The day's performances might not have been as exciting as the first day, but Fu Qiuning was still very captivated by the performance. Her level of concentration rivalled even that of the judges. There was even a minor incident where, after the final performance had concluded, some unknown person from an unknown country leapt onto the stage and declared that he wished to duel with one of the generals of the Great Ning Empire. He ended up being beaten up by one of the Emperor's personal sword-carrying guards. Not only did he lose his face, the audience even pelted him with Chinese cabbages, tomatoes and rotten eggs. [a] Laughter filled the hall and the commotion lasted for quite a while.
[a] "… what the heck? Is this whole thing staged? Just what kind of security allows people to bring rotten eggs and tomatoes into an imperial palace…" muttered Fu Qiuning under her breath.
Later that evening, she brought up the incident to Jin Fengju, "Why did the common people bring rotten eggs, cabbages, tomatoes and other things with them when they went to watch the performance? This is really strange, aren't there any security for this kind of thing at all?"
Jin Fengju chuckled, "That is because you have never seen this kind of event before. No wonder you don't know. What is so special about today? In the past All Nations Cultural Festivals, when was there any time when several arrogant countries did not come and provoke us? Some of them were really repulsive, but over time, the common people learned from their experiences. This year, only one provocateur showed up, which is already considered very few."
Fu Qiuning was taken aback, thinking: What? This kind of thing happens too? So it was basically a state-sanctioned heckling? Also, other countries provoking the Great Ning Empire? You're saying this after making a grand fuss about being the best every year and not letting others win?
Back when Jin Fengju had said about the Festival representing the dignity of the nation, she had initially thought it was an overreaction, but now that she was even more convinced of it. It may have been just as significant as when Beijing successfully bid for the Olympics, where they had a pretty little girl lip-syncing to a song that was sung by another girl who was deemed 'not photogenic enough' [b]. Looks like the situation was even worse during ancient times, when people's foolish blind loyalty to their rulers made their cohesion and unity even stronger.
The very next day was the third day of the All Nations Cultural Festival. There were not many performances left, however, they were deemed to be the best that each country had to offer, something that was suitable to be considered as their finale. Therefore, regardless of their alleged exhaustion, Old Madam Jin, Madam Jiang, Madam Fang and the rest of the people who came on the first day made sure to be at Lingji Palace. After all, it concerned the face of their dukedom since it was one of their own who introduced this new and cutting-edge opera.
As noon approached, all the other performances had finally concluded, leaving only Celestial Couple remaining.
Word had gotten out that this final performance was an opera created by the wife of the highly acclaimed Marquis of Jin Xiang. Thus, even though it was technically a secret, the news had already entered the ears of every noble and commoner in attendance. Whether they were people on the second, third, or fourth floors, or the wealthy merchants and ordinary citizens in the audience. All of them had flushed faces as they eagerly awaited the brilliant performance.
[c] Fu Qiuning had already seen and heard this opera over and over again and had worked with the singers and musicians in fine-tuning the result to the point that she thought her ears might grow calluses from it, but when the opening strains began to play, she could not help but be transfixed as the play she had worked on so hard with so many people were finally being performed on stage.
While she was busy being enthralled, she vaguely noticed the sounds of sobbing starting up around her. It wasn't until someone suddenly let out a wail that she jumped and looked around. Just what was going on? If you want to cry, cry silently!
"If this woman ascends not to the heavens, I fear for Dong Yong's fate! A torn brocade dress as paper, torn middle finger as my divine brush, I leave these heart-wrenching words in blood and tears for Dong Yong to behold upon waking! On the day when spring blooms under the shade of the pagoda tree, ah… my beloved Dong Yong, ah… let our souls meet in the afterlife. Fear not the heavenly rules bent on tearing us asunder. For we are connected, you and I, as heaven and earth are one!"[1]
It was the final heartbreaking refrain from the final act of Celestial Couple. Fu Qiuning stared at the few wailing women in stunned horror as she thought: It's one thing to cry and be touched, but aren't you being too dramatic right now? Are you so self-absorbed that you can't bear to share the attention that you have to put on your own drama here? It was one thing to be ignorant, superstitious, and worship the heavens, earth, spirits and gods, and it is quite another to put on a deliberate act right when a play is going on, you know?!
It wasn't until some maids, probably sent by the Empress Dowager, came over to shush them that the wailing women finally subsided.
