After the Dragon Head-Raising Festival in early February, the Zhou household was bustling with preparations for the marriage of Second Master Cun, Zhou Cunzhi, the eldest branch's second son. The sewing workshop received the task of weaving decorative net covers for wine bottles using silk cords—these covers were meant for the betrothal gifts, where the groom's family would send ceremonial wine to the bride's family. Though it was Jin Niang's first time learning the craft, she quickly mastered it.
Fang Qiaolian and Madam Chen worked together to make eight large silk flowers for decorations. Thanks to Madam Chen's versatility, the Zhou family could produce all these items in-house, saving the expense of purchasing them externally.
One might assume a wealthy family like the Zhous wouldn't bother with such frugality, but the truth was the opposite—the more prominent the household, the more meticulous the matriarch was with finances. As the saying goes, the efficiency of a large enterprise can be judged by the quality of its toilet paper.
Meanwhile, Qin Shuang'er was stitching shoe soles, having taken up the task of making them for the eldest miss. Originally, Madam Chen had assigned Jin Niang to handle the eldest miss's needs, but for some reason, the young lady had specifically requested Qin Shuang'er instead.
As she worked, Qin Shuang'er remarked, "Yesterday, I saw Sister Shan by the Moon Gate. She looked much thinner than before. When I asked how she was doing, her eyes reddened, but she refused to say another word."
The mention of Sister Shan stirred sympathy among them, though they knew they were merely fortunate to have escaped a similar fate. If the Zhou family decided to give them away as gifts in the future, they would have no say in the matter—as maidservants, they had no autonomy during their service.
Madam Chen cleared her throat lightly. "Qiaolian, Jin Niang, tomorrow I'll teach you how to make powder puffs. The groom's family will send cosmetics as part of the betrothal gifts, so we need to prepare these."
"Understood," Jin Niang and Fang Qiaolian replied in unison.
Madam Chen, however, couldn't help but think Qin Shuang'er was too opportunistic. Despite having her own tasks, she had taken on extra work to curry favor with the eldest miss. This lack of sincerity made Madam Chen reluctant to invest further in her.
A few days later, once the wedding preparations were complete, Madam Chen instructed only Jin Niang and Fang Qiaolian to deliver the items to the main house. Just then, Qin Shuang'er stepped forward with a smile. "There's so much to carry—let me help."
Even Jin Niang was taken aback by her audacity. This was blatant freeloading! Madam Chen had announced the wedding tasks a day in advance, yet Qin Shuang'er had claimed she was urgently occupied with the eldest miss's orders. Now that the work was done, she conveniently reappeared to join in the delivery.
Madam Chen smiled politely. "No need. We have other matters to attend to and can't linger for casual conversation."
"Oh... alright then." Qin Shuang'er pouted, feigning disappointment.
Jin Niang shook her head inwardly as she followed Madam Chen to meet Madam Jiang. Upon inspecting the red silk flowers, wine bottle covers, and powder puffs—all exquisitely crafted—Madam Jiang nodded in approval. "Well done. You've all worked hard."
Madam Chen replied humbly, "It's no trouble at all. We're just glad our work can be of use."
Pleased by her modesty, Madam Jiang added, "There are two more tasks. First, the spring attire for all the servants must be completed promptly—it reflects the Zhou family's dignity, especially since the staff will accompany the betrothal procession. Second, Concubine Miao is four or five months into her pregnancy, so we need to start preparing swaddling clothes, blankets, and infant garments."
"Of course, Madam. This is our duty. The Zhou family has been generous to us, and we're happy to contribute," Madam Chen responded diplomatically, recognizing Madam Jiang's pride in her managerial skills.
True to form, Madam Jiang beamed and instructed Yan Hong to reward them with fabric scraps. Jin Niang was delighted—she had been wondering what to send her parents, and now she had the perfect gift.
The next day, the head maid from Second Master Cun's quarters arrived with a reward on his behalf: a pair of gold and silver ingots for each of them, acknowledging their hard work. However, since the outer courtyard servants weren't fully aware of who had contributed, even Qin Shuang'er—who hadn't lifted a finger—received a share. Fang Qiaolian grumbled to Jin Niang, "She didn't do anything, yet she gets the same reward!"
"Nothing we can do about it. This isn't something Madam Chen or we can control," Jin Niang sighed.
Still, she was thrilled. Second Master Cun had been unexpectedly generous—a pair of gold and silver ingots was worth nearly ten taels of silver, almost matching her annual wages of twelve taels.
