Chapter 123

Chapter 123

Zi Teng had followed Jin Niang for her last year in Wu County, and now it had been four or five years. She was already receiving the allowance of a second-rank maid. However, with Qing Rong around, it was difficult for her to stand out, much like Xi Qiu’s situation in the past. Now that she had moved to Second Young Master’s quarters, she could become a head maid.

Jin Niang, meanwhile, had two new maids assigned to her. A Ying and Qing Rong taught them the rules together. Both maids were only hired for five years. After five years, they would return to their families. A few trusted servants born into the household were enough—it saved a lot of trouble.

Second Young Master (Ning Geer) had already been carried to the eastern side room, where Nurse Bai was breastfeeding him. Fang Ma quietly said to Zi Teng, "You must stay alert in this room. The wet nurse and the new maids are different from us—they were hired from outside and are just here to do their jobs."

"Don’t worry, Auntie, I understand," Zi Teng replied.

Outside, Luo Da was already making arrangements. Jiang Xian’s joy of gaining a son was one blessing, and his promotion was another.

The Jiang family was the first to receive the news. Upon hearing that a grandson had been born, Sixth Uncle instructed Zheng Shi to prepare a pair of anklets and a necklace for the baby's third-day bath. Xu Shi, however, felt another surge of resentment. "Well, now they truly have two blessings."

Seeing her mother-in-law pause, Xiao Wu Shi said, "What are you standing around for? Hurry and prepare—we must go see them."

"Yes," Xiao Wu Shi replied.

But when the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law arrived, they happened to encounter Jiang Xian’s promotion. Xu Shi thought of her own husband, who had been promoted to the Director of the Imperial Academy last year—also a sixth-rank official—yet her brother-in-law had caught up so quickly.

A Ying, watching Xu Shi’s expression change, suppressed her laughter for so long that her face nearly twitched before saying, "Aunt Xu, it’s so late for you to come all this way. But the mistress is exhausted after giving birth and has already fallen asleep."

"How is your mistress doing?" Xu Shi asked.

A Ying smiled. "After the birth, the midwife brewed a herbal tonic for her to drink. She said there’s no cause for concern."

Xu Shi gave an "Oh," then noticed how quiet the third courtyard was, completely unlike the firecrackers and celebratory drums from the front courtyard. She glanced toward the western wing. "I’ll go sit with Yun Jieer for a while and see if there’s anything to help with up front later."

"Of course," A Ying said, preparing to follow.

But Xu Shi added, "You must be busy up front—go attend to that first."

A Ying exchanged a glance with Xi Qiu, who had just stepped out. Xi Qiu then escorted Xu Shi and her daughter-in-law inside.

To be fair, Xu Shi wasn’t very familiar with Yun Jieer or Ning Geer—after all, the children had been away during their father's postings by the time they were old enough to understand things. But Yun Jieer was very courteous. Seeing Xu Shi and Xiao Wu Shi enter, she stood promptly to greet them.

"Good child, don’t trouble yourself. We just thought that since your mother has just given birth and can’t manage things, and the household is so busy, we’d come see you," Xu Shi said, affecting a kindly tone.

Unfortunately, Yun Jieer had long been aware of the family’s grudges. After their grandmother’s death, her eldest aunt had forced her parents to leave. But she showed nothing on her face and instead said to Jiao Xing, "Bring some tea."

Xu Shi took in the western wing—three large rooms in total. The central room held a desk and bookshelves, the side room was for daily living, with a dressing table holding a jewelry case and a half-finished gold hairpiece. Beside the mother-of-pearl bed stood two embroidery frames, one large and one small. Not far away, on a delicate carved table, sat a three-legged Ding ware incense burner with string patterns. The incense pellets burning inside emitted a sweet fragrance.

"Everyone says your mother is blessed—she’s given you two younger brothers. Where is your youngest brother staying?" Xu Shi asked.

Yun Jieer replied, "He’s settled in the eastern side room."

Xu Shi nodded. "That’s a very proper arrangement. But once he grows older, I’m afraid this courtyard won’t be spacious enough for all of you?"

"My mother said that once Ning Geer is older, he won’t live in the inner courtyard anymore—he’ll move to the eastern wing of the second courtyard. Then my youngest brother can have the space," Yun Jieer said, faintly sensing that her eldest aunt was trying to stir trouble.

