Higher Level Wife – 217 – A Loving Mother

Chapter 217: A Loving Mother

Author: White Pear Flower

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

Translated by Pill Bug

Edited by Gumihou

Gumihou: Hmm… adjusted the interaction to show something more natural and less stilted. Note [b]

Jian Feng hurried out and returned with an odd smile on her face. Fu Qiuning raised her eyebrows and said, “What is it? Who is outside?”

Before Jian Feng could answer, a voice from beyond the curtain said, “Madam, it is I, Ling Yun. The Young Marquis sent me to deliver a message to Madam. An urgent matter came up. He will be home late, so, there is no need to wait for him to come home for dinner.”

“Ling Yun?” Fu Qiuning, raised her eyebrows, thinking: [a] Isn’t that the imperial guard Jin Fengju wanted to introduce to Yu Jie? Is that why Jian Feng is tittering like that? What was she supposed to do about this?

In the end, she said, “Alright, I understand. Jian Feng, go and fetch a cloak for me. Send Yu Jie in with tea and snacks for the imperial guard.”

Jian Feng giggled again before saying, “Yes, this maid will inform Yu Jie.” She trotted out of the room and saw Ling Yun standing just beyond the curtains with his head slightly lowered. She gestured expansively with her hand and said, “Please have a seat, Lord Ling. Yu Jie will be here soon.”

Ling Yun blushed and stammered, “It… it was the Young Marquis who ordered me to deliver a message, not… not to find Yu Jie.” After that, he lowered his head even more, and Jian Feng felt even more amused.

Not long after that, Yu Jie entered with a tray of tea and snacks. As she placed the tray on the table, she found Ling Yun openly staring at her. Shyness and annoyance stirred inside her and she flushed bright red. In a stilted voice, she said, [b] “These are still warm. Please enjoy.” Then she turned and flounced through the curtain.

Ling Yun felt a bit awkward, especially since they were delivered by his future bride. He quickly devoured the food and then stood up, saying, “Thank you, Madam. The message has been delivered. This humble official will take his leave now.”

Fu Qiuning was already bored by all the unnecessary drama. She put up a business smile and said, “Very well. Yu Jie, see Lord Ling off.” [b]

Even through the curtain, she heard Yu Jie stomp her foot, “What is Madam saying? Th-this maid will not see Lord Ling off.”

Fu Qiuning [b] switched her gaze to the sweating Ling Yun. “It is unfortunate, but Lord Ling shall have to see yourself off.”

[b] Just then, Jian Feng happened to enter with a cloak. She beamed and said, “If it is alright with Madam, perhaps I could-”

[b] That was when Yu Jie quickly said, “I shall escort Lord Ling out now!” before quickly stomping out with Ling Yun hurrying after her.

[b] Jian Feng smiled knowingly at Fu Qiuning, “Steward Jin’s task has obviously been snatched. Moreover, to think that Lord Ling is willing to snatch a minor task like this just to see Yu Jie is…”

[b] She trailed off suggestively, trying to gauge her mistress’s willingness to gossip. When Fu Qiuning made a small sound of assent, she laughed and continued, “If we had known it would be like this earlier, we should have arranged their marriage sooner. This maid thought it was already considered early to marry off Yu Jie after the New Year, but it seems like someone still thinks it was too late. If they knew what this maid was thinking, they would probably be itching with frustration.”

Fu Qiuning [b] considered for a moment before answering, “Yu Jie has been with me since ‘I’ married into the Jin clan. She and Aunt Yu have stayed with me through many years of hardships. With Aunt Yu married off, there is now only Yu Jie left. It is good that she can marry into a family that appreciates her.” Was all she could think of to say. After all, it was true that Yu Jie had stayed with the [c] original!Fu Qiuning in the entire year and up to her suicide. 

She had also remained loyal to Fu Qiuning in those five years they had struggled to put food on the table together. The maids had never questioned her actions during that time, no matter how outrageous. While she felt a little hurt about Yu Jie and Aunt Yu switching loyalties to Jin Fengju, at least neither maid sold her out cheaply. After all, both maids received many things from Jin Fengju; gold, jade, and for Yu Jie at least, even a marriage prospect with an imperial guard.

[b] Fu Qiuning told herself that she was satisfied with this amount of loyalty. It was only natural for people to gravitate towards the easier road.

