Chapter 157 The Grand Finale

Chapter 157 The Final Chapter

"Tell your husband to write to his parents in Daming Prefecture first to share the good news. I’ll have your sister-in-law make arrangements for you, so you can relax for a few days," Jin Niang said to her daughter.

Yun Jieer held the copy of the imperial exam results, finally feeling at ease. "I don’t even know what to say—it feels like a dream."

Jin Niang smiled. "Everyone goes through this. Back when your father ranked first in the Kaifeng Prefecture exams, I felt like I was walking on air, unable to tell what was real and what wasn’t. You might not know this, but at the time, I’d been sewing for so many hours that one day, my eyes shed so many tears, and my lower eyelids and the corners of my mouth kept twitching intermittently. I was afraid I might get Bell’s palsy, but I had no choice—if your father had to wait another round of exams, we’d have needed money for socializing. So when I finally got the news, it truly felt like rain after a long drought."

"Your husband is clever and easygoing, and he treats you well. Even if the Wei family weren’t officials, they’re still wealthy—you’d surely inherit a large sum when the family divides its assets. But I believe that if a person lacks ability, even a fortune might not be enough to protect them. Thankfully, your father listened to me and wasn’t afraid of offending your husband, pushing him to study. Now, after all the struggle, success has finally come. I’m happy for you."

Tearfully, Yun Jieer hugged her mother.

Across the street, Meng Sanlang had also passed, though his ranking was slightly lower than Wei Qilang’s, but both were in the top three. Sun Shichen helped his son-in-law secure a good position—Lin’an Prefecture Registrar—and he was to take office immediately.

Since Wei Qilang and Meng Sanlang were now neighbors and fellow exam passers, Yun Jieer and Eldest Miss Sun often chatted together.

"Do you know where your husband has been assigned?" Eldest Miss Sun asked cheerfully, feeling as though she had finally overcome hardships and had nothing left to fear.

Yun Jieer replied, "Wu County Magistrate."

Wei Qilang already held an official position in The Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and now, as a successful candidate, he was appointed as a local magistrate. It was quite a coincidence—Jiang Xian had once served as County Sheriff in Wu County and knew how prosperous it was. He had initially considered arranging a position in the Pingjiang Army, but Jin Niang said that to truly help someone, you can’t shield them, and real experience comes from local governance.

Even Ning Geer had begun as a Judge.

Without experience in local governance, one could never fully understand the hardships of the people or mature through real challenges.

Eldest Miss Sun smiled. "That’s wonderful—we’ll even be going the same way."

Yun Jieer nodded in agreement.

Each had received advice from their parents. Jin Niang told her daughter, "The Gu family is the most prominent local family. Though they’re not as influential as before, we have a long-standing friendship with them. Also..."

She shared all her connections with her daughter and even wrote several letters for her to deliver.

Yun Jieer listened intently, then heard her mother add, "There’s one more thing I need you to handle. You already know about my estates and shops in Wu County from your time at home. I want you to inspect the Inn for me. If Innkeeper Yao isn’t doing well, write and tell me—but be sure to report honestly."

Manor Manager Fan was reliable, and though his son wasn’t as capable as Fan Si, he was honest. As for Innkeeper Yao, Jin Niang worried she might lose oversight over him in the future, so it was better to address the issue now while her influence was strong.

Yun Jieer nodded. When she returned to pack, she found her husband sitting silently in the room. "You were so quiet—you startled me!" she teased.

Wei Qilang sighed. "I never thought I’d pass. Before the exam, my mother-in-law even hung an embroidered portrait of Wenchang Dijun in my room. Though I’m happy, now that we’re leaving, I feel a little reluctant..."

Living at his aunt’s home had truly felt like his own. She had secretly given him pocket money every year, even renovated his bathroom for him. Ah!

"Is that all? Since when did you become so sentimental? Just excel in your position and achieve something noteworthy. Then, in the future, you and Ning Geer can back each other up in court—wouldn’t that be perfect?" Yun Jieer laughed.

Wei Qilang nodded slowly.

Meanwhile, after seeing off her daughter and son-in-law, Jin Niang took her family out to eat at Huixian Tower using her private savings. Over the past two years, Jiang Xian and Ning Geer had expended considerable effort for Wei Qilang.

