Sister Jun, returning home several years after her marriage, always felt a mix of familiarity and strangeness. Before she was married, she couldn't bear to leave her family, couldn't bear to part from her parents, and thought it only natural for her husband to move in with her family. But after marrying, having understood more of the world's ways, she couldn't help but say to Jin Niang, "For us to come back like this... in the future, when my brother's wife enters the household, won't it—"
"Why speak of such things? I am the mistress of this house now. Every plant and tree here was acquired by your father and me. Unless we two give the word, who would dare act out of turn?" Jin Niang said with a laugh.
Sister Jun thought to herself that her mother had now expanded the estate, so they likely wouldn't even be living in the same quarters. That was a good thing.
But she still said, "For me to live at home, and bring so many of my own people, the expense is too great."
"If that's the case, then let's do it this way: meals and clothing will be provided from the common household funds. However, the servants in your own courtyard will be paid their monthly wages by you. The tutors for Jiaojiao and Shige will be paid by you and your husband yourselves, and any of your own extra expenses will come from your own purse. This way, you maintain your own independence, and it's a principle for long-term harmony," Jin Niang said.
A daughter marrying out was akin to receiving her share of the family property early. Providing food was something she, as a parent, ought to do. But one's own small family still had to be maintained by oneself. Speaking these words obviously created some distance, but she felt she had to say them first.
If, in the future, Brother Ning and Brother Ding were to set up their own separate households, it would be the same.
Sister Jun had once heard her mother say that when she used to run shop fronts from home, this was how it was with her own maternal grandparents: settling accounts clearly first, so that everyone got along well. She hurriedly agreed, "That's only right."
Jin Niang laughed, "However, the monthly allowances for my grandson and granddaughter, I will give those myself. Don't you try to take that from me."
"Alright," Sister Jun also smiled.
After Jiang Xian became a Drafter of Edicts, he wasn't as frantically busy as when he held local office, but he did become increasingly cautious.
Meanwhile, Jin Niang entrusted the household management to Sister Jun for a few days and took Ying to inspect two of their manors. The most important tasks when inspecting manors were checking the accounts and weeding out any bad apples.
Jin Niang dismissed several people. Upon returning, she sent Chen Xiaolang and Hutou together to Suzhou to inspect on her behalf, forbidding any favoritism. Anyone showing favoritism would be held jointly responsible.
On the day of the Warm Stove Festival, Jin Niang invited the whole family for a meal at Fan Tower. Sister Jun glanced at her mother and couldn't help saying, "Seeing you like this reminds me of my childhood."
"I remember your husband came to our house to play back then too, and I took you all out for a meal," Jin Niang said with a smile.
The Seventh Young Master of the Wei family said, "Indeed."
"Don't worry, this is just the beginning. Our family is determined to sample all the delicious food in every nook and cranny of Bianjing, and visit all the fun places too. Most importantly, we do it together," Jin Niang said.
These words greatly reassured Seventh Young Master Wei. Living in his father-in-law's house always made him somewhat uncomfortable. Fortunately, his mother-in-law treated them just as before, though she was stricter with him regarding his studies, still hoping he would take the imperial examinations in the next round.
Jiaojiao, watching sumo wrestling for the first time, kept covering her eyes but couldn't resist peeking, making both Sister Jun and Jin Niang laugh.
"Tomorrow we'll go to the goldsmith's. We'll have a necklet made for Jiaojiao, and two hairpins for you. I see everyone likes that narcissus flower design nowadays. Back when your father was in Daming Prefecture, he had one made for me. It looked quite pretty," Jin Niang said, thinking that since the rent for the shop at Golden Beam Bridge was paid, she might as well do some business with them.
Sister Jun felt as if she were still the young girl at home, with her mother taking her out to buy jewelry and treats, finding all sorts of ways to make her happy.
The next day, the womenfolk went and had the jewelry made. It wasn't too expensive, twenty-five strings of cash in total.
