Chapter 55

**Chapter 55**

Up front, the younger generation was discussing matters, while behind them, the adults were engaged in animated conversation, each revealing their family’s assets.

Madam Jiang Liu said, “I speak plainly—I’ll make this clear from the start. Our eldest son will naturally inherit the residence in Nanxunfang. But rest assured, Madam Luo, we also have a five-room shop at Jinliang Bridge with oiled flour walls and a warehouse behind it. It’s currently rented out as a teahouse for fifteen *guan* per month. In addition, there are one hundred *mu* of paddy fields from my dowry that will go to them.”

Luo Yuhua replied, “Since you’ve been so open, I won’t hold back either. We have another house near Zhouqiao that’s currently rented out. That property is set aside for our eldest daughter’s dowry. Also, as you’ve seen, the house in Sweetwater Lane was entirely purchased by my daughter herself. And on top of that, she has her embroidery skills—she earns at least one or two hundred *guan* a year, sometimes even three or four hundred.”

After they spoke, both women exchanged smiles.

Only then did Luo Yuhua feel a sense of sincerity. Those who truly wished to become in-laws would always be honest.

Hearing this, Madam Jiang Liu became even more satisfied. People often say embroidery is a young woman’s trade, but even so, she had already built up quite a fortune during her youth—three or four hundred *guan* a year meant over a thousand in just three years.

She took Luo Yuhua’s hand and added, “When my eldest son married, I sold a shop and gave his bride a betrothal gift of five hundred *guan*. The same will apply to my younger son’s future wife.”

This made Luo Yuhua very pleased indeed. Five hundred *guan* was no small sum, and it was rare for Madam Jiang Liu not to favor one son over the other.

By the gate of Renwang Temple, Jin Niang joined the elders in offering prayers to the Buddha. At each shrine, she had A Ying bring the money pouch and dropped a fistful of coins into the donation box. Madam Jiang Liu thought to herself: This Madam Wei must be even wealthier than her mother claimed, but she doesn’t flaunt it.

They had a vegetarian meal at the temple. Jin Niang finally got to try the dry-braised bamboo shoots that Jiang Xian had mentioned, and they were indeed delicious—so much so that she went back for seconds.

Since men and women were segregated, Jiang Xian naturally stayed in the front section of the temple, so they didn’t meet before parting ways.

As soon as she returned home, Jin Niang dove straight into her embroidery work. Chen Xiaolang had noted down all the orders for the day—there were still three left: a collar panel embroidered with bamboo leaves, a pair of shoe uppers, and a set of pouches.

The collar panel was worth six hundred cash, the shoe uppers three hundred, and the pouches sixty—adding up to nearly a *guan*.

Just as she began cutting the fabric, Luo Yuhua walked in with a sly smile and asked, “So, Jin Niang, what do you think? That Jiang Shiliu seems quite impressive—he looks like a fine young man.”

“Mother, he’s three years younger than me,” Jin Niang replied, glancing at her mother.

Luo Yuhua waved her off. “They say a woman three years older brings gold into the home. Besides, his age is just right.”

“What do you mean ‘just right’?” Jin Niang frowned.

Luo Yuhua hesitated to explain outright. After all, a younger husband might help improve her health. Her daughter had poor circulation from working late nights on embroidery. Though losing weight had made her prettier, it had also caused hair loss. A younger man could help replenish her vitality.

Changing the subject, she continued, “Their family used to be well-off. When they divided the estate, they received a three-courtyard mansion with a garden, a smaller two-courtyard house, two shops, and five hundred *mu* of land. But when her daughter married, she sold the smaller house and gave three hundred *mu* as dowry. Then, for the eldest son’s wedding, another shop was sold. Their fortune has shrunk since then.”

Jin Niang understood that poverty looked different depending on where you stood. For the rich, it meant fewer indulgences—flowers, antiques, paintings—but for the poor, it meant hunger and cold.

When Luo Yuhua mentioned what Jiang Xian might inherit if the family split again, Jin Niang was surprised. “I didn’t expect Madam Jiang Liu to be so sincere.”

Luo Yuhua smiled. “Yes, it’s rare to find someone so straightforward. I was equally honest in return.”

