Chapter 57

**Chapter 57**

"Alright, a fur-lined jacket, right? I’ve noted it down." Jin Niang added another entry.

It was the last day of the winter month. This month, she had earned forty guan. From the opening last December to now, nearly another December, she had earned a total of four hundred and fifty-eight guan. After repaying seventy-two guan in loans, setting aside one hundred guan for her dowry, and spending sixty guan on household expenses and servants’ wages, she still had two hundred and twenty-six guan left. Combined with the hundred-odd guan she had saved earlier, she now had over three hundred and twenty guan in total.

This meant she still needed to earn another one hundred and eighty guan before her wedding—just four months left.

This one hundred and eighty guan was both pressure and motivation.

In the evening, A Ying brought over a basin of warm water for foot-washing and said, "Miss, did you hear? Old Lady Shen down the street froze to death."

"Old Lady Shen? The one who was exceptionally skilled at Su embroidery?" Jin Niang vaguely recalled her, as someone had once whispered to her that it was Old Lady Shen who had reported her to the Guild Master back then.

A Ying nodded. "Yes, that’s her. She was so stingy—no brazier lit, just wearing a threadbare padded jacket. She earned plenty, yet never made herself a decent coat. Word is she worked till midnight, then just lay down in bed and never woke up."

Tch, those who clothe others often go bare themselves.

Never mind her. All of you must take care to stay warm. Jin Niang had given one of her old padded jackets from the Zhou family to A Ying and another to Ju Xiang, fearing they might fall ill.

A Ying chuckled. "Don’t worry, miss. This year, I haven’t even sneezed once."

After washing up, Jin Niang carefully applied jasmine ointment. Working by the brazier every day left her skin too dry, so she had to take good care of it.

A Ying poured out the water, and the two lay down to sleep. Unable to drift off, A Ying spoke again. "If I may say, miss, none of your sisters or relatives can be relied upon. Though your parents are kind, they likely can’t help much either. The Jiangs are high-status, with several brothers—who knows how many expenses you’ll face in the future?"

Her words were well-intentioned. Jin Niang smiled. "I know you mean well. I understand."

The next morning, as soon as she opened the shop on time, Madam Huang arrived. She wanted a gold-trimmed collar panel. Jin Niang examined it and said, "This is for a long beizi, so the collar panel will be longer too—six guan."

"Six guan?" Madam Huang hesitated—it was too expensive.

Jin Niang explained, "You see, we use real gold foil, not just gold powder to fool people. Look, this is gold foil bought from Goldsmith Lane."

She showed the gold foil to Madam Huang, who wavered but eventually agreed. They were merchants, and since her husband had finally taken her out, she had to look presentable.

"Alright, you can collect it in three days," Jin Niang said.

Madam Huang’s husband had started as a dried-fruit peddler. After years of hard work, he became capable, and the couple opened a shop. While others lacked seasonal goods, they always had them. Jin Niang called out to her, "Do you have any water chestnuts at your place?"

Hearing a potential sale, Madam Huang smiled. "Yes, sixty coppers a box."

"Good, I’ll send someone to fetch them in a few days," Jin Niang replied.

Madam Huang teased, "You’d better hurry. Some folks are already scrambling for them."

"Of course, of course." Jin Niang gave Chen Xiaolang a look, and he got the message.

This past year, he had been assisting his young mistress and had learned to take hints. Even though the Jiang family’s servants received no wages, they still got three hundred coins monthly—they had no complaints.

The managers of the wool and silk thread shops had sent their New Year gifts early—each a goose and two boxes of pastries. Jin Niang gave them each a pack of fine tea. The Jiang family had sent plenty of tea, more than they could drink, so it was perfect for gifting.

The bookbinder Gong delivered three baskets of fresh fruit—a gift for all his clients. Jin Niang sent nothing in return.

On Laba Festival, Rong Niang sent over some Laba festival herbs. Jin Niang had Chen Xiaolang deliver a pot of Laba porridge in return. However, Chen Xiaolang came back furious.

"What’s wrong?" Jin Niang asked.

Chen Xiaolang said, "The Feng family gave others their Laba herbs in festive bags tied with multicolored silk—either ‘Four United Fish’ knots or ‘Good Luck’ knots. But ours? Just wrapped in crude paper!"

