After Jin Niang finished the pale grey long coat, the weather began to turn cold. Jiang Xian was invited by renowned scholars to gatherings, and Jin Niang also had her own social engagements to attend, such as the birthday banquet of Princess Kangshan and the flower feast hosted by Princess Qingping.
"Luoyang is truly a wonderful place," even Ying couldn't help but praise.
The people coming and going were all affluent, cultured, and refined individuals, quite unlike those they had interacted with in the past in Wuxian and Daming Prefecture. To put it simply, everyone had wealth and status, so naturally, everyone got along harmoniously.
However, the Fan family, with whom there were some conflicting interests, was rather cold towards her because they hadn't chosen their daughter but had chosen Miss Lü instead. Jin Niang didn't really mind this.
After all, marriage arrangements require mutual approval from both sides. She hadn't made any promises, yet ended up being resented.
Around the New Year, Brother Ning moved from the Judge's office to stay here temporarily. Jin Niang took the opportunity to have her son inspect the rents from the nearby farmlands and shops. The silk and velvet shop alone earned nine thousand taels this year. There was also nine hundred strings of cash from Luoyang tenant rents, rents from the estate in Bianjing, and shop rents from Jinliang Bridge in Bianjing. The money was practically piling up with nowhere to put it.
Precisely because of this, the remaining silver Jiang Xian had at the Transport Commission office was distributed among his usual subordinate officials and clerks, allowing everyone to have a good New Year.
The New Year gifts sent to Bianjing this year were also very generous. Sister Jun had only received various foods sent by Jin Niang in August, but she hadn't expected the New Year gifts to be even more lavish. First, there was a jar of "Huangque Zha" (salted sparrows), followed by "Longchan" pastries like Litchi Sweet Dew Cakes, Peach Strips Wrapped in Sugar, and Crispy Walnuts.
Besides food, there were also flower teas—six kinds of tea cakes in total: jasmine, rose, multiflora rose, orchid, gardenia, and banksia rose. Then there were fruit wines like one jar each of plum wine and litchi wine, and medicinal wines like one jar each of pit viper wine and goji berry wine.
Not to mention, Jin Niang designed patterns and had outside embroiderers make several sets of clothes for her grandson and granddaughter.
Even more so were the gifts for Sister Jun herself: two bolts of greenish-white Song brocade and one sheet of Chengxintang paper.
The pit viper wine was originally given to Jiang Xian by Brother Ning—two jars in total, good for rheumatism and joints. Jin Niang sent one jar to the Wei Family and told Sister Jun to keep the other, explaining it could dispel wind and dampness, detoxify, calm fright, and even alleviate symptoms of leprosy. She instructed Sister Jun to share a portion with her grandfather.
After Sister Jun received the gifts, her husband, Seventh Young Master Wei, took a look and couldn't help saying, "This is truly a fine thing. I heard it even has pit viper and ginseng inside."
"Exactly. I heard Brother Ning helped a snake catcher solve a case, and the man gave it to him. Brother Ning, being young, didn't know how to handle it. Later, hearing ginseng could be used to make wine, he made these two jars," Sister Jun said.
However, she added, "My mother said this wine shouldn't be drunk daily, as it's easy to get poisoned. It's best consumed when one feels unwell. And this goji berry wine can strengthen weakness, build muscle, benefit vital essence, dispel cold wind, and inviginate yang. These are medicinal wines; we shouldn't drink them casually, right?"
But Seventh Young Master Wei insisted on trying it. He had always been one to covet what others had since childhood. The more Sister Jun tried to stop him, the more he insisted. Sister Jun told Madam Wei about it: "These are medicinal wines. He shouldn't act like this. Please talk some sense into him for me."
This was only because their mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship was currently harmonious that Sister Jun dared to speak so frankly.
Madam Wei couldn't bear to scold her beloved son and only pretended to admonish him a few words, which Seventh Young Master Wei wasn't afraid of anyway.
After paying her respects to her mother-in-law, Sister Jun had the couple, Tiger Head, who had delivered the New Year gifts, take a cart loaded with the gifts she had prepared back to her parents.
