Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Jin Niang had been so busy that she neglected her own health. The sudden pregnancy came as a shock—she could hardly believe it. Since returning by boat, they'd been trying for a baby, but there had been no news for a long time. Jin Niang had almost given up hope, so she was surprised to find herself pregnant just as the twelfth month began.

Jiang Xian, however, was far calmer than his wife: "My dear, you finished embroidering the Guanyin statue just as you conceived. This child's a gift from Guanyin—bound to be lucky."

"I only hope for a safe delivery. I'm not fussy about blessings," Jin Niang replied, gently touching her belly with a sense of wonder.

The couple eagerly anticipated the arrival of their little one, both wishing only for health and safety—every parent's wish. Meanwhile, Luo Yue was speaking to her son: "As for your betrothal gifts, this is all our family can afford. Your sister also mentioned that the Zhang family is banking on you becoming an official’s wife. So, you must study hard to prove yourself worthy of their daughter."

Yang Geer understood well: "I know, Mother. My sister has always considered everything for me, and this time she's spent a great deal on my behalf."

"Your sister just bought a new house, and she dipped into her own pocket for this. When you succeed in the future, you must look after your nephews and nieces—only then will you repay her kindness," Luo Yue sighed.

Yang Geer lowered his voice: "Brother-in-law took me to the Wei and Fan families again privately, and this time, he didn’t bring Brother Hao along."

"That's what family does," Luo Yue reminded him, cautioning him not to speak of it.

Yang Geer nodded.

After exchanging a few more words, mother and son parted ways. Luo Yue then went to see her daughter, just as Jiang Xian had stepped out. Jin Niang was busy preparing New Year gifts, meticulously listing them in several booklets.

Seeing her mother, she smiled: "Please sit. I'll finish soon, and then I can rest properly."

Jin Niang always learned from others’ return gifts—for instance, the olives sent by the Wei family had never occurred to her before, so she decided to include them this year. She told Luo Yue: "With Zhang Jiulang’s family now related to us, I’ve prepared a gift for you as well."

"I still have money. The rent from Stinky Ditch Lane arrived today, along with a season’s worth of dues," Luo Yue firmly refused.

Jin Niang insisted: "The first gift’s got to make a good impression. Don’t worry—later, if you want to contribute, I won’t stop you."

With her brother marrying a girl with a dowry and good connections, their parents would no longer need to worry, and neither would she. But she couldn't afford to give more—she had her own children to think of.

When Jin Niang sent the New Year gifts to the Zhang family, Zhang Shi happened to be visiting her parents. Mrs. Zhang’s maid reported: "The Wei family sent two bolts of trendy Jiangnan patterned silk, a northern sheep, two jars of fine wine, a jar of candied cherries, a jar of salted olives, and two pots of peonies."

Ever since learning that her younger brother had betrothed his daughter to a baker’s son, Zhang Shi finally understood her mother-in-law’s feelings. But Zhang Jiulang was beyond her control—after their last quarrel over misdelivered fabric and false accusations, they’d fallen out. Now, with Zhang Pingjun engaged to Wei Yang, Zhang Shi’s complaints had only worsened the rift.

Seeing the Wei family’s gifts, she couldn’t help but remark: "Not even a gold coronet—just all this flashy nonsense."

"The Wei family also sent gold hairpins and pearl pins. If there’s no gold coronet, there’s still a silver one—it’s hardly lacking," Mrs. Zhang retorted, unswayed. "The Weis are decent folk, and their son was destined for the jinshi rank—why would they stoop to an yin official’s girl?"

Failing to provoke her sister-in-law, Zhang Shi went to see Zhang Pingjun. The girl’s stitching wasn’t great, but upon hearing that her future sister-in-law excelled at it, she had been practicing diligently to at least reach a presentable level.

When Zhang Shi entered, she quickly stood: "Aunt."

Having no daughters of her own, Zhang Shi doted on her niece and often invited her to the Zhou residence. Seeing her so obedient, she couldn’t help but vent: "Pingjun, your father betrothed you to some broke scholar while securing a Vice-Prefect’s son for your half-sister!"

"Aunt, Wei Yang’s Jiang Xian’s brother-in-law and a member of the Wei clan," Zhang Pingjun replied.

"That’s hardly the same! Everyone knows what the Wei family used to be! Your father favors that concubine’s spawn," Zhang Shi snapped.

