Chapter 110

Chapter 110

The proprietor of the collapsed house delivered four months' bonuses, totaling four hundred taels. After receiving the sum, Jin Niang calculated the accounts and realized just how profitable the business was—it could potentially yield over ten thousand taels a year.

With this, she now had close to six thousand taels in hand. Daily expenses were covered by Jiang Xian’s salary and her earnings as a wedding matron, so all this money could be saved.

“A Ying, help prepare travel allowances for those three in the next few days, and also arrange some festive provisions for them. Oh, and don’t forget to send a portion to Manager Bi at the collapsed house,” Jin Niang instructed.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything. Since the master helped the Cui family crack a major case last time, their ships will be heading to Suzhou and Hangzhou before the New Year. They can take two of them along, so it won’t cost much,” A Ying replied.

Jin Niang nodded. Jiang Xian had been away on official business for a month, working on the Cui family’s case. The Cui family, a prominent family in Daming Prefecture, naturally wanted to send gifts in thanks. Though Jiang Xian refused, they insisted, so he simply asked them to give two people a ride instead, saving a considerable amount on travel expenses. The Cui family still felt it wasn’t enough, but after repeated refusals from Jin Niang and Jiang Xian, they finally gave up.

After discussing some other details, Yun Jieer returned, prompting Jin Niang to dismiss A Ying to attend to her tasks. Smiling, she remarked, “You’re back early today.”

Yun Jieer yawned. “I’ve been making the rounds to different houses these past few days. I’m exhausted.”

“If you’re tired, go rest,” Jin Niang said affectionately.

Yun Jieer then added, “Mother, today at the Wei family, we had barbecue again—lamb and venison. The venison jerky was especially tasty, so I wrapped some in oiled paper to bring back for you.”

Touched by her daughter’s thoughtfulness, Jin Niang mused that a good child is a blessing from past virtue. She tasted a few slices—venison usually had a gamy taste, but the seasoning masked it well, and the meat was tender.

“It’s delicious. Thank you, my dear.”

Pleased by her mother’s enjoyment, Yun Jieer rambled on about the day’s events—how Wei Qilang had excelled at both roasting meat and playing backgammon, how Miss Lan had scored a perfect throw in toss-pot, and how the Sun sisters had again pleaded illness as an excuse not to attend.

Jin Niang found it odd. “Why don’t the Sun sisters ever join?”

“I don’t know. They always say they have things at home,” Yun Jieer shrugged.

This matter only came to Zhou Si’s attention during the New Year. She was dismayed to learn her daughters had been avoiding social gatherings. Eldest Miss Sun explained, “Mother, our first visit was to Judge Jiang’s home. Their pavilions and corridors were stunning, and they served forty dishes! Our household is so small—how could we possibly match that?”

Zhou Si grew anxious. “You should’ve told me! I could’ve helped arrange things.”

She had sent her daughters to school for both education and social connections, yet they had shied away out of embarrassment. In terms of status, her husband was a seventh-rank county magistrate, higher than the Lan family’s military officer and on par with the judge. Both she and Sun Shichen came from official families, yet her daughters felt the most inferior.

Eldest Miss Sun, however, was pragmatic. “Mother, we should focus on studying. Our home is in Guantao, not Daming Prefecture. There’s no need to chase superficial socializing.”

“Still, it’s unfair to you,” Zhou Si sighed, acknowledging the truth in her daughter’s words.

Eldest Miss Sun, ever sensible, knew her mother struggled too. “Let’s not compare ourselves to others.”

Zhou Si sighed again. Her recent work as a wedding matron for wealthy families in Guantao County had only earned her twenty taels—far too little.

Guantao was less prosperous than Fuyang County, and while Daming Prefecture was better, it was difficult for them to establish themselves there. Now, they even had to send seasonal gifts to Old Madam Wang, which cost six or seven strings of coins.

Second Daughter Sun, less mature than her sister, complained, “Mother, Miss Jiang and the Ji family girls wear jewelry now. They change outfits daily and even have fur-lined jackets. Sister and I have nothing…”

Jewelry wasn’t an issue—Zhou Si had plenty from her dowry, including gifts from the old lady. But fur-lined jackets? Those were expensive. A single pelt cost four or five strings of coins, plus tailoring fees.

