Higher Level Wife

Chapter 91: A Scare

Author: White Pear Flower

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

Translated by Pill Bug

Edited by Gumihou

“You… you are saying… You intend to… to treat her like a wife? Then, where do you intend to place Wanying?” Madam Jiang’s voice was trembling.

“Mother.” Jin Fengju, who had his back on her, turned around to face his mother and said gravely, “Why are you acting in such a muddled way? So long as Wanying does not act too outrageously, I would naturally love and respect her as her due. In your heart, is your son or your niece more important? Wanying’s children are your grandchildren, but what of Feng’er and Jiao’er? They, too, are my flesh and blood, ah. I am not asking you to be fair and impartial, I ask only that you limit your partiality.”

“Outrageous? What outrageous act are you speaking of? Isn’t everything done for your sake? How can a woman driving out an interloper who robbed her of her husband be called excessive?” Madam Jiang’s heart was sour. She felt that this was all very unfair to her niece.

Jin Fengju’s laughter was very cold as he said, “Mother, how can such words leave your lips? Do not forget, Wanying is the secondary wife. Fu’shi is the true official wife. According to your own words, Fu’shi is more than qualified to act thus, right? What’s more, why had Mother not said anything when the concubines and lesser concubines came in? Why are you questioning your son now? If you believe your own words, you should have had this son only take Wanying in as his wife. Otherwise, each and every woman in this son’s harem would be qualified to act in such an outrageous fashion. Do you not think so?”

Madam Jiang was speechless. In the end, it was the feudalistic system of thought that crippled a woman’s position in society. However, how could she understand the biases she grew up in? In that era, jealousy was one of the Seven Offences [1] capable of eliciting a divorce, therefore, what woman dared to admit to it? To be virtuous meant stifling one’s own will and [a] welcoming other women into her husband’s arms with a benevolent smile. Within the entire marquisate, only Fu Qiuning dared to disdain such a repulsive system against women. [b] First, because she has no interest in the man, and second, she has even less interest in battling those crazy women for one fickle man’s ‘favour’.

“Mother, although jealousy is one of the Seven Offences, this son also understands that it is part of human nature. Even so, there is a limit to all things. If you deny your conscience, do not blame this son for not keeping a married couple’s bond in mind. This son is not targeting Wanying today. Should the situation is reversed and Fu’shi the one scheming to harm Wanying, this son would remain true to his words.” Jin Fengju said plainly. He thought: Enough, surely this is enough to make Mother back away for some time. Let us leave it at this.

He then turned and was about to leave when just after a few steps, Madam Jiang’s bitter laughter reached his ears and she said, “In other words, you are determined to protect that Fu’shi? For her, you did not hesitate to disgrace me and Wanying in public. Now, it is likely that the two of us are the targets of ridicule for the maids and servants of the marquisate. Dear son, ah. This is your scheme against Mother for taking a stand against Fu’shi, right?”

Jin Fengju frowned slightly. He turned around and said, “You overthought the matter, Mother. Although this is indeed a scheme, it is not aimed at Mother. This son has bigger concerns than mere inner house squabbles. Moreover, surely there’s no need for this son to speak further with Mother upon today’s incident? Fu’shi has openly admitted to selling things for six years, so, why did the matter suddenly come to light today?

That Third Brother Zhang has always been a reliable person, never revealing anything until now. [c] To suddenly break his silence after five years, something must have changed. I happened to know that there is only one thing he desires above all else. Marriage to Aunt Yu, who could not secure a divorce paper from her merchant husband. A letter from a recognised noble household like ours would have secured the papers easily.

However, who was the one who had shaken this man’s loyalty with the promise of marriage to Aunt Yu? Mother, just who was it that, for the sake of driving Fu’shi out of the marquisate, actually dared to damage the face of the marquisate? This kind of reckless behaviour, should Father finds out, do you understand what the consequences would be?” 

Madam Jiang fell into her chair with a “thud”. She stared up at her son with fear. She had always known that her son was smart. Though she had not believed that she could get rid of Fu Qiuning without raising his suspicion, she had seriously underestimated Jin Fengju’s desire to protect Fu Qiuning. Not only that, she had not expected her son to find out everything in less than a day! Jiang Wanying had told her that Fengju had stormed into Night Breeze Pavilion, clearly full of rage, just the night before.

“Besides that, does Mother know? Prince Lie was the one who enlightened this son regarding the rumour. He waved the handkerchief embroidered by Fu Qiuning to this son’s face, right in front of the Imperial Hall of Diligence, forcing this son to accompany him to a banquet in order to hear what happened. Surely, Mother should understand just what kind of person this Prince Lie is. To this day, this son is not clear on his true purpose. Mother, ah, Mother, do you know that your momentary bout of foolishness could have ensnared this son into a dangerous situation?”

