This chapter has been brought to you by me, Adnana, and Vivie.
Chapter Seventy-Four: Henpecked
The people behind bars saw Yan Jin Qiu appear, and terror rose in their eyes. It was as though the one who came in was not a handsome nobleman but a soul reaper from hell.
A manservant who had been committing torture hurriedly threw away the whip dripping with blood when he saw Yan Jin Qiu appear, and went forward to bow.
The manservant behind Yan Jin Qiu quickly set up a table and a chair, and then stood behind Yan Jin Qiu with his gaze focused in one spot. He seemed to not smell the rot and blood filling the prison.
“Has someone confessed?” Yan Jin Qiu raised his teacup and idly blew on the steam coming off. Then he took a sip and said, “Last time, you managed to let someone escape and even caused Wang Fei to be wounded. Ben wang is very unhappy right now.”
The manservant who guarded the jail changed expression. He knelt down, ignoring the dirty water on the ground, but did not dare to raise his head to plead for mercy.
The room became silent. Yan Jin Qiu swept his eyes across the manservants. He brushed the cover of the teacup across the surface. A moment later, he pointed to two manservants kneeling in the corner. “Take them away.”
The two manservants wanted to speak out and plead for mercy, but their mouths were gagged and they were pulled away.
“Do not act in front of ben wang.” Yan Jin Qiu put down the teacup. His eyes became sharp. “Whoever is tired of living, ben wang doesn’t mind sending them on their journey.”
If Xi Wan had not been clever last time, he didn’t know how much trouble would have been caused. He didn’t know how much Hua Xi Wan knew, but she had not asked questions in the past few days. She wasn’t curious about the secret under his study, as though she had really been the target of an assassination and did not hear any secrets regarding him.
He had thought about the responses Hua Xi Wan might have, like fury, curiosity, or dislike of him. But all of his guesses missed. This surprised him, and also pleased him. There were countless women in the world, but only she was so special in his eyes.
“Since these people are not willing to confess, then they do not have to speak. There’s no use for their tongues,” Yan Jin Qiu said with a cold smile. “These people prey on my Xian Wang Fu being weak; ben wang naturally has to treat them well.”
A while later, screams came from the prison. He looked on coldly. When the servant presented the cut off tongues in front of him, he glanced over the bloodied tongues. “Since these are things that came off them, then they should take care of them. Ben wang hopes that by the next visit, these people will have confessed in writing. Otherwise, their hands are useless.”
The ones who had their tongues cut off rolled on the ground in pain. When they heard his words, they didn’t dare to move. They retreated to the corners and trembled. When their tongues were thrown in front of them, their terror reached a peak. They covered their heads and didn’t dare to look.
Walking out of the underground prison, Yan Jin Qiu bathed before walking towards the main yard with his hair down. When he walked into Hua Xi Wan’s room, the nurse was changing the dressing for Hua Xi Wan. Seeing him come in, everyone in the room bowed.
“There’s no need for courtesy.” Yan Jin Qiu walked next to Hua Xi Wan, still slightly damp, and carefully lifted her arm. Before, he had only seen Hua Xi Wan when her arm had already been bandaged. Only now did he see how deep the wound was.
While it had been a few days, the wound was still swollen. It was the length of a hand and seemed exceptionally ugly on that pale and perfect arm. The thread sewing the wound shut had been dyed by blood into a red-black color. The original color could not be seen. However, he felt great pain just looking at it.
His hand that held the arm trembled slightly. Yan Jin Qiu felt a heavy weight on his chest. “Does it still hurt?”
No wonder she had not had a good sleep these past nights. The wound was so painful—how could she have a peaceful sleep?
“It’s all right.” Hua Xi Wan used her unhurt right hand to caress his wet hair. “It is cold right now. How is it that you came with wet hair? Quick, dry it off.”
Mu Tong perceptively handed over a clean towel. Yan Jin Qiu waved him aside when he came to serve, and took the towel himself. “Just now, I had some mud on my body. I was worried it would come into contact with your wound, so I came after washing. How come the wound is so red?”
