Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Since her last visit to the Liu residence, Madam Xun, who had always been haughty, was no exception—but Madam Liu had taken a shine to her and even asked her to bring Yun Jieer along for a visit.

Now that the weather was growing colder, Jin Niang dressed her daughter in a pink side-buttoned padded jacket trimmed with rabbit fur. On the chest was an embroidered white rabbit nibbling on a carrot. Over her split-legged pants she wore a skirt decorated with several adorable little rabbits, and on her head was a hat with alternating white and pink pom-poms. She also carried a rabbit-shaped sachet.

Even Jiang Xian, who came to meet them at the gate, was completely smitten with their daughter. He reached out to hold her, but Jin Niang said, “She just woke up—I’d better hold her for now.”

In truth, whether a man truly cherishes you can be seen in whether he is willing to introduce you to the people he considers important. Jin Niang was quite satisfied with Jiang Xian in this regard—unlike some men who marry women of lower status and then, swayed by others’ words, end up looking down on their own wives.

When the family of three went to see Madam Liu, the latter was utterly taken with Yun Jieer: “This child is the prettiest little thing I’ve ever seen.”

Many parents, even when their children are quite ordinary-looking, insist that their son or daughter is the most beautiful in the world, putting others in an awkward position. These parents also love begging for praise. If the child is genuinely lovely, praise comes naturally; but if the child is plain and still demands that others strain for compliments, it becomes simply...

Jiang Xian and Jin Niang rarely spoke of their daughter’s appearance in front of outsiders. Yet precisely because they took such care in dressing her, little Yun Jieer was doted on wherever she went.

“You flatter too much, Madam,” Jin Niang smiled, glancing at her daughter to reassure her not to fear strangers.

At her age, Madam Liu loved having lively people around. Seeing how lovely Jin Niang was, how adorable her daughter, and how capable Jiang Xian was both academically and practically, she held them all in high regard. Jiang Xian had even helped her with a family matter, and observing how devoted he was to his wife, Madam Liu naturally favored Jin Niang and Yun Jieer as well.

After some pleasant conversation, Jin Niang carried her daughter outside, where they happened to meet Liu Dalang, the eldest son of Chancellor Liu. Jiang Xian immediately tensed—he knew Liu Dalang was not a quiet or virtuous man. Despite Madam Xun’s notorious temper, Liu Dalang had several concubines on the side.

He knew Liu Dalang valued loyalty—“a brother doesn’t poach on another’s territory”—but he also understood men’s minds all too well. If he had earned an official rank, things would be different, but without one, matters could get complicated.

“Shiliulang, where are you off to?” Liu Dalang asked.

Jiang Xian smiled. “I just escorted my wife to pay respects to the elder Madam. Now that we’re done, I’ll see them home—we have matters to attend to.”

When Liu Dalang saw Yun Jieer, he untied a jade pendant and gave it to her. Jiang Xian thanked him on his daughter’s behalf before they parted ways.

Originally, Jiang Xian had planned to escort his wife and daughter home, but remembering the rent collection at Jinliang Bridge, he said to Jin Niang, “Let’s go together.”

Jin Niang nodded. Fortunately, the staff at the money shop knew better than to delay when they saw Jiang Xian in person. They produced ten silver ingots—each worth fifty taels, totaling five hundred taels—all of which Jiang Xian naturally entrusted to Jin Niang.

On their way back, however, they spotted Feng Sheng and Lou Siniang nearby. Feng Sheng noticed Jiang Xian on horseback and immediately came over to greet them.

It turned out that he and his wife had opened a medical clinic near Jinliang Bridge. Feng Sheng was uncharacteristically humble this time: “We’re starting from scratch, so business isn’t great yet. Siniang and I have to take turns seeing patients outside.”

Jiang Xian didn’t want to linger. “Take care, Doctor Feng. We won’t keep you.”

Feng Sheng gave a quick bow with clasped hands before hurrying off.

Since Feng Sheng’s remarriage, the two families had hardly interacted. Jin Niang had never been fond of him and was surprised to hear he had opened a clinic so soon.

Just then, Yun Jieer in her arms started squirming—she needed to do her business. The wet nurse quickly took her to handle it, while Luo Mama helped change her diaper, soothing the child until she calmed down.

Yun Jieer was normally looked after by her wet nurse and Luo Mama, with Jin Niang’s parents helping in the afternoon. With four adults caring for one child, Jin Niang could attend to her duties worry-free.