“How… how can this be? I- impossible, how could it be Prince Lie? You have been a little busy these days, so I know you would not be paying attention to rumours. Therefore, I purposefully let the rumour grow a little and thought to spring it on you suddenly to have you divorce Fu’shi in a fit of rage. Although the rumour may be widespread, it was deliberately spread by me for only a day.

Moreover… moreover, the rumour involved the relative of a prince and the honour of the imperial family, thus Wan… I… I had specially ordered the people to not make it too excessive. It was only meant as an excuse to drive out Fu’shi. How could Prince Lie have gotten hold of it?” Panicking, Madam Jiang automatically revealed everything, but still managed to catch herself and take the blame for her niece.

“Not do anything excessive? But the matter has already spread to every street. Moreover, in just one day? Then, just how did Prince Lie get hold of the rumour so quickly?” Jin Fengju straightened up, his eyebrows drawn together as he suddenly turned to Madam Jiang. “Mother, your words just now. Are they all true?”

“Y… Yes.” Madam Jiang’s spirit had been overwhelmed by fear. She certainly knew the cruelty of imperial political struggle. She clung to Jin Fengju’s hand, “My son, my dear son, ah. Did Mother cause you to fall into a trap? Wh-what is Prince Lie trying to do? Is he planning to ruin you? Why… why don’t you go and hide for a while…”

“The matter has already developed to this point, what’s the use of hiding?”Jin Fengju patted his mother’s hand. “Do not worry. Your son is a man who has braved many storms. While working under the emperor’s command, who knows how many dangers I have gone through? Haven’t I turned those risks into opportunities instead? If Prince Lie wishes to make a move, he will reveal his tail sooner or later. When it happens, we shall just counter whatever move he makes.

Mother, please be at ease. Let this be the end of the matter. On Father’s side, this son would not say anything. It is likely that Old Madam understands everything. However, as she had specifically ordered this son to speak with Mother, it is clear that she wishes to calm matters down. After all, a peaceful and harmonious home is a family’s blessing. As for the servants, they have no minds of their own and merely know how to repeat what others are saying, thus, there is even less need to worry about them. Mother may be at ease, there’s no need to be frightened. Today, your son had been a little heavy with his words too.”

Madam Jiang kept nodding. However, the fear in her heart had not subsided in the slightest. Jin Fengju studied her for a moment, before privately sighing and thought: If I had known that today would happen, [c] would I have chosen to ignore Qiuning’s rare request on Aunt Yu’s behalf…? Enough, enough, I do believe that mother should have learnt her lesson. I hope that in the future, she would treat Qiuning fairly, although it is most likely impossible.

After leaving Elder Madam’s courtyard, Jin Fengju returned to Clear Soft Pavilion. He saw Jiang Wanying sitting alone on the couch, lost in thought. When she saw him, she sprang up with a forced smile and said, “Have you come from Night Breeze Pavilion? Come, let’s take off the cloak first.” As she spoke, she quickly stepped forward to remove his cloak.

“No need, I still have to go out later.” Jin Fengju said mildly. He thought for a moment and said, “About today’s matter, Mother has already taken the blame onto herself. I also do not wish to pursue it anymore. I trust that certain people have learned from their mistakes and have committed the lesson to their minds. However, Wanying, your past actions have been lacking. Though I have placed Fu’shi into Night Breeze Pavilion, I had no intention of harming her life.

At that time, I also expressly told you that all the allocations should be sent over in a timely manner. Otherwise, why else would I have sent the two children there? Did you imagine that I intended to starve my own children to death alongside Fu’shi? Although I was young and angry and did not like them, they were still my own flesh and blood. Even tigers do not devour their children. Do you truly see me so cruel and callous as to starve them to death? Hmm? Is that the person I am to you?”

“No, cousin, I never thought of you that way,” Jiang Wanying had turned pale. Tears were about to fall from her eyes.

Jin Fengju said, “If you do not think me cruel, why have they never gotten even half a month of their allocation in the past five years? Don’t tell me, are you going to say that they had lied to my face? That in all these years, they have never been missing their allocations?”

Jiang Wanying had long thought through her schemes and the possible consequences. It was not like she did not know that this matter could implicate her. However, she believed that she would be safe so long as she had Madam Jiang’s protection. What’s more, for the sake of driving Fu Qiuning away, she had not hesitated to sacrifice a pawn or two. What was unexpected was Jin Fengju’s overprotectiveness. For that woman’s sake, he did not hesitate to make elaborated arrangements and break open the siege that she had so thoroughly set up around the enemy. Because of this, she ended up smashing her own feet with the stone she had lifted to bash the enemy. Therefore, she could not be careless about cutting off this tail and throwing the blame away.

