Chapter 95

Chapter 95

"My lady, when did you find out about Bao's background?" Jiang Xian had never heard Jin Niang mention it before.

Jin Niang adjusted the bracelet on her wrist and said casually, "When I first arrived in Wu County, I deliberately befriended Bao. Aside from treating Qiao Er well, she mistreated all the other maids and even her concubines. Naturally, I could buy off one or two to gather information. Later, to confirm its truth, I casually brought it up in front of Bao’s sister-in-law. Since she didn’t refute it, I knew it was mostly true."

"Seeing the small to know the big—my lady is truly brilliant. But why have you never mentioned this to me?" Jiang Xian was both impressed and puzzled.

Jin Niang sighed faintly, "Honestly, I never considered it a big deal. She rose from a maid to become the County Sheriff's Wife, just like me. But seeing her now, spreading vicious rumors everywhere, I naturally paid her back in kind."

He had expected his wife to be overjoyed after defeating Bao, but she didn’t seem as pleased as he imagined.

Bao was an outsider, but when it came to Rong Niang, Jiang Xian even felt murderous intent. He smiled and said, "I know you’ve always believed in returning a punch for a punch. But official circles don’t work that way. If we don’t prepare in advance, we’ll be the ones suffering. My lady, indecision breeds chaos. Imagine if you revealed every detail—how she was once Feng Sheng’s wife, twice caught in affairs, or how her father was beaten paralyzed for stealing horses—to her neighbors, could she still live with dignity?"

"My lady, this elder sister of yours—"

"Husband, she’s not some irredeemable villain. She was probably tricked into revealing my past. Besides, her parents are gone and she was betrayed by her own husband. No one will bother her in the future. A warning will suffice," Jin Niang quickly interjected.

She had always known Jiang Xian was ruthless, but now his methods were even sharper—eliminating threats without mercy, born for officialdom. If he targeted Rong Niang, it wouldn’t end like Feng Sheng, who was at least spared. So she had to stop him.

Not for Rong Niang’s sake, but for Jiang Xian’s. Every step leaves a mark, and once bloodlust takes hold, it’s hard to rein in.

Seeing her stance, Jiang Xian sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Very well, I’ll listen to you, my lady."

Soon, it was the Winter Stove Festival on the first day of the tenth month. Instead of receiving generous gifts from A Ying, Rong Niang was scolded: "Eldest Sister, why did you spread our lady’s affairs everywhere?"

"I—I didn’t!" Rong Niang waved her hands, feeling wrongfully accused.

A Ying snorted, "Someone went to the county office and said you told a certain Sister Bao."

Rong Niang recalled a woman who had approached her, claiming to be a victim seeking Jin Niang’s preferences to appeal for justice. Out of pity, she mentioned Jin Niang’s love for embroidery. When asked how she learned, Rong Niang shared how hard Jin Niang had worked as a maid in a wealthy household.

Realizing her mistake, she stammered, "I didn’t mean to..."

"Eldest Sister, no matter how 'unintentional' our lady is, she’d never broadcast your divorce, adultery, or family affairs to the world, would she? She says since the capital already thinks you’re dead, she’ll consider you the same from now on." A Ying fumed.

Rong Niang pleaded, "Lower your voice, please!"

A Ying laughed coldly, "So you *do* understand some things are best left buried. Why bother?"

Rong Niang spread her hands, "But I only spoke well of Jin Niang..."

It was no use. Even A Ying couldn’t stand it anymore and turned to leave. Stepping into the carriage, she said to Chen Xiaolang, "We won’t be coming back."

Chen Xiaolang snapped the reins. "Good. I didn’t want to either."

Watching the carriage disappear, Rong Niang heard her mother-in-law ask, "Was that your sister’s family?"

"Yes. They said my sister is being reassigned," Rong Niang replied.

She couldn’t let her in-laws find Jin Niang. Jin Niang held grudges—if her past was exposed, how would her in-laws see her? For now, they only knew Shang Dalang had saved her, unaware of her history.

When A Ying reported Rong Niang’s complaints, Jin Niang sighed, "If not for me, she’d probably be... never mind. From now on, she’s as good as dead to me."

Truthfully, she wasn’t angry anymore. She simply didn’t care. She’d learned to step back—‘respect others’ destinies.’ Rong Niang no longer existed to her.

Then a plum-colored card arrived. Opening it, Jin Niang was surprised to see a familiar name: Head Embroiderer Gu from the Embroidery Academy. Ten years had passed since their last meeting.

When Jin Niang first came to Pingjiang, she had wondered if she’d encounter Gu’s family. Later, she learned they had long relocated their enterprise to Lin’an.

