When the Zhou family first heard this news, it was like a bolt from the blue. Unexpectedly, the calmest person in the end turned out to be Lady Zhang. She was speaking to her mother-in-law, Madam Jiang: "Lingnan is a long and arduous journey, and the children are all still too young. I would like to ask you, mother, to look after them for us. It is good for the boys to grow up and learn to read and write. As for the girls, they are just a matter of a dowry. Our family still has a few acres of land left."
Madam Jiang had long been at odds with Lady Zhang, but seeing her speak so reasonably, even Madam Lü chimed in: "Madam, perhaps you should agree."
After all, the whole Zhou family still had Second Master Zhou, and there was the ancestral home in Hangzhou. Madam Jiang nodded: "My child, it is thoughtful of you to consider this."
Lady Zhang then seized the opportunity to dismiss the concubines: "Those like Xiang Ming and Madam Guo are still in the bloom of their youth. Must they follow us to a place of exile? I will not stop those who wish to follow. For those unwilling, I permit them to take their trunks and cases and remarry if they wish."
Zhou Cunzhi was deeply reluctant to part with Madam Guo, but thinking of his young son, he said to her: "Although I have offended the ruling ministers today, once I am reinstated in the future, I will surely make a comeback. Your health has always been weak. Why not follow Madam to Hangzhou and focus on raising our son properly?"
"Alright," Madam Guo agreed. Having drifted for years, she had rarely encountered someone like Zhou Cunzhi who treasured her like a pearl. Facing this sudden separation, she could do nothing but weep silent tears.
For Zhou Cunzhi's sake, Jiang Fang also ran around tirelessly, but with little effect.
"Minister Shen values talent and is broad-minded, but that Lü Fangzhi is a petty, narrow-minded man. We will have to plan slowly for the future."
Zhou Cunzhi, however, seemed to have come to terms with it: "There is no need for that. In truth, ever since the Chancellor of the Jixian Hall stepped down, I had a premonition, though I still clung to a sliver of hope."
Sun Shichen, who was present, said, "It would be better if Jiang Xian were here. He has good relations with both Lü Fangzhi and Attendant-Counselor Cheng."
Sun Shichen owed his position as an Investigating Censor to the patronage of these two men, yet when Zhou Cunzhi truly faced trouble, he stood idly by. Jiang Fang couldn't stand this kind of person and, hearing him mention Jiang Xian, retorted, "Brother Yanran, since you are in the Censorate, why did you remain completely unmoved this time?"
"This... I am new here and dared not speak up," Sun Shichen replied after being confronted, thinking to himself that this was going badly.
The three parted on unhappy terms. When Sun Shichen returned home, he said to his wife, the Fourth Miss Zhou: "I don't know how long I can remain in this position now. While I am still in office, we must quickly settle the marriages of our eldest and second daughters."
After all, the Sun family still had land in their hometown, and the Fourth Miss Zhou also held some fields, which should be enough to support the family.
"In such a rush, what good matches can we possibly secure?" The Fourth Miss Zhou shook her head.
Sun Shichen said, "Last time I suggested matching our eldest with her third aunt's son, but you disagreed."
That was a relative. How could relatives marry? Wouldn't that be incest? People in ancient times didn't understand this principle, but how could she, a modern person, not know?
The Fourth Miss Zhou said, "It's not urgent. Who knows, Second Brother might return at any time."
"Return? How could it be that easy? Forget it, forget it." Sun Shichen sighed deeply.
Meanwhile, Xiang Ming was also hesitating. She had a daughter, but what about after her daughter married? Clearly, Lady Zhang believed Zhou Cunzhi would eventually return. By dismissing the concubines now, she would be the wife who stood by him through hardship when he came back.
No, she couldn't waste her life away in this household.
She wasn't like Madam Guo, who had borne a son, had the senior madams' protection, and had money of her own. Once her own daughter married, she would be left to spend her life with only a lonely lamp and Buddha for company.
For the first time, she had someone deliver a letter to the Jiang residence at Jinliang Bridge.
Jin Niang had avoided getting involved by pretending to be ill at home. Upon receiving Xiang Ming's letter, she called Sister Jun to discuss the matter.
"This Xiang Ming has practically grown up with me since childhood. We share a sisterly bond, and I cannot stand by and do nothing to help her. Let me use this matter to test you, my child. How do you think I should help?"
Sister Jun only learned of her mother's background after she grew older and understood such things. After listening, she thought for a moment: "Since Lady Zhang intends to dismiss the concubines, we should find a family—preferably people they don't know—to pose as her relatives and bring her out first."
