I originally thought they would stay for at least several days, but she gave birth that very night. Later, Jin Niang only returned home after the baby's third-day bath ceremony. Dingge'er couldn't settle his mind to study at his own home, but at the Wei family's, he would hold a book pretending to love reading. Jin Niang thought this attitude of feigning study needed to be corrected.
Fortunately, after returning for over a month, Dingge'er returned to normal.
Habits must be cultivated when children are young. Luckily, Jin Niang now focused all her energy on her younger son. Dingge'er, at his age, would be about first grade in modern times, so there was still time.
Jiang Xian was not home during the day and couldn't manage the child. Jin Niang supervised daily, ensuring the child kept up with his studies. As long as he kept up, found achievement in learning, and developed good study habits, even if he didn't succeed in the imperial examinations, he could still pass the special examination for sons of officials later.
In any case, he should study first while he can.
Only after Dingge'er finished his homework did Jin Niang serve the meal. Just then, Jiang Xian returned. Seeing them, he was somewhat surprised: "Haven't you usually finished eating by this time?"
"If his homework isn't done, it must be done first," Jin Niang said mildly.
Pricked by her remark, Jiang Xian gave his son a sympathetic glance. Even with the younger son, his wife hadn't relaxed her demands. He quickly adjusted his mood and sat down, asking with a smile, "What are we eating today?"
Jin Niang returned to her usual tone: "Shrimp today, and we also made winter melon and meatball soup. You two eat more."
The shrimp was for her, while the other meats were for the father and son. Jin Niang ate half a bowl of rice, a small plate of poached shrimp, and garlic-seasoned seasonal vegetables.
After the meal was family time. Jin Niang and Jiang Xian both accompanied their son to play in the garden. Dingge'er wanted to swing on the swing and have Jiang Xian make a flower crown, while Jin Niang whispered to Jiang Xian.
"All these days, your son has been infuriating. He agrees to everything I say to his face, but does his own thing in private. So I had to sit right beside him watching him. It's exhausting, more tiring than needlework," Jin Niang complained to Jiang Xian.
Jiang Xian couldn't help laughing: "You're just too earnest."
Jin Niang said, "Actually, I know talent for studying is innate. Those from poor families with talent would study by any means, even boring a hole in the wall for light. But making him develop good habits means at least in the future, when he does other things, he won't procrastinate or get distracted."
Good habits must be cultivated when young.
Whether engaging in trade, studying, or managing family estates in the future, a person who is focused and has strong execution will succeed in anything.
Jiang Xian listened and nodded repeatedly. He then said, "We bought a hundred mu of land. Let's build a manor estate there later, so we can go stay occasionally."
"Do you even need to say that? I've already sent people to handle it," Jin Niang said with a laugh.
Jiang Xian sighed: "The court nowadays is all black and white. Even being part of it, I find it hard to accomplish much."
Although Jiang Xian currently leaned towards the Shen faction, he hadn't fully pledged allegiance. He still corresponded with the Chief Councilor and was on good terms with Grand Academician Fan.
But the greater the pressure, the more he thrived.
In this regard, the couple differed. Jin Niang solved problems quickly under pressure to get things done, while Jiang Xian saw greater pressure as greater opportunity.
"Your second brother is now truly outstanding, but I think he can be somewhat too arrogant at times," Jin Niang had also heard some things about Jiang Fang.
Jiang Xian said, "To be fair, he is an extremely capable man, but he's too unyielding. His personal ability is strong, but the tasks he undertakes aren't just about personal strength. Moreover, he is prone to acting on impulse."
Since taking office, Jiang Fang had forbidden his sons from corruption, imposed strict restraints, and had accomplished much good.
But as Jiang Xian said, taking things to extremes easily invites widespread criticism.
Although this also makes him, in a sense, a solitary minister, the Emperor's favor is hard to predict.
Since ancient times, worthy ministers have rarely encountered sagacious rulers.
Speaking of these matters made the atmosphere somewhat heavy. Jin Niang smiled and said, "By the way, I have some fabric at home. I'm afraid it might get damp, so I plan to give it away as gifts for the Dragon Boat Festival."
"These matters are for you to arrange, my lady," Jiang Xian said. Watching Dingge'er standing on the swing, laughing gleefully, he couldn't help but smile too.
By the fifth month, after Jin Niang had finished sending all the gifts, it coincided with her granddaughter Mingyue's hundred-day celebration. The Wei family had only held a small ceremony within the clan for the third-day bath because it was too cold last time. This hundred-day banquet was a grand affair.
