Chapter 156

Chapter 156

Clearly, Lv Qionghua wasn’t one for grand gestures, but she was methodical. After reviewing her account records, Jin Niang couldn’t help but praise, "The way you keep the books is excellent—everything’s clear at a glance."

"Thank you for the praise, Mother. I’m flattered," Lv Qionghua replied, delighted by her mother-in-law’s approval.

Jin Niang smiled. "Why are you standing? Sit down. How are you feeling? Keeping up okay?"

In truth, Lv Qionghua’s past "illness" had really just been stress. Now, with her husband’s career flourishing and her mother-in-law’s affection, she was in excellent spirits. Moreover, most of the staff in her courtyard answered to her, so she only needed to manage expenses and collect funds.

Thus, when Jin Niang asked, Lv Qionghua quickly nodded. "I’m doing well."

"You know your own body better than I do. If you’re unwell, don’t push yourself. Just tell the kitchen staff what you’d like to eat," Jin Niang said.

Lv Qionghua gave a light cough. "The kitchen already prepares dishes I enjoy. Yesterday, I even had an extra bowl of rice."

Jin Niang glanced at her, noting her good complexion, and nodded slightly. "That’s good. Our household isn’t large, so don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need."

Lv Qionghua found these words comforting. She then withdrew the next month’s allowance—sixteen guan—for the servants’ wages and meals in Wangyueju. With staples like rice, flour, oil, eggs, and firewood already provided, this sum was more than enough.

After all, Lv Qionghua also received a monthly allowance of five strings of coins. If she wanted anything beyond the standard meals, she could easily afford it herself.

In this way, Jin Niang’s household expenses, including servants’ wages, amounted to five hundred strings of coins annually.

This didn’t even include the children’s allowances, which added another two hundred strings. Fortunately, Ning Geer’s salary was also two hundred strings, just about breaking even.

Additionally, the garden’s trees, bamboo, and flowers could be sold for extra income, offsetting some expenses. This was how they managed to save. You can’t pinch pennies too hard—gotta watch both what comes in and what goes out, but the most important thing was to avoid habitual waste.

Jin Niang had her own stash, all from her embroidery work, such as the Guanyin embroidery and floral-and-bird screens. Jiang Xian, on the other hand, made his side income from calligraphy gigs. That way, they could pocket all the shop rents.

For instance, shops in Wuxian might eventually become unmanageable or unprofitable. While they were still profitable, it was wise to save a substantial sum. Later, if needed, they could sell without overreaching.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, their velvet thread shop in Bianjing made a huge profit—a cool ten thousand taels of silver in just six months.

Jiang Xian and Jin Niang carried the money to the cellar together. Jiang Xian grinned, "At this rate, the sky’s the limit."

"All this is only possible because you and your father hold official positions, ensuring smooth transactions with your name. Otherwise, regular merchants wouldn’t stand a chance. Right now, we source raw silk from Huzhou at low prices. If that becomes inconvenient in the future, it’s better to close the shop and collect rent. The savvy turn a profit; the clueless go under," Jin Niang said.

They earned money but weren’t greedy for it. Jiang Xian admired his wife’s lack of greed.

Still, he asked curiously, "So, love, how much do we need socked away before we call it quits?"

"A hundred thousand guan, at least. That’s the goal," Jin Niang replied with a shy smile.

Later, when their two sons divided the family assets—shops, land, businesses, and servants—the cash would remain for the couple’s own use. Cash in hand means peace of mind for both of us.

As for their sons, the capable ones will do fine; the rest won’t starve with land to fall back on.

Jiang Xian looked at his wife. "I had no idea you’d planned this far out."

And every plan had him in it.

"Of course. Feel better now?" Jin Niang met her husband’s gaze, knowing him well.

Jiang Xian leaned against her shoulder. "With you, I’ve got nothing to fear."

Jin Niang laughed. "You’re the reason I can chase my dreams worry-free."

The two were downright lovey-dovey. The next day, during his day off, Jiang Xian even painted a portrait of Jin Niang—exquisitely detailed. Jin Niang thought it looked airbrushed, but she loved it anyway.

