Higher Level Wife

Chapter 120: Embarrassing (?) Lack of Directional Sense

Author: White Pear Flower

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

Translated by Pill Bug

Edited by Gumihou

Gumihou: Since this chapter is basically an excuse for the author to polish JFJ’s ass, Gumi will attempt to retain her sanity by marking each and every ass-polishing moment with ಥ⌣ಥ

 

In fact, if one were to think about it carefully, it would not be difficult for anyone to guess that Jin Fengju was only superficially calm.
Inside, his heart was a mess.

ಥ⌣ಥ: so that’s your excuse for being dumb, ok.

Otherwise, with his superior intelligence and wisdom, would he need Jin Ming to remind him of this possibility? After the servants had been dispersed to search the garden, Jin Fengju and Jin Ming made their way towards the Lotus Love Pavilion.

After skirting around some rock mountains and some willow trees, they saw someone resting on their belly at the Lotus Love Pavilion.
Jin Fengju suddenly grabbed hold of the tree next to him as he trembled.
In a wavering voice, he said to Jin Ming, “Is… is that Qiuning?”

ಥ⌣ಥ: lol, dramatic

Jin Ming stood on his tiptoes and looked.
He happily reported, “Master, it is indeed Madam.
The flowers have yet to fall, which is why there are fewer servants in the garden.
Moreover, the person is wearing bright colours, therefore they cannot be a man.
So, it must be Madam! Goodness, if she actually walked all the way here, no wonder she could not find her way out.
That aside, even this servant could not confidently find a way out of this garden on the first visit.”

While he was still talking, Jin Fengju had already run off.
To be honest, Jin Ming had already followed this master for so many years, but this was the first time he saw him running forward so heroically.
Even back at Jiangnan, he had only seen this master fighting valiantly, but never running.
Therefore, he followed this master with his eyes wide open, eager to not miss the sight of his ‘cold as ten-thousand-year-old iceberg’ master running in a hurry.

ಥ⌣ಥ: yeah, yeah, this is the first time, she unique, blah blah

Fu Qiuning was really tired and sleepy, which was how she ended up sleeping at the pavilion.
While she was sleeping sweetly, a shiver pierced through her body.
As she blinked herself awake, she thought she heard a faint shout.
Someone was… shouting her name? When she tried to look, she suddenly found herself in a warm embrace.
A familiar, yet unfamiliar voice next to her ear kept whispering, “Qiuning, you… you nearly scared me to death.”

ಥ⌣ಥ: Oho, is this meant to be a romantic moment? Well, well, incoming AR Qiuning, but Gumi is going to yeet her away

[1a] Huh? Fu Qiuning vaguely recognised the shaky voice as Jin Fengju’s.
So, he had graduated from ‘coughing illness’ to ‘tremulous emotion’ now? Nice, five stars for the performance.
Had he been taken lessons from someone?

Jin Fengju then pushed her back enough to stare into her eyes, his eyes sparkling like stars from unshed tears.
Fu Qiuning gave him a private thumbs up.
Yes, very excellent.
It’s this kind of acting that brings the house down.

When Fu Qiuning remained silent.
Jin Fengju thought that she must have been too frightened to speak.
He quickly hugged her again and patted her back lightly, saying, “It’s alright, it’s alright, I’m here now.
Now that I am here, no demons or monsters would dare come.” Then, he picked up Fu Qiuning in a princess carry and said to Jin Ming, “Return to Night Breeze Pavilion, inform Yu Jie and Aunt Yu to make a nerve-soothing soup.
Qiuning must have been quite frightened.”

“I, ahem, I am not at all frightened.
You let me down now,” said Fu Qiuning [1b] dryly, resigning herself to more misunderstood moments and random ‘kyaa’ remarks from her rose-glasses-wearing maids as Jin Ming scurried off.
When Jin Fengju did not let go, she pushed at his chest and kicked her legs.

The position was getting dangerous, so Jin Fengju had no choice but to lower her down.
He said faintly, “Aren’t you frightened? Why did you not say anything just now? This place is meant for the unmarried girls of the clan to live.
After they were all married off, it has been vacant for a long time.
You have been here for half a day, there is no shame in being afraid.”

’

[2a] Fu Qiuning stared at him uncomprehendingly.
“What is there to be afraid of? I was alone in Night Breeze Pavilion with Yu Jie for a year before Aunt Yu and the twins came to live for the next five years.
Moreover, what could possibly happen in this place? Don’t tell me you’re afraid I’d be assassinated in your own home?”

