After the meal, the husband and wife rinsed their mouths and washed their faces before retiring to bed.
Jiang Xian personally held the lamp and handed a small box to Jin Niang. When she opened it, she found it was a box of northern pearls. Knowing how expensive they were, she looked at her husband. "Where did you buy these?"
"They were bestowed upon our envoys by the king of that country. Don't worry, it wasn't just me; another official from the Ministry of Rites received some too." Jiang Xian knew Jin Niang never accepted bribes and kept a strict watch on him as well.
Jin Niang felt relieved. "Then I'll keep them."
Jiang Xian said, "Don't give them all to the children. Keep some for yourself. You don't have many fine things."
"I know. I'll keep them to make jewelry," Jin Niang replied with a smile.
Jiang Xian also learned that Brother Ning was already attending the prefectural school and adapting well. He praised him repeatedly. "Truly my son, so capable."
"Look at you," Jin Niang said, resting her chin on her hand and gazing at him with a smile.
Jiang Xian had much more to say, but seeing his wife like this, he lowered his voice. "Have you soaked the things?"
Jin Niang pointed to a bowl nearby. In an instant, Jiang Xian lifted his wife's chin. Behind the green gauze bed curtains, the mandarin ducks entwined, a scene of intimacy not to be spoken of to outsiders.
The next morning, Jiang Xian went to the old residence. He spoke with Master Jiang the Sixth about the matter of requesting honorary titles. Master Jiang the Sixth could also receive an official title due to his son's status, as could the late Sixth Madam Jiang. Madam Zheng couldn't argue much here, as Jiang Xian mentioned that even his own wife hadn't requested a title.
The Jiang clan naturally expressed admiration. Jiang Xian then brought up the matter of repairing his mother's grave. Previously, with Jiang Yan present as the eldest son, he couldn't overstep his elder brother. Now that Jiang Yan had gone to Yingtian Prefecture and Jiang Xian held the highest official rank, no one would dare gossip if he took care of these matters.
Jiang Yan had always been on good terms with Jiang Xian. The two drank wine in the garden. Although Jiang Xian now held a high position, he never put on airs in front of his clansmen. Jin Niang also prepared fine wine and dishes.
"I had too much rich, greasy food in the Liao country. Now I just crave some radishes and greens," Jiang Xian said with a laugh.
Jiang Yan remarked, "Sixteenth Brother, you look much sturdier."
Jiang Xian thought to himself that he needed to maintain his figure. It was lovely if his wife was a bit plump, but not for him. He just laughed it off.
The two discussed the grave repairs. Following Jin Niang's advice, Jiang Xian first lamented his poverty. "Ah, my eldest daughter's downey nearly drained the family's silver. We also bought this house recently. I still need to scrape together some funds for the grave repairs."
Jiang Yan recalled something. "Back when you and Eighth Brother passed the imperial examination, my father allocated six hundred mu of clan land to your family—"
In truth, Jiang Yan was well aware of Madam Xu's actions, but as the saying goes, one shouldn't sow discord among kin. However, seeing Jiang Xian short on money now, he quietly mentioned it.
Jiang Xian thought to himself that this indeed matched what his wife had said. His elder sister-in-law was withholding their land. Yet, demanding it back now would be extremely difficult; it was better to make a gracious gesture. So he waved his hand. "All these matters have been handled by my sister-in-law. Now that my brother has resigned and gone to Yingtian Prefecture, it's even less appropriate for me to ask for it."
"Sixteenth Brother, everyone in the clan knows about these family matters of yours. It's only due to you and your wife's magnanimity," said Jiang Yan, who was also clever, raising his cup.
Jiang Xian smiled. "Since ancient times, cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world—none are easy to achieve. Brother Yan, knowing my true feelings is worth more than anything. I can only pour out these bitter waters to you."
Jiang Yan, now middle-aged, was most worried about the issue of heirs. Jiang Xian said, "Brother Yan, I know a physician. I can arrange for both you and your wife to undergo some recuperation together. Sometimes, even if both husband and wife are physically sound, they just miss that little something."
Jiang Xian had heard from his wife that often the inability to conceive was actually the man's problem. If a woman's menstruation was regular, her fertility was generally fine. But he couldn't outright say Jiang Yan had a problem, so he phrased it this way. Desiring children, Jiang Yan readily agreed.
They drank three rounds before parting. Jiang Xian saw Jiang Yan off, then entered his study, his eyes clear and bright. He saw Jin Niang bringing him a sobering soup. After drinking a bowl, he pointed to a chair in front of him, asking his wife to sit.
