Her surname was Jiang, and her given name was Yun, with the courtesy name Liqing.
Everyone said her father came from a lineage of chief ministers, her mother hailed from a powerful clan in Hebei, her father was exceptionally skilled as an official, her mother was highly capable in managing the family estate, and she, being the only daughter, was practically showered with boundless affection.
One might think she had no worries, right?
No, that wasn't actually the case.
Although she wasn't one of those prodigies born with innate knowledge, her memory reached back very early. In truth, her father was originally just a scholar, often studying in his study, while her mother did embroidery work in the front room, buried in piles of fabric all day.
Even their life wasn't very comfortable at the beginning, it's just that outsiders didn't know about it.
The family's circumstances only began to improve after Father passed the imperial examinations and became a Jinshi. Unfortunately, his official rank was low at first, and their living quarters were modest. Even her initial literacy lessons were taught personally by her mother. Therefore, when Father was later transferred to Daming Prefecture as a judicial officer and she began attending the Wei family's girls' school, the teacher was quite astonished to hear she had never formally attended school yet recognized so many characters.
Mr. Shen asked, "Jiang Yun, is it true you've never studied before?"
"Truly, I haven't. My mother taught me all of this at home," she replied.
Mr. Shen praised, "Your mother is truly patient. It's hardest to get a young child to sit still at the beginning. It's good that you have a foundation; otherwise, starting from scratch, I wouldn't even know how to begin teaching you."
When she first arrived at the Wei family girls' school, the Ji sisters there would often whisper and gossip, always bringing up one person: the Wei family's Seventh Young Master. The school was run by the family of this Seventh Young Master Wei, but having seen him, she thought he was just a person with two eyes and a mouth, lazy as a snake, nothing particularly special.
She had heard that fox spirits loved to seduce people, and this Seventh Young Master Wei was just such a fox spirit.
However, when she told this to her mother, her mother laughed until she nearly doubled over.
Her time at the Wei family school felt both good and not so good. The good part was that she genuinely learned a great deal, and every time she told her mother what she had studied, her mother was delighted. The not-so-good part was the dynamics among her classmates—today these few were close, tomorrow those few—which she found quite irritating.
Another unpleasant aspect was how everyone judged people by their status. Whose father held a higher official rank seemed to determine whose words carried more weight. Since her father was only a seventh-rank official and she was a newcomer, she initially found herself sitting on the sidelines.
But precisely because of this, she became even more determined to excel in her studies.
Returning home, she would first do her homework, then have dinner, and afterward do needlework with her mother. Every day, she would share both her happy and unhappy experiences with her mother. Her mother never offered empty, high-sounding advice but would always give her practical suggestions.
"You should draw closer to those who are good to you. As for those who simply don't like you from the start, if you can't win them over, don't waste your energy. Besides, regarding this issue of people judging by official rank, Mother will actively help you," her mother said earnestly.
At first, Sister Yun didn't understand what kind of help her mother meant. But she soon found out. Her mother's surname was Wei, and the Wei family's surname was also Wei. Even she hadn't anticipated that suddenly the two families would become relatives. Madam Wei became her aunt, and Seventh Young Master Wei became her cousin.
Even during the New Year, Mother took Father and the whole family to visit the Wei household. The eldest Miss Wei became very affectionate with her, whereas before, the Wei girls had only been polite to her out of courtesy.
When she first arrived at the school, it was hard to tell who was good or bad. Now, she felt there wasn't much distinction between good and bad either. When you were doing well, everyone around you seemed nice.
Ever since becoming relatives with the Wei family, her status within the Wei household also rose significantly. Even Mr. Shen would proactively ask her about her studies and such.
As she gradually grew more sensible and visited other families, she also noticed how her own family differed from others. For instance, her family had no concubines. Furthermore, her mother was completely in charge at home. Also, unlike other women who enjoyed gossip, her mother was most interested in inquiring about market prices and business matters outside.
The New Year was the time she, as a child, most looked forward to—playing all day at home, even acting as Mother's little assistant, helping review account books. Mother would secretly give her ten strings of cash, calling her her accountant.
"Don't tell your younger brother, otherwise Brother Ning will say I'm playing favorites," Mother said.