Even though her mother had told her not to send anything, she still had to send her heartfelt gifts.
Jiang Xian received knee pads and a back warmer made by Sister Jun. Jin Niang received two pairs of shoes made by her daughter, a robe made for her elder son Brother Ning, and a hooded cape made for her younger son Brother Ding. Besides these, there were also silks, satins, and food items.
"Our children are all truly very filial," Jin Niang said, her eyes reddening.
"Yes. My mother passed away early, and my father was indifferent to me. But my wife and children have all been very good to me," Jiang Xian sincerely felt as if he were soaking in a honey jar.
Seeing that at the end of the year, his wife had even generously given him three hundred taels to collect calligraphy, paintings, and antiques, he somehow loved her even more.
Naturally, the return gifts from Jin Niang's in-laws, the Lü Family, were also very thoughtful. They even sent a new book for Brother Ding. Brother Ding, however, cried out, "I don't want to read books during New Year, I want to go out and play!"
"You're twelve or thirteen years old now. Don't always think about playing," Jin Niang glanced at her son.
Brother Ding just chuckled.
Brother Ning looked at his younger brother and couldn't help saying to Jin Niang, "Mother, Second Brother is just too handsome. He's studying with the old tutor now. When he's older, you should send him to an academy or the Imperial College to study."
Beautiful women can be bullied, and it's the same for men. Brother Ning was fine during his studies, but he often heard of such things at school and had seen people with such looks go astray, even forced onto wrong paths.
Of course, after becoming a judge, he truly realized anything could happen in this world. He had been too well-protected by his family.
Looking at his brother again, who was extremely beautiful, it was better to keep him at home.
Jin Niang immediately understood her son's meaning. Originally, with her two sons, the elder was outstanding, and the younger wasn't as hardworking as his brother. As long as he was upright in character, he could receive an official post through hereditary privilege later and stay by their side.
Of her three children, the eldest daughter was capable and decisive, the eldest son was resolute and persevering, but the youngest son looked like a girl, and everyone was very protective of him.
But Jin Niang thought he should at least be like her son-in-law, Seventh Young Master Wei—whether he became an official or not was secondary, but he was very perceptive in worldly matters.
"Brother Ning is right. Our Second Son should study well," Jin Niang said with a smile.
Brother Ding patted his chest and said, "I will definitely study hard!"
On the Lantern Festival, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Jin Niang and Jiang Xian took their younger son out to see the lanterns. He was similar to Seventh Young Master Wei back in the day; because of his good looks, people always stared at him.
Even Jiang Xian sighed, "I was also quite good-looking when I was young. There were advantages, but actually, there were many troubles too. Especially back then, as you know, my father repeatedly failed the exams, our family finances were difficult, and I was forced to go out and socialize. Although no one dared to do anything to me, some imprudent people always wanted to provoke and bully me."
"All that is in the past. Look how good our life is now, our family is unbreakable," Jin Niang smiled.
Jiang Xian nodded seriously and added, "Our son is getting married early next year, and coincidentally, my term of office ends next year too."
Speaking of the wedding, the younger sister of the eldest Miss Sun was being escorted to the capital by her parents for the marriage.
Fourth Madam Zhou had originally been in her hometown. When her husband first returned, he was still treated with respect by others—after all, he was a Jinshi graduate and had served as an official for many years. But later, people saw him as just an ordinary dismissed official, and there was no particular respect or special treatment anymore. There were quite a few who came with marriage proposals, but none were satisfactory.
Fortunately, her eldest daughter had arranged a match for her younger sister with the son of a Taichang Boshi (Court of Imperial Sacrifices Academician). The Taichang Boshi held a lowly eighth-rank position, not high at all, but the family's conduct was quite upright. If not for Master Meng being a colleague of that man, and Madam Meng mostly socializing with high-ranking officials' wives, leaving the wives of minor officials—whom she was unwilling to entertain—to Eldest Miss Sun to handle.
