Higher Level Wife

Chapter 58: Discussion

Translated by Gumihou

Edited by Pill Bug

Fu Qiuning and Aunt Yu could not help but laugh. On the surface, they pretended to learn from the Young Marquis in earnest. [1] Still, everyone was aware that it was all a little harmless playacting.

On Fu Qiuning’s side, she felt that this Jin Fengju was very different from that frank talker last time. Though he had stopped by now and again and acted like a careless fop nine times out of ten, she knew that he must not be like that at most times. She still remembered his first two visits, the one from 5 years ago and the first one this year. He was also very well behaved and indifferent during the Dragon Boat Festival banquet at Old Madam’s place.

This person’s thoughts were too deep. She could not see his true intention and could only guess that the Young Marquis must have made some assumptions about her and deemed her and her courtyard a safe place to let his hair down, [1] which was why he was a little more childish and flirty.

Yu Jie came in to pour the good tea for them. Jin Fengju took a sip and turned to Fu Qiuning, “What are Feng’er and Jiao’er doing?”

When he heard they were busy studying and practising calligraphy in the study, he nodded. Then, in a solemn voice, he said, “There’s something I wish to speak to you about. No matter what, you are still a woman of the house. Once Feng’er and Jiao’er grow up, I’m afraid you won’t be able to keep on educating them. So, why not let them enter the clan school? I just happened to invite a great scholar to come and educate children. It took a lot of effort on my part to invite this master.

Moreover, this master is famous for being strict. He will quickly expose those few worthless ingrates in my house and not let them run around unchecked anymore. As for Feng’er and Jiao’er, although they are more disciplined than the rest, I want to nurture their talents further. Next year happens to be the year of the [2] Great Competition. In three years, Feng’er would be 12 and can participate in the Tongzi examinations [3]. What do you think?”

Fu Qiuning frowned. She said nothing for a long time. Jin Fengju also did not hurry her, just leisurely sipping his tea on the side.

In fact, he could decide the matter on his own as the master of the family. However, when he thought of how Fu Qiuning had been making all the decisions for this little family, and considering how well brought up, intelligent and sensible Feng’er and Jiao’er were, he unconsciously took a step back. He felt that he could discuss serious matters appropriately with this person. Moreover, his respect for her rose each time he remembered how she had repaid years of grievances with virtue.

“This humble woman believes it’s a good thing. However, if Feng’er and Jiao’er enter the clan school, this humble woman prefers to remain within Night Breeze Pavilion and never return to the inner court. This humble woman is also not willing to let the children into a place where too many strifes and disputes abound. If you allow them into the clan school, I’m afraid that is enough to raise thoughts in some people’s hearts.”

That was Fu Qiuning’s answer after much deliberation. She could see Jin Fengju’s sincerity and decided that this risk was worth it. Moreover, it would be a good thing for the children.

“Done, let’s settle it that way. Be at ease, I will not let them leave Night Breeze Pavilion. After all, with you here, where would they live if not here?” Jin Fengju smiled and sighed. “As the saying goes, ‘[4] It is better to raise favour than to birth it’. After raising them with tender care all these years, I can see that they treat you as their true mother. If I were to order them to move away, the first one to be hated would be me. In the end, I, their blood father, cannot be compared to a loving mother like you. Don’t look at how close they seem to me, they are only a little sticky because I don’t come often.”

Fu Qiuning smiled, “Even so, Lord Husband should not presume on their sincerity. After all, nothing could trump blood relations. However, now that Lord Husband has brought the matter up, this humble woman has something that I wished to ask after…”

Seeing Jin Fengju raise his eyebrows, a signal for her to speak frankly, she sighed and said, “The question was something that this humble woman had asked five years ago. Back then, Lord Husband’s response was a little perfunctory. Therefore, I wish to ask again. Now that Feng’er and Jiao’er have both proven their abilities, will you still not enter their names into the family genealogy? If you let them enter the school but not the family genealogy, would they not be badly bullied at school?”

Jin Fengju muttered half to himself, “So, it is this matter. It is my neglect. No matter, when we offer sacrifices to our ancestors this coming New Year, I shall see to it that their names are included in the family genealogy. As to whether they would be bullied or not, I dare not give any guarantee. After all, it is common for children to revere the strong and step on the weak.