Jin Niang praised her: "Good, that makes sense. And after bringing her out?"
Sister Jun continued: "After bringing her out, we cannot keep her at our home. I think it best to send her to Daming Prefecture. Let Aunt Ruyan arrange a good marriage for her. In the future... I can also look out for her a little."
Daming Prefecture?
"My daughter surpasses the master. You are right. Ruyan is a shrewd person who knows that it is by relying on our family that she enjoys the protection of both the Zhen and Wei families in Daming Prefecture. Xiang Ming—that is, Si'er—is also a perceptive person. She will surely live well in the future." Jin Niang expressed her admiration.
Pleased by her mother's praise, Sister Jun smiled: "Thank you for your praise, Mother."
In the past, her mother rarely involved her in these private family matters. Now, she often consulted her, showing both trust and testing her abilities. Somehow, she found herself handling things with increasing competence and order.
Several days later, at the Bianjing docks, an elegant carriage stopped not far away.
Xiang Ming—no, Si'er—smiled as she held Jin Niang's hands: "It was so kind of you, sister, to arrange everything for me. My daughter has been taken under Madam's wing. After I remarry, I can still be her support in the future."
"Yes, it is good that you had the courage to leave. These are the four trunks I give you, all to serve as your dowry. I hope you don't find them too meager," Jin Niang said with a smile.
Si'er said gratefully, "You arranged for someone to bring me out, sent me to Daming Prefecture, and provided an escort. You've even entrusted someone with finding me a marriage. I don't know how to thank you enough."
Jin Niang shook her head: "Many things may not turn out perfectly, but they won't be too bad either. The man you marry may not have the wealth of the Zhou family, but a life whose course you can see clearly, though lacking dramatic ups and downs, is not necessarily a bad one."
Si'er nodded.
Fan Si said the boat was about to depart, and Jin Niang bid her farewell.
Si'er was accompanied by a maidservant, also bought and gifted by Jin Niang. After boarding the ship, she opened the four trunks Jin Niang had given her. One contained bolts of cloth: coarse and fine silks, soft satins, and crepe. Another held a sewing box, a dressing case, a pair of mandarin duck pillows, and a dragon-and-phoenix quilt. A third was packed with a copper basin, vases, two sets of fine porcelain, and a silver pot, all wrapped securely. Finally, she opened the last trunk. The bottom was filled to the brim with copper coins, roughly fifty strings' worth. Laid over the coins was a layer of tea leaves, then a set of twenty-eight silver hair ornaments, a pair of twin-headed gold hairpins, and an apricot blossom silk floral crown. On the very top lay a red bridal veil.
"Sister Jin Niang truly treats me like her own younger sister." Over the years, Si'er had saved up her private savings, giving half to her daughter, so she actually didn't have much money left on hand. But the dowry Jin Niang gave was worth at least two hundred strings of cash, a trousseau prepared for a moderately wealthy family in the Eastern Capital.
The Northern Capital wasn't as prosperous as the Eastern Capital, so this dowry would make her exceptionally well-off even there.
Leaving aside the remarkable fate that awaited Si'er in the Northern Capital, let's return to Jin Niang. Just as she was seeing Si'er off and about to board her carriage, a strong gust of wind lifted the light veil of her curtained hat, revealing her face. It happened to be seen by a young, elegant-looking gentleman across the way. Jin Niang hurriedly got into her carriage and had the driver take her home.
That elegant gentleman, however, looked at the lantern hanging from her carriage bearing the character "Jiang." Surrounded by his attendants, he couldn't help but inquire. Someone beside him said, "That is the wife of Jiang Shaopeng, a daughter of the prominent Wei Family from Hebei. Brother Zhongfeng, do you know her?"
Du Qing shook his head: "I do not."
He thought that since the lady was already married, it was improper for him to mention her further.
The person beside him, however, said, "Brother Zhongfeng, it has been several years since you lost your wife. You are not yet thirty, and your esteemed father is a county magistrate. Taking another wife would be excellent."
Du Qing replied, "Originally, I came to the capital to study at the Imperial Academy, relying on the old connection with the Zhou family. But then the Zhou family got into trouble. The capital is full of complications; how could I have the leisure for such matters?"
The person beside him thought to himself, this young master Du was a man of striking appearance and an Imperial Academy student, though his temperament was rather indolent and he had little passion for scholarly pursuits. Still, he came from an official family and was astute about the political climate, so he didn't press the matter further.
More than a month after Si'er's departure, Jin Niang had just finished embroidering the jasmine gauze bed curtains. Sister Jun had scented them with jasmine incense pellets before storing them in the storeroom.
