Chapter 87

Chapter 87

By the afternoon, Cao Da came to request funds to purchase a horse and a donkey-drawn cart. The horse he had his eye on cost 25 guan, while the donkey was priced at 8 guan, totaling 33 guan. Behind their inner residence stood a dedicated garden with pavilions, terraces, and jagged rockeries, and near the garden was a stable for convenient access.

However, Jin Niang asked Cao Da, "In Kaifeng, a mid-tier horse usually costs around 18 guan. Does the 25-guan horse you mentioned come with a carriage?"

Only then did Cao Da return to the merchant to negotiate the addition of a carriage and shafts, finalizing the deal at 30 taels.

Since the donkey cart was mainly used for hauling goods and groceries, it was covered with sturdy green wool fabric. The horse carriage, intended for their personal use, was adorned with premium fabric. Jin Niang’s embroidery shop had once handled a wide range of business, so such work was effortless—completed in just half a day. Chen Xiaolang fitted the adornments, making it look splendid.

With the carriage ready, Jin Niang said to Jiang Xian, "Don’t forget one important thing—we must withdraw our 4,000 guan."

Jiang Xian quickly replied, "I remember, but I’ve just taken office. Dragging so many chests of money back from the goldsmith’s shop wouldn’t look good."

"This time, there’s no need to exchange it for copper coins. Find a reputable goldsmith in Jieshen Alley and have it all cast into tapered gold ingots of twelve and a half taels each. Make sure it’s pure gold—don’t let them cheat you with alloyed gold. That way, just one chest containing thirty-odd ingots will suffice," Jin Niang instructed.

Jiang Xian asked, "Wife, if we convert it all into gold ingots, what about our daily expenses?"

"These 4,000 guan are our emergency reserve—we can’t touch them from now on. Didn’t I tell you before that we have over 5,000 guan? With 4,000 guan saved, we’ll carry 500 guan, and the remaining 500-plus guan, I had the goldsmith in Bianjing craft into gold and silver tableware for us. Even when hosting guests, we’ll have something presentable."

With that, Jin Niang took out a key and opened a chest to show him.

Jiang Xian looked inside and saw silver fruit and vegetable dishes inlaid with gardenia motifs, each plate center engraved with clustered floral patterns—peonies, chrysanthemums, peonies, lotuses, a bundle of lotus, camellias, hibiscus, rose of Sharon, gardenias, and water chestnut flowers. There were also five gilded silver water chestnut cups, their rims shaped like plum blossoms, hollyhocks, water chestnut flowers, gardenias, and thousand-petal lotuses, with matching patterns inside. Additionally, there were two gold cups, a gold hibiscus, a gold sunflower, a silver narcissus stem cup, and a silver chrysanthemum cup.

"These are beautiful! We can use them to entertain guests," Jiang Xian said with a smile.

Jin Niang replied, "That depends on who you’re entertaining. Since you’re new here, ostentation is best avoided. Flaunting wealth could invite envy."

Jiang Xian agreed, but his wife added, "Right now, we only have 256 taels on hand. I plan to make that last for over a year, so from now on, we must be frugal. That’s the only way to sustain ourselves long-term."

Living too frugally takes the joy out of life, but being too extravagant leaves no room for the future.

Jiang Xian had no objections—his wife had always managed the household finances, and there had never been a shortage of funds.

After settling these matters, Jin Niang mentioned that the County Magistrate's Wife would host a welcoming banquet for her in the garden the next day. Jiang Xian then brought up something hesitantly, fearing she might be upset: "Someone inquired about your background, so I told them that while your family isn’t from a prominent official lineage, you are wealthy yet refined, with a scholarly air at home."

"I was planning to say the same. There’s nothing wrong with that," Jin Niang said. Just as ordinary people polish their credentials when seeking opportunities, especially in this era of strict feudal hierarchies, she took pride in having built her own fortune from humble beginnings. But with strangers, honesty could invite ridicule—so a little embellishment was fine, as long as it wasn’t excessive.

