When everyone noticed that the sky was turning dark, the servants quickly began to wash and cut all kinds of ingredients and set them on the table according to Fu Qiuningâs instructions. Once everyone was seated, Old Madam Jin picked up her chopsticks, and that was the signal for everyone to start eating. A swish pot was meant to be eaten in a lively atmosphere, however, due to the marquisateâs eating etiquette of not speaking during a meal, it was very quiet. Still, from the speed of everyoneâs chopsticks and how the quickly ingredients disappeared, it was obvious that everyone was eating very well.
Jin Fengju did not wait around for the food to be served. After observing the serving method, he hurriedly bid his family farewell and left. He still had to shoulder the responsibility of bringing dinner to the emperor. At first, after seeing how uncomplicated the sauces were to make, he was afraid that it would not taste good. [a] Then, after tasting it and confirming that it was the same as the one that had caused him to overeat, he stuck around long enough to watch how Fu Qiuning set out the raw ingredients before hurrying off. [a] It was all truly very simple. Just a matter of cutting the raw ingredients finely and setting them out nicely on plates.
He headed straight for the Royal Palace. A low-level eunuch was there waiting for him. The eunuch led him to the small kitchen attached to the main residence. Jin Fengju ordered his servants to place the ingredients here and gave the low-level eunuch strict instructions on how to prepare them.
The small attached kitchen was specifically there to prepare food for the emperor. Interestingly, it was named âHeavenly Cuisineâ. This name was granted by the current emperor after he had ascended the throne. Before then, it was just considered a room where meals were prepared with no special name attached to it.
As he just stepped into the room, a familiar voice laughed, âTo make us wait so long, speak now, how should we punish you?â
Jin Fengju was taken aback for a moment, then, he could not help but laugh and say, âHow is Elder Sister here? Is my brother-in-law here too? I greet Prince Rong and Princess Consort Rong. Thatâs right, where is the emperor?â
As he was done speaking, the emperor came around the screen to laugh and say, âSince you were not here yet, We returned to the study for a little reading. I had Lunâer and Princess Consort wait for you here. Well? You mentioned there were some new curiosities for Us? Come, tell Us about it.â
Jin Fengju hastily went to his knees. After giving his greetings, he said, âIt is not something exotic. In fact, this minister does not know if it would suit the emperorâs tongue. However, when this minister tried it, this minister found that he liked it very much. When this minister heard that the emperorâs appetite has been poor lately, how could this minister not bring this here to show filial piety?â
Princess Consort Jin Yanqiu had always been Xifeng-like in character, [1] and was most adept at regulating the atmosphere. After hearing her brotherâs words, she laughed mirthfully and said, âWhen you speak like this, I cannot help but be even more curious. As your eyes have never been shallow, what wonderful thing could this be to receive your high praise?â
Turning to the emperor, she purposefully clarified, âYour Majesty must not know, he did not even hint at such a wonderful thing to us. It is only thanks to the emperorâs magnanimity that we come and taste a scrap of this delicacy. Otherwise, who knows when he will recall that his own elder sister and brother-in-law have yet to eat this.â
This speech touched the emperorâs heart in all the right places, [b] and he laughed heartily at the Princess Consortâs remark. [b] Taking advantage of the emperorâs good mood, Jin Fengju ordered Li Dezheng to send in the meal. A short time later, [c] a table of beautifully presented dishes was set out. In addition to the hotpot, there were also plates of [c] artfully arranged fresh vegetables, sweet potatoes, vermicelli and finely [c] sliced meat. Surrounding this âspecial dishâ, the servants also set out several dozens of the emperorâs favourites. Luckily, the royal table was large enough, otherwise, how would they fit so many dishes on it?
Jin Fengju briefly explained how to eat swish pot, and had already tasked Li Dezheng early on to get a small bowl of sauce for the emperor. The Princess Consort personally swished some meat and vegetables for the emperor. Li Dezheng received [c] the large plate of swish pot meat and vegetables. After testing it with a silver needle, he transferred some of the meat and vegetables onto a small plate.
After eating the food, the emperor had nothing but endless praise for it. Therefore, there was no way Prince Rong or Princess Consort Rong would dare spoil their liegeâs mood by saying anything aside from many [d] variations of âdeliciousâ and âvery deliciousâ.
