and flowers, the flowers there were mostly climbing vines of roses, honeysuckle and some small yellow flowers which Fu Qiuning did not recognise. The layered petals of the little flowers gave them a very beautiful appearance.
A sudden breeze carried a burst of fragrance in the air, surprising Fu Qiuning as she turned around and looked for the source of the fragrance. She spotted a cluster of pink and purple flowers at the northeast corner of the courtyard. They were Thorny Roses, the source of the strong fragrance.
Fu Qiuning was at once surprised and delighted to see her favourite flowers from her previous life. Back then, Thorny Roses [2] were planted everywhere in her neighbourhood and at the Chinese Opera Academy and Opera Troupe where she had worked for a short while. The strong and pleasant fragrance [3a] brought her back to her past life where she had once studied, worked and even performed briefly to a small audience.
[3a] A wave of nostalgia washed over her as the fragrance seemed to wrap around her and transport her back to the mornings of hard work, children’s off-key singing and the music of modern Chinese Opera.
Fu Qiuning [4a] touched the petals of the Thorny Rose. The scent had once been so gorgeous that she, in a fit of romantic mood, had even collected the petals to make soap with them. However, after transmigrating into this ancient pseudo-China, she had never seen them. Thinking that it might be because these roses didn’t exist yet, she had not thought much about them. Who would have thought that she would find these flowers in the corner of Elegant Mansion? How could she not be happy?
Jian Feng and Yu Jie walked over to smile and say, “This flower is the least valuable one in the garden, almost worthless. Who would have thought that we would see it here? I really can’t see what the gardeners were thinking when they brought it in.”
Fu Qiuning said, “What do you mean worthless? Is it their bad fragrance or the bad-looking flowers? I happen to like them. Only, I have never seen them here before.”
Yu Jie and Jian Feng tittered, “These flowers are common among ordinary folk. As a daughter born into an aristocratic family, it’s natural that you’ve never seen them. Though, I believe it is not uncommon to find them in the countryside. These flowers are very easy to grow. If Madam likes them, we can collect a few cuttings and plant them in the courtyard. It would be lovely to smell this fragrance whenever a breeze passes by, isn’t it so?”
Fu Qiuning said nothing. She stared at the flowers for a moment before sighing a long sigh and said, “Come, let’s have a look at the rest of the place.”
They followed the path down a corridor and discovered that Elegant Mansion had no fewer rooms than Night Breeze Pavilion. It was, after all, one of the largest courtyards in the Garden. Though the rear garden could not be compared to Night Breeze Pavilion’s, it was not small either. There were several pear and peach trees planted there, along with other flowering trees. More flowers climbed the fence that surrounded the property, giving the place a little more character.
After exploring the Elegant Mansion, the group of ladies were just stepping through the gates when they heard the faint sound of laughter. A few more steps brought them face to face with maids placed to serve Jin Yanfang, the Feng Sisters and Cousin Han [5]. The young maids were chasing each other in the garden, looking like delicate fluttery butterflies themselves as they laughed and darted between the flowering bushes. When they saw Qiuning, none of them recognised her as the Second Young Madam of the estate. However, a few older, more experienced matrons recognised her and quickly rushed forward to greet her. The young maids hurriedly followed their seniors and gave their salutations as well.
Fu Qiuning waved a hand at them. After exchanging some meaningless conversations with Jin Yanfang about her well-being and whether she was used to being in the estate again, she left with Yu Jie and Jian Feng. Unexpectedly, the Feng Sisters [5] and Cousin Han were standing a little way away, just behind a flowering tree. After Fu Qiuning left, they approached Jin Yanfang to say, “Sister-in-law, why did Second Madam Ning come to the garden, but did not come and see us? Is she truly here for a stroll?”
Jin Yanfang smiled and said, “Surely you also know about the matter that happened a few years ago? My sister-in-law’s status is a burden to her. Thus, when she married in, she was arranged to stay at Night Breeze Pavilion the moment she entered the estate. By the time I married out, the people in the estate had more or less forgotten anyone was living here. Who would have thought that in the four years I married out, my sister-in-law would begin speaking with my Second Brother, ah? Fate is tricky and fortune fickle, and even I never imagine that Second Brother would ever speak to her in this lifetime.”
