Chapter 145

Chapter 145

When her daughter came home, Jin Niang set aside her needlework and instructed the kitchen to prepare her favorite dishes.

Pan-fried yellow croaker, spinach stir-fried with vinegar, refreshing chilled broad bean salad, and roasted chicken legs were all placed before Yun Jieer. After finishing the meal, Yun Jieer handed over the brocade, tonics, black-bone chicken, and scented tea she had brought back, leaving Jin Niang both tickled and exasperated. The young couple stayed for the meal before heading back.

Jin Niang didn’t think much of it, but Wei Qilang was deeply moved. Madam Wei, accustomed to a life of pampered luxury, showed her love for her son by merely sending servants over—nothing as intimate as the Jiang family’s gestures.

Everything was handcrafted stitch by stitch, with matching colors and similar embroidered motifs for both of them, yet distinct enough that when worn together, it was clear they were a married pair.

"Your mother is truly kind," Wei Qilang remarked, recalling the Purplerobed Guanyin that had once saved his life.

Yun Jieer smiled. "Of course she is. Did you know? No matter what we do, as long as it’s right, my mother supports us and shelters us under her wing. Anyone who lives with her feels an incredible sense of security. She’s like a real bodhisattva, always watching over us."

Wei Qilang had an epiphany. "Now I realize why I always felt so at ease whenever I visited your home."

In truth, Jin Niang, if anything, believed it was her children who were exceptional. "I always thought I was a woman of little fortune, but to have such filial children is truly beyond my expectations."

Jiang Xian, however, was preoccupied with the fact that Yun Jieer had cried upon receiving the clothes, whereas he had shown no reaction in a similar situation.

He wondered if he should try to work up some tears too...

Soon, it was time for Wei Balang’s wedding. The couple attended separate banquets—Jiang Xian went to the Shen family, while Jin Niang went to the Wei household. Accompanying her were Zhang Pingjun and Luo Yue, all dressed in their Sunday best. Jin Niang, having visited the Weis more often, first stopped by the main branch to see Madam Wei before heading to the second branch.

Upon meeting Second Madam Wei, Jin Niang congratulated her: "My felicitations! Once the bride enters your household, your family will thrive in no time."

Second Madam Wei took Jin Niang’s hand. "Aunt Third, you must help me greet the guests."

"Of course! Not just me—which of your nieces-in-law wouldn’t come? Others might skip it, but if Yun Jieer dares not show up, I’ll box her ears!" Jin Niang laughed.

After exchanging a few more lighthearted words, they settled in the flower hall. Zhang Pingjun noticed how well-acquainted Jin Niang was with the Wei family. She had only known of their distant relation with the Hebei Weis, assuming it was merely social climbing, but they truly treated her as "Aunt Third."

"Sister, what should we help with later?" Zhang Pingjun asked.

Jin Niang chuckled. "No need for us to lift a finger—they have everything arranged. The main branch alone has three daughters-in-law, including Yun Jieer, and the third branch has its own people. Just sit tight. When the bride arrives for the formal greetings, we’ll present our gifts."

Zhang Pingjun took note, observing how many guests specifically sought Jin Niang’s company.

It wasn’t that Jin Niang was particularly sociable—it was simply because Jiang Xian, as the Prefect of Kaifeng, held a high-ranking position, and people naturally flock to those in power.

By the time Shen Qiniang crossed the threshold, Jin Niang was already dead tired, fighting to keep her eyes open until the newlyweds arrived. After presenting a pair of jade pendants, she finally took her leave.

About half a month after Shen Qiniang’s arrival, June arrived, and Eldest Miss Sun from across the street was showing quite prominently. When Madam Meng brought her over for a visit, Jin Niang chided, "Why bring your daughter-in-law along in her condition? A woman in her condition shouldn’t be moving around so much."

They had come through the garden’s side gate, which was quite a distance.

Madam Meng smiled. "She consulted a physician—pregnant women shouldn’t sit or lie down too much. Some light activity is beneficial, so I brought her along."

