Chapter 119

Chapter 119

Since Jiang Xian now served as the Imperial Diarist, Legal Advisor Song no longer had a role in legal affairs. Jiang Xian helped introduce him to several officials set to become local magistrates, while Jin Niang gave him six strings of coins for travel expenses, along with six pairs of beeswax candles and a set of shoes and a hat.

Having lived with the Jiang family for over six years, Legal Advisor Song had gotten along well with them. Chen Xiaolang and Liu Douer had the kitchen whip up a farewell feast in his honor.

During his stay, Legal Advisor Song had been provided with food, lodging, and new seasonal clothing, saving up over six hundred strings of coins in six years. Now that the master had secured him a new post and offered generous travel expenses, they parted on good terms.

Jin Niang remarked to Jiang Xian, "With your thirty strings of coins salary and no more expenses for Legal Advisor Song, we have more than enough."

Grain, poultry, meat, and even eggs were all supplied from the estate. Now, the only expenses were the servants' monthly wages and summer ice, along with minor daily expenditures—barely costing anything.

Noticing the weather had cooled slightly and his wife had resumed her needlework, Jiang Xian asked, "Is this another embroidery of Guanyin?"

"Yes. Yesterday, I visited the temple with my mother and saw a painting of the Child-Bestowing Guanyin outside. I spent one string of coins to buy it and couldn’t resist giving it a try," Jin Niang replied with a smile. She planned to finish this piece before embroidering hollyhocks on the aqua-green satin she had bought at Donghua Gate.

After listening, Jiang Xian stretched out on a nearby daybed and sighed contentedly. "Wife, though I’m keeping a low profile while serving the Emperor, once an opportunity arises, I could rise quickly."

Jin Niang worried for her husband. "Please be cautious. I’m concerned for you."

"Don’t fret. Home is the only place I truly relax," Jiang Xian reassured her.

After exchanging a few more words, Jin Niang noticed he had fallen asleep and went back to her embroidery in silence. When their daughter arrived, she gave her some needlework guidance and whispered, "Your father is resting, so let’s keep our voices low. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, we’ll find you a tutor to teach you the yueqin. Personally, I think you should still study. If your father hires a tutor for your brother, you can sit in behind the screen—it won’t just be for fun."

Kids never want to study. Yun Jieer whined, but Jin Niang coaxed her, "I only studied for three years, just like you, but that already puts me ahead of many. If you study longer, even if you can’t take the imperial exams, it’ll come in handy in the future and keep you from being deceived."

She envisioned two paths for her daughter: mastering embroidery to ensure future income, or studying to uplift the family. If her future husband failed in the imperial exams, she could still educate their sons.

In this world, money without clout leaves you vulnerable.

Thus, she remained firm despite her daughter’s protests.

Seeing Jin Niang’s seriousness, Yun Jieer reluctantly agreed. Jin Niang then smiled. "Later, I’ll have the meal served in the pavilion. Let’s eat there, alright?"

Yun Jieer clapped excitedly but quickly remembered her sleeping father and clamped a hand over her mouth.

"Tomorrow, make a set of clothes each for your grandparents. Pick the patterns and styles yourself," Jin Niang assigned her.

With her parents living in the residence, Yun Jieer and Ning Geer were overjoyed. Luo Yue adored flowers and had an easy laugh—when the children told jokes, even Jin Niang, who usually forced a smile, found her mother genuinely entertained. Thus, the children were very close to their grandparents.

Now tasked with sewing clothes for them, Yun Jieer nodded eagerly. "Don’t worry, Mother."

Mother and daughter chatted softly as they worked on their needlework. When Jiang Xian awoke, the family dined in the flower-viewing pavilion. Surrounded by fragrant blooms and a gentle breeze, the four of them enjoyed a moment of pure contentment.

Six dishes and a soup were served, and they polished off every last bite.

After the meal, Jin Niang and Jiang Xian strolled hand in hand through the garden. Comfortable in their own home, they had no fear of gossip.

Jiang Xian then asked, "Has Second Sister Zhou visited?"

Jin Niang shook her head. "No, but we can’t just let this slide. I only mentioned it to Zhang Jiulang’s wife—just to inform her, not to make it public."