After going through Si'er's affair together, the mother and daughter relied on each other even more, and their household life was quite pleasant. Brother Ding was about to turn three. Jin Niang was already teaching him to read poetry and classics. Sister Jun also taught her younger brother to read when Jin Niang was busy. The child now came in carrying the small wooden bird his uncle had made for him.
"Mother, I'm here," Brother Ding said, first peeking with half his face showing before bouncing in.
Jin Niang quickly patted the chaise lounge beside her: "Come play over here with Mother."
Brother Ding came over giggling. Unlike Brother Ning, his temperament was gentler and very endearing. He immediately snuggled up to Jin Niang, who could no longer continue her embroidery and had to play with him.
Sister Jun, who was nearby, said, "Mother, when will Father return? If he doesn't come back soon, I'm afraid Brother Ding will forget him."
"I don't know that," Jin Niang said. "Speaking of which, I did miss him a bit just a few days after he left. But with so many things happening over these past several months, I've stopped thinking about it." Jin Niang actually did miss her husband somewhat, but she couldn't say so in front of her daughter.
Just as Sister Jun was about to say something else, someone announced from outside that Madam Zhang had arrived. Jin Niang had Sister Jun take Brother Ding out and invited the guest in.
Madam Zhang said, "I don't know what's gotten into my sister-in-law. Before, when her husband was appointed to an external post, she didn't follow him. Now that he's been demoted to Lingnan, she insists on going with him and won't take a single concubine."
Jin Niang thought to herself that it was precisely because someone had taken advantage of the situation before and 'stolen her home' that she was determined to go now. She must believe Zhou Cunzhi could still be reinstated. But ancient times were not like the modern era; long journeys and climate changes made one prone to illness. Zhou Cunzhi was probably in his forties, and Lady Zhang was no longer young either. It would be quite an ordeal.
However, in front of Madam Zhang, she couldn't say this. She only said, "We all admire her noble devotion."
Madam Zhang was now full of complaints. Before, when Lady Zhang was in the capital, she couldn't speak freely, but now she poured it all out: "What noble devotion? Who knows if they'll live or die going there. And on top of that, we had to subsidize them."
"How so?" Jin Niang frowned.
Even if the Zhou family wasn't as flush with silver as before, they certainly couldn't be considered poor, not with three generations of accumulated wealth. Even an official's descendant of four generations like Jiang Xian could still get a shop and a hundred mu of land when the family divided its assets.
The Zhou family had officials for several generations. Even though marrying off four daughters years ago had cost a considerable sum, with one or two decades of management, they shouldn't have reached such a state.
Seeing Jin Niang's reaction, Madam Zhang quickly said, "You're not an outsider, so I'll speak plainly. My sister-in-law tried her hand at business a few years ago, following others' lead, and lost everything. The Zhou family's situation isn't good to begin with. Brother-in-law Zhou was a successful young jinshi, but then he observed mourning for several years. Old Master Zhou never regained his official post, and Brother-in-law Zhou himself faced repeated setbacks in his career. Greasing palms up and down cost a lot of money, not to mention the Zhou family had to maintain appearances. Old Madam Zhou often consumed expensive tonics and wore fine clothes, all paid for from the common family purse. Old Master Zhou was fond of collecting antiques and curios. They looked prosperous from the outside, but inside, things were already quite strained."
Jin Niang suddenly understood. The reason Jiang Xian's family could still receive such assets was precisely because the Sixth Master Jiang was the only son and inherited almost the entire family fortune. Moreover, Madam Jiang was adept at management. She not only expanded the residence they received but also successfully secured good prospects for all her children and managed Sixth Master Jiang's life with meticulous care.
However, Jin Niang was still puzzled: "Even if things are strained, surely it hasn't come to that?"
Madam Zhang said, "My sister-in-law gave almost all her private savings to my nephew, hoping he would study hard, pass the exams, and become an official to outshine that concubine-born son. But that left her own hands empty. You know my husband—he's the most considerate of family ties, known as a 'poor Lord Mengchang.' We had to come up with two hundred taels. But now our youngest daughter is about to marry, and I'm worried."
No wonder a family like the Zhangs, who relied on hereditary official posts, sought connections with jinshi. Now that Zhou Cunzhi had left, it was fortunate the Zhangs had the Wei Family as in-laws, so Zhang the Ninth's hereditary post wasn't revoked. However, it was difficult to get an actual assignment. Without an assignment, there was no salary; they merely relied on the family's remaining influence.
But Jin Niang also knew that Zhang the Ninth was definitely no 'poor Lord Mengchang.' His family might not have millions of strings of cash, but they probably had hundreds of thousands.
