That night, she and Zhou Cunzhi consummated their marriage, and the two were very tender with each other.
Zhou Cunzhi even gave her his private savings. When Jin Niang took it and looked, opening it to see quite a few gold ingots and silver bars inside, she was startled: "Are these for me?"
"If I give them to you, then you should take them. You'll be managing the household affairs later," Zhou Cunzhi said with a laugh.
Jin Niang closed the lid of the box and said solemnly, "I come from a commoner family and am not familiar with many official courtesies. I fear I may breach etiquette in the future. You must tell me in advance, husband."
Seeing her serious expression and self-possessed manner, Zhou Cunzhi liked her even more. "Good. Whenever you don't understand something, just ask me."
"You are so easy-going, husband, that puts my mind at ease," Jin Niang said with a gentle smile.
A night of spring is worth a thousand in gold, and Zhou Cunzhi naturally wouldn't let this opportunity pass. The women around him were either like Lady Zhang, who never spoke properly and was forever sarcastic and insinuating, or those who were timid and submissive, always trying to get money from him—all terribly dull and irritating.
However, this Lady Wei seemed different from all the others.
The next day, when Jin Niang got up, she still felt somewhat embarrassed. But now she was the mistress of the household, so she couldn't help asking Zhou Cunzhi, "I heard you have a concubine. I've prepared some gifts to send to her."
Seeing Jin Niang's gentle kindness, Zhou Cunzhi also had his concubine summoned. This concubine, Xiang Ming, was not very old and was quite pretty and charming, known as Little Madame Xiang.
Jin Niang and Zhou Cunzhi sat together, and she then had someone bring out two bolts of bright red lantern-patterned brocade and two paired hairpins. "I hope you won't disdain these, sister."
Xiang Ming smiled and said, "What are you saying, sister?"
She thought to herself that this Little Madame Wei didn't know any better. Although she was properly taken as a second wife, there was still a formidable presence in Bianjing, and that one was not easy to get along with.
On the surface, the two were harmonious, but Jin Niang didn't trust this Xiang Ming either. She had brought two maids, one matron, and two young servants with her. Not only did she have her own people, but she also had money, so naturally she wasn't afraid of a mere concubine.
Zhou Cunzhi was an official posted outside the capital and hadn't brought many people with him. Jin Niang had everyone given reward money, distributed the rewards, and asked clearly for their names and what duties they performed.
It was still the honeymoon period, and she got along quite well with Zhou Cunzhi. After all, he was a son from a great family, just different. But Jin Niang would often still think of her former husband, Second Fang. They were a poor couple who had worked hard step by step to reach where they were. Just as life was getting better and better, he was gone.
Now, she could only cherish the person before her.
Thinking of this, she personally prepared a few side dishes and warmed some wine. When Zhou Cunzhi returned, she smiled and said, "The wife of a minor clerk sent over a few dishes the other day. I noticed you seemed to like the stewed fresh bamboo shoots, so I tried making some today. Please taste and see."
"You don't lack servants, wife. You could just leave it to them," said Zhou Cunzhi, who was in his thirties and naturally preferred a woman like this—suitable for the home, yet perceptive and charmingly naive.
Jin Niang replied, "I won't do it every day, only occasionally when I have time."
She also wanted to have a child soon. It was because she had no children with Second Fang that she was bullied by Eldest Fang. If she had a son, why would she need to remarry? Guarding the shop and living her life would be better than anything.
Only, her body was somewhat deficient in qi and blood and still needed continued recuperation. Fortunately, unlike when she and Second Fang were separated in different places, she and Zhou Cunzhi could often be together.
Just as they were eating, she heard Zhou Cunzhi say, "The prefectural school examinations are coming up. First, prepare my luggage for me, then I'll go."
Jin Niang smiled and agreed.
After seeing Zhou Cunzhi off, she usually kept to a policy of non-interference with Xiang Ming and didn't make her stand on ceremony. However, a few of the Zhou family servants, having received silver from her and being on good terms, let something slip.
"You mean the husband has a proper wife in Bianjing?" Jin Niang asked, puzzled.
That person immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "Madam, I was just talking nonsense."
Jin Niang said nothing on the surface but privately called her over quietly and said, "Sister-in-law, I am nothing but grateful that you are willing to tell me the truth. Now that I'm married, I follow my husband for better or worse. I won't have any other ideas, I just want to be prepared early."
Only then did that person explain everything in detail. Jin Niang's heart was already in turmoil.
