Chapter 155: Injury

Author: White Pear Flower

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

Translated by Pill Bug

Edited by Gumihou

 

Soon after the Jin family uncle and nephew left, all three princes also came out. After exchanging a few pleasantries with each other, all three went on their separate ways without other further discussions.

At that moment, within the imperial study, the emperor was staring contemplatively at a report. A long while later, he looked at his most trusted eunuch, Li Dezheng, and mused, “Today, Chu Daxiu censored the Duke of Jing for not properly guarding their family honour, how do you see it?”

“Aiyo, does Your Majesty seek to trouble this servant?” Li Dezheng beamed ingratiatingly at his master. “How could a slave like me understand the intricacies of court happenings? This poor servant felt that the Young Marquis’ words did not seem wrong. As the saying goes, it is difficult even for an upright official to meddle with family affairs. Whether the Jing Dukedom carefully guarded their family’s honour or not, surely Lord Chu need not trouble himself?

However, as Prince Rong said, as a prominent and titled family, their honour is related to the honour of the aristocrats. Each argument has its own merits. However, this servant doesn’t understand the intricacies of either argument and even less whether Duke of Jing’s side should be punished or not.”

“What is there to punish? As Jin Fengju said, should we have strangled those women and children one by one?” the emperor leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh. “Beloved Minister Feng’s grave misfortune was enough to make people clutch their wrists to stifle their anger. That Fengju boy… He is generally restrained in both words and actions. However, you heard the way he mocked Chu Daxiu, yes?

Though We have discreetly punished him, We also know that he is a person rich with emotion and sincere in nature. Furthermore, those so-called bandits have a decent reputation and therefore the women most likely have never been violated. Even if they had been, once rescued from the bandit’s nest, I fear, with that sentimental nature of his, he would most likely bring them home and care for them carefully.”

“Aiyo…” Li Dezheng clapped his hands and laughed. “Your Majesty, did Prince Rong not just say the same thing? Tsk tsk, this servant really did not expect that the usually cold-looking Young Marquis would be so emotional. Only, there are many in this Capital who enjoy wagging their tongues. Aih, this servant fears that the Young Marquis’ family will eventually…”

He trailed off in a thoughtful manner. When the emperor did not pick up the obvious invitation, he also did not pursue the matter. The emperor picked up Chu Daxiu’s censure report from the Dragon Table. He looked at it for a moment before setting it down and picking up the imperial memorial that Prince Lie had personally submitted. The second document was also set down after a glance.

Suddenly, the emperor sneered, “Clearly a case of [1] throwing rocks down a well after someone had fallen in, ah. Foolish things. How disappointing. Unable to endure, so anxious to act that they become a puppet in someone else’s scheme. They flap their lips, making a show of brotherly intimacy even as they drag their own brother-in-law’s family down. What’s the damned point?”

It was rare for the emperor to curse. However, Li Dezheng was secretly relieved to hear the emperor’s sudden emotional outburst. Hastily dredging up another ingratiating smile, he said, “Your Majesty, this servant is ignorant of many things. However, this servant felt that it is not bad to make a show of intimacy. It is still better than being too cold or confrontative. The previous few emperors were all people who valued relationships. It is Your Majesty’s good fortune, ah.”

The more he spoke, the more relaxed the emperor became. The heavy weight on his chest also lightened. He thought: Prince Rong is truly lucky this time. With Prince Hong and Prince Lie misstepping one after another and thus rousing the emperor’s suspicion, the disaster that had fallen on his head has since passed, right?

 

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Let us speak of Jin Fengju’s side.

By the time he returned to the estate, Madam Jiang, Jiang Wanying and the other women had already heard about his injury from Cai Lian and Bi Yu. The moment he returned, the women all crowded around him and herded him into Clear Soft Pavilion. Madam Jiang sneered and said, “You have been well and truly held within Fu’shi’s palm. She wanted to remain at Night Breeze Pavilion and you allow her? Does she even remember whether you are her husband or not? You cannot even make her compromise on such a little thing. Look, you’ve even hurt yourself.”

Seeing that he was not seriously injured, Jiang Wanying, Xu’shi, Huo’shi and the others all relaxed. At that time, Jiang Wanying wiped her eyes and sorrowfully declared, “Speaking of which, we should not completely blame Second Madam Ning for being too aloof. Surely it is Lord Husband who cannot help but run over there? Lord Husband is always running to that side. The servants reported that the sky had already darkened, but Lord Husband personally carried a lantern and made his way to Night Breeze Pavilion alone.

