CH 125

Chapter 125: The Much Delayed Wedding Chamber

Fu Qiuning smiled and said, “The Second Master is now the Lesser Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, a Third Rank Official, yes? Within this capital, although there are many princes and noblemen within, how many could compare themselves to the Duke of Jing’s Dukedom? That’s right, now that you are the Marquis, the emperor mentioned that he will build you an estate close to the West Palace. Is this necessary?”

Jin Fengju nodded, “Isn’t it so? I have already submitted the letter of thanks and declined the offer. Our estate had always been this way. According to our ancestral rules, the family is not allowed to separate unless it could be split into 10,000 shares. Especially more so, since now that we are more prosperous, it is even more unthinkable. However, once the children have grown up, the space within the estate would no longer be enough. Therefore, a few days ago, Father bought the estate next to us. It used to belong to the Marquis of Xiangyang, whose family had been demoted. They have since moved to the south. Once the renovations are done, Uncle’s branch of the family could move there and we’ll have more space.”

Fu Qiuning was aghast, “Isn’t that too much space? Isn’t this overly extravagant?”

Jin Fengju laughed, enjoying her startled expression. He sat up, only to lean against Qiuning. “Strictly speaking, Uncle moving out is not due to lack of space. However, now that he is the Lesser Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, he should have his own estate.” As he spoke, he pressed his nose into Fu Qiuning’s hair and sniffed. He smiled and said, “What did you use to wash your hair? It smells very good. It does not smell like the soap bean.”

[1a] Fu Qiuning stiffened. She knew very well that boundaries were being tested right now. She forced herself not to react as Jin Fengju continued to sniff. Instead, she casually explained, “I did not use soap bean. Ground almond water makes the hair smoother and shinier… [1b]” As she spoke, the weight against her grew heavier as lips begin nibbling her hair. Suddenly, the pair of lips began to press itself against her face.

“Ah…” Fu Qiuning jumped, flinching away, but Jin Fengju had already lost all self-control and had rolled himself over Fu Qiuning, one arm around her waist, embracing her to his chest. Inside his normally clear and cool eyes were traces of lust. Looking at her, he said in a gravelly voice, “Qiuning, my good Qiuning, how long are you going to blame me? What should I do for you to willingly forgive me? Do you know how hard I have endured? I am close to my limit, however, I dare not offend you, otherwise, you will truly ignore me forever. Do you know, I am really afraid that I would one day lose control and cause you to hate me? And yet, I am even more afraid, afraid that you will hate me for this. Qiuning, you… what do you want me to do?”

His speech was close to incoherent. It was also because of this that one could tell that he was speaking from his heart [2]. Otherwise, if someone could still speak sweetly while in throes of passion, Qiuning would really suspect his sincerity.

[1c] Or, thought Fu Qiuning, this guy is talking through his loins at me.

[2a] At this time, she found herself looking at Jin Fengju’s fervent eyes. Curious, she reached out to touch the handsome brows and the corner of the long lashes. She murmured, “Indeed, it certainly looks like you want me a lot at this time. I suppose I should be grateful for Lord Husband’s affections towards the likes of me.”

“No, no, not just this moment, but for a lifetime. Qiuning, have you ever tasted love? It is only now that I understand what loving a person means. True love means loving the person herself. It is nothing like desiring a calamitous beauty or sacrificing oneself on the altar of love. Even old age would never tarnish true love!” Jin Fengju’s heart was beating like a drum, He had not thought that he would get lucky tonight. Qiuning did not push him away, then, then, did that mean that she was finally ready to open her heart to him?

“[1d] My dear Lord Husband, I must compliment you on your bedside talk. I’m sure my sisters also appreciated it,” [1e] who knows whether he’s a regular sweet talker or not, but, Fu Qiuning was curious to hear what he would say.

“If I say, that I have never spoken thus with anyone, including Wanying, would you believe me?” Jin Fengju hugged Fu Qiuning close. The burning in his loins was starting to hurt, but he still dared not act too hastily. He was afraid that if he moved too rashly, he would offend this hard-won, treasure-like woman in his arms. He had already seen how resolute and cold-hearted Fu Qiuning could be when it came to cutting off relations.

“Do you not feel sorry for them?” Fu Qiuning was not at all happy with this answer. In this era where wives were like clothes, to be discarded when worn out, whilst brothers were more like one’s own arms, the more sincere Jin Fengju was to her, the more sorry she felt for Jiang Wanying and the others.

“Before I fell in love with you, I had always thought that I loved them. Now that I have you, I… cannot neglect them.” Jin Fengju sighed deeply. “Qiuning, do you know, I hate that I did not meet you before our marriage. If we had known each other earlier, if I had known what true love was, how good would it have been? In this life, I wish to possess only you and never tease any other women. As it happens…fate pushed me down this path. I am not willing to let you down, nor am I willing to let them down either. Therefore… please forgive me.”

