Late at night, Jiang Xian and Jin Niang finally went to bed. Perhaps the family atmosphere was truly too warm, making every member reluctant to leave. Jiang Xian, knowing his wife was feeling down, took the initiative to say, "Do you remember when we helped her find a female tutor in Daming Prefecture? It seems it was all predestined."
"Yes, without that episode, we might not have had this connection with the Wei Family." Jin Niang always felt that helping their daughter find a tutor and having her entertain classmates were things of just yesterday.
Now their daughter had reached the age to marry, becoming someone else's wife, and embarking on a whole new chapter of life.
Jin Niang stopped being sentimental and instead said, "Let's be happier, so our daughter doesn't feel too heavy-hearted about leaving. Actually, it's a wonderful thing for a daughter to marry a suitable husband."
"Ahem, wasn't it you, my dear wife, who started crying earlier?" Jiang Xian shook his head.
Jin Niang laughed, "After raising a daughter for so many years, seeing her marry far away, of course I can't bear it. But sentiment aside, as parents, we can't protect our daughter forever. Finding her a good home is also a great thing."
After all, one's path must ultimately be walked by oneself.
Early the next morning, the hairdresser had already arrived. Jin Niang went in to see her daughter, who was wearing the wedding dress she had sewn herself and a ceremonial headdress of equal height to her shoulders. Standing up, she appeared dignified and elegant, her eyes sparkling with vitality.
"My daughter is truly beautiful. They say an 'ugly' bride must face her in-laws, but our daughter is sure to captivate everyone." Jin Niang held her daughter's hand, feeling very gratified.
Sister Jun felt she couldn't leave her mother. Like a young swallow clinging to its nest, she held onto her mother, unwilling to let go.
But Jin Niang smiled and said, "The Wei Family is large with many affairs. After you marry over there, listen to all the new stories and tell us about them."
"Mother, do you think what Brother Ning said is true?" Sister Jun genuinely wanted to lure her husband back to her maternal home. That way, she and her mother wouldn't have to be apart. As for Wei Qilang, he liked staying at her family's home anyway, so it would be killing two birds with one stone.
However, she really should do as her mother said: first win Wei Qilang over as her ally, make him listen to her, just like how Father listens to Mother's words.
Thinking of the wedding night manual, Sister Jun's face flushed slightly again.
Leaving her daughter's room, Jin Niang saw Ding'er hiding behind a pillar. She quickly said, "Oh, what are you doing here? Did you miss Mother?"
During the time busy with her daughter's wedding, she had been preoccupied every day and had somewhat neglected her young son. Her heart ached a little for him.
Ding'er stretched out his fair, tender little hand and said, "Mother, I wanted to find you, but I knew you were talking with Sister, so I hid here."
The eldest daughter in the family resembled Jiang Xian in looks but had a straightforward temperament more like Jin Niang. Brother Ning took after Jin Niang in both appearance and temperament. Only Ding'er looked like Jin Niang but had a personality very similar to Jiang Xian's.
Every word he said made people feel tenderly for him.
"Mother's little snow child, come, go with Mother to greet the guests. You can sit right beside Mother, okay?" Jin Niang patted her son's little head.
Ding'er giggled, "Your son wants to be Mother's little tail."
Naturally, the house was filled with guests that day. Previously, for every banquet, Sister Jun had helped, even taking on major tasks. Now, Jin Niang had to manage everything alone.
Every time she found herself in such a bustling scene, Jin Niang felt as if she were moving through a dream. So much so that when she saw Wei Qilang arrive to fetch her daughter, she was still somewhat dazed, her mind oddly fixated on the thought that there seemed to be one less gold plate at the main table.
After Jiang Xian finished speaking, Jin Niang said, "You are now joined as husband and wife. You should be affectionate and harbor no doubts towards each other. Grow old together in harmony, forever united as one."
She didn't know her daughter's expression behind the fan, but she spoke her hopes aloud.
After they finished speaking, the maidservant helped Sister Jun out. Her cousin Xuan'er carried her out on his back to the bridal sedan chair.
Outside, Wei Qilang rode a white horse, dressed in wedding attire. His looks were excessively handsome, so much so that as he rode along the road, people even chased after him shouting "Young Master Wei."
Watching the spectacle, Miss Meng the Third and Jiang Song laughed, "These people are truly infatuated and senseless, forgetting even a maiden's modesty, chasing after a man and shouting like that."
