Chapter 161: Hidden Feelings (Edited)

Author: White Pear Flower

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

Translated by Pill Bug

Gumihou: Drama has certainly blown over into melodrama… with all the actors in this chapter acting to create more drama.

Sure, whatever, go ahead.

But Fu-without-the-AR-Qiuning would not stand for their nonsense.

 

 

“Are there any students still at the school hall right now?” asked Fu Qiuning.

Jin Zhuan, “Yes, the teacher is still there too.” [1]

“I see,” she stroked her clenched fist and said, “Right, go back and watch over the young master. Yu Jie, have two sturdy boys go with him. If Feng’er [1b] can’t walk, they can carry him back.”

“Madam, when has Elder Brother ever gone through this kind of suffering? Who I don’t knows how long he still has to kneel there..,” said Yu Jie anxiously, with tears falling down her face. “Moreover, those school children, I fear they all hated him at the bottom of their hearts. If we don’t bring the Young Master back immediately, won’t those little white-eyed wolves take advantage of the situation and throw rocks down the well? ”

Fu Qiuning let out a long sigh, “No need to panic just yet. Let us see what we can do for now. [1c]”

“But… but what can we do? Madam, are we to sit here and let those people reverse what is black and white? Although Young Master Feng’er is intelligent, he is not the type who would openly defend himself…” Yu Jie said, bursting into tears and whimpering. “I… I finally understand why Madam did not want to provoke the Young Marquis in the past, why you refuse to move to the inner court even at the threat of death. Barely half a month has passed since we moved into Elegant Mansion, but something like this actually happened… how, how should we live from now on??? Wuwuwu…”

Fu Qiuning [2a] sneered at her. “So what if you know this now? Is all your wuwuwu going to help Young Master Feng’er? Aren’t you part of the team that forced me into this situation in the first place? Are you happy with the result?”

[2b] Yu Jie howled even louder, kneeling and kowtowing in front of her mistress. Fu Qiuning allowed her to go wuwuwu for a little while longer as she stared listlessly out the window.

[2a] “Tell me, are you still my loyal maid?”

[2b] “Th-th-this maid-”

[2a] “You know what, I don’t care. Just follow my orders. You can still do this much, can’t you? You will be responsible for the Young Master’s health. Prepare medicines, I expect him to return with injuries. This much is expected for a simple inner court strife.”

[2b] Seeing the cold indifference on Fu Qiuning’s face, Yu Jie’s eyes shook with fear. Afraid to provoke her mistress’ wrath further, she scuttled off with Jin Zhuan to carry out Fu Qiuning’s orders. Privately, she vowed to never be swayed by Jin Fengju’s persuasion anymore.

 

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As expected, about two hours later, Jin Changfeng returned with bruised knees. Fu Qiuning [1d] lifted the boy’s trouser leg to study the large green splotches and thought: Either one year of soft living was enough to turn him into a Second Generation Young Master or that blasted teacher had him kneeling on rocks.

[3] The two children had grown up on bitter water since birth. Their dear old dad had abandoned them from the moment he learned of their conception. When they came to her, emaciated, bruised and battered, looking like the worst of beggars in this rich mansion because their old dad can’t get over himself to look at his own blood even for a moment, she was their only hope to survive. Wait, he did see them but immediately dismissed their existence as lowly as their appearance six years ago. Even on the verge of blaming her for making them look like that.

[3] Hah.

[3] Hahaha.

[3] Trust that man with her life? She had no choice. Trush him with her feelings? Maybe in another six years.

Even so, the twins had always been careful about being obedient and did everything they could to please her. There was no need to discipline them because [3] life had been so thin that even mere children realised that they all need to cooperate to achieve a better life in that abandoned courtyard. They could not help but idolise their father, but at least they had shown more loyalty to her than those treacherous, short-sighted maids.

Even so, being forced to kneel on bluestone tiled floor for two hours is very harsh on a nine-year-old child.

“Why did you not hold your temper? Why did you quarrel with brats like them?” Yu Jie, Aunt Yu and Jian Feng were sobbing and crying over Jin Changfeng’s condition.

Yu Jie began to ramble, “Just what could it be? Wuwuwuwu… Didn’t that brat provoke you many times before? Why can’t you not endure it this time?”

[2b] Fu Qiuning turned her stare at Yu Jie, who flinched but had at least had the decency to close her mouth to sob incessantly into her handkerchief instead of going wuwuwu all over the place again.

Jin Changfeng pursed his lips, his handsome little face still holding a trace of anger. Jin Zhenyi had most likely touched some kind of reverse scale on this child.

