Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Late at night, Jin Niang rinsed her mouth again, spitting into the spittoon by the dressing table, then wiped her face with a handkerchief before getting ready to lie down. Seeing Jiang Xian come in with water, she quickly asked, "Would you like to use my tea to rinse your mouth?"

Jiang Xian smiled at her. "No need."

Jin Niang's face flushed slightly, and she patted the empty space beside her. "Come rest soon. It’s late—don’t study tonight."

"Mm, whatever my wife says." Jiang Xian chuckled.

Though they had only been together for two months, Jin Niang found Jiang Xian really easy to live with. As he lay down, she nestled into his arms. "We overdid it today. I don’t even know if I’ll be able to get up tomorrow. Make sure to wake me."

Jiang Xian stroked a strand of her hair. "What's the harm in sleeping in?"

"No, I’d rather not. I don’t want people saying the bride's a lazybones." Jin Niang laughed softly, then added, "Put out the light."

Jiang Xian nodded and was about to get out of bed when he suddenly remembered something. He lifted Jin Niang’s blanket and checked her knees, his heart aching at the scraped skin. "Let me get some healing balm for you first."

"Alright, husband." Jin Niang let him tend to her.

After tending to her, they finally settled down. During the day, Jin Niang had gone to the Embroidery Shop and dove right back into her work. She had already completed six of the ten peony-embroidered robes, leaving four more.

Just an hour into her work in the morning, A Ying came in. "Ma'am, we've got a customer who wants pouches in the Luoyang Brocade style."

"Good, I’ll go to the front now." Jin Niang went out and recognized the customer immediately.

The visitor was equally startled. "You’re the one here…?"

Jin Niang smiled. "This shop is mine. Please, have a seat."

The guest was the wife of Han Xiao, Chancellor Liu's own niece. During the Dragon Boat Festival, Jin Niang had seen her visiting her mother-in-law. This Lady Liu was not only the daughter of Chancellor Liu but also the grandniece of the Zhaowen Grand Chancellor, making her blue-blooded through and through. It was said her dowry alone amounted to a fortune.

Lady Liu looked around with a smile. "Your shop doesn’t feel like an embroidery store—more like a painting and calligraphy studio. The silk paintings on the walls are lovely."

"Those are just things I painted for fun. I heard you wanted Luoyang Brocade pouches. How many pairs would you like, and what base colors? I can design them for you right now." Jin Niang kept the conversation businesslike. Excessive small talk would only make pricing awkward.

Lady Liu replied, "When I came in earlier, I saw some quilts in the Luoyang Brocade style—they were stunning. I’d like twenty pairs. You choose the designs."

"In that case, I’ll sketch two patterns. If you approve, I’ll make ten of each." Jin Niang paused. "Ah, I forgot to ask—who are these for? Young women, men, or for yourself?"

Lady Liu smiled. "For young women."

"How about gourd and grape motifs? The gourd ones on emerald-green satin, and the grape ones on crimson brocade with cloud patterns." Jin Niang had been working on Luoyang Brocade designs daily and could do them in her sleep.

Half an hour later, she showed Lady Liu the sketches. Lady Liu nodded in admiration. "They really are beautiful."

Jin Niang smiled. "I’m glad you like them."

She then quoted the price—two hundred coppers apiece, forty pouches in total, amounting to eight strings of coppers.

Lady Liu promptly had her attendants pay and swept out with her attendants. A Ying remarked, "Madam, why didn’t you chat more with her? We’re practically family."

In A Ying’s opinion, they could’ve given them for free—after all, our master and Han Xiao go way back.

Jin Niang chuckled. "When you want nothing from people, you hold the highest ground. There’s nothing I need from her."

"But what about your husband..." A Ying was worried that Jiang Xian might blame Jin Niang.

Jin Niang shook her head. "His career is his own to build. My business is still mine to run. Besides, we’re not even in the same social class. Talking too much might just make her uncomfortable."

