Chapter 16

**Chapter 16**

The meals in the Second Household were lavish—a plate of fried chrysanthemum shoots, a bowl of Mountain Trio of Crisp Delicacies, a small dish of amber-hued pickled melon, and a small pot of clam and rice porridge, paired with a plate of Great Endurance Cakes (*Danai*). Truly, this was the epitome of earthly delights.

Especially the Great Endurance Cakes—made by peeling large plums, removing the pits, and stuffing them with crushed pine nuts, walnuts, and melon seeds mixed with honey before steaming. The mere thought made one’s mouth water.

As she ate, Jin Niang glanced around but noticed Qin Shuanger was nowhere to be seen. She shook her head and called for Si Er and Xiao He to come in, handing them the portion she had set aside earlier. “Here, have this to tide you over. I saved it clean—no chopsticks touched it.”

Si Er and Xiao He were younger maids who weren’t allotted meals from the Second Household. Later, they would go to the Main Household’s kitchen, where they’d find nothing. Since Jin Niang couldn’t finish all this food alone anyway, the two little maids were overjoyed.

Fang Qiaolian added, “I’ve got some here too. Take it and eat together.”

Jin Niang warned them further, “With so many people around these days, return the food box directly to the Second Household’s kitchen after eating. Don’t linger on the way—if anything happens, we won’t be able to save you.”

“Yes,” Si Er and Xiao He answered in unison.

The Second Household was now being managed by the Third Mistress, and everything appeared orderly. Yet, recalling the conversation she had overheard between Concubine Miao and that old servant, Jin Niang couldn’t shake a vague unease.

Still, her biggest concern at the moment was whether Shanjie would be able to return.

Madam Chen was speaking with Jiang Shi: “Our sewing quarters are already short-handed. Concubine Miao’s clothes and the future young master’s attire haven’t even been made yet. With the funeral arrangements now, we’ll likely need extra help. Perhaps we could temporarily bring back that girl we sent to the Aunt’s side—just for a few days until things settle, then she can return.”

“Very well, arrange for her retrieval,” Jiang Shi replied noncommittally.

When the Main Household’s needleworkers were called to make mourning clothes and set up the funeral hall, Wu Shi had allocated fifty taels. Jiang Shi withheld thirty and gave twenty to Madam Chen, who kept ten for herself and distributed the remaining ten among the others. Everyone profited.

Having earned this extra income, Madam Chen remembered Jin Niang’s request and wanted to help. Otherwise, how could she maintain her authority as a steward if she didn’t even assist her own people? Besides, she was only asking for a temporary transfer. If the Aunt didn’t insist on keeping Shanjie, all would be well. If the Aunt later demanded her back, at least Madam Chen had done her part—the rest wouldn’t be her problem.

As for Shanjie, she was currently serving Mei Paner her medicine. The girl had attended the mourning rites the day before and seemed to have caught a chill, falling into a high fever by evening. The Aunt had assigned Shanjie to tend to her. In truth, this cousin was a hundred times easier to serve than her mother—she never complained.

It was strange how mother and daughter could be so different.

“Young lady, it’s time for your medicine.”

Mei Paner frowned slightly before steeling herself. “Alright, I know. Bring it here.”

She downed the entire bowl in one go, then popped an osmanthus candy into her mouth to soothe the bitterness.

Shanjie sighed inwardly—if only she could serve Cousin permanently. She took the tray outside, just as the Aunt was away in the Second Household. The Aunt disliked the Second Mistress, privately calling her a second wife who, like Xi Shi, had only married into the Zhou family by sheer luck. Yet despite her words, the Aunt often visited the Second Household.

Just then, Shanjie spotted Xiao He and hurried out. “What’s the matter?”

Xiao He grinned. “Sister Jin Niang and Madam Chen sent me to fetch you. They just spoke to the Aunt in the Second Household—said they’re too swamped with funeral garments and have already sought the First Mistress’s permission to borrow you for a few days. The Aunt agreed and said you should go.”

Shanjie, elated, agreed at once. After informing Miss Mei, she followed Xiao He out and couldn’t help but ask, “How did the Aunt agree so readily? It seems too good to be true.”

Once they were alone, Xiao He whispered, “She wasn’t that willing. But the Second Master happened to overhear and thought the sewing quarters were truly short-handed. He even asked the Aunt for the favor, offering her jewelry from Qinfangzhai to choose from as thanks.”

When Jin Niang heard this, she found it amusing. They were Jiang Shi’s purchases originally, yet the Aunt had insisted on taking Shanjie—now it seemed as if she owned her.

Still, everyone was relieved Shanjie could return, and she was especially grateful to Jin Niang. Only Qin Shuanger felt uneasy. Catching a private moment during a toilet break, she warned Shanjie, “The Aunt must suspect you have divided loyalties. If you don’t go back, fine—but if you do, she’ll treat you even harsher.”

Others might not understand the Aunt, but Shanjie had served her personally. Though she murmured, “You think so?” her heart wavered.

