Chapter 150

Chapter 150

"Did Ning Geer really suggest that I accompany you to Luoyang while he stays in the capital for the Metropolitan Exam? And if he fails the provincial exam, he’ll join us in Luoyang?" Jin Niang thought she must have misheard.

Jiang Xian nodded. "Those were his exact words. I think he can’t handle the excessive attention we’ve been giving him. He’s just seventeen, and some folks are buttering him up, which puts a lot of pressure on him. If you stick around just for him, it’ll only add to his stress. Anyway, I’ve already promised him that if he doesn’t pass this time, he’ll head to Luoyang for studies."

Jin Niang gave her husband a skeptical look. "Let me check with Ning Geer first."

Seeing Jiang Xian’s expression that seemed to say, "Go ahead and ask," Jin Niang summoned Ning Geer, who indeed confirmed his earlier words. "This is just a trial run for me. Seventeen-year-olds passing the exams are few and far between—my knowledge isn’t at that level yet. You and Father should go to Luoyang first. By early next year, I’ll come join you both."

"But you’re still just a child," Jin Niang said, unconvinced.

Ning Geer patted his chest confidently. "Don’t fret—nobody’s gonna mess with me. I’m not afraid at all being on my own."

With that, Jin Niang had no choice but to say, "In that case, your father and I will go to Luoyang first and wait for you."

Even she didn’t expect her son to succeed immediately. Besides, Luoyang’s just four hundred li from the capital—a journey of four or five days at most—so it wasn’t too far. If anything happened to him, she could return easily.

Once Jiang Xian’s appointment was finalized, Jin Niang called her daughter and son-in-law back to inform them of the situation. "I’m entrusting Ning Geer to you," she added.

She wasn’t fully confident in Zhang Pingjun, Dou Yuan, Wei Xiong, or Luo Yue to take care of him. Luo Yue and Wei Xiong were getting on in years—they could help with daily life but couldn’t manage the children’s emotional or academic needs. Zhang Pingjun and Dou Yuan had their own families to attend to, so it wouldn’t be right to trouble them.

Her daughter had been learning the ropes of household management from her, and was socially adept. Besides, she trusted her daughter and son-in-law completely.

Yun Jieer said, "Mother, don’t worry. I’ve got my brother covered. I’ll get your son-in-law to drop by regularly, and I’ll visit whenever I can."

"No need to visit all the time," Jin Niang replied with a smile. "I’ve already spoken to your maternal grandparents—they’ll stay here and help with daily needs. But before the exam, since Qilang will also be taking the provincial exam, as his elder sister, please help him prepare his exam basket. That would set my mind at ease."

With the money stashed in the cellar of their residence and guards watching the house, she felt secure leaving the money behind rather than carrying their entire fortune wherever they went.

Besides, the hidden mechanisms weren’t exactly common knowledge.

Seeing her mother quickly assign duties, Yun Jieer marveled at how she could panic briefly in a crisis but quickly regain composure and arrange everything methodically.

When the couple returned to the Wei household and informed Madam Wei, the latter said, "Why not have Ning Geer stay with us? He’s family, really."

"It’d be fine if he were alone, but he has a friend staying with him too," Yun Jieer explained with a smile.

Wei Qilang clarified that the friend was a poor scholar from Ning Geer’s class at the Imperial Academy, temporarily lodging with them. Madam Wei thought to herself that for the Jiang family to prioritize hosting an unknown impoverished scholar over staying at the prestigious Wei residence spoke volumes about their principles.

Moreover, Jiang Xian was a capable man. The Shen Party hadn’t purged him, and the new Prime Minister had merely exiled him from court.

Yet he had accepted it all swiftly—a man who rolled with the punches. He hadn’t even sought the Wei family’s help, except to ask his daughter-in-law to look after his son in the capital.

Madam Wei instead said, "Qilang, as his brother-in-law, you must watch over Ning Geer. Daughter-in-law, your father’s move to Luoyang is a smart fallback. If there’s anything our family can assist with, just say the word."

That’s what in-law ties were for—backing each other up.

Yun Jieer said gratefully, "Thank you, Mother. I don’t even know what to say."

