Chapter 155

Chapter 155

Having been married for several years, Yun Jieer returned home with a feeling that was both familiar and foreign. Before her marriage, she had always been unwilling to part from her parents, and thought nothing of bringing her husband back home. But now, wiser in the ways of the world, she couldn’t help but say to Jin Niang, "With us coming back like this, when my brothers’ wives enter the household in the future, won’t that—"

"Why bring that up? This household is under my charge. Every plant and tree here was put together by your father and me. Without our word, who would dare make trouble?" Jin Niang laughed.

Yun Jieer thought to herself that since her mother had expanded the estate, they wouldn’t even be sharing living spaces—which was probably for the best.

Still, she said, "For me to live at home and bring so many people with me—it’s too much of an expense."

"In that case, how about this: meals and clothing will be provided by the household, but the servants in your courtyard will be paid from your own pocket. Jiaojiao and Shi Geer’s tutors will be your and your husband’s responsibility, as will any of your personal expenses. This way, you’ll have your independence, and it’ll be a sustainable arrangement for the long term," Jin Niang suggested.

A married daughter was like a separate branch of the family that had already been given its share. Providing food was the parents’ duty, but maintaining one’s own household was still necessary. Though it might sound cold, Jin Niang had to say it upfront.

If Ning Geer and Ding Geer were to establish separate households in the future, the same would apply.

Yun Jieer had once heard her mother say that when she was still running shops at home, she and her grandparents had kept clear accounts to maintain harmony. She quickly agreed, "That’s only fair."

Jin Niang smiled. "But my grandchildren’s allowances—those are my responsibility. Don't you go taking that from me."

"Of course," Yun Jieer laughed.

After Jiang Xian became a drafter of imperial edicts, he was not as busy as he'd been in local administration, though he grew more cautious.

Meanwhile, Jin Niang entrusted the household to Yun Jieer for a few days and took A Ying to inspect two of their estates. The most important task was reviewing the accounts and rooting out troublemakers.

After dealing with a few offenders, Jin Niang sent Chen Xiaolang and Hu Tou to Suzhou in her stead to conduct inspections, forbidding any favoritism—any misconduct would be punished severely.

On the day of the Winter Stove Festival, Jin Niang took the whole family to a meal at Fan Tower. Yun Jieer glanced at her mother and couldn’t help saying, "This takes me back to my childhood."

"I remember your husband used to visit us back then, and I’d take you all out to eat," Jin Niang chuckled.

Wei Qilang nodded. "Exactly."

"Don’t worry, this is just the beginning. Our family must taste every delicacy in every corner of Bianjing and visit all the fun places—best of all, we’ll do it together," Jin Niang declared.

This reassured Wei Qilang. Living with his in-laws always made him somewhat uneasy, but fortunately, his mother-in-law treated them just as before—though she pushed harder on his studies, still hoping he would take the next imperial examination.

Jiaojiao, watching wrestling for the first time, kept covering her eyes but couldn’t resist peeking, making both Yun Jieer and Jin Niang laugh.

"Tomorrow, we’ll go to the goldsmith’s to have a necklace made for Jiaojiao and two hairpins for you. The narcissus design is all the rage now. Back when your father was in Daming Prefecture, he had some made for me—they were lovely," Jin Niang mused, thinking of the rent she had just paid at Golden Beam Bridge and the business she could conduct there.

Yun Jieer felt as if she were still the little girl at home, with her mother taking her out to buy jewelry and treats, doing everything to please her.

The next day, the women had their jewelry made—not too expensive, totaling twenty-five strings of coins.

Upon returning, Jin Niang brought out cherry wine, brewed during their time in Luoyang. Cherries were seasonal, so she had also preserved some in sugar, stored in white porcelain jars for the children, while the cherry wine was for the ladies.

Luo Yue, who loved wine, was delighted by the cherry wine.

"Mother, should we chill it in the well water to make it cooler?" Jin Niang asked.

Luo Yue waved her off. "Goodness, no! I prefer my wine warmed, unlike you with your icy drinks. You’re not young anymore—you should drink it warm like me."

Jin Niang laughed. "Look at you, slipping back into the hometown dialect."

After the meal, Luo Yue, getting on in years, retired to the garden to rest. Jiaojiao, who had previously attended a girls’ school at the Wei household, now had a tutor arranged by Wei Qilang, so she went off to her lessons.