“Unwilling to let me down, can’t let them down…” Fu Qiuning [1f] sighed. “Look at you, the perfect example of the ‘Fortunate Man from Qi [3]’, and yet, here you are, showing a face of misery. [1g] Am I supposed to be sorry for you?” [1h]

“Qiuning, what are you thinking?” The poor Marquis still dared not move randomly. Although his hands were eager to tear Fu Qiuning’s thin clothes off, he still dared not act without explicit permission.

[4] Fu Qiuning… had a lot of thoughts in her head right now.

First and foremost, should I or should I not, that is the question. Whether ‘tis nobler in mind to suffer the hidden blades and knives of this man’s many wives or remain chaste in hopes that a better future would come by?’ Her mind was starting to derail if she was thinking in European literature. Haha, and here she was, a professional in Chinese opera.

“Qiuning?”

[4] If the lizard dust or whatever had the power to prove a woman’s v, she would be kicked out of the marquisate. Or, maybe not. This man would do everything he could to keep her inside this estate and… what then? She would end up owing him. The other women, including the elders such as Old Madam, would either lose their respect for her or find it difficult to protect her.

“Qiuning?”

[4] Assuming that the lizard dust works… let’s assume it works. Would it not be better to be rid of her v now and turn the trap around and reverse uno those pesky women? If they actually launched that trap card on her, she could control the outcome and… potentially make things work out her way instead. Yes, perhaps that would be the best.

“Qiuning, if you do not wish to-”

[4] Fu Qiuning finally turned clear eyes at Jin Fengju. This man’s eyes were nearly watering with fear, lust and perhaps pain. That’s right, she had only one card on her person. It was time to use it. With a smile, she said, “This humble woman was thinking, does my Lord Husband wants me to undress him?”

[2b] To Jin Fengju, the smile on Fu Qiuning’s face appeared utterly charming and sweet in the dim light. All scruples gone, he seized Fu Qiuning, pressed her down hard and leaned over to kiss her.

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The first glimmer of light was just reaching the room and Jin Fengju opened his eyes. He looked over and saw that Fu Qiuning was in deep sleep next to him. The corners of his lips curled into a sweet smile that made his already attractive demeanour even more charming.

The smile became knowing as Jin Fengju revelled in the way life had finally reached the zenith of richness and fulfilment. He leaned over to carefully peck Fu Qiuning’s cheek, the pressure no more than a brush of a dragonfly’s wing before raising his head.

Then, he carefully climbed out of bed and was about to wash up when he heard a lazy voice say, “Why are you up so early?”

Jin Fengju immediately turned back to sit on the bed. With a smile, he said, “I need to attend court.” Seeing his wife’s sleepy eyes, staring dazedly at him, he rubbed his own face cautiously. “What is it? Have you forgotten your husband?”

“Jin Fengju, you are truly blessed with good looks.” [1i] Then, she sighed and rolled away.

[1i] The smile faded from Jin Fengju’s face, “Qiuning?”

“I’m tired.”[1j]

The smile returned to Jin Fengju’s face as he said in an indulgent voice, “Yes, yes, I’m sorry, I was too wilful last night. I really could not help myself.” Jin Fengju could not help but lean in to kiss Qiuning once more on the cheek. With a little laugh he said, “Well, as it is your first time, it’s inevitable that you will feel uncomfortable. That’s right, when are you planning to move into Elegant Mansion? In my opinion, it’s better to be earlier than later. How about tomorrow? Today, I have to escort the Empress Dowager to Ganlu Temple to offer incense. I’m afraid I would not be back tonight, but tomorrow…”

A sudden snort cut him off and Fu Qiuning turned around to glare at him. “Who is moving to Elegant Mansion? You never said anything about this yesterday. Did you not already promise that you will let me stay here for a few years? Not even a year had passed but already you wish to force me out. I ask the Young Marquis once again, do you remember any of your promises at all?”

Jin Fengju was shocked. He was stunned, stupefied. He scratched his head confusedly. The number of times he had ever been truly confused was rare. Therefore, he could only confusedly say, “In the past, we were only husband and wife in name, but, after last night… Qiuning has become my true wife, therefore, naturally…”

[4a] A sharp laugh cut him off. She sat up to look him in the eyes, “Is that right? So, it turns out that I have to move the moment I became your true wife? If that’s the case, I’d rather remain a wife in name.”

Suddenly anxious, Jin Fengju said, “How can that be? Qiuning, my dear aunt [5], this is not the time to be willful. Last night you clearly gave over yourself to me. Could last night really be erased just because you changed your mind?”