Two days later, Jin Niang met Embroidery Master Gu at the county office. The former "trendsetter" still wore expensive, form-fitting garments, but now appeared far more dignified, completely unlike her former meticulously styled self.

Her first words upon seeing Jin Niang were: "I divorced. It’s complicated."

Hearing this, Jin Niang smiled instead. "Embroidery Master Gu, you are talented, beautiful, wealthy, and still young. You’ll surely find someone better in time."

Gu Qingru laughed. "After all these years, you still call me Embroidery Master Gu. My given name is Qingru—if you don’t mind, just call me by my name."

Years had passed, and though Gu Qingru was related to the Wu County Gu family and maintained connections, she noticed Jin Niang’s appearance and demeanor had changed drastically. Now, Jin Niang carried an air of serene grace and refined elegance. Naturally, Gu Qingru avoided mentioning how full-figured she had been before—that wouldn’t be reminiscing, but embarrassing her.

So, she showed no sign of surprise.

In fact, by coming to confide in Jin Niang, she was showing her hand. Without connections, a merchant couldn’t thrive. Fortunately, Jin Niang was truly kind—she didn’t look down on her for divorcing but instead praised her youth. Gu Qingru couldn’t help but think bitterly that her own years of marriage had been squandered.

Seeing this, Jin Niang sighed. "When I first came to Pingjiang, I had hoped to see you, but Madam Gu mentioned you had married into Lin’an. I regretted not meeting you—yet here we are now, reunited."

Since Gu Qingru sought Jin Niang’s help, she had to explain her situation. "Yes, back then, after leaving the Embroidery Academy, I returned to help my father manage the family business and was soon married into an official’s household in Lin’an. His family had served as officials for generations, but they were deep in debt, so they married me. My husband and I were harmonious—we even had a bright and clever son. But my mother-in-law was never satisfied, always blaming me for his failure in the imperial exams. I could ignore that, but eventually, even my husband..."

Jin Niang called out, "Sister Gu," snapping her out of her thoughts. Gu Qingru then shared her plans. "Enough of that. I’ve left the shops in Lin’an to my good-for-nothing son. Now, I plan to reopen a shop in Pingjiang. Thankfully, I have relatives here and you, County Sheriff’s Lady—otherwise, I’d only dare to collect rent."

"If you need any help, Sister Gu, just come to me," Jin Niang said.

Gu Qingru had come today to gauge Jin Niang’s stance. Seeing that she remained as noble-hearted as before, she felt fortunate—even after divorce, she could still encounter benefactors.

Back then, the Gu siblings had fought fiercely over the family inheritance. Gu Qingru secured three tailor shops and a tavern, the most valuable properties. Later, when she married, the three large tailor shops in Pingjiang were leased out. Now, she had to rebuild.

"Thank you, Sister Wei," Gu Qingru said, offering Jin Niang a tenth share in her new venture.

Jin Niang quickly declined. "I don’t need any of that. Though I’m not as wealthy as you, I own two shops myself and live comfortably. If you truly wish to repay me, have your double-sided embroidery artisans teach me instead."

Gu Qingru paused, then laughed. "Who else in the world could match my skill in double-sided embroidery? If you want to learn, I’ll teach you myself."

Naturally, Jin Niang was delighted.

When Jiang Xian heard of this, he was puzzled. "My dear, didn’t you say we needed money to buy a grand house? Why refuse the share to learn embroidery?"

*"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."* Though I no longer need to earn through embroidery, mastering this skill is like learning alchemy." This was why Jin Niang never feared Jiang Xian’s potential betrayal—she had her own means of survival. Even the farmland she owned was purchased with her dowry.

Jiang Xian was no fool. If his wife truly trusted him, why would she keep learning such skills? Clearly, she suspected him of disloyalty.

Lately, he had been busy with official duties, eager to prove himself while managing relationships with superiors and subordinates, leaving little time for his wife. He vowed to cherish her better in the future.

He couldn’t afford to slack even for a day.

Unaware of his thoughts, Jin Niang studied double-sided embroidery diligently under Gu Qingru’s guidance. She had already picked up some basics through observation but lacked mastery. Now, with Gu Qingru’s secret techniques, it was like a breakthrough.

Since Gu Qingru was close to the County Sheriff’s Lady, others naturally inquired about their relationship. Gu Qingru explained, "The County Sheriff’s Lady and I both once served as palace attendants. Had she not left to care for her parents, her future would have been boundless."

When this reached Madam Wen, she remarked to Sheng Ma, "Indeed, one should never underestimate anyone’s background. To think she was once a palace attendant."

