Chapter 129

Chapter 129

Jin Niang was preparing Mid-Autumn Festival presents with her daughter. She first brought out the gift lists from previous years and the gifts received in return from others, letting her daughter draft this year's list based on these.

"Look, these are from last year and the year before. The olives sent by the Wei family were quite thoughtful, but olives are pricey, so we must consider carefully. And these petite pastries—Ju Xiang’s rose shortcakes and Xiao Yun’s osmanthus cakes from our household are excellent. However, the boxes for the pastries must be prepared in advance. The bamboo boxes from Daxiangguo Temple are both affordable and beautiful. See, I’ve already prepared them," Jin Niang explained.

In addition, there were fruits, silks, wines, powdered sugar, and more.

A single gift list involved many intricacies. Yun Jieer revised it twice before finalizing it and handed it to Qing Rong, who then relayed it to various departments for preparation.

"You can’t just leave everything to others. You must check in from time to time, or else if superiors don’t give clear instructions, subordinates may slack off," Jin Niang advised.

Yun Jieer nodded and then asked, "Mother, did you really sell an embroidered portrait for two hundred guàn (a monetary unit)?"

"Yes, that’s why I’ve been urging you to learn needlework. You’re even more talented than I was—you’ve specialized in painting, so your embroidery will surely surpass mine. My skills were just learned piecemeal from others. In the future, if you ever fall on hard times, this craft will ensure you can bounce back easily," Jin Niang reminded her.

Now, besides studying, Yun Jieer also had to manage household affairs and needlework, leaving her with little free time. Taking Jin Niang’s words to heart, she took the gift list back to review and worked on her needlework whenever she had time.

By next year, her younger brother would take the prefectural exams. She had already mastered the eight-legged essay (a rigid exam format), poetry, and policy discussions, so she no longer needed to study those.

As soon as she left, Madam Wei arrived. Jin Niang hurried to the second gate to welcome her, first scrutinizing her appearance and noting that she had lost some weight but still looked spirited. She then inquired about Madam Wei’s father’s illness as the two entered the parlor.

Madam Wei clasped Jin Niang’s hand and said, "My child has troubled you for so long, and I feel terribly uneasy."

"Wei Qilang is very sensible. You may not know this yet, but his uncle took him and Ning Geer to visit a renowned scholar. By chance, the two cousins had the good fortune to inspire the scholar’s poetic inspiration, and both were mentioned in his verses," Jin Niang said with a smile.

Madam Wei had initially heard from the servants that Jiang Xian had taken the boys out for a late-night escapade, leaving them itchy and sleepless, and that the aunt had treated her son like a servant. She hadn’t expected it to be a visit to a famous scholar.

Though she hadn’t entirely believed the servants’ gossip, thinking there must be some truth to it, she had harbored doubts. Now, hearing Jin Niang’s explanation, she beamed with joy. "Auntie, please thank his uncle on my behalf. This mischievous child must have caused you so much trouble."

"Not at all—he’s been a delight. I initially wondered if, being the youngest at home, he might be too spoiled. But who knew he’d act like such a responsible elder brother here? One day, he even volunteered to help Ding Geer bathe with his uncle. I told him there were plenty of servants for that, but he insisted and did it quite skillfully. I couldn’t let his efforts go unrewarded, so I treated him to a meal at Panlou’s Huixian Restaurant as a token of appreciation," Jin Niang said lightly.

Hearing this, Madam Wei felt deeply ashamed. She had known Jin Niang’s character well but, out of maternal concern, had nearly been misled. She expressed her gratitude profusely.

Jin Niang then said, "I had thought Wei Qilang would stay with us until Mid-Autumn Festival, so I personally made him a set of clothes for the occasion. Now that you’ve returned, let me give them to you."

Soon after, Qing Rong brought out the outfit laid out on a tray. Madam Wei saw that it included a yellow undergarment with a hidden pattern of auspicious grass and cranes, paired with a light purple outer robe made of gauze. The collar of the robe was adorned with a slightly deeper purple double-layered gauze embroidered with interlocking geometric patterns, complemented by a skirt in celadon green. The craftsmanship was exquisite, clearly requiring much effort.