A Ying was also indignant: "Exactly! They're always nitpicking at us, acting as if our family isn't as wealthy as theirs and nothing we do is right. But now it's clear they're the ones treating people differently."

The Jiang Family

Xu Shi looked at this year's rent collection—just over 400 bushels of grain from 200 acres of land. Selling 200-odd bushels only brought in 170 strings of coins, while the annual shop rental fees added up to 180 strings, totaling 350 strings.

For an ordinary family, this income wouldn’t be considered meager, but for the Jiang family, it wasn’t much at all. First, there were the debts for fine charcoal, meat, vegetables, and firewood, not to mention the obligatory gifts to various households.

"This year, we’ve added the Wei family from Sweetwater Lane. Send them the same gifts as my natal family to avoid Mother-in-law’s criticism," Xu Shi said.

By her side were a maidservant who rarely spoke and Nanny Ge, who had nursed her since childhood and thus guarded Xu Shi’s interests more fiercely than Xu Shi herself. The nanny remarked, "That Madam Wei is just a merchant’s wife who’s just pretty—at best fit to be a concubine. Yet now she’s putting on airs, acting like she’s our equal. No wonder Tenth Master would rather be adopted out than return home."

"Hush! This is a forbidden topic in our household. If someone overhears, it’ll be me accused of gossiping," Xu Shi shook her head.

Though she also found it improper, if Wei Shi was generous and wealthy, it might be a good thing—at least she wouldn’t fight them over trifles in the future.

The Jiang family’s gifts arrived soon after—a pot of Laba festival porridge. Jin Niang reciprocated with another pot of Laba festival porridge and a box of pastries. Following Jin Niang’s instructions, Chen Xiaolang said to the matron at the second gate, "Our mistress says these sesame, meat, and pickled vegetable pastries will balance out the sweetness of the Laba porridge."

Before Xu Shi could finish her accounts, Jin Niang’s return gifts arrived. Raising an eyebrow, Xu Shi remarked, "That was quick."

Half a month passed swiftly. Jin Niang finished all the robes and jackets she had been commissioned to make, earning 25 strings in total. After the fifteenth of the twelfth month, business slowed down. With her wedding dress nearly complete, Jin Niang had A Ying start stitching shoe soles while she prepared several pairs of scarlet and silvery-red shoe uppers for new shoes.

Luo Yu’e’s shop had also quieted down. She asked Jin Niang what gifts to send to the Jiang family for the festival. Jin Niang replied, "I’ve already arranged everything. You should rest—it’s been a long year. See what Yang Ge’er wants and get it for him. This year, I’m still preparing my dowry, so I can’t help with household expenses."

"Why should you? We haven’t been able to help you much either."

"Don’t say that. You’ve done your best for me."

Some people in life simply aren’t content with being ordinary, but the burdens they bear should be their own to shoulder. Her family owed her nothing—in fact, they all loved her dearly.

The Jiang family’s New Year gifts included a pair of pig’s trotters, two fresh fish, two roasted ducks, and a jar of osmanthus wine. In return, Jin Niang sent a box of dried longan, two baskets of fresh fruit, two geese, a box of fresh water chestnuts, a box of loquats, and a jar of Yuxian Lou’s prized wine.

These gifts were naturally more thoughtful than those from Xu Shi’s brother. Madam Jiang Liu, who loved water chestnuts, had once drunk two whole bowls of water chestnut soup at Jin Niang’s home. She remarked to Jiang Xian, "I wonder where that child gets these from."

Jiang Xian shared her delight. "If Mother enjoys them, I’ll find some for you too."

"Don’t go out now—mind the snow and wind," Madam Jiang Liu fretted over her youngest son.

Jiang Xian quickly reassured her, "Alright, I’ll join you for more later."

Regarding the Zhou family’s festival gifts, Jiang Xian said, "Aunt Zhou disapproves of my marriage, but we can’t remain at odds. When everyone visits the Zhous, if you’re slighted, it would be my failure as a son."

Touched, Madam Jiang Liu replied, "Don’t lower yourself. If she treats you coldly, just come home."

"I understand," Jiang Xian smiled.