Jiang Xian sighed in relief. His wife truly understood human nature—far from being rigid.

Meanwhile, the Magistrate's Wife had arranged a banquet in the county office’s rear garden. That day, Jin Niang wore a dark green, gold-patterned silk *beizi* with assorted treasure motifs over a gauze outer layer, paired with a pine-blossom yellow tube top embroidered with floral branches and an ivory pleated skirt. Around her neck was a crystal necklace, and on her wrist, a kingfisher-feather bracelet.

Among the attendees, the Magistrate's Wife wore her hair in multiple loops, adorned with pearls, jade, a golden phoenix hairpin, a golden hair clasp, and a golden comb—her porcelain beauty meticulously adorned. Scribe’s Wife Tian was also meticulously dressed, her hair in a dragon-curl bun with floral hairpins, pearl blossoms, and two cat’s-eye rings.

Compared to these two, County Sheriff’s Lady Bao’s jewelry was less extravagant, but her attire was more striking. Her hair was styled in layered clouds, with a single gold hairpin slanting to one side. Her silver-red tube top glimmered under diaphanous gauze, creating an alluring effect.

When the women exchanged greetings, they all admired Jin Niang’s elegant and noble appearance.

Seating was arranged according to status: at the head seat, the Magistrate's Wife occupied the place of honor, followed by Scribe’s Wife Tian, Jin Niang, and County Sheriff’s Lady Bao.

The second table was reserved for clerks’ wives.

During the banquet, the Magistrate's Wife had two maids skilled in music sing “Moon on the West River” and “Partridge in the Sky.” The wife of a clerk, standing to pour wine, kept the mood convivial.

"The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. Since County Sheriff’s Lady has come all the way from Bianjing, you may not know that though our town is small, it’s bustling. Noble households hang lanterns and decorations, while commoners make merry through the night."

Jin Niang smiled. "Wu County is the capital of Pingjiang Army and has always been prosperous. Though I’ve only glimpsed its scenery since disembarking, I can already sense its spirited elegance."

"Might Sister Wei have children?" Scribe’s Wife Tian asked with a smile.

Jin Niang said, "I have a son and a daughter, both still young, so it's not convenient to bring them out. What about you, Lady Tian?"

Lady Tian replied, "I had a son last year, but he didn’t survive. Fortunately, I later gave birth to another boy, who is now barely three years old." She then added, "My predecessor also had a daughter, who has already married and moved to the Western Capital (Luoyang)."

To Jin Niang’s surprise, Lady Tian turned out to be a second wife—a 'replacement wife' after the first’s death—which astonished her even more given the woman’s candidness. However, she avoided dwelling on the topic and instead steered the conversation toward safer subjects like fashionable jewelry, silk flowers, rouge, and fabrics.

Once the banquet concluded, the ladies gathered in the corridor to play pitch-pot, backgammon, and grass-weaving competitions. Though Jin Niang had practiced backgammon several times on the boat, she still lost two taels of silver to Bao Niangzi, who laughed so hard she shook like a flower in the wind upon her victory.

Later, while Bao Niangzi excused herself to use the privy, Chief Qin’s wife pulled Jin Niang behind the rock garden and whispered, "County Sheriff’s Wife, you may not know this, but the eastern courtyard—twenty rooms altogether—should rightfully be yours. The Mei family forcibly took it. Hearing of this injustice, many of us are outraged for you."

Chief Qin’s wife harbored disdain for Bao Niangzi, particularly due to her flirtatious air. In contrast, Jin Niang’s refined speech and gracious manners won her favor, prompting her to share this information in hopes of gaining Jin Niang’s trust.

Naturally, Jin Niang welcomed such overtures. As the saying goes, "It takes three helpers to back a hero." Without supporters, one lacks influence and access to information.

However, in front of Chief Qin’s wife, Jin Niang replied diplomatically, "Both our families hold the same rank as County Sheriff. Since they’ve already moved in, let them stay. I find Bao Niangzi quite decent—let’s not dwell on past grievances."

"You are truly generous," praised Chief Qin’s wife.