Back home, they found that the Zheng family had sent gifts—two packages of southeastern tea. Such tea was typically only sold in Guangnan and Sichuan, and prohibited elsewhere. Just as Jin Niang was about to open them, Jiang Xian sniffed it and said, “Stale.”

“Stale or not, I’ll just send some embroidery in return. It doesn’t matter.” After all, this wasn’t her real mother-in-law—maintaining proper appearances sufficed.

Seizing a moment alone, Jiang Xian kissed Jin Niang. “Mm, whatever you say, my lady.”

Jin Niang stood up to put the silver away, then added, “I’ve noticed that officials often start with small temptations, only to fall into greater corruption later. We’re not short on money now, husband—you mustn’t risk everything for a single misstep.”

“Why do you say that?” Jiang Xian asked, puzzled.

Jin Niang smiled. “Just something that occurred to me.”

Fortunately, Jiang Xian was home today and had invited friends over for a meal and conversation. Jin Niang promptly sent Chen Xiaolang and Liu Douer to a nearby restaurant to order a mid-tier banquet—not that she didn’t want to order something more elaborate, but with too many dishes, the three of them likely wouldn’t finish it all.

Returning to Sweetwater Lane, Jiang Xian finally felt at home. At first, he hadn’t been used to it, but now it felt deeply familiar.

Upon hearing that he had friends visiting, his father-in-law personally swept the courtyard, while his mother-in-law prepared fruits and pastries, treating him like a son of their own.

In the study, the three of them chatted freely. Zhang Jiulang had now entered the Imperial Academy as a student and was talking about people he had met there. He added, “The area around the Imperial Academy is packed with brothels—it’s impossible not to visit them.”

Jiang Xian pointed at him with a laugh. “Don’t overdo it.”

“Don’t lecture me, Shiliulang. Even near your Sweetwater Lane is Lushi Alley, which has even more brothels.” Zhang Jiulang certainly didn’t consider himself a lecher, but given his status, even without trying, many women would flock to him. Some fun was inevitable.

Jiang Xian chuckled. He had no interest in such things—not only did he dislike them, but if his wife found out, he didn’t know how she’d react. Visiting pleasure houses was something he politely declined, though he naturally kept that to himself.

Some words, once spoken, would attract certain types of people who, the more upright you appeared, the more they’d try to tempt you—a real nuisance.

As a scion of an official family, he had seen all sorts of people since childhood. Keen and worldly, he was well-versed in social customs but masked it all with a smile.

Peng Sanlang interjected, “Shiliulang is studying with the Liu family now. How would he have time for such distractions?”

As they talked, Zhou Cunzhi came up. Zhang Jiulang said, “My brother-in-law mentioned that you haven’t been visiting much lately. He brought you up just the other day.”

As a grandson, Zhou Cunzhi only had to observe a year of mourning. Now, he had been waiting for an official post for several months.

The Zhou family was not what it used to be, and Zhang Jiulang sighed, thinking of how his sister and brother-in-law were fighting like cats and dogs. But such domestic squabbles weren’t something to discuss openly.

Jiang Xian smiled. “I’d like to visit, but my uncle from the Liu family keeps me busy with studies. I barely even return home these days—how could I go to the Zhou residence? Jiulang, please convey my apologies to Second Brother Zhou for me.”

He’d rather go to the Liu family than the Zhou household—partly because Jiang Shi had slighted Jin Niang, and partly because Zhou Cunzhi had shown inappropriate interest in his wife. But these were matters he couldn’t share even with close friends.

Zhang Jiulang took a bite of roasted pigeon and quickly said, “No problem, brother.”

Seeing Zhang Jiulang enter the Imperial Academy and Jiang Xian’s scholarly achievements flourish under the guidance of the Chancellor of Revenue, Peng Sanlang couldn’t help but feel downcast. “You two have your futures set, while I’ve accomplished nothing.”

His studies had gone nowhere, and his family’s finances were increasingly strained. In his younger, more reckless days, he had followed Zhang Jiulang to pleasure houses. But Zhang Jiulang’s path had long been paved by his family, and the gap between friends was widening.

Even preparing decent gifts for the Winter Solstice and New Year was now a struggle.

Moreover, his fur coat was several years old, neither new nor properly worn. Jiang Xian, on the other hand, was dressed in fresh layers, so warm that he had to remove his outer fur robe, revealing a finely embroidered new quilted jacket beneath.

Jiang Xian, sweating profusely, said sheepishly, “My wife insisted I wear a thick inner jacket—it’s sweltering.”

Now, Jiang Xian’s clothes were so fine that even an official’s son like Zhang Jiulang remarked, “I have a poetry gathering in a few days. Lend me that sandalwood-purple fur robe of yours.”