Coincidentally, Madam Chen mentioned that a Sichuan embroidery workshop's ship would depart from Bianjing in March, stopping in Jiangling on its way back to Chengdu for brocade supplies. Jin Niang seized the opportunity to send gifts home: two handkerchiefs, a dark green satin jacket, and the newly awarded fabric. Lan Xue, always kind to her, added a jar of honey, while Yan Hong discreetly contributed two tins of tea.
In her letter to her parents, Jin Niang wrote that she was doing well—the Zhou family treated their servants fairly, and the rewards were ample. She reassured them not to worry.
She finally understood why people often shared only good news with distant family. Some burdens were better carried alone—knowing wouldn’t help her parents, only trouble them.
After sending the package, Madam Chen assigned their next tasks. "We’ll prioritize the servants' spring attire—it’s a matter of the Zhou family’s reputation. Everyone must look presentable for the betrothal procession. As for Concubine Miao’s baby items, we still have three or four months before her due date, so there’s no rush."
"Agreed. But Madam Chen, I suggest we distribute the measurements among us, assigning specific servants to each seamstress. If an outfit has issues later, the responsible person can be held accountable," Jin Niang proposed, aiming to prevent careless work and misplaced blame.
Madam Chen approved. "An excellent idea. This will keep anyone from slacking."
The household staff numbered fifty or sixty. The head maids and stewards wore silk, with embroidery for the senior maids and governesses. Those serving the young masters and misses also needed finer attire, while junior servants made do with cotton.
Unlike clothing for the masters, these uniforms offered no extra perks, and the materials were coarser. With each servant requiring over a dozen sets, the workload was immense. Jin Niang and the others worked tirelessly, Qin Shuang'er included.
On exhausting days, they pooled ten coppers for a small treat, as if the fatigue melted away with each bite.
Jin Niang found this life fulfilling. In less than half a year, she had saved over ten taels—far more than she ever earned at the Sichuan embroidery workshop.
While they labored, Jiang Shanjie had no respite either. The old madam had opened the family vault, retrieving premium silks for Aunt and Miss Mei’s new outfits. The moment Shanjie arrived, Aunt ordered her to sew six spring robes for herself and four embroidered dresses for Miss Mei, along with matching shoes and socks.
Shanjie was on the verge of tears. Aunt even remarked to her daughter, "Servants must be worked to exhaustion—only then will they stay in line."
Yet Miss Mei, Mei Pan'er, recalled that her mother hadn’t always been this way. In her youth, Aunt had been generous to elders and kind to servants. Now, she was someone entirely different.
The sky was ablaze with fiery clouds, so dazzling that Jin Niang decided to step outside for some fresh air. She made her way to the tea room to visit Lan Xue for a bit of fun. Lan Xue, however, was carefully brewing medicine. Jin Niang laughed and asked, "I haven’t heard of anyone falling ill. Why are you preparing medicine?"
Lan Xue pressed a finger to her lips. "Shh, keep your voice down."
"What’s going on?" Jin Niang was puzzled.
Lan Xue leaned in and whispered, "This is for Cuixian."
Cuixian was the head maid of Second Master Cun. Last time, she had delivered rewards to the sewing room. So it was her. Seeing the cryptic expression on Lan Xue’s face, Jin Niang realized this wasn’t just a common cold. She gasped, "Is she seriously ill?"
"No," Lan Xue quickly shook her head, then glanced at Jin Niang. "Just don’t ask. It’s not something good—medicine for women in the inner chambers."
Suddenly, it dawned on Jin Niang. This was likely a contraceptive concoction. She felt a pang of realization.
"Isn’t this harmful to the body?"
Lan Xue pursed her lips. "What else can be done? We can’t have the new mistress arriving to find her already carrying a child."
Jin Niang thought to herself, shouldn’t the blame lie with the men who couldn’t control themselves? Instead, the women suffered, and they were made to feel as if they’d been granted some great favor.
Noticing the somber mood, Lan Xue changed the subject. "I heard the eldest young miss is quite fond of Shuang’er from your room. Didn’t you say Madam Chen intended for you to make the gowns for the eldest miss? How did Shuang’er get ahead of you? Let me tell you, the eldest miss is Madam’s favorite—that’s a coveted position."
"I know that well enough," Jin Niang replied. "But in these matters, it’s all about one’s own skills." She was on good terms with Yan Hong, Madam Jiang’s maid. Even if Qin Shuang’er was close to the eldest miss, the true authority in the household lay with Madam Jiang.
Sure enough, Madam Jiang was praising Cuixian to the eldest miss. "She’s quite sensible," she remarked.