Though Madam Meng wasn’t exactly kind-hearted, she wouldn’t mistreat a pregnant woman. Eldest Miss Sun, however, preferred not to stay cooped up at home. Getting out occasionally to get acquainted was a good way to build connections.

Relying solely on royal connections wasn’t enough to get by in society—civil officials might not care for such ties.

The ladies mostly chatted about their children. Madam Meng asked Jin Niang, "Your daughter has been married for a few months now. How is she doing?"

Eldest Miss Sun also pricked up her ears, expecting either complaints or sugarcoated words. Instead, Jin Niang replied, "What’s there to say about daily life? It's much of a muchness. As long as there’s no major trouble, that’s good enough."

Madam Meng had an epiphany: "That does make sense."

"Kids these days are sharper than we ever were. They know how to handle things well. We just need to have their backs. When they need us to step in, we help; when they can manage on their own, we shouldn’t interfere." Jin Niang had bought this house so her children could always stay when they returned.

Just as they were talking, the household sent over black chicken soup. Jin Niang invited the women of the Meng family to share it, saying, "This was brought by my daughter and her husband when they visited recently. They said it helps boost blood health, improve skin, strengthen the body, and strengthen the liver and kidneys."

Unlike modern times where black-bone chickens can be bought anytime at supermarkets, they were quite rare in ancient times.

Madam Meng laughed, "Only your household, Madam, has everything."

"You sent me that excellent chicken with fish maw last time—let’s not flatter each other too much," Jin Niang replied.

After exchanging a few more lighthearted remarks, they brought up the matter of the Jiang family next door moving away. Jin Niang was puzzled, "They left out of the blue. I wonder why?"

Madam Meng was even more displeased, "Yes, she used to come to me often to chat about this and that. I thought we had a good relationship, but she left without even saying goodbye."

Beside them, Eldest Miss Sun, of course, knew it was because of Jiang Song. Honestly, with Jiang Song’s excellent family background and substantial dowry, she was hung up on some man who was already engaged. That was just wrong.

In the end, all those carefully cultivated connections were simply abandoned for nothing.

In the afternoon, after Madam Meng left, Thursday Madam came to visit her daughter. She exchanged pleasantries with Madam Meng for a while before finally getting to speak with her daughter.

"How are you feeling?"

"I’m doing well, Mother. Don’t worry."

Thursday Madam said happily, "Your father is finally getting promoted—two ranks at once, straight to the position of Chief Editor."

Eldest Miss Sun was also delighted, "That’s wonderful! Now that Father has been promoted, you should hurry and arrange my sister’s marriage. If you’re short on funds, let me know first."

In the Meng household, the young madams received a monthly allowance of five guan, and she had almost no other expenses, so she had saved nearly all of it. Over a year, that amounted to sixty guan.

Besides that, Zhao Yi Qiao from the palace occasionally bestowed gifts of high-quality brocade or gold/silver nuggets, which was another source of income.

Thursday Madam smiled, "We won’t need your money. Your father is now a Fifth Rank official, and his salary is higher than before. I’ve also let go of some servants at home, so we can slowly start saving."

Listening to her mother, Eldest Miss Sun asked curiously, "Mother, how did Father get promoted so quickly?"

She knew her father well. Back when he was a county magistrate in a large district, he couldn't keep things under control and nearly sparked a rebellion. In the capital, he had been mediocre and timid—how could he rise so quickly?

Thursday Madam told the truth, "You don’t know this, but it’s thanks to your uncle’s connections. Chancellor Shen needs people now, and your father is one of his people, so naturally, his promotion came quickly."

Sometimes, even a pig can fly with the right wind, let alone someone with ties to Jiang Fang.

Eldest Miss Sun nodded slightly, "If he wants to be cautious, he should take a page from my father-in-law's book and avoid expressing too many of his own opinions."

"Of course. Your father supports whatever policies the Emperor puts forth." Thursday Madam thought that those outside officialdom could never understand how difficult it was to climb even a single rank.