Once the portrait was finished, Jin Niang decided to set up a meal in the flower pavilion and invited both Yun Jieer's family and Ning Geer's family. They arrived quickly, and Jiang Xian said, "Today, your mother is treating you with her personal savings."

Jin Niang smiled and said, "It just so happens that someone bought eight peony embroidery screens from me a few days ago, earning me some money, so I’m treating everyone."

Lv Qionghua looked at her mother-in-law, surprised by her skill and the fact that she spoke about it so candidly. Since her own needlework wasn’t very good, she was always amazed by the various embroidered portraits her mother-in-law displayed.

"Mother, whenever there’s something good, you always think of us," Ning Geer said.

Yun Jieer chimed in, "Exactly."

Her needlework was passable, but she lacked her mother’s drive to actually earn money from embroidery. Jin Niang worked on it constantly, whether busy or not, always turning a profit. These earnings didn’t belong to the family’s shops or lands, so they were her own private money.

After the meal, Jin Niang gave everyone a small gift. Ning Geer received a jar of olives, Lv Qionghua and Yun Jieer each got a painted round fan, Ding Geer was given a pair of golden carp, Wei Qilang received a pair of fine leather boots, Jiaojiao and Shi Geer both got oil-paper umbrellas, with Shi Geer also receiving a wooden whistle as an extra. Jiang Xian was given a green gauze hat.

The gifts weren’t extravagant, but they were meant to be little delights.

Lv Qionghua loved the fan painting. "This fan is like a whole landscape—so beautiful."

"I think so too. These fans are flying off the shelves at Donghua Gate," Jin Niang said with a smile.

Lv Qionghua, who used to stay stuck indoors, was delighted to receive a gift. Wei Qilang was even happier—he was one to covet what others have.

Additionally, the eldest daughter of the Gu family, skilled in intricate crafts, sent over a potted creation, which Jin Niang had placed in the pavilion for everyone to admire.

Such gatherings were nothing new for the Jiang children, but the newcomers, Wei Qilang and Lv Qionghua, found them delightful. After the party, Lv Qionghua walked back to Wangyue Residence with Ning Geer and remarked, "Mother is truly kind. She knows I love lotus seed soup and filled a whole jar for me of candied lotus seeds."

"Of course. My mother likes you very much. But let me tell you, she’s the type who returns kindness ten times over—and the opposite is also true," Ning Geer said, knowing his mother had been exceptionally good to his wife so far, even excusing her from formalities and letting her rest more, only managing their own courtyard.

But if Lv Qionghua crossed the line, things wouldn’t go well in the future.

Though usually sharp, Lv Qionghua just gave a silly grin. "I already knew that."

Ning Geer took off his cloak and draped it over her. "You’re delicate—be careful not to catch a chill."

Lv Qionghua blushed slightly.

By year’s end, after her daughter-in-law had been married for half a year, Madam Meng quietly asked Jin Niang, "How is she doing?"

"It’s still early. She’s always been delicate—I just hope she stays healthy and safe," Jin Niang replied sincerely. Just the other day, when Jin Niang’s face was peeling, Lv Qionghua had given her own herbal salve, which worked wonders.

With such a wonderful daughter-in-law, why fuss over trifles?

Madam Meng was left disgruntled.

Yun Jieer and Lv Qionghua got on well too, both fond of tinkering with cosmetics. They often met to make ointments together, with Yun Jieer teaching her skincare routines. Lv Qionghua would then try them on Ning Geer, keeping their home lively with laughter.

Jin Niang spent her days managing household affairs, doing needlework, sleeping, and reading—living quite contentedly.

At year’s end, the Luoyang Silk and Velvet Shop sent 10,000 taels, while tenant rents came to 950 strings of cash. The Bianjing Silk and Velvet Shop contributed 13,000 taels, with other income remaining steady.

Altogether, the silver and copper coins added up to roughly 70,000 strings.

Since Jin Niang couldn’t dip into these funds, she used 100 strings from her private savings to buy new clothes for the family, give bonuses to the servants, and prepare New Year goods. With Lv Qionghua and Yun Jieer assisting, her workload lightened considerably.