Zhou Cunzhi was an official, usually quite upright and forthright. She hadn't thought this man would deceive her. But what could she do now? Since ancient times, the common people do not contend with officials. Moreover, without Zhou Cunzhi, not only might her money be seized, but she herself might be framed with who-knows-what charges.
Thus, she could only pretend and play along.
But she still needed a child. If she had a child, she would have some status. If she didn't, when he eventually left Jiangling, she might very well be abandoned and left with nothing.
When Zhou Cunzhi returned, everything was as usual. Of course, he wasn't worried about Jin Niang finding out. To him, it was perfectly normal for a man to have multiple wives and concubines. Besides, Lady Wei was also properly taken as his concubine.
Jin Niang didn't bring it up either. She simply focused all her efforts on keeping Zhou Cunzhi close. Fortunately, after three months, she became pregnant. Zhou Cunzhi was very happy and sent people to buy many tonics. As it was her first pregnancy, Jin Niang also had her birth mother, Luo Yu'e, come to take care of her.
Because she managed the household, she could keep an eye on Xiang Ming's movements and discovered this person was also quite shrewd, so she had to be on guard. Luo Yu'e, coming to the official residence for the first time, sighed repeatedly upon hearing Jin Niang say she was actually a concubine.
"What is wrong with you girls? I heard your eldest sister ran off with someone. It was your aunt and uncle who heard it from Ying Niang in Bianjing. And Ying Niang's life isn't easy either."
Jin Niang hadn't interacted much with these cousins before. Hearing Luo Yu'e finish, she couldn't help but ask, puzzled, "What's going on? I thought Ying Niang's husband was good?"
"He was good at first. That Anping was an honest fellow. But Ying Niang's father, your third uncle, died. That third aunt of yours is also annoying and doesn't know how to conduct herself. She's alone in Bianjing, and Sheng Ge'er doesn't seem like someone who can accomplish much either. Her husband's family has her figured out. Do you think she can live well?" Luo Yu'e said.
Jin Niang said, "I feel there are too few loving couples in this world."
The truly loving ones, their lives are often not long.
"Is that Little Madame Xiang easy to get along with?" Luo Yu'e asked again.
Jin Niang smiled and said, "She is illiterate. Although she's somewhat clever, she only knows how to be subservient. You don't know our husband. He wants people to be gentle and obedient when they should be, but if you're too rigid, he finds it boring."
Fortunately, although Zhou Cunzhi had deceived her, he was still a decent man.
After staying at the Zhou residence for a few days, Luo Yu'e saw that although Zhou Cunzhi's temperament was somewhat arrogant, he treated people politely and spoke to her very courteously, so she set her mind at ease.
At night, as Jin Niang rested with him, she couldn't help saying, "My belly is showing now. It's not good for you to keep resting here."
"What of it? I prefer being here," Zhou Cunzhi held her.
In the morning, whenever he had to leave for a while, she would look on the verge of tears. How could he bear it?
Jin Niang thought to herself, this was the fickleness of men. That Xiang Ming had even borne him a daughter, yet once he lost interest, she was cast aside and forgotten. She herself was no longer young, who knew what the future held? For now, she must seize what she could.
So, leaning against the pillow, she said, "I'm having trouble sleeping too. How about I tell you a joke?"
"You know how to tell jokes?" Zhou Cunzhi was curious.
Jin Niang then told a joke: "They say there was a temple at the entrance of Bajiawan Village, with a statue of a deity inside, though I don't know which god it was. One day, it rained heavily, making the ground difficult to walk on. Someone laid the statue flat and stepped over it. But another person, feeling it was wrong, went and stood the statue back up. The deity then manifested. Guess what happened?"
Zhou Cunzhi laughed, "Naturally, it allowed him to make a wish for protection."
"Wrong," Jin Niang chuckled. "The deity actually cursed him, saying, 'Since ancient times, good people are easy to bully. If I don't bully him, who should I bully?'" 【1】
Zhou Cunzhi couldn't help but laugh. "So even gods and buddhas pick on the weak and fear the strong."
"Isn't everyone in the world like that? So, my lord, you must never be casually kind-hearted in the future. You must protect the child in my belly." Jin Niang looked at him earnestly.
Zhou Cunzhi also replied solemnly, "That goes without saying."
Jin Niang extended her pinky finger. "Let's pinky swear."
Zhou Cunzhi rarely encountered someone so vibrant around him, so he genuinely extended his little finger as well.