Zhang Pingjun thought to herself that her aunt in the old days would never have been so blunt, even if displeased. But since her uncle had taken a wealthy second wife, and her aunt had lost a fortune in a failed business venture, her temper had grown increasingly bitter.

Since the engagement was settled, Zhang Pingjun said: "Aunt, though Wei Yang is poor, poor boys make good. Getting into the Imperial College at eighteen? That’s something."

Zhang Shi knew this well enough, but hearing her niece’s calm acceptance, she fished a little box from her sleeve: "This is my wedding gift to you. Take it."

Inside was a pair of gold bangles with a dragon-phoenix motif. Zhang Shi grasped her hand: "I’ve always been too hard-edged, and that’s no good for a woman. Don’t be like me."

After being swindled out of her funds, Zhang Shi was nearly broke. The Zhous bled money—her father-in-law collected antiques, her mother-in-law kept up airs, and Zhou Cunzhi needed to grease palms up and down the ranks. She skimped where she could—what else could she do?

This was also a calculated move. Someone like Wei Jinniang, who came from a servant background, would surely feel too embarrassed to constantly interact with her former masters. Even if she discovered the truth years later, she would have to eat the loss quietly.

Who’d have guessed she’d spill it so fast?

Fortunately, Zhou Cunzhi didn’t know. Nowadays, he preferred wealthy young ladies and even looked down on her, the daughter of a poor official. Zhang Shi seethed with resentment.

But she also knew that her strong personality would ultimately leave her eating grievances quietly, so she earnestly advised her niece.

"Yes," Zhang Pingjun nodded tearfully.

On the 26th of the twelfth lunar month, there was a joyous occasion at the old residence—Xuan Geer was to marry the daughter of the Wu family. Jin Niang rose early to dress up, deliberately wearing her gold coronet that day. She donned a matching apricot-yellow pearl dress, with lantern-style tasseled earrings dangling from her ears, a gem-embedded ring on one hand, and a twisted gold ring on the other. Naturally, she radiated brilliance, a sight to behold.

Jiang Xian thought his wife, having embroidered so many Bodhisattvas, now resembled one herself—so much so that he didn’t dare step out of line with her.

Helping his wife into the carriage, he added, "We’ve spent quite a bit this year, but next year will be better."

"I think so too. If only we could keep the money for ourselves! Our daughter is to marry, our son is to wed, and there’s another on the way—who knows if it’s a boy or girl—so we must prepare for that too." Jin Niang pouted.

Watching her pout like that, Jiang Xian’s heart melted, but fearing he might mess up her clothes, he refrained from pulling her into his arms.

Their relationship had begun as a marital bond, then evolved into mutual support, and finally into romantic love. She was perceptive, principled, and capable—yet never overly aggressive. Most importantly, with her by his side, he feared nothing.

Upon arriving at the old residence near Nanxun Gate, the place was already decked out in lanterns and banners. Jiang Xian sighed, "Our wedding was just like this. Just like that, so many years have passed."

"Our time away from the capital went by too quickly. Honestly, my clearest memory now is of our wedding days in Sweetwater Lane—it feels like it happened just yesterday," Jin Niang said.

As they spoke, they parted ways at the gate—Jin Niang entered through the inner gate to the women’s quarters, while Jiang Xian joined the male guests outside. Among the female guests were several sisters-in-law from the Xu family, all gathered together. It was said that Xu Shi had about a dozen nephews from her maternal family, all scholars—especially the son of her fifth brother, who, though young, was already renowned for his talent.

After Jin Niang entered, they exchanged pleasantries. She spotted Xu Sansao again—a woman who lived for fancy clothes so much that she would borrow money just to do so. Today, she wore a skirt dusted with gold and a silver-gilded coronet, standing beside a young woman in her twenties, likely her third daughter-in-law.

"Sis, you pregnant?" Xu Shi asked.

Jin Niang nodded, "Yes, just recently."

Xu Shi was about to say more when new guests arrived, so she hurried out to greet them. Fang Ma, standing beside Jin Niang, thought to herself that on such occasions, sisters-in-law usually helped welcome guests inside before gathering to chat. Yet Xu Shi ignored the room full of people, personally going out to greet each newcomer, leaving no one to lead inside.