“Wang Ye, do not worry. Wang Fei’s wound is deep, and it is possible for it to be swollen at the start. But if she rests well, it will not look so shocking when the dressing is changed next time.” The nurse spoke carefully. “Please, Wang Ye, do not worry. This subject is preparing to change Wang Fei’s dressing.”
Yan Jin Qiu saw the bowl in the nurse’s hand that contained a dark green medicinal liquid. It did not smell noxious. He put down the towel in his hand and carefully lifted up Hua Xi Wan’s left arm with both of his hands. He ordered, “Be careful, and do not cause pain for Wang Fei.”
After the medicine was put on, and the bandages wrapped, the nurse saw that Xian Wang’s brow was tightly locked. She thought that he was displeased with the conduct of the Imperial Hospital and explained, “While the stitches on the wound appear frightening, they are beneficial for Wang Fei’s wound to heal. In a few more days, the grand doctor will come to take the stitches out. Wang Ye, please do not object.”
“Ben wang understands. Everyone in the Imperial Hospital has worked hard.” Yan Jin Qiu was worried about Hua Xi Wan’s wound, but he would not vent his displeasure on a nurse who did not have any status. After calling for a servant to see the nurse out, he sighed before saying to Hua Xi Wan, “You did not have to do this.”
“Since I decided to do it, then I have to do it well. Otherwise, the losses outweigh the gains.” Hua Xi Wan thought of the faithful and intelligent Bai Xia and Hong Ying. She said, “Let them take good care of Bai Xia and Hong Ying. While they cannot be looked after by the grand doctor due to their status, still the medicine from the Imperial Hospital can be given to them, and a good doctor in Jing can be found.”
“I have had people already take care of your two maids. Mu Tong has also arranged for a few young servant girls to serve them. Do not worry about this.” Yan Jin Qiu gripped her hand lightly. “This matter has caused you to suffer.”
“Husband and wife are one. If something happens to you, will I be untouched?” Hua Xi Wan reached to touch his half-dried hair. “Dry your hair more. It will not be good if you get sick.”
Yan Jin Qiu pressed a light kiss to the back of her hand. “If I am sick, I do not have to deal with the matters of the court.”
As expected, on the next day, news that Xian Wang was ill came out of Xian Wang Fu. Some said that Xian Wang was truly in love with Xian Wang Fei, taking care of her day and night, and causing him to fall ill. Some said that Xian Wang was angry and hurt that such a terrible thing had happened in his home, and it caused him to fall ill.
But no matter how anyone else speculated, the grand doctor who went to take Xian Wang’s pulse confirmed that Xian Wang was truly ill, and was not just pretending in order to trick the outside world.
Looking at Xian Wang Fei who was talking as she sat on the side of the bed with her wounded arm, and using her other uninjured arm to tuck in the blanket for Xian Wang, the grand doctor sighed inside and then bent his head to write a prescription.
“Wang Fei, Wang Ye has become ill due to being too tired and having an evil wind enter his body. He should not go outside or be cold in the next few days. After drinking medicine and sweating it out, there will be no major problems.”
“Thank you for your trouble.” Hua Xi Wan nodded politely to the grand doctor and had Mu Tong personally see the other out of the fu. Then she turned and glared at Yan Jin Qiu who lay obediently on the bed. “I told you to dry your hair. You didn’t listen to me. Now you are ill and in discomfort.”
Yan Jin Qiu obediently pulled his blanket up as he was being glared at by his wang fei. He covered his chin, and blinked his eyes to show he was innocent.
“Do not pretend to be adorable. Your face is red—there is nothing adorable.” Hua Xi Wan exasperatedly reached out to touch his scorching forehead and called a servant to bring wine. She used her uninjured hand to wipe him all over, and when she was wiping his behind, she couldn’t resist slapping it, which gave off a crisp sound.
Yan Jin Qiu: “…”
He felt that he didn’t have any respect left as a husband.
The smell of the alcohol on his body was slightly nasty. He sniffed and wanted to speak, but then saw Hua Xi Wan’s cold eyes.
In the end, he silently pulled the blanket to cover himself and tried to make it so that no air made it inside the blanket.
She ordered the servants to open two windows far away from Yan Jin Qiu. He was sick, and yet they had the doors and windows covered tightly. Did they want to incubate the virus in the room?