Jin Niang sat down with a giggle. "My good husband, you've just returned and are already busy with all these matters. Why not rest a bit?"
"There's still much to do. Keep me company today, wife," Jiang Xian simply wanted his wife to sit and accompany him.
Jin Niang, of course, agreed.
Three days later, Jiang Xian assumed his new post. Friends, relatives, and colleagues all came to congratulate him. Jin Niang naturally prepared wine and dishes again and brought Brother Ning back from the prefectural school. In-laws from the Wei and Zhang families, along with the Jiang clan members, made for a lively gathering.
The three Wei brothers also came together. The eldest Wei brother said to the seventh, "Your father-in-law is now a fifth-rank official. This is a promotion-rank position; he'll likely rise even higher. Our marriage alliance truly brings good fortune."
The seventh Wei brother replied, "Elder Brother, please don't say such things in front of my father-in-law."
"I'm naturally aware of that," said the eldest Wei brother, though he had his own calculations. Although he had an inherited official title, he hadn't passed the special examination for officials' relatives, so he hadn't received an actual appointment in the past two or three years.
Seeing others rise quickly in office, he couldn't help but feel a certain indescribable bitterness.
The seventh Wei brother hit the mark with his words, forcing the eldest to change the subject. As for the sixth Wei brother, being a concubine-born son, the three brothers appeared harmonious on the surface but each had their own considerations.
Meanwhile, Zhang the Ninth and his wife also said, "Fortunately, we formed this good marriage alliance."
Although Zhang the Ninth and Jiang Xian were good friends, without this marital connection, the relationship would ultimately be more distant. Now that the Zhou family had fallen from power, coming here allowed them to cling to a powerful patron.
Madam Zhang was even more pleased. "Our son-in-law moved from Registrar of Shuzhou to Magistrate of Songyang County this year, also thanks to the Wei family's influence."
"Yes, it's also because Pingjun has such good fortune," Zhang the Ninth said with a smile.
Madam Zhang praised her husband. "Wasn't it also because you, master, acted decisively?"
With the house full of distinguished guests, Jin Niang was too busy attending to everyone. Fortunately, her nephew's wife, the younger Madam Wu, was there to help. Madam Xu excused herself, claiming discomfort, but Jin Niang knew it was a sickness of the heart, purely an inability to bear others' good fortune.
Fortunately, the younger Madam Wu was quite adept at social interactions. After Brother Ning passed the prefectural school exam, Xuan'er had personally brought several strings of firecrackers to set off.
While not extremely close, their words and attitudes were always proper, and Madam Xu's face was also considered. Now that her husband held a high position, Jin Niang had only exposed Madam Xu's seizure of their farmland within the clan, without pressing further.
Why? Pressing too hard would damage their reputation. Just like when the two nephews from the Feng family came, Jin Niang declined to see them but sent a rather generous gift, leaving no room for criticism.
Enduring some superficial grievances actually made the clan members more inclined to their side. What was wrong with that?
"Xuan'er's wife, you should rest for a while too," Jin Niang said.
The younger Madam Wu smiled. "Aunt, the people you hired from the Immortal Gathering Restaurant are truly efficient."
"Indeed. And they're cheaper than the Four Bureaus and Six Offices, with more variety in dishes," said Jin Niang, who had a long-standing relationship with the Immortal Gathering Restaurant.
Actually, Xuan'er is not young anymore, he is in his prime years, but his story is somewhat lamentable. When he was little, Madam Xu would sit by his desk, bamboo whip in hand, urging him to do his homework. Yet, just when he was becoming truly eager to learn, Madam Xu stopped paying attention. Originally, Jiang Yan had arranged for Xuan'er to study under a renowned scholar, but that scholar resigned from his post and returned to his hometown. Now, Xuan'er is left in an awkward position, neither here nor there.
Jiang Xian has his own sons to worry about, more than enough to keep him occupied, so how could he spare much thought for this nephew?
Moreover, even his own sons aren't studying under any famous scholars; they both entered the prefectural school through examinations, even eating the standard second-tier meals alongside students from humble backgrounds, receiving no special treatment whatsoever.
As his wife said, if one can ascend to great heights on their own merit, why must one rely on others?
On the other hand, the younger Madam Wu, considering her own husband's prospects, not only maintains a good relationship with Jin Niang but also introduced him to her uncle and father.
Jin Niang greatly approves of her, even saying, "Since ancient times, a husband's glory elevates his wife. If Xuan'er can pass the imperial examination one day, you will enjoy good fortune in the future."
The younger Madam Wu thinks that her husband coming over could allow him to interact with people from the Wei, Fan, and even Shen families, which is a good thing. When others give you such an opportunity, you must seize it yourself.
