Higher Level Wife

Chapter 83: Great Waves (2)

Author: White Pear Flower

Raws: https://book.qidian.com/info/2386994/

Translated by Gumihou

Proofread by Pill Bug

Fu Qiuning nodded, “As it should be.” [1] She studied Lu Hua and Jin Zhuan, “Are the clothes warm enough? The two of you had been sick, so you need to have a good rest. It is getting rather cold now.”

[1]

In fact, not long after Jin Zhuan and Lu Hua entered the clan school with Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao, the two children ate something that made them suffer from terrible stomachaches and diarrhoea for over half a month. She guessed that they must have eaten some drugged food that nearly took their little lives away. It was only after much care that the two pulled through. Though she had her suspicions, there was nothing they could do. She had no real power in her hands and could not investigate the matter.

[1] Jin Fengju had been appearing in front of the emperor these past two days and only returned to the marquisate late at night. Moreover, he did not visit Night Breeze Pavilion, which meant the matter could only be left unresolved. Fu Qiuning could only warn Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao to be more careful in the future.

“It’s not cold, the clothes that Madam gave us are very thick and warm. They have also been stuffed with new cotton, so they are really toasty and comfortable. We never had such lovely cotton clothes before.” Jin Zhuan and Lu Hua beamed at Fu Qiuning. After patting the excess snow off themselves, Fu Qiuning quickly arranged for them to climb up the warm kang, and she even ordered Yu Jie to close the courtyard door.

Mother and children had just been chatting for a short while when Yu Jie’s high-pitched scream was heard. Shocked, Fu Qiuning jumped up and ran to the door to investigate. She stepped out the door and nearly ran into Jin Fengju, who was dressed in a large cloak. His complexion was ash white and hard, and it was clear that the cold on his face had nothing to do with the weather.

“Lord Husband, why did you come when it is already so late?” Fu Qiuning’s hand unconsciously clenched into a fist. Something must have happened. But what? She had always remained within Night Breeze Pavilion and had not done anything excessive. Had she been framed? How could she still be framed while she remained shut indoors?

Jin Fengju’s chest was heaving, obviously panting with anger. His sharp eyes razed across the room, searing over the children piled on the kang. All four children were so frightened by his glare that they tumbled off the kang to stand in a stiff line. Four pairs of eyes stared up at him cautiously.

“Yu Jie, take the Young Master, Young Miss and those two to the study,” Jin Fengju ordered.

[1] Yu Jie dare not disobey. She could only usher the children away, now and then casting a worried glance at Fu Qiuning.

[1] “Make sure Aunt Yu goes to the study too, I wish to speak with your Madam,”

“Just what is going on? Why are you so angry?” Fu Qiuning had managed to pull the façade of calmness over herself after a few deep breaths. She moved to pour tea for Jin Fengju.

“This thing, do you recall it?” Jin Fengju fiercely tossed something down.

[1] Fu Qiuning picked up the item. It was a handkerchief embroidered by her. Though she did not exclaim in surprise, the change in her expression was enough to give her away.

“So, this thing really came from here.”

Jin Fengju’s expression actually turned blue, and the veins on his forehead visibly throbbed. Suddenly, he seized the handkerchief and tore it in half. In a stern voice, he growled, “As my official wife, to actually let your personally embroidered work circulate in the market. Moreover, you even expose yourself and allow everyone to know? Do you know how much face my Jin Marquisate has lost because of this? Did you do this on the advice of your father to damage the reputation of our Marquisate? Fu Qiuning, ah, Fu Qiuning, all this talk about peace for a lifetime? Shelter within Night Breeze Pavilion? Was it for the sake of humiliating me so that our Jin Marquisate could no longer lift our heads?”

[Dude, lol]

Fu Qiuning clenched her own handkerchief tightly in her hands. There was no denying it; she clearly recognised the now torn handkerchief. When she first laid eyes upon it, her heart shook. However, as Jin Fengju made his accusations, her heart rate slowed to a glacial pace. She knew that if she do not deal with the matter properly, she, Yu Jie and Aunt Yu would be finished. Disregarding their standing within the marquisate, they might even lose their lives tonight.

“Dare I ask the Young Marquis, what is the benefit does this humble woman achieve for making the marquisate lose face? Or, should I ask, what benefit would Zhenjiang Palace receive?”

Fu Qiuning slowly raised her eyes to meet Jin Fengju’s glare. Without waiting for him to reply, she said softly, “Indeed, if the marquisate loses face, it would invite mockery from the people. However, this matter originated from me, a woman. Would the emperor feel that the Young Marquis lacks talent and alienate you over this? Would the strength of the Jin Marquisate collapse? Not to mention, as the wise man of the ages, would the emperor even take this matter seriously? At worst, those who delight in calamity would mock the Young Marquis for a while. This matter could certainly pull down the marquisate’s face, but it has little impact on the marquisate’s power. Young Marquis, do you feel that this humble woman would risk her life over something as insignificant as the marquisate’s face?”

