Jiang Xian had a habit of sleeping with his hand over his heart, which often led to nightmares. Today, he was startled awake by one, only to find his wife was also awake.
Jin Niang looked at him with concern and said, "To break you of this habit before, I used to wait until you fell asleep every night before I could sleep myself. We finally managed to correct it, so why has it come back again?"
"I was careless today," Jiang Xian apologized.
"Come closer to me. I'll pat you to sleep, and I'll sleep after you do," Jin Niang couldn't help but offer.
Not expecting his wife to be like this, Jiang Xian moved closer to her, wrapped his arm around her waist, and soon fell asleep to the rhythm of her patting.
When he woke the next morning, Jin Niang was still asleep. He couldn't resist giving her a kiss, his heart overflowing with happiness. If he ever lost her, who else would cherish and love him so dearly?
But he loved his wife the most too!
However, he also knew his wife disliked overly sentimental talk, so he always held back from saying such things. He got dressed by himself in the room and went out to the adjacent bathing room to wash up.
Ever since their marriage, it had always been a servant boy who attended to him, so next to their marital chamber was a dedicated bathing room equipped with washbasins and the like, allowing the servant easy access.
Coming out of the bathing room, he saw his daughter was heading to the Wei family. This should be her final lesson, as they were soon to return to the capital. His son, Brother Ning, spotted him and immediately came over to pay his respects.
"Father, greetings to you," Brother Ning said with a smile.
Jiang Xian patted his son's head. "Since the tutor has already been dismissed, you should spend more time reviewing your studies on your own."
After noticing their son had a good memory, his wife had wanted him to take the child prodigy examinations. After all, more learning was always better than less. And as it turned out, Brother Ning was truly cut out for scholarly pursuits and could endure the hardships of study.
Studying was actually very arduous, especially for those who failed the exams and had to face repeated setbacks, which could truly wear down one's spirit.
But once one succeeded in the imperial examinations, one's life would ascend to a whole new level.
Brother Ning, however, stuck out his tongue. "Father, Mother told me to rest for a few days, saying I've been studying all day and must be exhausted. Why are you telling me to study more?"
"Well, if your mother has already spoken, what more can your father say?" Jiang Xian laughed.
Brother Ning said excitedly, "Father, I'm stronger than Cousin Wei from the Wei family. The other day when he came to visit, there was a large stone block next to our pavilion. I could lift it, but he couldn't."
"Really?" Jiang Xian looked at his son with a mix of belief and doubt.
Brother Ning nodded.
When it came to the upbringing of their children, it was almost entirely managed by his wife. At most, he would find tutors for them or offer occasional guidance on their studies. Even so, his wife felt he contributed greatly, shielding the family from wind and rain, which made him feel rather ashamed.
Fortunately, he had been promoted this time and was going to the capital, Bianjing, to serve as a sixth-rank official. Before becoming an official, he thought sixth or seventh-rank officials were insignificant, but once he actually started his official career, he realized how difficult each promotion truly was.
Speaking of which, during their journey to the capital, his wife had also had someone rescue a woman who had jumped into a river, but unlike before, she didn't bring her along. He understood his wife's thinking—one shouldn't become too involved in other people's lives.
Moreover, if another person like Ru Yan came along, it might lead to some scandal in the future.
After all, not everyone knew how to repay kindness with gratitude.
He had even been wary of that previous Ru Yan. Call him petty or dark-hearted if you will, but most women, when driven to desperation, wouldn't strive for self-reliance like his wife did. Instead, they might seek shortcuts, which could later bring turmoil to the household.
He didn't want Jin Niang to feel the slightest bit of sadness.
Upon arriving in Bianjing, the first priority was settling the housing issue. Again, it was Jin Niang who directly provided the funds to purchase a large, three-courtyard residence with a garden.
His wife was right: money could solve ninety percent of one's problems.
Because they moved into this large estate, each of their children had several rooms of their own. He even had a study in the garden. People living under the same roof could go days without running into each other.
However, when his wife's parents moved in, his own father and Lady Zheng had some complaints. Jiang Xian paid them no mind.
It wasn't that he was biased toward his wife. Jin Niang had explained to him that if they were posted to another provincial assignment, someone would need to look after the house. Furthermore, her parents had also purchased manor houses and farmland and didn't stay there every single day.
