Chapter 98

Chapter 98

By the time Ziteng had learned most of the rules, it was already the twelfth lunar month. Qing Rong, Min Zhi, and Pei Lan, all skilled in needlework, helped A Ying sew quilts.

Jin Niang was busy making three jackets for Ning Geer: a double-layered silk-padded robe, a bright red sheepskin jacket with a front opening and golden ruyi patterns, and a bluish-green *hexie* (a short-sleeved jacket lined with marten fur). It couldn’t be helped—the child had previously worn his elder sister’s hand-me-downs, but now that he was three and starting to develop a sense of self, he needed proper clothes of his own.

As for Yun Jieer, Jin Niang spent more time embroidering for her, which was more time-consuming. Besides, Yun Jieer still had last year’s jackets to wear, so Jin Niang postponed making new ones for her.

"Mother, I’ve memorized this *Yuefu* poem," Yun Jieer said, bringing over a book.

After listening to her recite it, Jin Niang had A Ying serve her almond milk. "To soothe your throat. Would you like anything else to eat?"

Yun Jieer shook her head. "I want to do needlework with you, Mother. Can you draw a little rabbit for me?"

Jin Niang agreed to her daughter’s request. She mused to herself about where Jiang Xian’s transfer order would place them next year. She would need to find a tutor for her daughter—she couldn’t keep teaching her as an amateur.

Mother and daughter worked together until the afternoon when Jiang Xian stepped into the house through the wind and snow, greeted by a warm and cozy atmosphere. He took off his crane-feather cloak, which Qing Rong set aside, while Ziteng prepared tea.

"As the year draws to a close, thieves have become more active. County Sheriff Mei has been working much harder lately—he just told me he’d be keeping watch at night," Jiang Xian said, taking a sip of hot tea and feeling much more comfortable.

Jin Niang bit off a thread and remarked, "I heard from Madam Tian that the Zhaoxuan Commissioner has passed away. If he doesn’t work harder now, who knows where he’ll be rotated next."

The Song Dynasty had always valued scholars above soldiers, and County Sheriff Mei wasn’t even a proper military man to begin with. He usually skimmed off illicit profits on the side, but now that he’d lost his patron, he was eager to make some achievements, hoping to secure another term and earn more money.

Seeing that County Sheriff Mei was afraid he might steal his credit, Jiang Xian decided to head home early. After all, he had already handled several major cases during his tenure, and his work at the county school had yielded notable results.

"Tonight, the kitchen is preparing *boxiagong*—a hotpot dish. Let’s have some while it’s hot," Jin Niang said with a smile.

Jiang Xian rubbed his hands together and asked for Ning Geer to be brought over. The child disliked being led by others and instead toddled over eagerly on his own. Today, he was wearing the sheepskin jacket Jin Niang had just finished—bright red on the outside—and Jiang Xian, delighted by the sight, lifted his son onto his lap.

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

In the past, Jiang Xian would also hold his daughter on his lap, but now that Yun Jieer was already seven (by traditional count), it was no longer proper for an older girl to sit on her father’s lap.

"Ning Geer, what did you learn today?" Jiang Xian asked.

Jin Niang handed the picture book to Jiang Xian, who let his son flip through it himself. Pointing at an illustration of peach blossoms, Ning Geer recited: *"Yugezi* by Zhang Zhihe of the Tang Dynasty: 'Egrets fly in front of the western hills; peach blossoms bloom, mandarin fish thrive in the flowing water. A green bamboo hat, a straw raincoat—no need to return home despite the slanting wind and drizzling rain.'"

Listening to his son's childish voice, Jiang Xian stroked the boy's head and said, "When the transfer comes through next year, I’ll hire a tutor for both of them."

"That’s fine. But isn’t Ning Geer too young?" In Jin Niang’s mind, a three-year-old should still be of nursery age.

Jiang Xian shook his head. "He’ll be four next year. If we wait another two years, who knows where we’ll be stationed? Besides, Ning Geer will eventually take the civil service exams—I started my own studies at three."

Jin Niang shot back, "Why didn’t you say the same for our daughter?"

"It’s not that I didn’t mention it. Even if you hire a tutor for her, she’ll only be taught *Classic of Filial Piety for Women*, *Admonitions for Women*, and *Domestic Regulations*. It’d be better for her to study alongside Ning Geer and learn the same texts as boys."

Whether this was Jiang Xian’s excuse or not, Jin Niang knew that women couldn’t sit for the exams, and female education was indeed limited to such texts.

Jin Niang let it drop this time. After dinner, she spoke to Fang Ma about Xi Qiu: "She’s two years older than A Ying—I wonder what she’s thinking?"

The real concern was not scarcity but inequality. Xi Qiu was destined to be Yun Jieer’s dowry maid. Though not exceptionally capable, she was at least honest and reliable.

Fang Ma said, "I’ll go ask and find out."

Xi Qiu, of course, wanted to marry, but there were too few eligible men in the household. She wasn’t particularly outstanding either, unlike Min Zhi, who was sharp and resourceful. She could only sigh in resignation.

Seeing this, Fang Ma smiled. "If you’re willing, the lady of the house will see to it." Xi Qiu naturally agreed. Jin Niang then recalled Manor Manager Fan’s nephew from the estate. Had she not visited the manor earlier, she wouldn’t have known of his competence. Since Manor Manager Fan was getting on in years, his son and nephew jointly managed the day-to-day matters.

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Wei Jinniang next had A Ying inquire with Liu Douer about Fan the Fourth Son. With A Ying asking, Liu Douer held nothing back, saying that he was indeed capable, but his parents had passed away, his family was poor, and he couldn’t afford a wife.

This matter still needed Chen Xiaolang to go to the manor and ask Manor Manager Fan before proceeding, but at least it put Xi Qiu’s mind at ease.

A Ying got married the day before Little New Year. She had always served Jin Niang closely, and Jin Niang, knowing she was careless with money, had forced her to save. Over the years, her accumulated wages and rewards amounted to fifty strings of cash, three trunks of clothing, one chest of fabric, a box of jewelry, two boxes of silk flowers, not to mention shoes and socks.

The next day, the newlyweds came to kowtow (ritual bow). Jin Niang saw Liu Douer had tied his hair with a kerchief and was dressed more neatly than before, while A Ying’s smile was radiant.

Jin Niang smiled and had them rise. A Ying would continue serving here during the day and return home to rest at night—nothing much had changed. Though Zi Teng could now serve in the inner chambers, she still had to start with menial tasks.

The commotion here also reached Madam Bao, who had once again triumphed in the inner household. However, she had miscalculated—just as that little slut was about to be sold off, she turned out to be pregnant. Sheriff Mei, childless until now, naturally couldn’t bear to part with her. Madam Bao touched her own belly—if only she were pregnant.

Qiao Er brought over a bowl of medicine: "Madam, your tonic is ready."

Madam Bao pinched her nose and drank it, then sighed, "With the man not home, drinking this is useless."

Then she thought of the little boy in the Jiang household and couldn’t help but say, "Look at how well that child was born. Tian’s Dong Geer was always sickly, but that Ning Geer is plump and sturdy—hardly ever catches a cold. Last time I saw him in the garden, he squashed a bug with such boldness."

After all this time, Madam Bao’s resentment toward Jin Niang had lessened—not because she was kind or magnanimous, but simply because she couldn’t win.

That Wei Jinniang wasn’t like Tian, carelessly throwing money around. She had wealth and means—who wouldn’t be wary of her?

After Little New Year, A Ying returned to work, unchanged except that she now remembered to take a portion of the treats Jin Niang gave her back to Liu Douer—she had someone new to care for.

With the charcoal brazier keeping her hands warm, Jin Niang continued embroidering a lingmo (decorative collar panel) for her daughter and instructed Fang Ma, "This trip to Yangzhou will trouble you."

Dou Yuan, the daughter of Aunt Dou in Yangzhou, had been betrothed last September and was to be married off to Daming Prefecture by year’s end. With the bitter cold and her own obligations, Jin Niang couldn’t make the trip, so she arranged for Fang Ma and Chen Xiaolang to deliver the gifts.

Fang Ma smiled, "You flatter me, Madam."

A Ying then opened the chest and took out the wedding gifts prepared in advance. Fang Ma saw that each box was labeled—proof of Jin Niang’s meticulousness. She then went to find Chen Xiaolang and the guards Jiang Xian had hired in Wu County, and together they set off for Yangzhou.

Jin Niang used the gift lists to teach Yun Jieer characters, then took out several different calling cards to instruct her: "Look, these are calling cards. Some are made of red silk with names embroidered in gold thread; others use fine brocade with crimson velvet thread for the characters—usually used by lower-ranking officials paying respects to higher ones, often those beneath your father’s rank. See the wording—terms like 'humble junior' and 'late student.'"

Yun Jieer memorized this silently, then pointed at a white one: "Mother, what’s this?"

"That’s an invitation, for hosting guests. See, the cover is unadorned white paper, about half a foot wide and a foot long, folded into an envelope shape. A red strip is pasted vertically in the center, bearing the name and title of the invitee. Inside is a smaller sheet of white paper—the invitation itself. The content can vary, but it must state the reason, time, location, and courtesies for the recipient, signed with the host’s name and title." When Jin Niang first left Bianjing, she knew little of official customs, but in just two years, she’d learned the ropes and now spoke with authority.

She naturally imparted all this to her daughter—she wouldn’t let her remain as ignorant as she had been.

"Let’s skip needlework today and practice writing calling cards, alright?"

Yun Jieer nodded vigorously. Jin Niang then simulated scenarios for her to write, and as she worked, the girl complained about her brother: "Ning Geer kept trying to jump in the snow, but Nanny and I stopped him."

"He’s quite bold. Before Mid-Autumn, I took him to the garden, and he squashed a caterpillar flat—just like that!" Jin Niang felt her son was the opposite of his father—fearless from a young age, while her husband was somewhat timid.

Still, she laughed, "But we can’t let him stomp in the snow, or he’ll catch a cold."

Yun Jieer said sagely, "Catching a cold means headaches and a runny nose."

"Exactly—our Yun Jieer is so clever." Jin Niang praised her warmly.

Once Yun Jieer finished practicing the calling cards, Jin Niang circled the incorrect parts and had her rewrite one neatly. At noon, she showed it to Jiang Xian, who also praised their daughter and said to Jin Niang, "We’ve been blessed with such good children."

Jin Niang thought to herself that it helped that she’d only had two—any more, and she wouldn’t have had the energy to raise them properly.

On the third day of the new year, Fang Ma and Chen Xiaolang returned from their trip, pleased with their tips from Aunt Dou. Chen Xiaolang had brought back playthings for his son. Min Zhi now worked as a needlework maid in the Jiang household, while Chen Xiaolang handled outside assignments—both held respectable positions in the household. Min Zhi smiled, "Was it necessary to buy so much?"

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

"You don't know how hard it was for him to sell at the ferry, his face wind-chapped and red from the wind. I took pity on him and bought a few things." Chen Xiaolang's life was much better now than before, and with Min Zhi being so attentive, the couple's days were getting better and better.

Min Zhi then said, "Don't forget about Xi Qiu's matter."

Xi Qiu and Min Zhi had both originally been given by Madam Jiang Liu to serve Jiang Xian. However, Min Zhi, being skilled in needlework, was later promoted by Jin Niang, while Xi Qiu's cooking couldn't compare to Ju Xiang's, nor was she good at needlework, so she was reassigned to serve the young mistress instead, which at least offered her a different path.

But now, with her marriage unsettled, she naturally turned to Min Zhi for help. Mindful of their shared history, Min Zhi asked her husband to look into it carefully for their sister.

Chen Xiaolang smiled. "Don’t worry, I won’t forget. Even if you didn’t mention it, the mistress had already tasked me."

Originally, Min Zhi had also considered matching Xi Qiu with Liu Douer, since they had all come from the Jiang family together. But the matchmaker's red thread never connected them, and besides, marriage arrangements were the mistress's prerogative—they wouldn’t dare take matters into their own hands.

Xi Qiu’s matter would have to wait until after the New Year. Chen Xiaolang still had to report back to Jin Niang about the Dou family’s situation: "I met the eldest son of the Dou family. He’s now under the care of the elder master, who arranged a marriage for him and keeps him under strict discipline. But he seems stifled, his face dark with resentment."

"Good, I understand. You've done well." Jin Niang dismissed Chen Xiaolang.

Fang Ma, being in the inner household, had no knowledge of outside matters, so it was fortunate Chen Xiaolang had gone. However, the Dou family’s inner household didn’t seem peaceful either. "Miss Yuan’s marriage into the Zhen family is undoubtedly a socially advantageous match, so the dowry was very lavish—enough to fill two boats."

"That’s nothing unusual. Aunt Dou herself brought a rich dowry when she married in, and the Dou family is a prominent family. This isn’t surprising." Jin Niang didn’t find it remarkable.

But Fang Ma said, "Only the elder master of the Dou family holds an official post. Second Master Dou hasn’t achieved much over the years. Though the family is wealthy, there are many dependents to provide for, so each person’s share isn’t much. I couldn’t inquire too directly, but I suspect the aunt might be hoping for her son to be adopted into the main line, so she’s given all the second branch’s wealth to Miss Yuan."

Jin Niang privately recalled how the eldest madam of the Zhou family had done something similar—later, the dowries of the third and fourth daughters were less than a quarter of the eldest’s.

Jin Niang discussed the Dou family’s affairs with Jiang Xian, who remarked, "It’s a good thing I never met the elder master of the Dou family back then. From the looks of it, the eldest son isn’t promising either."

"That’s hard to say. By order, it should be him, but whether he can uphold the family fortune is another matter. I just think we should maintain relations as relatives—help if we can, refuse if we can’t. But if the ties of interest run too deep, short-term gains might lead to future entanglements we can’t shake off."

Jiang Xian nodded. "You’re teaching me to follow the upright path."

Jin Niang smiled. "Prefer what's gained honestly over what's sought through deceit. Not for the golden scales, but to catch kings and lords."

Jiang Xian pondered the words, savoring their meaning, then looked at his wife. "Do you think I could become a prime minister?"

The *Investiture of the Gods* was unknown in the Song Dynasty, but Jin Niang felt it suited Jiang Xian. If he truly devoted himself to the righteous path, it wasn’t impossible.

Still, Jin Niang laughed. "Of course I believe you have the makings of a chief councilor. But even if you did become prime minister, many things might not go as smoothly as you’d hope."

"What do you mean?" Jiang Xian had thought she’d be eager for it.

Jin Niang replied, "When I had more flesh, I indulged freely, and every month I could go out feasting with my parents. Aside from making money, I was free of cares. Now, though I’m an official’s wife and life is comfortable, I still miss the carefree days of the past. Similarly, you may feel constrained as a minor official, unable to realize your ambitions, but once you’re in the spotlight, your every action may be weighed and measured."

Jiang Xian understood. "That’s true."

"But since ancient times, to every gain there is a loss. If a man holds great power, small faults matter little." Jin Niang said.

Jiang Xian knew this was his wife comforting him. Seeing her pick up a book after speaking, he opened his mouth to say more, only for her to stop him. "I’m going to read now."

"Oh." Jiang Xian withdrew quietly to steep tea.

After the tenth day of the New Year, the eldest daughter of the Gu family gave birth to a son. Jin Niang sent gifts for the third-day bathing ceremony but didn’t go herself. On the Lantern Festival, the family of four went in plain dress to the lantern festival. Ning Geer, dressed in a red brocade jacket made by Jin Niang, with a blue-green fox-fur sleeve over it and a red cloud-and-wild-goose-patterned hood, insisted on kissing his mother. His sister, Yun Jieer, wore a peach-red gold-dusted hibiscus-patterned lined jacket with a delicate yellow lambskin fox-fur sleeve and a matching hood, appearing vivacious and lovely as she pushed her brother away to keep his drool off their mother.

Jin Niang smiled at Jiang Xian. "Father, try to win us some lanterns today, won’t you?"

She had only been echoing the children’s way of addressing him, but Jiang Xian gave her a meaningful smile and said, "Alright, Daddy will win lanterns for you."

With his skill, he quickly won three lanterns—a goldfish lantern for Ning Geer, a pomegranate lantern for Yun Jieer, and the most splendid bodhi-leaf lantern for Jin Niang. Jin Niang was overjoyed. She also bought jade plum, night moth, bee, and snow willow ornaments, distributing them to Yun Jieer and the maids. When a strong wind rose, she took the children home.

After the Lantern Festival, Jin Niang rested for several days, only to hear that County Sheriff Mei had been accused of taking bribes to influence lawsuits. Prefect Shen, known for his strict governance, immediately reported to the supervisory officials and dispatched investigators to verify the claims.

Even Jiang Xian came under scrutiny, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing. Though he served as County Sheriff, every case he handled since taking office had airtight evidence and meticulous records. Moreover, this particular case had been processed by County Sheriff Mei while Jiang Xian was away on official business, so no blame could attach to him.

Jiang Xian remarked to Jin Niang, "It’s simply because the Zhaoxuan Commissioner died—his patron fell. Before, no one dared touch him, but now they’re eager to crush him. In officialdom, trouble sprouts from nothing, let alone when someone like County Sheriff Mei, never free of dirty dealings, already had ghosts in his past."

Thus, no matter how desperately County Sheriff Mei had struggled before the new year, it proved futile.

With County Sheriff Mei arrested, Madam Bao was utterly distraught. She sought help from Madam Wen, who refused her, and Jin Niang naturally followed suit. Involving oneself in such a case carried no small risk.

"What am I to do?" Madam Bao truly didn’t know.

Prefect Shen had to resolve the case before the imperial envoy arrived, leaving no stone unturned. County Sheriff Mei had been on good terms with his yamen colleagues, so he sent servants with the two thousand guan he’d saved over the years to grease palms.

At this point, Jin Niang could only keep ties with the family of Judge Yan, now posted elsewhere. Judge Yan himself had departed for his new appointment, but his wife and children remained in Wu County. Madam Yan was exceptionally shrewd at managing households, and Jin Niang often visited to learn from her.

Moreover, their youngest daughter was near in age to Yun Jieer, unlike Shen Wujie’s greater age gap. Jin Niang would bring her children for social calls.

For the Yan family, out-of-town authority couldn’t compete with local power. Though Judge Yan retained his rank, he now served elsewhere, while Jiang Xian remained in Wu County. Naturally, the Yans sought friendly relations.

Madam Yan discussed land matters with Jin Niang: "With official status, one manages. But absent oversight, local gentry might encroach on the fields, even dragging you into litigation."

"You speak truth, sister. I’ve thought the same," Jin Niang replied. This was why she’d initially purchased only two qing of farmland—modest investment yielding steady income. But circumstances had granted her three qing, requiring careful management. More would risk seizure by those of higher rank.

Moreover, salt, tea, wine, vinegar, alum, and frankincense were all government-controlled commodities, forbidden to private trade.

Even merchants rarely traveled far, for tax checkpoints proliferated. Each stop demanded another levy, rendering commerce unprofitable.

Madam Yan shared practical wisdom: "When we came to Wu County from Qin Fenglu for his posting, we offset travel costs by selling dates, walnuts, and sundry goods. Should you relocate, consider trading Wu County’s unprocessed silks and brocades—thus covering your journey’s expense."

"Wise counsel," Jin Niang said. She’d considered this before, but Jiang Xian had claimed Wu County lacked nothing, so she’d abandoned the thought.

Judge Yan now owned mulberry fields and orchards as cash crops, lending him much experience. After exchanging more pleasantries, Jin Niang took her leave.

Departing the Yan residence, Yun Jieer declared, "Mother, little Miss Yan knows fewer characters than I!"

"What then do you play together?" Jin Niang smiled.

Yun Jieer laughed, "We play the date-stone balancing game. She also has clay figurines and Mohole festival dolls. But she constantly boasts of her family’s superiority, which irks me."

"When spring comes, we’ll fly kites, yes?" Jin Niang proposed.

Yun Jieer nodded vigorously.

By February’s end, County Sheriff Mei’s low rank meant his two thousand guan bribe worked—he was merely stripped of his post. Upon release, he sold Madam Bao and several concubines, absconding with the proceeds and one pregnant concubine.

A matchmaker delivering hairpins to Jin Niang—her old jewelry melted down and recast as part of Xi Qiu’s dowry—mentioned County Sheriff Mei had consigned Madam Bao to a brothel for higher profit, charging her with the arrangements.

Though Jin Niang disliked Madam Bao, she judged County Sheriff Mei a heartless wretch. She told the matchmaker, "Place Madam Bao with a respectable family. Count it a merit."

The matchmaker smiled, "No need to ask—I’d have done so regardless."

Jin Niang paused, deeply moved. Perhaps only women could fathom women’s hardships—the kinship of their shared plight.