The spring rain fell in a continuous drizzle, its touch on the skin soft and tingling. Jin Niang handed her husband a sky-blue oil-paper umbrella and waited for him to open it before stepping under it to stand with him.
The couple was preparing to go to the old family residence. An event as significant as Jiang Yan resigning from his official post was something his brother couldn't possibly ignore.
After helping Jin Niang into the carriage, Jiang Xian quickly got in himself. With a somewhat smug tone, he said to Jin Niang, "Usually, my elder sister-in-law always uses her status as the sister-in-law of the Chancellor of the Jixian Hall to look down on you. Let's see how she puts on airs now."
"While I should probably be advising you that 'fortune's wheel is ever turning,' I must admit I feel a sense of vindication too. It might seem petty, but I was never one to claim to be a noble gentleman," Jin Niang raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled at Jiang Xian. "Speaking of which, it's all thanks to my husband being so good to me."
Jiang Xian felt a little embarrassed. "I was afraid you'd think I wasn't being gentlemanly enough."
Jin Niang shook her head. "Back when the Wei Family recommended you to the Chancellor, and he arranged a position for you, you performed excellently. We've always been diligent in our social visits during all the seasonal festivals, and I just sent over some tonics. However, you are a court official, not his personal subordinate. Your duty is to serve the court and the Emperor with loyalty. Who could possibly fault you for that?"
Jiang Xian nodded. "Don't worry, my dear. I will perform well wherever I am."
"That's the right attitude. However, one must not lack principles entirely. The Chancellor is one thing, as the Wei Family was your original recommender. But Councilor Shen recommended you back in Pingjiang, and now, as a Grand Councilor, he has promoted you immediately. You must carefully navigate the balance..." Jin Niang was mainly worried that if Grand Councilor Shen were to fall from power later, Jiang Xian might turn against him.
Sometimes one might achieve temporary success, but it's not beneficial in the long run.
Perhaps only when Jin Niang spoke like this would Jiang Xian listen somewhat. She often thought her words were useless to him, but he actually did take them in; otherwise, he might have been caught in a crossfire this time.
"My dear, I understand," Jiang Xian said, sounding almost coquettish.
Jin Niang patted his head. "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore."
When the couple arrived at the old residence, Jiang Yan appeared very calm, as if he were merely going on a sightseeing trip. Madam Xu, however, had a wooden expression on her face.
"Sixteenth Brother, I'll trouble you to look after the family affairs in my absence," Jiang Yan said indifferently.
Jiang Xian promptly replied, "Brother, rest assured. I will certainly take good care of Father and Mother." Then, turning to Madam Xu, he added, "Sister-in-law, if there's anything inconvenient, just go to Brother Ning's mother."
Madam Xu hurriedly said, "You are too kind, Brother-in-law." As she looked at Jiang Xian and his wife, she cursed inwardly about petty people getting their way.
But there was nothing she could do to dissuade Jiang Yan from his course. For the sake of his so-called political ideals, she couldn't even make a scene. It was just that without her husband's official salary, they would have to rely on the income from the family's farmland. Fortunately, after both Jiang Yan and his brother passed the imperial examinations, the clan had gifted them some land, which should be enough for their household.
Seeing Madam Xu stewing in silent anger, Jin Niang genuinely felt a sense of release. Sometimes she thought being a 'bad' person wasn't so bad—at least one could freely and joyfully express one's venomous side.
After exchanging a few more polite words, Jiang Xian implied that if he ever had the chance to meet the Emperor in the future, he would certainly mention the Chancellor, and so on.
Jin Niang said to Madam Xu, "We learned on short notice that Elder Brother is leaving for Yingtian Prefecture, so we've prepared some travel provisions. Please don't think it too little, Sister-in-law."