Jin Niang waved her hand dismissively. "As the proverb says, 'A hundred years of virtue earns a shared boat ride.' I believe in returning ten times the kindness I receive. Since my arrival, Bao Niangzi has treated me with nothing but courtesy."

As she spoke, she faintly heard rustling branches behind her but pretended not to notice, continuing with polite, measured words. Chief Qin’s wife nodded in admiration until they were called back to the gathering.

Unbeknownst to them, Bao Niangzi emerged from behind the tree only after they had left.

Bao Niangzi had once been the personal maid of Commissioner Zhaoxuan’s wife and had been taken as a concubine by the Commissioner at a young age. County Sheriff Mei, originally a personal guard under the Commissioner’s command, later paid two hundred taels of silver to secure his current post. When the Commissioner’s wife learned that County Sheriff Mei was widowed, she arranged Bao Niangzi’s marriage to him, solving two problems at once.

Due to her background, Bao Niangzi refused to resign herself to fate. Upon arriving at the county office, she bonded with Lady Tian over their shared status as second wives. However, Lady Tian’s substantial dowry, the birth of a son, and her beauty soon earned her greater favor with Magistrate’s Wife.

"What difference is there between inherited-title officials and military men? Both are looked down upon by civil officials who earned their titles through the imperial exams," Bao Niangzi thought bitterly.

Yet Magistrate’s Wife clearly favored Lady Tian—so much so that even when the military governor’s wife visited recently, Lady Tian was excluded from the reception.

Initially, Bao Niangzi had hoped to assess the new County Sheriff, rumored to be a jinshi (metropolitan exam graduate). To her surprise, Wei Shi (Jin Niang) carried herself with grace and courtesy, devoid of any arrogance, suggesting a scholarly upbringing yet free from elitism.

After the banquet, Bao Niangzi visited Jin Niang the next day with embroidery, and Jin Niang introduced her daughter, Yun Jieer, apologizing, "My son is only a year old—still too young and undisciplined to meet you, sister."

Touched, Bao Niangzi later sent a silver necklace as a gift, which Jin Niang promptly had her daughter wear, further endearing herself to Bao Niangzi.

Following Magistrate’s Wife’s banquet, Lady Tian was expected to host next, but the Mid-Autumn Festival intervened, and the ladies agreed to postpone their gathering until after the holiday.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xian successfully exchanged the cash for gold ingots, which the couple securely stored away.

Jin Niang smiled. "From now on, we’ll act as though those four thousand guàn (strings of cash) never existed—we must spend frugally."

"But my dear, the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. We must prepare gifts," Jiang Xian fretted.

Jin Niang reassured him, "Just some mooncakes and seasonal fruits—hardly costly."

Jiang Xian frowned. "Didn’t you once send crabs to Chancellor Liu’s household? Those weren’t cheap."

Jin Niang shook her head. "That was because you were his dependent. Now that you hold office, a simple courtesy visit suffices. I’ve consulted Bao Niangzi and Lady Tian—they do the same."

She then instructed Ju Xiang to buy watermelons and pomegranates and inquired with Chief Qin’s wife about renowned pastry shops in town. After sampling some, she selected two boxes of treats along with fruits to deliver to the other three households in the county office.

Watermelons, with their many seeds, symbolized fertility and prosperity, while their red flesh represented reunion and joy—perfect for the festive occasion.

Lady Tian reciprocated with fresh-cut, dewy flowers, two boxes of rose-scented cakes, and a basket of grapes.

A Ying giggled. "This is all new to us! Rose-scented cakes are something we’ve never tasted before!"

"I think so too," Jin Niang said, also taking a piece to taste. Unlike the usual greasy pastries, this rose pastry was refreshingly sweet without any bitterness.

Tian Niangzi happened to pass by with her son. Upon hearing Jin Niang praising the rose pastry, she immediately shared the recipe. Jin Niang responded enthusiastically, "When I have time later, I’ll definitely ask the kitchen to make it."

