Chapter 33

Chapter 33

The following spring, Jin Niang finally received a letter from home. Her mother wrote that their house had been flooded and had undergone repairs. The price of rice had stabilized, so she should not worry. She also mentioned that no one in their area would starve; even if the rice was damaged, there were still lotus roots in the pond and fish to catch. Her brother had started attending primary school.

This year, after working for a few more months, they planned to hand over the shop to her uncle. They hoped to earn enough money to sell their current house and buy a better one, ensuring that their daughter would have a room when she returned home.

Reading this, Jin Niang paused. If she went back, she could certainly find work at any embroidery shop in Jiangling, but that would be the extent of it.

Was she content with that?

Of course not.

Even if she had to return, she wanted to do so only after gaining prestige at the Embroidery Academy. Her parents had indeed treated her well, but upon returning, they would worry about making ends meet, and she would be stuck where she was.

Thinking of this, she replied to the letter, stating that she intended to prepare for the entrance exam to the Embroidery Academy. If she passed, she would stay in Bianjing for three years before considering a return. She also hoped that her parents might come to Bianjing, given the abundance of schools there and its proximity to the imperial court, which would make it easier for her brother to take the imperial examinations without long journeys.

Living away from home in Jiangling was one thing, but living away from home in Bianjing was another. It would be better for the family to earn enough money before returning.

Of course, these were just her suggestions. If her parents disagreed, she would have to focus on her own path.

No matter how good one's parents are, everyone must ultimately control their own life. Otherwise, even if you come into unexpected wealth, if it is not earned through your own efforts, you will not be able to manage it.

The chair covers, tablecloths, and door curtains were almost finished. This time, she had embroidered them using the latest designs, which clearly produced better results.

Especially the shirt with the forsythia flowers, which she made for the young lady. It looked simple, but it required hidden embroidery, matching the color of the garment while highlighting the embroidery skills.

The skirt featured pear blossoms, all elegant and understated.

The patterns this time were quite fashionable. When the young lady’s close friend came to visit, she complimented the new clothes.

"This was worn by my aunt last time."

The young lady smiled and said, "This was made by our embroiderers."

But Jin Niang was not happy, for there were far too many embroidery pieces to complete; it felt like they were working like oxen and horses. They were still young and could endure, but Chen Niang's back could no longer straighten, and Qin Shuang'er had fallen ill.

She now detested staying up late, feeling nauseous and headaches from making clothes, yet those above would never understand their plight.

Chen Niang, holding her waist as she entered, sighed, "Oh, I really can't take it anymore. It hurts just to sit down; I don't know what's wrong."

"You've been sitting too much," Jin Niang, with experience, remarked. In her previous life, she had also sat writing scripts, which led to sciatica.

Chen Niang sighed, "I wish we could finish sooner and go home. It seems like we're working from the moment we open our eyes until we close them at night." She then looked at Qin Shuang'er, "I know you're recovering from a serious illness, but there's no choice; everyone has heavy workloads."

In fact, Jin Niang had developed sores on her buttocks from all the sitting.

At this moment, Second Master called Jin Niang over to make clothes.

"Is... is the lady really sending me over?" Jin Niang felt puzzled.

Lvyi smiled, "Of course, the lady ordered you to go quickly."

Jin Niang could only smile and say, "Alright, I'll go over shortly."

After Lvyi left, she asked Chen Niang, "Didn't the lady forbid unmarried girls from going to Second Master's place casually?"

Qin Shuang'er had intended to play up the favoritism towards Jin Niang and suggest that Chen Niang was being sidelined, but she didn't expect Jin Niang to think this way.

Chen Niang, being experienced, smiled gently, "Back then, Second Master wasn't married yet, and they feared he might cause trouble. Now that he's married, why would she still care about such things?"

Jin said, "That's not how it is. If they truly didn't care, why would they send me? Once I go, there will be nothing to it; no one will suspect anything."

Chen Nianzi felt somewhat awkward upon hearing this.

