Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Luo Yue and Wei Xiong, as Rong Niang’s only remaining elders, had to intervene and weigh in. Luo Yue, who was usually quite fiery-tempered, was torn after hearing both sides of the story.

Rong Niang claimed that after several arguments with Feng Sheng, he had begun seeking a new match through matchmakers—all from official families. Feng Sheng, on the other hand, accused Rong Niang of flirting with a low-ranking clerk boarding with them, saying they had grown too close.

Thinking of her own daughter, Luo Yue worried. Her daughter’s wedding was imminent, and if news spread that her cousin was divorcing, it would tarnish her daughter’s reputation. Besides, people always push for making up, not breaking up.

So she played her trump card: “You two parents can do as you please, but what about Lin Geer and Guan Geer? Feng, you’ve seen more of the world than I have, but even I know that a stepmom won’t love another woman’s kids like her own. Rong Niang, let me say this—you’re usually too kind, so nice you don’t know where to draw the line. Your parents are gone, and your sons are your closest blood relatives. How can you bear to leave them?”

Feng Sheng retorted, “Auntie, I’m not looking for an official’s daughter—just a wife who knows her responsibilities. Rong Niang is too lenient with the children. She’s never earned a single coin and doesn’t know how hard it is to survive in Bianjing.”

“You always act like this—you think you can get rich quick? Lin Geer is studious, but Guan Geer is frail. You can’t force him to study relentlessly,” Rong Niang shot back, refusing to yield.

Truthfully, ever since Feng Sheng fell ill once, he could sense Rong Niang’s growing impatience with him, which made him consider leaving. Meanwhile, Rong Niang found solace in the widowed clerk…

Luo Yue, having lived through such struggles herself, knew that couples often united during hardships but sought alternatives once life improved. Watching them argue, she could only rub her temples in exasperation.

Had she not truly decided on divorce, Rong Niang wouldn’t have aired her dirty laundry to outsiders—especially not to her uncle and aunt, with whom she wasn’t particularly close.

Seeing the deadlock, Luo Yue and her husband took Rong Niang home for the night to give her space. Otherwise, they’d be stuck there till dawn, and they still had to rise early the next day.

When they returned, Jin Niang was talking excitedly with a customer: “See, without a shawl, the outfit looks plain—just a plain pleated skirt. But with one, it adds a graceful flow. You don’t have to buy ours—if you have something similar at home, use that and save money.”

The customer clasped Jin Niang’s hands gratefully. “Thank you so much! You’ve helped style my hair and picked my outfit today. I actually have a goose-yellow shawl at home…”

“Go with white instead. You’ve already spent so much on the outfit—why hesitate over a shawl? If not, go home and look for a white one,” Jin Niang advised.

The customer nodded in agreement. “Then I’ll order a shawl from you.”

Jin Niang smiled. “Perfect. One tube top, one narrow-sleeved beizi, one pleated skirt, plus a shawl, with eight embroidered details. The tube top features a parrot-and-magnolia design, and the collar panel of the beizi matches it. All fabrics are top-grade. That’ll be twenty guan in total, ready in about twenty days.”

The customer paid promptly, and Jin Niang handed over the receipt, laughing. “Keep this safe—we honor receipts, not people.”

...

Watching from the side, Rong Niang realized how sharp Jin Niang was at sales—playing nice while nudging the customer toward a big purchase.

Jin Niang had waited all day for a sale, only to score a big sale just as she was about to close.

Noticing Rong Niang’s return, Jin Niang didn’t press about the split but asked pragmatically, “Sister, if you divorce, where’ll you stay? What’ll you live on? You’re still young—if you remarry, how will your dowry be divided? Have you thought this through?”

Rong Niang fell silent.

That night, the sisters shared a bed. Rong Niang noticed a mother-of-pearl vanity case on Jin Niang’s dresser and several trunks on the floor.

Out of nowhere, she asked, “How much dowry have you prepared?”

Jin Niang answered frankly, “Enough for thirty-six trunks. Soon, I’ll have another batch of furniture delivered, plus seasonal clothes, fabrics, porcelain, jewelry, bamboo ware—all paid for with my own earnings. I’m still short, so I’ll just have to keep sewing.”