Wei Qilang received three new outfits and two hair clasps for the New Year. Instead of taking Ning Geer to social events, Jiang Xian, knowing his son would take the provincial exams next year, had him refine his strongest essays and personally introduced him to renowned scholars.

Ning Geer often chatted with Wei Qilang, recalling their childhood nights when they’d accompany Jiang Xian to visit scholars, laughing heartily.

Yun Jieer, about to enter, heard their laughter and ultimately decided not to interrupt.

Though her husband was once highly favored, now, though everything at home is comfortable, he still lacks an official title. He used to think that with the Wei family around, even the Six Ministers would defer to him, the son of a prime minister. Only now does he realize that one can only earn others' respect through their own efforts.

After the New Year, Lv Qionghua became pregnant. At eighteen, in the bloom of her beauty, she appeared so fragile and shy upon learning of her pregnancy that even women couldn’t help but feel tender toward her. Jin Niang wrote to Mrs. Lü in Luoyang and personally instructed the kitchen to take good care of her, also discussing what to do and avoid with Ning Geer.

As for household management, Lv Qionghua continued to oversee it. She felt that assigning tasks wasn’t heavy work, and though Jin Niang noticed her slight timidity, the physician assured them the fetus was healthy, so she agreed.

After returning from Moonview Pavilion, Jin Niang said to Jiang Xian, "In a few months, we’ll have a grandchild. Back in Daming Prefecture, you sighed about how quickly time passed—now it’s my turn to sigh. Our son is about to have a child of his own."

"But wife, how is it that you haven’t changed at all?" Jiang Xian marveled sincerely. Despite all the family had been through, even as a mother-in-law, she remained the same—saving money with him and managing each day meticulously.

Jin Niang laughed. "Flatterer."

Jiang Xian exhaled. The court was now a labyrinth, and being part of it felt like calm waters hiding turbulent undercurrents.

Mrs. Lü soon arrived from Luoyang. Seeing her daughter had a private kitchen, didn’t need to pay morning respects, had a room full of nourishing gifts from the family, and even had an imperial physician checking her pulse every ten days with attentive servants, she was reassured.

"Mother, everything is fine here. My mother-in-law and younger sister-in-law take good care of me, and even my husband, despite my pregnancy, sleeps in the study," Lv Qionghua said, genuinely happy by the end.

"You’ve married into a rare, good family. Count your blessings," Mrs. Lü replied, having little else to advise. She knew staying too long as a maternal relative might make others think she lacked trust.

Fortunately, though Lv Qionghua occasionally felt unwell, Jin Niang and Yun Jieer, both experienced and caring, quickly helped her through it.

Once the pregnancy stabilized, Jin Niang let out a sigh of relief.

"Grandmother!" Jiaojiao called out, flying her kite in the garden as Jin Niang approached from the waterside pavilion.

Jin Niang looked up. "Jiaojiao, you’re so skilled—your kite is flying so high! Are you hot? Should I have some drinks brought over?"

Jiaojiao bit her lip. "I want sweetened shaved ice."

"Alright, I’ll have someone buy it for you. Are you done playing? If so, let’s rest in the main room." Jin Niang yawned, having slept poorly the night before. The morning chill made her right eye twitch, so she planned to apply a warm compress upon returning.

The temperature swings were drastic these days—cool in the morning but scorching by noon.

Jiaojiao agreed, and the grandmother and granddaughter headed back. While Jiaojiao went to wash up, Jin Niang applied the warm compress. Soon after, the sweetened shaved ice arrived.

"So delicious," Jiaojiao murmured, savoring it with closed eyes.

Jin Niang laughed, "Delicious, eat more."

Jiaojiao shared her thoughts: "Before, whatever I asked Father to buy, he’d bring it. But now he’s always out and forgets."

Jin Niang replied, "Your father is busy with the imperial exams—he hardly has time to breathe, let alone buy things for you. From now on, just tell me or your mother what you need."

Preparing for the exams required submitting writings in advance. Though Jiang Xian had guided him earlier, Wei Qilang still had to attend literary gatherings and make his own way. For someone once so high-ranking, stooping to this was no easy feat.