Seeing she hadn’t grasped the implication, Qin Shuanger pressed on, “That’s why I wasn’t fully in favor of bringing you out now. Once the eldest young lady reaches her hair-pinning year and her marriage is settled, you could’ve joined us then. Embroidering her dowry would’ve taken two or three years—by then, our terms of service would’ve ended too. They meant well, but they don’t understand the delicate matters involved. If you’re mistreated later, they’ll have already acted the part of saviors—what can you do if they refuse to help then?”

Noting Shanjie’s growing unease, Qin Shuanger thought with cold satisfaction. *Let’s see if Wei Jin Niang dares to play the saint after this.*

Jin Niang still didn’t know any of this. She was jotting down what Chen Niang had said—after all, the palest ink is better than the best memory. After a death, there were strict rules about what children and elders should wear. When her grandfather passed away, they had mourning clothes too, but in the countryside, such customs weren’t taken so seriously.

Someday, she might even take charge like Concubine Chen.

No matter what, skills mattered most. The world always needs doers.

After finishing her notes, dinner arrived. Shanjie glanced at the food: “Finally, time to sit and eat.”

“The food from the second household is delicious. Forget lunch—those lamb soup dumplings this morning weren’t gamey at all. I ate two big ones and drank a small pot of soy milk.” Since arriving in Bianjing, Jin Niang couldn’t get enough of northern meat buns.

Shanjie smiled. It felt just like the old days.

That night, she returned to the sewing room to rest and even slept soundly, waking up refreshed the next morning. Back in the sewing room, she never noticed how good she had it—now it seemed like a dream.

She stretched and sighed, “I wish I could stay here forever.”

Qin Shuanger, who shared the room, replied, “Now that you’re gone, I can’t get used to sleeping alone out here.”

Inside, Fang Qiaolian whispered to Jin Niang, “You think the aunt will ask for her back?”

Jin Niang shook her head. “Who knows? That aunt’s a handful. We’ll just have to see how things go.”

“I guess so too. At least she gets a few good days here,” Fang Qiaolian added with some sympathy.

That day, Jin Niang also saw several concubines from the second household—not as meek as those from the main household. Wu Shi knew this well. She was now speaking with Jiang Shi: “The eldest daughter-in-law’s vowed chastity, and the master approved. But there are still a few of the late master’s concubines—they’re young, may not endure widowhood, and might be sent away.”

“They’re young—no sense keeping them. But they must wait until after the seventh week,” Jiang Shi instructed.

Wu Shi nodded. “That’s what I told Duzhi’s wife too.” Then she asked, “Why not bring Yan Hong? I wanted to congratulate her in person.”

A few days earlier, Jiang Shi had placed Yan Hong in a side chamber to serve the elder master. If she became pregnant, she would be promoted to concubine; if not, her status would still differ from the other girls. They had no choice—Concubine Lü was frail and useless. The higher-ups needed balance. Yan Hong was beautiful, gentle, and younger. Concubine Miao was nearing thirty—how could she compare to a fresh girl?

But before Wu Shi, Jiang Shi acted the dutiful wife: “She’s under the weather today, and I’ve got chores for her.”

Of course, these chores involved Zhou Cunzhi’s betrothal. Wu Shi understood perfectly, but with the funeral ongoing, now wasn’t the time to discuss it. Instead, she praised her nephew: “For his age, he’s sharper than the old-timers. We owe much to Cun’er this time.”

Jiang Shi was genuinely pleased but demurred, “Too much praise will spoil him.”

They exchanged a few more words before Jiang Shi asked, “Have you arranged for midwives and wet nurses yet?”

“Not yet. With the funeral, now’s not the time. Once the burial’s done and affairs are settled, I’ll start looking.” In truth, Wu Shi feared bringing them in too early—if someone bribed them, harm could come.

Her last son lived only three years. Everyone blamed his weak constitution, but she suspected otherwise. Some pointed fingers at Aunt Deng, others at Zhou Duzhi—who knew?

But first, she needed to recover and bear another son.

Just then, word came that the aunt had arrived. The two sisters-in-law exchanged glances and rose to greet her. Wu Shi saw clearly—the aunt put on a show of authority, but Jiang Shi was merely tolerating her for her son’s marriage prospects. Once Jiang Shi had the chance, the aunt wouldn’t get her way so easily.

The aunt had only stopped by briefly. If Wu Shi held an official title, she’d have stayed longer—she had to find a good match for her daughter.

But seeing only the two sisters-in-law, she excused herself, saying she had matters with the old madam, and left. Jiang Shi also stood to leave.

Soon after, the second master entered. At thirty-five, he was in his prime, with looks rivaling Pan An. He smiled at Wu Shi: “How are you feeling?”

“Fine.” Sometimes she thought her husband too flirtatious, but at other times, she realized few loved him for himself—most were drawn to his wealth and status.

His smile faded as he looked at her. “I didn’t want to trouble you with this, but it concerns our son. Today, Song, Du’er’s concubine, accused Deng of harming our fourth son in the past.”