Originally, she felt a bit guilty, so she would quietly take out one string of cash and have Nanny Rong buy her brother whistles and little toys. When Brother Ning thanked her profusely, she would feel rather sheepish.
Perhaps because Mother had a good relationship with the Wei family, her days at the Wei family girls' school became much smoother. Whether it was banquets with classmates, playing polo, or chuíwán (a ancient stick-and-ball game), everyone vied to invite her.
She even became a class monitor. Probably because of this role, she went to school early every day. It was on one such morning that she saw Seventh Young Master Wei. He wasn't very old but was dressed like a brightly colored pheasant, in a large red brocade robe, with hair adorned with tassels of various colors...
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Seventh Young Master Wei seemed somewhat embarrassed: "Cousin Jiang, my mother insisted I wear this."
Sister Yun covered her mouth and laughed: "It's alright. At home, my mother is always making lots of clothes for me too."
Seventh Young Master Wei clapped his hands: "I actually think the clothes your mother makes would suit me well; they're not too flashy."
Sister Yun's alarm bells went off. No one was going to steal her mother's attention from her!
Little did she know, later on, he would become even more persistent. After they returned to Bianjing, Mother used all their savings to buy a large estate. Naturally, their home was much bigger than the one in Daming Prefecture. They now had not only a garden but also a pond and a bamboo grove.
Their whole family lived there very contentedly, except that Seventh Young Master Wei insisted on coming to stay at their house, and everywhere he went, he tried to ingratiate himself.
Just grilling some meat, and he'd be heaping on endless praise, making Mother beam with joy. He even fought to bathe her younger brother. Honestly.
Fortunately, the fellow stayed for a while and then left. She thought she could finally have some peace, but then, unexpectedly, she became engaged to him.
Everyone congratulated her. She knew Seventh Young Master Wei came from a prominent family and had good character and looks, but she still felt somewhat unhappy. This unhappiness wasn't about the engagement itself, but rather her sudden discomfort at the idea of people treating her like a grown-up.
Her mother noticed her gloominess and said to her: "If we don't settle this early, all sorts of shady characters, even families you know nothing about, will dare to propose matches for you. I'm afraid of those people. Just because they have a son, they think they can pick and choose from all the girls under heaven."
Thinking about this annoyed her, especially since she was tall and slender. Although still young, she appeared graceful and elegant, so the way many people looked at her was indeed very bothersome.
In truth, setting aside that bit of displeasure in her heart, she knew she would have to marry eventually, and the Wei family was actually the one she was most familiar with.
After the engagement was settled, she felt genuinely much more relaxed. She no longer had to attend various banquets as before or socialize with all sorts of people. She could just stay home and keep her mother company.
She didn't think much of being engaged to the Wei family, but many outsiders envied her.
Even Lian Jiangsong, upon learning she had settled on the Seventh Young Master of the Wei family, showed an indescribable expression on his face. She thought she was a proper talented lady, but this seemed rather vulgar, focusing only on matters like marriage.
In truth, many things in life are not necessarily set in stone. Just like Mother—originally just a daughter of an Imperial Guard—nowadays, no one brings up her past anymore because everyone feels she simply doesn't seem like that person anymore.
Even Fourth Aunt, who started as a concubine, lived without worry for food and clothing. But once the Zhou family fell, concubines like her either had to spend their lives with Buddhist prayers and an oil lamp, or they had to find their own way out in the world.
Fortunately, Fourth Aunt was willing to leave. Mother helped arrange a dowry for her, and later we heard she married quite well.
But who knows what the future holds?
Just as Mother told her: "Right now, Seventh Young Master Wei might be the best choice. But if the Wei family changes in the future, or if the Seventh Young Master changes, we can't stubbornly cling to the idea of being faithful to one unto death."
This statement shocked her. She couldn't help but secretly ask Mother: "Then... is that how you felt about Father too?"
"If your father had been loyal to me, I would certainly have been faithful unto death. But since he wasn't good to me, naturally I wouldn't be good either."
When Mother said this, she seemed like a young girl. But Sister Jun knew that Father actually doted on Mother very much. He, a man, would often go into the kitchen to cook for her. That's why Mother always had such confidence.
After the betrothal, she spent several more years at home. Her mother, like an ant moving house, bit by bit saved up a dowry for her. Those days passed too quickly. So much so that after she married into the Wei family, she always felt the days dragged on.