Their little fingers intertwined, and Jin Niang looked thoroughly satisfied.
In her position, many inevitably mistook her for the actual Assistant Prefect's wife. Many came bearing gifts. Jin Niang reasoned that accepting from one household but not another would only offend everyone. It was better to accept none at all. So, no matter how much silver was offered by those making pleas on the outside, she wouldn't even glance at it. Her standards weren't that low.
Precisely because of this, Zhou Cunzhi's respect for her grew another layer, believing in his heart that she was a woman of integrity.
However, Jin Niang was no fool. At home, she didn't offend the slick and cunning ones, but she won over a few honest and loyal ones for her own use. She often inquired about matters in Bianjing, never putting on airs, and treated everyone with courtesy.
Even towards Xiang Ming's daughter, Jin Niang never allowed anyone to show disrespect. In private, she rarely spoke ill of others.
Of course, if you were merely good-natured, people would surely take advantage of you, just like in that story—the good get bullied. While maintaining her own upright conduct, if anyone committed unlawful acts, she would report them to Zhou Cunzhi without the slightest fear.
For theft, illicit affairs, or gambling, the punishment was almost always a beating, expulsion, and replacement with new servants.
At the same time, she would ask Zhou Cunzhi to help her collect some recipes. In her spare time, she would cook a dish or two herself. During breaks, she would continue buying various colored threads for weaving.
Finally, the day of delivery arrived, and she smoothly gave birth to a son. Zhou Cunzhi named the child Chun, meaning honest, simple, and kind-hearted.
With this child, Jin Niang's heart softened considerably.
Zhou Cunzhi had a pair of golden butterfly hairpins and two sets of jewelry made for her. When he brought them, Jin Niang immediately had him help her put them on. Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, she thought that no matter what, although she couldn't rival Lady Zhang on equal footing, having a son in her arms would at least let those below know which side to take.
"I've gotten so much fatter," Jin Niang said to his reflection in the mirror.
Zhou Cunzhi smiled. "Not at all. I think you look just fine like this."
Sometimes Jin Niang felt that Zhou Cunzhi, while seemingly surrounded by care, was actually lacking in love. He was the eldest son in his family, with both parents living, a wife of noble status, concubines and maidservants, and even widowed official ladies had expressed their admiration for him. Such a man, surrounded by people, should have everything and not crave anything.
So why was he so moved every time she showed him a little extra care? She truly couldn't figure it out.
"I'll be fasting tonight. You dine by yourself," Zhou Cunzhi said.
Jin Niang nodded. "Alright. Should I prepare some tea and fruits?"
Zhou Cunzhi shook his head.
Jin Niang understood and didn't press further. However, Xiang Ming came over and said to her, "When we left home, the great lady of the household repeatedly instructed us that our master's stomach gets uncomfortable if he doesn't eat anything in the evening. Sister, why don't you persuade him?"
How could she possibly do such an unpleasant task? Besides, Zhou Cunzhi was a grown man. Didn't he know what he was doing? Did he need her reminder? That was truly laughable.
Most importantly, Xiang Ming's reminder was definitely not out of good intentions; she wanted her to stick her neck out.
Over the past two years, she had slowly been reading "The Commentary of Zuo" and "The Book of Han." She had read about how King Huai of Chu cut off the nose of his favorite concubine, Lady Wei, instigated by another favorite, Lady Zheng. How could she possibly believe Xiang Ming's words?
Nevertheless, she said aloud, "Our master, when he decides on something, who can stop him? But don't worry, sister, I will certainly try to persuade him."
Xiang Ming thought to herself, it would be best if you did persuade him, so you'll offend him thoroughly later on.
But right up until Brother Chun was one year old, Zhou Cunzhi and Jin Niang's relationship only grew better. Xiang Ming could only fret secretly. Fortunately, around this time, they were to return to the capital.
Zhou Cunzhi's term of office had ended, and he was preparing to return to the capital. Jin Niang said, "Everything else is fine, but I'm a bit worried about my brother."
"Don't trouble yourself over that. I've arranged for him to become a clerk in the yamen. From now on, he'll have an official position," Zhou Cunzhi said with a smile.
After all, Jin Niang had borne him children; he couldn't treat her unfairly. Accompanying them to the capital was also a certain Concubine Guo. This Concubine Guo was originally the second wife of the Prefect. After the Prefect's sudden death, she had initially planned to take in a live-in son-in-law, but then she took a fancy to Zhou Cunzhi.
