During her three years in Jiangling, Jin Niang, though a concubine, lived the life of a principal wife. Now, back in the Zhou household, daily morning greetings and holding up door curtains were obligatory, and she often had to smooth things over when Lady Zhang was angry.
Such days were perfectly normal to Xiang Ming; even Concubine Guo was meek and submissive. Yet, Jin Niang always harbored a simmering resentment in her heart, though she never showed it.
Fortunately, Jin Niang had money. She had brought maids, matrons, and servants for her own use. If she craved something to eat, she simply sent someone to buy it. Her two personal maids were also skilled in needlework, so in this regard, she had some freedom.
For Lady Zhang's birthday, all the concubines were expected to give gifts. Jin Niang recalled that Lady Zhang's welcoming gift to her had been two bolts of fabric—one of fine satin, the other seemingly a cheap imitation. In daily management of the household, Lady Zhang appeared competent on the surface, yet always seemed strangely tight-fisted with money.
Therefore, Jin Niang decided not to flaunt her wealth. She had Cui Hong select two bolts of satin, then had a skilled matron stitch shoe soles and make several pairs of shoes to send over.
Xiang Ming came by, suggesting they all pool money to prepare a feast for Lady Zhang. "The two maids (the bedchamber attendants) don't have much money, so they're excused. Concubine Nie, you, me, and Concubine Guo—how about eight qian each?"
Eight qian? For four people, that's three taels and two qian. That could buy dozens of plates of fruit and pastries, and even a fine banquet. She probably plans to skim some off the top, Jin Niang thought. But she immediately said, "Since you're taking the lead, I'll be the first to contribute."
She then had someone fetch the steelyard, weighed out eight qian of silver, and gave it to Xiang Ming.
Concubine Guo, being the last to enter the household and despite her official family background, seemed somewhat isolated. Consequently, she gave the most lavish gift to Lady Zhang.
Hearing this, Jin Niang just shook her head. "That's like drinking poison to quench thirst."
She never should have shown her wealth in the first place. Don't think the upper class isn't greedy for money; who in the world doesn't love gold and silver? Now, Lady Zhang suddenly began to favor her. Jin Niang wasn't fooled. Lady Zhang wanted the snipe and clam to fight so the fisherman could profit, but Jin Niang wasn't stupid either.
So, when Lady Zhang said in front of everyone, "I see Concubine Wei's figure is similar to mine. I have a brocade dress I'll give directly to you to wear. Tomorrow, you shall accompany me to the banquet."
"Your Ladyship honors me, and naturally I wish to go. However, Chun'er wasn't feeling well again yesterday, and my heart is heavy with worry." Jin Niang dabbed at the faint sweat on her forehead.
But Lady Zhang had a domineering nature. "The servants can look after Chun'er."
It was almost a final decree. Thus, Jin Niang learned the true meaning of having no choice. Before Concubine Guo could become the target, she had become one first. There was no help for it; who told her she already had a son?
The next day, she spent almost the entire day standing in attendance by Lady Zhang's side, observing proper decorum. Others might see it as supreme favor, but Jin Niang also had to endure the sour remarks from Xiang Ming and others. Thankfully, she was inherently resilient and didn't take others' words to heart. She merely "happened" to faint once when Zhou Cunzhi came by.
It took half the day for her to come to, and when she opened her eyes, she saw Zhou Cunzhi standing by the bed, sighing softly.
"Has she been giving you a hard time these days?" Zhou Cunzhi might not understand others, but did he not understand Lady Zhang?
Jin Niang shook her head with tears in her eyes. "The proverb says, 'The tree that grows above the forest invites the wind.' Everyone understands the principle, but when it happens to oneself, it feels like this."
Anger rose from the depths of Zhou Cunzhi's heart, but Jin Niang desperately grabbed his sleeve. "If you really stand up for me, everyone will target me from now on. What virtue or ability do I have to deserve that?"
She wouldn't cowardly deny the situation, but she would pull Zhou Cunzhi to her side.
"Ah!" Zhou Cunzhi was not one to be restrained, and besides, the Zhang family was now in decline; Lady Zhang's brother relied on him for his official position.
Jin Niang knew that while Zhou Cunzhi disliked Lady Zhang, asking him to divorce her was almost impossible. Therefore, she could only act discreetly, making Lady Zhang understand she wasn't an easy target.
It so happened that Concubine Guo became pregnant, diverting half of the attention.
Jin Niang took some fabric to her and quietly advised, "Sister Guo, to be honest, your child is still very small. You must be extremely careful."
