Chapter 83

Chapter 83

After passing the imperial examination, it was customary to host a Tail-Burning Banquet—a celebration for newly appointed officials in the Tang and Song dynasties. Jin Niang always believed in wearing hats that fit properly, thinking there would be plenty of time ahead and not wanting to go overboard by splurging on extravagant feasts costing ten strings of coins per table.

However, their residence in Sweetwater Lane was too small and already overcrowded. Jin Niang discussed with Jiang Xian whether they should reserve a floor at Immortal-Gathering Tower to host the banquet.

Holding it at Immortal-Gathering Tower would be prestigious, and the establishment also offered suitable menus, ensuring guests wouldn’t feel slighted.

"I inquired, and they’re willing to reserve the second floor for us. There will be twenty-six tables in total, each costing four strings and three hundred coins, including drinks. Each table also comes with six plates of assorted fruits. Additionally, I prepared parting gifts—a box of Fanlou delicacies, which aren’t too expensive, just eighty copper coins per box." Jin Niang calculated that the total would come to over a hundred strings. (Note: A "string" refers to 1000 copper coins strung together.)

She also showed Jiang Xian the menu, which included six plates of fresh fruit, six plates of dried fruit, savory and sweet snacks, and ten main dishes featuring lamb, chicken, river prawns, crab, and six side dishes for wine.

Jiang Xian naturally agreed and personally drafted the invitations, asking Liu Douer, Luo Da, and Chen Xiaolang to deliver them.

The Zhou family was among the first to receive the invitations. Madam Jiang was overjoyed. After her father’s death, her brother had only held a minor hereditary post and showed little interest in officialdom, leading to the decline of the Jiang family’s prestige. Now, however, her paternal family had produced two imperial scholars in one examination.

Of course, her son-in-law Sun Shichen had also passed, but Jiang Xian ranked eighth among the First-Class Jinshi, Jiang Yan fifth in the Second Tier, while Sun Shichen barely avoided falling into the Fifth Tier, which would have granted him only the status of Associate Jinshi.

Thinking this way, her natal family was indeed more reliable.

Madam Jiang summoned her daughter-in-law Madam Zhang, and the two women, setting aside past grievances, began preparing congratulatory gifts.

Over at Jiang Fang’s household, Jiang Fang’s adoptive mother—his maternal cousin's mother—quickly sent someone to fetch Third Miss Zhou from Fourth Miss Zhou’s place, planning to go together to Sweetwater Lane to help.

Meanwhile, Third Miss Zhou and Fourth Miss Zhou were discussing the banquet arrangements: "We must host it. My brother-in-law’s fellow examinees, mentors, and our maiden family’s relatives all need to be invited."

Fourth Miss Zhou had never organized such a banquet before and was about to hire the Four Offices and Six Bureaus when she heard from Third Miss Zhou’s mother-in-law that Jiang Xian planned to hold it at Immortal-Gathering Tower.

"Immortal-Gathering Tower?" She marveled—it couldn’t be cheap.

Fourth Miss Zhou rarely ventured out, mostly visiting official households, and only knew that establishments like Fanlou and Immortal-Gathering Tower were grand venues in the capital, certainly not inexpensive.

Third Miss Zhou smiled. "Immortal-Gathering Tower is a good choice. Sweetwater Lane is too cramped and might not accommodate guests properly."

After the banquet, Jin Niang received many lavish gifts: Chancellor Liu sent a red sandalwood screen, Jiang Xian’s eldest uncle presented a Javanese mat, an Indonesian import known for its jade-cool properties, worth about fifteen strings, and there were also premium spices, fine silks, tea, pepper, and more.

Jin Niang, along with A Ying and Min Zhi, spent half a day sorting and cataloging everything.

Unbeknownst to her, the banquet left a deep impression on the guests. At the center of the black-lacquered tables were large bamboo baskets filled with fresh flowers for adornment—a beloved tradition among the Song people. Jin Niang had traded an old long-sleeved jacket of hers with a flower seller for these arrangements.

