Higher Level Wife

Chapter 64: Welcoming Guests

Translated by Pill Bug

Edited by Gumihou

“White jade lions? Why did you suddenly think of them? I have already given them away a few days ago,” Jin Fengju replied vaguely.

Jin Zhenxuan froze in place. Suddenly, he plopped onto the floor and began to bawl, “How can they be given away? I asked and asked, but Father refuse to give them to me. Who is better than me? How could you just give them away? Didn’t father say they were bestowed by the emperor and cannot be given away carelessly? I don’t care, father, you must get them back, go get them back…”

Helpless, Jin Fengju could only pick him up and say, “Things that had been given away cannot be taken back. If you like, Father still has plenty of other good things. So long as you study hard, cultivate your virtue, and excel in your studies, Father will give you whatever you like. Right now, studies aside, even your character is a bit lacking.”

“He’s the youngest of 6 children, what virtue should he cultivate? Do you want him to become an old sage?” Jiang Wanying hugged her son close and said, “There, there, don’t cry. Listen to your father and study hard. In the future, when your studies have improved, Mother will help you pick out some good things. Father will definitely let you have whatever you picked out,”

Hearing his mother backing him up, Jin Zhenxuan finally smiled and nodded. He thought for a moment and said, “I don’t care about the white jade lions anymore, I want a pair of green jade lions.”

Jin Fengju nearly fell off his chair and said exasperatedly, “What’s this obsession over lions? What’s wrong with tigers? I have a green jade parrot, I can give that to you if you like.”

Jiang Wanying also laughed, after speaking a few more words to Jin Fengju along the lines of ‘Xuan’er has been working really hard these few days’, she finally allowed him to leave Clear Soft Pavilion.

Please read this at kitchennovel dot com ~

In a blink of an eye, half of a month went by, and Mid-Autumn Festival was around the corner.

The weather happened to be bright and sunny, therefore Fu Qiuning said to Aunt Yu and Yu Jie, “I think it’s time to dig out those sweet potatoes. The Young Marquis has been talking about them all the time. Also, we should steam some to be sent to the Old Madam and the other courtyards. Let us not delay.”

Yu Jie fully understood her intentions, smiled and said, “I believe Madam is not really eager to let the Young Marquis taste the sweet potatoes, but is more afraid that the Old Madam would come looking for them, right? Once we have sent the sweet potatoes, the Old Madam would lose the excuse to come to Night Breeze Pavilion. Is this maid correct?”

Aunt Yu also smiled, shook her head and said, “Yu Jie really is the roundworm in our Madam’s stomach [1]. So, this is the true reason. To think that this maid was still in the dark, unclear about Madam’s mind.”

At this, Fu Qiuning pinched Yu Jie’s cheek, in a slightly miffed voice, she said, “Since you are the roundworm in my stomach, then go back to my belly and stay there quietly. Why take on a human form and fight with me?”

Just then, the Jin twins ran over and she called to them, “You can study a little later, come help us dig up some sweet potatoes first. I just hope that your father won’t suddenly drop by today. Otherwise, if he sees you working with your hands, he’ll be unhappy again.”

“Father will not be angry with Mother. Father treats Mother very well each time he comes here, “Jin Changjiao answered mischievously. Compared to his lively sister, Jin Changfeng has a calmer and steadier disposition.

“Any more nonsense out of you, and I’ll have you beaten,” Fu Qiuning really could not bear this topic and was unusually fierce with her words.

Jin Changjiao was a little frightened by Fu Qiuning’s anger and dare not say anything more. Privately, however, she felt that her mother was being very unfair. She thought: Father treats Mother so very well, why is Mother still not happy? Mother should also treat Father nicely, so that Father will visit more often, ah.

This child only knew that she wanted to be close to her father and was unaware of the complicated twists and turns of the whole matter.

And so, the five people went out to the backyard. They had just collected their tools when the front yard became noisy. Fu Qiuning, Aunt Yu and the rest looked at each other, dropped their tools and rushed through the house and looked out the front door, just in time to see a large group of people spilling into their front yard. The unexpected guests were standing around, pointing at the greenery, gesturing at the vegetables, talking and laughing with each other.

“Why is the Old Ancestor here?” Fu Qiuning, Yu Jie and Aunt Yu came down the steps to give their salute. Fu Qiuning respectfully said, “This humble woman had no idea that Old Ancestor would be coming by. We have erred in not welcoming you. We deserve death.”

