Jin Niang could hardly believe it. They had been married for eight years, yet for more than half of that time, her husband had been away on business trips. They had finally built up such a household, yet now he was gone.
That cheerful, good-natured man was just gone.
"You must be mistaken. He started traveling with his father on business when he was nine. He was very experienced," Jin Niang still refused to believe.
The boat captain who had been on the run said, "Mistress Wei, your husband was carrying a large shipment and was specifically targeted by those river bandits. Even I only survived by jumping into the river and being rescued by people on the shore. If you don't believe me, ask your own clerk."
Of the two clerks who went with Second Fang, one was also killed, and the remaining one said the same.
Jin Niang said, "I must see the body to believe he is dead. Alive, I want the person; dead, I want the corpse."
She sent for her parents and Second Fang's elder brother. Eldest Fang was now a state academy student. He had always been on very good terms with his younger brother. In the past, when his studies weren't progressing, Second Fang often helped out this elder brother.
Eldest Fang had some connections at the yamen and, also worried about his brother, naturally went to have people search for him.
"Jin Niang, let me stay with you for a few days," said Luo Yu'e.
Jin Niang had cried until her eyes were swollen like walnuts, but her mind was clear: "If Second Lang is still alive, all is well. If he is truly gone, I still have to keep this shop running. At worst, I'll just earn a little less in the future."
"You still plan to do business?" Luo Yu'e was surprised.
"Why not? I'll just earn less, that's all. In the future, I'll buy thread from other thread shops," Jin Niang said.
She very much wished someone could share her burden, but now there was no one left to make plans for her.
It was the eighth month, the time of the Mid-Autumn reunion. When she saw the body delivered to her doorstep, she walked over to look and instantly felt her hands and feet turn to ice.
Passersby watched the young woman weeping uncontrollably over the body, and even those who heard couldn't help but shed tears. However, that very night, Jin Niang sensed something was wrong. Outsiders saw only a woman, and some clerks actually stole goods and ran away. Jin Niang was not one to be trifled with and reported it directly to the authorities.
"Sister-in-law, this household is becoming utterly disgraceful."
The speaker was Eldest Fang's wife, Lady Yao. As the eldest daughter-in-law, Lady Yao was usually modest and courteous. Her father was a physician at a pharmacy. It was because he had once cured Old Master Fang's illness that Lady Yao was married into the family.
Jin Niang and Lady Yao had always gotten along fairly well. Hearing her say this, Jin Niang replied, "Indeed. But I certainly won't let these people off easily. Now that Second Lang is gone, they think I'm easy to bully. They can dream on."
Lady Yao paused, then said, "Well, it's because you look young. Don't worry, I can't speak for outsiders, but your family will always help you. If you need anything, you can always talk to your brother-in-law or me."
"Sister-in-law's words warm my heart. I'm already so grateful for Eldest Brother's help with the funeral arrangements. Oh, that's right. Second Lang was young and never prepared a coffin in advance. I know nothing about funeral rites. I'll rely entirely on Eldest Brother. Here are fifty strings of cash for him to use first. If it's not enough, he can ask me for more, or see if cloth can be used to offset the cost." Jin Niang was also using this funeral to gauge what kind of man this elder brother-in-law truly was.
If his intentions towards her were genuinely good, she could keep the shop open. If not, she had no children, and she probably wouldn't even be able to keep the shop. She would have to think of another plan.
Seeing Jin Niang bring out a bag of money, Lady Yao's eyes lit up, and she quickly said, "Sister-in-law, rest assured. We will definitely arrange Second Brother's funeral properly."
"Then I thank Elder Brother and Sister-in-law. I will be grateful to you for life." Jin Niang wiped her tears.
After Lady Yao left, all her fragility fell away. Her eyes turned sharp as she went inside to take stock of her assets. She had roughly three thousand strings of cash on hand. Almost all the money earned from the cloth shop and cloth trading was here. Over the years, she had acquired some jewelry, about six boxes worth, containing gold, jade, and gems. There were eight chests of clothes for the four seasons. In the household storeroom were fabrics: one hundred bolts of white silk, each costing two strings and two hundred copper coins; forty bolts of patterned silk, each about four strings; twenty bolts of brocaded silk, each roughly eleven strings; twenty bolts of top-grade large-patterned damask, each five strings; fifty bolts of small-patterned damask, each one string and six hundred sixty coins; seventy bolts of top-grade plain silk; ten bolts each of satin and other fine silks; and one hundred bolts of ramie cloth.
