Chapter 163: The Fall

Author: White Pear Flower

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

Translated by Pill Bug

Gumihou: The legendary face slapping scene would have been more satisfying if we don’t all know what it is really about

 

Jin Fengju raised his eyebrows and glanced over at Xu’shi, who was already running towards where Jin Zhenyi was lying in bed. She shrieked angrily, “Still dare to lie? Look at this huge cut, look at all this blood. It is still bleeding even now! Do you imagine that you could conceal this kind of injury with your pathetic lies?! You almost killed our Brother Yi! Luckily you are only nine-years-old now, I fear what would have happened if you are eleven or twelve-years-old and slightly stronger, Brother Yu would probably be dead by now.”

Jin Changfeng suddenly panicked, he leapt to his feet, or tried to. His bruised knees wobbled with pain, but he ignored his own pain to point at Jin Zhenyi and shouted, “Th-that’s a lie! I never hit brother’s head till he bled. The worse was a large bump.”

[a] He turned anxious eyes at Fu Qiuning who stared back serenely at him. He remembered Mother’s words about this being a ‘flawed scheme’ and that ‘it will all be fine’. In short, Mother wants me to handle this on my own, to prove that I have the skill to survive in the treacherous inner court. I have been enduring for a long time, but still ended up falling into a ‘flawed trap’. For Mother and Sister, I must be more intelligent about this.

[a] He looked around the room, at an anxious Jin Changjiao and finally settled his gaze on his stern and aloof father. He lowered his gaze and said, “Father, this child threw the inkstone to hit Younger Brother Zhenyi on the arm. Unexpectedly, when he tried to dodge it, the inkstone struck his head instead. At that time, no blood was seen, only a large growing bump. This child would ask Jin Zhuan to testify for me-”

“Pei, that’s your follower. Naturally, he will help you lie. If Lord Husband doesn’t believe me, ask the other children. I don’t believe that there is someone in this estate who can cover the sky with only their hand and buy everyone’s favour!” As she spoke, she turned her vicious gaze towards Fu Qiuning.

However, [b] Fu Qiuning was busy looking at Jin Changfeng calmly. The boy gazed back, took strength in her steadiness and continued, [a] “This child would ask Jin Zhuan to testify for me, but he was not there when I threw the inkstone.”

Jin Fengju did not [c] appear to be moved by Jin Changfeng’s calm reply. Instead, he looked at Jin Zhenxuan and said lightly, “Zhenxuan, come here. You tell us what happened.”

Jiang Wanying’s heart tightened, fearing that her son would be implicated in this matter with a bad answer, she began to panic and hurriedly said, “How could a young child bear such serious interrogation? Here I was, thinking to send Xuan’er out. Perhaps, Lord Husband could call for some of the other children from the school and question them. I do believe that would give us a clearer tale of what happened.”

Jin Fengju snorted, stretched out his hand to Jin Zhenxuan, and said in a serious voice, “How can my son, the son of Jin Fengju, fear this bit of confrontation? Come, Zhenxuan. Come here and tell father exactly what happened.”

Jin Zhenxuan walked very slowly to the centre of the floor where Jin Changfeng was being questioned. He glanced over at Jin Zhenyi, still motionless in bed, then at Jin Changfeng once before bowing his head like a little adult to say, “Replying to Father’s words, at that time, the teacher allowed us time to go outside and play. This son felt that the school ground was a little noisy and sat under a large tree with a book. Later, this son heard shouting, but did not think too much of it. By the time this son learned of this matter, Brother Zhenyi had already been carried away. Therefore, from the beginning to the end, this son is unclear about what had happened.”

Jin Fengju looked at the six-year-old boy for a long time. Finally, he revealed a small smile and nodded, “Is that so, ah? Good. Xuen’er may go outside and play now.” He did not question Jin Changfeng any longer. Instead, he lifted his head and asked, “Is the imperial physician still not here yet?”

Jin Ming said, “To answer Master, he has not… ah, he’s here, he’s here, he has just crossed the courtyard doors.”

Jin Fengju said to Madam Jiang: “Elder Madam, Qiuning, Wanying, all of you go into the inner room. Let the imperial physician look at Zhenyi’s injury first.”

Madam Jiang’s heart drummed. She had always felt that her son’s gaze was cold and penetrating enough to chill people to the bones. She glanced over at Xu’shi, thinking: There’s no doubt about it. She had to be the one behind this scheme. It’s just… it all looks so flawless, so why is Fengju so ruthless? Is he that sure that she is in the wrong? Had he seen something?

Madam Jiang had always known that her son was clever. It was something that she had always been very proud of, to give birth to such a wonderfully clever and outstanding son was her greatest achievement in life.

As for Xu’shi, she could not help the nervous thumping of her heart. After all, Jin Zhenyi’s head injury was caused by her to rouse Jin Fengju’s sympathy and provoke his anger against those cheap brats. She never wanted to seek a physician or even wash the blood off Jin Zhenyi’s face until she had accomplished her goal.

