Jiang Xian was now a close confidant of the Emperor. Jin Niang had initially thought the pressure on him must be immense, but to her surprise, he handled heavy responsibilities with ease, appearing quite relaxed. He truly seemed born for officialdom, getting along with others as pleasantly as a spring breeze and handling affairs with utmost competence, making him a capable official.
However, once he returned home...
He was a completely different person.
Today was Jin Niang's birthday. After the banquet guests had departed, he loosened his collar and lounged on the daybed, even crossing his legs. Seeing him like this, Jin Niang found it inappropriate to have servants enter.
"Look at you..." Jin Niang's words trailed off as she saw Jiang Xian toss a money pouch her way. She opened it and found four silver ingots inside, each worth twenty-five taels, totaling one hundred taels.
Jiang Xian laughed, "Just wrote an epitaph for someone, a mere trifle."
Don't be fooled by his casual tone. In his study, he often practiced calligraphy hundreds of times, putting in deep and diligent effort.
Upon receiving the money, Jin Niang promptly crouched beside him. "Well then, I won't stand on ceremony and gratefully accept."
"My dear, I've already petitioned for your title. It's just that the Ministry of Rites takes an eternity with formalities." Jiang Xian had originally hoped to give her this surprise before her birthday, never expecting the process to be so slow.
Jin Niang responded, "How can this be? Madam Zheng is, after all, your stepmother. Won't this invite gossip?"
Jiang Xian smiled, "What gossip could there be? I initially thought to wait a few more years until my official rank was higher, so I could petition for titles together. But I am unwilling to let you suffer any slight. Furthermore, although Madam Zheng is my stepmother, she did not raise me. You are my wife who shared my hardships through poverty, my partner through thick and thin. Why should this honor go to someone else? Our family has more than just me as a son."
"Alright then." Jin Niang was aware of the potential complications, but she couldn't bring herself to dampen Jiang Xian's sincere enthusiasm.
After Jin Niang's birthday, Madam Li invited her and Madam Meng, along with their daughters, for a boat outing on the lake. Thinking it would be a nice change from staying cooped up at home, Jin Niang gladly agreed.
In the palace, Consort Qiao had given birth to a prince and been promoted to Zhaoyi. Madam Meng was also in high spirits. She was a straightforward person, her joys and displeasures plain on her face.
Everyone knew her temperament and generally didn't take much offense.
From Jin Niang's observation, Madam Meng was at most more partial to her own children, maintaining only a superficial courtesy towards the concubine-born children, which was already considered quite decent.
In Jin Niang's opinion, the Fourth Miss Zhou had some discernment. The Meng family was prosperous, and even after dividing the family property in the future, her share wouldn't be too small. Moreover, the Third Young Master Meng was, after all, a diligent and studious man who might well have a promising future. Additionally, Madam Meng's eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Lin, was the picture of virtuous gentleness, truly an excellent daughter-in-law, ensuring harmonious relations in the future.
Madam Li picked up a green plum and popped it into her mouth. "This tastes wonderful."
Seeing Madam Lin standing dutifully beside Madam Meng the whole time, Jin Niang felt a pang of sympathy. "Why don't you come sit down? There's a bridge ahead; you might lose your footing when the boat sways later."
Only in front of everyone did Madam Meng then say to Madam Lin, "You may sit down as well."
The conversation turned to the green plums. Madam Meng said they were made by a maidservant from her dowry. Jin Niang praised them, "Next time my estate sends over plums, I'd like to ask your household to pickle some. Your family's green plums are even more delicious than those from the North-South Shop."
Madam Meng readily agreed. She was, of course, eager to maintain good relations with Jin Niang, knowing full well how rapidly Jiang Xian had been promoted. He now held a rank of Deputy Fourth Grade, higher than her own husband's position.
Willow trees brushed the banks on both sides. As the painted boat moved along, a gentle breeze blew in, bringing instant coolness.
