Chapter 60

Chapter 60

A lavish dowry brings face to those who present it.

Rong Niang had also brought along two maids to assist. Ju Xiang adjusted the tables and chairs while A Ying opened a trunk and pulled out a red silk bed canopy, its curtain embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in water—the embroidery was exquisite, the stitches as fluid as soaring dragons.

"Is this embroidered by Jin Niang herself?" Rong Niang asked.

A Ying grinned. "Naturally—and with these white jade hooks, it’s downright dazzling."

With many hands at work, they draped the canopy and started preparing the bed. As instructed, A Ying fetched a satin-soft quilt embroidered with mandarin ducks and peonies.

Next, they hung chair covers, table curtains, and door drapes one by one. Ju Xiang shifted a waist-high, melon-petaled orange gauze lantern to the bedside and wiped it down with a cloth. Noticing her rough handling, A Ying chided, "Easy there—this lantern cost 3 guan!"

Just a few days earlier, their young lady had finally saved enough for her dowry and bought this lantern, agonizing over the expense.

But there was no denying it—the lantern transformed the room’s atmosphere entirely. The young lady truly had impeccable taste.

Rong Niang marveled, "I never imagined Jin Niang could save up so much on her own."

"Years of scrimping and saving," A Ying said with a laugh.

As she spoke, she arranged the clothes to be worn in the coming days inside the wardrobe. Though these were gowns the young lady had worn to entertain patrons, most were nearly new. A good pressing made them look near-new again, and A Ying noticed the envious glances from Rong Niang’s maids as she unpacked them.

Satisfied with the arrangements, Rong Niang surveyed the surroundings. The compound had three main rooms and two side chambers, opening directly into the Jiang family’s garden. The garden bloomed in a profusion of flowers, spanning about an acre, with a small pond and pavilions at the front—just what you’d expect of an affluent family.

She’d once considered her own three-courtyard residence ample, but now realized that even among three-courtyard homes, there were differences.

No wonder Jin Niang had strained to assemble such a dowry.

This inspired Rong Niang to strive harder as well.

One of her maids whispered, "Madam, this seems a side courtyard—the main one lies east—yet this is lovelier."

"Indeed," Rong Niang agreed. "I’ve heard that the groom is the youngest son of the family, so naturally, they’ve given this lovely spot to the newlyweds."

They sat for a while under the eaves before returning inside, where A Ying had already set out the tea service on a crane-knee table in front of the daybed. Rong Niang couldn’t help but exclaim, "A Ying, you’re a wonder!"

So young, yet so thorough.

A Ying smiled. "Thank you for your kind words. Our mistress asked me to bring some pastries—let’s all have some."

Just as she brought out the treats, a round-faced maid arrived. Her hair was styled in twin buns, giving her a friendly appearance. She curtsied first to Rong Niang. "Auntie, I’m Meng Dong, Sixth Madam’s maid. She sent these refreshments for you all."

Rong Niang smiled. "Sixth Madam is most gracious."

Meng Dong then had two younger maids behind her set out the meal—no feast, just four dishes, a soup, and sweets to spare. Seeing Rong Niang hesitate, A Ying assumed she didn’t want to spend money and quickly took out a pouch from her sleeve, handing it to Meng Dong. "Thank you, sister."

Meng Dong tried to decline, but A Ying pulled her aside. "Sister, this is from our mistress. When she arrives tomorrow, she’ll surely reward you even more generously."

Hearing it was from Jin Niang, Meng Dong accepted it.

Once outside, she opened the pouch and found eighty heavy coins strung together with red thread. Meng Dong thought to herself, "No wonder they say Madam Wei has deep pockets."

Rong Niang remarked, "The bride hasn’t even entered the household yet, and already she’s giving rewards. Isn’t that too extravagant?"

"I’m just following our mistress’s orders," A Ying replied. "That maid serves Sixth Madam. As the saying goes, 'The higher-ups are approachable, but their underlings are the tricky ones.'" After a year of handling every kind of patron and nightly debriefs with her mistress on how to deal with different people, A Ying had grown much sharper.

By midnight, it was time for A Ying to leave—she still had to help Jin Niang onto the bridal sedan the next morning. She reminded Ju Xiang, "Keep a sharp eye on the door. These are all treasures—don’t let light fingers near them."