“But Mother, why did you say I earn so much?” Although at her current rate, she could earn around three hundred *guan* a year…

“That’s about boosting your worth,” Luo Yuhua chuckled. “Our family is already being modest. You’d be amazed at how matchmakers inflate things.”

Meanwhile, Madam Jiang Liu, sure of her strategy, sat having dinner with Master Jiang. She sent the servants away, cleared her throat, and recounted the day’s events. “Also, she has a younger brother studying under Academician Wu. Chancellor Wu praised him as earnest—not brilliant, but focused and capable.”

Master Jiang patted her back gently. “Don’t overexert yourself. Since we’ve decided, we can send the betrothal letter soon. This marriage should happen quickly to stop the rumors.”

Relieved by her husband’s gentler tone, Madam Jiang Liu relaxed slightly. Her eldest son, Yan, and Jiang Xian had once been close friends, but people had twisted their closeness into something improper. The same happened with the Lius—Chancellor Liu was even her distant cousin, yet he too believed the slander.

She pushed her food around on the plate, finding it bland. There was only one meat dish on the table, and she sighed softly. “The eldest daughter-in-law is good in every way, but since she took over the household, our meals have become blander than temple gruel.”

The eldest daughter-in-law performed her morning and evening rituals, dutifully attended to her husband, and bore children—all was well, except that she was overly eager for her husband’s advancement. This was a common failing among daughters of officials, who feared slipping down the social ladder and thus were especially competitive.

She took out her personal savings and had two meat dishes added for Jiang Xian.

In the sweltering July heat, the Jianyang gauze Jin Niang had bought earlier came in handy. At 800 wen per bolt, she made six gauze robes or skirts from it. The sales took off largely because Jin Niang modeled them herself—almost everyone who saw her wearing them wanted one too.

The Jiang family had already sent a matchmaker with the preliminary betrothal documents. She personally wrote the dowry inventory on the bride’s side. In the Northern Song Dynasty, a woman’s dowry was kept separate from her husband’s property; even in divorce or after his death, the husband had no claim to it. Naturally, Jin Niang didn’t hold back when listing her items.

Though there were no land holdings included, the dowry inventory listed: one house in Zhouqiao Liren Lane (also known as Stinky Water Lane), another in Xiaotianshui Lane north of Xiangguo Temple, three shopfronts, 500 guan in silver, twelve bolts of silk fabrics including satin and brocade, various jewelry, one four-poster bed with mother-of-pearl inlay, several round-backed chairs and embroidered stools, four quilt covers with motifs like *Prosperity Blooming* and *Joy at the Doorstep*, and of course door curtains, bed canopies, embroidered clothing and shoes, porcelain, and so on.

She planned to set aside 100 guan specifically for her dowry goods, and her parents added twenty guan more. She wasn’t trying to stretch herself too thin, but she wanted everything necessary accounted for.

Since most of the embroidered dowry items she could make herself, she saved a great deal. And she didn’t need to embroider them elaborately. Previously, making a wedding quilt for Miss Zhou had taken two to three months, but for her own, avoiding excessive detail, she could finish all the embroidery in just over half a year.

So now, she spent her days working on orders at the embroidery shop, and her evenings on her own embroidery.

Just then, Chen Xiaolang returned, and Jin Niang briskly had A Ying bring him a bowl of chilled mung bean soup from the well. After downing two bowls, Chen Xiaolang finally relaxed and said, “Miss, I told both Eldest Miss and Third Miss’s households. They said they’ll come tomorrow when the Jiang family comes for the hairpin exchange.”

“Good,” Jin Niang replied.

They had already met beforehand, and the initial proposal had been exchanged. Tomorrow was just a formality. In Bianjing custom, if the groom’s family approved the bride, they left a gold hairpin; if not, they left a bolt of cloth.

Meanwhile, Rong Niang and Ying Niang had already gathered together. Ying Niang came straight to Rong Niang’s place and asked, “Elder Sister, do you know which family Second Sister is marrying? When their servant came, I was busy at the apothecary.”

“It was a servant who delivered the message, and he couldn’t say much. But judging from what he said, it seems decent enough. We’ll see for ourselves tomorrow,” Rong Niang replied.

Ying Niang was careless by nature and mostly concerned only with her own affairs. Finding no further details, she soon left.