Silently watching as Hua Xi Wan ordered the servants, and seeing two of his windows opened and the coal basin nearest to him moved away, Yan Jin Qiu strangely felt better. This was probably his most novel experience of being ill.
When he had been ill in childhood, the people around him had comforted him and spoiled him. Then he had inherited the wang fu and was rarely ill. When he was ill, the people serving him trembled and didn’t dare to breathe.
This time… other than getting his behind slapped, all of the other experiences were not bad.
“The coal basin should not be put too close to a person; it is not good for the throat.” Hua Xi Wan saw that there was sweat already gathering at his nose tip and said, “First sweat it out. You’ll feel much better after having a sweat.”
While Yan Jin Qiu felt uncomfortable because of the stickiness of his body, he was docile as he saw Hua Xi Wan’s expression of concern. Gradually, drowsiness rose.
“Sleep for a while. When the medicine is done, I will wake you.”
Forcing himself to remain awake, Yan Jin Qiu said, “You should return to your room to rest. Do not let my illness pass to you.”
“Patients should not worry about this. Go to sleep.” Hua Xi Wan used a handkerchief to wipe the sweat on Yan Jin Qiu’s nose. Seeing him finally unable to resist his drowsiness, she sat for a while before walking to the outside room. Under Zi Shan’s urgings, she drank half a bowl of ginger soup before saying, “Move the soft couch into the room, and be quiet.”
People needed company the most when they were ill. She had married into Xian Wang Fu. No matter how much true emotion Yan Jin Qiu had for her, he had never treated her ill at all. So seeing that he was sick, she felt that she could keep him company.
Translator Ramblings: Yan Jin Qiu is reduced to a five year old cowering in fear of his wife.
xxixixixixi ……..
fufuufufu…….
so sweet…….
LOL…YJY got a shocker having his behind wack for being a naughty kid. Thanks for this chapter.
Hahahaha OmG …. I’m chocking in my own spit this couple really……. I’ve no word !!!!!!
Thanks for the hard work
*“Has someone confessed?” Yan Jin Qiu raised his teacup and idly blew on the steam coming off. Then he took a sip and said, “Last time, you managed to let someone escape and even caused Wang Fei to be wounded. Ben wang is very unhappy right now.”*
Scary husband is scary.
—
*He had thought about the responses Hua Xi Wan might have, like fury, curiosity, or dislike of him. But all of his guesses missed. This surprised him, and also pleased him. There were countless women in the world, but only she was so special in his eyes.*
If you think about it, HXW’s lack of reaction IS strange but knowing what we know, that she came from modern times and has a different level of maturity, it’s not all that strange. In the eyes if YJQ, her reaction really must have been attractive to him. After all, it shows that his wife is accepting even his darker side.
—
*After calling for a servant to see the nurse out, he sighed before saying to Hua Xi Wan, “You did not have to do this.”
“Since I decided to do it, then I have to do it well. Otherwise, the losses outweigh the gains.”*
She’s amazing, this woman.
—
*“Thank you for your trouble.” Hua Xi Wan nodded politely to the grand doctor and had Mu Tong personally see the other out of the fu. Then she turned and glared at Yan Jin Qiu who lay obediently on the bed. “I told you to dry your hair. You didn’t listen to me. Now you are ill and in discomfort.”*
Tables have turned and I am incredibly amused.
—
*Yan Jin Qiu obediently pulled his blanket up as he was being glared at by his wang fei. He covered his chin, and blinked his eyes to show he was innocent.
“Do not pretend to be adorable. Your face is red—there is nothing adorable.”*
Hahahaha shamless of you, YJQ. It’s nice that he acts this way with her. Thinking that he never had the chance to be this close even with his family is sad. However, finally finding that common ground with his wife sure has led him to open up more. I’m glad they were the ones who got married. At least the emperor did one thing right.
