After completing the Guanyin embroidery, Jin Niang rested for half a month before picking up her needle again to make clothes for her husband and children. Over the past few years, she had mostly outsourced the task to tailors, but they never added embroidery—hiring a dedicated embroiderer was too expensive. So, Jin Niang decided to personally craft a set of garments for each family member.
First, she designed a sapphire-blue round-collared robe with peony vine patterns for Jiang Xian, paired with a maroon double-layered inner shirt. She embroidered plum blossoms, bamboo, and parrots on the cuffs and collar, fastened with a matching sash.
When Jin Niang showed the design to Jiang Xian, he pointed at himself in disbelief. "Is this really me?"
"Of course! Doesn’t it look just like you?" Jin Niang replied without batting an eye.
Though Jiang Xian often admired his own reflection, the illustration made him chuckle. "Darling, is this me from ten years ago?"
Jin Niang glanced at her husband and shook her head. "You’re even more dashing now—tall and graceful, enough to make my heart skip a beat."
Jiang Xian pulled her close, nibbling her earlobe as he murmured, "I’ve always been yours, my love."
"Mmm." Even after a decade of marriage, Jin Niang still blushed at such affection.
After some midday intimacy, Jin Niang lounged on the couch with a book and brought up Madam Liu’s unusual request. "Out of nowhere, she wants us to cook for her. You know I barely step into the kitchen—I don’t even want to go."
Jiang Xian stretched lazily. "It’d be rude not to. If she were a stranger, skipping it wouldn’t matter. But since you’re close, she might take it personally."
"What am I supposed to do? Learn cooking just for her? My parents tried to teach me years ago, and I couldn’t be bothered. Why should I bother now?" Jin Niang pouted.
That was his spirited girl. Jiang Xian softened his tone. "Let me teach you one simple dish. There’s a reason behind Madam Liu’s request—her husband, Han Xiao, has lost his appetite to the point where eating is a struggle. She’s probably seeking recipes from skilled homemakers."
Noticing his indulgent tone, Jin Niang admitted she was being stubborn. "Fine, I’ll learn. But you have to teach me."
"Don’t worry. I remember what Han Xiao likes. Once, when you sent food to their house, he ate more than usual—I think presentation matters to him. I’ll show you how to make 'Orange Jade Salad.' No cooking required—just crush pears and oranges, mix with vinegar, salt, and sauce. It’s a perfect side dish for wine." Knowing his wife’s fear of fire, he chose a no-heat recipe.
What a master of cutting corners—and he made it sound so earnest! Jin Niang adored him for it. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "My husband is the best in the whole world."
Jiang Xian patted her head. "I promised I’d take care of you, big or small."
For a moment, the man she often teased as "boyish" suddenly seemed incredibly dependable.
Their sweet moment ended when Sister Jun and Brother Ning returned home in the afternoon. Sister Jun bounded in with a box of pastries. "Mom, Aunt Ruyan gave these to us!"
Jin Niang referred to Ruyan as her sworn sister in public, so the children called her "aunt."
"I’ve told you not to accept gifts casually," Jin Niang chided, wary of her daughter developing a habit of taking things for granted. Corruption started with small indulgences.
Sister Jun grinned. "Don’t worry—I left money on the counter before running off!"
Jin Niang nodded approvingly. "That’s my good girl."
Sister Jun added, "Mom, the Sun family’s son caught a cough, so the sisters went back to Guantao with their mother. Our tutor canceled polo lessons today, saying there aren’t enough players."
Jin Niang had heard about Lady Zhou focusing on her daughters’ education while leaving her son at home. Personally, she’d never leave her children unattended—no matter how capable the servants were, a mother’s care was irreplaceable.
Young children fell ill easily and needed close attention. But she kept her thoughts to herself. "Since there’s no polo, bring your hat back for washing."
After more casual chatter, dinner was served. Once the meal ended, Jiang Xian led Jin Niang to the kitchen.
Juxiang, the cook, had been sipping mutton soup—one perk of her job—and nearly choked when the couple walked in. She hastily stashed the bowl and wiped her mouth. "Madam, sir, do you need something?"
The kitchen was the last place she expected them. Were they here to scold her for snacking? Heaven knew she never skimped on groceries or padded expenses!
Jiang Xian cleared his throat. "The madam is learning to cook. Fetch some oranges and pears."
Juxiang darted to the well, hauling up a basket of fruit kept cool in the water. She handed them over, relieved Jin Niang hadn’t noticed her guilty snack.
Jiang Xian deftly peeled the fruit, demonstrating the steps. Jin Niang scribbled notes as he worked. "Wait! How many spoonfuls of vinegar did you add? You went too fast!"
