Chapter 147

Chapter 147

After returning from outside, Jin Niang found her feet completely frozen. She quickly shed her outer garments and immediately dove under the blankets. Yingluo and Cuihuan prepared a bed warmer and charcoal heater, and soon she began to warm up.

The tea room sent over hot tea, which Qing Rong brought to her. "Have some while it's hot," she urged.

Jin Niang smiled. "Don’t worry about me. You all should have some first. We’re staying in tomorrow—it’s freezing out. I could barely feel my hands and feet. Staying indoors is much better."

After drinking a cup of hot tea, Jin Niang propped herself up on the bed’s pillow, feeling much more comfortable. She turned to A Ying and said, "Your daughter is still at home. Go see to her first—no need to come back after."

A Ying was grateful. Her son was doing well, currently serving by Ding Geer’s side. Following the young master, he never went without warmth, food, or clothes, and even earned a monthly wage while learning to read a few characters. However, her daughter was still too young, so she’d hired a girl to watch her. Still, A Ying couldn’t help but worry, so she excused herself.

Unexpectedly, within a short while, A Ying returned.

"Madam, the Mengs’ Third Lady just had a baby girl. Madam Meng has already sent someone to inform us."

Jin Niang nodded. "In that case, let’s prepare a ‘third-day’ gift and send it over later."

A Ying acknowledged the order and went to the storeroom to prepare. Over the years, she and Jin Niang had developed the habit of preparing things in advance, never procrastinating.

Meanwhile, after Eldest Miss Sun gave birth to a daughter, she was a little down. It wasn’t that she disliked having a daughter, but a son would’ve made her stand taller. When Zhou Si heard this, she found it hard to believe. "Don’t go favoring boys over girls—boys and girls are the same. Who says girls can’t make something of themselves?"

"Mother, it’s not that I think having a daughter is bad, but a son’s a safer bet. I’m still young—first a daughter, then a son. That’s fine too." Eldest Miss Sun remained firm in her view.

Zhou Si fell silent for a moment.

Finally, she said, "Whether you have a son or a daughter isn’t up to you."

Eldest Miss Sun didn’t quite understand the meaning behind those words, but as she looked at the daughter in her mother’s arms, an unexpected thought crossed her mind: she should start preparing a dowry for her early. Otherwise, scrounging up five hundred strings for a dowry later would be next to impossible, leaving her daughter with no say.

On the day of the Meng family’s little daughter’s third-day celebration, Jin Niang sent A Ying to deliver the gift.

That day, Jiang Xian had the day off and remarked to Jin Niang, "The New Year is just a few days away. Are we doing the opera and drinks this year?"

"No, not this year. It’s not for any other reason—the weather is just too cold. You don’t know how frozen my feet were the other day after returning from the Wei family. Took me half a day just to thaw out." Jin Niang still remembered the biting cold from that day.

Jiang Xian couldn’t help but ask about their daughter. "How is Yun Jieer doing?"

"She’s fine. The midwife says her pregnancy is progressing well. Our daughter just married into that house and hasn’t fully established herself yet. Every time we visit, it feels like we’re groveling. I think we should wait until she’s more settled. After all, her path is hers to walk." Jin Niang replied.

In truth, Jiang Xian felt his wife was more detached than he was. She was the type to give her all in everything she did, yet if the outcome wasn’t ideal, she wouldn’t dwell on it. Instead, she would let it go.

This was how she treated their daughter—finding her a good son-in-law by conventional standards, providing an exceptionally generous dowry, and sending gifts from the maternal home from time to time.

But in the end, she would still completely let go.

If it were him, after putting in so much effort, an unsatisfactory result would surely make him fight and struggle, never willing to concede.

As New Year’s was just around the corner, Ning Geer was also very busy. Currently serving as Hall Prefect, the students of the Imperial College not only had to study classics, policy essays, and poetry daily but also practiced archery morning and evening.

Beyond academics, he also had to enforce the hall rules and penalize students who violated them, recording their conduct and achievements in the registry each month.

Winter at the Imperial College was brutal—bitterly cold. He had to prepare charcoal, pickled vegetables, and other necessities early. Not wanting to use his family’s connections, he had long since coordinated with his hallmates, selecting a reliable charcoal supplier and preparing everything before winter arrived. He even assigned two fair-minded classmates to oversee distribution.