Sister Jun was playing chess with Miss Li. Second Miss Meng looked at the scenery outside and sighed, "We can still come out to play like this now. Once we're married, we probably won't have such fortune. My elder sister's mother-in-law always smiles, but her rules are exceptionally strict—forcing beautiful maids on my brother-in-law, insisting my sister serve during meals, constantly talking about 'family rules.' It truly pains my heart."
However, Sister Jun glanced ahead and saw Madam Lin finally taking a seat. She couldn't help thinking to herself, Wasn't your own sister-in-law just standing there serving your mother a moment ago? Why don't you feel pain for her? My own mother is much more considerate.
But Miss Li looked at both Sister Jun and Second Miss Meng and said, "You two are both marrying into familiar, related families. That's certainly better than my situation."
Little did she know, each of the three young ladies had her own worries. Second Miss Meng's cousin was an honest gentleman, but he admired learned, talented women. She herself was no prodigy. Her mother had boasted to her aunt's family about her vast knowledge, but she feared being exposed after marriage.
Sister Jun, meanwhile, thought of Young Master Wei the Seventh, for whom women seemed to vie wherever he went. Moreover, Madam Wei doted on this youngest son, making him somewhat unaccustomed to hardship. She wondered what the future held.
The young ladies' minds were occupied with different thoughts, while the adults enjoyed the breeze, relishing this rare moment of leisure.
Upon returning home, they were surprised to find an official from the Ministry of Rites waiting to deliver an imperial edict. It turned out she had been conferred the title of Fourth Grade Shuo Ren. At that moment, Jiang Xian had not yet returned from his office. Jin Niang instructed Luo Da to give rewards, then kowtowed before the incense table. After everyone had left, overwhelmed with excitement, she couldn't help but press a hand to her chest.
Sister Jun hurriedly said with a smile, "Congratulations, Mother, on receiving the official title. Mother, why don't we invite relatives and friends to celebrate?"
For such a happy occasion, Jin Niang was naturally inclined, but after a moment's thought, she shook her head. "Your father petitioning for my title fills me with genuine joy. Now that I am a Fourth Grade Shuo Ren and have gained this substantial honor, why make a grand show? Don't forget, Madam Zheng at the old residence is eagerly awaiting her turn."
Sister Jun said, "It's such a delightful event, yet Mother is being so cautious."
"Truthfully, your father's successive promotions have already brought me immense satisfaction. I no longer have to endure slights from the wives of his superiors like before. Now that I've received this title—a rank neither too high nor too low—those of lower rank might think I'm showing off, while those of higher rank might see me as an upstart." Jin Niang knew there were far too many people with jealous eyes in this world.
Moreover, she vaguely worried that political rivals might learn of this and use it to accuse Jiang Xian of disrespecting his stepmother.
While she might not invite outsiders, the immediate family still needed to celebrate. As usual, Jin Niang took five strings of cash from her private savings. Each person received a portion of pork-stuffed baked pancake, a vegetable pancake, a pair of spicy braised pig and lamb trotters, and a serving of pickled papaya.
Last time's roasted chicken was ordered from a nearby restaurant—expensive and too greasy. This time, she ordered directly from a simpler eatery, getting good value for money.
When Jiang Xian returned home, he sniffed the air. Jin Niang had saved a portion for him this time.
The husband and wife exchanged a look, everything understood without words.
"I originally wanted to give my wife a surprise on her birthday, but I didn't expect the procedures to move so slowly," Jiang Xian said with some regret.
Jin Niang shook her head: "A good meal is worth waiting for. Last time, the posthumous honor for your mother was processed quickly because it went directly to the Emperor. Now, going through the Ministry of Rites' procedures is naturally slower."
Special handling for special matters is different from following standard procedures.
