Chapter 149

Chapter 149

Rain lashed down in sheets, with lightning flashing and thunder rumbling. Eaves dripped relentlessly...

Autumn rarely brought rains this heavy.

Ding Geer returned from the covered walkway, his shoes and the hem of his clothes completely soaked. Jin Niang sent a servant for dry clothes, and he changed behind a screen before settling down to do his homework.

"Son, hurry up and finish. Once you're done, we'll have dinner early. The rain is too heavy today—your father's still at the government office, and who knows when he’ll return?" Jin Niang was quite worried.

As the Prefect of Kaifeng, Jiang Xian not only had to manage the flooding caused by the heavy rain but also properly resettle the displaced people and report to his superiors. The workload was crushing. Today was supposed to be his day off, but he had to rise early nonetheless.

The sky darkened as the rain continued. Jin Niang lit two candles for her son, and Ding Geer diligently worked on his homework beside them.

She then retreated to the inner chambers with A Ying and couldn’t help but say, "I was just happy that both our master and Ning Geer passed the Provincial Exam, but now this happens. Who knows what'll happen to him now?"

Under such circumstances, it was inevitable for everyone to feel uneasy.

A Ying said, "But the Chancellor of Jixian once held our master in high regard."

"In factions, you're either with them or against them—no gray areas, only black and white. Even if the Chancellor himself harbors no ill will toward our master, others will surely push for his removal." Though Jin Niang was not part of officialdom, as an outsider, she saw things more clearly.

Just as Jin Niang, as the mistress of the household, relied on A Ying as her most capable assistant—if A Ying disliked someone, Jin Niang wouldn’t force her to tolerate them, nor would she disregard A Ying’s feelings, given how much more dependable and close she was compared to others.

The same logic applied to the Chancellor of Jixian. Though Jiang Xian was not a die-hard member of the Shen Party, he had worked diligently for them when they were in power. You think his faction would let him slide now?

His position was bound to be handed over to one of their own.

Back when Zheng Shi married Sixth Uncle Jiang, she'd cleared out all of Sixth Madam's people without hesitation.

A Ying grew vaguely worried, but Jin Niang remained composed. "It’s fine. Over the years, we’ve put away enough. There aren’t any major expenses ahead—we’ll manage."

If officialdom was no longer an option, building a name as scholars was a fine alternative. After all, Jiang Xian had served for many years. Ning Geer could rely on his own efforts in the imperial examinations, and Ding Geer would surely follow in his brother’s footsteps.

Thinking this way, she felt much more at ease.

A Ying nodded slowly. Since returning to the capital, though the eldest daughter’s wedding had cost a considerable sum, Jin Niang had expanded their family’s wealth significantly. The inn had grown larger, they had purchased an additional hundred acres of land in Wu County, another hundred acres in Bianjing, and a generous two-courtyard house near the Imperial Academy—all signs of steady progress.

Moreover, their private garden’s bamboo, flowers, lotus leaves, and seedpods, along with the fish and shrimp raised in the pond, turned a tidy profit too.

In recent years, since their eldest daughter’s marriage, Jin Niang had stopped commissioning new gold and silver jewelry, even selling off some of the older pieces. She frequently disposed of outdated silks and tea, keeping the household coffers healthy.

After tallying their assets, not even A Ying or Jiang Xian likely knew how much liquid wealth Jin Niang had amassed. She just kept stashing it away, and the sum was quite substantial.

Excluding the four thousand strings of cash exchanged for gold, she had nearly twenty thousand strings in reserve.

Meanwhile, Xu Shi dumped all her grievances to Jiang Yan—how her brother-in-law and his wife had disregarded her all these years, how her mother-in-law Zheng Shi had oppressed her—holding nothing back.

Jiang Yan placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "You’ve borne too much, old girl."

Xu Shi had filled out considerably over the years, especially after giving birth to Zheng Jieer. The family even hired a former nun to cook vegetarian dishes, yet she continued to gain weight.

She prided herself on living simply, rarely sewing new clothes, so her old clothes now strained at the seams.

But the shadows under her eyes and the puffiness around her eyes did not escape Jiang Yan’s notice. He knew they had endured hardships.

Xu Shi smiled. "With words like yours, how could I say I’ve suffered? In the end, no hardship went to waste."

