"I heard that the Lu family women are all skilled at spinning and embroidery, and their meals are frugal, not extravagant. I never expected our future daughter-in-law to have a dowry of thirty thousand strings of cash. In that case, we can increase our betrothal gifts by another thousand strings," Jin Niang discussed with Jiang Xian.
Jiang Xian pointed at the dowry list. "I suspect Madam Lu has likely added her own trousseau to her daughter's to make up this amount."
Usually, for an official's family like this, a dowry of ten thousand strings is about right. Sister Jun's was ten thousand strings. But Madam Lu only has one daughter, and her own dowry back in the day must have been exceptionally substantial, hence she can provide this much.
Therefore, Jin Niang agreed with Jiang Xian's assessment. "This also shows how much the Lu family values this marriage alliance," she said.
A dowry is essentially the family property allocated to a daughter in advance. The Lu family must be major landowners in Luoyang to list such sums so easily; it was surely prepared well ahead of time.
With this settled, Jin Niang had the betrothal letter drafted and kept it in her room, waiting for an auspicious day to send it over.
Brother Ning's marriage arrangements were proceeding in an orderly manner. His official duties were also going well. In his first three months in office, he had already solved the case of the headless female corpse and the case of land encroachment. Of course, his ability to crack cases so quickly now was partly due to having Master Cheng's assistance by his side and his father's guidance. But having resources is also a form of capability; that couldn't be denied.
To work independently, he still needed to gain experience case by case.
It was like his mother's embroidery manuals filling a whole bookcase. When people asked how her embroidery skills became so excellent, she would say it was just practice making perfect, with no other secret. He was currently doing the same: first, familiarizing himself with past case files, studying how previous magistrates handled matters, and jotting down good methods in his personal notebook.
In the evening, he came to his parents' quarters for dinner. As he had his official day off the next day, he planned to stay the night.
At the dinner table, Brother Ning sighed. "Being a judicial officer leaves one without even a moment to catch one's breath."
Jiang Xian laughed. "Don't just talk about yourself; your father was the same back then. When he was in Daming Prefecture, he was exhausted every day, coming home with no energy left even to talk to me. But precisely because of that, he later feared no posting anywhere. You're young now. If you can handle the most challenging places, in the future, no matter where you go, it will surely be a breeze."
Children need encouragement. Hearing this, Brother Ning felt full of confidence again.
After the meal, he went back to sleep. He slept the whole next day, and Jin Niang couldn't bear to wake him. It wasn't until the Lu family sent over a book that Jin Niang, after reading it, couldn't help but chuckle. "The person hasn't arrived yet, but the book has come first. I'll take this over to our son later."
Setting aside how Brother Ning reacted upon receiving the book, Jin Niang had previously spent two thousand five hundred strings of cash to buy a thousand mu of farmland. She also transferred four skilled farming households from the Wu County estate. She then spent two hundred strings to build a manor house and granary there.
Fortunately, this year, the Wu County estate sent five hundred strings, the hostel sent a thousand strings, the shop at Jinliang Bridge sent seven hundred and twenty strings, the three hundred mu estate in Bianjing sent two hundred and seventy strings, and the warehouse lodgings sent twelve hundred strings. The total was three thousand six hundred and ninety strings. If the thousand mu in Luoyang yielded well, it would bring in roughly another nine hundred strings.
Jin Niang calculated that even if her two sons divided the family property, it would be more than sufficient. Both could receive houses, land, and even shops.
The following month, Jin Niang sent the betrothal letter. Before the Winter Solstice Festival, she went to the Lu family to deliver the formal betrothal gifts. These were all according to the highest standard, very generous.
The Lu family also returned betrothal gifts. Seeing the needlework, Jin Niang realized her future daughter-in-law probably could do it but wasn't particularly skilled. She just smiled at this.
Thus, she agreed with the Lu family to send the bride price next spring, when the Lu young lady would just come of age.
At the same time, Jin Niang was also thinking about how to expand the family business. She originally considered opening hostel lodgings or warehouse lodgings, but the investment for hostels in Luoyang was too large, and Jin Niang was currently unwilling to tie up too much capital. Moreover, a good manager was hard to find on short notice. A woolen thread and yarn shop, however, seemed promising.
Jin Niang, being involved in embroidery, was much more familiar with threads, yarns, and silks than an outsider.
She first found a shop with a two-story street-front facade and a spacious two-section courtyard in the back. She secured it for fourteen hundred strings. As she planned to deal in both silks and woolen threads, she invested another thousand taels as capital. The shopkeeper was found with the help of Liu Dou'er. This man was originally an artisan for the imperial clan. She hired him as the manager and also took on two assistants.
