Chapter 198: The Imperial Decree (Edited)
Author: White Pear Flower
Raws: https://book.qidian.com/info/2386994/
Translated by Pill Bug
Edited by Gumihou
Gumihou: Excessive explanation from the author about how so, so cleverer der der FQN is from the other dumb ladies. Delete~!
It was Fu Qiuning’s rare day off, bestowed by the Emperor after the successful performance of the first section of the opera. The Empress Dowager had half-jokingly said something about allowing her two days off if Jin Fengju had been at home. Fu Qiuning had to endure the suggestive laughter that trilled around the opulent room with a stoic smile on her face.
Whatever, so long as she got her day off.
She was just enjoying the morning with the children when suddenly, the maids called, “Young Madam and three young ladies have arrived!”
By the time the maids was done speaking, Jin Yanfang was already entering with the three ladies from the Feng Clan. Jin Yangfang smiled and said, “I say, it seems that all I hear these days are nothing but praises for Sister-in-law’s talent and incredible ability. To have received praises from both the Emperor and Empress Dowager, how exceptionally beautiful and masterful your opera must have been? I can only be envious on the side. I even told my mother that the next time she enters the palace, she must dress me up as one of her maids so that I too may listen to this much talked about opera of yours.”
Everyone laughed on cue as usual. Old Madam Jin had certainly trained everyone well within that estate. Even so, their tittering laughter could not disguise the sound of more footsteps approaching. This time, the people who arrived to grace Fu Qiuning’s living room were Concubine Huo, Cui’shi and Yue Lan. All three brought visiting gifts. Concubine Huo presented a red agate bracelet which, even to Fu Qiuning’s untrained eye, could tell from the blood-red hue that it was something rare and high-quality. [a1] It was conspicuously obvious that the gift came with expectations, which Fu Qiuning resolved to ignore unless obviously stated.
Whatever, let’s accept this gift first, it can sit with all the other useless trinkets that Jin Fengju had already used to purchase my favour.
Keeping the smile on her face, she continued to watch as the ladies entertained themselves by making jokes, interspersed by obligatory titters of laughter. As the sun rose higher in the sky, Jin Yanfang and the Feng clan ladies left first. Cui’shi and Yue Lan also stood up, but Concubine Huo remained seated. Fu Qiuning did nothing to dissuade or encourage this little push-and-pull show. Finally, Concubine Huo stood up as well and was just about to leave when she turned around, and with a ‘concerned look’ on her face said anxiously, “Elder Sister is now firmly in the limelight, however, you must not remain still within the estate. Just what kind of person is our Lord Husband? Elder Sister must be vigilant, do not allow our Lord Husband to be hooked away by some seductress in your absence.”
Fu Qiuning felt [b] both amused and exasperated. How should she answer that? [b1] These poor women really had nothing to do with their time other than obsessing over how to keep their husband’s favour on them. Not to mention, that dig about ‘hooked by some seductress’, how many times had they condemned her for doing the same thing? The hypocrisy of this woman’s statement was truly amazing.
Realising that Concubine Huo was still looking at her with expectant eyes, Fu Qiuning said in a [1b] tranquil voice, “It is Lord Husband’s privilege to choose whoever he wishes to bestow his favour. What can we, as the women in his harem, do? Surely we, as the women in his inner court, should understand this?”
Cui’shi and Yue Lan smiled awkwardly, Concubine Huo looked perplexed and enraged for a moment before shaking her head and said, “If Elder Sister doesn’t heed my advice and remains careless, you may find yourself suffering a loss.” Then, with a cold little laugh, she left.
“Mother, what did that woman mean? What seductress is she talking about?” asked Jin Zhenyi disdainfully.
[b2] Fu Qiuning sighed, “Who knows, your father is too outstanding for his own good and will attract admirers regardless.” [b2] Jin Zhenyi snorted, “Is there any seductress in the world as talented as Mother? If Father is the type who likes beauties, I’d have more brothers and sisters…”
“Hush now,” said Fu Qiuning with a smile.
Jin Changjiao laughed, “Imagine just how crowded this place would be! Fortunately, Father values talent. Speaking of which, how are you in class?”