Uneasiness suffused her heart, and she grew even more anxious. Suddenly, a cheerful voice resounded in the air, causing her to jump. [d] However, it was merely the imperial physician giving his greetings to the Young Marquis. Fu Qiuning calmly held Jin Changfeng and [e] Jin Changjiao’s hands to her lap, patting them absent-mindedly as the drama continued sight unseen in the other room. [f]

Xu’shi’s face had turned white. She was seated at the edge of her seat, looking as though she wanted to bolt out of her chair and into the other room. [g] As for Madam Jiang and Jiang Wanying, a dawning realisation was coming over them.

Sure enough, Imperial Doctor Li’s voice outside continued to echo cheerfully from the next room, “Just a little wound. Nothing serious. In the future, do keep the boy away from sharp tools like knives and awls. The boy is still young after all. Fortunately, it is only a small cut. If you happen to hurt your eye or something, well, that’s no joking matter.”

Jin Fengju said, “The injury is caused by a knife? Imperial Physician Li, you are saying that this is not caused by an inkstone or something similar?”

For a while, silence filled the air. After what felt like a long while later, Imperial Physician Li’s voice carried over to the other room again. “The corner of the boy’s head is red and swollen. This must be the injury caused by a thrown inkstone. Goodness, school children are really naughty nowadays. I do believe that when Lord Liang’s two grandsons fought an inkstone was also thrown. The injury was much heavier than this. The poor boy was bruised and bleeding.

As for this little bump, I assure you it is nothing. It’s just brothers fooling around with each other. This young man is quite unfortunate, not only was he struck by an inkstone, but was cut by a knife too. Tsk tsk. Even so, the Young Marquis may be at ease. A basic herbal dressing should do the trick. Change the dressing at the end of each day for seven days. It should fully recover in half a month. Not even a scar will remain, this official guarantee it.”

This old Imperial Physician appeared to be the cheerful type. It was unclear whether it was because he was trying to set the child at ease or establish a closer relationship with Jin Fengju. Regardless of the reason, there were many keen listeners. Within the inner room, Xu’shi was so frightened that her legs went soft. If she had not been holding onto a chair, she would have collapsed to the floor. It was unclear when she had gotten to her feet.

Jin Fengju and the chatter Imperial Physician Li spoke a little more, but not a word entered Xu’shi’s head. She only knew that she was finished. Recalling the coldness and mockery emanating from Jin Fengju’s eyes, she knew she was finished. She finally understood what a foolish thing she had done.

When Imperial Physician Li was finally sent away, the previously lively outer room was suddenly silent but for the soft rhythmic tapping of a fan against the table.

Madam Jiang glanced at Xu’shi, sighed, and took the lead in walking out, followed by Fu Qiuning, Jiang Wanying and others.

“What else do you have to say?” Jin Fengju looked at Xu’shi, who was the last to walk out. She looked like she barely had the strength to hold herself up as Jin Fengju’s cold words pierced her weakened body.

“Father, Mother has nothing to do with this, this child only… this child was dissatisfied with Elder Brother being able to enter the clan school, so… so that’s why this child thought of this scheme.” The previously dying, bedbound Jin Zhenyi sat up violently. He jumped out of bed and scuttled over to kneel beside Jin Fengju.

“You thought up this scheme?” Jin Fengju’s gaze turned steely. “So young, but already so treacherous? Moreover, you brought a knife to school? Do you think that I am unaware of the school rules that forbade any sort of sharp weapons? That only wooden swords for martial arts practices are allowed?”

Jin Zhenyi’s shoulders shrank. However, he remained determined as he loudly declared, “Yes, this child had been planning this scheme for a long time. So… Father, please punish this child. Mother had nothing to do with it.”

“Planned this scheme for a long time?” Jin Fengju sneered, “If so, tell me, how did you manage to finally anger your elder brother today? Why don’t you tell me now.”

Jin Zhenyi froze in place. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Jin Fengju cold said, “Zhenyi, you have only this one opportunity. If I find out that you lied to me, do not blame father for being discourteous to your mother. I shall remind you now, your elder brother is not someone who could not hold back his anger. Do not think that I do not know how you usually ill-treat your own elder brother. Therefore, I am curious. Exactly how did you manage to provoke him into striking you this time?”

Jin Zhenyi suddenly dropped his gaze as he stammered, “I- I-”

“Lord Husband, Brother Yi had nothing to do with it, it is all due to this humble woman’s foolishness. This humble woman had coveted the favour bestowed on Madam and brewed a scheme out of a jealous heart. Lord Husband is wise, this had nothing to do with Brother Yi, ah!” Xu’shi suddenly threw herself forward and begin to beat her head against the floor in front of the Jin Fengju.

“At least you have not completely lost your conscience as a mother,” Jin Fengju stared at her coldly. “Brother Yi has not yet reached his seventh birthday, what could he know? He could only repeat the words ‘dissatisfied with Feng’er’, but then, who was the one speaking such vile words into his ears all this time? A mother like you who does not care to teach the children harmony, friendship and unity, but instead sow discord and fan the flames. For the sake of framing Qiuning and her son, you did not even spare your own child. What qualifications do you have to be the mother of my children?”