Eldest Miss Sun treated people with great kindness and warmth, earning an excellent reputation for never currying favor with the high and looking down on the low. She helped her younger sister find the Taichang Boshi's family entirely for her own sake.
Therefore, she also said to Fourth Madam Zhou, "I know that the families proposed for sister before were all those of high officials, the least being middle-ranking official families. But now, times have changed, and sister is older. Let's not look for those who would merely add flowers to brocade. This family, though rather poor, has very good people."
Fourth Madam Zhou knew her eldest daughter meant well, but she couldn't help saying, "But that family doesn't even own a house in the capital, they only rent one?"
"Mother, she's about to get married, how can you still say such foolish things. Those who can afford to buy a house in Bianjing are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Most officials rent houses anyway. My father-in-law says this man is highly learned and of good character. I see that the lady of that house is also a kind person. Honestly, good people are stronger than anything. If it were some snobbish family, hearing about sister's situation, they probably wouldn't even marry her." Eldest Miss Sun originally didn't want to spell things out so plainly, but she felt her mother was still being this way?
Always talking about how the man must have a house and property for marriage. Families like that weren't unavailable before, but they themselves couldn't decide. Now, when someone is willing, are they putting on airs again?
Fourth Madam Zhou also knew her daughter had it hard. Looking at her second daughter, clearly at an age desperate to marry, her temperament becoming increasingly strange, always blaming them for not settling things earlier, so now she could only marry into a minor official's family.
Thus, she could only sigh.
Eldest Miss Sun, however, pulled her younger sister into her own room and said, "The factional struggles, good today, bad tomorrow—you probably don't know yet, Jiang Song married someone from out of town."
"Out of town?" Second Miss Sun was surprised.
Eldest Miss Sun sneered, "The Ke Family held the position of Assistant Director of the Palace Library back then, such a pure and prestigious post. Jiang Song brought a dowry of tens of thousands of strings of cash. After marriage, the Ke Family coveted that dowry, practically wanting to devour Jiang Song whole. Fortunately, Jiang Song's mother, Madam Song, was formidable. They later divorced, but even the divorce cost them a layer of skin, who knows how much money was spent to settle it. But do you think divorce solved it? The Ke Family rose step by step, while Prefect Jiang was framed. Then, Madam Song married her daughter off as a second wife to a high official. Although that official was also handsome and dignified, around forty isn't considered old. But still, it's hard to accept..."
Second Miss Sun listened, feeling a sense of shared sorrow, "I truly never thought..."
"When I married your brother-in-law, many didn't think well of it. But you see, even though the Meng Family can't compare to first-tier official families, they are after all relatives of the imperial family, so they couldn't easily be implicated. Your brother-in-law is also a concubine-born son, so presumably his mother wouldn't easily side with him. After I entered the household, I gave birth to children, secured my position, and pleased my mother-in-law. That's how life became smooth." Eldest Miss Sun also sighed about her own situation.
After speaking, she looked at her sister and said, "I see your father-in-law is diligent in his official duties, often promoting scholars from humble backgrounds. He has students everywhere. Your mother-in-law even personally manages the meals, a very simple person. After you enter the household, don't act with a young lady's temper. Use your sincerity to earn others' respect. Then, no matter what factions arise in the future, you can live your own life well."
Second Miss Sun nodded slowly.
On the Flower Morning Festival, Second Miss Sun left to be married. On the same day, Fourth Miss Fan from Luoyang also married. She traveled from Luoyang to the capital for the wedding procession. Her family background and the status of the man she married were not low, being from a ruling official's family. The Fan Family also prepared a considerable dowry, stretching for ten li.
Over at Jin Niang's side, of course, because many people married in spring, the silk and velvet shop made quite a bit of money. However, she received a letter from her daughter saying that Seventh Young Master Wei had first received an official post through hereditary privilege at the Court of Judicial Review.
"That's good too. After receiving the privilege, he can still take the imperial exams. It's better than getting nothing at all," Jin Niang said.
Since the imperial decree had come down, they would accept the privilege first.