Xiao Wu Shi, standing behind Xu Shi, listened to their conversation and thought Yun Jieer seemed quite different from her parents. Her father was sociable and got along easily with anyone, while her mother was the type who always strove to be the best. Yet Yun Jieer spoke gently and amiably.

Xu Shi smiled. "Good child, your mother will need to rest for a while and may not be able to attend to you. Ning Geer has his studies—why don’t you come stay with us?"

"Aunt, you’re too kind. I’d love to play with my little cousin, but my mother has asked me to finish embroidering that floral-and-bird painting, so I won’t trouble you," Yun Jieer said. She had no intention of staying in someone else’s home.

Seeing that Yun Jieer wasn't swayed by coaxing or pressure, Xu Shi’s expression remained unchanged.

On the day of the baby's third-day bath, guests arrived in great numbers. Madam Wei came in person—after all, Jiang Xian had proven quite capable. Their recommendation helped, but his ability to rise directly was his own merit. The ceremonial basin was filled with gifts from the guests for the "adding to the basin" ritual. Madam Wei tossed in a gold-inlaid necklace with pendant tassels, Zheng Shi contributed a silver-plated necklace and bracelets, Xu Shi added a silver necklace, and Mrs. Zhang—whose daughter had married a scholar and who was on good terms with Jin Niang—dropped in a longevity pendant.

Many other relatives, such as Zeng Shi, the wife of Jiang Yan, reported losing a child's pillow-shaped jade pendant, while Seventh Aunt lost a pair of gold rings...

After the baby-washing ritual ended, the child was brought inside. Jin Niang looked at her youngest son and quickly instructed Nurse Bai to wrap him up properly, waiting until his body warmed before dressing him.

The youngest son was given the single name "Ding." Jin Niang gazed at him, noticing his skin seemed even fairer than hers and Jiang Xian's, wondering what a fair-skinned child he would grow up to be.

Childbirth ages a woman, an irreversible fact of life. The only thing Jin Niang could do was minimize its effects to keep her body and mind in better shape. After the guests left, A Ying collected all the gifts in a box, carefully noting each gift.

"Eldest Sister-in-law Xu only gave a silver necklace? Last time when Xuan Geer got married, my husband and I gifted six silver-gilt floral hairpins." Jin Niang thought Xu Shi was being rather stingy.

A Ying replied, "That's typical of her. You wouldn’t believe it—on the day you gave birth to Second Young Master, while the master was entertaining guests outside, she was there trying to cause mischief with the young lady, even suggesting she move in with them."

"She and I live in separate households. Even if she has any schemes, they’ll likely come to nothing, and we won’t be under her control." Jin Niang leaned back and yawned.

A Ying smiled. "You should rest first. I shouldn’t bother you with these trivial matters, but these gifts are valuable, so I had to report them to you."

"It’s fine." In the past, there were too many worries, making her dread being disturbed during her confinement. But now, with more joys than troubles, it didn’t matter much.

Still, she glanced at the list. "The County Princess Le'an next door also sent a gift?"

A Ying quickly nodded. "Yes, she’s in a pitiful state—still in mourning. During the days you gave birth, her husband suddenly died from a fall off his horse. Now she’s a widow."

"Being a widow without support is hard. Did our family send condolences?" Jin Niang asked.

A Ying smiled. "The master already had my husband deliver them."

Jin Niang nodded. "Good."

It was said that County Princess Le'an was around twenty-six. Her late husband had been a rake, a pampered nobleman who was rarely home, so there was little affection between them. Now that he was dead, his brothers from the Jinshen Marquisate were trying to reclaim the family wealth. Her father, the prince, and his principal wife had long passed, and though her birth mother was still alive, she was hardly in a position to help—who would stand up for her?

In contrast, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Treasury next door, Jiang Xian, was not only wealthy but also charming, handsome, and, most importantly, held great power. If he were to help, it would be a great advantage.

Yet, though she had sent gifts several times, Mrs. Jiang returned the gestures but never invited her, making it impossible to establish a connection.

Naturally, Jin Niang knew nothing of this, as she was focused on her postpartum recovery, and petty concerns didn’t reach her. Inside, Fang Ma, A Ying, and Qing Rong handled matters, while outside affairs were managed by Jiang Xian, sparing her any extra worry.

Jiang Xian was now flourishing in his career—even Jiang Shi, the principal wife of the Zhou family, had heard of it. She had been waiting for Jiang Xian to visit, but to her surprise, even for his son’s baby-washing ceremony, he only sent servants with an invitation and didn’t come himself.