Feng Zhenzhu smiled and said, “That must have been six or seven years ago, right? When we heard that Zhenjiang’s Heir forced a marriage between the Young Marquis and his shu-born daughter, we all felt very indignant for the Young Marquis. However, we heard that Lady Fu is a talented person and a graceful beauty, and as a talented woman, she clearly matches the brilliant Young Marquis. This must be why she could regain the Young Marquis’ favour. However, I am curious, how is it that her children are so old? Did she not enter the estate at the same time as Second Madam Wan? But, her children are clearly two or three years older than Madam Wan’s.”
“This is our family secret,” Jin Yanfang sighed. She then narrated the story of Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao. After all, these younger sisters-in-law would be living there soon. Even if she did not tell them that day, they would learn of it sooner or later. What’s more, she was close to these sisters and trusted them to be discreet, which was why she revealed the truth to them.
“So that’s how it is,” the two sisters and cousin were finally enlightened.
Seeing that Fu Qiuning had already disappeared, Jin Yanfang said, “Let us also return. You have already seen two courtyards. I was initially afraid that the place would need a lot of cleaning and renovations, and never thought it would all be so well taken care of. From now on, please treat this place as your own home. I, your sister-in-law, have no ability of my own and could only beg Second Brother to introduce [5] good sons from strong families to marry you. Once you are married, then all my worries shall settle.”
Feng Zhenzhu’s cheeks reddened and she lowered her head. Feng Mingzhu opened her mouth and softly said, “Many thanks to Sister-in-law. We must have troubled you. In fact, the Duke of Jing’s estate has shown great benevolence in taking Sister-in-law in. There was absolutely no reason to support us. It is all Sister-in-law’s kindness that we now have a place to live. Please accept this little sister’s thanks…”
With that Feng Mingzhu, along with Feng Zhenzhu and Han Qixue, knelt down.
Jin Yanfang hurried over to pull them up. She sighed and said, “Aren’t we a family? Why say such things? It is one thing if I am helpless, but if I could be of help, I will naturally do my best. Let us leave it at that.”
After sending them away, she returned to Pillow Moon Pavilion. She found Madam Fang waiting for her and hurried over to say, “When did Mother arrive? Just now, this daughter sent off the other ladies. Thank you, Mother, for making the arrangements and caring so much for this daughter…” as she spoke, tears filled her eyes again.
Madam Fang quickly pulled her hands, sat her down and reached out to wipe the tears. With a smile, she said, “It has nothing to do with Mother. You must thank your Second Brother properly. That day, when he found that you were in trouble, he reassured your mother, saying that so long as you are alive, no matter what, no one within the Duke of Jing’s estate would look down on you. Aih, your Second Brother is just too wonderful a person. As the most favoured person by the emperor’s side, who in this estate would dare to ignore his words?
If not for his words, who knows how many days Mother would worry? All is well now. Moreover, your Second Sister-in-law Wan was the one who had arranged for the clean-up and renovations. She had put in a lot of effort to not make your sisters-in-law feel like outside dependents.”
“No matter how well the care is, it is still not home. How could they not feel like outsiders?” Jin Yanfang’s eyes reddened. She shook her head and sighed, “Mother, I am the same. I am merely here to raise Zhan’er and Yu’er. I have nowhere else to go. My elder brothers are all affectionate and reasonable people while my sisters-in-law are all fair and sensible, and would likely not take offence to my presence.
However, I believe it is best to quickly find some good families for the three young ladies to marry into. You have seen them too. They are all talented and gorgeous beauties still not yet in their twenties. Surely it is best to marry them out soon?”
Madam Fang laughed and said, “This is a good suggestion. Just beg your Second Brother to pay a little attention at court. Surely this is no great matter to him?”
Mother and daughter chatted for a long while before Madam Fang finally left to let her daughter rest as she left Pillow Moon Pavilion and return to her own residence.
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Let us speak of matters on Jin Fengju’s side.
Jin Fengju found Jin Luanfeng in his study and the two talked about Jiangnan’s matters. When he found that his elder brother was doing well, Jin Fengju was relieved. Jin Luanfeng smiled and said, “You have killed off so many officials in Yangzhou City and Jiangnan that the atmosphere there had taken on a reinvigorated perspective. The common folk likened you to Qing Tian [6]. When they heard that I am your elder brother, the support was overwhelming.
I often hear praises being sung on your behalf. Even I, your brother, am being looked up to just by being your brother. What’s more, stories about how you travelled down the South of the Yangtze River to punish corrupt officials were being told at restaurants. I have seen with my own eyes how the people cheered. Elder Brother Peng told me that this season’s salt tax would be sent to the palace soon. According to the preliminary calculations, the amount would be more than what was paid in the whole of last year.