"Indeed. All these years, I’ve learned more than I ever hoped compiling books under his guidance. Now's our time to make things right." Jiang Yan stood with his hands behind his back, like a blade being drawn, all cold steel and purpose.

Xu Shi bit her tongue at the thought of Jiang Fang, but she knew her time of triumph was near.

Those in the clan who had helped Jiang Xian bully her—she would surely settle scores with each of them.

Compared to the plight of the three Jiang brothers, Sun Shichen had already been dismissed. At first, he had held onto a faint hope, thinking that as a minor official, he might escape notice.

Yet, to his dismay, he too was stripped of his post. Sun Shichen and Zhou Si were left devastated.

Zhou Si had never faced such a crisis before. For all her usual sharpness, she was utterly unprepared now and rushed to Jiang Fang’s home to seek out Zhou San. Zhou San, however, remained remarkably composed. She was preparing to follow Jiang Fang into exile—packing essentials, knowing that if he were demoted, they could no longer stay in official quarters and would have to rent a house.

Their four sons would also have to accompany them, leaving her with endless tasks. Seeing her younger sister, she said, "Don’t you still have your hometown? Why not return there?"

Zhou Si couldn’t understand why she should leave her comfortable life for the hardships of travel. Unlike modern times, journeys then were grueling and fraught with illness...

Zhou San had said her piece. She didn’t know if her husband would ever be reinstated, but she would follow him regardless—a wife follows her husband, for better or worse. Her husband was full of talent, and she couldn’t bear to abandon him.

As Zhou Si pondered, Jiang Xian returned home—it was already dawn the next day.

Jin Niang had the bathhouse prepare hot water for him. After his bath, she dressed him in comfortable clothes and served him warm porridge with delicate side dishes.

"No matter how troubled I am, when you take care of everything like this, I fear nothing," Jiang Xian said, sipping the porridge, feeling some relief from his exhaustion.

Jin Niang smiled. "If it comes to it, you can always resign. I’ve thought it through—we never expected much from Ning Geer, but now that he’s passed the preliminary exam, he now has a fighting chance at the Metropolitan Exam. You can retire and build your influence while our son upholds the family’s honor."

Jiang Xian shook his head. "It’s not that dire yet. I’m not like Jiang Fang, who takes things to extremes. The emperor still remembers old ties—he only demoted Jiang Fang without widespread repercussions. Even his brother-in-law Sun Shichen was only dismissed."

"Even fence-sitters get pushed aside. But don’t worry—I’ve got us covered. Come closer." Jin Niang beckoned him.

Reluctantly, Jiang Xian leaned in. When she whispered the sum, his eyes widened, and he rubbed his ears. "I thought you said money was tight? How do we have so much?"

After all, they had just spent a fortune on their daughter’s wedding.

"I’m telling you so you know we’ll have more money by year’s end. Your job’s not the end-all. Anyway, our son will rise, and you can focus on teaching Ding Geer at home." Jin Niang laughed.

Jiang Xian shook his head again. "Look at the Zhou family. Master Zhou never got reinstated, and Zhou Cunzhi stands alone. Now that the Chancellor of Jixian is in power, perhaps he can make a comeback."

"Who would think of him now?" Jin Niang wondered.

Jiang Xian smirked. "Me. It’s an easy favor to grant."

"You’re a real political animal. But your eldest brother is back now—has he spoken a word for your second brother? When your second brother returned to Bianjing, he promised to secure him a post."

Jiang Xian chuckled. "You’re joking. That was then. There are no fixed villains or saints—just those who go with the flow and those who don’t."

The next day, the weather cleared up, and Bianjing returned to normal.

Madam Meng from across the street visited. In recent years, Zhao Yi Qiao had given birth to another daughter, now titled Wanrong, much to her elder sister Madam Meng’s joy. Unaffected by the political turmoil, she was in high spirits.

"Mrs. Jiang, I heard your daughter gave birth recently."

Jin Niang smiled. "Yes, just a month ago. I just saw her."

Wei Qilang had passed the preliminary exam, and Yun Jieer had borne a son. Amusingly, Yun Jieer and her sister-in-law Wang Shi had reversed fortunes—Wang Shi had a son first, then a daughter.