Jiang Song originally felt as if a piece of his heart had been carved out, but hearing Miss Meng the Third say this, he forced a dry laugh.
Miss Meng the Third continued, "These two families are well-matched in status, strengthening ties through marriage. The groom is talented, the bride beautiful, a truly heaven-made match."
...
That night, Jin Niang did not sleep peacefully. Although there were the Four Offices and Six Bureaus in charge, and capable people like Ying and Juxiang at home, the tasks were too numerous: dismantling the wedding canopy, putting away utensils and lanterns.
"I remember back in the first month, Sister Jun was busy with me together."
Not just Jin Niang, but even Ying, Juxiang, and others who had watched her grow up—who among them wasn't feeling sentimental? Ying, however, was quick-witted and said, "Yesterday, a dowry stretching for miles; today, a grand, glorious wedding. Countless people must envy our young lady. It's also because you raised her well—her dowry is complete, her appearance excellent. I think she would be a match for someone even better."
"Of course." Jin Niang said happily.
Juxiang secretly gave Ying a thumbs up. She was really something, having been with the mistress for nearly twenty years and still so quick on her feet.
"Alright, let's finish tidying up and all go rest. Take a few days off tomorrow to rest properly, until the young lady returns for her visit." Jin Niang waved her hand.
Juxiang, clumsy with words, didn't know what to say and just stood there motionless.
But Jin Niang seemed to understand her feelings and patted her shoulder, "My Chef Ju, go back and rest. And you, Ying, you have a daughter to look after too."
Only then did the two of them leave.
Juxiang had originally been the head chef in the kitchen. Jin Niang once had Nanny Fang ask her about marriage. She was quite forthright: "I'm in charge of the kitchen every day, eating and drinking well, feasting on fish and meat until I'm dizzy. The mistress also pays me a string of cash a month, gives me three to four sets of clothes a year, I have people under me to manage, and when I'm old, I can be like Nanny Fang—the mistress even gives two qian a month for pension. If someone wants to marry me offering all that, then I'll marry."
Of course, no one could meet her conditions, but she herself was perfectly content, completely unbothered.
For her, she wasn't good at scheming or quick wit; her culinary skills weren't top-notch either. The mistress was far more reliable than any husband. Besides, after all these years, she probably wouldn't make a good wife anyway.
The Three Obediences and Four Virtues, serving parents-in-law—just thinking about it gave her a headache. Wouldn't she rather have someone serve her?
Thinking this, she realized she had already reached her room door. Pushing the door open, she flopped onto the bed—nothing could be more comfortable. Tomorrow she could sleep in until almost noon. Could being someone's wife ever be this good?
...
Back in her room, Jin Niang saw Jiang Xian calling her, "Wife, come help me pluck this white hair?"
"Are you mad? Plucking one makes ten grow back, don't pluck it. Let me tell you, I have thirty-six white hairs myself." Jin Niang sat down.
"Ah? You've even counted them." Jiang Xian looked at her with surprise.
Jin Niang nodded seriously. "Of course. Actually, I noticed I had more white hairs than others when I was eighteen. I always thought it was from staying up late doing needlework. You stay up late studying, I stay up late sewing. We both have white hair, so we're destined to grow old together with white hair."
Jiang Xian had thought Jin Niang would be sighing with regret, but he never expected her to make him laugh like this.
He patted his wife's hand. "Let's wash up early and go to bed to chat for a while."
"How about some wine? We're both past the age for staying up late," Jin Niang said with a smile.
The couple shared a couple of small cups of wine, even specially fetching the crystal glasses Jiang Xian had acquired from somewhere. After drinking, Jin Niang grew drowsy. She was the type who couldn't sleep if she had worries, but once she got past the most anxious period, she could move on immediately.
While the couple slept soundly, there were two households lying awake. One was their neighbor, the Jiang family.
Jiang Song was burning the portraits she had painted of Young Master Wei the Seventh and the poems she had written for him. Madam Song was worried her daughter might do something drastic. She knew her daughter usually hid these things extremely carefully, afraid of outsiders finding them, not even letting her maids know. Now, she was willing to burn them all.
"Song'er, he's married now. You really must let go," Madam Song even pleaded.
What's done cannot be undone. How could it be changed?
Last month, her husband had offended someone, and it was Jiang Xian who helped smooth things over. Jiang Xian didn't even show his face personally; his steward Liu handled it.
One could imagine how influential he was, that people would give his household face.