Before she could go on, Old Madam Jin helped her up. The Old Madam laughed and said, “The fault is not yours. I did not even let Fengju know that I was coming today, so how could you know?”

Beside her, Granny Ming Yu laughed and said, “Old Ancestor got up early this morning and felt quite energetic. Seeing how sunny and splendid this autumn morning is, she suddenly felt very cheerful and decided to pay a visit. Knowing that the sweet potatoes would be dug up these few days, she hoped to come and join in the fun.”

Fu Qiuning quickly smiled and said, “It’s only a few sweet potatoes. How could I bother Old Ancestor to come? This humble woman ought to send it over personally.”

Old Madam Jin laughed and said, “I was just afraid of just this! Well? From the way you are dressed, I believed you are about to set out for work? In this season, only the sweet potatoes have yet to be harvested. The corn I had last time tasted better than the ones brought from outside. I do believe that the sweet potatoes here would be sweeter too.”

Fu Qiuning laughed and said, “We had plenty of rain this last two years, therefore sweet potatoes were not as sweet. As there’s less rain this year, the potatoes are likely to be sweeter.” As she spoke, she went to Old Madam’s side and together with Luo Cui, escorted Old Madam up the steps.

Old Madam stood at the second entrance and surveyed the neat-looking buildings within the courtyard along with their well-kept surroundings. She said emotionally, “You have managed this yard very well, it must have been hard for you to manage this desolated place while bringing up children too. Moreover, this place has seen death, are you not afraid?”

Fu Qiuning smiled, “When this humble woman first came here, this humble woman was quite depressed and flustered. However, as time went on and nothing happened, this humble woman naturally became less afraid. Not to mention, this humble woman is accompanied by quite a few people. Feng’er and Jiao’er were three years old when they first arrived. To be honest, their presence supported me through the years and as we all slept together at night, it is very peaceful here.”

Old Madam Jin nodded. She sighed and after a long while, said, “Go on then, lead the way into the house. I wish to have a look.” After stepping through the threshold and touring the grand hall twice, she finally sat down in the living room with a frown. “Why is Fengju so inconsiderate? Certain things should be carried out, even if only for the sake of face. No matter what, you are his official wife, but look at this place, there is not a single thing that is fit for the eyes.”

“Do not blame Lord Husband for being uncaring, this humble woman was the one who begged him not to bring those things here. It is also done so that the two children would continue to understand the joy and sorrows of the world. It was not easy for their ancestors to earn the family wealth, and therefore, they should not be allowed to be spoilt and not work hard for their future.” Was Fu Qiuning’s humble reply. Old Madam nodded along approvingly.

“Old Ancestor, please rest here. Have a cup of tea and some snacks. This humble woman shall go to the backyard and dig out those sweet potatoes. They will be steamed for Old Madam’s enjoyment,” said Fu Qiuning as she received the tea tray from Yu Jie and set it in front of Old Madam Jin.

“Why should you personally work when there are so many people? Today, I have personally brought them to help you,” Old Madam said with a smile as she sipped her tea. The maids and grannies behind her all looked at each other with wide eyes. Each one of them stroked their palms, clearly thinking that this must be some interesting job and were all itching to try their hands on it.

Fu Qiuning sucked in a breath of cold air and thought: My heavens, ah. Can my sweet potatoes bear your rough treatment?

Instead of voicing her thoughts, she said, “How can I? Old Madam’s maids and grannies are all such genteel people who carefully serve their masters. Not a single one of them has touched rough farm work since young. Apologies, but, such crude farm work has its own finesse. The sweet potatoes are delicate, and though digging them might sound simple, there are still some intricacies involved.

Sweet potatoes that are wounded can rot easily and lose their taste. If a pitchfork pokes through one of them, well, there are only so many sweet potatoes in the ground. Old Madam, please rest comfortably. We shall return very soon.”

Hearing Fu Qiuning’s plea, the Old Madam no longer insisted on making her maids take part. The servants looked disappointed, all staring at Fu Qiuning, Yu Jie and Aunt Yu as they left. The two siblings, Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao, were sensible enough to read the atmosphere and knew that they could not participate in the ‘crude work’ or risk earning a harsh reproach for their mother. Instead, they sat down to entertain the Old Madam, and from time to time, the Old Madam’s uproarious laughter could be heard.

