Chapter 111

Chapter 111

Before retreating into seclusion, Jin Niang had quietly informed Madam Wei and Dou Yuan of the situation. Of course, such matters couldn’t be spread around, otherwise, it would cause unnecessary alarm. Even if nothing happened, it would only mean a wasted month of caution.

To her surprise, upon hearing the news, Madam Wei immediately took her son Wei Qilang to Luoyang in the western capital to see the peony blossoms. No one suspected anything amiss, as Madam Wei was indeed obsessed with peonies, often having them delivered by fast horses.

As for Madam Qian, Lan Shi, and others whose husbands served in the government offices, Jin Niang didn’t need to remind them—they likely had even more reliable sources of information.

That month, Jin Niang ostensibly rested to recuperate, but she remained busy with embroidery. She was currently working on a Guanyin image seated on a lotus throne. The previous two pieces had been gifted away, so she needed to focus on this one.

However, the brazier burned too fiercely, causing her to develop internal heat, with sores breaking out on her scalp and lips. She quickly had chrysanthemum and dandelion tea brewed to soothe it. Ning Geer, thinking it was something special, clamored to drink it too.

"Mother, I want to go back to the girls' school," Yun Jieer complained, feeling terribly bored.

Without looking up, Jin Niang replied, "Last Mid-Autumn, you cut fabric for clothes but then spent all your time playing. Now, embroider a shoe cover for me and make a shirt for your brother."

"Alright," Yun Jieer said with a sigh, resting her chin in her hands.

The mother and daughter fell back into their usual rhythm—sipping tea and doing needlework together, with Ning Geer practicing calligraphy nearby.

Jin Niang also went to the inner gate to inquire about household arrangements. Cao Da hurriedly assured her, "Rest assured, madam. The master has already instructed us."

"Mm," Jin Niang nodded. Though she trusted Jiang Xian’s preparations, she couldn’t just sit idle. She also prepared some self-defense weapons.

But Jiang Xian only laughed when he saw them. "Silly woman, they’re just a disorganized mob. I’m only worried they might affect you. Don’t be too afraid—if they cause trouble, it’ll be at the prefectural office."

Jin Niang relaxed. "I understand."

While Jin Niang and her family stayed home, avoiding the worst, the inevitable still came. Fortunately, Jiang Xian and his men were vigilant. The intruders, disguised, caused a brief disturbance but were swiftly captured without major harm.

Only the prefectural office walls suffered some damage. Prefect Wang, to his credit, allocated funds from the treasury for repairs. For his success in suppressing bandits, he was promoted to Qin-Feng Pacification Commissioner. Lady Wang soon followed him to his new post.

Zhou Si had been completely unaware. She had been accompanying Lady Wang in fasting at Guangyun Nunnery and was shocked to hear of the incident.

Even her usually obedient eldest daughter remarked, "Mother, why do you fawn over Old Madam Wang so much, neglecting your own daughters?"

Zhou Si thought to herself—it all stemmed from a book she had once read. Prefect Wang might only be a prefect now, but he was an old warhorse still dreaming of glory, enduring until he eventually became a grand councilor. Moreover, Old Madam Wang had favored her, even recommending her for the role as Complete Fortune Matron.

But with Old Madam Wang gone, her patron had vanished too, making all her efforts pointless and earning her daughters’ resentment.

Madam Ji was not an easy person to deal with, so Zhou Si saw no reason to visit often. However, leaving her two daughters unattended was unsafe. Since she had already paid, she had no choice but to move in as their chaperone.

Everything seemed to return to normal. Come the Dragon Boat Festival, Madam Wei and her son had returned, even gifting Jin Niang two pots of peonies. Yun Jieer and Ning Geer resumed their studies, and Jin Niang started making the rounds again.

Unexpectedly, the Zhen family across the street became caught up in a scandal. Dou Yuan told Jin Niang, "That Miss Yang was once spotted by that good-for-nothing Luan. Upon learning her father was merely a Scribe serving far away, he got ideas. First, he had my sister-in-law propose marriage on his behalf—to take her as his second wife. Since she’s the only sister in her natal family, my sister-in-law knew her mother-in-law wouldn’t oppose it."