Outside, Brother Ning was eating heartily. He's at an age where he's growing fast, and the food at the prefectural school is quite plain, so he naturally buried his head in his meal. He said to Wei the Seventh, "Seventh Brother, it's a good thing my mother sends me food every three days, otherwise I'd really be craving it."
Wei the Seventh laughed, "Why not come out for a better meal?"
"That would only be good if we all came out together. If it were just me, it wouldn't be proper." Brother Ning is also very mindful of propriety. After all, he's the son of an official; appearing too privileged wouldn't be right.
Wei the Seventh secretly admired his attitude greatly. He picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs for him: "Here, have some more."
"Thank you, Seventh Cousin." Brother Ning smiled.
By the time the feast ended, most of the outside guests had dispersed. Jiang Xian kept Wei the Seventh to talk, as he was, after all, his own son-in-law. Wei the Seventh got along extremely well with Jin Niang. In his view, although his mother-in-law's temperament wasn't the most easy-going, she was a warm-hearted person. If you were good to her by one measure, she would surely repay you tenfold.
His father-in-law, however, was different. He appeared smooth and diplomatic, his preferences not easily discerned, which made Wei the Seventh somewhat apprehensive.
"How are your studies lately, Seventh?"
Wei the Seventh replied, "This nephew is currently studying..."
Jiang Xian listened, then pointed to a literary collection and said, "These are poems and essays composed yesterday by several promising young talents at Scholar Fan's residence. I found them quite good. Take this back and ponder over it."
Wei the Seventh bowed and accepted it. After leaving the study, he came to Jin Niang's quarters to bid farewell. Seeing Jin Niang still reading at this hour, he felt a bit embarrassed: "Aunt's household truly has a strong scholarly atmosphere."
"I merely pass the time when I have nothing else to do. So, did your uncle-in-law ask about your studies?" Jin Niang asked with a smile.
Wei the Seventh nodded: "Yes."
Seeing his nervousness, Jin Niang said, "Your uncle-in-law has high expectations for you, but you needn't take it too much to heart. Elders are often like this. It's best you have your own plans."
These words were very comforting, and Wei the Seventh felt his mind ease.
The husband and wife played their respective roles, one stern, one kind, which made Wei the Seventh not dare to be neglectful after returning home.
Late at night, Jiang Xian returned from his study. After a quick wash, he came to bed. Seeing his wife sleeping soundly, her dark hair scattered over her fair face, he couldn't help but lean down and kiss her.
It was also mentioned that the house across from Jin Niang's had new occupants. It had originally been kept by a few servants, but now the master had been transferred back to the capital, and the place suddenly became lively. They even sent over a box of osmanthus rice cakes and two sliced roasted ducks.
Jin Niang also sent two boxes of fashionable pastries in return and made some inquiries.
Soon, Ying returned and reported: "Madam, the household across the street is also a large family. The master's surname is Meng, currently serving as a Vice Director in the Ministry of Revenue. Madam Meng is around forty years old and is actually of imperial kinship—her younger sister is Consort Qiao in the palace."
A Consort is a third-rank titled lady. The new emperor had just ascended the throne not long ago and had already granted her the title of Consort, which seemed quite favorable.
"Sounds promising," Jin Niang thought to herself.
The Meng family soon sent out invitations. Jin Niang took her daughter over for a housewarming feast. Madam Meng had a round face with pronounced eye bags and a very loud voice. Her eldest daughter was already married to an Imperial Guard of the Inner Hall. She had a second daughter, about the same age as Sister Jun, and a youngest daughter of twelve or thirteen, said to be born of a concubine.
"Your young ladies are all as fresh and lovely as spring onions, truly enviable," Jin Niang said with a smile.
Madam Meng, however, took Sister Jun's hand and said, "It is your daughter who is truly as lovely as a spring onion, so beautiful. I wonder if she is betrothed yet?"
When women meet, such questions are common. Jin Niang smiled, "She was engaged last year, to my nephew from my maiden family."
"Cousins marrying, how wonderful," Madam Meng sighed.
As they spoke, the young ladies were invited outside to chat.
Jin Niang took a sip of tea before saying, "We mothers always fear our daughters suffering. Having an aunt as a mother-in-law is always better than a stranger." This statement was half-truth, half-politeness. Lady Wei had strict rules, but at least Jin Niang and Sister Jun could understand her ways, which was better than being completely in the dark.
"Madam Jiang is quite right. I have similar thoughts," Madam Meng said, seeming to have found a kindred spirit.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, a maidservant entered hesitantly. Madam Meng frowned, "What is it now?"
