Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Jin Niang stepped out of the Fourth Miss’s room and saw a crowd surrounding a woman as delicate as porcelain and jade—this must be the Second Madam, Wu Shi. She appeared to be in her thirties, wearing a sable fur headpiece shaped like a crouching rabbit, beneath which glimpses of an exquisite phoenix hairpin could be seen. Her robe was a vibrant red with auspicious brocade patterns, paired with a gold-embroidered skirt of fine silk. Her face was as fair as a lotus, her brows slender as willow leaves, and her delicate fingers adorned with gemstone rings.

"How truly wealthy," Jin Niang sighed. The Second Madam seemed even more affluent than the First Madam.

Someone nearby remarked, "Indeed, she is. Though the Second Master’s official career is modest, he excels in managing finances. Their granaries overflow with grain—people say he’s the Deng Tong [wealthy Han dynasty official] of the Zhou family."

Wu Shi entered the main hall and waited for Jiang Shi to sit before taking her own seat. Smiling, she said, "I should have come to see you sooner, sister-in-law, but the Second Master insisted I rest due to my poor health. Now that I’ve recovered, my first visit is to you."

"I know how much your husband dotes on you. The blood bird’s nests I sent were from my own family—simmer them into congee daily for nourishment," Jiang Shi replied.

The two sisters-in-law had always gotten along well, so Wu Shi greeted the nieces warmly, praising each in turn. She was especially fond of the eldest daughter, Shi Shi: "So dignified and lovely—clearly a testament to your upbringing, sister-in-law."

The Fourth Miss was among them, though she detested Wu Shi, feeling an instinctive revulsion at the sight of her. Who could like such a two-faced charmer who played favorites? In that novel, she had loathed Wu Luan the most.

Of course, Jiang Shi was no saint either—a textbook "first wife doctrine" adherent, arrogant and domineering due to her status and family background. The two women were two peas in a pod.

Wu Shi had come to discuss arrangements for the aunt’s birthday with Jiang Shi: "Her birthday falls on the eighteenth of the first month. Since she and her daughter usually stay with you, sister-in-law, we’ve had little chance to host them. I thought we might set up a few tables in our flower-adorned pavilion that day. What do you think?"

Jiang Shi was delighted. The aunt had never been on good terms with her, and she resented having to foot the bill for the celebration. Now that Wu Shi was taking charge, she feigned reluctance before agreeing: "Very well, we’ll all gather at your place for the festivities."

"Then it’s settled." In truth, Wu Shi had no desire to entertain the aunt, whose recent return had made her financial struggles obvious. But social obligations were unavoidable in a prominent family, especially with the matriarch still alive.

Thus, Wu Shi maintained a cheerful facade, appearing genuinely pleased.

The other girls were excited at the prospect of the celebration, but the Fourth Miss found Wu Shi’s behavior insufferable—why fawn over someone who had treated her poorly?

Such matters hardly concerned the sewing-room maids. Jin Niang spent her days making shoes for the Fourth Miss and nights embroidering flat embroidered shoes for Yan Hong. Fang Qiaolian, tasked with sewing a skirt for the Second Miss, worked alongside her, both yawning over their needles by lamplight.

"If only we could go see the Ao lantern festival too," Fang Qiaolian sighed enviously.

Jin Niang shook her head. "Such is the lot of servants. Whether we can go depends on the masters. Since we don’t serve the young ladies directly, it’s unlikely."

Fang Qiaolian chuckled. "The housekeepers, though, can go out as they please."

"True. Many of them live better than wives of common families." Still, Jin Niang had no desire to remain a servant. But since Fang Qiaolian wished to stay, she kept such thoughts to herself.

Their fingers stiff and toes frozen, the two finally retired to bed.

Meanwhile, the Zhou family planned to attend the Ao lantern festival together. The matriarch insisted her granddaughter join them. Though Jiang Shi disliked the aunt, she bore no grudge against the niece, who was still a child. "Don’t worry, Mother," she said. "I’ll have Shi Shi look after her."

Zhou Shi Shi, Jiang Shi’s eldest daughter, was gentle and refined—unlike her forthright mother. Taking her sisters to visit Miss Mei, she shared tales of the capital: "In Kaifeng, they erect a ‘mountain scaffold’ display before the imperial palace, facing the Xuande Gate across a hundred zhang (about 300 meters). You’ll need warm clothing."

"Don’t worry, elder sister," Miss Mei replied. "Aunt had a new outfit made for me."

She showed them the gown, adorned with gold tracery and colorful patterns, which the others praised. Though Miss Mei disliked its heaviness, she accepted their compliments. Yet when they set out, she realized she alone was dressed so gaudily—while the Zhou sisters wore elegant, light-colored robes.

Her already troubled mind grew heavier. Unaware of this, the aunt—after receiving a hundred guan (strings of 1,000 coins) from the matriarch—lost five diao (strings of 100 coins) gambling. Hearing of her daughter’s predicament, she seethed with rage that needed venting:

"Those girls deliberately wore white to spite you! Don’t they know the capital favors white attire for the Lantern Festival? Your elder sister should have warned you!"

Mei Pan’er, anxious and upset, protested, "Mother, Elder Sister treated me with nothing but kindness!"

She longed to keep the peace, fearing her mother’s temper would isolate her further. But her meekness only angered the aunt, who berated her for being spineless.

Their door-slamming quarrel echoed through the household, reinforcing Jin Niang’s resolve to avoid the aunt—a woman with no sympathy for servants. As an outsider, she knew Jiang Shi wouldn’t defend them against family.

She must tread carefully. At least the aunt hadn’t blamed her for the dress—had she, no justification would have spared her.

A few more days passed, and after the shoes for Miss Fourth and Yan Hong were completed, Jin Niang personally delivered them. Miss Fourth rewarded her with twenty coins and also gave her a plate of fresh oranges and a plate of golden peaches.

"I couldn't possibly accept these," Jin Niang hurriedly said.

Miss Fourth smiled. "They're nothing special—leftovers from Aunt's birthday celebration yesterday. Consider it a small thanks for your efforts these past days."

Only then did Jin Niang accept the gifts. She noticed that Miss Fourth’s room was not filled with incense, but instead had a white porcelain tray with gold trim holding slices of citron to scent the air. Jin Niang quietly marveled at her cleverness.

After leaving Miss Fourth’s quarters, she went to Yan Hong’s place. When Yan Hong saw the *Three Drunken Hibiscus* embroidery on the shoes—so delicately done that the flowers seemed to shimmer like reflections in rippling water—she cried out in delight: "Your craftsmanship is truly unmatched! I can hardly bear to wear these!"

"Oh, sister, you're too kind! Aren’t shoes meant to be worn? If you ever need anything else, just let me know." From her observations these past days, Jin Niang had found that Yan Hong was far more agreeable than Lü Ying. Yan Hong rarely gave orders, treated people fairly, and had a gentle manner, making Jin Niang eager to befriend her.

Yan Hong put on the shoes and found them perfectly fitted. Then she beckoned Jin Niang closer. "Come here. I have something to tell you—but you mustn’t breathe a word to anyone."

Jin Niang quickly stepped forward.

Yan Hong whispered, "The Dowager mentioned that Aunt and her daughter are short on attendants and wants to choose a skilled girl from the needlework house to serve them. I’ll speak well of you to the Mistress. But if the Dowager insists, even the Mistress may not be able to intervene. You should prepare yourself." Jin Niang was thunderstruck.