Fang Ma used to think small too, confined to this small world, and had even thought Xu Shi was at least competent in household management—if a bit frugal. But after traveling with her mistress for six or seven years and broadening her horizons, she now realized Xu Shi’s abilities were actually quite mediocre. She was just good at polishing her image.

Frugality, virtue, compassion for the poor and elderly—

Like she was God’s gift.

In this regard, her mistress was different. Jin Niang rarely bothered to build her own reputation—the only exception being her fame for Guanyin embroidery, purely for profit.

Of course, Jin Niang was here today to attend the wedding, not to dwell on such matters. Being pregnant, she couldn’t stand the smell, so she went to Zeng Shi’s side to play cards. When Xu Shi returned with the guests and saw the disorderly scene, she secretly bitched under her breath about her sisters-in-law not helping to manage the guests.

After the card games and the midday banquet, the groom set off to fetch the bride. Jin Niang chatted with relatives from the Zheng and Xu families. The Zhengs were naturally delighted—Zheng Shi had married a man over fifty, thinking her life was over, only for both stepsons to become scholars one after another, even elevating the Jiang family’s sixth branch to prosperity. The achievements of Madam Jiang Liu’s sons had, in turn, elevated her status—now everyone addressed Zheng Shi as "Madam Zheng."

The Zhou family arrived in the afternoon—Madam Zhou and her daughter-in-law Zhang Shi came together. When Madam Zhou saw Jin Niang seated inside, she quietly had a maid fetch her. Jin Niang already guessed what she wanted to ask, and sure enough, it was about Second Miss. Fortunately, Jin Niang had prepared her response: "We had only just arrived and met her once before hearing of the murder case. The magistrates cracked down hard—there was nothing we could do."

If you hadn’t lent usurious loans that drove someone to death, would you have been caught in this predicament?

Madam Zhou pressed, "Since you’re in Daming Prefecture, just spend the money to smooth things over—let me know. How could you just walk away from it? We’re still family."

Jin Niang had no intention of engaging further and remained silent. Not far away, Xu Shi overheard their conversation and gloated. Even if she wasn’t their servant anymore, seeing her former mistress should still make her kowtow, unable to straighten her back.

If Zhang Shi were normal, she would have stepped in to mediate—after all, Zhou Cunzhi and Jiang Xian’s relationship hadn’t completely soured yet. But after Jin Niang exposed the fake silk incident last time, Zhang Shi had no intention of helping. She simply watched the spectacle unfold.

In the end, it was Jin Niang who excused herself: "Madam Zhou, I’ve left something outside and must go check."

Finally, she got away.

Once outside, A Ying grumbled, "The nerve of her! Her own daughter committed crimes, yet she dares to blame others."

"Who cares about her?" Jin Niang thought. Since Second Miss Zhou was already wanted, there was no point in arguing with Madam Zhou, especially since she was pregnant.

Why bother with her?

The eldest Miss Zhou died six or seven years ago, and the second Miss Zhou would never dare show herself again. As for Zhou Cunzhi’s situation, the fact that Zhang Shi had started gifting counterfeit silk made it clear they were declining.

She held no deep grudge against the Zhou family. Though they had once obstructed her marriage to Jiang Xian, it was also at the Zhou residence that Madam Jiang Liu had first noticed her. That was why Jin Niang was unwilling to hold a grudge.

For this reason, Jin Niang left after the bride entered, paid her respects to the elders, and returned home. Given her pregnancy, Jiang Xian was concerned about her well-being. When he heard that Madam Zhou had confronted her, he was furious: "Didn’t Madam Zhou or Second Madam Zhou speak up for you?"

"No," Jin Niang shook her head.

Jiang Xian said, "Madam Zhou is usually indifferent, but today we brought generous gifts as guests, and as hosts, they ignored us. As for Second Madam Zhou—when she was harassed before, I was the one who handled the guy. Even after she sent us counterfeit silk, we worried she’d been deceived, yet she just stood there."

Jin Niang waved her hand. "Enough. In the end, she disregarded the law. Why not take this chance to break off contact?"

Jiang Xian nodded. "I was thinking the same."

Jin Niang had always been good at keeping her cool. The next day, when the property manager delivered twelve hundred strings of coins as dividends, she was overjoyed. With the rent from the estate, along with firewood, eggs, and poultry arriving, she began distributing year-end bonuses to the servants.