By June, for Jin Niang’s birthday, Ning Geer and Lü Qionghua gifted her a pair of crystal lingzhi hairpins and a rosewood screen. The crystal hairpins were rare, and the painted enamel decoration on the screen was exquisite—likely prepared by Lü Qionghua. Jin Niang nodded slightly, pleased that her daughter-in-law hadn’t taken her usual care for granted.

When Madam Wei learned of Wei Qilang’s success, she thanked Jin Niang by presenting her with a pair of fine sandalwood cabinets on her birthday, containing a glass lamp and two boxes of exquisite jewelry—one with gold-inlaid cat’s eye stones, the other with white jade and pearls.

Many others also tried to bribe Jin Niang under the guise of birthday gifts, but she returned them all. She only accepted presents from relatives with whom she had long-standing exchanges. Expensive items from strangers? She wanted none of it—she wasn’t short on money.

Last year, Jin Niang had sold properties in Luoyang along with some stock, totaling 4,000 strings of cash. She took 3,000 strings to purchase three large storefronts, each with two courtyards, setting up a full-service wedding store. It offered everything from bridal gowns and dragon-phoenix quilts to dowry items and even wedding candies. Of course, it included fine brocade work.

She had tasted the sweet profits of running a wedding shop before—it was truly lucrative and allowed collaboration with local matchmakers.

Thinking of this, she called Min Zhi over, "I want you to be the shop manager of this shop. Would you be willing?"

Nowadays, A Ying manages the household, Qing Rong oversees her courtyard, and although Min Zhi is a seamstress, she’s less needed now. Hence, Jin Niang posed the question. Of course, if Min Zhi refused, she had alternatives.

Min Zhi agreed immediately, so Jin Niang drafted what she called a "business plan," detailing how to recruit embroiderers, arrange accommodations, and set themes—everything was specified.

She provided Min Zhi with 200 strings of coins as capital to hire embroiderers and purchase silk threads and fabrics, instructing her to keep careful records every day.

After half a month of planning between mistress and servant, Min Zhi hired two masters each for Su and Shu embroidery through intermediaries, along with four apprentices. She also hired two servants specifically to attend to the embroiderers, ensuring they wouldn’t have to do menial labor.

Following Jin Niang’s previous arrangements, Min Zhi first furnished the shop with furniture, showcased their embroidery, and hung wedding dresses on the racks.

Originally just a needleworker and maid, Min Zhi now received 10% of the shop’s profits, as promised by Jin Niang. Emboldened, she took initiative, even buying some wedding sweets for Jin Niang to sample and deciding which to purchase after bargaining—a first for her, yet she found the obstacles less daunting than expected.

Chen Xiaolang teased, "Madame made her fortune through embroidery—she’s an expert in this. Now that she’s entrusted it to you, don’t slack off."

"As if I don’t know, Manager Chen?" Min Zhi snorted.

The shop was slated to open in August. Jin Niang personally inspected it once, offering a few pointers and remarking, "Next year is the Year of the Dragon, and many plan to marry this year to have dragon children next year. So, prepare some patchwork infant clothes and children’s garments in advance. The rest is fine as is."

Jin Niang had drafts for floral and bird designs, and the master craftsmen for dragon-and-phoenix quilts were old hands.

Master embroiderers earned two taels a month, with an increase of one tael after three years and five taels after ten. Apprentices initially received room and board, earning two maces a month, with gradual raises later.

Don’t underestimate such a wedding shop—it could keep going for years with low costs.

Jiang Xian remarked, "Madame, you lost four thousand taels last year, yet you’re putting up such a sum again this year. I thought you’d save it."

"Money is something to save when you have little, but when you have plenty, you can afford to take risks without jeopardizing the essentials. Besides, I’m sticking to my expertise—how can I go wrong?" Jin Niang laughed.

If the Silk and Velvet Shop’s business ever faltered, renting it out would still be profitable, thanks to its great location.

So, she wasn’t worried.

Wei Yang, at least, was promoted this year to Assistant Director of the Water Bureau in the Ministry of Works, a sixth-rank post—partly due to his brother-in-law’s influence, as official promotions were otherwise hard-earned. Jiang Xian himself had toiled for twenty years before becoming a Hanlin Academician.

Zhang Pingjun invited relatives to celebrate. Jiang Xian couldn’t attend, so Jin Niang brought Ning Geer and his wife, along with Ding Geer. Their residence had expanded from two courtyards to three, and they even moved Luo Yue and Wei Xiong in.