Fu Qiuning nodded to herself, thinking: Good, if they can't behave, they should be thrown out of this place at once.
The Celestial Couple is a passionate and beautifully emotive piece that resonates well with the audience. Moreover, the myth was something that was fairly widespread among nobles and commoners alike. While it was unlikely for the superstitious locals to curse the Heavens for being heartless, they could still express sympathy for Dong Yong and the Seventh Celestial's fate. This was probably why the Emperor and Empress Dowager did not oppose Fu Qiuning's choice of play.
As the Seventh Celestial gradually disappeared into the backstages, leaving Dong Yong lying tragically alone on the stage, cries of sorrow rose from the pit where the commoners were seated. After all, how could they not be sad for someone who was close to them in status and fate? As for the rest of the noble ladies, handkerchiefs abound as the air was filled with stifled elegant sobs. The noblewoman next to Fu Qiuning was dabbing her eyes and saying, "Does this mean Dong Yong and the Seventh Celestial will be separated forever?"
Fu Qiuning explained, "Surely Madam has heard the stories? Dong Yong would later marry a virtuous woman called Wang'shi. Later, after the Seventh Celestial gave birth to a child, she handed it to Dong Yong as promised before returning to the heavens to suffer a lonely fate."
She was smiling through her teeth as she said this, thinking: Stories with trash men are popular even in the modern days. How many novels have I read in the past with scum CEO males with a happy ending? Looks like it was the same in this world. Dong Yong was portrayed as an honest and simple man who was deeply in love with the Seventh Celestial. His marrying again after she was out of the picture was a cheap slapped-on ending that was probably there just to generate more sympathy for the Seventh Celestial, while allowing men to have their own satisfaction at the expense of their so-called 'first love'.
While Fu Qiuning was busy fuming in her mind, the noblewoman wiped her tears with relief and said, "Oh, so Dong Yong's fate isn't too tragic. But still, isn't the Seventh Celestial just too pitiful? Having to endure loneliness for the rest of her life in the heavens."
Fu Qiuning smiled her business smile at the woman, thinking: It was probably better for the Seventh Celestial to be at her maternal home and properly taken care off than be with this scum male who had married another woman even after her letter written in blood and tears.
Back at the Jin Estate, Fu Qiuning was still [c1] buzzed from the feeling of having seen her play acted out on stage. She spun around in place a few times, reliving the peak moments of the story before flopping down her back to stare at the ceiling.
It was at that time that Yu Jie entered to inform her that there would be a grand banquet at the palace that evening where the rankings for each of the performances would be announced. Fu Qiuning's only inquiry to this marvellous invite was, "Is it mandatory? Am I allowed to not go?"
When Yu Jie said it was not mandatory, she said, "Tell everyone that I'm too exhausted to go. Look, I'm in bed, exhausted. Yawn. I'm asleep."
Yu Jie was anxious, of course, and though she would love to see her mistress be properly acknowledged and stand among the glittering noble ladies of the estate, there was really nothing much she could do to persuade Fu Qiuning if she didn't want to move.
That evening, Old Madam Jin, Madam Jiang, Madam Fang, and even Jiang Wanying and other titled noblewomen, dressed up splendidly and entered the palace with great excitement. It was only after they had all seated together at the banquet that they finally realised that Fu Qiuning, the most conspicuous person from the Jin Estate, was absent. Old Madam Jin's smile stiffened as she looked around desperately, hoping that her granddaughter-in-law was just held up somewhere.
It wasn't until the Empress Dowager nodded and said in a sympathetic voice, "A woman who truly personified the words 'Swayed by neither fame nor humiliation'. Back then, when Fengju praised his wife for her modesty and benevolence, we were still a little sceptical. I see that Fengju did not exaggerate at all. How rare it is to find someone who is indifferent to fame and fortune? Fengju has indeed married a virtuous wife."
If Fu Qiuning knew that she was praised thus by the Empress Dowager, she probably have spat up blood.
While Fu Qiuning was truly 'indifferent to fame and fortune', the rest of the Great Ning Empire's nobles happily made use of the Celestial Couple as well as a few other solid performances which had won accolades before to oppress other nations and display their might.
As a result, the Emperor was in such high spirits that he not only rewarded the Jing Dukedom, but also various officials from the Ministry of Rites and some other noble families as well. The craze sparked by Huangmei opera among the common people was just beginning, but that's a story for another time.