Each basket was unique: some held abelmoschus manihot, gardenias, lilies, magnolias, pomegranate blossoms, and hollyhocks, vibrant and lively; others, in black rattan baskets, featured cherry blossoms, white peonies, and Chinese hydrangeas, elegant and refined.

With such an array of dishes and drinks, everyone left satisfied, taking home parting gifts.

Jiang Xian hosted only a single evening banquet, not wanting to overshadow Jiang Yan, who planned a three-day flowing banquet. Jiang Xian and Jin Niang also had to help there.

This time, Madam Jiang was unusually warm toward Jin Niang, even asking considerately, "Have you prepared the funds for the Assembly Fee?"

"Yes, it’s all ready."

The expenses for the gathering were substantial, but unavoidable. Jin Niang smiled.

Madam Jiang praised her, "I always knew you were capable, managing everything inside and outside the household so well."

(You never treated me like this before.) But as Jiang Xian had said, she had to maintain appearances. "You flatter me. I’m still young and often seek advice from others."

"Don’t say that—your banquet was splendid," Madam Jiang suddenly became quite eloquent.

Madam Xu had contributed much to the three-day flowing banquet but noticed how everyone at the banquet paid more attention to Jin Niang, leaving her feeling sour. Fourth Miss Zhou, whose husband Sun Shichen was Jiang Yan’s fellow examinee and a relative through Madam Jiang, observed this as well when she accompanied her stepmother.

Thursday Guniang noticed that Jin Niang remained quite composed—there were no dramatic confrontations with Jiang Shi. Instead, she even said, “I must thank you for gifting me an ordination certificate.”

An ordination certificate worth over 130 guan—this was a valuable financial instrument in the Song Dynasty.

“That’s nothing much,” Jiang Shi replied, truly generous when she chose to be.

Jin Niang thought to herself that ever since her husband became a jinshi (metropolitan graduate), everyone around her had turned kind. The Fourth Young Lady (Zhousi Guniang) felt the same way. Her own husband had failed twice before finally passing this time—only she could truly understand the bittersweet emotions involved.

However, during this gathering, she happened to meet Xiang Ming, who had come with Lady Zhang. The two exchanged glances and found a moment to speak privately.

Xiang Ming smiled and said, “Sister, you are truly blessed. Now that Sixteenth Young Master of the Jiang family has passed the imperial exams, once he receives an official appointment, you’ll be the wife of an official.”

She was genuinely pleased—this was the first time she had seen someone change their fate through their own efforts.

Jin Niang replied, “I owe you thanks for that too. By the way, how have you been?”

“I—I’ve been fine,” Xiang Ming lowered her head, hesitating.

Jin Niang took her hand gently and said, “Don’t lie to me. How are things really?”

Xiang Ming gave a faint smile. “Sister Jin Niang, what is there to say about being a bedchamber maid (tongfang)? I was a servant bound by an indentured servitude contract. Going to Second Young Master was still a path forward—and besides, he treats me quite well.”

“That’s good. Just take care of your health. If you bear a child, even if you end up like Lv Xiaoniang, at least you’ll have something to rely on.” Jin Niang spoke from Xiang Ming’s perspective—without children, a concubine or maid would always be treated according to others’ whims.

Not just the servants, but even the household heads were the same. Back when Jiang Xian hadn’t risen yet, she remembered clearly how they had treated her then—and how differently now.

Xiang Ming listened attentively. “Alright, Sister Jin Niang, I’ll remember your words.”

Jin Niang then recalled how difficult it was to find reliable physicians within the inner quarters. She thought highly of Lou Siniang’s character and medical skills, so she added, “After my childbirth, I relied on a lady doctor named Lou Siniang near Jinliang Bridge for postpartum care. If you ever need treatment in the future, you might consider seeing her.”

All these years later, Sister Jin Niang was still so thoughtful. Xiang Ming had been sold to the Zhou family long ago, and it was Jin Niang who had cared for her like a sister, teaching her needlework and skills. Now, though their statuses were worlds apart—Xiang Ming as a bedchamber maid—Jin Niang still looked out for her so carefully.