Even though Jin Niang's words sounded perfectly normal to an outsider, to Madam Xu they stuck in her throat like a fishbone. She knew that from the time they passed the imperial exams, the nearly decade-long period where she had lorded over her younger brother-in-law and his wife was gone forever. Her status as an official's daughter and her powerful connections had allowed her to prevail in the rivalry with her sister-in-law. But simultaneously, once those connections collapsed, their positions reversed completely.
Instead, her sister-in-law's brother had become a jinshi, her natal family had allied with the Wei Family, and on top of that, they had money. Not to mention her younger brother-in-law had been promoted again.
"Th-thank you, Sister-in-law," Madam Xu forced out the words with difficulty.
Jin Niang smiled. "Why stand on ceremony with me, Sister-in-law? Isn't it just a matter of reciprocating how you've treated me? It's mutual, isn't it?"
Madam Xu had a bad feeling.
After the Jiang Xian couple left, Madam Xu opened the travel provisions Jin Niang had sent. They were all just pastries and baked flatbreads. The only other item was a small embroidered pouch containing exactly two taels and six mace of silver.
This happened to be exactly twice the price of the necklace she had once given as a gift.
After Jiang Yan left, Jiang Fang passed the palace examination but faced slanderous attacks. He still sought a recommendation through a disciple of Grand Councilor Shen, which led to an audience with the Councilor himself. Shen was astonished by Jiang Fang's talent, considering him exceptionally gifted, and subsequently promoted him to Collator of the Jixian Hall and Examiner in the Secretariat.
Regarding Jiang Fang, Jin Niang didn't have strong feelings. He had already been adopted out to another branch, and there was little contact between the two families.
The Dragon Boat Festival was approaching. Jin Niang prepared the customary holiday gifts, sending them first to the Wei and Liu families—identical sets for each. They included six strands of five-colored silk thread, a box of mugwort flowers, two gauze fans, two gold-dusted fans, along with fragrant candied fruits, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), white rice cakes, perilla leaves, calamus, papaya, and other fresh fruits and sweets.
She also sent gifts to the old residence, Jiang Xian's teachers, colleagues, and other connections.
Their own home also received many gifts in return. They collected half a chest of silver-decorated drums and fans alone. Jin Niang selected two of the most valuable fans to keep, set aside the slightly less fine ones for the family's own use, and distributed the surplus as rewards to personal attendants like Ying and Qing Rong.
Speaking of which, Qing Rong was no longer young. She had been a gift from the Second Madam Dou back when they took up their post in Wu County. She was already twenty this year.
Therefore, Jin Niang wanted Ying to ask Qing Rong what kind of husband she was looking for, so they could find a suitable match for her. Unexpectedly, Qing Rong said she didn't want to marry at all. It wasn't out of coyness; she genuinely had no desire to wed.
"Why not?" Ying didn't quite understand.
Now married herself, with Liu Dou'er treating her very considerately and currently pregnant and well cared for, she still advised, "You're only twenty. Don't make such a final decision so early. Why don't I help you look for someone gradually?"
Qing Rong still shook her head. "Sister Ying, I know you and the Madam mean well for me. But I truly don't wish to marry. I'm perfectly fine serving the Madam. If a marriage turns out well, that's good, but if it's bad, your whole life is ruined. Besides, the household provides for its old servants. I wouldn't have to worry about my old age even if I stay."
Ying tried to persuade her further, but Qing Rong's attitude grew even firmer. "Right now, I earn six mace of silver a month, not to mention the snacks and fabric the Madam gives me from time to time. Why would I want to go elsewhere?"
What people worry about most is nothing but the issue of old-age care. As long as one can still move about, having work to do in the household, communal meals to eat, and a place to live is better than anything else.
Upon first hearing Qing Rong say she wouldn't marry, Jin Niang thought she was like Ying in the past. Seeing her resolute attitude, Jin Niang had no choice but to agree.