Please read this at kitchennovel dot com ~
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the weather turned colder day by day, and a few bouts of chilly north wind began to blow. On this particular day, the pitter-patter of rain began to fall.
Fu Qiuning was strolling along a cobblestone path in the rain with an oil-paper umbrella from Jiangnan. All around, yellow leaves covered the ground and withered grass stretched into the distance, creating a truly desolate atmosphere of late autumn.
"After this round of autumn rain, the next one might bring snow," she thought as she tightened her velvet cloak. Even so, the cold still stabbed through the material. It had not been raining when she left the house earlier, which was why she did not put on a raincoat. The umbrella in her hand was more pretty than useful and her clothes were quickly soaked by the rain.
After the All Nations Cultural Festival, Fu Qiuning took a few days off. Later, the Emperor ordered the construction of a large mansion next to the Duke of Jing's Mansion. They selected some talented singers, dancers, and musicians and brought them over for Fu Qiuning to be personally trained. Of course, as the Marchioness, this teacher didn't work for free, and there were various rewards, but there was no need to go into detail about each one of them.
Just as Fu Qiuning arrived at the gate of Elegant Mansion, she found Yu Jie already standing there with a large sturdy umbrella and a familiar cloak in hand. When she saw Fu Qiuning, she raised her eyebrows and smiled, "I kept telling myself that I didn't know when Madam would return, so I would go and deliver a raincoat. Who would have thought Madam would be back so soon?"
As Fu Qiuning entered the building, she continued to chatter, "The weather can indeed be called cold. Madam should have some hot tea to ward off the chill. I will have them make a bowl of ginger soup for you."
"The ginger soup will not be necessary, just have the kitchen send up some snacks," Fu Qiuning said.
Jian Feng happened to walk in with a tray of snacks in hand and said with a smile, "These were just baked. This maid knows that Madam likes to have hot snacks, so this maid brought them here right away."
Fu Qiuning was about to commend her on her service when a junior maid whispered anxiously, "Madam, there… there is someone here to see you."
"What are you saying? Who wants to see Madam? You should explain more clearly. Why do you look like that for? Were you chased by a ghost?" Jian Feng scolded the young maid.
The timid maid flushed and replied, "This maid… this maid did not dare to ask. It is a young man. This maid was frightened and ran back. He tasked me to inform Madam."
Fu Qiuning was surprised and said, "No wonder Mo Li looks so scared. When has a young man ever come to our courtyard? Oh, it couldn't be the master from the Second Lord's mansion, could it?" She stood up and instructed Jian Feng, "Go and have a look. Quickly escort the guest inside. The rain is getting heavier, and we do not want anyone to catch a cold."
Jian Feng hurried out and returned with an odd smile on her face. Fu Qiuning raised her eyebrows and said, "What is it? Who is outside?"
Before Jian Feng could answer, a voice from beyond the curtain said, "Madam, it is I, Ling Yun. The Young Marquis sent me to deliver a message to Madam. An urgent matter came up. He will be home late, so, there is no need to wait for him to come home for dinner."
"Ling Yun?" Fu Qiuning, raised her eyebrows, thinking: [a] Isn't that the imperial guard Jin Fengju wanted to introduce to Yu Jie? Is that why Jian Feng is tittering like that? What was she supposed to do about this?
In the end, she said, "Alright, I understand. Jian Feng, go and fetch a cloak for me. Send Yu Jie in with tea and snacks for the imperial guard."
Jian Feng giggled again before saying, "Yes, this maid will inform Yu Jie." She trotted out of the room and saw Ling Yun standing just beyond the curtains with his head slightly lowered. She gestured expansively with her hand and said, "Please have a seat, Lord Ling. Yu Jie will be here soon."
Ling Yun blushed and stammered, "It… it was the Young Marquis who ordered me to deliver a message, not… not to find Yu Jie." After that, he lowered his head even more, and Jian Feng felt even more amused.
Not long after that, Yu Jie entered with a tray of tea and snacks. As she placed the tray on the table, she found Ling Yun openly staring at her. Shyness and annoyance stirred inside her and she flushed bright red. In a stilted voice, she said, [b] "These are still warm. Please enjoy." Then she turned and flounced through the curtain.
Ling Yun felt a bit awkward, especially since they were delivered by his future bride. He quickly devoured the food and then stood up, saying, "Thank you, Madam. The message has been delivered. This humble official will take his leave now."
