The Wei family also received the news of Brother Ning's admission to the prefectural school. As Jin Niang wanted to ask Wei the Seventh to come help manage the household affairs in her husband's absence, Madam Wei was somewhat uneasy and had her eldest son, the Eldest Young Master of the Wei family, come along as well.
Since Jin Niang was their paternal aunt, there was no need for excessive formality. She simply said, "Your uncle is not at home. If any guests call, I'll have to trouble you both to receive them."
"Aunt, you are too kind. It is our duty," said Eldest Young Master Wei with a smile.
Jin Niang then called Brother Ning over and entrusted him to their care. "I'll be relying on you."
Wei the Seventh, being closer to them, promptly replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Aunt. My elder brother and I will be in the reception hall. I must also congratulate Brother Ning. To enter the prefectural school at such a young age—if Uncle were home, he would be overjoyed."
His words were very appropriate. Jin Niang looked at him and said, "Yes, when your uncle left, Brother Ning was his only worry."
After some casual conversation, the Wei brothers took Brother Ning to the reception hall to await visitors. From the Jiang clan, Jiang Yan arrived quickly, followed by Xuan'er. Zhang the Ninth also came soon after, along with some of Jiang Xian's colleagues and others.
Jin Niang had Luo Da and Young Master Chen attend to guests in the main hall. She also brought out the "Frighteningly Fragrant" tea that Hao the Second had brought her from the capital last time, instructing the tea servers to brew it and serve pastries.
"Mother, with Father not home, we really have to ask for help with everything," Sister Jun remarked thoughtfully.
Jin Niang said, "Indeed. Even if we are capable, men and women cannot freely socialize, so we must have others handle the formal receptions. While complete equality between men and women is not possible now, we can at least find suitable people to help and arrange for tea and refreshments. That's still better than doing nothing at all."
Sister Jun nodded. "You're right. Later, someone should be recording the gift list, right?"
"Hmm, I mentioned it to the Seventh just now," Jin Niang said.
Sister Jun thought to herself that her seventh cousin was actually very reliable at crucial moments, which was probably why her mother had chosen him. She always spoke her mind to her mother: "Mother, some time ago, we heard people saying that our marriage alliance with the Wei family is us climbing the social ladder."
Jin Niang laughed. "When your father and I married, your eldest aunt publicly mocked me. But so what? What woman in the world wouldn't want to marry a husband who is talented, handsome, virtuous, and immensely wealthy? I dislike false pretensions of nobility. If one cannot find such a good husband, that's another matter. But if one can, why be hypocritical? They say marrying above your station is like swallowing needles, but is marrying down necessarily better? Truly good character is one in ten thousand. Most people are just ordinary, with both good and bad sides."
"Mother, I think you are all good," Sister Jun said.
But Jin Niang shook her head. "No, I have my flaws too. My heart isn't that broad; when I give, I like to receive something in return. I always keep something in reserve for myself. I also wish to gain many advantages and sometimes envy others."
"Ah?" Sister Jun felt her mother wasn't like that at all. She thought her mother was selfless towards her and her brothers, and extremely good to her father.
Jin Niang smiled. "It's just that when I know such thoughts are wrong, I stop myself and strive to do better. No one is perfect. You can't expect others to be flawless. As long as a person's fundamental nature is good, some occasional minor faults are harmless. But if a person has principled problems—like gambling, frequenting brothels, stealing, or beating his wife—then no matter how good he seems otherwise, it won't do."
At least, from her observation of Wei the Seventh, whom she had watched grow up, the young man currently had none of these vices.
Sister Jun understood. She leaned on her mother's shoulder. "Mother, I just wish to lean on you like this, forever."
"Even after you marry, as long as I am alive, this will always be your home. I don't care what others say; I will certainly welcome you. But if you ever do something wrong, I will absolutely not condone it," Jin Niang said.
As Sister Jun grew older, her conversations with Jin Niang became more like those between friends.
It was bustling outside. Jin Niang had people from the Huixian Pavilion come to prepare tea and meals. Eldest Young Master Wei and Jiang Yan diligently played host. After the crowd dispersed and all the guests had left, only Wei the Seventh came to the inner quarters to speak with Jin Niang. He happened to meet Sister Jun on the corridor.
Wei the Seventh paused his steps, then cleared his throat lightly. "Is Aunt in the main room?"
"Yes, Mother is inside. Thank you for today, Seventh Cousin," Sister Jun said, giving a slight curtsey.