Jin Niang had few relatives, and since the family had long been divided, none could interfere with how her household managed things. In contrast, the Jiang family was in an uproar.

Upon hearing the news, Jiang Fang sought out Jiang Xian and said, “Next year you’ll take the Provincial Exam. If you pass well, you can find a better match. How can you marry the daughter of a merchant?”

“Second Brother, marriage is a matter for our parents to decide. Besides, you know the state of our family. Father and Mother are acting in my best interest,” Jiang Xian replied calmly.

Jiang Fang lowered his voice. “Do you know she once worked as a servant in the Zhou household? How can we knit ties with such folk?”

Jiang Xian took a deep breath. “I appreciate your concern, Second Brother, but she merely helped with embroidery at the Zhou home before gaining entry to the Embroidery Academy. Within a few years, she purchased property—surely that shows her ability. Moreover, whether I pass the exam remains uncertain.”

“You—you’re still the same stubborn fool. I truly thought you’d changed. Father and Mother coddle you to your detriment. They’ve always favored you, and instead of pushing you to endure hardship and earn merit through the exams, they now rush to marry you to a wealthy woman who will manage everything while you live comfortably.”

Losing patience, Jiang Fang turned to leave.

Jiang Xian’s face darkened. “You’re blaming others. If you hadn’t been adopted out, Mother wouldn’t have fallen ill, and she wouldn’t be rushing to arrange this marriage. It’s you who hasn’t changed.”

The brothers were deadlocked, neither willing to yield.

After parting with his second brother, Jiang Xian wandered aimlessly through the streets until, without realizing it, he found himself in Tianshui Lane. His attendant reminded him, “Shiliulang, this is your future wife’s shop.”

Jiang Xian hadn’t intended to come here, but now that he stood at her doorstep, it would seem odd to turn away. Hitching up his robe, he stepped inside. When he entered, only the shop assistant was present. As he was about to speak, a maid appeared from the back and stared at him in surprise. “What brings you here?”

Meanwhile, A Ying hurried briskly to inform Jin Niang that Jiang Xian had arrived. Jin Niang said, “Go buy some sweetened ice with glutinous balls from the lane entrance. I’ll go out now.”

She didn’t know why he had come—was it to break off the engagement? Or did he have something to say?

Coincidentally, her parents had gone with her younger brother to sit the exams at Luming Academy, leaving her to deal with it herself. When Jin Niang appeared, Jiang Xian—who had been on edge—suddenly calmed. He quickly stood and bowed. “Good day, my lady.”

Jin Niang smiled. “What brings you out in this swelter? Did you have something to discuss?”

If it was bad news, she’d rather hear it quickly. To her surprise, Jiang Xian scratched his head, revealing a touch of boyish awkwardness. “I just… wound up here without meaning to.” “Since you’re at my shop,” she offered, “care to browse?”

Jiang Xian noticed the couch and table on the east side, with several finished garments hanging on the carved clothing rack to the right. Behind the counter were various types of fabrics. He followed Jin Niang into the embroidery room, where she showed him her design portfolio while she worked on her needlework nearby.

Unbeknownst to her, Jiang Xian picked up the design portfolio and examined it with great seriousness, commenting, "The silk paintings outside—which art shop did you buy them from? They're all very beautiful. You have excellent taste."

"I copied them from some masterpieces of flower-and-bird paintings. But I’ll take that as a compliment," Jin Niang said with a laugh.

Jiang Xian observed her attire—she wore gauzy robes and skirts today, with a pair of pink silk flowers in her hair, looking youthful and natural, without being fussy. He lowered his head and said, "With such talent, of course I must praise you, my lady."

"I wouldn't call it skill—I just put in a bit more effort than others. I had some iced treats brought over. I don’t know if you can handle ice, but if not, I can ask A Ying to prepare tea instead," Jin Niang glanced at him.

Jiang Xian thought to himself how considerate Wei's lady was, though Jin Niang remained unaware of his thoughts. She bent her head to take a few more stitches and noticed A Ying serving the desserts in their family’s lotus-patterned bowls, nodding slightly in approval.

After finishing a bowl of the iced treats, Jiang Xian felt much cooler. He looked around and remarked, "Though the heat has only just begun, after mid-July, the weather will grow even hotter. Won’t it be too warm for you to embroider here?"