When Jiang Xian arrived at the Zhou residence with gifts, Jiang Shi was still angry—neither speaking nor refusing to see him. The fourth young lady, standing nearby, quickly excused herself, though inwardly shocked.

Though Jiang Xian would later become a notorious official with a grim end, his family background was respectable. How could he marry a merchant’s daughter? Her second uncle had a concubine who owned a silk shop, yet remained a concubine.

What’s so special about Wei Jinniang?

After making Jiang Xian wait for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Jiang Shi finally allowed him in. He entered and said, "Aunt, I know you’re angry with me. I also understand your expectations—the more you care, the harsher you scold. That’s why I came despite my hesitation."

His words softened Jiang Shi’s anger. Massaging her temples, she said, "Sit down."

"I’m here to learn from you, Aunt. How dare I sit?" Jiang Xian gazed at her with remorse.

At this, even Jiang Shi’s greatest grievances subsided. She sighed, "In my heart, you and Fang Ge’er are equal—if anything, I’ve spoiled you more. Yet in marriage, you’re marrying beneath me. You’re still young. In the bureaucracy, what bond is stronger than marriage ties?"

"Yes, you're absolutely right," Jiang Xian replied. He knew well that in conversation, it was best to avoid disagreement and instead affirm before offering a counterpoint. After nodding slightly, he continued, "But what's done is done. Lady Wei is a woman of rare intelligence and virtue—your nephew cannot betray her."

Jiang Shi had no personal issue with Jin Niang herself but worried that Jiang Xian might be taken advantage of. She added, "She comes from a merchant family, and those people tend to be crafty. Not that being clever is bad, but our family has always been honest and straightforward. I fear you'll end up at a disadvantage."

"Every elder thinks their own family’s the best," Jiang Xian chuckled.

Jiang Shi sighed again, "I just worry you brothers will feel awkward together in the future."

At this, Jiang Xian grew serious. "Second Brother has already been made part of another family line—we live separate lives now. Besides, since ancient times, a wife’s honor follows her husband’s. If I fail, naturally I would feel out of place. But if I succeed, she and I will earn respect. Though young, I understand the weight of a promise. If I were to leave Lady Wei for a better match, wouldn’t you, Aunt, also think me untrustworthy?"

His earnest words eased all of Jiang Shi’s frustration, and she even smiled. "You truly are a responsible man. Very well. Jin Niang has grown up before my eyes—have her come pay her respects during the New Year."

Xiang Ming, standing behind Jiang Shi, was thrilled for Jin Niang upon hearing this.

Jiang Xian rose and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Aunt. The gifts I brought earlier are for the household, but I also brought two pots of weeping begonias especially for you."

Jiang Shi stood as well, and the aunt and nephew went to admire the flowers together. Soon after, Jiang Xian said it was getting late and should return, but Jiang Shi insisted he stay for dinner. He obliged, and she even ate an extra bowl.

The Fourth Young Lady, having spent so long in the main house, could easily learn such details. But she never expected someone like Jiang Xian to smooth the path for his fiancée—this left her even more amazed.

Jin Niang, unaware of these developments, was racking her brains for ways to raise dowry money. "After December comes the New Year—many will visit temples to repay vows. Embroidering Buddhist scriptures would be ideal."

She’d heard of a seamstress in the embroidery quarter who specialized in Guanyin images, with orders booked until next year—each piece going for 30 to 50 guan. Once her affairs settled next year, she planned to study this craft.

Buddhist images and scriptures were highly favored by noblewomen, perfect both as gifts and home decorations. And this year had been a hard one...

Fortunately, she had rubbings—life’s lessons were paying off. This time, she could also include Taoist texts. Previously, Jin Niang rose at dawn and rarely stayed up late, but now she was burning the midnight oil.

You must work hard to make it look effortless.

By day, she embroidered the cuffs and collars of cotton-padded jackets. By night, she stitched scriptures by candlelight. A Ying yawned, and Jin Niang urged, "Go to bed. I’ll retire by midnight."

"But Miss, what about your embroidered shoes?" A Ying worried.

Jin Niang smiled. "The wedding isn’t until late March next year. I’ve already finished most of it early. Right now, earning money is the priority."