These fabrics were probably worth over a thousand strings. That very night, she left only the ramie cloth outside as a screen and locked everything else in her side chamber.
After the mourning hall was set up at home, Jin Niang dressed in plain white clothes. She noted that the coffin for the burial didn't cost more than ten strings. The meals for the household were prepared by Lady Yao's relatives, costing five mace per table. Her fifty strings were more than enough.
However, Eldest Fang soon sent Lady Yao to ask her for more money. Jin Niang cried, "That wretched man spent almost all our money to buy this shop. Later, he took our assets to Huzhou. How could I possibly have enough money now? Perhaps we could sell some of the cloth from the house."
Lady Yao said, "Sister-in-law, you're not fooling me, are you?"
"Why would I lie to you, Sister-in-law? If our family were immensely wealthy, why would Second Lang have had to travel? We were husband and wife for years. With him gone, I can hardly go on living. There's still cloth in the storeroom. Please help me talk to Eldest Brother." Jin Niang pleaded.
Lady Yao tested her several times. Seeing that Jin Niang indeed seemed to be at the end of her resources, even considering selling the looms, she finally called for someone and took fifty bolts of ramie cloth.
Another fifty bolts of ramie cloth were used to pay for the burial plot, and it was said that still wasn't enough. Jin Niang had no choice but to hand over a pair of gold hairpins.
Since Second Fang had no sons, his nephew was the one to break the burial bowl.
After Second Fang's funeral was concluded, Jin Niang's heart sank. During the funeral, many people already acted as if her household belonged to them. She had no children. Once she finished the one-year mourning period for her husband, she would likely be driven out.
Given this, she needed to find a patron.
Luo Yu'e came over soon after. Hearing her daughter speak of remarrying, she was somewhat taken aback. Her son-in-law had been so good to her daughter; how could she think of remarrying so soon?
But Jin Niang said, "You don't understand. This funeral only cost thirty-three strings. Those people tricked a lot of money out of me. If I hadn't given it, who knows what trouble would have arisen. I have no children. In the future, I will certainly be driven out."
"What kind of man are you looking for? With a shop this big, I think you should take in a live-in husband," Luo Yu'e said.
Jin Niang waved her hand. "I've seen through it now. Marrying another merchant would be more of the same. Second Lang treated me so well, but he still had no choice but to travel for business. Besides, there aren't many good men willing to be live-in husbands."
Hearing her tone, which suggested she wanted to find someone even better, Luo Yu'e had no ideas herself.
Just as she was thinking, a matchmaker named Granny Huang came to the door. This Granny Huang was an official matchmaker. She had bought on credit from Jin Niang before. Now that Second Fang had passed away, she showed up.
The two of them spoke a few words about the matter of Second Fang. Granny Huang said, "Madam Wei, if you don't mind me saying, you are still young and full of life. What will you do in the future?"
"Second Fang and I were a loving couple. I can only keep faith for him," replied Jin Niang.
Granny Huang looked this Madam Wei up and down. Dressed in plain clothes with dark hair, her eyes were lively and bright like pearls. Her every movement carried a graceful charm that evoked pity, and her words showed a particular capacity for handling important matters.
Therefore, Granny Huang said, "Everyone knows how devoted you and Master Fang were, but this old woman will say something perhaps I shouldn't. Even if you, madam, wish to stay, I fear you may not be able to. I heard that the son of Master Fang the Imperial Student acted as the chief mourner who smashed the burial bowl. The Fang clan hasn't made a move yet, they are still mindful of appearances, but who knows about the future."
"Oh? Have you heard anything specific, Granny?" Jin Niang knew that such busybodies were always well-informed.
Granny Huang then relayed a great deal of information. Jin Niang merely listened, her face showing no expression. However, when Granny Huang left, she took with her a bolt of damask silk and a pair of gold rings.
In truth, Jin Niang was first stabilizing the situation externally, but one matter made her somewhat fearful. It was bad enough that a shop assistant had suddenly barged into the inner courtyard, but there were also those trying to extort higher prices.
Simply put, Jin Niang found a familiar broker and directly sold off a group of shop assistants. Those who were decent were let go amicably; those who wouldn't listen were taken away directly.
At the same time, she first kept the household's pattern looms, weaving looms, and damask-and-gauze looms.
Aside from her, there were still six servants in the household. In such a large mansion, it always felt somewhat unsafe.
