The Wife is FirstCh86 - Numerous and Disorderly

 

Due to a recent event, we're temporarily locking some of the novels on our site.

Due to NU's policy, password-locked chapters aren't listed on NU, so if you want to follow this novel and get notified for updates, you need to register to our site and add this novel to your reading list.
Please read more about our site password here.

The password for the chapters is on our discord and it's updated WEEKLY (every Friday GMT+8).

 
🌺 Dan-dan Mein [Translator]
Hello!!! I go by Dan-dan Mein (haha, get it because it's like danmei-n). I'm still a student struggling through school who indulges in the lovely world of danmei to de-stress, and I hope my translations will be able to help you do the same~ Thank you for any kind of support you give, be it monetary, commentary or just plain being a fellow reader riding along the roller-coasters of dog-blood danmei with me :3 I have linked to raw sites on the novel pages where you can support the author, so please do!
Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

Translator's Note

Translator's Note

little four, referring to his fourth child

Translator's Note

when Mu Hanzhang asked about her health, she responded in a super polite/formal way that family members wouldn’t use, basically telling them that she regards them as strangers

Translator's Note

in ancient Chinese waiting rooms there is a hierarchy of where people are supposed to sit based on status, the seat of honor is for the highest-ranking person ie. JS

Recommended Novels

Leave a Comment

52 comments

  1. Oh my goodness, things are getting turbulent! Gu Huaiqing illegally arrives in the capital (in the hopes of meeting Jing Chen?), Rui Wang doesn’t see eye to eye with his wangfei (well, nothing new here, unfortunately) and if it’s not enough, Mu Hanzhang’s brother (or sister) may be born prematurely… 😨

    Thank you for the chapter 💕

  2. I feel like Jun Qing and Jing Shao won’t adopt the little prince Xiao Si though? Somehow… Rui Wang Fei’s anger is justified. Did Jing Chen discuss about this matter with Jing Shao and Jun Qing? Also… The relation between Jing Chen and Gu Huaiqing seems a bit sus…

    Thanks for the chapter~

          • Sorry Jazzhandz11 i couldn’t replyntonyour message, there was no reply buttom, but the first mention was at chapter 55, little theater and the end of the chapter i pasted below the direct passage:

            About birthdays:Because his Wang Fei had played the flute on his birthday this year, Jing Shao would always think about this flute playing on every one of his birthdays after that.One year, Mu Hanzhang was sent to Japan as an ambassador, and so wasn’t able to come back to celebrate Jing Shao’s birthday. Brother Jing Chen thought he was quite pitiful, so called Jing Shao to the palace. He was bestowed with a lot of good food and wine, but Jing Shao was depressed and sulky, and felt that something was missing. Jing Chen looked at his morality and conduct and was very annoyed. “What on earth do you want?”Jing Shao was bashful for quite a long time. “I want my Wang Fei to play the flute for me.” What was so memorable about some flute playing? Jing Chen didn’t quite understand. Empress Gu covered his face with a fan and chuckled incessantly. He whispered two words in Jing Chen’s ear. Elder Brother became extremely angry. “Get out! Get out! Get out!”Jing Shao was baffled. He just wanted to hear Jun Qing play that “Harmonious Flute” song. What was wrong with that?

  5. I think it’s perfectly understandable that Rui Wang Fei doesn’t want to separate from her child but why get mad at the people who have no idea? If anything, she should be angry at her husband who is the one who has planned that all by himself. I have a feeling she might die relatively soon, considering her frail state and to “free” up Jing Chen…

  6. Egads… I hope this idiot Lady Du (aka North Marchioness) didn’t do something stupid that would endanger MHZ’s ubosn sibling. And I really don’t like Jing Chen’s Rui Wang Fei… if she really cared for her husband, she’d respect his wishes and be more polite to JS and MHZ. JS is JC’s bro after all, and her husband is quite protective of him.

    I understand JC’s intention regarding the adoption and his wife’s (?) sentiment.. but has he discussed it with JS and MHZ?

    … ohhhh, I see an interesting ship about to sail. Can’t wait for the upcoming chapters!

    Thanks for the update!

  7. Oh God. Things had been looking up but it seems like things are getting complicated again. Did the marchioness do something to cause the miscarriage? There is something suspicious about her behavior

  8. Jing Chen really should hold it against Consort Xiao for not wanting to give up her child. It’s okay to have other issues with her, but not that. Thanks for the chapter!