Therefore, Jin Niang smiled gently: "That amount is but a drop in the bucket for your family. You can vent your frustrations here, but if you say such things in front of your husband, it will only cause displeasure."
Madam Zhang sighed a few times: "You're right. I shouldn't say much. The Zhang family affairs are for them to handle."
"Don't speak in anger. The other day, one of my shop managers presented me with some new tea. I thought it was to your taste, so I had some set aside for you to try." With that, she had fresh tea served.
After drinking a cup, Madam Zhang calmed down considerably. Seeing Sister Jun come to pay her respects, she took her hand and said, "Such a fine girl. I only regret the Wei Family secured her betrothal so early."
Jin Niang, who was usually modest, said today, "Her father has been away for almost a year now. My health has never been strong, so I've relied entirely on my daughter to manage everything."
Madam Zhang praised her a few more times. Jin Niang kept her for a meal before she took her leave.
After Madam Zhang left, mother and daughter went for a walk in the garden. Sister Jun asked, "Mother, what was Madam Zhang's purpose in visiting?"
"Lady Zhang once sent me counterfeit fabric, and now the Zhou family has fallen. By coming to mock and criticize me first, she prevents me from kicking her when she's down later," Jin Niang said plainly.
Sister Jun hadn't considered this layer of intention.
She thought she had mastered household management and social dealings, but new situations always seemed to arise.
"Mother, Madam Zhang is quite clever. It's true, one should never underestimate anyone."
Jin Niang smiled. "This Madam Zhang was originally the daughter of a Chief Military Commissioner. It's like the swallows that once nested before the halls of the Wang and Xie families of old. It shows that even if you start from a higher threshold than others, it doesn't guarantee you'll stay that way forever."
Sister Jun pondered this. "What you say is true, just like our Jiang family."
"For instance, your father and his brother are both learned men, but if the next generation becomes tainted by the habits of wealth and luxury, the family might decline again." Jin Niang herself was quite philosophical about it; where is there wealth that lasts a thousand years? Even imperial dynasties see their mandate end after two or three hundred.
It was the transition between spring and summer. In the flower beds, the crabapple blossoms were blooming luxuriantly, like a waterfall of flowers, making the peach blossoms beside them appear somewhat sparse in comparison.
"Mother, you have me studying books, learning to manage a household, and giving me such a generous dowry. Does that mean everything is completely secure?" Sister Jun watched a petal fall and looked up at her mother.
But Jin Niang shook her head. "These are all external things. If your mind and will aren't resilient enough, it won't work. Look at Si'er. An ordinary person might think that with a child and the support of a large family, one need not worry anymore. Yet she dared to break through barriers, unafraid of failure. All these things I've cultivated in you over the years are merely aids. The most important thing is that as long as you have breath in you, you must persevere, keep breaking through. There will always be a turning point."
To speak of Zhang the Ninth, as an official by hereditary privilege, he was just holding a nominal post and idling his days. Having no actual assignment was one thing, but Sun Shichen almost had his official position stripped. Fortunately, Jiang Fang intervened to protect him, so things remained relatively peaceful.
Madam Zhou the Fourth hadn't expected officialdom to be so perilous. Although the Song dynasty didn't execute scholars, once a person lost power, those beneath would swarm in, eager to push them down.
Even a minor figure like Sun Shichen had people going to great lengths to fabricate charges against him. Aligning with a faction was problematic, but not aligning was also problematic.
"If only I were like Jiang the Sixteenth, with a reliable wife's family and a prominent maternal cousin's household. Now that he's back, promotions and titles are surely unavoidable for him," Sun Shichen felt the heavens were unjust.
Madam Zhou the Fourth thought to herself that those who climb high fall hard. It was better to be like them, not too conspicuous, for longevity. So she smiled and said, "In my opinion, the Chief of the Secretariat or the Chief of the Chancellery, weren't they all illustrious in their time? But once they lost power, the people around them were crushed like fish and shrimp. It's better for us, like this. Do less, err less."
Although Sun Shichen had taken Ruo Liu as a concubine, causing marital tension for several months, in the end, Ruo Liu was older, around thirty-six or thirty-seven. Sun Shichen found her age unappealing and told Madam Zhou the Fourth to send her away. Madam Zhou the Fourth had someone escort her out. For someone who had betrayed her, not actually selling her but returning her deed of sale was already giving her face.
After Ruo Liu left, Sun Shichen and Madam Zhou the Fourth's relationship improved considerably.
This time, Sun Shichen was able to retain his official position thanks to his marital connection to the Zhou family, so Sun Shichen also showed some compliance.