Jiang Xian rubbed his forehead. “You’re too late—it’s already been borrowed by Grand Scholar Huang’s son.”

In modern times, women’s clothing stores offer far more styles than men’s, and ancient times weren’t much different. Jin Niang made Jiang Xian’s clothes purely out of wanting to dress him to impress, so they were exceptionally handsome.

Originally, she had said she wouldn’t make a fur coat this year, but since Jiang Xian was studying with the Liu family, she crafted a new goose-patterned lambskin coat for him. Last year’s tiger-fur coat had already been lent out. He whispered, “My wife doesn’t allow me to lend clothes casually—keep it quiet.”

It wasn’t just women who loved dressing nicely—men were much the same.

Zhang Jiulang had in-house seamstresses and knew many tailors, but their designs paled in comparison to Jin Niang’s.

As the saying goes, “Fine feathers make fine birds.” Jiang Xian had always loved new clothes, and with Jin Niang so eager to make them for him, he truly turned heads wherever he went.

After the meal, night had fallen, and the shops had closed. Jin Niang had A Ying prepare and scent tomorrow’s clothes before hanging them up. She then went to embroider a Guanyin image. Jiang Xian said, “Wife, the candlelight hurts your eyes. Don’t embroider too much.”

“I know.” Jin Niang was well aware of the toll embroidery took on one’s eyes. As her teacher, Madam Chen, had said, by the age of thirty, an embroiderer’s eyesight would inevitably decline—a matter of physiology.

So while she could still earn money, she had to work hard for a few more years. After that, she wouldn’t need to work this hard anymore.

Jiang Xian added, “Peng Sanlang’s really struggling these days. This year, he can’t even prepare the holiday gifts.”

Holiday gifts cost a pretty penny. Jin Niang looked at him and asked, “What can be done? The Peng family is a well-known family with many relatives. They can’t skip a single tradition.”

If it were about lending money, they could spare five guan, but anything more was out of the question.

After all, you can bail someone out of a pinch, but not out of being broke.

If even preparing holiday gifts was such a struggle, then a livelihood had to be found. Jin Niang recalled how wealthy families employed assistants. If Peng Sanlang had an official title, it would be easier. If not, he’d have to swallow his pride. Otherwise, living off loans wasn’t a long-term fix.

Jiang Xian thought to himself that without his wife managing things, he’d be in a similar situation. Renting a decent house in the capital cost around ten guan a month, not to mention food, festival gifts, and clothing—each expense added up, and none were small.

The comfortable life he had now was entirely thanks to his wife’s efforts.

So he said, “Yes, that’s why he’s so worried. Dear, how do you think we can help him?”

Jin Niang smiled. “Husband, it’s noble to help a friend in need. If he’s in a tight spot, giving him some money isn’t a problem. However, even among brothers, disputes over money can arise. As the saying goes, ‘Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.’ If he could find a proper path forward, that would be far better than us giving him money.”

Jiang Xian nodded. “You’re absolutely right, wife. That really hits the mark.”

“Stop it. You’re way better at this than me.” Jin Niang knew Jiang Xian was skilled at mediating matters—even Madam Liu’s family had entrusted him with a sticky situation.

Having eaten too much, Jiang Xian felt drowsy and lay on the couch, watching her. “But now I rely entirely on you, dear. How can I find a way out for him?”

Jin Niang wasn’t one to dwell on things. “Then just do what you think is best. He’s your friend, after all.”

So Jiang Xian lent Peng Sanlang three guan, with Peng Sanlang promising to repay by the end of the year. Jiang Xian told him not to rush. Because of this, Jiang Xian felt even more convinced that his mother had made the right choice in arranging his marriage to Jin Niang.

After another half-hour of needlework, Jin Niang got up and sorted through the clothes Jiang Xian had brought back. She asked, “Where’s that fur coat I made for you last year?”

Despite what Jiang Xian had told Zhang Jiulang earlier, he privately admitted to Jin Niang, “The eldest son of Academician Huang borrowed it for a few days. I was actually worried about how to handle things with Academician Huang now that I’m studying at the Liu family. It was like a pillow appearing just as I was about to sleep—I took the opportunity to do him a favor. Don’t be mad, dear.”

“It’s just a piece of clothing, no big deal. Just don’t let it get greasy or dirty—that’s a fine piece of fur.” Jin Niang was a bit sore about it.

Jiang Xian laughed. “Don’t worry, dear. It won’t happen. Honestly, it’s because the clothes you make for me are so sharp they’re downright jealous. You can’t blame them—your craftsmanship is just too excellent.”