  9. Rui Wangfei is a terrible match for someone aspiring to the position of emperor, she’s so bad at maneuvering… She’s so blatant with her unfounded alienation of Mu Hanzhang, and then bringing up that their marriage was originally a move to prevent Jing Shao from aspiring toward the throne, there’s literally no way to interpret that well. Looking down on how genuine the marriage could be, bringing up a sore point given Jing Chen genuinely cares for his younger brother and “cutting off the line of incense” is kind of a big deal culturally, casting them as political enemies when they’ve more than made it obvious they’re on Jing Chen’s side, on every level she is so out of line it’s almost impressive. That’s not the kind of partner a future emperor can afford to have on his side—Mu Hanzhang, despite not being raised for anything like the position, would never make such a mistake. (More relevantly, I suppose, Gu Huaiqing would also Never haha). In other news I hope Mu Hanzhang’s mother is okay, he literally only had one wish for her…

    Thank you so much for translating! <3

    • Oh, you literally pointed out everything! I have nothing to add, your analysis is so good. She is so incapable in politics that I wonder how she succeeds in managing the inner court of her palace (even though I still like her – I mean, not everyone is capable in politics e.g. Jing Shao).

      Just one thing to say : I like the beautiful expression of “cutting off the line of incense”, but I do not think that it is culturally inherent to China as it concerns every (royal) family line ^^.

      • Thanks, I’m glad you agree! And yeah, it’s not a crime to be bad at politics, just…extremely unhelpful, haha. And in her position, a bit dangerous to herself and her family, too

        For the “cutting off the line of incense” reference, my understanding of the phrase is that it’s somewhat literal—every family needs sons (since sons don’t marry into other houses) so that they can burn incense to/worship their ancestral line, regardless of social status. I don’t think China is the only place in the world that does it, for sure, but from what I’ve seen it’s culturally important for people to continue the family line so their living descendants can sustain them in the afterlife. I was sort of angling toward the idea that even without the factor of being royalty or any kind of inheritance issues, it was considered letting down your ancestors and yourself to have no sons at all, to the point that childless branches might formally “adopt” sons from others, even posthumously, in order to avoid having no one to pay respects to them

        Jing Shao doesn’t even have the possibility of illegitimate sons, since he has no concubines, and now that Mu Hanzhang is a Marquis he can’t marry in a new concubine—there’s no longer any way for him to have a child at all. Maybe it was after Mu Hanzhang’s promotion that Jing Chen thought of letting his brother adopt one of his own sons? Rui Wangfei’s being rude to Jing Shao makes sense for the past life, when he really made things hard for Jing Chen, but now I feel like it only really showed up after she had a hard birth and Mu Hanzhang gained his own status. Since Jing Chen helped that happen, maybe he brought up the idea of letting Rui Wangfei have fewer children to care for at the same time…

        • Do not worry, I understand what you tried to say with the “cutting off the line of the incense”. I do think that it is kind of ok for Jing Shao and Jun Qing to not have children because Jun Qing is a bastard (sadly) and Jing Chen, his brother from the same parents, did not let down their ancestors by having a lot of legitimate children. But maybe I am too open-minded for this period of time ^^

          Adoptions have been practiced in a lot of societies to indirectly continue the family line, but I wonder what would be the status of Xiao Si if he becomes the adopted son of Jing Shao and Jun Qing. Right now, he is the legitimate son of a prince. If he is adopted, will he be considered as a legitimate son of our cute couple? And, even if he is considered as a legitimate son of the Cheng Wang, is it really a good idea for him to be adopted? Would he not become angered to know that he is the legitimate son of the (normally) future emperor but he cannot inherit the position of crown prince because he was adopted by the Cheng Wang with his real father’s approbation?