As soon as you try to rise, a hundred people are gunning for your spot, waiting to pull you down.

The backroom battles are brutal.

Of course, if you have backing from above, promotions come faster, and those below won’t dare provoke you—that’s the safer route.

Eldest Miss Sun held her mother’s hand and said, "Then strike while the iron's hot and quickly get my sister married off."

Thursday Madam thought that even if she arranged the marriage, who'd want to marry a poor official's daughter? The dowry couldn’t be any less than her elder sister’s—at least a thousand guan in hard cash.

That'd take three–four years at least to save up.

In two years, things will improve.

While Zhou Si was worrying about money, Xu Shi wasn’t nearly as worried. Her six hundred acres yielded hefty rents—no small income—and she had saved quite a bit from the rent alone, especially since she was very frugal.

But without comparison, she might have been content with her wealth. Unfortunately, her sister-in-law's family was even richer—rumor had it they had bought another house, and Yun Jieer's dowry was a staggering one hundred and twenty chests, packed full. Everyone praised it; everyone envied it.

Cousins, yet one wealthy, the other poor—what a glaring contrast.

Still, Xu Shi thought it unwise to spend so much on her daughter. She’d never indulge such extravagance. However, when the clan praised her daughter-in-law, Xiao Wu Shi, for her virtue while calling her stingy behind her back, it made her blood boil.

Ge Ma, despite her age, offered advice: "Madam, she’s still just a girl. Why worry about this now?"

"I'm not worried. But with her father away and her brother still struggling in his studies, who’d marry her under these circumstances?" That was Xu Shi's greatest concern.

Ge Ma added, "This year, our Xuan Geer will take the provincial examination. With luck, he’ll pass with flying colors. Then you’ll be both the wife and mother of a scholar!"

Xu Shi felt slightly comforted by these words.

Little did she know, Jiang Xian had expressed regret about Xuan Geer to Jin Niang: "That boy was diligent when he was young—his mother used to hover over him with a bamboo cane. But now that he's older, she indulges him and no longer pushes him."

No one’s born a scholar. Even Ning Geer needed constant urging, and Ding Geer was worse—he’d ditch school if the wind blew wrong. His mother, undeterred, would drag him back by his ear.

Back in their family home, Madam Jiang Liu had been strict with her sons. Though Jiang Xian, the youngest, was doted on, his studies were never neglected.

Jin Niang said, "Let’s see if he passes the provincial exam this year. If not, we’ll talk then."

After all, Wei Dalang only became an official by hereditary privilege at twenty-seven and passed the special examination for officials at thirty. Of course, he started as a Principal Sixth Rank Imperial Diarist—a rank Jiang Xian took six years to achieve, and only with connections.

But Wei Dalang’s father was a high-ranking official, while Jiang Xuan’s had resigned. Even if Jiang Xian could secure hereditary privilege for his sons, it certainly wouldn’t extend to his nephew.

Jiang Xian remarked, "Instead of always seeking shortcuts, he should focus on diligent study. My elder brother is truly irresponsible—he blamed his post for neglecting studies, then resigned and left. His wife doesn’t supervise his studies, and he himself doesn’t care. What future does he even have?"

Talent alone rarely sets people apart—what’s lacking is perseverance.

Take Wei Yang and Chen Xiaolang, for example. Wei Yang had renowned tutors arranged by Jin Niang and Jiang Xian, parents who supported him, and never lacked money for his studies, no matter how tight things were. Combined with his own hard work, he succeeded. Chen Xiaolang, with no guidance and unable to afford schooling, was lucky to end up a steward.

Even Jin Niang, though talented in embroidery, wasn’t a complete natural genius. She had to constantly refine her skills, which was why her garments always stayed in fashion.

Every piece she made followed the latest trends; her designs were always fresh.

Jin Niang couldn’t help but say, "Isn’t the eldest branch on good terms with your adopted second brother, Jiang Fang? Do you think he might arrange something?"

