Chapter 286: Leaving
Author: White Pear Flower
Raws: https://book.qidian.com/info/2386994/
Translated by Gumihou
Proofread by Pill Bug
Gumihou: Because I trimmed off a lot of flab in the last chapter, enjoy some extra bits here.
The next day, Fu Qiuning got up early to help Jin Fengju get ready for court as usual. Once he was gone, she called for Jian Feng. [1] The maid appeared, ready to carry out her orders. Fu Qiuning gave her a look and said, “I have a mission for you.”
[1] The maid’s eyes suddenly sparkled with excitement.Fu Qiuning inwardly sighed before picking up a small bundle from the bed and handing it to the maid, “There’s 200 taels in broken silver and 1000 taels in banknotes here. Prepare some food that would last a long journey…”
[1] “M-madam! S-surely…” Jian Feng looked shocked, excited and anxious at the same time.“Take the food and money to the woodshed. You are to smuggle Concubine Huo out through the side gate and to the address on the package.”
Jian Feng stood in place for a long moment, still in shock. However, after Fu Qiuning had finished speaking, she nodded excitedly, [1] nearly tripping over her words as she said, “Yes, yes! This maid understands. This maid shall carry out this mission no matter what! Madam, your heart is too generous and kind and compassionate. It’s just… even if Madam were kind-hearted, surely the master would never let her go?”
[2] Fu Qiuning gave the maid a look. She thought: Well, well, looks like this maid is not a complete fool. Still, there is no need to explain anything to the maid, let her use her imagination as she likes. [2] Out loud, Fu Qiuning said, “No need to think about that. The only thing I wish to know is whether I can trust you with this mission?” [2] “Yes! Absolutely! This maid shall go right now!” [2] As the maid scampered away, Fu Qiuning thought: Now, let’s see how the household reacts to a ‘runaway concubine’. It would be good for me to know this for my future plans. After all, I can never be sure when Jin Fengju would decide to stop playing these ‘love games’ with me. Once a new ‘love’ enters the harem, I can enlist an experienced Jian Feng to smuggle me out in the future…Still, before she left, Jian Feng managed to squeeze in more praise for Jin Fengju.
“In any case, Master must be allowing this because of Madam, right? Master is the most honourable, responsible and loyal man in the world. No man in the world can compare to him. En, this maid understands, this is what ‘beauty lies in the eye of the beholder’ means~”
[1] Fu Qiuning gave her a look. “Why are you still here?” [2]The laugh that Jian Feng let out sounded disgusting to Fu Qiuning’s ear, but there was no helping it. Both Aunt Yu and Yu Jie had married out, and Jian Feng was now her most senior maid. Here’s hoping that Concubine Huo would appreciate the opportunity to get away from this toxic household and make a life of her own.
After a final titter, Jian Feng set off.
She stopped by the kitchen first to collect some buns and bread, before sneaking off carefully towards the woodshed. She made sure to check her surroundings and only ventured forward to the woodshed when there was no one around. At the entrance, she [3] nervously instructed the two men guarding the shed to open the door. [3] She had half-expected the men to turn her away, but to her surprise, after watching her squirm in place silently for a few seconds, they opened the door for her.
The master must have given them instructions to allow her to enter!
[3] Madam had Master’s permission to do this! [3] On one hand, it made her trek to this place less exciting, but on the other, it meant that she wouldn’t get into trouble with the master or worse, bring trouble down onto Madam’s head. Happily, she stepped boldly into the shed and found Huo Xiangmian sleeping on a stack of firewood. Jian Feng immediately sneered and said, “You certainly have strong nerves; to think that you’ll be sleeping at this time. Well, come with me now. Otherwise, not even our Madam can save you.”Huo Xiangmian had sat up, her entire person wary, until she heard that. She narrowed her eyes at Jian Feng, “Who are you? Are you one of the Crown Prince’s people?”
[4] Jian Feng rolled her eyes, “Don’t be stupid, if I were one of the Crown Prince’s people, I would have had you silenced immediately. Why keep a useless pawn like you?” [4] The woman glared up at her from the ground, “That doesn’t explain why Second Madam Ning would be so generous…” [4] “Wouldn’t it? Isn’t the name ‘Second Madam Ning’ enough to show just how kind, generous and benevolent she is?” Jian Feng tossed the small bundle of money at Huo Xiangmian’s feet. “Well, have a look and tell me you don’t wish to leave. It is of no consequence to me whether you leave or not, although I would have to apologise to my wonderful and generous Madam for failing my duty.” [4] Huo Xiangmian drew the coin purse closer. Then, she looked at the door of the woodshed. She could not hear the guards outside. Whatever that woman was doing, it was with the Young Marquis’ permission. Therefore, the order cannot be from the Crown Prince. Though she resented Jin Fengju for abandoning her and hated Fu Qiuning for snatching his favour… she could still acknowledge the Madam’s ‘goodness’. [4] Though she had no idea how true this benevolence was, this was her only way out. As for Jiang Wanying… well, Jiang Wanying was in the same boat as herself. There would be no help from that side. As for going home… it was her father who pressed her onto this path. If she were to go home, who knows what those people would do to her eventually? [4a]Jian Feng tapped her foot impatiently. “Well, are you going or not?” She sneered, “You seem to have a bit of remorse, but what’s the use of regretting or shedding tears now? If you had confessed earlier, things would not have become so serious. You even dared to try to frame our Madam. Fortunately for you, Second Madam is kind-hearted. If it had been some other woman, like Second Madam Wan, you would have died several times by now. Come now, enough with your crying. Change into these clothes first.”