After finishing the last few stitches, she went to the outer courtyard and first paid respects to Lady Zhang, who was about to give birth. "This servant has been ordered by the Lady of the House to sew clothes for the Second Young Master."

Lady Zhang glanced at Jin, noting her plump figure and round face with bright eyes, which gave an impression of good fortune. She felt slightly reassured. "You may go in. The Second Young Master is in the study."

"Yes." Jin stood up, took a few steps back, and then left.

She did not see Cuixian again here. Cuixian was the Second Young Master’s concubine, but whether she was working elsewhere or had been expelled, Jin hadn’t seen her for several months.

Shivering all over, she went to the study. Upon entering, she found Zhou Cunzhi reclining on a bow chair, taking a nap. Jin thought it odd that he still had time to doze off in the study instead of keeping his wife company.

"Cough, cough. Second Young Master, the Lady has sent me to tailor your clothes," Jin said.

Zhou Cunzhi slowly stood up, not looking at her, and extended his arms. After years of making clothes for women, Jin felt somewhat unfamiliar with men’s clothing.

The Second Young Master had long arms and a tall stature, so she had to tiptoe to measure him.

After measuring, Zhou Cunzhi sat down and picked up a book to read. Jin asked as usual, "Second Young Master, do you want a straight-collar robe, a cross-collar robe, or a round-collar robe? What color would you like?"

In the past, Chen Nianzi never asked so many questions; she would just take the measurements and start sewing. Zhou Cunzhi looked at Jin, a chubby girl with a large goldfish-shaped bag, using a feather pen to record his measurements, eagerly awaiting his response.

Zhou Cunzhi glanced at himself. "What style do you think suits me best?"

Jin observed him. He was tall and handsome, and seemed to look good in anything. Therefore, she replied, "This servant thinks any style would suit you well. It mainly depends on what you like. Do you want to appear more elegant, scholarly, or more dignified?"

"Since you put it that way, I can only say I prefer a scholarly look. Otherwise, it would seem like I’m boasting," Zhou Cunzhi said irritably.

Jin Niang couldn't help but find it amusing: "I didn't mean it that way. Let me rephrase: Do you want to wear it when going out, or at home? For a banquet, or a literary gathering?"

Zhou Cunzhi glanced at Jin Niang and thought for a moment: "For going out and literary gatherings."

"Alright, please wait a moment while I fill in the colors for you." Jin Niang had already drawn the patterns of men's clothing before coming, so she only needed to color them.

Seeing Zhou Cunzhi with a distant look, almost like a hermit, she chose mostly stone blue for the colors, with a white collar and embroidered pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms. She selected either a crystal loop ring in the shape of a crabapple flower or a hollowed-out bird and flower pattern in white jade as the middle accessory. On ordinary days, removing the waist sash would make it suitable for daily wear, while wearing it outside would exude an air of nobility without ostentation.

She then drew a plain silk robe with a front opening to wear over it, which could be used in cold weather. Being accustomed to drawing, she relied on speed, and once finished, she showed it to Zhou Cunzhi.

This was the first time Zhou Cunzhi had seen such a thing, and his thinking was different from most people's. He pointed at Jin Niang: "Can you really make it exactly like this?"

Jin Niang usually drew particularly handsome men first, leaving the clothes uncolored until later. So Zhou Cunzhi might have mistaken the person in the drawing for himself.

Jin Niang nodded: "I will do my best, but I need to find similar materials in the warehouse. Also, there are embroidery pieces for the young lady that need to be completed, so your clothes might take about ten days to finish."

"Alright."

Zhou Cunzhi took out a small silver ingot from his purse and tossed it to Jin Niang: "This is for you."

True to his reputation as the second young master, he rewarded her with five taels of silver. It came just in time as she had recently bought many pigments, and now she had new income. Jin Niang happily put the silver ingot into her purse and left.

While making women's clothing was easy for her, making men's clothing required more consultation with Chen Niang. Qin Shuang'er became wary of Jin Niang. Yes, Wei Jin Niang wasn't particularly striking, but she was capable, and who knew if the second young master had noticed her and wanted to keep her around.

