Chapter 272: Secret Intentions
Author: White Pear Flower
Raws: https://book.qidian.com/info/2386994/
Translated by Gumihou
Proofread by Pill Bug
Gumihou: I don’t know if this chapter reflects author’s true thoughts about children and family relationships. I sincerely hope not. A-ny-way, since it’s already in the text, have some realistic reaction to these honestly shameless thoughts.
By this time, Fu Qiuning was more or less fed up with Jin Fengju’s self-aggrandising speeches and roundabout talk. Instead, she said, “This humble woman only has one thing to bring up. It has been almost a month, but the promised teacher has not yet been hired.”
Jin Fengju stroked his chin contemplatively and said, “I always did have the impression that we would not stay long here. Elder Brother is in Yangzhou now, one of the most prosperous regions within the kingdom. Would that old man really decree some leisurely and lucrative post to me after the destruction of those pesky Japanese pirates and the lifting of the sea ban? What’s more, the decree which appointed me as a commander-in-chief against those Japanese pirates was clearly biased against me. Not to mention, considering how precarious the Crown Prince’s position at the Capital was, could the emperor not call me back?”
Fu Qiuning frowned, [1] “Wasn’t it the Crown Prince who-”
Jin Fengju suddenly jumped off the couch to start pacing back and forth. Then, he dramatically stopped in the middle of the room, took a heroic stance, looked at Fu Qiuning and declared, “Let’s leave matters as they are for now. There is no need to hire a teacher for the children. You also have a reputation as a talented woman, so you can teach the children. If we really are going to stay here for a long time, we can hire a teacher for them later.”
[1] Fu Qiuning said, “If you already knew about the emperor’s decree before the Crown Prince gave it to you, surely there’s no need to drag all six or seven of your children all the way to a dangerous place like this? Just what exactly are you trying to prove?” [2] “Th-that is…” Jin Fengju floundered for a moment, suddenly he caught sight of the wretched beast sleeping without a care near Fu Qiuning’s feet and felt his hackles rise.Naturally, Fu Qiuning realised what he was looking at and shifted her skirts to cover the cat. “You had better not do anything to Mister Cat. He has been more helpful to me than your so-called guards.”
Jin Fengju was startled into laughter. “Ha ha ha, you think too lowly of me, Madam. It’s just a cat, how could I not tolerate it? Besides, it had saved the children and kept my beloved wife company. The beast has made great contributions to the family. What am I? Foolish? How would I dare to risk making you and those little fellows angry by getting rid of it?”
Fu Qiuning said nothing but snapped her fingers. The cat looked up and blinked twice before leaping onto her lap. [3] She had no real interest in what Jin Fengju had to say. He would get around to telling her what’s going on whenever it suits him.
Jin Fengju glanced at the cat in his wife’s lap, then at the window; then, back at the cat again. He looked around once before edging over to Fu Qiuning’s side to speak in a low voice, “Qiuning, ah. Now that Xiuzhen and Zhenxuan are dissatisfied with their mother, I want you to take advantage of this situation and win them over. Since their mother is this kind of person, she can never regain her foothold in the estate. But, Xiuzhen and Zhenxuan are still my children, I… I don’t wish them to have too deep a relationship with their blood mother and resent us in the future.”
Fu Qiuning never expect to hear such shameless words even from Jin Fengju. [4] It looked like she had underestimated the depths of his shamelessness yet again. Moreover, Jin Fengju had this cool, righteous look on his face, as though he was the real victim in this whole scenario.
After some thought, she said, “You do as you like, I want no part of it.” [4]
Jin Fengju sighed and said, “Do you think it is possible for the children to understand once they grow older? Wanying is the one in the wrong. It’s not like I had her replaced by someone. Surely, someday…”
“… …”
After a while, Jin Fengju seized Fu Qiuning’s hands, the one that had been stroking the wretched cat, and said, “Qiuning, I…really don’t know what to say. Since the day you’ve been with me, there have been countless troubles and difficulties, all of which I have entrusted to you. This is my trust in you. But having you take care of several children who are not your own is… I know this has been difficult for you. What’s even more remarkable is how well you’ve raised them. I am grateful to you, but more than that, I feel guilty. I can offer you so little, but what you have done for me is so much…”
“…it’s good that you know,” said Fu Qiuning shortly.
“That’s… of course I know! I understand this best, haha. Alright, Qiuning, wait for me. When the dust settles one day, I will retire like Fan Li [5], and take you and the children to travel and enjoy life, to give you a carefree lifetime, and not let you be as tired as you are now.” Jin Fengju held his beloved wife’s hand tightly, his voice especially emotional.
Fu Qiuning delicately removed her hand from his grasp. “Do as you like, Lord Husband. It’s not like this humble woman’s words carry any meaning.”
“No, no, of course not! My Qiuning’s opinion is of the utmost importance! Well, if the Crown Prince ascends the throne, it might be possible for us to be more leisurely, but even if Prince Rong succeeds, it wouldn’t be so easy.” As the Emperor’s brother-in-law, he would be relied on for many things. If he wanted to go off with his wife to the mountains and rivers, Prince Rong might not be happy…
Please read this at kitchennovel dot com ~
Just as Jin Fengju had predicted, once the autumn wind rose, the Japanese pirates launched a massive attack from the coast.