Hua Xiangmian quieted down and changed into a set of ordinary peasant clothes before following Jian Feng out. Aside from the sound of the wind, there was nothing to be heard. As she had half-expected, the guards were no longer there. The path they took was also devoid of people. Once they reached the west side gate, they found a carriage waiting there.
Jian Feng handed Huo Xiangmian the bundle of food she had packed as well as more instructions, “Our Madam instructed us to give this food and money to you. You are to go to the address written on this package. That is the only place you can stay safely. Our good and kind Madam wants you to take care of yourself. Although you may never return to the Jin residence in this life, so long as you have your life, there is still hope. Our warm-hearted and caring Madam will make sure to take good care of Fourth Young Miss. Once she reaches marriageable age, so long as she is still with our good Madam, our generous and resourceful Madam will surely find a way to bring you back and witness Fourth Young Miss’s wedding.”
Seeing Huo Xiangmian sob and wail so much pricked Jian Feng’s conscience. In fact, her Madam [5] never said anything about letting this woman see her daughter’s wedding… However! Jian Feng was sure that her good, kind, benevolent, compassionate and wonderful Madam would surely find a way! That’s right, she was clearly there to convey Madam’s unspoken instructions!
[5] Thus, she cleared her throat and grandly declared, “Indeed, rest assured that Madam had personally informed me to tell you that this. Madam will not deceive you. Also, Fourth Young Miss often asked after you and Madam had helped the Master form a story to cover up your disappearance, allowing Fourth Young Miss to stay at Elegant Mansion with peace of mind.”What else could Huo Xiangmian do but nod repeatedly and say, “En, en, en, I understand, I understand it all. With Fourth Young Miss residing at Elegant Mansion, my heart is at ease. Miss, please convey my deepest gratitude to Second Madam Ning for her generous soul and benevolent gestures. Tell her that this… this lowly person, Huo Xiangmian, may never be able to repay her kindness in this life, but in the next life, I am willing to be her slave or dog. Even being the roadside grass to cushion her footsteps would be too much honour for the likes of me…”
[5] She choked, unable to speak such nonsense anymore, as she threw herself to the floor and slammed her head three times onto the blue-tiled floor.Jian Feng tsked, “Alright, alright, don’t waste any more time. No one’s watching you now, so just get into the carriage quickly. The driver is Aunt Yu’s husband; he will send you out of the capital. The rest will be up to you, so take care.”
[5] Huo Xiangmian, the former Concubine Huo, with her forehead hurting and tears streaming down her face, got onto the carriage clutching the bag of money to her chest.
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Jian Feng watched in silence as the carriage disappeared in the distance before [6] skipping back to her mistress, brimming with feelings of accomplishment.
Several servants saw her pass by, [6] some of them wondering at her incredibly cheerful expression even as they greeted her respectfully. This was the most favoured Madam’s head maid, it would not do to offend her.
When Jian Feng reached Elegant Mansion, she happened to see an unfamiliar junior maid. Jian Feng immediately felt suspicious and stopped her to ask, “Who are you? Where did you come from?”
In fact, [7] when the family returned to the Duke of Jin’s residence, Fu Qiuning relinquished all authority to Jiang Wanying, letting her manage the estate as usual. It was Madam Jiang, [7] possibly at the behest of Jin Fengju, who asked Fu Qiuning to take up some responsibilities of the estate. Fu Qiuning had no choice but to nominally agree, letting Jian Feng run the place as she liked in the end.
This was why Jian Feng could confidently say that she had never seen this junior maid before, and was authorised to question her.
The junior maid smiled and greeted her respectfully, “Good day, Elder Sister. I am here to deliver a message to Second Madam Ning. My mistress used to be her dowry maid and had sent me to inform Second Madam Ning of some good news. Mistress is now with child and our Elder Madam wished to have her stay home for her health. Therefore, this maid came in my mistress’s place to deliver the good news.”
Jian Feng was delighted. This day was just getting better and better. “Is that so? To think that Sister Yu Jie is now with child. I had been wondering why she had not been by for a few days now. After all, knowing her, she could not stay away from our Madam for too long.”
The two of them walked side by side into Elegant Mansion’s courtyard.