Jiang Song nodded. "I've been unfilial, worrying you, Mother. In the future, I will slowly forget him."
The best way to get over one relationship is to quickly start another. Madam Song deeply felt she had been too lenient and given her daughter too much freedom before, which led to her overthinking.
"Song'er, Lord Ke, the Junior Supervisor of the Secretariat, is your father's colleague. His wife praised you highly after meeting you last time. Lord Ke is also very adept at officialdom. His son has a steady temperament, none of the frivolous, spoiled habits of other officials' sons. What do you think?" Madam Song was well aware they were attracted by the dowry of thirty thousand strings of cash.
But money was a small matter to Madam Song. She only had this one daughter; who else would she give it to?
"Mother, I agree."
Madam Song was still pondering when she heard her daughter's words, feeling somewhat surprised. But since her daughter was willing to speak, she quickly agreed. "Good."
Jiang Song tightly clutched the handkerchief in her hand. "Mother, can it be arranged as soon as possible?"
Madam Song nodded emphatically.
The other sleepless household was that of Fourth Madam Zhou. She had gone to visit her daughter yesterday and unexpectedly saw Sister Jun's lavish dowry procession. The procession of fine furniture and chest after chest of dowry was truly impressive and dignified.
She had become worldly too.
Sun Shichen asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"I'm thinking if the dowry we prepared for our eldest daughter is too little." Fourth Madam Zhou often wavered between naivety and worldly concerns. She wanted to completely ignore worldly matters but felt she couldn't.
Sun Shichen told her the truth: "We've already prepared with all our might. It's not that we're unwilling to give such a generous dowry. Besides, the Meng family doesn't care about this."
Their eldest daughter was marrying a son from a secondary branch of the Meng family; it wasn't a case of anyone marrying above their station. The dowry was naturally prepared according to their means.
Moreover, in Sun Shichen's view, while good marriages for his daughters and gaining another in-law family were beneficial, it was still the sons who would uphold the family's standing. The Sun family had even sold a hundred mu of land to prepare the dowry for their daughter, and his wife had pawned a set of her own jewelry. After all, they still had a second daughter whose dowry also needed to be prepared. The family was still very short on money.
The rooster crowed at dawn, and the world grew bright.
Jin Niang had just gotten out of bed, feeling her eyes were very swollen. Seeing Jiang Xian still fast asleep, she poked him again. Jiang Xian simply rolled over.
He was a person without morning temper, just like Ding'er, always very well-behaved.
In reality, he had to handle many thorny matters. Although he certainly had talent, she knew he also got nervous, he also faced difficult situations, and he could be terribly afraid inside.
"Wife..."
"Time to get up. We need to have breakfast. I'm so hungry my stomach is rumbling," Jin Niang said with a laugh.
Only then did Jiang Xian get up with Jin Niang. After they both dressed, they called for the maids to attend to them and finished washing up. A servant boy had bought breakfast from nearby, and the couple ate together.
It happened to be Jiang Xian's day off today. After marrying off their daughter yesterday, walking in the courtyard today, the occasional leftover firecracker string, already exploded, seemed to retain the lingering excitement of the previous day.
Brother Ning had gone to the Imperial Academy early in the morning. Like Jin Niang, he wasn't picky about food and often ate breakfast outside. Even if some said outside food was dirty or unclean, Brother Ning thought cheap was fine; food wasn't worth spending too much effort on.
After the meal, Jiang Xian went to his study. Jin Niang went to check around the storerooms. The rental income from Sweetwater Lane and Luoyang would now belong to her daughter. Fortunately, she had bought another property, but it still wasn't enough.
Fortunately, Jiang Xian's official salary was already very high now: thirty strings of cash monthly—twenty strings as duty allowance and ten as meal subsidy. Besides that, there was an annual stipend of 150 shi of grain, ten bolts of damask silk, thirty-four bolts of plain silk, and even two thousand mu of official land, with all tenant rents going to him personally.
This was already a great deal, more than the household could use.
After some calculations regarding finances and checking for damaged items the next day, it was almost time for lunch. Juxiang stewed the good dishes leftover from yesterday and stir-fried two seasonal vegetables. Shredded water bamboo shoots, cut as fine as mist, were stir-fried with lean pork. Cured meat was sliced into translucent thin pieces and cooked with bamboo shoots.
Jin Niang ate with Luo Yu'e. Luo Yu'e said, "Your father and I will go back after lunch. We'll come again in a few days and bring some fresh vegetables then."