Fu Qiuning was already bored by all the unnecessary drama. She put up a business smile and said, "Very well. Yu Jie, see Lord Ling off." [b]
Even through the curtain, she heard Yu Jie stomp her foot, "What is Madam saying? Th-this maid will not see Lord Ling off."
Fu Qiuning [b] switched her gaze to the sweating Ling Yun. "It is unfortunate, but Lord Ling shall have to see yourself off."
[b] Just then, Jian Feng happened to enter with a cloak. She beamed and said, "If it is alright with Madam, perhaps I could-"
[b] That was when Yu Jie quickly said, "I shall escort Lord Ling out now!" before quickly stomping out with Ling Yun hurrying after her.
[b] Jian Feng smiled knowingly at Fu Qiuning, "Steward Jin's task has obviously been snatched. Moreover, to think that Lord Ling is willing to snatch a minor task like this just to see Yu Jie is…"
[b] She trailed off suggestively, trying to gauge her mistress's willingness to gossip. When Fu Qiuning made a small sound of assent, she laughed and continued, "If we had known it would be like this earlier, we should have arranged their marriage sooner. This maid thought it was already considered early to marry off Yu Jie after the New Year, but it seems like someone still thinks it was too late. If they knew what this maid was thinking, they would probably be itching with frustration."
Fu Qiuning [b] considered for a moment before answering, "Yu Jie has been with me since 'I' married into the Jin clan. She and Aunt Yu have stayed with me through many years of hardships. With Aunt Yu married off, there is now only Yu Jie left. It is good that she can marry into a family that appreciates her." Was all she could think of to say. After all, it was true that Yu Jie had stayed with the [c] original!Fu Qiuning in the entire year and up to her suicide.
She had also remained loyal to Fu Qiuning in those five years they had struggled to put food on the table together. The maids had never questioned her actions during that time, no matter how outrageous. While she felt a little hurt about Yu Jie and Aunt Yu switching loyalties to Jin Fengju, at least neither maid sold her out cheaply. After all, both maids received many things from Jin Fengju; gold, jade, and for Yu Jie at least, even a marriage prospect with an imperial guard.
[b] Fu Qiuning told herself that she was satisfied with this amount of loyalty. It was only natural for people to gravitate towards the easier road.
While Fu Qiuning was lost in thought, Jian Feng piped up, "Is Madam thinking about Aunt Yu? Yu Jie informed this maid earlier that when she sent supplements over to Aunt Yu, the Zhang Family's madam kept chanting 'Amitabha' at the sight of such great favour. She also informed this maid that after the physician examined Aunt Yu, they found that though she was a little weak from vomiting and a lack of appetite, there was nothing serious. Madam need not worry."
Fu Qiuning nodded vaguely, her eyes sliding towards the mechanical Western clock in the room. Jin Fengju had one brought over to Elegant Mansion after she had glanced at one more than a few times at Old Madam's place. While the ancient way of keeping time was impressive, Fu Qiuning found herself falling back to the habit of telling time by modern clock standards. While everyone in the house was still used to looking at the sky to calculate the time [1], she still preferred this 'Western way' of time telling. Right now, the hands pointed at 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
"Surely it is almost time for the children to leave their school? Since we have nothing urgent to do, fetch my raincoat. I wish to pick the children up." [d]
Jian Feng hastily said, "Madam, please don't go out. When it was raining earlier, we already sent two young servants to the clan school. Yu Jie originally wanted to bring the raincoat to you, but who knew that Second Madam Wan and Concubine Huo would send gifts of snacks from their courtyards? We were so busy arranging for return gifts that we had completely forgotten about it. Madam has just recovered from a cold. It would not do to catch another chill."
Fu Qiuning arched an eyebrow, "What chill? Do you consider this weather cold? You have certainly never suffered enough. It is just a walk, go fetch my raincoat."
Jian Feng had no choice but to bring Fu Qiuning's raincoat and wooden clogs and help her put them on. Because it was getting darker outside, she also had an accompanying junior maid bring a lit glazed glass lantern. In fact, a literal troop of maids with glazed lanterns ended up following her.
A procession of colourful lights trotted its way to the clan school. There, she found several maids and servants already waiting in the corridor for their little masters and mistresses.
Soon, the students started to come out, and their chattering voices filled the air. Fu Qiuning spotted Jin Changfeng, Jin Zhenyi, and the other children receiving their raincoats and hats from the junior servants and instructed one of her junior maids to approach Jin Changfeng.