Madam Wei exclaimed, "You, as his aunt, have been so kind to him. If he doesn’t show you filial respect in the future, I won’t allow it!"

"Why say such things? Since you’re here today, let’s consider it a welcome-home dinner. Wei Qilang will return soon," Jin Niang said cheerfully.

The two chatted about family matters until Wei Qilang returned. Upon seeing his mother, he hurried forward to pay his respects.

Madam Wei noticed that her son seemed to have grown taller and looked more spirited over the past two months. After catching up briefly, he volunteered to go to the front courtyard to study, which pleased her greatly.

"Finish your work quickly, and we’ll celebrate your mother’s return afterward," Jin Niang reminded him.

Wei Qilang acknowledged her words, and Jin Niang had tea sent to them.

For the afternoon meal, Madam Wei dined at the Jiang residence. She observed how casually her son spoke to Jin Niang when he said, "Auntie, could you ask Uncle to take Ning Geer and me fishing at Peach Blossom Creek? He won’t agree unless you say so."

"After that late-night escapade, you two have become quite adventurous. Focus on your studies first. If you show progress, I’ll mention it to your uncle—but only if your mother agrees," Jin Niang replied.

Wei Qilang then begged his mother, who pointed at him and playfully scolded, "You must improve in your studies first!"

After the meal, Madam Wei noticed how capable Yun Jieer had become and, upon learning that she had recently started managing the household, remarked, "Your eldest has grown even more outstanding."

Unaware of Madam Wei’s hidden intent, Jin Niang assumed it was just a polite compliment. Knowing Wei Qilang would return home that day, she also had him try the outfit on.

The Wei family servants had already packed the luggage when Ning Geer started crying, saying, "Seventh Cousin Brother, we still had plans to go fishing at Taohua Creek."

Wei Qilang couldn't hold back his tears either. Even Jin Niang, though reluctant to part, being an adult, couldn't very well insist on keeping someone else's child indefinitely. She smiled and said, "Ning Geer, you can always visit your Seventh Cousin Brother later."

Then, turning to Madam Wei, she added, "The children are truly deeply affectionate and value relationships."

Madam Wei was deeply moved. Seeing that it was getting late, Jin Niang continued, "The children should rest early—they still have studies tomorrow. I won’t keep you any longer. Next time, Seventh Nephew is welcome to visit anytime. I’ll keep the side courtyard ready for him."

"Auntie..." Wei Qilang was genuinely reluctant to leave.

Jiang Xian, who had been listening from the study, thought this was all too much. He had often visited his aunt’s house in the past but never witnessed such dramatic farewells.

Once the Wei family had left, Jiang Xian finally emerged.

"What were you hiding in there for?" Jin Niang eyed him suspiciously.

Jiang Xian protested, "Hiding? It’s just that when women are talking, it’s hardly my place to interrupt."

Jin Niang sighed in relief. "Now that the Weis are gone, I can finally relax. Let’s go rest."

Hosting over twenty people, including Wei Qilang, with all their daily needs had been exhausting. Now that he'd been safely returned to his mother, she could finally breathe easy.

Meanwhile, after returning home, Madam Wei and her family gathered for a chat.

Wei Qilang recounted, "During the day, we studied at the You residence. After returning, we’d finish our assignments, then have dinner and take walks. Uncle would check our work and assign extra exercises if we struggled. On breaks, we’d dine out or watch sumo. Oh, and Auntie had Uncle teach Ning Geer and me how to mount scrolls—she said if we ever failed in our studies, we could still earn a living running a framing shop. Did you know Auntie sold an embroidery piece for two hundred guan? Yun Jieer was so inspired she’s been doing nothing but needlework."

Grand Academician Wei chuckled. "Who would've thought you’d learn so much at the Jiangs’?"

"Exactly! They even planned to teach us swimming in August. Auntie said Uncle once caught a fugitive because he was a good swimmer. Even if Ning Geer and I don’t become officials, knowing how to swim could save our lives." Wei Qilang yawned mid-sentence.

Madam Wei promptly sent him off to rest, leaving the couple to talk.

