Chapter 104

Chapter 104

After the first soft, rustling snowfall of winter, Jin Niang wore a dark green close-fitting lined jacket beneath a bright red sable fur coat, which made her complexion appear even more radiant, like flawless jade.

Jiang Xian chuckled, "Are you really going to compose poetry today?"

"It's just an excuse for everyone to gather. Who actually takes poetry seriously? You know me—I'm just a dabbler at best." Jin Niang dipped an earpick hairpin into a pot of rouge and carefully applied it to her lips.

Jiang Xian sighed, "I barely made it home yesterday, and now you're leaving me again today. Don’t keep me waiting too long now."

"You've never said such things before. Fine, I’ll come back soon." Jin Niang stood up and patted his shoulder, only for Jiang Xian to seize her hand and give it a playful squeeze, sending a flush across her cheeks.

Jiang Xian then said, "Wait a moment."

He walked to the desk, picked up a brush, and swiftly wrote several pages. Jin Niang leaned over to look and saw that each piece was themed around "plum blossoms" and "snow."

Baffled, she asked, "Why are you writing these?"

"Take them with you. If you can't come up with anything, just use mine. I doubt the others will set anything too difficult." Jiang Xian grinned.

Jin Niang was stunned. "Isn’t that cheating? No, thank you."

Despite Jiang Xian’s coaxing, Jin Niang refused to even glance at the papers and strode out, leaving him with a wry smile. This headstrong lass would probably scold him later—better start cooking her favorite dish now.

Outside, Liu Douer had already hitched the horses. Jin Niang boarded the carriage first with Fang Ma, while Fan Si drove another cart carrying Qing Rong, A Ying, a clothing chest, and some ritual beverages and dried goods.

They soon arrived at Madam Qian’s residence. Madam Qian wore a thick brocaded coat with interlocking medallions, lined with silver-violet fur, and a Zhaojun-style hat with rabbit-fur trim. Jin Niang took her hand and asked, "I heard your eldest son’s wedding is approaching—is it true?"

"Oh, it’s just a humble affair. I didn’t think it worth mentioning." Madam Qian laughed.

As they strolled along the gallery, Jin Niang learned that Judicial Officer Dong had once arranged a betrothal alliance between his son and the Vice-Prefect’s granddaughter. However, while the Vice-Prefect’s career had stagnated, Judicial Officer Dong had risen to become a Judicial Officer in Daming Prefecture.

Jin Niang remarked, "I’ve acted as a Complete Fortune Matron five or six times now. If you haven’t chosen one yet, you could consider me."

For some reason, Jin Niang always felt that missing a chance to earn money was like letting a golden opportunity slip away.

Madam Qian beamed. "Who else would I ask if not you? I just didn’t know how to bring it up—glad you mentioned it first."

The two shared a knowing smile.

Initially, Madam Qian had only sought to befriend Jin Niang because their husbands—a Judicial Officer and a Judge—worked in the same office and needed to cooperate. But to her surprise, Madam Wei proved genuinely appreciative of goodwill. Even when the Subprefect's Lady tried to recruit her, Jin Niang refused, showing a principled firmness rare among those who would flock to anyone of higher rank, regardless of character.

The snow around the old plum tree had been cleared, and the guests gathered under the gallery, warming their hands with hand warmers as they admired the snow and blossoms. Madam Qian suggested, "Let’s open the nearby windows, go inside to warm up, and enjoy the view from there."

Everyone agreed. Inside, a large table was laden with forty plates of snacks, pastries, and dishes. Lan Shi sipped a cup of wine, dabbed her lips with a handkerchief, and said cheerfully, "The red plum blossoms are lovely, but Madam Qian’s garden has other splendid flowers too—camellias, crape myrtle, Chinese sacred lilies. Since limiting ourselves to plum blossoms would be unfair, why not make 'flowers' the theme? Any bloom in this garden is eligible."

Aside from Jin Niang and Lan Shi, several other educated official wives were present, all of whom approved.

Lan Shi added, "In that case, let’s compose seven-character regulated verses. Since we’re in this garden, why not use 'garden' as the rhyme? It’d be fitting."