“I don’t even know how to thank you, Sister,” Xiang Ming said.

Jin Niang smiled. “I haven’t really done much for you—just offered a few words. Your path is still yours to walk. Just be careful not to give others a handle against you. Endure hardship when necessary, but live well, live strongly. As long as you’re alive, there’s hope. Even in the hardest times, you must keep living—for a chance at change.”

Her thoughts drifted to Yan Hong, someone who had been very kind to her back in the Zhou residence, offering her much guidance. Unfortunately, later…

Xiang Ming also mentioned an old acquaintance from the embroidery workshop. “Qin Shuanger couldn’t bear widowhood. When Xi Siniang saw she couldn’t endure it, she sent her away. I heard she became a cloth merchant’s kept woman.”

“Her needlework was actually quite good. Why didn’t she find work as a seamstress somewhere?” Jin Niang thought of Zhu Xiuniang at her own Embroidery Shop, who had saved nearly a hundred guan over the years—all earned through her own hands.

Xiang Ming scoffed. “She once told me she hated needlework more than anything. She only wanted a life of luxury—being waited on, surrounded by silk and jewels.”

That kind of life was actually what Xiang Ming secretly yearned for. Sister Jin Niang’s life was the one she wished to follow in the footsteps of.

“Let’s not talk about her. Once my husband’s official assignment comes through, we’ll likely be assigned to a provincial post. You know my parents—if you ever face trouble, don’t hesitate to seek them out,” Jin Niang said, holding her hand.

Xiang Ming nodded. “Only you, Sister, have always remembered me.”

After all these years, their shared topic was still the Zhou family. Their conversation inevitably circled back to it. Xiang Ming said with some pity, “The Eldest Young Miss’s health isn’t good. They say she doesn’t have much time left. The Wang family is already preparing to select a new bride, and the First Madam is furious. The Second Young Miss has grown much more worldly-wise over the years—her letters have become increasingly polite. But the Third and Fourth Young Misses have turned out to be the real winners, living quite comfortably now.”

Jiang Shi had bled the Zhou family dry for her eldest and second daughters, while the third and fourth were married off with only a few thousand taels. Yet their fortunes after marriage couldn’t have been more different.

But Jin Niang remarked, “The Eldest Young Miss married into the chancellor’s household. I heard she nearly died in childbirth back then—it was only because the Zhou family had aged ginseng and Himalayan snow lotus on hand that she survived. And she’s lived another ten years since. The Second Young Miss, though sharp-tongued, married into her aunt’s family, where they always forgave her. In truth, they’ve been quite blessed.”

They had room to make mistakes.

Jin Niang thought to herself—if she had faced a difficult childbirth, where would her family find the money for such expensive medicine? Even if they spent everything, it might still not save her, and the family would be left destitute. Even for someone like the Third Young Miss, Jiang Shi wouldn’t have cared so much. In truth, the Eldest and Second Young Misses had been very lucky indeed.

Xiang Ming thought the same.

The two were about to say more when A Ying called from the doorway, "Madam, Yun Jieer’s awake and asking for you right away!"

With that, Jin Niang said goodbye to Xiang Ming. This year, Yun Jieer was already three years old. After weaning, Jin Niang had been raising her herself. Not wanting to keep her daughter waiting, she rushed out.

At that moment, Xi Qiu was carrying Yun Jieer over. Yun Jieer was dressed in a purple gauze skirt today, with pre-made butterflies sewn from her right shoulder down to her hand. The dress was embroidered with floral designs, like butterflies dancing among flowers—absolutely adorable.

"Mother," Yun Jieer rubbed her eyes.

Jin Niang crouched down gently and asked, "What's wrong? Did an eyelash get in your eye?"

Kids often got fussy for no reason. Jin Niang coaxed her for a while, her tone tender and naturally maternal. Jiang Xian, who was speaking with Zhou Cunzhi and Jiang Fang, heard his wife's voice and inwardly groaned.

