Chapter 64

Chapter 64

"As I've grown older, I don't care for tea or fancy clothes anymore—the only thing that still excites me is flowers and plants," said Lady Huang.

Today, all the wives of Academician Huang's disciples were gathered here. The eldest among them was only in her thirties, and everyone was reserved, not daring to speak too much.

It was Lady Huang's eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Ning, who chimed in: "Mother, the 'Luoyang Brocade' you transplanted from Silver Li Garden—where a single branch can produce both purple-red and pink-white blossoms—I’ve heard they’ve given it a new name now: 'Two Beauties.'"

The Two Beauties peony would go on to become famous, but at this time, during the Northern Song, it had only just been cultivated.

The group then decided to go see the peonies together. Jin Niang and Fourth Miss Zhou hung back, walking at the very end. Jin Niang didn’t feel inferior to the Zhou family’s daughters—life had its ups and downs, after all, and nothing stayed the same forever.

Seeing the peonies in a painting was one thing, but witnessing the Two Beauties in person was truly a sight to behold.

"Madam Ning, mind if I sketch the Two Beauties? Unless seen with my own eyes, I’d never believe how stunning they are," Jin Niang said, thinking that if she could capture the Two Beauties and use the "Luoyang Brocade" as inspiration, she’d have enough embroidery work to last her through May and June.

Madam Ning found Jin Niang sweet-natured but shy at first glance, but now she was making such a request. Coming from a scholarly family, Madam Ning didn’t see why not.

A Ying always carried an ink box and paper, and Jin Niang didn’t need much space. Specializing in the "bird-and-flower" style, she was already familiar with the branches and leaves of peonies. After preparing the ink, she sketched the outlines, then used a fine brush for the details before mixing colors for shading.

She took her time, over two hours, only realizing afterward that everyone else had left.

"Where did they go?" Jin Niang asked.

A Ying replied, "I think they went over there to play flower card games."

"Then let’s join them," Jin Niang said with a smile.

The dishes served by Lady Huang at lunch weren’t extravagant, but they had distinct Fujian flavors—especially the beef soup. The broth was clear, with just a few pieces of beef, some thinly sliced ginger, and a sprinkle of scallions. Yet the taste was just right.

On their way back from the Huang residence, Jin Niang said to A Ying, "Let’s tell Ju Xiang about this dish. I wonder if she can pull it off."

A Ying answered honestly, "Probably not. Ju Xiang has her limits—we’re just being kind by praising her."

Jin Niang hid a laugh behind her hand.

As they stepped outside, Jiang Xian immediately looked at her with concern. "How was it? Everything alright?"

Jin Niang kept cool. "Of course. What could possibly go wrong?"

"Good, let’s go home," Jiang Xian said, eager to talk to her.

But Jin Niang replied, "You go ahead. A Ying and I need to swing by the shop—I have urgent matters to attend to." Inspired, she needed to quickly rough out the flower designs. She had no time to waste going home.

Jiang Xian was stunned.

Back at the Embroidery Shop, Jin Niang began designing a red gauze beizi—a crimson outer garment with collar panels embroidered with Wei Purple and Two Beauties peonies, along with fluttering pink butterflies. The front would feature two Two Beauties blooms each, and the edges would be adorned with peony motifs, accented with gold leaf.

Once inspired, she completed the design in a single sitting.

"I’ll sketch two more sets in different colors tomorrow," Jin Niang said, stretching.

Then she checked Auntie Zhu’s work and frowned. "Auntie Zhu, did you add these colors here?"

Zhu Xiuniang quickly explained, "I thought adding a branch here would look better."

"Auntie Zhu, every thread we use affects the cost. Extra embroidery not only wastes thread but also throws off the whole design. I hired you to follow my instructions, not to improvise," Jin Niang cut straight to the point.

Zhu Xiuniang, used to Jin Niang’s easygoing manner, was taken aback by her directness. She hurriedly replied, "Don’t worry, I’ll take out those extra stitches right away—you’d never know they were there."

Jin Niang smiled and said, "I'm glad you see it that way."

When she got home, she was surprised to find Jiang Xian lying on the couch. She hurried over and said, "Why are you lying here without even a thin quilt? You'll catch a cold!"

He had only closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep when he heard her come in, but now, seeing her fetch a blanket for him, he quickly sat up. Looking at Jin Niang, he said, "This is on me."

