Chapter 78

Chapter 78

On the eighth day of the sixth month, Jin Niang turned twenty-three, and Yun Jieer was one year and four months old. Jiang Xian specially hired an artist to paint a portrait of Jin Niang alone, and then another with her holding their daughter.

It was much like taking photographs in modern times—quite remarkable that Jiang Xian could present this as her birthday gift.

The previous year had unexpectedly brought in eight hundred strings of coins, reaching a peak, but this year’s business wasn’t as good, with only two hundred strings earned in half a year.

The mourning period was said to be three years, but in reality, it was twenty-seven months. Jin Niang couldn’t help but laugh, “Husband, come to think of it, we’ll be out of mourning this winter.”

As long as there was work to keep busy, time flew by. Jin Niang even felt as though Madam Jiang Liu’s death felt like just yesterday.

“Indeed. By next year, I’ll have to retake the Provincial Exam,” Jiang Xian said.

Jin Niang smiled. “No, once the mourning period is over, you should come home and stay for a while. It’s been so long since we’ve been intimate.”

Jiang Xian hugged her. “I know you miss me. Alright, I’ll come back then.”

Having been apart for over half a year, the couple missed each other dearly. During the New Year, Jiang Xian had barely let Jin Niang out of his arms, and she, in turn, found herself relying on him more and more, often seeking his advice on matters.

However, the couple still had to visit the old residence next month. Zheng Shi was generally fine, but she was completely obedient to Sixth Uncle, insisting on celebrating his birthday even though it wasn’t a milestone year.

Because of this, Sixth Uncle got along quite well with his new wife.

Jin Niang asked, “What should we give for the birthday celebration?”

“Just send some long-life noodles. Last time, the old man said he’d send gifts for our Yun Jieer, but nothing came—not even for her first birthday.” Jiang Xian felt sorry for his precious daughter.

Yun Jieer could already say a few simple words. Seeing her parents absorbed in conversation, she reached out her arms crying, “Mama!” Jin Niang had no choice but to pick her up.

The child was dressed in a red gauze vest and loose silk pants, with baby powder sprinkled on her chubby neck folds.

Once in Jin Niang’s arms, she settled right down.

Hearing Jiang Xian’s words, Jin Niang nodded. “In that case, I’ll send a load of long-life noodles and a beizi. It’s too hot to fuss with making new clothes now.”

After all, you’ve got to balance work and rest. After a busy stretch, it was only natural to take it easier.

Once he’d celebrated his wife’s birthday, Jiang Xian left for the Liu family, but he’d picked a bad time. Liu Dalang had brought his mistress and illegitimate son into the household, while his legal wife, Madam Xun, had stormed off to her parents’ home in a rage. Faced with such a family scandal, Jiang Xian beat a hasty retreat.

Jin Niang had originally planned to nap after putting Yun Jieer to sleep, but she was half-asleep when she felt someone kissing her. On instinct, she groped under her pillow for a knife—only to open her eyes and see Jiang Xian. She thought she was dreaming.

“Husband, why are you back? You nearly gave me a heart attack!” Jin Niang patted her chest.

Seeing how genuinely frightened she was, Jiang Xian asked gently, “Do you have trouble sleeping when I’m away?”

Jin Niang had intended to say she slept fine alone, but under his expectant gaze, she blushed and nodded. “Yes. Sleeping alone, with the child so small… You know my parents—they wake early for work and take their afternoon nap without fail. Of course, I’m scared.”

Then, in a whisper, she added, “And all our money is right here in my room.”

Jiang Xian’s heart twisted with guilt. Though there were servants and her parents around, her parents worked hard, and with the new shop, they had little time to spare for Jin Niang. As for the servants, if any got greedy, Jin Niang would struggle to defend herself.

He’d been downright selfish—always thinking of himself, never considering his wife’s situation.

Using the Liu family drama as an excuse, he returned home. Jin Niang was overjoyed. Truthfully, she didn’t give two hoots whether Jiang Xian passed the exams again. As long as the family was together, life was happy, and she was capable of supporting her husband and daughter.