Jiang Xian said, "That's what I said too. Someone like Brother Ning is one in ten thousand. Even our Ding'er can hardly compare to his elder brother."
"It doesn't matter. I've heard that when one becomes a prime minister, even their clients can receive hereditary privilege. You have the talent of a chief minister. In the future, even if our son-in-law isn't as capable as his father, there's still you. However, in the end, passing the exams oneself is what truly establishes one's standing." Jin Niang said.
If you've already tried your best, then let it be. But if you have some intelligence to begin with, you should strive.
But Madam Wei clearly wouldn't force her son. In this regard, Jin Niang and Madam Wei were somewhat different. She also doted on her younger son, but she couldn't be lax about his studies.
After March, major changes occurred in the court. The Jixian Chancellor passed away...
In the two years since the Jixian Chancellor took power, he naturally changed policies, but the Emperor began to miss the Shen Faction. However, Shen Ziqi was too rigid, so he recalled Jiang Fang. Jiang Fang was a man who would seek revenge for the slightest grievance.
The capital was filled with lamentation, but Sun Shichen was exceptionally happy. Previously, he had ridden the coattails of this brother-in-law and even held an official post.
Now he could use this matter as his political capital.
Jiang Fang had been relatively steady before, probably because these years in exile hadn't been easy, and with the Shen Faction being purged. Upon returning to take up the post of Assistant Chief Councilor, he first directed the demotion of people like Jiang Yan. Even his own elder brother Jiang Yan was demoted from the Bureau of Military Affairs to serve as Prefect of Jiangning Prefecture.
Jiang Yan went without hesitation. He even said to Madam Xu, "I might not be able to return for many years again. You stay home to marry off Sister Zheng, take care of my parents for me. I entrust everything to you."
"What kind of affair is this..." But Madam Xu only felt the world was unjust. They had enjoyed good days for less than three years, and now her husband had to leave again.
Jiang Xuan comforted his mother, "I heard Father still got off lightly. Others were exiled to miasmal regions, where they might not even survive to return. Like Uncle, the one who died at his post before."
Madam Xu held her forehead.
Spring
But in the blink of an eye, something happened that made her cry out in unfairness, because the Emperor appointed Jiang Xian as a Hanlin Academician and Drafting Official, saying he had seen the books Jiang Xian wrote during his tenure and praised them as brilliant.
Some also said this was a strategy of "stirring with differing opinions." Everyone knew Jiang Xian and his elder brother didn't get along. Jiang Fang's policies were very clear, while Jiang Xian was the type who didn't oppose anyone specifically—whoever assigned him a task, he completed it well.
For Jin Niang and the others, it was time to return to the capital. Brother Ning's official term still had one year left. Jiang Xian did consider pulling some strings for his son, but Brother Ning firmly refused.
"Since there is still a year left, your son might as well serve here until next year," Brother Ning stated.
Jin Niang said with a smile, "That is fine too. After we return, we will prepare the new marital home for you. When you return to the capital for your reassignment review, it will be the perfect time for the Lü Family to send their daughter over for the wedding."
Brother Ning was fine with everything else, but he was somewhat reluctant to part with Jin Niang. "Mother, I didn't expect we would have to separate again so soon after being reunited. Your son is reluctant to leave you."
"Your career comes first," Jin Niang patted her son's shoulder.
She also had many matters to attend to. First, she notified the Lü Family. Then she summoned Manager Xiao from the silk and velvet shop to give him instructions, telling him to deliver the dividends to the capital twice a year. She also called over the estate manager from the Luoyang manor to instruct him on when to send the tenant rents over, and so on.
These were matters of utmost importance. Only after everything was properly arranged did Jiang Xian set off on the journey back with her.
Upon returning to Bianjing once more, Jin Niang breathed a sigh of relief. She discussed with Jiang Xian, "Let's wait until we are properly settled before telling Sister Jun and the others. The house still needs tidying up."
Jiang Xian naturally agreed. The couple first went to check the cellar, and finding the silver still there, they relaxed.