As for Yun Jieer, just as she had before marriage, she spent time chatting with Jin Niang, making incense, or doing needlework.

Yun Jieer watched as her mother collected numerous famous peony painting albums in Luoyang, with all sorts of designs that delighted her like treasures: "This is perfect! I can make a robe for my husband."

"True, your husband takes after your father—both have a taste for fine clothing. Perfect timing. This is the one I made for your father—don’t you dare copy it," Jin Niang warned, wary of matching robes.

There was no helping it—her daughter adored her clothing designs.

Sure enough, Yun Jieer badgered Jin Niang to design one for her, pleading, "Mother, please help your daughter out!"

"Honestly, if Jiaojiao and Shi Geer see this, how will you save face as their mother?" Jin Niang chided, shooting her daughter a look.

Truth be told, Jin Niang was different from Luo Yue. She spoiled only her own children; her love for her grandchildren was just an afterthought—nothing heartfelt.

Was her own temperament unlike others’?

She confided in Jiang Xian, who asked, "If Ning Geer has children in the future, would you be willing to care for them?"

Jin Niang shook her head quickly. "I haven’t lost my mind—why invite trouble? Ding Geer alone drains me. How could I handle grandchildren? That’s for the tireless worker bees, not me. I’d rather sleep in."

Jiang Xian couldn’t help but laugh. Now he got why he adored her—she put herself first, never bowing to convention.

Speaking of Jiang Xian, the court now practiced "stirring dissent"—pitting factions against each other. Though he wouldn’t outright oppose Jiang Fang, he never hesitated to point out his shortcomings through his own followers.

Thus, the Jiang household was now bustling with visitors.

But Jin Niang countered, "Your second brother’s too hotheaded—it’ll earn him too much resentment. Moreover, the Emperor uses you to counter him, but if he falls, your position may not last either."

Even Jin Niang could see this clearly, let alone Jiang Xian. He feigned a smile. "Well, my wife can earn money, so I’m not worried. If I’m sacked, we’ll still live well in the capital. With our son, we’ll manage."

"It won’t come to that. As they say, 'He who desires nothing is invincible.' Don’t let power swallow you whole," Jin Niang fretted.

Jiang Xian thought of Jiang Fang, who was now colluding with imperial consorts, growing bolder by the day.

But the man had always been this way—there was little he could say.

As the New Year approached, rent from Luoyang came to 900 strings, Shopkeeper Xiao sent 10,000 taels, the storehouse keeper contributed 1,200 strings, and Chen Xiaolang and Hu Tou, returning from Wu County, brought 1,600 strings from the Inn and land rents.

Jin Niang handed out tips, bonuses, and wages before stashing this year’s earnings in the east wing’s treasury. She then prepared funds for the New Year, first opening a chest to have new clothes tailored—even the servants got new coats—the masters, of course, got far more.

In truth, their household’s fixed expenses hadn’t changed much. Jin Niang wasn’t one for luxuries—Jiang Xian’s salary alone nearly covered their costs. Additional rewards and expenses were allocated accordingly, such as estate bonuses from estate profits and shop expenditures from shop earnings.

Yun Jieer sewed her husband a robe with exquisite embroidery. Just as she finished, two more outfits arrived. With income from Luoyang tenant rents and the Sweetwater Lane house, she rewarded her own attendants, bought her husband a jade crown and a belt, and the couple grew even closer.

Jiaojiao clung to the jar of candied cherries, prompting Yun Jieer to warn, "Be careful not to ruin your teeth. Grandmother already told you not to eat too many daily, or they’ll all rot."

"Fine," Jiaojiao grumbled—but she adored cherries.

Wei Qilang sided with his wife on this. After donning his crown, he chuckled, "Father-in-law tasked me with writing a poem yesterday. Once I finish, I can rest for the New Year. I’d best get to it."

Yun Jieer nodded. "That’s good."

Her husband had been coddled rotten in the Wei household—his mother would bring him soup ten times while he studied. But in the Jiang family, even children weren’t allowed out until their homework was done.

Knowing Wei Qilang struggled with poetry, her father had found him a renowned tutor, requiring him to hand in essays for feedback every ten days.

Now, stripped of pampering, he was treated like a grown man—and rose to the occasion.

See? Folks know more than they show.