In the end, Lord Husband was caught in this morning’s thunderstorm while crossing the garden. Getting pierced in the leg with a stone may not be a serious matter, but the cleaning servants reported that several trees had been struck by lightning. I fear… I dare not think… what if Lord Husband had been struck by lightning?”

Xu’shi snorted coldly and said, “It’s all because Lord Husband has been indulging her. What basis does she have to be so domineering? Is there anyone in this estate that is as lawless as her? I swear, you can’t find anyone in the world that’s as lawless as that… that…” her voice stuttered away when she caught sight of Jin Fengju’s cold eyes on her.

In contrast, Madam Jiang was not at all concerned by Jin Fengju’s cold gazes. Her son’s injury was enough to cause fire to erupt in her belly. She gritted her teeth and coldly instructed the senior maids, Fang Rong and Ju Rui, “You two head over to Night Breeze Pavilion right away. Tell her that she must move into the Inner Court on my order. If she refuses, she can no longer stay in the estate.”

“Mother.”

At Jin Fengju’s grave voice, Madam Jiang turned and sternly exclaimed, “Why are you still protecting her? Such a lawless thing. Not expelling her from this estate is already a great mercy on my part. I do not care what nonsense you get up to, it is all your own business, but look! Look! Look at your injury! Is this not because of that woman’s wilfulness? Since you cannot make up your mind, I shall decide for you…”

Jin Fengju said coldly, “Every other word out of Mother’s mouth is ‘lawlessness’ and ‘wilfulness’, has mother completely forgotten the grievance she had suffered in our hands? The Chastity Proving Dust incident was the latest in a long string of grievences and happened only a few days ago. I see that Mother has already completely forgotten about it.”

Before he could go on, angry tears rolled down Madam Jiang’s cheeks and she pointed at him, shouting, “You… you blame me for this? Very well, I have bullied your wife, should I twist a rope around my neck as reparation? Will this absolve my sins in your eyes?”

“Mother.” Jin Fengju rubbed his head as Jiang Wanying, Huo’shi and the others rushed over to comfort Madam Jiang who was dramatically howling, crying, and slapping her chest. Finally, he sighed a long sigh and said, “Mother, I have my own arrangements. Qiuning has already agreed to move into Elegant Mansion after the Dragon Boat Festival and Aunt Yu’s marriage. If you must know, this injury has aided most me conveniently at court. Mother should also know about Brother-in-law’s matter. Though I cannot tell you all the dangers that lurk behind that scheme, I can say that in order to protect Brother-in-Law, I have had to battle hard against Prince Hong and Prince Lie. I am very, very tired. Can you please let me rest quietly at home? Elder Sister is still here and there are still many things to settle. If all of you wish to make more trouble for me, just take a rope and strangle me to death already.”

When Madam Jiang, Jiang Wanying and the others heard this, they fell silent for the first time. A closer look at Jin Fengju’s face showed that yes, he was indeed exhausted. Madam Jiang’s love for her son overcame her hatred against Fu Qiuning and she hastily said, “Alright, alright, we know you’re tired. We won’t trouble you anymore. You rest quietly here. As for Prince Rong’s matter, as you say, even we women know about it. If you don’t step forward to help him, who would? Just rest well.”

Xu’shi, Huo’shi and the others also echoed her words. Seeing Jin Fengju’s ugly expression, they all excused themselves from his presence and made to leave. When they were just about to reach the gate, Jin Fengju’s mild voice said, “Mother, no need to send anyone to Qiuning’s side. I don’t want her to know that I have been injured.”

Madam Jiang understood that this was a warning from her son, that she was not to send anyone to meddle with the people living in that courtyard even on the pretext of informing them that he had been injured. Losing the opportunity to even send people to hint for Fu Qiuning to move into the inner court, she gritted her teeth as anger and helplessness battered her heart.

Finally, she could only snort and said, “Be at ease, unlike you, there is no reason for us to venture into that unlucky place.”

With those final parting words, they left.

 

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Jin Fengju was currently laying in bed, pondering upon the emperor’s true intentions. His timely injury came just in time to trigger some sense of compassion from the emperor for his condition. However, because of this, the next phase of the plan he had created with Fu Qiuning could not be employed. Forget it, since it looked like the emperor had not completely given up on Prince Rong, today’s ‘group attack’ ploy should have some effect. There is no need to push the boat when the current is already moving in their favour.

