Chapter 88

Chapter 88

In late autumn, golden leaves swirled down from the branches. The maids, rising early, scooped up the dead branches and fallen leaves from the courtyard corridors into dustpans, sprinkled water, and continued sweeping. Smoke already curled from the kitchen, and the water deliveryman had arrived outside with his cart.

The courtyard was peaceful and serene. When Jin Niang pushed open the door, she was glowing.

These days, no longer buried in needlework, her health had improved significantly. Today was Jiang Xian’s day of rest, and he planned to take Jin Niang and their children out for an excursion.

The weather was neither too cold nor too hot—just perfect, requiring only a padded jacket.

Under Jin Niang’s instruction, Yun Jieer had already learned much of the *Thousand Character Classic*, the *Analects of Confucius*, and famous Tang dynasty poems. Since she was still too young, the family planned to hire a tutor for her after she turned six. Fortunately, the child had an excellent memory, and Jiang Xian, delighted by his daughter’s intelligence, often taught her to read.

By chance, Jin Niang spotted the female coroner and gave a slight nod. Fang Ma, however, disliked her and remarked, “That coroner in our county office might not have clean hands herself. Why doesn’t she act? All she does is cause trouble for others.”

Though Jin Niang disliked being morally pressured by her, she had heard that this female coroner was quite diligent in her work—always available at any time or place, never shirking her duties, far more dedicated than her male counterparts.

The female coroner, for her part, felt somewhat ashamed. After the County Sheriff's Lady had reprimanded her that day, she reflected on her own tendency to bully the weak and fear the strong.

Fortunately, since that day, the County Sheriff's Lady had not targeted her again and had even greeted her just now.

Then they arrived at an entertainment quarter. Jiang Xian had specifically secured a good spot and called for a pot of tea and a few plates of snacks so they could enjoy some performances.

First came a singer performing *Bu Suan Zi*—the lyrics were quite beautiful, and Jin Niang jotted them down.

Jiang Xian chuckled, “I didn’t expect you to carry writing supplies with you.”

“Habit,” Jin Niang replied. “Besides, don’t you scholars carry poetry satchels wherever you go?” After finishing her notes, she handed them to Jiang Xian.

Jiang Xian glanced at her and wrote a *Nian Nu Jiao* in return. Jin Niang gave him a playful glare—what was this man doing, writing love poems?

Raising her eyes, she noticed the festooned tavern across the way and said to Jiang Xian, “It seems Pingjiang isn’t inferior to Bianjing. Their premier establishments are quite grand too.”

“That one belongs to the Gu family in our county,” Jiang Xian said.

The Gu family? Jin Niang smiled. “Last time we went to Zijin Temple, we ran into someone from the Gu family. They even gave us a fan—the one I brought back.”

Noticing Jiang Xian’s odd expression, she asked, puzzled, “What’s wrong? Do you have concerns about the Gu family?”

Jiang Xian shook his head. “Nothing. I’ve just heard the Gu family has few heirs. Old Master Gu only has two daughters. If he doesn’t choose an heir while alive, there might be succession disputes brought to the county office later.”

Jin Niang sighed, but since today was for leisure, she said, “After we watch the wrestling, let’s go boating.”

“Alright,” Jiang Xian agreed, glad to oblige.

To be honest, Jiang Xian was also troubled. His superior, County Magistrate Hou, stuck his nose into everything, and the man was a hard-nosed official, making Jiang Xian feel constrained and helpless in many matters.

But this was his first appointment, so he had to endure—again and again.

Only when with his wife and children could he relax, though such moments were rare. The next day, news arrived of a bandit incident. County Sheriff Mei, however, was not in Wu County, having been summoned for a grave dispute case. When Jiang Xian sent someone to recall him, County Sheriff Mei excused himself, claiming other business.

Jiang Xian declared, “In that case, I’ll take charge of the men myself.”

As the son of a good family, he was skilled in archery and horsemanship. Moreover, he aspired to achieve something meaningful and refused to be constantly restrained by County Sheriff Mei.

Though Jin Niang was somewhat worried, she herself was ambitious in her own right and thus supportive of Jiang Xian’s resolve.

Since they all lived in the county yamen’s residential quarters, Jiang Xian had barely left when the female coroner arrived.

“Sister-in-law Wei, why are you alone at home? I thought your husband was here and was afraid to come by earlier,” the female coroner said.

Jin Niang said worriedly, "They say bandits are causing trouble, so he took men to pursue them."

Madam Bao quickly replied, "That won’t do. County Sheriff Jiang is such a scholar—how could he handle this? I’d better go tell my husband right away. Don’t fret, dear, I’ll send someone with the message."