"Just a dash—I never measure. It depends on the portion," Jiang Xian said.
Jin Niang sighed. "Fine, I’ll follow your amounts today. Once I’ve mastered it, I’ll improvise like you."
Her earnestness was adorable. Jiang Xian laughed until his cheeks hurt. "One cooking session every ten years?"
He’d once heard her mother say Jin Niang cooked during a diet phase—then hired help the moment she lost weight.
Jin Niang swatted him. "Must you expose me like that?"
"Hahaha!" Jiang Xian doubled over with laughter.
After perfecting the recipe the next day, Jin Niang finally relaxed—until Lady Wei summoned her. Puzzled, she had Fan Si prepare the carriage.
Nowadays, Liu Dou'er handled Jiang Xian’s affairs—documents, correspondence, and social matters. Chen Xiaolang managed household duties for Jin Niang, while Fan Si oversaw her transportation.
When Jin Niang arrived, she was greeted by a trusted confidante of Madam Wei, who exclaimed upon seeing her, "Third Aunt, it's so good you've come."
"What exactly is the matter? Why the urgency?" Jin Niang was puzzled.
The confidante replied, "Since this morning, our mistress has refused to eat or drink. The physician was called, and he said her mind seems clouded. The Fourth Aunt invited some Taoist priests to chant scriptures outside, but there's been no improvement."
Jin Niang thought to herself that such a condition couldn't arise without reason. Chanting scriptures and praying to Buddha were mere superstitions. She was the type whose courage grew in the face of crisis, so she calmly walked inside. The confidante followed, remarking that this half-adopted Third Aunt had an unexpected composure in emergencies.
At that moment, Madam Wei lay on the bed, surrounded by several female relatives from the clan, whom Jin Niang knew well. Though not a true aunt of the Wei family, Jin Niang held status as the wife of the local magistrate, which naturally set her apart.
Jin Niang checked Madam Wei's breathing and sighed in relief. "She's still breathing—likely a sudden fainting spell."
Perhaps because Jin Niang had once written a medical-themed script in her past life and researched extensively—even having a screenwriter friend who'd experienced something similar—she vaguely recalled a condition called vasovagal syncope. Though she couldn't be certain, she assumed it wasn’t serious.
She instructed, "There shouldn’t be too many people in the sickroom. I’ll stay here for now. If she doesn’t wake within the hour, summon the Xun Medical Hall for acupuncture. Ying, fetch some salt and water from the kitchen."
Once she wakes, replenishing electrolytes should suffice.
Seeing Jin Niang’s confidence, the others withdrew. Jin Niang forbade anyone from moving Madam Wei unnecessarily. The physician’s diagnosis aligned with hers—fainting, nothing more.
Fortune favors the bold. If anything happened to Madam Wei, the Wei family might blame her. But if Madam Wei recovered, Jin Niang would earn their gratitude.
With this in mind, she told Ying, "Bring the Guanyin on Lotus Throne embroidery I made—let it stand guard here."
This Guanyin image would also serve as an aura enhancer. An ordinary Guanyin embroidery might sell for fifty strings of cash, but with the right aura, ignorant buyers might pay two hundred.
If she ever returned to her old trade, selling just these embroideries could ensure a comfortable life.
After Ying left, Wei Qilang rushed in. Jin Niang was surprised. "Qilang, why are you here? Be a good boy—your mother is just resting. Go back to your studies."
"Third Aunt, I sneaked in. Is my mother alright?" Qilang asked anxiously.
Jin Niang knew Madam Wei doted on her youngest son. Qilang’s elder brother was already married and serving with his father at his post, but Qilang disliked travel, so Madam Wei stayed with him in their hometown.
Naturally, their bond was deep, which explained Qilang’s worry.
"Don’t fret. I’m here—do you doubt me?" Jin Niang smiled.
Seeing Qilang still standing there dumbly, she softened. "How about this? Fetch paper and brushes. We’ll copy scriptures together for your mother, alright?"
They didn’t need to fetch anything themselves; servants soon brought the supplies. Jin Niang and Qilang began copying scriptures, chatting intermittently. Jin Niang was the type who could strike up a conversation with anyone—even a stray dog—and having two children of her own, she easily engaged Qilang.
"So, after studying, you always have a midnight snack?"
Qilang nodded. "Yes."
"What do you like?"
"Plum Blossom Noodle Soup, but it’s only available in winter."
Jin Niang chuckled. "That soup aids digestion and clears lung heat. Well-made, it’s quite nourishing." She mused inwardly—this boy had refined tastes. Plum Blossom Noodle Soup wasn’t just tossing blossoms into broth. It involved washing and mincing plum blossoms, steeping them in sandalwood-infused water, mixing the paste with flour to form dumpling wrappers, then cutting them into plum-shaped slices before simmering in chicken broth.