They temporarily stored their current trunks and boxes in the side rooms of the wing-rooms and locked them up. Coincidentally, they heard the house next door was for sale. Jin Niang made a bold decision: "Why don't we buy the house next door? Our current house has three courtyards. The second courtyard is for you to receive guests and use as a study, and the third courtyard is for the two of us. The neighboring house is also three courtyards deep, perfect to serve as an adjacent compound. When Brother Ning gets married, they can live over there. What do you think?"
When they originally bought this house, they thought it was spacious enough, even considering that Brother Ning would be in his twenties, having passed the imperial exams, before getting married, and Brother Ding's marriage would be even later.
Now, a new daughter-in-law was about to enter the household. With her substantial dowry and numerous attendants, the living space would inevitably feel cramped. Furthermore, although Jin Niang couldn't compare to those immensely wealthy families with millions to their name nowadays, buying the house next door wouldn't strain their finances.
The neighboring house had changed hands several times and was now priced at 5,800 strings of cash. Its layout was different from Jin Niang's house. Entering through the main gate, the front courtyard featured a pond and rockeries. A central moon gate was flanked by waterside pavilions, leading via covered corridors to the second courtyard. The second courtyard had a flush-gable roof with a round ridge. In front were a few small auxiliary rooms. There was a main hall of three bays, with three bays each for the eastern and western side rooms. In front of the side rooms were small cool pavilions. The eastern and western wing-rooms had five bays each. The third courtyard consisted of a row of rear rooms, with the kitchen on the west side and the woodshed and bell tower on the east.
This house's garden connected with Jin Niang's. Once opened up, the path to the library tower and the neighboring waterside pavilions and rockeries would become one integrated area, making it seem even larger.
Jin Niang, of course, bargained the price down to 5,200 strings before securing it. Immediately, she hired craftsmen to open a passage between this house and their garden. She also had a new front wall built. For all this specialized renovation, she spent another 500 strings.
Since Brother Ning would be living there, the eastern part of the second courtyard was designated as a small study, and the western wing-room would be Brother Ding's bedroom. When he eventually married, he could live in the small adjacent compound for a time, and later, when the family divided, he could move to the residence at the Imperial Academy.
Just as she was thinking this, Madam Meng from across the street came over. Jin Niang smiled and said, "I've been so busy with matters concerning my eldest son's marriage that I forgot to inform you all."
Madam Meng noticed that after two or three years, Jin Niang's entire demeanor had become even more composed. She had even bought the neighboring house just like that and opened it up—this was no ordinary capability.
"Who are we to stand on ceremony? Your eldest son's marriage is what's important. I heard it's the daughter of the Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs, the Lü Family?" Madam Meng inquired.
Jin Niang nodded, "Indeed. To be honest, this marriage is somewhat beyond our station. I've met the young lady several times; she comes from a very distinguished family and is quite a good person."
Hearing Jin Niang describe the girl as fairy-like, Madam Meng grew even more eager to meet her. Jin Niang then turned to Eldest Miss Sun and casually asked about her family's situation.
Eldest Miss Sun said, "My father and mother are both in Bianjing now. My father has been appointed as a Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices."
That was a position of the fifth rank. Jin Niang smiled, "That is truly excellent."
Actually, if not for seeing Eldest Miss Sun, she had almost forgotten that her mother was also a time-traveler. However, Jin Niang sometimes felt that whether one was a time-traveler or not wasn't particularly special. Just like in modern society, people came in all sorts; being a time-traveler didn't necessarily make one more brilliant.
Eldest Miss Sun also had grievances in her heart. Her younger sister had just married, her father had been promoted, and although her parents didn't say it outright, they secretly blamed her. But she was truly wronged; she had genuinely acted for her sister's good.
Jin Niang, however, felt that someone like Jiang Fang, who sought revenge immediately, likely wouldn't last long in his position. Filled with resentment upon encountering setbacks and too hasty in purging factions, he would likely end up merely a tool for the Emperor in the future.
But she couldn't very well say anything. After all, this was just her own private thought.
Moreover, some people couldn't even manage to become someone else's tool.