At the old residence, Madam Zheng's legs and feet had already healed well, and she had even grown somewhat stouter. However, her mood remained unhappy. This was especially true when, several days later, the granddaughter of the Jiang family's Second Branch got engaged and specifically invited Jin Niang to serve as the 'Complete Fortune' person. The Second Branch said, "The Sixth Branch's Madam Wei is now a titled lady with a decree, with both parents living and both sons and daughters. Inviting her will surely ensure our girl's future marriage is harmonious and beautiful."
Only then did Madam Zheng learn that Jin Niang had already received a titular honor. She made a scene at home, and Master Jiang the Sixth, unable to bear her noise, finally said, "I'll speak with Sixteenth Lad about it next time."
"I don't even want that title, nor am I competing with my deceased sister. I am also a person; it's just that I'm like a lonely ghost..." Madam Zheng still felt wronged.
Master Jiang the Sixth had no choice but to discuss it with Jiang Xian. Jiang Xian inwardly sneered several times.
That night in bed, he brought it up to Jin Niang, feeling indignant: "My father listens to whoever he marries."
"If she wants it, we simply won't give it to her. Later, when you get promoted, just resign from office. We, husband and wife, can live freely and comfortably right here, and infuriate her," Jin Niang said.
Jiang Xian laughed: "That could work too. Anyway, our Brother Ning is studious. When the time comes, we'll just enjoy our good fortune."
His wife was very adept at comforting his heart, and Jiang Xian's full ten points of anger dissipated.
That Madam Zheng wasn't a foolish person, either. Previously, she had simply wanted the titular honor too much and had been momentarily blinded. But seeing that the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts sent this time were similar in quantity but the fabric quality was much poorer than before, her initial heated fervor gradually cooled. She finally sobered up: she wasn't his birth mother and hadn't raised him; she ought to be the one seeking favors from others, so how could she resort to coercion?
Some matters, the more fiercely you press, the more they become repulsive.
Therefore, during the Double Ninth Festival, when the family went mountain climbing, she made a proper offering before the grave of Jiang Xian's late mother, Madam Jiang the Sixth, and bowed before the grave several times. Jin Niang thought to herself that this Madam Zheng understood the principle of bending better than Madam Xu did. Whether sincere or not, even without receiving the titular honor, she resolutely refused to say a single bad word about Jiang Xian outside.
Madam Xu harbored deep resentment towards the late Madam Jiang the Sixth in her heart, but on the surface, she cried until her face was streaked with tears and snot. Even Little Madam Wu, who had never met Madam Jiang the Sixth, joined in the crying.
After returning from the mountain climb, Jin Niang and Jiang Xian both lay on the bed, too lazy to move. This husband and wife pair—one had spent years sitting at a desk reading, leading to a strained back; the other often sat doing needlework and had been working especially hard lately, so her back ached too. Only lying down was comfortable.
"Wife, it's wonderful. No matter what I do, you are always with me," Jiang Xian said, pulling Jin Niang closer.
Jin Niang smiled: "Of course I'm with you. In the future, our children will start their own families and have their own small households. Only we, husband and wife, are the ones who will accompany each other until old age."
They were actually in their prime, but having experienced too much since childhood, they had a sense of having weathered life's vicissitudes.
Jin Niang even brought her snack tray to bed. You take a pastry, I take a preserved plum, eating happily and contentedly. After resting for less than an hour, good news arrived: Jiang Yan's wife, Madam Zeng, was pregnant. Jin Niang promptly sent someone over with tonics.
Also, the neighboring Official Li was being assigned to a provincial post, so Jin Niang needed to prepare a parting gift.
Regardless, Madam Li had done business with her and introduced a deal, so Jin Niang's parting gift was generous. The Li family had to leave as soon as they received the appointment. They took everything they could and gave what they couldn't take to Jin Niang and Madam Meng.
Jin Niang received a very heavy redwood couch and a square table, which she had moved to a guest room.
The house next door was empty again. Who would the next tenant be?