If she considered her own conditions quite good, then Concubine Guo was a higher tier than her. She was even more devoted, seemingly truly in love with Zhou Cunzhi, freely offering her gold, silver, and treasures for his use.
Jin Niang, of course, would not do that. Her money was her foundation for survival. She might spend small amounts, but large sums were out of the question.
In fact, she was secretly pleased. It was said Zhou Cunzhi's principal wife was not easy to get along with. Going to the capital herself might make her a target. Having a Concubine Guo there would serve as a shield for her.
Therefore, when Zhou Cunzhi came to her place, she instead urged him, "The Guo family lady has just entered the household. If you come to me, she will inevitably feel neglected."
However, Zhou Cunzhi had no choice but to take Concubine Guo as a concubine. The Prefect's death had served as taking the blame, and before dying, he had entrusted him with ensuring Concubine Guo's safety. He had waited a full year before having her enter the household.
But this move would surely upset Jin Niang.
Fortunately, she was broad-minded. He himself said, "Don't be upset. My heart is still with you."
He felt what he said was true. Jin Niang didn't believe it, but she also said, "What I say is true too."
Seeing that Jin Niang wasn't urging him to stay, Zhou Cunzhi went to Concubine Guo's quarters first.
To be fair, Concubine Guo was actually quite easy to get along with, at least more so than Xiang Ming. She and Jin Niang could converse, and they often did needlework together.
Only Xiang Ming was very angry. She secretly confided to her trusted maid, "One Lady Wei was bad enough, and now there's also this Lady Guo. It's really..."
Thinking this, she went to Jin Niang's place. The so-called strategy of forming alliances to contend was exactly this meaning.
"Sister Wei, what are you doing?" Xiang Ming came over with her needlework.
Jin Niang smiled, "I was reading. I just finished pasting shoe uppers, and my neck aches from looking down too much."
Xiang Ming said, "I truly envy you, sister. I'm practically illiterate."
"I only recognize a few characters myself. I'm the one who envies you; your needlework is so fine."
Mentioning needlework reminded Xiang Ming of the time she learned from Fang Qiaolian. She only grasped the basics. If not for her loyalty, she would have been married off to some servant boy long ago.
But she wouldn't tell Jin Niang about these past hardships. She just sighed softly, "Sister, you're different. You were properly married into the family. That Lady Guo is sneaky and secretive. I don't care for her things."
Jin Niang looked at her and said, "Actually, I feel more for you, sister. I myself don't hope for much favor, and besides, I have a son to rely on now. That Lady Guo comes from an official's family, and she's extremely sociable. She's only been here a few days, and everyone in the household praises her. You mustn't let her get ahead."
You try to stir me up, and I'll stir you up in return.
As expected, these words struck a chord with Xiang Ming. After all these years, she only had one daughter. Zhou Cunzhi and Jin Niang were as close as glue and lacquer; she couldn't get between them at all.
Seeing Xiang Ming leave, Jin Niang finally allowed herself a slight smile.
However, this kind of life was ultimately not what she wanted. Lady Guo might truly see this place as her home, using money to win over everyone high and low. Jin Niang, however, only sought to win over a few truly loyal ones. She wouldn't easily open her purse for those who were too greedy.
For this marriage, she had brought a capital of about six thousand strings of cash. Over the years, Zhou Cunzhi's private savings, her monthly allowance, and the jewelry he had made for her added up to roughly another thousand or so strings.
She had also gained a lovely son. Zhou Cunzhi was a brilliant scholar, so surely her Chun Ge'er would be the same in the future.
Soon, the boat arrived in Bianjing. Jin Niang and the others traveled by sedan chair. The streets were so crowded they barely had time to see the scenery before arriving at the Zhou residence. The Zhou family home was truly vast. They walked for what seemed an age after entering. She was fine, a poor girl with unbound feet, but Lady Guo had bound feet and moved with a frail, willow-in-the-wind grace.
When entering a certain place, Jin Niang insisted Lady Guo go first, deferring repeatedly, saying, "Sister Guo comes from an official family, she is different from us."
Lady Guo was very flustered, politely refusing back and forth with Jin Niang. Finally, Xiang Ming said, "Sister Guo, please walk ahead of us. It doesn't look proper to be pulling and pushing like this in the mansion."
But even knowing she was the target of everyone's attention, Lady Guo couldn't avoid it.
The group soon went to pay their respects to the principal wife, Lady Zhang. At such times, Jin Niang felt utterly helpless. She didn't know if there would still be a chance, but if there was, she would definitely leave. Being a concubine, having to be obsequious and flattering all the time, was truly unbearable.