After returning, Jin Niang brought out the cherry wine, which had been brewed back in Luoyang. Cherries were a seasonal fruit, available only once a year and gone if you missed it. So this time she had also made some candied cherries, stored in white porcelain jars for the children, while the cherry wine was for the ladies.
Luo Yu'e loved wine and was delighted with the cherry wine.
"Mother, should we lower it into the well to chill it, make it cooler?" Jin Niang asked.
Luo Yu'e quickly waved her hand, "Goodness, you're so particular! I want mine warmed, not like you with your chilled drinks. You're not so young anymore either, you should drink warmed wine like me."
Jin Niang laughed, "Look at you, your hometown dialect is coming out."
After the meal, Luo Yu'e, being older, went to rest in the garden first. Jiaojiao, who had previously attended a girls' school at the Wei family's, now had a female tutor arranged by Seventh Young Master Wei to teach her, so she had to go to her lessons.
As for Sister Jun, just like before she was married, she would chat with Jin Niang, make incense, or do needlework.
Sister Jun saw that her mother had collected many famous peony painting albums in Luoyang, with all sorts of designs, and she treasured them: "This is wonderful. I was just thinking of making a robe for your son-in-law."
"Hmm, your husband, like your father, appreciates fine clothes. Perfect. The one I'm making for your father is this design, so don't copy it," Jin Niang said, afraid of matching outfits.
It couldn't be helped; her daughter loved the clothes she designed.
Sure enough, Sister Jun wheedled Jin Niang to help her design one, saying, "Mother, please help your daughter."
"You, really. If Jiaojiao and Shige saw you like this, where would you, their mother, hide your face?" Jin Niang chided her daughter with a glance.
Speaking of which, Jin Niang was different from Luo Yu'e. She doted deeply only on the children she herself bore. As for her grandchildren, her love was an extension of her love for her children; it wasn't particularly profound.
Was her own temperament different from others'?
She mentioned this to Jiang Xian, who asked, "If Brother Ning has children in the future, would you be willing to look after them?"
Jin Niang quickly shook her head, "Have I gone mad? Why would I go looking for trouble? Just Brother Ding alone taxes my energy; how could I possibly look after grandchildren? That's for those diligent, hard-working old oxen to do. Not me. I'd like to sleep a little more."
Jiang Xian couldn't help but laugh. He finally understood why he was so fond of her. She truly centered herself, not submitting to the common customs of the world.
Speaking of Jiang Xian, the court currently employed a policy of 'using opposing arguments to check each other.' He wouldn't absolutely oppose Jiang Fang, but wherever Jiang Fang fell short, he would definitely have his protégés point it out directly.
Because of this, the Jiang household was now quite bustling with visitors.
But Jin Niang said, "I always feel your second brother's approach is too impulsive, too driven by personal feeling. It will earn him too much resentment. Furthermore, the Emperor uses you to oppose him, but once he falls, your own position likely won't last long either."
Even Jin Niang could see these things clearly, let alone Jiang Xian. He feigned a smile, "Well, my wife can earn money, so I'm not worried. If I'm dismissed from office, we'll just live well here in the capital. We still have our sons, so there's nothing to fear."
"Things won't reach that point, I say. Having no desires makes one strong. One's authority should not be too great, otherwise it will be consumed by power itself." Jin Niang was somewhat worried.
Jiang Xian thought of Jiang Fang, who was now colluding with imperial concubines, his audacity growing ever larger.
But that man had always been like this, so he couldn't say much.
Before the New Year, the estate in Luoyang sent nine hundred strings of cash in tenant rents. Shopkeeper Xiao delivered ten thousand taels of silver. The manager of the warehouse sent twelve hundred strings of cash. Then, Young Master Chen and Hutou, returning from Wu County, brought the tenant rents and inn earnings totaling sixteen hundred strings of cash.
Jin Niang arranged for reward money, dividends, monthly wages, and so forth, before finally storing all the money received this year in the treasury of the east wing. She then prepared funds for the New Year festivities, starting by opening a chest for everyone to have new clothes made. Even the servants received a new jacket, let alone the masters.