"Reporting to Madam, Concubine Huang is going into labor."
Upon hearing that someone in the household was giving birth, Jin Niang quickly called for Sister Jun and left first. This angered Madam Meng, who said, "A concubine having a child, so what? Does she really think she's something special? She made Madam Jiang from across the way leave, and Madam Li turned back at the door too."
The maidservant said, "But Concubine Huang seems to be having a difficult labor..."
Madam Meng stood up, "What a nuisance. Just send for a physician."
Setting aside the matter of the Meng family's concubine having a difficult labor shortly after their arrival, that concubine desperately gave birth to a son but lost her own life. Madam Meng hastily had her body prepared for burial, with hardly any funeral arrangements made.
Sister Jun couldn't help but comment, "Mother, this Madam Meng isn't very kind." Among the noblewomen she had seen, even those who disliked concubines would deal with matters discreetly, not so openly.
Just like how Madam Zhang disliked Concubine Guo and Xiangming, she wouldn't dare to be so blatant about it.
Jin Niang, however, said, "This matter ultimately stems from the master of the house. If the master had spoken up, would Madam Meng dare not listen? Madam Meng and this concubine likely had no prior grudge."
If men didn't take multiple wives and concubines, such situations wouldn't arise. Although concubines are low in status, they bear children and die in childbirth, while the men seem to vanish into the background.
Sister Jun thought of her own father, who had no concubines, which brought peace to the household, allowing the family to work together in harmony. It shows that men can indeed manage without taking concubines. Her mother wasn't the shrew outsiders might say; on the contrary, she knew when to be strict and when to be lenient, and her father was utterly devoted.
Until the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Meng household was once again filled with music and revelry. The second daughter of the Meng family had her marriage settled. Madam Meng invited her maternal brother's wife to act as the "Complete Blessings" woman for the ceremony. Jin Niang and Madam Li went together to deliver a round of gifts.
It was as if nothing had ever happened.
Sister Jun told Jin Niang that the deceased Concubine Huang was the birth mother of the Meng family's third young lady and felt great sympathy for her: "Mother, did you know? I heard Master Meng intends to betroth her to one of his own disciples, a scholar from a poor family."
By the end of her tale, Sister Jun suddenly felt very appreciative of her own life.
What Jin Niang heard from Madam Meng was a different story altogether. Madam Meng was now quite familiar with Jin Niang, and there were no conflicting interests between them. However, the incident with Concubine Huang had somewhat tarnished Madam Meng's image, so she brought it up as if by chance.
"That Concubine Huang originally served my mother-in-law. After I entered the household, she was assigned to attend to our master. First, she bore a son, then a daughter, and began to rival me within the household. Don't be fooled by how imposing I seem managing the household here in the capital—it was never like this before. Back home, I had a demanding mother-in-law above and provocative concubines below, just barely enduring through it all. When that Concubine Huang was pregnant and managing the household, she hoarded all the finest tonics and delicacies for her own rooms. After coming to the capital, upon learning my younger sister had become a Jieyu and was with child, she grew terrified, inspecting her meals three or four times a day, frightening herself with her own suspicions." By the end, Madam Meng laughed at the absurdity herself.
Jin Niang wasn't particularly interested in the marital disputes of other families, but upon hearing that Jieyu Qiao was pregnant, she feigned ignorance: "Looking at your dignified bearing, Madam Meng, you must also come from an official family, I presume?"
"Where did you get that idea, Madam Jiang? My father was indeed a Jinshi graduate. When I married, he was serving as a military commissioner. It's just that my younger sister was a posthumous child; otherwise, she would never have entered the palace." Speaking of her sister, Madam Meng also sighed—once you enter the palace gates, the sea is deep.
Jin Niang nodded slightly and added, "As the saying goes, clarity will out. In time, when everyone understands you, they will naturally know you are certainly not that kind of person."
Seeing that Jin Niang was willing to listen, spoke elegantly, and appeared dignified and poised, Madam Meng quickly smiled and said, "You are quite right."
After Madam Meng left, Jin Niang mentioned Jieyu Qiao to Jiang Xian during dinner: "She is still a Jieyu now, but her status will likely change after she gives birth."
"The Empress has no sons. Although this Jieyu Qiao is not as favored as Consort Lan, she has already borne one princess. If she now delivers a prince, I'm afraid her status will advance another step," Jin Niang said.
Jiang Xian knew Jin Niang never spoke without cause. When they first went to Wu County, she enjoyed socializing, but after arriving in Daming Prefecture, she gradually became more selective in her engagements, understanding the concept of alliances between the strong.