As for Pei Lan, who serves by Brother Ning's side, and Jiao Xing, who serves by Sister Jun's side, both have had matches arranged for them. Pei Lan is betrothed to the servant Gao Si. This Gao Si is highly skilled in martial arts, has a proper appearance, and doesn't indulge in drink, so he seems quite suitable. Then, Jiao Xing is betrothed to Hu Cheng, the son of the estate steward. As Hu Cheng has been sent to manage a manor in Luoyang, the wedding of Gao Da and Pei Lan will be held first.
Jin Niang, of course, selected several new maidservants from outside again. This time, she bought six on a permanent indenture. Three young maids were sent to Sister Jun, one maidservant and one page boy were sent to Brother Ning, and another was sent to Brother Ding.
As Brother Ning has turned eight and will be nine this year, he must move to the outer residence. The east wing room outside was just tidied up for him to move into.
The maidservants will stay in the side rooms off the passage hall, so they cannot enter the young master's room freely at night.
These are all household expenses, yet they are unavoidable expenses.
Her daughter is almost thirteen now, so she must also have a few people under her command.
How to manage the household, how to earn people's genuine respect—it's not just about making people submit through scolding and punishment. One must be able to command those below and also make them feel at ease working for you. That is true skill.
Jin Niang has Ying assist with management on her behalf. Although Ying has a temper, she acts with integrity and handles affairs fairly, so everyone respects her greatly.
These are naturally household matters, but handling them requires meticulous care.
"Madam, Madam Zhou is here," Ying said.
This Madam Zhou is Third Miss Zhou. She came to the capital this time with Jiang Fang, and as Jiang Fang obtained a good official post, her status has risen accordingly. She entered with a smile, saying, "I went back to the Nanxun Lane area yesterday and heard you had moved. I came to take a look today."
Jin Niang smiled, "It's only a three-courtyard house. With many children, I was afraid it wouldn't be spacious enough."
As she spoke, she looked at Third Madam Zhou. She had given birth to four sons and was usually highly respected by Jiang Fang. Even her parents-in-law were very fond of this daughter-in-law.
Indeed, she was more tactful in speech than Madam Zhou the Eldest, née Jiang. At Jin Niang's place, she completely avoided mentioning Miss Zhou the Second, only talking about some vexations since returning: "I don't even know what's fashionable in the Eastern Capital anymore."
Jin Niang laughed, "Actually, it's mostly the same. Previously, everyone loved wearing bright red silk garments, but now they love true red cherry colors. For skirts, they love those woven with gold thread, and it's even better if they can combine two colors."
As the two conversed, they called the children over to pay their respects. Third Madam Zhou gave them all customary gifts for meeting relatives. She saw that Sister Jun already had the appearance of a young maiden, wearing a lotus-root-colored beizi, a pearl-arranged hairpin adorned with a few silk camellia flowers on her head, and gold bracelets on her arms—graceful and poised.
"This child is truly lovely," she thought. With a full forehead, a delicate nose bridge, and an oval face, she was both dignified and beautiful.
Sister Jun performed a curtsy, "You flatter me."
Jin Niang smiled, "Go back down with your brothers."
Looking at Jin Niang, Third Madam Zhou's heart was truly in turmoil. When they returned to the capital, they passed by her fourth brother-in-law's place of assignment and met her fourth sister. She heard that her fourth sister's two daughters also studied poetry and books, and were around the same age as Sister Jun, yet they were different. Sister Jun appeared bright and poised, truly like a young lady from a great family, while those two nieces felt more like modest beauties from a small household.
After returning, when Third Madam Zhou mentioned it to Jiang Fang, they both found it strange: "Who would have thought this Madam Wei was so good at raising children? When she was in our family before, we only thought she was good at making clothes."
Many think women admire strength, but actually, men admire it even more.
Jiang Fang had indeed spoken ill of Jin Niang before, believing her background as a servant and a merchant's daughter would completely degrade the family's standing if married. He even thought that with his brother's qualifications, he could completely marry a better official's daughter. In this dynasty, marriages often form alliances; marrying such a woman would be like cutting off one's own arm.