"Madam, don’t listen to that troublemaker Bao’s nonsense," Sheng Ma warned, knowing her mistress’s temperament. But in official circles, offending the wrong person could be fatal.

Madam Wen nodded quietly. "I understand."

As the daughter of an official family, she knew the rules—those with powerful backgrounds often acted low-key, never flaunting their status. But cross them, and they’d ruin you quietly.

Thus, Madam Wen sent generous gifts for the Warm Stove Festival (a seasonal gift-giving custom), surprising Jin Niang.

As for Bao, exposed and ridiculed by the wives of Chief Yang and Chief Qin for her usual spitefulness, she could only pretend to be ill at home.

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Fortunately, Clerk Huang’s wife shared her similar spiteful nature. Now that Clerk Huang’s wife heard Jin Niang was a former female official from the palace, she dared not look down on her and only quietly informed Lady Bao.

Lady Bao still didn’t believe it: "Isn’t this just her making up her own background?"

"Unlikely. The one who said this was the daughter-in-law of the former Vice Minister of Revenue in Lin’an. That Lady Gu is well-known among us in Pingjiang—she was once selected by imperial decree to enter the palace, and her family was filthy rich. The moment she arrived in Pingjiang, she went straight to seek out Lady Wei. It must be true." Though Clerk Huang’s wife had some knack for stirring the pot, she hadn’t intended for things to escalate too far.

Lady Bao was scared stiff. If Jin Niang had connections to the palace, hadn’t she offended her gravely? She then blamed Auntie Bao for not being thorough in her work.

After Clerk Huang’s wife left, Qiao Er brought tea and said, "My Lady, Auntie Bao likely spun tall tales to con money out of you. Besides, this Lady Wei came from Bianjing. I heard from A Ying that before her marriage, Lady Wei owned two houses in Kaifeng as dowry. If that backwater woman were truly her sister, why would she stay in this remote place? Her husband is just a boatman—what prospects could he have? She’s just spinning tall tales to cheat money, and Auntie Bao fell for it."

Lady Bao cursed, "I must have been blinded by greed to believe her lies."

Now that Lady Wen ignored her, and she had thoroughly offended Lady Wei, even the wives of petty officials mocked her behind her back. She was too ashamed to show her face.

Whether she had any face left or not, Jin Niang didn’t know. She only asked, "Fang Ma, how is Ru Yan doing at Sister Jiang Liu’s place?"

Fang Ma smiled, "I just went to ask—everything is fine, so don’t worry. Sister Jiang Liu says she’s diligent, a quick study, and unafraid of hardship."

"Hmm, in that case, I can rest easy." Jin Niang sighed slightly in relief.

It was hard for women to survive in this world. If there was a way out, who would willingly sink into the red-light district? Like Ru Yan—if she could learn some medical skills, like Lou Siniang, she would have her own means to stand firm.

As they spoke, they heard that Jiang Xian had invited several county students for a meal at home. Jin Niang quickly instructed the kitchen to prepare extra dishes and chuckled, "Our Shiliulang always finds kindred spirits wherever he goes."

Then, a letter arrived from Luo Da, saying the tenants of her shop had decided last month not to renew the lease. The shop had been left in a filthy state, and he asked Jin Niang for further instructions. He also mentioned that the manager of the money shop at Jinliang Bridge seemed interested in negotiating.

Jin Niang naturally told Luo Da to first clean up the shop at Sweetwater Lane before leasing it out again, keeping the rent between fifteen to twenty strings of coins per month. As for the shop at Jinliang Bridge, she would play it by ear. If they truly didn’t intend to renew, she would list it with the broker again, setting the price between thirty-five to forty strings.

Houses in Bianjing were never hard to rent out—the only worry was whether tenants would take care of them. If there was damage, she could advance some money for repairs.

These troubles piled up until the following spring, when things finally started looking up. First, Luo Da wrote that the shop at Sweetwater Lane had been leased to a silk merchant, who also rented two back rooms for storage at twenty-five strings per month. As for the house at Jinliang Bridge, the tenants renewed, so there was no need to worry.

At noon, Lady Tian invited Lady Wen and Jin Niang for a meal, where they tried a dish they had never eaten before—stuffed fish. Minced lamb and rice were stir-fried until seventy to eighty percent cooked, then stuffed into fresh crucian carp before being roasted over fire. The taste was exquisite.

"What is this dish called?" Jin Niang couldn’t help but ask.

Lady Tian smiled, "This is 'Fish-Lamb Harmony.'"