Soon, Granny Huang came over, saying, "Madam Wei, I have a good match to propose to you. It's even a fellow townsman from your Anlu Prefecture—Scholar Nie from the prefectural school."
Even though Granny Huang described him as the most wonderful prospect, Jin Niang quietly had someone bring him for a meeting and rejected him on the spot.
His attire was rustic, his speech overly honest, indicating he was useless at anything besides studying. At his age, he still lived at his sister's house. Merely coming for a visit, and his family already acted as if it was settled. All of this disgusted Jin Niang.
As Jin Niang disagreed, Granny Huang pressed, "Madam, this Scholar Nie is both a scholar and it would be his first marriage."
"The family you mentioned seems simply too honest. If it were my first marriage, that might be fine, but now I have no such inclination. He likely couldn't protect me. To be honest, please find me an official's family for me, and I will thank you for a lifetime. I won't hide it from you, I still have two bolts of patterned gauze. Even the wife of the prefect praised that emerald gauze!" Jin Niang said with a smile.
Hearing this, Granny Huang's heart stirred.
She did have a good candidate: Assistant Prefect Zhou of this prefecture, dignified and imposing, who brought only one concubine when he took up his post. Recommending this Madam Wei to him wouldn't be bad. However, there was also a certain Registrar Tao who was a good prospect.
It must be said that matchmakers have silver tongues. This Granny Huang knew Jin Niang possessed a fine estate, and she would likely benefit handsomely from it in the future.
Registrar Tao was easy; his wife had passed, and he was in need of a proper wife. Madam Wei was beautiful as a flower, had a generous dowry, and was still young—he would naturally be willing.
But Jin Niang was not very willing: "I only consider Registrar Tao. When his wife was alive, their household finances were quite strained. She often bought cloth from me on credit. To be frank, when my late husband was alive, he came by seeking favors. They say he originally received a fair sum of silver when the family property was divided, but somehow it all disappeared."
This Registrar Tao, though serving as a registrar, was not skilled at managing family affairs. Marrying into that would mean filling a pit. Moreover, he already had a son about seven or eight years old—being a stepmother is notoriously difficult.
Granny Huang thought to herself that this Madam Wei had rather high standards, but she was truly greedy for that matchmaker's fee. So she came up with another idea: "My good madam, don't worry. I will definitely find you a more suitable candidate. It's just that I'm not tempted by anything else, only by the delicious food made by your own hands."
Seeing that Granny Huang was indeed putting effort into finding someone for her, Jin Niang smiled and said, "That's no trouble at all. Since you have nothing else to do, why not stay and have a cup of wine at my home? I'll personally cook a few of my signature dishes."
"No, madam, just give me a food box to take back and sample," Granny Huang said with a laugh.
To speak of Jin Niang's culinary skills, she usually only prepared a full table of dishes when Second Fang had important friends visiting. Although she was born into a common market family, whenever there was good food at large restaurants or small taverns, Second Fang would bring it back for her. She gradually learned by figuring it out herself.
Household pickled cucumbers in vinegar, garnished with some red pickled vegetables for color—this was an appetizer. Don't think it's an ordinary side dish; it required considerable skill.
The cucumbers had to be cut into segments of equal size, arranged on a white high-rimmed plate with gold trim. Even the color of the pickling liquid at the bottom had to be a clear, golden yellow, very pleasing to the eye.
The second dish was her specialty: Lotus Pod Fish Parcel.
Then the third dish was "Vegetarian Rouge," made by mashing lotus seeds into a paste, mixing it with pigeon eggs for seasoning, and adding pomegranate and sappanwood juice for a vibrant color and excellent flavor.
The fourth dish was honey-roasted yellow sparrows.
Finally, there was a bowl of rice cooked until glossy and translucent, and a serving of yam pastries shaped like plum blossoms.
Granny Huang left happily carrying the food, but instead of going home, she first went to the government office. As an official matchmaker, she had some reputation and waited on the path Assistant Prefect Zhou was sure to take.
Zhou Cunzhi had achieved success young, but later, after observing mourning rites, found himself out of favor at court. He simply came to Jiangling to take up an official post. Although his ancestral home was in Hangzhou Prefecture, he grew up in the north and could never get used to southern rice, not to mention Jiangling's distinct local flavors. He had long wanted to find a cook.
Seeing Granny Huang carrying a food box, he didn't stop. Instead, Granny Huang ingratiatingly stepped forward and said, "Master Zhou, I heard last time you were looking for a cook. I happen to have a few good dishes here I'd like you to try."