“Mother.”

After [2c] Yu Jie had put away the medicinal wine, he suddenly opened his mouth. He stared at Qiuning with large clear eyes. “Beat me, beat me with a cane. Beat me until I bleed.”

[2c] From her seat, a few feet away from the gasping trio of dripping maids and a stoic boy, Fu Qiuning stared at them all. Finally, she said, “Leave us.”

The three maids did not want to leave, but [2c] Yu Jie tugged at their sleeves. She felt as though Fu Qiuning’s stare was particularly heavy today. Moreover, it was not like they could do anything for the young master. Therefore, they had no choice but to retreat.

Fu Qiuning sat up from her leaning position on the couch, [1e] “Why should I beat you?”

[3a] For a moment, Jin Changfeng floundered, uncertain how to reply. His large eyes reddened, but he refused to speak anymore.

[3b] “Go on, tell me, I wish to know what big plan is brewing in that little head of yours,” Fu Qiuning stroked her teacup. “You and your sister should know that Mother did not want to move into this place. It is in fact for your sake. However, we have now moved in here and are now experiencing the consequences. Well, how was it?”

Jin Changfeng lowered his head, but still refused to speak.

[3b] “If you believe that keeping a tight mouth will keep me or your sister safe while you take our punishment on yourself, let me tell you now. It would not work. Your enemies are clever, their backers cleverer still. You being silent would hurt Mother worse eventually. Is that what you want?”

Jin Changfeng’s body shivered. The originally straight body finally collapsed.

“Will you speak now? If not, you can go to bed and rest. Mother will deal with the fallout myself. After all, it is the job of adults to protect children. Even those who are unwilling….”

[1f] “Mother! I…” Jin Changfeng looked up, despair in his eyes. “No, I will tell Mother. I won’t let Mother suffer blindly…”

[1f] Fu Qiuning waited.

“Brother Zhenyi insulted Mother,” Jin Changfeng, spat out the words hatefully, “He said that mother’s mother’s Chastity Proving Dust, was not because of Father…”

[3a] He paused and looked away.

Fu Qiuning thought: Ah, that should do it.

Looking down at the miserable child, she said, “Come here.”

[3b] Jin Changfeng came closer and she held his little hand. It felt ice-cold. “You are stupid to fall for their obviously flawed scheme,” she began, watching as Jin Changfeng flinched and looked away. “However, Xu’shi is stupider for trying out this scheme. She had just granted me the perfect excuse to leave this wretched place. How helpful of her.”

“Mother…” Jin Changfeng held Fu Qiuning’s hand and looked at her with some confusion. But she smiled gently, stroked his hair and said, “It will all be fine. Things should happen according to their timing. Xu’shi had chosen the worst timing, and the worst kind of excuse to attack Jin Fengju. There is no need to be afraid. That man’s pride is wide enough to shelter us all.”

Though he was still confused, Jin Changfeng understood that Fu Qiuning was comforting him and the anxiety that had been plaguing his heart finally disappeared. Enough that the pain in his knee finally reached him and he whimpered softly.

 

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As a fresh breeze brushed by his face, Jin Fengju walked on the road, feeling quite pleased with himself.

The ones attending this get-together were not just ordinary noblemen, but great learned scholars as well. Otherwise, with his yet-to-heal leg, he would not have attended. With his current status, aside from the emperor, who else could force him to do what he did not wish to?

Of these great scholars, many were former classmates of Jin Fengju back in the day. As he greatly admired scholars, he was happy to attend the get-together. Even so, he found that several of the scholars did not think much of him. Indeed, many sons of rich and powerful families were despised by the great Confucian scholars who [1g] enjoyed flaunting their moral superiority.

However, after speaking with them for some time, everyone could not help but be impressed by this well-spoken and powerful noble aristocrat, [1g] who emanated similar energies of a great Confucian scholar as well as being favoured by the emperor. By the time the banquet started, the people had gathered around in a happy and joyful group. It was like witnessing the reunion of friends who had not seen each other for many years.

Jin Fengju dare not regard himself as someone who disdains status or achievements. After all, his honour and glory reflect the honour and glory of the entire family. Not even he was immune to the admiration and appreciation of these many great Confucian scholars. Especially with his recently rediscovered teenage heart, how could he not be a little bit pleased?

Therefore, he could not help but down a few more cups at the banquet. It was all very inevitable. He could not help it when people kept toasting him. Fortunately, after getting out of the palanquin at the mansion gate and feeling the breeze as he attempted to walk off the tipsiness, his mind became clearer.