          • Yeah, in Jing Shao’s case less his ancestors and more just needing someone to pay respects to himself (and Mu Hanzhang). Personally I don’t think that they need to adopt a child, but I can imagine that Jing Chen might’ve felt it’s important that they have one! And if it’s a sickly child that might not do as well in a household that already has multiple children, let alone if he has to join the struggle for the throne later, maybe Jing Chen thought he’d do better under those circumstances—a beloved only child with royal status but less responsibility instead of…reenacting everything the current princes are going through. He would be considered a legitimate son of our couple and their heir (but if all his biological brothers died he’d be next in line, I think), and how he felt about that would probably depend on the child himself? Honestly I don’t think it’s going to happen, though, Jing Chen doesn’t seem the type to force the matter. (But I do like to imagine that they’d be very good parents and any child of theirs would love at least Mu Hanzhang dearly. Regretting what parents you have would be a pretty big slap in the face, and ideally he’d love them as his “real” parents, the ones who raised him)
  10. I literally love this chapter! There are so many events happening at once!

    Well, the discovery of Gu Huaiqing being the mysterious guest was quite obvious, but I loved the fact that he gave back a belt’s jade ornament to Jing Chen. I began laughing when Jun Qing mentioned that it was a belt’s ornament and Jing Chen’s reaction is just so funny too… I just wonder: did they really “play together” during Jing Chen’s visit or did Gu Huaiqing just steal it to make a move on the Second Prince right now? I am so curious! I like Gu Huaiqing because he is so funny, I hope to see more of his unbridled character.

    The fact that Rui Wang Fei does not want to give her youngest son to Jing Shao and Jun Qing is totally comprehensible. However, she is really incapable to understand political schemes (pushing away Jing Shao who is the greatest and more loyal supporter of Jing Chen, not being able to hide her true feelings, etc.) and Jing Chen knows that he cannot keep her as an empress. I really hope that she can die from a natural cause, for us not to dislike Jing Chen for getting rid of his wife, but I think that he will have a part in her “disappearance” (sighing sadly)… I do not think that Jing Chen spoke in advance with Jing Shao and Jun Qing about a possible adoption of one of his sons (which is a great mark of love for his little brother!) because we have never heard of any clue concerning this matter. However, maybe later, when we will have Empress Gu with Jing Chen, our cute couple will get this adopted son to raise…alongside their tiger ^^.

    Finally, the possible miscarriage of Jun Qing’s mother. I wonder if the North Marchionness really has something to do with it or if she really did not do anything and she is worried to be framed and punished (but she has the terrible reputation to create miscarriages to his husband’s concubines so…suspicions will obvioulsy go on her). Moreover, Jing Shao came in person and she must fear this prince’s anger considering how devoted he is to Jun Qing…

    Thank you very much for the translation!

    PS: “There was a beautiful person I saw once whom I was never able to forget; not seeing them for one day makes me go crazy.” This sentence confuses me… I do not understand why it begins with a singular form (a beautiful person) but finishes with a plural one (them). Can someone explain it to me? (Sorry, English is not my native language). I understand this sentence as having a double sense : while teasing Jing Shao by insinuating that he desires Jun Qing, he can also speak about Jing Chen ^^.

    • about your P.S, although English is not my first language either, them here is used so the gender of the person in question remains a mystery. Them can be used in a singular form, for the sentence to make sense, the speaker would have to specify the gender of the person they are talking about, they/them is gender neutral and was used to keep the mystery alive. Otherwise if he/she was used, we as readers would have guessed straight away about whom they were talking about.

  11. Thanks for the chapter! Everyone has said everything I might have added, but I would also like to point out that JC’s idea to have his brother adopt his youngest son might have only been suggested to his wife, as opposed to being a done deal if approved by JS and MH…

  12. I really don’t get why everyone hates Rui Wang Fei….

    I am not justifying her cold behaviour towards MHZ and JS… This is just me trying to understand her character…

    I don’t like the way JC just told her to shut up even though he was one who asked her why she behaved rudely to MHZ and she was just explaining the reason…

    I think the point she’s trying to make is that …

    It’s obvious that the Empress doesn’t want JS to succeed the throne and that’s why she made him marry MHZ in the first place and if JS and MHZ decides to raise one of her children then the child too will fall under unfavorable side as we all know that between JC and JS the Empress really hates JS more which will gradually turn towards her child…

    With Rui Wang Fei not understanding the politics and the main couple’s intentions is because she doesn’t know what is actually going on…

    It’s not like JC told her everything and even after knowing the truth she’s behaving rudely to MHZ and JS… She really doesn’t know… The information that she gets about the affairs of the court are from third party like servants and other nobles which could be twisted truths, rumours or even straight up lies… You can’t blame her for that…

    Nobody knows

    • I understand that her reaction is natural if she don’t want to give up her child for adoption. But from the context of the chapter and some comments mentioned. She should be angry at her husband not JS and MH because JC didn’t even discussed it to them. And it also might just be a suggestion to her and not that JC really decided to let them adopt his son. Another thing, although JC never told her anything about politics but her repeatedly reassure her and told her about his and JS good relationship. From this point of view, if you really care about your husband, shouldn’t you be happy for him because he have at least one sincere family? Shouldn’t you believe him rather than the rumors? And this story have span for months and I would a assume that at least she develop some good feelings to them, especially that everytime they came to their home they always offer to help, especially MH who is nice and trying to build a friendship with her.