[3a] She laughed heartily.

[3a] Jin Fengju flinched.
His shameful actions from the past reared their heads at the most inopportune moment.
That’s right, he had abandoned this woman with no other companion aside from her maid on the day he married her in.

[3b] How could he ever admit any of this? To concede even a bit would ruin his chances to be with this woman or at convincing her to move into the inner court.
Therefore, he forced himself to laugh too.
“Hahah, how, how could that be? Haha, s-speaking of which, this garden was specially designed by Zen Master Huiming.
It has nine bends and 18 corners.
There is no shame in getting lost here.
Even I would probably be lost the first time I enter.
Therefore, you must not enter this place without an experienced guide.

If something were to happen… [3b] if you happen to get lost again, wouldn’t it be unfortunate? Not that anything would happen.
I know this, but for some reason, I was suffused with fear when I heard you had gone missing.
Aside from the time back in Jiangnan where I was drifting between life and death, I never felt such fear in my life.”

Fu Qiuning watched with [2b] interest as Jin Fengju talked.
The man was turning paler and paler, obviously frightening himself with his own conjecture.
[3c] So, this fellow is the immersive kind of actor.
Look how he panicked himself with thoughts of her falling into danger…

[2b] Hm? Fu Qiuning frowned and said, “So, Lord Husband is saying that dangerous incidents could happen within the marquisate, ah no, that is, the dukedom? If that’s the case, this humble woman shall be more careful in future and not leave Night Breeze Pavilion for whatever reason.”

[3d] “… …” Jin Fengju had a sudden sensation of dropping a stone on his foot.
He wanted to reprimand her.
He wanted her to know how anxious he had been.
However, if he voiced out any of those concerns, it would only serve as reasons for her to never leave that wretched Night Breeze Pavilion.
No, wait…

Jin Fengju shook his head and sighed, “Qiuning, there is no need for you to isolate yourself.
Listen to me and move to the inner court, ba.
If you want to go out and enjoy the scenery, you can go with Old Ancestor and accompany her.
Now that she is getting on in years, it is best for her to move her body more.
Otherwise, you living in such a remote place really worries me.”

[3b] “What is there to worry about?” asked Fu Qiuning.
“Obviously, problems only appear when I leave Night Breeze Pavilion.
If you wish me to list the terrible things that I have encountered ever since leaving that place.
I can do so.” After all, she had lived in that place for over six years, close to seven years now.
The gardens that were personally tended by her and the maids, the crops, the peaceful and tranquil life.
So long as there was room for resistance, she would not give in.

[3d] Jin Fengju gritted his teeth.
Naturally, he did not want to hear the list of things that had happened to Fu Qiuning ever since the doors of Night Breeze Pavilion were thrown open.
He could only sigh tragically and said, “If you do not wish to move out, that is fine.
Only, you must have more servants.
You cannot lack errand boys, matrons and cleaning maids.
At least, I could be at ease knowing that you are safe in that lonely place.
I know you like your solitude, but this time, it is not up to you.”

[2c] So you would risk inserting spies and assassins into my place for your pride? Fu Qiuning thought glumly.
She knew, from that stubborn, righteous look on his face that it would only be a matter of time before she was stuffed into the inner court, [2d] just like that time when she was stuffed into the same inner court by dear old Grandpa Fu.
Heh, to think that ‘Fu Qiuning’ would be forced into the same man’s inner court by two different men… what kind of ridiculous joke is this? [1e]

[3e] It was under this sense of helplessness that Fu Qiuning said lifelessly, “If you wish to add people, just add a few… as for the rest, it is best to wait until I am moved into the inner court.” [1f]

“Move to the inner court? You’re willing?” Jin Fengju stared at her.
Under the light of the setting sun, the woman of his heart looked especially delicate and [1g] sad in the waning light.
He thought: You must have been more frightened by the ordeal than I had thought.
My dear Qiuning, ah.
Your husband is so moved…

“Even if I am not willing, could I avoid moving there? Lord Husband had made a promise to this humble woman, [2f] that is to let this humble woman live her life peacefully in Night Breeze Pavilion.
However, did Lord Husband ever intend to keep this one promise?” Fu Qiuning said [1h] dully.