"Then I’ll trouble you, sister." Jin Niang thought to herself that County Sheriff Mei must be trying to win favor with our family.

After all, he was just an ordinary military officer—rising through the ranks wouldn’t be easy. But Jiang Xian, a top-ranked scholar, would surely soar high in the future if someone gave him a boost.

Still, Mei wanted to earn goodwill—to make us owe him one.

Watching Madam Bao hurry off, Jin Niang mused, *You really don’t understand Jiang Xian at all.* He may seem slender, but aside from being afraid of ghosts, he’s got skills—falconry, chariot-driving, swordsmanship, archery. He’s actually quite capable.

Meanwhile, after Madam Bao sent word to her husband, County Sheriff Mei marched off, full of bluster, ready for action. He didn’t expect that by the time he reached Yangshu Village, the sly bandits had already jumped into the river. Rumor had it that Jiang Xian had jumped right in after them.

County Sheriff Mei was stunned. "Brothers, start searching!"

If anything happened to Jiang Xian, he’d be public enemy number one.

As he rushed forward, he saw Jiang Xian swimming back, towing a prisoner and shouting, "Got the bandit leader! Got the bandit leader!"

Mei stared, dumbfounded.

...

Jin Niang had the kitchen prepare ginger tea and brought it to him herself. "Here, drink a warm bowl of ginger tea."

"It's not spicy," Jiang Xian said after a sip, surprised.

Jin Niang smiled. "I figured you wouldn’t like it too hot, so I added some brown sugar."

Jumping into icy water in autumn—Jin Niang couldn’t even imagine it. When he came back, everyone was saying they’d assumed Jiang Xian was just a scholar, never expecting his fighting skills were that good.

She didn’t scold him or fuss too much. Instead, she asked curiously, "Where’d you learn to swim? I grew up near the Jiangling rivers, but I never dared to go in deep."

"When I was little, I heard Wang Xizhi kept geese to practice calligraphy, so I wanted to raise one in the garden too. But that goose was downright vicious—it kept pecking me. Once it chased me into the pond. Luckily Mom pulled me out. After that, remembering how her eighth sister nearly drowned, she made sure someone taught me how to swim." Jiang Xian winced, recalling the goose pecking his rear.

Jin Niang rarely asked about Jiang Xian’s childhood. When she first met him, he was already a pro at polo and cool-headed problem-solving.

Never expected something so funny. She said, "Your mom really cared for you."

He nodded. "But now that I can take care of her, I can’t."

They both sighed, then she looked at him. "So… are you still scared of geese?"

Jiang Xian shuddered. "You’ve never been on the wrong end of a goose. Those things are terrifying when they go after you."

"That goose sounds wicked. When I was little in Shaanxi, my mom raised some big roosters. They were sweethearts—even let me ride ’em!" Jin Niang had lived alone as an only child for the first nine years after she crossed over, and her mother doted on her.

Jiang Xian shot her a look, incredulous. "You actually rode a rooster?"

He’d once heard someone from the Zhou family mention that Jin Niang used to be pudgy but somehow thinned out later. Some even whispered she lost weight after a miscarriage.

Neither Madam Jiang Liu nor Jiang Xian believed it, writing it off as nasty gossip. And after marriage, he knew those rumors were pure nonsense.

But picturing his wife—a chubby kid riding a skinny rooster…

The mental image was too ridiculous—he couldn’t even.

Jin Niang pouted. "That rooster could fly, no kidding!"

Jiang Xian laughed heartily, his mood considerably lightened.

Now, after capturing the bandits, Jiang Xian did not speak ill of County Sheriff Mei before the magistrate. Instead, he gave credit to County Sheriff Mei's assistance for the smooth handling of the case, so the report bore both their names.

County Sheriff Mei had expected Jiang Xian to retaliate against him, but was surprised by his magnanimity and was genuinely won over.

Jiang Xian also occasionally let slip that he had powerful backers, hinting that if Mei could perform well, he might put in a good word. From then on, Mei became fully cooperative with Jiang Xian.

As Mei was a military officer without notable connections, aligning himself with a jinshi scholar like Jiang Xian would secure his career for at least twenty years.

In addition to judicial matters, Jiang Xian was also responsible for river projects—always the most challenging tasks.

Yet Jiang Xian had long decided to make his mark and refused to back down or become a puppet of County Magistrate Hou. He told Jin Niang privately one night, "I must accomplish something during my tenure. If County Magistrate Hou and I can coexist peacefully, each fulfilling our duties, all will be well. But if he stands in the way of my future, I won't spare him."