Back with Jin Niang, as the Dragon Boat Festival approached, she and Sister Jun first distributed the festival gifts. Then, Tiger Head, who had accompanied Jiang Xian, returned. He said with a smile, "Madam, the master has entered the city. He must first report to the palace, but he sent me ahead to bring the good news."
Jin Niang stood up abruptly. "Truly?"
Tiger Head nodded emphatically.
Jin Niang said, "You've worked hard. Your parents have been missing you. Go see your family first, then attend to your duties." After speaking, she instructed Qingrong to give him a reward.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Xian was returning. Jin Niang first had Cui Huan and Ying Luo tidy up the rooms, changed the bed curtains, and lit new incense. Then, the garden plants were trimmed, the courtyards swept. She personally led people to clean Jiang Xian's study, laying down the newly purchased carpets.
The kitchen went without saying; she instructed Juxiang to prepare several of Jiang Xian's favorite dishes and to make plenty of tea snacks.
Sister Jun thought to herself that her mother usually didn't seem particularly longing for her father, so why such meticulous care today? Thinking this, she voiced her question.
Jin Niang laughed. "Such a child. Your father has traveled a thousand miles to return. If the house is in disarray, the study reeking of mildew, how could he feel comfortable? A home must look like a home. On ordinary days it's fine, but he hasn't seen us for almost a year. He might even feel some trepidation returning. We must let your father know how warm and welcoming his home is."
Of course, if Jiang Xian quietly brought a woman back, forget warmth, even he himself would be swept out the door. After all, who held the property and land deeds now?
By the time Jiang Xian emerged from the palace, it was dusk. Sitting in his sedan chair, he touched his own face. Having been at the border for so long, eating more meat, often riding horses, his face had grown much rougher, and his waist seemed to have thickened a bit. Although it wasn't obvious to outsiders, he knew it himself.
Would my wife find me unattractive?
Thinking this, he hesitated for a long while. By the time he reached home, the sky was dim.
Unexpectedly, upon arriving home, his wife was standing at the inner gate to welcome him, holding a gauze lantern, its light hazy, like a dream. Jiang Xian rushed toward Jin Niang in great strides. "My wife."
Jin Niang took his hand. "The bathhouse already has hot water prepared. I've made you new sleeping clothes. Go bathe first. I'll arrange the meal and then dine with you."
"Mm." Jiang Xian nodded heavily.
In the bathhouse, a wooden tub indeed held fresh clothes and toiletries. Face wash, tooth powder, and shampoo were all prepared and set aside, with pleasant scents. He quickly washed his hair, bathed, put on the clothes, and emerged refreshed.
The small parlor was already set with food. Seeing him approach, his wife served him a bowl of mung bean and pork rib soup. "To clear internal heat."
Jiang Xian felt that this day was no different from many days in the past. It was just the same, as if he had never left.
After finishing the soup, he held Jin Niang's hand and wouldn't let go. "Everything was fine outside, except I missed you day and night."
"What a glib tongue you have," Jin Niang chided him with a glance.
Jiang Xian couldn't help but want to draw his wife into his arms, but seeing a maid bringing dishes up, he thought it improper to do so. Thus, the two only discussed recent events. Jiang Xian mentioned the Zhou family, which seemed to have been within expectations. However, what he wanted to say wasn't about that. Instead, he said, "His Majesty has promoted me to the position of Secretariat Drafter."
"Secretariat Drafter? A step in the promotion ladder? Rank 5a?" Jin Niang thought this meant it was a position without substantive duties.
Jiang Xian smiled and said, "Yes."
Jin Niang quickly said, "Then I congratulate you."
"Jin Niang, His Majesty said I handled my duties well and asked if I had any wishes. I said I wished to bring honor to my family." Jiang Xian said, also fearing Jin Niang might be upset, because he had requested the honorary title for his birth mother. In this way, Jin Niang would miss out on the title of Lady. His mother's kindness to him went without saying, yet his wife had shared both hardship and comfort with him.
Little did he know that Jin Niang, unaware he had requested the title for his birth mother, said, "That's good too. If not for mother-in-law, there would be no home for us. If she is posthumously honored, the old lady would rejoice for you even in the afterlife. Coincidentally, last time when I took Brother Ning to pay respects, I noticed the grave mound was somewhat worn. Perhaps we could also contribute some funds to have it repaired."
Jiang Xian bit his lip. "My lady, I thought you might feel uneasy inside. In the future, when my official rank rises higher, I can have you both conferred together."
Jin Niang hadn't even considered herself. Hearing him say this, she simply smiled. "Good, I'll be looking forward to it."
