Chapter 86

**Chapter 86**

After returning to the boat, Jin Niang asked Nanny Ma to first teach the three new maids the household rules before assigning them to their respective duties. She then quietly called A Ying over and gave her a pair of gold earrings shaped like interlocking victory charms.

“These past few days while I was away, you’ve worked hard,” Jin Niang said with a smile.

A Ying quickly shook her head. “This maid hardly did anything.”

Jin Niang then mentioned how they had brought in servants from the Dou family and added, “Though we’re not an official’s household, we often find ourselves short-handed when things come up. Once Nanny Ma has trained them properly, your workload will be lighter.”

Managing a small group is easier; with more people, you need someone to manage them properly.

On the journey from Yangzhou to Suzhou, Jin Niang reorganized the finances. As she looked through the gifts given by Madam Dou—aside from a set of jewelry for herself—there were twenty taels of silver as travel funds, two jars of salted duck eggs from Gaoyou, six boxes of pastries, six boxes of dried fruits, and two handkerchiefs.

Since it was the height of summer and the pastries wouldn’t keep long, she sent one box to the boat crew, rewarded the servants with two boxes, delivered another to Legal Advisor Song, and kept two for her own family to eat.

“Jin Niang, we’ll arrive in just a few days,” Jiang Xian said, his tone tinged with excitement.

Jin Niang also breathed a sigh of relief. “The past two months have been exhausting, but now we can finally see some light. I’ve already told them to start packing so we won’t be running around like panicked chickens later.”

As for the three servants from the Dou family, they had already received some basic training there. Now, Nanny Ma was teaching them the specific rules of the Jiang household, emphasizing: “Our mistress is kind-hearted and fair-minded. Serving her doesn’t require night shifts, and the monthly wage is two mace of silver. She’s also promised to help prepare a dowry for each of you when the time comes. Just remember this one thing—you must behave yourselves and never act behind her back.”

That was the most important rule. After all, since Master Jiang now held an official position, if any servant accepted bribes secretly, it could endanger him.

“Also, those assigned to serve the young master and young lady must be patient. Your monthly wage is also two mace of silver, and when the children grow up, you’ll be handsomely rewarded.”

Before disembarking, Jin Niang assigned a skilled and reserved seamstress to her own service, giving her the new name Qing Rong. A gentle and attentive maid named Jiao Xing was sent to serve Yun Jieer, while a lively and pretty maid was assigned to Ning Geer.

Nanny Ma smiled. “Mistress has made excellent choices.”

Qing Rong complemented A Ying well, without trying to steal the spotlight, and was quite capable. Jiao Xing and Xi Qiu would both serve Yun Jieer together—since Xi Qiu wasn’t naturally assertive, pairing her with a hot-headed maid would only lead to chaos in the young lady’s quarters. As for Ning Geer, being less than a year old, Nurse Ma alone was responsible for his care. Having a hot-headed maid nearby might make her uneasy.

If servants clashed frequently, trouble would inevitably arise. While the mistress could keep things in hand while she was around, unexpected problems could easily occur once she left.

“Nanny Ma, since the luggage is mostly packed, have them sweep up any mess on the floor in their rooms and straighten the furniture,” Jin Niang instructed. In her previous life, whenever she stayed at a hotel, she always tidied up before leaving—after all, a good reputation takes time to build.

Upon disembarking, they were greeted by officials sent by Magistrate Hou of Wu County. Jin Niang and the others boarded sedan chairs while outside, people came to formally greet Jiang Xian. These men introduced themselves—one was the infantry chief, the other the cavalry chief, and beneath them were dozens of mounted bowmen providing escort.

From the dock, they entered Pingjiang City. They found that both the Wu County office and the Pingjiang Prefecture office were located within the same city walls. Magistrate Hou himself stood at the gate to welcome Jiang Xian and host a banquet in his honor. Naturally, these formalities didn’t involve Jin Niang. As they proceeded toward the inner residence, the stone-paved path led them past the rear hall to the quarters designated for the County Sheriff’s household.

Keeping her veil on the whole time, Jin Niang refrained from looking around too conspicuously. Fortunately, the magistrate’s wife had sent an elderly matron to guide them, who enthusiastically explained, “Madam, this residence was renovated two years ago. The front corridor has eight pillars, with studies and tearooms to the east and west. The main hall has five chambers.”

When Jin Niang entered the main hall, she was struck by how bright and airy it was. “This place is quite well-lit,” she couldn’t help but remark.