Actually, their household's fixed expenses were about the same as before. Jin Niang didn't have extravagant hobbies; almost all their daily expenses could be covered by Jiang Xian's official salary. The remaining costs for rewards were handled separately, each category from its own source. For instance, expenses and rewards for the estate were paid from the estate's surplus, and those for the shops from the shops' earnings.
Sister Jun made a robe for her husband, with exquisitely embroidered patterns. Just as she finished it, two more sets of clothes were delivered from outside. Sister Jun also had income from the Luoyang tenant rents and the property on Sweetwater Lane. After giving rewards to her own attendants, she bought her husband a jade crown and a decorative belt. The couple's affection for each other had actually grown stronger.
Jiaojiao clung to her jar of candied cherries, refusing to let go. Sister Jun couldn't help but say, "Be careful not to ruin your teeth. Your grandmother also told you not to eat too many each day, or worms will rot all your teeth."
"Alright." But she really loved cherries.
On this point, the Seventh Young Master of the Wei family sided with his wife. After putting on the crown, he smiled and said, "My father-in-law asked me to finish a poem and prose piece by today. Once it's done, I can rest for the New Year. I must go and work on it now."
Sister Jun nodded. "That's good."
Her husband had been truly spoiled in the Wei family. Every time he studied, his mother would send soup ten times. It was different in the Jiang family. Even children weren't allowed out until they finished their homework.
Knowing that the Seventh Young Master was weaker in poetry and prose, her father had found him a renowned tutor. He had to take his compositions to this teacher for review every ten days.
Now, with no one here to indulge him, everyone treated him almost like an adult, and her husband matured rapidly.
You see, people actually understand everything.
Sister Jun brought Jiaojiao and Brother Shi over to Jin Niang's place for breakfast. Jin Niang was just smiling, saying, "I was just wondering why you hadn't arrived yet."
The table was set with wontons, noodles with gravy, fried dumplings, fried eggs, soy milk, congee, red bean steamed cakes, roujiamo, fried meatballs, and so on.
Jin Niang always insisted on taking only what one could eat, with no waste allowed. This way, the cleared plates were spotlessly clean, and the leftovers could be eaten by the servants.
Jiaojiao ate wontons; she loved soupy dishes. Brother Shi, however, was extremely picky.
"Just take Brother Shi to the side room to eat. Let him eat whatever he likes, or eat whenever he wants." At her age, Jin Niang was entirely self-centered.
Unexpectedly, Jiaojiao really liked Jin Niang and agreed with her words: "Every meal for younger brother is like torture. His crying ruins everyone else's meal. Just let him eat in the side room."
Although she also had a grandmother, Madam Wei was very dignified. She was good, but it always felt like there was a distance. At her maternal grandmother's home, she felt much more free. Apart from occasionally coming for breakfast, her grandmother usually let her mother and her sleep in. She could even nap in her grandmother's bedchamber, and her grandmother would order the servants to get her anything she wanted.
After the adults finished eating, Brother Shi's wet nurse said he had eaten a few bites before being taken by his little uncle to play in the library building.
Sister Jun was quite open-minded about it. "Let him go."
Jin Niang smiled. "Tomorrow, you don't need to come for breakfast. Stay cozy in the winter warmth. As for Brother Shi, wait until spring, then find a pediatrician to see him. Figure out if he's just picky or lacking something."
"Our heads will be flattened from sleeping so much," Sister Jun shook her head.
At her parents' home, there was no need to follow formal routines. She could sleep as late as she wanted, meals were always ready, and they would be brought upon request.
It was carefree, yet a trace of worry lingered. She said to Jin Niang, "But my heart never feels entirely settled. Why do you think that is?"