Jin Fengju choked, [3f] his beautiful thoughts from earlier shattering.
He had made the promise rashly, to prevent what he had then believed would be yet another troublesome woman pestering him for favours and making his life difficult.
He had been working hard all this while, trying to subtly reduce the promise from ‘a lifetime’ to ‘a few years’ and now…

How could he have imagined that his heart would be taken away by this woman? Otherwise, he would never have made such a rash promise even if someone were to beat him to death.
[3f] Gritting his teeth, Jin Fengju hardened his heart, thinking: Since you already despise me for breaking this promise.
I shall shatter this cracked jar in one go!

ಥ⌣ಥ: Tsk

Before he could stop himself, Jin Fengju quickly blurted out, “If you move into the inner court in three months.
I would not add any person into Night Breeze Pavilion.”

[3f] The concession was really no concession at all and both knew it.

“Three months?” Fu Qiuning [1i] said in that same dull voice.
“I see, so you are granting me a final three months of peace and happiness before sending me to the inner court to wait for death.”

’

Jin Fengju wanted to strangle this woman to death.
Just what did she mean by ‘sending her to the inner court to wait for death? Leaving aside the fact that the inner court intrigue of the marquisate never reached that kind of level, even if it did reach that kind of despicable level, what was there to be afraid of? Didn’t she have his full support? With him standing behind her, who would dare touch her? If this was heard by outsiders, just what kind of uproar would it cause? Did she even know?

Fu Qiuning [1j] blinked as Jin Fengju’s face rapidly turned red.
She thought: What’s wrong with him now? Did he not like to hear truths? Was he offended by the truth? Should she say something?

[1j] After some thought, Fu Qiuning half-heartedly said, “It’s just a joke.
Haha…”

“… very well, if it’s a joke I can ignore your statement.
However, if this is heard by others, do you know what the consequences are?” Jin Fengju sighed heavily.
He really could not see through this woman.
If he were to call her foolish, there were times when she saw through a problem even more clearly than he did.
But, to call her sharp? To recklessly blurt out taboos like this when even servants would know better than to even touch, as though she had not half a point of sense in her head.
Could it be that this was what they mean by ‘Great Intelligence may Appear Stupid to the Unenlightened’?

[1k] [2g] Fu Qiuning stared up at Jin Fengju with clear eyes.
Then, dropped the following devastating statement, “No, Lord Husband.
This humble woman does not know the consequences.
Would Lord Husband please explain to this humble woman?”

[3g] Jin Fengju nearly choked on his tongue.
How, how could this woman… Could this woman really have no sensibility at all?!

[3g] “…I see,” said Fu Qiuning finally after a long silence.
She looked away, saying, “So, it is one of those unspoken rules of a noble house.
I supposed speaking ugly truths out loud could be considered bad manners.
I shall endeavour to guard my tongue in the future.”

[3g] “… …” what could Jin Fengju say to that? In the end, all he could say was, “Once you move in, just be careful.
If anyone catches your weaknesses, it will cost me great effort to protect you.” [1k]

[3g] “I understand.
So, in the end, I must do my best to guard against death in that place.”

[1k] How miserable, ah.
She not only had to guard against scheming females, but she also had to guard against a self-righteous scheming male lead and his scheming grandma too.
Let’s not forget about the scheming MIL.

How sad was her life?

[3g] The walk to Night Breeze Pavilion was conducted mostly in silence, [3g] with Fu Qiuning wallowing in misery and Jin Fengju seething with unspent emotions.

 

Back at Night Breeze Pavilion.

Aunt Yu and Yu Jie had nearly gone insane with anxiety.
Jin Changfeng and Jin Changjiao were both clamouring to go out and look for their mother.
Like little spirits, they managed to catch on that something had happened to their mother even behind the veil of secrecy.
Yu Jie and Aunt Yu did all they could to stop the children, but even they were on the verge of running out to look for their mistress.

Fortunately, that was when Fu Qiuning returned.

“Madam, where have you been? We nearly died from anxiety!” Yu Jie rushed over, tears falling like beads down her face.

Fu Qiuning looked at this loyal maid of hers.
Though this [2h] poor dear was too stupid for her own good, to the point that she would cooperate with the enemy to push said mistress into his bed.
However, she could not completely hate Yu Jie, since the maid sincerely thought that it was a ‘good thing’.

She sighed and said, “I got lost at Yong Cui Garden.”

