Higher Level Wife - 260 - A Shocked Young Marquis

Chapter 260: A Shocked Young Marquis

Author: White Pear Flower

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

Translated by Gumihou

Proofread by Pill Bug

Fu Qiuning already had snacks and hot tea on the table when Jin Fengju came in dripping wet. She calmly waited while doing her embroidery even as the tea cooled. [1] When Jin Fengju finally managed to change and sit down, he gulped down a cup of cold tea, grimaced and stuffed some snacks into his mouth.

Well, at least he did not throw the tea to the floor again.

“Qiuning, you said there is something you wish to tell me…”

Fu Qiuning finally set down her embroidery. “In fact, it is like this…”

She related what had happened the past two days as well as the shameless crying at the West Gate.

Jin Fengju looked increasingly shocked and stunned the more she talked. Finally, the usually infuriatingly calm and composed young Marquis couldn’t help but slam a fist onto the table, shaking it so much that the plates shook. “Who came up with this rotten idea? Are they trying to have me killed?”

Fu Qiuning observed the still trembling plates and saucers for a moment before saying, “I would appreciate it if Lord Husband does not damage my cutleries. This is a piece from an expensive set. Apparently, the houses that the families have moved in were quite miserable. One household was sent to a thatched cottage. [1] Considering the size and splendour of this estate, I cannot imagine them being too happy about living in what is essentially a hovel.”

Surely there is no need for her to tell him how those who went from grand houses to sad conditions would be the ones more prone to complaining?

Jin Fengju was standing in place, frowning and thinking. She left him to it, thinking to return to her embroidery when he suddenly sneered and said, “I fear things are not as simple as it seems. It is not just a matter of tarnishing my reputation. Damn it. I must investigate this thoroughly. Those few young fools who reassured me earlier must have all been manipulated like chess pieces. Qiuning, you did the right thing. Luckily you noticed the situation before it worsened. Otherwise, this could have been considered a serious misconduct.”

[1] As usual, she received plenty of praise for doing practically nothing. [2]

“If you must know, it is Second Madam Wan-”

“Just think, if the officials of this yamen bore a grudge against me, someone could easily manipulate them in secret. Considering that we are practically strangers here… I cannot even bear to think what would happen. I believed that the local officials had not wanted to approach us for fear of drawing the Crown Prince’s suspicion, so they had moved out. I did question some of my loyal people, but those young fools had no idea they were being made use of at all! Whoever had been pushing them from the back must have some sinister intention!”

“… …” Fu Qiuning had no idea why he felt the need to explain such an obvious thing to her. [1a] Was he trying to show off his intelligence or something?

However, she did not voice her thoughts.

[1] For a moment, silence reigned within the room. Fu Qiuning no longer felt the need to generate false enthusiasm for his speeches and elected to remain quiet whenever it suited her. However, it did lead to these awkward silences

Therefore, it was actually a relief when noises from the outside broke the tension.

[3] Jian Feng rushed in to say, “Madam, ah, Master. Apologies, it looked like there was a… commotion outside regarding housing. Some of the former residents are trying to move into the courtyard occupied by Second Madam Wan and Concubine Cui. However, Second Madam Wan had barred them from entering, what should we do?”

Jin Fengju was the one who answered, “How many people are in that courtyard? If there aren’t that many people, she can share with the local official ladies. They are the original residence after all!”

Fu Qiuning coughed, nearly choking at this outrageous suggestion.

“Qiuning! Are you alright? Here, have a sip of tea, luckily it’s cold…”

Fu Qiuning waved a hand in front of her, pushing the cup of cold tea away. “No need, I’m just… are you really suggesting that Second Madam Wan should share her residence with the… those people?”

It looked like even Jin Fengju realised just what an absurd suggestion it was. Still, he sneered and said, “Not a problem, Jin Ming! Come in!”

When Jin Ming entered the room, Jin Fengju said, “Go and tell Wanying and whoever is living there to move out. There are two empty houses near the yamen, if the idea of having others moving into their courtyard repulse them, they can buy up those houses and stay there. However, I, as the appointed official here, cannot leave this place and enjoy the same benefits.”

“… …”

Neither Jin Ming nor Fu Qiuning knew what to say to this ridiculous order. It was one thing to favour your wife like a blind worshipper, but to openly condemn your other wives and women like that was…

[1a] However, there was nothing Jin Ming could say to this except to accept the order and hurry off to Jiang Wanying’s courtyard. Once Jin Ming had left, Jin Fengju turned shining eyes at Fu Qiuning, as though expecting some praise for having ‘gotten rid’ of some pest.

[1a] “I have a question,” said Fu Qiuning evenly.

[1a] “Oh? What could it be?” said Jin Fengju in a leisurely manner as he took a sip of tea that had just been poured by Jian Feng. Fortunately for him, the maid had noticed the cold pot and had switched out a fresh one for him.

[1a] “Who will manage this place once you’ve cast Second Madam Wan out?”

The tea must have gone down the wrong pipe because Jin Fengju suddenly started spluttering and coughing.