Meanwhile, because Jiang Fang was highly regarded by Councilor Shen, he was not only appointed as a Deputy Academician of the Tianzhang Pavilion but also assigned as a provincial Pacification Commissioner, a rank 3a official. One could say his official promotion was like riding a rocket.
Jiang Xian watched with great envy. He was, after all, someone keen on fame and official success. However, Jin Niang advised him: "Throughout history, reformists like Shang Yang and Wu Qi have not necessarily met good ends. If you truly intend to see it through to the end, unafraid of the consequences, then by all means go ahead. But if you are only tempted to join the Shen faction out of envy for others now, you might easily become hesitant and wavering in the future."
"Wife, I just feel—"
Jin Niang smiled: "I know what you mean. You feel the opportunity must not be missed, that time waits for no one. But going to extremes in everything is not good. If you genuinely agree with Councilor Shen's policies and wish to follow him, I support you. But if it's solely for the sake of climbing the ladder, then forget it. Since ancient times, ministers who enacted reforms, like Shang Yang and Wu Qi, are admirable, but they also had to be willing to sacrifice everything. Otherwise, being indecisive makes one easily waver."
Persuaded thus, Jiang Xian let go of the idea.
This time, when Jiang Fang was assigned out, Third Madam Zhou did not follow him. After all, her several sons were grown; some might soon be engaged, others needed to study, and the household couldn't be without its mistress.
Jin Niang went to deliver the parting gift. Sister Jun came with her and happened to meet the Sun family. Jin Niang and Fourth Madam Zhou had always kept to their own sides, so they exchanged a few casual, polite words.
Over here, Sister Jun and the two Sun young ladies were chatting animatedly. They were all grown up now, not like when they were children. Eldest Miss Sun was in a good mood. Although her uncle's promotion had her parents sighing, thinking they could leverage it to secure a better marriage match, she felt that since the engagement was already settled, why change it? It was all fated anyway.
Fourth Madam Zhou seemed to think her eldest daughter was being too willful. This time, with her second daughter's marriage prospects, she wanted to use the wind of her brother-in-law's promotion to secure an extremely prestigious family.
Therefore, she was looking around everywhere.
Eldest Miss Sun was saying to Sister Jun: "Your needlework has improved even more. The double-sided embroidery with different colors on this handkerchief is truly exceptional."
"Please don't say that. My mother still says I'm lazy," Sister Jun said. She had started holding a needle at three, doing needlework every year. Her mother forbade her from staying up late, but regardless, her skills combined the strengths of Shu and Su embroidery, and she had also learned tailoring. Creating an ordinary embroidered screen was nothing to her.
Many people know needlework, but few master it.
Eldest Miss Sun could also do it, but not expertly, because her mother said a true mistress didn't need to do such things. Managing the household had specialized stewards, needlework had seamstresses; a woman should be well-read and have a good character.
But Miss Sun, the eldest, thought that women who study also almost never get to take the imperial exams, right? Yet this was not something easy to argue against.
Many things Mother said were like castles in the air; the reasoning seemed sound, but in practice, it wasn't quite the same. Take Jiang Yun, for instance. Her needlework was exquisite, praised wherever she went, and the key point was that she was also well-read, and her attire was truly both opulent and elegant.
"So you live across from the Meng family?" Miss Sun the second asked in surprise.
Sister Jun nodded. "Yes, the Meng family also moved to the capital only in the last couple of years, but I heard they bought the house opposite ours twenty or thirty years ago. It's a five-courtyard, five-bay house; they spent two months renovating it, and it's very well-maintained now."
In Sister Jun's view, Madam Meng had a bit of a temper, but she wasn't the type to scheme in the shadows. Previously, the third Miss Meng portrayed herself as pitiable, yet her clothes were fully embroidered, she wore gold-threaded gauze in summer, and her hair was adorned with a full set of jewelry. Perhaps the second Miss Meng was even more refined, but even ten fingers are of different lengths.