Besides, he could never forget how his father and eldest sister-in-law had driven him out all those years ago.
In the past, he would have numbed himself to such matters, thinking "we're all family, let it go." But the longer he lived with his wife, the more principled he seemed to become.
Life as an official in Bianjing was quite good. He enjoyed the feeling; the more complex and difficult the situation, the more he saw it as an opportunity.
But sometimes a person gets tired. When weary, the only thing he wanted was to go home, to the bathing room for a soak. His wife had a reclining bathtub made, always prepared with floral waters or petals. She even kept some books in the bathing room. Soaking there was exceptionally comfortable.
If he said he needed more rest, his wife would absolutely not disturb him. At most, if he soaked for too long, she might come check on him out of worry.
Sometimes Jiang Xian thought his wife truly gave him a lot of space. His life was very comfortable, even though some people pitied him for not taking a concubine. He thought to himself, "You are not the fish; how can you know the fish's happiness?"
While he was advancing in his official career, his wife was not idle either. She acquired land in Luoyang and also prepared dowry for their daughter.
The happiest times for the couple were when they had silver to store away in the cellar.
Their daughter was betrothed to the son of a Grand Secretary. Although this young master Wei, the seventh son, was somewhat spoiled at home, he was after all a relative by marriage, born into a wealthy and powerful family. It was a match that offered both advancement and security, and he often stood out from the crowd.
It could be considered a top-tier marriage, stemming from his wife's association with the Wei family through clan affiliation. Moreover, they had watched Wei the Seventh grow up, which was much better than marrying someone whose background was unknown.
For the sake of his wife and children, he spared no effort. Outsiders praised him for being skilled as an official and so on, but only his wife felt sorry for his hardships. Each time, she would specifically tell him that the family wasn't short of money, and he could simply stop being an official and live as a wealthy man if he wished.
Although Jiang Xian knew these words were meant to comfort him, hearing them still made him feel very content.
"My dear, for now, I still need to press on diligently at my post. Firstly, our son has not yet entered official service, and secondly, our daughter is not yet married."
Jin Niang smiled and said, "Anyway, as long as our family is together, we have nothing to fear."
Jiang Xian couldn't help but smile too.
Later, their daughter married smoothly and gave birth to a granddaughter and a grandson, putting both him and his wife at ease. Coincidentally, he also faced political sidelining and took the opportunity to take up an official post in Luoyang.
This move to Luoyang turned out to be absolutely right. First, their silk and velvet shop earned tens of thousands of strings of cash. His wife also bought a thousand mu of land in Luoyang, rapidly increasing their family's wealth.
They even arranged a marriage match for their son. Naturally, their son lived up to expectations, passing the imperial examinations at seventeen and becoming an official. He wasn't the type of official who only knew how to compose poems; he was practical, which put Jiang Xian's mind at ease.
After his son entered official service, a thought of retirement secretly began to sprout in his heart.
Yet it was only a fleeting thought; he was still very willing to be an official. After all, a true man cannot go a single day without power, and the taste of authority is truly incomparable.
After returning from Luoyang, he was promoted again. A year later, his son also secured an official post in the capital and got married, though his in-laws, the Wei family, were subsequently sidelined.
His daughter and son-in-law soon arrived at their home. Jin Niang held his hand and said, "Ah, giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him how to fish. Although I would never mind having them live with us for however long, if our son-in-law remains unaccomplished for too long, our daughter's future days will be hard. We'd better properly help him get ashore. Even a fifth-tier jinshi (metropolitan graduate) is better than a mere yin official (one who inherits a rank). Of course, if his aptitude is truly limited, we can reconsider later."
"Mm, in that case, I'll compile a set of past examination questions. I'll help him myself when the time comes," Jiang Xian said.
He still had official duties now, and teaching a student on top of that would certainly be mentally taxing.
Jin Niang smiled. "Don't worry, I'll oversee him daily. It's better than having him drift along without success, only for us to feel sorry for our daughter and have to take them in later anyway."