[d1] Jin Changfeng and Jin Zhenyi looked up in surprise at the maid's message. Jin Zhenyi immediately cheered but was quickly dragged back by the collar with a pointed cough.
Naturally, this attracted everyone's attention. Everyone was aware that Fu Qiuning was now the most highly regarded woman in the estate, but seeing her in such an unexpected place caused them to stare in shock. When Jin Changjiao and Jin Xiunan stepped into the corridor, the same thing happened, with Jin Changjiao cheering and Jin Xiunan pulling her back with a pointed cough.
Amused, Fu Qiuning thought: Goodness, the brothers and sisters have quite the opposite temperament.
She was about to lead the children away when she noticed that it was getting rather dark outside. She looked at the procession of glass lanterns waiting for her, each exquisitely made and probably there to make the rest of the children jealous and… as expected, Jin Zhenxuan, Jin Xiuzhen, Jin Xiuru and Jin Xiufen were gathered together in a tight group, looking enviously at the line of pretty lanterns. She smiled and said, "The weather has become gloomier lately. Brother Xuan, Second Young Miss, Fourth Young Miss and Fifth Young Miss, come here. The maids will light your way back with the lanterns. You may keep them for future use."
When Jin Zhenxuan and the others saw Fu Qiuning personally coming to pick up Jin Changfeng, Jin Zhenyi and their sisters, complex feelings swirled in their hearts. When Fu Qiuning called them over, they all frowned but dared not defy her wishes. After all, she was Father's favourite now. If Father heard they had defied Honoured Mother's wishes…
Jin Xiuzhen smiled sweetly and said to Fu Qiuning, "It is getting dark, and the road is slippery. Why did Honoured Mother come personally? Surely sending a few servants would have sufficed. Since you came here personally, what if something happens? Who would take responsibility?"
Fu Qiuning blinked slowly at this girl's subtle mocking. Well, there was really no need to quarrel with a little girl upset by her father's neglect. She smiled kindly and said, "I had some leisure time and decided to come here, that is all."
There was… really nothing much to say to such an answer. Jin Xiuzhen, with her overly complicated mind, tried to see through Fu Qiuning's scheme but could discern nothing. Could it be possible that Fu Qiuning was really there to pick up her children?
Fu Qiuning sent the children home with the maids and the lanterns. The children all thanked her; their actions polite, but wary. As for herself, she led her brood home with the remaining lantern-holding maids.
Back at Elegant Mansion, she took off her raincoat and wooden clogs at the veranda, and upon entering the house, she said with a smile, "The rain is getting heavier. Your teacher is also a sensible person. With this kind of rain, the roads would be slippery. Be careful when you go to school tomorrow."
Jin Zhenyi shook off his cloak and said cheerfully, "That's alright. Teacher said that if it rains tomorrow, we don't have to go to school, but we have lots of homework!"
Fu Qiuning nodded and said, "This is how it should be." After some thought, she said, "Go to the kitchen and see if the meal is ready."
Jian Feng fidgeted for a moment before blurting out, "The Young Marquis is not back yet. Something must have happened at court right? Will Madam really not wait for him?"
Fu Qiuning gave her a look, "No need, the children must be hungry. Go and serve the meal."
Jian Feng acknowledged the order and left. Not long after that, dinner was served, and Fu Qiuning, along with Yu'shi, Luo'shi, and the children had their meal together. She then sent the maids to have their meals separately. Just as they were almost done with their meal, they heard footsteps in the courtyard, followed by Jin Fengju's clear voice, "Where is everyone? Where have they all scrammed to? Such a huge courtyard yet no one to guard it, how can this be acceptable?!"
Fu Qiuning had just picked up her teacup, only to set it down again. Servants were rushing outside to see what the commotion was. A voice said cautiously, "Because it's raining outside, we…Aiyo!"
From the thumping noise and aborted scream, it sounded like Jin Fengju had just viciously kicked the servant.
[e] The children, Luo'shi and Yu'shi went silent. Fu Qiuning considered the matter for a moment before standing and leaving the room to see what the commotion was.
[e] From the lantern light, she saw Jin Fengju's gloomy face. Drenched in rain, without even a coat or a hat while standing under the heavy rain, he looked like a giant wet chicken.
