"Are you saying that Brother Ning took the initiative to tell you that I should accompany you to Luoyang, while he stays in the capital for the imperial examination? And if he fails the provincial exam, he will also go to Luoyang. Is that correct?" Jin Niang thought she had misheard.
Jiang Xian nodded: "That's what he said. I think he can't bear the excessive attention we're giving him. He's only seventeen. Some people deliberately flatter him, which puts a lot of pressure on him. If you stay here for his sake, the pressure will be even greater. Anyway, I've already promised him that if he doesn't pass this time, he'll go to Luoyang to continue his studies."
Jin Niang looked at her husband suspiciously: "I'd better ask Brother Ning first."
Seeing Jiang Xian's expression that said 'go ahead and ask,' Jin Niang still summoned Brother Ning. Indeed, Brother Ning said the same thing, "This is just a first attempt for me. Those who become a Presented Scholar at seventeen are exceedingly rare; my scholarship is not yet at that level. You and Father go to Luoyang first. Early next year, I will come to find you and Father."
"You're still a child after all?" Jin Niang was uneasy.
But Brother Ning patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, no one would dare bully me. I'm not afraid at all being on my own."
Thus, Jin Niang had no choice but to say, "If that's the case, your father and I will go to Luoyang first and wait for you."
Even she didn't believe her son could succeed in one attempt right now. Besides, Luoyang is only four hundred li from Kaifeng, a journey of four or five days at most, so it's not considered far. If anything really happened to her son, it would be easy for her to return.
Soon after, Jiang Xian's official appointment came through. Jin Niang had her daughter and son-in-law return home first. She told them about the matter and added, "I'm entrusting Brother Ning to you."
Entrusting him to Zhang Pingjun, Dou Yuan, Wei Xiong, or Luo Yu'e wasn't very reassuring. Luo Yu'e and Wei Xiong were getting on in years; they could help with daily life matters, but things like the children's state of mind or their studies were beyond their purview. Zhang Pingjun and Dou Yuan had their own families, and it wasn't good to trouble them too much.
Her daughter usually managed the household with her and was quite adept in social matters. Moreover, she and her son-in-law were reliable.
Sister Jun said, "Mother, don't worry. I will definitely take good care of my brother. I'll have your son-in-law check on him regularly, and I'll come back often too."
"There's no need to return so frequently. I've spoken to your maternal grandparents; they will stay here and help with daily life. It's just before the exam—your husband is also taking the provincial exam—as his elder sister, you can help him check his examination basket. That would put my mind at ease," Jin Niang said with a smile.
Now, with silver stored in the cellar of their residence and someone watching the house, she felt secure leaving the money at home, unlike before when she had to carry all their possessions wherever they went.
After all, the mechanisms underground weren't something just anyone would know about.
Watching her mother begin arranging personnel, Sister Jun felt that when faced with matters, her mother would only be flustered for a moment before accepting the situation and managing everything in an orderly fashion.
The couple returned to the Wei residence and informed Madam Wei. Madam Wei said, "Why not have Brother Ning come stay here? He's not an outsider."
"That would be fine if he were alone, but Brother Ning has a friend staying with him as well," Sister Jun explained with a smile.
Wei the Seventh explained that he was Brother Ning's classmate from the Imperial College, a student from a poor family who was lodging with them. Madam Wei thought to herself that for the Jiang family to forgo the privilege of staying at the prestigious Wei residence for the sake of an unknown poor scholar showed great integrity.
Furthermore, Jiang Xian was quite capable. The Shen faction didn't purge him, and the Prime Minister's side merely expelled him from the court.
Of course, he accepted it very quickly, proving to be someone who could take things in stride. He didn't even seek help from the Wei family, at most asking his daughter-in-law to look after his son who remained in the capital.
Madam Wei instead said, "Seventh Son, you are the brother-in-law; you must look after Brother Ning more. Daughter-in-law of the Seventh Son, your father going to Luoyang is a move that allows for both advance and retreat. If there's anything our family can help with, just say the word."
This was the role of marital relations—to support each other.
Sister Jun said gratefully, "Thank you, Mother. I don't even know what to say."
Madam Wei had admonished her daughter-in-law a few times before, but the Seventh Son's wife seemed to hold no grudges. Now with an adorable granddaughter and a plump, healthy little grandson, and with the Seventh Son also diligently pursuing his studies while she herself remained filial, Madam Wei's temper had smoothed considerably.
