Chapter 272: Secret Plans
Author:Â White Pear Flower
Raws:Â https://book.qidian.com/info/2386994/
Translated by Gumihou
Proofread by Pill Bug
Gumihou: I don’t know if this chapter reveals author’s true thoughts about children and family relationships. I sincerely hope not. Go look for actually sensible Fu Qiuning HERE
Fu Qiuning smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Lord Husband. There’s just one thing, you mentioned wanting to hire a teacher for the children earlier, but it’s been almost a month and we haven’t seen any sign of a teacher. What do you plan to do about it?”
Jin Fengju stroked his chin and said, “I have a feeling that we won’t be staying here for long. Elder Brother is in Yangzhou now, which is a prosperous place. Can the old man really give me the leisurely and lucrative position of lifting the maritime ban after pacifying the Japanese pirates? Furthermore, the decree previously appointing me as the commander against the Japanese pirates was clearly biased towards me. Considering all this, the crown prince’s position is not very stable. Once things change in the capital, can the emperor not call me back?”
As he spoke, he paced a few steps on the ground, then looked up at Fu Qiuning and said, “Let’s leave it like this for now. There’s no need to hire a teacher. 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.”
Fu Qiuning smiled, “That’s what I had in mind too.” But when she saw Jin Fengju looking at her intently again, with a serious expression, she couldn’t help but feel curious and quickly added, “Do you have something else to entrust to me? Just so you know, I will never get rid of that old cat. Really, ever since you arrived in Quanzhou, have you ever had a day off? Luckily, having that old cat around has helped me pass the time. Don’t try to get rid of it by all means.”
Jin Fengju was initially filled with guilt and unsure how to express his thoughts. But Fu Qiuning’s response caught him off guard and made him laugh. He shook his head and said, “You think too lowly of me. It’s just a cat, how could I not tolerate it? Besides, it saved the children and kept my beloved wife company. It has contributed greatly. Am I foolish? Would I risk your and the children’s resentment by getting rid of it?”
“What is it then, you seem hesitant to speak,” Fu Qiuning glanced at Jin Fengju, feeling relieved. 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.
Seeing Jin Fengju glance around the window and confirming there was no one around, he walked over to Fu Qiuning, speaking in a low voice, “What I mean is, take advantage of Xiao Zhen and Xiao Xuan’s current dissatisfaction with their mother. Help me bring them closer to us. Their mother is the kind of person who can never establish herself in this mansion. But Zhen’er and Xuan’er are my own children, and… I don’t want them to have too deep feelings for their biological mother and end up resenting us in the future.”
Fu Qiuning never expected that Jin Fengju would say such words, she looked up at him, only to see his cold expression, his eyes devoid of any emotion, obviously hating Jiang Wanying to the extreme. However, thinking about it, this kind of coldness appearing in Jin Fengju was actually quite normal. She sighed and said, “You know me, I never fake emotions to win people’s hearts on purpose. In any case, Second Miss and Xuan Ge’er are with me, and I treat them just like how I treat Feng’er, Jiao’er, and Zhenyi. As for their feelings towards their birth mother, sir, forgive me for being blunt, the bond between a mother and child is deep, this matter is always heart-wrenching. However, Xuan Ge’er and Second Miss, although they are more calculating, they will understand the complexities of the situation as they grow up, and should also understand you.”
Jin Fengju sighed and nodded, “It seems that this is the only way.” But then he heard Fu Qiuning sigh, “Take it slow, time will eventually ease everything. This matter was caused by Wanying’s mistake, not because you found someone new to replace her. Xuan Ge’er and Second Miss will gradually understand your feelings.”
Jin Fengju fell silent and held Fu Qiuning’s hand, saying, “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 called trust. But having you take care of several children who are not your own, 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…”
“Between husband and wife, there’s no need to say such things.” Fu Qiuning gently covered Jin Fengju’s mouth and smiled, “Although I haven’t become a mother yet, having Feng’er and Jiao’er, they are like my own children. When others see you sending Zhenyi and Third Miss over, it may be a huge burden, but I know deep down that even though it’s difficult, I genuinely like these children. Moreover, I haven’t done much, it’s Zhenyi and Third Miss who are still related to you, they are sensible and understanding, that’s why they are so well-behaved. Don’t think too much, focus on driving away the Japanese pirates and let’s live our lives peacefully.”
“Alright, Qiuning, wait for me. When the dust settles one day, I will retire like Fan Li, 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, speaking earnestly.
“Okay, I’ll wait for that day.” Fu Qiuning smiled. She didn’t take Jin Fengju’s words seriously, thinking it wouldn’t be easy to retire like Fan Li. If the Crown Prince ascended the throne, it might be possible, but if Prince Rong succeeded, it wouldn’t be so easy. He was the Emperor’s nephew, relying on him in many ways, and if he wanted to go off with his wife to the mountains and rivers, Prince Rong might not be happy.
What Fu Qiuning didn’t expect was that while she didn’t take his words seriously, Jin Fengju did. This led to many amusing and bizarre incidents in the end.
As Jin Fengju said, when 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, four of them, and the remaining three didn’t manage to escape either. On a dark and windy night, they tried to climb the city walls to escape but 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 were also cold. 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 they would be killed easily without putting up much resistance even when facing death.
But Jin Fengju made a move that told everyone that the Japanese pirates were not ghosts or gods, they were just human beings, and as long as everyone united, they could also be defeated. As a result, the common people rose up in resistance. Even though their combat power might not match that of the pirates, after all, this was the territory of the Ning Dynasty, 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.
Therefore, from the beginning, the Japanese pirates were prepared to establish their dominance at all costs. However, they did not expect that although the anti-piracy actions in previous years were not very active, this time it was vigorous and resolute. Not only were the soldiers in the anti-piracy garrisons brave like 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 and howled miserably by the soldiers and common people. When the common people truly united, 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.
But this also came at a cost. Jin Fengju hadn’t been home for over a month. Including some officials in the prefectural yamen, they were following him around various anti-piracy battlefields. Fortunately, there were frequent good news reports from all over, which allowed the officials’ families with relatives on the battlefield to relax a bit.
On this clear and sunny day, with the hot sun shining brightly, a rare occurrence in the southern region during this season. So Fu Qiuning gave the children a day off early in the morning, allowing them to play freely in the yard, just not letting them go out.
She was watching the children playing with several cats in the corridor, feeling the joy and harmony. Suddenly, she heard someone calling out, “Madam Wan Er,” from behind. Fu Qiuning quickly turned around and saw Jiang Wanying looking at the children with a complicated expression. When Jiang Wanying noticed her gaze, she gave a faint smile and said softly, “Xuan Ge and Xiu Zhen really like those animals. In the past month, they haven’t smiled like this in front of me.”
Fu Qiuning smiled and replied, “Of course, children always love these furry little animals.”
Jiang Wanying sneered and said, “Really? I never liked these things when I was a child. What’s fun about them being dirty and making the house messy? Even Grandfather, he also disliked these things the most back then. But Sister’s charm was so great that she managed to change his habits.”
Fu Qiuning knew that Jiang Wanying’s thoughts were already extreme, so she simply said, “He didn’t really change his habits, just tolerated them.”
“Yes, tolerated them. Only Sister has that kind of charm to make him tolerate it. If it were someone else, who else could have such face?” Realizing that her tone was becoming resentful again, Jiang Wanying stopped talking. After a moment, she couldn’t help but ask, “It’s been over a month since he last came back, right? I wonder how he’s doing outside. Does Sister have any news?”
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