Unbeknownst to her, after Madam Liu boarded her carriage, her close maids and older servants couldn’t help but gossip: "This Madam Wei’s shop has such an elegant and luxurious air. Even the cushions we sat on were made of brocade, and the tea served was premium Jian tea. That beizi hanging there is said to be part of the dowry of a chancellor’s daughter. She must have substantial backing."

Madam Liu remarked, "I was afraid she’d bring up awkward topics, but thankfully she didn’t. After this batch of pouches is done, I won’t be coming back here."

Her confidante added, "Indeed. Shiliulang is actually your cousin, and he grew up in the same circle as our young master. It’s quite awkward."

"True. But her embroidery skills are truly unique. I’ve visited several famous shops—Jinxiu Pavilion is too messy, Binyun Pavilion too outdated, and the trendy Wang’s is said to have a bad reputation for copying designs. Wei’s Embroidery Shop, though, is both beautiful and refined, with reasonable prices," Madam Liu said fairly. She even noticed that Jin Niang treated her strictly professionally—just business as usual.

Still, whether to treat her as a friend’s wife or just a customer was hard to define. It was better not to come at all.

Jin Niang, however, had no such dilemmas. She told Jiang Xian about the day’s events, mainly to gauge his reaction. If he secretly looked down on her, then if he ever rose to great heights in the future, she might become a burden to him.

In that case, she’d have to plan ahead.

Madam Liu’s appearance and her distant politeness jolted Jin Niang out of her newlywed happiness.

"Darling, I don’t understand business matters. So, do what you think is best—no need to consult me," Jiang Xian said with a smile.

Then he moved closer and sat beside her. "If anyone gives you trouble, tell me. Even if I can’t help you immediately, I’ll make sure they regret it."

This answer satisfied Jin Niang. She shook her head. "It’s fine, no one’s giving me trouble. I just figured since you and Han Xiao go way back, I wasn’t sure if I handled it right. You’re building your own reputation now, and if I didn’t charge her, it’d look like we were groveling."

Jiang Xian realized she always considered how her actions might affect him, whereas he rarely thought of her in his daily affairs.

He held her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. "Darling, you’re so good that I’m afraid someone might steal you away."

"Me, good?" Jin Niang was baffled. She didn’t think she treated Jiang Xian particularly well.

Seeing her confusion, Jiang Xian couldn’t help but laugh. "You really don’t know how wonderful you are, do you?"

What a silly girl.

How many brides flaunted their dowries and acted arrogantly among their in-laws? How many were isolated by their households yet remained composed without complaint? She was always graceful, self-assured, and kind.

And she was always so considerate—especially of him.

Their hair had come loose, and they leaned their foreheads together under the warm light of the orange silk lantern, filling the room with warmth.

In the morning, Jin Niang personally styled his hair. Truth be told, with his hair down, her husband was even prettier than most ladies.

Jiang Xian had always been confident in his looks—wherever he went, the prettiest child always drew the most attention. But after facing some nasty rumors, he realized being too beautiful wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

Some even leered at him. The only ones who truly cherished him were his mother and his wife.

"It’s a bit itchy here—help me comb it," Jiang Xian said, pretending to sulk as he pointed to his scalp.

Jin Niang indulged him. "Alright, let me fix that for you."

After combing, she couldn’t help but admire her husband’s beauty. "Once I finish this batch of Luoyang Brocade, I’ll make you another set of clothes."

Jiang Xian shook his head. "No need. You should rest after finishing this batch."

"I’ve already stopped doing embroidery at night—that’s rest enough. You’re the one still studying late, working harder than me," Jin Niang said lightly.

Now that she could delegate half her work to Zhu Xiuniang, things were much easier.

Jiang Xian knew she never spoke lightly, but once she did, she always kept her word. So he didn’t argue and simply said obediently, “Then thank you, love.”

Jin Niang tapped his nose. “No need to thank me. By the way, didn’t you say you’re going to Academician Huang’s residence tomorrow? After that, don’t go home—come to my place instead. I heard Shengyi Fang’s pigeon soup is really nourishing. As the saying goes, one pigeon is worth nine chickens—it’s great for your liver, kidneys, blood, and energy. It’s perfect for both of us.”