Jiang Xian thought his wife was always so clear-sighted. When he tutored the seventh son of the Wei family, this son-in-law seemed to take in everything he said. But gradually, Jiang Xian discovered that this son-in-law was also one to only pretend to study. So he couldn't just leave him to his own devices. He had to set questions for him to answer independently, grade them afterwards, and even specially hired a renowned teacher for him to consult.
Finally, after much effort, the son-in-law managed to struggle ashore. He passed the jinshi examination, and the whole family was to take up an official post outside the capital.
With the son-in-law's posting out of the capital, and his elder son also requesting a transfer to Xiangzhou, only his younger son was left at home to keep him company. Previously, his focus had generally been on his eldest son, which was quite normal. The eldest had always aspired to be a renowned minister, and his conduct was more steady than most, truly showing the makings of someone who would achieve great things.
But in his mind, his second son had always remained a child. He never expected this child to also surpass the master, excelling beyond his teacher.
After the father and son went to the estate, Jiang Xian only needed to explain things once, and the boy immediately grasped it thoroughly. He even went to Wu County and handled matters very well. Upon his return, his wife had him open an inn. Although many plans were his wife's ideas, and they hired a specialized chief manager, she also had their younger son, Brother Ding, assist.
Jin Niang stated seriously, "I think our inn should set aside a section specifically for vegetarian cuisine. That way, we can also accommodate monks and clergy. You don't realize it, but monks often have quite a bit of money. This could be a unique business. Moreover, even without such patrons, our inn is by the riverbank, so business is sure to be good."
"I think doing one shop well is better than hastily opening branches everywhere," Jiang Xian also felt it was feasible.
Jin Niang laughed. "Exactly. It's about quality, not quantity. I'll entrust the management of this shop to our Ding'er. If you manage it well, this shop will be given to you when the family divides its property."
Brother Ding was overjoyed.
However, Jiang Xian said to Jin Niang privately, "Wife, with our family so large, must we really divide the property someday?"
He just felt all his sons were good, his daughter and son-in-law were fine too, and it was lively with everyone living together. The thought of splitting up felt cold and lonely.
But Jin Niang said, "It's precisely because I make everything clear and orderly that everyone lives together harmoniously. All humans have desires and emotions, and where there are people, there will be conflicts and politics. While we are still clear-minded and in good repute, dividing the assets is good for them, and good for us too."
"Then when shall we divide? And how much do we keep for ourselves?" Jiang Xian immediately considered this question.
He listened as his wife said, "In the future, this main residence we live in must go to Brother Ning. That's worth about ten thousand strings of cash. The silk and velvet shop at Donghua Gate—the empty shop itself cost over five thousand strings initially, and the capital invested is about another ten thousand strings. Then there's the farmland I re-purchased in Bianjing, totaling over four hundred mu, and the shop at Jinliang Bridge—those will also go to him. For Brother Ding, there's the residence near the Imperial College, and this large inn, which cost over twenty thousand strings in capital. As for the land in Wu County, that will go to him later. We'll also give each brother fifty thousand strings in cash. The rest will be ours."
"After we both pass on, they can divide what remains amongst themselves."
Jiang Xian thought about it; they themselves would keep over a hundred thousand strings in cash. Besides that, there was the estate in Luoyang and the embroidery shop in the capital—quite a lot.
Indeed, his wife would never shortchange him.
"You've divided it very well. Each of them would get assets worth about a hundred thousand strings," Jiang Xian said.
Jin Niang smiled. "Let's not think about this anymore. Most of this wealth was earned by ourselves. As long as the division is fair, it's fine."
Jiang Xian nodded. "You are so free-spirited, wife. Anyway, following you, I get to eat meat."
"Look at you, already a Chancellor, yet still so fond of acting spoiled. Be careful the younger generation sees you," Jin Niang shook her head.
Every time his wife sorted things out like this, his mood improved considerably.
However, an imperial decree soon arrived ordering him to go to Bingzhou. Jiang Xian was fine with everything else, but he truly couldn't bear to part from his wife. Instead, it was his wife who comforted him in the study.
"If love between both sides can last for aye, why need they stay together night and day? We have rarely been apart for long, and of course I will miss you too. But consider this a test for me. While you are away, the first priority is to protect yourself and handle the court's affairs well. Finally, always keep me in your thoughts. Can you do that?"
Jiang Xian knew his wife was concerned about him and said cheerfully, "I definitely can."