However, Luo Yue and Wei Xiong had spent the past few years renovating their estate, hardly ever visiting Jin Niang, liking the peace of their estate.

"Sister, you’re here! Ning Geer’s wife, come in and sit," Zhang Pingjun greeted them, calling her daughter Ziyi over.

Lv Qionghua waited on Jin Niang. At home, Jin Niang didn’t make her daughter-in-law follow strict rules, allowing them independence, but outside, keeping up appearances was key—lest people criticize Lv Shi for neglecting her mother-in-law.

Because Jin Niang attended, Wei Yang’s superior even sent congratulatory gifts.

The feast was lavish with dishes, fruits, and delicacies. Zhang Pingjun tried to keep them longer, but Jin Niang smiled, "The daughter of Elder Uncle’s family is getting married soon—we must go."

Zhang Pingjun knew Jiang Yan had taken office as prefect of Jiangning. Xu Shi, it was said, had been frequently ill lately, with a tumor on her arm and weak energy—hardly fit for hosting.

Moreover, with Jiang Fang’s rising influence, Jiang Yan might still have a chance to make a comeback, so it was unwise to detain them.

Leaving the Zhang residence, Jin Niang shared a carriage with Ding Geer. Once focused on her eldest children, she now devoted most attention to her youngest son.

She asked, "Today, I heard people call you ‘Jade-Faced Demon’—a nickname your grandmother once had. How did you get it?"

"Mother, you don’t know—even the prefectural school is a dog-eat-dog world. At first, like Brother, I dressed plainly. Some tried to bully me, but they cowered when I revealed my identity. Later, I trained in legwork. Once, someone ambushed me, and I kicked his leg black," Ding Geer explained.

Jin Niang reflected that women, sheltered in their boudoirs and doted on by parents, often remained unaware of the world’s harshness. Men, however, learned early about rivalry, dominance, and social maneuvering.

Especially for someone like Ding Ge'er, who was exceptionally good-looking—being the youngest in the family and strikingly handsome—Jin Niang had always worried he might be bullied, so she kept two young servants and four armed attendants with him at all times.

To her surprise, he turned out to be quite capable of handling himself, and Jin Niang sighed in relief: "As long as you can manage, that’s good."

When Ding Ge'er was little, he mostly wore handed-down clothes from his elder brother. Now that he had grown up, Jin Niang, seeing how handsome her youngest son was, took even greater pleasure in having clothes specially made for him, making him stand out even more.

"Mother, I heard people say Father is getting promoted—is it true?" Ding Ge'er asked.

Jin Niang replied, "Not exactly. Your father has requested the court to lead a campaign against the rebels and has been appointed as the Commissioner of Pacification, so he hasn’t been able to come home these days."

Ding Ge'er finally understood.

During Jiang Xian’s absence, Jin Niang’s days passed quite pleasantly. Her daughter-in-law often visited with her grandson to chat. With the men away during the day, the women simply spent their time talking and drinking tea together.

Early this morning, Lv Qionghua arrived, and Jin Niang smiled, saying, "Perfect timing—I was just about to have breakfast. Come join me."

"Wonderful. I’m lucky to share your meal today," Lv Qionghua said as she took a seat.

However, considering Lv Qionghua’s delicate stomach, Jin Niang had someone fetch porridge for her from Liu Lou: "I rarely visited Liu Lou at Jinliang Bridge before, but after going once, I found they’ve got everything, and the food is delicious."

Unlike most scholars who preferred secluded villas or rural retreats, Jin Niang loved living in bustling cities. Everything she needed—food, drink, liveliness, and convenience—was readily available, and she wasn’t particularly fond of quiet anyway.

After the mother- and daughter-in-law finished their meal, the female managers arrived. Jin Niang didn’t avoid discussing business in front of her daughter-in-law. Today, Min Zhi came to go over the accounts. She reported, "The orders are already booked through next month, so we’ve hired two more assistants at the shop."

Jin Niang smiled and said, "Even though the shop is busy, remember not to let the embroiderers work overnight or rush their work. Most importantly, collect the draft designs as soon as they’re finished—don’t let them leak outside."