Madam Wei had scolded her daughter-in-law a few times before, but the latter seemed to hold no grudges. Now, with an adorable granddaughter and a plump little grandson, plus Qilang focusing on his studies and showing filial piety, her temper had mellowed considerably.

Meanwhile, Jin Niang was giving instructions to Chen Xiaolang: "I’ve already arranged for Luo Da to go to Suzhou this year to collect rent and audit accounts. The household will be left to you and your wife. No one is allowed to enter the main quarters without permission. I’ve set aside a thousand taels of silver in the external account for next year’s expenses. If the young master passes the exam, use it for his needs. If he doesn’t, have him bring the money to Luoyang."

Chen Xiaolang, now well-trained over the years, immediately replied, "Rest assured, Madam. I’ll see it done right."

Jin Niang nodded. "Good."

After Chen Xiaolang left, A Ying came in and reported, "Madam, we’ve booked twelve carts and twenty swift horses in total, totaling thirty guan and four qian of silver."

"Very well, Qing Rong, take this tally to your elder sister A Ying," Jin Niang handed her the tally token.

Apart from travel expenses, there were post stations all the way from Kaifeng to Luoyang where they could stay, so no other expenses were needed. The Fiscal Commissioner's annual income from official fields alone amounted to six hundred piculs, not counting other sources, totaling three hundred and sixty strings of coins per year.

Moreover, the Fiscal Commissioner oversaw the finances and supervision of the entire circuit, wielding the highest authority in the Northwestern Capital Circuit, managing salt, iron, and other resources. Surely, the salary wouldn't be meager.

While calculating the accounts, she also instructed servants to pack seasonal clothing, jewelry, and fine silks into chests. Then there were farewell gifts from various friends and relatives—Zhang Jiulang and his wife, Wei Yang and his spouse, Yun Jieer and her husband, as well as relatives from the old residence. However, Jiang Xian and Jin Niang were too occupied to host them properly and could only apologize.

Fortunately, everyone understood their urgency and sent parting gifts instead. Jin Niang had A Ying collect them, keeping what was useful and leaving the rest at home.

Across the street, Madam Meng also sent over a parting gift, feeling somewhat reluctant to see Jin Niang go.

Jin Niang smiled and said, "Luoyang’s peonies are the most splendid under heaven. Perhaps I can bring you a few pots in the future."

"That's a promise," Madam Meng replied.

After returning from the Jiang residence, Madam Meng was attended by her daughters-in-law. She was a mother-in-law who loved flaunting her status, something Eldest Miss Sun had long known. Now, with no backing, she had grown increasingly humble.

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Meng family, Lin Shi, was originally affiliated with the Shen Party. Though her father, a local official, had not yet been implicated, she was still uneasy. Fortunately, the Lin family was no humble family—her uncle served under the Chancellor of Jixian. This was how aristocratic families always hedged their bets, just like the Jiangs across the street: their eldest son supported the Prime Minister, the second son backed Chancellor Shen, and as for Prefect Jiang, though now transferred as Fiscal Commissioner, he was a skilled operator in court, adept at playing both sides.

Lin Shi personally brought tea and asked, "Mother, is the Jiang family leaving so soon?"

"Indeed. They're already packing, with no time even for conversation," Madam Meng took a sip of tea and shook her head, feigning profundity. "The Jiangs truly are an illustrious family—all the brothers earned jinshi degrees. Remarkable."

Eldest Miss Sun thought to herself that she had married into the imperial clan, a stable position. If her daughter could marry into families like the Jiangs or Weis, it would truly secure their status.

Originally, her father and Prefect Jiang across the street had been fellow jinshi candidates. Later, her father relied on relatives, but when those relatives fell, so did their family.

Regarding Jiang Xian's transfer, while the Wei and Meng families reacted normally or indifferently, Zhang Pingjun was greatly troubled. She said to Mrs. Zhang, "Yesterday, I visited my sister-in-law and asked if her husband's position might be affected while they're away from the capital. She said she was beyond her reach."

Mrs. Zhang asked, "She said she was beyond her reach?"

"Yes. But thankfully, our daughter has visited the Weis. Perhaps Yun Jieer could plead their case to Madam Wei to ensure my husband's official position remains secure," Zhang Pingjun mused.