      So her not believing her husband about his brother, being rude to JS and MH, treating them like strangers and for just being not understanding of their situation is so unlikeable.

      • Another thing, she’s not a child. Even if she is not good at politics she should at least known that JS is a big advantage for her husband. I don’t expect her to be smart but to not know who she should befriend or not in the era they are in is simply not justifiable.

      • Counterpoint: why should Rui Wang Fei “really care” about Jing Chen? What has he put into this relationship? Let’s not forget that Jing Chen has other concubines. Including one who gave birth half a month before Rui Wang Fei. He also left her alone to go on a trip while she was recovering from a difficult pregnancy. And now he’s making her come up with arguments for why she should get to keep her own child.

        If I were Rui Wang Fei I would not give a single, solitary, fuck about Jing Chen, or his relationships, or his political aspirations. Maybe if he wants me to play nice with his brother (and anyone else he invites to our house and expects me to host) he should stop threatening to take away my fucking baby.

    • I completely agree with you. Its easy for us to judge her as readers who know a lot more about what’s going on, but for her it must have been terrible. A difficult birth, then illness along with a child who isn’t in the best of health. Also, I saw a lot of comments saying that she should have been angry with her husband but it’s she even really in a position to? The times were different, the rules were different. She can’t really alienate her husband and completely loose favour but she’s human too so it must be hard to swallow all those feelings down. I’m not saying she’s not wrong for showing that attitude towards MC & ML, but I just want to highlight her plight as well, because let’s face it, if they did agree, how much do you want to bet her protests will be worth? Whether it’s her position as wife or woman, they’re both disadvantageous. Let’s not forget how MC’s first life went when he wasn’t favoured. Honestly, after all these novels I feel like the royal family is a nest of snakes that I wouldn’t wish even my worst enemy to marry into
      • She’s already hostile to them before she even give birth. Of course, I understand her sentiment as a mother and a woman. But she really is not fitted to be the future empress. And of course she need to give a flying fbck about her husband. Please don’t be stupid. If she does not help her husband in his political aspirations do you really think the future emperor will let JC and his line live? No, they’ll be dead. Every single person during that time, even the stupid canon fooders, know when to be amianable to other people to survive. As the first wife and the one who manages the inner court, shouldn’t she be more aware of these schemes? She would be fine in any other family, but she is not fitted to be the first wife and the future empress. And let’s not ignore that JC is perfectly the representation of husbands during that time. But you don’t see first wives actively alienating their husband’s relatives. Let’s not use modern believes and standards to ancient one. Just because JS and MH’s relationship is so good and aligned with our moral today, this novel is still set in the ancient time and other wives are clearly not as lucky as MH. We are not saying she’s a bad person, she’s just the wrong person for the position she’s in.
  13. I really don’t get why everyone hates Rui Wang Fei….

    I am not justifying her cold behaviour towards MHZ and JS… This is just me trying to understand her character…

    To start with I don’t like the way JC just told her to shut up even though he was one who asked her why she behaved rudely to MHZ and she was just explaining the reason…

    I think the point she’s trying to make is that …

    It’s obvious that the Empress doesn’t want JS to succeed the throne and that’s why she made him marry MHZ in the first place and if JS and MHZ decides to raise one of her children then the child too will fall to ‘the unfavored side’. As we all know that between JC and JS the Empress really hates JS more and there is a possibility it will gradually turn towards her child…

    With Rui Wang Fei not understanding the politics and the main couple’s intentions is because she doesn’t know what is actually going on…

    It’s not like JC told her everything and even after knowing the truth she’s behaving rudely to MHZ and JS… She really doesn’t know… The information that she gets about the affairs of the court are probably from third party like servants and other nobles which could be twisted tales, rumours or even straight up lies… You can’t blame her for that…

    And nobody knows that JC and JS have good relationship between them except the party involved and some… So obviously she’s going to be see JS as her husband’s rival for the throne…

    It’s obvious that JC doesn’t love his wife but she lived him all those years and gave birth to 5 of his children…

    I think it’s too unfair to just keep her to make babies and dispose her once the job is done…

    I really hope the author would make her a likable and competent character one that’s suitable for being the Empress just like JC and JS’s Mother.