The matron chuckled. “Here in the south, we have plenty of clamshells. When ground into thin sheets, they’re quite durable—not only do they let in light, but they’re also fireproof, waterproof, and windproof.”

Jin Niang thought this was far superior to paper windows. Looking around the inner chambers, she found them lavishly furnished—a flower stand with amber inlay beside the curtains, a lacquered black daybed, a marble screen, and a small ebony table inlaid with cloud-patterned stone...

She instantly fell in love with the place.

“Matron, who lives in the neighboring courtyard?” Jin Niang asked.

The matron clapped her hands. “That’s where our county magistrate and his wife live. Our two households are separated only by a paved path.”

When Jin Niang asked about the scribe and others, the matron replied, “Scribe Han’s family lives to the east. His wife is just as good-natured as yourself, Madam.”

After chatting for a while, Jin Niang rewarded the matron with a finely embroidered purse containing a few dozen coppers. Delighted, the matron beamed before finally returning to her mistress.

After the visitor left, Jin Niang instructed the servants to begin cleaning and tidying up.

The three central rooms were, of course, for the married couple, while their son and daughter would stay in the adjacent side rooms. Of the eight rooms along the front corridor, three were designated as a small kitchen, which Jin Niang assigned to Ju Xiang. The remaining five were allocated to the servants: one for Fang Ma, one for A Ying and Qing Rong, one for Xi Qiu and Jiao Xing, one for Chen Xiaolang and his wife, and one for Liu Douer. As for Nanny Ma and Pei Lan, they would reside in Ning Geer’s room, so no further arrangements were needed.

Legal Advisor Song and the two attendants were likely to be housed in the clerks’ quarters, so Jin Niang didn’t need to make accommodations for them.

As for their main rooms, Jin Niang had bamboo mats laid out, with soft pillows covered in white crane and magnolia-patterned pillowcases. The bed canopy was made of light gauze in the same magnolia hue, while the entrance curtain was replaced with an Xiang bamboo blind, and the inner chamber’s curtain was changed to a jade-colored gauze blind.

Their home also boasted a rosewood screen gifted by Chancellor Liu, along with a dressing table and jewelry boxes, all carefully arranged.

Over the years, Jin Niang’s jewelry collection had grown by three additional cases. Including the set of head ornaments from Second Madam Dou and her own pre-marriage acquisitions, she now had six cases of gold and silver jewelry in total.

As they were tidying up, two maids dressed in green satin jackets with white piping arrived, claiming to have been sent by Madam Registrar Han.

"Our mistress said that since it’s late today, she feared the County Sheriff’s Lady might not have dined yet, so she sent over a few dishes to supplement your meal."

Jin Niang watched as Qing Rong received the dishes, and the two maids helped set them on the Eight Immortals table outside—six dishes and a soup: fermented red shad, roasted goose, assorted spring pickles, rich cured duck, stir-fried wolfberries, cold shepherd’s purse salad, and a golden-hued chicken soup.

She hadn’t been hungry earlier, but the sight of the meal stirred her appetite. She thought to herself that Madam Registrar Han was truly considerate. Jin Niang smiled and said, "I should have visited all the ladies today, but with our household just arriving, there’s been too much to handle, and I couldn’t get away. Please thank your mistress for sending this feast—I’ll pay her a visit in person tomorrow."

With that, she rewarded each maid with a string of cash before they withdrew.

A Ying chuckled, "County Sheriff’s Lady, this Madam Registrar seems quite pleasant."

"It’s only the first day. We’ll know their true nature after spending more time together," Jin Niang replied with a smile.

Just then, the kitchen sent over another meal, reportedly ordered by the County Magistrate—a full forty dishes, including tea sweets, sweet pastries, flaky oil pastries, and various wine accompaniments.

Jin Niang personally selected some suitable dishes to send to Yun Jieer and had Fang Ma distribute the rest among the servants. She then went to check the arrangements in the study and her children’s rooms.

Pei Lan, the newly assigned maid for Ning Geer, had already tidied the room neatly, earning Jin Niang’s praise.

While she was busy, the wives of the yamen officials were quietly gathering information about her. The County Magistrate’s Lady listened as the old maidservant reported, "County Sheriff’s Lady has dozens of trunks. She wore a gold-woven skirt embroidered with jade hairpin flowers at the hem, and a jacket stitched with gold thread. On her head was a row of jade hairpin flower ornaments, and around her neck, a crystal necklace. She looked quite imposing. Though her household doesn’t have many servants, they all behave properly—no unruly sorts among them."

With that, the old maidservant produced the pouch Jin Niang had given her.