Once these tasks were completed, the New Year was fast approaching, and Ning Geer began packing to return home.

Many of his classmates had come to the capital from other regions to study and had to stay in the city for the New Year. Ning Geer wasn’t the type to make many friends—he didn’t have many close friends, preferring the adage that "the friendship of a gentleman is insipid as water."

Moreover, his father was the Prefect of Kaifeng. He rarely revealed his identity at the Imperial College. If he brought classmates home, they were all equals as students, but once his background became known, it’d just make things awkward.

"Here's a jar of salted duck eggs I specially prepared for our study hall, along with two strings of cured meat. If you run out of money, remember to eat these," Ning Geer said, waving as he bid farewell.

Though only a fourteen-year-old boy, his scholarship and competence earned the admiration of his peers.

Upon returning from the National University, his first act was to rush home to see his mother, so hastily that he didn’t even notice Jiang Xian as he passed by, sprinting straight to the main courtyard and leaving Jiang Xian bewildered.

Meanwhile, Jin Niang was busy discussing the New Year’s feast and ancestral offerings with A Ying and Qing Rong, as the holiday approached. Unexpectedly, Ning Geer arrived and promptly paid his respects.

Jin Niang stepped forward to help him up. "No need for that. I was just thinking you'd be back soon."

"Mother, I hurried home to see you, so I returned early today. But don’t worry—I’ve taken care of everything at the study hall," Ning Geer said, patting his chest proudly.

Jin Niang felt Ning Geer resembled her the most among her children—not naturally sociable, never taking advantage of others, generous when needed, and deeply responsible.

Yet such traits also meant a life of constant concern.

When Ning Geer returned, Ding Geer trailed behind like a little shadow. Jin Niang never favored one child over the other, so the brothers got along well.

His return soon drew the attention of the Meng brothers from across the street. As both an exemplary student at the study hall and the son of the Prefect of Kaifeng, Ning Geer was a top-tier official’s son.

Seeing the two brothers, Ning Geer smiled. "How did you two know I was back? Come, let’s talk in the side hall."

Meng Erlang, less scholarly than his elder brother and less quick-witted than his younger brother Meng Sanlang, merely chuckled. Meng Sanlang, however, replied, "We just returned from our aunt’s house and saw your carriage. We guessed it was you, and sure enough, it was."

"Come, let’s have a scholarly debate," Ning Geer said, always eager to debate topics of interest.

...

Meng Sanlang stayed for dinner at the Jiang residence before returning home. His wife was still recovering from childbirth, so he retreated to his study, where a maidservant with crimson sleeves and a slender waist caught his eye.

He felt a sudden urge.

Normally, he wouldn’t entertain such thoughts—scholarly families avoided taking concubines too quickly, as it reflected poorly on the wife. But Sun Shi seemed so virtuous, and now that her family had risen in status, he couldn’t afford to act improperly.

...

Soon, New Year’s Eve arrived. Last year, Yun Jieer had been home, but this year, only the four of them remained.

Ning Geer turned to Jiang Xian. "Father, I heard the third branch’s new cousin passed the Canal Exam and will take the Provincial Exam next year with Elder Brother Xuan?"

"That’s right," Jiang Xian nodded.

Ning Geer smiled. "A few days ago, I visited our ancestral home to pay respects to Grandfather and Grandmother, then went to the main branch to see Uncle Yan. He mentioned plans to establish a clan school. Why not dedicate the 300 mu of land the clan donated to us as ancestral trust lands? That way, the Jiang family legacy can endure. Our household doesn’t need that land anyway—why not do a good deed?"

To him, Xu Shi’s behavior was unacceptable, and he had long sought a solution. Previously, there had been no good options—after all, his uncle had resigned from office, and his father had obligations to the main branch, including annual ancestral rites.

But letting Xu Shi keep taking advantage was unacceptable.

Since becoming Study Hall Prefect, Ning Geer had learned to make every coin count. His monthly allowance of two strings of coins often left him with hundreds of spare coins.

Jin Niang and Jiang Xian exchanged glances. Both guessed their son’s dissatisfaction with Xu Shi, but Jin Niang immediately supported him. "He’s right. Why not donate those fields to the clan? After all, Uncle from the main branch has long been retired at home. Though they’re still well-off, they’re not as well-off as before."

"Very well. Ning Geer, you can represent me in this matter," Jiang Xian said with a smile.

