Chapter 230: Reminder (Part 2)
Author: White Pear Flower
Raws: https://book.qidian.com/info/2386994/
Translated by Gumihou
Proofread by Pill Bug
The days passed by in a busy blur. Fu Qiuning welcomed the return of the days when she had to return to the Imperial Conservatory. She was glad to be speaking with the performers and musicians after having to deal with all those noble relatives and known associates of the Jing Dukedom. Their new play, <<The Female Prince Consort>> was well-received by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. Seeing as it was New Year’s Day, the performers were generously rewarded for providing such top-quality entertainment. Later, the performers surrounded Qiuning, eagerly bringing out their rewards to show her.
Speaking of which, the Emperor also rewarded everyone in the Jing Dukedom during the New Year. The items given included 1,000 taels of silver and dozens of bolts of colourful silks. The rewards the family received were said to be ‘more than ordinary noble families gets’, not that Fu Qiuning could confirm one way or another. What was more of interest was the separate reward she received from the Imperial Palace, which meant she did not have to ‘share’ the reward that was given to the dukedom’s communal treasury.
Therefore, when the girls shyly asked her to choose something for herself from the reward the troupe had received, she smiled and said, “This reward is something that the Emperor had bestowed on you. How can I covet any of it? Keep them and use them as part of your dowry. How much face you will receive when you tell people that these were bestowed to you by the Emperor and Empress Dowager?”
Everyone blushed as they hugged their rewards to their chests, happy to keep their things, but prouder still to be able to say they had generously offered them to the Marquess.
Seeing that the sun was setting, Fu Qiuning said, “It is getting close to 3 o’clock, and I should return too. After the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, we will rehearse a new play. The Empress Dowager is already impatient to see something fresh the last time I paid my respects to her.”
[b] The eyes of those performers and musicians brightened at the prospect of having something new to learn as they leaned forward eagerly. The precious gifts and rewards in their armspractically forgotten as their thirst to learn more took over them. Official Lin had to shoo them away before she could escort Fu Qiuning to the main gates, all the while praising the Marquess for her genius, talent and generosity. As Fu Qiuning left the palace, Official Lin sighed as she blessed the disappearing figure of the most talented person she had ever pleasure of serving in her life.
When Fu Qiuning entered the estate, she happened upon a young boy who served as Jin Fengju’s errand boy. While she would like nothing better than to just walk past him, the boy was smiling in that desperate hopeful smile that someone tasked to deal with a tricky client would wear.
With a sigh, she said, “What is it?”
The serving boy beamed ingratiatingly at her and said, “Master had returned to Elegant Mansion earlier. Elder Sister Jian Feng said that after learning that Madam was out, Master headed straight for the study. This lowly one had been dispatched by Master to purchase two new books in town. Master was still at the study when this lowly one left. Oh, that’s right, Young Master Yun also came by. After exchanging a few words with the master, he left. These two books were recommended by Young Master Yun.”
“I see,” said Fu Qiuning, not really seeing at all, but there was no need to make trouble for the servants. She was about to leave when a niggle of thought occurred to her and she asked, “Was this Young Master Yun someone who hired the Cloud Stage Group?”
[c] “This lowly one is not sure… Perhaps Madam would like to speak with the Master and find out?” The servant said hopefully. [c] Fu Qiuning studied the young man, boy really, and thought about the implication of her popping by Jin Fengju’s place for no good reason aside from this servant’s coaxing. While it was unclear how much a servant like this was paid, he would almost be richly rewarded if he could get her to visit Jin Fengju’s study. Jin Ming would see to that if nothing else. [c] She really should not do it. [c] It would set a bad precedent. [c] Then again, it was not like the servants could force her into doing anything she seriously did not want. [c] Still feeling like she would regret this very much, she said, “Lead me to your master.”
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Jin Ming and a few junior servants were talking in the corridor. To say that Jin Ming was shocked to see her was an understatement. He quickly stood up and trotted over to beam at Fu Qiuning and say, “Yo, Madam seldom come to this place. What brings you here today?”
Fu Qiuning smiled and said, “I am not too sure myself. It was an impulsive decision…”
[c] Jin Ming’s quick eyes caught sight of the young boy practically trembling with excitement next to her and said, “Ah, I see. Now that Madam is here, perhaps you would like to see the master? He is in the study…”“No, actually, I was…”
“Madam!”