“That’s so much…” Rong Niang gasped.

Jin Niang laughed. “Big sister, my dowry’s my safety net—all earned by my own hands. That’s why I’m asking about your plans post-divorce.”

“I… I haven’t thought it through,” Rong Niang admitted. She simply didn’t love Feng Sheng anymore but hadn’t considered the rest.

Jin Niang sighed. “Big sister, lean on a mountain, it’ll crumble; depend on a river, it’ll run dry. Take me—I’m about to marry, but if things go sour later, I’ll still have my shops and property. I could raise children alone if needed. I can live without anyone. But what about you? That clerk is thirty and still rents from you. Even if he’s kind, being broke brings trouble. If you don’t plan for your future, switching men won’t solve your problems.”

Rong Niang had never pondered such deep questions, nor did she think she had such ability.

She frowned in confusion. "But I'm not like you—I don’t even know how to embroider. What can I do?"

"Don't talk nonsense! You can do plenty! Your cooking is delicious, and you even know how to make rouge," Jin Niang said with a chuckle.

Rong Niang's resolve came and went, feeling lost.

During the Northern Song period, advocating for women’s independence was something Jin Niang could only suggest carefully—after all, even in the 21st century, many women struggled with independence. But at the very least, she could help Rong Niang figure out her own path.

Rong Niang sighed. "Your brother-in-law knows I don’t care much about money, so he left the deeds to the house and land with me. But there isn’t much cash at home—we still have debts to repay. Apart from that house, there’s nothing else to divide."

"Big Sister, that’s not entirely true. If you really want a divorce, have Brother-in-law sell the house and split the proceeds. And you must decide who will take care of the children—him or you." Jin Niang wouldn’t let her avoid the issue.

Rong Niang fell silent. After a long pause, she said, "Jin Niang, you’re right. I haven’t thought anything through—I’ve been too impulsive."

"Big Sister, now that you understand, when you return to the Feng family, think about what I said—how to build your independence. When the time is right, you’ll find peace."

The next day, Jin Niang had Wei Xiong and Luo Yue approach Feng Sheng as she had instructed, asking whether he had considered how to divide the property and arrange for the children’s care in the event of a divorce. Feng Sheng froze—did Rong Niang have the deeds?

At this point, Wei Xiong stepped in. "It seems neither of you has thought this through. Let me persuade Rong Niang—you two should try to make things work."

Feng Sheng finally came to his senses and, for the first time, sincerely thanked Wei Xiong.

Later, after Rong Niang returned, she initially wanted to learn cooking. But realizing that culinary skills were usually mastered from childhood and that finding a true master was difficult, she instead took up making cosmetic powders.

Of course, this was all later. After Jin Niang’s family saw Rong Niang off, Jin Niang finished the set she had been working on for eight days, only to realize she had completed all her embroidered shoes the previous month but forgotten the bridal needlework for the groom’s family. On the day after the wedding, she would have to present brocade and needlework to the elders.

This needlework included shoes, pillows, pouches, fan cases, and more.

"No, it’s too late now. I'll quickly stitch some shoe tops and take some samples to the little nun Jing An to finish. As for the pouches and fan cases, I'll buy some from Brocade Pavilion and Binyun Pavilion—it's not expensive," Jin Niang refused to torment herself.

She wanted to earn five hundred guan because that was the agreement before marriage—whatever extra she earned was hers. But she wouldn't ruin her health making needlework for elders she hardly ever saw. Buying them wasn’t expensive anyway.

She had already sent shoes when the engagement was settled last year, so she hadn’t expected to send more.

A Ying gave Nun Jing An three qian silver, saying, "This pair in orange should be embroidered with plum blossoms and bamboo leaves, made into bow shoes. The purple brocade ones should have orchid patterns, also bow shoes. The black and red brocade pairs should be 'Wrong to the End' shoes, and another pair should be 'Phoenix Head' shoes. Also, embroider eight pairs of silk socks."