Meanwhile, Jin Niang was giving instructions to Young Master Chen: "I've already told Luo Da to go to Suzhou this year to collect rent and audit accounts. I leave the house to you and your wife. Normally, no one is allowed to enter our main quarters casually. For external expenses, I've left one thousand taels of silver for next year's spending. If the Eldest Young Master passes the exam, use it for his arrangements. If he doesn't, have him bring the money to Luoyang then."
Young Master Chen had become quite capable over the years and immediately said, "Madam, rest assured. This humble one will definitely handle the matters you've entrusted."
Jin Niang nodded: "Very good."
After Young Master Chen left, Ying came in and said, "Madam, we've hired twelve carriages and twenty fast horses in total. The cost is thirty strings and four hundred coins."
"Mm. Qing Rong, weigh out the payment for your Sister Ying," Jin Niang said, handing her the tally token.
Besides travel expenses, there were relay stations all along the route from Kaifeng to Luoyang where they could stay, so no other major expenses were needed. The annual income from the official land allocated to a Transport Commissioner was six hundred dan of grain. This didn't include other benefits; this grain income alone amounted to three hundred and sixty strings per year.
Moreover, the Transport Commissioner was in charge of the finances, taxes, and supervision of an entire circuit, the highest-ranking official in the Jingxi North Circuit, managing salt, iron, and such. Surely his official salary wouldn't be small either.
While calculating the accounts, she also had people pack seasonal clothes, jewelry, and chests of silk, gauze, and damask. Then there were farewell gatherings from various parties—Zhang the Ninth and his wife, Wei Yang and his wife, Sister Jun and her husband, and clansmen from the old residence, among others. But Jiang Xian and Jin Niang had no time, so they could only apologize.
Fortunately, everyone understood they were leaving in a hurry. They each sent travel gifts. Jin Niang had Ying accept them. Useful items were taken along; mostly useless ones were left at home.
Their neighbor Madam Meng also prepared a travel gift and sent it over. She was somewhat reluctant to see Jin Niang go.
Jin Niang said with a smile, "Luoyang's peonies are the finest under heaven. Perhaps in the future I can bring a few pots back for you."
"That's a promise then," Madam Meng said.
After Madam Meng returned from the Jiang residence, her daughters-in-law came to attend to her. She was a mother-in-law who loved putting on airs. Eldest Miss Sun had long been aware of this. Now, with no backing of her own, her demeanor had become increasingly humble.
The eldest daughter-in-law of the Meng family, née Lin, was originally aligned with the Shen faction. However, her father held a local official post and had not been implicated for the time being, though he was filled with anxiety. Fortunately, their Lin family was not some obscure or humble household; her uncle was affiliated with the Jixian Chancellor. This was typical of established families always hedging their bets. The Jiang family across the street was the same: the eldest son was a supporter of the Chief Councillor, while the second son backed Chancellor Shen. As for Prefect Jiang, although he had recently been transferred out of the capital to serve as a Fiscal Commissioner, he was a man who knew how to maneuver skillfully between factions and was considered quite capable at court.
Madam Lin personally brought over tea: "Mother, is the Jiang family leaving so soon?"
"Indeed, they are. Their whole household is packing right now, too busy even for a proper conversation with me." Madam Meng took a sip of tea, shook her head, and put on a somewhat profound and mysterious air. "The Jiang family truly counts as an illustrious, established clan. Several brothers all passed the imperial examinations—truly remarkable."
The eldest Miss Sun thought to herself that she had married into the imperial relatives, which was very stable. If her daughter could marry into a family like the Jiangs or the Weis in the future, that would ensure truly solid status.
Originally, her father and the Jiang gentleman across the street had been fellow graduates of the same examination year. But later, her father relied on his relatives, and when those relatives fell from power, her own family declined as well.
Regarding Jiang Xian's provincial posting, apart from families like the Weis and Mengs who reacted normally or considered it unrelated to themselves, Zhang Pingjun was quite worried. She said to Madam Zhang, "Yesterday I went to visit and spoke with my sister-in-law. I asked if, with them not in Bianjing, my husband's position might be affected. But she said there was little she could do from afar."
Madam Zhang asked, "She said she was powerless to help?"
"Yes. However, it's fortunate that my daughter has also visited the Wei family. Perhaps we can ask Sister Jun to put in a few words with Madam Wei later, so my husband's official post won't be impacted." Zhang Pingjun thought to herself.
...
On the second day of the twelfth lunar month, Jin Niang instructed them not to wake Brother Ning. She also said to Minzhi, "You have always been extremely meticulous. I entrust the household affairs to you and your husband. If anything goes wrong, all the face you've earned over these years will be completely lost."
