Higher Level Wife – 180 – Unexpected Visitors (Edited)

Chapter 180: Unexpected Visitors (Edited)

Author: White Pear Flower

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

Translated by Pill Bug

Edited by Gumihou

Gumihou: I did my best to make this chapter interesting and not too fake.

 

Let us speak of Fu Qiuning’s side.

Jin Fengju’s unexpected move had left Fu Qiuning exhausted and tired, yet unable to sleep. Instead, she had to clean up that mess first before she could even think about lying down. Once the two bedroom maids had left, she called her three maids over and said, “Make sure that not a single word about what happened here is leaked out, especially not to the junior maids and servants. If someone tries to probe into this matter, just tell them that the Master bestowed these things as compensation for us taking the two children in. Understand?”

Seeing her grave attitude, they all nodded quickly. Fu Qiuning tapped her fingers on the table, thinking that she ought to say something more, but these so-called trusted confidants all have their own agendas and she had already been betrayed by them a few times. Loyalty could be easily had with a few pieces of gold leaves after all…

Seeing the frown on her mistress’ face, Yu Jie suddenly stood up and declared, “Madam’s personal kitchen is trying out some new snacks today, I shall go and bring some for Madam to try.”

She was about to rush out of the room and escape the tension when a junior maid called Deng Hua came rushing over to cry out in a sweet and crisp voice, saying, “Madam, Madam, there is someone outside claiming to be Madam’s younger sister. She said that she is here to see Madam. Madam, please go out and greet her soon.”

“Younger sister?”

Fu Qiuning frowned at the junior maid. Then, she turned to Aunt Yu and Yu Jie, “I have a younger sister?”

The maids suddenly burst out laughing. Aunt Yu shook her head and said, “How would we know Madam’s relatives? Well, perhaps Yu Jie may know, but this maid has been by Madam’s side for many years and has never seen any relatives coming by for a visit. At best, there were only the few who came from the palace to inspect Madam’s living condition.”

Fu Qiuning frowned to herself: Could these be visitors from the palace? Are they trying to re-enact the <<Mystery in the Residence>>  [1] drama? She stood up and said, “Never mind, let us have a look at this sister of mine.” As she spoke, something flashed in her head. However, it was so fleeting that she felt that must have imagined it.

When she stepped out of Elegant Mansion’s main building, she found that someone had set a sedan chair in the front courtyard. Jiang Wanying’s maid, Xia Yue, was just standing by the sedan chair. At the sight of Fu Qiuning, she stepped forward and beamed, “Prince Lie’s concubine has arrived. Our Second Madam happened to receive her and, upon hearing that she wishes to see Madam, our Madam bade this maid escort the guest here.”

As they were speaking, the vibrant red curtain of the sedan was lifted, and a stunning young woman emerged. At the sight of Fu Qiuning, she beamed radiantly and performed the perfect wanfu salute as a greeting. Fu Qiuning quickly stepped forward, thinking: Prince Lie’s concubine? Wait, didn’t Jin Fengju talk gleefully about Prince Lie and Zhenjiang Palace getting together through marriage? So, this is my di-born sister? So, my lesser concubine sister is now a proper concubine?

[a]

What was her name again?

Thankfully, this ‘sister’ of hers mentioned her name during the grand wanfu greeting. Thinking of the Old Madam and Jiang Wanying’s way of greeting people, she grinned widely at this ‘sister’ of hers and cheerfully welcomed one Fu Qiulan into her house.  Who knew what this person is here for, but first, let’s smile.

 

After Xia Yue excused herself, Fu Qiuning pulled her sister to the side hall. As Jian Feng served tea, Fu Qiuning said, “When Younger Sister married out, I was unable to see you off. To think that Younger Sister would come and pay a visit today, Younger Sister is truly considerate.”

Although Fu Qiulian was stunningly beautiful, there was an air of composure and elegance about her. Hearing this, she laughed gently and said, “Elder Sister is the same as I, we cannot help our circumstances. I had been naive and foolish, it was not until I had experienced the various twists and turns of life that I finally achieved some enlightenment. What have I not experienced now? During moments of idleness, I often thought of Elder Sister. I believe that Elder Sister has suffered much more than I did. It is a pity that this younger sister understood matters too late, otherwise, I would have come and visited Elder Sister sooner. As the saying goes, it is difficult to send charcoal in winter. Now that Elder Sister has gained the favour of the Young Marquis, any pretty speeches about sisterly love are merely adding flowers to a grand brocade. Even so, whether it is sending charcoal in winter or adding flowers to a brocade, we sisters could only sympathize with each other over a similar predicament.”