Vegetables in the city were expensive, meat wasn't cheap either, and the key was that it didn't even taste good. She would go back, grow some, and send some to both her son and daughter here.
Jin Niang didn't press her to stay, only saying, "Just come to the capital for a visit after you've spent some time at the manor."
"Don't worry. Your father and I were originally country folk. Now living in our own manor, with tenants who are all our own, everything is fine." Luo Yu'e wasn't worried about people causing trouble anymore. Her son was an official, her son-in-law was the Prefect of Kaifeng—who would dare provoke them?
After seeing off Wei Xiong and Luo Yu'e, Ying came to chat. She said, "It seems the wedding date for the Wei Family's Eighth Young Master is also coming up soon. With two new brides marrying in almost back-to-back, I'm afraid there will be comparisons again."
Jin Niang laughed lightly, "Why worry about that? Although they are both marrying into the Wei Family, they belong to different branches. If they don't eat from the same pot, there won't be any conflicts of interest."
Ying, however, was not so optimistic. "Mistress, people love to praise one by putting down another. Even if neither of them starts with a mind to compare, over time, grievances are likely to arise."
"That is also true, but there's no use in us worrying. These matters must be handled by Sister Jun herself. Only by handling them herself can she truly learn and grow," Jin Niang said.
Just like Zhang Pingjun. Before marriage, she seemed an excellent girl, but when it came to real daily life, all her former wisdom seemed to vanish. She began to complain about fate and people like her aunt, often in low spirits.
People, when things don't happen to them personally, always seem to have a set of strategies to deal with them. But when things happen to oneself, it's easy to lose one's composure.
But they are still young. They can make mistakes, correct them, and change.
As for the Jiang family next door, it was surprising how quickly they had arranged a marriage for their daughter. The match was quite good—the Ke Family, with Lord Ke being the Deputy Director of the Palace Library. Madam Meng mentioned the Jiang girl and pursed her lips, "Such a fine young lady from their family, I don't know why they're acting as if she can't be seen, settling the marriage so hastily."
Jin Niang wouldn't comment on such talk. She changed the subject, "I saw your second daughter-in-law yesterday. Is she with child?"
"Yes, just beginning to show," Madam Meng was very pleased. Once a woman bears a son, her position is secure. What if she wasn't liked before? Over time, feelings always develop.
With the topic shifted, Madam Meng sighed again, "My second daughter is different from the eldest. If married off casually to another family, she definitely couldn't endure hardship. But with her own aunts and uncles, it's always better."
Jin Niang nodded, "Yes, it's always more familiar."
Three days later, Jin Niang sent the third-day gifts—nothing more than jewelry, colored silks, oil and honey, steamed cakes, goose eggs, tea cakes, geese, sheep, fruits, and the like.
She also welcomed her daughter and son-in-law back. Seeing Sister Jun again, her hair was now styled up, adorned with the pearl crown Jin Niang had made for her. She wore a crimson undergarment with a purple, gold-trimmed collar and outer robe, looking dignified and lovely. The seventh young master of Wei wore a purple robe, a golden crown, and black boots with white soles.
The pair looked extremely well-matched. After they finished paying their respects, Jin Niang smiled and said, "We are all family here, and I can't be bothered with inviting many guests. Why don't we set a table in the garden later and talk freely amongst ourselves?"
The seventh young master of Wei said, "Mother-in-law, you are too kind. I was just hoping to seek Father-in-law's guidance on my studies."
This son-in-law really was quick on the uptake, which saved Jin Niang a lot of fuss. She added, "Go ahead. Your father-in-law came home early today specifically for this."
The seventh young master of Wei withdrew with a smile. Jin Niang quickly pulled her daughter to sit down. "So, how is it?"
Sister Jun waited for the servants to withdraw before saying, "The Wei Family has more rules than our home. Fortunately, I studied there for a few years before, so I know all the Wei relatives. However, the eldest young lady of Wei, whom I used to know well, has become much more distant. For now, I'm living with the seventh young master in the Qixia Courtyard. It's a two-section courtyard. While not very large, it's exquisitely arranged."
"Madam Wei certainly wouldn't shortchange her own son. I meant, how are you getting along with the seventh young master?" Jin Niang laughed.
Sister Jun wasn't overly shy. "I just did as you said and tried to win him over first. We get along quite well and have much to talk about. He even praised the privately blended storax incense I made. The day after our wedding, we made incense together, and I was the one guiding him."