It wasn’t that he was overly paranoid—it was just that his wife was too captivating. She looked as fresh as morning dew, sweet-natured but no pushover. She had strong opinions without being domineering.

"Mother, the kitten fought with me," Yun Jieer suddenly declared.

Jin Niang glanced at Xi Qiu, who quickly waved her hands. "Madam, the little miss hasn’t seen a cat all day!"

At this age, kids couldn’t tell dreams from reality. So Jin Niang gave Xi Qiu a reassuring look before turning back to her daughter. "So who won—you or the kitty?"

Xi Qiu sighed in relief. She’d been one of Jiang Xian’s maids before moving to Sweetwater Lane. She was no match for Min Zhi in needlework or cooking. Fortunately, Jin Niang had assigned her to care for Yun Jieer, even promising that she could become the girl’s future companion—a lifeline for her. If she messed up with the little miss, she’d be out of luck.

"The kitty got huge! It went *meow-meow-meow* and pounced on me, so I fought back. It scratched me, and I scratched it back—I even made it bleed!" Yun Jieer grew more animated as she spoke.

Instead of exposing her daughter’s fantasy, Jin Niang gave a thumbs-up. "That’s my girl! Beating up a kitty and all!"

Just as she finished speaking, she noticed Jiang Xian approaching and looked at him in surprise. "Why are you here? I thought you were drinking up front."

Jiang Xian had, of course, dismissed the other two, letting them leave first before coming over. Hearing Jin Niang’s question, he rubbed his forehead. "Too much wine—my head’s killing me."

"Then let’s go home early today. I’ll massage your head for you." Jin Niang’s heart went out to him.

Jiang Xian smirked. "Perfect."

After their private celebration, before the official congratulatory banquet, the new scholars went to endless banquets and drinking parties to get acquainted. These shindigs cost a fortune, so Jin Niang handed Jiang Xian 200 strings of cash upfront. As for his fine robes, since many had been made in advance, he had more than enough to wear a new set each day.

Of course, some came to borrow money for these gatherings, as participation had its financial thresholds. For instance, the upcoming "Floating Wine Cup" banquet in three days required each attendee to contribute sixty strings of cash.

The costs made even Luo Yue blanch. "Why does it cost so much?"

"Exactly. That’s why it’s hard for poor scholars to rise," Jin Niang sighed.

Because she understood this, she never stopped earning money. Money in hand meant peace of mind.

Her final batch of goods would be completed by the Dragon Boat Festival, so she had stopped taking orders for celebratory quilts. She’d also slash prices to clear old inventory, and had hired an agent to start leasing out the shop—preferably to a fabric or embroidery store, since such tenants would keep the place clean.

She also invited Fang Ma back—an experienced elder who had once served her mother-in-law Liu Shi. A seasoned hand like her beat some clueless hireling any day.

Back when Fang Ma served Liu Shi, her word was practically law. After being driven out by Zheng Shi, she had fortunately saved enough over the years to buy a few acres of land outside the city. But commoners had it rough—between taxes, local toughs, and scraping by.

Now, after discussing with Jiang Xian, Jin Niang invited the old woman back, and Fang Ma came eagerly. She had a granddaughter at home but hadn’t brought her along. Jin Niang nodded—now *this* was a woman who knew her place.

Fang Ma had served Liu Shi since childhood and was exceptionally knowledgeable. Jin Niang, not being from an official family, saw this as her own shortcoming. Asking the wrong people for help could backfire. Moreover, every situation was unique—there was no one-size-fits-all solution.

Luckily, Min Zhi’s marriage to Chen Xiaolang freed up a room, which was temporarily given to Fang Ma to rest in.

Fang Ma dabbed at her eyes. "If Sixth Madam could see Shiliulang and you now, with a son *and* daughter, she’d weep for joy."

"Indeed, my husband's success in becoming a Jinshi is largely due to my mother-in-law's guidance," said Jin Niang.