Fortunately for him, before he could muster up a reasonable-sounding answer, Jiang Wanying entered the room like a whirlwind. Her eyes were red and swollen from tears as she sobbed, “Cousin, how many years had we been husband and wife? Can you honestly say that I am someone who fears hardship? Have I ever spoken of my suffering to you? I managed such a large estate for you and yet, you treat me as though I am invisible. After moving here, I received neither recognition nor even a glance from you, but have I ever complained?

[4] You want to let those rabble back in? Fine, there is nothing I can do about it. However, to force them to move into my courtyard, what do you think I am? Am I a nobody? If you are willing to favour them and let them move back in for whatever reason, fine. However, why should I move out of the courtyard when those people could easily occupy those two houses that Lord Husband is generous enough to purchase for your abandoned wives and concubines?!”

[4a] Fu Qiuning picked up her embroidery, pretending to be both deaf and blind as Jiang Wanying vented her feelings at Jin Fengju. It was not entirely clear what Jin Fengju was feeling, but he continued to sip leisurely at his tea, waiting for Jiang Wanying to stop before lifting his head with a sneer to say, “Do you only realise how difficult life could be? Little Sister Wan, you are a smart person. Why did you not consider what kind of place Quanzhou was before coming here? Why did you insist on following along? You say that you felt wronged, well, that may well be true, but look at the people in this estate. Who is living a comfortable life here?

You are a noble lady, that is true. Are you saying that Qiuning isn’t one? As the shu-daughter of the Zhenjiang Palace, even she knew when to advance and retreat. But what of you? The di-granddaughter of a duke? I had Jin Ming purchase the two houses near the yamen just for you, so that you may have a more comfortable life. Though I cannot move there with you, you will not lack a single coin. Either stay and share your courtyard or move out, those are your options.”

Jiang Wanying was so furious that it felt like her lungs were about to explode. At the periphery of her sight, Fu Qiuning continued with her stitches, seemingly untouched by the drama happening between her and Jin Fengju. That’s right, it had always been like that. [4b] As a woman, Jiang Wanying instinctively knew that Fu Qiuning had no true feelings for Jin Fengju. Because of this, the man that she had married, the cousin that she had admired her whole life and worked so hard to support had thrown her away to pursue an unattainable fruit.

[4b] Was this the secret to gaining Jin Fengju’s heart? To not love him at all? How could she ever achieve that state of Nirvana with her heart practically cracking to pieces with love for this wretched heartless man?

[4b] No, was heartless even the correct term considering how passionately he showers things and affection at Fu Qiuning? Like a devotee desperately throwing flowers at a Guan Ying statue.

[4b] If her love could not be reciprocated, couldn’t she at least reach a state of Nirvana like Fu Qiuning and give up on everything?

[4b] Even as the thought occurred to her, she knew that it was impossible. She had nurtured these feelings for too long, there was no escaping them. Even so, as a noble lady, she excelled at one thing best.

Despite the roiling fury in her heart, Jiang Wanying managed to calm her emotions enough to say through stiff lips, “Since Lord Husband said so, I have nothing more to add. As for the hardship mentioned by Lord Husband, isn’t it just living together for a spell? I, for one, do not fear such a thing. Especially not after surviving that wretched [5] tiny ship! Hmph!”

[5] “You-!!” Jin Fengju was fairly bristling with anger as Jiang Wanying left. However, her figure disappeared with a gust of wind and there was no one there for him to turn his rage on.

[5] Privately, Fu Qiuning smiled to herself. It was a cheap shot, but accurately made.

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After just one morning, the officials’ families had all moved back into the residence. According to the rumours flying around: Why, it turned out that the Marquis and his family were falsely accused! They were not the ones who ordered the people to move out of the yamen. The culprits were actually those generals who got too enthusiastic about welcoming their former leader. What’s more, according to the Han clan’s Hedong Lioness, she was the one who had caused such a fuss at the gates of the yamen that the marquis’ wife came out to see what was happening. The Madam had even invited Bai-Zhang’shi into the yamen to explain matters.

It was too bad that Lord Han’s wife was not able to go with them because she was too dirty from the rain, but don’t you think that this resolution would not have happened if she had not initiated that fateful meeting?

Later, the women from these local official families gathered around Bai-Zhang’shi before making their official visit to Fu Qiuning. Fu Qiuning did not want to meet them. [1b] Jiang Wanying absolutely abhorred the idea of meeting these rude and inconsiderate people. Their maids brought news of the guests to them and the two ladies met at the corridor leading to the receiving hall. Both grimaced at each other briefly before switching to their ‘public faces’. Jiang Wanying wore a smile that was almost cheerful while Fu Qiuning’s face took on an almost Buddha-like serenity.

[1b] “I see where you get the reputation for benevolence and purity from,” Jiang Wanying hissed.

[1b] “I see why Old Madam considers you her favourite,” Fu Qiuning shot back neutrally.

[1b] “Where is our loving husband?”

[1b] “Apparently he is too tired to receive guests.”

[1b] “Is that so?”

[1b] “That is so.”

