Higher Level Wife – 164 – Mishap

Chapter 164: Mishap

Author: White Pear Flower

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

Translated by Gumihou

Proofread by Pill Bug

 

“Lord Husband, forgive me. This humble woman would never dare again… Master…” Xu’shi grabbed hold of Jin Fengju’s trousers, crying and pleading most pathetically. Already dishevelled from her acting earlier, she looked even more miserable now as she sobbed. Jin Zhenyi and Jin Xiunan were so frightened that they, too, started to cry.

Fu Qiuning frowned. She would never consider herself any kind of Virgin Mary heroine, but it was too sad to see this family crying like that. Moreover, the children are still so young, how were they supposed to survive in this treacherous place without an overprotective mother? After some thought, she stepped forward to say, “Lord Husband, this humble woman is not speaking on behalf of Concubine Xu, but what of the two children? Perhaps Lord Husband could overlook the matter just this once. It is likely that Concubine Xu had learnt her lesson and would never attempt such a thing again. Perhaps it is enough to severely punish her instead of sending her away.”

Jin Fengju turned an expressionless face towards her and said coldly, “You are not allowed to intervene in this matter either. The Duke of Jing Estate cannot tolerate such a vicious and poisonous woman.” He turned the cold gaze over Madam Jiang as well as the rest of the women in the room. Then, he said slowly, “In the future, should anyone think to cause trouble, whether believing the east wind will overwhelm the west or vice versa, think again. Xu’shi’s fate will be your fate. If you are still not convinced, go ahead and try my patience.”

Then, with a flick of his sleeves, he strode away under their stares. Madam Jiang looked like she wanted to call out to him, but seeing his livid face, she paused and kept quiet.

“Goodness, here I thought that with my Elder Sister’s special status in Lord Husband’s heart, you would certainly be able to move his heart so long as you pleaded with him. To think that things would end up like this. Aih, I’m sure my dear Elder Sister did her very best. Lord Husband must be truly, truly, too angry today.” Jiang Wanying looked at the door where Jin Fengju had departed with a sad expression.

However, who would believe it? She must be secretly jumping with joy in her heart.

[1a] Moreover, her overly sweet words…

[2a] Fu Qiuning glanced over at the two children who were still crying in a corner. She could already see Jin Zhenyi glaring at her with bitter eyes. There was really no need for Jiang Wanying to work overtime and deliberately plant those remarks to provoke these kids. Look, the cannon fodder was already preparing to throw himself at her. Poor Xu’shi, poor Jiang Wanying. It is clear that Jiang Wanying must have somehow instigated this, and would target her next. It is the only logical thing to do.

Fu Qiuning sighed. [2b] She should at least do the decent thing and have Jiang Wanying remember Jin Fengju would be actively watching the harem now. If only for her sake. She gently said, “Little Sister, have you not heard Young Marquis’s words? Are you trying to instigate the children against me so quickly after their mother had been taken away?” There, that would warn both the children and Jiang Wanying. She cast another glance at the children once again. Well, the boy still had that fierce look in his eyes. He would be trouble in the future. [2c] She had better warn Feng’er to be careful. That child might believe he had nothing to lose and attack indiscriminately…

As Jiang Wanying choked on her words, she took Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao’s hands and left the inner room of Calling Crane Pavilion. [2c] What happened to the people here had nothing to do with her. Her priority had always been to protect the twins first and herself next, and she would continue to do so.

 

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In the end, Jin Fengju decided to stick with his ruthless decision. The next day, news of Xu’shi being sent to the countryside reached the Elegant Mansion. All that was left within Calling Crane Pavilion were the two helpless children and their plethora of maids and servants. Fu Qiuning looked out the window at the falling rain, recalling how treacherous the noble family was. She wondered, just how many women have lost their youths in this place, how many bodies were buried…

“Mother, what do you think will happen to Brother Zhenyi and Sister Xiunan?”

After the incident at school and the subsequent matter at Calling Crane Pavilion, the school was closed for two days for matters to calm down. Therefore, Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao were with Fu Qiuning. They were seated with books on their laps but were now looking at Fu Qiuning with worried expressions.

[3] Fu Qiuning wanted to reassure them, but in her heart, she already knew what the most likely outcome would be. Though he would likely deny it, Jin Fengju was ultimately a selfish man. A selfish man born in this era with an overblown sense of superiority over his peers. Now that she had fallen into his hands, there was only one logical outcome for this matter. It was probably also why he had so decisively kicked Xu’shi out instead of letting the matter drag on.