She complained to Zhou Cunzhi about Jiang Xian’s behavior: "Even relatives are so status-conscious these days."

After returning from Jiangling, Zhou Cunzhi had been appointed as a collator at the Jixian Institute and an examining official in the Secretariat, holding a Principal Sixth Rank position. However, he had aligned himself with the Chancellor of Jixian, just like Jiang Yan—in fact, he now worked directly for the chancellor. Yet, Jiang Xian had only been back in the capital for a year and had already gained the chancellor’s trust so quickly.

Then again, he had studied under Chancellor Liu since childhood, and the two had even collaborated on financial treatises—no wonder he was swiftly appointed as Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Treasury.

Zhou Cunzhi didn’t think Jiang Xian was being snobbish. "His household is busy with many matters—how could he visit everyone personally?"

Still, Zhou Cunzhi sensed Jiang Xian’s distance. Recalling his mother’s attitude, he suspected she might have reproached Jiang Xian over his second sister’s affairs. Now that Jiang Xian was no longer a nobody, it was only natural for him to keep his distance. Thus, Zhou Cunzhi didn’t visit in person either, merely sending gifts.

Jin Niang completed the full forty-two days of postpartum confinement before emerging. Her figure had grown slightly plumper from inactivity, and her complexion was somewhat sallow.

The room was aired out, cleaned, and rearranged. That evening, before Jin Niang could say anything, Jiang Xian moved his bedding back from the outer courtyard, complaining, "Wife, you wouldn’t believe it—I’ve had sleepless nights lately."

"What happened?" Jin Niang asked, sipping black chicken soup, puzzled.

Jiang Xian sighed. "Either it was too hot or too cold, or my heart would race so fast I’d be jolted awake in the garden, hearing footsteps multiple times in the night. When I moved to the front courtyard, there were always mosquitoes."

Jin Niang noticed the bags under his eyes, the tiny bumps on his forehead, and his puffy eyelids. "You’ve suffered. Don’t worry—I’ve had the room cleaned up. It’s fragrant now, with no mosquitoes. Have a bowl of black chicken soup to restore your strength and get some proper rest."

The mosquito deterrent was one of Jin Niang’s clever ideas. She disliked burning mugwort leaves because of its strong smell. Instead, every evening after dinner, she had the servants tightly close the windows, use a copper mosquito lamp inside the bed curtains to trap the insects, then light a short coil of mosquito incense. Once it burned out, they replaced it with osmanthus or pear-blossom fragrances—fragrances that induced peaceful sleep. They also placed two basins of ice in the ice chest. By the time they returned from their stroll, the room was cool and fragrant. After washing up, they would remake the bed with fresh, light-colored bedding—clean and neat, making it easy to fall asleep.

But Jiang Xian had grown so accustomed to being taken care of over the years that he simply couldn't sleep once he was away from home.

Sure enough, when Jiang Xian saw the bed with osmanthus-green sheets, pale yellow pillows embroidered with two little white rabbits, and a thin quilt covered in osmanthus flowers, with a cool mat beneath the sheets, he immediately lay down, leaving his soup untouched.

Jin Niang couldn't help but chuckle wryly. "Oh, you—I don't even know what to say about you. Still acting like a child."

"Darling, I'm off to sleep," Jiang Xian murmured, secretly tucking Jin Niang's silver sachet from the pillow into his arms before drifting off.

Jin Niang, however, felt full of energy. Finally free from the burden of pregnancy, she felt as light as a swallow. Although she couldn't move too vigorously, she was at least free again. Having heard of cases where women suffered severe bleeding even fifty days after childbirth, she didn’t dare take risks. Instead, she called all the children over to chat.

First, Wet Nurse Bai brought Ding Geer, who was just over a month old. He was dressed in hand-me-down clothes from his older siblings—not because Jin Niang was frugal, but because the children’s doctor had advised that infants’ delicate skin fared better in worn-in clothing. She checked the baby’s navel and sighed in relief upon seeing it wrapped in a soft, four-inch-square white cloth, with an additional half-inch-thick layer of new cotton securing the umbilical stump.

In those times, newborns were especially prone to umbilical infections, so Jin Niang inspected it daily.

Now that it had fully dried and the belly button was deep, she finally removed the wrapping for her youngest son.