"That fool Luan even bribed Miss Yang’s maid. Luckily, I caught it and sent her an embroidered erotic pouch."

Jin Niang clicked her tongue. She knew the Luan widow across the street was highly respected in the Zhen household for her chastity. So she asked, "What will happen now? Will your mother-in-law send Luan away or Miss Yang?"

Dou Yuan massaged her temples. "She wants me to handle it."

Jin Niang scoffed. "How odd. She’s the senior—she ought to decide. Why push it onto you? Don’t agree to this."

Originally, Madam Zhen might have brought Miss Yang in to counterbalance Dou Yuan’s rising influence, especially after her relatives’ support. Or perhaps she simply pitied her cousin’s daughter. But now that trouble had arisen, she pushed it onto Dou Yuan.

Dou Yuan nodded. "That’s why I’m hiding here with you, cousin."

"Poor Miss Yang—her luck is truly wretched. But if she doesn’t want to marry at nearly twenty, she can’t keep living in others’ homes. If she does wish to marry, then Madam Zhen is at fault." Jin Niang shook her head.

Dou Yuan said, "Exactly! Last time I suggested finding a matchmaker, they all treated me like an enemy."

Jin Niang replied, "That good-for-nothing Luan should be driven away. If he dares to act this way toward Miss Yang now, none of you will be spared in the future. As for Miss Yang, she’ll probably have to leave as well, just to appease your sister-in-law’s feelings."

This was Jin Niang’s belief—whether a woman married or not was her choice, but she must rely on herself. If she couldn’t survive independently, depending on others would be difficult.

Dou Yuan clapped her hands. "Cousin-in-law, you’re absolutely right."

"Come have some tea. When the weather clears tomorrow, bring Luo Jieer over to play," Jin Niang said with a smile.

Dou Yuan nodded and sat for a while longer before rising to leave. Upon entering the inner gate, she spotted Miss Yang and pursed her lips. Despite knowing Zhen Erlang was already married, the girl was still spouting lines like, "My longing for you is like the full moon, waning night after night."

As for that gambler Luan, she had merely hinted that Miss Yang had a generous dowry, and he immediately became eager to marry her.

If Miss Yang had moved out then, it would have been fine—she’d even offered her the chance. But the girl stubbornly stayed, ignoring even the subtlest hints. Well, she couldn’t blame her for exposing the truth now. Both these troublemakers had to go. Even if Zhen Erlang found out later, he’d surely scorn her for attracting someone like Luan. She understood men’s psychology all too well.

Still, she couldn’t be too blunt in front of her cousin. Though shrewd, Jin Niang was kind-hearted. Take that Ru Yan, for instance—had it been her, she’d never have let the girl through the door in the first place. That was just asking for trouble.

The Zhen family quickly resolved the matter. The Luan matriarch gave her brother some money to move out, while Madam Zhen, fearing resentment from the Luan family, promptly arranged a marriage for Miss Yang—she was to be a second wife/concubine to a wealthy man in Qingping County.

It wasn’t that Madam Zhen deliberately found her a poor match. For one, her father had only earned his jinshi degree in his forties and didn’t secure an official post until nearly fifty. Secondly, her family could only muster ten dowry chests, and Madam Zhen wouldn’t contribute much more. Besides, with the Luan scandal, her reputation would be ruined if this got out.

Jin Niang heard the news half a month later while sorting through high-quality fabrics. The slightly inferior ones could be gifted, and the tarnished jewelry was re-polished. Anything suitable for Yun Jieer, she had her daughter catalog.

"You don’t have to carry the keys yourself—let the servants manage them. But you must know exactly what you own, understand? Just one pair of these gold hairpins could sustain a common family for a year. Be careful with money and value your possessions," Jin Niang said.

Yun Jieer nodded. "I understand, Mother."