“Oh?” Zhou Cunzhi noticed that the food box she carried was a lacquered box with a crabapple flower pattern, inexplicably clean. Realizing that he had indeed had little appetite for days, he agreed almost as if bewitched.
After having the meal set out, Zhou Cunzhi first looked at the presentation and found it merely acceptable. Having been born into an official's family, he had tasted all manner of exquisite delicacies. But with the first bite of cucumber, his entire appetite was whetted. Furthermore, he usually disliked fish, but prepared this way it was exceptionally fragrant, the fish even having a hint of sweetness.
After the meal, Granny Huang was summoned. She then said, "To be honest, these dishes weren't made by a cook, but by Madam Wei of the Dasheng Cloth Store. I have some acquaintance with her. After her husband passed, her brother-in-law deliberately sent men into her rooms, even trying to catch her in an affair. As I've bought cloth from her on credit before, I know that lady is remarkably capable. Not only is she beautiful, but she also cooks wonderfully. She entrusted me with finding her a match."
Zhou Cunzhi listened without expressing an opinion.
Granny Huang said with a smile, "I mentioned this hoping you'd look out for Mistress Wei. She's a vulnerable woman, likely no match for her elder brother-in-law, who's a National University student."
"So that's the matter. You can give her one of my name cards." Zhou Cunzhi let out a sigh of relief.
Of course, Granny Huang had more in mind. She continued, "Master Zhou, with this, Mistress Wei will surely be immensely grateful. However, some dishes are best served immediately; ours have been in the food box for so long the flavors have all mingled."
She had some understanding of that Mistress Wei. The reason she wanted to remarry now was to seek a protector. If she already had one, Granny Huang wouldn't get her matchmaker's fee.
Thus, she smiled and said, "Why not see your kindness through to the end, Master Zhou? Come with this old woman to her house for a visit. It would also serve as a warning to Eldest Fang."
"Nonsense! How could that be proper? A man and a woman meeting alone invites gossip." Zhou Cunzhi refused.
Granny Huang said, "Master Zhou, truth be told, I'm saying this for the good of both parties. You'd have someone in Jiangling to look after you, and Mistress Wei has a fine dowry—three thousand strings of cash on hand, not to mention the gold-inlaid mother-of-pearl bed, jeweled gold hairpins aplenty, and hundreds of bolts of the finest cloth in her home. How about this: just go take a look, meet her once. If you disagree afterwards, this humble one won't press the matter further."
In Granny Huang's view, even if it didn't work out, she would have done her utmost.
That Mistress Wei was a beauty, nearly the equal of Xi Shi of Wu or Nan Wei of Chu.
Naturally, her beauty was just one layer; it was truly Mistress Wei's bearing that made her hard to forget.
And so, Zhou Cunzhi agreed.
Granny Huang went to Jin Niang's side and spoke of the matter, but with a different spin: "Magistrate Zhou is now seeking a second wife, so his requirements are naturally lower. With a dowry and looks like yours, madam, he'll probably be smitten upon just one meeting."
Jin Niang thought to herself that no matter what, she had to see him first before deciding.
On the appointed day, Zhou Cunzhi originally came just to deliver his name card, thinking that even if taking a concubine didn't work out, he could at least give her his card.
He never expected that when the lady appeared, she was wearing a pear-blossom white breast-bodice with a plain silk over-garment. Her hair was done up in a chignon, fastened only with a pearl headband. Her face was radiantly beautiful. He gave a light cough.
Jin Niang sized up the visitor. This Assistant Prefect Zhou was full of noble airs and extremely handsome. But with such talent, why would he seek a merchant's daughter like her? So, the two first exchanged formal greetings.
Zhou Cunzhi surveyed the outer room's decor. On the wall facing him hung a painting titled "Dawn," exuding a sense of vibrant new life. Couplets hung on either side. Below was a small table holding a Ding kiln vase filled with gardenias and crabapple blossoms, filling the room with a warm, fragrant atmosphere.
"Magistrate Zhou gracing my humble home truly brings it immense honor," Jin Niang said with a smile.
Zhou Cunzhi quickly replied, "This humble one has been in Jiangling for some time. The first day, I happened to taste the dishes you prepared and found them most appetizing."
Jin Niang waved her hand dismissively. "Such trivial skill, it's only that you didn't disdain it."