"If she hasn’t come, she must be upset with you," Jiang Xian pointed out.

Jin Niang shrugged. "Who knows?"

Since they hardly interacted, she didn’t care much. Jin Niang was on the rise—she had allied with the Wei family, and if her brother succeeded in the imperial exams, the Weis might not surpass her in the future.

In the second courtyard, Luo Yue spoke to Yang Geer. "Your sister has asked your brother-in-law to help you with examination recommendations—an edge most of your classmates don’t have. Now that the family supports you, focus on your studies."

"Got it." Yang Geer, ever the good-natured one.

Luo Yue picked up a chicken wing for him: "If you do well, your sister will have more standing, and your father and I can live here with pride."

Yang Geer listened to his mother's repeated words, let out a sigh, then felt bad about disrespecting his mother, and silently finished his meal.

Fortunately, Wei Xiong and Luo Yue soon comforted him, and he felt better.

Soon, the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived. Jin Niang sent A Ying to deliver holiday gifts—first to the Wei and Fan families, then to the Liu family, who had once taught Jiang Xian. Chancellor Liu was currently out of the capital, but his son, Liu Dalang, remained. Aside from these three families receiving the most generous gifts, there were also presents for the in-laws and elder siblings at the old residence, as well as for the two uncles on his mother's side from the Liu family and other relatives. Lastly, there were gifts for Jiang Xian's classmates, friends, and colleagues.

The Wei family, at the top of the list, received six boxes of mooncakes in various flavors, two jars of osmanthus wine, four milk-sugar lion-shaped candies, four boxes of fruits, a whole lamb, a basket of hairy crab, a bolt of Zhangzhou velvet, a bolt of green and auspicious peony gauze, a pot of green chrysanthemums, and a pot of white chrysanthemums.

Other recipients got comparable gifts, though some were adjusted according to their relationship.

Soon, Jin Niang also received gifts in return. The Liu family sent a bolt of goose-yellow water-forest satin, a bolt of Shu brocade in ten patterns, two jars of Qiongbo wine, two boxes of osmanthus-flavored mooncakes, twenty pounds of white flour, a fresh pig, and six glazed geese. The Wei family sent a bolt of white peony smoke-gauze, a bolt of xiangyunsha, two boxes of pastries, two boxes of olives, a jar of honey, a box of longan, two jars of Yaoling wine from Tiexue Tower, a box of candied cherries, and a jar of crystal sugar walnuts.

As gifts from others arrived one after another, Jin Niang had A Ying and Qing Rong catalog and store them properly, then instructed servants to distribute rewards.

Luo Da and Chen Xiaolang were also exhausted after a day’s work, but fortunately, Jin Niang rewarded them with mooncakes and fruits so everyone could enjoy the festival.

In the evening, Jiang Xian, Wei Xiong, and Yang Geer gathered to drink tea and wine, while Jin Niang, Luo Yue, Yun Jieer, and Ning Geer admired the moon and ate melons together.

"Mother, these are the olives from the Wei family—one box is sugar-preserved, the other for brewing tea. Brewed in tea, they leave a sweet aftertaste. I’ve set some aside for you to try," Jin Niang said.

Luo Yue wasn’t used to the taste of olives, but knowing they were fashionable, she slowly savored them and found herself enjoying it: "I never imagined such good days."

Jin Niang smiled. "Then we must cherish these blessings we've earned even more. By supporting each other, life will only get better."

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Yang Geer took the Imperial College entrance exam. Luo Yue prepared exam supplies but, fearing she might have missed something, called Jin Niang over. Jin Niang added a few items and even brought the exam basket Jiang Xian had once used.

Wei Xiong and Luo Yue personally escorted Yang Geer to the exam site. Upon returning, they were restless and went to Jin Niang’s quarters. Jin Niang was then going over the accounts—unlike most households where wives only managed household matters like seasonal clothing and kitchen purchases, she handled both inside and outside matters, so her ledgers were numerous.

Still, Jin Niang had a plan: "Mother, if Yang Geer passes the Provincial Exam this time, let’s arrange a marriage for him first. What do you think? Otherwise, if he fails the Metropolitan Exam again, he’d have to wait several more years."