She also knew the price of a peck of rice, the commercial taxes for opening a shop, when to start preparing New Year goods, and how to read account books. But these weren’t topics for discussion with her schoolmates. As her mother taught her, speak appropriately for the setting—poetry and romance at school, but keep a mental ledger at home.

Jin Niang then asked about school: "I heard Eldest Miss Ji isn’t attending anymore?"

"Yes, she’s betrothed, so it’s improper for her to come out now. The younger Miss Jis still attend daily, but they’re just going through the motions. I caught up easily after missing a month," Yun Jieer said with a laugh.

Jin Niang patted her daughter’s head. "That’s because you have good study habits. Even without school, you reviewed at home."

This had been instilled since childhood—focus on completing assignments, review, and only then play.

Otherwise, time would drag on with no progress.

Still, Yun Jieer added, "Eldest Miss Sun studies much harder than the Ji sisters. We often joke that she’s trying to become a zhuangyuan."

"That’s wonderful. A little friendly competition in your studies is good," Jin Niang said, always an advocate for positive rivalry.

Yun Jieer shook her head. "But she doesn’t join polo matches or ride much. At first, she borrowed horses from me and Second Miss Ji, but now she skips altogether."

Jin Niang was puzzled. "Why?"

"She fell last time and refuses to ride now," Yun Jieer shrugged.

Jin Niang herself had never played polo—she simply hadn’t had the opportunity to learn. At her age, learning to ride a donkey, playing chuiwan, touhu (pitch-pot game), and backgammon was already impressive. So when her daughter began riding, Jin Niang had Jiang Xian spend days teaching her before introducing polo, given the limited school time.

But quitting outright? If you go to the capital, that might make social integration difficult.

Yet this wasn’t her concern, for Madam Qian was also being transferred—her husband had been reassigned as Vice-Prefect of Caizhou. Madam Qian had been a close friend these past two years, and her departure saddened Jin Niang.

She sent over parting gifts, watching the Qian family pack with reluctance. "You’ve guided me since I arrived in Daming Prefecture. Where will I go for fun now?"

Madam Qian replied breezily, "Though mountains and rivers divide us, we’ll meet again. Daming is prosperous—your year here will pass in a blink."

“Indeed, take care then, Qian-jie.” Jin Niang grasped her hand and, seeing how busy she was, took her leave.

Only after Jin Niang had left did Madam Qian examine the parting gift she had received—surprisingly generous: thirty strings of cash, two bolts of Zhejiang silk, six cured meats, and six tea cakes.

She glanced at the doorway and smiled in quiet satisfaction.

After bidding farewell to Madam Qian, Jin Niang’s thirty-first birthday arrived. Waking that morning, she felt an odd sense of newness. So this was what it felt like to be past thirty—unless there were physical changes, it seemed nothing had truly altered.

For instance, she could no longer stay up late. Before, staying up all night left her energetic the next day. Now, staying up left her aching all over, sometimes even nauseous. And whereas skipping meals used to make her lose weight easily, now overeating made it hard to shed the pounds. Earlier, when she had dieted to slim down, fine stretch marks had appeared on her chest and legs—she didn’t want to fluctuate in weight again.

It wasn’t just her; even Jiang Xian at this age was prone to gaining weight. During the New Year, his waist had thickened so much that the robes Jin Niang had made for him fit too snugly. He promptly cut back on food, and now the couple had agreed to indulge only once a month.

“Wife, this is for you.” Jiang Xian handed her a long box.

Jin Niang took it and opened it to find a gold buyao (hairpin) adorned with lotus motifs on the stem and six delicate narcissus flowers dangling delicately at the top. She smiled. “It’s beautiful.” This piece weighed four taels and likely cost over twenty taels of silver.

“I bought it with my scribing earnings,” Jiang Xian quickly added.

Seeing his nervousness, Jin Niang reassured him, “Even if you hadn’t explained, I wouldn’t have questioned you. Thank you, truly.”

Jiang Xian then said, “Let me help you put it on, Wife.”