She flipped through the ledger and was quite satisfied. In the past, their shop had only two or three embroiderers, with Zhu Xiuniang specializing in wedding quilts and earning a handsome sum. Now, with eight embroiderers, they had nearly five hundred strings of coins in orders this month alone.

Jin Niang would be happy if the Embroidery Shop’s earnings hit around two thousand strings, so she handed the ledger back to Min Zhi.

After Min Zhi left, Luo Da arrived. Lv Qionghua excused herself, not wanting to intrude. Luo Da came to discuss matters concerning the Luoyang estate—since it was the largest, Jin Niang paid close attention to its management. Tenant farmers were not to be oppressed, and any misconduct would result in expulsion or being handed over to the authorities, no matter how significant their contributions.

Once Luo Da departed, Manager Liang arrived. Jin Niang instructed A Ying to give him two thousand taels to purchase raw silk, and had him sign a receipt before concluding the morning’s affairs.

After a midday nap, she worked on needlework for an hour before moving on to designing and organizing sketches. Truthfully, her earlier clothing designs had been quite inspired—some combinations she might not even conceive of now. However, years had passed, and the paper had yellowed, so she needed to redo them.

She worked on her designs in the garden pavilion, where the garden and pleasant weather provided inspiration.

After two hours, Ding Ge'er arrived, and she realized it was dinnertime—her stomach had indeed begun to growl.

The mother and son dined together, with a simple spread of four dishes and a soup. The Jiang household rarely wasted food, as Jin Niang had taught her children from a young age to only take as much as they’d eat.

"Mother, Han Dalang invited me to play horseback polo tomorrow, so I won’t be home for meals," Ding Ge'er said.

Jin Niang smiled. "Go and have fun. Should I ask your brother to pick you up?"

Ding Ge'er quickly shook his head. "Please don’t—I’d never hear the end of it."

Understanding that her son, now grown, cared about his dignity, Jin Niang didn’t stop him. He attended such gatherings often and was used to it by now. She had Zi Teng fetch his riding gear ready, personally ironed and tidied it, before heading to bed.

The next day, since Mrs. Lü had arrived in Bianjing, Lv Qionghua took her child back to her parents’ home. Jin Niang was in the garden pavilion finishing her designs when Lady Zhou the Third came to visit.

In the past, whenever Jin Niang saw Lady Zhou the Third, she was always perfectly groomed and poised, rarely showing any lapse in grace. Today, however, she looked haggard.

"Sister-in-law."

Jin Niang invited her to sit. "What’s the matter, sister?"

Lady Zhou the Third shook her head. "During the years of demotion, life was hard, and I developed a persistent ailment. I know my own body—despite all the tonics my husband procured, there’s been no improvement."

But why tell her all this? Is this about entrusting a child to me?

If it were about entrusting a child, Jin Niang wouldn’t agree either. Jiang Xian held no forgiveness for Jiang Fang—emotionally or politically—as they were sworn adversaries. There was simply no need for such self-righteous acts.

So she merely said, "I happen to have some ginseng and tonics here. Would you like to take them back and see if they help?"

Lady Wednesday waved her hand. "That’s not why I came today. You know, with the current instability in the court, the only thing weighing on my mind is my four sons. If someday... I’d like to ask you, sister-in-law, to look after them a little."

Jin Niang, of course, deflected. Why should she?

Lady Wednesday coughed violently, as if trying to cough up a lung, tears brimming in her eyes. "I’ve overstepped."

"Right now, Elder Brother is the Left Councilor, second only to the emperor. Sister-in-law, it’s best not to dwell on such thoughts," Jin Niang said.

Lady Wednesday sighed and left the Jiang residence. Only then did she confide to her trusted aide, "She’s ice-hearted. No matter what I say, it’s useless. Forget it, I’d better go back."

"Why not try Auntie Sun, the fourth sister?" the aide suggested.

Lady Wednesday shook her head at the mention. Her younger sister was timid and not particularly capable, her own life already a disarray—hardly someone to entrust with such a responsibility. Besides, their houses rose and fell together; if her family fell, the Suns wouldn’t fare well either.

In truth, after Lady Wednesday left, Jiang Fang’s position as chancellor remained largely unaffected. Jin Niang merely noted it to Ning Geer without making a fuss.

Ning Geer, however, remarked, "Maybe it’s a deliberate feigned vulnerability to lull us into lowering our guard."