Yet, in a way, the exams also tested one’s mentality.

By August, Wei Qilang passed the Provincial Exam, bringing joy to the family. However, since he qualified through the special exemption track, the Metropolitan Exam remained a hurdle. Until then, he was ordered to focus solely on studying—writing ten poems, essays, and policy discourses daily. Jiang Xian and Ning Geer reviewed them at night, and the next day, Wei Qilang revisited incomplete or weak arguments, repeating the cycle.

Wei Qilang groaned to Yun Jieer, "This is killing me..."

Yun Jieer laughed. "Many would envy your opportunities! Keep at it—tomorrow I’ll pamper you, how about that?"

Encouraged by his loving wife, Wei Qilang perked up a little.

Meanwhile, Ding Geer was admitted to the Kaifeng Prefectural School. However, Ning Geer and the family had additional concerns, so they had him stay home, leaving early and returning late from studies each day.

Household feasts were nearly all canceled, and even this year's Mid-Autumn Festival was just a small gathering in the garden. They had Ning Geer deliver lavish gifts to Sixth Master Jiang at the old residence.

In September, Lü Qionghua gave birth to a son, and Jin Niang was delighted for her. With her delicate health, constant childbearing wouldn’t be wise, so having a son early meant she had done her duty in society’s eyes and could rest easier.

Before this, Jin Niang had noticed Lü Qionghua’s growing anxiety—even Madam Meng had asked her privately whether the new bride was pregnant yet.

Jin Niang had just received two rounds of dividends. She had previously invested 5,000 strings of coins in a shipping business, and this year, they sent her 1,000 strings in return. Whenever others tried to persuade her to invest further, she simply ignored them.

"Is that all?" Jiang Xian was somewhat dissatisfied.

Jin Niang rolled her eyes. "That’s already a lot! This isn’t the Silk and Velvet Shop—they have their own costs to cover. From what I’ve seen, even tea shops, unless they’re exceptionally profitable, rarely make more than 5,000 strings from ten stores combined."

Because Jin Niang had been embroidering for years, she noticed the rising prices of silk and velvet and realized the business potential. With capital on hand, she could easily drop thousands of taels in bulk purchases—something not everyone could afford.

Moreover, Jiang Xian and Ning Geer’s official positions kept people in line.

Jiang Xian gave a guilty chuckle. "My mistake, alright?"

"Always so shrewd outside, yet you talk nonsense with me—you’re doing it on purpose," Jin Niang shot him a look.

While Jin Niang continued saving, Zhou Si found herself with more spare cash. With only one son, Rui Geer, at home, she already had a house ready for his future marriage, and a bride price of 500 strings would suffice.

Sun Shichen was now serving as the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs, overseeing official promotions. Zhou Si, leveraging her role as a Complete Fortune Matron, had earned nearly 1,000 strings, and with additional gifts, her total easily reached 3,000 strings.

This time, they didn’t hoard all the money—instead, they spent 2,000 strings to buy a small storefront, renting it out for business and securing a steady income.

This idea had come from Eldest Miss Sun. This year, Meng Sanlang had passed the Provincial Exam, and according to his tutor, he had shot for the stars but landed in the trees.

If her husband succeeded next year, her father’s position could help give him a leg up.

"I heard the Jiang family’s son-in-law also passed the Provincial Exam this time?" Zhou Si asked.

Eldest Miss Sun smiled. "You mean Wei Qilang? Yes, he had already passed before but later received an official post through family connections. After joining the Jiang family, they arranged for him to take the imperial exams."

"His father-in-law is in the Hanlin Academy—he might call in favors," Zhou Si remarked, surprised that Jiang Xian had never faced demotion or become a laughingstock in this lifetime.

Eldest Miss Sun shook her head. "Who knows? But if you had such connections, wouldn’t you use them?"

Zhou Si added, "Thanks to your idea of selling old clothes and turning unwanted gifts—tea, fabric—into silver, we could afford that shop."