Now, Qin Shuang'er felt like a headless fly, making no progress. She had to focus on her work, but she really didn't want to spend her whole life doing needlework, which she found increasingly repulsive and never-ending.

Although Jin Niang had been somewhat troubled before, she was good at handling pressure. Moreover, she had a clear idea of what she wanted to do in the future, giving her a goal to strive for.

Speaking of Zhou Cunzhi, he only returned from the study to the main house to have dinner with Lady Zhang in the evening. They were a young couple who should have been very affectionate, but after the honeymoon period, their relationship became less harmonious.

Zhou Cunzhi was a man of high standards, with an unruly and strong-willed nature, and great talent. Though he appeared witty on the surface, he disliked being restrained by others. Zhang Shi, being a woman pampered since childhood, was initially treated politely by Zhou Cunzhi, who indulged her. However, things gradually changed.

Until Cuixian was driven out, though she had requested it herself, Zhou Cunzhi suspected Zhang Shi had a hand in it. He was annoyed by her taking matters into her own hands; after all, Cuixian had served him for several years and always showed him respect, yet Zhang Shi could not tolerate her.

Another issue was her inappropriate changes to his routines. For instance, Zhou Cunzhi usually did not eat after noon and only consumed fruits and vegetables at night, but Zhang Shi believed this was bad for his health and insisted on having meat prepared for dinner every evening.

These minor issues could have been resolved through compromise, but Zhang Shi's deep love for him made her more sensitive. She complained bitterly about his absence during her pregnancy: "I know you're upset because your beloved has left, and you sulk at me every day. But she left of her own accord, and didn't you agree?"

Zhou Cunzhi looked at her, stood up immediately, and said, "Unreasonable. I don't eat at night anyway. I'm going to the study."

Seeing him leave, Zhang Shi was so angry that her stomach hurt, but fortunately, nothing serious happened.

The news naturally reached Jiang Shi, who sneered and remarked to Luying, "I wonder why she's in such a hurry. The baby isn't even born yet, and she's already driven a concubine away. Cuixian was such a good girl."

However, as a mother-in-law, Jiang Shi couldn't interfere in her son's household affairs, fearing ridicule from other families.

Luying, being Jiang Shi's confidante, couldn't speak up for Zhang Shi either, only saying, "With Second Madam about to give birth, we must ensure nothing affects it."

"I wouldn't tolerate her if not for the baby," Jiang Shi said.

Strangely, although Jiang Shi disliked and even despised those young ladies, she found her daughter-in-law unvirtuous for driving a maid out of the house.

At first, Jin Niang found these intrigues among the main families intriguing, but later, they seemed monotonous—just a cycle of one side overpowering the other.

She was troubled by her lack of skill in making men's clothing, which she found less interesting compared to women's clothing, where she had many creative ideas.

It wasn't that she couldn't do it well; she just lacked interest. Jin Niang believed that wherever your passion lies, you will excel.

In the future, when making clothes, she would try to avoid cutting men's garments, focusing instead on embroidery, which she could apply directly.

However, after the dress was made, Zhou Cunzhi particularly liked it, and Jin Niang saw him wear it twice. But the next time, when Zhou Cunzhi wanted to have a sachet made, Jin Niang, citing too many tasks at hand, passed the job to Qin Shuang'er.

Qin Shuang'er did not know how Jin Niang had made clothes for Zhou Cunzhi before. It was her first time making a sachet for the Second Young Master, so she thought it would be like making clothes for young ladies in the past, heading straight to the goal without even paying respects to Lady Zhang, and went directly to the study.

Seeing that the embroiderer had changed this time, and that she only asked what shape and color he wanted, without showing him any designs, Zhou Cunzhi could not help but ask, "What happened to the girl from the needlework room last time?"

Hearing him mention Jin Niang, Qin Shuang'er felt a bit jealous and replied, "She has been working on the dowry for the eldest miss, and is halfway through the embroidery; she can't just leave it."

"Oh, then you do as you please," said Zhou Cunzhi.

