Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Because the Zhou family was still in mourning for their eldest son, the engagement between the Zhou and Zhang families was arranged quietly, with an agreement that the bride would officially marry into the Zhou household the following spring. The Zhou family’s first major task was renovating the new quarters for Zhou Cunzhi, so he temporarily moved into the western annex near the family matriarch’s residence.

As the Dragon Boat Festival approached, Master Zhou, serving as Chief Administrator of the Bureau of Military Affairs—responsible for overseeing official promotions nationwide—found his doorstep unusually crowded. Jin Niang delivered Five-Poisons sachets, embroidered pouches, and five-colored silk threads to the main house. At that moment, the young ladies of the household were gathered there selecting fans. These fans were made from premium damask, silk, and sheer gauze, with handles often carved from jade, and their surfaces featured finely embroidered floral patterns.

“Madam, the Five-Poisons sachets, embroidered pouches, and silk threads have been delivered,” Jin Niang reported. Her life had not changed much; bonuses were rare, and she mostly relied on her monthly stipend.

Green Tassel accepted the items and dismissed her with a wave. Jin Niang hurried away, first reporting to the sewing room before heading to Aunt Hu’s quarters. Aunt Hu was also a household servant born into the family, brought over by Jiang Shi from her maiden home. After years of marriage, she finally bore a daughter whom she doted on excessively. However, the girl was frail and could not work in the kitchen, so Aunt Hu hoped she might learn a trade.

Accordingly, she secretly sought out Jin Niang. Embroidery was Jin Niang’s livelihood—a skill hard-earned through years of effort—and she had no intention of taking on an apprentice. Yet seeing Aunt Hu’s earnest pleas, she agreed to give some guidance to her daughter, Zhen Er.

Zhen Er was delighted to see Jin Niang. “Jin Niang, how does this flower I embroidered look?”

She wasn’t entirely inexperienced—she could thread a needle and do simple mending—but Jin Niang was now teaching her plain embroidery, the most common yet classic technique. Taking the embroidery hoop, Jin Niang examined it closely. “Not bad, but there’s a gap here. You need to fill it in, making sure the needle goes down from the front.”

“All right, I understand,” Zhen Er nodded.

Aunt Hu brought over a bowl of sesame-honey drink, which Jin Niang loved. Her hair was black and glossy precisely because she enjoyed this sweet beverage, though it used to be expensive. Once Aunt Hu learned of her fondness, she began preparing it every time Jin Niang visited.

Seeing Jin Niang take a sip, Aunt Hu then produced a vermilion-lacquered box filled with finely minced perilla leaves, calamus root, and green papaya, mixed with fragrant herbs. She smiled and said, “The sticky rice dumplings are still simmering.”

“I always end up benefiting from your kindness whenever I come,” Jin Niang laughed.

Aunt Hu waved her off. “It’s nothing—just ordinary treats. Zhen Er says you teach well, and I’m endlessly grateful.”

“Truly, a parent’s love knows no bounds. Don’t worry, as long as I remain in the Zhou household, I’ll teach her properly.” Looking at Zhen Er, Jin Niang thought of her own parents, who had loved her just the same.

Of course, although Jin Niang lived in Bianjing, she rarely had the chance to go outside, so she depended on others for news from beyond the estate walls. Chen Niang was out of the question—she worked for the Shu Embroidery Studio—and if she discovered Jin Niang was seeking unrelated information, she would certainly disapprove.

But she couldn’t be entirely honest with Aunt Hu either. Instead, she asked casually, “Before we came to the Zhou household, where did the mistress and others have their clothes made? I noticed those garments were quite beautiful.”

“The Shu Embroidery Studio! There are several major embroidery workshops in the capital, but the Shu Embroidery Studio specializes almost exclusively in women’s attire. Their prices aren’t cheap, though. I remember the outfit Lv Xiaoniang wore when she became a concubine—guess how much it cost? A hundred guan!”

Jin Niang feigned disbelief. “Impossible! A hundred guan is a king’s ransom. You must’ve misheard, Auntie.”

Aunt Hu grew flustered. “How could I be wrong? It was precisely because they spent so much on clothing that Madam later hired all of you, saving a great deal of money.”

“I’d love to see what kind of luxurious pieces those were. Auntie, I’m a bit short on cash, but could you spare two hundred wen to buy me an embroidered item—anything, like a pouch or handkerchief—as long as it’s one of their best-selling, most refined pieces? That way, I can refine my skills. If I gain recognition, I may earn more influence with the masters, and it will be easier to recommend Zhen Er in the future.” She wanted to see firsthand how impressive the Shu Embroidery Studio’s work really was.

While large items were beyond her means, smaller ones were affordable for study.

Aunt Hu, overjoyed that Jin Niang mentioned helping her daughter, readily agreed.

This was exactly why Jin Niang had come. Relieved that Aunt Hu suspected nothing, she continued guiding Zhen Er until the entire flower was completed before leaving. Unexpectedly, she ran into Shanjie on her way out.

The last time Jin Niang saw Shanjie, the girl had left looking miserable. Though Jin Niang often worried about her, since the aunt lived near the third branch’s quarters, and their duties were confined to the main branch, they couldn’t visit the second or third branches without reason. Occasionally, she would ask Lan Xue for updates—servants from the tea kitchen sometimes delivered snacks to the family matriarch and might catch glimpses of Shanjie, who served Miss Mei and the aunt.

Now, however, Shanjie was completely different. Much of the acne that once covered her face had cleared, her complexion was fairer, and she wore a vibrant red sleeveless jacket, looking quite spirited.

“Shanjie!” Jin Niang called.

Shanjie smiled. “I’m now serving Miss Mei. She treats us very well—she even gave me loquat syrup to clear my lungs and heal my skin.”

Jin Niang sighed in relief. “That’s good, that’s good.”

“Yes, the aunt is actually quite pitiful. The family matriarch summoned a physician for her, and they diagnosed anemia and depleted qi, liver heat excess, and spleen and kidney deficiency. She’s better now—her temper isn’t exactly gentle, but nothing like before.” Shanjie even spoke favorably of them.

Yet Jin Niang sensed something amiss. Wasn’t this simply a case of one playing the villain, the other the benefactor? The aunt, after all, was a married daughter. Once Miss Mei married, the aunt would still have her husband and might not remain in her parental home forever, especially with the aging matriarch. First, she made life difficult for the servants, and now her daughter bestowed favors. When the time came for Miss Mei to wed, neither her parents’ nor her in-laws’ families might offer reliable support, but having devoted attendants close by would prove invaluable.

Therefore, Jin Niang still reminded her: "Although Cousin's place is nice, you must take good care of yourself. Being someone's servant means living at their whim—it's hardly a life."

"No, it's not like that. Cousin is truly kind. Oh, and Jin Niang, I'm doing quite well there now. I doubt I'll be back in the needlework room for a good while." Shanjie knew the needlework room was overwhelmed with tasks, while now she only had to make clothes for Cousin, with no other duties.

Moreover, the old lady was very generous to Miss Mei. Besides the regular monthly allowance from the household, the old lady would slip her another twenty or thirty strings of coins. With lighter work and heavier pockets, she had little desire to return.

Jin Niang wanted to say more but held back: "Alright, since you feel that way, come visit the needlework room whenever you can."

"Sure thing," Shanjie replied, laughing with a newfound confidence.

The two parted ways at the corridor. Jin Niang shook her head and continued striding forward. The wind brushed against her face, sharpening her thoughts until she felt oddly clearheaded.

She even reminded herself not to fall so easily for others' kindness that she gave up her own freedom.