Hence her association with the Wei family and arranging an excellent marriage for their daughter.
Until now, he had seen Jin Niang usually being rather reserved, not particularly keen on going out to socialize. So this was the reason.
"It's still too early to discuss these matters," Jiang Xian said.
Jin Niang smiled, "We aren't trying to befriend the inner palace. It's just that the Meng family are our neighbors. It would be good if we could gather some information through them." Thinking of this, she shook her head, "With a change of emperor comes a complete upheaval."
The mighty Chief Councillor Jixian stepped down, replaced by Counsellor Shen.
What would happen if, years later, Counsellor Shen was no longer in power?
Hearing Jin Niang say this, Jiang Xian also nodded, "You have always been careful with your words. Just follow your own judgment in this matter."
After the two finished their meal, they saw an invitation sent by the Zheng family. Jin Niang smilingly handed it to her husband, "Ever since you petitioned for an honorary title for your mother, the Zheng family has been visiting even more frequently."
Jiang Xian wasn't a man of exceptionally rigid principles, but regarding petitioning for an honorary title for Madam Zheng, he felt intense resistance, a deep-seated aversion.
But in the future, if he were promoted, according to ritual propriety, petitioning for a title for his stepmother would have to come before one for Jin Niang, which made him even more uncomfortable. After all, he still had his eldest brother; Madam Zheng could be left for him to petition for. He could simply say he had never served Madam Zheng. He still wanted to secure the honorary title for Jin Niang first.
There was actually no personal enmity between him and Madam Zheng, but he simply disliked her for occupying the nest like a cuckoo.
This psychological discomfort involved Sixth Madam Jiang, so Jin Niang did not try to console him, especially since she always felt Sixth Madam Jiang had recognized her worth. A woman's marriage concerns her lifelong happiness; Sixth Madam Jiang had given her such an excellent husband and arranged for the early division of property, allowing their branch to separate cleanly from the main household.
Madam Zheng, of course, desired the honorary title. An honorary title was a woman's status, a woman's dignity. She dreamed of it.
But Jin Niang did not visit the Zheng family often, going only once out of every three invitations, which was already giving face.
Seeing her sister like this, Madam Zheng's younger sister couldn't help saying, "You are just too meek. Although you are a stepmother, a stepmother is still a mother. Being this timid now only makes it seem like you are afraid of them."
"How is this being afraid of them? The Sixteenth Young Master didn't petition for a title for Lady Wei either. The Emperor is only granting one title per official right now, and he's merely a fifth-rank official." Though she said this, Madam Zheng ultimately yearned for it in her heart.
"Sister, have you considered that if your third son ends up like the eldest, failing to secure an official post in the future, even the dead might receive an honorary title, while you get nothing?"
Indeed, officialdom is unpredictable. The Zhou family was once exceedingly prominent, but now they've been exiled to a place like Lingnan. And the stepson Jiang Yan was once so highly regarded, visiting the Prime Minister's house as if it were his own, but now who knows in what godforsaken place he's compiling books?
This is what made Madam Zheng anxious.
Clearly, Jiang Xian and his wife did not take her very seriously. Not only did they rarely attend Zheng family banquets, but when Zheng family sons encountered problems, Jiang Xian wasn't particularly concerned either.
Then there was Madam Xu. Already displeased because Jiang Xian and Jin Niang had publicly exposed her for occupying their three hundred mu of land, she grew even more resentful seeing Jiang Xian's promotion, his renovation of Sixth Madam Jiang's grave, and all the attention he garnered.
She could certainly perceive Madam Zheng's anxiety and said with a laugh to Nanny Ge, "Serves her right. Always opposing us before. Now let her stew a bit."
Nanny Ge said, "But her stewing won't harm them in the slightest."
Although Madam Xu disliked Jiang Xian and his wife, she also had no desire to let this stepmother-in-law, Madam Zheng, lord it over her. So she kept her mouth shut and offered no advice.
Over this matter, Madam Zheng took a fall one morning. As she was helped to her bed, she initially thought resting for a few days would suffice—a bone injury takes a hundred days to heal—and planned to recuperate properly.
But when she saw Jin Niang and Sister Jun come to visit her during her illness, a sudden idea was born in her mind.
She needed a promise: the next time Jiang Xian received a promotion, she must be granted the title of a noble lady first; Lady Wei must not be conferred the honor ahead of her. After all, Lady Wei was the principal wife. In ordinary households, when speaking of "honoring the wife and benefiting the sons," if Jiang Xian had only one opportunity for such a bestowal, he would undoubtedly grant it to his wife. Lady Wei's chances were far greater than hers.