He truly didn't care, but Qin Shuang'er felt that all her knowledge of how to deal with men seemed insufficient in front of Zhou Cunzhi. He didn't seem to be a lecher, handsome yet somewhat temperamental, indifferent to everything.

When Qin Shuang'er returned from the outer courtyard, she really looked like an eggplant beaten by frost. During lunch, she joked, "The Second Young Master treats you differently."

Without lifting her eyes, Jin Niang replied, "It's precisely because of this that everyone trusts me to make clothes. What kind of special treatment is this? If you want, I'll trade my fat for yours."

This was one of those times when she felt being a bit overweight was actually better, avoiding many troubles. Beauty had its advantages, but sometimes, when one's status was low, it wasn't always beneficial.

Upon hearing this, Qin Shuang'er couldn't bring up Jin Niang again. She thought Jin Niang might have been reprimanded for refusing to make the sachet for the Second Young Master, but Jin Niang, who valued face, wouldn't say anything.

These little episodes did not hinder Jin Niang and the others from making clothes. Now, Jin Niang started cutting headscarves and making handkerchiefs. Handkerchiefs were usually made of gauze, and embroidery needed to be done with the same thread.

Chen Niangzi shared her experience: "For gauze, use gauze thread for embroidery. Using other types of wool or gold thread will look vulgar. You should choose threads that match the color of the gauze. If you're embroidering leaves, make them smooth. For flowers, avoid large ones; small ones look better."

Peonies and roses were difficult to embroider because their flowers were generally large, but magnolias, crabapples, and plum blossoms were suitable.

Jin Niang, except for peonies, couldn't draw patterns for other flowers freely. If she could have dedicated time to practice drawing, it would have been ideal.

But now, these needlework tasks were almost unbearable. To complete them well was already a challenge, and Jin Niang was considered quite fast in her work.

Fang Qiaolian said, "I plan to embroider the corners of this handkerchief: one with a cat, one with a dog, one with an insect, and one with a fish. In short, I'll just embroider whatever comes to mind."

At first, when she embroidered, Madam would give her some extra money as a reward, but this year, apart from the monthly wage, there was nothing else. Moreover, according to Lady Chen, her new bride's embroidery work was three to five times more than others.

Seeing Lady Chen come in with a plaster on her back, still holding her waist, she said, "You young people are so lucky. My back really can't take it anymore; it hurts too much. Last night, I fell while getting up to use the toilet, but there's no way to stop working."

Jin Niang got up to help her sit down, saying, "Lady Chen, we've done quite a bit of embroidery too. Each person only gets a little bit of pay. Yesterday, I heard that those who slaughter chickens outside earn three hundred coins a day."

When she was young, she thought one or two taels of silver was a lot, but now, after living in Bianjing for a long time, she gradually understood the wages of Bianjing residents. For example, her cousin worked as a waitress at a wine shop, serving guests and pouring wine, which seemed like a server's job, but they also promoted drinks and dishes, earning corresponding commissions.

Her sister worked at the largest Panlou in Bianjing as a waitress. During the New Year, she saw her uncle's family at Rongniang's place. Although they might have exaggerated a bit, it shouldn't be far off. A mid-level waitress could earn over twenty guan a month. Even though they might not be able to do the job when older, the money earned in their youth would last them a lifetime.

But she was still earning one tael a day, working from morning till night.

In the past, she thought one tael was a lot, but now she increasingly felt her inadequacy.

Compared to Jin Niang, who would reflect on herself and improve when seeing others live well, Qin Shuang'er clearly had other ideas. She had less than half a year left, and she was already sixteen.

The atmosphere in the sewing room made Sier feel uneasy. Previously, Sister Jin Niang taught her, but now she didn't have the time. She had to draw flower patterns herself, and after drawing, she had to sort and select threads, spending a long time finding silk threads of similar colors.

Even when the third young master of the household was betrothed, they couldn't rest.

This third young master was the only son of the third branch, seventeen years old, looking very upright. Xi Shi managed her son very strictly, not even allowing anyone in his room.