Yun Jieer brought Jiaojiao and Shi Geer to Jin Niang’s for breakfast. Jin Niang smiled. "I was just about to ask where you’d been."

The table was laden with wontons, braised noodles, fried dumplings, fried eggs, soy milk, porridge, red bean steamed cakes, pork belly buns, fried meatballs, and more.

Jin Niang always adhered to the principle of taking only what one could eat, with no waste allowed. This way, the plates cleared away were clean, and the servants could still enjoy the leftovers.

Jiaojiao ate wontons, as she loved soupy dishes, while Shi Geer was a fussy eater.

"Just take Shi Geer to the anteroom to eat. Let him have whatever he likes, or eat whenever he wants." At her age, Jin Niang was entirely set in her ways.

Surprisingly, Jiaojiao adored Jin Niang and wholeheartedly agreed with her words: "Every time my brother eats, it's like an ordeal. His crying ruins everyone's meal. Just let him eat in the anteroom."

Though she also had a grandmother, Madam Wei was very stern—kind, but always distant. At her maternal grandmother's home, Jiaojiao felt much freer. Apart from occasionally joining for breakfast, her grandmother usually let her and her mother sleep in. She could even nap in her grandmother's bedchamber, and whatever she wanted, her grandmother would have it arranged for her.

After the adults finished eating, Shi Geer's nanny reported that he had taken a few bites before being taken by his uncle to play in the library.

Yun Jieer was quite relaxed about it: "Let him go."

Jin Niang smiled. "You don’t need to come for breakfast tomorrow. Just rest well during the winter. As for Shi Geer, once spring comes, we’ll find a children's doctor to see whether he’s just picky or lacking something."

"His head is already flattened from lying down too much," Yun Jieer shook her head.

At her parents' home, there were no strict rules—she could sleep as late as she wanted, and meals were always ready. If she wanted to eat, she just had to ask, and someone would bring it.

Carefree, yet a faint unease lingered. She confided in Jin Niang, "But deep down, I still feel unsettled. Why do you think that is?"

Jin Niang chuckled. "Because if one lacks long-term worries, there will be immediate troubles. Your husband hasn’t yet secured an official post—that’s the biggest hidden worry in your heart. And that’s perfectly normal. Though you’re married with children, you still haven’t stepped out from under your parents’ wings—whether it’s the Wei family’s or the Jiang family’s. Relying on mountains, they may crumble; relying on rivers, they may dry up. Your father and I are happy to support you, but what if one day your father…? Where would you go then?"

Ning Geer of the Jiang family had already entered official service and was diligent in his duties. Ding Geer would soon begin his studies and take the imperial exams in a few years. If Wei Qilang didn’t work hard, he would fall further and further behind his peers.

As children, people would praise them for their good family background and good looks. But as adults, without corresponding ability, the gap would widen.

Even if the Wei family was well-established and Wei Qilang could secure an official post through hereditary privilege, if the next generation—Shi Geer—still failed to achieve anything, they would merely become wealthy country gentry, perhaps even less distinguished than Zhang Jiulang.

Zhang Jiulang was the only legitimate son in his family and inherited a considerable fortune, yet by Wei Qilang’s generation, it wouldn’t be enough.

This conversation served as a wake-up call for Yun Jieer, and she relayed it to Wei Qilang, adding, "My mother rarely lectures us. She spends her days reading, doing needlework, and managing the household, always very lenient with us. It’s rare for her to say something like this—perhaps there are changes brewing in the court."

Wei Qilang was no fool, but his privileged upbringing had made everything come too easily. Now, in his in-laws' home, the academic and familial atmosphere was entirely different.

Social entertainments could wait—children’s studies came first, and any social engagements could be declined.

Even Ding Geer, whom he had assumed was fond of idleness, mostly spent his leisure time reading in the library or sleeping in. In such an environment, Wei Qilang couldn’t afford to slack off either.

That year, Ning Geer spent the New Year away from home. Fortunately, before leaving, Jin Niang had arranged for Aunt Bai to serve as his cook, easing some worries. Wei Qilang and Yun Jieer celebrated the New Year at her parents’ home. Apart from necessary social engagements in the first few days, everyone rested when tired. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, they all went out to view the lantern displays and solve riddles, making for a lively occasion.