Actually, the Wei family could be considered a relatively good household.
It's just that the relationships among the sisters-in-law were quite delicate. The Eldest sister-in-law was somewhat better, probably because Elder brother already had an official post through hereditary privilege. But she always loved forming cliques, feeling that since Seventh Young Master Wei was the full-blooded younger brother of Eldest Young Master Wei, she (the new wife) should follow her every step as a lackey.
"Seventh Young Mistress, the Eldest Young Mistress says that since the Eighth Young Mistress is entering the household tomorrow, she asks you to oversee the care of the utensils." Someone came from outside to relay the message.
After the person left, Nanny Rong couldn't help but say: "She sure knows how to assign tasks. Those porcelain and utensils are the things most likely to go missing. You are, after all, a Young Mistress; you should be receiving guests instead."
She smiled and said: "She can't trouble me with such a small matter. When I was at home with Mother, she also had me start managing from small tasks first."
"I'm just afraid that once you do this task well, she'll have you manage it forever," Nanny Rong worried.
She snorted coldly: "If she purposely intends for me to do this, I certainly won't agree. It's not like I don't have a mouth. In terms of relationship, I'm much closer (to the family) than she is."
After saying this, she suddenly understood the significance of why Mother thought this marriage was good. Her husband, Seventh Young Master Wei, had been familiar since childhood, and usually their relationship as husband and wife was quite good, especially since he liked it when she "gave him face."
Overseeing the utensils and porcelain mainly involved ensuring the right personnel were in place, assigning specific patterns to specific people for responsibility. By breaking it down so finely, with individuals responsible for paying for any plates they broke, no one dared to be careless.
Although the work was tiring, no matter what, in this first month after entering the household, besides paying respects, she finally had something to do.
Shen Qiniang soon entered the household. She had almost been betrothed to Seventh Young Master Wei before and had always held some feelings for him afterwards, as if she (the new wife) was the one who had ruined things between them.
These private thoughts were originally something she couldn't say out loud. But now, under the covers, she spoke them. Seventh Young Master Wei was very surprised: "How could she think that? Back then, it was I who didn't want to form a marriage alliance with the Shen family. That's why I told my mother, which led to the 'incompatible birth characters' affair."
She wasn't sure if these words were just sweet talk from Seventh Young Master Wei to deceive her, or if they were true. But anyway, hearing them made her feel quite comfortable inside.
"Since that's the case, I won't be angry anymore," she said magnanimously.
Seventh Young Master Wei glanced at her: "It's hard to believe a beauty like you would get angry over such a thing."
"Flatterer," she said. Feeling relaxed, she turned over and fell asleep.
Seventh Young Master Wei couldn't believe his wife had fallen asleep so quickly. This girl really had no worries, sleeping whenever she wanted. He, on the other hand, wondered how he would get along with Eighth Brother in the future.
The next day, she first went to pay respects to her mother-in-law. Madame Wei, of course, repeated her usual tune: "Sixth Young Master and Seventh Young Master both need to study. You must serve them carefully and not disturb them on ordinary days."
She and Sixth sister-in-law Wang both hurriedly assented.
Returning to Qixia Courtyard, since she didn't need to manage the household yet, and needlework wasn't something she particularly liked, sitting in a daze and drinking tea was the best way to relax. So she really couldn't understand how her mother considered doing her favorite embroidery as relaxation.
Before she could finish one cup of tea, she saw Nanny You approaching, bringing soup to Seventh Young Master Wei's study.
She couldn't help but shake her head. No wonder Seventh Young Master Wei couldn't study well. In her family, everyone had to finish their homework before eating every day, let alone during her brothers' study time—Mother forbade anyone from disturbing them.
Not to mention bringing soup; even bringing tea wasn't allowed.
But she couldn't manage too much yet. This was their usual way of life. Just as Mother said, you have to make him listen to you first, then your words will be effective. You can't just start changing people's living habits before you've even begun.
Seventh Young Master Wei was quite fond of having fun. He would read in his study all morning, then go out to gather with friends in the afternoon, not returning until night. Sister Jun didn't mind. In the evening, she made some incense and prepared hangover soup.
When her husband returned, she first had someone serve him the soup, then said with a smile: "Where did you go to play? I was about to go to sleep."