How thoughtful—he actually noticed. Jin Niang replied, "Back when I was at the Embroidery Academy, it was fine. Now that I’m home, I’d forgotten. I’ll have to buy an ice chest soon—I’ll ask someone to inquire at the ice cellar in a few days."

Jiang Xian immediately said, "Why buy one? I can just bring ours from home."

Jin Niang quickly declined, "That wouldn’t be proper. Your family needs it for yourselves." After all, she wasn't even his wife yet—how could she accept such a gift?

"Why do you hold me at a distance?" Jiang Xian was displeased by her refusal.

Jin Niang looked at him and said, "Please listen to me, my lord. This isn’t about keeping distance—it’s about propriety. Without the proper standing, wouldn’t it invite gossip? Knowing your intentions is more than enough for me."

Just as she finished speaking, A Ying announced that a customer had arrived, and Jin Niang excused herself to attend to them.

From the embroidery room, Jiang Xian listened as Jin Niang interacted with the customer—patient, meticulous, and precise in her words.

"You’d like a narrow-sleeved *beizi* (a traditional Chinese jacket) but don’t want the shoulders too broad, correct? Then we’ll make this part more fitted, preferably with *luo* silk—a lightweight silk fabric."

After taking measurements, finalizing the design, and setting a completion date, the transaction was swiftly concluded.

Jiang Xian wanted to stay longer, but Jin Niang soon returned carrying a bolt of luo silk. With a few deft cuts, she trimmed the fabric. He examined the subtle patterns on the silk and remarked, "These colors resemble Tang dynasty sancai glaze, don’t they? So beautiful."

"Right? I bought this from a merchant in Shaanxi. The base is a pale green, with four-petal white blossoms and yellow stamens scattered across—truly lovely." Large fabric shops often carried similar designs, but unique pieces like this required a discerning eye to find.

Noticing Jiang Xian’s fascination, his eyes lighting up, Jin Niang—as a seasoned shopkeeper—instantly guessed his thoughts, just like with any other customer who admired her fabrics. "Do you like this luo silk too? If so, I can make you a garment and send it over when we make the engagement official."

Jiang Xian smiled. "If I refused, I’d be lying. Then don’t hold me at a distance either—tomorrow, I’ll bring the ice chest."

Jin Niang’s cheeks flushed slightly. "Alright."

Then she added, "You should head back now, before tongues start wagging."

"Right." Knowing Jin Niang’s strict upbringing, Jiang Xian didn’t linger.

Though he had arrived at Wei's Embroidery Shop in low spirits, Jiang Xian left in high spirits. His servant, Liu Douer, remarked, "Lady Wei is so kind—she even had chilled desserts brought for me. Earlier, while I rested in the corridor, the kitchen across the way was brewing something that smelled incredible."

Jiang Xian gave him a light knock on the head. "Always led by your appetite."

Douer, still young and chubby, had no major flaws except his gluttony. As the master and servant left Wei’s shop, they spotted the Jiang Family Tea House at the end of Sweetwater Lane. Remembering that his sister-in-law now managed the household and served only mild Fujianese fare, Jiang Xian couldn’t resist saying, "Let’s eat here."

He even ordered an extra dish—a Jiangling specialty, "Winter Melon and Turtle Skirt Soup" (a delicacy made from winter melon and soft-shelled turtle).

After the meal, they packed some of the teahouse’s signature dishes to deliver to his parents.

The next morning, Jin Niang rose early to get dressed and make preparations. Surprisingly, Feng Sheng and Rong Niang arrived first, bringing Lin Geer and Guan Geer along. Luo Yue had Yang Geer keep his nephews occupied while setting out assorted nibbles for everyone.

Seeing the courtyard spotlessly clean, with bamboo shades hung along the opposite veranda and tables set up, Rong Niang couldn’t help but ask, "Second Aunt, are you receiving guests on the veranda?"

"With trees planted along the corridor and flowers arranged nearby, it's both shady and fragrant—how nice," Luo Yue said with a smile.

Feng Sheng couldn’t help but ask, "May I ask which family Jin Niang is engaged to?"

Though Luo Yue usually enjoyed showing off and had a touch of vanity, she was more afraid of Jin Niang’s engagement falling through or others meddling, so she simply replied, "It’s a family surnamed Jiang. Their ancestors once held official positions, but their status isn’t what it used to be. Now, they focus on scholarly pursuits at home."