By the following spring, Jin Niang spent 5,400 guan (an ancient Chinese unit of currency) to acquire a five-storefront property near Donghua Gate. Through a broker, she hired two craftsmen from the Imperial Silk Workshop and four young assistants to specialize in the Silk and Velvet Shop business.

This trade was familiar to her—after all, the former shop manager had mentioned last year that business in Daming Prefecture was unstable, so she needed to find her own path. Fortunately, she now had nearly 50,000 guan on hand, and investing a fifth of it wouldn’t strain her finances.

Of course, she also invested in other ventures, such as the shipyard run by the former shop manager, where she put in 5,000 taels (an ancient Chinese unit of weight for silver).

But whether in business or investments, she never discussed them openly—not even to her own children.

Otherwise, if the children grew too reliant on her wealth, they would lose their ambition.

By the end of February, the Lü family’s daughter had arrived in the capital accompanied by her mother and brothers, preparing for marriage. Originally planned for March, the wedding was postponed to May because Ning Geer wouldn’t complete his official assignment until April.

Preparations for the new home began in March—decorating with silk festoons, applying fresh paint—even the servants' accommodations for the Lü family’s accompanying staff were arranged.

When Xu Shi and Xiao Wu Shi came to visit, they were astonished. Jin Niang had practically purchased a new estate for her daughter-in-law, complete with waterside pavilions and a renovated manor, that took their breath away.

Xiao Wu Shi didn’t say much, as her husband had also secured an official position through hereditary privilege and passed the Locked Hall Exam, soon to take up a post in the Western Capital.

Xu Shi, however, whispered to her daughter, "The deed to this house is still in your aunt’s name. No matter how much it’s expanded, it remains hers."

Zheng Jieer stole another glance, thinking how beautiful Uncle Sixteen’s house was.

In April, Ning Geer returned to the capital to give his official report. His future prospects didn’t even require Jiang Xian’s concern—his father-in-law had someone recommend him for the Imperial Academy’s entrance exam. After passing, he was immediately appointed as an editorial collator at the Hanlin Academy.

Ning Geer, seeing his mother spend money again to prepare a courtyard for them, quietly asked, "You must have spent quite a bit of money, haven’t you?"

"Buying it cost over five thousand guàn, and renovations a few hundred—around six thousand guàn in total. I couldn’t let the bride live with you in a two-compound house. Besides, now that you’re married, you should start your married life properly. It’s also more convenient for you to receive colleagues in your own courtyard," Jin Niang replied.

Ning Geer said, "Mother always considers everything so thoughtfully for me."

Jin Niang smiled. "Moreover, the bride has a dowry of thirty thousand guàn—our family isn’t lacking either. So, you and your wife are equals."

In Bianjing, many bride’s families leveraged large dowries to dominate the groom’s side. Jin Niang naturally wanted to bolster her son’s confidence.

Ning Geer was deeply moved. "Mother..."

"You’re about to get married—your monthly allowance will now be five guàn, newlywed," Jin Niang teased.

Ning Geer scratched his head sheepishly.

Two days before the Dragon Boat Festival, the Lü family sent over the bride’s dowry. A 30,000-guàn dowry was naturally extravagant, snaking for miles in an unbroken procession.

Neighbors who usually stayed indoors came out to watch the spectacle. Even Madam Meng couldn’t help but feel envious. "This dowry could last several lifetimes."

At this thought, she glanced at Eldest Miss Sun, who had to pretend nothing was amiss.

Jin Niang sent A Ying to oversee the arrangements and explain the rules, ensuring the Lü family knew what to expect.

Lv Qionghua married the next day. Upon entering the new house, her maidservant said, "Ahead is the Orchid Pavilion, a waterside pavilion. The courtyard we’re staying in is called Moon-Gazing Courtyard—it’s quite spacious, with back quarters all prepared for you and the groom."

"I’d heard from Mother that the Jiang family prepared a large courtyard for us, but I didn’t expect it to be this grand," Lv Qionghua remarked.

The maidservant smiled. "Beyond here is the Jiang family garden. Though not enormous, it’s lush with bamboo and flowers, exquisitely designed. A covered walkway leads to Mrs. Jiang’s main quarters. Yesterday, I inquired with their stewardess and learned that Mrs. Jiang delegates most affairs..."