"It was just Young Master Wei and those few others. You know them. Third Wei invited us all to go hunting. It wouldn't have been good for me not to go," Seventh Young Master Wei said.
She said: "Then you must be tired today. Rest early."
Little did she know, Seventh Young Master Wei said: "Today I drank some deer blood..."
"That's not good," she refused.
Seventh Young Master Wei's eyes sparkled, not allowing her to refuse. Fortunately, she was also in the mood herself, so the two hit it off perfectly.
She just didn't expect to be scolded the next day. Madame Wei said: "Usually, you should also advise him to focus more on his studies. Since marrying you, he's been running out even more often."
"Yes, I will certainly advise him," she promptly replied.
Coming out from her mother-in-law's room, she was also angry. But she knew anger was useless; she couldn't really control Seventh Young Master Wei. Because if she did try to control him, Madame Wei would criticize her instead. Seventh Young Master Wei had been in the Wei family for eighteen years—if Madame Wei couldn't teach him well, how could she change him just by entering the household?
Returning, still fuming, she ate two bowls of rice.
Her constitution was different from Mother's. Mother said she herself gained weight easily, so she ate very lightly in the morning—just a palm-sized bowl of almond porridge and one egg. Sister Jun found that if she ate more, she just needed to eat less another day. As long as she didn't overindulge, she could maintain her figure quite well.
After two bowls of rice, she couldn't help but sigh that the Wei family was truly generous. Even stir-fried bok choy made with a broth simmered from seventeen old hens was delicious.
Nanny Rong was somewhat worried: "Mistress, are you planning to go to Seventh Young Master's place now?"
"Why would I go there? Whatever Mother-in-law says, I'll let it go in one ear and out the other. Sometimes it's best not to take things too seriously. Eldest sister-in-law is too serious about everything, which is why she gets easily upset. She's just afraid of offending her husband and wants me to take the lead while she plays the good person. I'm not that foolish." Sister Jun and Wei Seventh Lang were getting along quite well now, so why would she cause trouble for herself?
Fortunately, Madam Wei was a reasonable person. She would just nag a bit and wouldn't actually do anything to her.
It was just that her monthly courses were late, which made her a bit anxious. But in such a large family, every word and action was watched. If she were truly pregnant, it would be wonderful. But if it were a false alarm, she would surely become a laughingstock.
The servants in the Wei household were all respectful on the surface, but behind the scenes, they stirred up trouble, fanned the flames, and the masters had often fallen victim to their schemes.
At this moment, she could only turn to her mother for help.
She used to not understand why her mother always sought to handle things quickly, but now, when the servant returned with a solution in less than half an hour, her anxious heart finally settled down.
Every time she thought of her mother, she felt happy.
Her mother used to tell her that finishing tasks quickly each day meant she could lounge at home.
June was her mother's birthday. Her mother had arranged for her to slip away quietly during the banquet. If she was with child, it would be joyous news; if not, they would act as if nothing happened.
It even killed two birds with one stone, showing that her maternal family was blessed, allowing her and her husband to visit more often in the future. As for the so-called Guanyin embroidery, her mother said it had no real effect. It was just a story made up to sell it for more money, yet her husband actually believed it.
"Mistress, it would be nice if we could stay at your family's home for a few days sometimes."
"You're so naive." Sister Jun herself wanted to go back, but she knew it was impossible.
Wei Seventh Lang also chuckled: "I was just saying. When I was sick before, and when my mother was ill, it was always Third Aunt who saved us. So every time I go to your home, I feel like everything is wonderful there."
"Especially the privy, right?" Knowing her husband well, she laughed directly.
Her mother had a habit: no matter where she was, she would make sure the privy was fragrantly clean. Her husband would always visit the privy every time he went there, and no amount of talking could stop him. Even though it was her own home, it was still quite embarrassing.
The first unpleasant matter after becoming pregnant was everyone silently expecting her to find a concubine or a maid for Wei Seventh Lang. Sister Jun was very unwilling. Since childhood, she had seen her parents deeply in love, and hadn't they lived very well without any other women between them? Why must it be this way?
When she was unhappy, she didn't expect the first person to notice her mood was her husband. He was so handsome, yet not lustful at all, and he honestly went to his study.
