Chapter 13

**Chapter 13**

After the Longtaitou Festival on the second day of the second lunar month, the Zhou household was abuzz with preparations for the marriage of the second young master of the elder branch, Zhou Cunzhi. The sewing workshop had been tasked with weaving silk mesh covers for wine vessels—used when the groom’s family sent engagement presents. Though it was Jin Niang’s first time making such items, she quickly mastered the skill.

Fang Qiaolian and Chen Nüzi were assigned to create eight large decorative flowers. Thanks to Chen Nüzi’s wide-ranging abilities, the Zhou family could handle such matters in-house rather than purchasing them externally, saving a considerable sum.

Don’t assume wealthy households like the Zhou family don’t watch their pennies—the grander the household, the sharper the mistress’s eye for thrift. As the saying goes: penny wise, pound foolish.

Qin Shuanger was stitching soles for footwear, helping prepare shoes for the eldest young lady. Originally, Chen Nüzi had intended for Jin Niang to take charge of the young lady’s garments, but for some reason, the young lady had specifically requested Qin Shuanger instead.

“I saw Shanjie near the Moon Gate yesterday,” Qin Shuanger said. “She looked much thinner. When I asked how she was doing, her eyes reddened, but she wouldn’t say another word.”

At the mention of Shanjie, everyone felt sympathy, though they knew they themselves had only narrowly escaped a similar fate. If the Zhou family decided to give them away later, they would have no choice—they were servants without autonomy during their employment.

Chen Nüzi lightly coughed. “Qiao Lian, Jin Niang, tomorrow I’ll teach you how to make cosmetic puffs. The groom’s family will send face powder and rouge to the bride’s side, so we need to prepare these.”

“Very well,” Jin Niang and Fang Qiaolian replied together.

Chen Nüzi couldn’t help thinking that Qin Shuanger was too eager to curry favor. While there was plenty of work already, she had gone out of her way to take on extra tasks just to get closer to the eldest young lady. Chen Nüzi found this insincere and thus reluctant to invest further in her training.

A few days later, once their wedding-related tasks were complete, Chen Nüzi instructed only Jin Niang and Fang Qiaolian to carry the finished items to the main house. Just then, Qin Shuanger approached with a smile: “There’s so much to carry—let me help.”

Even Jin Niang was stunned by her shameless attempt to claim credit. Madam Chen had announced the task a day earlier, yet Qin Shuanger had claimed the next day that she had urgent work from the eldest young lady. Now that everything was done, she suddenly appeared wanting to tag along.

Chen Nüzi smiled politely. “No need. We have other matters to attend to and can’t linger.”

“Oh… alright,” Qin Shuanger said, crestfallen.

Jin Niang shook her head inwardly before following Chen Nüzi to see Lady Jiang. She examined the red flowers, mesh covers, and cosmetic puffs—all exquisitely made—and nodded approvingly. “Well done. You’ve all worked hard.”

“Our pleasure,” Chen Nüzi replied. “We’re glad our work is useful.”

Lady Jiang, pleased by her humility, added, “I have two more tasks for you. First, the spring attire for all the servants must be completed soon—they’ll accompany the family during the betrothal visit and must cut a fine figure. Second, Concubine Miao is four or five months pregnant, so you should begin preparing swaddling clothes, blankets, and baby garments.”

“It’s only right,” Chen Nüzi responded gracefully. “The household treats us kindly; we are happy to serve.”

Lady Jiang was clearly satisfied and ordered Yan Hong to bring fabric as a reward. Jin Niang was especially delighted—she had been wondering what to send home to her parents, and now she had the perfect gift.

The next day, the senior maid from Master Cunzhi’s quarters arrived bearing sycee of gold and silver as rewards for their efforts. Since the outer courtyard staff didn’t know who had actually contributed, even Qin Shuanger received a pair. Fang Qiaolian grumbled privately to Jin Niang, “She didn’t do anything, yet she gets money for free.”

“There’s nothing we can do about it—it’s not up to Chen Nüzi or us to decide,” Jin Niang shrugged.

Still, she was thrilled herself. The young master had been generous—a pair of gold and silver sycee worth nearly ten taels. Considering her annual wage was only twelve taels, it was a small fortune.

Coincidentally, Madam Chen mentioned that a Sichuan embroidery guild’s vessel would depart from Bianjing in the third month, bound for Chengdu to collect more silk, with a stop in Jiangling along the way. Jin Niang seized the opportunity to send two embroidered handkerchiefs, a sage-green satin coat, and the newly gifted fabric back home. Lan Xue, who was close to her, added a jar of honey, while Yan Hong quietly slipped in two canisters of tea.