Jin Zhenyi [b2] puffed up his chest, “Just ask Elder Brother, I have been asking the teachers lots of questions lately. The teacher even praised me for my poetry, right?”
Jin Changfeng smiled gently at this precocious little brother, “Well, Brother Zhenyi has been much more diligent lately. His poetry has improved a lot.”
Jin Zhenyi puffed up even more, until Fu Qiuning said, “Your father has little interest in poetry. He prefers it if you study the Four Books and Five Classics [1] more. Surely you know that?”
[b2] If the boy had been the sensitive, artistic type, she would never have said anything like that. However, it looked like he was just composing clever verses to attract attention instead of some inner, writerly need. She had met actual writers before and they tended to be slightly neurotic and sensitive. Even if she had mistaken his passion, Jin Zhenyi would not be the type to shrink from a comment like this. So, it was safe for her to advise him thus.
As expected, Jin Zhenyi flushed before shouting, “I still have two sheets of large characters to write. I will go to the study first.”
Fu Qiuning sighed, “It’s almost lunchtime. There’s no need for you to go to the study now. Go and study your books after lunch.” She turned to Jian Feng and said, “Check if the dishes are ready and served them in the dining room. The children will need to go to school soon.” [a2]
After the children left for school, Fu Qiuning found herself at a loose end. This ‘day off’ was bestowed by the Empress Dowager, so even Old Madam Jin and Madam Jiang hurried to tell her to rest without having to ‘observe the daily greetings’. Therefore, after breakfast, she wandered over to the couch to lie down and stare at nothing.
Maids could be heard moving around the house, feeding the birds, tending to the flowers and tidying the courtyard. It was strange not having anything to do. [b3] Back at Night Breeze Pavilion, there was no end of things to do. The land had to be tilled, weeds dug, flowers picked… During winter, they would have to create as many embroidered handkerchiefs and pouches to sell, chickens and ducks had to be fed, eggs collected…
[b3] Ahhh! No wonder the women in the inner court like to scheme at each other so much, there is literally nothing else to do! Let’s go work on the opera a little more, and maybe some embroidery! Anything but sitting and pointlessly looking at the ceiling like this!
Please read this at kitchennovel dot com ~
A little before noon, Concubine Mei and Jin Yanfang dropped by for a visit after their obligatory salutations at Health & Longevity Court. There was really nothing better for women to do in a noble family harem except visit each other, do needlework, scheme against each other and do more needlework and visit each other…
The girls in <<Dream of Red Chamber>>, Baochai, Taiyu, and Tanchun often gathered together because of that reason. Fu Qiuning had been heading out to the palace early in the mornings, only to return late at night, making it difficult for the others to meet with her and make connections. Now that they knew she was at home, how could they miss this opportunity?
The ladies were chatting in the living room when a maid rushed into Elegant Mansion. The moment she dashed through the beaded curtain door, she hastily cried, “Madam, an imperial decree from the palace has arrived. It specifically asks for Madam to receive it. Madam, go quickly, Old Madam, Elder Madam and the others are likely already dressed and waiting.”
A commotion exploded within Elegant Mansion. Jian Feng, Yu Jie and the other maids quickly ushered Fu Qiuning into her room to assist her in changing her clothes, and the next thing she knew, they were already hurrying towards a large courtyard where an incense altar had been set up. Old Madam Jin and the other ladies were already standing together there. When she arrived, they all walked forward in formation to kneel before the incense altar for the eunuch to announce the imperial decree.
“The Emperor, In Service To Heaven, Bearer of Fate, declares to all under the sun: The wife of Jinxiang Marquis Fengju, virtuous in morals, beautiful in visage…”
The eunuch’s high-pitched voice echoed sharply through the courtyard. The Fifth Rank titled promised by the Emperor had finally been officially granted. It came with the bonus of gold, silver, jewellery and coloured silks. Though they paled in comparison to the stuff Jin Fengju had offloaded to her place last time, she felt more secure with it since they actually belonged to her. It goes without saying that envious eyes were staring at her throughout the announcement.