"Then we’d have to find a matchmaker, wouldn’t we?" Luo Yue said.

Knowing Luo Yue had few connections—and she herself didn’t know many people—Jin Niang reassured her: "Don’t worry. Once he passes the Provincial Exam, many will come proposing."

Luo Yue recalled how, years ago when her son had passed the exam, many families had shown interest. She had been tempted then but feared traps, so she had waited for her daughter’s judgment. Now, hearing Jin Niang’s words, she felt somewhat at ease.

Meanwhile, at the Zhou household, Jiang Xian hadn’t visited during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Madam Zhou complained: "How cold-hearted people are these days. Jiang Shiliu used to visit us every time, but now he doesn’t even come after returning to the capital. I wanted to ask him about our second daughter."

"Mother, what does this have to do with him?" Zhou Cunzhi said.

Madam Zhou wiped her tears: "Your elder sister died young, leaving behind two children. It was hard enough for your nephew to marry, yet he has to endure his stepmother’s disdain. And now your second sister is missing—what did I do to deserve this?"

She had never done anything wicked in her life, so why were her children so ill-fated? That Zhang Shi was also unfilial, two-faced and putting on airs, making her son suffer.

In the past, Zhou Cunzhi would have been impatient with such talk, but now he reflected on how prosperous the Zhou family had been during his father’s prime—the second and third branches mere appendages.

Fortunately, he now held office and comforted her: "Wang Sanlang isn’t a fool. He often corresponds with me. Our nephew is focusing on his career—it can’t be as bad as you think. As for our second sister, as long as she’s safe."

Returning to his quarters, he bypassed Zhang Shi and went to Concubine Guo’s rooms. Concubine Guo had fair skin, a gentle temperament, and a petite figure. Seeing Zhou Cunzhi enter, she hurriedly said, "I’ve just put the boy to sleep."

She then had a maid fetch water for Zhou Cunzhi to wash his hands while she personally prepared tea.

After washing his hands, Zhou Cunzhi took the teacup: "The boy is still young. Let him sleep more—only then will he grow taller."

As the only official in the family now, his word was law. Moreover, he had helped his brother-in-law Zhang Jiulang secure an official post through hereditary privilege, so Zhang Shi dared not oppose him. Concubine Guo was his properly wedded second wife he had taken while in office—a daughter from a respectable family.

"I also let him sleep more," Lady Guo actually didn’t want to go out either. A few days ago, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the night was chilly, and the child was only three years old. Zhang-shi and Zhou Cunzhi insisted on bringing him out to admire the moon. Fortunately, the boy didn’t develop a high fever.

They talked awhile before Zhou Cunzhi decided to stay the night. They made quite a commotion, and Xiang Ming, who lived next door, heard everything clearly, her heart aching with envy.

She had once been favored too, but after giving birth to a daughter who later passed away, and then another daughter before she could fully recover, by the time she came to her senses, the second master had already taken a new favorite. She was just a maidservant by birth, unlike Lady Guo, who had originally been the second wife of a prefect. The prefect, in his forties or fifties, had married her—a tender young thing—and naturally doted on her. But her good days lasted less than two years before he died, and she was driven out by his stepson. Still, she managed to take away a considerable sum of money.

When she entered the Zhou household, she brought with her a black-lacquered bed adorned with gold tracery, a pearwood bed with intricate carvings, four chests and four wardrobes stuffed with clothes—more than could ever be worn—two gold coronets, three pairs of gold bracelets, several boxes of pearls and gemstones, and two maidservants to attend to her. Her lavish spending and worldly knowledge made Zhou Cunzhi favor her exclusively, leaving Xiang Ming out in the cold.

With no man visiting her and little money to her name, she felt desolate and couldn’t help but weep.

Meanwhile, Jin Niang’s rooms buzzed with life. The next day was Jiang Xian’s day of rest, and he was too restless to sleep. The two played backgammon late into the night, then lit a gauze lantern by the bed to read. Jin Niang got up to use the privy, ate some snacks, and only fell asleep at dawn.

They didn’t have their first meal until noon. After eating, Jin Niang began embroidering, while Luo Yue came by from the front courtyard to chat.

"Your husband had hired a top tutor for him before and even helped him with his exam preparations. Yang Geer owes the most gratitude to you and your husband."