As she spoke, she led Jiang Xian to open a chest in the back. “Look—this chest is filled with tea, pepper, and spices. These are gifts and reciprocations from others. I’ve set aside the best here. I estimate that if we ever need money, these could fetch us about three hundred taels.”

She opened the box beside her and said, "I sold off all those old fabrics Lady Zheng gave me and bought two hundred birchwood candles. Then a wax merchant bartered a set of my clothes for four hundred white candles, ten carved candles, and several pairs of regular candles."

Most of her clothing had been made strictly for display. Some pieces she'd worn a few times wouldn't sell well and were too valuable to give away. So she priced them all at ten strings of cash and exchanged them entirely for goods.

A common candle cost eighteen coins each, while carefully carved ornamental candles fetched two hundred coins apiece, and regular candles one hundred fifty coins each.

Jiang Xian's mouth fell open. "You're so thrifty, my dear."

"Don't scrimp on these candles, and don't use oil lamps either—it'll protect your eyes," Jin Nang smiled.

These represented their hard-earned money. Before, Jiang Xian hadn't cared much, but now looking at them filled him with the strange satisfaction of a squirrel storing nuts. He even imagined, "By the time I become an official, we might still have plenty of these candles left."

At mention of becoming an official, Jin Nang remarked, "The other day, Madam Zhou's third daughter came to chat. She mentioned her husband is returning to the capital for his official review—I wonder if he'll stay in Bianjing."

"Perhaps. He always knows how to look after himself," Jiang Xian replied, clearly unwilling to talk about Jiang Fang anymore.

Jin Nang dropped the subject and changed the topic.

When they returned home, Jiang Xian's first feeling was comfort—finally, his heart could settle properly.

In July, they attended the birthday banquet for Master Jiang's Sixth Uncle at the ancestral home. Lady Zheng had prepared the finest feast and invited all the friends with whom the Sixth Uncle got along well, doing everything possible to ensure both hosts and guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

When Jin Nang saw Xu Shi, she felt somewhat surprised. How could Xu Shi dress so plainly? In the past, although simple, she had still maintained the dignity of a lady from a wealthy family. Now she wore a half-worn, faded white skirt that looked no different from the servant girl who tended the kitchen fire.

Even though Zheng managed the household finances and arranged meals daily, there wasn’t much spare money left. Unknown to others, Xu Shi had income only from some farmland and didn’t spend a single coin unnecessarily, using the latest fine fabrics exclusively for her son’s clothing. Therefore, although she was only slightly older than Jin Nang, they appeared to belong to different generations.

Meanwhile, Xu Shi studied Jin Nang from head to toe—a silver-white jacket embroidered with tiny chrysanthemums with a green collar, wearing a silver-gilt peony hairpin, a jade comb decorated with peony patterns tucked into her bun, three floral-patterned rings on her fingers, and a pair of gilded gold and silver bracelets with bird-and-flower designs around her wrists. She radiated elegance and wealth.

Of course—with her mother-in-law having given them the most valuable shops, how could they not live comfortably?

Jin Nang understood exactly why Xu Shi dressed this way—to simply highlight Lady Zheng's extravagance. But then again, dressing too shabbily at her father-in-law's birthday banquet might easily provoke the Sixth Master's anger. Besides, gossip from outsiders would fade eventually; pretending to be poor for too long might actually make people believe it truly, which certainly wouldn't be good.

There were many snobbish eyes within the clan.

But Xu Shi's affairs were no longer Jin Nang's concern. She believed the biggest reason for her improved mindset was precisely because she no longer meddled in other people's business.

Today, Jiang Fang and his wife also came together. The Sixth Master bore no grudges against this adopted son and even publicly stated, "Now we are one family again; let bygones be bygones. That you passed the imperial examination is thanks to your uncle's good care. In the future, you should also guide and support your brothers more."

Regarding this, Jin Nang felt her mother-in-law was truly pitiful. Once someone dies, the principles they once held fast to get easily rewritten.

It's most important to stay alive, she thought.

Although Jiang Fang did not openly show pride, he knew his judgment had been correct. No matter what methods one uses, as long as one achieves fame and success, those around who once resented you will turn into supporters.