Wei the Seventh flustered a bit. "Don't mention it, Eldest Cousin. It was my duty."
Sister Jun smiled. "Please go in first, Cousin. I'll have some tea sent over."
"Alright!" Wei the Seventh was pleased.
Jin Niang was talking with Brother Ning. Seeing Wei the Seventh enter, she warmly engaged him in conversation. Later, Sister Jun led servants in with tea. Although Wei the Seventh didn't get to exchange another word with her after that, the tea he drank felt refreshingly sweet.
As it grew late, Wei the Seventh returned home.
Jin Niang then took people to inspect the reception hall herself. First, she had Ying make a copy of the gift list, then had the place cleaned up. She was busy until midnight before resting.
The next day, Jin Niang and Sister Jun helped Brother Ning pack his belongings. It was already the ninth month. They packed a light quilt and a heavy one. His clothes were chosen for comfort, without elaborate embroidery.
They also packed pastries, baked flatbreads, silver, tea, and so on—a full trunk and two large bundles.
Brother Ning's temperament was much like Jin Niang's. Initially, he was somewhat anxious about boarding at the school, but when he reached the gate of the prefectural school, he was calmer than the adults.
"Mother, Sister, don't worry. I will be fine."
Jin Niang held his hand. "Every three days, I'll have Steward Chen and your page Chen Tong bring you some food. If there's anything inconvenient for you, just have them help."
Brother Ning waved goodbye. As he turned away, he couldn't help but cry, but he kept walking forward.
After Brother Ning left for the prefectural school, Jin Niang initially also lost her appetite and sleep. Fortunately, after three days, Young Master Chen went to check on him and reported that Brother Ning was adapting quite well. Knowing he was young, others looked out for him quite a bit. Jin Niang then set her mind at ease.
She was naturally someone who could sit still for long periods, so she kept up with her needlework. By the tenth month, she had finished embroidering another quilt cover. The rental income from the Golden Beam Bridge and Sweet Water Alley properties, along with the proceeds from the Luoyang estate, were all delivered. Jin Niang checked everything and stored it in the east side room.
Now that Brother Ding had moved to the wing room, the east side room was empty, perfect for storing fabrics and money. It was mainly because Jiang Xian was not home; otherwise, they could store things in the cellar.
However, the bond between mother and daughter grew even stronger.
Sister Jun would rise early and do needlework with her. In the afternoons, the mother and daughter would go to the study to read and practice calligraphy. In the evenings, they would have dinner together, chatting incessantly without ever finding it dull.
Of course, Brother Ding was also often kept by her side. At night, Jin Niang slept with her youngest son, listening to Sister Jun tell stories to her younger brother, living quite a leisurely and comfortable life.
It was said that as they entered the winter month, the daughter of Eldest Young Master Liu was getting betrothed, and they invited Jin Niang to act as the 'Complete Blessing' person. Jin Niang went to the Liu household in advance. The wife of Minister Liu looked much older than before, her skin covered in wrinkles, and she had surprisingly become much more long-winded.
Upon seeing Jin Niang, she said, "Last time you came, we didn't have a proper chat. Now we can have a good talk."
"You are right. With my husband away on a diplomatic mission and children at home, it was truly difficult to get away. I haven't been able to come often to pay my respects to you, please forgive me," Jin Niang said with a smile.
Old Madam Liu waved her hand. "With your husband not at home, it is only right to keep your household secure."
Jin Niang nodded.
Old Madam Liu went on with a lot of repetitive talk. Jin Niang just nodded and agreed. When she was finally done, Jin Niang went to see Madam Xun. Over these past few years, perhaps because Minister Liu was posted away and since Jin Niang and her family returned to the Eastern Capital, their gifts had been generous, so their relationship had remained quite good.
"She kept you talking again, didn't she? That's just how it is when one gets old," Madam Xun said with a laugh.
Eldest Young Master Liu and Madam Xun had caused quite a ruckus in their early years, but now the two of them interacted quite politely. Jin Niang chatted with them for a few more moments before returning home.
She just didn't expect that upon returning, Luo Da had someone send word that the two young masters from the Feng family had come. Upon hearing "the two young masters from the Feng family," Jin Niang was momentarily stunned.
Ever since Feng Sheng married Lou Siniang, he had almost been avoiding them. Why had these two boys come to her door?