If only Old Madam Wang would assign her another wedding matron job! But the old lady was aloof, shunning worldly affairs.

While Zhou Si lamented her circumstances, Jin Niang secured another wedding matron assignment—thanks to her daughter’s networking. Yun Jieer had been touting her mother’s skills everywhere, catching the attention of Tixing Luo’s wife.

A deputy judge under Tixing Luo, an eighth-rank judicial inspector, was preparing for his daughter’s wedding and needed a reliable wedding matron. Originally, the groom’s sister was to take the role, but a falling-out between the sisters-in-law had ruined the plan. The inspector had always been obsequious to Tixing Luo’s wife, who then recommended Jin Niang, landing her the job.

To be a Complete Fortune Matron, one must first have the proper attire—a robe of octagonal brocade, a sable fur coat on the outside, and a gold crown on the head, presenting a very dignified appearance. She was also very familiar with the wedding procedures. Although the judicial magistrate was only a minor official of the eighth rank, he served under the Hebei Circuit's judicial commissioner. While she might not be as generous as the wealthy merchants of the Gu family from Pingjiang or Madam Wei, a third-rank noblewoman, her gifts were still quite respectable.

A pair of gold hair clasps, two sets of porcelain with hexagonal plum motifs, two luxury handkerchiefs woven with gold thread, a bolt of purple-gray crepe, a bolt of brown peony-patterned gauze, a bolt of hazy-gray silk, a crate of tea cakes, a silver ingot weighing twenty-five taels, a fresh pig, and two roasted geese.

After bringing the items home, Jin Niang handed the food to the kitchen and gave one of the goldwoven handkerchiefs to A Ying, who had been managing everything inside and out these days—no easy task.

"You’re always so thoughtful," A Ying said happily.

Jin Niang replied, "You should save your money now. The baby’s due soon—take it easy."

A Ying laughed. "Even if you told me to stay home, I wouldn’t be able to sit still. Besides, weren’t you busy all day when you were pregnant? I’m not that delicate."

Perhaps because A Ying married later, her frame was sturdier, and her pregnancy had been relatively smooth.

Jin Niang then said, "I have a wolfskin—nothing too expensive—but you can use it as a foot warmer when you give birth."

"Having you here puts me at ease," A Ying said, inexplicably reassured.

After their conversation, Jiang Xian entered, and A Ying quickly excused herself.

Jin Niang remarked, "Our daughter’s already pitching in."

"Yun Jieer is becoming more capable by the day. Yesterday, she told me you had her write out the gift list, and next year you’ll teach her the abacus," Jiang Xian said with pride.

Jin Niang smiled. "Money should circulate but not recklessly, and be still but not too still. One must learn to manage finances, constantly keeping accounts, so our family won’t fall into poverty in the future."

Jiang Xian then asked, "Just the one ingot this time?"

"That’s already quite a lot. After all, the truly wealthy are few. Oh, I must also take out the ginseng the Gu family sent earlier. Cousin Dou could go into labor any moment—this ginseng can help restore her strength." Jin Niang handed the keys to Qing Rong to fetch it.

Although the Zhen family would make preparations, Madam Zhen was not Dou Yuan’s birth mother. If anything was overlooked, Jin Niang could step in.

After chatting for a while, they were about to rest when Zi Teng came in and said, "Madam, Lady Dou’s water broke. She’s asking for you."

Jin Niang quickly had someone fetch her fur coat and rushed over. Zhen Erlang had already returned from Yingtian Prefecture, and he and Madam Zhen were sitting in the side room. Seeing Jin Niang arrive, they hurriedly bowed.

"No need for formalities. How is Yuan Niang?" Jin Niang asked.

Zhen Erlang paused for a moment—his wife’s name was Dou Yuan—then said, "They say she’s in labor now."

Jin Niang lifted the curtain and went inside. Dou Yuan lay on the bed, and the moment she saw Jin Niang, her face lit up, and she felt at ease. She had been anxious—afraid the midwife had been bribed or that she might face a difficult birth with no one to help. Now, she was reassured.

"Yuan Niang, I’ll sit right here and watch over you. Don’t worry," Jin Niang said.

Having spent the whole day as a Complete Fortune Matron, Jin Niang was exhausted, but she summoned her strength. Inside, the room was bustling with activity, while outside, Madam Zhen said to her son, "It probably won’t be that quick. I’ll go back and make arrangements. You stay here—her cousin’s wife is with her, after all."