Hearing this, Jin Niang was first pleased, then suddenly had a sense of déjà vu.
Today, she hadn't specifically called friends and relatives together because she wanted mother and daughter to talk freely. So, Jin Niang chatted about matters inside and outside the home these past few days, as if her daughter had never married out.
Sister Jun also spoke openly as if at home. "It's only been a few days since I married over. The people around me seem alright so far. My mother-in-law hasn't said a single harsh word. My elder sisters-in-law, the wife of the eldest brother and the wife of the sixth brother, are both older than me and have been very kind."
"Hmm, it hasn't been long. You should still be cautious," Jin Niang advised.
Sister Jun nodded. "Don't worry."
Before they could say much more, and after sharing a meal, the daughter and son-in-law had to return. Watching the seventh young master of Wei help her daughter into the carriage, Jin Niang smiled with relief.
Meanwhile, after the seventh young master of Wei and Sister Jun returned to the Wei Family, they first went to pay respects to Madam Wei. After asking a few questions, Madam Wei let the young couple return to their own quarters.
Previously, Sister Jun's activities were confined to her own family's compound. Now, she was not yet familiar with the Wei Family residence and felt somewhat strange. After all, when she used to visit the Wei Family to play, it was only in the main hall, never this deep into the household.
"Seventh Young Master, what did Father talk to you about today?" Sister Jun asked, smiling at him.
The seventh young master of Wei said, "Nothing much, just discussing academic matters. And you, how did it feel going home? I saw Auntie seemed very reluctant to part with you."
Sister Jun nodded. "My mother misses me, and she misses you too. She said that since you stayed in the small side courtyard before, she'll keep it for us whenever we return for visits."
"Really?" The seventh young master of Wei was pleasantly surprised.
Sister Jun gave him a look that said, 'what kind of question is that.' "Of course. My father and mother like you very much. They always praise you for being clever and talented. It's just—"
She deliberately paused here.
The seventh young master of Wei looked at her nervously. "Just what?"
Sister Jun glanced at him, covering her mouth with a handkerchief as she laughed. "They say you're perfect in every way. Look how nervous you are in springtime."
The seventh young master of Wei chuckled. "Look at you, teasing me."
"I wouldn't dare tease you. It's still so early. What do you think we should do?" Although Sister Jun had been close with the Wei Family, she didn't really know what the seventh young master's true hobbies were.
But this was also the seventh young master's issue. Born with a silver spoon, having everything, he indeed didn't know what he was fond of.
Only at the Jiang Family, where people didn't treat him like a special, precious egg—where he studied and did what he was supposed to—did he feel that having everything could be rather dull.
The seventh young master of Wei looked at her. "What do you think we should do? What do you usually do?"
He thought it would be needlework or some boudoir games. Unexpectedly, Sister Jun said, "Kicking shuttlecocks is too rowdy, playing chess is too mentally taxing, and backgammon is too old-fashioned. I have two ideas. One is we take out some examination essays and see who can analyze the topic the fastest. The other is I give you a facial treatment. I'm really good at it! My mother's skin is so soft because of me."
"A facial," the seventh young master of Wei said without hesitation.
Sister Jun had plenty of tools. After returning to the room, she had him lean back on the reclining chair and even tucked a small pillow under his head. At Wei the Seventh Young Master's age, his skin was naturally quite oily.
"First, I'll use this aloe lotion to cleanse your face."
Wei the Seventh Young Master felt his face become comfortable instantly. After leaving it on for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she wiped it clean with a cotton cloth. Especially the greasy area around his nose was almost completely cleared away, leaving his face feeling truly refreshed. Afterwards, she took out a piece of some kind of thin gauze soaked in a liquid, which she carefully smoothed onto his skin.
Then, she began to clean his ears and used a sandalwood comb to massage his acupoints...
He had been chatting idly with her before, but ended up falling sound asleep and had to be woken up by Sister Jun.
"Young Master, how was it? Comfortable, right?" Sister Jun raised an eyebrow.
Wei the Seventh Young Master touched his face, feeling as if his skin and even his scalp were completely relaxed. He immediately said, "My dear wife, can we do this again tomorrow?"
"In a few days. In a few days, I'll apply an eye treatment for you. It'll be even more comfortable than today's." Sister Jun was adept at the art of delay.
Wei the Seventh Young Master thought to himself that he must curry favor with his wife these next few days. Why had no one ever told him before about such a "facial" service?