Fu Qiuning was taken aback by the sudden barrage of words. [b] Still, it was only polite for her to titter and say winsomely, “Oh my, why would you say such things, Younger Sister? I heard from Lord Husband that you married in as a lesser concubine, but look, you have become a proper concubine! What a wonderful thing.”

Fu Qiulian gave a pained little smile as she murmured, “A proper concubine? What’s the difference between being a lesser concubine and a proper concubine? To Lord Prince, I am but a fleeting novelty, a fresh plaything that would be cast aside after a few days. Fortunately, my belly is competent, and I managed to conceive. Otherwise, with the fierce competition between all the various beauties within the Prince’s harem, would I ever have the opportunity to become a proper concubine?”

Fu Qiuning [b] immediately cranked up the wattage of her smile. To sell her act, she even stood up and grasped this younger sister’s hand and cried, “Younger Sister is pregnant? Oh my, what great joy this is. With the birth of a royal child, is there any need to worry about Prince Lie’s affection or lack thereof?” Without waiting for this sister to say anything else, she immediately imitated the annoying busybodies of her previous life and began touching this sister’s waist, asking ‘how many months along’, ‘what symptoms you have suffered’ etc. etc. before repeatedly urging this sister of hers to take good care of herself.

The two sisters continued to chatter away amiably until the sun began to set. That was when a matron entered the room and said, “Madam Concubine has been away for quite some time. This servant fears that Lord Prince would start worrying. Perhaps it is time to think about returning?”

Upon hearing this, Fu Qiulian stood up, a trace of melancholy on her face as she said softly, “Elder Sister, it is time for me to leave. I shall visit Elder Sister again when I have time. Perhaps, should Elder Sister could come and visit me at the palace? Elder Sister should know that I used to be quite lively, but living in such a secluded place makes one… lonely…”

Frankly, [b] Fu Qiuning was getting a little tired of this ‘sister’ of hers. However, she had to maintain her act until the sedan chair departed before turning around to head into her room and relax her facial muscles. Unfortunately, Yu Jie was suddenly following her and saying things like, “Madam, I have indeed seen this Sixth Miss when we were in the palace, but it seemed that her relationship with you wasn’t very deep. So why did she suddenly come over now? What do you think this means?”

Fu Qiuning rolled her eyes and replied, “Do you know the saying ‘Basic principles against ten thousand changes’? [2] There is no need to worry about her intentions. So long as she does not plot against us, we will not raise our hand in retaliation. You have followed me for so long, yet you still don’t know this?” Upon reaching her room, Fu Qiuning leaned back on the couch and stretched out comfortably. The ‘fawning smile’ muscles on her face had had a shock today, so she had to rest them. She sighed, “This unexpected guest was really tiresome. I am going to take a nap before the children return. Make sure no one disturbs me.”

The words were barely out of her mouth when a junior maid’s voice came from outside the door, “Madam, Concubine Huo has arrived.”

Fu Qiuning collapsed onto the couch.

“Concubine Huo?”

She gave Yu Jie an irritated glare, “What now? What’s with all the visitors today? Does the Heavenly Emperor have something against me resting today? Yu Jie, go and check the almanac later and see if it says anything inauspicious about staying at home today. How could there be so many unexpected guests turning up one after another? This is too strange.”

Yu Jie felt like laughing but dared not in the end as the annoyance on her mistress’ face was too strong. Instead, she kept her head lowered as she hurried after Qiuning to the side hall where Concubine Huo was sitting and drinking tea. When she saw Qiuning, she stood up and saluted with a beaming smile, “I always intended to come and visit Madam, but could not find the time to do so. That Second Madam Wan of ours, surely Madam knows too? Whenever our paths cross, she will not stop pestering me until I comply with her wishes. Today, I happened to wake up with a slight headache and sent word about my sickness. Only then did I finally manage to secure a little leisure time to come by.”

Having used up all her beaming grins earlier, Fu Qiuning could only sit down with a faint smile and said, “If Younger Sister has a headache, you should rest quietly in your room. If your illness happen to worsen on your way back, wouldn’t I be blamed for disregarding Younger Sister’s health?”