Feng Sheng murmured "Oh." Since switching to a different medical clinic, his stress had lessened, though his wages had also decreased, leaving him a bit less driven than before.

Luo Yue continued, "Today, we hired a nearby restaurant to cater. Our whole family is busy with business, and while Ju Xiang at home can handle everyday dishes, she might get nervous with fancy ones. Make sure to eat plenty—their donkey meat is delicious."

Rong Niang then went upstairs cheerfully to see Jin Niang, who was already all dressed up but still working on her embroidery. In the past, Rong Niang would have scolded her, but now she felt a twinge of respect.

Soon after, Ying Niang and her husband arrived. Ying Niang, who had a daughter but barely lifted a finger to care for her—leaving the child to her mother-in-law or An Ping—only had to handle selling medicine at the pharmacy.

After visiting Jin Niang upstairs, they went back down to chat. Other guests soon arrived, while Jin Niang focused on sewing one side of the garment, trimming the threads, and moving to the other side.

Before long, Chen Xiaolang darted in to announce, "Madam, the Jiang family has arrived."

Today, the Jiang family all showed up: Sixth Uncle, Madam Jiang Liu, their eldest son Jiang Yan, and his wife Xu Shi. Wei Xiong and Luo Yue welcomed them inside.

Feng Sheng immediately noticed the Jiang family’s high standing, especially when he saw Jiang Xian—his eyes lit up, recognizing him clearly as someone from an official family. The Jiang family also brought the groom’s engagement letter. Feng Sheng glanced at it, noting the listed ancestors: a former Deputy Chief Councillor posthumously honored as Minister of Revenue, followed by the grandfather and father’s names.

As everyone exchanged pleasantries, Feng Sheng swiftly stepped forward to engage in conversation, which left Luo Yue and Rong Niang stunned.

Then, Academician Wu and his wife arrived at the door. The elderly Madam Wu was the matchmaker, while Academician Wu, from the Hanlin Academy’s Painting Institute, had plenty to talk about with Sixth Uncle and Jiang Xian’s elder brother.

During the conversation, Academician Wu asked Wei Xiong, "How did it go yesterday when you sent Yang Geer to Luming Academy?"

"Thanks to your blessings, my son passed the exam. We thought just getting in would be enough, but he even made it into the inner division. In a few days, we’ll escort him there," Wei Xiong replied, now smoother in his replies.

Feng Sheng was puzzled—how had Wei Yang, a kid who was all about trinkets and woodwork, become a Hanlin disciple and entered Luming Academy, right behind the Kaifeng Academy?

How had so much happened in the second branch of the family without him knowing?

Sixth Uncle, who had initially felt somewhat awkward visiting a merchant’s household, perked up upon hearing of a scholar in the family. He called Wei Yang over, and seeing the boy’s neat looks—quiet but clearly bright and polite—he grew much more satisfied.

The Jiang family had brought a whole haul of "engagement wine," with bottles wrapped in netting, adorned with eight large flowers, brightly colored raw silk, and eight silver decorative flowers, all tied with red silk—known as "red-wrapped load." The Wei family, in return, prepared two bottles of clear water, three to five live fish, and a pair of chopsticks, placing them in the wine bottles brought by the groom’s family—a custom called "returning fish and chopsticks."

After these rituals, Madam Jiang Liu personally went upstairs to see Jin Niang. Jin Niang immediately rose to bow, but Madam Jiang Liu stopped her. "Good child, I felt a connection last time, and now we’re truly becoming family."

Jin Niang smiled. "I never saw this coming. I’m young and hope for your guidance in the future."

Madam Jiang Liu replied, "I’ve already spoken with your mother. As long as you children are well, we parents are content. Here, let me place this hairpin for you."

Jin Niang stood as Madam Jiang Liu brought out a golden phoenix hairpin with twin prongs. She lowered her head slightly as Madam Jiang Liu secured it in her hair.

After exchanging a few more polite words, Madam Jiang Liu prepared to leave. At the door, she turned back and said, "Shiliulang brought the icebox today—remember to move it to the embroidery room. Don’t let yourself overheat."

Jin Niang’s cheeks flushed slightly.