The gap wasn't that great. For example, the dowry prepared for the second Miss Meng was three hundred mu of land and three thousand strings of cash, while for the third Miss Meng, it was three hundred mu of land and two thousand strings of cash.
Of course, Madam Meng favored her own daughter, adding a two-courtyard house to her dowry, but she used her own private property for that.
Therefore, she thought that since Miss Sun the eldest was already engaged, she should definitely share some of this with her.
Miss Sun the eldest listened and nodded quietly to herself.
A few days after returning from Jiang Fang's home, they had to visit the Wei family again. This time, it wasn't appropriate to bring her daughter. Madam Wei had caught a chill in the autumn-winter season. Coincidentally, it was the hundredth-day celebration for Fan-shi's son. Although Wang-shi was handling things, Madam Wei feared she might be overwhelmed, so she asked Jin Niang to come help.
Jin Niang first went to sit with Madam Wei for a while. Madam Wei said with a smile, "We haven't seen you much lately."
"If we weren't related by marriage, it would be fine, but now that we are, meeting feels somewhat awkward," Jin Niang spoke frankly.
Madam Wei chuckled. "That's true. It's a pity the Seventh Young Master isn't here, otherwise I'd often have him go pay his respects to you."
"Our whole family is very fond of that child, the Seventh Young Master. Last time, when his uncle wasn't home, despite his young age, he handled everything with such ease, very much like the master of the house. You've raised him so well, sister-in-law." Jin Niang was adept at complimenting people with what they liked to hear.
Madam Wei was indeed delighted, and asked her, "What has Sister Jun been doing at home? I haven't seen her lately."
Even though she often took her out, Jin Niang still said, "She's an engaged young lady now, she shouldn't be running about everywhere."
Jin Niang felt that in ancient times, many things were like scholars taking the imperial exams—dancing in shackles. Matters of marriage were the same. One couldn't be as individualistic as the women of the Shen family, nor could one be like Madam Wu, who used dogma as a moral high ground—it was like performing a religious ceremony in a snail's shell.
Madam Wei agreed wholeheartedly; nowadays, too many women disregarded rules, losing the upbringing proper to young ladies from respectable families.
They had just been talking for a while when Madam Wei the second arrived. Compared to Madam Wei, Madam Wei the second had a much gentler and milder temper. Jin Niang recalled the three Madams of the Zhou family from years past: the eldest Madam had a strong personality, while the second and third Madams were gentle and mild-tempered, so the three sisters-in-law got along very well.
But in the Wei family's main branch, Fan-shi also had great dignity, Wang-shi was still steady, and her own daughter, needless to say, wouldn't stir up trouble easily. How would these three future sisters-in-law get along?
Soon, guests began to arrive. Jin Niang was acquainted with most of the Wei family's relatives, having socialized with them for so many years now.
However, there were a few unfamiliar faces. Upon asking, she learned they were from the You family. The connection with the You family was mainly because Young Master Wei the Seventh studied at their home, hence some social interaction. Madam You initially put on a smiling face, but upon hearing Jin Niang was Jiang Xian's wife, for some reason her smile gradually faded.
The Shen family now had close ties with the Wei family, so they were among the early arrivals. Jiang Xian was on good terms with Shen Qiniang's father, Shen Zijia. When Madam Shen the second brought Shen Qiniang over, the two of them talked for quite some time.
Shen Qiniang also asked about Sister Jun: "Why isn't Liqing here?"
"She has her little brother at home to look after," Jin Niang said, not wanting to mention that being engaged made social visits less appropriate—after all, one shouldn't slap someone in the face.
After welcoming the guests, Jin Niang excused herself and chatted with Nanny You: "How have things been at home lately?"
As she spoke, she discreetly handed a gold locket to her. "Take this for your grandson to wear and play with."
Nanny You said, "The Eldest Young Master hasn't been mentioning his outside woman much lately. He's been shut in studying, but he hasn't been entirely quiet at home either. He favored a maid, and the Eldest Madam had her whipped a few times and driven out."