Ning Geer nodded. "If you truly entrust this to me, just write a letter, and I’ll deliver it."

Jiang Xian readily agreed.

The matter was settled. When Jiang Yan saw Ning Geer arrive, he at first doubted the young man’s capability—not out of true disdain, but because young men often lacked discretion. Yet Ning Geer, despite his age, was sharp and thorough. Moreover, Jiang Xian’s willingness to entrust him with such a task demonstrated great faith in his son.

After speaking further with his nephew, Jiang Yan found him quick-witted and principled, so he agreed.

Getting the land back was now Jiang Yan’s responsibility—he would negotiate with Xu Shi. If he couldn’t handle even this matter decisively, then he wasn’t fit to remain clan head much longer.

Upon returning from the clan, Jiang Xian felt his eldest son had truly grown up.

Though living comfortably, Ning Geer was entirely different from Wei Qilang—he genuinely understood hardship and handled matters meticulously. Only with this reasoning could Xu Shi not refuse, and it would also earn the clan’s goodwill.

Xu Shi was fuming but powerless, complaining to anyone who’d listen, slandering Jiang Xian and Jin Niang. Jin Niang was used to it by now. Before, Xu Shi had badmouthed her to her own family, calling her domineering, claiming Jiang Xian was henpecked and unfilial. People had always reported these words to the couple, but for the sake of face, they had never openly confronted her.

Now, with the 300 mu of land taken away, Xu Shi had nothing left to hide.

Yet all she could do was complain, for Jiang Xian hadn’t reclaimed the land for personal use but donated it to the clan to support impoverished scholars.

With half their income suddenly gone, Xu Shi’s relatives who came to borrow money left empty-handed.

Jin Niang smiled at her son and couldn’t help praising, "Well done, son."

Ning Geer grinned. "No trouble at all."

But Jin Niang didn’t want her son burdened with worries. Those who managed affairs knew that once something weighed on one’s mind, they’d get no rest until it was settled.

So she said, "After the New Year, concentrate on your studies at the Imperial College. Leave household matters to your father and me."

Ning Geer enjoyed helping his mother because he never feared betrayal, and his efforts were always acknowledged.

Before the first month ended, Luo Da mentioned that a neighboring estate near their Bianjing property was selling land—high-quality farmland—and asked if Jin Niang wanted to buy. With spare funds, she naturally agreed. At nearly 3 guan per mu, she bought up all 100 adjoining mu for 280 guan, with the seller also handing over the tenant contracts.

Luo Da wrapped up the deal quickly.

Now, Jin Niang avoided major investments. With her daughter married—the biggest cost out of the way—and her sons’ residences and shops nearly prepared, she had saved nearly a thousand guan from embroidery sales and grew cautious.

A person’s best years don’t last forever, and keeping wealth is tougher than making it.

They couldn’t rely on inherited wealth like others—like the prosperous Meng family across the street, whose patriarch left ten thousand guan, or Jiang Yan and Zhang Jiulang with their vast assets—Jin Niang and her husband had to earn everything themselves, spending carefully.

Last summer, she sold ten bamboo stalks from their garden around her birthday, earning 2 guan. This spring, planting more bamboo might yield even greater profits in summer.

Jiang Xian rarely bought antiques now. Last time, their daughter’s dowry included some of his collected pieces, which had impressed many.

As for garden flowers, once Jin Niang had admired them, Luo Da’s wife arranged sales, keeping half the earnings—a win for both.

High-profit ventures like loan-sharking or silent partnerships were tempting, but Jin Niang deemed them too risky. Sticking to honest work kept her conscience clear.

With this in mind, she resumed embroidery. The embroidered screen she’d made in Daming Prefecture had aged, so she tucked it away for guests and started a new one for their home.

After the New Year, Luo Yue and Wei Xiong visited. Jin Niang said, "Yun Jieer’s due next month. I must go, so I’d like you both to watch Ding Geer."

The old couple agreed at once.

Luo Yue asked, "Wasn’t there a newborn across the street too?"

"Yes, don’t you remember? I even attended the celebration," Jin Niang laughed.

"Ah, right—a girl, wasn’t it? That poor woman—she’ll probably have to try again. You know what they say: ‘More sons, more sorrow.’" Luo Yue, whose menstruation came only quarterly in her youth, had few children. Two were plenty, but those bearing eight or ten endured real hardship despite the prestige.