They returned in the fourth month. By the seventh month, in just three months, the two mansions were merged into one, perfectly integrated. Naturally, this was also because Jin Niang spared no expense on the renovations, so everything proceeded quickly.
Thus, Jin Niang specially invited relatives and friends to come for a tour and arranged a banquet.
The Wei Family was naturally invited as well. This time, they arrived quite completely. Madam Wei said with a smile, "This way, your estate is much more spacious."
"Exactly. The waterside pavilion in the first courtyard of that house integrates perfectly with our garden. Brother Ning and his wife will live over there, which works out well. Brother Ning loves reading, and the young lady from the Lü Family is also full of literary talent, so a quiet environment is perfect." Jin Niang chuckled cheerfully.
Madam Wei knew Jin Niang was different from other women who merely lived off their dowries. She knew how to make money grow and managed the family finances extremely well. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to make such grand moves so readily.
Sister Jun laughed, "Mother, you and your daughter-in-law will be living quite far apart."
They were separated by an entire garden. Even walking over would take at least a quarter of an hour.
Jin Niang thought living a bit farther apart was actually good. As the saying goes, to be a good parent-in-law, one must be somewhat deaf and somewhat mute. If they lived within earshot, with one unhappy word from her or a displeasing remark from the daughter-in-law, it might not be good for harmony.
Besides, as the mother-in-law, she had made such a grand gesture by buying a new house for her son and daughter-in-law. As long as they were reasonable people, they wouldn't oppose their mother-in-law. Of course, even if they did, she wasn't afraid; Jin Niang had plenty of energy and methods of her own.
After the banquet concluded, Madam Wei seemed to have something on her mind but ultimately left without saying it.
It was after the Mid-Autumn Festival that Jin Niang learned Prime Minister Wei had been dismissed from his post, retaining only the title of Grand Academician. The eldest master of the Wei Family, citing poor health, decided to return to Daming Prefecture.
Upon hearing this, Jin Niang said to Jiang Xian, "We always used to hate the thought of our daughter marrying far away. Now it's perfect; we can have our daughter and son-in-law come live with us. That is truly excellent."
The husband and wife discussed the matter and then went to the Wei Family. Although the Eldest Master Wei and Madam Wei were reluctant to part with their seventh son, they understood that with the Eldest Master's removal from the position of Prime Minister, the Wei Family's influence was waning. In the future, their son might lack support. Having this marital connection would be stronger than anything else.
The Jiang Family's eldest son had already passed the imperial examinations and obtained an official post outside the capital. The second son was still too young, so at this moment, a portion of the family's resources could certainly still be directed to their own son.
With tears in her eyes, Madam Wei held Jin Niang's hand and said, "Third Madame, we must trouble you."
"It's no trouble at all. It's only what should be done. Even if Seventh Young Master weren't my son-in-law, he would still be my nephew." Jin Niang truly felt this way. She had benefited greatly from the Wei Family's patronage and had long wished to repay their kindness.
...
After seeing off the Wei Family party, Jin Niang had her daughter and son-in-law settle in the small side courtyard she had previously promised them. Sister Jun went over first. Wei Seventh Young Master followed later, overseeing the luggage and trunks. At the entrance to the garden, he even encountered Meng Third Young Master.
Meng Third Young Master entered the Meng residence and said to Eldest Miss Sun, "The Wei Family has fallen, and Wei Seventh Young Master is now living with his in-laws. Madam Jiang treats her nephew and son-in-law so well. He is truly a fortunate one. I heard that Wei Eldest Young Master has taken an official post in an outer province, and Wei Sixth Young Master has returned to Daming Prefecture with the family. Their futures are uncertain, yet his future is secured, taken under the wing of his father-in-law."
Eldest Miss Sun said slowly, "Indeed. If it were any other son-in-law moving in, the in-laws might not be so generous. But Wei Seventh Young Master is Madam Jiang's nephew."
She used to think Jiang Jun was the lucky one, but now it seemed clear that Wei Seventh Young Master was the truly fortunate one, born under a lucky star of wealth and privilege.
