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Chapter 130: Each with Their Plans
Author: White Pear Flower
Raws: https://book.qidian.com/info/2386994/
Translated Gumihou
Proofread by Pill Bug
“She is retreating in order to advance,” said Fu Qiuning [1a] solemnly. “That slap is meant to save their lives and reputation. Madam Jiang made the best decision possible at that moment and did not hesitate to carry out a difficult move.” Then, she shook her head and sighed, “Pity the parents of this world. Although she is an aunt, her heart is no different from that of a parent. If Second Madam Wan could absorb this lesson properly, I would be most grateful. I really do not want to have to entangle with them anymore. Fortunately, we managed to salvage something from this incident.”
[2a] Aunt Yu and Yu Jie hesitated, “Madam means…”
“Thanks to them, and [1b] the Old Madam, I may have bought a few precious years in this place,” said Fu Qiuning with a grim smile.
[2a] Aunt Yu smiled, “Ah, Madam sure knows how to snatch opportunities from the jaws of defeat.” [2b] Then, in a flash of brilliance, she added flatteringly, “Then, this means no matter how the Young Marquis tries to force Madam, Madam need not have to move.”
Fu Qiuning eyed [1c] Aunt Yu suspiciously for a moment. What’s with this supportive attitude? However, instead of calling her out on it, she said simply, “Indeed, he had been pushing very hard. I have to thank Mother-in-law, Second Madam Wan and [1b] our dear Old Madam for their assistance. They have indeed given their all.” [1d]
“Given their all? What all?” the maids tilted their heads curiously, unsure of what Fu Qiuning was talking about.
“The Madams have given a lot of thought and effort into their schemes, all of them,” said Fu Qiuning with a dark chuckle. [1d]
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After lunch, Fu Qiuning felt a little sleepy. Unable to resist the call of the bed, she stretched luxuriously once and laid down, “Looks like the saying that one gets sleepy in spring and tired in autumn is true.”
The window was opened, and the sun was shining warmly on the bed, making everything feel warm and comfortable. She casually grabbed a blanket and plumped her pillow once before settling down to nap.
Just outside the window was an almond tree now covered in blossoms. At each gust of wind, petals floated down. Fu Qiuning sighed, knowing that the season of falling petals was coming again.
The servants knew that their mistress was taking a nap, therefore, no one came to disturb her. Eventually, Fu Qiuning fell into a deep sleep. It was unclear how long she slept, but she was eventually woken by some slight sound. She opened her eyes to see Jin Fengju closing the window. She blinked her eyes and said lazily, “What time is it? Why is the Young Marquis here?”
“It is close to mid-afternoon,” after closing the window, Jin Fengju came over to sit down. He touched Fu Qiuning’s forehead and said, “Although the weather is warm, it is still spring. Sleeping with the window open like this, are you not afraid of the wind going into your head? You could get a headache from it.”
Fu Qiuning fully sat up.
Jin Fengju smiled and continued, “What is it? Are you planning to get up? Why not sleep a little longer?”
She shook her head, “No, if I nap any longer, I would not be able to sleep tonight.”
Jin Fengju’s low chuckle filled the room, “Isn’t that good? I also do not sleep easily at night.”
Having just woken up, it took Fu Qiuning a moment to realise Jin Fengju’s double entendre. She kicked him and snapped, “Aren’t you a master? Not afraid of letting others hear you speak like this?”
Jin Fengju allowed the light kick. Then, he leaned back against the daybed and said slowly, “You are angry at this? Surely you are not thinking of tearing down the bridge now that you have crossed the river?” Seeing Fu Qiuning’s doubtful eyes, he laughed and fixed his eyes on her, “Isn’t it so? Now that the Gecko Sand business is over, there is no longer any need to coax me?”
“You believe that I gave myself over to you after realising Mother-in-law and Second Madam Wan’s plan to escape some sort of catastrophe?” [3a] even an idiot would come to this conclusion, the only question was whether this fellow was one such idiot.
“Isn’t it so?” Jin Fengju raised his eyebrows. He did not look angry, only, there appear to be a trace of sadness in his eyes.
[1e] Fu Qiuning nearly rolled her eyes at JFJ’s dramatics. “As I recall it, it was around this time that you suddenly appear at Night Breeze Pavilion. From then on, you inserted yourself into the children’s lives and mine as well. A year has passed since, surely as the talented and intelligent Young Marquis, should have some understanding of my temperament, and know enough the answer to that question.”
There, let’s kick the ball back to him.
Jin Fengju nodded, “That’s right, I know in my heart that you are not the type of person who would willingly give up their body to me just to escape a catastrophe. Only, I fear I may have been self-indulgent again. No matter how I look at it, Qiuning has always been cool with me. If you were to say that you have suddenly fallen passionately in love with me, I really dare not believe it.”