Since purchasing raw silk often required travel, unlike managing hostels or estates, Jin Niang signed a contract with him. Instead of a fixed wage, he would receive ten percent of the annual profits.
"This silk and yarn shop will likely have a capital of several thousand, even up to ten thousand strings within a few years," Jin Niang said.
Jiang Xian asked, "Is this kind of business really that profitable?"
"Absolutely. Don't underestimate these trades. This manager was formerly an artisan in the Brocade Weaving Institute, quite skilled. He even knows how to dye thread. I had him demonstrate for me on the spot, and his work is truly excellent. The profit margins on these goods are extremely high. The land we bought will provide steady but fixed income, but these shops are different—they generate active income. I just didn't have enough capital before. Now I have some spare funds on hand." Jin Niang was always very prudent, never investing all her available cash at once.
She continued, "In another couple of years, when we have more capital, we can also buy shares in warehouse lodgings or hostels."
"Those require a lot of management and huge investment. If you ask me, it might be better to buy some salt vouchers. I plan to use the competitive bidding method this time. Wife, just give me three thousand strings," Jiang Xian said.
This amount, Jin Niang could provide.
Jiang Xian preferred more stimulating ventures. Things like salt vouchers were like stocks to her; she didn't even fully understand the rules. Since Jiang Xian was somewhat of an expert, Jin Niang gave him the money to try his hand at it.
Apart from this, Jin Niang was truly resting. She felt she had been sleeping exceptionally well these days. Her eldest son needed no worrying over, her second son was now diligent in his studies, and she could just finish her household duties each day and sleep soundly.
Of course, in her letter to her daughter, she only mentioned that her son's betrothal gifts had been settled, not her business ventures, as financial matters were private. Just like she never interfered with the estate she had given her daughter.
When Sister Jun received the letter, she also breathed a sigh of relief and said to Wei Qilang, "Brother Ning's marriage is settled now."
Wei Qilang said, "Look at the letter Brother Ning wrote me. He's solved many cases, big and small. He pores over legal codes; it sounds quite epic."
Sister Jun knew her husband still harbored a touch of naivety in his heart; he even now believed his mother's Guanyin statue was truly efficacious. He even vaguely felt that the reason he hadn't passed the higher exams was because he didn't live with his mother. Unlike Brother Ning, who studied at home for his exams and had the protection of their mother's embroidered portrait—it just made a difference.
"You!" Sister Jun was also quite helpless.
Wei the Seventh Lang turned over and said, "I'll go check on the house at Golden Beam Bridge today. Since your parents aren't home, we mustn't let any petty thieves get ideas."
Sister Jun's heart felt sweet. "Then I'll trouble my husband."
"Why say such things," Wei the Seventh Lang pretended not to care.
But Sister Jun understood her husband. She held onto his arm and wouldn't let go. "My husband has been handsome since he was little, and I can't bear to let you go out. What if someone else takes a fancy to you? I wouldn't even know how to fight to get you back."
"I don't need fighting for; I'd come back on my own," Wei the Seventh Lang was laughing inside, but his face showed bashfulness.
However, thinking about having to take the Provincial Exam again next year, followed by the Metropolitan Exam, he truly felt somewhat irritable. No wonder sons of officials who entered government service through the hereditary privilege system considered it a shortcut.
Otherwise, grinding on like this would really destabilize one's mindset.
Wei the Seventh Lang got up and made a round to Golden Beam Bridge. Just as he was coming out the gate, he saw the Meng brothers. Meng the Third Lang and he were kindred spirits—both having passed the Provincial Exam but failed the Metropolitan one.
"Seventh Lang, what brings you here today? Has someone from the Jiang family returned?" Meng the Third Lang asked curiously.
Wei the Seventh Lang smiled. "I come by here to check on things from time to time."
Meng the Third Lang invited him over for a drink. Having nothing else to do, Wei the Seventh Lang went to the Meng residence and had a few cups. Their common topic of conversation was still Brother Ning. Wei the Seventh Lang laughed heartily, "He's already engaged now. Since my mother-in-law and the others happened to be in Luoyang, all together, they arranged a match with a local young lady from a good family."
"She must be from a prominent family, I presume?" Meng the Third Lang recalled when Jiang Ning passed the imperial examination, the Jiang household had seven or eight matchmakers visiting in a single day, with people sent from various factions as well.
Wei the Seventh Lang nodded. "She's the daughter of Vice Commissioner of Military Affairs, Lord Lü."
"So it's the Lü family's young lady. That's an excellent match, very distinguished and reputable," Meng the Third Lang remarked fairly.