At the mention of Jiang Fang, Jiang Xian sneered, "My second brother only values the capable. To him, the useless were invisible. Don’t mistake his interactions with us for brotherly affection—he tolerates me only for my connections. His generosity is for outsiders; we mean nothing to him."

Jin Niang thought to herself that there was always someone better. With Jiang Fang’s attitude, no one would truly grow close to him in the future.

Then there was the marriage alliance between the Shen and Wei families. Shen Qiniang chafed under the Wei family’s rigid rules, as her own family had been very lenient with its daughters. The Weis had strict rules, and even the gentle Second Madam Wei adhered strictly to them—morning and evening greetings, serving meals, and so on.

Shen Qiniang, highly educated, critiqued Wei Balang’s poetry. At first, he listened, still newly wed, but after a month, he had enough of her critiques.

They ended up quarreling, and Second Madam Wei scolded her son, telling him not to upset his new wife.

Seeing her mother-in-law take her side, Shen Qiniang grew bolder, convinced she was always right. Yun Jieer, observing this, thought to herself: *My mother warned me that a mother-in-law never truly treats her daughter-in-law like a daughter. Temporary support is only for family harmony. Someone like Shen Qiniang might lose her husband’s affection and alienate her mother-in-law.*

Second Madam Wei had cultivated such a sterling reputation—clearly, she wasn’t just soft and kind but also shrewd.

But Yun Jieer refrained from commenting. Instead, she reflected on each incident, reminding herself that mistakes weren’t terrible—what was worse was failing to learn from them.

In June, for Jin Niang’s birthday, the family brought in musicians and threw a feast for kin—the Weis, the Zhangs, Wei Yang and his wife, Zhen Erlang and Dou Yuan, Jiang Xuan from the old residence, and Jiang Yan from the clan, among others.

Jin Niang was chatting with everyone: "This isn't a proper birthday celebration for me, just an excuse to gather everyone together and keep kinship ties lively."

"Exactly, cousin-in-law. Our Ding Geer's birthday is next month, and Ning Geer's the month after, right?" Dou Yuan, being thoughtful, asked specifically.

Jin Niang smiled. "Indeed. But Ding Geer is still young, so I’ll just have the kitchen prepare his favorite snacks to celebrate. We’ll hold a grand celebration when he turns ten. You know how easily children get distracted, especially my little one—so fussy! Afraid of thunder, says his mood is ruined for school when it rains..."

Dou Yuan chuckled along. "With your guidance, cousin-in-law, Ding Geer will surely grow up well."

"Who knows about 'well'? But at least he must study while he’s of age." Jin Niang thought to herself—just like her scriptwriting. Don’t listen to others pushing lofty themes; what sells is romantic friction and smooth storytelling. Hit one of those, and you’ve got a minor hit. Life’s the same. No matter how kind or virtuous you are, if you lack practical worth, people will still look down on you.

Back then, no matter how good Jin Niang’s character was, without a dowry of thousands of strings, Madam Jiang Liu wouldn’t have approved. And no matter how handsome Jiang Xian was, without his status as a hereditary official’s son, she wouldn’t have married him casually.

For sons of officials like Ning Geer and Ding Geer, to put it bluntly—if they fail the imperial exams, their station in life will drop sharply.

Zhang Jiulang’s father once held a high-ranking position, yet now he relies on Jiang Xian to secure him a post. Otherwise, he’d just be an empty title. Official by privilege, non-Jinshi, lacking connections—unless family elders pull strings, the bureaucratic path is an uphill battle.

Dou Yuan nodded silently.

Yun Jieer personally made a set of clothes for Jin Niang and gifted her two bottles of rosewater, a load of long-life noodles, two boxes of spices, and a set of jewelry. Of course, she was burnishing her mother’s face—as her mother often said, being generous to outsiders while stingy with family only breeds resentment.

Aside from her, others from the Wei family—Fan Shi and the newlywed Shen Qiniang—had come. Wang Shi, being pregnant, didn’t attend, but her mother, Madam Wu, did.