Thinking this, Jin Niang first had Luo Da ask them what their business was.
Luo Da first invited them to the reception hall for tea, saying, "Might I ask what brings you two young gentlemen here? To be frank, our master is not in the capital."
Feng Lin sighed. "We only recently learned that our second aunt is in the capital. Our father has also divided the family property and set us up separately, so we thought to come pay our respects and express our thanks. Back then, second aunt often sent us clothes and scholar's treasures. We brothers are endlessly grateful."
...
In the inner quarters, Jin Niang still decided not to see them. With some people, not meeting them only makes them think you are somewhat heartless. If you meet them, it can easily lead to resentment in the future.
Therefore, she had someone claim she was not at home.
Ying quickly went to the front courtyard. She first paid her respects to Feng Lin and Feng Guan, then said with a smile, "What unfortunate timing. Our lady has gone to the Liu household to help. I'm afraid she won't be back for quite a while. Speaking of coincidences, our lady had been thinking of you two young masters and had even prepared meeting gifts, but we didn't know how you two were faring. Perfect timing, let me fetch them."
Hearing this, Feng Guan still smiled and said, "We didn't expect our aunt to think of us so much. We will visit again another day."
Feng Lin smiled on the surface, but his heart turned cold. After leaving, he said to his younger brother, "When poor, you are ignored even in a bustling market; when rich, you have relatives even in deep mountains. This aunt is now an official's wife, socializing with high officials and nobles. She is not willing to associate with us. Let's not come to her door in the future."
"Brother, why do you say that? Look, these courtesy gifts are not light," Feng Guan said.
Each brother received a pair of jade pendants, two bolts of fashionable satin, six tea cakes, one inkstone tile, and a pair of New Year's money pouches.
But Feng Lin said, "She's using these things to brush us off."
Not having met her, the two brothers extinguished any thought of further contact with this second aunt and simply went about their business. Feng Lin continued running his medical clinic and seeing patients. Although Feng Guan had not passed the exam for the Imperial College this time, he was still studying at his academy.
Jin Niang had learned this lesson from the incident with Rongniang. Seeing afterwards that the Feng brothers did not visit again, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The next day, after Jin Niang finished dressing up, she had the maidservant do her daughter's hair and makeup. Because Jin Niang was acting as the 'Complete Blessing' person today, she dressed very nobly. She wore a crimson underbust skirt underneath, with a plain-colored long beizi robe over it. The collar trim featured a bright red, gold-stamped peony pattern. On her head, she wore a silver-gilt crown, her forehead adorned with a pearl netting, from which hung a teardrop-shaped ruby at the center of her brow, making her look radiant and captivating.
As for her daughter, she wore a peony floral crown with a pearl diadem dotting the center of her forehead, looking equally lovely and charming.
When the mother and daughter arrived at the Liu household, they found that Lady Zhang and the fourth daughter of the Zhou family had already arrived. Madam Xun was talking with them. Seeing Jin Niang and Sister Jun arrive, she stood up and said, "We were just wondering when our 'Complete Blessing' person would arrive."
"This morning I had to see my eldest son off to school, so I was a bit delayed," Jin Niang said with a smile as she sat down.
Madam Xun knew that Sister Jun was betrothed to the Wei family and thus treated her with even more esteem. Sister Jun thought to herself that this was a case of everyone lifting the bridal sedan chair—it wasn't for her personally but for that advantageous marriage match. Therefore, she didn't put on airs but instead remained humble everywhere.
Jin Niang was very satisfied with this scene.
Sister Jun, however, thought: The reason I can be so composed is because I already have everything, so I can afford to be this modest; I don't need to fight tooth and nail. But life is like surging ocean waves, with both highs and lows. I must always maintain an ordinary heart.
The fourth daughter of the Zhou family could clearly see that Madam Xun held Jin Niang and her daughter in very high regard. This differential treatment was already unconcealed. She herself could bear it, but her two daughters...
However, who in this world of fame and fortune would care about her little concerns? Even she herself could only come to the Liu household because of her Zhou family connections.
Jin Niang was mindful of completing her 'Complete Blessing' duties. After a few words, she left. The Liu family's granddaughter was betrothed to the son of a famous minister. She was even younger than Sister Jun!
The 'Complete Blessing' gift from the Liu family this time was also exceedingly generous: two hundred taels of silver ingots, thirty silk flowers made with tea petals, a load of tea cakes, one bolt each of eight grand and four colored brocades, and a set of twenty-eight pieces of jewelry.