Ignoring the wet cockerel, she swept her eyes around the area once and spotted a servant boy crouching in a puddle of water, shivering with cold and fear. She clenched her fist and said, "It was I who ordered the servants to stay under the veranda. Someone go check on Little Four. Give him a couple of taels of silver for him to treat his injuries properly. Tell him that I said so, and let him rest at home for half a month."
TL Notes:
[1] Ancient China did not go by the easy 1, 3, 5, 7 PM etc., but by names of the time periods instead. In English, the equivalent for 1, 3, 5, and 7 PM would be something like Midday, Sun-Decline, Dinner-Time, and Sunset.
Jin Fengju still had more to say, but since Fu Qiuning was the one who made the decision and this was Elegant Mansion, he swallowed his anger and kept his annoyance to himself. When he looked up again, he saw Yu'shi, Luo'shi and his children crowding around the older women's waists. The women looked shocked and fearful, the children's faces were… Jin Changjiao and Jin Zhenyi looked fearful while Jin Changfeng and Jin Xiunan looked wary.
[a] Standing protectively in front of them was Fu Qiuning, staring back at him with a stony expression. It was then that his anger started dropping, replaced by a bottomless sense of defeat.
[b] "It's been a tiring day," said Fu Qiuning. "Everyone should just rest early."
Once the children had been herded away, she took one look at Jin Fengju and said, "Well? What are you doing-"
Before she could finish, Jin Fengju suddenly covered his mouth and rushed out of the room as if he flew, vomiting in the courtyard. [a] Fu Qiuning looked at him in fascination for a while before turning to Jin Ming.
"What's wrong with Lord Husband?"
Jin Ming shook his head. He even had the audacity to shrug and say, "This servant doesn't know. The Emperor summoned a few trusted ministers and our Young Marquis to an evening banquet. This servant was waiting outside the whole time. When it finally turned dark and Young Marquis came out, he refused to wear his raincoat or even a hat, rejected both horse and palanquin and ran all the way back. Poor Little Four suffered for it."
Fu Qiuning [c] turned to Jian Feng, "Go to the kitchen and instruct them to stew some ginseng chicken soup and prepare two more sweet porridge dishes."
Jin Fengju was still heaving in a corner, so she could not just leave or it would look bad. She stood under the veranda with a blank-faced Jin Ming after having dismissed everyone else and said, "Your master has a rather dramatic temper."
Jin Ming merely coughed and said nothing.
She considered leaving the man to heave and gag dramatically in the rain. However, it was clear that Jin Fengju wanted her to do something. Rolling her eyes, she picked up an umbrella and sloshed through the cold rain to recite, "Fortunes and misfortunes are two sides of the same coin, and extreme happiness can lead to great sorrow. When the sky falls, one should bear the weight first."
She thought: There, that sounded nicely cryptic and dramatic, right?
As expected, after hearing Fu Qiuning's dramatic lines, Jin Fengju shook himself in a 'struck by a thought' way and looked up with shimmering eyes at Fu Qiuning. Then, he turned to Jin Ming and said, "You can go back. Return in the morning to prepare me for court. Qiuning is right; even if the sky falls, we still have to bear the weight first."
He turned his eyes back to Fu Qiuning and said, "Alright, have someone prepare hot water for me so I can wash up and change my clothes, then we will talk."
Fu Qiuning raised her eyebrows: Talk? Talk what? You go do your man thing or whatever and don't drag me into this.
However, knowing that this was impossible, she sighed and turned to Jin Ming, who was still dithering around, and said, "Just go back, I will handle it."
After Jin Ming scuttled off with one last sympathetic look at her, she resigned herself to removing Jin Fengju's wet clothes and left him to steep miserably in the hot water that the capable maids had already prepared. Probably at Jin Ming's orders. [c2]
Fu Qiuning considered what could have happened to this man with the indestructible ego for a moment, before deciding that it was too annoying to bother herself with it. If he wanted to tell her, he would tell her, regardless of whether she wanted to know or not. Therefore, when Jin Fengju walked out with heavy footsteps, sat down opposite her and proceeded to gaze at her without speaking, she resolved to stay quiet and not encourage his dramatics.
Finally, the one who could not stand the silence sighed and said, "What are you thinking about?"
[a1] "If it rains tomorrow, the children will have to stay at home and study on their own. I am thinking that I should have the kitchen prepare more ginger soup to prevent colds."
"… nothing else?"
[b1] Fu Qiuning considered the hopeful expression on Jin Fengju's face and decided to take a stab. The only thing Jin Fengju was really concerned about in this world was himself, and… well, how others thought of him. Oh, yes, there was that one other thing, the steed he was betting on. "Does it have anything to do with the crown prince position?"