"Alright." Concubine Guo was more perceptive than Xiang Ming. Like Jin Niang, she was from a respectable family, not a maidservant by origin, so she understood the concept of alliances.
From then on, Jin Niang and Concubine Guo interacted much more. Concubine Guo's nature was actually quite decent. Although Jin Niang couldn't fully trust her, their closeness formed a certain force.
Lady Zhang, of course, was vexed and unsettled. Zhou Cunzhi was either going to Jin Niang's quarters or Concubine Guo's, and they both had children, even wealthier than she was. In her early years, she had brought a dowry of ten thousand strings of cash when she married. If not for a business loss over the years, she wouldn't be in this state.
In the blink of an eye, Concubine Guo's pregnancy stabilized, and winter soon arrived. Jin Niang spent money to have the kitchen prepare some hot tea and several dishes for the people in her own quarters.
She also spent fifty strings of cash to buy a fur-lined jacket for Zhou Cunzhi. He was very tall, and wearing such a fur-trimmed coat made him look particularly imposing.
"I just think this suits you," Jin Niang said with a smile.
Zhou Cunzhi always felt women wanted to squeeze money from him; few were like Jin Niang, who specifically spent money on him. He said, "It's too thick," but inwardly he was pleased.
"Thank you."
"What's there to thank? I should thank you. I heard Lady Zhang wanted to take Chun'er away, but you insisted I keep him," Jin Niang said.
Over these days, Jin Niang had also noticed that the dynamic between Lady Zhang and Zhou Cunzhi was problematic; each desperately wanted the other to obey. Lady Zhang was the type who, if you wanted a radish, would insist on giving you cabbage, claiming it was for your own good. Zhou Cunzhi, on the other hand, did as he pleased and had a rather unconstrained nature.
He seemed aloof, yet he deeply needed affection.
Therefore, everything she did now was merely to please him. In truth, getting along with Zhou Cunzhi wasn't as easy as with Second Fang. Although Second Fang was often away, the household was peaceful.
After the New Year, Jin Niang married off her maid Cui Hong to the son of the second steward. Zhou Cunzhi bought another maid to serve her. Jin Niang now had some connections within the Zhou household and wasn't completely at Lady Zhang's mercy.
According to Cui Hong's inquiries, Lady Zhang had a terrible temper. Right after entering the household, she had driven away all of Zhou Cunzhi's bedchamber attendants, causing great discord between them. Furthermore, when Zhou Cunzhi held posts outside the capital in previous years, Lady Zhang never followed to manage the household.
"Actually, her actions aren't entirely wrong. Who wants their man to have other women? But then again, life isn't easy for any of us. We didn't provoke her; she doesn't need to target us like this." Jin Niang herself had been tricked into marriage—to whom could she voice such grievances?
When Cui Hong married, Jin Niang gave her one hundred strings of cash as a dowry. Cui Hong was immensely grateful. Moreover, Jin Niang had a son. As the saying goes, better the devil you know. At least Madam Wei was kind and lenient, never beat or scolded servants, and gave money generously. Therefore, Cui Hong was willing to work for Jin Niang.
Several months later, Concubine Guo also gave birth to a son.
The main branch originally had another son by a concubine, who, it was said, was adopted into the second branch as they had no sons. Now Zhou Cunzhi had three sons, and Madam Jiang, the senior madam, was very pleased. Jin Niang was also very happy for Concubine Guo. In this world, the problem lies not in scarcity but in inequality. Now that there were two sons by concubines, Lady Zhang did not dare to act recklessly.
After Concubine Guo's delivery, Jin Niang visited her several times, which moved Concubine Guo deeply, even making her wish that Jin Niang were the principal wife.
Xiang Ming harbored the same thought. Although she had aligned herself with Lady Zhang, Lady Zhang did not treat her as a person. It was not as good as back in Jiangling, where Jin Niang and she had treated each other with respect.
This wasn't necessarily because Jin Niang was inherently kind and generous, but rather because she was shrewd, magnanimous, understood the concept of sharing, and was not stingy with bestowing benefits.
Xiang Ming was originally a perceptive person. She had initially believed Jin Niang could never outmaneuver Lady Zhang, so she naturally had to stand with the principal wife. After all, a principal wife was a principal wife, no matter what.
But now she felt that following Lady Zhang only meant being constantly ordered around to her own detriment.
What angered her even more was that Lady Zhang, in her plot to frame Jin Niang, had used her own daughter as bait.
Jin Niang also reasoned with Zhou Cunzhi: "My lord, you who have served as a vice-prefect, how could you fear such underhanded tricks? What good would it do me to harm the eldest young lady? Back when it was just me and Concubine Xiang serving you, we coexisted peacefully. Why would I harm her now?"