“Lord Husband, it is all this humble woman’s fault, this humble woman knows she has sinned and begs Lord Husband to forgive this foolish concubine. This humble woman would never do such a thing again, would never dare such a thing…” Xu’shi was banging her head against the floor again, hard and rhythmic as though she was pounding garlic with her head with tears flowing down her face.

Jin Fengju’s stern words and Xu’shi’s actions nearly frightened Jin Zhenyi to death. Zhenyi, who had a propensity for bullying and hooligan-like behaviour ever since he was a child, what deep ideas could he hold in his head? Seeing his parents like this, he could not help but panic. From his kneeling position by Jin Fengju, he cried loudly and declared, “Father! It is all this child’s fault. This child should never have called Elder Brother’s mother a bad woman, a slut. This child should not have said that the Chastity Proving Dust was because of other people…”

Pa!

Jin Fengju slapped the folding fan against the table so hard that it broke. The sturdy [1] Eight Immortal Table actually trembled, proving the force under his hand. Even so, Jin Fengju was not a master in martial arts and the table managed to not fall apart.

“You shameless woman!”

Jin Fengju roared. Not a single person in the room, including Fu Qiuning, had ever seen him exhibit such ferocity before. The women all shrank back, even Madam Jiang was clutching her chest. [h] Fu Qiuning was mostly surprised, but, she reasoned: Considering Jin Fengju’s recent behaviour, he must be reusing the ‘loud and dramatic fury’ that had been so effective against Minister Chu on Xu’shi. Well, since it worked in court, it should work here too. Furthermore, it allows the man to exercise his need for drama, so it makes sense for him to be dramatic now. Should I aid his performance by clutching my chest like Mother-in-law too?

“I can no keep you here anymore,” Jin Fengju was so furious that his entire body trembled with anger. “A scourge like you have no place in this estate!” He raised his voice even more and shouted, “Jin Ming! Jin Ming! Send two matrons and two older maids in. Escort her to the village. From now on, she is not allowed to set a single foot upon the Jing Dukedom. You hear me?!”

Jin Ming thought to himself: What? You want me to do this errand too? [i] Isn’t it the job of the madams of the house to arrange all of this? Second Madam Ying or Madam Jiang, or, heck, even Second Madam Ning?

However, since the Master had already declared it out loud, there was really no other choice. Fortunately, he could delegate the matter to Cai Lian and Bi Yu, who knew the inner court better and knew which matron and older maids to call upon to perform the job.

 

Gumihou: Madam Jiang’s thoughts were all incredibly confusing and JFJ praising. Since it’s in character for her to be both stupid and biased towards JFJ, allowed her to keep polishing JFJ’s butt. She loves it anyway.

 

[a] Realistic reaction from children who had been neglected by a certain parent. Seriously, to appeal to a neglectful dad when the reason behind his actions was related to his mother? There’s really no need to further attribute stuff to dear old da just to make his presence more ‘there’. Oh wait, AR Qiuning primed the poor child into trusting dad because it was all ‘trust in your dad’, ‘your dad is omniscient’, ‘dad will bring grace to the land’. Sounds kind of familiar? That’s basically a religious brainwashing technique.

Nope.

Deleted original: ran to Jin Fengju, pulled on his sleeve and anxiously explained, “Father, please believe me, this child really only threw out the ink stone. This child wanted to hit Younger Brother …

It’s all very boohoo boohoo daddeeee just for daddeee to shine brightly. However, if JCF is truly an ‘intelligent child’, he should really be more composed. Especially since he’s the man of the house and dear daddeee had just threatened to kick him out of Elegant Mansion in the previous chapter.

[b] FQN’s original role here was just as a prop, a witness to JFJ kicking her ‘rival’ around so that she could go ‘kekekeke’ with him later as they reminisce how much poor Xu’shi suffered under JFJ’s kicks.

Make her more involved in her children’s lives. Seriously, she reared them with care, hard work and sweat, is she really going to dump them for a new beau that easily?

[c] More language used to make JFJ look cool ‘he did not appear to be moved by’ the deleted [a] [d] Replace unnecessarily twisty sentence, get rid of sneery and triumphant AR Qiuning, because ma’am? That’s just early stage Jiang Wanying right there.

[e] Author seemed to have forgotten that Jin Changjiao is there too.

[f] Deleted: “Feng’er, don’t be afraid, the real can’t be fake, the fake can’t be real. Whether this wound was caused by you or somehow created later, your father may not be able to tell, but it does not mean that the imperial doctor can’t tell.”

Because by now everyone and their dog probably knows what’s happening and also, are you Fu Qiuning or Jiang Wanying?

[g] Also, author kept saying that these women are clever and treacherous, but then their brains seemed to need [f] Fu Qiuning to spell out the details to know what’s going on? Seriously?

[h] Make FQN’s calm to be a ‘wow, dude, chill’ rather than ‘awww, I trust in the Lord Husband, so I am calm~~ Amen~~’

[i] Added more detail, because it just ended at ‘Eh? Me?’ without explaining why it’s problematic for a male steward to arrange such things.

 

Pill Bug TL Notes:

[1] 八仙桌 It’s only an old-fashioned square Chinese table, but the name sounds WAY better in Chinese. “Eight Immortals Table”

 

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