They chatted awhile longer before resuming their scripture copying. After an hour, Madam Wei stirred awake. Jin Niang quickly had someone feed her salted water. Seeing her still weak, Jin Niang forbade movement and summoned the physician again.
When Madam Wei awoke to Jin Niang at her bedside and Qilang nearby, she felt reassured. Yet Jin Niang claimed no credit. Once the physician confirmed recovery required only rest, she left with her Guanyin embroidery.
Later, the confidante—who’d discreetly received a pair of two-tael gold bracelets from Jin Niang—enthusiastically praised her: "We were all panicking. Eighth Aunt even suggested preparing funeral items. But Third Aunt checked your breathing, brought her Guanyin embroidery, had us prepare salted water, and copied scriptures with Qilang. We thought it was just superstition, yet you woke!"
"So, I owe her my recovery," Madam Wei remarked.
The confidante smiled. "Indeed."
Madam Wei glanced at her. "In these two years, I’ve noticed she never flaunts her kindness, yet in crises, she’s more reliable than blood relatives."
Though the confidante praised Jin Niang, she feared suspicion and probed, "Do you think Third Aunt seeks a marriage alliance with our family?"
Madam Wei shook her head. "I once hinted about Sister Jun’s betrothal. She said arranged childhood marriages are unreliable—better to wait until the girl grows and matches her temperament."
The confidante stayed silent as Madam Wei mused, "Yet the Jiang family boasts two scholars. Jiang Xian is young, reputable, capable, and their household is prosperous."
...
Upon returning home, Jin Niang recounted the events to Jiang Xian. "Madam Wei is kin to Madam Wu. If Elder Wu recommends you, it’d be ideal."
"My wife is truly far-sighted," Jiang Xian admired. Unlike others who rushed to curry favor, Jin Niang built connections steadily, seizing opportunities.
Of course, had she not embroidered the Guanyin or had the means, it wouldn’t have unfolded so smoothly.
After Madam Wei recovered, Jin Niang visited once more before departing for an appointment with Madam Liu.
Madam Liu greeted Madam Ji and Jin Niang with a slight nod. After some leisurely sightseeing, Jin Niang, who didn’t need to cook, had already prepared dishes in advance. She stood nearby and said, "I’m not very skilled in the kitchen, so I’ve only made some simple dishes to go with wine. Please don’t take offense, Madam."
"Don’t say such things," Madam Liu replied. "This is just for fun."
Jin Niang thought to herself that although they had once been on good terms, now that Madam Liu’s husband held a higher official position, she ought to be more cautious with her words. So she smiled and said, "I truly admire your knife skills. The way you prepare dishes like lychee-glazed kidney is something I could never master in a lifetime."
Hearing such flattery, Madam Liu merely smiled faintly. As a woman from a prominent family, she carried herself with subtlety—no one could easily tell whether she was pleased or displeased.
Meanwhile, Madam Ji labored over a pot of chicken soup, loaded with expensive ingredients like wild herbs and ginseng. She didn’t care whether others liked it or not—as long as it was costly, it was good enough for her.
In contrast, Madam Lan’s dish of rabbit meat with scallion oil was truly impressive.
Madam Lan, the daughter of a noble family, was straightforward by nature. Back when Madam Qian was still around, both she and Jin Niang had served under her. Now that Madam Lan had gained Madam Liu’s favor, Jin Niang was happy for her.
Soon, Madam Lan became a frequent guest at Madam Liu’s residence. As for Jin Niang, since her husband Jiang Xian was already on good terms with Han Xiao, she saw no need to go out of her way to cultivate relationships through the wives. Maintaining a polite facade was enough.
After all, socializing among wives was usually meant to facilitate connections between their husbands. But since the men were already acquainted, Jin Niang allowed herself some laziness.
Sure enough, when the Double Ninth Festival arrived, Han Xiao invited Jiang Xian to climb the mountains together. The two men traveled incognito. Jin Niang helped her husband change into fresh clothes and asked, "Should you bring your poetry pouch? You scholars always get inspired and start reciting verses on a whim."
"My dear, I’d like to take the pouch you made for me before," Jiang Xian said, clearly fond of the embroidered pouch Jin Niang had crafted.
Jin Niang smiled. "Very well, I’ll pack it for you. And some snacks, handkerchiefs, and pouches—let the servants carry those."
Jiang Xian agreed readily.
As for Jin Niang, she stayed home with the children, playing on the swings in the Linglong Pavilion. She didn’t go out. When the children tired themselves out, they played board games or chess while Jin Niang rested on the couch.