Jin Niang listened to the same old talk and waited until Luo Yue repeated it twice before saying, "If you want to show appreciation, buying some fruit pastries or an inkstone that your son-in-law likes would mean more than anything else. That’d spare me the awkwardness."

Now that her parents lived in her household, with all expenses covered by Jin Niang, they had a house in Stinky Water Lane that cost 3 guan and 2 qian a month, plus fifty acres of land that would yield at least thirty to fifty strings of cash a year. Altogether, the couple had seventy to eighty guan.

Jin Niang didn’t mind, but she reminded her mother to treat Jiang Xian better—not to take his efforts for granted, so that everyone could live in greater harmony. With outsiders, people repaid favors with gifts during festivals—shouldn’t the same apply to family?

In-laws and sons-in-law faced the same tensions as mothers and daughters-in-law.

Luo Yue realized the truth in this. After Yang Geer passed the Provincial Exam, under Jin Niang’s guidance, he personally selected a pound of pine-soot ink, a tile inkstone, and two bundles of bamboo-leaf paper. Luo Yue, meanwhile, sent a plate of fried quail, two clusters of grapes, and two boxes of fashionable pastries.

"How can I accept this? Mother-in-law, you’re treating me like a stranger," Jiang Xian quickly declined.

Jin Niang laughed and said, "Just accept it, dear. This is my parents’ and Yang Geer’s way of showing their gratitude."

Only then did Jiang Xian accept the gifts. Jin Niang then had Hu Tou, Luo Da’s son, wrap them in felt and deliver them to his study. The family also prepared a feast, and everyone gathered in the pavilion to drink.

During the meal, Jiang Xian said to Yang Geer, "If you want to pass, don’t leave the house from now on. I’ll give you topics to write on—ten compositions a day—and I’ll correct them for you."

If Jin Niang or Luo Yue had told Yang Geer to write ten compositions a day, he wouldn’t have listened—his energy was limited. But when Jiang Xian said it, he agreed. Jiang Xian patted his shoulder and said, "We’ve all been through this. Once you pass, you won’t have to suffer like this anymore."

Meanwhile, Jiang Xian hired a tutor for his son, Ning Geer. The man had once passed the imperial exams but fell out of favor with the authorities and retired from official life. Jin Niang opened the money chest to prepare the tuition—sixty-six taels of silver in total—along with two sets of clothes a year, meals, and lodging in a side room in the western courtyard.

Ning Geer and Yun Jieer usually had their lessons in the western wing of the second courtyard, where they began studying the classics, histories, and philosophical texts.

Jin Niang quietly told Luo Yue, "If my brother passes, even if he doesn’t become an official, this income will be more than enough."

As mother and daughter chatted, Jin Niang received matchmaking proposals. "The niece of the Zhao shopkeeper from the rice store is getting married with a dowry of two hundred guan. That’s too little—even I had more back then. My dowry, including the house, totaled over two thousand guan, and Shiliulang didn’t even have an official rank at the time."

"This one seems to be from an official’s family," Luo Yue pointed at another proposal.

Jin Niang picked it up to examine it, then summoned a matchmaker in a purple beizi—a high-class matchmaker who moved in official circles. Since Yang Geer was now the brother-in-law of an Imperial Diarist and a provincial graduate, his status was different.

Soon, a matchmaker named Madam Cheng arrived. Known as "Madam Cheng the Great," she enthusiastically introduced the candidate: "This is the daughter of Secretary Lang Gao. Miss Gao is a raving beauty, with a dowry richer than the Emperor’s treasury and granaries overflowing with rice. The rarest part is her full set of rosewood furniture, plus a dowry of three thousand guan in silver."

After hearing the matchmaker’s pitch, Luo Yue was tempted. Jin Niang smiled and said, "Don’t rush. Let’s sound out the girl’s disposition first before making any decisions."

With that, Jin Niang had Zeng-shi, Jiang Yan’s wife, come over. Zeng-shi had been remarried after Jiang Yan’s first wife passed away. She had visited with Jiang Yan a few days earlier and got along well with Jin Niang. Jin Niang asked her to make discreet inquiries while also sending Chen Xiaolang to gather information from the local beggar chief.