In her letter, Jin Niang assured her parents that she was doing well in the Zhou household, which was generous and fair. She now understood why people often sent only cheerful tidings—parents far away could do little to help, and bad news would only burden them unnecessarily.

Once the package was dispatched, Jin Niang and the others listened as Chen Nüzi outlined their next assignments. “First, we’ll focus on the servants’ spring attire—it reflects the Zhou family’s dignity. During the betrothal visit, the servants will accompany the family and must look presentable. As for Concubine Miao’s baby items, we still have three or four months before her due date, so there’s no rush.”

“Yes, but Madam Chen,” Jin Niang suggested, “perhaps we should collect all the measurements first, assign each person a set of sizes, and hold them responsible if any issues arise later. What do you think?”

“That’s a sound idea,” Chen Nüzi agreed. “It will prevent anyone from shirking their duties.”

This year, the household employed fifty or sixty servants. Senior maids and stewards wore silk, with embroidered garments for nursery matrons and those serving the young masters and ladies dressed in smart livery. Lower maids and menservants wore cotton garments.

This time, making clothes for the servants was different from doing so for the masters—there were no extra perks, and the materials used were coarser. It was a massive undertaking; each person needed over a dozen sets. Jin Niang and the others worked tirelessly, even Qin Shuanger helped out.

Sometimes, when things got too exhausting, they would chip in ten coppers to splurge on a small meal, and suddenly all their weariness would vanish.

She found such days fulfilling. In less than half a year, she had already saved over ten taels, including gold and silver nuggets—far more than she could have earned at the Shu Embroidery Workshop.

While they were busy with their tasks, Jiang Shanjie was just as busy. The old madam had opened the storeroom and taken out several bolts of fine satin to make clothes for the master’s sister and Miss Mei. As soon as Shanjie arrived, the mistress’s sister ordered her to make six spring outfits for herself and four embroidered dresses for the young lady, along with matching shoes and socks.

Shanjie was on the verge of tears. The mistress’s sister even remarked to her daughter, "Servants must be worked until they’re worn out—so they won’t get any funny ideas."

Yet Mei Paner remembered that her mother hadn’t always been like this. In her youth, she had been generous to her in-laws and kind to the servants. Now, however, she had changed completely.

**

The sky was ablaze with sunset clouds, so dazzling that Jin Niang stepped out for some air and went to the tea room to find Lan Xue for a chat. Lan Xue, however, was carefully simmering medicine. Jin Niang laughed, "I haven’t heard of anyone falling ill. Why are you making medicine?"

Lan Xue put a finger to her lips. "Shh, keep your voice down."

"What’s going on?" Jin Niang was puzzled.

Lan Xue whispered in her ear, "This is for Cui Xian."

Cui Xian was the second young master’s head maid—the same one who had delivered the rewards to the sewing room. So it was her. Seeing Lan Xue’s guarded expression, Jin Niang realized this wasn’t just a common cold. Startled, she asked, "Is she seriously ill?"

"No." Lan Xue quickly shook her head, then looked at Jin Niang. "Just don’t ask. It’s nothing good—just something women in the household take."

Suddenly, it dawned on Jin Niang—this was likely a concoction to prevent pregnancy. She felt a pang of realization.

"Isn’t this harmful to the body?"

Lan Xue pursed her lips. "What can you do? The new bride can’t walk in and find her already pregnant."

Jin Niang thought, *Shouldn’t the blame fall on the man for not controlling himself? Yet it’s the women who suffer, as if they’re the ones reaping some great benefit.*

Noticing the somber mood, Lan Xue changed the subject. "I heard the eldest young lady is quite fond of that Shuanger from your sewing room. Weren’t you supposed to make the gown for the eldest young lady under Madam Chen’s orders? How did she snatch it from you? Let me tell you—the eldest young lady is the madam’s favorite. That’s a golden opportunity."

"I know that well enough. But in such matters, it’s all about one’s own ability." Jin Niang was close to Yan Hong, Jiang Shi’s maid. She figured that no matter how much Qin Shuanger ingratiated herself with the eldest young lady, Jiang Shi still held the real power in the household.

Sure enough, Jiang Shi was praising Cui Xian to the eldest young lady: "She’s well-behaved."