Lady Zhang, of course, was no pushover and quickly retorted, "Who knows? The people around you must be interrogated."
"How would you interrogate them? How can a private household arbitrarily set up a court? How many cases of false confessions under torture are there? I am merely a concubine. I have nothing in this world except for you, my lord. Naturally, whatever the principal wife wants them to say, they will say."
Just as Lady Zhang was about to say more, Zhou Cunzhi stood up. "Enough, enough, enough. Arguing over trivial matters all day long will only make us a laughingstock if outsiders find out."
Once he had spoken, Lady Zhang could only leave indignantly. It was a pity Xiang Ming's daughter was injured for nothing.
Jin Niang thought to herself that this fool Lady Zhang believed Zhou Cunzhi was siding with her, not realizing he was actually preserving Lady Zhang's own dignity.
Lady Zhang had laid this trap for so long, but it unexpectedly caused Xiang Ming to switch sides. Jin Niang had noticed someone might harm Xiang Ming's daughter and secretly warned Xiang Ming, advising her to have her daughter's injury treated first. She also had Xiang Ming privately inform Zhou Cunzhi of Lady Zhang's actions.
"Now we both have our own children. It's not about competing for anything. We aren't trying to compete with the principal wife; we are merely protecting ourselves," Jin Niang said to Xiang Ming.
Xiang Ming nodded. "Sister, you are right."
But all Jin Niang could do was protect herself. Fortunately, the following year, when Chun'er turned three, she privately began teaching her son to speak and read. Concubine Guo's son next door also appeared quite clever, making it increasingly difficult for Lady Zhang to find an opportunity.
After all, Zhou Cunzhi was the master of the household. Whomever he favored held higher status, and there was nothing Lady Zhang could do about it.
By the time Chun'er was ready to begin his studies, Zhou Cunzhi had also been promoted. His cousin Jiang Shiliu was even more remarkable, rising directly from a judge in Xuanzhou to join the Shen faction, becoming a veritable enforcer for the Chief Councilor.
Perhaps because Zhou Cunzhi and Jiang Xian were in the same faction, their interactions became more frequent than before.
Jiang Xian's family even bought a residence near the Yi Qiu Gate and invited the Zhou family over for a visit. Jin Niang naturally went along. The Jiang residence was not large, roughly three courtyards, but the feast laid out was sumptuous and extravagant. The Jiang family also had a concubine of exceptional beauty and talent.
Madam Bai said, "We spent over a thousand strings of cash to buy this one concubine."
Jin Niang inwardly scoffed. This Jiang Xian was still young, and Madam Bai had borne him two sons, yet he was still not content. However, as the principal wife, didn't Madam Bai feel the slightest jealousy?
Although Jin Niang often found fault with Lady Zhang, it was based on Lady Zhang's behavior: not daring to challenge Zhou Cunzhi but bullying relatively weaker women like them, even going so far as to harm children.
Yet Lady Zhang's jealousy was understandable. What woman in the world wouldn't want to be the only one in her husband's heart?
She didn't understand Madam Bai, so she asked Xiang Ming. After all, Xiang Ming had been in the Zhou household for a long time and had previously served the senior madam, so she should know about such things.
Xiang Ming laughed. "Sister Wei, that's not the right way to think. Although Madam Bai is the daughter of an official, she comes from a poor official's family. Don't be fooled by Jiang Shiliu's current status as a favorite of the court; back when he was going to take up his post, even his travel expenses were subsidized by our Zhou family. She cares about fine food and clothing; as for other matters, she can't control her husband."
"So that's how it is," Jin Niang said, burying her head in enjoying the many delicacies at the Jiang residence.
However, Jiang Shiliu truly knew how to handle relationships. Despite his rapid rise in rank, he hadn't severed ties with the Zhou family, which showed he had a heart.
But Jin Niang couldn't concern herself with outsiders, as Chun'er's formal education had finally begun. Jin Niang personally prepared gifts: several bolts of colored satin and a set of superior Four Treasures of the Study.
However, once a child showed a bit of intelligence, he was moved to the front courtyard.
Jin Niang was very worried about his safety and the possibility of him being led astray. She instructed Cui Hong and others to keep an eye out and had Chun'er come often to pay his respects, fearing her son might be bullied and have no one to tell.
Lady Zhang seized upon this point, making a big issue of it, saying Jin Niang was letting the child be raised by women's hands. Even Zhou Cunzhi turned to her and said, "Boys, when they grow up, almost always need to become independent. I was the same in my youth."
"I was worrying too much," Jin Niang said with a smile.