Though there had been some discord between the two in the Wei household, Ju Xiang still obeyed A Ying when outside: "You can rest assured—I won’t leave the room."

A Ying then said to Rong Niang, "Eldest Sister, I’ll trouble you with this."

Rong Niang waved her off. "Go on now."

As A Ying stepped out, Chen Xiaolang was waiting by the door and smiled, "You’re always busy. Go back now—the young lady even had me buy your favorite butter-crisp abalone twists as a reward."

"The young lady still remembers me," A Ying replied proudly.

Upon returning, A Ying naturally described the three-courtyard Jiang estate with its garden—how beautiful and grand it was. Yet Jin Niang didn’t seem particularly moved.

The only man from the sixth branch of the Jiang family eligible for official service had already been adopted out. Sixth Uncle prided himself on being a scholar yet was clueless about practical matters, merely playing at being cultured. She had asked Xiang Ming and learned that the sixth branch was now a house with empty coffers. Madam Jiang Liu was in poor health and had even spoken to her mother about dividing the inheritance—likely not a recent decision. Staying with the Jiangs might not be a long-term arrangement.

But she couldn’t yet explain all this to A Ying, so instead she asked, "Did those fake He-Lou bridal headpieces fool them?"

"Indeed they did! You were so thoughtful. The big trunks with clothes were all locked and couldn’t be moved, but the jewelry was in small boxes. No sooner had I turned my back than some porters and onlookers started brushing up close, trying to sneak a few pieces away," A Ying replied.

Jin Niang kept all her jewelry close—she’d never let real gold and silver out of her sight. Those convincing imitation headpieces were just for show. Once she wore the real ones later, who could say anything?

Many thieves targeted brides during weddings, often acquaintances. Catching them led to awkwardness, while letting them go meant suffering in silence.

Jin Niang smiled. "You’ve worked hard today, A Ying. With you by my side, I can face an army. Go wash up and rest early. Tomorrow the hairdresser will come to prepare me."

In fact, before A Ying returned, Jin Niang had already packed many red envelopes with lucky money to distribute to the groom’s side the next day. She had Xiaolang exchange three thousand copper coins for this—paid by her parents, who insisted she shouldn’t cover the cost herself.

Enough thinking—time to sleep. Jin Niang closed her eyes, recalling the wedding night manuals her mother had given her, and found it hard to fall asleep. Marriage wasn’t just about keeping house together—it involved intimacy, passion...

Yet the thought of loving someone she’d only met a few times made her balk.

Jiang Xian, however, felt completely different. That evening he came by the bridal chamber briefly and personally delivered the lucky money. The room was beautifully arranged: a brand-new door curtain hung at the entrance, a pine-green base embroidered with plum blossoms. The hanging drapes featured double panels depicting "magpies heralding joy," both made of soft red satin—elegant and festive.

Instead of a floor screen or partition, two narrow curio cabinets stood on either side. These held porcelain vases, books, cloth dolls, puppets, painted clay figurines, and more. Between them, a sheer hibiscus gauze curtain draped gracefully. Inside were tables and chairs, a small daybed with a crane-knee table in front. Before the daybed stood a large floor vase filled with pink and white roses.

Beyond a moon-white curtain dusted with gold lay the living area: a mother-of-pearl inlaid bed, beside which sat a tangerine-segment gauze lantern casting a warm glow. Next to the lamp was a delicate ivory table with several snacks. To the west stood an embroidery frame and sewing supplies; to the east, a long desk with stationery, brushes, and scrolls. By the window was a small dressing table with a rosewood jewelry case inlaid with eight precious materials...

The more he saw, the more eagerly he anticipated Jin Niang joining him. But facing Rong Niang and the others, he remained composed: "I’ll trouble you all today."

Rong Niang smiled. "You’re too kind, future brother-in-law."

Jiang Xian bowed again, hands behind his back, and walked out quietly, awaiting the morning.

Meanwhile, Rong Niang peeked at the lucky money Jiang Xian had given her and couldn’t help a mischievous thought—if Ying Niang knew that keeping vigil overnight earned two taels of silver, she’d surely regret not coming.

Before dawn the next day, Jin Niang was woken from her sleep by her mother.

With Ju Xiang absent, Luo Yue personally prepared tea and breakfast, urging her daughter to eat well before bathing and dressing. Yawning, Jin Niang said, "I barely slept last night."