Tian Niangzi's son was named Dong Geer. The boy had delicate features but appeared somewhat frail. However, it was common for children to fall ill easily—even Yun Jie'er had once suffered from diarrhea for several days before recovering.

The two women continued chatting about their children. Jin Niang even kept a special notebook recording her children’s daily routines, which Tian Niangzi found fascinating.

After Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhongqiu), Qi Niangzi fell ill. When Jin Niang visited her, she found Qi pale and wearing a headband (moe). "Please lie down," Jin Niang urged. "We’re here to visit, not to trouble you."

Qi Niangzi's illness was mostly related to women’s health or emotional distress. She had no children of her own, while her husband’s concubines did. Although they treated her respectfully, who could predict what the future held?

Therefore, she wished to visit a temple to pray, but going alone would be inappropriate. She said to Jin Niang, "Sister Wei, since your arrival, I haven't taken you out. Once I recover, let’s go together to Zijin Nunnery (Zijin An)."

Jin Niang readily agreed.

As she left, she noticed a young woman with twin buns entering the magistrate’s residence carrying acupuncture tools. Jin Niang asked Qi Niangzi's maid, "Is she a physician?"

"She is the county’s female coroner (nü wuzuo), though she also knows some medicine. Our lady often suffers from chills, and a few needles from her always bring relief," the maid replied.

Female coroners were usually referred to as "midwives" or "wise women," mainly responsible for examining female anatomy. This one was unusually young and unmarried—an unusual choice for such a role—but her mother was a female physician (nü yi), and she loved solving cases. Thus, following in her father’s footsteps, she became an exceptional female coroner.

This was Jin Niang’s first encounter with a female coroner, and she found it quite novel.

That evening, when Jiang Xian returned home, the weather had turned slightly cooler. Dinner consisted of light, appetizing dishes rather than greasy ones. Jin Niang told him, "The magistrate’s wife invited us to Zijin Nunnery in three days."

"To pray? Well, that’s good—you’ll get some fresh air," Jiang Xian smiled.

He was pleased that his wife was becoming more sociable. Back in the capital, she had been somewhat reclusive, but since moving here, she had become friendlier. He thought that before, she only needed to focus on embroidery, not social interactions. Here, however, relationships mattered greatly—sometimes even offering glimpses into official affairs.

"Xian-lang, how are things between you and County Sheriff Mei?" Jin Niang asked as she served him soup.

Jiang Xian nodded. "Well enough. He’s shrewd and capable, mingling with all sorts yet never reckless with me."

Relieved, Jin Niang said, "I don’t understand official matters, but it never hurts to stay cautious."

That was Jin Niang—never meddling in others’ expertise.

On the day of the temple visit, Jiang Xian sent retainer Ding San (attendant) to escort them. Ding San drove the carriage carrying Jin Niang and Fang Ma, while Chen Xiao Lang steered the donkey cart with A Ying and Qing Rong.

Instead of wearing a veil, Jin Niang wore a white gauze draped like Guanyin’s veil (Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Mercy). Though not particularly devout, she had painstakingly copied a sutra to offer.

Fang Ma remarked, "Wu County is truly lovely—so scenic."

"Mother Fang," Jin Niang wondered, "why would the magistrate’s wife visit the nunnery so soon after her illness? If it were me, I’d rest longer."

The experienced Fang Ma understood. "What do women care about most? Sons. The magistrate’s wife is virtuous, yet she has none of her own while her husband’s concubines do. Of course she’s anxious. Some nuns here supposedly have secret recipes for conceiving—perhaps she’s seeking one."

Jin Niang shook her head. "There’s no magical fix for bearing children."

But since Qi Niangzi hadn’t confided in her, she didn’t press further.

At Zijin Nunnery, nuns greeted them warmly. To Jin Niang’s surprise, the female coroner accompanied Qi Niangzi, so she kept her distance.

Then Bao Niangzi approached, whispering, "A mere coroner, with no sense of propriety, currying favor with the magistrate’s wife, as if she’ll turn into a phoenix."