Madam Meng beamed. "Congratulations!"

"Not much to cheer about yet. Now we’re anxious about next year’s Metropolitan Exam."

The Meng family’s eldest son excelled, while the second son lagged behind. Meng Sanlang was decent in his studies, so Madam Meng wasn’t too stressed. As long as one son outshone the concubine’s children, the second could coast on family connections for a post—the third couldn’t compare.

Madam Meng smiled and said, "As the old saying goes, heroes come from the young. Your eldest son is sure to succeed."

As they spoke, Eldest Miss Sun felt concern for her birth family but was also relieved that she had decisively chosen the Meng family. Observing Mrs. Jiang chatting and laughing as usual, bright-eyed and composed, it seemed as if the court turmoil had no effect on her whatsoever.

While they were talking, news arrived that Yun Jieer had arrived. This time, the Chancellor of Jixian had risen entirely due to the recommendation of Elder Master Wei, who now served as Grand Councilor of the Secretariat-Chancellery. Initially, he held Chancellor Shen in high regard, but later, seeing how his reform policies went too far, he believed they did more harm than good to the common people.

As the chancellor's daughter-in-law, Yun Jieer was highly respected. Even Madam Meng stood up respectfully and stayed only to exchange a few words when she entered.

"Big Sister is home. Your mother was just praising you," Madam Meng said.

Yun Jieer, never one to put on airs, instead displayed the humility of a junior: "My mother often says that when she’s not home, you frequently come to chat and get along very well. I brought some tea on a whim—please take some back to try. If you like it, I’ll bring more next time."

Madam Meng was delighted to accept it. Later, she gushed to her daughters-in-law, "That Eldest Miss Jiang is truly wonderful—so modest and considerate in speech."

Eldest Miss Sun recalled her third aunt’s words: the Emperor would surely continue supporting the new policies. As long as he did, the Shen Party would still be reinstated, and the Wei family’s future might be bleak.

Just as the Shen Party had never imagined their downfall at the height of their power.

But Yun Jieer was hardly her concern. Once the others left, she affectionately sat beside her mother.

"Why didn’t you bring Jiaojiao back?" Jin Niang asked with a smile.

Yun Jieer replied, "Jiaojiao is with my mother-in-law. My elder sister-in-law’s two nieces are looking after her, so I could slip away to visit."

Jin Niang said, "Children love being with their parents most when they’re young. If you want to raise them well, cut down on visits. Just send word if anything comes up."

"You don’t visit the Wei family much either, so I must come back to see you. When I gave birth to Geer, you stayed with me for days." Yun Jieer thought of all her mother had done for her. Though she occasionally complained, everything was truly for her sake.

"Now that you have both a son and daughter, I’m at ease. But be mindful—too many births wear a mother out. Frequent childbirth isn’t good," Jin Niang cautioned.

Yun Jieer hadn’t come back just for small talk. She broached the subject of Ning Geer’s marriage: "After Ning Geer passed the Metropolitan Exam, many approached me for introductions. One family, surnamed Zhu, originally from Luoyang—though plain-looking, has an excellent temperament. Mother, if you have time, I can arrange a meeting."

Though well-intentioned, Jin Niang took such matters seriously. The Jiang family was no longer a minor official’s household, and her son was both talented and ambitious. Choosing a daughter-in-law required caution.

"No need for introductions. If fate wills it, they’ll meet naturally. With factions at each other’s throats, it’s better to wait. Besides, let’s discuss this after your brother’s Metropolitan Exam. We shouldn’t distract him now," Jin Niang said with a smile.

In truth, she did meet people when she went out, but proper vetting couldn’t be rushed.

Men and women faced different realities, so Jin Niang wasn’t overly worried. Otherwise, they might end up with someone like Xu Shi—all show and no substance.

Speaking of Xu Shi, Jin Niang chuckled, "Your aunt even hired a nun to cook, yet she’s getting fatter. Guess why?"

Yun Jieer widened her eyes. "Why?"

"Do you know the secret to delicious vegetarian dishes? More oil. It’s all in the frying—that’s how they look more vibrant. And those winter mushroom dumplings she loves? Deep-fried multiple times—that’s why they’re so tasty. Last time I ate at her place, I caught on," Jin Niang said, laughing.

