Chapter 22

**Chapter 22**

Qin Shuanger, weighed down by their leverage over her, felt uneasy. Yet after that night passed, she noticed that Jin Niang and Fang Qiaolian were acting toward her just as they always had—no different than before. Even Jiang Shi was none the wiser, and even asked her to embroider a set of "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" quilt covers for the old lady.

"It was the madam who requested it, so you must do it well—no sloppy work."

"Yes," Qin Shuanger agreed, then stole a glance at Jin Niang, who was completely engrossed in stitching the Mid-Autumn Festival dresses for the eldest and second young ladies. Her anxious heart finally settled in her stomach.

In truth, Jin Niang had only used Qin Shuanger’s secret to keep her in line, not to drive her away or harm her. She had even told Si Er not to spread the word. After all, by modern standards, Qin Shuanger was still just a middle school girl. They wouldn’t be together forever—within two years, once the eldest young lady married, their sewing room would disband entirely.

Like King Zhuang of Chu’s Feast of the Undone Tassels, when mercy is due, best to grant it.

You wronged me, I retaliated—and now I hold your secret. That was enough.

However, ever since the eldest young lady made her appearance at the madam’s birthday banquet, word spread of matchmakers calling.

In Bianjing, matchmakers were divided into different ranks. The highest-ranked wore veils and purple beizi, catering to nobles and the imperial family. Mid-tier matchmakers wore headpieces wrapped in yellow scarves and carried green parasols.

The Zhou family naturally received a high-tier matchmaker in purple beizi.

Even Aunt Chen smiled and told them, "Hone your skills well these days. When the time comes, you’ll have little time to spare."

Fang Qiaolian asked curiously, "I wonder what kind of household the eldest young lady will marry into?"

"Bound to be rich or high-born. As the Zhou family’s eldest daughter, her match will be chosen with great care," Jin Niang replied.

Aunt Chen, overhearing them, quickly interjected, "No idle talk about the family."

Jin Niang immediately covered her mouth, not daring to speak further.

Her birthday slipped by like the fleeting June days. This year, she turned thirteen. Upon reaching her thirteenth year, she received from Second Master Cun a gift of forty-two colors of pigment—finer and more extensive than hers.

Soon came July. The Qixi Festival was traditionally a day for young women, but Jin Niang got no respite; they worked late into the night finishing the young ladies’ clothes. Nowadays, Aunt Chen mainly handled garments for the old lady, the madam, and the master and young masters, while the three of them took care of the young ladies and concubines.

With the new pigments, designing became easier. At the eldest young lady’s age—prime for marriage discussions—her clothes couldn’t be too frivolous. They needed to be elegant and dignified, yet retain a youthful charm. Gaudy pinks and reds were shelved in favor of pale pink, pearl white, light blue, and soft yellow—cooling the eye in summer’s heat, and evoking the refined taste of a scholarly household.

For the first design, she chose a pale green undergarment embroidered with large white flowers and green stamens, paired with a grass-green pleated skirt. The outer robe was made of sheer lake gauze, with matching floral embroidery along the collar, accented with tiny green buds.

Jin Niang was quite pleased with this set. After showing it to the eldest young lady—who approved—it eased her mind. "Then I shall begin with this one first."

Yet before she could start, Madam Jiang summoned her to make a pearl-studded gown for the eldest young lady, sending Yan Hong personally with the pearls. Jin Niang asked Yan Hong, "Where should the pearls go? On the collar trim, or elsewhere?"

Such an expensive garment mustn’t be wasted.

Yan Hong offered a suggestion: "The Great Xiangguo Temple holds five markets each month, teeming with fowl, game, sundries, and especially trims and fabrics—the busiest market in the capital. The embroidery district is nearby. You might find what you need there."

"Would I be permitted to go?" Jin Niang asked.

Yan Hong laughed. "It’s official business. I’ll inform the madam and have a carriage arranged for you."

For the first time, Jin Niang carried the token, wearing workaday attire, and set out with Si Er. She had invited Fang Qiaolian to join them, but the girl shook her head miserably. "My monthly courses are here. I can barely bring myself to lift a needle today, let alone go out with you."

"Oh, I’ll have Lan Xue fetch you some ginger-honey brew. Drink it and rest a bit at noon," Jin Niang offered instead.

Fang Qiaolian nodded. Though she had taken Aunt Kuang as her godmother, the woman favored her own daughter, doling out meager favors in exchange for Fang Qiaolian’s money, while real opportunities still had to be earned through her own efforts.

Meanwhile, once Jin Niang and Si Er boarded the carriage, Jin Niang smiled. "We’ll dine outside later. If you see anything good, just say so—I’ll buy it for you."