"What do you mean?" Jin Niang had no idea what he was talking about.

Jiang Xian replied, "I didn’t know Madam Sun would also be there. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let you go."

Madam Sun—wasn’t that Zhousi Guniang? So that’s what this was about. How cautious this child had been all these years. Jin Niang looked at him and said, "Why make such a fuss? How have you managed all these years, being so careful? Back then, I spent two years at the Shu Embroidery Workshop wanting to learn real skills, so I followed the master craftsman to the Zhou family. After a few years, I went to the Embroidery Academy. I never considered myself a servant, just someone who once worked there. I never bowed and scraped to the Zhou family either. Times change—she should be the one feeling uneasy. In just a few years, now we’re on equal footing."

She simply felt Jiang Xian was too much of a perfectionist. Then she told him about the peonies she saw at the Huang residence and showed him the floral patterns she had drawn.

"Beautiful, aren't they..."

Jiang Xian took a look and indeed found them exquisitely crafted. He realized Jin Niang was truly nothing like he had imagined. Smiling, he nodded, "Lovely, very lovely. I misunderstood you, Madam. I worry because I care—you don’t mind, do you?"

"Don’t worry. Honestly! It's just the icing on the cake. I’m delighted, really. I’m the kind of person who, if someone throws mud at me, turns it into gold. I hope you’ll speak your mind to me. As long as we discuss things openly, that’s what really matters."

Trust between husband and wife is paramount—that’s what really matters.

Jiang Xian’s eyes lit up as he nodded repeatedly. He felt his wife was truly broad-minded, focused only on what mattered to her, no drama queen, and capable of thriving anywhere.

Before the Dragon Boat Festival, the shop found its rhythm, and Jin Niang began focusing only on high-end pieces, reserving the most intricate and valuable embroidery for herself while delegating the rest to Zhu Xiuniang.

But this peony-patterned beizi was so elaborate that even a fast worker like Jin Niang took five days to complete one. Soon, three pieces were finished and hung up.

She had carpenters make numerous clothing racks to display the garments, organizing them by price. Zhu Xiuniang had embroidered two sets, along with many pouches and sachets, making the shop look well-stocked.

Yet Zhu Xiuniang worried about the lack of business, fearing the proprietor might dismiss her if sales didn’t pick up. Jin Niang provided her with three meals a day and generous wages—she had no desire to go elsewhere, so she buried herself in her work.

Jin Niang, however, wasn’t concerned. These pieces weren’t for everyone—their prices naturally set a high bar. She was currently rushing to finish a peony-patterned beizi for Jiang Xian to gift to Madam Huang. Older women shouldn’t wear overly bright colors, but peacock blue was perfect—classy but not drab.

Before the festival, Jiang Xian visited the Huang residence and had the beizi delivered to Madam Huang, saying, "My wife was so taken by your peonies last time that she specially made this garment for you."

Sometimes, a woman’s words carry more weight in a household. Madam Huang, impressed by the exquisite craftsmanship and the peony motif, wore it during the festival and praised Jiang Xian extensively to Academician Huang.

As a result, Academician Huang personally mentored Jiang Xian and another top student.

Xu Shi learned of this from the coachman. For a woman whose ambition surpassed her husband’s, this was intolerable. So, she went early to Madam Jiang Liu to stir the pot.

"I heard my sister-in-law sent garments to Madam Huang. I wonder if Mother has received any new outfits? What patterns do they have? My sister-in-law’s designs are always so lovely," Xu Shi said, smug about her phrasing.

Unbeknownst to her, Madam Jiang Liu saw right through it. Smiling, she replied, "Your sister-in-law gave me nightgowns, knowing I sweat easily at home and seldom go out. She’s thoughtful—called it ‘Qiongzhou breeze cloth’—light as air."

Xu Shi hadn’t expected Jin Niang to be so thorough. She faked a smile and said, "How considerate of her."

"Now you know," Madam Jiang Liu thought, amused that her elder daughter-in-law had come to tattle. Most people, upon finding fault with a sister-in-law, would discreetly advise and help smooth things over—but she sought only to undermine.

Before the Dragon Boat Festival, Jin Niang sold two beizi for 30 guan in total. After repaying a 6-guan debt, covering 3 guan in living expenses, and deducting costs, she pocketed 18 guan.