Jiang Xian noticed his wife spoiled him, yet sometimes she also treated him like a protector. Like yesterday, when there was a noise outside, she’d snuggled into his arms, asking him to protect her.

They cuddled a while in the morning before quickly turning to their own tasks.

Jin Niang hadn’t been embroidering long when Rong Niang arrived. Jin Niang invited her in and couldn’t help but smile. “Big Sis, what brings you by today?”

Seeing that Jin Niang had hired an extra helper and looked radiant, her skin glowing, Rong Niang remarked, “You had a few breakouts before, but now they’re all gone.”

“Yeah, I don’t know why either,” Jin Niang said, puzzled.

Her skin was usually clear, but she occasionally broke out. But after marriage, everything had cleared up. She thought for a moment. “Maybe it’s because I don’t stay up late anymore.”

Rong Niang smiled. “Seems like your husband treats you well.”

Jin Niang chuckled but then got straight to the point. “Sister, are you still at the perfumery?”

Rong Niang sighed. “The people there fight over petty profits—it’s too cutthroat.”

Seeing her elder sister wavering, Jin Niang knew her temperament. Put nicely, she didn’t care about status; put bluntly, she lacked perseverance. Besides, she had plenty of servants waiting on her, so Jin Niang never offered much advice. It was like the Provincial Exam—those who truly succeeded were never pushed by others. They had to be disciplined and talented, just like Jiang Xian. Despite his busy social life, his dedication to studying was truly astonishing.

As Jin Niang lowered her head to embroider, Rong Niang found herself bored and excused herself, saying she had matters to attend to.

After she left, A Ying came in and asked, “Ma’am, what did Miss Eldest want?”

“She wants others to decide for her—so if things go wrong, she can blame others, and if they go well, she takes credit. Ignore it. If she really has something important, she’ll come back,” Jin Niang said dismissively, shaking her head.

By noon, Jiang Xian arrived. Jin Niang greeted him and led him upstairs to eat. She’d never let him into her room before, and Jiang Xian looked around curiously, asking about everything, even itching to lie on the bed.

“What’s this, darling?” He picked up a crab-shaped box.

Jin Niang pointed to her lips. “Lip tint. See how full my lips look? After applying rouge, I add a layer of this.”

He said, “Oh,” then wandered to the balcony to look down below, only returning when Jin Niang called him in for soup.

The soup was light but packed with flavor.

Jin Niang smiled. “How do you like it, love?”

“Best pigeon soup ever—thanks to you,” Jiang Xian said, holding her hand.

They chatted about daily matters until Jiang Xian mentioned, “With Brother Cun away on assignment, someone’s been eyeing Lady Zhang. So Ninth Brother Zhang and I roughed him up. Love, if I ever become an official, we must never be apart.”

Jin Niang hadn’t expected such trouble in the Zhou family and nodded, but she also set a condition. “If I go with you on assignments, don’t you dare stray. If you do, I won’t stay loyal either.”

“My dear, you’re worried about *that*? It’s always me worrying about you—how could you ever worry about me?” Jiang Xian exclaimed in surprise.

Jin Niang laughed and pointed at him. “Smooth talker.”

With only two months left until the Provincial Exam, Jin Niang said, “Stay home and study from now on—don’t go out. If you crave anything or need anything, I’ll buy it and bring it to you.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you, love. But if I miss you too much, I’ll come get you,” Jiang Xian said with a grin.

Though she knew he was just sweet-talking her, Jin Niang still felt delighted.

After finishing the soup, Jiang Xian insisted on resting in Jin Niang’s room. She cracked the window open to let the breeze in before heading back downstairs.