“It’s all fine, your Madam reached the Lotus Love Pavilion and could not find her way out,” said Jin Fengju.
[1d]

[3h] The other two women expressed their sincere sympathy.
After all, they had a bad sense of direction too and understood just how complicated the garden paths were.
So, how could they ever make fun of their mistress for getting lost?

[2h] They had even gotten lost on the way to Health & Longevity Court the first time they visited the place.

’

 

Gumihou: …unexpectedly, allowing FQN to keep her common sense resulted in a lot of footnotes…

Fu Qiuning: Apologies…

 

[1] Delete AR Qiuning related foolishness

[1a] Deleted: Kyaa, what is this anxious voice? Even when he’s injured, he did not cry out like this, kyaa~~

Not a true to form translation, you understand, but Gumi is not going to waste her brain power on obvious ass-polishing statements

Replace all ‘kyaa~ a beauty~’ moments with ‘wow, excellent performance.
Five stars’

[1b] Deleted: Kyaa, ufufu, I- I am not frighten~ *blush*

[1c] Deleted: UwU I shy to say I got lost~~

Replaced with [2a]

[1d] Deleted JFJ’s ‘Haha, you are so funny~~ why would you be ashamed of getting lost? Tee hee’

Delete the bonding moment with [3b]

[1e] Deleted FQN making excuses for JFJ’s behaviour ‘originally, this is an era where wife must have three obediences and four virtues.
JFJ first came to Night Breeze Pavilion because he felt guilty towards the children.
He thought I am a good confidante.
He keeps his promises etc etc etc’

Completely ignoring [2d]

[1f] Deleted ‘Aih, I’m so miserable.
Aih, I should maintain some dignity.
Mu~’ Basically deleted sulky AR Qiuning.

[1g] Deleted ‘guilty look’ replacing it with ‘sad look’ and switching JFJ’s described thoughts to a more active sentence for extra self-deluding impact.

[1h] Deleted ‘finally pulled back a victory to look at Jin Fengju confidently’ replaced it with ‘dully’.
To show a sad defeated person, because causing misery to the person you ‘love’ has a greater impact than ‘causing defiance’.

[1i] Deleted ‘FQN opened her eyes wide’ presumably in shock, however, the current trend of her feelings don’t support this, so replaced with more ‘dullness’.
Remove ‘?’ and turn questions into statements.

[1j] Deleted ‘Fu Qiuning also knew she had said the wrong thing blah blah oh noes, but I has no choice, but, ah.
This is awkward, kyaa~ it’s a joke, it’s a joke nyan~~’

Gumi:… anyway, keep the ‘it’s a joke’, but maintain the ‘dull’ attitude.

’

[1k] Deleted ‘FQN lowered her head and muttered, ‘nyaaa~~ I don’t want to move nyaa~~ wuwu, so many enemies.
Husband kennot protecc.
Wu, sad~~’ UwU

Seriously, these similar statements are repeated 3 times.
What the f?

 

[2] Terrible Truths author likes to gloss over.
Heheh

[2a] Terrible Truth 1: I’ve been practically alone for over 1 year, what is half a day?

[2b] So, this place is dangerous after all?

[2c] More people = more danger

[2d] Draw comparison between JFJ and dear old Grandpa Fu

[2f] Inability to keep his promises.
It was mentioned briefly, but Gumi gave extra emphasis and detail

[2g] Question JFJ on his ‘it is taboo’ statement, replacing [1k]’s ‘nyaa~~’ attitude

[2h] The stupidity of the local females

 

[3] Consequences of changes:

[3a] JFJ burst into laughter after [1c], a very nope moment for Gumi.
Transfer the laugh to FQN, as she knows that women dying mysteriously in noble houses is a normal occurrence.

[3b] Consequence of [3a] Fu Qiuning bringing up death

JFJ to laugh and try to brush things over with a canon explanation of the garden’s history

[3c] In place of [2b], continue with ‘wow, this guy’s a great actor’ and ‘JFJ dropping a stone on his foot’

[3d] Consequence of mentioning ‘danger comes when I leave this place’

[3e] Fu Qiuning’s glum thoughts, per [1e] and [2d]

[3f] Consequences of [1g], [1h], [2f]

[3g] Consequence of [1k], [2g].
JFJ had to answer the ‘consequences of speaking about taboo issues’ and not be given the opportunity to be smug about ignoring AR Qiuning’s UwU

[3h] Since we deprived JFJ his opportunity to magnanimously overlook FQN’s shame about her ability to get lost, switch the POV to the maids’ side.