Liu Dou'er and Ying, as a couple, were superior to them in every way. If they couldn't even manage to look after the house properly, new people would soon be brought in to replace them.
Minzhi hurriedly said, "Rest assured, I will manage the inner household well."
Hearing her pledge, Jin Niang nodded slightly.
In the early morning, she and her husband boarded the carriage together. Jiang Xian asked her, "Wife, how much silver did you bring this time?"
"Ten thousand strings of cash. I left ten thousand strings and four thousand taels of gold in the cellar. I've heard that grain shipped from Jiangsu and Zhejiang all passes through Luoyang for transshipment. I imagine Luoyang must be filled with warehouses and commercial hostels. With our modest funds, we certainly can't operate a warehouse ourselves. But if we find a manager to run one for us, there could be profit. Perhaps we could even buy a few shares." Jin Niang calculated.
Now that they had money on hand, they could gradually make a few more investments.
Jiang Xian smiled and said, "My wife speaks wisely."
But he also added, "Now that I'm overseeing water transport, it's quite convenient."
"Hey, don't abuse your public office for private gain. Things should be done properly." Jin Niang was unwilling to use backdoor connections.
In the past, they had always taken boats to faraway places for his postings. This time, going to Luoyang was so close it felt almost unbelievable. Jin Niang also chatted with him about Luoyang: "I always used to hear that Madam Wei went to Luoyang to see the peonies, or had peonies transported from Luoyang. So, I always imagined Luoyang as a splendid, magnificent place. I never thought, thanks to you, I'd get to go there too."
Jiang Xian had thought his wife might complain about having to endure the hardships of travel again, but Jin Niang was truly Jin Niang. She didn't expose his little scheme and was even looking forward to Luoyang so much.
He took Jin Niang's hands in his: "I will take my wife to see all the peony flowers."
Jin Niang tapped his nose and said helplessly, "Oh, you."
They traveled from morning until they reached the Zhengzhou relay station. Liu Dou'er had already sent a fast rider ahead to notify the station, and rooms were prepared for them. Jin Niang got off the carriage with Brother Ding. Brother Ding was born in Bianjing and, unlike his older siblings, had never left the capital. Now, stepping out, he was full of curiosity.
Just having turned nine, he was currently studying with a tutor. But now with Jiang Xian's provincial posting, it was just as well; Luoyang had many famous Confucian scholars. Finding a great scholar there to teach their son would be a good thing.
"Second Son, are you hungry?" Jin Niang asked with a smile.
Brother Ding shook his head: "No."
"Even if you're not, you should eat something. It's getting late now. Let's have a proper meal so we don't get hungry tonight." Jin Niang knew her son was like this—saying he wasn't hungry now, but if they really didn't save food for him, he would surely be hungry later.
The relay station's exterior resembled a private residence. Inside, it was neatly maintained and quite splendid. The station attendants here were efficient, and soon a full table of dishes was served.
Jin Niang had Liu Dou'er give tips to each one, handing out small boat-shaped silver pieces worth about a hundred copper coins each. She was well aware that if they stayed at an ordinary inn, this amount wouldn't be enough, and they certainly wouldn't get such a meal.
Even the attendant who brought water was delighted with the tip, let alone the Jiang family servants who always had words like "thank you" on their lips and never bullied others based on their status.
The attendant Huang said to the stationmaster, "They are the Fiscal Commissioner of the Jingxi Circuit—a much higher official rank. Yet they are just as generous with tips and considerate of us. They even bought the fodder separately. Not like that Madam Sui who came before—so many demands, not to mention speaking in a pinched voice at her age."
The stationmaster tapped Attendant Huang on the head: "Your courage is getting fatter and fatter. You dare gossip about an official's wife now? How many heads do you think you have?"
Attendant Huang shrank his neck.
After Jin Niang and the others finished their meal, she had Ziteng arrange for Brother Ding to wash up. A child his age shouldn't be attended by young maids anymore. Even Liu Quan didn't need to serve inside; the boy bathed himself, and the servants just cleaned up afterwards.
Jin Niang was also preparing to bathe when a young maid guarding the door outside said, "Madam, Madam Sui, who is staying opposite, has sent someone over with pastries."
"Madam Sui? Who is she?" Jin Niang wondered why someone would send pastries right at dinner time.
Ying smiled and said, "I heard she is the wife of Commissioner Sui, the Superintendent of Granaries."
"I see." Jin Niang shook her head, then had someone accept the pastries and gave twenty large coins in return. She also had someone send back a jar of olives brought from Bianjing as a reciprocal gift.