On his first day overseeing the river works, he found timber merchants and strategic points filled with Hou’s men—all colluding and charging outrageous prices, while the allocated funds were limited.

"Xian-lang, as a deputy official, you should proceed cautiously and avoid rash action," Jin Niang couldn’t help but advise.

Jiang Xian smiled. "Don’t worry. I’ve already sent people to investigate his background."

After the start of winter, the weather turned abruptly cold. The chill in the south differed from that in the north—it seeped into the bones. Jin Niang, being a southerner herself, knew this well. However, the bitter cold usually lasted only about two months, and layered jackets would do for most days.

Ning Geer wore the same padded clothes that Yun Jieer had worn at one or two years old. Though laundered, they still looked new, having been worn only a few times before being carefully stored away. Now, they were being taken out one by one.

"Ning Geer’s clothes should be washed with rose-fragranced soapberries," Jin Niang instructed.

Pei Lan promptly agreed and went to the main kitchen to fetch hot water for laundry.

After two ke, A Ying came and said, "Madam, Pei Lan mentioned that on her way to the main kitchen, she passed by the east courtyard and saw Madam Bao picking on Chief Yang’s wife, criticizing her for not returning the banquet favor."

After Jin Niang arrived, Madam Qi hosted the first banquet. After Mid-Autumn, Madam Tian, Madam Bao, and Jin Niang each held one as well. Later, even the wives of the two clerks and Madam Zhao, another chief’s wife, hosted banquets. Only Madam Yang remained inactive.

Possibly because Jin Niang’s residence was close to the clerks’ quarters, she heard some details. It wasn’t that Madam Yang lacked the money to host a banquet—it was because she was out of favor. Chief Yang already had a concubine; though she and her children wanted for nothing in daily necessities, there was little extra.

She wore the same beizi repeatedly—how could she afford an elaborate banquet?

"That's rather excessive," Jin Niang shook her head.

A Ying chuckled. "Indeed. Madam Bao is only slightly better situated than Madam Yang herself."

Having managed social affairs for years, A Ying could judge family wealth through visits and exchanges. Among the four officials’ wives in the county, Madam Tian was likely the wealthiest, with a substantial dowry. Next was Jin Niang herself, who owned two shops and two estates in Bianjing, several thousand guan in ready cash, and no less than six chests of gold and silver jewelry, clothing, fabrics, tea, and spices.

Then came Madam Qi, whose family was reportedly not well-off—her father held a minor post, which was why she had married into a merchant family.

Madam Bao, despite being the poorest, still mocked others.

"No more idle talk. Take out your winter clothes and wash them now. The winter sun will be scarce later," Jin Niang said.

There are three things in the world that cannot be hidden: poverty, coughs, and love.

Poverty comes first. Without proper winter clothing, one easily catches a chill and suffers.

A Ying had no shortage of clothes. She had once been close to her aunt Jing An, and knowing she handled social affairs, Jin Niang always reserved fine fabrics for her. Though her monthly allowance was less than that of the embroiderers, she received tips and loved dressing well. Hence, she had a whole chest of winter jackets.

She even gifted one she disliked to Qing Rong as a favor.

After a busy morning, Jin Niang practiced calligraphy for a while before sitting at her embroidery frame to work on Buddhist images and scriptures. During her time as an embroiderer, she'd learned even kesi mending, but embroidering Buddhist figures remained her white whale—always eluding her grasp.

Now, with dedicated time, she sat by the window, working on White-Robed Guanyin upon a lotus dais.

She began with the traditional flat stitching for facial features, which was now the mainstream technique, yet still required guidance from the painting. The image of Guanyin seated on a lotus throne that Jin Niang had received was a gift from the abbot of Zijin Temple, said to be painted by a renowned artist. In Wuxian, also known as Gusu, Jin Niang had previously accompanied Jiang Xian on an outing and visited several embroidery shops, picking up some techniques.

It was said that during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian in the Tang Dynasty, she once ordered the embroidery of over four hundred Buddhist scriptures to be gifted to temples and neighboring countries.

After embroidering for just an hour and a half, she heard that Madam Qi, the magistrate's wife, had invited her over. Jin Niang quickly changed into more suitable attire and went.

It turned out that the Vice-Prefect's wife from the prefecture had arrived.

The Vice-Prefect held a higher rank than the county magistrate, so Madam Qi had already seated the Vice-Prefect's wife in the place of honor and was sitting nearby. However, everyone knew that although Madam Qi came from an official family and often put on airs and was somewhat calculating, she wasn't particularly eloquent. Thus, she had invited Madam Tian and Jin Niang to help keep the conversation going.