Jin Niang smiled. "Because if a person has no long-term worries, they will have immediate ones. Your husband has not yet entered official service. That is the biggest hidden worry in your mind. Actually, it's quite normal. Although you are married and have children, you haven't yet broken free from your parents' wings. You are either under the Wei family's protection or the Jiang family's. Rely on a mountain and the mountain may collapse; rely on water and the water may flow away. Your father and I are willing to care for and accept you. But what if one day your father also...? Where would you go then?"
In the Jiang family, Brother Ning had already entered official service and was very diligent. Brother Ding would also sit for the imperial examinations in a few years. If the Wei family's Seventh Young Master didn't work hard, he would fall further and further behind his peers.
When you're young, people from ordinary families might praise you for your good family background and good looks. But when you grow up, if you don't have corresponding capability, a gap will open between you and others.
Even though the Wei family has a good background and the Seventh Young Master could enter official service through hereditary privilege, if the next generation, Brother Shi, still doesn't succeed, they would merely be wealthy country gentry, perhaps not even as well off as Zhang the Ninth Young Master.
Zhang the Ninth Young Master was the only legitimate son in his family and inherited a great deal of property. For the Seventh Young Master of Wei, it wouldn't be enough.
This conversation served as a wake-up call for Sister Jun. She relayed it to the Seventh Young Master of Wei, adding, "My mother rarely speaks in grand principles. Her daily life is just reading books, doing needlework, managing the household affairs. She is very tolerant towards us. It's remarkable she said such things. Perhaps there are more changes brewing at court."
This Seventh Young Master of Wei was also an intelligent person, but his affluent family background meant everything came easily. Now, staying at his in-laws', the academic atmosphere and family customs were completely different.
Flower banquets and drinking parties could take a back seat. The children's studies came first; any social engagements could be declined.
Even Brother Ding, whom he had always thought loved to play, actually spent most of his playtime reading in the library or sleeping in. In such an environment, he couldn't allow himself to be indulgent either.
This year, Brother Ning was away for the New Year. Fortunately, before leaving, Jin Niang had sent Aunt Bai to be his cook, which gave them some peace of mind. The Seventh Young Master of Wei and Sister Jun celebrated the New Year at her parents' home. Apart from necessary socializing in the first few days, everyone rested when tired. On the fifteenth day of the first month, they all went out together to see the lanterns and guess riddles—it was wonderfully lively.
By the following spring, Jin Niang spent five thousand and four hundred strings of cash to secure a five-bay shopfront near the Donghua Gate. Through a broker, she hired two craftsmen who had left the Brocade and Silk Institute and four young shop assistants, specializing in the silk and velvet trade.
This line of business was familiar to her, as last year Shopkeeper Xiao had mentioned that the business in Daming Prefecture was somewhat unstable, so she had to find her own way out. Fortunately, she now had close to fifty thousand strings of cash on hand. Using one-fifth of that for business wouldn't shake her foundation.
Of course, she would also invest in some industries, such as the shipyard run by that Shopkeeper Xiao, into which Jin Niang also invested five thousand taels.
However, whether it was running a business or making investments, she wouldn't easily discuss it with others, including her own children.
Otherwise, if the children had too much to rely on, they wouldn't think of striving for themselves.
By the end of February, the Lu family maiden had already been escorted to the capital by her mother and brothers in preparation for her wedding. Originally, the plan was for her to marry in March, but because Brother Ning couldn't assume his post until April, the wedding preparations could only begin in May.
The decoration of the new marital home started in March. Colorful silks were hung, fresh lacquer was applied, and even the accommodations for the servants accompanying the Lu maiden's dowry were arranged.
Madam Xu and Madam Xiao Wu came to visit and were utterly astonished. It was as if Jin Niang had bought a completely new residence for her daughter-in-law. The waterside pavilions, cool arbors, and the newly renovated mansion were breathtaking.
Madam Xiao Wu didn't say much. Her husband had already received an official post through hereditary privilege, passed the special examination for officials' relatives, and was soon to take up an official post in the Western Capital.
Madam Xu, however, whispered to her daughter, "This house is still registered under your aunt's name. No matter how much it's expanded, it's still hers."