Concubine Huo’s expression froze for a moment, but quickly morphed into a flattering chuckle as she said, “How could Madam say that? Is there anyone who could make trouble for you now that you have moved into this Elegant Mansion? Aih, not to mention, back when you were at Night Breeze Pavilion, was there anyone in this estate that could get away with slandering you?

Second Madam Wan already caused trouble twice, yet how did it all end? My heart is as clear as a mirror on this matter. It is not just because of Lord Husband‘s favour that protects Madam, but the fact that Madam walks upon the righteous path that no one could find fault with you. So long as Madam walks the straight road and sits upright, what would you have to fear?”

While speaking, she reached out and took a box from a maid beside her and beamed ingratiatingly at Fu Qiuning, “These are some snacks that my maternal family sent to us yesterday. They hired a Western chef specialising in making snacks. After trying them, I find these snacks truly different from ours. Not that they were better, but they have their own little unique characteristics. I have also sent two boxes to Old Madam and Elder Madam this afternoon and, after trying them, the elders declared them to be good.”

Although Concubine Huo’s status was not high, her maternal family held a third-ranking official post in the capital, which meant she could officially visit places like Health & Longevity Court, Madam Jiang’s residence and others. She also did not have to be as cautious and restrained when interacting with other noble families.

[c] Faced with this box of ‘Western snacks’ Fu Qiuning vaguely noted that this world must truly be different from hers if the level of interaction with the West was any indication.

[c] From what she could recall, Concubine Huo’s father’s position was in the Ministry of Rites, overseeing the reception of foreign envoys and their tribute. Therefore, he would have more contact with foreigners in that field. Still, if he had the ability to invite what amounted to a ‘pastry chef’ into his household, clearly, the family is not simple. This Jin Fengju sure knows how to pick his women.

Concubine Huo’s father must have had these pastries made and sent to his daughter, hoping that she would secure her position in the dukedom and not end up like Concubine Xu. Since those valuable snacks were sent to the Old Madam’s, Madam Jiang’s, Jiang Wanying’s and other important people’s rooms, she must have been busy all day doing her best to secure her position in the harem. [c]

“Madam, Madam?”

Concubine Huo called out twice in succession before Fu Qiuning finally looked up. She smiled at Concubine Huo and said, “It is good that your family loves you.”

[c] [c] [c]

 

[Gumihou: Well…]

 

[a] Add details, because Fu Qiulan’s introduction is kind of abrupt

[b] Change the ‘natural interaction’ to ‘aggressive acting’ on Fu Qiuning’s side. Because, seriously, who this ho?

[c] Dude like, why ‘struck by lightning’? This is not original China and you’re a transmigrator, so why are you shocked? Haaahhh? Delete this floofy-headed AR Qiuning and replace her with Fu Qiuning.

Upon hearing her words, Fu Qiuning felt as if she had been struck by lightning, her eyes filled with astonishment as she looked at the box.

Also, deleted close to 300 words of wow, the West! Wow, early interaction, wow!

Fu Qiuning: Like, why would I care if this blasted country interacted with the West sooner?

Gumihou: Right? Who cares? Oh, wait, coffeee

Fu Qiuning: Oh my gawd, coffeee…

Gumihou: Okay, time for some serious analysis. Gumi did not read ahead, let’s see if my prediction is right. Considering the emphasis on ‘expensive stuff’ and ‘lowly official could hire pastry chef’, this chapter serves one of two purposes.

Purpose 1 – A business/money making arc is nigh upon us

Purpose 2 – Ancient China is like super awesome sauce like wow. In other words China yay! propaganda nigh upon us

That’s it, that’s the analysis

Bye

 

Pill Bug TL Notes:

 

[1]       《深宅谍影》            I couldn’t find an exact match. The closest I got was 《深宫谍影》<<Mystery in the Palace>>, a court costume drama produced in 2012. 宫 means palace while 宅 means residence, so I just swapped the names around.

https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-my/%E6%B7%B1%E5%AE%AB%E8%B0%8D%E5%BD%B1

Gumihou: Sounds like a very dog blood palace drama

[2]       以不变应万变            Chinese idiom, meaning: Things change from time to time. Pay attention to observing the changes when doing things, and not be