While they investigated, Jin Niang and Luo Yue prepared the betrothal gifts—after all, they would need them no matter whom Yang Geer married. First was the gold hairpin for the betrothal ceremony. Jin Niang selected one from her own dressing case, placed it in a long box, and brought it to Luo Yue.

Luo Yue hesitated. "I’m afraid I might lose such a valuable item if I keep it."

"Don’t be silly," Jin Niang said, handing it to her. "I’m giving it to you now so we don’t forget later." Next were the betrothal gifts—a wine flask decked with netted trimmings, adorned with eight large flowers or silk ribbons, and eight silver ingots. The Wei family couldn’t afford silver ingots, so they compromised with eight rolls of brocade, the very ones Jin Niang had once given Luo Yue.

Wealthy families would prepare gold armlets, bracelets, and pendants for the bride, while common households made do with silver. Jin Niang, aware of the Wei family's modest means, opted for silver. As for the betrothal gifts, she had ready-made items: a set of red plain silk wide-sleeved robe and yellow silk gold-trimmed skirt, along with a magnolia-shaped hairpiece gifted by Second Madam Dou, two gold hairpins with tassels, a pair of pearl hair ornaments, and a pair of gold ball hairpins.

Luo Yue and Wei Xiong, meanwhile, purchased a floral headdress, a gold-trimmed veil, fans decorated with motifs of five boys and two girls, cosmetics, neck-cleansing herbs, and coin-shaped decorative fruits.

Having recently bought land, the couple had only a hundred guan left, plus about ten guan from three months’ rental income. They decided to use the hundred guan as the betrothal gift, pushing the wedding to next year to spread out expenses.

With the Metropolitan Exam scheduled for February next year, many scholars traveled to the capital. Among them was Hao Erlang, husband of the eldest daughter of the Gu family from Wu County and son of Changzhou County's former magistrate, who came to sit for the exam. He sent a formal calling card, and after Jiang Xian met him and found him a talented young man, he invited him to stay at their residence.

Hao Erlang arrived bearing lavish gifts: sixteen bolts of Jiangnan silk, twenty tea cakes, six jars of citrus wine, and a pair of jade peach-shaped cups. Jin Niang returned the excess, saying, “Though your family is well-off, given our long-standing ties, we’ll accept the local specialties, but save the fineries for when you become a jinshi and need them for networking.”

Hao Erlang replied, “My wife insisted I bring these. Madam, I—”

“I know your wife is thoughtful, but if you’re too formal here, I’d feel uneasy hosting you,” Jin Niang said with a smile.

Thus, he was settled in the guest quarters, spending days writing policy essays and poetry with Yang Geer and receiving evening instruction from Jiang Xian. A former Imperial College student, Hao Erlang had been delayed by observing mourning for his late father and Madam Gu. As the son of an official, his social skills far surpassed Wei Yang’s, though Wei Yang’s diligence and talent in policy discussions earned his respect.

After half a month in the Jiang household, where meals and tea were generously provided, Jiang Xian introduced Hao Erlang to his elder brother Jiang Yan, a fellow jinshi, and arranged visits to present their examination compositions to Grand Academician Wei and Grand Scholar Fan, making the trip worthwhile.

Meanwhile, Jin Niang received updates on Miss Gao. Chen Xiaolang reported, “She’s the third daughter, with no bad reputation but no particular virtues either. Min Zhi asked the jade-flower peddler Granny Wang, who said the girl is literate but naive, never lifting a blade of grass at home.”

“That’s not ideal,” Jin Niang frowned. Yang Geer was already lazy, and his parents weren’t decisive. Adding such a bride would ruin the Wei family.

Zeng Shi, however, praised the girl’s dowry.

As Jin Niang considered other candidates, Peng Sanniang arrived. Her husband, Peng Sanlang, worked as a retainer for Zhang Jiulang, who had visited before. After pleasantries, Peng Sanniang cut to the chase: “The Zhang family has a daughter of marriageable age. Why look elsewhere, Sister Sixteen?”

“You mean the Zhang young lady?” Jin Niang was surprised.

Zhang Jiulang came from an illustrious family, studied at the Imperial College, passed exams, and now held the coveted official position of Water Bureau Vice Director.