Sister Zheng stole another glance, thinking how truly beautiful her Sixteenth Uncle's home was.
In April, Brother Ning returned to the capital to assume his post. His future prospects didn't even require Jiang Xian's concern. His father-in-law had someone recommend him for the recruitment examination at the Academy of Scholarly Worthies. After passing, he immediately took up the post of Collator in the Hanlin Academy.
Seeing that his mother had spent money again to set up a courtyard for them, Brother Ning quietly asked, "You must have spent quite a bit of silver again, haven't you?"
"Buying it cost over five thousand strings, renovations a few hundred strings, roughly six thousand strings in total. I couldn't very well let the new bride live with you in a two-courtyard house. Besides, once you're married, you should have your own life as a young couple. It's also more convenient for you to receive colleagues in your own courtyard," Jin Niang said.
Brother Ning said, "Mother always considers things so thoroughly for your son."
Jin Niang smiled, "Furthermore, the new bride has a dowry of thirty thousand strings. Our family isn't lacking either, so you and your wife will be on equal footing."
In Bianjing, many families with daughters used substantial dowries to bully or dominate the husband's family. Jin Niang, of course, was also bolstering her son's confidence.
Brother Ning was moved beyond words. "Mother..."
"You'll be married soon. Your monthly allowance will be five strings of cash from now on, bridegroom," Jin Niang teased.
Brother Ning scratched his head, embarrassed.
Two days before the Dragon Boat Festival, the Lu family sent over the dowry. A dowry of thirty thousand strings was naturally an immense amount, forming a procession that wound for over ten li, an endless stream.
Neighbors who usually stayed indoors came out to watch the spectacle. Even Madam Meng couldn't help feeling envious upon seeing it. "With this dowry, one wouldn't have to work for several lifetimes."
Thinking this, she glanced at the eldest Miss Sun, who had to pretend nothing was amiss.
Jin Niang sent Ying over to take a look, arrange the people, and explain the rules, so the Lu family members would also know what to expect.
Lu Qionghua was married the following day. Upon entering the new home, her accompanying servant said, "In front of us is the Secluded Orchid Pavilion, a waterside structure. The courtyard we live in is called Moon-Gazing Residence. It's very spacious. There are also rear rooms behind, all for you and the young master."
"I heard from Mother that the Jiang family prepared a very large courtyard for us, but I didn't expect it to be this grand," Lu Qionghua said.
The accompanying servant smiled, "Going out from here leads directly to the Jiang family garden. Although not extremely vast, it's filled with dense groves and elegant bamboos, clusters of flowers, very exquisite. You reach Madam Jiang's main quarters through the garden's covered walkway. Yesterday, this servant inquired with their head housekeeper and learned that Madam Jiang involves herself very little in affairs..."
Lu Qionghua thought to herself that she had met Madam Jiang before, and she was definitely not someone without plans. This could only mean the lady was being courteous first. If she herself didn't perform well, then everyone outside would say the problem was hers.
Soon, Lu Qionghua saw her husband enter. He was very tall and broad-shouldered, with handsome features, making her feel at ease almost at first sight.
The couple went to pay their respects to Jin Niang and the others. Today, both Jiang Xian and Jin Niang were dressed in formal blue robes embroidered with peonies. Jiang Xian's robe featured the 'Yao Huang' yellow peony, while Jin Niang's featured red peonies. The couple looked extremely dignified and elegant.
After the newlyweds bowed to the elders, the elders each presented gifts. Even Jiang Fang gave generous gifts, let alone others. The only exception was Madam Xu, who, as expected, this time gifted a box of sandalwood combs.
Fortunately, on such a joyous day, Jin Niang didn't want her to ruin the atmosphere. She would simply return a gift of similar value when Sister Zheng got married.
After the newlyweds entered their bridal chamber, Jin Niang, exhausted and aching after a long day, quickly climbed into bed. After all, behind the Moon-Gazing Residence, Jin Niang had even prepared a small kitchen for them, so they didn't need to come over for breakfast.