A little while later, once the meal was over, the emperor stepped down from his seat and stretched out his arms. He said, âAfter so many days, I finally ate well today. It must have been troublesome for you to search out this unusual eating method from heavens knows where. In the past, we only knew to eat hotpot with pickles. Who would have thought that having hotpot with fresh vegetables would give such a different experience?â
Since Jin Fengju had long since intended to push Fu Qiuning forward as his official wife, so how could he not snatch up this opportunity to talk about her? [b] After all, this was his main intention of bringing this unique dish to the emperor. Therefore, he quickly stepped forward and did the whole [e] song and dance about how this dish was created by Fu Qiuning, his wonderfully virtuous Main Wife, who had recently visited her poor sick mother at Zhengjiang Palace, etc, etc.
The emperor looked puzzled, he frowned and said, âZhenjiang Palace? We recall that your wife is the granddaughter of the Duke of Lu?â
âIndeed, she is my secondary wife. Back then, my parents heard of the talented and beautiful daughter of the Zhenjiang Heir and asked for her hand, promising her the position as my official wife. Sadly, after marrying in, she had been too sick and weak and spent most of her time recuperating at Night Breeze Pavilion. Her person is very worthy and virtuous.
This minister could not bear to disturb her with trivial matters of the marquisate, therefore, Wanying had been left to take of all large and small matters within the marquisate. Now that Fuâshi has recovered from her illness, she has been a little more active. As for this hotpot, it is something that she came up with during the period when she was ill and was looking to improve her diet.â
With this final line, Jin Fengju credited Fu Qiuning as the inventor of the âswish potâ. When he thought of that woman with her almond eyes wide with shock, he could not help the [f] vindictive thrill of glee at the thought of her discomfort. [f] He thought: This Fu Qiuning is afraid of trouble most and wishes to stay away from other people. How could I let her stay away? The more she wants to stay away, the more I want to drag her out into the spotlight. Otherwise, if she could live comfortably by herself, I would have to keep this wretched promise to only look and sigh and never touch this beauty for the rest of my life.
How could the emperor not understand the important points within Jin Fengjuâs [e] solo performance? [d] He lowered his gaze and studied Prince Rong and Jin Fengju for a long moment. Finally, he smiled and said, âWe meant to discipline our son, but you have suffered as well.â
Prince Rong and Jin Fengju quickly threw themselves to the floor.
One cried, âThis son is grateful for Imperial Fatherâs heavenly grace!â
The other stated more solemnly, âA virtuous wife brings lesser disaster. This minister must have cultivated several lifetimes of blessings to have such a virtuous wife as Fuâshi.â
The emperor nodded. He allowed them to get up and, after a few more idle exchanges, allowed them to leave. Here, Li Dezheng served tea. The emperor took a sip and smiled slightly, he said, âAlthough Prince Rongâs nature is straightforward, he has one clear advantage. He has ambition, but is not arrogant. He did not become disillusioned even during times of frustration. This is indeed a rare point.â
Li Dezhengâs heart jumped. He hastily pasted on a smile and agreed with everything the emperor. He dared not even add half a word more or less. Otherwise, not only would he provoke the emperorâs suspicion, but also drag Prince Rong down, which would be an unwise move.
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That night, Jin Fengju did not go to Night Breeze Pavilion. The next morning, the sky was still dark when Fu Qiuning heard someone calling from the courtyard. She had just gotten up and personally went to open the door. Jin Fengju and Jin Ming were standing right in front of the main residence, along with more than ten guard-like people, all of them with things in their arms.
This was the first time that Fu Qiuning saw those guard-like people. The Jinxiang Marquisateâs qualifications were not enough to have their own sword carrying militia. At most, they were only allowed to maintain a basic protective detail for the marquisate. She guessed that these must be escorts for Jin Fengjuâs imperial envoy.
Seeing her, Jin Fengju said, âI am about to leave for my mission. I am a little worried about leaving you here and especially came to have a look. These are some things bestowed upon me by the emperor yesterday. I have picked a few items for you, Fengâer and Jiaoâer. I will be gone for a while, do ask them to study hard. You must have suffered too, whenever you are idle, do go and visit the Old Madam to relieve her boredom. It will cheer her greatly.â After speaking, he motioned for the guards who stepped forward to place the items on the tiled floor of the residence.
âMany thanks to Lord Husband, [g] for remembering us,â Fu Qiuning saluted decorously, perfectly proper in her manners and warmth.
[g] There was a pause. When it was clear that she was not going to say anything more, Jin Fengju let out a light exhale of disappointment. He stared at Fu Qiuning for a long moment, a thousand words in his heart. In the end, he could only say, âTake good care of your health, wait for my return.â With that, he turned around and left.
The wind picked up the tail of his coat, causing it to flap and flutter. Snowflakes drifted from the skies, and not long after, the line of people disappeared into the snow. In a blink of an eye, they were already gone.