Who would have thought such a person would now thrive, not only buying houses and land but also forming a clan association with the Wei Grand Secretary's family, and her brother was a Presented Scholar.
Life is truly unpredictable.
"It's been so many years, let's not bring up these past matters anymore. Even heroes aren't questioned about their origins? It wouldn't be good if Sixteenth Brother heard either," Jiang Fang said.
Third Madam Zhou was taken aback. Her husband rarely spoke in such a lecturing tone. Now that he had said this, she could only reply, "You're right."
...
After the Dragon Boat Festival, the weather began to turn hot and dry. Now, the thing Jin Niang enjoyed most every day was helping Brother Ding bathe together with Jiang Xian. The child loved bathing anyway. With a colorful little ball placed in the water, and being obedient, Jiang Xian would pour water while Jin Niang gently scrubbed him. His hair would also be washed, making him smell fragrant before he was dressed and carried out.
When Madam Wei came with Seventh Young Master Wei, the family of three had just come out of the bathing room. Jin Niang was still quite embarrassed, quickly changed her clothes, put her son down for a nap, and only then went out to keep them company.
"If we bathed him at night, I'd always worry he might catch a chill, so we always choose a time during the day to wash him," Jin Niang explained with a smile.
Generally, unless it was a major occasion like the New Year, Madam Wei usually didn't visit. Jin Niang wondered what brought her here today.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Madam Wei sighed, "I plan to go to Luoyang for some time. Coincidentally, Seventh Lang needs to study, and I can't very well take him with me, so I can only leave him at home. But our master is busy, and his sisters-in-law have their own children to look after, so I wanted to ask Third Aunt to help look after him for a few days."
Jin Niang looked at Seventh Young Master Wei and smiled, "Alright, I'll often go over to check on him. Don't worry, sister-in-law."
As the saying goes, talented people are common, but those who recognize talent are not. Over all these years, the Wei Family had truly treated her like their own aunt. For something like looking after a child, how could Jin Niang not agree?
But then Madam Wei said, "What I had in mind was for Seventh Lang to move to your house for a few days, so he and Brother Ning can also discuss their studies together." Having said this, she first sent Seventh Young Master Wei away, then quietly said to Jin Niang, "I'm rather at my wit's end. When he studied at the You Family, the girls there fought and were jealous over him, and he bluntly said they were annoying."
So that was the reason. Still, Jin Niang said, "I would be happy to have him, it's just that our family's conditions probably aren't as good as yours. I'm afraid Seventh Lang might not be accustomed to it."
The Wei Family daughters were given a dowry of a hundred thousand strings when they married; their daily life was truly one of luxury and delicacies. With her own family's simple fare, she was afraid a good intention might turn into a bad situation.
Madam Wei was somewhat concerned, but she had observed how well Jin Niang and Jiang Xian treated the children. Furthermore, her father in Luoyang was very anxious about the matter, and on top of that, Seventh Young Master himself insisted on coming, pestering his father and her. Considering all this, Madam Wei said, "It's no trouble. Let him stay here then. I'll trouble you, sister."
"Very well, I'll have the courtyard house in the garden tidied up," Jin Niang readily agreed.
With that settled between them, Jin Niang sent two maidservants to thoroughly sweep the courtyard house from front to back. She then opened the storeroom and had the new huanghuali wood bed with the swastika-patterned posts, brought by Steward Fan, moved into that courtyard. This bed was originally intended as part of her daughter's dowry, but she couldn't very well go out and buy a new one now.
Fortunately, she had extra wood. She could have another bed made next time.
She also had silk curtains hung, brought over a gauze screen she had embroidered earlier, and had new porcelain, a slightly worn tea table, a floor lamp, a bookcase, and other items arranged one by one.
Jiang Xian remarked, "He truly is your nephew, you're toiling so diligently for him."