"Let me escort you," Zhen Erlang said quickly.

Madam Zhen waved him off. "No need. Stay here and keep watch."

After returning, Madam Zhen went straight to the prayer room and did not summon Miss Yang for her studies. Miss Yang, however, felt uneasy. If Dou Yuan gave birth, her position would only become more secure.

She and her cousin had grown up together, and everyone assumed they’d marry—until Dou Yuan came between them.

Why must fate cruelly separate two people in love?

Bound by propriety, she could do nothing. Yet whenever she saw her cousin, she’d tear up helplessly. As for her father—when her mother was alive, he had barely spoken to her. Now with a new wife and multiple concubines, who would care about her?

Fortunately, news soon arrived: Dou Yuan had only given birth to a daughter. Miss Yang knew it wasn’t her concern, but she let out a relieved breath.

Madam Jin came out holding the child and said to Zhen Erlang, "Cousin-in-law, look at this child—her forehead is full, and the bone between her eyebrows rises straight into the hairline. This is the 'Fuxi bone,' a prominent brow ridge signifying nobility. I've heard that those born with this bone are destined for great nobility, perhaps even rising to the highest ranks of the court, or even becoming one of the Three Excellencies."

She couldn’t let anyone belittle the child, so she recited the carefully prepared words.

Fortunately, Zhen Erlang still had some sense and was delighted to look at his daughter before going out to spread the joyous news. Inside, Dou Yuan heard everything clearly and felt that her husband was still redeemable—she couldn’t completely let go and allow others to take him away.

After returning from the Zhen family, Madam Jin was dead on her feet and had to rest for two full days to recover. The baby’s washing-third ceremony happened to fall on New Year’s Eve, so Madam Jin went over briefly. Seeing that Dou Yuan was in good health, she returned home reassured.

At home, Ning Geer was already five years old. During the New Year holiday when studies were paused, Madam Jin had Jiang Xian review lessons with their son. To entertain the child, Jiang Xian mostly taught him arrow-throwing, chess, and backgammon—actual reading time barely lasted half an hour.

He had his own reasoning: "Ning Geer’s already so diligent, even better than me. Let him play during the New Year."

Of course, Madam Jin also doted on her son—after all, he was only five. On New Year’s Eve, the couple took him and Yun Jieer to the backyard to set off fireworks. Madam Jin even played a three-legged race, pairing up with Yun Jieer while Jiang Xian and Ning Geer formed the other team.

Mother and daughter moved in perfect sync and ended up overtaking Jiang Xian and Ning Geer, reaching the finish line first amid laughter.

On the second day of the New Year, they visited the Wei family. Besides delivering festive gifts, Madam Jin had made a wind cap for Wei Qilang. Madam Wei personally had her son come out to express his thanks.

"Thank you, Third Aunt," Wei Qilang said with a bow.

Madam Jin smiled. "No need for such formality, Qilang. I’ll leave Ning Geer in your care—take him to play."

Wei Qilang replied, "Don’t worry, Aunt," before leading Ning Geer away by the hand.

As for Yun Jieer, she was already studying at the Wei Family Female Academy and knew many people there. Hearing that both of the Wei family’s daughters were present, she went off to play with them.

Madam Jin was seated to play willow-leaf cards. After being formally adopted into the clan, she was ranked third by age. Sitting across from her was the former Third Aunt, now Fourth Aunt, who bore no resentment and instead mentioned to Madam Jin, "Speaking of which, the Wang family has been posted in Daming Prefecture for three years now. This is their final year."

"Is that true?" Madam Jin thought to herself how shrewd Madam Wang was to leave so quickly.

Fourth Aunt Wei laughed. "Why would I lie to you, Third Sister? It’s true. Who knows which new prefect will come next?"

Madam Jin recalled that Wei Liulang was betrothed to a daughter of the Wang family, so it made sense that the Weis knew the Wangs’ movements. Still, Old Madam Wang’s departure was a good thing—she was someone old in years but not in spirit. Unlike Old Madam Shen, mother of the Pingjiang Army Prefect, who knew how to conduct herself and never stirred trouble.