To be fair, this Lady Zhang was quite pretty and spoke pleasantly, saying, "I was just worried Xiang Ming alone couldn't take care of our master properly. Now with two more sisters here, both such beauties, you have suffered for me."
She even made as if to bow. Jin Niang and Lady Guo hurriedly said they dared not accept.
Jin Niang inwardly raised an alarm; this principal wife was not someone easy to deal with. Lady Guo, however, thought the Zhou family truly lived up to its reputation as a scholarly household; as long as appearances were maintained, all was well.
On the first day back, Zhou Cunzhi went to Lady Zhang's rooms first. Lady Zhang's son was about ten years old and already studying. The main branch had only this one son, which made Jin Niang all the more anxious for her own boy.
The next day, Zhou Cunzhi came to her. Jin Niang said, "If we were still in Jiangling, I could go to the kitchen and cook something. But now the main kitchen chefs are so skilled, I have no use for my skills here."
"There is actually something I'd like to ask of you. In a few days, I'm inviting some friends for a meal. One of them particularly loves fried quail. I must beg you to make it," Zhou Cunzhi said with a smile.
Jin Niang replied, "That's no trouble at all. But you should inform the principal wife about these gentlemen."
At the same time, Jin Niang instructed the people she had already won over back in Jiangling to spread the word that Zhou Cunzhi favored her only for her culinary skills. She even told her close servants to see if any of Lady Zhang's trusted people were in financial straits or had family difficulties.
Having experienced being schemed against by her own clan, she was very wary of people.
On the day, Zhou Cunzhi's several friends arrived. Jin Niang brought people in to serve the dishes, catching a fleeting glimpse of his friends. Zhou Cunzhi introduced them to each other.
There were three men in total. One, Jiang Shiliu, had reportedly returned from his post in Wu County for an assessment. This man was remarkably handsome, even more so than Zhou Cunzhi. Another was surnamed Du, a student of the Imperial Academy. The last was a young master from the Kaifeng Prefecture office, surnamed Gong.
After paying her respects, Jin Niang quickly withdrew.
Inside, Zhou Cunzhi was saying to them, "These are my concubine's specialty dishes. Please try them. Sixteenth Brother, you love quail the most."
The one called Sixteenth Brother had the given name Xian, courtesy name Shushi. He was both Zhou Cunzhi's cousin and a very close friend. He took a bite and couldn't help saying, "Crispy outside, tender inside. Most remarkably, it doesn't get stuck in your teeth. How unusual."
Zhou Cunzhi laughed, "That's her special skill."
Young Master Gong teased from the side, "Since you've added a son, why not bring him for us to see?"
So, Zhou Cunzhi had the nurse bring Chun Ge'er over. Everyone took off trinkets as gifts.
Zhou Cunzhi brought these to Jin Niang for her to keep for Chun Ge'er. Looking at a particular flower-and-bird jade pendant, Jin Niang said, "This might make me seem unsophisticated, but this pendant looks quite valuable."
Zhou Cunzhi smiled, "That was given by Jiang Shiliu."
"Oh, is the Jiang family the natal family of the principal wife?" Jin Niang didn't understand these connections.
Zhou Cunzhi explained, "Although they are from a different branch, the families are very close. You don't know, but this Jiang Shiliu, through Introduction by Minister Liu, married the daughter of Vice Prefect Bai. I hear his relationship with his sister-in-law is strained, so the brothers aren't as close as before. But seeing him like this, he must have made quite a bit in Wu County."
Few officials weren't corrupt. Jin Niang understood the implication in Zhou Cunzhi's words.
This Jiang Xian was reportedly assigned as a judicial officer in Xuanzhou. Before his departure, Zhou Cunzhi had Jin Niang send fried quail to him. Jiang Xian didn't take his family with him, though.
Lady Zhang invited Madame Bai over for a chat and asked Jin Niang and the others to keep her company. Jin Niang was amazed to see Madame Bai not only in exquisite attire but also in very fashionable dress.
After she left, Jin Niang remarked, "That Madame Bai was wearing the newly released 'Mandarin Ducks on Brocade' silk. It costs an ounce of gold per length! Such extravagance." Coming from a cloth merchant family, she could naturally tell.
But Lady Zhang was full of disdain, "What extravagance? Just shallow and vulgar. She still lives squeezed together with her sister-in-law, quarreling all day long."