Jin Niang naturally went over early. Sister Jun was wearing a pomegranate-red jacket with peony medallion patterns and a gold crown on her head, looking youthful and dignified.
When mother and daughter met, they naturally had endless things to talk about.
"Mother, I've been looking forward to your arrival. Really, when I gave birth, it was all thanks to your guidance. You even came over frequently during my confinement. But once I recovered, you stopped coming," Sister Jun complained.
Jin Niang laughed: "It's all because of your second brother. He likes to cut corners. I have to watch him do his homework."
Sister Jun realized it was true. She was married now and couldn't expect her mother to still revolve around her. This was also why she loved her mother—she spoke frankly, helped when needed, and wouldn't hold back complaints.
Speaking of studies, Xuan'er, who took the provincial exam this year, didn't pass. Sixth Young Master Wei also didn't pass. Instead, the son from the third branch of the Jiang family—the one who lost his father and was poor and orphaned—passed, albeit in the fifth rank. But with a clansman like Jiang Xian, he could still receive some support.
Sister Jun said, "Sixth Sister-in-law's expression was awful. The eldest brother entered officialdom through hereditary privilege, so his future is relatively secure. Nowadays, although a Chief Councilor can recommend ten people, a high minister eight, and a close attendant six, since the reduction of the three excesses, about seventy percent of these privilege-appointed officials end up in libraries or secretariats, with very few entering the core. Although my father-in-law is not a Chief Councilor, he still has quotas, but she hoped her husband and Sixth Brother would both enter through privilege."
"That's not good. Hereditary privilege is overused. Unless absolutely necessary, it's not the proper path," Jin Niang waved her hand.
She still hoped her son-in-law could rely on his own ability. After all, the boy wasn't even twenty yet—prime time for studying. Otherwise, even if he took a shortcut now, he might regret it later.
Sister Jun nodded: "That's what I think too. My husband feels the same. It seems to me there's some... not exactly conflict, but a sense of competition between my husband and Sixth Brother. I can use this to encourage my husband to study diligently."
Hearing this, Jin Niang was very pleased: "The Son of Heaven values heroes, / Through essays you are taught. / All other pursuits are lowly; / Only the study of books ranks high."
Entering the Qixia Courtyard, Jin Niang took a look at Mingyue and couldn't help saying, "This child is only a hundred days old but already looks so beautiful. She's sure to grow into a beauty."
"Mother, I always feel beauty is just skin deep. Like Brother Ning—as soon as he speaks, people don't think about his appearance, only about his fine scholarship, his reliability, his elegant speech. He's sure to be a rising phoenix," Sister Jun said. Thinking of her brother gave her a sense of security, similar to the feeling her mother gave her.
Jin Niang looked at her daughter: "That you can say this shows you have grown up."
The mother and daughter shared some more private words, then Sister Jun suddenly said: "Mother, do you remember Jiang Song who used to live next door to us?"
"How could you ask that, of course I remember. Her family only moved away a year or two ago." Jin Niang tried hard to recall. She had been staying home managing her son every day recently and hadn't paid much attention to outside matters.
Sister Jun said: "She married into the Ke family. Her life there is not good. The Ke family was after her dowry. Her husband seems honest, but in truth only listens to his mother."
"Such a hasty betrothal, without any proper consideration. Haste makes waste." Jin Niang shook her head.
However, she was surprised: "How did you come to know this?"
Sister Jun said: "Nanny Rong went to Sweetwater Lane to collect rent for me and met Jiang Song's wet nurse on the road. She cried when she saw Nanny Rong, that's how I found out. But I am just a young daughter-in-law of the Wei family now, I haven't even found my own footing yet. Besides, matters within someone else's family—she has brothers and parents—how could it be my place to intervene?"
Currently, Sister Jun was something of a young lady of means herself. The income from the properties in Sweetwater Lane and the three hundred mu of farmland in Luoyang amounted to several hundred strings of cash. She also had her monthly allowance, so her life was quite comfortable.
Therefore, she cherished her position and did not rashly involve herself.
Jin Niang nodded: "Family disputes are very difficult to mediate. Her mother really is... the child is a bit younger than you, married off in such a rush. It's no wonder a dowry of tens of thousands of strings would be encroached upon and swallowed up."
The mother and daughter then stopped discussing that family, because the solution was simple: divorce and remarry was the best option. Otherwise, struggling in that mire, one could never break free.
Just then, Madam Wei sent someone over, so Jin Niang went out.