Dealing with these station attendants was just for one night, and their service was good. But with the wife of the Superintendent of Granaries, they might very well meet again in Luoyang, so she couldn't be too lavish with gifts. Otherwise, people might think you were very wealthy.
Gaining a reputation among strangers was one thing, but being overly generous to people you might know would make them wonder just how rich you were.
After all these years of interacting with people, she had gained considerable experience.
She met this Madam Sui the following day. The woman appeared to be in her thirties or forties, with a slender figure and fair, delicate skin, though the prominent veins on her hands somewhat betrayed her age.
Both Jiang Xian and Sui Jun were traveling to the Western Capital, Luoyang, to take up their official posts. Though acquainted, they were not close friends. Sui Jun even expressed some pity for Jiang Xian: "I always thought with your talent, you would inevitably rise to become a chief minister. I never imagined things would turn out like this."
Jiang Xian thought to himself that this Sui Jun had been all deference and meekness around him in the past, but now he was putting on airs. Did he really need Sui Jun's sympathy? Yet, on the surface, he maintained a cordial demeanor.
While traveling, Jin Niang, though disinclined to be overly adorned, still wore a headdress inlaid with kingfisher feathers and hairpins with silk flowers. Due to the bitter cold, her outer garment was a fox-fur lined jacket of golden-threaded 'lantern brocade'.
After all, she was an official's wife; there was no need to appear too shabby. Jiang Xian wasn't following some path of austere poverty either.
It so happened that Madam Sui caught sight of Jin Niang's kingfisher-feather headdress and stared for a few moments. Jin Niang, pretending not to notice, took Ying's hand and boarded her carriage. In that instant, she understood why Jiang Xian remained so relentlessly dedicated to official service.
With such looks from others—if she were still the wife of the Kaifeng Prefect, a third-rank official in the capital, would these people dare to be so brazen? Although the Kaifeng Prefect was a third-rank deputy, he served directly under the Emperor's eye. The Transport Commissioner, while a full third-rank, served outside the capital. Jiang Xian was only two grades above this Sui Jun, and their duties involved mutual checks and supervision.
But then she thought, if she dwelled on such matters, she would easily become a slave to power and status. Those prone to turning cynical or ruthless often already harbored such inclinations in their hearts; some event merely stimulated those thoughts, making them seem more justified.
She was not that sort of person. If they left official life...
...in spring,
they could surely become local gentry, distancing themselves from trouble was not impossible.
Having reconciled herself thus, she smiled and recounted this train of thought to Jiang Xian.
After listening, Jiang Xian simply said, "Wife, that you can think this way shows you are truly broad-minded and see through the fickleness of human relationships in this world."
"And you? What do you think?" Jin Niang looked at him.
Jiang Xian laughed. "I, of course, follow you. Whatever you wish, I wish."
Jin Niang linked her arm with his, simply smiling.
In the other carriage, Madam Sui leaned back and rubbed her waist. "Actually, I've seen that Madam Jiang before, I believe it was at the Shen family. She was seated in the front row then, and I was in the back. Seeing her today, she seems to have completely forgotten me."
The nanny by Madam Sui's side, Nanny Yang, had once served a princess as a wet nurse. However, after an affair with the princess's consort was discovered, she was dismissed and returned to her hometown. Trading on her reputation as a palace nanny, she later went to teach etiquette to the soon-to-be-married daughter of a Vice Prefect—the present Madam Sui.
Madam Sui was a second wife. Her father had originally wanted to marry her to a poor scholar, but her mother had objected, fearing her daughter would suffer. That scholar passed the imperial examination that very year and became a Presented Scholar, to her family's later regret. Subsequently, they sought out one of his subordinates, also a Presented Scholar, who had just lost his wife. The Vice Prefect promptly married his daughter to him.
Nanny Yang said, "Our master is the Granary Commissioner of the Jingxi Circuit, a proper fourth-rank official. But Lord Jiang is, after all, a full third-rank Transport Commissioner. We must not offend him."
...
After four days of travel, they reached Luoyang, where officials from the Transport Commission came to receive them. This time, they were to stay in the official residence in Luoyang, which was built with magnificent splendor. Jin Niang thought it saved them the trouble of renting a house.
Liu Dou'er had people unload the luggage and carry the trunks inside, while Qingrong led others in tidying the rooms. This was a small two-courtyard residence. Their son, Brother Ding, would stay in the eastern wing. The western wing would serve as a storeroom, and the western side chamber was set aside as Jiang Xian's study.