Little did she know that Fourth Young Lady was also hearing from Sun Shichen about the Provincial Exam. It was only then that she realized how different the Song Dynasty’s Provincial Exam was from those of the Ming and Qing dynasties—there were no county or academy exams, only the *Provincial Exam*, *Metropolitan Exam*, and *Palace Exam*. Moreover, if one failed the Metropolitan Exam, they had to retake the Provincial Exam.

“I’ve just learned that Jiang Xian gained favor through Lady Huang, which allowed him to rise from an outsider to being highly regarded by Academician Huang. It seems his Provincial Exam results are secured.”

Fourth Young Lady wasn’t surprised by Jiang Xian’s talent—after all, the books had already described him as an infamous villain, and those who earned such a title were no ordinary men.

Still, she wondered, “How did he win Lady Huang’s favor?”

Sun Shichen replied, “As everyone knows, Lady Huang loves peonies and even cultivated the Luoyang Brocade variety. Jiang Xian gifted her a beizi embroidered with Two Qiao peonies, which greatly pleased her.”

That must have been made by Wei Jinniang, then. After Fourth Young Lady married Sun Shichen, her beauty and respectable family background helped her bond with her husband naturally. So she said, “The garment was likely made by his wife, who runs an embroidery shop.”

A while ago, Sun Shichen and Jiang Xian had drunk together at the Zhou household. Jiang Xian was the nephew of the Zhou family’s eldest madam—a man of striking looks who clearly stood out from the crowd, especially with his meticulousness in handling affairs.

That his wife was of merchant stock was unexpected, but upon reflection, it wasn’t uncommon. Since antiquity, officials and merchants frequently intermarried. One of his cousins, a wealthy merchant in Bianjing, had married the daughter of a palace guard, and even his own elder brother had wed the daughter of a merchant from Caizhou.

Sun Shichen shared this with Fourth Young Lady, pondering how they too might curry Academician Huang’s favor. After all, Academician Huang held sway as a literary leader.

Having stayed at the Zhou residence for some time, Fourth Young Lady found that her father-in-law and brother-in-law were both away on official posts, while the others were undistinguished and of little help.

Fourth Young Lady smiled. “I’ve heard there’s a rare peony in a famous garden in Bianjing. Why don’t we send some precious varieties as gifts?”

Sun Shichen naturally agreed and gave her money for it. Fourth Young Lady had a dowry of three thousand guan—one thousand spent on a small estate, another thousand on furnishings, jewelry, and clothes, and the last thousand kept as ready cash.

When Concubine Miao passed away, all her belongings had been confiscated by Jiang Shi. The only reason Fourth Young Lady had such a dowry was because she married into an official’s family. Upon entering the Sun household, she realized not all official families were as wealthy as the Zhous—many kept a tight purse.

As they were discussing, Yuxing hurried in, flustered. “Fourth Young Lady, terrible news—the old madam has passed away.”

Fourth Young Lady froze.

With her grandmother’s death, her father and brothers would have to enter mourning. Even if they returned to office later, it would be difficult to regain their former positions. Meanwhile, Sun Shichen felt a slight relief that it wasn’t his own grandmother—otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to take the imperial exams.

At that moment, Jin Niang had just finished embroidering the floral pattern on the front of a garment. Seeing that Jiang Xian had slept for two hours, she set aside her work to wake him. Entering the room, she found him nestled comfortably on her pink satin pillow, sleeping soundly. She nudged him awake, and when he opened his eyes, he was dazed.

“If you sleep any longer, you’ll have to go back with me. The sun isn’t as harsh now—you should head home first,” Jin Niang said with a laugh.

But Jiang Xian lingered, reluctant to part. Jin Niang, eager to return to her work, quickly hurried downstairs.

They returned together, only to learn that the Zhou family’s old madam had passed away. Jiang Xian was about to offer condolences when Madam Jiang Liu summoned him and his wife first.

Jin Niang and Jiang Xian rushed over without even changing clothes. At the gate, they ran into Jiang Yan from the main branch and a few uncles. Jiang Xian quickly bowed in greeting, while Jin Niang, puzzled, entered and saw Xu Shi looking grim.