Her quick acquiescence relieved Zhou Cunzhi. "Don't worry. The servants and attendants chosen for him are all good people. They won't lead him astray."
"Yes," Jin Niang replied.
It was at this time that Jin Niang realized, as a concubine, what she could do was limited. Seeing Concubine Guo had already given birth again, she felt it somewhat meaningless.
Her own child would later have to call another woman 'mother.' Even if he achieved success, he would mostly likely honor his principal mother with titles, which had little to do with his birth mother.
These were not Lady Zhang's problems, but matters dictated by propriety and law.
After Concubine Guo had recovered from childbirth, Jin Niang took her for a walk in the garden. Their movements were usually restricted; they were generally not allowed to leave the inner quarters casually. But when Lady Zhang returned to her family home, they could find an opportunity to take a stroll.
"Having given birth to a daughter, I feel I could die without regrets," Concubine Guo said.
Jin Niang knew of Concubine Guo's almost fanatical love for Zhou Cunzhi; she was willing to give him all her money, her person, and her affection. Jin Niang herself could not do the same. From the moment Zhou Cunzhi deceived her into marriage, she had stopped trusting anyone.
In the garden, birds sang and flowers bloomed fragrantly. The jade stamens from the greenhouse were in full bloom. Soon, both Jin Niang and Concubine Guo were thoroughly enchanted.
After all, living day after day in a small room, it felt quite comfortable to just bask in the sun here and take a breath of fresh air.
It was just unexpected to see Madam Wu, the second wife of the Zhou family, at this time. Madam Wu was a pitiful woman; one child she bore died young, another pregnancy ended in miscarriage, and she still had to adopt another's child.
Madam Wu also didn't expect to see them and very amiably took the initiative to greet them.
Jin Niang quickly said, "Madam Wu, we two were just out for a stroll. If we are disturbing you, we shall go down first."
"No need, no need. I am on my way to see the First Wife. Please, continue your stroll here," Madam Wu said with a smile.
After Madam Wu left, Jin Niang and Concubine Guo exchanged a glance, both feeling it inappropriate to stay there any longer. Back in her room, Jin Niang thought again: if Lady Zhang were like Madam Bai, would she then feel content living in the Zhou family?
No, no, no. This is like boiling a frog in warm water.
Having realized this point, Jin Niang also felt she couldn't adopt a completely passive, resigned attitude within the Zhou household. Yet, she had to admit, the Zhou family was something of a safe harbor for her.
It seemed the only way for her to avoid harm was by marrying a man.
A month later, Jin Niang met with her son, Chun Ge'er. The boy seemed somewhat distant from her, but when she brought out a little toy, he was willing to sit down. "Mother..."
"Good child, how have you been this past month? Now that you can't often come to the inner quarters, I miss you terribly," Jin Niang said with a smile.
Chun Ge'er scratched his head. "Just studying, always studying."
"You're still too young. Much of what I might say, you probably wouldn't fully understand yet. But let me ask you, has anyone been particularly kind to you lately? Who plays with you?" Jin Niang inquired.
Chun Ge'er smiled. "Usually, I just go to pay my respects to the First Wife."
As for the specifics, he was still too young to explain clearly. Jin Niang felt a sense of helplessness. When the child was by her side, she could correct things, but now it felt a bit beyond her reach.
Even when her son visited relatives, he could only recognize Lady Zhang's younger brother, Zhang the Ninth, as his uncle. And this was only because Chun Ge'er had behaved well that the family was willing to let him have this bit of recognition. Otherwise, he would have to rely entirely on himself.
This son was also gradually becoming less close to her. Jin Niang thought that ultimately, no matter when, the person she had to rely on was still herself.
When Concubine Guo gave birth to her second child, she seemed fine after her month of confinement. But three months later, she suddenly suffered a massive hemorrhage and quickly passed away, her fragrance fading. Jin Niang had never borne her any ill will; later, they had even formed an alliance to protect their own children. She never expected Concubine Guo to depart just like that.
The dowry chests Concubine Guo had brought into the household upon her arrival were almost all moved into Lady Zhang's rooms, giving Lady Zhang an undeserved windfall. Seeing this, Jin Niang felt an even deeper chill.
Zhou Cunzhi was, of course, saddened. After grieving for a few days, he still came to her place, or else went to Xiang Ming's. At the time, Jin Niang even saw him shed a few crocodile tears, but now they seemed filthier than the sewage from a latrine.
Probably because Jin Niang had regained some favor for a while, when Chun Ge'er came to see her, no one made any gossip about it anymore. Thus, Jin Niang even helped her son review his lessons ahead of time, and the next day, Chun Ge'er received praise from his tutor.