    PS: English is not my first language so excuse my mistakes.

  15. I don’t blame her for wanting to keep her child but they literally don’t know. Also alienating the biggest support you husband could have to the throne is a dumb move, it’s still a dumb move even if he wasn’t up for emperor. That’s his beloved baby brother! Heheh speaking of big bro I see you, i see your future empress 🤭

    Ah poor mother even with careful care that wicked shrew still acted! if JS & JQ ask for an investigation or do it themselves, things won’t go easy for her.

  16. I had to give it to Gu Huaiqing! Such guts 😂.

    And that Rui WangFei… I understand she doesn’y want to give her son. But that is only suggestion, done privately by her husband. Then with her objection, he even conceeded. So why is she throwing nasty face towards Jing Shao and Jun Qing? Hmph. Such unbecoming attitude.

    And the mess in North Marquis house. Who is the perpetrator? It is already seven months along. What kind of trick you are pulling this late. Hopefully Jun Qing’s didi is safe.

  17. Inappropriate for JC to ask Rui Wang Fei to give up her child. But I also see why he can’t stand her. She’s so fake. If she doesn’t want to, it makes complete sense. But don’t blame it on other shit to make it other people’s fault.

    • To be honest, I can see many future advantages for Jing Chen suggestion to let little four be adopted by Jing Shao and Jun Qing. It is just like Jing Chen said, Rui Wang Fei is shortsighted and can never see the bigger picture.

      If Jing Chen ascended the throne, his eldest legitimate son will surely be titled crown prince. This legitimate son younger brother in the other hand, if he become Jing Shao’s adopted son will become Jing Shao’s heir. He can took command of the troop of army under Jing Shao’s command. Thus, increasing the security of the throne in the future, much like Jing Chen and Jing Shao right now. If Jing Shao is heirless, that troop of army had to be handed back to the Emperor later, and Jing Chen’s sons had to fight to prove their worth to get a fraction of the army command; much complicated than just inheriting it.

  18. Oh, hope all is well with Mu Hanzhang’s mother and baby 🥺

    Intrigued by Gu Huaiqing’s stealthy visit..

    Thanks for the chapter 💕

  19. Girl, you can just say to your husband not to give your child. Everyone can understand you and it’s your right as the mother. But the more you gave excuses the more your true feelings (bad) about Jing Shao and Jun Qing shows. I hate how she implify that the pair is not trustworthy or responsible to even take care a child and how the’re not genuine with each other. She didn’t even care to know them and treat them as her family.

    🤦Gu Haiqing. Why??? I feel like something is going wrong the more Gu Haiqing stays in the capital. I hope Jing Shao, Jun Qing and Jing Chen will not get into trouble because of you.

    Mother Qiu! I hope she’s alright. 😨

  21. I was rereading and a sudden thought just popped up..Is there a high chance that “Empress Gu” (in the side story-ish on JS bday chapter) is the Huainan King????? Like the belt????? The jade????? “Gu” Huaiqing. Well, I could be wrong cuz we can’t actually see the Chinese characters but whaaaaaaaaaat. Did JC have a secc encounter with this Gu??????? 🤔🤔🤔

  22. I’m at the beginning of the chapter and got the WTF, OMG, OMG at what the king said… He’s in love! So, it will be a marriage for love?

    Sorry, I’m fangirling… Aaaaaaayyyyyyyyy I’m jumping!

    *And continue to read…

  23. O

    M

    G

    Spoiler

    OMG, the princess and the king slept together!!!!!! Sweet lord, have mercy! We need an extra to know how, when, where… DETAILS!

  25. Rui Wang Fei’s anger is justified. How do people expect a mom to give away her newly born child? That’s cruel.especially when she had such difficult pregnancy and birth. Also seems like,jing chen decided it all by himself,not discussing with JS,MH or his wife