With few friends in their official postings, time passed quickly, and soon the Lantern Festival was over. Jiang Xian returned to his duties, and the children resumed their studies. Madam Jin had planned to rest at home for a few days, but then news came that the Ji family’s eldest daughter was betrothed this year. At thirteen, she was indeed at the typical age for betrothal among official families, though it still felt sudden.

Madam Jin asked Madam Qian, "Do you know which family it is?"

"A scholar from a humble background—not exactly a prestigious match," Madam Qian replied.

Madam Jin was puzzled. "There are plenty of suitable scholars from good families. Why marry into poverty?"

Madam Qian shook her head. "That’s their family matter."

The Ji family’s eldest daughter’s engagement naturally didn’t involve Madam Jin. To mend relations with Old Madam Wang, Madam Ji had instead hired Zhou Si. Zhou Si had hoped to make a hefty profit this time, even buying new attire for the occasion, only to receive a mere twenty taels from the Ji family, along with some food, wine, and two bolts of fabric.

No matter how favored the Ji family’s concubine was, Madam Ji was still the one handling these affairs—and she clearly didn’t take it seriously.

To make matters worse, Zhou Si had made the trek all the way from Guantao, only to earn so little after half a day’s work. She was deeply disappointed.

Meanwhile, her two daughters needed money for paints, books, and riding outfits, so most of the earnings were spent immediately. Second Daughter Sun added, "Mother, at the Female Academy, everyone takes turns treating others to snacks. They buy them from either Hongbin Tower or Cuiyun Tower—never homemade..."

Zhou Si frowned. "Since when did this trend of keeping up appearances start? Studying should be about learning, not these frivolities. I don’t think this female academy is all that great."

She believed academies should focus solely on education—why bother with such unnecessary things?

Madam Jin, however, wasn’t bothered. The Wei Family Female Academy was essentially a private school, so she had expected as much. If all she wanted was for her children to read a few books, hiring a pedantic old scholar for 3 guan a year would have been more than enough.

But at the academy, they learned reading, incense-making, horseback riding, scroll mounting, painting, and playing the zither—skills that would be hard to find individual tutors for elsewhere.

"Qing Rong, have Chen Xiaolang take a mace (qian) of silver to buy some fruit-stuffed pastries from Cuiyun Tower for Yun Jieer to take tomorrow," Jin Niang instructed.

A Ying had given birth to a son on the ninth day of the first lunar month and was still in confinement, so Jin Niang had Qing Rong take over the arrangements. Over the years, Qing Rong had served as an assistant, attending to tasks meticulously and earning Jin Niang’s praise, so she felt at ease entrusting her with the task.

The Sun sisters, because they couldn’t even bring a qian’s worth of pastries and felt awkward eating others’, always hurried in and out, finding no joy in the girls’ school. Later, Zhou Si had no choice but to accept pastries sent by a wealthy family from Guantao County who often flattered her. Though the family smiled on the surface, they secretly scorned her.

At the start of February, Dou Yuan finished her postpartum confinement. Her daughter was given the single-character name "Luo." Jin Niang didn’t dare kiss the baby, only holding her while saying to Dou Yuan, "Children need peace and quiet. The household shouldn’t be noisy, and don’t carry her outside too often—the wind is too harsh now."

"Cousin-in-law, my mother-in-law found out about the baby’s Fuxi bone (a physiognomic sign of nobility) and wants to raise her by her side," Dou Yuan said, knowing her cousin-in-law was trying to elevate her daughter’s status and fearing she might resent the child.

Jin Niang smiled. "Shh, mentioning the Fuxi bone once is enough—don’t keep bringing it up. Focus on recovering and raising your daughter well. Ignore idle gossip."

Dou Yuan replied, "I’ve come to terms with it. If that woman from the Yang family wants to stay in the residence, let her. My husband is devoted to his studies and will leave again soon. She’s the one who’s anxious, not me."

"It’s good you think this way," Jin Niang said, admiring Dou Yuan. A young girl married far from home, managing the Zhen household flawlessly as its mistress while maintaining composure in the face of her husband’s first love ever-present—she was truly remarkable.

The two women chatted further about household matters before Jin Niang said, "I still have some clothes Yun Jieer wore as a child—gently worn but broken in by washing. If you don’t mind, I’ll bring a few over."