After the Celebration Banquet, the Ministry of Personnel assigned official posts. Jiang Xian was appointed as the County Vice-Magistrate of Wu County, while his elder brother, Jiang Yan, became the Legal Officer of Taiping Prefecture. Wu County belonged to the Pingjiang Army—the present-day Suzhou—in the Liangzhe Region, the most populous and prosperous area in the empire, making it an excellent posting.

"Now that your appointment has been settled, we must quickly sell off our shop," Jin Niang remarked.

Jiang Xian nodded. "We shouldn’t bring too many servants on the journey. We can rent a house and hire local help once we arrive."

"Good, I was thinking the same," Jin Niang agreed.

Jiang Xian also decided to leave Luo Da’s family of four behind. Luo Da and his wife would look after the house and keep watch over the storeroom, as the front part had been rented out and there was always a risk of theft when Wei Xiong and his wife were away. Their son, Luo Da, would manage the two manors and collect rent from the two shops.

The household servants accompanying them included A Ying, Ju Xiang, Chen Xiaolang and Min Zhi (a married couple), Fang Ma, Xi Qiu, Liu Douer, and Ning Geer’s nurse, along with two retainers known for their martial prowess.

Traveling from Kaifeng to Wu County was a long journey, so protection was essential.

Moreover, since Jiang Xian had never served as a local official before, he needed to hire a legal clerk skilled in criminal cases. Fortunately, as the son of an official family, Jiang Xian had the connections to find such a person.

However, as a newly appointed official, his salary was meager, and they might even have to subsidize their expenses.

A county vice-magistrate received two qing of hereditary land, two qing of official-granted land, an annual salary of 52 dan of rice, a monthly stipend of one string of cash, a food allowance of 250 copper coins per month, 400-plus coins for two retainers, and 200 coins for miscellaneous expenses.

Fortunately, the couple had already built up some wealth. Zhu Xiuniang had wanted to take over Jin Niang’s Embroidery Shop but lacked the capital and proposed using Jin Niang’s shop name while sharing profits. Jin Niang refused. Though she was close to Zhu Xiuniang, business was business—the shop’s success was entirely due to her craftsmanship and creativity.

No matter how skilled one was, styles changed yearly, requiring constant adaptation.

Zhu Xiuniang was disappointed, but Jin Niang could only apologize. Instead, she leased the three-storefront shop to another embroidery merchant through a broker, selling all the shop’s embroidery frames and cabinets. Located near the Grand Xiangguo Temple, the shop was in a prime location with excellent business. The lease was set at 20 strings of cash per month, and the shop’s furnishings were sold for 80 strings of cash.

A three-year contract was signed, with yearly payments. The new tenant paid upfront for the first year—320 strings of cash in total.

Additionally, Liu Dalang, Jiang the Zhuangyuan, Han Xiao, Zhang Jiulang, Zhou Cunzhi, and Jiang Fang gifted a total of 100 taels as travel expenses.

Their household now had over 5,000 taels in cash, along with spices, tea, white wax, pepper, and other goods.

Transporting such wealth was impractical. Jin Niang’s bedroom was filled with chests of gold, silver, and copper coins. She instructed Jiang Xian to convert the money into exchange certificates. Stunned, Jiang Xian asked, "Wife, how much money do we actually have?"

"Didn’t I tell you? Five thousand strings of cash. We’ll keep 200 strings in paper notes for travel expenses, 100 strings in copper coins, and 200 taels in gold and silver on our persons. The rest will be converted into exchange certificates, which we can redeem once we reach Pingjiang Army. I’ve already confirmed there are plenty of money-exchange offices there," Jin Niang explained.

Jiang Xian was astounded. "We have this much?"

He had never imagined, as Jin Niang often spoke of hard times and was always frugal, never flaunting their wealth. Now, excluding their two shops and manors, he suddenly felt like retiring early.

Jin Niang pinched him. "This is what I’ve earned through sleepless nights. We each have nearly five or six chests of clothes—we won’t need new ones for the next year or two. But renting a house and paying bribes in our new post will cost us dearly."