But before his departure, he still had to arrange his son's wedding. His wife had chosen a Miss Wu for their son.
"Why Miss Wu? Wasn't it Miss Han?" Jiang Xian raised an eyebrow.
Jin Niang smiled. "It was Brother Ding's own wish. This Miss Wu is mature for her age; compared to our elder daughter-in-law, she seems more like the wife of the eldest son. However, that's fine too. Since he chose her himself, he'll bear the responsibility for how things turn out. Besides, Miss Wu is also quite good."
In their view, Brother Ding was cunning as a fox from a young age and should have chosen someone slightly less scheming. They didn't expect Brother Ding to choose Miss Wu himself.
As Brother Ning and his wife had taken up a post in Daming Prefecture, and their daughter and son-in-law were currently observing mourning rites in Daming Prefecture, they couldn't attend. Although it was regrettable, Jin Niang didn't seem too bothered.
"This is actually good for Brother Ding's bride. We've been through this; with many relatives around, the new bride has to greet and pay respects to each one," his wife quipped.
Once their son was married, he immediately set off on his mission to Bingzhou.
Later, after arriving in Bingzhou, he received a letter from home saying Miss Wu was filial, capable, had a responsible character, and everything was fine, putting his mind at ease.
Truthfully, Jiang Xian wasn't worried about Brother Ding. That child, despite his young age, handled matters very well and was absolutely not one to suffer losses. It was just that in his leisure moments, he would wonder what his wife was doing.
When away from home, I always long to just lie in bed and chat with my wife endlessly. That's why these three years in Bingzhou felt like an eternity. During this time, some people tried to offer women to me as gifts, even going so far as to send men when women weren't to my taste, but I chased them all away. It's utterly annoying. Before, they called me a heartless scoundrel; now they think I'm a lecherous old man.
Fortunately, my work in Bingzhou went well. I was wondering if I'd have to stay longer when suddenly an urgent message arrived from home: my father, Master Jiang the Sixth, had passed away.
Thinking of Master Jiang the Sixth, Jiang Xian felt complex emotions, especially anger that he had remarried less than a year after Jiang Xian's mother died. One must understand why his mother grew increasingly despondent later—it was all because his father was useless. That household was clearly held up by his mother's efforts, yet his father could be so heartless.
But now, as the only filial son left, he had to keep vigil in the mourning hall. Brother Ding was truly a filial child, staying by his and Jin Niang's side the whole time.
It was Jin Niang who finally said, "Brother Ding, go and rest for a while. Your father and I will keep watch."
Brother Ding shook his head.
"Go on. You'll have plenty to do tomorrow."
Only then did Brother Ding leave.
But at night, with just him and his wife, Jiang Xian felt a bit scared. Especially when a servant mentioned that the chair he was sitting on had been used by Master Jiang the Sixth—he jumped up immediately.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Jiang Xian said angrily.
The servant stammered, "You... you didn't ask."
Jin Niang, who was nearby, interjected, "It's not a big deal. This chair looks quite comfortable to me. You two, just take it away." The two servants quickly carried it off, and he finally relaxed. "These people are so thoughtless. How could they leave a dead man's chair here?"
Jin Niang found it baffling. "It was your father's. Would he wish you harm? What is there to fear? I'm not afraid. Come sit by me."
"You're really not scared at all?" He had been afraid of dark shadows and ghosts since childhood, which is why he never kept clothes racks in the inner chamber—they always looked too eerie. But his wife was afraid of sleeping alone... how could she not fear ghosts?
Jin Niang said flatly, "I'm not afraid of ghosts. What's so scary about them? If one comes, I'll give it a kick." What's truly frightening are people with malicious hearts.
Jiang Xian quickly moved to sit close to Jin Niang.
Fortunately, Brother Ning returned later, and he no longer had to keep vigil every day. After the funeral, the whole family gathered. The house became lively, and he loved this kind of bustle, and the way everyone supported each other without any reservations.
"Darling, shall we go fishing in the pond later?" He had recently taken a liking to fishing and could even do it all day long.
His in-laws had also come. Having grown up by the river, they were skilled at digging worms for bait. His wife had his brother-in-law set up a large umbrella for him, so he could fish without getting sunburned and even lie down.