"It’s natural to feel restless before your wedding," Luo Yue understood—she’d gone through the same herself.

Jin Niang smiled. "Not just that. The thought of leaving home for a stranger’s household sits uneasy."

"All women must marry. Luckily, your groom is quite the catch—a rarity worth a thousand lantern searches. Though my heart breaks to let you go, your father and I can’t stay with you forever." Luo Yue spoke from the heart.

Jin Niang didn’t argue. Even in modern times, parents badgered their children to wed. By ancient standards, hers had been uncommonly considerate.

After scrubbing her body with jasmine soap and applying a thick layer of ointment, Jin Niang first put on an embroidered undergarment of dark indigo silk patterned with floral branches. Next, she donned modest trousers, over which she wore a gold-embroidered skirt in bright red decorated with lantern motifs. She then layered on a deep red Beizi with peony-patterned borders in mud-gold, and after applying face powder, she finally donned a large-sleeved robe in the same vivid red, richly embroidered with peonies and magnolias, along with a xiapei, or ceremonial cape.

For women without official titles, wearing a xiapei was only permitted on their wedding day.

Jin Niang’s wedding attire was especially elaborate, particularly the xiapei. Its base color matched that of the large-sleeved robe—bright red—and it bore the same peony and magnolia embroidery, its flowers joined by curling vines. The leaves were stitched in the same dark indigo as her undergarment, and Jin Niang had further enhanced them with gold powder.

Even the wedding dress of the eldest Miss Zhou back in the day might not have been as exquisite as hers.

A wedding dress is worn only once in a lifetime, yet it marks one of life’s most significant moments. Though she might never earn an official title in this life, wearing such attire on her wedding day was still a cherished privilege.

"Miss, Granny Pan is here," A Ying announced.

Jin Niang smiled. "Please invite her in."

Granny Pan was the bridal attendant. Upon seeing Jin Niang, she curtseyed deeply, then took two crossed threads and swiftly rolled them across Jin Niang’s powdered cheeks and neck, causing some discomfort.

Granny Pan chuckled. "Madam, this is the traditional facial threading ritual for brides—it makes the skin as smooth as a peeled egg."

Jin Niang examined her reflection in the polished bronze mirror. Whether it was an illusion or not, her face did seem fairer and more radiant.

Granny Pan then proceeded to shape Jin Niang’s brows and apply makeup. Noticing the prepared shimmering fish-scale adornments, she remarked, "Placing these between the brows will truly make you shine."

Jin Niang glanced at A Ying, signaling her to learn the techniques. If she could master both styling and embroidery, she could offer full wedding services in the future. Through her own wedding preparations, she had discovered numerous business opportunities—even the most frugal people spared no expense for such grand occasions.

While Jin Niang’s mind wandered, Granny Pan styled her hair into an elegant cloud-shaped bun, adorned with the silver-gilt crown sent by the Jiang family, decorated with silk flowers. On either side of the crown, she pinned the peony-patterned gold hairpins once gifted by Wu Shi, while pearl-embellished combs adorned her temples.

These pearl combs had been acquired in exchange for an embroidered Buddhist scripture. Two scrolls had been sold, and the third remained unsold until a jeweler visiting the shop traded them for the combs, along with ring-style bracelets, lychee-patterned rings, and ten tropical beads from Nanyang.

Today, she wore them all—golden lychee earrings gifted by the Zhou family and gold bracelets with floral motifs from the Jiang family.

Granny Pan attempted to sell her own floral accessories, but Jin Niang resisted the temptation.

Once fully dressed, she donned the large-sleeved robe and fastened the golden xiapei pendant at its hem. A Ying helped her sit on the bed, placing the bridal veil aside for the sedan chair ride.

By afternoon, Jiang Xian had already set out from his home. Naturally handsome, he looked even more dashing in his groom’s attire and floral headpiece. Liu Dalang, attending the wedding, sighed wistfully—he had missed his chance.

Chancellor Liu, recalling how rumors had once prevented Jiang Xian from visiting, had intended to arrange a good match for him—a daughter of the Bai family, whose father was known for his integrity. Yet Jiang Xian had swiftly settled on this engagement. Now, Chancellor Liu simply wished him success and prosperity.

Jiang Xian rode forth on horseback, accompanied by Jiang clansmen and musicians. Though all were of the Jiang family, some struggled in life and had begged Sixth Madam for a role in the procession, hoping for wedding favors, cash gifts, and even a feast.