Upon entering, Jin Niang first paid her respects, then listened as Madam Qi introduced her: "This is the wife of County Sheriff Jiang, who recently took office in our county."

The Vice-Prefect's wife saw Jin Niang's proper etiquette and asked further about her background. Jin Niang smiled and said, "My husband and his brother both earned their jinshi degrees in the same year."

A family producing two jinshi graduates in one year, especially with Jiang Xian being so young—how could the Vice-Prefect's wife dare to look down on her? During their conversation, she also noticed Jin Niang wearing a yellow close-fitting bodice under a dark blue beizi, her hair coiled into a bun with a delicate golden bridge hairpin inserted at the center. Atop her head was a pinecone-shaped hairpin, flanked by two golden hairpins on each side, radiating dignified elegance.

Thus, the Vice-Prefect's wife engaged Jin Niang in more conversation.

The gathering was mostly small talk. When a high-ranking official's wife like the Vice-Prefect's wife came for tea, Madam Qi, Madam Tian, and Jin Niang naturally brought gifts.

Jin Niang gifted a length of Langzhou lotus-patterned silk and a plum-blossom vase from the Ding kilns.

After the Vice-Prefect's wife left, Jin Niang returned home and told Jiang Xian about it. Well-informed, Jiang Xian said, "The Vice-Prefect is due back in the capital shortly. It's unlikely he'll remain in his post here."

"You mean she came for a final parting gift?" Jin Niang asked.

Jiang Xian chuckled. "Probably part of it."

Jin Niang smiled. "Good thing I only gave ordinary gifts. But you’ve been working on the river project lately. If funds are tight, we could sell the tea, pepper, and spices from that chest of mine."

Officials' salaries were paid biannually or annually, and Jiang Xian wouldn’t receive his until next year, so funds were indeed tight.

Now, Jin Niang was adamant about not touching the four thousand guan she had, opting instead to use what was readily available.

Jiang Xian agreed. That night, he had Liu Douer sell the items, which brought in three hundred taels. He wouldn’t spend this money immediately but would use it when necessary.

On the day of the winter solstice, the woman coroner was the first to arrive, bringing two boxes of fresh flowers—one of camellias and one of plum blossoms—for Jin Niang's hair, along with half a basket of clams.

Jin Niang laughed. "How can I accept your gifts?"

The woman coroner scratched her head sheepishly. "Though I’m only a humble coroner, I often work as a healer and make good money."

"I see. I wasn’t looking down on you. We’ve become friends through our encounters," Jin Niang said with a smile.

The coroner, surnamed Jiang and the sixth daughter in her family, had a strong sense of justice and loved solving cases. She had even broken off an engagement because of it, but she bore no resentment and now openly served in the yamen.

Seeing Jin Niang’s warmth and lack of prejudice, she was delighted.

Jin Niang gifted her ten pairs of birch-bark candles, saying, "For coroners like you, who sometimes examine bodies at night, oil lamps don't give enough light. These will serve you better."

Sister Jiang the Sixth left happily.

As for the fresh flowers she had brought, Jin Niang distributed some among the household servants, giving each two to wear. Besides Sister Jiang, the Magistrate's Wife, Madam Registrar, and Madam Bao also sent people over to exchange gifts.

Jin Niang accepted bolts of cloth and raw silk, while having Qing Rong put away the fruits and pastries to serve to guests.

Naturally, what she received, she also gave in return.

These were routine social niceties—mostly food and wine. As for the expensive items sent by wealthy families like the Gus and Taos, Jin Niang politely declined them.

However, the two young ladies of the Gu family were quite delightful—clever, reserved, and well-mannered. Jin Niang praised them: "Only such a place blessed with spiritual beauty could nurture such extraordinary individuals."

The Gu family sent over two wedding invitations. Master Gu's health had been poor, and his only wish was to see his two daughters married. However, instead of selecting a successor through adoption, the family decided that the younger daughter would marry out while the eldest would take a live-in son-in-law.

With the son-in-law residing in the household, it would be the eldest daughter who managed the family estate.

Naturally, the Gu family also invited Jin Niang to serve as Fortune Matron. Fang Ma strongly urged her to accept: "Do you know how the Sixth Madam, who originally only had a modest three-courtyard compound, later acquired her garden? It was through serving as a Fortune Matron!"

"Really?" Jin Niang asked.

Fang Ma chuckled, "Officials can't openly accept bribes, but when our Shiliulang writes beautifully, he earns a legitimate fee for his calligraphy—no one questions it. Madam, you are self-disciplined and devoted, a model spouse who never embezzles. But given your status, it's only natural to accept what ordinary matchmakers and Fortune Matrons receive. This is all perfectly aboveboard."