Jing An was meek—her work was often taken and sold by her senior sisters without payment, something Jin Niang knew well. So she had A Ying give the money directly to Jing An and even sent her a box of chestnut cakes.

"Please thank Madam Wei for me," Jing An said.

A Ying smiled. "If you do well for our young lady this time, we’ll definitely come to you for future work. But you must hurry."

Jing An nodded earnestly. "Don’t worry, I’ll work quickly."

With the shoe problem solved, Jin Niang went to Binyun Pavilion but found the styles, though exquisite, were outdated. She had no choice but to visit her former proprietor, Brocade Pavilion, to look for suitable items. Fine pouches cost a hundred wen each—Jin Niang bought one pair for Madam Jiang Liu and one for Xu Shi. Medium-grade fan cases, at sixty wen each, were for her father-in-law—she bought six. With the remaining few hundred wen, she bought six pairs of lower-grade pouches at thirty wen each.

One guan and three qian—problem solved.

As for herself, after finishing the twenty-guan set for the customer, Jin Niang took on two more orders for beizi jackets with narrow sleeves, earning four guan in total.

The new furniture had arrived and was placed under the corridor, covered with a cloth to keep off the dust.

Of course, her parents were also busy with the wedding preparations. Luo Yue hired sedan chair carriers to transport the dowry, arranged the wedding banquet, prepared wedding candies, and decorated the house.

Looking at the calendar, it was already the 18th of the third month—just ten days until Jin Niang’s wedding.

But she was still nine guan short.

She recalled seeing people wearing draped silk shawls when she went out a few days ago. Some didn’t like pairing traditional tube tops with beizi (a traditional outer garment), but instead wore ruqun (a blouse-and-skirt ensemble) with the shawls. Coincidentally, she still had a bolt of white crepe silk with heavy lotus patterns.

She could pair it with a plum-green luo silk upper garment featuring broken branches and crabapple blossoms, layered over a rose-red underrobe with heart motifs. The skirt would be a flared skirt in matching rose red, embroidered with grapes and parrots—commonly known as a pomegranate skirt—and the draped silk shawl would complete the look. It had been stylish before, but now, paired with this ensemble, it gave off the look of a classical painting, elegant and dignified.

"If this set doesn't sell, I can always wear it myself," Jin Niang said to A Ying.

A Ying laughed. "Somehow, others think about how things will be after marriage or during the wedding itself, but all you think about is making money."

"Well, I have to keep at it. If I really believed marriage would solve everything, I'd be done for," Jin Niang replied.

The two shared a laugh before Ju Xiang brought over some chicken soup. Jin Niang had her sit for a while and reminded her, "In a few days, we’ll be going to stay with the Jiang family. We'll have to stay there for some time, so pack your things—we’ll go together."

Originally, Ju Xiang had also been a maid, but after coming to the Wei household, she had mostly worked in the kitchen, which suited her just fine.

Now that she was to follow Jin Niang to the Jiang household, Ju Xiang felt somewhat at a loss. "What will I do there?"

A Ying glanced at her. "Naturally, you’ll serve our mistress. In a few days, we’ll have to set up the bridal chamber and deliver the dowry—won’t you need to keep an eye on things? Though the eldest and third young ladies are her sisters, they might not be diligent. It’ll be up to us to help."

Ju Xiang nodded, finally understanding her role.

Sure enough, when Luo Yue mentioned preparing the bridal chamber at the Jiang household, Rong Niang—who had previously threatened to divorce before Jin Niang talked her out of it—was surprisingly willing to help. She immediately agreed and even assured Luo Yue, "Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on things in the bridal chamber."

Ying Niang had initially agreed but later changed her mind upon hearing she’d have to stay overnight, claiming it was too much trouble.

"When it comes down to it, Rong Niang isn’t a bad person. Ying Niang, on the other hand, talks sweetly but isn’t someone you can truly rely on," Luo Yue sighed.

After all, when Ying Niang got married, Wei Xiong had been running himself ragged organizing everything.

Jin Niang smiled. "I’ve long known what kind of person she is. Honestly, I didn’t expect much from my eldest sister either. We’ll just have Ju Xiang and A Ying help with setting up the bridal chamber."