Soon, it was the day of Sixth Uncle Jiang’s wedding. At his age, he naturally couldn’t exactly throw a big wedding. As juniors, they only met Zheng Shi the next day. Zheng Shi had fair skin, a heart-shaped face, and a rather amiable smile.

Zheng Shi naturally also met Sixth Uncle Jiang’s two sons. She was quite satisfied with Sixth Uncle Jiang—he had a gentle temperament, was dignified, and carried the elegance of a nobleman.

Seeing Jiang Yan, the modest gentleman, and Jiang Xian, so strikingly handsome, she realized they were already grown and married, making it difficult to win them over. She came to terms with it—maintaining polite civility with her adult stepsons was enough.

In the end, as long as someone would send her off when her time came, that would suffice.

But she made every effort to curl up with her daughters-in-law. Having grown up as a concubine’s daughter, Zheng Shi knew how powerful a woman’s pillow talk could be.

Jin Niang prepared a headband and a pair of pouches for her new stepmother-in-law, Zheng Shi. She didn’t know how much dowry Zheng Shi had brought, but Zheng Shi also gifted each of the two households a chest of fabric.

“Thank you, Madam,” Jin Niang said with a smile.

Zheng Shi noticed that Xu Shi was dignified and elegant, while Jin Niang was pretty and lively. She didn’t play the stern matriarch and instead spoke many friendly words, thinking she had done well.

However, Xu Shi was disdainful of the fabrics, as they were all outdated materials.

Jin Niang, on the other hand, said to Jiang Xian, “It seems the Zheng family valued this match. Look, though the fabrics Zheng Shi gave weren’t the latest styles—and she’s been in a temple for years, so she couldn’t have had much—they’re still good quality.”

Back in the Zhou family, she had seen Jiang Shi preparing dowries for the Zhou family’s two legitimate daughters—they had started collecting from a very young age. These fabrics were likely Zheng Shi’s own youthful savings. Now that the Zheng family couldn’t afford a truly impressive dowry, she had to use her old stash to keep up appearances.

Jiang Xian, being a man, was often out and about. Now married with a daughter, though he felt Zheng Shi had taken his mother's place, he consoled himself that at least his father had someone to care for—Zheng Shi was at least better than Xu Shi, his daughter-in-law.

As for Zheng Shi, upon entering the household, she came with two maids and a household of servants, while dismissing some of the old retainers from Sixth Madam Jiang’s time. That in itself wasn’t so bad. What’s more, she was extremely obedient to Sixth Uncle Jiang, completely unlike the former Sixth Madam.

The late Sixth Madam was both talented and beautiful, a worthy match for the grandson of a prime minister. However, she had a fiery temper and a strong mind of her own. She had smoothly borne three sons and a daughter, and during her lifetime, Sixth Uncle Jiang had no choice but to defer to her.

Zheng Shi knew that Sixth Uncle Jiang loved crab meat buns in the morning, and personally prepared them, breaking away from Xu Shi’s usual frugal habits.

Xu Shi was hopping mad: "Now it’s all extravagance! She even oversees the rent from Father-in-law’s lands, splurging just to please him. What will become of us in the future?"

After all, Father-in-law now owned 150 acres of land—no small income.

Granny Ge warned, “She has Sixth Uncle’s support. You’ll have to endure for now.”

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law dynamic was inherently unequal, and Zheng Shi also had the might of the Zheng family behind her—no match for the Xus. Xu Shi had previously pooled the garden rental income and the land rents for household expenses, along with her own dowry of 200 acres, allowing them to live comfortably with careful budgeting. But Zheng Shi clearly intended to snatch a share.

Yet there was nothing Xu Shi could do. Worse still, with Sixth Uncle Jiang’s support, Zheng Shi even sought to take over household management. Naturally, Xu Shi couldn't let her have her way.

The outcome of their struggle was no longer Jin Niang’s concern, for her newly designed Year of the Rooster children’s outfits had already received ten orders. Yun Jieer wearing them was the best advertisement.

Jin Niang and Min Zhi worked together on the children’s clothes, while Zhu Xiuniang continued embroidering wedding quilts. Everyone was bustling with activity. Work meant pay—no business, no money.

Midway through, Ju Xiang brought over her daily tonic of mahuang tea, which Jin Niang drank religiously to darken her hair.

After finishing one set, Min Zhi had A Ying press it and took a moment to ask Jin Niang, “How’s the Guanyin embroidery going?”