Grand Academician Wei remarked, "Our son has improved tremendously in his studies these past months and even grew taller. That’s why I was comfortable leaving him with the Jiangs."

"I never expected the Jiangs to have such a fine household," Madam Wei mused.

After discussing Wei Qilang, the couple seemed to reach a silent decision, though they still had other matters to attend to.

That year, perhaps because Wei Qilang had stayed with them for months, the Weis sent particularly lavish seasonal gifts. Jin Niang selected a few choice items to store away and discussed Mid-Autumn Festival arrangements with Jiang Xian.

"In that case, let’s invite your father and stepmother from the old house," Jin Niang suggested.

Jiang Xian agreed—it was just for the festival, after all. Jin Niang insisted he personally fetch them. Sixth Uncle Jiang consented readily; with his eldest son in Yingtian Prefecture and the second adopted out, being with his son beat being with a grandson.

Xu Shi, who normally disliked her father-in-law and his father's second wife, reluctantly proposed, "Why not have Shiliulang and his wife join us in Nanxun Quarter instead? My daughter-in-law and I have already prepared pastries and fruits."

"You’re all very kind, but we’d like to visit them this time," Sixth Uncle Jiang replied with a smile.

Xu Shi had to swallow her objections and agree.

When the elders arrived, Sixth Uncle Jiang donated several crates of books to the Jiang residence’s library. Jiang Xian had Ning Geer accompany his grandfather, while Jin Niang seated Zheng Shi in the place of honor and served tea.

Zheng Shi observed the elegant incense burner set on the table, the premium tea served in red-lacquered cups on trays, the floral arrangements by the window, and the sweet smoke curling from the bronze censer. The Jiangs’ wealth was evident—far exceeding that of the main family branch.

She recalled Xu Shi’s remark about how marrying her grandniece into this household would be a blessing.

But when Zheng Shi tentatively brought up Yun Jieer’s potential marriage matches, Jin Niang said dismissively, "None of the candidates we’ve seen are suitable. While we may not be aristocratic, we must still find a properly matched family."

Hearing this, Zheng Shi immediately changed the subject—she knew better than to overstep.

Thanks to Zheng Shi's tact and Sixth Master Jiang's good mood, the Jiang family had a wonderful Mid-Autumn reunion.

However, on the night of the reunion, the Feng family received tragic news. Feng Sheng, who should have been home by then, had nearly died from viper venom, barely pulled through but left clinging to life.

The shopkeeper who accompanied him returned to deliver the news. Lou Siniang immediately asked her eldest son, Feng Lin (Lin Geer), to go, but he refused, saying, "Madam, you know my clinic can’t run without me for even a day."

Lou Siniang then turned to Guan Geer, who stammered, "Our county school’s cracking down on absences now."

"If neither of you gentlemen will go, am I supposed to go, a woman?" Lou Siniang was shocked by her stepsons' indifference.

Lin Geer and Guan Geer both lowered their heads in silence. Left with no choice, Lou Siniang decided to close the shop temporarily, entrusted her son Yun Geer to her sister-in-law, and, though frightened, set out with some servants.

Meanwhile, Lin Geer and Guan Geer felt a twinge of guilt seeing her determination but quickly reassured themselves: "Our family once had powerful ties like Second Aunt’s family, but because Father married this woman, our careers hit a dead end. If Second Uncle had helped us, would we have struggled so much in the imperial exams?"

Guan Geer, more timid, muttered, "Dad really had no business marrying her and cutting ties with Second Aunt—probably just to avoid upsetting her."

"Exactly. They never even found Mother’s body, yet Father rushed to marry her. I’ve long suspected something was wrong," Feng Lin said coldly.

But there was no way to investigate now. They couldn’t even secretly contact Second Aunt’s family without their father’s knowledge, so they could only sigh and drop it.

Xu Shi was also sighing. Her confidante, Ge Ma, advised, "Madam, it’s freezing tonight. Let’s go rest."

"Look how everyone who used to visit us vanishes the moment my husband leaves. Those who still send holiday gifts are already the best of them," Xu Shi lamented the decline of social morals.