When Madam Wei saw Jin Niang, she noticed she wasn't wearing a formal headdress. Instead, her hair was wrapped with a transparent plain silk scarf, embroidered with faint pink lotus flowers. Her hair was adorned with jade hairpins, she wore a crystal necklace on her chest and white jade bracelets on her wrists. The whole look appeared very fresh and elegant.
"That's a crisp and neat outfit," Madam Wei smiled.
Jin Niang said: "You don't know how I dislike wearing gold headdresses. Don't mind me saying so, but they're too heavy. Last time, it left deep marks on my scalp."
Madam Wei always felt that the couple Jiang Xian and Jin Niang had no sense of being elders at all; they still seemed very young. Looking at Jin Niang, she was still full of lively charm, and her way of speaking was no different from Sister Jun's.
"You, why are you still saying such childish things," Madam Wei couldn't help but laugh.
Jin Niang said: "Here with you, sister-in-law, I won't put on airs."
As they talked, guests gathered in great numbers. Amidst the crowd, Jin Niang saw that this banquet was exceptionally grand. The hundred-day banquet was also called the "Uncle Acknowledgment Ceremony." Both Brother Ning and Ding'er came. Brother Ning, representing the whole family, presented his niece a longevity lock.
Everyone also teased Brother Ning to hold Mingyue (Bright Moon). Brother Ning carefully took her. Mingyue was her childhood name; her formal name had not yet been chosen. Old Master Wei, seeing his seventh son (Wei Qilang) still standing there grinning foolishly, felt a surge of irritation. It wasn't that Brother Ning, a young lad, was anything special, but one could show some goodwill.
"Nephew, how about bestowing a formal name upon my granddaughter?" Old Master Wei took the initiative himself.
Brother Ning was somewhat surprised, but after a few modest words and a moment's thought, he smiled and said: "In the Book of Songs, in the ode 'Moonrise' from the 'Airs of Chen,' it says 'The moon comes forth in her brightness.' 'Jiao' (bright/clear) also has the meaning of pure white. I wonder, venerable sir and cousin, what do you think?"
Both Old Master Wei and Wei Qilang said it was excellent. Jin Niang, listening nearby, also felt relieved and thought to herself that the character 'Jiao' was simple and clear, quite good indeed.
Thus, the granddaughter's name was settled. Regardless of the reason for letting Brother Ning choose the name this time, those who understood could see the underlying message: this was the Wei family's courtesy towards the Jiang family. It also showed that the Jiang family, descendants of Duke Shao and a ministerial household, now had two brothers who both passed the imperial examinations. Their younger generation remained outstanding and might have another remarkable future ahead.
Returning from the Wei family, Brother Ning read a book in the carriage. Ding'er, meanwhile, pestered to sit in his brother's lap and demanded his brother play with him. After being scolded by his brother, he went to fawn over him, making Jin Niang laugh.
Last winter was cold, this summer was hot. Jin Niang liked to take walks in the garden after dinner when the evening glow hadn't yet faded. After doing this for half a month, she discovered sunspots on her face and that she had tanned a lot, so she didn't dare go out casually anymore.
In summer, she bought a type of cool gauze and had a tailor come to make two outfits for the whole family, which were much more breathable.
Ding'er didn't get many new clothes; his brother's slightly worn clothes, about eighty percent new, were given to him to wear. It wasn't that Jin Niang was stingy, but the clothes were all of very good quality, and it would be too wasteful to discard them.
Family members wouldn't disdain things from their own family, but giving them to outsiders might easily be seen as charity.
Summer ended, and the Mid-Autumn Festival approached. This year, Ding'er was seven, and Brother Ning was fifteen.
Her sister-in-law, Zhang Pingjun, was about to give birth soon. Jin Niang personally went to visit her once. Hearing that the pregnancy was progressing well, she set her mind at ease.
"I've gone through childbirth twice myself, sister. Rest assured, I know what to do," Zhang Pingjun spoke quite appropriately.
Jin Niang smiled: "Anyway, my gift for the third-day bath is already prepared, I'll bring it over then. How about having father and mother come from the estate these next few days to help look after things a bit? What do you think?"
Zhang Pingjun naturally agreed. Having elders at home was better. She had privately thought of asking her own parents to come help, but what her husband's sister said made sense. When Sister Jun gave birth, even the Wei family couldn't make her (Jin Niang) stay longer. This was the way for long-term harmonious relations.
Actually, Zhang Pingjun sometimes admired her greatly. How could a person manage to have so few desires?