“Pei!” Fu Qiuning reflexively spat. [1f] Seeing his shocked eyes, she decided to follow through with her act and recited,
“
A thousand wishes on a pillow,
Want rest? When the green hills rot.
A hammer floats on the water,
Let us await for the Yellow River to dry,
The sun appears at dawn,
The Big Dipper dips south.
Want rest, yet rest wanting,
Watch as the sun rises at midnight.
”
Jin Fengju only had to ponder for a moment before smiling, “As expected of a talented woman. Even your way of swearing is very interesting. It has some similarities with Shang Xie [4].”
Fu Qiuning snorted, “Since time immemorial, women have always been infatuated by these pledges of love that fell from the mouths of men by the thousands. Only fools would give weight to these meaningless words.”
“Since Qiuning is not one to believe such vows, and I happen to not like making such pledges either…”
[1g] Fu Qiuning had no idea how she managed to not roll her eyes out of her head at this clearly rubbish statement.
“…as for how much my heart loves you… I understand that actions are worth more than words to you, but it’s fine. We still have the rest of our lives for me to slowly prove my feelings to you.” As a smart man, Jin Fengju immediately understood where Fu Qiuning was going with her comment. Privately, he thought: My wife is such a remarkable woman, with such extraordinary insights. It is truly worthwhile for me to cherish her.
“I dare not expect the promise of a lifetime,” Fu Qiuning lowered her eyes. “I only hope that when you are tired of me and no longer consider my actions cute, you will recall the days you consider us friends and afford some measure of regard for a former confidante and not treat the children differently should our relationship eventually sour. I entreat Lord Husband’s mercy and beg that you will allow me a quiet corner to die in peace. Please understand that I make these entreaties in earnest.”
Jin Fengju stared at her for a long moment before gently taking her hand, in an earnest voice, he said, “Though I wish to refute this, I have no idea how or where to start. There are more fickle men in the world than sincere ones, I cannot blame you for thinking of me as one of them.
Qiuning, you are a very unique woman. To be so vigilant against me, it must be because you fear a future heartbreak. As the saying goes, when love is the densest, that’s when it suddenly changes. I understand this.
However, have you ever thought just how much I was hurt by your words just now? It is as though you scored my heart with a knife. You may be at ease, so long as you continue to have feelings for me, I, Fengju, will not let you down in this lifetime.”
[3b] Fu Qiuning stared back at Jin Fengju’s starry eyes. She thought: Looks like this man really believes in his own words. There’s no point trying to reason with someone who had deluded themselves to this point. Instead, she decided to change the subject.
“You were just at Health & Longevity Court?” When Jin Fengju nodded, she smiled and said, “I had expected this. Why else would you bring this matter up? In truth, neither Mother-in-law nor Second Madam Wan was able to gain anything from my side. I have not been driven away and Second Madam Wan is grounded for a month. That is enough, you may pretend not to know anything.”
Jin Fengju smiled and said, “Not going to press your advantage and pursue victory? Here, I thought you would fling yourself into my bosom and bitterly entreat me to punish them on your behalf, to the point that neither will dare to bully you ever again.”
Fu Qiuning suddenly burst out [2c] laughing, she could not help herself. Finally, she snorted and said, “Throw myself into your bosom? Entreat you to punish your own blood mother and your childhood friend? Am I insane? You are the last person I would ever entreat.”
“Qiuning, you really… I swear, you surprise me at every turn,” Jin Fengju suddenly surged forward, clasped her to his bosom and [1i] dramatically declared, “Do not worry, no matter what I shall teach them a lesson. It is too contemptible for them to deliberately pay a scheme like this.”
Fu Qiuning sighed again, [1g] look at this guy trying to toss his own family members under the bus just to score points with the current floozy, that she was the current floozy did not make things better. This was almost embarrassing. Therefore, she kept her voice even as she said, “It’s fine. I was thrown in here especially to humiliate your family. Therefore, it is natural for Mother-in-law to dislike me. Setting Mother-in-law aside, it was my own blood father who pushed me into this pit of fire. So what if we are relatives? It’s fine to stop the matter here, there is no need for you to severely punish anyone.”
Fu Qiuning was not saying any of this thing out of the goodness of her heart, she was not the Holy Mother after all. However, she understood that if Jin Fengju were to ride out dramatically and [1h] punish his own mother and childhood-friend-wife, the one who would suffer would be herself. Both mom and wife would throw off all pretences and come at her with guns and swords flashing the moment Jin Fengju turn his back to her. So, no, please, please don’t do anything excessive on my behalf, please.
On the other hand, Fu Qiuning’s [1i] seeming ‘generosity’ made Jin Fengju feel even more guilty. He secretly thought: I need to make up to her for the mistakes that Mother and Cousin did. I must not let Qiuning down in the future.