"That’s possible too," Jin Niang nodded.

By the ninth month, the osmanthus flowers grew even more fragrant, as if on the verge of peaking before their inevitable decline. Jin Niang thought of her husband. Every year around this time, Jiang Xian would gather osmanthus flowers, dry them, and make osmanthus cake for her. Now, three months had passed without a single letter from him.

At least there was one from their daughter, Yun Jieer.

Fortunately, Manager Liang returned safely with the raw silk and arranged for the shop assistants to dye it. By year’s end, Jin Niang received 20,000 taels from him. The storehouse venture had finally turned around, yielding five thousand strings of coin in dividends, while the shipping business contributed another thousand, and the Inn roughly fifteen hundred. This didn’t even include the shops at Jinliang Bridge, tenant rents from various estates, or the Inn’s other earnings—already surpassing a hundred thousand strings in total.

Truth be told, when you’re fixated on a goal, you’ll go to great lengths to reach it. But once you do, there’s an odd hollow feeling.

The hardest part was having no one to share it with. She rarely discussed finances with her children—it wasn’t yet time to divide the family assets. As for her parents, they’d only get flustered and panic at the mere mention. Besides, she didn’t want to bring it up.

Only one person could truly share in her joy—her husband. But he wasn’t home.

At that moment, she missed Jiang Xian terribly.

Was it her imagination, or did she hear someone calling her name at the door?

Jiang Xian returned late at night. He had planned to peek in—if his wife was asleep, he’d crash in the side chamber for the night. If she was awake, he’d join her.

As if their hearts were linked, Jin Niang was indeed awake.

Before he could speak, his wife pulled him onto the bed, bursting to tell him, like steam from a dumpling. Only after listening did he realize, "So you’re saying we now have a fortune of a hundred thousand strings?"

"More than that—over a hundred thousand," Jin Niang laughed.

Jiang Xian couldn’t resist kissing her. "Is this what kept you up? I thought it was because you missed me."

"I did miss you, but I also wanted to tell you as soon as possible," Jin Niang grinned.

Cupping his hand over her eyes, Jiang Xian murmured, "You’ve always been a light sleeper. I’ve kept you up half the night—rest now."

With her eyes shielded, Jin Niang’s world darkened, and she slipped into sleep.

As for Jiang Xian, after suppressing the previous revolt, he had been appointed Vice Commissioner of Military Affairs and Associate in Governance. This time, for his effective handling of the unrest, he was promoted to *Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi* and Grand Scholar of the Jixian Academy.

As for Jiang Fang, due to his colluding with the imperial concubines and his failure in the succession struggle, the crown prince had already been established. His previously radical actions drew fierce opposition from many, and he himself was demoted to Fang County. The emperor decreed that his descendants would forever be barred from holding office in the court. Even the Jiang clan struck him from the clan registry.

Jiang Fang showed no fear at all. As he left Bianjing, he laughed loudly and chanted, "Head held high, I stride from the capital—did you ever think a man like me would stay among the weeds?"

Yet Jiang Xian remarked, "That man will probably never set foot in the capital again."

Meanwhile, far away in Jiangning, Jiang Yan died while in office.

...

The Jiang residence was lively today, with a constant stream of congratulatory guests. Ning Geer and Ding Geer were both busy entertaining visitors, while many others fawned over Jin Niang. Though she smiled and responded to them, she couldn’t help but reflect on how far they’d come.

Once the clamor subsided, she and Jiang Xian shared a drink, both sighing with emotion.

"When we first came to the capital, I never imagined a little maidservant like me would become the wife of a first-rank chancellor," Jin Niang said with a laugh.

Jiang Xian took a sip of wine. "And I never thought a mere junior branch member like me would become chancellor either."

Neither was the sentimental type. After a few sighs, Jiang Xian asked, "You mentioned Yun Jieer sent a letter—how are they doing?"

"I heard that that Jiang girl who never got along with her has become the wife of the Circuit Judge of Liangzhe. I was a little worried, but now that you're chancellor, I won’t just spout platitudes about 'children finding their own way.' As long as our son-in-law does his duties properly, no one would dare give him trouble," Jin Niang replied with a smile.

Jiang Xian chuckled.

The night was still, lamplight bathing the room in gold. Jin Niang and Jiang Xian retired to bed, the room brimming with quiet contentment.

—The End

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