Luo Yue said, "Our family is small and humble—when we do anything, we have to do it ourselves. The Jiang household is better situated, with more people to share the work."

The Jiang household indeed had many members, but those willing to help were few. When Xu Shi noticed the wedding canopy was crooked, she quickly ordered someone, "Hurry and straighten that!"

Not long after, Madam Jiang Liu’s maid came over and said, "Eighth Aunt, Madam asks if the bridal trousseau items are ready and wants you to bring them for her to see."

Xu Shi smiled. "Don’t worry, they’re ready."

The maid left with a pleased expression.

Xu Shi counted on her fingers. "The gold-threaded veil has to be from Desheng Tower—one alone costs nineteen guan (a historical Chinese currency unit). Then there’s the top-tier ornamental hairpiece, which cost four guan, and six boxes of perfumed powder from Xiangfen Tower at three hundred wen (a historical Chinese monetary unit) per small box. Just the dowry display gifts alone cost over twenty guan."

Everything had to be of the best quality, but the family’s funds were limited.

Not to mention the wedding banquet—but she didn’t dare cut corners with her mother-in-law, who was discerning.

When she was young, her father used to hold her on his lap and teach her calligraphy, and she had excellent penmanship. But now, her days were filled with daily chores—when did she have time for such things?

Still, as the eldest daughter-in-law of the sixth branch, she couldn’t let anyone find fault.

On the way, she happened to run into Jiang Xian. Xu Shi smiled. "Where has Shiliulang come from?"

Jiang Xian smiled back. "From Academician Huang’s residence. I should thank you, sister-in-law, for all your hard work in arranging the wedding."

"Shiliulang is too kind. We’re family—no need for such formalities," Xu Shi replied warmly.

Jiang Xian cupped his hands. "Then I won’t keep you. I must go greet Mother."

Xu Shi returned the gesture. "Go ahead."

Jiang Xian went to Madam Jiang Liu and said, "Although I haven't formally become Academician Huang's disciple, I did help his elder brother resolve a sticky situation. It’s just a matter of time before I’m formally accepted. Don’t fret, Mother—I won’t neglect my studies."

"Good, I know your capabilities. But your father and elder brothers have worked hard all these years for your education. The imperial exam road is rough, so don’t push yourself too hard." Madam Jiang Liu, though naturally strong-willed, had come to accept that success and failure were often matters of fate.

After exchanging some private words, Madam Jiang Liu said, "In a few days, your bride will enter our household. You should spend more time with her."

Jiang Xian hesitated, "But I’m at a critical stage in seeking mentorship. If I stay home too often, I might lose that connection."

Madam Jiang Liu thought to herself: Eighth Brother’s wife, Xu Shi, was overly ambitious about rank and fame; Tenth Brother, who had been adopted out, was naturally brilliant, as if born with knowledge. Only Sixteenth Brother here was the one who pushed himself relentlessly—no need for anyone else to urge him.

But she didn’t press the matter further, only remarking, "Your fifteenth brother married at the end of last year, and his wife is as lazy as a sloth—can’t cook, does shoddy needlework, and needs poking three or four times every morning just to get out of bed. Your Seventh Aunt emptied her savings to marry off her son to the daughter of some impoverished official, and now the girl keeps demanding new hairpins one day and fine clothes the next. Your Seventh Aunt is driven up the wall—why, she just sat here complaining for ages before leaving."

During the matchmaking, Madam Jiang Qi had been delighted to see how fair-skinned and elegant the girl was, cultured and skilled at brewing tea, blending incense. She had eagerly arranged the marriage, never expecting this outcome.

Jiang Xian chuckled, "Just goes to show—pretty packaging doesn’t mean quality inside. I’ve heard many stories of down-and-out noble families selling off heirlooms to keep up appearances. It happens with men just as much as women. Thankfully, Mother has a good judge of character—I trust Miss Wei isn’t like that."

"Of course not. Lady Zhou the Second once told me how, back when she was still in the Zhou household, the fourth young master accidentally ate something and turned red-faced, choking. No one dared to step forward, but Jin Niang saved him. When asked later if she’d been afraid, she said she hadn’t even thought about it—she just jumped in." Madam Jiang Liu praised.