Handle matters well, don't grab credit, and if someone offends, immediately turn hostile.
"Sister's arrangement is excellent," Zhang Pingjun smiled.
When the ninth month came and the melons were ripe, Zhang Pingjun gave birth to another daughter. Jin Niang showed no favoritism, giving the same gifts she had given to the two older children.
By the time the little niece's hundred-day celebration arrived, another year had passed. Jin Niang felt time flew by too fast. Her granddaughter Jiao Jiao was already one year old. During the zhua zhou (first birthday object-grabbing ceremony), the child grabbed a rouge box. Everyone said she would surely grow up to be a beauty-loving young lady.
Jin Niang and Zhang Pingjun both went to the Wei family. After the Zhua Zhou ceremony, the female relatives gathered to chat.
Sister Jun said: "I don't know what's wrong with Sixth Sister-in-law, she arranged another concubine for Sixth Brother. That maid in green from earlier is the one who was just taken in."
"If things go on like this, how can her husband focus on his studies? I wouldn't put anyone in your brother's room. At this age, studying should come first. Otherwise, once distracted, it's extremely difficult to refocus. Of course, for exceptionally gifted people it might not matter, but for ordinary people, it's best avoided." Jin Niang certainly didn't approve.
Even for Brother Ning, she wouldn't place any concubines or maids in his room before marriage. After marriage, that would be up to the couple themselves.
Sister Jun also agreed: "I thought the same, but it's probably because Sixth Sister-in-law feels this will make Sixth Brother happy."
Jin Niang could understand this logic. Just like some unfaithful men who, out of guilt, become very good to their wives when they return home, this Madam Wang was awkward at first but now has it all under control.
Jin Niang said to her, "Everyone has their own way of living. Your husband is studying right now, and his focus must not be divided."
Sister Jun nodded.
Listening nearby, Zhang Pingjun also agreed: "Exactly. Even in our own family, my mother manages the household with great strictness and would never act so casually either."
Sister Jun smiled, "Aunt is right."
"Next year brings the Provincial Examinations again, so it will be a new round. Prepare well," said Jin Niang.
Zhang Pingjun asked from the side, "I heard our Brother Ning will also take the Provincial Examinations next year."
Jin Niang laughed, "He has already obtained his examination quota, but he's still young. His father and I agreed to let him participate once to get a feel for it ahead of time."
No one expected Brother Ning to pass. In truth, his recent results at the Imperial College weren't ideal, but he was absolutely diligent at practicing exam essays. Because he wasn't a naturally gifted scholar—he initially wanted to read extensively, but later found that studying that way became too scattered and lacked focus, making it easy to lose direction.
To succeed in the imperial examinations, one must constantly practice model examination essays, tailoring one's efforts to the exam's requirements.
The group entered the Qixia Courtyard, where Sister Jun added, "For next year's Provincial Examinations, Eighth Brother from the second branch is also said to be participating."
"That's a good thing. With everyone participating together, they can spur each other on to greater heights. Even the young master from the Hao family in Suzhou is coming," Jin Niang said with a smile.
On another side, Meng Sanlang also planned to take the examinations. With no hereditary privilege available to him, the imperial exams were his only proper path. Eldest Miss Sun was speaking to her mother: "Many scholars will come to the capital next year. If you could find a promising scholar for my sister's match, it would be good for her future."
Fourth Madam Zhou said, "You married into the Meng family, an official's household. Does your sister only deserve an ordinary scholar?"
"Mother, that's not what I meant," Eldest Miss Sun felt there had been a growing rift between her and her mother these past years.
Fourth Madam Zhou also knew she had spoken wrongly and corrected herself: "There's no need for you to worry about this matter. Your sister is only seventeen this year. Girls in Bianjing aren't considered late at this age. Look at the Jiang family girl who married hastily. Now she's always weeping, and her family angrily brought her back to recuperate. But after all the recuperating, won't she still have to be sent back to her husband's family?"
With Jiang Song's example, Eldest Miss Sun couldn't really argue further.
She then stroked her belly: "Mother, I believe I am with child again. The feeling is the same as when I was carrying my daughter last time."
This time, she hoped to give birth to a son, which would make everything complete.
Fourth Madam Zhou calculated the time; it had been over a year since her daughter last gave birth. She looked at her daughter: "Then take good care of yourself. It's just that mother-in-law of yours... I find her usually too self-interested."
Back in the Zhou household, what ultimately exposed Madam Jiang was the matter of dowries, though usually the monthly allowance, clothes, and jewelry were the same for all four girls.