The junior maid tittered and said, “Isn’t it so? For the past few days, my mistress appeared lethargic and not at all interested in eating. Her complexion was poor, and everyone thought it was just a leftover sickness from being on that boat. My mistress wanted to fully recover before coming by, but our Elder Madam sensed something was wrong and had a physician look at her yesterday and discovered this great news! Thus, Elder Madam and Mistress sent me out early this morning to deliver the good news.”
As they chatted together, they entered the house.
Fu Qiuning [8] was not quite sure what to think about Yu Jie’s pregnancy. There was happiness, of course, since it was something that the girl and the family she married into would have wanted. After thinking about it a little more, Fu Qiuning decided that her own feelings about Yu Jie’s condition were irrelevant and went with the flow of happiness instead.
She ordered Jian Feng to open up the trunks and cabinets to select a few pieces of soft satin, as well as rouge and powder for Yu Jie. [7] The cloth was for the baby while the makeup was for the mother. Too often, people would give gifts to the child while forgetting the mother. Then, she had Jian Feng place the items in a carriage and sent the junior maid off.
“Stay in the carriage with the gifts. When you see your mistress, tell her to stay home until she has safely delivered her child. There is no need to visit me. Make baby clothes with the satin, and if she must use makeup, use the ones I had gifted her. The ones from the outside may harm the foetus. I will send more if she needs any.”
[8] This was the least she should do for someone who had stayed with her during the bad times. As for the good times… in the end, Yu Jie had done what she thought was best for Fu Qiuning, never mind that Fu Qiuning never wanted her to do anything extra. It felt odd to gift Yu Jie with things that Jin Fengju had given her, and it was as though the maid was still being bribed by that man.The junior maid hastily thanked Fu Qiuning, She thought: The young marquis’s wife must be truly knowledgeable and talented. She had never heard of using rouge and powder during pregnancy being harmful to the foetus. She seems even more attentive than our mistress and our Elder Madam at home.
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Later, the maids chattered happily over [8] Yu Jie’s good fortune. Indeed, how lucky could a maid be to marry an Imperial Guard of all people and be so favoured by their good and kind Madam! To pile more happiness upon happiness, this person was not only favoured by her in-laws but already with child! What great luck!
As evening approached, Aunt Yu came to visit Fu Qiuning and quietly informed her that “Third Brother has returned, and Concubine Huo has been sent out of the capital. Also, Concubine Huo bade us to personally hand this to Madam.”
With that, she handed a piece of white silk to Fu Qiuning.
Fu Qiuning studied the piece of silk quizzically. Beside her, [6] Jian Feng actually gasped at all the cloak-and-dagger drama. Privately rolling her eyes, Fu Qiuning opened the silk and on it were the words ‘Beware of Jiang Wanying’ written in blood. [6] Jian Feng let out a little scream, which she quickly stifled at Fu Qiuning’s glare.
[6a] Then, knowing that it would please this conspiracy-loving wench, she handed the silk to Jian Feng and said, “Burn it.” [6a] Jian Feng eagerly accepted the task, only to hesitate for a moment, “Sh-shouldn’t we show this to the master?” [6a] “No need,” said Fu Qiuning, knowing that this maid would probably secretly bring the silk to Jin Fengju later.
Gumihou: Since it’s already ridiculous, let’s have some fun with it. Also, if you write something in blood, it will be a rusty brown, not bright red. Just so you know.
Pill Bug: Depends on how fresh the blood is, lol
[1] Mitigate uwaahhh~~ goddess!!! to basic decency and play up the ‘Jian Feng loves conspiracy’ angle. [2] What in the smooth brain nonsense…
Fu Qiuning smiled and said, “You don’t understand. It’s men like your master who are the most trustworthy. Some girls hope their husbands will be ruthless and devoted only to them, but they don’t realise that it’s just wishful thinking. A man who is ruthless to anyone, how can you expect him to be devoted to you? Aunt Huo didn’t really harm us, even though her status is despicable. If your master were to lay a hand on her today without blinking an eye, or simply send her back to die, without any consideration for the past affection or the slight blood relationship with Fourth Miss, then he would be a heartless person who might eventually tire of me and kick me out.”
Over 100 words telling everyone and their dog what a lovely, fine, kindly, gorgeous, lol, lovey dovey~~
[3] Why would you skimp on the details on this part of the scheme? [4] Lack of details on why Concubine Huo would believe Jian Feng aside from ‘oh my gad goodness is shining in my face from her ass!!’It wasn’t until she heard the last sentence that she realised Fu Qiuning was giving her a way out. Truth be told, since she had become a spy, she understood her fate.
[4a] Deleted ‘waaahhhh, Fu Qiuning is an angel of mercygoddessshinylightinheaven waaahhh’ [5] It was really not in the canon. [6] Added details about Jian Feng being smug/excited about her detective/spy skills [6a] Canon has Fu Qiuning bring the silk to JFJ, but it’s more interesting this way [7] Adjusted details to cover plot holes [8] Complex feelings other than ‘Yay!! Yay!!’
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