Jin Niang nodded. "Exactly. Oh, and isn’t your daughter-in-law pregnant?"

The "younger sister-in-law" referred to Zhang Pingjun. Upon hearing this, Luo Yue said, "She conceived around the New Year."

"Since she's with child, has she asked you to look after her a bit?" Jin Niang inquired.

Luo Yue chuckled dismissively, "She’s well taken care of as it is. She doesn’t need me."

Jin Niang thought to herself that Ning Geer was somewhat self-disciplined in his studies, while Ding Geer was a little rascal who usually had to be forced by her to study. He probably wouldn’t listen to his grandparents either. So she simply said, "In that case, I’ll take Ding Geer with me to his sister’s place. He’s still young, after all. As for you and Father, you can mind the house during the day. If my sister-in-law needs anything, you two can go over."

"No need for all that trouble. We’ll take care of things for you," Luo Yue replied.

Jin Niang waved her hand. "The boy started studying before the New Year even began. I was thinking of letting him rest for a few days. His father is usually busy at the magistrate’s office (yamen) and can’t keep an eye on him."

Children may be innocent by nature, but they instinctively know who is lenient and who won’t discipline them. Luo Yue and Wei Xiong, being his grandparents, wouldn’t dream of being strict, and the child would take advantage of that, whining and crying on cue.

Luo Yue thought Jin Niang was worried they’d side with their daughter-in-law, which made her feel uneasy. So she resolved to stay and help her daughter manage the household properly.

After all, they were the heads of the household. During the day when Jiang Xian was away, their presence would have a calming presence.

In the evening, when Jiang Xian returned, Jin Niang told him, "If I’m not home, I’m afraid my parents won’t be able to handle Ding Geer. I wouldn’t feel at ease leaving him behind, so I might as well take him with me."

Jiang Xian held Jin Niang’s hand, reluctant to let her go. "Do you really have to go? Won’t the Wei family think we’re overdoing it…"

It wasn’t that Jiang Xian didn’t care about their daughter, but he was afraid this might cause tension.

Jin Niang smiled. "Actually, Madam Wei invited me. She said when the first branch’s Madam Fan and Madam Wang gave birth, their mothers were there. Otherwise, I would’ve waited until our daughter was in labor and had someone call for me."

"In that case, go stay for a few days and don’t worry about home. I’ll be back, so rest assured." Jiang Xian wanted to say more, but now wasn’t the time.

Jin Niang left A Ying behind to handle social matters and had Qing Rong pack just two bundles for her. She wasn’t a delicate woman—she had once traveled from Jiangling to Bianjing, making do with meager meals and cold flatbread, content with just a handful of beans. When visiting others, her worst fear was being a burden.

She wasn’t one for extravagance, but that was just how she was.

Still, she added, "Pack extra silver for gratuities."

For her son, she also prepared two bundles—spare clothes, shoes, socks, toiletries, and the like.

But for Yun Jieer, she brought gifts: a few soft, well-washed old clothes that wouldn’t irritate a baby’s skin, swaddling bands and quilts made by Min Zhi, baby clothes, bonnets, socks, bibs, cloth diapers, and even a baby bathtub and towels—everything was ready.

Min Zhi had previously specialized in making children’s clothes at Jin Niang’s shop. Since Yun Jieer became pregnant last year, Jin Niang had her focus solely on these items.

Unexpectedly, Madam Meng came calling with her daughters-in-law for a visit. Seeing Jin Niang’s preparations, she asked, "Mrs. Jiang, is this bound for the Wei household?"

"No, I’m going to the Wei family. My kinsfolk by marriage said that when daughters-in-law give birth, it’s customary for their mothers to stay with them for reassurance. I thought it sounded nice, so I’m planning to go tomorrow," Jin Niang explained with a smile.

Eldest Miss Sun, listening from behind, felt inexplicably disheartened. She had assumed marrying into such a prestigious family would mean being shut away in a gilded prison, but the Wei family was unexpectedly considerate.

Madam Meng smiled. "That’s wonderful. A mother’s presence is worth more than gold."

Jin Niang also shared the items she had prepared with Madam Meng, asking if anything was missing. Madam Meng wasn’t as knowledgeable as Eldest Miss Sun, who eagerly offered many suggestions.

"I’m sure your daughter will have a son, especially if her belly is pointed," Madam Meng said flatteringly.