"It wasn’t my idea. I once saw the Jiang family’s servants transporting goods and asked Mrs. Jiang about it—she was the one who told me." Eldest Miss Sun also had unused items that she converted into money.

Jin Niang hadn’t always done this, but with new clothes made every year, wearing them only a few times before storing them away felt wasteful. Chen Xiaolang had found a trustworthy middleman, and after comparing options, Jin Niang regularly sold off excess items for extra income.

Of course, she kept particularly fine garments and jewelry—her fur coats, padded jackets, gauze robes, and summer clothes took up two whole closets.

However, this year also brought losses. In the latter half, Manager Cao traveled to Huzhou to purchase goods, but heavy rain during the voyage ruined the unprotected cargo, resulting in 4,000 taels down the drain. Jin Niang didn’t demand repayment—she simply had him clear the remaining stock and sent Liu Douer to sell the shopfront for a paltry 100 taels.

When Manager Liang in Bianjing heard about Manager Cao’s misfortune, he felt both sympathy and a warning to stay sharp.

Manager Cao had built a fortune for his family through the Silk and Velvet Shop and had just bought a house—who could have predicted such a disaster? Fortunately, the proprietor didn’t demand compensation, or he would have been ruined, forced to sell the clothes off his back.

Jin Niang handled the matter decisively, not one to clutch her purse strings.

While others might have agonized over such a loss, Jin Niang merely slept it off like nothing happened, telling Jiang Xian, "They say, 'Silver gone, sorrow done.' Look—our daughter-in-law had a smooth delivery, and our son-in-law passed the exam. That’s what truly matters."

"Wife, aren’t you upset at all?" Jiang Xian studied her expression—this wasn’t 40 taels, but 4,000!

Jin Niang shrugged. "Manager Cao earned me plenty in the past. Let it go. Besides, I’ve already disposed of that shop—we’ll just live off the rent from now on."

Fortunately, the Silk and Velvet Shop in Bianjing earned twenty thousand taels this year, which helped offset previous deficits.

After the New Year, Wei Qilang was about to take the Metropolitan Exam. Almost everyone who spoke to him brought up the topic, which added to his pressure, but also gave him some reassurance—after all, the daily practice of ten essays wasn’t for nothing.

Moreover, his father-in-law had mentioned that Master Wei’s health was declining. If he failed this time, he might have to observe the three-year mourning period due to filial obligations, and by then, it was uncertain whether the Jiang family could still support him.

Wei Qilang knew full well that the Jiang family had been more devoted to him than his own kin. His father-in-law and brother-in-law had reviewed his essays, hired renowned tutors, and even scaled back the grand celebration for his grandson’s hundredth-day ceremony—all for his sake. Now, he had no choice but to go all out.

In the dim candlelight of the morning, his wife prepared his examination basket—the very one his father-in-law had used back in the day, a gesture for good luck. As he reached the door, he turned back to glance at her. "Take care, Yun Jieer."

Yun Jieer nodded with a smile, though an inexplicable pang of sorrow struck her. Her husband might think he had never worked so hard in his life, but she knew the whole family had sacrificed for him—not truly for his sake, but for hers.

This kind of help demanded no repayment. They gained nothing from it, yet they wore themselves out for her sake.

Fortunately, Wei Qilang fought with his back against the wall and ultimately passed the Metropolitan Exam, ranking first among the third-tier graduates at the Donghua announcement.

Jin Niang read the copied list of successful candidates, which stated: First in the third tier—Wei Jun, courtesy name Shenji, childhood name Qilang, both parents living, age twenty-six, born on the eighth day of the sixth month at the hour of Xu, maternal surname Zeng. Excelled in poetic prose, passed in one attempt. Elder brother Qi, Prefect of Yongzhou; elder brother Chi, Reviewer at the Court of Judicial Review. Married to Jiang Shi. Great-grandfather Feng'an posthumously honored as Secretariat Director by virtue of grandson Bi; grandfather Heling, Vice Minister of Rites, posthumously honored as Grand Guardian; father Bi, Co-Chief of the Secretariat-Chancellery. Native of Daming Prefecture, Hebei, registered under father’s household.