The group agreed. Jin Niang titled her poem *Ode to Camellia*—she had always liked camellias. But her poetic skills were rudimentary at best, so she cobbled together some lines just to fill the meter.

Participation mattered more than winning!

Jin Niang didn’t care if she ranked last. In fact, she noticed that most people loved to lecture. If her poem was poor, seeking advice afterward would help her bond with others faster.

Lan Shi, expecting Jin Niang—who exuded scholarly grace—to excel, was the first to read her work. But after scanning it, she forced a chuckle. "Sister Wei’s poem is... not bad."

When the poetry arbiter announced the rankings, Jin Niang took last place. While the others cringed on her behalf, she simply smiled. "In that case, let me perform tea-whisking for everyone."

With that, she personally prepared and served tea to everyone, chatting and laughing without a hint of irritation.

Lan Shi was quietly impressed by her poise—others would surely have been embarrassed—and said, "I only studied for three years, but I love poetry. Once I improve, I’ll play along with you all."

"Don’t fret, sister. I’ll give you a few books of notes on poetry," Lan Shi quickly offered.

Jin Niang then sought advice on poetry, immediately bonding with the group. When it was time to dine, she had already invited everyone to her home for drinks in a few days, and all agreed to come. Upon returning, she promptly sent out invitations, even sending invites to Madam Ji and Old Madam Wang.

As usual, Old Madam Wang declined, sending her daughter-in-law Wu Shi instead, while Madam Ji excused herself due to poor health. However, both Qian Niangzi and Lan Shi attended to show their support. Jin Niang had Ru Yan, whose shop had just opened, deliver tea and snacks, even helping promote her: "Though her shop is new, she specializes in southern pastries. I found them quite delicious, so I bought some. Especially these buttery spiral pastries—they pair perfectly with jasmine tea."

Ru Yan had been worried about sales, but Jin Niang’s boost was unexpected. She even insisted on paying, saying Ru Yan’s small business couldn’t afford to give things away, and spent half a tael of silver on pastries to share with the official wives.

Wu Shi enjoyed them greatly, and Jin Niang smiled, "I bought plenty. Let me pack two boxes for you to take home later."

"I couldn’t possibly!" Wu Shi refused.

Jin Niang waved it off, "They’re only treats—no great expense."

Afterward, she led everyone in pitch-pot and backgammon. In the afternoon, she had servants barbecue meat for them. It wasn’t perfectly executed, but she successfully integrated into the circle and even helped Ru Yan gain customers.

Jiang Xian, seeing the stack of invitations, remarked in surprise, "Our dear Jin Niang has made so many friends since arriving here!"

"Not really, just a few. I’ll be staying in the next few days to study poetry seriously. Besides, the winter solstice is coming—we need to prepare for the New Year. This year, we must celebrate properly," Jin Niang replied with a smile.

Jiang Xian leaned in, pressing his cheek against hers. "Sweetheart, be with me today—just us, okay?"

Sometimes, when exhausted or disheartened, he simply wanted all her attention—no tasks, just her presence, and that alone brought him joy.

"Alright," Jin Niang understood his thoughts perfectly. At times, he was like a child, craving her focus.

But there was nothing wrong with that. No one’s born knowing how to be a parent, and his occasional childishness only proved their marital happiness.

Since Jin Niang wasn’t skilled in the kitchen, she only managed to make a pot of quail soup with fritillary bulbs—good for moistening lungs, relieving coughs, and reducing swelling.

Of course, the soup was made under Jiang Xian’s guidance. After tasting it, he praised, "You’ve outdone yourself, love."

Beyond cooking together, Jin Niang combed his hair, designed clothes for him, and the couple chatted intimately.

At one point, Jiang Xian sighed, "The caseload in Daming Prefecture is overwhelming. Thankfully, Judicial Officer Dong is reasonable—it’s nothing like Wu County."

"That’s good. I heard that during the Yifeng era of the Tang Dynasty, Di Renjie, after being promoted to Court of Judicial Review, cleared 17,000 backlogged cases in a year without a single wrongful accusation. He later became Censor-in-Chief. Let’s not fret over promotions—those who excel will always be recognized," Jin Niang reassured him.

Jiang Xian was ambitious but prone to discouragement when progress stalled. Jin Niang’s relentless encouragement kept his spirits high, making even a bleak career path feel bearable.