Wet Nurse Bai privately thought the young master’s umbilical cord had fallen off quickly, but the mistress was so meticulous—fearing exposure to moisture—that she had kept it wrapped until now.

"You've worked hard," Jin Niang said with a smile.

The first month with an infant was relatively easy—they slept often and rarely cried. But feedings were required every half-hour to an hour. By the second month, the baby’s fussiness grew worse, often due to gas, so burping was necessary after each feeding.

Wet Nurse Bai replied, "You honor me, mistress. This is my duty."

"Remember to burp him after every feeding. If he doesn’t burp, hold him upright for a while before laying him down. When he’s awake, let him have more tummy time. Understood?" Jin Niang instructed.

Wet Nurse Bai nodded in agreement.

Jin Niang rewarded her with a pair of silver hairpins. "Take good care of him, and I’ll see you’re rewarded."

This time, she had taken heed—fewer personal chats with the wet nurses and maids, more focus on their duties. Rewards were given promptly, supervision was arranged, and she remained vigilant.

Compared to the little one, Ning Geer and Yun Jieer, the older children, were much easier. They brought their schoolwork to show Jin Niang, and the three of them chatted quietly.

By the time Jiang Xian woke up, it was already dusk. His wife was reclining on the daybed, reading. She smiled when she saw him stir. "Look at you—the children didn’t even dare come in."

His clothes were rumpled from sleep, and he looked groggy—almost as bad as Yang Geer, the family’s notorious sleepyhead.

"Wife, this is the best sleep I’ve had in months," Jiang Xian said, feeling perfectly happy.

Jin Niang stood. "Then I’ll have dinner served. Get up now."

Jiang Xian reached for her, restless, but she stopped him. "Not yet. I’m still afraid." She mentioned her fear of postpartum bleeding, and he immediately backed off, saying, "I’ll have Physician Jiang from the gynecology department examine you. You’re my most beloved—I must keep you safe."

"You’re acting strange. You never used to say such sweet nothings. Such declarations are too much for me," Jin Niang chided, shooting him a look.

Back when Yun Jieer and Ning Geer were born, he had been young, ambitious, and buried in his studies, collapsing into sleep each night from exhaustion. But this time, during her confinement, he had often stared at the moon, missing her so much he even shed tears—though he could never tell her that.

Jiang Xian just grinned. "Ah, I’m starving."

Once he was dressed, Jin Niang called for dinner. The meal was simple—steamed perch, stir-fried lettuce, and egg custard. Even so, the couple nearly finished every dish.

By mid-September, Jin Niang began taking stock of the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts. Every year, they gave and received in equal measure, but funds always had to be allocated first.

After another ten days of recuperation, Jin Niang heard that the government was selling fertile reclaimed land west of the capital. First-grade red silt land went for 2.5 to 3 guan per mu, while second-grade variegated silt land cost 2 to 2.5 guan. The "west capital" referred to Luoyang, not far from Kaifeng, so Jin Niang discussed with Jiang Xian the idea of sending someone to purchase two qing (approximately 30 acres) of land there as a dowry for their daughter.

Learning from Madam Jiang Liu’s experience, Jin Niang refused to dip into the family’s core savings—after all, the older one got, the fewer opportunities there were to earn. Jiang Xian’s official career might be flourishing now, but political fortunes were unpredictable.

Luo Da had previously handled such errands, but now that he was needed in the capital, Jin Niang dispatched Liu Douer instead. She provided 400 guan in cash, supplemented with fabrics, gold, and silver. The fabrics were gifts from the past two years’ Mid-Autumn, Dragon Boat, and New Year celebrations, along with items from Ding Geer’s third-day blessing ceremony. The more valuable pieces were kept, while things like the necklace from Xu Shi were all packed for the trip.

These are all top-grade brocade silks, some priced at five or six guan per bolt, and some even worth ten guan.

Of course, what she sent out from her own household was of the same quality.

In total, the money and goods given amounted to about six hundred guan, enough to purchase prime farmland and build grain storage sheds.

A Ying helped her husband pack his belongings: "You must go quickly and take care of this properly for Madam. Take a few people from our Kaifeng estate to manage the land, so Madam can trust you with other tasks."

Liu Douer nodded: "Don’t worry, I’ll get it done right for Madam."

While the couple discussed, Jin Niang also spoke to Jiang Xian: "The rental income from Sweetwater Lane has come in. We’ve been spending money like water these past days, so now we must start being frugal."