Unlike grasses and trees, it was impossible for humans to be completely heartless. Fu Qiuning looked at the things placed on the tiled floor by her feet, [g] unsure what to feel.
Her throat felt uncomfortable, as though she was being choked. She knew what Jin Fengju wanted her to say, however, she could not speak them lightly. Once those words are spoken, expectations would follow. [g] With expectations, come trouble, [h] and the last thing she wanted was breaking this peaceful life for a temporary fling and eternal suffering.
âIt is human nature to be selfish. Iâm afraid our goals do not align, Young Marquis. [h]â Fu Qiuning looked at the courtyard gate once more before exhaling slowly and moving over to close it. Then, she busied herself moving the things into the house.
By then, Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao had woken up. Seeing the extra screen by the kang bed, they were surprised. When they found Fu Qiuning putting jewellery they had never seen before away, they immediately stuck to her and cried, âMother! Is Father here? Where is he?â
[h] Fu Qiuningâs eyebrow twitched. [i] Just how smart were the two children? They were starting to associate his visits with extravagant gifts. Is he going to ruin the two children she had brought up so carefully? No wonder the rest of his brats are so out of control. They are clearly the product of a âworkaholic parent buying childrenâs affection with gifts and moneyâ. She would have to watch the twins closely and make sure they donât turn into insufferable second-rich-generations.
âYour father has received a decree and has gone out to do some work,â [g] said Fu Qiuning vaguely. [i] With him out of the picture, she should take time to discipline the children properly and not be ruined by that absentee workaholic parent. âBefore he left, he especially came and gifted these for you. See these brushes, ink, paper, ink stones and jade pendants? [i] Clearly, he wants you to study hard and become useful people in the future.
Your Father has left the marquisate on an errand decreed by the emperor. The current prosperity and honour you enjoy now has all been earned through your fatherâs hard work. Therefore, you must study hard and grow up well in order to share your Fatherâs worries. Understand?â
Hearing that Jin Fengju had already departed, the two children could not hide their disappointment. Jin Changjiao flattened her mouth and said, âWill Father return during the New Year? Didnât Mother say that the day of the family reunion is on New Yearâs Eve?â
[i] âHavenât you heard a single word from me?â Fu Qiuning pinched Jin Changjiaoâs little nose. This child already learned how to sulk after six months of exposure to Jin Fengju. What would she be like after six years? Well, in the end, she was an insecure child trying to attach herself to her absentee father, so Fu Qiuning could not blame her for sulking. âIt is unclear whether your father will be back for the reunion. However, your uncle and grandfather will be back soon.â
The children looked reluctant as they shook their heads, âWe have never met Uncle or Grandfather, they wonât like us.â
âHow would you know? Didnât your father used to never visit, but [j] suddenly came in thanks to your qin playing and clever recital? Also, didnât your grandmother like you immediately? Who is to say your uncle and grandfather wonât like your once they saw you?â
Fu Qiuningâs [j] arguments were sound and the children were convinced eventually coaxed by her logic. [h]
A few days passed like this, [g] with no news from Yangzhou.
[g] Her days were very peaceful. Aside from sending the children off to school every day or visiting the Old Madam [g] to remind the old woman that she existed, and to make sure Jin Fengjuâs other women knew that she was on good terms with the most powerful woman in the family, there was really no reason to leave Night Breeze Pavilion.
Jiang Wanying and the others had not come to cause trouble as she had half-anticipated. Though the monthly allowance arrived later and later, [g] she was not at all worried since she already had plenty of gold and silver at hand. Jiang Wanying was welcomed to delay her allowance for a whole year while she, Fu Qiuning, could survive comfortably for ten years on the money she was sitting on already.
Today, however, something different happened. Third Brother Zhangâs mother came to meet with Fu Qiuning in person. Fu Qiuning looked at this simple woman who stammered and choked over her words for a long time.
It was only with a good deal of pulling and prodding that Mother Zhang finally stammered out the reason for her visit:
So, it turned out that when Jin Fengju ordered Jiang Wanying to fulfil her promise, [l] AKA the bribe she used to entice Third Brother Zhang into betraying Fu Qiuning, mother and son had been super happy and relieved. The good news was like a pie falling from the sky. [l] Third Brother Zhang must have been especially happy since his âbetrayalâ had not cost him his beloved Aunt Yu.
Unfortunately, it turned out that Jiang Wanying had been too busy. You know? With the time being so close to New Yearâs Eve, it was not like she wanted to stretch out time and not obediently complete a task that Jin Fengju had personally ordered her to do. She was just so busy lately, really. [l] In fact, she was so busy that the matter just fell out of her mind after a couple of days of rushing around. After all, how could she, an important member of the aristocratic family, be concerned about the lives of mere servants?