The couple prepared for the celebration, and the servants also presented their gifts. A Ying gave two goldwoven handkerchiefs, Xi Qiu offered six strands each of wool and silk thread, Fang Ma presented two boxes of peach-shaped longevity buns and six plates of fruits, while Qing Rong and Jiao Xing contributed needlework and shoe uppers, among other things.

Even Yun Jieer and Ning Geer had gifts—Yun Jieer had made hand-rolled incense herself, while Ning Geer presented a handwritten copy of *Wandering Son’s Lament*.

That evening, Jin Niang added a few extra dishes to the meal, and so her thirty-first birthday passed.

The next day, as the Wei Family Female Academy was on break, the Zhen family invited the young ladies of the prefecture for an equestrian polo game. All the girls from the academy received invitations, and Jin Niang sent her daughter off to attend.

Madam Ji also invited Zhou Si, suggesting they go together, but Zhou Si was unaware of the event and later asked her eldest daughter, “Why didn’t you tell me about the polo gathering?”

Eldest Miss Sun winced at the memory of polo. “When we arrived, everyone already knew how to play—except us. I didn’t even have a horse. I barely managed to borrow Miss Jiang the Eldest’s and Ji’s Second Daughter’s horses, but then I fell off. I don’t want to ride anymore.”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Zhou Si was dismayed.

Second Daughter Sun interjected, “You were still in Guantao then—how could you have known?”

The Sun family had never divided their household. When her husband served as a scribe in Fuyang County, being new to office, they had followed the elders’ advice strictly, avoiding missteps, and naturally, finances were tight. Now that Old Madam Wang had left, her influence had waned. Without her direct recommendations, Zhou Si could no longer serve as a matron of complete blessings. Fortunately, officials in Guantao secretly received shares from merchants—an open secret—so their finances had since improved.

In the process, however, they had neglected their daughters.

“Even if you don’t play polo, you should at least watch. The capital’s noble daughters all know how.” Zhou Si hoped her daughter could master such skills. She knew her husband also approved of their daughter learning these things—not because he was particularly open-minded, but because he wanted her to marry well. And Zhou Si used this to her advantage in raising their daughter.

Eldest Miss Sun, ever dutiful, finally agreed.

The young girls who could play took to the field, while the adults, including Jin Niang, sat beneath the pavilion, sipping drinks. With Madam Qian gone, Madam Ji was gleeful, while those like Jin Niang who had been close to Madam Qian became targets of her resentment.

Fortunately, Jin Niang maintained good relations with the Zhen and Wei families, so Madam Ji dared not go too far.

Then Madam Zhen remarked, “I heard Madam Wu’s maternal uncle has been promoted to Military Affairs Bureau Director—an official overseeing promotions.”

Madam Ji laughed. “Really? I had no idea.”

Jin Niang found her obliviousness pitiable. Old Madam Wang had left them in the lurch, but what about those who had followed her? If Madam Wu spoke a few words to her maternal uncle, future promotions would be difficult.

Unless one was exceptionally outstanding, why would they choose you if your records were similar? Thus, she remembered Madam Qian’s advice: avoid meddling in others’ family affairs. Even with Dou Yuan, unless absolutely necessary, she wouldn’t say much.

Zhou Si, sitting in the back row, dismissed the notion. How could Madam Wu’s maternal uncle, a high-ranking official, base official appointments on women’s petty disputes?

After the first polo match ended, the girls all came over. Jin Niang had a maid bring tea to Yun Jieer and asked, "Are you overheated? If you are, take a rest for a while."

"A little. I only know the basics—Sister Wei and Sister Ji are the real experts." Yun Jieer gulped down a large cup of water before feeling better.

Though Yun Jieer wasn’t particularly adept at polo, she excelled at chuiwan and even won a silver hairpin with a small green bird design as a prize. Jin Niang carefully stored it for her daughter.

Seeing Yun Jieer in high spirits, Zhou Si made up her mind. After the polo match, she specially brought many gifts to visit Madam Shen, hoping she could guide her daughter. She also bought two horses, spending half of the two hundred taels of dividend earnings she had just received.