“Oh, Madam is here!”
Cai Lian and Bi Yu cried out as they ran from whatever task they were doing to intercept her, their voices were especially loud. Almost too deliberately loud.
Fu Qiuning winced, but it was too late. From inside the study, Jin Fengju’s voice was heard saying, “Is that Qiuning? Come in quickly.”
“Oh my, Master is calling for Madam!”
“Madam, you must come quickly!”
Fu Qiuning decided to take back her arrogant opinion that no one could force her into doing anything against her will as the maids respectfully but firmly herded her into the study.
Inside the study, Fu Qiuning found herself looking at an artfully draped Jin Fengju on the couch by the window. He was not even looking at her, but at a book in his hand. He was very obviously aiming for the handsome aloof scholar effect.
Three seconds of silence later, she said, “The Young Marquis is obviously busy. I shall take my leave now.”
“Wait! Ahem, Qiuning, ah. I mean, ahem. I am not busy at all, just reading a few casual books to pass the time. This is not a scholarly pursuit, so why be so strict? Come, have a seat.” He sat up and patted the couch. Fu Qiuning elected to sit on a chair with a table between them.
Instead of being disappointed, he said, “Ah, now I can look upon my Qiuning’s face even more clearly.” Before Fu Qiuning could muster a response to that corny line, he continued, “I heard you went to the Imperial Conservatory and felt that you might be back around this time. I was just thinking of heading to Elegant Mansion, but you came here instead.”
Fu Qiuning replied, “I did not intend to come here at first, but your serving boy mentioned that a certain Young Master Yun came by.”
She might as well give him a proper excuse rather than let him imagine that she was there for no good reason other than to see him.
Jin Fengju laughed, “Do you think I do not know what you are thinking? You want to know if this is the Young Master Yun who became involved with that Little Five from the Cloud Stage Group, am I right?”
Fu Qiuning raised an eyebrow. She had no idea why he was crowing about ‘knowing what she was thinking’ when she had already specifically told him about it.
Deciding to humour him, she gasped and said, “Goodness, it would appear that I cannot hide anything from you. Since you have guessed it, I will also not beat around the bush. Did you ask him how that opera troupe is doing after the incident?”
Jin Fengju laughed again, “How can I not ask after such an important matter? Speaking of which, his visit this time was to especially convey his gratitude towards you. After that little troupe received your guidance, their skills have grown more proficient and their popularity among the commoners has increased. So much so that his mother, who had disapproved of him associating with actors, turned a blind eye to their relationship after hearing Little Fifth’s performance. He had even bought a residence for the opera troupe. If not for Little Fifth’s desire to continue acting, he would have already been taken in as part of the family.”
Fu Qiuning paused, she had just taken a sip of her tea and from the way Jin Fengju told his story and his eager eyes, it was clear that he was waiting for some kind of reaction from her. After swallowing her tea, she said, “That is… unexpected.”
Jin Fengju quickly laughed and said, “Were you surprised? Actors in women’s clothing are not regarded as men. Most would end up as playthings for the powerful. Little Fifth is considered lucky. Yun Jinlong is not a heartless man. Now that he is this devoted to him, in the future, he should not easily toss him aside.”
“Is that so?” she said softly. [d] “I suppose being taken in by a powerful noble family means having proper meals, not having to worry about a roof over one’s head, and having clothes to wear… yes, it could be considered lucky.”
“Ah, haha, ahem,” Jin Fengju coughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. As for Fu Qiuning, she was too busy contemplating just what kind of dedication a man needed to have for the arts to be able to cast himself into the oppressed role of being a woman in ancient society without the one advantage of being able to give birth. Or, do homosexual men have more freedom than women? What would happen to Little Fifth once Mother Yun’s awe wore off? Would he still be respected? Would Young Master Yun take in concubines to bear children, or did he already have an official wife and Little Fifth was just entering the harem as a ‘favoured concubine’?
[Gumihou: I can’t believe the author chose to make a joke out of the homosexual theme when it is so potentially tragic]
[b] It’s demeaning how the author reduces these performers to ‘the girls’ and only talks about how pleased they were to have imperial gifts as ‘dowries’. Gave them their pride as artists back. [c] Plausible reason why FQN (not AR Qiuning) would be willing to suddenly visit JFJ [d] Deleted the probably meant-to-be funny 120 words of AR Qiuning going ‘gyaa’ over homosexuality.
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