...

On the second day of the twelfth month (lunar calendar), Jin Niang instructed Min Zhi not to wake Ning Geer and said, "You've always been meticulous. I entrust the household to you and your husband. If anything goes wrong, your reputations will be ruined for good."

Liu Douer and A Ying's couple outshone them in every regard. If they couldn't even manage the household, newcomers would take their place.

Min Zhi hurriedly replied, "Rest assured, I will manage the inner quarters well."

Jin Niang nodded slightly at her pledge.

At dawn, she boarded the carriage with her husband. Jiang Xian asked, "Wife, how much money are you taking this time?"

"Ten thousand strings of cash, with another ten thousand strings and four thousand taels of gold left in the cellar. I heard grain shipments from Jiangsu and Zhejiang pass through Luoyang, so the city must be teeming with warehouses. Our funds aren't enough to start one, but if we hire a manager to run it for us, we could profit—maybe even invest in a few shares," Jin Niang calculated.

Now that they had money, they could gradually expand their investments.

Jiang Xian laughed, "You're absolutely right, wife."

But he added, "Now that I oversee water transport, it’s all the more convenient."

"Ah, no cutting corners—let’s do things properly," Jin Niang refused to take shortcuts.

In the past, they had traveled far by boat for official posts. This time, Luoyang was so close it felt almost unbelievable. Jin Niang chatted with him about Luoyang: "I’ve always heard Madam Wei visiting Luoyang for peonies or transporting them back. So, I imagined Luoyang as a splendid place. Never thought I’d get to go there, thanks to you."

Jiang Xian had expected his wife to complain about the arduous journey, but Jin Niang was ever herself—never calling out his little ploys and even looking forward to Luoyang.

He held Jin Niang's hands and said, "I'll take my lady to see all the peonies."

Jin Niang tapped his nose and sighed, "Oh, you..."

They had been traveling since morning and arrived at the Zhengzhou post station, where Liu Douer had already sent a courier to notify the station and arrange rooms for them. Jin Niang stepped out of the carriage with Ding Geer, who had been born in Bianjing and, unlike his older siblings, had never left the capital. Now that he was exploring outside, he was full of curiosity.

At just nine years old, he was currently studying under a tutor. But since Jiang Xian was being assigned to an external post, it might be a good opportunity to find a renowned scholar in Luoyang to teach him.

"Erlang (lit. ‘second son’), are you hungry?" Jin Niang asked with a smile.

Ding Geer shook his head. "No."

"Even if you're not, you should eat something. It's late now—let’s have a proper meal so we don’t go to bed hungry." Jin Niang knew her son well. If she didn’t leave food for him now, he would surely be hungry later.

The post station looked like a private residence from the outside, but inside, it was well-maintained and elegant. The attendants were efficient, and soon a full table of dishes was served.

Jin Niang had Liu Douer distribute tips—silver ingots shaped like tiny boats, roughly a hundred copper coins’ worth each. She knew very well that if they were staying at an ordinary inn, this amount wouldn’t even cover the cost of such a meal.

Even the post station attendants outside were delighted with the tips, and the Jiang family’s servants were always polite, never bullying others.

One of the post station attendants, Huang, remarked to the stationmaster, "They’re the Fiscal Commissioner of the Jingxi Circuit—a high-ranking official, yet so generous. The Jiang family even bought extra fodder for the horses. Not like that Lady Sui from earlier—so demanding, and at her age, still putting on that fake, shrill voice."

The stationmaster smacked Huang on the head. "You’re getting bolder, daring to gossip about an official’s wife. You’ve got a death wish?"

Huang shrank back.

After the meal, Jin Niang had Zi Teng help Ding Geer wash up. At his age, he no longer needed young maids to attend to him, nor did Liu Quan need to assist him inside. He could bathe himself, and the servants would clean up afterward.

As Jin Niang prepared for her own bath, a maid at the door announced, "Madam, Lady Sui from across the way has sent over some pastries."

"Lady Sui? Who is she?" Jin Niang wondered why someone would send pastries right at dinnertime.

A Ying chuckled. "I heard she’s the wife of the Director of the Granary Office, Sui."