Even her in-laws were stuck-up—choosing to spend Mid-Autumn with their younger son’s family instead of their eldest’s descendants.

Ge Ma scoffed, "Others are one thing, but Third Aunt never hesitated to ask for favors before. Now she doesn’t even visit."

Of all the relatives, Ge Ma disliked Third Aunt the most—she was no good. First in line for handouts, she’d still pretend to comfort and milk dry anyone who’s struggling.

Xu Shi knew it well. "Forget it. Invite Fifth Sister-in-law over in a few days. Kang could’ve married a chancellor’s daughter, but the Chancellor of Jixian’s scandal killed his chances. Now it’s hard to arrange a match."

"Our Fifth Master and Young Master Kang are both top scholars. In a year or two, they might ace the provincial exams—then things will improve," Ge Ma said cheerfully.

Xu Shi nodded. "Yes, I think so too. By the way, how is Zheng Jieer doing?"

Having this little daughter made Xu Shi feel younger, though household expenses had risen. Seeing Yun Jieer decked out in finery, with dowry rumors of thousands of strings, she recalled her own paltry dowry and how her mother-in-law had scorned her, even letting merchant daughters sneer at her.

Now, she had to prepare her daughter’s dowry before she turned thirteen—since most girls were betrothed in their teens, the betrothal process alone took a year, and the dowry inventory had to be handed over to the groom’s family.

Fortunately, there was still time before matchmaking began.

While Xu Shi pondered dowries, Jin Niang had carpenters make a new huanghuali bed, a zitan-embedded marble daybed, and a whole huanghuali furniture set—including a crescent table, qin table, Eight Immortals table, rocking chair, painting desk, open-shelf cabinet, four-door wardrobe, and armrests.

"Make eight camphorwood chests," Jin Niang instructed Chen Xiaolang, who left to carry out the order.

Her daughter’s dowry was nearly complete—land, shops, a residence behind the shops, a gold coronet, six full sets of jewelry, furniture, and cash. She wouldn’t spend all her savings on the dowry, though. If her daughter could grow wealth, this dowry was already generous. But if not, too much might just be squandered later.

Never drain your coffers dry—that was her principle.

Next year would mark Jiang Xian’s third year in the capital. If he got promoted again, their daughter’s marriage options would widen.

Just then, Wei Qilang arrived. Jin Niang asked, "Your uncle’s going to Peach Blossom Creek tomorrow—why come today? No school at the You residence today?"

Wei Qilang smiled. "Auntie, I figured I’d come early and stay overnight so I can leave sooner tomorrow."

"You came alone? Did you tell your parents?" Jin Niang asked with a laugh.

Wei Qilang nodded, "Rest assured, my parents have agreed, which is why I came."

After speaking, he added, "All my nannies have been dismissed, and the older maids in my room have been dismissed as well. Aunt, I’ve taken your lesson to heart—one must think for oneself."

"All sent away?" Jin Niang was somewhat surprised.

Wei Qilang replied, "I’ve grown up now. It’s only proper—I’m no longer a child."

Jin Niang didn’t comment on this. Who would choose hardship willingly? Wei Qilang’s studies had improved noticeably; he was talented and handsome, and most importantly, his temperament aligned well with hers—practically like family. Now that he was staying at her home, he had immediately reduced his household staff, showing no spoiled tendencies.

Wei Qilang stayed the night, and early the next morning, he and Ning Geer followed Jiang Xian out.

Meanwhile, Madam Wei arrived shortly after Jiang Xian and the others had left.

To explain, the Wei family had dismissed the older maids and several nannies from Wei Qilang’s household, which naturally caused discontent. These women didn’t care that Wei Qilang was nearly fourteen—already a young man of independent age—and only thought about keeping their monthly wages by staying close to him.

They had even complained to Madam Wei before, but she believed their "concern" for Wei Qilang was self-interest in disguise, not truly for his benefit.

Otherwise, if she had listened to them, how could they maintain relations with the Jiang family?

Moreover, her son was indeed improving—no longer procrastinating on his studies, showing clear progress, and even becoming more lively.