After weeks of hustle, she finally saw some returns.

At home, she had just arrived when Jiang Xian returned shortly after. Shooing the servants away, he tugged Jin Niang into his lap. "If not for the garment you gifted, my teacher wouldn’t have held me in such high regard."

"Nonsense. It’s your own outstanding scholarship—honestly, it's just the icing on the cake," Jin Niang said, viewing it merely as her way of thanking them. After all, she had made a tidy sum from the peony motif.

Seeing Jin Niang refuse to take credit, Jiang Xian admired her character even more. He had seen many women throw their weight around over dowries or boast endlessly about minor deeds.

It was said that Jiang Xian received a monthly allowance of two strings of cash, along with an additional six strings specifically allocated for purchasing books or writing implements—making a total of eight strings per month. This had been established as a rule during Madam Jiang Liu’s time managing the household.

Xu Shi reviewed the account books and felt pained. Yet, Jiang Xian’s expenses were not even the largest burden. There were also her mother-in-law’s medicinal costs; and since the elder lady was ill, her father-in-law had originally kept two concubines. One had been sent away, but the remaining one still required a monthly allowance of one string.

Gritting her teeth, she went to Madam Jiang Liu to explain: “Daughter-in-law absolutely doesn’t mean to be stingy, but the accounts simply can’t cover all the expenses. Between my husband and Shiliulang, they cost 192 strings a year. Now that Xuan Geer is starting his schooling, funds are getting tight.”

Madam Jiang Liu sensed there was more behind her words and asked, “Then what do you suggest?”

“I propose cutting by half the allowances for my husband and Shiliulang’s study expenses. That would save over seventy strings a year.” Xu Shi believed she was being impartial—she wasn’t singling out Jiang Xian—and assumed Madam Jiang Liu would have no choice but to agree.

In truth, Madam Jiang Liu recognized the validity of this. Her own life depended on medicine—at least until next year when her sons completed their imperial examinations. Her daughter’s family had originally intended to live in the garden compound, but she had repurposed it as Shiliulang’s bridal chamber, forcing them to rent a house outside. When the family eventually divided, she feared her daughter might grow distant from her youngest brother.

Moreover, her grandson’s education would indeed require another significant sum.

“Very well. Since you’re managing the household now, do as you see fit,” Madam Jiang Liu finally relented.

Xu Shi exhaled in relief and thanked her repeatedly before leaving.

Fang Ma brought warm water and couldn’t help asking, “Madam, has our family truly fallen into such straits that we must halve the men’s study funds?”

“What she says is true, though we haven’t quite reached that point yet. Take Jiang Xian’s wedding, for example—all the gifts and money received went into the common pool. Aren’t those funds? But I’m thinking of Xuan Geer, so I’ll let it pass.”

In the past, Madam Jiang Liu would have been a stickler for rules, but her health was poor, and ultimately, the household would fall under Xu Shi’s management. She planned for her sons, just as Xu Shi planned for hers.

As she pondered this, Meng Dong entered cheerfully: “Madam, Shiliulang has sent you a box of butter spiral pastries—freshly made and bought especially for you.”

Madam Jiang Liu was delighted.

In truth, the pastries weren’t bought by Jiang Xian but by Jin Niang. Yet she understood perfectly well that Madam Jiang Liu would prefer to believe they were a gift from her son.

News of the allowance cuts soon reached Jin Niang, which she had anticipated, though she hadn’t expected it so soon.

But since Jiang Xian didn’t bring it up, she wouldn’t offer money unprompted. Things given too easily are seldom valued. Meanwhile, Jin Niang had secured a major order: Chancellor Song’s daughter, preparing for her wedding, had taken a liking to her Luoyang Brocade garments—particularly designs featuring *Erqiao*, *Weizi*, *Yaohuang*, and *Zhaofen*—and commissioned ten pieces in total.

“These ten garments will take three months to complete. We’ll have them delivered to you,” Jin Niang explained.

The Song family paid promptly, but Jin Niang still needed to find locations to observe Yao Huang and Wei Zi peonies. Many officials in Bianjing opened their private gardens to visitors for a small fee. After morning visits to Madam Jiang Liu, Jin Niang would go to the shop to oversee Zhu Sao, the seamstress, before heading to the gardens to sketch peonies.