Yun Jieer doubled over laughing.

With her mother, worries seemed lighter, and laughter came easily. She had meant to ask about her father, but her mother didn’t know either. "Your father knows the court better than I do. I can only manage what’s within my control—no use losing sleep over the rest."

She had handled everything she could. Jiang Xian’s affairs were his to resolve.

Yun Jieer nodded. "True. By the way, Mother, didn’t you have Chun Xian train under Ju Xiang in cooking for years? Her soups are excellent—now she runs the soup kitchen in the main kitchen. Just as you said, 'Softly does it'—now the kitchen has someone loyal to me."

"Good. It’ll be easier for you to get your favorite dishes on demand. Speaking of which, the Shen Party isn’t doing well—has your eighth sister-in-law been affected?" Jin Niang asked.

Yun Jieer smiled. "The Wei family has weathered many storms. Who hasn’t had ups and downs in their career? She’s not favored by Second Aunt now, but she’s sensible and stays out of the way."

"Your Second Aunt is praised as a saint—how could anyone not get along with her?" Jin Niang couldn’t make sense of it.

The more someone cares about their reputation, the less likely they are to openly confront others. Using her pride against her makes her easier to handle.

Yun Jieer shrugged: "She’s reading too much into it. After Wei Qilang passed the Provincial Exam, she asked me if I was satisfied. I didn’t even understand what she meant!"

Why is she still stuck on the idea of marrying Wei Qilang from back then...

Jin Niang laughed: "The way she acts just proves she’s struggling. If it were me, the worse things got, the less I’d show it—just to avoid becoming a laughingstock."

"Exactly. I’ve heard whispers that she thinks my mother-in-law treats me well and says I’m lucky, as if this luck should have been hers." Yun Jieer was furious, but even if she told Wei Qilang, it would only cause unnecessary trouble.

As her mother said, some things are better kept to oneself. Bringing it up constantly invites drama out of nowhere.

Jin Niang also advised her: "Now that your man’s cleared the Provincial Exam, you have both a son and a daughter, and your relationship is strong. Even your mother-in-law, who used to hint you were petty, now looks at you differently—all thanks to your efforts. To me, these people only see the results, not the hardships. Madam Wei’s a hundred times savvier than the second wife. The way you had to kiss up and mind every rule around her—even I couldn’t stand to see it. Could she endure the same?"

"My thoughts exactly. Second Aunt went easy on her at first, nor was she particularly difficult. When she quarreled with Eighth Brother before, Second Aunt even took her side, yet she went around calling her a 'smiling tiger'? Whether someone smiles or not, they still helped you. It’s not like she’s your birth mother—why would she side with you unconditionally?" Yun Jieer sighed, knowing these were things she could only discuss with her mother.

Jin Niang nodded: "You see it clearly. Books speak of brotherly harmony, but more often, brothers fight over inheritance. Folks talk up happy in-law bonds, but how many mothers-in-law don’t want to assert dominance over their daughters-in-law? Hearing sweet talk and acting like she’s your real mom—you’ve gotta hold your ground."

The mother and daughter chatted a while longer before Yun Jieer left, saying: "Mother, if anything happens to Father, you must send word to me."

Jin Niang’s heart swelled, and she gave a firm nod.

After the Chancellor of Jixian returned, he was appointed Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Vice Director of the Chancellery—basically the ceremonial role of Prime Minister. Jiang Yan also rose in rank, becoming a Left Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs at the fourth rank. Xu Shi, shaking off her gloom, threw a huge party.

Jin Niang stayed briefly before returning home.

Just then, Ning Geer arrived. Jin Niang smiled: "What brings you home now?"

"You’ve forgotten—today is the Warming Stove Festival! Also, the Imperial Academy lets Provincial Exam passers whose families are in Bianjing return home to prepare for next year’s Metropolitan Exam. I wanted to come back." Ning Geer had been forced to board at the academy but preferred staying at home.

Jin Niang laughed: "Alright, but no gallivanting before the Metropolitan Exam. Hunker down and study."

Ning Geer nodded eagerly.

Afterward, Jin Niang sent someone to fetch his belongings from the Imperial Academy. Ning Geer also invited a classmate to stay, so Jin Niang prepared a guest room and instructed the servants to take good care of them.