By New Year’s Eve, she’d completed a scroll of Buddhist scripture. Business boomed at year’s end—she’d earned 43 guan. The scripture had been displayed simply to see if it would sell in the first month, but someone bought it outright for 10 guan.

This month had exceeded all targets. Jin Niang told Chen Xiaolang, "Let’s not close shop in the first month. We’ll operate as usual—no trips anywhere."

Chen Xiaolang, still a boy at heart, groaned and retreated to the backyard, only to be scolded by A Ying. "Think only of yourself? If our Miss can’t gather enough dowry, won’t we all be looked down on in her new home? Besides, you just run errands—you’ve got it easier than us, yet you still get paid monthly."

Chen Xiaolang fell silent at once.

The roads were littered with the frozen sick or dead. Though the Wei family wasn’t wealthy, they provided three meals daily and gave monthly wages.

After the reprimand, A Ying offered a sweetener. "Besides, once the Madam marries, we’ll surely close for a few days. There’ll be time to rest then."

"Yes, Sister A Ying," Chen Xiaolang conceded.

There were few customers on New Year’s Day, but Jin Niang felt calmer in the embroidery room. Though business was slow, she designed a new floral pattern for the pleated skirt’s hem. This time, she chose damask fabric in a color with hidden peony and begonia motifs—hinting at wealth and nobility. She embroidered a lush pond motif along the hem, evoking vibrant vitality.

Her only annoyance was her mother constantly sending food—sugar-roasted chestnuts, osmanthus cakes, and fried meatballs piled high on her desk. Jin Niang finally called A Ying in. "Take these to the front hall. I can’t eat anymore."

By the third day, business remained sluggish. Before she could worry, her mother started complaining.

Jin Niang understood her mother’s meaning. For years, she’d been teased about her marriage chances. Now that she’d secured a talented and handsome groom, her mother wanted to show it off—no point hiding her pride.

Jin Niang said, "Mother, the hairpin ceremony already put them in their place. Don’t push your luck—or we’ll really make enemies."

If she told her mother to focus on herself and ignore others, given her mother's temperament, it wouldn't be satisfying enough—because her mother had spent most of her life feeling stifled, always looked down upon or oppressed. So, Jin Niang could only say it this way to help her mother vent her frustration.

"Look at you now—your son is studying at the Luming Academy (a prestigious school), and your daughter is marrying into a scholarly family. Who wouldn’t envy you?"

Luo Yue thought the same. She could only go to Rong Niang’s home with her husband and son. But when Rong Niang asked why Jin Niang hadn’t come, Luo Yue said, "She’s already engaged—it’s improper for her to go out now."

"That’s true." Rong Niang glanced at the gifts Luo Yue and her family had brought—just an ordinary chicken and a basket of fruit. Nowadays, she judged people’s attitudes by the gifts they gave, and she couldn’t help feeling that the second branch of the family didn’t take them seriously.

Luo Yue, on the other hand, thought to herself, *The pastries you sent gave me stomachaches and kept me in the bathroom half the night. Giving you a roast chicken is more than you deserve.*

But seeing that Guan Geer was still coughing, she asked, "Why hasn’t he gotten better yet?"

Rong Niang was also annoyed by this topic. She was actually quite exhausted now—Feng Sheng dumped all the blame on her for the child’s illness, and no one questioned why Feng Sheng himself hadn’t taken better care of the child.

But she wouldn’t show her displeasure to an elder, so she just gave a faint *Hmm*.

Meanwhile, Ying Niang’s mother-in-law asked Luo Yue, "Has your daughter’s wedding date been set?"

"Yes, the twenty-eighth of March this year. You’d better come when the time comes." Luo Yue was now most enthusiastic about discussing her daughter’s marriage.

An Mu, who was visiting relatives with her sons, loved chatting about such matters at her age. She asked further, "I didn’t attend the hairpin ceremony (a betrothal ritual where hairpins are exchanged) half a year ago. I heard that family is quite prominent?"

Luo Yue replied, "Their ancestors were officials, so they say. They’re doing well now, but the main thing is that my son-in-law is handsome and eloquent." She was about to praise him further but remembered Jin Niang’s warning and stopped herself.