This made Jiang Xian even more eager.

...

Meanwhile, Jin Niang had just sold a collar panel she’d finished embroidering. Looking up, she saw a new customer eyeing the clothing she wore.

"Do you have other styles of pei-bo cloaks like this?"

"Certainly. Here’s my design catalog—you can take a look."

Jin Niang smiled and handed over the catalog. The customer leafed through the pages, visibly impressed. "In that case, could I order one of each? I’ll take all five sets. As a woman yourself, you know how tube tops don’t work for every body."

Without modern shaping undergarments, those with narrow shoulders or a flatter chest faced clothing nightmares.

"Of course. I’ll have them delivered to your home by the 27th," Jin Niang said.

The customer frowned. "Why the 27th?"

Jin Niang smiled. "Because on the 28th, I’ll be getting married."

After deducting costs, the five sets would earn her forty strings of coin. Finishing them in seven days wouldn’t be easy, but at least she didn’t need to embroider these—they relied on well-matched fabrics.

She took measurements immediately and set to work. Who knew March’s slow business would end with such a lucrative order?

The customer paid twenty strings upfront, the rest due upon delivery. Still, Jin Niang was ahead of schedule.

Between stitches, she instructed A Ying which quilts to lay on the bed and which blankets to prepare.

Three days before the wedding, the Jiang family sent over floral hair ornaments, gold-threaded veils, five male and two female ornamental fans, cosmetics, herbal neck cleansers, and painted money-fruits as part of the bridal trousseau procession. In return, Jin Niang sent back matching gold and silver victory talismans, silk flower headdresses, green robes, boots, and an official’s tablet.

The day before the wedding, A Ying and Ju Xiang accompanied Rong Niang to deliver the dowry to the Jiang household. The betrothal gifts had already listed the trousseau items, but now everything was itemized in detail.

The Jiang family gathered to witness the display. Leading the procession were ten red-lacquered chests. A Ying unlocked the first, revealing seasonal robes packed tight in silk, damask, and gauze—so luxurious there was no room to slip a hand between them.

Once the Jiang steward recorded everything, A Ying relocked the chests and had them carried to the bridal chamber.

Next came furniture, bamboo household items, porcelain, followed by quilts, bamboo mats, bed curtains, door curtains, and rugs. A Ying announced, "Six sets of quilts and six coverlets, eight bamboo mats of assorted styles, twelve door curtains, two brocade bed canopies, two gauze canopies, two silk canopies..."

Originally planned as thirty-six loads, the dowry now totaled forty. After the fabrics—three loads’ worth—came the jewelry: first a nine-piece gold filigree and gem-studded headdress, then a case overflowing with pearl hairpins, combs, hairpins, rings, earrings, bracelets, and hair ornaments. That wasn’t counting the jewelry from the Jiang family. The final two loads held the property and land deeds.

Xu Shi mused to herself that she had underestimated Wei Shi — she actually brought forty-eight dowry chests. When Xu Shi herself married into the family, she had no more than thirty.

In addition, there was a dowry fund of one thousand guan, kept at the bottom of the trunk, which had all been sent over as well.

Even Madam Jiang, the Eldest Uncle's Wife, remarked, "By my estimate, the bride’s dowry must be worth three or four thousand taels."

Everyone was stunned. Madam Jiang the Seventh said to Madam Jiang the Sixth, "Back when the Zhou family betrothed their daughter to Fang’er, I also attended the ceremony. As far as I remember, it was only around five thousand taels."

Madam Jiang the Sixth smiled.

...

Meanwhile, Jin Niang was waiting for the customer to come and pay the remaining twenty guan for the clothes. Only then did she settle the accounts, never expecting that she had completed an impossible task—not only earning five hundred guan for her dowry but even gaining an extra thirty guan.

Chen Xiaolang, observing Jin Niang’s expression, thought to himself, *Our young lady wasn’t even this excited when she met Master Jiang. Nothing beats cold hard cash.*