The group settled in again. Yun Jieer, as both a Wei daughter-in-law and a Jiang daughter, naturally acted as hostess, seeing to every detail. Mrs. Zhang watched as Zhang Pingjun stepped up and sighed in relief. In such a powerful family, if her daughter didn’t learn to adapt, who knew how she’d fare later?

The banquet was set in the pavilion, with a bamboo basket at the center holding dewy pink lotuses and jade hairpins, exuding a cool elegance.

Though not from a grand family, Jin Niang, having been an official’s wife for over a decade, had mastered banquet etiquette. At home, she used a rotating table, but for guests, serving maids attended to each guest instead.

The courses followed the usual order—nuts, fresh fruit, appetizers, main dishes, and soups. Ju Xiang handled what she could; for the rest, outside cooks were hired.

Madam Wu laughed. "Every time I visit, I end up stuffed."

"Oh, you flatter us." Jin Niang was familiar with her. Best not to offend someone like Madam Wu—keeping appearances was enough.

Mrs. Zhang chimed in playfully, "I just saw Ning Geer come toast. That boy’s growing more handsome—he’ll have girls swooning someday."

Jin Niang waved it off. "He’s not as good-looking as his father or younger brother, just all rough energy. If we’re talking looks, I might as well brag—my son-in-law is the handsomest."

She meant Wei Qilang. Madam Wei laughed. "No wonder Qilang always said he adored his third aunt—turns out you favor him most too."

This drew laughter all around.

Who wanted tension? A cheerful atmosphere with lively touches was everything.

Just then, Jin Niang announced, "I recently embroidered a Guanyin holding a cleansing vase, using a single technique throughout. It shifts like liquid light, especially in sunlight, like flowing water. Though it can’t compare to masterpieces, I’ll humbly show it—don’t laugh."

Two maids unfurled the Guanyin embroidery, modeled after her daughter’s portrait—the bodhisattva holding a vase, adorned with lavish headdress and a compassionate expression.

Yun Jieer found the Guanyin struck her as familiar.

Standing on a lotus pedestal, pouring nectar, the embroidery left everyone marveling up close.

Jin Niang smiled. "They say this Guanyin not only embodies mercy but also wards off illness." She then had it put away.

After admiring the artwork, the feast began—until Yun Jieer was overcome by nausea. Instinctively, Jin Niang had her escorted out and sent A Ying for a doctor. Dou Yuan, ever perceptive, volunteered to accompany her, while Zhang Pingjun regretted hesitating.

The meal resumed. Afterward, during an opera performance, A Ying rushed over to whisper. Jin Niang turned to Madam Wei with a smile. "Congratulations! You’ll soon have another grandchild. The physician confirmed Yun Jieer is two months pregnant."

Madam Wei thought—such fortune. Every time with Mrs. Jiang, things turned out wonderfully.

Yun Jieer was there when Wei Qilang arrived, still somewhat in disbelief: "Is it true?"

"Yes, the doctor just confirmed it. It must be true." Yun Jieer actually had an idea, but it was inconvenient to consult a doctor at her in-laws' home—especially if there was no child, it would only lead to false hope. Today, after returning to her parents' home and coordinating with her mother, she finally managed to summon a doctor.

Wei Qilang scratched his head, showing a hint of childishness: "Your mother’s Guanyin embroidery really worked!"

Before they left, Jin Niang said to Yun Jieer, "Go back and take good care of yourself during the pregnancy. Don’t worry too much."

It would be best if her daughter successfully carried the child to term, but if she miscarried or something went wrong, she could claim the family was under the protection of the Bodhisattva and smoothly bring her daughter back for recuperation—this would be better for her health.

Yun Jieer, however, understood her mother’s thoughts and felt much more at ease. Madam Wei, seeing that Jin Niang hadn’t given the Guanyin embroidery to Yun Jieer, was somewhat disappointed. Privately, she quietly said to Wei Qilang, "In the future, visit your parents-in-law often. Every time we’re with them, bad luck turns to good."