Jin Fengju immediately straightened his posture to stare at her for a long while. Fu Qiuning braced herself. Jin Fengju breathed in deeply and said, "You are right, it is about the crown prince position."
[b1] "As expected," Fu Qiuning said as she nodded to herself. "Did the… ahem, did something unexpected happen?" She very nearly said 'the horse you bet on'. [c3]
Jin Fengju laughed bitterly and said, "You may find it impossible to believe, but the Emperor has just named Prince Lie as crown prince! Honestly, my heart was even more shocked than you. I wanted to go to the Emperor and loudly demand what he was thinking, but I had to endure it stubbornly. In that situation, I had to clench my teeth and bear it. Even though I am an important advisor to the Emperor, I am also Prince Rong's brother-in-law. At a time like this, it is not my place to speak. And even if I forcefully spoke up, it would only worsen the situation."
"I see, I see," Fu Qiuning nodded several times. [c3] She really could not care less who was made crown prince. Sure, the steed they were betting on lost the race, but Fu Qiuning had already resolved to run away if the going got hard. Only power maniacs would concern themselves with who got their bottom onto the big chair.
Jin Fengju coldly chuckled, "The Emperor's mind is inscrutable. Who knows what the old man is thinking? I have also been racking my brain, but I still cannot make sense of it. Just how did the position of crown prince end up on Prince Lie's head?"
Fu Qiuning nodded sagely, "Indeed, that is most inconvenient." [c3]
Jin Fengju gave a bitter laugh in reply, "Inconvenient is the least of it! Naturally, some inquiries have been made, and several of them were from high-ranking officials. Lord Guo, the Minister of Finance's words could even be called "fervent". However, it provoked the Emperor's anger. He claimed that while Prince Lie lacked significant accomplishments, he acted decisively and resolutely. He said that when Prince Hong previously wanted to stir up trouble, showing signs of disloyalty, only Prince Lie could quell such intentions.
Although Prince Rong doesn't have any noteworthy achievements or faults, with such a moderate temperament, he would either be a mediocre person or a deeply strategic person. With his soft temperament, the Emperor fears that a hundred years hence, when Prince Hong causes trouble, Prince Rong will not be able to contain it with his gentle nature. He also said that since the officials were so vehement, had they formed a faction with Prince Rong? Furthermore, he banished Minister Guo from the palace. It was fortunate that several high-ranking officials joined forces to plead on his behalf, preventing him from losing his office and position."
[b1] Fu Qiuning was getting dizzy from nodding along with everything that was said. She was still nodding when it grew too silent, signalling that Jin Fengju wanted her to say something. So, she murmured something perfunctory, "A thousand missions, all amounting to a pile of yellow sand. Now I truly understand. Indeed, this taste can be called the most unbearable."
Jin Fengju drank two gulps of hot tea, and though he usually enjoyed it, he felt no taste on his tongue. He shook his head and said, "Should I encourage my brother-in-law to vie for the position? Prince Hong has already been banished to Shandong. Does my brother-in-law need to be banished too for it to be considered done with? The Emperor is partially right; Prince Lie is indeed resolute and decisive. Pei, what resolute and decisive, it would be better to call him ruthless. If my brother-in-law and I did not protect ourselves and show restraint everywhere, once Prince Lie ascends to the throne, I fear that the first thing he would do is to exterminate us."
"Indeed," Fu Qiuning resisted the urge to knead her forehead as the man continued to complain. [c3]
Jin Fengju paused and seemed lost in thought for a while, to the point that Fu Qiuning wondered if she could just sneak away and go to bed when he started muttering again. "The Emperor himself was a resolute man in his younger days. Perhaps he did not consider so many factors and simply thought that because Prince Lie had achieved remarkable military feats, he would be similarly resolute and decisive, and if Prince Hong stirred up any trouble, he would be able to swiftly subdue him, preventing widespread suffering among the people. Right, perhaps he is just thinking along these lines. As for being ruthless, Prince Lie is the Emperor's own son after all. How could the Emperor think of him in such a way?
Fu Qiuning shrugged her shoulders in her best 'I'm just a dumb woman' way and said, "Who knows, it is possible that the emperor has a plan. It is possible that he was testing the princes. It is also possible that he was just senile. Who knows what is truly going on?" [c3]