She revealed their savings to Jiang Xian to prevent him from succumbing to corruption once he assumed office, which would ruin his reputation forever.

Jiang Xian dared not argue. He followed Jin Niang’s instructions, exchanging the money for a counterfoil (half of the exchange certificate) at the Pingjiang Army’s financial office, to be redeemed once they settled in.

While Jiang Xian arranged for a boat, Jin Niang oversaw packing at home, instructing everyone to bring only essentials. She had Ju Xiang prepare pickled vegetables, pastries, salted duck eggs, and cured dishes.

As they were nearly ready to depart, Luo Yue arrived. Jin Niang smiled. "You came at the perfect time—I have something for you."

Since Jiang Xian became a Jinshi, relatives had gifted them brocade. Jin Niang had set aside eight rolls for her mother, saying, "If you don’t want them, you can exchange them for over 30 strings of cash at the pawnbroker. Also, I’ve given 80 candles to my brother so he won’t need to buy more."

"That’s not why I’m here. It’s about your elder sister," Luo Yue said, thinking of Rong Niang upon hearing of her son-in-law’s appointment to Wu County.

Jin Niang asked what had happened. Luo Yue explained, "The year you gave birth to Yun Jie, your sister was caught having affairs by her husband. He demanded we take her back, but she had been unfaithful multiple times—first with a minor official, then caught in the act again. She couldn’t even defend herself. How could I allow her to live with us? So, her husband said he’d gotten rid of the lover and only wanted a divorce, sending her away to remarry elsewhere, lest she ruin the children’s reputations. If we refused, he’d divorce her outright..."

Jin Niang was stunned. "Was Feng Sheng so eager because he wanted to marry Lou Siniang?"

"Perhaps so, but how could we have known at the time? We were more afraid he would divorce your elder sister, which would tarnish all our reputations and force us to take her in. So, your father and I discussed it with Rong Niang—we pretended to agree to Feng Sheng’s demand to marry her off elsewhere, but in truth, we sent her back to Anlu Prefecture. This way, we could also recover the 200 guan of dowry money Feng Sheng returned, giving her some capital even if she remarried." Luo Yuhuang and Wei Xiong even had someone write a letter to Wei Xiong's comrade in Anlu Prefecture, so she'd have someone looking out for her later.

Jin Niang thought this was indeed a solution. Feng Sheng, eager to marry Lou Siniang, didn’t want to prolong the dispute. It was best for Rong Niang to take the money and leave. Of course, it was also possible Feng Sheng had set a trap, but then again, if she didn’t take the bait, he could do nothing. Or worse—if Feng Sheng saw Rong Niang refusing to comply, would he resort to poisoning or murder...

The main issue was that Rong Niang couldn’t even explain how she had been caught in the act.

Feng Sheng’s carrot-and-stick approach was downright convincing.

Luo Yuhuang continued, "Somehow, Rong Niang insisted that your father and I find that low-ranking clerk she’d been involved with before. That man was infatuated—he even quit his job, saying he would take your sister back to his hometown in Wu County. As the saying goes, the first marriage is decided by parents, the second by oneself. We were only her uncle and aunt; if she was determined to remarry, we couldn’t stop her. After checking his credentials and physical description, we agreed. Your father and I even spent two qian of silver to buy her food for the journey, gave her some cured meat from home, and sent them on their way."

Jin Niang finally understood why her mother had acted strangely whenever Rong Niang’s death was mentioned in recent years. But she still wondered, "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"If we had told you, what if you confronted Feng Sheng? If even a word of this leaked, what would the Jiang family think of you? Your mother may have a temper, but I’m not foolish. We also promised Feng Sheng never to speak of it again. Besides, Feng Sheng has been good to Lin Geer and Guan Geer. If not for your move to Wu County, where you might run into Rong Niang and be shocked, I wouldn’t have told you any of this now." Luo Yuhuang finally let go of the secret she'd been carrying for years.