Ju Xiang, Luo Mama, and Chen Xiaolang, who had worked diligently without slacking, each received a five-qian bonus, a chicken, and a handkerchief.

These three had never skipped work without cause since moving to the new residence. Luo Mama managed the garden, ensuring no unauthorized entry, and kept the side gates tightly secured at night. Ju Xiang, along with Chun Xian, kept the kitchen running smoothly—no slip-ups, and the food only improved. As for Chen Xiaolang, now the deputy steward, any task Jin Niang assigned was completed the same day, never delayed.

Jin Niang also wrapped their bonuses in red cloth, with praise written on the outside.

"This year, it’s these three. Next year, the rewards will be greater, and I hope more will earn them," Jin Niang declared.

Instantly, the servants were fired up. Hu Tou, who usually cleaned Jiang Xian’s study, was the son of Luo Da, the household’s chief steward, and now served as Jiang Xian’s page.

Though Hu Tou normally cleaned thoroughly, today he scrubbed like he wanted to wear the floor out.

Jiang Xian teased, "What’s with you today, working so hard?"

Hu Tou scratched his head. "If I do well, the mistress might call me out in front of everyone to give a red-cloth bonus. Even my grandmother got one!"

For a young page like Hu Tou, who earned only fifty coins a month, he was eager.

Jiang Xian was momentarily surprised.

Later, while strolling in the garden, he overheard Xi Qiu telling Fan Si, "Write to your uncle—next year, bring some loquat wine for the mistress. She doesn’t like strong liquor but enjoys fruit wine."

…

Jiang Xian thought, *Well, this is just the beginning—now they’re even bringing gifts!*

The New Year was celebrated feasting on beef and lamb, a time of great comfort. Yun Jieer tailored new clothes for Wei Xiong and Luo Yue, and the elderly couple was overjoyed.

Jin Niang bought them a young maidservant and chose a page for Yang Geer to run errands. Her father, no longer burdened by backbreaking labor, had gained weight and lost his bitter demeanor. Her mother, too, looked healthier and more radiant.

This year, the Wei family again invited Jin Niang over. She said to Madam Wei, "Though Confucius spoke not of supernatural things, right after I finished embroidering the Child-Giving Guanyin, I conceived. It must be fate."

Madam Wei, who had borne Wei Qilang in middle age, shared some advice, which Jin Niang noted carefully.

While Jin Niang visited relatives and friends, Hao Erlang and Wei Yang were still writing essays. For them, passing the Metropolitan Exam would change their lives forever.

However, there was a difference in their studies. Yang Geer told Jin Niang, "Brother Hao is indeed very smart and seems diligent, but today when brother-in-law gave him a question, he couldn't solve it properly."

Although Yang Geer wasn't particularly strong in intellectual capacity, he always immersed himself deeply when writing essays, putting in the effort to think thoroughly. Hao Erlang, on the other hand, wrote extensively but his work was too flowery but shallow.

Jin Niang understood his situation—in modern terms, it was like going through the motions of studying. It wasn’t that he wasn’t studying at all, but he wasn’t truly committed to learning.

"What can we do about it?" Jin Niang was also concerned.

Wei Yang said, "I talked to him about it, but he seemed a bit impatient."

Jin Niang replied, "Forget it, then. Just focus on yourself and do well in the Metropolitan Exam."

She always felt her younger brother wasn’t the flashy type—still very uncomplicated in his twenties, enjoying carpentry and fried chicken. But when it came to major exams, his luck was surprisingly good. She wondered if it was just luck, but after observing him, she realized it wasn’t. He might not have the sharpest mind, but he was diligent and willing to put in the hard work.

As Yang Geer prepared for the Metropolitan Exam, the Zhang family was even more nervous than the Jiang family. Zhang Jiulang personally paid a visit. Though he had the temperament of a privileged official's son demeanor, he got along well with the earnest scholar Wei Yang and treated him with respect.

Jiang Xian, however, reassured him, "Yang Geer is still young. Even my own brother didn’t pass until he was almost thirty. There’s no need to rush."

"Do you think he can pass?" Zhang Jiulang asked.

"It’s hard to say. We can only do our part and leave the outcome to heaven," Jiang Xian replied. He wasn’t an examiner, after all, and much depended on Yang Geer’s performance on the day.