Dou Yuan gladly accepted, as new clothes could irritate delicate skin while worn ones were softer. Jin Niang fetched some fine garments, had Zi Teng wash and sun-dry them until fragrant, then sent them over.

By February, Yun Jieer’s birthday arrived—her ninth, celebrating her ninth birthday (the prelude to her tenth year). Jin Niang invited many relatives and friends, hiring performers for ballad-singing, puppet shows, and acrobatics, spending twenty-five taels in a lively celebration.

Nearly all of Yun Jieer’s schoolmates and close friends attended, bringing simple gifts like fans, sachets, or paintings.

"Yun Jieer, your family treats you so well," Luo Jieer remarked.

She had also celebrated her tenth birthday, but not as grandly—especially without puppet shows, which were fascinating.

Yun Jieer smiled. "Yes, my parents are very good to me, especially my mother. She tries to grant my wishes."

This was her confidence—as long as her reasons were sound, her mother would grant her wishes.

Yet as a student, she was expected to study diligently, excel in needlework, master arithmetic, and learn managing money. If she slacked, her mother would scold her.

The Sun sisters watched Yun Jieer with envy.

…

The girls’ carefree joy was what Dou Yuan envied most. She once loathed everything about Yangzhou, longing to escape, only to realize marriage was the real prison—a husband who wed her for status, a two-faced mother-in-law, and a husband’s first love ever-present forced her to stay strong.

"Cousin-in-law, I’ll head back now—the baby’s at home."

Jin Niang understood. "Go ahead. You’ve just left confinement—stay out of the wind."

Dou Yuan was grateful for her cousin-in-law’s unwavering support during her hardest times, giving her someone to confide in.

Watching her leave, Jin Niang sighed softly.

After February passed, Jiang Xian’s birthday arrived on the sixth day of the third month. Jin Niang personally made him a robe, a pair of knee pads, and shoes. As he wore them, he stroked her arm. "Jin Niang, sometimes I feel time moves too slowly—always waiting for postings. Yet other times, it flies. We’ve been married ten years."

"Indeed, it’s passed in a blink. Remember our first meeting? I thought, ‘This man is handsome, younger than me, and so eloquent—is this a trap?’" Seeing her now even more refined husband, she stood on tiptoe to kiss him.

Jiang Xian laughed. "Only you see perfection. Back then, I wasn’t even a county scholar, Chancellor Liu stopped tutoring me, my mother was frail, and my father and grandfather held no rank… Yet you treated me as precious."

Their eyes met, full of tenderness.

As the evening chill set in, they went inside. Jiang Xian said, "Prefect Wang, now in his final year. He’s had his men crack down on bandit dens, likely aiming for achievements to aid his promotion. But those bandits won’t go quietly—they know he’s leaving in a month. I fear retaliation. Be cautious, and avoid going out unless necessary."

Jin Niang nodded. "I’ve no urgent business. The Cui family asked me to be their *Complete Fortune Matron*—I’ll attend that, then plead illness and stay home."

"In that case, I can rest easy. If it comes to an emergency, I'll send you and the children out of the city," Jiang Xian whispered.

Jin Niang hugged him tightly. "I'll protect myself and the children."

On the eighth day of the third month, Jin Niang first visited the Cui family. The gifts from the Cui family for the Complete Fortune Matron were exceedingly generous. Even after Jin Niang returned more than half, she still received a crystal hair ornament, two pearl-adorned combs, a gilded silver incense pouch, two crystal hairpins, eight bolts of silk and satin, three bolts of tapestry, twenty catties of spices, sixty catties of pepper, two crates of tea cakes, and two hundred taels of silver.

Yun Jieer couldn't help but exclaim, "Mother, this is so much!"

"All of this was earned through your father risking his life. That case—no one else would take it, but your father did. He went undercover for a month and nearly didn't survive. He still has nightmares at night. If not for that, roles like the Complete Fortune Matron would mostly be given to relatives within the family. Otherwise, why would outsiders get such benefits?" Jin Niang shook her head as well.

After putting away the gifts, Jin Niang saw A Ying come in and say, "Mistress, I've already informed the gatekeepers about locking up the house."

"Mm," Jin Niang nodded, then turned to her daughter. "Mother’s feeling unwell. Starting tomorrow, you'll stay home to tend to me, alright?"