Jin Niang nodded quietly to herself, then heard Nanny You sigh. "This Eldest Madam is still alright. The Sixth Madam is something else. She wants to be seen as virtuous, so she insisted on making one of her own attendants a concubine. When the Sixth Young Master refused to go to her, she said he was making her appear un-virtuous. When he did go, she then upheld family discipline and punished that maid severely."
"How could she be like that?" Jin Niang shook her head.
Nanny You smiled. "Usually, the two Madams don't fuss over such things much. They only intervene when the mischief goes too far."
Jin Niang thought to herself that such matters were common not only in wealthy families. Even the Li family who used to live next door—Miss Li married beneath her station—still brought two exceptionally beautiful and talented maids as part of her dowry.
The Meng family was even more so. The Eldest Young Master of the Meng family married a daughter of the Lin family, who also had maidservants accompanying her.
But what others considered normal, she herself did not. She could not tolerate Jiang Xian taking a concubine. So, when she returned and told Sister Jun, she said, "Currently, there are no women placed by the Seventh Young Master's side. After you marry, you must not foolishly send any women to him."
Sister Jun grew up in a family without concubines, with loving parents, so she never imagined having an extra person between husband and wife.
But she didn't understand: "Then why did the Sixth Madam act that way?"
"Of course, it's because she wanted the reputation of being virtuous but couldn't actually bear to be virtuous. You don't know her mother, Madam Wu—now she was truly virtuous. And your sister-in-law, Madam Xuan, is the same. For them, virtue is like a sword. But unless one is devoid of emotion and love, everyone has desires. Who is willing to share their husband with someone else?" Jin Niang explained.
Sister Jun shook her head. "I certainly wouldn't want to, unless I didn't want him anymore."
"That's exactly how I feel. In any case, don't do such things for the sake of an empty reputation," Jin Niang instructed her daughter.
However, Jin Niang also said, "Although knowing yourself and your opponent ensures victory in every battle, I haven't truly been deeply involved in the Wei family, so I shouldn't influence your judgment. In the future, you make whatever choice feels most comfortable for you."
What Nanny You said was spoken from her perspective as a servant; the full story behind it is still unclear.
Sister Jun had learned much from her mother, such as working diligently but keeping a low profile, enjoying the benefits without showing off, and understanding that everyone views matters from a different angle. One should not rely solely on others' judgments but must experience things for oneself.
After the mother and daughter had talked for a while, Jiang Xian returned from outside, bringing Brother Ding back from the front courtyard with him.
Jiang Xian also asked Jin Niang, "Did you go to the Wei family's today?"
"Yes, I went to help as it was their child's hundredth-day celebration," Jin Niang replied with a smile.
Jiang Xian sat down and said, "Do you still remember the top scholar, Jiang?"
"Of course. When we were leaving for our post in Wu County, his wife, Madam Song, gave me quite a generous parting gift. However, after we returned to the capital, I heard they had taken up an official post elsewhere," Jin Niang said.
Jiang Xian pointed towards the neighboring house. "I just saw them at the gate. They are to be our new neighbors. The top scholar, Jiang, even took the initiative to greet me."
Jin Niang found it strange. "That Top Scholar Jiang was highly praised by everyone back then, a man who rose with the tide of the times. What official position does he hold now?"
"Editor of the Jiying Hall," Jiang Xian replied.
Jin Niang calculated. "Isn't that a sixth-rank post? How could it be so?"
Jiang Xian explained, "He was initially favored by the Song family. Later, the Song family members kept asking him for favors. If he didn't help, he would be accused of ingratitude. With that, how could his career possibly advance?"
Jin Niang thought about the past, how they used to be the ones flattering Madam Song. Now, Top Scholar Jiang's official rank was below Jiang Xian's, and she herself held the fourth-rank honorary title. How should they interact as neighbors?