Jiang Xian said: "The household runs smoothly thanks to you." In such a short time, their daughter’s dowry—money, land, shops, and a residence with two courtyards—had all been arranged, even half the jewelry was prepared. This wasn’t something just anyone could pull off.

A dowry of three thousand guan in silver, a residence with two courtyards and thriving business worth two thousand guan, land valued at nearly six hundred guan, plus jewelry—this totaled roughly six thousand guan.

Perhaps because of his wife’s capabilities, he never entertained the thought of embezzling even a single coin, knowing the household would always have money.

However, his current position at the Court of the Imperial Treasury was truly an extremely lucrative post.

Jin Niang laughed: "Now you earn ninety guan a month. We could live comfortably on just your salary."

His official salary was thirty guan, but he received generous allowances, even including rolls of fabric, which was why Jin Niang had no worries. The couple reviewed their finances once more before finally relaxing.

By the tenth month, Jin Niang had recovered enough to go out—it had been two months since she gave birth to Ding Geer. Coinciding with Madam Wei’s birthday, she had to go and offer her congratulations.

Others might not attend their birthdays, but they always attended others’ celebrations.

Jin Niang prepared two bolts of purple crane-patterned brocade, a load of longevity peaches, a load of longevity noodles, two boxes of crispy abalone pastries, two crystal geese, a jar of citrus wine, a box of peach-blossom face powder, two boxes of lip balm, and a longevity screen.

The screen was embroidered by Yun Jieer, depicting a white peacock resting among lush peonies, representing prosperity and abundance. For a girl of Yun Jieer’s age to embroider such intricate, double-sided embroidery was exceedingly rare.

Thus, Madam Wei was delighted: "My, what a clever girl, your needlework is truly exceptional!"

Yun Jieer smiled shyly.

"Please don’t praise her too much," Jin Niang said, though she was secretly proud. "She kept telling me she was too shy to present it, afraid people would laugh."

Many guests remarked on Jin Niang’s refined, luxurious dress, and as the sister-in-law of the Wei family, with her husband being one of the Jiang brothers—Jiang Yan and Jiang Xian, both holders of the jinshi degree (the highest civil service rank)—some were already making inquiries.

This was exactly the effect Jin Niang wanted. Wei Qilang was a good match, but it didn’t hurt to keep options open.

That same night after the banquet, someone approached Madam Wei to inquire: "I noticed the eldest daughter of the Jiang family is exceptionally beautiful, young yet very capable. Is she spoken for?"

Madam Wei smiled: "Not yet. Why? Are you interested in their daughter?"

The person replied: "To be honest, my eldest son is fifteen this year, not yet of age, but diligent in his studies. I’d like to find him a wife."

Madam Wei said: "You may send someone to their home to inquire."

Jin Niang also received several invitations, some to flower-viewing parties, others to polo games. She and Jiang Xian sat together analyzing them.

"What about this Infantry Commander? He seems to be a military officer. Should we decline?" Jin Niang asked.

"Yes, reject it outright. Civil and military circles shouldn’t mix too much," Jiang Shi dismissed without hesitation, even feeling the commander shouldn’t have sent the invitation in the first place.

Jin Niang picked up another invitation: "And this one?"

Jiang Xian took a look: "Chancellor of the Directorate of Education, a fourth-rank official in charge of the Imperial Academy. This one is acceptable. We can go, but no need to decide anything yet."

There was also an Attendant Scholar of Tianzhang Pavilion, who was considered a high-ranking official.

The couple first considered the family backgrounds, then planned to inquire about the situation of the prospective groom's family, observing for a year or two before finalizing the engagement. During this time, they would also help their daughter accumulate more dowry.

Meanwhile, Xu Shi also mentioned her nephew to Jiang Yan: "You know Kangge, Fifth Brother's son. My elder sister says he is a handsome and talented young man and wants to arrange a match for him. But I figured why let the good stuff go to outsiders—our niece Yun Jieer is three years younger than him, and they know each other well. It’s better than dealing with outsiders who might hide things. If they were to marry, we would have done right by your brother."

Jiang Yan hesitated, lost in thought...

Xu Shi pressed on: "Many people praise Kangge’s scholarship, even the Chancellor of Jixian called him the Xu family’s rising star. Even your sister-in-law’s modest younger brother won over the Zhang family instantly. I’m sure Shiliulang and your sister-in-law would feel the same way."