The County Magistrate’s Lady examined it—the pouch was made of satin—and nodded knowingly. "I heard from my husband that County Sheriff Jiang is very young, a talented scholar. From what you’ve said, his wife must also be from an official family. Otherwise, she wouldn’t carry herself with such grace."

The old maidservant agreed. "You’re absolutely right."

"But you didn’t mention the matter of County Sheriff Mei taking the east courtyard, did you?" the County Magistrate’s Lady asked with a frown.

The old maidservant hastily waved her hands. "I wouldn’t dare mention that!"

As it turned out, Wu County was a large county, so it typically had two County Sheriffs—one civil and one military. The civil County Sheriff was usually a jinshi from the imperial examinations, requiring high qualifications in literacy and legal knowledge to reduce wrongful cases. The military County Sheriff, on the other hand, was often a martial official responsible for suppressing local rebellions, arresting criminals, patrolling, and pursuing bandits.

County Sheriff Mei had taken over his uncle’s post and was thus familiar with the yamen. Knowing that the west courtyard of the County Sheriff’s residence was adjacent to the clerks’ quarters, while the east courtyard was near the residences of the Scribe and County Magistrate, he feigned ignorance and had his servants move his belongings into the east courtyard.

In this dynasty, civil officials generally held higher status than military ones. Moreover, since County Sheriff Jiang was a jinshi, he should rightfully reside in the east courtyard. But given the situation, asking County Sheriff Mei to vacate would be improper—as there was no explicit rule dictating which County Sheriff should occupy which courtyard.

The County Magistrate’s Lady then asked, "What did you think of County Sheriff Jiang’s wife’s temperament?"

The old maidservant pondered before answering, "Eloquent and precise, always to the point, and gracefully composed."

"Good. I understand. Since she said she’d visit tomorrow, we’ll wait and see," the County Magistrate’s Lady concluded.

Compared to the County Magistrate’s Lady, Madam Registrar Han’s inquiries were more about how to establish goodwill. Her maid reported, "County Sheriff’s Lady’s home has a rosewood screen, premium bamboo mats on the bed, and her attire was clearly costly. She seems extraordinary."

Madam Registrar Han nodded. "I see. I was just wondering what to give her as a return gift tomorrow. Given her tastes, I’ll prepare my pair of peony hairpins housed in rosewood."

Before the words were fully spoken, a slender and graceful woman appeared at the door. Her eyebrows were lightly drawn, her lips small like cherries, dressed in a soft blue blouse and an apricot-yellow skirt.

The Registrar’s wife stood up and said, “It’s Madam Bao.”

Madam Bao was Sheriff Mei’s wife. Their courtyards were adjacent, both located on the east side. The Registrar’s wife had always been generous, and the two got along well.

Madam Bao smiled and said, “It’s so hot today, I couldn’t be bothered to go out. I heard there’s a newcomer.”

“Yes,” replied the Registrar’s wife cheerfully, “earlier the County Magistrate held a welcome banquet for Sheriff Jiang, who brought his wife and children with him. From now on, we officials’ wives can visit each other and liven things up.”

In the county office, only the County Magistrate, the Registrar, and the Sheriffs were considered true officials. The rest were low-ranking clerks without official rank. Though these clerks wielded considerable power, they were worlds apart from actual officials.

Madam Bao sat down, waved her fan idly a few times, and smiled again. “I wonder what background the new sheriff’s wife has?”

“We’ll see her tomorrow,” the Registrar’s wife replied gently.

Meanwhile, Jin Niang was having Qing Rong iron and perfume the clothes she would wear the next day. She also sent Chen Xiaolang to inquire about water delivery and learned that there were only seven drinking wells in the city, with a bucket of water costing seven or eight coins. She immediately gave twenty coins and instructed Chen Xiaolang to arrange for water to be delivered promptly.

At home, she had a brazier and boiled water, filling two iron flasks.

Hearing that the main kitchen had a dedicated hot water service, Jin Niang sent Min Zhi to handle it. Now that she was a married woman, she had more leeway than the maids.

Ju Xiang had previously managed the kitchen and still oversaw the three small kitchens. Along with her clothes and money, she had also brought an iron pot, as well as some firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy, and vinegar—just in case supplies were hard to come by in a new place.

After the two banquets at home, she carefully stored the decent leftovers in the cupboard, as the mistress had always emphasized not wasting food. If the mistress grew peckish later, she could simply reheat them.