"Darling, you’re my remedy. Without you, I’d never recover."

Jin Niang laughed, "Don’t be silly. Who in this world can’t live without another? If I died tomorrow, the sun would still rise and set unchanged."

This was why she pursued wealth without being enslaved by it.

She didn’t say aloud that Sixth Uncle, despite his age and three sons and a daughter, remarried swiftly after his wife’s death.

Jiang Xian, with far better prospects, might find a new match within a month—perhaps even better, like Han Xiao.

But voicing such thoughts would shatter their tender moment.

Seeing her lowered gaze, Jiang Xian guessed her thoughts. Promises were futile—only actions could prove his devotion.

Jin Niang, ever optimistic, soon brightened. "Let me show you a new outfit," she said cheerfully.

"Alright." Jiang Xian thought she had truly come up with a new design, but when she emerged, he nearly had a nosebleed: "Darling, isn't this a nun's robe? Why is it so sheer?"

Jin Niang had previously received a bolt of gray gauze as a gift and, struck by inspiration, secretly sewed it into a translucent nun's robe. She stood there, simply smiling without a word.

Jiang Xian pulled her onto the bed: "It’s freezing out—don’t catch a chill."

……

Never mind how blissful Jiang Xian’s day had been, the heavy snowfall had blocked the roads, temporarily suspending classes at the Wei Family Female Academy. Fortunately, Yun Jieer had placed third in the recent exams, which was quite satisfying.

Jin Niang had planned to gather her children at Linglong Pavilion for a barbecue, but then Madam Qian sent a message that Wu Shi’s eldest son had died.

"What? Then we must all go," Jin Niang said to Lan Shi.

Wu Shi’s son was the legitimate eldest son—the Wang family had several grandsons, but this was the only one born to the principal wife and raised under Old Madam Wang’s care. Thinking of Wu Shi, Jin Niang, also a mother, couldn’t help but weep.

She and Lan Shi prepared condolence gifts and went to meet Madam Qian. Though the three of them had heard the news early, they ended up arriving late after waiting for one another.

Unlike Madam Ji, who had rushed over as soon as she heard.

But Madam Ji wasn’t happy—she always felt like a lone general, as if no one considered her a friend. In truth, hardly anyone cared about her.

Wu Shi, usually composed and dignified, now wailed in grief: "My child, how could you bear to leave me? This is tearing my heart out!"

Jin Niang found herself weeping too—she couldn’t even imagine the pain of losing a child. It was unbearable pain!

Wu Shi had collapsed, unable to stand, and her maid hurried to support her.

"How did he pass so suddenly?" Jin Niang knew the boy was already over ten—no longer a small child.

Wu Shi’s attendant explained: "The young master was always healthy. He just caught a cold, and then he was gone. Wei Qilang played with him too, but he’s fine. No wonder our mistress is so distraught—it was too sudden."

Just then, Madam Wei arrived, and everyone rushed to greet her, weeping anew.

The Wang family had prepared tea and food. Jin Niang couldn’t help saying, "His illness took him too quickly—otherwise, I could have given him the Guanyin image I embroidered. When I stitched that Buddha, it was consecrated at Zijin Temple and blessed with sutras. I’m not superstitious, but ever since I hung it at home, my children and I have never fallen ill."

One must always be prepared and seize the moment.

Sure enough, after leaving the Wang residence, Madam Wei approached Jin Niang, mentioning that Wei Qilang had also fallen ill.

"What can be done? Have you called a physician?" She hoped Madam Wei would trust the doctors—her embroidery was merely for comfort and goodwill.

Madam Wei replied, "Of course we have—several physicians, in fact. Though his fever has broken, he still coughs."

Jin Niang looked at her: "Then you must be suffering as well. A mother’s heart is the same. In winter like this, the braziers must be kept blazing, but the windows shouldn’t be sealed too tightly."

Madam Wei thought, *I didn’t stop you to hear this. Was my hint too subtle? Or does Mrs. Jiang not wish to part with it?*

If she was unwilling, Madam Wei couldn’t force her.

Just as she wavered, Jin Niang spoke again: "Madam Wei, I have a Guanyin image at home—consecrated. If you don’t mind, would you like to take it?"