Thus, she hardened her heart, gritted her teeth and said, “It is all that Lai’s Wife’s fault. Because I did not want to hear anything about Night Breeze Pavilion, I told her that the responsibility for Night Breeze Pavilion’s monthly allocation would be placed in her hands. Who would have thought that muddle-headed creature would be so greedy and dare to covet the marquisate’s things? She believed that Lord Husband had thrown those disgusting people away to die and, and dared to actually swallow all the money and things into her belly. I… it is my fault for never asking after her about it.”

“Oh? To be so bold? Is she not afraid that I would want her life for starving Fu’shi and the children to death?” Jin Fengju’s face was tinted green with anger, his sword-like eyebrows standing straight up. 

Looking at him, Jiang Wanying’s heart almost leapt out of her throat. However, she could only stiffen her scalp and say, “I- I-’m afraid to say that poisonous hag must have thought that ‘the dead cannot reveal anything’ and, and, Cousin, don’t be angry. I have investigated the matter thoroughly and driven that poisonous couple out of the marquisate. In the future, I shall personally oversee Elder Sister’s monthly allocation and make sure no shortages would ever happen again.”

“Oh? You drove them out?” Jin Fengju raised his brows. His sharp eyes fixed on her, as though they could read her thoughts.

“Yes, what’s the point of keeping such heartless things? C-cousin, do you think I overdid it? I… I was so furious at the time.” Jiang Wanying appeared to be sincere, tears falling pitter-pattering down her face as she spun her words.

Jin Fengju thought: Apparently, the skill to cry on command at any time or place is a necessary womanly skill. 

Looking at the pitifully crying Jiang Wanying, he said mildly, “No, if they have been driven away, they have been driven away. However, I do feel that Cousin has handled the matter a little too hastily. In the future, when handling matters of great importance, you should act with more prudence. Do not forget, you are effectively in charge of the entire marquisate. 

For matters that require magnanimity, you should act with great magnitude. To gain respect and confidence from the people around you, you should act in a manner that would gain respect and confidence. Although Mother is your aunt, you should not seek her support for everything.”

Gumihou: I can’t even feel any joy for the ladies’ face slapping. It’s… they are too sad.

I think, to Jin Fengju, women are like slightly alien pets. Creatures that are pretty, petty, spiteful, mostly stupid and yet trying to pretend otherwise. 

Their flashes of scheming behaviour show that they could be intelligent, but because of their weird appetites and greed for things, they are more trouble than they are worth. He ‘respects’ his mother because it is expected of him. Same with Jiang Wanying.

When JFJ patted his mother’s hand, it was basically a ‘there, there, don’t worry your pretty little head over it’ move. To him, she was probably like a fluffy chicken that clucked along happily in life until something unpleasant happens that makes her jump up and cluck at the problem until it goes away.

On the other hand, it is also possible that Author is trying to show JFJ as a filial man who’s sensitive to a woman’s needs. Which… yeah, nope, that there is a male chauvinist exhibit B.

[a] Add more detail so we can properly sympathise with the women of this era.

[b] Added disdain – Because Gumi will not miss an opportunity to do so. So there.

There’s more to it though, romance, especially between two people so far apart culturally and emotionally (as FQN was written to be in the beginning), whatever feelings she may develop for this… person, should be done slowly and gradually. Not, oh my, he so pwetty, *giggles*. Especially after 5 years of neglect, which Author conveniently time-skipped and glossed over.

Nope.

[c] Add more details re Third Brother Zhang – Check Chapter 77 for reference

Also, that Third Brother Zhang revealed the matter was also partly JFJ’s fault. Remember how Fu Qiuning requested that he do something to help Aunt Yu secure a divorce so the two could marry? A certain Clever Clogs decided to withhold his help as a way to have power over and a petty revenge against FQN not accepting his advances.

Speaking of which, Aunt Yu was also brought into the marquisate for the purpose of taunting the laundry lady. In short, even back then, JFJ was using woman A to control woman B. He’s trying to put FQN (the sensible chicken) into his squabbling hen house to control the rest of his alien chickens.

Gumi had a feeling that Author might have included Aunt Yu’s information in the earlier chapters, but then deleted them since instead of reflecting light, this little fact splashes mud on JFJ. However, that’s alright, Gumi is more than happy to help readers remember all the awful things JFJ did.

No need to thank me

Pill Bug TL Notes:

[1] Same as chapter 90, the seven reasons in Chinese Feudal Society where you can divorce your wife. See number 6.

1: No offspring. 2. Obscenity. 3. Not respecting grandfather or grandmother. 4. Gossip. 5. Theft. 6. Jealousy. 7. Incurable illness.        

Seriously, not very good reasons for divorce in modern society.

Gumihou: No vow of ‘in sickness in health’, how romantic