When I was a child, even I fought with my elder brothers. The most important matter is for Feng’er and Jiao’er to be properly educated and learn about life. As the young master and young miss of a noble family, how could they be compared to the children of ordinary households? The fact that they could be educated under you for so many years, I consider them luckier than the rest of my children. Don’t you agree?”

Fu Qiuning only smiled, “All I ask for is a promise that you will enter their names into the genealogy. As for the rest, it is as you said. It is fine to arrange matters this way. I shall inform them about attending the clan school. I’m sure they would be very excited to hear about it.”

Jin Fengju stood up, “They’ve already studied for quite a long time, right? It’s about time to rest. I shall go see them now. I want to go pick jujubes together.”

Fu Qiuning also stood up. She laughed and said, “Of course. However, I caution Lord husband to be careful of the [4] assam nettles in the tree. They are furry poisonous caterpillars often found in the north. All three of you be careful now.”

“I know, with me here, what are a few poisonous caterpillars?” Jin Fengju raised his head and suddenly said, “I shall have lunch here. That’s right, I want to ask you, when will you dig out the sweet potatoes? The Old Madam has been asking after it for a long time now. It felt like each time I went there, she would ask me about it. I do think the Old Madam is looking forward to tasting the product from the marquisate’s estate. She kept saying that the ones from the outside aren’t sweet enough.”

Fu Qiuning smiled, “Yes, the Old Ancestor is quite elderly. I heard that the older a person is, the more childlike they will become. I’m afraid the sweet potatoes cannot be dug out until Mid-Autumn Festival. This humble woman promised to send some to the Old Madam.”

Jin Fengju suddenly laughed, prompting Fu Qiuning to ask, “What is Lord Husband laughing about? It is you who want my sweet potatoes. Are you disdaining this humble woman’s offer of sweet potatoes as too poor for the Old Madam?”

Jin Fengju hastily waved his hand, “No, no, the thought that these sweet potatoes would only be ready during Mid-Autumn is funny. Just think, ah. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people normally offer up all kinds of mooncakes and fruits, but our household would be the only one with a large basket of sweet potatoes on the table, wouldn’t it be funny?”

Fu Qiuning laughed too. She shook her head, “It is all thanks to Lord Husband’s ingenuity. Many planted sweet potatoes, but not one of them would offer these to the moon. For you to send these to the Old Ancestor, if the Old Madam finds out, she will spit on you.”

Jin Fengju grinned, “You clearly do not know the Old Madam. So long as she could eat good things, what could she not do or endure? Therefore, you must inform me when you deliver the sweet potatoes. Enough, you go on with your own business. I shall fetch Feng’er and Jiao’er to collect jujubes in the garden. Just look at these trees, we have a lot of fruit this year.”

[Gumihou: He certainly acts more like a father here than in the other courtyards. Now I feel sorry for his other kids…]

[1] Some minor sentence adjustments for better flow

[2] 大比之年 – Great Competition? What great competition? Is it a fictional educational level?

If it’s part of the Imperial Examinations, that one’s split into County, College, Provincial, Metropolitan and Imperial.

County exams are yearly while ‘College’ exams (the ones where you get the ‘Xiu Cai’ title) are done twice every three years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_examination#Ming_dynasty_(1368%E2%80%931644)

[3] 童子试 – Tongzi examinations (…kids examination?)

Also a variation of the ‘Tongsheng’ or 童生 – County examination. Held every year (usually) is the lowest qualification for a person to be recognised as a ‘scholar’. By the way, you’re also recognised as a scholar even if you don’t pass the exam. The act of putting money and effort into schooling and taking part in exams also gives you the right to call yourself a ‘scholar’.

This basically meant you are allowed to wear the clothes of a scholar, have the right to call yourself a scholar and your status is automatically higher than farmers etc. If you achieve the position of Xiu Cai (pass the College exams) you’re also exempted from taxes and do not have to kowtow to certain levels of officials.

[4] It’s better to raise favour than to give birth to it

Children that are raised without blood ties may be closer and more virtuous than those born to you.

[5] Assam Nettle [Thosea sinensis]

A type of moth caterpillar, poisonous

Author added it as a note, but I just incorporate it into the dialogue