Thanks guys! Loving the sweetness of this couple the more we delve into the story. My only gripe is that HXW seems to still be holding herself back in some way and it makes me a little frustrated. Hoping she opens up more! Again, thanks for the chapters! Very enjoyable 🙂
Also, isn’t it funny that YJQ likes that his wife is being strict with him while he’s sick? He’s been spoiled as a youngster in sickness but his wife is having none of it. Polar opposite of how YJQ spoils her rotten and yet he likes it. It’s incredibly ironic. Lol
I do kinda wish that HXW and YJQ get mutual snu-snu on sooner too, but at the same time it wouldn’t be realistic. The number of women who believe their husbands telling them they’d be the only one then the husband getting a mistress/concubine probably reach the skies. It’s nice to see HXW at least think and treat YJQ closer though — it’s a good start and means YJQ is making progress. :3
It’s harder for HXW to believe him because that’s just reality. He can take a concubine and there’s nothing she can do
Personally I think her lack of reaction is all the more strange, seeing as values upholding physical integrity in modern times are much more common, acknowledged and widespread – i.e. people who overstep these boundaries suffer a far greater blow to their public image and social acceptance than would have been the case in ancient times. Even if the offence is far less cruel. This, in my opinion, is the biggest flaw in her character and can only be – at least partially – explained by her growing up in those times and not transmigrating.
That’s true. However in this story she is not just yesterday transmigrated then marry him but she has been living in this era at least 16 years long. She has grown up in Hua family.16 years is long enough to let her learn to accept the reality that in ancient era one must accept this way of life.
She can’t get out of a marriage decreed by an emperor so she is now simply an ant in the same boat with Xian Wang. The downfall of Xian Wang would mean her downfall too. And the worst case is that her family might perish too so she doesn’t have any other choice than accepting YJQ just the way he is and help him when needed. She can only do as far as she could.
E.g. the fact that she kept that 12 year old servant girl using an excuse as distant relativ of Zi shan is enough to show that she still has some modern value to not harm innocent person. She only bite back those who bit her first, or to save her own ass.
She never wished to marry in the imperial family, but since now she is in… All she can do is just to deal with it, because it’s her own survival issue.
“She used her uninjured hand to wipe him all over, and when she was wiping his behind, she couldn’t resist slapping it, which gave off a crisp sound.”
This was hilarious, favorite part of the chapter. This OTP is amazing.
How do you feel for getting slapped wang ye… fufufu.. Dont disobey your wang fei or else..
Thank you for the three chapters translator-sama..
Wahahahahaha! I chocked on my spit because of laughing too much!
HXW you are really something!
Slapping your husband’s butt too much! 😂 can’t resist? Why????!
Perhaps…it’s not YJQ’s face that is not adorable….but a certain wangye’s behind. Thus the butt slapping..
“Do not pretend to be adorable. Your face is red—there is nothing adorable.” Hua Xi Wan exasperatedly reached out to touch his scorching forehead and called a servant to bring wine. She used her uninjured hand to wipe him all over, and when she was wiping his behind, she couldn’t resist slapping it, which gave off a crisp sound.
Yan Jin Qiu: “…”
He felt that he didn’t have any respect left as a husband.
********************************
I laughed at this 😆😆😆
Want to see more of they lovey dovey scenes in the future
Tongues cut off and behinds getting slapped in the same chapter 😂 Why not, right?
It’s amazing how the same character can be so terrifying and also… So pitiful. Haha.
YJQ being so cute and adorable…
I can’t resist it…
Sweet moment between husband and wife….
This is the cutest chapter ever! Ahem, torture aside ofc,,,
Well YJQ got sick for a childish reason. HXW is right in treating him like a child while he’s sick. XD
Thanks for the new chapter!
I died
Srsly. I died
“He felt that he didn’t have any respect left as a husband.”
That butt slap bwahahahahhahahaha😂😂😂😂omg the guy who just ordered to cut off people’s tongue like it’s nothing got himself a spanking 😂😂😂 to be feared is thy wifey~ I’m reminded of the saying goes from this one novel “a man rule the world, but a woman rules over a man” aaaaah~ I love this moments in the novel❣️💕
Thus..the title…”henpecked”….
I died
Srsly. I died
“He felt that he didn’t have any respect left as a husband.”