While Fu Qiuning was lost in thought, Jian Feng piped up, “Is Madam thinking about Aunt Yu? Yu Jie informed this maid earlier that when she sent supplements over to Aunt Yu, the Zhang Family’s madam kept chanting ‘Amitabha’ at the sight of such great favour. She also informed this maid that after the physician examined Aunt Yu, they found that though she was a little weak from vomiting and a lack of appetite, there was nothing serious. Madam need not worry.”

Fu Qiuning nodded vaguely, her eyes sliding towards the mechanical Western clock in the room. Jin Fengju had one brought over to Elegant Mansion after she had glanced at one more than a few times at Old Madam’s place. While the ancient way of keeping time was impressive, Fu Qiuning found herself falling back to the habit of telling time by modern clock standards. While everyone in the house was still used to looking at the sky to calculate the time [1], she still preferred this ‘Western way’ of time telling. Right now, the hands pointed at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

“Surely it is almost time for the children to leave their school? Since we have nothing urgent to do, fetch my raincoat. I wish to pick the children up.” [d]

Jian Feng hastily said, “Madam, please don’t go out. When it was raining earlier, we already sent two young servants to the clan school. Yu Jie originally wanted to bring the raincoat to you, but who knew that Second Madam Wan and Concubine Huo would send gifts of snacks from their courtyards? We were so busy arranging for return gifts that we had completely forgotten about it. Madam has just recovered from a cold. It would not do to catch another chill.”

Fu Qiuning arched an eyebrow, “What chill? Do you consider this weather cold? You have certainly never suffered enough. It is just a walk, go fetch my raincoat.”

Jian Feng had no choice but to bring Fu Qiuning’s raincoat and wooden clogs and help her put them on. Because it was getting darker outside, she also had an accompanying junior maid bring a lit glazed glass lantern. In fact, a literal troop of maids with glazed lanterns ended up following her.

A procession of colourful lights trotted its way to the clan school. There, she found several maids and servants already waiting in the corridor for their little masters and mistresses.

Soon, the students started to come out, and their chattering voices filled the air. Fu Qiuning spotted Jin Changfeng, Jin Zhenyi, and the other children receiving their raincoats and hats from the junior servants and instructed one of her junior maids to approach Jin Changfeng.

[d1] Jin Changfeng and Jin Zhenyi looked up in surprise at the maid’s message. Jin Zhenyi immediately cheered but was quickly dragged back by the collar with a pointed cough.

Naturally, this attracted everyone’s attention. Everyone was aware that Fu Qiuning was now the most highly regarded woman in the estate, but seeing her in such an unexpected place caused them to stare in shock. When Jin Changjiao and Jin Xiunan stepped into the corridor, the same thing happened, with Jin Changjiao cheering and Jin Xiunan pulling her back with a pointed cough.

Amused, Fu Qiuning thought: Goodness, the brothers and sisters have quite the opposite temperament.

She was about to lead the children away when she noticed that it was getting rather dark outside. She looked at the procession of glass lanterns waiting for her, each exquisitely made and probably there to make the rest of the children jealous and… as expected, Jin Zhenxuan, Jin Xiuzhen, Jin Xiuru and Jin Xiufen were gathered together in a tight group, looking enviously at the line of pretty lanterns. She smiled and said, “The weather has become gloomier lately. Brother Xuan, Second Young Miss, Fourth Young Miss and Fifth Young Miss, come here. The maids will light your way back with the lanterns. You may keep them for future use.” 

When Jin Zhenxuan and the others saw Fu Qiuning personally coming to pick up Jin Changfeng, Jin Zhenyi and their sisters, complex feelings swirled in their hearts. When Fu Qiuning called them over, they all frowned but dared not defy her wishes. After all, she was Father’s favourite now. If Father heard they had defied Honoured Mother’s wishes…

Jin Xiuzhen smiled sweetly and said to Fu Qiuning, “It is getting dark, and the road is slippery. Why did Honoured Mother come personally? Surely sending a few servants would have sufficed. Since you came here personally, what if something happens? Who would take responsibility?”

Fu Qiuning blinked slowly at this girl’s subtle mocking. Well, there was really no need to quarrel with a little girl upset by her father’s neglect. She smiled kindly and said, “I had some leisure time and decided to come here, that is all.”