As he continued to ponder over various things, he slowly fell asleep. In his dream, it felt like someone was crying next to him. Knowing that it was most probably Jiang Wanying, a sense of guilt [a] pinched his heart. After realising that he had fallen in love with Fu Qiuning, he finally understood that the feelings he had for his cousin were only obligatory sentiments born out of duty and not true love between man and woman.

[a] His cousin just happened to be infatuated with him. After they married, because he could never return her feelings, he permitted her arrogant and vicious actions because she had always acted in his best interest.

Therefore, he gently took her hand and said, “Do not worry, there is no need to keep watch like this. Just let me sleep.” After a while, the crying stopped. Without opening his eyes, he sank back into a deep sleep.

After an unknown period of time, he heard the sound of people speaking. The voice was familiar. Jin Fengju sat up in bed and said, “Is that Elder Sister?”

The sound of light footsteps was heard and the susurrus of a door curtain being pushed aside later, Princess Consort Jin Yanfang entered the room. Her two eyes were slightly swollen and there were some tear marks on her cheeks. Jing Fengju smiled and said, “Yo, do my eyes deceive me? My Elder Sister is such a decisive and stubborn person, why are you crying now? Have you been reading some tragic stories about true love being bashed to death?”

“You still have the cheek to make jokes now?” Jin Yanfang let out a little ‘pu’ of laughter and sat next to him. She took out a handkerchief and patted at the cold sweat on his forehead, saying, “Is it terribly painful? While you were asleep, the emperor sent an imperial physician over. He had a look at your leg but said that the injury is not too bad and just changed the bandage. You slept like a pig and never woke up even once.”

Jin Fengju was surprised, “Is that so? I thought I heard someone crying, why was I not at all aware of the imperial physician?”

Jiang Wanying laughed, “Don’t fault Cousin for not waking up. He looked so tired that I lit some mind-calming incense in the room. That is why he slept so soundly. Otherwise, with his martial skills and his ability to stare down six roads and hear in all eight directions, [2] surely he would have woken up at the slightest noise?” She directed a beaming smile at Jin Fengju, saying, “The imperial physician left some instructions. Cousin is not allowed to engage in vigorous activities. I fear that Lord Husband has no choice but to lessen his trips to Night Breeze Pavilion.”

Jin Fengju smiled and said, “The imperial doctors nagged too much. According to them, I would never have made it back from Jiangnan alive. This time, it’s just a little hole made by a stone, what is there to worry about?”

Jiang Wanying’s expression changed subtly, and she turned to Jin Yanqiu, “You heard it, Princess Consort. For the sake of going to Night Breeze Pavilion, even a stab wound is reduced to a ‘little hole’ and the advice of an imperial physician became ‘unnecessary nagging’. Do listen to my one request and rest peacefully. If my Lord Husband is still anxious, I shall send someone to invite Elder Sister, Feng’er and Jiao’er over, how about it? In exchange, you must promise to properly rest at home.”

“No need, I don’t want her to know that I am injured and worry her,” Jin Fengju said with a sigh.

Privately, Jiang Wanying’s heart grew even more uncomfortable, and she sneered, “Indeed, you only have Elder Sister in your heart. Sadly, Elder Sister may not reciprocate your care. Otherwise, she would have moved into Elegant Mansion already. Looks like Lord Husband wasted a lot of effort furnishing Elegant Mansion with so many good things.”

“Cousin’s mouth has gotten more powerful, can you not afford me a little dignity in the face of my injury and restrain your sharpness a little?” Jin Fengju laughed helplessly. A while later, he said, “I am a little thirsty. I’d like some lotus seed soup, one that you’ve personally made.”

Knowing that the siblings wanted to have a private conversation together, she agreed and left.

 

[Gumihou: To be honest, I had been hoping lightning would strike him, but I guess that would be good to be true. Author God is already so biased…]

 

[a] Adjusted a bit of detail to reveal that JFJ is really a delusional asshole justifying his actions with nice-sounding excuses. Seriously gals, guys, don’t date red flags like him.

 

Pill Bug TL Notes:

[1] 落井下石 Chinese idiom, means: Adding trouble for someone in danger.

[2] 眼观六路耳听八方 Chinese idiom, means: describes people who are quick-witted and flexible, and can observe and analyze things in many ways.

 

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