After all, the Vice Commissioner of Military Affairs was a high-ranking official of the second rank, even above Commissioner Jiang.
After a few cups, Wei the Seventh Lang took his leave.
Meng the Third Lang returned to his room and told his wife about this. Eldest Miss Sun heard it and, thinking of her own younger brother, sighed again. She quickly wrote a letter to her mother, urging her to strictly supervise her brother's studies.
No matter what, with an official rank and title, why worry about not securing a prestigious marriage?
As for her younger sister, Eldest Miss Sun often went out for social engagements and had already brokered a match with a minor official's family for her. She would have her parents send her sister to the capital for the wedding when the time came.
Fortunately, during those years when no marriage was arranged, her mother had managed to save some dowry for her sister. These past few years back in their hometown, their grandmother had given some of her private savings to the family, so her sister now had nearly five hundred strings of cash for her dowry. She would naturally have to raise a bit more herself, and she could also bring her sister to the capital for the wedding.
Hearing how well others' lives were progressing, she felt somewhat dazed. If it had been the Jiang family who was dismissed from office back then, what would have happened? Eldest Miss Sun shook her head—probably nothing much would have changed.
The Jiang family was far wealthier than hers, and their son could immediately pass the imperial exams. Their marital connections could still provide a lift.
Speaking of which, she now had a dowry fund of one thousand strings of cash. Over the years, the allowances for her children had been in her hands, along with her own stipend and gifts for festivals, which were quite substantial. Aside from her social expenses, she still had two hundred strings saved, which was quite good.
In the future, if her husband passes the exams and achieves success, the family would certainly need to provide support, and then they would rise to prominence.
Compared to Eldest Miss Sun's calculations, things were much more comfortable for Madam Xu. Over all these years, she had saved six thousand strings of cash for her daughter's dowry. When this dowry was laid out, even Jiang Yan looked surprised. "You've saved this much over the years, Madam?"
"I've been a vegetarian and lived frugally all this time, just thinking of not letting our Zhengjie lose face." Madam Xu even remembered when her mother-in-law passed away, they had to borrow money for the coffin boards, and she had to save up for a good coffin for herself.
It was hateful how Jiang Xian and his wife took those three hundred mu of land. Her husband valued his reputation; a bowl of fermented black beans and a bowl of thin porridge were enough for a meal for him. For the sake of his reputation, he wouldn't accept bribes either. Madam Xu managed her husband's salary and some income from calligraphy commissions, but that money also had to cover household expenses.
Jiang Yan knew the current social custom of extravagant dowries for daughters, with some families even going into debt. His wife had worked so hard to save all these years; it was truly arduous. Seeing her patched robe and the plain vegetables she ate showed how difficult it had been.
"Alas, it has been hard on you," Jiang Yan said after finishing his noodle soup, feeling a sour taste in his heart.
All these years, he had followed the Prime Minister's lead, completely neglecting his family.
Madam Xu smiled. "It wasn't that hard. We just endured, and now it seems the storm has finally passed and the sky is clear."
Jiang Yan, however, gazed into the distance and slowly nodded.
As the year's end approached again, in just two short months, Shopkeeper Xiao from the silk and velvet shop delivered two thousand taels. But to really make money here, they needed to go to Huzhou, Suzhou, and Hangzhou to purchase silk. Although Jin Niang had mulberry fields in Wu County, she kept matters strictly separate, never mixing the shop's business with the estate's. Thus, Jin Niang gave Shopkeeper Xiao four thousand taels to go to other regions to buy goods.
At year's end, the owner of the warehouse came in person. After delivering the dividend, he told Jin Niang he planned to open a pawnshop in Luoyang. Knowing this merchant was measured in his dealings, Jin Niang discussed it with Jiang Xian and then gave the man a letter of introduction from Jiang Xian.
This time, however, Jin Niang did not take a share.
It wasn't for lack of funds, but she couldn't always rely on such dividends; she needed her own business.
The manager of the courier station in Wu County, Shopkeeper Yao, had been admonished by her a few times. He was clever and didn't dare to play tricks. The Golden Beam Bridge shop collected rent, and as for this silk and velvet shop in Luoyang, with Jiang Xian and Brother Ning as officials, both purchasing goods and navigating official channels were easier, preventing them from being easily exploited by others.
By the following spring, Shopkeeper Xiao returned. Because the goods he purchased were new, with clever patterns and colors, the four thousand taels worth of goods nearly tripled in profit.