The edict concluded by acknowledging the hardships of the daily commute for Fu Qiuning and therefore, the musicians, dancers etc. were all sent to the Duke’s estate so that she did not have to make her way to the palace anymore. Naturally, it was also followed by a warning not to reveal the opera to anyone and that she should take her teaching role seriously, etc. etc.
[a3] Upon receiving this edict, Fu Qiuning was dumbfounded. What the heck? The palace wants to send a bunch of people in and out of the estate for the next three months or so? What if a spy infiltrates the estate? Sure, she could rest easier, but with so many servants around the estate, and now loads of palace people stomping in and out at all times, how were they expected to keep a secret? Or, was this deliberately done so that news of this opera would be leaked? After all, if rumours of a ‘new’ opera were to come out, wouldn’t it whip the public into a frenzy? Those who were interested in opera would be desperate to know what was happening. If foreign spies tried to find out about it, isn’t this also a way for the Great Ning Dynasty to show that they felt so superior to their potential rivals that they did not even have to keep the opera under strict secrecy?
While Fu Qiuning kneaded her forehead, the rest of the family was delighted, and fat red packets were conferred to the eunuch who delivered the decree, and once they were sent off, the family converged around Fu Qiuning to congratulate her. When they finally entered Old Madam Jin’s residence, Jiang Wanying smiled and said, “Old Ancestor and Elder Sister are so absorbed in happiness, but now that all these people are about to arrive, where are we going to accommodate them? Although we are not worried about money or food, or finding places for them to stay, finding a place for the performance is rather challenging. The Emperor has also ordered secrecy about the matter, and now, it is also the peak of summer. Even if we perform inside, we will have to open windows. Wouldn’t the music surely be heard throughout the estate? Speaking of it, only the garden the Emperor once visited is vacant…”
Before she could finish, Old Madam Jin interrupted, “That won’t do. We absolutely cannot use that garden.” She contemplated for a moment and then heard Madam Fang speak up, “Old Madam, our mansion has just been newly renovated. Originally, we were planning to move there, but simply due to so many various matters these days, we kept being delayed and have not moved yet. Since we are now blessed with such a momentous occasion, why not vacate that grand mansion for Fengju’s wife’s use? Though the female singers and musicians are performers, all of them are from the palace, and with their background, we cannot treat them carelessly, lest they look down on our Dukedom. What do you think, Old Madam?”
Old Madam Jin smiled and said, “This is indeed a good idea. Qiuning, what do you think?”
Fu Qiuning smiled and replied, “Second Madam is too kind. However, I cannot help but feel uneasy. Because of me alone, much unrest happened throughout the estate, even delaying the Second Master and Second Madam moving into the new residence, benefitting me instead…”
Before she could continue, Madam Fang smiled and said, “Don’t say it like that. This really is a great honour and joy for all of us. If we can contribute a little, even our faces will get to enjoy some of the limelight.”
[Gumihou: Euuurrrgghhh!! Augggghhh!!!]
[a1] Reduce 150 words of FQN is so, so clever der
[a2] Deleted over 200 words of ‘aww, my dear JFJ~~’
[a3] Deleted close to 300 words of idiocy, there are too many to count, please look at the original for reference. Also, how would foreign spies be able to infiltrate the Great Ning Empire Capital?
The highlight of this idiotic passage.
[b] Replace ‘pangs of unease’ with ‘whatever~’
[b1] Add modern person thoughts, since I deleted many words
via [a]
[b2] Actual intelligent thoughts from FQN re the children
[B3] Add more thoughts since I deleted loads of idiocy
[c] “WhAt iS a sEduCtrEsS?” asked Jin Zhenyi.
Fu Qiuning: …that…
Gumihou: …Concubine Xu’s child…?
Jin Zhenyi: Who is that idiot speaking idiocy just now?!!
Pill Bug TL Notes:
[1] Wow, it’s been a while since this was mentioned.
From Chapter 17:
Four Books of the “Four Books and Five Classics (四书五经)”: “Great Learning”, “Doctrine of the Mean”, “Mencius”, “Analects”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Books_and_Five_Classics