Madam Jiang Liu, who usually lay bedridden, was now dressed formally and personally addressed the gathered family. “As the saying goes, a large tree must branch out, and grown children must divide the household. However, while parents are alive, families do not split. But my illness is severe, and if arrangements aren’t made now, who knows what conflicts may arise under one roof after my passing? Sixth Uncle and I have decided to divide the assets now while keeping the household intact.”

In ancient times, dividing a household was highly taboo. That was why Jin Niang, despite owning her own house before marriage, had always lived with her in-laws, enduring the daily commute.

After Madam Jiang Liu spoke, Sixth Uncle added a few perfunctory words.

Jin Niang hadn’t expected the division of assets to come so abruptly, leaving no room for deliberation. But that was precisely Madam Jiang Liu’s intention—to settle the matter swiftly and decisively before disputes could arise. Some families, upon learning of an impending division, had even resorted to harming siblings, and she wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen.

This move also caught Xu Shi off guard. She had just smoothly cut funding for the study and was planning to lease out the family garden for extra income.

She never expected Madam Jiang Liu to suddenly call for a property division without even notifying her own relatives.

Inside, Sixth Uncle declared, “Now that even the youngest, Shiliulang, is married, and considering the expenses from their weddings and studies over the years—which I could not manage—our coffers have greatly diminished.”

Jiang Xian had vaguely sensed his mother’s intentions when he married Jin Niang, so he remained silent now.

“The three-courtyard estate with a garden in Nanxun Lane goes to the eighth son. Originally, the property only had three courtyards, but later we purchased the adjacent plot to fashion the garden, pond, and pavilions. It’s now worth ten thousand guan.”

"The Golden Beam Bridge shop originally had a five-bay frontage. Later, I bought the back portion and built warehouses and stables. The storefront was even repainted with fresh oil paint. Altogether, it cost five thousand taels. This shop will go to Shiliulang."

"As for the communal property, there are still two hundred acres of land. Each of the brothers will receive fifty acres, while the remaining hundred acres will be set aside for our old age. After we're gone, those hundred acres will be divided equally between the brothers."

After Sixth Uncle finished speaking, Madam Jiang Liu coughed a few times and added, "Over the years, my dowry has been pawned or sold off, leaving only a hundred acres of paddy fields. I'll give these to Shiliulang. It's not that I favor him—in fact, even this arrangement leaves him at a disadvantage."

Seventh Uncle Jiang looked things over and remarked, "That seems perfectly fair."

The eldest son got a mansion worth a fortune, while the youngest received only a shop worth half as much. Even with an additional hundred acres of paddy fields, the youngest still came out behind. But if the mansion were divided, it would have to be split up, leaving everyone with smaller shares.

...

Upon hearing this news, Xu Shi almost fainted. Her mother-in-law really was too biased. On the surface, they—the eldest branch—seemed to get more, but since the household stayed together, Shiliulang and his wife still lived in the Nanxunfang residence. Meanwhile, they could get a yearly income of one hundred eighty strings of cash from the communal funds plus rent from fifty acres of land, while the eldest branch’s income was limited to just the rent from their own fifty acres.

And yet, everyone still thought Jiang Xian had been shortchanged, and that Madam Jiang Liu favored the eldest branch?

No—she absolutely could not swallow this injustice.

In contrast, when Jin Niang saw Jiang Xian hand over the deeds for the house, shop, and land to her, she immediately made a decision: "Though the family doesn't divide while parents are alive, the property has already been allocated now. This house belongs to your elder brother. Once our parents pass away, where will we live? So, I want to tear down the gallery in my Sweetwater Lane house and build you a study there. What do you think?"

"This... isn't it a bit too soon?" Jiang Xian hesitated.

Jin Niang shook her head. "Better to prepare early. Even if we don’t move there later, having a study means you can come visit me at noon and read there. It’s settled then—tomorrow I’ll call the carpenter to draw up some building plans for us."

Jiang Xian was taken aback. His wife didn’t waste any time.