Chapter 198: The Dao of Couples (Unedited)
Author: White Pear Flower
Raws: https://book.qidian.com/info/2386994/
Translated by Pill Bug
Gumihou: Again, resorted to posting the ‘Unedited’ version, because of the children!! Think of the children!! Those poor children! Save the children!!
Anyway, get your Edited Version HERE.
Suddenly, the maids outside all exclaimed in unison, “The Young Madam and the three young ladies have arrived!” Then, one of the maids lifted the curtain, rushed inside and announced, “Madam, the Young Madam and the three young ladies have arrived.” As she spoke, Jin Yanfang and the three girls from the Feng family entered the room. Jin Yanfang smiled and said, “Now, everyone in the estate is talking about how elegant Sister-in-law is and how much praise you have received from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager for your exceptionally beautiful and enjoyable opera. It is making me so envious. I told my mother that the next time she goes to the palace, she should let me dress up as one of her maids so I can at least sneak in and watch the opera.”
Everyone laughed for a while before the sound of footsteps approached again from outside. This time, it turned out to be Concubine Huo, Cui’shi and Yue Lan arriving together. They each brought gifts, but Concubine Huo’s gift was quite valuable – a red agate bracelet. Fu Qiuning couldn’t help but be surprised by the blood-red hue of the bracelet, thinking to herself: Such high-quality red agate should be quite rare. Why is Concubine Huo being so generous? This is very strange. Why is it that every time she visits, the gifts become more and more extravagant? Earlier, they were merely some snacks, but now she is giving me such a fine bracelet. With something this valuable, wouldn’t it be better for her to fawn on Jiang Wanying by giving it to her? After all, I do not even care about my family’s affairs.
As she pondered that, she couldn’t help but feel suspicious, thinking that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. This shouldn’t be anything good. Even Brother Yi knows that she is not a good woman, so would a person such as I even be struck unawares?
She remained cautious but maintained a warm smile on her face. As the sun rose higher in the sky, Jin Yanfang and the Feng sisters seemed not very interested in interacting with Concubine Huo, so they took their leave. At that, Cui’shi and Yue Lan also decided to depart. Concubine Huo seemed like she wanted to stay a bit longer, but Cui’shi persuaded her to leave. As she did, Concubine Huo took on the appearance of a concerned younger sister and said, “Elder Sister, despite your current popularity, you cannot remain in the mansion. Do you know who our Lord Husband is now? Elder Sister must be cautious. Do not let Lord Husband be ensnared by some seductress while you are away.”
Fu Qiuning felt a pang of unease. Concubine Huo had suddenly said something so unrelated and seemingly out of context. It seemed that she was dropping some hints. Could she have noticed something unusual? On the surface, she remained composed and smiled, saying, “Did you all hear that? Did she drink too much last night and hasn’t sobered up yet? What seductress? What kind of family does the Jing Dukedom have? Where could we find such a remarkable person? Is it because Lord Husband hasn’t visited you recently that you’re becoming so suspicious? Have you forgotten that Lord Husband left for the border to rouse the troops just half a month ago? How can he even return before a month has passed?”
As she spoke, she escorted them to the door and watched them leave. Cui’shi and Yue Lan smiled politely and agreed. Only Concubine Huo shook her head and said with a smile, “If Elder Sister doesn’t heed my advice and remains careless, suffering a loss might be just around the corner.” Afterwards, she left with a cold laugh. Fu Qiuning watched them until their silhouettes disappeared past the gates, lost in thought for a while before she turned back into her room.
“Mother, what did that woman mean? What’s a seductress?” asked Jin Zhenyi curiously. Fu Qiuning scolded, “Concubine Huo was drunk. Throw out all that nonsense from your brain. Otherwise, your father will punish you when he returns and finds out.”
However, Jin Zhenyi was not convinced and retorted, “My father won’t punish me for this. This is called being inquisitive.”
Before Fu Qiuning could reply, Jin Changjiao chimed in with a laugh, “Oh, come on. Why do I not see Elder Brother being inquisitive? You only think of being inquisitive now. I don’t even see you being this enthusiastic to learn in the classroom.”
Jin Zhenyi raised his head and said proudly, “How do you know I don’t ask questions in class? Ask Elder Brother. I have been asking the teacher a lot of questions lately. The other day, the teacher even praised me.” After saying this, he turned to Jin Changfeng and shouted, “Elder Brother, speak the truth, didn’t the teacher praise me? Don’t you take revenge for past personal grudges and say that I’m just talking nonsense.”
Jin Changfeng was always composed, and he never took these petty arguments to heart. Seeing his younger brother and sister dragging him into this, he reluctantly said, “Yes, Brother Zhenyi has indeed become more diligent in his studies lately, and his poetry has improved significantly.”