Their household was usually peaceful, with just the right amount of liveliness. If someone too boisterous were to visit, the tranquility would be disrupted.
Unexpectedly, Madam Liu arrived at their doorstep. Jin Niang hurried to welcome her and saw that Madam Liu had brought two boys and a girl with her. Jin Niang had heard that Han Xiao had been married for years without children until Madam Liu entered the household. Even then, it took three years before she bore a son, while his first son and a daughter came from concubines.
Still, Jin Niang admired Madam Liu for treating all the children equally—far more wisely than Madam Ji, whose household was constantly embroiled in disputes between wives and concubines.
After ushering them inside, Jin Niang asked Sister Jun to take the younger children to the backyard to play. She then had tea and fruits served before saying with a smile, "My husband left early this morning, and I was just wondering how to pass the time. I didn’t expect such esteemed guests to visit."
Madam Liu chided her lightly. "Why so formal? We’re both relatives and old friends. The way we acted before was just for appearances."
Seeing Madam Liu so warm, Jin Niang relaxed and reminisced with her. "How are our relatives in the capital? We’ve been away for so long, we’ve lost touch."
Since the Jiang brothers had both passed the imperial exams, their family’s status had risen considerably. Madam Liu smiled. "Your sister-in-law just had another daughter. When we left, they were preparing for the baby’s first birthday celebration. And Xuan'er is already betrothed—to the daughter of a high-ranking official in the Bureau of Military Affairs, the Wu family."
"That family?" Jin Niang was surprised.
Madam Liu raised an eyebrow. "Do you know them?"
Jin Niang nodded. "The previous prefect’s daughter-in-law was also a Wu. We’ve had some dealings with them, so I wondered if it might be the same family. And it is!"
"What a coincidence. By the way, I heard the Ji family’s term is coming to an end?" Madam Liu swiftly changed the subject.
Jin Niang confirmed. "This should be their third year in Daming Prefecture. Their tenure must be nearly over. There are several vacancies in our office—has the new judge been appointed yet?"
Madam Liu was well-informed. "Yes, that’s actually what I came to discuss. The new judge is surnamed Xia. He was once my father’s student. He’s decent enough, but his wife is notorious—a real shrew. She picks fights over the smallest things. Rumor has it she’d swat a mosquito if it dared buzz near her. Xia had a bright future, but once, a superior sent him two pretty maids as a gift. His wife beat them so badly it caused a scandal, and his career stalled because of it."
"We wouldn’t send him women, so we should be fine, right?" Jin Niang said.
Madam Liu waved a hand. "It’s not just that. This woman loves stirring up trouble—gossiping, meddling, and turning people against each other. I wanted to warn you in advance so there won’t be misunderstandings between us once she arrives."
Jin Niang looked grateful. "Thank you for telling me. The last thing I’d want is to accidentally offend someone and ruin our good relationship."
"My thoughts exactly," Madam Liu said, relieved.
But her main purpose for visiting wasn’t just this. After some more small talk, she asked casually, "I heard your Wei relatives are based here in Daming Prefecture?"
Now Jin Niang understood why Madam Liu had suddenly become so friendly again—it was because of her distant ties to the influential Wei family. Keeping her tone neutral, she replied, "Yes, though they’re distant relatives. We’ve acknowledged the connection, but they’re a noble house, and we’re just humble folk. It wouldn’t do to presume too much."
Madam Liu chuckled. "If you’re family, there’s always some bond. Calling it ‘presumptuous’ is too harsh."
"You’re right," Jin Niang agreed politely.
Madam Liu found Jin Niang’s constant self-effacement a bit tiresome, but Jin Niang knew that if she acted as an equal, Madam Liu might soon feel she was overstepping. This distance was safest.
After a few more perfunctory exchanges, they parted ways.
When Judge Xia arrived with his family, Magistrate Ji was reassigned to a lower-ranking post in another district.
Jin Niang had never gotten along with Madam Ji, so she saw no need to attend any farewell gatherings. However, Madam Zhou, who was close to Madam Ji due to their mutual connection with Old Madam Wang, still sent parting gifts.
Madam Ji’s expression was grim. Never one for tact, she complained to Madam Zhou the moment she saw her, "After all, we’re the vice-prefect of Daming Prefecture, yet now we’re being sent down to govern a minor prefecture. Once you take a step down, how can you ever climb back up?"
Madam Zhou didn’t know how to comfort her.
Jin Niang, however, thought to herself that this Madam Wu, who appeared so gracious and magnanimous with her impeccable reputation, had actually dealt the cruelest blow. Truly, revenge is a dish best served cold.