Jin Niang laughed. "That’s what I think too. But if her in-laws so much as frown, I’ll just take the baby back and raise it myself. I’ve got outfits ready for either. Back when my eldest daughter got married, I even made a patched baby robe (baǐnǎyī). I don’t mind—they’re still young."

Eldest Miss Sun thought these were truly comforting words. Her own mother often said it was fine not to marry, but if she didn’t, she might end up alone in the future. Her mother also insisted she mustn’t favor sons over daughters and should love her daughters. But if the Meng family looked down on a girl, would her mother take her granddaughter in to raise?

Eldest Miss Sun wasn’t saying her mother was wrong, but her words often felt impractical. Mrs. Jiang never spouted slogans—she just enrolled her daughter in a girls’ academy, hired a jinshi to teach the classics upon their return to the capital, and gave her daughter a dowry nearly ten times her own.

Now, as her daughter prepared to give birth, she was going fully prepared, ensuring her daughter had nothing to worry about.

She’d have to treat her daughter the same way someday.

The next day, Jin Niang took Ding Geer to the Wei residence and headed straight for Qixia Pavilion, staying in the west wing room.

In the evening, the Wei family planned to host a banquet, but Jin Niang declined: "She could go into labor at any moment. I’d rather stick close—otherwise, I wouldn’t even be able to eat in peace."

She knew these words might displease Madam Wei, as they somewhat stepped on others’ toes a bit, but since she had been called here, she had to take responsibility.

In this regard, Ning Geer was just like her—if they weren’t going to do it, fine, but once they did, they’d see it through.

Of course, among Jin Niang’s party, Ding Geer was the most eye-catching. As Ning Geer grew older, his stature became more imposing, his demeanor commanding and strong-willed, and he was not easily swayed by others. Even when Wei Qilang often invited him out, he often turned him down. Ding Geer, on the other hand, took after both Jin Niang and Jiang Xian’s best traits—his skin was snow-white, and despite his young age, he had long eyelashes and was extremely close to Jin Niang, making everyone green with envy.

With her mother and younger brother by her side, Yun Jieer’s nerves melted away in an instant. She knew her mother would handle things more thoughtfully than she could imagine.

When labor began that night, Jin Niang sent someone to fetch the midwife from the side room. She instructed others to prepare hot water and new scissors and had the kitchen brew ginseng soup on standby.

The midwife remarked, "Seventh Madam has a proper fetal position. Now that her water has broken, it’s likely to be quick. You’ve prepared everything just in time."

Jin Niang smiled. "Do your best with the delivery, and this’ll all be yours when it’s done."

Seeing the pair of gold bracelets Jin Niang held, the midwife’s eyes lit up.

Outside, Wei Qilang was pacing like a caged tiger, but Madam Wei said, "Calm down. After all, her mother is inside with her."

Wei Qilang looked at his mother and said, "Mother, I don’t know if it’ll be a boy or a girl. If it’s a girl, please don’t—"

"Don’t worry. If I needed your reminder on this, I’d have learned nothing in all these years. Your wife conceived right after entering our household—clearly, she’s fertile. And look at her mother—she first bore a daughter before sons." Madam Wei finished, feeling a twinge of bitterness that her son had even noticed such things.

Well, Madam Wei thought, a smooth delivery was still something to hope for.

As mother and son fell silent, a baby’s cry was heard from inside—Yun Jieer had given birth to a daughter, and both mother and child were safe.

...

Jin Niang carried the baby out and looked at Madam Wei and Wei Qilang, relieved. "I’ve fulfilled your family’s trust—the delivery went smoothly, and I can rest easy now."

The newborn was still too small to show any distinct features, but Wei Qilang was so overjoyed he didn’t know what to say, he was practically jumping for joy.

Madam Wei glanced at her son, both amused and exasperated, and said to Jin Niang, "This boy’s useless in a crisis. Thank goodness you were here."

"I’d say it’s that midwife you brought in—she’s the real deal. I heard she can correct fetal positions—once that’s done, the birth goes smoothly." Jin Niang smiled.

After exchanging a few more compliments, Jin Niang went back inside to pass the baby off to the wet nurse. Only then did she finally relax, happy for her daughter—her son-in-law truly cared for her, kept checking on her...

And so, she could withdraw quietly, mission accomplished, slipping away unnoticed!