Fu Qiuning’s smile was cold, “You are right, facts could not be changed. The fact that you have promised me did not change either. I never said that I would move into Elegant Mansion after spending the night with you. If you hate Night Breeze Pavilion for being too far away, don’t you have other women closer at hand? Feel free to visit them instead. I am no jealous wife.”

[2b] In Jin Fenju’s eyes, although Fu Qiuning said that she was no jealous wife, she was clearly being jealous, ah. Grateful that Fu Qiuning was not completely as cold and ruthless as before, he happily nodded and coaxed, “Yes, yes, yes, it’s all up to you. Since you like it here, stay a little longer. I shall come and see you tomorrow. That’s right, have Aunt Yu and Yu Jie stew something nourishing for your body.”

Gumihou: Someone gimme bleach. I need to bleach my eyes. This is so torturous. Also, Gumi had never been so thankful for Chinese censorship. .All hail China’s censorship!

Also, see that final few paragraphs? Would AR Qiuning actually say such things? She wouldn’t, that’s why she had to be yeeted away.

On a more serious note, all the text about how JFJ was suffering from his ‘burning loins’ and not putting his hands immediately on FQN because he ‘feared she would reject him forever’ is really harmful to women and partners in general. As a rule, one should never ‘put their hands’ on other people because they don’t want it or did not give explicit consent, not because ‘you fear they would hate you forever’.

Because this ultimately leads to: If you don’t care whether they hate you or not, it is fine to stick your thing into someone’s v or backside.

Dude, no. That’s… no.

[1] Yeet the AR Qiuning

[1a] Right, let’s interrupt the ‘ehehe, ehehe’ with some gloomy thoughts.

[1b] Delete extra wordy words from FQN that’s basically extra flirting and a ‘pui!’ aka ‘humph! Go talk to your other wives, humph!’ kind of talk

[1c] Add more thought for Qiuning that is not influenced by AR Qiuning, as per [2]

[1d] Delete traces of jealousy and add spite instead

[1e] Delete ‘kyaa~~ I know he must be sincere, but, *pant pant* I mustn’t give in easily~~’, replaced with ‘tch’

[1f] Delete ‘tears running down her cheeks’

Basically: Sob, sob, boo hoo, I’m so touched. You’re such a good man, waah, I’m so lucky. Take me!

Yeah, nope

[1g] Delete ‘there is no man as stupid as you who did not know how to enjoy your fortune’ stream of consciousness thoughts from the errant spirit

Butt polishing here, by AR Qiuning. Nope. Are we supposed to be sorry for this fellow? Seriously?

[1h] Deleted AR Qiuning’s excited: Yes, the man in front of you should be a peerless good man in this era, right? Give yourself to him, even if this love becomes weak in the future, but at least, at this moment, he is sincere, and so is yourself. In two lifetimes, it is worthwhile to have such a touching moment of love, isn’t it?

Fu Qiuning: I will stab you.

Gumihou: If I don’t have to translate this, I could have skipped the entire chapter altogether

[1i] Add an element of disdain. Cut off JFJ’s opportunity to go ‘tee hee, you can stay in bed’ by having Fu Qiuning just roll away from him instead of bracing herself to get up.

[1j] Deleted ‘oh my waist, oh you beast, oh you fox who ate the chicken~~ Puff!’

[2] Cough, yeah, from his heart, sure. Not from somewhere lower, like the one-eyed snake’s nest.

[2a] Watch how Gumihou ruined this sweet and romantic moment

At this time, her eyes fell on Jin Fengju’s affectionate eyes, and she couldn’t help stretching out her hand, touching Jin Fengju’s handsome eyebrows and long eyelashes, and murmured softly: “These eyes have always been the deepest. What big emotions and fluctuations, but now…they have dyed me such a rich color, Lord Husband, Fengju, at least at this moment, you are sincere to me, aren’t you?”

Blerggghhh

Pill Bug, you had better suffer with me!!

[2b] Adjust it so that the extra affection was all in his deluded head. The things that happened did happen though.

[3] Happy Man from Qi – idiom for a man with many wives and concubines.

[4] These are probably the most important paragraphs that were not in this chapter. In place of it was the hideous [1h]. Gumi went Shakespeare… apologies, but Gumi’s knowledge of Chinese opera is limited, but please pretend that FQN has some basic knowledge of some famous European literature.

[4a] Cut out the meandering thoughts to swift action for impact.

[5] ‘my dear aunt’ is a way Chinese people address those who act arrogant or spoilt. If a child is ‘a little ancestor’ it’s a euphemism for how spoilt they are since the kid is treated like an ‘ancestor’, ie, one has to cater to all their needs and wants. Same as for ‘aunt, uncle, granny, grandpa’.