As the brothers talked among themselves, Jin Nang joined Madam Zhou's third daughter for casual conversation. Although the third daughter did not treat her as a close sister-in-law, at least she treated her like a relative, unlike the fourth daughter who acted condescendingly.

The third daughter said, "Your family will finish mourning by the end of this year, right? Next year you’ll be able to take the provincial examinations. I bet Kaifeng will be packed with candidates again."

"Exactly. Fortunately, we live in the capital, saving us much trouble." Jin Nang smiled in reply.

Their conversation gradually shifted from the Jiang family to the Zhou family. The third daughter continued, "My second uncle bought a mansion in Yangxian and built a garden there. He plans to retire there in a few years."

"How wonderful. Second Master has always been financially comfortable. It's just that I've been busy lately and haven't visited Second Madame in quite some time. Are Qink Ge and the others doing well?"

"They're all fine. Qin Ge is a well-behaved child—not particularly gifted in academics, but honest and reliable. However, life hasn't been easy for the third branch of the family," the third daughter sighed.

Speaking of the third branch, Jin Nang thought of Qin Shuang'er and directly asked, "How is the third branch doing now? Last time the third young master passed away, our Sixteen Lang specially went to express condolences and said his widow cried until nearly fainting."

Third Sister spread her hands: "Third Sister-in-law mourned for a year before being taken back by her family to remarry. The concubines with children were left behind to care for them—after all, their own mothers caring for them is surely better than outsiders."

Qin Shuanger must still be staying with the Zhou family, Jin Niang thought. Unless she found a good husband, remaining with the Zhous at least ensured her safety and comfort.

The birthday banquet began, and Jin Niang ate a small bowl of longevity noodles, not very interested in the meat dishes on the table. She had once indulged too much in rich food, sometimes eating even when not hungry, and ended up gaining weight. After all, gaining weight was easy, but losing it was hard.

Having already taken the children to kowtow to Sixth Uncle earlier, Jin Niang left the banquet halfway to check on her daughter. Today, the little one was dressed up—a white tube top embroidered with crabapple blossoms, a beizi with paired crabapple branch motifs, white split pants tied with a pink pleated skirt.

"Mom, I wanna go play," Yun Jieer said, stretching out her arms as soon as she saw her mother.

Jin Niang smiled. "Alright, Mom will take you out."

The heat made staying indoors stifling.

She had originally planned to take her daughter to the garden, but remembering it had been rented out, she just taught her to recognize flowers under the shade of a tree in front of the side rooms.

"Yun Jieer, look—these are hydrangeas. Aren’t there so many colors? Red, pink, blue, just like the ones at home," Jin Niang pointed out.

Yun Jieer reached out to pick one, but Jin Niang quickly stopped her. "You can’t just pick flowers. If you pluck them, they’ll get hurt."

"Okay, I’ll just look, not pick," Yun Jieer said, clasping her hands behind her back.

Jin Niang praised her immediately. "What a good girl!"

As the mother and daughter were outside, the banquet ended, and more people gathered to chat. Jin Niang overheard two women saying, "Sixth Uncle’s banquet was well done, but his elder son’s wife looked like hired help."

"Indeed. His younger son and daughter-in-law seem like the masters, while the elder son and his wife look kinda shabby. Seems they spoil the youngest and disregard the eldest."

"Exactly."

"Emperors favor their eldest sons, but common folk spoil the youngest."

...

Jin Niang shook her head at these remarks and later recounted them to Jiang Xian in the carriage on their way home. "See? Now it’s our fault."

Jiang Xian fumed. "They’re the ones fighting, yet we’re the ones being criticized."

"At least we live in Sweetwater Lane. If nothing else, it keeps us out of the drama, and you can study in peace," Jin Niang said.

Jiang Xian hated talking family drama but knew Jin Niang was right—and felt grateful for it.

Soon, the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived. Last year, they had barely celebrated due to Madam Jiang Liu’s death anniversary, but this year Jin Niang decided to prepare properly. She got pastries from a bakery, bought crabs, fish, and shrimp from Mrs. Huang’s place, along with fresh pomegranates and pears.