This shop had an initial investment of nearly three thousand strings, followed by an outlay of four thousand taels. In just half a year, it had already earned ten thousand taels. Subtracting the principal of five thousand taels left a profit of five thousand. Jin Niang's share was four thousand taels. Shopkeeper Xiao, after covering travel expenses, assistants' costs, and hiring people for silk dyeing, could still make two to three hundred strings himself, which naturally delighted him.
At this time, Jin Niang's side went to the Lü family to deliver the betrothal gifts. Besides gold bracelets, gold bangles, and gold pendants, there were also a pearl-and-kingfisher-feather headdress, one peach blossom crown and one apricot blossom crown, a silver-gilt crown, two sets of jewelry, not to mention high-quality silks and satins, tea, fruits, and other items.
The Lü family also sent return gifts.
In June, Jin Niang sent over two thousand strings of cash as betrothal gifts. Both families selected an auspicious date, waiting only for the wedding to take place two years later.
The Lu family was also very satisfied with the Jiang family, especially since the Jiangs observed all the proper etiquette meticulously. They were definitely not the sort to play petty tricks or try to assert dominance.
To be honest, Jin Niang had no time to handle these matters personally. She needed to familiarize herself with every detail of the workflow at her silk and velvet shop.
Furthermore, at the estate in Luoyang, Jin Niang had people plant local Luoyang specialties like Jiaying plums. Since green plums were grown all over Luoyang, she also planted cherries, peaches, apricots, pomegranates, green plums, and so on.
These weren't planted in large quantities, just enough for the family to enjoy themselves.
Especially cherries, as Luoyang was famous for them. Jin Niang had her people pack six full boxes, using ice underneath. She also included large valley pears, honey peaches, nectarines, small pastries, as well as the Suzhou Chengni inkstone and "Xia Sha Ren Xiang" tea that Shopkeeper Xiao had sent this spring. Additionally, there were several bolts of colorful satin for Sister Jun.
There was another set, missing the inkstone and tea, which was sent to Wei Xiong and Luo Yu'e, the couple who were looking after her home.
After receiving the gifts, Sister Jun was very generous, sharing some with her mother-in-law and her two sisters-in-law. Her daughter, Jiaojiao, loved cherries. Although the Wei family was never short of them, these were the freshest, sent directly from the Luoyang producing region. Jiaojiao enjoyed them so much her little legs swung happily back and forth.
Wei Qilang (the Seventh Young Master of the Wei family) was quite pleased with the Chengni inkstone, touched that his mother-in-law remembered them.
"I love 'Xia Sha Ren Xiang' tea just like my mother. I brought a lot when I got married, but it's almost all gone. I just mentioned it in a letter in passing, never expecting my mother to specially have someone bring it for me." Sister Jun reflected that even though she was a mother herself, it felt wonderful to still be remembered by her own mother.
Wei Qilang laughed, "I really envy you."
"You envy me? Didn't your parents treat you well? Back when you were at my house, my mother doted on you so much I got jealous. I even thought, 'This seventh cousin is really going to compete with me for favor.'" Sister Jun said, feeling a bit embarrassed recalling it.
Wei Qilang looked at her skeptically, "You really thought that?"
Sister Jun nodded emphatically.
Wei Qilang was speechless. He poked her forehead and said helplessly, "Oh, you."
As for the fruits Jin Niang sent, Madam Wei (the senior lady of the Wei household) decided to send one box to her sister-in-law, Madam Wei the Second, who then had it delivered to her son and daughter-in-law.
Madam Wei the Second had a gentle temperament, and the maids around her were quite lively. This time, she sent Chun Yan to deliver it. Chun Yan, being quick-tongued, said upon arriving at Shen Qiniang's place, "They say these were specially sent from Luoyang by the Jiang family, the in-laws of the main branch. The senior madam said we should try some too. They're the very first batch, the freshest cherries."
Shen Qiniang's family had returned to their ancestral home, leaving her alone in the capital. Meanwhile, Jiang Jun's parents, though far away, constantly sent things... But honestly, she knew very well she held no grudge against Jiang Jun herself. There was no reason to resent her.
Jin Niang had no idea her Mid-Autumn Festival gifts would stir up such melancholy feelings, but even if she knew, she wouldn't have cared. They were originally sent for her daughter's enjoyment, and as long as her daughter was happy, that was enough.
Luoyang, being an ancient capital, had many tomb raiders. Since taking up his post, Brother Ning had shown no mercy towards local tyrants and ruffians. Of course, his background gave him the confidence to carry out such sweeping measures.
It was said that imperial and aristocratic tombs were built more simply, so tomb raiders rarely targeted them. Instead, official families often faced this trouble.