"You get jealous over anyone. I should give you a nickname—the 'Vinegar King' of Golden Beam Bridge," Jin Niang covered her mouth, laughing.
Of course, the husband and wife knew they must treat Seventh Young Master Wei well; this was just their playful banter.
When Seventh Young Master Wei moved in, he brought quite a few servants and attendants: six senior maidservants, four junior maidservants, four page boys, and four personal attendants. Additionally, out of his four wet nurses, only one came along, and of his two instructing matrons, only one followed.
The maidservants attending him stayed in the east and west wing rooms, while the page boys and personal attendants were settled in the servants' quarters at the front of the garden.
Sister Jun whispered, "Seventh Cousin really comes from a large and prosperous household."
"Shh." Jin Niang thought their surprise was due to the different environment her daughter had grown up in. Perhaps the Wei family didn't even consider their number of servants excessive.
Sister Jun stuck out her tongue.
Once he was settled, Jin Niang had Ying go to Seventh Young Master Wei's quarters to inquire about his daily routine. It turned out he also had to rise early each day to study at the You family's school, where he spent the entire day, having lunch there and returning home after classes.
Jiang Niang arranged several dishes for a welcoming dinner for Seventh Young Master Wei and had Ju Xiang add a few extra courses. Having heard that Seventh Young Master Wei liked plum blossom soup noodles, she had someone prepare willow-leaf chives, instructed the tea kitchen to make honey-preserved kumquats and lotus flower pastries, and prepared several beverages that children generally enjoyed.
However, Jiang Xian couldn't return for dinner that day, as a colleague had invited him to a tavern, and it wouldn't do to refuse.
When Seventh Young Master Wei returned, changed his clothes, and came over, Jin Niang first had him drink a cup of beverage and asked, "Do you have much homework?"
"Not too much," Seventh Young Master Wei replied, thinking it was almost time to eat.
Unexpectedly, Jin Niang smiled and said, "In that case, take your homework and go to the study with Brother Ning to finish it first. I'll have the meal served once you're done."
Seventh Young Master Wei had someone bring his book box and went straight to the front courtyard study. Brother Ning had already started writing. Seeing Seventh Young Master Wei, he called out "Seventh Cousin" and then buried his head in his work again.
Originally, Seventh Young Master Wei was naturally bright, but his home environment was too comfortable, studying was too arduous, there were too many distractions, and he always wanted to play, making it hard to settle his mind. But now, being with Brother Ning, the outside world instantly quieted down, and he too began to ponder earnestly over his homework.
The senior maidservants and matrons attending Seventh Young Master Wei were chatting with Jin Niang. They said, "Young Master usually eats first upon returning home and always drags out his homework until the last minute. It's rare to see him sit down and focus like today."
Jin Niang smiled. "That's how I do it. Since they were little, I've always had them finish their homework before eating. If there's too much and it would take very long, then they eat first. Otherwise, once you're full, it's easy to feel sleepy."
In her youth, she often stayed up late—a necessity of life and also poor habits. So after having children, she made a point of cultivating good habits in them from the start.
After getting up, Jin Niang finished embroidering the Guanyin image, then started making a gauze robe for Brother Ning. She used white crepe edged with scallion-green satin, embroidering two or three clusters of emerald bamboo in the center, with a belt made of rattan-yellow cord with fine tassels.
After about two hours, the robe was finished. Sister Jun came over and asked with a smile, "Haven't Brother and Seventh Cousin come yet?"
"No, not yet. We'll wait another incense stick's time. If they still haven't finished, we'll have them eat first. We mustn't let them go truly hungry," Jin Niang said.
She sent someone to the front to hurry them along. They said they needed another two cups of tea's time, so they had to wait a little longer before the two cousins finally arrived. Jin Niang immediately instructed the servants to set the table and asked Seventh Young Master Wei with a smile, "We'll eat now. After dinner, we can take a stroll in the garden and play for a bit. Then, when your uncle returns, he'll check your homework."