Due to their heavy losses in the previous battle, these fierce Japanese pirates felt that their prestige was being challenged, and when one’s prestige is challenged, it means that survival is also being challenged. Several Japanese pirates who had sneaked into Quanzhou City were killed, all four of them in fact, and the remaining three did not manage to escape either. On a dark and windy night, they tried to climb the city walls to escape, but they were caught red-handed by the soldiers and constables patrolling the streets. This time, Jin Fengju did not beat them to death with clubs and leave their bodies exposed on the streets; instead, he executed them publicly according to the law and then hung their heads at the city gate for half a month.
In this situation, the hearts of the Japanese pirates also grew weak. The reason why they could plunder villages and burn down strongholds every time they landed was because the people on the shore feared them like tigers. As soon as the pirates arrived, the legs of the common people would go weak, and these poor civilians were easily killed with barely any resistance even when facing death.
It was the valiant and inspiring Commander-in-Chief Jin Fengju who repeatedly reminded everyone that these Japanese pirates were neither ghosts nor gods. Just human beings who could be defeated and even killed. As a result, the common people rose up in resistance. Even though their combat power might not match that of the pirates, this was the territory of the Great Ning, and the common people outnumbered them. Even if the pirates ultimately won, they would probably have to pay a heavy price. The common people might not understand this logic, but the Japanese pirates understood it clearly.
This was why the Japanese pirates sought to overwhelm the people of the land with fierce attacks and dominate the place at all costs. However, they did not expect the anti-Japanese pirate measures to be so vigorous and resolute. Not only were the soldiers as brave as heavenly soldiers, but the local common people also gathered together when the pirates landed. They hid their valuable items and fiercely resisted when necessary, and fireworks were used as signals everywhere. Jin Fengju even specially instructed the fireworks craftsmen to produce black fireworks for daytime use. Once the fireworks appeared, the nearest soldiers would quickly reinforce the area.
As a result, the Japanese pirates came ashore full of ambition and arrogance, but within a few days, they were beaten back by the soldiers and common people, left to howl miserably with their tails between their legs. When the common people truly united and cooperated with the soldiers to fight the pirates, in Jin Fengju’s words, that was a genuine beating, with no chance for the pirates to retaliate.
Even so, these measures came at a cost. Jin Fengju had not been home for over a month. Not only him, the various officials who travelled with him across the prefecture also had not gone home for a long time as they implemented various anti-Japanese pirate activities. Fortunately, with frequent good news flowing into the city, the officials’ families with relatives on the battlefield were able to relax a bit.
Please read this at kitchennovel dot com ~
It was a crisp autumn day and the sun shone brightly for once.
This was why Fu Qiuning decided to allow the children to leave the schoolroom a little early to play freely before lunchtime. Naturally, with all the unrest outside, they were given strict instructions to remain within the courtyard.
As the children ran about in the yard, playing with their cats, Fu Qiuning was sitting in place with Mister Cat in her lap, enjoying the rare autumn sun when she heard Yu Jie call out, “Second Madam Wan.”
[6] She turned to see Jiang Wanying standing in place, looking impeccably put together as usual. The aristocratic woman had a complicated look on her face as she watched the children play. There was an odd smile on her face as she said softly, almost to herself, “Brother Xuan and Xiuzhen really like those little beasts. I have not seen them laugh like this in front of me in the past month.” [6a] Fu Qiuning studied her carefully. There was something strangely brittle yet resolute in Jiang Wanying’s manner. In the end, she opted for a neutral, “Furry little animals have their charm.”“Is that so? I never did like these little beasts even as a child. What is so interesting about these dirty things? Even Lord Husband never liked them. To think that Elder Sister’s charm is so powerful to the point that he could change his mind about them.”
[6a] In fact, Fu Qiuning was also quite amazed by how much Jin Fengju tolerated the cats. Especially Mister Cat, whom he had a clear vendetta against. She instinctively cuddled Mister Cat closer and said, “Indeed, he endures their presence even now.”“Hah! Endure he did! It is thanks to Elder Sister’s powerful charm that he would even deign to endure this much!” Then, she paused, as though collecting herself before saying, “It has been over a month, hasn’t it? Who knows how he’s doing outside? Does Sister have any news?”
[Gumihou: The sum total of Author White Pear Flower’s strategy against the Japanese were ‘Anti-Japanese pirate measures’ and JFJ’s speeches. Oh, and there’s also a bit of fireworks as well as heads on pikes, can’t forget that.]
[1] Poke at the plot holes in JFJ’s narrative [2] JFJ covering up for his blunders [3] A bit too late for this ‘humanising’ trait
She knew some people had irrational fears, just like Jin Fengju’s fear of cats. She was worried he might use his masculinity as an excuse to chase the old cat away. Knowing that wasn’t the reason, she felt at ease, determined to agree with whatever her husband said. Overcoming fears that had persisted for so many years was truly commendable.
[4] Shameless action is shameless, like come on. Deleted over 50 words of ‘Kyaa, I’m sure the kids will understand~’ [5] Fan Li – who is this Fan Li? He has an awesome sitting pose though. [6] I’m not going to do a dirty towards Jiang Wanying. Let her be who she is, a woman born and raised in an aristocratic household, probably spoilt with a good measure of intelligence in her but has the misfortune of falling in love with an equally spoilt, entitled nobleman who thought too highly of himself. [6a] Also, have FQN be more sensitive and not just ‘smiled and said’ every other line while JWY ‘sneered and said’
Come join kitchennovel’s subscription!
Or, you can still support us through Patreon or tip us via Kofi~!
Although… it’s, um, you only get half the benefits… but, the decision is in your hands!
Do also comment at Novelupdates and raise our ratings!