Since County Sheriff Mei and Jiang Xian handled county investigations, Jin Niang trusted her husband. Bao Niangzi, likely worried her husband might spend too much time with the coroner, ranted at length. Jin Niang listened without comment.

However, Jin Niang said to Mrs. Bao, “Why does it seem like there’s another group of people waiting ahead? They don’t look like nuns from the temple.”

Mrs. Bao laughed. “That’s a local gentry family from our county. They own jewelry stores and fabric shops in the city—very big businesses. Their relatives hold official positions in the court, so even regular officials wouldn’t dare disrespect them.”

“You know so much, Sister Bao,” Jin Niang said admiringly. “And you play backgammon so well. My husband told me I should stay close to you and learn from you.”

Though Mrs. Bao was double-dealing and ruthless by nature, she also had a certain sincerity about her.

Take Madam Tian, for instance. Knowing Mrs. Bao wasn’t someone to be trifled with, she became meek and ingratiating, always trying to keep the peace. Jin Niang might show Madam Tian some deference and speak softly to her, but when it came to action, she stood firm. For example, with Qin Doutu’s wife—she wouldn’t cut ties just because Mrs. Bao disliked her. Nor would she stop associating with Madam Tian simply because Mrs. Bao disapproved.

The gentry family ahead was surnamed Gu. Madam Gu, her mother-in-law Old Madam Gu, and their children and daughters-in-law were all gathered together to greet them.

Old Madam Gu was quite old, but as sharp as a tack, and sharper still with age. She looked shrewd as she spoke: “I’ve prepared a vegetarian spread for the Magistrate’s Wife and the other ladies. You must try the vegetarian dishes here at Purple Gold Nunnery—they’re something special.”

The Magistrate’s Wife smiled. “Purple Gold Nunnery is usually so busy that you’d need to book the vegetarian meal a year in advance. Today we could come directly and get such good treatment—it’s all thanks to Old Madam Gu and Madam Gu.”

Madam Gu quickly stepped forward, modestly brushing off the compliment.

The nunnery was nestled between the hills and river, ancient yet elegant, its paths lined with lush foliage, delicate and refined. Jin Niang had once visited temples in Bianjing, but unlike those grand structures, this place had a distinct Jiangnan charm.

The vegetarian meal was indeed delicious—fresh and flavorful without any undercooked textures. Jin Niang especially disliked food that was all looks and no taste—the kind that looked incredibly appetizing and beautifully arranged but turned out to be terrible.

The Gu family was very thoughtful, treating the wives of the two clerks with courtesy. Instead of giving crude gifts, they gave each woman a fan, explaining that it was getting hot and they wanted to help everyone stay cool. At first glance, the fans seemed plain, but they held hidden craftsmanship: the bamboo slats were fine as hair, the handles made using lacquer peeling and carved cinnabar techniques, with hollow-carved symmetrical cloud patterns that could even rotate.

This was the technique of carved lacquer openwork. Jin Niang thought to herself, impressed.

After the meal, the group, tired from the journey, headed to their rooms to rest. Jin Niang had just tagged along, donating ten taels of incense money, and went straight to sleep.

The Magistrate’s Wife had come specifically for fertility prayers. After offering incense money and bowing sincerely, she received two talismans and several packets of medicine. Such private matters naturally excluded the female coroner, who waited at the door. When the Magistrate’s Wife emerged, the coroner simply said, “Madam, let’s go.”

“Alright.” Though the Magistrate’s Wife was uneasy around someone who dealt with the dead, the coroner’s medical skills were excellent. Whenever she felt unwell, she skipped outside doctors and had the coroner give her acupuncture instead.

The coroner glanced ahead. “Madam, Mrs. Bao is up front. Let’s take the path ahead.”

Mrs. Bao was quick with a cutting remark and always picking fights. The Magistrate’s Wife nodded, and the two took a shortcut—only to accidentally stumble upon a woman’s corpse along the way.

…

What began as a trip to relax had turned into a murder case.

The woman had been found washed up on the riverbank near Purple Gold Nunnery, oddly well-preserved.