It's just that his wife didn't like fishing.
Sure enough, she said, "Go enjoy yourself. I won't be fishing."
"You really won't keep me company?" Jiang Xian was still a little disappointed.
Jin Niang gently pushed him away. "No. I'll have someone bring you lunch at noon. I need to catch up on sleep. Lately, for some reason, both daughters-in-law come to pay their respects so early. I haven't slept well and even have a stiff neck."
Disappointed, Jiang Xian went fishing.
He didn't catch much that day either. It was Brother Ding, who, though not one for going out much, knew all sorts of tricks. He said there was a spot in Bianjing where one could snag a good fishing position in the morning, so the two of them went together.
During the over two years of mourning, he lived quite contentedly. Even after the mourning period ended, he wasn't in a hurry to resume his official post.
It happened that his younger son was preparing for the imperial examinations, so he stayed home to review his essays. However, after his son passed the provincial exam, he did resume his post—the court still needed someone like him.
He simply muddled through the so-called factional strife, taking the opportunity to handle necessary matters and achieve some political merits along the way.
When he acted like this before, many accused him of inaction, as if they could do everything he could. But when it was their turn, they made a mess of things, and he still had to clean up after them.
Fortunately, by this time, his eldest son had been assigned to a provincial post, and his second son had passed the imperial exams. With nothing left to worry about, he could focus on his official duties.
At home, although his daughters-in-law left their children behind, Jin Niang truly wasn't one to take on extra burdens. They looked after the children's daily needs, but unlike how she had supervised her own children's studies, she didn't oversee their schooling as closely.
Returning home in the evening, he saw a few simple dishes on the table. Noticing Jin Niang had taken up needlework again, Jiang Xian couldn't help but say, "Darling, doesn't your eyes hurt?"
"No, it doesn't. I haven't done this in a long time and felt the urge. These are knee pads I'm making for you. For those grand morning court assemblies, you have to get up so early. A person's knees are the most vulnerable to cold. If they get chilled, the whole body feels uncomfortable," Jin Niang said.
Jiang Xian ate with his right hand while holding her hand with his left. "It's always you who thinks of me."
"Of course. If I don't think of you, who else would I think of?" His wife smiled and continued her needlework.
In fact, Jin Niang didn't just make knee pads for him; she also made a scarf and a wool vest. So while other officials shivered from the cold, he still stood as straight as a pine tree.
After his eldest son's term ended, he was transferred from Gansu-Shaanxi to Huaiyang as a Transport Commissioner.
Some with ill intentions naturally said he was power-hungry, not even letting his own son have a chance to shine. When Jiang Xian told his wife, Jin Niang laughed and said, "In officialdom, whoever is capable should take the position. If you weren't suitable, you wouldn't be there. How can it be about 'letting' someone? If Brother Ning could completely replace you, why would they keep you? Just focus on doing your job."
"People in your position face all sorts of criticism, but I know that since the Emperor has employed you, the national treasury has been fuller, there's been more disaster relief than before, and the borders are peaceful. These are all your achievements."
Jiang Xian's lips curved into a smile. "In the end, it's you who understands me best. I haven't really done any grand deeds, but some things, when others are in my position, they can't handle them well either. They're all full of talk about benevolence, righteousness, loyalty to the sovereign, and love for the country..."
These were things he couldn't even say to his own sons, but to his wife, he could pour out his heart freely.
Besides her being his beloved, husband and wife are one entity. If a son succeeds, his wife benefits the most; even a mother takes second place.
Whoever manages the household holds the authority—this is an eternal truth.
Moreover, he had learned one thing from his wife: a person cannot rely on others, only on themselves. Only by remaining in his position could he and his wife stand above everyone else, no matter the time or place.
"Plucking chrysanthemums by the eastern hedge, I see the southern mountains in the distance"—such talk of recluses and hermits... he was just this vulgar, this selfish. He wanted power; he wanted to remain high above forever.
As long as he lived a single day, he would spend it ensuring his wife's safety and well-being, allowing her to do whatever she wished and act however she pleased, for she deserved nothing less.
If he could command the secrets of fate and reincarnation, he would wish to be joined with Jin Niang as husband and wife for all their lives to come.