Thus, Jin Niang finally agreed.

A Fortune Matron differs from a matchmaker. While the matchmaker shuttles between families to arrange betrothal gifts and ceremonies, in the Song Dynasty, the Fortune Matron's role was to open the groom's gift chest after the bride's family received the betrothal gifts. She would then place it in the main hall, prepare incense, candles, wine, and fruits, and offer prayers to heaven, earth, and ancestors.

The Gu residence was located in the southern part of the city, exquisitely designed with harmonious landscapes—mountains and waters mirroring each other, secluded paths and small bridges, falling leaves, and even a western-style thatched cottage. In the courtyard before the artificial hill, the calls of gibbons and cranes echoed, as if one had stepped into a painting.

Jin Niang couldn't help but marvel, "I've seen many gardens, but this one is the most refined."

She had visited the gardens of the Zhou family, Chancellor Liu's residence, and even Jiang Xian's home. Though beautiful, they bore traces of artifice. This garden, however, felt naturally unadorned.

The guiding maidservant said, "Our master comes from the Fang family, renowned for garden design. He passed all his skills to our eldest young lady, who excels in landscaping."

"Then I must seek her advice," Jin Niang replied. She knew her own residence in Sweetwater Lane, though newly built with clever touches, would soon become cramped as the household grew. Another property would be needed.

In the Song Dynasty, there was no prohibition against sons-in-law taking the imperial exams. Moreover, the Gu family's eldest daughter was both beautiful and capable, with substantial wealth, making her highly sought after. Despite his illness, Master Gu had chosen the second son of the County Magistrate of Changzhou as his daughter's groom. Outside the courtyard, Jin Niang caught a glimpse of the fair-skinned, scholarly groom—a National University scholar—and nodded slightly in approval.

Who would have thought that for wealth, even the son of a county magistrate would willingly become a son-in-law?

This deepened Jin Niang's understanding of the Song Dynasty's marital custom: "Marrying a wife without regard for family background, seeking only wealth." Hadn't she herself married Jiang Xian partly because of her substantial dowry?

The groom, also from an official family, sent lavish betrothal gifts. When Jin Niang lifted the cloth cover, she saw eight golden bottles of wine adorned with silver floral motifs, wrapped in red and green gold-trimmed fabric, tied with silk ribbons. There were also pearl hairpins, jewelry, gold ornaments, embroidered skirts, and bolts of silk, along with tea cakes—all expected luxuries.

As the Fortune Matron, Jin Niang received her fee: two hundred taels of minted silver, a load of tea cakes, eight bolts of fashionable silk, two boxes of spices, and two ginseng roots, each with ten fibrous branches, from Luzhou Prefecture.

...

After Jin Niang left, Madam Gu said to her eldest granddaughter, "Your mother was too frugal. These gifts are far too meager."

The eldest granddaughter dared not criticize her mother and only replied, "Grandmother, why do you hold Madam Jiang, the County Sheriff's wife, in such high regard? She refused our previous gifts, which shows she doesn’t think much of us."

"Nonsense," Madam Gu chided gently. "A magistrate's wife must guard her reputation. As the saying goes, 'An unvirtuous wife ruins three generations; a virtuous one prospers three.' Only those with discipline go far. Moreover, County Sheriff Jiang and his brother are both jinshi degree holders. I’ve also heard that his wife comes from a merchant family. Our shopkeepers in Bianjing once mentioned she was not only a female official in the Embroidery Academy but also served as the Guild Master of Bianjing’s embroidery trade. She is no ordinary woman. Remember, County Sheriff Jiang earned his jinshi degree young and secured a lucrative Wu County post—no small feat. Many officials come here and never want to leave. Besides, his wife manages the household impeccably, with no concubines or bedmaids. She is a formidable woman. If County Sheriff Jiang has forty more years in office, befriending his wife could secure your future for forty years."

Only then did the eldest granddaughter grasp her grandmother’s wisdom. With tears, she bowed deeply. "Grandmother has exhausted herself for my sake. How can I ever repay you?"

Madam Gu smiled. "Rise now. Let them joke about our household being a 'household of women.' So be it—we women need yield to no man."

The eldest granddaughter mused silently. Most local merchants aligned themselves with County Magistrate Hou, said to be backed by the Chancellor of Jixian, or curried favor with the Prefect or Vice-Prefect of the Pingjiang Army. Yet her grandmother valued County Sheriff Jiang—based entirely on his wife's merits.