There was… really nothing much to say to such an answer. Jin Xiuzhen, with her overly complicated mind, tried to see through Fu Qiuning’s scheme but could discern nothing. Could it be possible that Fu Qiuning was really there to pick up her children?

Fu Qiuning sent the children home with the maids and the lanterns. The children all thanked her; their actions polite, but wary. As for herself, she led her brood home with the remaining lantern-holding maids. 

Back at Elegant Mansion, she took off her raincoat and wooden clogs at the veranda, and upon entering the house, she said with a smile, “The rain is getting heavier. Your teacher is also a sensible person. With this kind of rain, the roads would be slippery. Be careful when you go to school tomorrow.”

Jin Zhenyi shook off his cloak and said cheerfully, “That’s alright. Teacher said that if it rains tomorrow, we don’t have to go to school, but we have lots of homework!”

Fu Qiuning nodded and said, “This is how it should be.” After some thought, she said, “Go to the kitchen and see if the meal is ready.”

Jian Feng fidgeted for a moment before blurting out, “The Young Marquis is not back yet. Something must have happened at court right? Will Madam really not wait for him?”

Fu Qiuning gave her a look, “No need, the children must be hungry. Go and serve the meal.”

Jian Feng acknowledged the order and left. Not long after that, dinner was served, and Fu Qiuning, along with Yu’shi, Luo’shi, and the children had their meal together. She then sent the maids to have their meals separately. Just as they were almost done with their meal, they heard footsteps in the courtyard, followed by Jin Fengju’s clear voice, “Where is everyone? Where have they all scrammed to? Such a huge courtyard yet no one to guard it, how can this be acceptable?!”

Fu Qiuning had just picked up her teacup, only to set it down again. Servants were rushing outside to see what the commotion was. A voice said cautiously, “Because it’s raining outside, we…Aiyo!”

From the thumping noise and aborted scream, it sounded like Jin Fengju had just viciously kicked the servant.

[e] The children, Luo’shi and Yu’shi went silent. Fu Qiuning considered the matter for a moment before standing and leaving the room to see what the commotion was.

[e] From the lantern light, she saw Jin Fengju’s gloomy face. Drenched in rain, without even a coat or a hat while standing under the heavy rain, he looked like a giant wet chicken.

Ignoring the wet cockerel, she swept her eyes around the area once and spotted a servant boy crouching in a puddle of water, shivering with cold and fear. She clenched her fist and said, “It was I who ordered the servants to stay under the veranda. Someone go check on Little Four. Give him a couple of taels of silver for him to treat his injuries properly. Tell him that I said so, and let him rest at home for half a month.”

[Gumihou: Ah, so all that forced cheer earlier is to create impact for JFJ’s sudden wet cockerel appearance?]

[a] Deleted der der cleverer der AR QN : She was puzzled at first, thinking: Jin Fengju usually sends messages like these through Jin Ming. Why did he send an imperial guard today? There were only a few people in this entire courtyard who recognised him. Wasn’t this simply scaring people? But she quickly understood, and secretly laughed inwardly.

Gumihou: What is even-

[b] Make the interactions less fake

[c] Mention original!Fu Qiuning

[d] Make FQN less fake

[d1] Make the children’s interaction with FQN less fake

[d2] Seriously, if you don’t want people to accuse you of being fake… don’t be a freaking faker!!!

Deleted: Fu Qiuning carried the lantern and escorted several children back home one by one. Naturally, everyone thanked her on the surface, but their true thoughts remained a mystery. 

[e] Heyyy, let’s talk about JFJ’s habit of kicking servants (and his own son), eh?

Pill Bug TL Notes:

[1] Ancient China did not go by the easy 1, 3, 5, 7 PM etc., but by names of the time periods instead. In English, the equivalent for 1, 3, 5, and 7 PM would be something like Midday, Sun-Decline, Dinner-Time, and Sunset.

https://www.newconceptmandarin.com/learn-chinese-blog/secrets-of-ancient-china-how-to-tell-time/#:~:text=However%2C%20in%20ancient%20China%2C%20people,period%20%E2%80%9C%E6%97%B6%E8%BE%B0%20sh%C3%AD%20ch%C3%A9n%E2%80%9D.&text=In%20Song%20Dynasty%2C%20each%E6%97%B6%E8%BE%B0,is%20called%20%E2%80%9D%E6%AD%A3zh%C3%A8ng%E2%80%9D.

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