After speaking, she continued, "Magistrate Zhou, although Granny Huang is familiar with me, I never fully trust a matchmaker's words. I'll be frank. I see that you, Magistrate Zhou, are dignified in appearance and extraordinary in character, and so young yet already a prefectural assistant magistrate. Surely you are not actually seeking a second wife?"
For the first time, Zhou Cunzhi told a lie: "My humble wife has passed away. I am indeed seeking a capable lady to manage my household affairs."
Only then did Jin Niang feel at ease. The two then discussed their ages. Zhou Cunzhi was about five or six years older than her, his temperament somewhat proud and aloof, not seeming like a liar.
This marriage proposal was thus settled. Jin Niang then said, "I will be out of mourning next year. I must complete the mourning period for my late husband."
Seeing her sense of loyalty and righteousness, and her upright conduct, Zhou Cunzhi finally showed a smile. "This humble one will certainly marry you properly with the three letters and six etiquettes."
Jin Niang then retreated inside. Zhou Cunzhi casually tossed a silver ingot to Granny Huang.
As for Jin Niang's side, because Zhou Cunzhi had agreed and even sent his personal attendant Kuang San to help her handle affairs, she was extremely dissatisfied with Eldest Fang and naturally unwilling to leave the residence and looms to him. Therefore, she first sought out a loom shop and sold the plain silk loom, the damask loom, and the drawloom.
Furthermore, she invited her parents over and told them about the matter. Luo Yu'e said joyfully, "My child, you truly have the fate of an official's wife. This match is even better than the last!"
Seeing her mother so happy, Jin Niang thought to herself how good Second Fang had been to her family when he was alive. Now that he was gone, everything was gone too, even her parents, who usually were most compassionate towards the poor and weak, were acting this way.
She must live well. Only by living was there hope.
As for Second Fang, she would keep him in her heart forever.
"Mother, please don't reveal this matter yet. I once said I would observe a year of mourning for Second Fang," Jin Niang said.
Luo Yu'e nodded in agreement.
Little did she know, as soon as her parents left, her sister-in-law Lady Yao came over. As soon as she entered, she said, "I've heard Granny Huang often comes here. Is sister-in-law seeking a new marriage?"
"Sister-in-law, I am still in mourning. Granny Huang owed our family money for cloth. Seeing me now, a widow without support, she came to repay the debt." Jin Niang didn't even look at her.
Lady Yao smiled. "Sister-in-law, at your age, and with no children, even if you remarried, who would say anything against it?"
"Sister-in-law is magnanimous. I, your younger sister-in-law, dare not accept such praise," Jin Niang replied.
Lady Yao looked directly at the large house and said meaningfully, "Sister-in-law, I actually have a good match for you. It would even strengthen family ties."
Jin Niang knew Lady Yao certainly wouldn't suggest anything good and simply shook her head. "No need, sister-in-law. I do not discuss such matters during my mourning period."
"Ah, but I'm talking about my third younger brother from my maiden family. His stature... well, though a bit short, he's like your father—he served in the Xiang Army in Hanyang Army." Lady Yao spoke as if she were offering Jin Niang a great bargain.
Jin Niang snorted coldly. "I am in mourning and should not hear such things. Please leave, sister-in-law."
Lady Yao left in a huff.
Over on Zhou Cunzhi's side, as the Assistant Prefect of this prefecture, arranging a wedding was easy. What could a mere National University student do? The following year, after Jin Niang's mourning period ended, she planned to marry.
Little did she know, Eldest Fang had gathered the Fang clan elders and declared, "I won't stop my sister-in-law from remarrying. But when you entered our family, your dowry was only a little over a hundred strings of cash. Everything else belongs to my brother. He promised it to my son, so you cannot take it away."
Hearing this, Jin Niang immediately began to weep. "Eldest brother-in-law bullies me too harshly! When we divided the family property back then, we only received two small shops. It was my husband and I who built the business. Now, as soon as my late husband passes, you come to seize the family wealth!"
Naturally, some members of the Fang family came forward to mediate. Jin Niang said, "Out of gratitude for the young master performing the bowl-bearing rites for Second Fang, I have already left behind two pattern looms and fifty bolts of cloth. When we held the funeral that year, the household was nearly emptied. Now, after this past year, I can no longer afford to pay the servants with the debts piling up outside, and yet you still come to harass a widow."
With that, she directly sat on the ground, kicking her legs.
Fortunately, Zhou Cunzhi sent someone over around that time. Jin Niang had already sold the estate and, taking over six thousand strings of cash in assets, married into his household.