The mistress had once asked if she wanted to marry, but Ju Xiang wasn’t interested. Marriage didn’t appeal to her—it didn’t seem all that great. If her husband turned out to be a bad man, where would she go afterward? It was better to stay with the mistress.

She had no worries about food, clothing, or shelter, and the mistress paid her generously. As someone who loved good food, working in the kitchen meant she never went hungry—better than anything outside.

Besides, the mistress was now connected to officialdom. If she stayed, her future prospects would be even brighter.

Still, the kitchen was missing a few things. She needed to clean the iron pot and make a market run the next day—all matters she had to discuss with the mistress. After hearing her out, Jin Niang said, “I’d fret if you wandered out alone in an unfamiliar place. Tomorrow morning, whip up some congee and prepare the preserved duck eggs and any decent leftovers from today for breakfast. After I eat, I’ll visit the County Magistrate and the Registrar’s wife to seek their advice. Later, we’ll need to buy a horse and a donkey cart. Then Chen Xiaolang can take you shopping with the cart.”

Ju Xiang grinned. “Understood, mistress. I noticed the brazier takes ages to boil water, so I thought I’d heat some in the kitchen and send it to the young master’s and mistress’s chambers.”

“But we haven’t bought firewood yet?” Jin Niang asked.

Ju Xiang gave a sheepish laugh. “I brought some with me.”

Naturally, Jin Niang praised her for being so thorough, and Ju Xiang glowed at the praise.

At home, Jin Niang banned unboiled water entirely, fearing it might upset their stomachs, so everything had to be boiled.

Once everything was settled, Jin Niang waited for the hot water to arrive, bathed, washed her hair, and changed into sleeping robes, finally feeling much more comfortable. Fang Ma also came after washing up to discuss gift-giving with Jin Niang.

“So, you mean the gifts should be of equal value but with slight differences?” Jin Niang asked.

Fang Ma nodded. “Though the County Magistrate’s wife holds the highest rank, we can’t afford to offend the Registrar’s wife or the other sheriff’s wife either.”

Jin Niang agreed. If someone was prone to overthinking, they would do so regardless. For this round of gifts, she decided to give each lady one bolt of patterned silk gauze, one bolt of high-quality crepe, two boxes of exquisite artificial flowers, two jars of Huixianlou’s fine wine, one cake of dragon-phoenix tribute tea, a packet of bird’s nest, and a packet of southern incense.

For a first meeting, too grand a gift might seem improper.

She had A Ying fetch the gifts and carefully labeled them with tags.

By the time they had everything sorted, Jiang Xian returned, dead drunk. A new official’s arrival inevitably involved drinking. Jin Niang personally mixed him honey water, handed it to him, and then had hot water sent over.

With that, Fang Ma and the others withdrew. After washing up, Jiang Xian saw that the room had been perfectly arranged and felt relieved. He took Jin Niang’s hand and said, “Today, I observed that the County Magistrate is domineering, treating his subordinates like servants. Even his advisors carry an air of arrogance. I’ll probably have to lie low for a while.”

"Husband, is Magistrate Hou from a noble family?" Jin Niang asked.

Jiang Xian shook his head. "I had someone look into it. It turns out Magistrate Hou was originally the son of a timber merchant. His family later made their fortune and supported his education, enabling him to earn his jinshi degree. He's been serving in Wu County for four years but hasn't received a promotion. Then there's Scribe Han, who got his position through family connections, and Sheriff Mei, our local military officer."

Jin Niang took note of this information and brought over the list she and Madam Fang had prepared for Jiang Xian's review. After checking it, he found nothing wrong, and the couple finally went to bed.

In the morning, Ju Xiang prepared breakfast, which Qing Rong carried in—simple congee with pickles, surprisingly delicious.

Jin Niang also mentioned buying a horse: "It would make getting around more convenient for us in the future."

Jiang Xian smiled. "Let Cao Da pick it out. They've ridden warhorses before—they know their stuff."

"That sounds good," Jin Niang agreed.

Since his wife handled everything at home, Jiang Xian didn’t have much to worry about. After brushing her teeth and changing clothes, Jin Niang visited the magistrate’s wife first.

The magistrate’s wife, Madam Qi, had an oval face, a high forehead, delicate features, almond-shaped eyes like water chestnuts, and lips like red lotus petals, giving her a dignified and composed appearance.

Jin Niang had A Ying and Qing Rong present the gifts along with a gift roster, saying, "Thank you for sending directions yesterday—we wouldn’t have been totally lost without your help."

Madam Qi was very pleased with the gift list. She also noticed Jin Niang wearing a silver-white beizi with small chrysanthemum patterns and a green collar. Her figure was perfectly balanced, and she radiated elegance and intelligence.