The Embroidery Shop was already filled with festive pouches, hanging garments, and displayed shoes and socks. The embroiderers, however, were idle. A Ying remarked, "Mid-Autumn sales are slow this year."

"It’s just back to normal. Last year was unusually good—this is the usual standard," Jin Niang said with a smile.

She told Zhu Xiuniang and Min Zhi to take breaks when there was no work, but the two couldn’t stay idle.

Even Jiang Xian noticed the slowdown in business and offered, "Do you need me to help—"

"No need. Being constantly busy would wear me out," Jin Niang replied calmly. Her initial goal had always been around three hundred strings of coins a year.

Now, with three thousand strings of coins on hand, she’d already beaten her goal. The current earnings were enough for daily expenses and early repayment of debts.

Jiang Xian admired his wife’s steady mindset—she rarely fretted over gains and losses.

The Mid-Autumn Festival was lively at home, with gifts arriving from the Embroidery Shop’s guild. Jin Niang split them in half and gave half to Wei Xiong and Luo Yue’s family. For some reason, though they might not always appreciate things she bought herself, they acted like free gifts were treasures.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Peng Sanlang found himself short on cash and came calling for help. Madam Jin said to Jiang Xian, “Let’s give him the spare gift boxes we have—saves him buying any, and we’ll call it a gift, not a loan.”

Jiang Xian had no interest in playing the perpetual patron. Between friends, too much money changing hands breeds resentment when favors go unpaid. Nowadays, their entire household ran on his wife’s shrewd management. They’d already sent lavish gifts to the families of Academician Huang, Madam Liu, and Zhuangyuan Jiang—Madam Jin had personally shown him the list. All premium goods that didn’t come cheap.

Especially recently, she had laid out their savings to put his mind at ease, so he could focus on his studies. With her meticulous planning, he couldn’t afford to waste anything.

So he packed up eight gift boxes of mooncakes and dried fruit to give to Peng Sanlang. He hadn’t expected Peng to look down on them. A highborn like him sneered at such cheap trinkets—barely a hundred wen a box.

Seeing this, Jiang Xian grew annoyed.

Back home, Peng Sanlang grumbled to his wife, “Shiliulang is treating me like a beggar! He used to be generous, but since marrying, he’s become stingier by the year.”

His wife—and cousin—Lady Yu had inherited a house and two hundred mu of land when the family split up. Now they’d sold half, leaving only a small estate. But image was everything to them—spending twenty guan just on festival gifts. Daily expenses included maintaining servants, Peng’s social life, poetry gatherings, and new clothes. It was bleeding them dry.

Lady Yu had stewed for ages over her husband’s constant gushing about Madam Jin’s thrift. Hearing his complaints now, she snapped, “Merchants nickel-and-dime their way through life. As the saying goes, ‘One takes on the color of one’s company.’ Jiang Shiliu used to be decent, but now he’s probably changed too.”

“Let’s steer clear of him from now on,” Peng muttered.

Once close with both Jiang Shiliu and Zhang Jiulang, he now felt left behind. Now that Zhang had gotten into the Imperial Academy and made new friends, he still kept Jiang around—but ignored Peng completely. Word was, they’d even hit up Huixian Tower without him.

Peng Sanlang knew the score: he’d lost ground to the other two. Jiang Shiliu had once been in the same boat, but his capable wife let him focus on studying—and even connect with big names like Xiao Hanlin, Zhuangyuan Jiang, and Academician Huang.

Jiang’s crisp outfits and fat tips fooled everyone into thinking he was flush.

But as for himself…

Well, if the shoe didn’t fit, he’d stop cramming his foot in.

Accepting reality, he cut back—letting go some servants, moving the family into a smaller wing of the house, and renting out the other. He even signed on as a glorified errand boy for Commandant Ding’s son, running errands, tutoring, playing chess, dabbling in painting, and joining ball games—cutting ties with old friends entirely.

Jiang Xian paid Peng Sanlang a visit and came back shaken.

He told Madam Jin, “Without you, I’d be Peng Sanlang right now.”