After returning from the Liu household, Jin Niang put away the jewelry and the silver ingots. She took some of the tea to the tea storage room, storing the rest in the west side chamber. The bolts of fabric went without saying.
Since the New Year was approaching and festival gifts needed to be sent, Jin Niang directly had the received brocade made into several sets of clothes by a tailor: two sets for Wei the Seventh Young Master, one set for Madam Wei, one set for Master Jiang the Sixth, and one set for Madam Zheng.
"For everyday clothes we send, just hire a tailor. Making clothes ourselves is our heartfelt gesture, but let's not actually turn ourselves into old maidservants," Jin Niang said to her daughter with a laugh.
Sister Jun nodded.
The servants of the Jiang household now received at least one new set of clothes per season, along with their wages. Moreover, the masters never punished servants without reason, so everyone performed their duties with exceptional diligence.
Because positions here were like one radish, one hole—once you left, it was very hard to come back.
Nanny Fang was just saying with a smile, "Mistress, in this old servant's view, 'Auspicious snow foretells a good harvest.' I believe this year is sure to be a good year."
"Yes, I think so too. Last year until the first half of this year, we were busy with Sister Jun's marriage arrangements, and in the second half, it was Brother Ning taking the prefectural school exams. With so many family affairs, the days just flew by. It's like when I was at the embroidery shop, busy calculating all the seasonal festivals every day, looking forward to the Mid-Autumn Festival after the Dragon Boat Festival, just waiting for the major holidays when people would come to order embroidered clothes. It feels quite similar now." Jin Niang sighed.
The two were chatting idly when a commotion came from outside. It turned out Wei the Seventh had personally gone to fetch Brother Ning back.
Seeing her son and his cousin-brother come in through the wind and snow, with maids patting the frost from their clothes, Jin Niang quickly had hot tea served. She said to Wei the Seventh, "Why did you fetch him today?"
"I happened to be coming out from the You residence and ran into Luo Da, so I just came back with him," Wei the Seventh replied.
Brother Ning said, "Mother, I'd like to have dinner with my cousin and then go to the study to read."
"Alright, I'll have someone send a charcoal brazier over. You two can go after you eat," Jin Niang said.
Since Brother Ning could only come home once a month from school, Jin Niang asked him more questions at the table. "Last time you mentioned another person moved into your Diligence Study Hall. Doesn't that make five of you now?"
Brother Ning nodded. "Yes. His surname is Fang. His family is humble, but he got in on his own merit. Although he's not well-off, whenever we go out for a meal, he's the quickest to pay. We all fight to settle the bill, and I've only managed to win twice."
"That's really good. How about the other study halls?" Jin Niang had been worried her son was too young and might get bullied, but it seemed the little fellow got along quite well.
"The other halls aren't as harmonious as ours. Some even framed others for stealing. I spoke up for them. Some young masters from official families like to bully others, but they don't dare bully someone like me, who they think is poor, studious, and only focused on reading," Brother Ning explained.
Jin Niang widened her eyes. "They think you're a young master from an official family now?"
"Perhaps because when I first entered, you told me not to dress conspicuously, and I'm usually quite frugal, so they assumed I came from a humble background," Brother Ning said.
Jin Niang was most unwilling to have teachers give her children special treatment. She always believed children should speak for themselves with their own abilities.
Wei the Seventh looked at his brother-in-law and couldn't help saying, "You should ease up a bit. If you keep deceiving people, they might eventually think you're not worth befriending. Actually, normal interaction is just fine."
"Cousin Seventh is right," Brother Ning agreed, feeling it was wrong to deceive people. Well, it wasn't exactly deception—they didn't ask, so he naturally didn't go around announcing whose son he was.
After the meal, the two cousins went to the study to read. Only then did Sister Jun come over.
Although Jin Niang arranged chance encounters for her daughter and son-in-law, she would absolutely never let them be alone in a room together, to avoid gossip.
Near the end of the twelfth lunar month, the eldest son of the Zhou family got married. Jin Niang didn't go herself but sent someone with a wedding gift. Madam Xu's daughter-in-law, the younger Madam Wu, gave birth to a daughter. This time, Jin Niang did have to go, taking the opportunity to deliver the seasonal gifts: clothes for Master Jiang the Sixth, fashionable satin for Madam Zheng, and the third-day bath gift for the child.