Once the sketches were done, she began designing. A Ying remarked, “Madam, I heard the Song family’s daughter has a dowry of two hundred thousand strings of cash?”

“How much?” Jin Niang couldn’t believe her ears.

“Two hundred thousand strings,” A Ying repeated.

Jin Niang clicked her tongue. “I can’t even imagine where they get that kind of money.”

Just then, Madam Bai walked in—a longtime patron. A Ying hurried to serve tea. This time, Madam Bai had come with her mother to order wedding attire.

Jin Niang quickly brought out the wedding garment catalog. Since her own marriage, she had realized how lucrative weddings could be, so she had compiled previous designs during the Dragon Boat Festival break.

Madam Bai noticed her daughter eyeing the bejeweled gowns and coughed pointedly. “We’re a literary family. Your father said there’s no need for extravagance.”

Obediently, Madam Bai flipped through the earlier pages of the catalog. Last month, through the matchmaking of Xun Da Niang, daughter-in-law of Minister Liu, she had been betrothed to the son of an official. Though the groom himself was plain-looking and held no degree, his elder brother was a jinshi, and his sister-in-law was an official’s daughter—a decent match by most standards.

At least it was better than the last prospect, a student of the National Academy who had been poached by another family. That suitor, though only a low-ranking hereditary official, came from immense wealth and offered a dowry of 5,000 strings of cash—far beyond her means.

She couldn’t muster 5,000 strings, nor even 500. Two hundred strings was already scraped together with difficulty. Her father served as Vice-Prefect in a lesser prefecture, earning a monthly stipend of ten-odd strings, which had to support an extended family with several brothers. It was never enough.

The dowry wasn't much, and the only thing she could rely on was her status as an official's daughter. Her father wouldn't allow their family to disgrace their reputation by marrying into a merchant household, yet the world mostly valued dowries. If not for the Liu family's help, even this current match would have been hard to secure.

"Lady Wei," Madam Bai smiled, "this set is quite nice. How much does it cost?"

Jin Niang glanced at the set Madam Bai had chosen—it had embroidery only along the collar, with the rest plain and simple. It was clearly a bargain piece. She replied, "This one costs eight strings of coins."

Eight strings? That was even lower than Madam Bai had expected, so she agreed immediately.

This set would naturally be made by Zhu Xiuniang.

With 158 strings of coins in hand within just a few days, Jin Niang spent fifteen strings at a fur shop, buying a perfect tiger hide without any arrow holes. Not only was the hide of excellent quality, but its stripes were thick and jet-black. The tiger hide cost ten strings, and she also bought a deer hide for five strings. After suffering through last winter’s cold, Jin Niang wanted to stock up in advance.

With the remaining hundred strings, she went to the loan office to repay a year and five months' worth of outstanding debts.

The entire month of May was busy. Jiang Xian was also intensively preparing for the Provincial Exam, and their intimacy wasn’t as frequent as before—mainly because Jin Niang controlled the frequency, fearing he might overexert himself.

At the end of the month, while reviewing the accounts, Jin Niang treated Jiang Xian to a meal at the nearby Yuxian Tower. This was practically the couple’s first outing together. She smiled and said, "I heard there are Wangloushan Cave plum-blossom buns nearby. Let’s buy some to bring back for Mother. We can also get a jug of Yuxian Tower’s “Jade Nectar” wine for Father. How does that sound?"

"Good, whatever you say." Jiang Xian had no objections, but when no one was looking, he whispered, "Tomorrow is the first of the month—you can’t brush me off anymore."

Jin Niang blushed. "Have you no shame in public?"

"Dearest wife, sweet sister..." Jiang Xian tugged at her sleeve, looking pitiful.

Unable to resist, Jin Niang relented but reminded him, "Don’t stay up too late, and don’t make me do... that."

"Fine, I’ll tend to you, how about that?" Seeing her agreement, Jiang Xian downed three cups of wine in excitement.

On the way back, Jin Niang finally asked if he had enough money: "Every month, I find money vanishes by the end. The other day, Dou’er told me Sister-in-law slashed the study’s budget by half. Do you have enough? If not, just take some from the box under my dressing table."

Jiang Xian still felt awkward—after all, relying on his wife’s money wasn’t what a proper man should do. So he hesitated.