“Almost done, but it still lacks a certain spirit. I’ll have to consult Embroidery Alley later,” Jin Niang replied.

Min Zhi worried, “But that’s their bread and butter—why would they share?”

Jin Niang wasn’t concerned. Once she became Guild Master, she’d have leverage to trade for advice.

At noon, Jin Niang dined with her parents. Her mother said, “We should start hanging cured meats and making pickles.”

Knowing her mother’s pickle addiction was hopeless, Jin Niang smiled. “Alright, but get Ju Xiang and Xi Qiu on it—it’ll speed things up.”

Luo Yue reassured her, “Don’t worry.”

“Mother, let’s pickle some duck eggs this year too—two jars, so we can slice one whenever we crave it.” Though Jin Niang wasn’t much of a cook, managing a household required attention to such details.

Luo Yue nodded. “Two jars will be enough for us.”

After discussing more household matters, Jin Niang went upstairs to check on Yun Jieer. The ten-month-old was now eating egg custard and noodles. Last time, her father had specially made her egg custard, and she’d scraped the bowl clean.

Now, standing while holding onto a stool, the little girl beamed at the sight of Jin Niang. Just as Jin Niang was about to take her for a nap, she was summoned by the Guild Master.

Two other supervisors accompanied her: Madam Bao, the proprietor’s daughter-in-law at Binyun Pavilion, and Sister Needle from Embroidery Alley.

Madam Bao now oversaw Binyun Pavilion’s embroidery division. Even before marriage, she had excelled in needlework, and after wedding, she managed the entire pavilion meticulously in her mother-in-law’s stead. Sister Needle was also a renowned figure in Embroidery Alley—devoted to both filial piety and loyalty, she had learned embroidery from her mother-in-law, raised her children alone as a widow, and her skills were widely praised.

On the surface, Jin Niang seemed the least advantaged, but she remained undaunted.

The three exchanged polite “you-first’s” at the door, but once inside, formalities vanished.

Madam Bao spoke confidently: “Binyun Pavilion is neck-and-neck with Jinxiu Pavilion, employing over thirty embroiderers and paying the highest taxes. If anyone should lead, it’s us—we’d have everyone’s respect.”

“Madam Bao, your embroiderers are plenty and skilled, no doubt. But lately, you’ve stuck to wedding pieces and fancy screens. Never official commissions from the Embroidery Academy. Wei’s Embroidery Shop has handled those for two years straight. And last Qixi Festival, both pieces you sent got shown up by Jinxiu Pavilion and Tianyi Workshop. Guild Master, I won’t say more—but if I were to act as interim Guild Master, I’d at least nab a spot in next year’s Qixi rankings,” Jin Niang countered with a smile.

Madam Bao thought privately that though Wei’s Embroidery Shop was only half the size of Binyun Pavilion, its backing was formidable—not only close ties with the Embroidery Academy, but also Jin Niang’s husband, a big-shot yamen heir in Bianjing.

So, she only defended herself: "Taking on the business of embroidered screens, attracting buyers from Pingjiang Prefecture and Lin’an Prefecture—doesn’t this prove the far-reaching reputation of our Binyun Pavilion?"

Auntie Needle laughed: "Speaking of embroidered screens, who doesn’t know of Wang’s Embroidery Shop? Even your Binyun Pavilion doesn’t sell as well as Wang’s."

Ever since that plagiarizing shopkeeper at Wang’s discovered that embroidered screens were the most profitable, all their embroiderers switched to making them. Now, apart from some long-time customers, new ones all go to Wang’s.

Actually, this comparison isn’t appropriate, because Wang’s was nearly expelled from the guild. It was only after calling in favors and greasing palms that they managed to stay in the industry—even now, the manager of Wang’s Embroidery Shop operates behind the scenes, pushing his nephew forward to handle affairs.

Sure enough, the Guild Master’s brow furrowed.

Auntie Needle thought her words had hit the mark and felt quite pleased with herself.

"I’d like to nominate Madam Wei as Guild Master," said the current Guild Master. "She openly shared the 'Luoyang Brocade' pattern with Zhang Hua Niang of Embroidery Alley, which helped our Bianjing southern district rank third in this year’s Qixi Festival competition. Moreover, she was once the Embroidery Chief at the Embroidery Academy, has the ear of the court, is literate, possesses first-class skills, and her tax contributions rank among the top seven in our southern district." He looked at Jin Niang with great satisfaction.

Jin Niang silently pumped her fist but humbly replied, "Guild Master, the southern district still needs you at the helm. I’m merely assisting temporarily, learning a thing or two, and will surely follow your established rules."