Although last time, to retaliate against Madam Xu, Jin Niang had only sent two taels and six mace of silver, she bore no grudge against the child. Especially since Xuan'er and the younger Madam Wu had always been respectful to her. Jin Niang had someone buy a silver-gilt necklace and a pair of ankle bracelets from the silversmith's to send over.
The Xu family members who came this time didn't have the same imposing air as last time. Madam Xu's nephew, Xu Kang, was still unmarried and single.
It's not that this dynasty overly emphasizes dowries, but that's more for marrying scholars with official titles, not poor scholars. Of course, Jin Niang certainly wouldn't mock anyone. This wasn't Xu Kang's problem; it was Madam Xu's own malicious intentions.
Jiang Yan's wife, Madam Zeng, asked, "Why didn't Sister Jun and Brother Ning come?"
"Brother Ning hasn't finished his term at the prefectural school yet, and we couldn't leave the house empty, so I had Sister Jun stay home to look after things and also keep an eye on her younger brother," Jin Niang naturally explained to avoid certain matters.
Madam Zeng nodded. "I see."
As they were talking, the slightly plump Madam Wu and her daughter, the Sixth Madam Wei (née Wang), arrived together. Naturally, they were relatives of the younger Madam Wu. Jin Niang and Madam Wu were old acquaintances. Just as Jin Niang hesitated to step forward and speak, Madam Wu, as before, took the initiative to call out, "Sister Wei, how are you?"
"Madam Wu, what a coincidence meeting you here," Jin Niang stepped forward and took her hand.
It was indeed a coincidence—their daughters would be sisters-in-law in the future.
Madam Wu had also just finished her confinement period. She had finally gotten her wish and given birth to another son. She said to Jin Niang, "I originally wanted to invite you over, but the child was weak from birth, couldn't be exposed to wind, so we didn't even hold the third-day bath."
Like her, Jin Niang had also recently given birth to her youngest son. Both were older mothers and had much to talk about. "Don't mention it. When my little one was born, he had a small red dot on his head. He's fair-skinned, so we thought it was a birthmark. One day it accidentally broke, and the blood wouldn't stop. My husband and I were terrified. The doctor said it was a cephalohematoma. We had to use acupuncture and apply medicine. It took over a month to heal. The poor child suffered so much."
Madam Wu listened with a tight feeling in her heart. "There's such an ailment?"
"Indeed. Newborns are very fragile and can't be left unattended for a day. Especially the navel—I watched it every day, afraid of umbilical wind."
Madam Wu had initially intended just to exchange a few pleasantries, but Jin Niang was talking about exactly what she wanted to hear. She asked further, "How should one handle that?"
Thus, Jin Niang shared much of her experience. Madam Wu now raised her child herself, not letting her mother-in-law do it, and of course watched over him like a precious pearl, listening very attentively.
As their conversation grew more engaged, Jin Nang even said she would visit the Wei residence in a few days, and Madam Wu happily agreed.
Jin Niang thought to herself that the Eldest Madam Wei (née Fan) was one thing, but her daughter would truly be sisters-in-law with Madam Wang in the future. It was good for her to gather more information, to know both her own side and the other.
After finishing her conversation with Jin Niang, Madam Wu first went into the room to see her niece. She saw the younger Madam Wu had just finished drinking brown sugar water, which helps expel lochia, which was good.
However, Madam Wu looked around and saw the newborn left alone here. She couldn't help saying, "Where's the wet nurse? You just gave birth and need to rest. With the baby here, what if it disturbs you?"
"Don't mention it. The wet nurse we hired yesterday helped herself to a whole bowl of pig's trotters, ate indiscriminately, and got diarrhea. We didn't dare let her nurse. My husband is having someone find a new wet nurse right now," the younger Madam Wu shook her head.
Madam Wang (née Wang) was puzzled. "Cousin, how could that wet nurse not know the rules? How much did she eat to cause that?"
Madam Wu remained silent, but her trusted maid spoke up: "Madam and the young lady may not be aware, but our household's First Lady is a devout Buddhist who maintains an extremely light diet, so meat dishes are rare in our home. It was only yesterday, in preparation for today's baby-washing ceremony, that some richer food was prepared. Not only the wet nurse, but many other servants as well usually have nothing but plain broth and meager meals. When they finally get a chance to eat something substantial, they gorge themselves desperately—quite a few have even had diarrhea from it."
Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged uneasy glances.