Her husband was only a county magistrate, and Guantao wasn’t wealthy. The two hundred taels from the dividends had to be hidden, afraid someone might find out. Remembering Jin Niang sitting at the front during the polo match—wearing a crystal headpiece, a golden narcissus hairpin, and a pair of gold bracelets—she wondered how some people had the nerve to embezzle so openly.

Meanwhile, after returning from the polo match, Jin Niang continued embroidering the lotus-throne Guanyin. By the seventh month, she finally finished it and finally relaxed.

Just then, the new prefect arrived—an old acquaintance, Han Xiao, who now served as both Imperial Secretary and Daming Prefect. Since he was both a superior and a familiar face, Jin Niang naturally prepared lavish gifts.

A Ying looked over the gift list: one lotus-patterned mat, six tea cakes, two bolts of sheer silk, six handkerchiefs, a set of pork hocks, and two jars of citrus wine. She had Liu Douer deliver them.

After Jiang Xian aced the imperial exams in Kaifeng, Madam Liu had maintained contact with Jin Niang. But with their old connection might not mean much now, Jin Niang couldn’t assume familiarity would guarantee goodwill.

That night, Jin Niang asked, "You and Secretary Han were once good friends. What’s he like as an official?"

"Look at his rank—Imperial Secretary overseeing Daming at his age—he must be capable. We grew up together, and I always thought he wasn’t as sharp as Zhou Erge and his personality wasn't as strong. Even now, I don’t see any remarkable achievements or strong opinions from him, yet he rises the fastest." Jiang Xian was puzzled.

Jin Niang nodded. "Either way, we don’t need his help—just an honest evaluation. But..."

Jiang Xian asked, "But what?"

"I mean, you were friends before, but now he’s your superior. Better to err on the side of respect." Jin Niang reminded him that the bureaucracy doesn’t do friendships—what was once brotherly must now be formal.

Knowing his wife meant well, Jiang Xian sighed.

Jin Niang smiled. "Actually, it’s good. At least we know Secretary Han. If it were a stranger, it’d be worse."

She comforted her husband until they both grew drowsy.

The next morning, Jiang Xian woke to find Jin Niang rubbing her ears. Amused, he said, "Wife, you nearly talked my ears off last night. Why so quiet now?"

Jin Niang gave him a look. "My eyes were open, but I was asleep."

Jiang Xian burst into laughter, trying to kiss her. Jin Niang covered her mouth. "Not before washing up."

Perhaps because they no longer had young children to tend to, their bond had grown stronger, often leading to silly, playful moments.

As for Madam Liu, though young, she came from an illustrious official family—daughter of Chancellor Liu and niece of the Zhaowen Grand Chancellor—she knew the bureaucratic game inside out.

To maintain impartiality, she privately sent Jin Niang a gift of Bianjing silk flowers and local specialties, keeping their distance in public.

A month later, she invited the wives of the prefectural officials to her fixed-up house for a gathering.

The rented house was once Madam Qian’s, already well-kept. Now, with an added pavilion and newly planted trees, the leafy trees made it feel cozier.

Madam Liu greeted Jin Niang warmly. "I wanted to invite you sooner, but the renovations delayed us. It’s been five or six years, yet you haven’t changed a bit—I’ve put on weight."

"Don’t be silly! Your waist is as slender as ever. When Prefect Wang left, I wondered who’d replace him. I’m relieved it’s you." Jin Niang took her arm as they entered.

Madam Liu had always lived in the capital and wouldn’t have come if not for nearby Daming.

Jin Niang filled her in on the local scene. Soon, Madam Ji, the Daming County magistrate’s wife, and the scribe’s wife arrived. They chatted over tea easily.

But Madam Liu’s next invitation surprised them—a garden party to see the blooms at Tonghua Garden, where each guest would prepare a signature dish...

Jin Niang wiped her brow. Cooking? She was hopeless!