"I see." Jin Niang shook her head but had the pastries accepted and gave twenty large coins in return. She also sent back a jar of olives brought from Bianjing as a polite return gift.

For the post station attendants, who they’d only interact with for one night, generous tips were fine since the service was excellent. But for someone like Lady Sui, who they might encounter again in Luoyang, over-tipping might seem like showing off.

After years of social experience, she had learned this well.

The next day, she finally met Lady Sui—a woman in her thirties or forties, gaunt with fair, delicate skin, though the veins on her hands gave away her age.

Both Jiang Xian and Sui were heading to Luoyang for their new posts. Though they knew each other, they weren’t close. Sui even expressed regret for Jiang Xian: "With your talent, I thought you’d surely rise to the highest ranks. Who knew you’d end up like this?"

Jiang Xian thought to himself—this Sui Jun used to be so meek around him, and now he dared to pity him? But outwardly, he remained cordial.

Though Jin Niang disliked excessive adornment while traveling, she still wore a kingfisher-feather headdress and silk flower hairpins. Given the cold weather, she dressed in a fox-fur coat embroidered with gold-threaded lantern-pattern brocade.

After all, as an official’s wife, there was no need to appear too frugal—Jiang Xian wasn’t the type to cultivate an austere image.

Lady Sui, however, lingered on Jin Niang’s headdress for a moment too long. Jin Niang pretended not to notice and took A Ying’s hand to board the carriage. In that instant, she understood why Jiang Xian remained so determined in his career.

If she were still the wife of the Prefect of Kaifeng—a third-rank (from third-grade) official in the imperial capital—would anyone dare to look at her like that? The Prefect of Kaifeng, though technically third-rank, held immense authority under the emperor’s gaze. The Fiscal Commissioner, though a higher third-rank, was an external post, only two ranks above Sui, and their roles were mutually supervisory.

But then she thought—if she dwelled on such things, she’d become power’s pawn. Those who became resentful were often people who already harbored such thoughts, and some incident simply justified their resentment.

She wasn’t like that. Even if they left officialdom, they could still live as landowning gentry, above such trivialities.

With such thoughts to console herself, she smiled and shared her reflections with Jiang Xian.

After listening, Jiang Xian simply said, "My lady, the fact that you can think this way shows how open-hearted you are, seeing through life’s ups and downs."

"And you? What do you think?" Jin Niang looked at him.

Jiang Xian laughed. "Of course, I follow your lead. Whatever you decide, I’ll do the same."

Jin Niang wrapped her arm around his and simply smiled.

In another carriage, the previously mentioned Mrs. Sui leaned back, rubbing her waist. "Actually, I’ve met that Mrs. Jiang before—it was at the Shen family’s place. She was seated in the front row then, while I was in the back. Seeing her today, it seems she doesn’t remember me at all."

Beside Mrs. Sui was Nurse Yang, who had once served as a wet nurse for a princess. However, after an affair with the princess’s husband, she was dismissed and returned to her hometown. Later, under the guise of being a palace nanny, she was hired to teach etiquette to the daughter of a Vice-Prefect’s family—now Mrs. Sui.

Mrs. Sui was a second bride. Her father had initially wanted to marry her off to a poor scholar, but her mother objected, fearing her daughter would suffer. Later, that scholar passed the imperial examination and became a metropolitan graduate, leaving her family full of regret. Soon after, they arranged her marriage to a subordinate official—a metropolitan graduate who had just lost his wife—and the Vice-Prefect promptly married her off.

Nurse Yang remarked, "Our master is the Fiscal Commissioner of the Western Capital’s granary, a fourth-rank official. But Lord Jiang is a third-rank Transportation Commissioner after all—we mustn’t offend him."

...

After four days of travel, they arrived in Luoyang, where officials from the Transportation Commissioner’s office came to receive them. This time, they stayed in the government offices of Luoyang, which were ornately and magnificently built. Jin Niang thought there was no need to bother renting a house.

Liu Douer directed the unloading of goods and moving of boxes, while Qing Rong led the servants in tidying the rooms. The residence was a small two-courtyard residence—their son Ding Geer would stay in the eastern wing, the western wing would serve as storage, and the western annex was designated as Jiang Xian’s study.