Finally, she said, “I’m sure your father will arrange it.”

Jin Changjiao lowered her head and said in a sullen voice, “I’m afraid Father would send them here. Back then, when my brother and I had nowhere to go, we were sent here.”

Fu Qiuning [3] looked at her, “Will you be very angry if Brother Zhenyi and Sister Xiunan are sent here?”

[3a] The twins exchanged looks. Jin Changfeng said, “Brother Zhenyi and Sister Xiunan must hate Mother to death. Although it is not our fault, Concubine Mother Xu was sent to the village because of us. So, they must hate us.”

[3b] “Indeed, they must hate us…”

Just then, the sound of footsteps was heard and Yu Jie’s voice stammered, “Y-young Marquis is here?”

She sounded shocked. [3a] Fu Qiuning sighed. Before the twins could ask why their mother would suddenly sigh like that, Jin Fengju had already thrown open the door curtain and stepped into the room with two dejected children in tow.

[3a] Ah.

[3a] Good thing she had zero expectations for this man.

[2c] Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao were not so restrained. They both jumped up and stared at the two children, Jin Zhenyi and Jin Xiunan, in shock.

As expected, Jin Fengju’s thick face came into play and he loudly declared, “Aunt Yu, Yu Jie, arrange rooms for Brother Yi and Sister Nan. Let them choose if they want to be closer to the main rooms or the study. Once they have picked the rooms, I shall arrange for their things to be sent over. Feng’er and Jiao’er, go with your brother and sister to pick out their rooms. You are more familiar with the Elegant Mansion than they are.”

[2d] Fu Qiuning watched with cold eyes as her maids jumped to obey their true master. The twins hesitated between obeying their father and not wanting to upset her. She had to say ‘Go with them’ before they moved to lead their younger brother and sister away with the maids.

[2d] Jin Fengju was beaming and smiling all over the place, talking loudly and giving instructions as though he owned the place. Which he in fact did. What could she do but sit in place as he rearranged her life as he pleased?

As for Jin Fengju, he thought that Fu Qiuning’s angry face would be very cute and was very pleased that he was not kicked out as yet. This must mean that Qiuning is not really angry at him, right? Since he was in the wrong, he did not insist on being served tea, and poured himself a cup instead as he settled himself and said, “Are you not going to ask what is going on?”

[3c]

“Should I?”

The smile faltered for a moment, but rallied up again as he grandly declared, “I only wish to foster Zhenyi and Xiunan under your name.”

“I see.”

Jin Fengju laughed and said, “Are you not going to ask for the reason?”

“Will the Lord Husband take the children away after telling the reason?”

Jin Fengju paused, he coughed awkwardly before saying, “No, but-”

“Then, there is no need to know the reason.”

“H-how can that be? My Qiuning is angry. So, of course, I must tell you the reason,” Jin Fengju’s smile had grown in wattage as he tried to coax her. Suddenly, he sighed and went over to strike a pose by the window.

Fu Qiuning resigned herself to another solo performance by this narcissist.

[3c]

“My dear Qiuning, I know what you must be thinking. Although on the surface you do not look like a suitable choice, but indeed! Indeed, I have no other choice! The most suitable person, the Old Ancestor, is already very old, the Elder Madam had always been weak in health and could never bear the noise of children’s play. Of the rest…”

“The rest of your wives, concubines and bed partners,” Fu Qiuning helpfully supplied.

Jin Fengju coughed and raised his voice, “Of the others! Wanying, well, surely you should know? Xu’shi is jealous and foolish, but without instigation, she would not have dared to act thus.” He closed his speech with a meaningful stare.

[2e] Fu Qiuning just looked at him tiredly.

Jin Fengju suddenly felt embarrassed. Unsure how to make things better, he could only run his mouth and continue to babble, “Needless to say, Huo’shi is not as good as Wanying. At least Wanying would be thoughtful on the surface, though no one could say what would happen behind closed doors. I fear that these two children would follow in the footsteps of their mother and… if they were with Huo’shi, they would be openly despised.