This was Jiang Xian’s first case since taking office. Jin Niang felt nervous, but he didn’t bat an eye. Instead, he said, “This was clearly staged by that female coroner. Her original intent was to help expose the truth.”

“Was it murder?” Jin Niang asked.

Jiang Xian shook his head. “Not exactly. Know why she hasn’t decomposed after over a month? Because her body is loaded with mercury and cinnabar.”

“Could it be for insomnia? I heard cinnabar helps calm the mind and detoxify,” Jin Niang said.

Cinnabar wasn’t cheap either—this corpse was only a servant girl. Could it be contraceptive soup?

“Contraceptive soup—it must be contraceptive soup.”

To avoid pregnancy, Jin Niang and Jiang Xian used sheep gut condoms—or avoided internal ejaculation altogether. But some selfish men refused to use protection, and main wives often didn’t want servant girls having babies, so they resorted to drugs like musk and mercury.

This was the dirty secret of wealthy households. Jiang Xian gave his wife a knowing look. “You’re clever. This woman was originally the concubine of the eldest son of the Hu family, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner. Since his wife hadn’t married in yet, he took this woman and kept forcing contraceptive drugs on her.”

Jin Niang looked at him. “Then what do you plan to do? Shouldn’t we get proof before arresting anyone? Giving someone mercury—that’s poisoning.”

Seeing his wife's gaze, Jiang Xian said earnestly, "I will immediately have the Hu family brought in for interrogation."

"Then, on behalf of women everywhere, I thank you, my husband," Jin Niang replied.

Jiang Xian smiled faintly, thinking that straightforward action was indeed not a bad approach.

As for how to gather evidence during the process and deal with the Hu family without offending anyone—that would rely on his own wisdom.

...

Within three days, the Hu family admitted that the woman had indeed been the concubine of the Hu family’s Yamen scion. Regarding the mercury poisoning, however, he claimed ignorance, blaming it on an envious old maidservant from the pharmacy who had secretly replaced her medicine with a contraceptive concoction, intending to make her suffer—never expecting it would lead to her death.

The maidservant was naturally sentenced to death, and the Hu family compensated the woman’s family with two hundred silver taels.

When the Hu family attempted to bribe Jiang Xian, Jin Niang made the decision to return the money.

This case served as a warning to all women in the county: contraceptive drugs caused severe harm to the body and could even lead to death.

Unexpectedly, the coroner wasn’t satisfied. Instead of approaching Jiang Xian, she sought out Jin Niang: "Madam Wei, the true mastermind behind this is the Hu family’s Yamen scion. I implore you to inform the County Sheriff."

"Coroner, we don’t discuss official business in private. If you truly wish to pursue this, you should at least gather evidence to prove it—or bring it straight to your superiors, County Sheriff Jiang or County Sheriff Mei. I can do nothing," Jin Niang replied.

The female coroner’s face turned red with humiliation. She had indeed heard that the County Sheriff's Lady was sympathetic, which was why she had hoped to persuade County Sheriff Jiang to execute the Hu family’s Yamen scion. After all, the Hu family was a powerful local clan with deep roots—what could a mere female coroner like her do against them?

County Sheriff Jiang, however, was rumored to have influential connections. He could easily call upon his superiors to deal with the Hu family.

But the County Sheriff's Lady's words punctured her hopes. Based on the existing evidence, this was the only possible verdict. If she disagreed, she could continue searching for evidence or appeal to her superiors, the two County Sheriffs, to reopen the investigation—not come here to guilt-trip her.

The female coroner stomped off angrily.

Watching her retreating figure, Jin Niang thought to herself, *It’s only thanks to Jiang Xian’s connections that this case was even investigated. Without such influence, the investigator would have been replaced the moment the case began.*

Moreover, Jiang Xian was merely a deputy magistrate—the final judgment lay with County Magistrate Hou. Unless Jiang Xian was willing to throw away his career? Yet when even the female coroner wasn’t willing to risk her life for justice, how could she expect Jiang Xian to ruin his career over a domestic scandal? Naturally, that was impossible.