After Si Er’s recent success, Jin Niang had begun teaching her to sort threads and distinguish colors, slowly guiding her along. She treated her kindly, sharing meals and comforts, and Si Er leaned on her utterly—as both sister and mother rolled into one.

They rode in the blue wool carriage for servants, fully enclosed with cloth and without curtains to look outside. When they arrived at the gate of the Great Xiangguo Temple, the coachman stopped, and Jin Niang stepped out of the carriage, thrilled by the bustling crowd around her.

The coachman, Kuang Third Brother, said, "No need to hurry back—take your time. Just don’t stay out too late."

Jin Niang took twenty copper coins from her purse and handed them to him. "This is for your lunch. Don’t go hungry."

"Oh, how can I accept this?" Kuang Third Brother waved his hand. They all worked together, and Jin Niang wasn’t even one of the head maids serving the masters, yet she was so generous.

Jin Niang insisted, "Please take it. It's only fair after making you wait."

Si Er added, "Kuang Third Brother, just accept it."

Finally, Kuang Third Brother accepted the coins sheepishly. Jin Niang then held Si Er’s hand and looked around. They were on a street by the Bian River, and it was said that following this road would lead straight to the temple. In front of the temple was a bridge—flat and sturdy, unlike the usual suspension or arched bridges. The west side of the bridge seemed packed with vendors, but Jin Niang, afraid of getting lost, decided to head straight to the temple first.

Unexpectedly, the temple entrance was buzzing with vendors' calls. She turned to Si Er, "What would you like to eat? I’ll buy it for you."

Street vendors sold everything from rice porridge and braised meat to various snacks and affordable cooked dishes—chicken, duck, goose, rabbit, offal, eel, stuffed buns, chicken skin, and lamb tripe, all priced at just fifteen coins per serving.

The fragrant aromas tantalized their senses. Si Er, hesitant to ask for much, only requested a bowl of rice porridge. Jin Niang, knowing she was trying to save money, bought her a serving of braised meat and a cup of papaya water. For herself, she ordered a plate of chicken and two small snacks. They ate until they were stuffed, then walked into the temple.

Even Jin Niang, who had seen modern commercial streets, was stunned by the scene before her. The temple gates sold birds, cats, dogs, and other animals, but between the second and third gates, colorful awnings covered stalls selling daily necessities. For summer, mats, bamboo screens, bed curtains, and even toothbrushes and tooth powder were on display—alongside bows, arrows, saddles, and reins.

Jin Niang bought a box of tooth powder for just seven or eight coins. Opening it, she inhaled the cool minty fragrance—finer and better quality than the twenty-coin boxes the housekeepers bought. Next, she purchased two straw mats, one for herself and one for Si Er. Comfort in daily life, she reasoned, would help them avoid heat-related illnesses.

Si Er was deeply touched that Jin Niang had bought her a mat.

Jin Niang smiled. "Take it. We share what we have."

Near the temple hall, seasonal fruits, dried fruits and nuts, and cured meats were sold, but Jin Niang skipped these—the Zhou household already provided plenty of such treats.

Finally, they reached their destination. Along the temple corridors, nuns from various monasteries sold handmade goods: embroidery, collars, silk flowers, pearl hair ornaments, all kinds of headpieces, and even gold-threaded hats, wigs, and crowns—an overwhelming variety.

As Jin Niang browsed, she marveled at the nuns’ embroidery skills. A pearl-studded bodice cost fifteen strings of cash, while a pearl-studded collar went for thirty. Even a simple embroidered collar cost one string, adorned with gold-threaded flowers—something Jin Niang felt she could replicate.

Among the shoppers were noble ladies in veiled hats and wealthy young women, all dressed exquisitely. One lady, her hair adorned with flowers, removed her veil to examine a pearl gardenia—just that tiny bloom cost two strings.

A wine-selling granny, carrying a basket, said with envy, "These nuns really know how to make money."

Jin Niang couldn’t help but ask, "Aren’t they nuns? Where do they get the fabric and pearls for embroidery?"

"You must be from out of town, girl. South of the temple is Embroidery Lane, home to embroiderers and nuns. Don’t let their shabby clothes fool you—they’re all quite wealthy." The granny adjusted her wine basket, planning to sell it at a snack stall later.

Jin Niang pressed, "I heard Shu Embroidery Studio is the biggest embroidery house. Do people prefer them or the lane’s artisans?"

The granny chuckled. "Shu Embroidery Studio deals in ready-made clothes. Their embroideries come from these same artisans, who also sell their own work. They do business on the side, though they can only come here a few times a month. Even so, they live quite comfortably."

Jin Niang hadn’t realized Shu Embroidery Studio dealt in ready-made garments—signing embroiderers who could make whatever sold, sharing the profits.

How wonderful it would be to live in Bianjing, she thought. Aside from high housing costs, the capital offered a hundred times more opportunities to earn than Jiangling.