If she didn't arrange it, no servant would dare be so bold as to climb into his bed. At most, she would just be gossiped about behind her back by her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law for being jealous. But that didn't matter much. As her mother said, things would be fine once she gave birth to a child.
It was just that during these days, she felt like an outsider. But then she remembered her mother, who hadn't been betrothed until she was nineteen, and she had endured it. She too had to slowly endure this period.
Her firstborn was a daughter. It was her younger brother, Brother Ning, who gave her the name Jiaojiao. Her father-in-law was usually stern and unsmiling; even her husband was nervous around him. Yet he regarded Brother Ning with great respect. She wondered what that meant?
Brother Ning had been diligent since childhood. Unlike her husband, he didn't care about his appearance and could be unkempt, but he never neglected his studies. He didn't have the slightest air of a pampered young master; he even rarely attended gatherings with other young masters.
Soon after Jiaojiao was born, she gave birth to Shi Ge'er. Now she had both a son and a daughter. Even her mother-in-law rarely brought up the matter of concubines anymore.
The previous mockery had drifted away like the wind. No wonder her mother told her to steady herself first and not blindly follow others.
If you set your boundaries too low from the start, people will trample over you more and more in the future.
Just like Sixth sister-in-law Wang, who always seemed to want to highlight her own virtue by taking concubines for Sixth Brother in front of her, thinking she would feel ashamed. Little did she know, Sister Jun just thought she was foolish. People don't live for others; they live for themselves.
Wasn't Sixth sister-in-law actually sad and upset? Out of thirty days in a month, her husband only spent a few with her, mostly staying with his concubines.
But bound by the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, she gained a reputation for virtue, and could only shed tears in private.
"Mistress, I passed the preliminary examination!" Wei Seventh Lang said with a smile.
He was still overjoyed, but she thought to herself that while her husband was clever, he rarely settled down to study deeply. How would he fare in the provincial examination? But she didn't want to dampen his enthusiasm, so she just said, "Then I wish you immediate success."
Wei Seventh Lang was happy but remained somewhat modest. Her mother-in-law, however, was unabashedly delighted, a rare display of open emotion. Naturally, her younger brother, Brother Ning, had also passed.
Brother Ning looked at Wei Seventh Lang with envy and said, "I'm not that capable. I passed by sheer luck this time. I don't even want to take the provincial examination; I'd rather just go to my parents' place. I'm sure to embarrass myself. I'm not prepared at all. How can I take the provincial exam?"
Not only Wei Seventh Lang, but even Sister Jun believed him. She looked at her brother and said, "That's true. After all, you're only in your teens."
"Yes, my heart has already flown to Luoyang." Brother Ning truly didn't want to stay in Bianjing any longer.
Wei Seventh Lang, however, was filled with ambition.
But things turned out contrary to his wishes. Brother Ning actually passed the provincial examination, ranking in the second tier. Wei Seventh Lang didn't even make the supplementary list, let alone pass the main examination.
She could sense the entire Wei household falling into a hushed silence. It truly felt like "daring not to speak loudly, for fear of disturbing those in heaven."
He had tried hard this time but still didn't pass. Next time, he would simply receive an official post through hereditary privilege. Eventually, he could become an official by passing the special examination for officials' relatives.
That was how the Wei family was. If you couldn't pass the exams, you could still become an official. When the family divided the property, you'd get a large sum of money anyway, so no one was willing to put in the hard work. But then, unexpectedly, her father-in-law lost his position, and her husband followed her back to her maternal home.
Her family, of course, required the young men to study, and they even expected her husband to study as well.
Her mother even said to her, "Why does it seem like your husband has thorns on his backside? He can't sit still!"
She shrugged.
It was her mother who came up with a solution. While he wasn't paying attention after entering the study, she simply put a large lock on the outside door and said considerately, "Son-in-law, focus on writing your essay. I'll have your wife bring you lunch at noon."
Sister Jun saw her husband suddenly rush to the door: "Mother-in-law, are you afraid I'll run away? It's like I'm a prisoner!" Then he called for her: "Wife, I need to use the privy!"
Seeing her mother give a signal, Sister Jun quickly ran ahead. Her mother then said, "Son-in-law, there's a chamber pot behind the screen in your study. If you want to come out, finish your essay first."
She waited for her mother around the corner, and then mother and daughter burst into laughter together.