Lv Qionghua thought to herself that she had met Mrs. Jiang before—she was certainly not someone without plans. This likely meant she was playing nice before showing teeth. If Lv Qionghua failed in her duties, everyone would blame her.

Soon, Lv Qionghua saw her husband enter—tall, broad-shouldered, and handsome, putting her at ease at once.

The couple went to pay respects to Jin Niang and the elders. That day, both Jiang Xian and Jin Niang wore navy-blue robes with peony embroidery—Jiang Xian’s with yellow peonies, Jin Niang’s with red—looking utterly dignified.

After the newlyweds bowed to their elders, each senior presented gifts. Even Jiang Fang gave lavish presents, let alone others. Only Xu Shi, true to form, gifted a box of sandalwood combs.

Fortunately, on such a joyous occasion, Jin Niang didn’t let it spoil the mood. After all, when Zheng Jieer married, she’d return the favor.

The newlyweds withdrew to their chamber, while Jin Niang, exhausted and aching, hurried to bed. She had even prepared a small kitchen in Moon-Gazing Courtyard so they wouldn’t need to come for breakfast.

Jiang Xian chuckled. "You’re quite the hands-off mother-in-law."

"Wrong. This is called managing one person being easier than managing a crowd. A Ying oversees this courtyard, while the daughter-in-law manages hers—she just turns in the books and draws funds each month. If anything’s unreasonable, I’ll point it out. How she manages is up to her. If she does poorly, she’ll accept my correction. If she does well, I can let her take over the household," Jin Niang smiled.

Jiang Xian thought it a good approach. In other families, land and business were usually handled by men, so women managing households mostly meant drawing a set allowance from outside ledgers for daily expenses. But in his home, his wife managed both external business and internal accounts.

Still, if the daughter-in-law couldn’t even handle internal accounts, she’d have to learn first.

Jiang Xian had assumed his wife’s approach meant she trusted their future daughter-in-law. But in truth, she didn’t blindly believe in high-born status or assume a big dowry meant capability.

There will be quite a show to watch in the future.

The next day, when Lv Qionghua and Ning Geer came over, they presented embroidered gifts to Jin Niang, Jiang Xian, Yun Jieer, and Wei Qilang. Jin Niang smiled and said, "After this, you’ll go pay your respects to the elders at the old residence and return for lunch at noon."

During the wedding ceremony at dusk the previous day, she had caught a glimpse of her parents-in-law, both dressed in the same blue jacquard silk robes, looking remarkably youthful without a trace of age. Today, they were both wearing spring attire—her father-in-law in a deep purple round-collar robe with a yellow sparrow embroidered on the exposed collar, adding a touch of liveliness, while her mother-in-law wore a lotus-root-colored undergarment with a light purple *beizi* (over-garment), its front edges adorned with gold-threaded floral patterns of the four seasons and a yellow sparrow embroidered at the cuffs, paired with an ivory-white pleated skirt.

Even their hairstyles were similar—her father-in-law’s hair was tied up with a hollow five-Buddha gold hair coronet, while her mother-in-law wore a larger version of the same, though with a pearl-veiled comb at the forehead, giving her a gentler appearance.

Her in-laws were shrewd and capable—and utterly devoted to each other—so she had to tread carefully. Offending either would mean trouble, as they were united as one.

After the newlyweds had been married for over a month, Jin Niang observed that Lv Qionghua was genuinely respectful and cautious. Though she had her pampered moments, she was also straightforward and intelligent. So, Jin Niang entrusted her with managing the courtyard at Wangyueju, requiring only monthly account reports.

Encouraged by her mother-in-law’s praise, Lv Qionghua was fired up. She thought to herself, "Mother-in-law usually only asks me to pay respects on the first and fifteenth days of the month, saying I’m frail and taking good care of me. Now that she trusts me so much, I must manage Wangyueju flawlessly to earn my place as the future lady of the house."

Meanwhile, Yun Jieer mused, "People say my mother-in-law, Madam Wei, is shrewd, but in this regard, she’s not as good as my mother. My mother manages people by focusing on the big picture while being lenient with the details. She shows consideration in daily life, making you feel valued, so you naturally put your heart into tasks. That’s far more effective."

Unlike Madam Wei, who struggled to delegate authority—granting only partial control to her sister-in-law while nitpicking endlessly. To avoid criticism, her sister-in-law would choose the safest, most mediocre approach rather than striving for excellence.