That butt slap bwahahahahhahahaha😂😂😂😂omg the guy who just ordered to cut off people’s tongue like it’s nothing got himself a spanking 😂😂😂 to be feared is thy wifey~ I’m reminded of the saying goes from this one novel “a man rule the world, but a woman rules over a man” aaaaah~ I love this moments in the novel❣️💕 Thank you sooooo much for the update(s)
He covered his chin, and blinked his eyes to show he was innocent.
hahaha and she slapped him like he was a child who did something bad pffft!
Thank you for the cute and sweet chapter ！(∩ω)⊃ —==三 ⊂⌒っ´ㅅ)っ fuu~
Thank you..
So cute~
So sweet! I love this sort of story where the couple begins to truly care for and love each other over time.
Hahahha they are so adorable!
I never expected YJQ would be shown this side of him, if I’m not mistaken, even in TBAVW the ML was never like this..
with the tables being turned; HXW the master and YJQ the one who listens.. so much gap moe on YJQ side >////<
This caught me off guard, my heart is squeeling!! Such powerful man would be so powerless and adorable in front of his wife.. he even let her slap his butt😂😂😂
Umm… Remember that chapter in TBAVW, “The Lioness From Hedong Roars”? 🙂 This author loves to write whipped heroes.
Well, it’s “whipped” when a female orders around a male, but “conventional” when it’s the other way around. 😛
Ahhh! Yess! Thank you for the reminder😂😂
Actually it was like this in TBAVW as well. HH would always shamelessly spoil QQJ all the time, especially when they would play weiqi together. You have got to remember how painful those games were for HH due to QQJ being so terrible at the game and cheating all the time. However, HH would still just sit there and suffer through some games because she likes to play sometimes. HH would do things like that to curry favor with QQJ quite often, which puts alot of the power in the relationship squarely in QQJ’s hands. (Remember the decree that he wrote to make her his empress?) As squarely as possible during those times, at least.
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤❤❤✌✌
Kyahahaha!! The fluff is real! The author does such a great job of balancing the serious business and the sheer romance between the leads. In TBAVW as well, their moments were so subtly adorable. Couple goals lol.
The butt whack was so cute. But I had goosebumps when I read Qing Qiu shooting at He Heng in TBAVW.
Shouting* sigh
It is expedient, I suppose, for YJQ to use the customary means and tortures to extract confessions and information from spies within his own household. It’s always kind of gives me the yucks to read, but I find myself cheering for the man who seems to derive pleasure form their pain, as well. (which fact I find slightly distressing)
I wondered if YJQ was intentionally courting illness in order to have time at home, and time away from the officials and official duties. Either way, he has well and truly got a cold (or similar). He deserves all the bossing around she gives him, so it’s nice that he enjoys it. It is lovely that they can seem to accept each other, warts and all, as they say.
Like they say, when you love someone, even the things that others may not think are beautiful in the one you love become beautiful in your eyes.
Want to be ill and illness came…
Haha like a mother taking care of her child
the cutest chapter ever >.<
as always thank you for the amazing chapter :3
isn’t this the first actual time HXW acted on her modern knowledge? aside from personality and views, this is the first concrete move she did which shows she knows more than the ancient peeps. It’s pretty subtle and effective too, I love it.
Thank you for the chapter~
She slapped his behind LOLLL
…. that chapter title already made me laugh, then I read that he slapped his butt whilst he was trying to act cute and I had the biggest smile on my face ever~
Then i read the translator’s note and practically woke up my whole household. … If I don’t write anything on the next few chapters, suffice to say my family was less than amused. RIP.
The tongue cutting strongly reminds me of the duck’s tongue they are oh so fond of eating ang completely grosses me out 😫😨😨😵
Good thing there are a lot of sweetness after to waah away the ewws. 😊😊
This fluff got me through. So sweet. 😄😄
Uh, I didn’t even think of that connection.
I knew he was going to be addressed as henpecked sooner or later….it sure is nice having someone care for you and be sincerely concerned when you are sick.
That smack though 😂😂😂. Well, YJQ likes it because only if someone really cares about you then that someone would scold you. HXW might not be deeply in love with him but this attitude shows that his wife does have concern, otherwise she could be ignorant since he has a lot of servant anyway.
Such warmth
She slapped his butt xD