Peng Sanniang was blunt: “Sister Sixteen, this is the best match. Miss Zhang’s dowry includes five thousand guan, a house by Yiqiu Gate, six chests of embroidered robes and brocade skirts—stuffed so tight you can't slip a finger through. Even if your brother earns his jinshi degree, he might not find a better match.”

Jin Niang smiled. “It’s not that I object, but my family is humble. I fear the bride would suffer. Besides, our families are close—if the match fails, it’d strain ties.”

Though she thought well of Zhang Jiulang and had a favorable impression of Miss Zhang, the difference in social standing couldn’t be ignored.

Peng Sanniang relayed to Mrs. Zhang: “Sister Jiang worries her brother, a poor scholar with a modest home and meager land, might seem unworthy.”

Mrs. Zhang, however, saw opportunity precisely because Wei Yang was scholarly, related to Grand Academician Wei, and brother-in-law to the distinguished Jiang Xian. If he became a jinshi, they’d have no chance.

True, Wei Yang wasn’t top-tier, but he consistently ranked in the upper-middle ranks at the Imperial Academy, even breaking into the top ten recently. Mrs. Zhang respected Jin Niang’s prudence despite financial strain.

The Zhangs agreed. Jin Niang consulted Jiang Xian, who approved.

Using Buddhist devotion as an excuse, Jin Niang arranged a meeting. Yang Geer, in a cobalt-blue scholar's robe, cut a dignified figure, while Miss Zhang was strikingly beautiful and courteous, deferring to Jin Niang and Luo Yue.

“What books do you read, Miss?” Jin Niang asked.

Recognizing Jin Niang as the decision-maker, Miss Zhang replied carefully, “Just the *Women's Analects* and *Women's Classic of Filial Piety*.”

Jin Niang nodded. “The *Women's Analects* teaches mutual respect at home. When husband speaks, listen carefully; if he errs, advise him earnestly—don't be like foolish women who invite disaster. I’ve read these too, but we women need only grasp their essence.”

Miss Zhang, understanding the implied meaning, smiled sincerely. “You’re right.”

Jin Niang’s quote subtly encouraged her not to blindly submit.

After more chat, Jin Niang let the youngsters walk ahead and told Mrs. Zhang frankly, “If my brother marries, my mother and I want the couple to have their own household to nurture affection. They can visit us often.”

Mrs. Zhang chided, "What kind of talk is this? Looking after one's in-laws is simply her responsibility."

"Indeed, it is her duty, which is why I’ve prepared the side courtyard—they’ll only need to stay there a month at most. If Yang Geer is fortunate enough to pass the exams, they’ll need to make their own way in the world. If not, it’s still time for them to settle down and establish themselves. Besides, living too closely with relatives can sometimes feel restrictive," Jin Niang replied.

Mrs. Zhang then suggested they could live in the house that came with her dowry, to which Jin Niang had no objection, as Jiang Xian had lived in her dowry house for many years.

Soon, Luo Yue went over to perform the hairpin ceremony, bringing an exquisitely crafted delicate gold filigree hairpin prepared by Jin Niang. After the ceremony, the betrothal documents were swiftly exchanged, and a wedding date was chosen.

Mrs. Zhang had initially assumed Jin Niang’s parents were humble commoners, but she noticed the gifts, though not extravagant, were proper and appropriate. Yet the bride’s family sent back quite a lavish betrothal gift in return—black silk headscarves, gold and jade handkerchiefs and rings, seven-treasure hair ornaments, and some needlework embroideries.

Following the betrothal gifts came the formal wedding gifts. As this was a favorable match, Jin Niang added a set of brocade clothing and her own silver headpiece to the gifts. The Zhang family reciprocated with gold and jade scholar’s treasures, brocade silks, and fine fabrics. Luo Yue took the gold and jade items and gave them to Jin Niang, knowing her daughter had spent quite a bit for her brother’s sake.

After the formal wedding gifts were exchanged, the Wei family sent a hundred strings of coins as the bride price, and all that remained was to welcome the bride the following spring.

With this matter settled, Jin Niang finally relaxed, though she felt somewhat nauseous. When a physician was called, it turned out she was pregnant.