Hearing this, Madam Wei felt as if cool water had been poured over parched earth. Even someone as reserved as her couldn’t hide her joy: "That would be wonderful."

After returning home, Jin Niang told Jiang Xian: "The move doesn’t have to be clever—just effective. The Wei family may not hold local office, but the Fiscal Commissioner is a third-rank official. I’ve inquired—their reputation is excellent. If we can forge this connection, it might smooth our return to the capital."

"You think fast," Jiang Xian couldn’t help praising.

To think of a solution the moment she heard Madam Wei’s son was ill—her mind moves quicker than most.

Jin Niang said, "That’s enough for now. I need to find a box to pack the embroidery and bring it over. Oh, and I should also send some nutritious supplements." After gathering everything, she set off for the Wei household with Fang Ma, A Ying, and others, leaving Qing Rong at home to manage affairs.

Once in the carriage, A Ying said, "Mistress, Ru Yan gave me eight boxes of pastries. I tried to pay, but she refused."

"I’ve already helped her secure connections. From now on, she should focus on her business without such gestures. You shouldn’t take things from her either—she runs a modest business and struggles enough as it is," Jin Niang replied.

A Ying smiled. "Understood."

Jin Niang said seriously, "I mean it. We all know Ru Yan’s background, and we won’t speak of it. But if other servants or retainers get too close, they might ask questions. She worked hard to leave that life behind—if word gets out, how will she establish herself? People might assume her teahouse is disreputable. Besides, we’ll only be in Daming Prefecture for three years. She should find a protector soon so she can stand on her own after we leave. If we interfere too much, she won’t be able to move forward."

From the start, Jin Niang had never expected repayment from Ru Yan. Even when she arranged for her to learn coroner and medical skills from Sister Jiang Liu, it had been out of personal consideration. Now that Ru Yan had built her own life, Jin Niang felt it best to avoid further ties.

Ru Yan deserved a fresh start.

A Ying, who always heeded Jin Niang’s words, quickly said, "Don’t worry, I’ll follow your wishes."

Fang Ma, listening nearby, nodded in approval. This was for the best.

Soon, they arrived at the Wei residence. This time, Madam Wei personally sent her attendant to greet them. Jin Niang followed her inside and promptly handed over the embroidery. When Madam Wei opened it, a faint sandalwood fragrance wafted out—proof that it had been regularly worshipped. The half-height Guanyin embroidery depicted the bodhisattva with a compassionate expression, golden rays radiating behind her, the purple robes enhancing her sacred, merciful, and wise aura.

"Mrs. Jiang, I truly thank you. Once my child recovers, we’ll return it," Madam Wei said.

Jin Niang remained silent at first, choosing instead to visit Wei Qilang. The boy, whom girls called a "fox spirit in boy’s form," lived up to the nickname—exceptionally handsome for his age, with long lashes and porcelain-fair skin.

Only after leaving the sickroom did she say to Madam Wei, "If this Guanyin image helps the young master recover, please keep it in your home. I can always embroider another. A child’s health matters more than anything."

Madam Wei recalled how Jiang Xian and his wife had gone to great lengths to find a tutor for their daughter, even pulling strings through her household. Their devotion to their children made their empathy all the more understandable.

Within three days of hanging the Purplerobed Guanyin, Wei Qilang’s condition improved completely.

Madam Wei personally visited to propose formal kinship ties, but Jin Niang smiled and said, "I’d be honored, but we share the same surname—it’s considered ill-omened."

Though Jin Niang wasn’t entirely sure about the custom, it was widely believed that godparents sharing a surname could bring conflict.

"You’re also surnamed Wei?" Madam Wei found it quite a coincidence.

Jin Niang smiled. "Indeed, though my family is humble compared to yours."

Madam Wei privately noted that the Jiang brothers were young and promising, with Jiang Xian reputed for his political achievements. Seeing an opportunity, she suggested joining their family lines. Jin Niang readily agreed—she had full authority over her own family’s affairs.

With her brother embarking on an official career, ties to the Wei family would be invaluable.