The wedding procession stopped at a three-section-wide storefront near the Grand Xiangguo Temple, a bustling commercial district. Two side gates flanked the entrance, adorned with potted flowers and a double-happiness symbol. This was the place.

Dismounting, Jiang Xian knocked. Feng Sheng, An Ping, and Yang Geer guarded the door. Yang Geer grinned. "We’ve heard of your renowned wit, brother-in-law. How about a bridal urging poem?"

Jiang Xian effortlessly recited one, earning cheers. But Feng Sheng called out, "The poem is fine, but let’s see the groom’s sincerity!"

Jiang Fifteen promptly handed over two bolts of brocade, and the Wei family opened the gates. Jiang Fifteen whispered in astonishment, "Last time at the Dengs’, it cost nearly twenty taels of silver just to enter. The Weis are truly honorable hosts."

At least they weren’t greedy.

Jiang Xian’s smile widened.

Inside, the Weis had set up two banquet tables in the corridor, hosting the Jiang entourage with wedding tokens. A peek revealed sweets, pastries, tea, and sachets, exquisitely packaged. Even the musicians received red packets with twenty coppers apiece.

Feng Sheng entertained the guests eloquently, Yang Geer displayed scholarly grace, and An Ping graciously served wine—the event proceeded flawlessly.

Jiang Fifteen muttered to himself, "Weren’t the Weis merchant-class? How come they’re so refined—far surpassing the Deng family’s standards."

Upon hearing the groom's arrival, Jin Niang packed her jewelry case and instructed A Ying to bring it along later.

A Ying hurriedly placed the wedding veil over Jin Niang’s head, waiting only for the lucky hour to send her off. Jiang Xian hardly drank any wine, merely taking a few bites of the feast dishes, which he noted were quite sumptuous, inwardly nodding in approval.

Jiang Yan, however, advised, "Sixteenth Brother, if you keep this up, you won't be able to eat tonight. You should eat while you can."

As someone who had been through this before—having gone hungry all day when marrying Lady Peng—he spoke from experience. Yet Jiang Xian seemed deaf to his words, waiting only for the announcement of the lucky hour before springing up like lightning. When he saw Jin Niang being escorted out, his hand slightly clenched into a fist.

Jin Niang, though veiled in gold-trimmed red silk, could see clearly—unlike the blindfolded brides often depicted in dramas. She spotted Jiang Xian, dressed in the green robe she had made, wearing a flower-adorned headdress, standing motionless as he waited for her to descend. He even turned to glance at her as she approached, and somehow, her heart eased.

Leaving the Wei residence, she was helped into the bridal sedan by A Ying. Once the curtain was lowered, it became a world of its own. Outside, firecrackers crackled endlessly, and Jin Niang thought she heard the Guild Master speaking, along with Brother-in-law Feng instructing Brother-in-law An to set off another round of firecrackers.

"Lift the sedan!"

As the sedan was raised, Jin Niang felt herself gradually moving away. Jiang Xian kept turning back to check on the sedan, worried that Eighth Sister-in-law’s penny-pinching ways had led her to hire second-rate sedan carriers and that the sedan was too cramped, making it uncomfortable for the bride.

Indeed, the sedan was rather small. Already layered in heavy garments, Jin Niang soon felt sweat trickling down her back. She quickly took out a vanity mirror and dabbed her face with powder to prevent her makeup from smudging.

Fortunately, within half an hour, they arrived at Nanxun Lane. However, the crowd outside barred her from stepping out until A Ying distributed red envelopes (hongbao). Once she descended, the bridal attendant scattered candies and coins from a flower basket, sending children scrambling to collect them.

Ju Xiang emerged from the doorway and, alongside A Ying, supported Jin Niang as she walked on a green fabric pathway—tradition dictated that the bride’s feet must not touch the ground. Through her gauzy veil, Jin Niang observed Jiang Xian’s home. They entered through the main gate, passing through corridors, a circular moon gate, and another winding gallery.

At the end stood the bridal chamber, already adorned with lanterns and a saddle placed outside.

The bridal attendant smiled. "The bride must cross over the saddle to ensure future peace and prosperity."

But Jin Niang realized her mistake—despite her meticulous planning, her trousers were too tight, and the saddle too large. *Good heavens*, she thought, *I don’t think I can step over this...*

Noticing her hesitation, Jiang Xian wondered, *Does Lady Wei not wish to marry me?*

"What’s wrong?" he asked, stepping closer.