"It’s been so many years since we last moved—I almost forgot what it was like when we were assigned to provincial posts," Jin Niang said with a laugh.

A Ying replied, "Indeed, our family lived in Bianjing for many years—nearly nine, if you count carefully."

"About that. Enough talk—hurry and have the servants finish settling in. Thankfully, our lord is now the circuit’s chief administrator, so in Luoyang, we won’t have to cater to higher officials as often as before." Jin Niang felt much more at ease.

Since Ju Xiang had stayed in Bianjing, the government office assigned a cook—a plump, fair-skinned woman surnamed Bai, known as Mistress Bai—along with two kitchen assistants.

The surname Bai reminded Jin Niang of a Mistress Bai who used to frequent her Embroidery Shop, whose later fate was rather lamentable. But this Mistress Bai, unmarried and with a brother serving as a clerk in the Transportation Commissioner’s office, seemed youthful in spirit. Pleased with the silk flowers Jin Niang gifted her, she beamed with joy.

"For my lord and our second young master, just prepare meals as usual. As for me, a bowl of porridge or soybean milk, a boiled egg, and a small plain bun or pancake will suffice," Jin Niang instructed.

Her husband, no matter where he worked, achieved outstanding results, and their son was growing and didn’t need to restrict his diet. But Jin Niang was different—she gained weight easily from eating flour-based foods, so she had to be more careful.

Mistress Bai nodded. "I’ll remember that, my lady."

"Well, our family has no major dietary restrictions. We can discuss anything else as it comes up," Jin Niang said.

After a few days in Luoyang, she found the city just as prosperous as Bianjing, if not more so. But for now, her priority was arranging her son’s education.

Jiang Xian reassured her, "Don’t worry, my dear. Though Luoyang has many renowned scholars, we must still choose carefully. You and our son rest at home these next few days—leave this matter to me."

She trusted her husband’s competence, but she still suggested, "Let’s prepare two rooms in the front courtyard as a study. Once you find a tutor, our second son can study there. How does that sound?"

Jiang Xian agreed and added, "Come spring, we’ll take the family to see the peonies. When we return to Bianjing, we’ll bring some back to enjoy."

"Good," Jin Niang replied. She knew Jiang Xian felt guilty about the travel hardships she endured. But she believed it was only right—one shouldn’t enjoy the benefits while complaining about the difficulties, especially when they hadn’t even suffered much.

In the past, as low-ranking officials, they had to network with superiors. Now that Jiang Xian held a high position with oversight responsibilities, they couldn’t casually receive private visitors.

This meant they could enjoy a tranquil New Year’s celebration. A few days later, Jin Niang, accompanied by A Ying and a few servants, went with a light retinue to Luoyang’s bustling Jianchun Gate East Street.

Luoyang’s landscape was nestled among mountains and rivers, surrounded by mountains: Chenggao, Longmen, and Mangshan.

A Ying said, "My lady, our eldest daughter’s manor is just over there. Would you like to visit?"

"No need, what's hers stays hers." Jin Niang was quite clear about this.

The Western Capital, Luoyang, had always been a residence for the imperial clan and noble families. If Bianjing was straightforwardly bustling, Luoyang was veiled in a layer of mystery; you had to discover its beauty for yourself—and the rewards were always worth it.

After a long stroll, she returned loaded down with packages. Even though it was just the three of them, the home still needed to be arranged warmly.

Before the New Year, Jiang Xian invited a renowned scholar in Luoyang to be Ding Geer’s tutor. This was the first New Year the three of them spent in Luoyang—quiet and cozy. Jin Niang even said to Ding Geer, "Your elder brother will probably arrive by February."

Neither she nor Jiang Xian had expected Ning Geer to pass the Metropolitan Exam. They had only hoped for him to come and reunite with them. Yet, to their surprise, in February, a swift courier from the capital brought news that Ning Geer had passed the Metropolitan Exam.

Jin Niang and Jiang Xian exchanged glances. The couple had only prepared for their son’s arrival in Luoyang, even setting aside a room for him—never imagining he would actually succeed? Normally so meticulous in her planning, she had this time left only some money aside, completely caught off guard? She turned to Jiang Xian and said, "Oh no, even experts slip up!"