"It's been so many years since we last moved, I'd almost forgotten what it was like when we were posted outside the capital before," Jin Niang said with a laugh.
Ying replied, "Indeed, we lived in Bianjing for many years. If you count carefully, it was nearly nine years."
"About that. Enough talk, let's hurry and have everything put in order. Fortunately, our lord is now the senior official of the entire circuit. Here in Luoyang, we won't have to serve higher-ranking superiors as often as before." Jin Niang felt considerably more at ease.
As Juxiang had remained in Bianjing, the official residence assigned a cook and two kitchen helpers. The cook was plump and fair-skinned, and coincidentally her surname was also Bai, so she was called Aunt Bai.
Hearing the surname Bai, Jin Niang recalled a Madam Bai who often visited her embroidery shop back in the day, whose later fate was so lamentable. But this Aunt Bai, she heard, had never married; her brother was a clerk in the Transport Commission. Perhaps because she had remained unmarried and working, she maintained a youthful spirit. When Jin Niang rewarded her with a box of gauze flowers, she beamed with delight.
"For the lord and the Second Young Master, just cook according to your skills. As for me, a bowl of something to drink—porridge or soybean milk—a boiled egg, and a palm-sized plain bun or pancake will suffice." This was Jin Niang's request.
Her husband, no matter where he served, achieved notable administrative results. Their son was growing and didn't need to restrict his diet. But Jin Niang was different; she gained weight very easily from eating flour-based foods, so she had to exercise some restraint.
Aunt Bai listened and said, "This humble one has noted it."
"Mmm, our family doesn't have many dietary restrictions. We can discuss anything else as it comes up later," Jin Niang said.
After a few days in Luoyang, she found the city quite prosperous, not inferior to Bianjing at all. But for now, her primary concern was her son's schooling.
Jiang Xian said, "Wife, don't worry. Although there are many great scholars in Luoyang, we must still search carefully. You and our son rest well at home these next few days. Leave this matter to me."
She naturally trusted her husband to handle affairs, but she looked at him and said, "How about we set up two rooms in the front courtyard as studies? Once you find a tutor, our Second Son can study there."
Jiang Xian nodded, then added, "When spring comes next year, our whole family will go see the peonies. In the future, when we return to Bianjing, we'll transport some peonies back to enjoy there."
"Alright," Jin Niang replied. She knew Jiang Xian felt apologetic because, due to his position, she had to endure the fatigue of travel. But Jin Niang felt it was only right. It wouldn't do to enjoy the benefits willingly but complain at the slightest hardship—and this wasn't even a hardship.
In the past, when Jiang Xian was a low-ranking official, they had to socialize upward. Now that his rank was quite high and he had supervisory responsibilities, he couldn't casually receive private visitors.
It was just right for having a quiet and peaceful New Year. After a few days, Jin Niang, taking Ying and a few servants in a simple carriage, went to the bustling Jianchunmen Avenue in eastern Luoyang.
Luoyang's environment was nestled among mountains and rivers, surrounded by ranges like Mount Chenggao, Mount Longmen, and Mount Mang.
Ying said, "Madam, our Eldest Young Lady's estate is just over that way. Would you like to go see it?"
"No need, what's given to her is hers." Jin Niang was quite clear on this point.
Western Capital Luoyang had always been a place where the imperial clan and noble families resided. If Bianjing was straightforwardly bustling, Western Capital was like a beauty veiled in a layer of gauze, requiring one to seek out her charm, which would surely yield delightful surprises.
After shopping for a good long while, she returned laden with large and small packages. Even though it was just their family of three, the home still needed to be arranged cozily.
Before the New Year, Jiang Xian had also hired a renowned scholar from Luoyang to be Brother Ding's tutor. This New Year was the first one the three of them spent in Luoyang, quiet and warm. Jin Niang even said to Brother Ding, "Your elder brother will probably be able to come around February."
Neither she nor Jiang Xian had held any hope that Brother Ning would pass the imperial examination; they were simply looking forward to his arrival for a reunion. So, it came as a complete surprise when, in February, a fast horse from the capital brought news that Brother Ning had passed the provincial examination.
Jin Niang and Jiang Xian looked at each other in astonishment. The couple had only been thinking of their son coming to Luoyang, even having specially prepared a room for him, never imagining he would actually succeed? She, who was usually so foresighted and always prepared in advance, had this time, apart from having set aside some silver earlier, almost no premonition at all? She said to Jiang Xian, "Oh no, the old horse has stumbled!"