Moreover, Jin Niang was not aloof or pretentious; instead, she spoke with grace and consideration.

After only a few exchanges, once Jin Niang had left, Madam Qi summoned her elderly maid to prepare some of her favorite jewelry and clothing as return gifts.

Next, Jin Niang went to visit the registrar’s wife. Gentle by nature and surnamed Tian, Madam Tian resembled a delicate beauty—her skin translucent, her eyes crinkling when she smiled.

Compared to Madam Qi, Madam Tian was clearly easier to approach.

Jin Niang thanked her first: "Thank you for yesterday’s feast."

"If you enjoyed it, feel free to come visit anytime. We live close by, so visiting is easy enough," Madam Tian replied warmly. Her hospitality wasn’t without reason.

Her husband had obtained his official post through family ties. While those who passed the imperial exams could expect promotions every three years, those with family connections had to wait four years, and even then, their career advancement was limited—they couldn’t serve as censors, secretaries, lecturers, historians, or envoys.

Therefore, Madam Tian sought to build relationships to secure favorable evaluations for her husband’s future promotion.

Finally, Jin Niang visited Sheriff Mei’s wife, Madam Bao. Fashionably dressed with an alluring figure and considerable charm, Madam Bao took Jin Niang’s hand and led her inside. After exchanging ages, they discovered Madam Bao was one year older, so she addressed Jin Niang as “Wei-jie,” saying, “I should have visited you first—it’s improper that you came to me.”

“I’m new here and will need your guidance, elder sister,” Jin Niang replied. Normally, civil officers outranked military ones, but since Madam Bao waited for her to visit first, Jin Niang understood that Madam Bao was proud and yielded gracefully.

For now, knowing little, she preferred not to make enemies.

Madam Bao served tea and chatted amiably. With quick wit, she shared many things: “Wu County is prosperous—officials who come here never want to leave.”

This seemed like a subtle dig at Magistrate Hou’s family. Jin Niang’s eyes flickered, but she smiled and said, “Since our husbands are both sheriffs, we must get along well in the future.”

Madam Bao felt respected by these words. Seeing that Jin Niang was genuine and not pretentious, she actually began to like her. She added, “I won’t keep you long. Later on, the wives of the clerks, record-keepers, and the Chief will come to pay their respects.”

Indeed, after returning home, Jin Niang received small tokens from the two Chiefs’ wives. As subordinates of the sheriff, they were eager to please. When she asked about Pingjiang City, they answered freely, sharing everything they knew.

While they were talking, return gifts arrived from the magistrate’s wife and the registrar’s wife.

Looking at the lists, Jin Niang saw that Madam Qi had sent a set of lake-green damask narrow-sleeved beizi with magnolia patterns, a matching pleated skirt with floral motifs, a tube top, an undergarment, and a pair of hairpin vases. Madam Tian had given a pair of solid gold floral hairpins, a fan with gold-leaf designs, a length of brocade fabric with grand floral designs, and baskets of white fish, silver fish, and white shrimp.

Shortly afterward, Madam Bao sent two trays of steamed treats—one with sweet bean paste dumplings, the other with mushroom-filled buns—along with a bolt of ramie silk and a pair of gourd-shaped pouches.

To each messenger delivering these gifts, Jin Niang gave a silk handkerchief and a silver coin.

Madam Qi also sent word that in the coming days, their families would take turns hosting welcome gatherings for Jin Niang. Jin Niang did not feign modesty, simply saying it would be a joyous occasion among sisters. Her manner led the other wives at the county office to believe she was indeed born into an official family.

Yet Jin Niang had already decided to make friends with Madam Bao first.

A Ying was confused: "What's the reasoning? The clerk's wife said Madam Bao is hard to deal with—she’s a clique-former, strict with her subordinates, envious of talent, and often bullies Madam Registrar, who has a gentle disposition."

"I have my own reasons. First, her husband is the County Sheriff of the military branch. If discord among the women leads to conflict between our husbands in their official duties, the consequences could be serious. Second, if I secretly befriend her, she'll overlook me—I’ll stay out of her line of fire," Jin Niang said calmly.

A Ying suddenly understood. Her mistress had already transformed into someone new. No wonder she had risen to become the chief embroiderer in the embroidery academy and head of the embroidery workshop—all thanks to her insight and decisiveness. Becoming an official’s wife or a lady of rank was her goal, and through her social skills, she even managed to make Shiliulang seek her favor.