Her family acted decisively, so upon arriving, she came straight to the point with Jin Niang without any pretense.

Jin Niang was surprised, "Sister-in-law, are you referring to Yun Jie’er?"

She hadn’t expected this at all. Given Wei Qilang’s illustrious family background, immense wealth, and striking appearance, she had previously thought him too pampered and that her daughter wasn’t his first choice.

Madam Wei said, "Actually, I’ve long admired Yun Jie’er. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have turned down the marriage proposal from the Shen family—keep this between us. Later, as you know, my maternal family had some issues, and there were many matters at home. That’s why I’m only bringing this up now. I hope you won’t blame me?"

"Of course not." In truth, Jin Niang’s last hesitation faded.

She had spent several months with Wei Qilang—though not as a prospective son-in-law—and found his wit matched Jiang Xian’s in conversation, not to mention his outstanding looks and talent.

However, Jin Niang said, "Sister-in-law, it’s not about anything else, but ‘a mismatched marriage is no marriage at all.’ It’s precisely Qilang’s excellence that gives me this concern."

In her heart, her daughter was the best, but it was necessary to address potential issues upfront.

Acknowledging the family disparity required honesty from both sides; otherwise, the bride’s family might feel slighted later.

Seeing Jin Niang’s attitude, Madam Wei admired her even more. Others would’ve leapt at the chance—Wu Shi had even sought marriage with their family before. She hadn’t expected Jin Niang to be so cautious. She said, "I’ve watched Yun Jie’er grow up. Your husband holds a Fifth Rank position at such a young age, and your household’s conduct is beyond reproach. Qilang likes your family very much."

"Thank you for your regard, Sister-in-law. I’ll discuss this with Yun Jie’er’s father and give you our reply later." Jin Niang also understood the importance of tactful delay—without overplaying it.

Madam Wei, seeing Jin Niang didn’t outright refuse, breathed easier.

Later, when Jiang Xian returned, Jin Niang told him about it: "I never expected the Wei family to propose marriage."

Jiang Xian looked at his wife, "What do you think?"

"Back in Daming Prefecture, I’d eyed Wei Qilang as a match, but our families were too unevenly matched, so I didn’t dwell on it. I didn’t expect Sister-in-law to tell me today that she turned down the Shen family’s proposal for Yun Jie’er. Honestly, I’m a little tempted." Jin Niang spoke her mind frankly.

Finding a wealthy and talented match for her daughter, especially from a familiar family where Yun Jie’er was already comfortable, was ideal. Most importantly, Wei Qilang had dismissed his nannies and older maids and was very close to Jiang Xian.

Frankly speaking, even if Wei Qilang failed the imperial exams, he could easily pass the hereditary official exam. Grand Academician Wei held a high-ranking position and might rise further, ensuring Wei Qilang could start his official career at Principal Sixth Rank.

Not to mention the future division of the Wei family’s wealth—their daughters received a dowry of 100,000 strings upon marriage, and sons would likely inherit even more.

At the very least, their daughter wouldn’t have to worry about her husband’s career or family finances. Both were comely in appearance and healthy, which promised strong offspring.

She couldn't entirely use modern societal standards for choosing a son-in-law, such as looking for someone orphaned or owning a house and carriage. In ancient times, lifespans were generally short, and if both parents died too young, they wouldn't dare make such a choice either.

Jiang Xian, seeing Jin Niang make up her mind so quickly, secretly admired her. "My dear, since you agree, I agree too. Actually, when Seventh Young Master stayed with us last time, Grand Academician Wei seemed to hint at it to me. But since he didn’t say it outright, I didn’t feel comfortable bringing it up either."

"Securing such a high-status match first is good—it’ll deter others from setting their sights on our daughter. As for whether they’ll get along in the future or if anything changes in the Wei family, we’re still here. We've got the means to provide for her," Jin Niang said.

Jiang Xian laughed. "My dear, you've got real backbone."

Jin Niang replied, "I’ve said it before—no one was there to back us up, but we can back up our daughter. Even if the Wei family isn’t as illustrious as they are now, can’t we afford to support our own daughter and son-in-law? That way, I won’t have to worry."