But Jin Niang said, "Oh, why be so formal between us? If not for you taking me to the Huang family, I wouldn’t have painted the Two Qiaos (a famous pair of beauties from Chinese history), and I wouldn’t have made this bit of money recently. We complement each other as husband and wife. Besides, I’m willing to spend on you because I love you. If I’d married someone else who treated me poorly, I wouldn’t be foolish enough to hand over money."

Her words made Jiang Xian’s heart soar, and he talked up a storm with her about everything under the sun. Just as they returned home, Jiang Xian went to deliver the plum-blossom buns and jade nectar wine, but unexpectedly, Deng-shi from the seventh branch showed up.

"Fifteenth Sister-in-law is here," Jin Niang greeted her.

Deng-shi had married into the family just a few months before Jin Niang. She had fair skin but a reputation for being difficult. She began confidently, "I can’t stand managing all these affairs, but Mother insists I do it. I waited until the last day to sort out all the accounts."

"Sister-in-law Deng must be exceptionally talented," Jin Niang replied, knowing she loved playing up this image and choosing not to expose her.

After much preamble, Deng-shi finally revealed her purpose: "I wanted to borrow that red crane robe you wore last time for a wedding banquet."

Life in the seventh branch was slightly better than in the sixth, but only slightly. Not everyone could afford to spend over ten strings on clothes regularly, so borrowing was inevitable.

But Jin Niang didn’t want to lend this particular piece. "This is a festive gown—it’s not suitable to lend."

Deng-shi laughed. "It’s not a wedding gown—wasn’t your wedding dress your actual bridal gown? Are you afraid I’ll dirty it? Don’t worry, everyone nearby knows my character. If I hadn’t run out of time to make a new dress, I wouldn’t have come to borrow. Wearing it out would also advertise your craftsmanship."

Jin Niang replied, "It’s not that I don’t want to lend it to you, but my skin is prone to rashes. I’ve had this problem since childhood—if I wear clothes someone else has worn, I break out in hives."

With that excuse, it was clear she wouldn’t lend it. Deng-shi left displeased.

Once she was gone, Xi Qiu and Min Zhi came in and said, "Last time, she borrowed a headdress from Eleventh Brother’s wife and returned it stained with grease that couldn’t be washed out."

"Better to refuse her once than have her ruin a piece of my clothing and lead to a rift later," Jin Niang remarked.

When Jiang Xian returned, she naturally told him what had happened. Worried he might think her stingy, she added, “That dress was the one I wore on the first day of our wedding—it wouldn’t be right to lend it out.”

Jiang Xian didn’t blame her. Instead, he said, “You’re absolutely right. If she wants something to wear, she should make it herself. With so many people in the clan, there’s all sorts of behavior. Don’t let it bother you.”

Seeing Jin Niang still troubled, he tried to cheer her up: “Earlier I sent some sweet plum blossom-shaped buns and fine wine to Father and Mother. When they found out it was your idea, they couldn’t stop praising you.”

Jin Niang thought to herself that while his parents might be pleased, his elder sister-in-law probably wasn’t—but there wasn’t much she could do about it. Xu Shi simply refused to spend money on filial duties herself, yet when she saw others doing so, she worried they would get credit and tried to undermine them.

Indeed, Xu Shi thought exactly that. The next day, when she came to pay her respects, Madam Jiang Liu mentioned the matter. Knowing her grandson Xuan Geer had grown up without many treats due to strict upbringing, she instructed Xu Shi to take the buns for him. But upon hearing they were from Jin Niang, Xu Shi quickly declined, making excuses about the child’s digestion.

After Xu Shi left, Madam Jiang Liu was furious. “Ever since Wei Shi entered the family, Xu Shi has been constantly complaining. As the elder sister-in-law, she’s afraid Wei Shi will become popular. Whenever she gets an invitation, she goes alone and never includes Wei Shi. Luckily, Wei Shi is easygoing—otherwise, imagine how she’d feel if she found out she wasn’t even invited to my older sister’s sixtieth birthday! And this is while I’m still around. If I weren’t here anymore, who knows what would happen?”

Fang Ma hurried to calm her down. “Don’t get so worked up. It’s not worth getting upset over.”

“Go get Sixth Uncle—I’ve made up my mind,” Madam Jiang Liu declared at last. “We’ll divide the assets but keep the household together.”