It was during one of these bouts of laughter that the children stood up together to say, “Great-grandmother, it is time for us to study. We still have 20 big characters to study and 1 essay to memorize today.”

Old Madam Jin replied joyfully, “Good children, it’s rare to see such diligence in young children. Go on now.” Thus, the children bowed before leaving the living room together.

“Old Ancestor, didn’t you say that you’re afraid of causing trouble for Fu’shi? Which is why you do not wish to show any intimacy, not even by summoning her to chat with you? Yet, why have you come here with such fanfare? Back then, when you suggested coming here to the Young Marquis, this old servant thought you were merely speaking in jest.”

The rest of the maids and grannies had all gone to the backyard to watch Fu Qiuning dig up sweet potatoes, and perhaps to offer some help not directly related to digging. Therefore, there were only two senior maids left in the room, Luo Cui and Cai Yun. These two had grown up before Old Madam Jin’s eyes and were her most trusted maids. Therefore, Granny Ming Yu could not help but broach this subject which had puzzled them for a long time.

Old Madam Jin slowly lifted the lid of her teacup and smiled slightly. “Before, I did not wish for her to enter the inner court, and therefore did not try to get close to her. If all she wanted was a few peaceful years, how could I not grant it? Why should I disturb the tranquillity of this poor person? However, from Fengju’s actions, and after thinking over this Fu’shi’s character, I no longer have such intentions.

I’m afraid that within one or two years, she will have to enter the inner court. Rather than have it happen suddenly, I would rather let her slowly get used to it. That is why I came over today…” before she could finish speaking, there was a burst of noise from the front yard and Old Madam smiled. “They have arrived quite fast.” Setting down her teacup, she turned to the door. Soon enough, Madam Jiang came sailing through the door, leading a procession of fine-looking women consisting of Jiang Wanying, Xu’shi and Huo’shi. However, honest Cui’shi and Yue Lan did not join in the merriment this time.

“I arrived at Old Ancestor’s place first thing in the morning to pay my respects, and found that Old Madam had come here,” Jiang Wanying went straight to the heart of the matter with a smile as she escorted Madam Jiang to a seat below Old Madam Jin before placing herself by Old Madam Jin’s side. Her smile was very bright as she said, “It must be due to Old Madam’s high spirits and our lack of anything to do that led us to this rustic little corner. Yi? Where is my dear elder sister? I wonder where she is? Not even a single attendant to entertain guests? What an awful blunder, if she lacks people, surely she could simply ask me for a few? Oh no, in the end, the fault must be mine.” [2]

Old Madam Jin’s laughter was low and idyllic, “She favours peace and quiet and does not like having many people around. Earlier, after personally serving some fragrant tea and snacks, she heard that I was itching to eat the sweet potatoes from her backyard and personally went out to dig them up with her maids.”

Just then, Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao came into the living room slowly. They stopped before Madam Jiang and Jiang Wanying to give their greetings.

Gumihou: I think Old Madam is helping her grandson. Notice how she mentioned that someone died here and how this place lacks decorations? She’s trying to both scare FQN into leaving this place and subtly indicate that she would support her and could also make JFJ give her stuff too. I have said this before, the ‘Old Madams’ of this era are part of the patriarchy problem. Specifically, she’s a major problem for FQN because she’s going to agitate the waters and pull strings in the dark.

Old Madam knew that by coming here, she’ll be dragging a whole bunch of vipers with her into this peaceful realm. She was ‘helping’ FQN get used to things because she would ‘eventually’ return to the inner court.

Why would she ‘eventually’ move into the inner court?

Because Old Madam already knew (just like Jiang Wanying) that JFJ is interested in FQN. Their female instincts are correct.

It is also possible that Old Madam felt guilty for not minding her great-grandchildren better and was trying to help JFJ mend fences with FQN because FQN is good at rearing children and a better mother candidate for the next generation.

Please note that Old Madam’s actions did not stem from the goodness of her heart. She’s on JFJ’s side. The other 3 mothers are growing useless fops while this benevolent creature brought up sensible little scholars from shoots with dubious origins. Better to bring this sensible person in and have her raise those children into proper individuals instead.

Call me cynical, but bringing servants over to ‘help’ was also to remind FQN how nice it was to have servants and that she should hurry up and move to the inner court so that she could enjoy these advantages too.

Pill Bug TL Notes:

[1] Chinese idiom, means “person who knows you inside and out”

[2] Wow, what a thick face! =_=