Jin Niang grabbed her arm, "You must give me the recipe! My parents love fish, and they’ve never tasted this before." She felt a twinge of homesickness for her parents and younger brother. Though she had been excited when she first left home, now that she had her husband and children with her, she missed her family.

Originally, Lady Wen had come intending to stir trouble, but after learning of Jin Niang’s palace connections and seeing Lady Tian’s amiable nature, she softened and befriended them.

As she ate the Fish-Lamb Harmony, she couldn’t help but remark, "County Sheriff's Lady is truly filial. If my son were half as filial as you, I’d count my blessings."

"Don’t say that—Young Master Yan seems perfectly fine to me." Jin Niang knew Lady Wen originally had two sons and a daughter. The daughter had married early, the eldest son died young, and thus she doted excessively on the youngest.

Yet this youngest son, though not a bad person, was like his father—a wanderlust who cared little for scholarly pursuits, much to Lady Wen’s frustration.

Lady Tian soon had the kitchen staff pass along the recipe, and Jin Niang rewarded her with a box of sweets before returning home to try it out.

When Jin Niang returned, she was surprised to find Jiang Xian at home. She laughed, "Had I known you were home, I’d have come back earlier. Lady Tian treated us to a wonderful meal."

She then painted a mouthwatering picture of the Fish-Lamb Harmony. Jiang Xian laced his fingers behind his head, watching her as she spoke—she had a way with words, making even trivial matters come alive.

"Then, will you make it for me?" Jiang Xian asked expectantly.

Jin Niang quickly shook her head, "I can’t handle gutting fish—I can’t cook it." Jiang Xian chuckled, "Then I’ll make it for you."

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

He knew Jin Niang’s cooking skills barely got food cooked, but hadn’t expected such a blunt refusal. Yet this was one thing he loved about her—she rarely dug her heels into things she couldn’t master.

Most people never change their innate temperaments, but Jin Niang kept what worked and fixed what didn’t.

She continued discussing household plans with Jiang Xian: "Last time I mentioned buying a large three-courtyard house. Now I think one with a garden would be better, so we’ll need to pinch pennies these next few years—bear with me."

Their single-courtyard home in Sweetwater Lane had grown cramped. With the children needing their own space, any location would do except pricey areas like Nanxun Ward.

But a home without room for leisure wouldn’t be any fun.

Besides, Jin Niang believed the money-making years were fleeting, so buying property was essential. That way, even in hard times, they’d have shelter.

Jiang Xian never questioned her management of their finances.

Under Gu Qingru’s guidance and her own diligence, Jin Niang improved by leaps and bounds. When focused, she ignored all distractions—unshakable as a deer unbothered by disturbances.

So when Fang Ma raised the issue, it was news to her.

"The Magistrate’s son has been shadowing Ru Yan since she joined the yamen," said Fang Ma. "He’s clearly got a crush on her."

"And your point?" Jin Niang got right to it.

Fang Ma sat. "After all our effort to befriend Madam Wen’s family, this might make her think we planned it."

Jin Niang waved this off. "If anyone’s to blame, it’s her son. Why fault Ru Yan? This is pure victim-blaming. Let Ru Yan decide—if she ignores gossip and keeps her distance, she should stay. We can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater."

Places like Wu County had fully equipped coroners, but if Jiang Xian transferred somewhere with spotty staffing, Ru Yan’s medical skills would prove invaluable.

For Ru Yan, this meant escaping servitude and gaining respect—a perfect arrangement.

Jin Niang shared these thoughts with Jiang Xian, adding, "Speak to the Magistrate’s son if needed."

Jiang Xian hadn’t realized his wife’s foresight, assuming she’d just rescued Ru Yan impulsively. He pulled her close suddenly. "Sweetheart, let’s do this again in the next life."

For all his polished manners, he often acted selfishly—yet she always put him first, heart and soul.

Amused by his earnestness, Jin Niang teased, "You’re so gullible—someone’ll play you like a fiddle someday. Maybe I’m just pretending to be noble?"

Marriage meant mutual support to her, not playing the victim.

Jiang Xian feigned hurt. "You’re the first to call me gullible, but you’re the only one I’ll believe. Honestly, you’re the sole person who could ever manipulate me."

"Smooth talker." She tweaked his cheek, laughing.

"Don’t fret," he said. "I’ll warn the Magistrate—his son shouldn’t hang around low-ranking clerks. Relax, Jin Niang."

The way he murmured her name gave her goosebumps.

...

Outside, Ning Geer tugged Nanny Ma’s sleeve. "Mama and Papa are having fun—I wanna play too!" Flustered, Nanny Ma hurried him away.