“Not necessarily,” she replied. “If he buckles down and passes the Provincial Exam, he can tutor relatives’ kids for ten guan a month.” She believed Jiang wouldn’t end up like Peng.

Still, it was good that Peng had come to terms with things—lowered his pride, stopped borrowing for expensive gifts, and started living within his means.

Shortly after Mid-Autumn, Madam Jin resumed embroidering Guanyin. She was stubborn as a mule about honing her craft.

Her existing patterns would last until the Chongyang Festival, so she and Jiang visited their estate. While Madam Jin handled business well, farming was foreign to her.

To her surprise, Jiang Xian knew his stuff. He smiled and said, “Scholars may not know farming, but I once helped Madam Liu settle a land dispute—I’ve got this.”

“Brilliant! You’re full of surprises, husband,” Madam Jin crowed.

After getting the fish-scale register, Jiang gathered the estate manager and tenants, asking about recent harvests and their skills. Soon, he gave Madam Jin a clear report.

“We’ll build them housing—it shows goodwill. Some make charcoal, others raise livestock. From now on, they’ll supply our firewood, rice, eggs, and meat,” he arranged.

“Done. Name the sum, and it’s yours,” Madam Jin said without hesitation.

This was Jiang’s first time managing their estate. He left attendant Luo Da to oversee construction, explained his needs clearly, then the couple returned home.

Back home, he teased, “See? I’ve got this.”

“Absolutely! I noticed long ago,” Madam Jin praised him again and again, delighted to see him beam like a child in her presence.

A home only prospers when all hands pull together.

When the construction of the estate houses was nearly complete, Zhuangyuan Jiang returned. Jin Niang promptly helped Jiang Xian prepare thoughtful gifts to send over. This time, Jiang Xian wore a dark stone-blue shenyi robe when he paid his visit, fidgeting awkwardly with his outfit.

"Oh, you..." Jin Niang murmured, stifling a laugh behind her hand.

The top scholar disliked showy types, so Jiang Xian couldn't wear his usual casual attire.

When Jiang Xian arrived, he also encountered Zhou Cunzhi and Sun Shichen. Zhou had come specifically that day to introduce his brother-in-law to Zhuangyuan Jiang, having gotten in through the influential connections of Yamen scion Gong Ziliang.

Sun Shichen got a headache just seeing Jiang Xian. They had once studied together under Academician Huang, but the academician had only favored Jiang Xian. Now that Academician Huang had retired, Sun had finally managed to find his way to Zhuangyuan Jiang—only to run into Jiang Xian again.

What he didn't know was Zhuangyuan Jiang's assessment of Jiang Xian: talented but lacking virtue. Though still young, Jiang Xian ran everything like clockwork. But his loyalty was questionable—if someone else offered greater benefits, he wouldn't hesitate to switch sides. And yet, such a person was undeniably useful.

Look, Jiang Xian's gifts weren't just for Zhuangyuan Jiang, but also included clothing and shoes for his wife Lady Song and their children.

Lady Song was chatting with Zhousi Guniang at the time. She was carrying her second child and nearing her due date. Seeing the gifts from Jin Niang, she smiled warmly. "Jiang Shushi's wife truly has excellent craftsmanship. Both times I've been pregnant, the maternity pillows she sent made me much more comfortable."

Zhousi Guniang nodded. "Yes, her skills are remarkable—I've bought some for my daughter too. These little clothes are really lovely. Speaking of which, she's quite fortunate. If her husband passes the imperial examination someday, she'll rise to great heights."

Zhousi Guniang found Jin Niang inspiring, but Lady Song, being an official’s daughter who understood court politics well, remarked, "Without family connections, even securing an official post is difficult. To be honest, many men, after passing the exams, secretly abandon their wives to remarry or discard their humble origins. Men of good character are few and far between."

"Are you suggesting that Madame Wei might end up doing all the work just for someone else to reap the rewards?" Zhousi Guniang asked, visibly unsettled.

Lady Song chuckled. "I'm merely describing how things are—not necessarily about them. Besides, Jiang Shushi may not pass the exams so quickly."

But Zhousi Guniang took her words seriously, because in the records, Jiang Xian had indeed passed the imperial examination.