Seventh Young Master Wei had never really known what hunger felt like before. Today, concentrating on his homework for half a day had drained his energy, and the aroma of the food made his mouth water.
The maidservant serving dishes noted to herself that Young Master usually took medicine as routinely as meals at home. Yet today, he finished an entire bowl of ordinary steamed egg custard with quail and bamboo shoot soup.
Brother Ning even competed with him for the honey-glazed chicken wings. Seventh Young Master Wei ended up having an extra bowl of rice with the preserved vegetable and shredded pork.
Jin Niang applauded. "Well done, Seventh Young Master! Before, you had no appetite, but now look, you can eat so much!"
Seventh Young Master Wei smiled shyly.
After the meal, Jin Niang first took out the new clothes for Brother Ning. "Go try these on and see if they need any adjustments."
When Brother Ning came out after trying on the clothes—the robe had short sleeves, making it cool and comfortable for early summer days—Jin Niang also took a matching cloth strip to tie his hair. "If you like it, you don't have to take it off. We can change after our stroll, and it can be washed tomorrow. Is that alright?"
Brother Ning nodded. "Mother, the clothes you make are truly beautiful."
"Of course they are," Jin Niang laughed. Then, noticing Seventh Young Master Wei looking at her, she couldn't help but ask, "Seventh Young Master, would you like Aunt to make you a set as well?"
Seventh Young Master Wei, already thirteen, understood social niceties. "The weather is so hot, that would trouble Aunt too much."
Jin Niang, hearing his tone, understood he did want a set but was being polite and not outright refusing. She immediately said it was no trouble at all. Since he was staying with them, making a set of clothes for him to take back would show the Wei Family she had put in the effort.
"Then tomorrow I'll sketch two designs first, and you can choose which one you prefer," Jin Niang said.
With that, the whole group went through the side gate to stroll in the garden. Brother Ning told Jin Niang about his day: "Today, the teacher discussed 'Spring River Flower Moon Night.' It reminded me of when we were returning from Daming Prefecture. From the boat, I saw someone playing the qin, with moonlight shimmering on the river surface."
"Mother, for the Mid-Autumn Festival this year, if we set the table here by the pond, with Sister playing the yueqin and me playing the xiao, wouldn't that also be a 'Spring River Flower Moon Night'?"
Jin Niang nodded. "That sounds lovely."
After saying this, Jin Niang also felt it wasn't quite right to let her daughter walk with her teenage nephew, so she said, "Brother Ning, you go play with your cousin. You could also go read in the library. Your sister and I will pick some flower petals."
Brother Ning nodded. It was Wei Seventh Young Master who said, "Aunt, why don't I go teach my cousin archery?"
"That would be wonderful," Jin Niang smiled.
Somehow, she had always viewed Wei Seventh Young Master as a child before, but now she realized he was actually quite emotionally intelligent.
They played until sunset when Jiang Xian returned. Jin Niang then took the children to the front courtyard, having them first bring their schoolwork for him to review. Wei Seventh Young Master observed that Jiang Xian's approach with the children was hardly ever lecturing; he would even crack a few jokes, which Wei Seventh Young Master could understand quickly. It was truly like a refreshing breeze. He explained things better than his own father, who always wore a stern face that made him nervous.
After Uncle finished speaking, Jin Niang dismissed everyone. Sister Jun went back to soak in a flower petal bath, while Brother Ning and Wei Seventh Young Master went to the front courtyard to play chess.
...
Madam Wei was to set off for Luoyang the next day and was worried about her son, unable to sleep even past midnight. Fortunately, Wei Seventh Young Master's nurse sent out word that... Upon hearing this, Madam Wei was quite astonished. She ate two full bowls of rice in one sitting and then fell fast asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Well, now she didn't have to worry about her son anymore.