Eldest Miss Sun didn't mind these things: "She's actually alright. You see, I can return to my maternal home frequently, which shows she's easy to placate, not the deliberately harsh type."
Fourth Madam Zhou felt her daughter was being manipulated. She shook her head but wisely didn't say more.
Then she heard Eldest Miss Sun ask: "Mother, Uncle's influence is so great now, why hasn't he arranged for Uncle and the others to return?"
Thinking of this, Fourth Madam Zhou also found it strange. The book wrote that Jiang Xian brought people back, but Jiang Xian had not brought Zhou Cunzhi back, and Jiang Fang's case was even more difficult.
Sun Shichen had said that Zhou Cunzhi had allied himself with the Jixian Chancellor's faction back in the day. Even the Jixian Chancellor himself was lying low now, so regarding Zhou Cunzhi, probably no one dared to defy overwhelming public opinion.
But she couldn't say this to Third Madam Zhou either. Frankly, her own relationship with Zhou Cunzhi was quite distant. They barely exchanged a few words all year. Zhou Cunzhi was the biggest beneficiary within the Zhou family. His own younger brother had been ruined by excessive praise from Madam Jiang, knowing only how to indulge in food, drink, and entertainment, and lacking great ability.
These matters were not for her to discuss. Even Third Sister, who had always been on good terms with them, prioritized her own family's interests. She had even less reason to get involved.
Later, after Jin Niang returned from the Wei residence, she removed her hairpins, let her hair down, and finally relaxed.
Little did she know that shortly after sitting down, a message arrived from Jiang Xian saying Chancellor Shen had resigned in anger, and Jiang Fang was taking over the position of Commissioner of Finance.
At this moment, Jiang Fang's personal career had reached its peak, because the Emperor still wanted to use the Shen faction, so he removed the obstinate Chancellor Shen and employed the isolated minister, Jiang Fang.
Jin Niang immediately prepared congratulatory gifts and went directly to their residence. Unexpectedly, Madam Xu arrived even faster and was already sitting inside.
Despite Madam Xu's usual devotion to Buddhism and her calm demeanor, when it came to matters that added a touch of luxury, she was quicker than Jin Niang. Upon entering, Jin Niang said to the overwhelmed Third Madam Zhou: "My sincere congratulations."
Third Madam Zhou smiled, "You're too kind. Please help me entertain the guests, I'm completely stretched thin."
Jin Niang naturally helped with hosting. Madam Xu wanted to join, but she was no longer an official's wife. Introducing her as the elder sister-in-law wasn't quite right either, since Jiang Fang had adoptive parents. Someone like Jin Niang, whom the Prefect of Kaifeng's wife knew, needed no introduction.
After being busy at Jiang Fang's house for half the day and barely eating a few bites, returning home meant her diet meal was out of the question. She gnawed on several pieces of spiced pork ribs and a piece of pork belly before her stomach felt much more comfortable.
"Next time, go later. Deliver the gifts and leave, otherwise you'll be stuck working the whole time."
Ying was also patting her own leg: "Mistress, now that Chancellor Shen is gone and Second Master Fang has risen, what about our master..."
Jin Niang shook her head: "Before, the Emperor always thought Chancellor Shen formed a faction, while Jiang Fang was an isolated, upright minister, acting solely for the public good. But everyone knows he's part of the Shen faction. Who knows what will happen?"
"Then what should we do?" Ying asked.
Jin Niang smiled: "Next year, Brother Ning will take the Provincial Exams. Our Ding'er needs to hire a tutor and focus on his studies behind closed doors. As for our master's affairs, he knows what he's doing."
With Jiang Fang's promotion, he wouldn't target Jiang Xian. Jiang Xian remained the Prefect of Kaifeng, with outstanding achievements in cracking down on counterfeits, arresting criminals, and clearing old cases.
However, by the eighth month of the following year, the court underwent dramatic changes. The previously powerful Jiang Fang was demoted to Bozhou, while the Jixian Chancellor, who had been demoted years earlier, was reinstated.
Fourth Miss Zhou listened in stunned silence. She glanced at her youngest daughter and sighed inwardly, thinking all was lost. She had believed there was still room to choose a marriage match for her second daughter, but now it seemed even that would be adversely affected.
As for Jin Niang's household, their greatest cause for celebration was that seventeen-year-old Brother Ning had passed the provincial examination, ranking among the top three. He was now preparing for the metropolitan examination next year.