"Sister Wei, have I come at an inopportune time?" Xiang Ming said with a smile as she entered.
Jin Niang replied, "What does opportune or inopportune matter? He'll be returning to his room shortly. What is it?"
Xiang Ming came in and waited until Chun Ge'er had left before saying, "With Sister Guo gone like that, leaving behind a son and a daughter, I wonder who will look after them?"
"The wet nurses are there. Whoever cares for them, it's all the same." Having said that, Jin Niang looked at Xiang Ming. "Actually, sister, why not mention to our lord that if you could take good care of them, it would mean more people to show you filial respect in the future."
Xiang Ming pretended, "Wouldn't you be more suitable, sister?"
"With just Chun Ge'er, I already have my hands full. It's good that he's moved to the outer compound now. How could I manage others?" Jin Niang shook her head.
Seeing that Jin Niang wasn't competing with her, Xiang Ming wanted to try and secure the opportunity for herself.
But Lady Zhang herself was unwilling to raise them and didn't want to give the advantage to any of the concubines, saying something about the children being fine in the rear side rooms under her watch, and so on. Naturally, Xiang Ming was very disappointed.
During the usual festivals and holidays, because she was in favor, Jin Niang could still get some jewelry and clothes. She would carefully put away the jewelry. Currently, the court situation was unstable; the Chief Minister of the Assembly of Worthies had stepped down.
Prime Minister Shen took office, and Jiang Shiliu swiftly changed his allegiance, his speed so fast it was staggering.
Originally, Jin Niang thought this matter had nothing to do with her, but a turning point soon arrived. Zhou Cunzhi was demoted. Lady Zhang decided to accompany him and planned to send all the concubines away in the process.
Lady Zhang felt this was not a foolish move. By accompanying Zhou Cunzhi, once he was reinstated in the future, she would be the wife who stood by him through hardship.
Hiding under the quilt in the middle of the night, Jin Niang almost laughed out loud. She had thought that after having a child, she couldn't escape, and was considering how to leave under the pretext of becoming a nun. Now, here was a ready-made reason.
Zhou Cunzhi was utterly astonished that Jin Niang had decided to be the first to leave. He even asked, "Why? If you leave, what will happen to Chun Ge'er?"
"Since Chun Ge'er should not be overly influenced by women, and my own knowledge is limited, I can't guide him much anyway. Back then, you deceived me, saying you would take me as your wife. That's why I agreed to marry you. Only later did I learn I was to be a concubine. All these years, I have served you diligently and never treated you poorly." Jin Niang calmly finished saying this.
Because she knew Zhou Cunzhi was a man who valued face and was proud. Indeed, after she spoke, Zhou Cunzhi, red-eyed, said, "I know what I did before wasn't honorable, but at the time, I also protected you."
"Please don't say such things. I have parents and brothers. Back then, with my looks and dowry, I could have remarried a decent man." Jin Niang wasn't buying it.
Zhou Cunzhi was deeply hurt and waved his hand, indicating he had nothing more to say.
Lady Zhang was secretly delighted but put on a righteous face. "Who would have thought Concubine Wei was such a person? Truly, 'Husband and wife are birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, each flies away.'"
Jin Niang no longer cared about any of this. Why should she be bound by these things? So-called loyalty and righteousness are for those who possess them. For someone who had no integrity and deceived her, why should she owe him her loyalty?
This Lady Zhang really couldn't see clearly. Zhou Cunzhi had his arms around others, yet she was still willing to treat him as a treasure, always covering her own eyes to condemn others, thinking it was others who seduced her husband. Little did she know, it was Zhou Cunzhi's own choice.
...
Back in her room, Chun Ge'er soon came looking for her, crying.
For a moment, the child softened her heart. But Jin Niang thought that besides being this child's mother, she was also herself. Why should she waste her life in the deep courtyards of a mansion? Even if Chun Ge'er became successful in the future, it would still be Lady Zhang who received the honors.
Her dowry, her money, should achieve something for herself. She was unwilling to sacrifice herself for anyone else.
Perhaps once she had firmly established herself in the future, she could then become her child's support.
"Chun'er, from now on you must listen to Cui Hong. Here, these are two gold ingots. Keep them close to you, and don't give them to anyone, understand? When you grow up, your mother will come to see you," said Jin Niang.
Chun'er shook his head. "No, I want Mother to stay with me."
But Jin Niang shook her head. She knew the Zhou family would not mistreat the children—after all, he was a boy. Yet if she agreed to stay, her own life would be utterly ruined.