Cui’shi is gentle and weak and cannot discipline Zhenyi. There’s Concubine Yue Lan, who is in a similar position as Cui’shi. Would Zhenyi and Xiunan be willing to obey them? Even if I were to raise her status from Lesser Concubine to Concubine, they would still treat her as a lesser concubine for a long time. Therefore, it is through much deliberation that I came to the conclusion that you are my only choice. You were able to educate Feng’er and Jiao’er to such great talents. Zhenyi and Xiunan are both still very young, I can only depend on you.”

[2f] “… …” she had already anticipated all of this, but it was somehow very, very exhausting to hear it trotted out before her by this man. Finally, she said duly, “I understand, this is the most convenient solution for you. Therefore, I, as the person whose food, clothing and shelter are all provided by you, should accept this as my duty.”

[2g] Silence reigned for a long time. Fu Qiuning wondered how this man was going to justify his actions this time. She was vaguely interested in a detached way. If this was a drama, she would be shoving popcorn into her mouth as she waited for the Male Lead to cook up an excuse for his behaviour.

A long time later, Jin Fengju reached out to take Fu Qiuning’s hands and leaned forward to say earnestly, “Qiuning, let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart. If you had been someone like Wanying and Xu’shi, I would not have allowed you to stay till today. What I like, and love, is the current you now. Gentle, peaceful, quiet, kind but firm, benevolent but not stupid. To my mind, you are like a beautiful jewel appearing in a pile of stones. How can I not fall madly in love with this priceless gem? You may call me ruthless, but I am only ruthless to those with bad intentions. If Xu’shi had not harboured sinister thoughts, I would not have gone this far.

You must not blame me, and think of my difficulties as well. Our family is great and prominent, aside from wind and rain at court, I must also guard against other ministers. The higher I climb, the thinner the ice. While I strive at court, the home is not peaceful. With someone like Xu’shi, the best way to deal with such a problem is to cut away the rot and allow the wound to heal. Were I to keep her, just think, how much more trouble could she cause? My two children would also be brought up by such a scheming person to be cunning and evil. I definitely do not wish to see such a thing happen. You understand?”

 

[Gumihou: In short, it is all you, you, you, you, you. Good to know, you narcissist.]

 

[1] Adjust language style and wording

[1a] Make the double-edged words obvious without making it look like we’re feeding the readers information with a spoon.

[2] Remove the AR Qiuning:

[2a] Remove AR Qiuning’s biased towards JFJ’s thoughts of ‘aiya, looks like the true culprit is JWY’ ah. Oyoh, look at the vicious woman~~ aiya~~! So shocking~!

When the real culprit is actually… society and the men not willing to take a more active interest in what’s happening in their harem aside from the bits that make them happy.

[2b] Instead of a show of power ‘humph humph!’ go for ‘let’s try and warn her…’

[2c] Please remember the kids and not just think of ways to polish JFJ’s ass further

[2d] Deleted ‘pun pun’ angry AR Qiuning and retain calmly angry Qiuning.

[2e] Deleted ‘wah wah, JFJ is clever, wah wah, he must know all, wah wah, Jiang Wanying~~!!’ with ‘a tired look’

[2f] Replaced ‘kyaa I is afraid you’ll hates me too~~’ with ‘sure, whatever you say’

[2g] Added details on FQN’s thoughts

[3] Remove all of ‘Your father is GOD’, ‘Your father is SENT FROM HEAVEN’, Your daddy is a SAINT’ remarks

Deleted: “Silly boy, we don’t need to worry about this, your father will arrange it.”

Deleted: Fu Qiuning smiled and said: “Feng’er and Jiao’er don’t have to worry, your father won’t send them here, um, maybe they will be given to your wife to raise them, or let Clear Soft Pavilion raise them, or raise Concubine Yue Lan’s status and have her adopt the children. But they will not be placed with us anyway, mother has you two little demon stars, and she is dizzy every day, so can she bear two more?”

Fu Qiuning: There is something wrong with her head

Gumihou: Clearly

Fu Qiuning: Why is she making stupid guarantees like that?

Gumihou: So that she and ML would ‘quarrel’ and FQN will go ‘pun pun’ with anger so that ML could soothe her and their relationship would improve

Fu Qiuning: …excuse me *barf*

[3a] Consequence of [3] [3b] Deleting more stupid remarks: “Yes, even Feng’er and Jiao’er know this. The truth, your father knows better, so he definitely won’t…”

[3c] Obnoxious narcissist JFJ in the face of non-reacting Actual Qiuning

 

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