During the day, Ning Geer and his classmate studied together in the east wing study, and at night, they retired to their rooms to read. Jin Niang even sent them candles, not hindering their diligence.

She just made sure they were looked after right. To Ju Xiang, she said: "In the morning, serve a boiled egg or steamed egg custard, a few side dishes, and rotate between flatbreads, steamed buns, dumplings, noodles, and the like. For lunch, alternate between beef, mutton, chicken legs, perch, and prawns. Avoid greasy dishes at night."

Ju Xiang smiled: "Don’t worry, I’ll keep Eldest Young Master fed right."

Jin Niang nodded in satisfaction.

At lunch, Jin Niang asked Jiang Xian: "Xuan Geer passed the Provincial Exam this year. If he fails the Metropolitan Exam, will he retake it or seek an official post through privilege? What’s Eldest Brother’s take?"

Jiang Xian pondered: "I haven’t heard him mention it."

"Really? He only has this one son." Jin Niang found it odd.

Jiang Xian chuckled: "He’ll likely try again. What’s a man in our family got without passing the exams? But even the Chancellor of Jixian’s own son, who became a jinshi at twenty, only holds a minor post. The bigger the title, the tighter you gotta play it—unless the offspring are exceptionally talented, sending them out as officials could bring disaster to the family."

Jin Niang agreed.

With the Chancellor of Jixian in power, some of Chancellor Shen’s policies were inevitably repealed. The process was complicated, but Jiang Xian wrapped up the changes in seven days flat without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Jiang Fang left the capital, and Sun Shichen and his wife prepared to return home.

Eldest Miss Sun packed them a fat travel purse, tossing in sixty strings of coin, and gifted her younger sister a set of jewelry, saying: "Look after Ma and Pa when you’re back."

Second Daughter Sun was wiping her tears.

Zhou Si felt melancholy, as the novel was written from Wu Luan's perspective and was nearing its conclusion here. Zhou Cunzhi was said to be returning, thanks to Jiang Xian's intercession, which brought the novel to a fitting close. As for what happened afterward, the book didn’t mention it, and she had no way of knowing.

...

Jiang Yan said to Xu Shi, "I repeatedly advised Second Brother in my letters, but he never listened to me, and now he’s met this fate."

"Back when your second brother was in power, you never brought up the matter of his adoption, instead covering for him in every way possible. Even when forced to resign from office, you didn’t ask for his help. Now, it’s just the way of the world," Xu Shi replied.

Jiang Yan fell silent.

Xu Shi couldn’t help but think of Jiang Xian. Compared to Jiang Fang, who had been adopted out, Jiang Xian and his wife had not only shamed her before the clan but also showed her no respect whatsoever. The couple didn’t even take care of his parents, leaving everything to her.

But she couldn’t say any of this to Jiang Yan. Instead, she remarked, "Your second brother was stubborn in his ways; he can’t blame others. But what about Shiliulang?"

"Shiliulang? If he aligns himself with the Chancellor of Jixian, that would be fine too," Jiang Yan said.

Xu Shi laughed. "From what I’ve seen in the capital, Shiliulang is the type who bows to whoever holds power. When the Shen family was around, he was forever at their door."

Jiang Yan scolded his wife but remained frowning.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xian had completed the Chancellor of Jixian’s tasks competently, yet he was still accused by the Chancellor’s faction of political opportunism—how he had once served the Shen Party and now served the Chancellor.

The Chancellor of Jixian defended Jiang Xian, saying he wasn’t that kind of person, and that they had often corresponded in the past. But even the Chancellor himself was swept up in the political currents, let alone Jiang Xian.

Thus, on the eighth day of the eleventh lunar month, Jiang Xian was transferred from Prefect of Kaifeng to Fiscal Commissioner of Jingxi Road and was to depart for Luoyang immediately.

Though it was nominally a promotion, Jin Niang found herself in a dilemma. Ning Geer was set to take the Metropolitan Exam the following year, so she couldn't possibly leave. Yet she was also uneasy about her husband going to Luoyang alone. Should she choose her husband or her son?

As she pondered this, she saw Jiang Xian enter with her favorite osmanthus pudding. Jin Niang looked at him and asked, "How do you have time to make this? It’s so time-consuming."