Jiang Xian laughed, "You are quite the easygoing mother-in-law."
"Wrong. This is called 'managing one person is easier than managing a group.' Look, Ying manages things in my courtyard here. Over there, I'll let the daughter-in-law manage. She just needs to submit accounts and collect funds each month. I'll point out anything unreasonable, but how specifically to manage is up to her. If she manages poorly, she'll accept my intervention willingly. If she manages well, I could even hand over the household management to her," Jin Niang said with a smile.
That indeed seemed a good method, Jiang Xian thought. In other families, farmland and business were almost always handled by men. So-called women managing the household mostly involved allocating a fixed sum from the external accounts for domestic expenses like food, drink, and living, all done according to set rules. In his family, his wife managed both the external business and the internal household accounts.
However, if the daughter-in-law couldn't even manage the internal accounts well, she would just have to learn first.
Originally, Jiang Xian thought his wife's attitude towards the future daughter-in-law meant she was very confident. It turned out she didn't blindly trust in the so-called 'well-bred maiden from a great family,' nor did she believe that a large dowry necessarily indicated strong capability.
There might be some interesting developments to watch in the future.
The next day, when Lu Qionghua came over with Brother Ning, she presented needlework to Jin Niang, Jiang Xian, Sister Jun, and the Seventh Son of the Wei family. Jin Niang smiled and said, "Later, you should go pay respects to the elders at the old residence, then return for the midday meal."
During the wedding ceremony at dusk yesterday, she had glimpsed her parents-in-law. Both wore the same blue patterned gauze robes and looked remarkably young, without a trace of age. Today, both were dressed in spring attire. Her father-in-law wore a deep purple round-collared robe, the visible collar embroidered with a yellow sparrow, adding a touch of liveliness. Her mother-in-law wore a lotus-root-colored stomacher, a light purple duijin long beizi (jacket) with its entire front border and collar edged with gold thread depicting flowers of the four seasons. The cuffs were embroidered with a yellow sparrow, paired with an ivory-white pleated skirt.
Even their hairstyles and hair ornaments were quite similar. Her father-in-law's hair was tied up with an openwork five-Buddha gold crown. Her mother-in-law wore a slightly larger openwork five-Buddha gold crown, but with a pearl forehead chain comb in front, making her look much more gentle and graceful.
Both her father-in-law and mother-in-law were astute and capable, and the couple was deeply devoted to each other. She knew she must tread carefully; offending either one would mean trouble, as husband and wife were united as one, and her life would become difficult.
After the newlyweds had been married for over a month, Jin Niang observed that Lu Qionghua was genuinely respectful and cautious. Although she had some of the airs of a young lady from a wealthy family, she also possessed a certain directness and frankness, and her nature was quite intelligent. Jin Niang thus put her in charge of managing the courtyards in the Wangyue Residence area, requiring only a monthly account submission.
Seeing her mother-in-law offer a few words of encouragement, Lu Qionghua instantly felt as if injected with vigor. She thought to herself, 'Mother-in-law usually only has me go to pay respects on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, saying I am frail and taking good care of me. Now she trusts me with such responsibility. I must manage Wangyue Residence flawlessly, so that in the future I can shoulder the responsibilities of the clan matriarch.'
Sister Jun, standing nearby, thought to herself, 'People say my mother-in-law, Madam Wei, is shrewd, but in this aspect, she is not as good as my own mother. My mother manages people by focusing on the major issues and letting minor ones go. She shows consideration in daily life, making you feel a sense of having been recognized for your talent, so you naturally want to do your best with the tasks she assigns. This is more effective than anything else.
Madam Wei, on the other hand, finds it hard to delegate authority. Even when she delegates some power to my eldest sister-in-law, she is overly critical. To avoid her nitpicking, my sister-in-law, who could actually do a better job, chooses the most mediocre method to complete tasks, just to avoid making mistakes.