He came to Jin Niang's for dinner and mentioned, "You wouldn't believe it, but some of the treasures sold at Luoyang's largest antique shop come from tombs."
"And they dare sell them? Aren't they afraid people will come after them?" Jin Niang, being in business herself, feared disputes the most.
Brother Ning laughed, "Men will die for wealth, as birds will for food."
He hurriedly ate a few mouthfuls of rice, seemed to remember some case, and left in a rush.
Jin Niang had the dinner table cleared and then looked at Jiang Xian, who was leisurely drinking tea beside her. She suddenly asked, "You borrowed three thousand strings of cash from me last year. How's it going now?"
Jiang Xian, caught off guard, coughed violently. "Made a bit of profit?"
"Wow, that must be more than what my silk and velvet shop earns." Jin Niang had never dabbled in this "stock"-like venture before and was very curious.
Jiang Xian laughed heartily. Some days later, he returned four thousand strings of cash to her.
However, Jiang Xian himself, serving as a Transport Commissioner, had considerable expertise in these matters. Having tested the waters successfully, he began writing a book while in office about the malpractices concerning salt vouchers and tea vouchers.
Jin Niang was aware of this too. She always believed that officials should strive to regulate policies well. Otherwise, you can only help individuals, but well-executed policies can help everyone.
At the same time, Jiang Xian also began constructing irrigation canals to water dry fields, turning them into paddy fields for rice cultivation. His predecessors had done similar work. He simply felt it would bring administrative achievements, so he pursued it diligently.
Jin Niang thought to herself, judge by actions, not intentions!
Having visited many gardens in Luoyang to see peonies, Jin Niang developed a particular fondness for 'Tongzimian' (Child's Face), known in modern times as 'Zhaofen'. There were many famous painting albums of "Zhaofen" on the market, all of which Jin Niang bought.
'Erqiao' (Two Qiaos) was a variety she had once embroidered. But seeing it now, she felt her previous embroidery, while seemingly well-executed, relied mostly on skilled needlework and good color matching. Only after seeing the masters' painting albums did she realize her own attempt had been somewhat presumptuous.
Of course, besides "Tongzimian," she also liked "Doulv" (Pea Green), "Yaohuang" (Yao's Yellow), and "Bai Xueta" (White Snow Pagoda).
Jin Niang planned to start drafting patterns for clothing. She finally found a piece of 'Boshi' (thin persimmon) colored fabric, somewhat similar to champagne. She designed a garment with white peonies embroidered on the bodice, front opening, and cuffs. The resulting design was noble, elegant, dignified, and suitable for her age.
It took nearly a month to complete this piece. By September, Jin Niang was embroidering Zhaofen peonies on snow-grey satin for a long jacket to wear in winter.
The first piece she made looked exceptionally beautiful when worn, especially since the bodice was shaped like a peony flower rather than having a large, stiff embroidery patch on it. Jin Niang was wearing this very outfit today. When Jiang Xian saw her, he was momentarily stunned. As Jin Niang looked at him, his gaze immediately darted elsewhere.
"What's wrong?" Jin Niang asked, looking down at her needlework while speaking to him.
Jiang Xian smiled, "Nothing. I was just thinking it's still early, why is my wife already making a winter jacket?"
"If not now, then when? Let me tell you, our son is getting married the year after next, right? I'm thinking of using royal blue jacquard peony gauze as the base, embroidering Zhaofen peonies on it. The front opening will have floral patterns embroidered with gold and yellow thread. The wide sleeves will have peonies embroidered in a red deeper than true red, edged with gold thread. It will look especially splendid and beautiful." Jin Niang mused delightedly.
After listening to his wife talk for a long while without mentioning him, Jiang Xian grew anxious: "My dear, you've planned all this for yourself, but what about me?"
Jin Niang glanced at him. "You? How would I know what you wish to wear? I'll have the tailor come, and you can tell them yourself."
Jiang Xian hurriedly sat down beside Jin Niang. "Please, my dear, just have one made for me. I'll listen to whatever you say."
With his mix of flattery and coaxing, Jin Niang couldn't help but laugh. After a good while, she finally said, "Very well. Then I want to drink osmanthus yogurt, eat the double-cooked fish you made last time, and have some spring pancakes."
Jiang Xian spread his hands. "Is that all? Don't you want to think of a few more dishes?"
Jin Niang quickly shook her head. "I'm afraid it would be too much work for you."
"Not at all, not at all," Jiang Xian said, proceeding to volunteer several more dishes on his own.
Jin Niang kept a straight face, though her stomach ached from silent laughter. She had already intended to have clothes made for him; she hadn't expected him to walk so guilelessly into her trap.