Confronted by Fu Qiuning’s calm eyes, the anger in Jin Fengju’s faded a little. They had been getting along with each other for a good half year now. Enough to understand that this woman valued self-improvement, self-reliance, self-love and self-respect. If he were to spare a bit more thought on the matter, if Fu Qiuning was truly moving on behalf of Zhenjiang Palace, why would she only launch a single attack six years later? Moreover, to only damage the face of the marquisate?

[1] Not to mention, he had made repeated overtures to her, but had been soundly rejected each time. If she truly did have schemes in her heart, wouldn’t it have been more preferable to ensnare him completely to better ruin him than to play this insignificant trick?

Now that he had time to think, his anger subsided a bit more and his voice became gentler. However, it was still rather stern and even sarcastic as he said, “If that is the case, then why did you sell your embroidery? Ever since I stepped into Night Breeze Pavilion in spring, everything had been gradually prepared for you. Don’t tell me that you’re selling your embroidery to make ends meet?”

Fu Qiuning privately sighed with relief. She thought: Well, looks like we have skipped over this hurdle nicely.

[1] Now that she had judged herself safe, muted anger began to unfreeze her fear as she cast an indifferent glance at the torn handkerchief. She sneered, “A very good question, Young Marquis. A very good question indeed, this humble woman had been waiting all this while for you to ask this question.”

As she spoke, her eyes slowly moved up to look directly at Jin Fengju. Her voice remained soft but every word was heavy with meaning, “Looks like you also recalled that you stepped into Night Breeze Pavilion this spring? Before this, five years, full five years have passed since your visit on the day I hung myself from the beam. The next day, Jin Ming stopped by on your orders with a few rolls of satin, with the instructions to make clothes for the children. Since that day, it had been five years.

Over one thousand six hundred nights and days have passed since you inquired after us mother and children, let alone sent any food, clothing or silver. How do you think we survived? Do you imagine we survived on those few sweet potatoes, corn and vegetables? When Jiao’er and Feng’er came, there was not a single intact skin on their bodies. Old and new injuries stacked upon each other, with some scars that would never fade for years. Do you not imagine that we would need medicine?

In winter, the north wind blows and snow freezes the very breath into drops of ice. Without charcoal or firewood, how do you imagine we survived the icy days? The cloth you sent was not bad, but without cotton quilts or padded clothing, could we have passed the winter in satin clothes? Young Marquis, it has been so many years, do you not know?

The inner court has never sent a single coin to us. That we have not become dried bones and ghosts within Night Breeze Pavilion, all depended on selling those worthless accessories and brocade cloth from my dowry. From the embroidery that Yu Jie, Aunt Yu and I sewed during our spare time in exchange for rice, flour, oil and salt. For cotton and fabrics to keep ourselves from freezing to death. Do you think that is all? There is more that you do not know.

Within this courtyard, the roses, honeysuckle and Japanese roses are sold as wreaths and bouquets, the potted fragrant plants, and the fruits from these trees were all sneaked out by a trusted friend to be sold for more money. Because I have done all this, you can now celebrate your son’s and daughter’s eighth birthday this year. That you can now see me alive and standing in this place.”

As she spoke, she stepped closer and closer. The dignified Young Marquis stumbled back, step by painful step as he retreated from her words, each of them dripping with blood, sweat and tears. Suddenly, Fu Qiuning stopped. She turned to look out the window. That was when he saw the tears trickling down her cheeks.

“I had believed that I would live like this for the rest of my life. Though life was hard, it was peaceful. Who would have thought that you would break in and ruin the peace of this well? Young Marquis, it is you who dragged me before your wives and concubines, before the Old Madam and paraded me before the rest of your family. It is you, who made me the new target of criticism and schemes of your wives and concubines.

You have been sending an endless parade of things into this place, believing that these were enough to ease our worries. I had believed that there was no need to worry about survival from then on. Even without money, so long as there was enough to live on, I shall not care for the rest. I have even instructed Yu Jie to stop selling things. However, it was already too late.

Young Marquis, think carefully. Your official wife has been selling embroidery, jewellery, flowers, fruits, and spices from this courtyard for over six years. Why did the news suddenly start spreading now? And in so short a time, to ‘allow everyone to know’? Do you really believe this is all just a coincidence?”

Jin Fengju was speechless. The sharpness in his eyes dulled as he stared pensively at Fu Qiuning.

“Forget it, now that things have come to this point, what is the use of talking about it? This embroidery is sold by me. Do as you like with me. As for the mess happening outside, there is nothing I can do about it. If you wish me to take all the blame, that is fine. If my death can save the marquisate’s face, take it. I have only one condition. As Feng’er and Jiao’er’s blood father, you must promise to love and protect them from now on and let them grow into adults peacefully. Otherwise, even once I have been sent to hell… I will not rest. Even if I have to transform into a malicious spirit, I shall haunt you every day, and ask you where your conscience has gone.”

At the mention of Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao, Fu Qiuning’s control wavered and tears flowed like rain. However, she refused to admit defeat and look at Jin Fengju directly. Her face was resolute as she stared through the window with iron resolve. Jin Fengju was convinced that if he did not fulfil his fatherly obligations, this woman would really transform into a malicious ghost and haunt him.

[Gumihou: Take that, you asshat]

[1] Some minor sentence adjustments for better flow.