With someone in the household preparing for the exam, Ning Geer and Yun Jieer couldn’t go out and play freely. They came to Jin Niang’s place instead. Yun Jieer looked at Jin Niang’s belly with awe and asked, "Mother, she said, will I have another little brother in a few months?"

"We don’t know yet if it’s a little brother or a little sister. It’s only been four months—there are still five or six more to go before the baby is born. Then you can all play together then." Jin Niang said, yawning as she spoke.

Yun Jieer, being older and more perceptive than Ning Geer, told Jin Niang, "I saw Wet Nurse Ma telling Ning Geer to ask you to let her come back. Mother, she always spoils him—that’s not good."

Wet Nurse Ma wasn’t originally a family servant; she was only hired for about two years. Later, she pleaded hardship, so Jin Niang let her help manage the courtyard. But she kept indulging Ning Geer, and though Jin Niang didn’t dismiss her, she reassigned her to laundry duty. Wet Nurse Ma found the work much harder and grew disheartened.

But Jin Niang’s household had no idle hands—even Jiang Xian’s wet nurse, Luo Mama, often took turns standing night watch guarding the gates. Luo Da’s wife, despite being the chief steward’s wife, still had to tend to the garden, move flowers, and sweep the grounds daily. Even Jin Niang herself, though not as exhausted as before, was constantly busy with needlework and household chores.

Understanding Wet Nurse Ma’s struggle to adjust, Jin Niang spoke to Fang Ma about it. Fang Ma reprimanded Wet Nurse Ma: "Just because you nursed the young master, does that make you more privileged than the rest of us? The mistress gives you three qian silver a month, two sets of clothes a year, and you don’t even have to wash her undergarments or the children’s intimate clothes—those are handled by their personal servants. How is your workload heavy? If you had some special skill, that would be one thing, but you don’t. You’d be wise to behave. You used to be sensible—why are you acting foolish now? Before, when the mistress told the young master to wake early to study, you encouraged him to pretend to be sick. Later, when she insisted he finish his homework before eating, you secretly gave him snacks. You play the indulgent one with the young master, yet the mistress is generous enough not to blame you for manipulating him. Anyone else would’ve thrown you out long ago."

After this scolding, Wet Nurse Ma behaved better, but she still felt dissatisfied—either the pay was too low or the treatment wasn’t good enough. Now, fearing Jin Niang held a grudge, she began thinking of leaving, claiming her husband had come for her.

Jin Niang personally asked if she wanted to leave, but Wet Nurse Ma wavered, saying her husband was forcing her. Jin Niang finally said, "If you don’t want to go, just stay. I’ll speak to him for you."

But Wet Nurse Ma, hesitant and conflicted, clearly wanted to leave. So Jin Niang produced her contract, let her take her personal chest and savings, and sent her on her way. Without a dedicated laundry worker, the servants would handle their own laundry.

A Ying grumbled, "Before, she knelt and begged not to leave—now she’s like this."

Jin Niang thought it was for the best—now she could raise her son without interference.

Fang Ma reflected that Jin Niang was being kind but calculated. Though decisive in most matters, she had given Wet Nurse Ma multiple chances, not out of weakness but to let her leave on her own, ensuring Ning Geer wouldn’t resent his mother later.

Half a month after Wet Nurse Ma left, the Metropolitan Exam began. A few days later, the results were announced—Yang Geer passed, though he was next to last on the list. Still, passing meant he only had to worry about his rank in the palace exam.

Jiang Xian had celebratory tables set up in their garden, and Jin Niang gave the servants bonuses. Luo Yue also distributed rewards, overjoyed. Even the Wei family came to congratulate them, bringing congratulatory gifts.

However, Yang Geer’s low ranking raised concerns—if he ended up in the fifth tier, he’d have to take another exam for official appointment.

Unexpectedly, he ranked last in the fourth tier during the palace exam, qualifying him for immediate official appointment.

Jin Niang, great with child at home, didn’t go to see the results. Ning Geer returned excitedly, saying, "People nearly dragged Uncle away—one pulling his arm, another his leg. In the end, Uncle Zhang sent men to rescue him."

Jin Niang laughed, imagining Yang Geer’s slender frame being manhandled.

Originally, the wedding was set for September, but the Zhang family now insisted on moving it up, afraid their scholar son-in-law might be poached away. Jin Niang found it both funny and frustrating.