Those salt merchants were the most ridiculous people I have ever met. According to the commoners, those merchants had always been insufferably arrogant. Those [7] side-walking crabs had lorded over Yangzhou City for a long time. However, they now must restrain themselves and none of them dares to act out.”
Jin Fengju nodded, “It’s good to see improvement. How is Yangzhou City now? When I first entered the city in disguise, the streets were dirty and filled with miserable people. However, when the Imperial Envoy officially arrived, the beggars on the streets inexplicably disappeared and everyone was brightly dressed. It was clear that those people were too used to falsifying situations.”
Jin Luanfeng smiled and said, “Should you come and visit Yangzhou City in the future, you will find that it is now completely different from before. Though there are still beggars in the streets, they are people who refused to work. When asked, they said something about the cheerful life of a beggar and enjoyed loafing around, waiting for people to hand them alms. In short, Jiangnan is becoming more prosperous.”
Jin Fengju nodded and sighed, “It is Jiangnan after all. A paradise-like place. I’m sure it would recover most of its original vitality in a few months.”
And so, he asked a few more questions about Jin Yanfang and the others. Knowing that Jin Luanfang would need to pack up and leave for business once more, he left.
Gumihou: This Elegant Mansion visit appeared to be a badly disguised gush that roughly interprets as ‘aww~~ JFJ is sooo sweeett~~~!! Kyaa~~!!’ In fact, the entire chapter appeared to be dedicated to one thing and one thing only. Try and guess what that thing is.
Jin Yanfang: … am I a joke to you people?
Feng Sisters: … why are we here?
Gumihou: …yeah, um, to polish someone’s ass. Chop, chop, out with the flattery.
Jin Luanfeng: … my little bro is so awesome, so kick ass, so-
Gumihou: Let’s not go overboard, yeah?
Madam Fang: Aih, there is no brillianter man, no awesomer guy, no magnificenter-
Fu Qiuning: Just shut up
[1] Taihu Stones – large porous stones produced at the foot of Dongting Mountain, close to Lake Tai. Hence ‘Tai hu’ or ‘Lake Tai’ stones.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taihu_stone
https://www.vsana.org/newpage0b2a1951
[2] Thorny Roses – it’s unclear whether these are actual species or just some made-up flowers. Especially since most roses have thorns, albeit these are probably the climbing type. Here is a list of possible candidates.
https://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/roses/fragrant-garden-roses/
[3] Add Details:
[3a] Go beyond just ‘I like~ tee hee~~’ to connect the scent to her past life. I guess the author had no wish to make FQN miss the modern world beyond surface-level nostalgia to make her more susceptible to a certain someone’s advances.
This scene was originally quite superficial, meant for JFJ to score points with FQN. Naturally, Gumi hijacked the scene and make FQN homesick instead.
[4] Adjusted Details:
[4a] Move the ‘touching petal’ scene up.
The ‘common’ Thorny Rose might be something like a touching metaphor for Fu Qiuning, however, the author accidentally allowed Gumi to make FQN homesick for modern China instead of letting it be a cheap ‘sigh, I has hots for hot man~~’ scene.
[5] Author seemed to have forgotten about the cousin until later, Gumi stuffed her in early.
Han Qixue: … am I invisible?
[6] Qing Tian – probably Pao Qing Tian or Justice Pao. Also known as Bao Zheng or Bao Gong. He was known as Justice Pao (Pao Qing Tian) due to his ability to defend peasants and commoners against corruption or injustice.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bao_Zheng
Qing Tian – 青天 – carries the meaning of ‘clear skies’ or ‘upright and honourable’ thus ‘Justice’
[7] Side Walking Crabs – alludes to the idiom of 横行霸道 (hénɡ xínɡ bà dào)
Literally: Side Walking Despot
Meaning – to oppress or rule over someone else
So, why crabs? The side walking or ‘heng xing’ alludes to crabs. The ‘ba dao’ happens to have the word ‘ba’ which is a homophone for eight, and crabs have eight legs. The idiom actually runs deeper than that, naturally, but you could also imagine it as someone with ego so big they had to move sideways to enter a doorway, lol
https://gintai.wordpress.com/2012/03/18/legend-of-the-crab-%E8%A1%A1%E8%A1%8C%E9%9C%B8%E9%81%93/
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