Startled that he had turned back, Jin Niang whispered, "The saddle is too big. I’m afraid I can’t step over."

Understanding at once, Jiang Xian handed his official tablet to a maid, then swept Jin Niang up and carried her effortlessly over the saddle. Dazed, Jin Niang thought, *So this is how it’s done...*

The bridal attendant led her into the bridal chamber for a brief rest while Jiang Xian proceeded to the outer hall for the "high seat" ritual. There, the groom sat elevated as guests took turns offering him wine—first the matchmaker, then aunts or uncles, and finally the mother-in-law—before he could descend and return to the chamber.

A Ying chuckled. "No wonder Madam followed us earlier."

Jin Niang glanced around, impressed by how well the room had been prepared. "Tomorrow, I’ll reward you all properly," she promised.

Half an hour later, Jiang Xian returned. He sat on the left, Jin Niang on the right, while outside, the bridal attendant hung a new length of brocade over the doorway, its lower edge torn into strips for guests to snatch—a custom called "fortune-grabbing at the door."

"Do we still need to go out?" Jin Niang whispered to the bridal attendant.

The matron seemed not to hear, but Jiang Xian, sharp-eared, answered, "We must go greet our elders, then the Matron of Good Fortune will unveil you."

"Oh." She had assumed the groom would lift the veil.

Sure enough, the bridal attendant twisted red and green brocade into a wedding knot, tying one end to Jiang Xian’s tablet and the other to Jin Niang’s hand. He led her to the family shrine for worship.

The Matron of Good Fortune stepped forward to remove Jin Niang’s veil. *Has my makeup smudged?* she wondered, noticing everyone’s stares.

Jiang Xian, the one she knew best in the room, gazed at her intently. Lowering her eyes, Jin Niang missed his silent admiration—Li Bai’s lines, *"Willows glow gold-soft, pear blossoms sweet as snow,"* perfectly captured his bride today.

Following the Matron of Good Fortune’s guidance, they bowed before the family shrine, after which Jin Niang led Jiang Xian back to their chamber. The bridal attendant tossed coins and colorful threads over them while chanting blessings. A walnut accidentally struck Jin Niang’s head, but she endured the sting quietly as they performed the hair-binding ceremony.

The two each cut off a lock of their hair, binding them into a *tongxinjie*, a symbolic love knot, using brocade, hairpins, and a comb, then placed it in a wooden box. Next came the traditional shared cup ceremony.

The bridesmaid handed them a pair of cups tied together with silk. At this moment, Jiang Xian stood very close, and Jin Niang noticed faint scars on his forehead as well, which made her feel less self-conscious.

After they drank from the cups, the bridesmaid took them, one turned upright and the other inverted, stacked them together, and tossed them beneath the bed. She then asked Jiang Xian to remove the flowers from Jin Niang’s headdress. He fumbled for a while, accidentally pulling a strand of her hair, which startled him. Once all the flowers were removed, Jin Niang had to undo the buttons on Jiang Xian’s green robe.

These buttons were made of jade she had bought from Nanyang. With practiced ease, she snipped them off with scissors and placed them, along with the floral headdress, under the bed.

Hurriedly, the couple then went to pay respects to the groom’s parents, elders, and relatives. Among those present were Sixth Master Jiang and his wife, Wei Xiong and his wife, as well as Madam Jiang and Third Miss.

The Jiang family couldn’t help but praise: “Truly a perfect match—like the golden boy and jade girl of legend.”

Madam Jiang Liu said to Madam Jiang Qi, “We always said Shiliulang was handsome, but we never imagined who could possibly match him. Now he’s found someone who looks like she stepped out of a painting. With such beauty and grace, she’ll surely outshine all our daughters-in-law and future daughters-in-law.”

Luo Yue and Wei Xiong found these words quite pleasing.

An elder teased, “Look at the groom—he can’t take his eyes off the bride. Such passion!”

“Don’t be too eager, Shiliulang. The wedding chamber awaits!”

Amid the guests’ good-natured teasing, Madam Jiang Liu quietly sighed in relief—her son’s rumors would now fade away naturally. Luo Yuesheng also felt relieved; her daughter was finally married—to such a fine young man. She should make the most of this good fortune.