Jin Zhenyi felt even prouder. However, he heard Fu Qiuning’s piercing words, “Your father has emphasized countless times that poetry is secondary. He wants you to study the Four Books and Five Classics diligently. [1] Yet, what are your results now?” Before she could finish, Jin Zhenyi lowered his head and then raised it, shouting, “Ah, I just remembered I have two sheets of big characters left to write. I will go to the study first.”
Fu Qiuning was both exasperated and amused. She stood up and said, “Alright, it is almost time for lunch. Why are you going to the study? You only know how to do these superficial things.” She then turned to Jian Feng and said, “Send someone to the side kitchen to check if the dishes are ready. If it is, serve them in the dining room. The children still have to go to the clan school after lunch.”
Due to the successful performance, Fu Qiuning had a rare day off. She remembered how the Empress Dowager had jokingly told her to rest well and how she could have extended her break if Jin Fengju was at home. However, since he just had to be away at this time, a single day’s rest to relieve her fatigue would still suffice. The Fu Qiuning back then couldn’t help but roll her eyes internally, thinking: Pei, does she really think I’m the kind of woman who can only exist by clinging to a man?
However, regardless of her thoughts, having a day off was something to be happy about. Even Old Madam Jin and Madam Jiang knew she had been working hard, so they specifically told her to take a good nap that day and not to worry about observing the household rules in the main residence. Still, she had to send the Jin siblings and the other children off to school. It had been a while since the two children had breakfast with their mother. After they finished eating and left, Fu Qiuning was about to have a quick snack and change clothes when she heard the maids all laughing and saying, “Madam, are you confused? Aren’t you resting at home today? You don’t have to go to the palace.” It was then that she realised it and couldn’t help but laugh as well.
Although she still felt a bit tired, she couldn’t fall back asleep, so she decided to lie on the couch and watch her maids busy themselves outside, feeding the birds, tending to the flowers, and tidying up the courtyard. She also pondered where Jin Fengju might be at that moment and when he would return. On this trip to rouse the troops, would there be any danger?
After a while, Concubine Mei and Jin Yanfang came to visit after they returned from giving their greetings at Health & Longevity Court. Since the girls from large families usually didn’t have many leisure activities, they typically spent their days doing needlework and visiting each other’s homes. Hence, the girls such as Baochai, Daiyu, and Tanchun in <<Dream of the Red Chamber>> often gathered together. However, since Fu Qiuning had been heading to the palace to perform, Elegant mansion had become less lively lately. It wasn’t easy for her to finally have a day off, so how would the others miss the opportunity?
As they were chatting, a maid rushed into the room. In a short moment, she had already reached the door, lifted the curtain and entered, saying hurriedly, “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 probably already dressed and waiting.”
These words caused a commotion in the Elegant Mansion. Jian Feng, Yu Jie, and the other maids quickly helped Fu Qiuning change her clothes, then hurriedly proceeded to the front court. Indeed, she found the large courtyard already arranged with incense altars, with Old Madam Jin and the others standing there. Seeing her arrive, they all walked forward in a line and knelt in front of the incense altar, waiting silently for the eunuch with the imperial decree to announce it.
“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 sharp voice echoed throughout the courtyard. Finally, the Fifth-Rank title that the Emperor had promised to Fu Qiuning earlier was now officially granted, accompanied by some gold and silver jewellery and colourful silk. Although naturally, they still paled in comparison to the generous rewards given to Jin Fengju back in the day. Still, since it was bestowed upon Fu Qiuning, a woman, how could it not make others envious?
The edict concluded by acknowledging the hardships Fu Qiuning endured daily by travelling between the palace and the Duke’s residence. Thus, the Emperor sent over those musicians and dancers, instructing her to teach them within the Duke’s estate. However, it was forbidden to reveal this to anyone, and she was encouraged to take her teaching role seriously, among other things.
Upon receiving this edict, Fu Qiuning naturally felt delighted. From that day forward, she wouldn’t need to run between the two places. In that era without cars, although it wasn’t physically exhausting to ride in a sedan chair or carriage, it still consumed time. To reach the palace on time, she had to wake up half an hour earlier every morning. Now, with the Emperor and Empress Dowager’s consideration, she could rest easier. Even the servants in the Jing Dukedom were joyous. Although the Emperor had forbidden them from disclosing any secrets, with that kind of opera, even if they heard it more than ten times over, they still might not be able to sing it in return. Also, how would foreign spies be able to infiltrate the Great Ning Empire Capital? Taking ten thousand steps back, even if they did manage to infiltrate, they still would not be able to learn this opera perfectly. The Emperor was merely worried about the All Nations Cultural Festival to display this much caution. The ladies being able to catch a bit of the performance on the side wouldn’t hurt.
The whole family was delighted, and they also conferred big fat red packets to the eunuchs who delivered the decree before sending them off. Everyone rushed to congratulate Fu Qiuning, and 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 decisively 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 performers are artists, 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 in to the new residence, benefitting me instead…”
Before she could finish her sentence, 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.”
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
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