Jian Feng’s head kept whipping back and forth as the ladies traded barbs. Unsure whether to say anything to defend or attack. Before she could decide anything though, they had already reached the receiving hall where the ladies from the local official families had gathered.

As for the tired Jin Fengju. He had laid himself out on a couch by the window and fallen asleep.

It was unclear how much time had passed, but he was woken by something soft and furry patting his face. Thinking that Fu Qiuning was teasing him with a cattail grass, he smiled in his sleep and batted at the furry thing pressing rhythmically against his face [7].

“Qiuning, ah. Let me sleep a little longer~”

[7a] A low rumble answered him and he chuckled. More awake now, he touched the furry thing, happy that Fu Qiuning felt comfortable enough to tease him. The furry thing under his hand was firmer than a cattail grass. In fact, it was… vibrating?

He frowned, unsure what was going on when a sharp ‘meow’ sounded in his ear.

Jin Fengju froze in place.

His eyes shot open, meeting a pair of large black eyes surrounded by a thin ring of malevolent green. Jin Fengju screamed, flailed and fell off the couch.

Perhaps sensing that it had attained victory, the cat trotted casually to the middle of the couch to sit down and stare at the flailing human on the floor. Then, it folded itself into a loaf, twitched its whiskers and gave the panicked-looking human an inquiring ‘mrreow?’

“S-someone come!!”

Jin Fengju was both startled and angry. As a noble marquis with some skill in martial arts, he could not believe that he was being cornered by a cat. Fortunately, Jin Changfeng and two maids rushed in at his call.

Seeing his father on the floor, Jin Changfeng was startled. [8] He quickly glanced around, worried that an assassin may have infiltrated the place when he noticed his father’s fixed gaze on the cat.

[8] “… …” How should he react to this? For one thing, Father was someone who cared about his face the most… Let’s just treat him like Jin Zhenyi.

[8] Pretending not to see the cat, he approached Jin Fengju and said in an astonished voice, “Goodness, Father. Why are you sitting on the floor?”

Jin Fengju was even more furious and embarrassed at being caught in such a position by two maids and his own son. How could he bring himself to say that he was frightened by a cat? He glared at Jin Changfeng and pointed at the cat, [7b] who yawned, showing a lot of very sharp teeth.

He quickly withdrew his fingers, gritted his teeth and said, “Where did such a large cat come from?”

Jin Changfeng gave the cat a glance, as though he had just seen it. The cat immediately flipped to its side and curled up. Looks like it did not intend to take this person seriously.

He smiled at his father and said, “Mother has decided to keep a cat. She said that mice and other vermins are more prolific in the south and it would be good to have a cat to keep out the unwanted company.” [8] Pretending not to see Jin Fengju’s look of dawning horror, he continued, “That’s not all, we have also found a litter of kittens and Mother has allowed each of us to keep one each. She said that it is important for young children to have playmates. I must say, Fifth Sister is the only one who did not have a cat yet, do you think we should get a kitten for her too?”

[Gumihou: I mean, Jin Changfeng was described as intelligent and sensitive wayyyy back in chapter 5. So, let him be actually intelligent and sensitive. Also, I will keep mentioning this mysterious little girl with no name]

[1] Let’s reference some real reactions that are neither ‘uwu’ nor ‘kyaa’

[1a] Reasonable reaction that is not ‘down with the Evil Jiang’shi!’

[1b] Reasonable ‘gotta go work…’ reaction from the ladies that were neither ‘hmph!’ nor ‘pui!’

[2] Deleted 50 words of JFJ apologist words

[2a] Deleted

[3] Have the maid make this absolutely ridiculous statement.

[4] Have Jiang Wanying give reasonable arguments in place of ‘sobs, I so spoilt and dumb’

[4a] Also, why leave when the show’s getting more interesting?

Upon seeing her, Fu Qiuning quickly left the room. Jin Fengju slowly sipped his tea and waited for Jiang Wanying to finish speaking before lifting his head and coldly saying

[4b] Give some depth to poor Jiang Wanying’s feelings

[5] Fufufu, let’s make fun of that ‘Treasure ship’ again

[6] Jin Fengju was startled, his eyes immediately opened wide like copper bells, and the drowsiness disappeared. Feeling the furry sensation still on his face, he slowly turned his head, all the while thinking to himself, which stray cat is so audacious? Are all the servants in this house dead? How could they let a stray cat come in without even noticing…

Just as he was thinking, his head had already turned, and he saw a large striped cat looking at him with its head tilted.

As you can see, White Pear Flower is not particularly good at dramatic suspense writing.

[7] Okay, I consulted some experts and Googled the heck out of this ‘fact’. It is not possible for cats to have naturally occurring ‘large black eyes’ unless the eyes are super dilated. Like in Puss in Boots. Actually black eyes means the cat is suffering from cancer.

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Cat_eyes_by_color

[7a] Super dilated eyes could explain the ‘large black eyes’ description. Maybe the cat is happy to knead the face of a human it knows hates cats. Yeah, that works

[7b] Add some annoying catty reaction, because cats are catty, hehe

[8] Normal reaction from a boy who had minimal respect for his father but still strives to be polite

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