Lanxue sometimes chatted idly, saying, "Third Madam manages Third Young Master very strictly, but there's no choice. Third Lord is the kind of person he is, and Third Madam has only this son to rely on. Can she not be strict? Fortunately, Third Young Master's studies are also good."

"I heard the bride is the daughter of an official family, who values Third Young Master's studies greatly. Everyone in the third branch says that Third Madam has been pawning things to prepare the dowry," Jin Niang added, having her own sources of information.

Hu Auntie and Yunlan, who served Wu Shi of the second branch, were also well-informed.

As they spoke, they failed to notice that Qin Shuang'er had taken it all in. She was now at the peak of her beauty, with a complexion as pure and delicate as jade, and she was in the prime of her life. Moreover, her network of connections was even broader than Jin Niang's.

Since there was no way through to the Second Young Master, she would have to try her luck with the Third Young Master. This time, she was willing to go all out.

Every day, when the Third Young Master felt tired from his studies, he would rest in a bamboo grove behind the second courtyard. Over the years, she had saved nearly fifty strings of cash. With a heavy heart, she took out ten strings to prepare for some maneuvering.

That day, the weather began to heat up. Jin Niang complained, "In previous years, we would occasionally receive some ice here, but now we get nothing."

Fang Qiaolian sighed and shook her head, "Isn't it because they're unwilling to spend money on us? But most importantly, the eldest young miss has married, and the second young miss is preparing her dowry. After these two marriages, their household, though not impoverished, is certainly not as prosperous as before."

Qin Shuang'er then got up and stretched her neck, unable to resist saying, "I've drunk too much water, I need to go out and get some air; I'm breaking out in a rash all over."

Jin Niang and Fang Qiaolian did not suspect anything, as they themselves were hot and tired, and could hardly pay attention to her.

So Qin Shuang'er went out, while Jin Niang said to Fang Qiaolian, "Let's order some 'milk sugar snow.' If I don't eat something cold soon, I won't be able to stand it."

"Alright, let's ask Brother Kuang to help us order it. I'll go." Fang Qiaolian was Kuang Mama's adopted daughter, so it would be cheaper for her.

The so-called 'milk sugar snow' was made from rock honey, milk, and cream, similar to modern-day cream ice cream. Jin Niang quickly counted out eight coins and gave them to her.

However, in the bamboo grove, the young master saw a beautiful maid. The maid accidentally spilled tea on herself, looking pitifully distressed, and even claimed that she was poor and would be ruined if she were dismissed.

The young master, long suppressed, and the young maid, eager to climb the social ladder, met like the golden wind and the jade dew, surpassing countless earthly encounters.

At the last moment, the girl revealed her face—it was Qin Shuang'er, tears streaming down her cheeks. She had finally succeeded.

The bamboo grove, dense and shadowy, seemed to hear nothing, except for a servant boy outside who carried a bundle containing ten strings of cash.

In the same bamboo grove, Yanhong's parents handed her a release document, saying, "Child, go now. We've obtained your indenture contract from the lady. Don't come back here again."

Yan Hong's parents, deeming her mental illness incurable, decided to travel south in search of a doctor who could save her. They asked the Jiang family to release her from her contract so they could obtain the necessary documents. During these days, they had also found a suitable match for Yan Hong—a man who ran a small business, known for his honesty and sincerity, and he and Yan Hong seemed well-matched. He even felt that marrying Yan Hong was a step up for him.

"Father, Mother, I have been a burden to you," Yan Hong knelt down and bowed, her husband kneeling beside her, bowing as well.

Her parents smiled and said, "We originally planned to wait until you reached the right age and then ask the Lady to release your indenture so you could live a good life. Everything that happened afterward was beyond our control. In the future, you two must live happily together."

Yan Hong nodded vigorously, and her husband pulled her away. As they passed through the bamboo grove, she recalled the pain of losing her child, and now felt as if she had been reborn.

As the saying goes, some resign their posts and return home, while others travel by night to take the imperial exams. Young people know not the taste of sorrow, but in old age, one realizes the hardships of the journey.