Madam Wei promptly wrote to her husband and notified their clan. After over a month of arrangements, the Jiangs were formally joined to the Wei lineage. Now, when Jin Niang visited the Weis, they addressed her as "Auntie," and she called Madam Wei "Eldest Sister." She even brought her husband and children to dine with the Wei clan.

Madam Wei couldn’t stop holding Ning Geer, prompting Jin Niang to laugh. "You should know—this child usually refuses to be held unless it’s by a pretty young lady."

This only delighted Madam Wei further.

On their return, Luo Da arrived with rent proceeds. Jin Niang informed him of the lineage linkage and entrusted him with a letter home. Luo Da also shared updates: "Since Yang Geer entered the Imperial College, many have proposed matches. His future in-laws said they’d wait for your return to decide."

"Yang Geer is still young. Let him focus on his studies—earning his jinshi degree would be ideal," Jin Niang said.

Her brother was honest, and their family’s means were modest. She had seen households that betrothed Imperial College students early—the brides’ families often dominated, and her mother had a temper. Such a clash would make home life unbearable. Worse were those who appeared prosperous but turned out to be all show and no substance, possibly even leeching off the groom’s family.

Their move to Daming Prefecture had delighted Luo Da the most—the journey from Kaifeng was much shorter than to Wu County. After meeting Jin Niang, he went to see Jiang Xian, first saying, "Congratulations on your promotion to Judge, sir."

"No great occasion. Have you seen my wife yet?" Jiang Xian replied offhandedly.

Luo Da smiled. "I heard Madam’s family has joined families with the Huainan Fiscal Commissioner—now that’s something to celebrate!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xian smiled faintly, "These days, I just go along with whatever your lady says."

Luo Da mused that a seventh-rank official’s wife getting close to the third-rank Fiscal Commissioner of Huainan—now that was skill. But when Jiang Xian asked about the capital, Luo Da straightened up and started briefing him.

Meanwhile, Jin Niang received the money from the capital, totaling nine hundred and eighty taels. Additionally, after Jiang Xian's promotion, his monthly salary had risen from seven strings of cash to twenty strings. His salary alone was enough to keep them living well, so Jin Niang could save almost all of that money.

She currently had no plans to purchase property in Daming Prefecture, as it was close to Bianjing. Better to save up and buy property in Bianjing later.

"A Ying, go prepare some food. Manager Luo has brought two young attendants—arrange for them to eat together," Jin Niang said.

A Ying rushed away, thinking, "Now that Luo Da’s here, soon Manor Manager Fan and Innkeeper Yao will come to settle accounts. The mistress was something else—in three short years, she’d snapped up hundreds of acres and even an inn. This year was sure to be a prosperous one."

Elsewhere, Second Madam Zhou received festival gifts from Third Madam Zhou. The two had never gotten along well, even in their maiden days, so it was rare for Third Madam Zhou to send anything. A glance told her they were just cheap local goods—not even worth a second glance. When she married, her dowry included ten thousand taels, one of which was a wool shop with a capital of six thousand five hundred taels. It used to yield a profit of a thousand strings a year, but the manager had grown arrogant, acting like he owned the place. Second Madam Zhou dismissed him and replaced him with her own man, but soon after, the shop’s annual income plummeted to just five hundred strings.

For commoners, it’d be a windfall—for her family, it barely covered costs.

Now, daily expenses and social engagements were covered by the household funds, but anything extra had to come from her private savings—especially since her father-in-law had retired, leaving her mother-in-law increasingly tight-fisted. She once dressed in brocades—now she was stuck wearing her dowry lynx coat all winter. A good sable coat would cost sixty taels.

On top of that, her daughter had been betrothed in infancy—a match arranged by her mother to the youngest son of a military governor. Her family had no status now, while the groom’s family held real power. Though her daughter was only eight, the dowry had to be prepared, amounting to at least ten thousand strings. The He family had not yet divided their estate, and when the eldest brother’s daughter married, the household only contributed two hundred strings. What use was that?

As she pondered this, she noticed Third Madam Zhou had also included a letter. Opening it, she was shocked to read that Jiang Xian’s wife was none other than Wei Jinniang, who had once worked as a servant in their household.

She hadn’t even recognized her. How laughable that the woman had pretended not to know her.

Did she really think her past could stay hidden? A lowly crow thinking she’s a phoenix? Pathetic!