Seated beside Madam Jiang, the eldest miss, Zhou Shishi, was already reviewing account books. At fourteen, Madam Jiang had begun matchmaking for her. By the time her daughter-in-law entered the household, the eldest miss’s marriage would likely be settled. Hence, she was now being taught to manage household accounts—and these unsavory matters as well.
Hearing her mother’s praise, Zhou Shishi asked, "Mother, what about Cuixian after sister-in-law arrives…?"
"That will be Cuixian’s own affair—whether she can please both the mistress and the master. Otherwise, even I won’t interfere in your brother’s household matters. But if she oversteps and conceives before the new mistress bears a child, I won’t tolerate such a person, even before the new mistress takes action," Madam Jiang said with a smile.
The eldest miss was puzzled. "But you’re always so courteous to Miao Xiaoniang?"
Miao Xiaoniang was her father’s concubine, but her origins were disgraceful. Rumor had it she was originally a maid of the Third Master Zhou’s first wife, later assigned to Concubine Deng of the second branch. Yet she had secretly become involved with her father and was only brought into the household when her pregnancy could no longer be hidden. Surprisingly, her mother had accepted her.
Madam Jiang’s expression darkened. Some things were still unfit for an unmarried daughter’s ears. In his youth, Elder Master Zhou had been restrained, but in middle age, his lust had become uncontrollable. A lecherous man and a wanton woman—they were a perfect match. Besides, it was better to have such scandals at home than for the man to seek out disreputable women outside.
Moreover, Miao Xiaoniang’s family was poor. After giving birth to Fourth Miss Zhou, Elder Master Zhou had shown no concern. Only when Miao Xiaoniang became pregnant again eight years later did he give her twenty taels to improve her family’s circumstances—yet the Miaos still owed three to four hundred taels in debts, and Elder Master Zhou had no intention of helping them repay it.
At Madam Jiang’s age, as long as no money was taken from her hands, it was as good as free entertainment. With her own children secure, even if Miao Xiaoniang bore a son, it would hardly affect her.
"When Miao Xiaoniang came into the picture, your brother was already ten, and you and your sister were born. What did I have to fear? The circumstances were entirely different," Madam Jiang could only explain it this way.
The eldest miss nodded silently. Noticing her mother’s irritation, she quickly stood to pour her some water. As she rose, Madam Jiang caught sight of her shoes and remarked, "Those phoenix-head shoes are well-made. Are they from the sewing room?"
"Yes, a girl named Shuang’er from the sewing room presented them to me. Her craftsmanship is quite good," Zhou Shishi said with evident pleasure.
Madam Jiang waved a hand. "No, last time, among the outfits made for you four sisters, Jin Niang’s work was far superior. Even your skinny third sister looked graceful in hers. I’d say her skills are better."
The eldest miss hesitated. "Last time, Shuang’er made several adjustments for me, and it was her first time working for me, so she was a bit unfamiliar. Now she’s become even more diligent. Switching to someone else now wouldn’t be right."
Madam Jiang gave her daughter a pointed look. "You’re too soft-hearted. The moment someone pleads with you, you can’t refuse. Let me be frank—those girls from Jiangling weren’t hired just for sewing. They were brought in specifically to prepare embroidery for your future marriage. That Shuang’er is quite the social climber—currying favor with the second branch, showering your maids and matrons with petty gifts. No wonder you’ve heard nothing but praise for her. You must be cautious. The more someone like that tries to ingratiate themselves, the more you should be wary. Think about it—she refused to work on your brother’s wedding items but went out of her way to make shoes for you. They were only hired for three years, yet she’s scrambling to please you. I suspect she has ulterior motives."
"Jin Niang, on the other hand, is different. She’s always been diligent in her work, never scheming. If you don’t scrutinize those you employ, once you marry into another household, the servants will deceive you, and you’ll be led by the nose."
The eldest miss was stunned.
As dusk fell, the sewing room lit its lamps. A knock came at the door, and Little He hurried to answer it. Seeing Chun Lan, the eldest miss’s maid, she smiled obsequiously. "Sister Chun Lan, have you come for Sister Shuang’er?"
Hearing this, Qin Shuang’er couldn’t help feeling smug. True, Madam Chen had originally assigned Jin Niang to handle the eldest miss’s affairs, but who could argue with preference? It was all about one’s own abilities. With this thought, she rose with a practiced smile, ready to greet Chun Lan.
But Chun Lan walked straight to Jin Niang and said, "The eldest miss has asked you to make a fan case for her."