While her mother held back, Xiang Ming eagerly recounted how Jiang Xian had spoken on Jin Niang’s behalf to Jiang Shi, adding, "This year, both our eldest master and second young master have been assigned posts outside the capital, so the household has been quiet. The madam personally invited you. I suspect she wants to give you some gifts. But really, this is all thanks to Shiliulang."

"I remember Shiliulang isn’t the madam’s direct nephew. Why is she so fond of him?" Jin Niang was puzzled.

Xiang Ming shook her head. "I don’t know either. Before, I was just a low-ranking maid—sometimes I couldn’t even enter the inner rooms."

Jin Niang smiled. "Alright, then I’ll get ready and go with you."

Soon, A Ying helped her dress up. Jin Niang couldn’t help but think about how Jiang Xian had personally gone to Jiang Shi to plead her case. If not for her close relationship with Xiang Ming, she might never have known about this. In any case, a man who stepped up to fix things was impressive.

As for love, she had never even considered it. Rather than finding someone who was only good to her, it was better to find someone who was a good person at heart.

The reason she had settled with the Jiang family so quickly was entirely due to their sincerity—they had laid out their family’s finances openly to her mother. Whether Jiang Xian’s affection was genuine or not, he was undeniably talented and handsome, and his words aligned with her expectations. Even the entire engagement went off without a hitch, unlike other families who quarreled over dowries and betrothal gifts.

Though Jiang Xian was a few years younger, he had left a deep impression on her since childhood. Getting along with such an intelligent person was effortless. At the very least, he understood the principle of sink or swim together—just like in mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts, if the son stepped in to smooth things over, there would be no issues. But if the son remained passive, the relationship would worsen.

She had initially been a little worried about how she would face Madam Jiang after marrying into the family. But now, a chance fell into her lap.

She took the two fashionable fabrics and a box each of dried longan and red dates that Qu Fengxia had given her. Privately, she also gave Xiang Ming a newly made rose-red embroidered jacket adorned with peonies in appliqué embroidery, which looked luxurious and beautiful. Xiang Ming was delighted to receive it.

A Ying sweetly called her "Sister Xiang Ming" repeatedly, saying, "Our young lady always says I’m clumsy and can’t learn needlework properly—not as smart as you were back then."

Xiang Ming laughed. "If you could learn even a third of what Sister Jin Niang knows, it would benefit you endlessly."

While chatting, they finished getting ready and went to pay respects to Jiang Shi. When Jiang Shi saw Jin Niang before her—wearing a lotus-root-colored jacket paired with a pleated skirt, a cluster of fabric flowers in her hair, looking radiant and sweet—she understood why Jiang Xian liked her.

"Please rise. Who would have thought we’d meet again under such circumstances?" Jiang Shi smiled.

Jin Niang put on a shy act. Seeing her discomfort, Jiang Shi said, "I heard your wedding date has been set. It’ll be even more convenient for us to meet in the future."

"You’re absolutely right," Jin Niang replied with a smile.

Jiang Shi said nothing more and gifted her with a pair of silver moth hairpins. Jin Niang bobbed a quick curtsy. Just then, Wu Shi’s maid came to invite Jin Niang over, so Jiang Shi let her go first.

As Jin Niang walked away, Jiang Shi squinted. If she couldn’t persuade Jiang Xian, she would start with Jin Niang. Otherwise, her own daughter would end up sharing a husband’s family with Jin Niang—how could the Zhou family afford such a loss of face?

After meeting with Wu Shi, Jin Niang was given a jewelry box by her. They talked for a while before Jin Niang left. As she passed by the rockery in the second household’s garden, she overheard two servants whispering. Their conversation vaguely mentioned Jiang Xian in a suggestive and indecent way. Jin Niang paused to listen for a moment before pulling A Ying away.

On their way back, A Ying couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, what does ‘a taste for men’ mean? Why would they say such things about Master Jiang? Does he… have this so-called ‘taste for men’?”

Jin Niang smirked. “Of course not.”

“How can you be so sure he doesn’t?” A Ying asked, puzzled.

Jin Niang replied firmly, “I just know he doesn’t. These are slanderous rumors. You’re not a child anymore, so if you hear dirty talk like this, keep your mouth shut and act like you didn’t hear anything, understand?”

A Ying scratched her head. “Understood, Miss.”