After a moment of silence, Fu Qiuning said, “Has Old Madam spoken to you? I will not be moving into the Elegant Mansion. From now on, I shall remain within Night Breeze Pavilion. As Lord Husband has seen, even while I’m still here, Second Madam Wan still could not tolerate my existence. Were I to move to the inner court, even if I did nothing, my presence would still become a thorn in her side. It is better for us to remain apart to keep the peace. This way, Lord Husband would also encounter less trouble.”
Jin Fengju gave a bitter smile, “You are the one who is clearly reluctant to move from here, and yet… it’s fine, since you did not want to, I shall not force you.” Although he said this, plans were already forming in his heart. [1j] No matter what, I shall make you move into the inner court.
Fu Qiuning did not think much of the matter. [1k] There was no doubt that this scum man would be looking for ways to force her out. She was not stupid enough to believe that she had won anything but a little more time to herself. Still, the thought was enough to bring a smile to her face as she thought of the coming month of peace.
[1j] To Jin Fengju, the smile on her face was so beautiful that he became dumbfounded. He had no idea whether to laugh or cry to see the woman he loved being so happy to not move into his inner court. He thought: Qiuning, ah, do not be so happy with yourself. I have promised I will not force you out of Night Breeze Pavilion. I shall wait for you to personally cry and beg me to bring you out of here.
That night, Jin Fengju stayed at Night Breeze Pavilion. The deeply in-loved Jin Fengju, having crossed one boundary, but denied another, tossed her about at night making clouds and rain until the early mornings before he was willing to cease.
The next day, a deeply satisfied Jin Fengju set out to the court in a cheerful mood.
Gumihou: I am disgusted.
There are more fickle men in the world than sincere ones, I cannot blame you for thinking me one of them.
Gumihou: … I cannot tell you just how disgusted I am to have to translate the above sentence.
Fu Qiuning: You used the word ‘disgusted’ twice.
Gumihou: I have no other words
Fu Qiuning: … I am disgusted with my ‘alternate self’
[1] Add solemness
[1a] Replaced ‘with a smile’ with ‘solemnly’. Give more solemn detail aside from ‘haihh, this Wanying is so annoying, hopefully, she learns her lesson nyaa~~’
[1b] Let’s not forget about the Old Madam’s role in this
[1c] Reaction as per [2b], cancel the smile and humour from the OOC maid. Also, delete ‘kyaa~ he pushed so hard I nearly couldn’t resist, uwuwu~~”
[1d] Deleted:
‘Tee hee~ stick out tongue, ufufu, I kid~~’
Because it’s meant to distract from all sorts of bad juju, like Old Madam’s involvement
and ‘uwaaaa~~ I’m from the modern world after all, ufufu~’
Because clearly, the author shoved this in after she suddenly remembered FQN was supposed to be Fang Chuyu of Modern China. Deleted 150 words of it.
[1e] Added a ‘like srly?’ reaction to JFJ’s sad drama
[1f] This… long vow came out of nowhere, gave it some context, gloomy ones, of course.
[1g] Add FQN near roll eye at JFJ’s dramatic announcement
[1h] Reword the same things in a way that makes JFJ sound more stupid and FQN more self-preserving than ‘kyaa~ kyaa~’
[1i] Adjusted so that JFJ’s private vow is more ridiculous than heartfelt
[1j] The ‘JFJ still have other plans’ is made out to be light-hearted here, but in reality, this kind of act is disturbing. Add details to reveal the creepiness of his thoughts.
[1k] Add detail to FQN’s thoughts, replace ‘lalala~~ I wo~~oon~~~ tee hee’ with ‘sure, I believe you’ scepticism.
[2] Maids’ reactions. Let’s Keep It Real.
[2a] Instead of Yu Niang directly understanding, add a question.
[2b] Add ‘a flash of brilliance’ because all this while, the maids have been all ‘Yay, Team JFJ~’ but suddenly, it’s ‘wow, you don’t have to listen to him now,’ as though she had not been going uwu over JFJ’s every decision and being frustrated by her mistress’ obstinance
[3] Delete obvious ass polishing:
[3a] Deleted: Obviously with his level of intelligence… blah blah, he so smart, wow, etc etc
[3b] Deleted: Fu Qiuning’s heart moved, and the two of them looked at each other calmly, neither of them willing to avoid it. This is not a fight, but self-confidence, the self-confidence that one’s love for the other party must be loyal and unswerving.
What is this nonsense?
Especially in view of the following sentence.
[3c] Delete ‘puchi’ of laughter, because that just smacks of ‘tee hee’
Also deleted bits of ‘awww, I’d never, hee hee‘.
[3d] Deleted ‘said mildly’, replace with ‘dramatically’, because it’s JFJ’s Solo Drama time.
[4] Shang Xie – By Heaven
Is a famous love poem. Crazy in the head JFJ is comparing FQN’s swearing with a love poem.