Seated beside Jiang Shi, the eldest young lady, Zhou Shi Shi, was already reviewing account books. At fourteen, Jiang Shi had begun matchmaking for her. Once the daughter-in-law entered the household, the eldest daughter’s marriage would soon be settled. Thus, she was now being taught to manage household accounts—and even these shady dealings—in advance.

Hearing Jiang Shi’s praise for Cui Xian, the eldest young lady asked, "Mother, what about Cui Xian after the sister-in-law arrives…?"

"That will be Cui Xian’s own affair—whether she can please both the mistress and the master. Otherwise, even I can’t interfere in your brother’s household matters. But if she gets pregnant before the new wife has a child—then there’s no need for the new mistress to act. I won’t tolerate such a person." Jiang Shi smiled.

The eldest young lady was puzzled. "But you’re so courteous to Concubine Miao…?"

Though Concubine Miao was her father’s concubine, her origins were disgraceful. Rumor had it she was originally the Third Master’s first wife’s maid, later reassigned to Aunt Deng of the second branch. Yet she had secretly conceived with the father and was only brought into the household when the truth could no longer be hidden. Surprisingly, her mother had accepted her.

Jiang Shi’s expression darkened. Some things couldn’t be discussed with an unmarried daughter. If she were to explain—when the master was young, he had exercised restraint. But after middle age, his lustful nature could no longer be contained. A lecher and a loose woman—a match made in hell. Besides, it was better for such scandals to stay within the household than for the man to seek out unsavory company outside.

Moreover, Concubine Miao’s family was impoverished. After giving birth to the fourth young lady, the master hadn’t lifted a finger. Only now, eight years later, with Concubine Miao pregnant again, did he send twenty taels to improve her family’s living conditions. Even so, the Miao family still owed three to four hundred taels in debt—and the master had no intention of helping repay it.

At Jiang Shi’s age, as long as no money was taken from her hands, it was practically no skin off her back. She already had sons and daughters—even if Concubine Miao bore another son, it wouldn’t make much difference.

"When Concubine Miao came into the picture, your brother was already ten, and you and your sister had been born. Why worry? The circumstances were entirely different." That was the only explanation Jiang Shi could offer.

The eldest young lady nodded to herself. Noticing her mother’s irritation, she quickly stood to pour her some water. As she rose, Jiang Shi caught sight of her shoes and remarked, "These phoenix-head shoes are well-made. Are they the sewing room’s handiwork?"

"Yes. A girl named Shuanger from the sewing room gave them to me. She’s very skilled." The eldest young lady was quite pleased.

Jiang Shi waved her hand dismissively: "No, last time, among the four sisters' dresses, it was Jin Niang's work that was the best and most striking. Even your third sister, who is quite slender, looked graceful in hers. I think her skills are superior."

The eldest young lady was reluctant to admit: "Last time, Qin Shuanger had to make multiple adjustments for me, and it was her first time sewing for me, so she was a bit unfamiliar. Now she’s putting in even more effort. Changing to someone else wouldn’t be ideal."

Jiang Shi glanced at her daughter: "You’re too easily swayed. The moment someone pleads with you, you can’t refuse. Let me be frank—these girls from Jiangling weren’t hired just for needlework. They were specially brought in to handle embroidery for your future wedding. That Qin Shuanger is quite sociable—showing off to the second branch and currying favor with your maids and servants through small bribes. Naturally, you’ve only heard praise about her. You must be careful. The more someone like that tries to ingratiate themselves, the more you should be wary. Think about it—she refused to work on your brother’s wedding items but went out of her way to make shoes for you. These girls were only hired for three years, yet she’s so eager to please you. I fear she’s up to no good."

"But Jin Niang is different. She’s always been diligent in her needlework and never schemes. If you don’t scrutinize those you employ, once you marry into another household, your servants might deceive you, and you’d end up at their mercy."

The eldest young lady was shocked.

**

As dusk fell, the needlework room lit its lamps. Someone knocked, and Xiao He immediately opened the door to see Chunlan, the eldest young lady’s maid, standing there. She smiled ingratiatingly: "Sister Chunlan, have you come to see Sister Qin Shuanger?"

Hearing this, Qin Shuanger felt a flicker of pride. Previously, Madam Chen had indeed assigned Jin Niang to handle the eldest young lady’s affairs, but who could blame her if the young lady preferred her instead? It was simply a matter of skill. With this thought, she beamed and stepped forward.

But Chunlan walked straight to Jin Niang and said, "The eldest young lady has asked you to make a fan pouch for her."