From the estate next to Duke of Jing’s, ‘bing bing bang bang’ sounds of constructions could still be heard. Jin Ming, noticing his interest, smiled and said, “The Second Old Master’s residence is almost finished. Master has not seen it yet, do you wish to take a look?”

Jin Fengju laughed and said, “My leg is a bit sore now. Let’s hurry back to Elegant Mansion. Matters at Second Uncle’s side should remain his own. Father would also help look into it when he is not busy. Why should I go and insert myself into their business?”

Master and servant chatted idly as they continued their way within the Duke of Jing’s Estate. When they arrived at the study, a boy servant reported that Old Master had gone to Second Old Master’s residence. Therefore, he decided to make his way to the inner court. As soon as he passed the gates, a young maid called Li Hua suddenly rushed over. Her eyes shedding pearly tears her cries nearly shook the skies. “Wuwuwu… Young Marquis! You must come and see Young Master Zhenyi, ahhhh!!! Aaahhh!!!”

Jin Fengju felt whatever tiny bit of wine that was left in his head disappear at her howling. His heart flipped over with a ‘thump’. He hastily asked in a stern voice, “What happened with Zhenyi? Speak quickly.”

“Our young master… wuwuwu… was nearly beaten to death by Young Master Changfeng. Master, you must go and see. Madam Concubine cried so much that she was like a weeping statue. Young Master Zhenyi’s head have yet to stop bleeding. The entire Calling Crane Pavilion is a mess. Wuwuwu…”

Jin Fengju could not help but exchange looks with Jin Ming. Then he had a flash of sternness in his eyes and said indifferently, “Alright, I understand, I shall head toward Calling Crane Pavilion.” With that, he turned towards Calling Crane Pavilion while the lesser maid hurried from behind.

In Calling Crane Pavilion, at that time, Xu’shi really was crying until her eyes were red and swollen. Looking at her son’s head, which looked terribly awful with so many blood trails, she tenderly asked, “Son, ah, does it hurt? It is all mother’s fault. The cut is too big.”

 

Gumihou: Oh look, an entire chapter dedicated to make JFJ look good, as if the numerous ‘your father’ comments inserted between the bleerrrgghh of ‘I so clever dderr’ remarks were not enough.

Fu Qiuning: It wasn’t. Saying that a black cat is white doesn’t make it white.

Gumihou: Ooohhh, burnnnn~~

 

[1] Editorial changes explained:

[1a] The author is minimising Jin Zhuan’s presence by not letting him speak. The focus is entirely upon FQN’s unnecessarily dramatic and tragic presence, which would be ruined if others were there to distract. Supporting characters are made to shed tears and add drama here.

Well, not anymore

[1b] I can’t believe she did not say his name. This is clear evidence of spirit possession, not knowing all that needs to be known in this world.

[1c] Deleted 120 words of ‘Wow, look at me, I so cleverrrr deerrr derr’. Also deleted a proud ‘my man’ comment. Bonus all around.

[1d] Adjust wording so that it reflects ‘quiet anger’ and less of ‘sobs sobs I need a man sobs’

[1e] Fu Qiuning’s words were rather robotic for someone who had sobbed and is now slowly hugging Feng’er. Gave her a cold elder role instead.

[1f] Deleted 120 words of ‘dad and mom loves you~~~ dad will side with you~~’ It’s so unnatural, like, eww.

Fu Qiuning: Actually, that sounds exactly like something Second Madam Ying would say.

Gumihou: Ah.

[1g] Adjusted the wording so that being a Confucian Scholar is more like a bunch of snooty doods out to out snoot each other and that JFJ is the King of SNooTs

[2] Remove the AR Qiuning:

[2a] Remove the ‘tragic smiles’ and ‘aiya remarks’, kick the treacherous maid when she’s down. Gumi has been waiting for this moment.

[2b] Natural reaction from maid after hearing [2a] truths

[2c] Maid to be the one to put on the medicine because [2a] [3] Author made it sound like the children only had a ‘bitter water’ life following FQN, completely forgetting their bitter life from birth which, ooops! Had everything to do with dear ol’ dad abanding them from conception. What A sHoCkeR!!

[3a] Realistic children’s reaction, instead of whatever robotic thing that author has written

[3b] Less of AR Qiuning talking about ‘how clever I issss, deerrrrr’ and more actual intelligent dealings with children. Speaking of which, AR Qiuning mentioned ‘your father’ more than 5 times, Gumi deleted those touching moments. Ooops.

You can count them in the Unedited section.

 

Pill Bug TL Notes: