Chapter 99

Chapter 99

Spring arrived, and Jin Niang washed and stored away all the fur-lined clothing. The fur-lined jackets for Yun Jieer and Ning Geer were made slightly larger, ensuring they could be worn for another two or three years without issue.

The thick quilts were taken apart and washed, while the thin quilts were freshly padded. The entire household was bustling with activity.

At the same time, Jin Niang assigned the newly arrived maid by Yun Jieer's side to the kitchen to learn cooking. By the time Yun Jieer married, she would have Jiao Xing, who excelled in needlework, a maid skilled in cooking, and Fan Si, who could manage the estate—making for a well-rounded household staff.

But what parents prepared was only their effort. Whether Yun Jieer could manage these people in the future would depend on herself.

Xi Qiu and Fan Si married in spring, with their house next to Liu Douer's. However, since Fan Si had to assist Manor Manager Fan in overseeing the estate, he only returned home every few days. Xi Qiu had already tied up her hair and now managed the two maids in Yun Jieer's quarters, becoming even more attentive to the girl.

Meanwhile, a new scribe arrived at the county office. Jiang Xian had said the new scribe was in his forties, but he was actually in his fifties—though still not considered old. As the saying goes, "Thirty is old for a scholar, fifty is young for a jinshi." He brought his elderly wife and son to assume his position.

Jin Niang first had Ju Xiang prepare a box of rose pastries, then prepared three baskets of fish and shrimp, a pair of pork hocks, and two bolts of brocade as gifts.

She wasn't offering anything extravagant—Wen Niangzi had prepared similar gifts, and Jin Niang didn't want to outdo her.

The new Madam Registrar was also in her fifties and was addressed as Madam He. Her family was quite refined in their manners, returning the courtesy with a bolt of crabapple-red tortoiseshell-patterned fabric, a length of delicate silk, half a sheep, two boxes of pastries, and three boxes of fresh fruit.

A Ying, who was sewing shoe soles below, couldn't help but remark, "Madam, Madam He's family only has one son—Yamen Scion He, who is a student at the National Academy in Nanjing. I heard his first wife had died a few years ago, so their household is quite peaceful now."

The Nanjing National Academy wasn't in present-day Nanjing, Jiangsu, but in Shangqiu, Henan. The current Nanjing was called Jiangning Prefecture at this time.

"That's good to hear," Jin Niang said, relieved.

As usual, Wen Niangzi hosted a welcoming banquet for the He family, which Jin Niang attended. Later, she also invited Madam He over for a meal, and the two finally had a proper conversation.

Madam He, seeing Jin Niang dressed in fine silk robes, adorned with pearls and jade, and comporting herself gracefully, took an immediate liking to her. After a round of wine, she was further impressed by Jin Niang's cultured manners and refined speech. When Jin Niang's children came to pay their respects, looking like perfect little angels, Madam He hurriedly produced presents for them.

Jin Niang smiled. "We couldn't possibly accept such generosity from you."

Madam He insisted, so Jin Niang had Yun Jieer and Ning Geer thank her before excusing themselves.

Madam He, being older, spent her days at home keeping to her Buddhist devotions, never stirring up trouble. She settled into the county office without issue. Jin Niang had grown accustomed to such comings and goings, but Wen Niangzi sighed with emotion. "Of the three people I knew when I first arrived, only you remain here now."

Tian Niangzi had followed her husband to Liyang, and no one knew where Bao Niangzi had gone. No wonder people said, "Officials come and go like flowing water while clerks remain as constant as iron." But Jin Niang, who had once been troubled by such changes, had gradually come to accept them. She even comforted Wen Niangzi in return: "Life's sorrows flow endlessly east like the river."

This line came from Li Yu's poem "Joy of Meeting · Forest Flowers Shedding Spring Red," meaning that the sorrows of life are as ceaseless as the river flowing east. Jin Niang used it to remind Wen Niangzi that regret was an inevitable part of life—rather than clinging to an irretrievable past, it was better to let go and cherish each day.

Seeing Wen Niangzi nod, Jin Niang felt quite pleased.

Little did she know that after she left, Wen Niangzi turned to Sheng Ma beside her and asked, "What did the County Sheriff's Lady mean just now?"

Sheng Ma shook her head—how would she know?

Spring also brought many illnesses. Prefect Shen's son came down with a cough, and Madam Shen decided to visit a temple to pray. The wives of subordinate officials accompanied her. Jin Niang, with her hair styled in a lily hairstyle and wrapped in plain silk, a gold filigree comb at her hairline, joined them. She noticed that many of these women weren't necessarily devout Buddhists—but when human efforts proved insufficient, they turned to divine faith.

Moreover, women often had a stronger moral compass. Things men did without a second thought troubled women's consciences, which was another reason so many sought solace in religion.

Though Jin Niang didn't truly believe, she devoutly copied scriptures, appearing very pious.

After all, when those above set an example, those below must follow.

Though Prefect Shen was a man of integrity, his family wasn't always the same. Yun Jieer had mentioned seeing several rosaries on Shen Wujie, gifts from subordinates.

After a vegetarian meal and a sermon on Buddhist doctrine, Jin Niang made her way home yawning. A Ying, meanwhile, had been nodding off like a chicken pecking grain. Startled awake by a bump in the road, she said, "Madam, the Buddhist teachings are so profound—I still don't quite understand such deep wisdom."

"It's normal not to understand. If someone your age could grasp such deep wisdom, that would be extraordinary," Jin Niang laughed.

Back at the county office, Jin Niang heard Gu Qingru had stopped by, but finding no one there, she left.

Since Gu Qingru hadn’t left word, Jin Niang figured it was just a friendly visit. The next day, she sent someone to Magpie Lane to inquire, and Gu Qingru confirmed she had only come for a chat, with no urgent matters. So Jin Niang decided to invite her over again before the Cold Food Festival.

Ru Yan came by too. Jin Niang had been helping her out for a while, but later, Ru Yan began accompanying Sixth Sister Jiang on medical visits, now making enough from consultations to get by.

This time, she showed up with a crystal goose, two roast ducks, four fresh chickens, and six plates of longevity peaches as gifts for Jiang Xian’s birthday. He was turning twenty-five—not a big birthday, but as the county’s third-in-command, it still mattered.

Ru Yan knew her place. She hardly ever spoke to Jiang Xian alone unless he was out investigating, and even her gifts were delivered through Jin Niang.

Jin Niang smiled and said, “Thank you for going to such trouble to prepare these.”

“Don’t mention it, madam. If not for you, I’d have drowned in the river long ago. I wouldn’t be here today,” Ru Yan replied.

Jin Niang brushed it aside. So-called life-saving favors shouldn’t be counted on to be remembered forever. People forget favors—that’s just how things go. She simply said, “I’ve long since put the past behind me. You needn’t dwell on it either. Just focus on working well with Jiang Liu, and if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Ru Yan was taken aback. “Why do you treat me so well?”

Jin Niang saw her discomfort and explained, “Well, for one, I need a female physician—it wouldn’t do to have just anyone examine me. Besides, my husband is the County Sheriff. If he gets transferred as a magistrate someday, having our own coroner would be even better, wouldn’t it?”

Hearing this, Ru Yan eased up. “I’ll do my best to assist you.”

Still, Jin Niang added, “If you can establish yourself as a female physician, perhaps even open your own practice with apprentices someday, you’ll never have to worry about making ends meet.” She pointed to people she knew as examples—like Lou Siniang, who lived comfortably on consultation fees.

Ru Yan’s spirits lifted—her future looked brighter now.

Meanwhile, Jin Niang was turning over business ideas in her head. If she were to transport silk to another post, she couldn’t immediately find a silk shop upon arrival, nor could she take it straight to the official quarters. A *tafang*—a storage house—would do the trick.

Inns (*didian*) housed traveling merchants, while *tafang* served as warehouses, especially in Wu County, situated along the Jianghuai waterways, where water transport was cheap and well-developed. Many shipped grain directly to the capital, then stored goods in *tafang*, paying rent and safekeeping fees.

Buying in Bianjing was out of her reach, but Pingjiang, a key port along the Grand Canal, was within her means.

When she first shared her idea of opening a *tafang* with Gu Qingru, the latter clapped her hands, pleased. “That’s excellent! Why not consult a broker?”

“I can’t summon one to the county office—it might invite unwanted favors,” Jin Niang replied, wary of unsolicited gifts.

Gu Qingru understood and called in a few trusted brokers. Jin Niang learned that *tafang* were typically built near water, and many wealthy families had built fortunes on them, even expanding into teahouses and combined inn-warehouses.

However, even the smallest *tafang* had hundreds of rooms, leaving Jin Niang sighing in resignation. Still, if not a *tafang*, perhaps a *didian* would do.

Besides lodging, *didian* also functioned as warehouses. Setting one up near a courier station would attract merchants needing storage. While large-scale operations might be too costly, rural locations weren’t out of the question.

She decided not to involve Gu Qingru further, fearing financial entanglement might complicate their friendship.

Considering her husband’s possible reassignment in June, she drafted a plan so they could adapt wherever he was posted—unless it was some desolate backwater.

“If we open elsewhere, we could brand it as a ‘Jiangnan *Didian*,’” she mused. “We could even bring Sister Hua along—her three sons and daughter don’t get along well with her mother-in-law. She could prepare Jiangnan-style dishes, making merchants more willing to stay. We’d divide rooms into official suites, modest chambers, and shared bunks. If family help falls short, we could hire a manager.”

A grand *didian* was beyond her, but a modest one was feasible.

Jiang Xian admired his wife’s smarts. She wasn’t just talking big—she presented detailed plans, even sketching room layouts for different tiers.

“My dear, other places aren’t as prosperous as Wu County. If we’re doing this, let’s do it here. Leave finding a location to me—I know every corner of this county from catching thieves. You rest,” he said.

Jin Niang chuckled. “Fine. But with the imperial inspector arriving soon, will you have time?”

Jiang Xian grinned. “A busy man’s a happy man.”

Soon, he found two spots. One was a shop near the west gate, formerly a den of bandits—operating by day, robbing and killing lone merchants by night. Jiang Xian had exposed them, and some had already been executed.

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The other location was thirty li from the city, where an old man and his two sons ran a shop. The old man was a butcher, but it turned out to be another murder inn—not only did they rob and kill travelers, but they also sold human flesh.

This reminded Jin Niang of the infamous "human-flesh buns" from *Water Margin*, and she was shocked to find such things actually existed.

"How are they all murder inns?" Jin Niang felt a bit frightened.

Jiang Xian, who was usually terrified of ghosts, showed unexpected courage: "But they're cheap! The place is already the scene of murders, and the proprietor is desperate to sell."

Upon hearing the price, Jin Niang was tempted. She didn’t mind the murderous history and even suggested, "You serve as an official in Wu County and have people gathering information for you. But if we move elsewhere for your next post, they’ll lose their livelihood. Why not pick one or two capable and reliable ones to act as managers?"

Jiang Xian took Jin Niang to inspect both locations. She preferred the one near the city gate—a five-bay frontage with three floors, a gabled pavilion, six side rooms, and additional living quarters, a latrine, and a kitchen at the back, plus an added single-story annex.

Originally priced at 560 taels, it could now be acquired for just 200 taels.

Instead of paying in cash, Jin Niang paid in tea instead of silver. Over the years as a *Complete Fortune Matron*, she had accumulated plenty of tea, originally intending to sell it for cash. But the seller directly requested tea instead, planning to trade it elsewhere. Jin Niang agreed and handed over the tea, securing the property deed in the process.

Once acquired, she had the place thoroughly cleaned, repainted, and rebranded.

The guest rooms—especially the upper-class ones—were bright and tidy, furnished with bamboo beds, tea stoves, vases, and incense burners, all arranged on the second and third floors. Even the lower-tier rooms were treated with mugwort to repel mosquitoes, and the communal beds were no exception. The annex was converted into storage, with a water barrel by each doorway as a fire precaution.

Guards were stationed at the entrance to ensure safety, barring unsavory characters, especially at night when a lodging pass was required.

Jiang Xian selected a man named Yao Fang as the manager. A former soldier with considerable strength and people skills, Yao Fang had a sixteen-year-old son who had studied for two years and could handle basic bookkeeping. Additionally, Sister Hua and her family were hired—her two elder sons as laborers and her daughter assisting in the kitchen.

The inn officially opened during the Qingming Festival. Jin Niang hung her exquisite embroidered portrait of the Purple-Robed Guanyin in the main hall to ward off evil, its divine glow seemingly illuminating the space. She also instructed Manager Yao to set up a "Lost and Found" box at the counter, ensuring any recovered items were handed over rather than pocketed. Night patrols were organized to guarantee guest safety.

The inn introduced a discount system: upper-class guests received complimentary breakfast.

Manager Yao earned two guan of coins monthly, while Sister Hua received three hundred coins—both paid directly by Jin Niang. Others were given a trial month; only those who adapted well stayed, while the lazy or dishonest were dismissed.

Prices were set at 100 coins per day for upper-class rooms (all in the front building), 60 coins for mid-tier rooms, and a mere 20 coins per person for communal beds (15 people per room). The seven storage rooms, rented at ten guan per month, were the main profit source.

This didn’t even include meal charges. If fully occupied, the inn could earn over 700 guan annually; even half occupancy would yield 300 guan.

Wary guests, reassured by the sight of the Purple-Robed Guanyin, stayed a night and found it perfectly safe. Gradually, business picked up.

As Jin Niang made calculations, she stored the service agreements for Yao Fang and Sister Hua’s family in a box.

Just then, A Ying arrived, smiling. "Madam, I’m back."

Earlier, Jin Niang had sent A Ying to deliver two peony plants to Gu Qingru. She had bought over a dozen peonies from Yangzhou to decorate the inn’s guest rooms and decided to gift two particularly fine ones to Gu Qingru.

A Ying reported, "Madam, Miss Gu asked me about Scion He. It seems the He family sent a go-between to propose marriage."

"What? How did they even meet?" Jin Niang asked.

A Ying chuckled. "Remember when you accompanied Madam Shen to the Buddhist temple? Miss Gu came looking for you but missed you—only to run into Scion He instead."

Scion He had been widowed for years, with only a bedmaid serving him. Notably, his mother was quite amiable.

"What did you say?" Jin Niang pressed.

A Ying replied, "I told the truth. It seemed Miss Gu was seven- or eight-tenths inclined."

Jin Niang nodded. "If Scion He took the initiative to propose, it shows sincerity. The He family is well-off, and as an only son, she wouldn’t have to deal with sisters-in-law."

Over the past year or two, many go-betweens had approached, but Jin Niang had Jiang Xian investigate—most were either wastrels after her money or deceitful about taking concubines. A woman of Gu Qingru’s caliber, even in her thirties, remained talented and beautiful. Jin Niang hoped she’d marry well. As for Scion He’s reputation, neither Scribe He nor his wife were entirely satisfied. His mother even sought Jin Niang’s opinion, to which she praised Gu Qingru: "Miss Gu is both talented and beautiful, owning two large tailor shops and an Embroidery Shop in Pingjiang, not to mention her ready money. But beyond material wealth, her true virtue lies in her loyalty. When her former husband’s family, the Shangs, fell into trouble, she came forward without a second thought to help financially. Even when they forced her out due to another woman's pregnancy, she never uttered a word against them all these years."

Lady He smiled reservedly and asked, "How did the sheriff's wife come to know this Lady Gu?"

"It all happened over a decade ago. Back then, the court was recruiting women skilled in embroidery from the common folk. Both of us were selected and met at the embroidery institute. Lady Gu was exceptionally talented and was specially appointed as the head embroiderer by several noble ladies. Even I was promoted thanks to her help." Jin Niang spared no effort in praising her.

In truth, Lady He had initially hoped her son could remarry an official's daughter. Lady Gu was older than her son, a merchant's daughter, and had been divorced before...

But after hearing Jin Niang's words today, she made up her mind immediately.

Fate works in strange ways. You might search for a good match day after day without success, yet a fleeting glance could bring destiny knocking.

Gu Qingru asked Jin Niang to be her wedding matron. Since both she and Magistrate He's son were remarrying, many formalities were simplified. Jin Niang naturally agreed.

She also shared some observations about Lady He's preferences with Gu Qingru: "She’s a dignified woman, usually quiet, spending most of her time in Buddhist devotion."

Gu Qingru listened attentively and said, "Thanks to your constant encouragement for me to socialize, otherwise I wouldn’t have encountered such a fortunate match."

"Sister, why say that? It’s entirely your own talent and beauty." Jin Niang didn’t feel she deserved any credit at all.

Flushing pink, Gu Qingru changed the subject and asked Jin Niang, "How's your inn business doing?"

Jin Niang replied, "Not bad. Initially, some were worried and advised us against opening there. We didn’t believe in superstitions, so we bought it anyway. With our team ready and a prime location near the city gate, we’ll grow it steadily."

The royal inspector had already arrived in Liangzhe Region, and Jiang Xian was extremely busy outside. He was remarkably capable. At the very least, Jin Niang saw how thoroughly he understood the entire Wu County and even the Pingjiang Army. For instance, when searching for shops, he could effortlessly recount the population of certain towns and villages, which routes were difficult, where the people were most cunning, and which areas were hard to govern—truly the mark of a capable official.

Besides assisting the county magistrate in managing Wu County, the county school under his jurisdiction also produced outstanding talents. When the royal inspector visited, he even praised Jiang Xian a few times.

Late at night, Jiang Xian finally returned home. Jin Niang brewed him hot tea and asked, "Why are you back so late today?"

"Had some last-minute prep. Can’t have everything running smoothly normally, only for things to fall apart when he arrives." Jiang Xian was exhausted.

Jin Niang then had Wisteria prepare hot water for him to freshen up and instructed the kitchen to bring rice porridge with a few side dishes. Jiang Xian hadn’t eaten much outside today. While the lavish dishes were delicious, they were overly salty, leaving a heavy aftertaste.

After a few bites of the light porridge at home, Jin Niang brought up Gu Qingru and Magistrate He's son’s marriage: "They plan to send betrothal gifts after the Dragon Boat Festival. I’ll need to visit the Gu family then."

Jiang Xian remarked, "Honestly, you’re the fortunate one here. Had she not associated with you, she might never have met Magistrate He's son, and this marriage wouldn’t have happened."

"Don’t give me all the credit. This truly has nothing to do with me." Jin Niang shook her head, refusing to take any credit.

A few days later, the royal inspector departed, and Jiang Xian finally relaxed. He visited the inn again and reported to Jin Niang that business was passable today.

Jin Niang smiled. "At least we haven’t touched our capital. As long as I understand how to manage this inn and warehouse, that’s enough."

Jiang Xian, however, thought that even if the inn’s business was mediocre, earning two to three hundred strings a year would suffice. Combined with three hundred strings from the estate, they’d make six hundred strings annually. Adding another thousand strings from the capital, they’d have around fifteen to sixteen hundred strings a year—plenty for us.

After discussing their finances, Jin Niang gave Gu Qingru a bag of silver the next day: "Sister, since you’re just starting your shop, take this as my investment. If I don’t accept, you might feel uneasy. Now that you’ve found a good match, and my husband’s transfer order is likely arriving next month, I’ll return this to you."

Only then did Gu Qingru realize Jin Niang’s thoughtful intentions and was deeply moved. "A friend like you makes life worthwhile."

After the Dragon Boat Festival, Jin Niang served as Gu Qingru’s wedding matron. In return, Gu Qingru gifted her a gem-studded headpiece, two pearl-embroidered outfits, two brocade dresses, four rolls of gold-threaded gauze, two rolls of octagonal-patterned brocade on red ground, two rolls of sheer silk, two sets of jewelry, two boxes of dried fruits, two boxes of fresh fruits, two jugs of wine, six silver ingots, and a crate of tea cakes.

Jiang Xian, watching his wife put away the gifts, knew she always compared them to typical bridal gift standards before accepting, ensuring she never left room for gossip.

Time flew by, and soon it was June. Jiang Xian’s transfer order arrived—he was promoted to Judge of Daming Prefecture.