Mother and son had been really looking forward to receiving permission to go forward with the marriage, but after a long time of patient waiting, no news came to them. Third Brother Zhang became depressed [l], perhaps wondering about his betrayal messing up this opportunity and growing ever more sluggish every day.
Finally, Mother Zhang could not tolerate it anymore. She recalled Qiuningâs generosity and warm attitude towards them and decided to pay a visit to this mistress to find out what was happeningâŠ
Gumihou: This last paragraph⊠Iâm going to weaponise this very canon paragraph and use it to destroy AR Qiuning in the next chapter. Hehehehe⊠Ahahahahahaha!!!
Youâre dead! Youâre dead! Youâre dead!
[a] Details, details, why did you leave these details out!!??
Wait, Author, are you in a hurry to send JFJ to the palace just to flatter FQN and bring the most terrible attention down onto her head??!!
[b] Added Details â More details to explicitly show just how manipulative this pair of brother and sister are.
[c] Food-Related Details â why is this one so lacking, ah?
[d] Added Details â to show just how much influence the emperor has on the people around him
[e] Added Details â JFJ obviously did a solo performance here, but it was only mentioned as âHe quickly brought her story out and told it in detailâ. So, itâs basically, âhe told a bunch of lies that made him and his family look goodâ
[f] Added Details â JFJ being obviously vindictive. Make it obviously âpetty evilâ and less âcuteâ. Also, change JFJâs thoughts from âdescribed by authorâ to âHe thought:â to make it extra obvious that heâs a scum.
Gumihou: Ergh, this asshat
[g] *Cracks knuckles* â Change/add details to reflect a more realistic FQN, banishing the âkyaa~â
Observe the beauty of how a single comma, period point and an added word changes the meaning of a sentence.
âThank you, Lord Husband, for remembering,â Fu Qiuning quickly saluted.
vs
âThank you, Lord Husband. For remembering us,â Fu Qiuning saluted decorously.
Also, this beauty:
not quite understanding what her heart was feeling (kyaa~) vs unsure what to feel (Happy? Worried? What is he going to demand in return for this?)
[h] Deleted AR Qiuning. Begone, evil demon!
although she was certain her heart would temporarily be safe and also would have much fewer worries and guilt
I am only afraid that the young marquis is also the same, so⊠I am sorry
The next line is clearly AR Qiuning imagining herself in a sad music video, complete with a montage of JFJ suffering difficulties in the distance. Yeet.
but her line of sight looked out the window, imagining that the outside must be heavily snowing, and at that time, Jin Fengju was probably already riding out of the city. In the freezing cold, even the canal could not be used for travel. It was such a difficult journey for him, but at Yangzhou City, he still did not know what kind of dragonâs pond or tigerâs den was waiting for him. With that thought flitting in her head, unease could not help but start brewing in her heart.
[i] Redid the comment behind âJust how smart were these children?â
From âdad always comes with things, kyaa~â to âgreat, the children are starting to associate JFJâs visit with bribes, no wonder the rest of his brats were spoiltâ
Also, added extra bonus details on Fu Qiuning disciplining the children. Because this is also a child-rearing novel and should show it!
[j] Extra long-forgotten details, plus some other details to make it less about JFJ and more about the world being not populated solely by asshats.
âWho said that? Didnât your father also have a time when he never visited too? But after he met Fengâer and Jiaoâer, didnât he also like Fengâer and Jiaoâer very much? So, in the past, it was because we lived too far away and you were burdened by your motherâs status, and that is why your father and grandfather didnât come over very often, causing you to have this misunderstanding.â
Clearly, the above sentence is too immature and placating. Changed it for something that FQN would actually say.
[k] Deleted some Ass Polishing, less about âkyaa~ JFJ gives me money~~â and more âheh, youâre trying to make trouble for someone who used to stretch a single silver ingot over two months? Pshâ
[l] Letâs all refresh ourselves regarding Third Brother Zhangâs situation, hm?
Also, change this bunch of excuses into something more sarcastic:
However, with Jiang Wanying being so busy, and the time being close to New Yearâs Eve, she was not intentionally stretching it out and not doing anything, since whatever was said, this was still something Jin Fengju personally tasked her with doing.
Pill Bug TL Notes:
[1] çć€ Xifeng, ççć€ Wang Xifeng, one of the principal characters in the classic 18th-century Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber. The name âXifengâ is considered masculine in her era. This accounts for her self-assuredness and straightforward ways, characteristics that do not quite fit with the traditional female role at the time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wang_Xifeng