Some lives are bitter first and sweet later, while others are sweet first and bitter later.
A life that is bitter first and sweet later is like eating sugarcane from the wrong end—it gets better as you go. But a life that is sweet first and bitter later is truly hard to bear.
In her youth, her father worked as an accountant at a carriage house, and her mother was virtuous and dignified. As the only beloved daughter in the family, she was doted on immensely. She was practically cradled in their mouths for fear she might melt, and held in their palms for fear she might fly away.
Her name even contained the character "Rong" (meaning glory/prosperity), a reflection of her parents' wish for her to enjoy wealth, honor, and a carefree life.
However, things often go contrary to one's wishes. When she was in her teens, her father was hit by someone and left half-paralyzed. Her mother wept day after day. Fortunately, the doctor treating her father, Feng Sheng, was someone she already knew, though her father had previously disapproved of him for being ten years older than her.
Now, with both parents deceased, they at least left her a generous dowry of two hundred strings of cash and a house in Jiangling. Under the arrangement of her uncle and aunt, she married Feng Sheng.
At first, they were very happy. Feng Sheng lived up to his name (Sheng meaning victory/competitiveness)—he was ambitious, handsome, and possessed excellent medical skills. Back in Bianjing, many people envied her, envied her for having a good husband and for giving birth to two fine sons. Truly, everyone was envious.
But when did her husband change? It probably started after they bought that large mansion.
Speaking of the large mansion, if she mentioned it now in this village in Wu County, the neighboring wives would surely laugh at her, saying she was boasting. But it was true—she really did have a large mansion in Bianjing, a three-courtyard one at that. Usually, she had two or three maids attending to her personally, a carriage for coming and going, charcoal for warmth in winter, and ice for cooling in summer.
What a wonderful life that was. Unlike now, with her hands roughened, her face sallow, and her days spent in endless, repetitive chores—tasks that somehow never seemed to finish.
Just as she was thinking this, Shang Dalang returned from outside, saying happily, "Wife, the boat passengers all said the snacks you made were very tasty."
"That's wonderful. I'll make some more for you to take tomorrow morning. But you mustn't row too far, or I'll worry," said Rongniang.
Shang Dalang handed over three hundred copper coins to her. After deducting half for costs, they could earn about three or four strings of cash per day from boat fares and food sales. This was the family's entire income.
Rongniang used to be frugal, but that frugality didn't really affect their standard of living. Now, they were truly skimping on food and clothing. Ever since her falling out with Jin Niang, she had firmly set aside fifty strings of cash, never touching it again—this was for the children's education.
She once scoffed at Feng Sheng for making the children study so hard, but now she too hoped her son could distinguish himself. Even if he couldn't rise to prominence, at least he should be literate.
Just like her cousin Jin Niang, who, precisely because she was literate, climbed step by step. The last time Rongniang saw her, she was already the wife of the County Sheriff, with her hair piled high in clouds, surrounded by attendants—a truly enviable sight.
When Jin Niang first sent gifts, Rongniang's mother-in-law suddenly started treating her better than before. Later, when Jin Niang stopped sending things, Rongniang, afraid her own affairs might be exposed, didn't dare to inquire further.
In the countryside, with many new happenings every few days, people soon forgot about that younger sister-in-law who used to send so many gifts. Rongniang's life settled into an uneventful rhythm, with the only comforting aspect being that her son was exceptionally clever in his studies.
After another three or five years, her beauty had faded from what it once was. Wrinkles appeared at the corners of her eyes, and her skin, from working year-round under the sun, had become sallow and dark. The toll of constant labor was even greater than before.
Therefore, she started working on the boat with her husband. Back in her old home, her cooking skills were already good. Now, she gradually began selling boiled peas, fish soup, and fish congee on the boat.
She once told Jin Niang she had no teacher for cooking, but now, forced by circumstances, she figured things out on her own. Her fish congee had even become famous far and wide.
Today, she sold seven hundred coins' worth, the most in a single day. She had an idea and discussed it with Shang Dalang: "I'm thinking of leasing a shop. We could specialize in selling hot congee and hu bread. I know how to make all of those. The boat is getting rotten; I'm afraid if the Dragon King gets angry, what will we do then?"
Although Rongniang once scolded Jin Niang for mentioning matters of Shang Dalang's life, she had actually kept Jin Niang's words in her heart all along. The things Jin Niang told her, she remembered.
She had been too lazy, always thinking she could rely on others to live a good life.
But now, it was already too late for regrets.
Shang Dalang was somewhat worried: "What if the business doesn't do well?"
"How will we know if we don't try? Everyone praises my cooking. Anyway, we could even move to town," said Rongniang, suddenly feeling the urge to make a big effort.
Actually, opening a shop wasn't as difficult as she imagined. She was literate and had learned to read land deeds and property contracts while managing the household with Feng Sheng. Shang Dalang was a clerk, so it went without saying. They found a storefront with two floors and leased it for only fifteen strings of cash.
Thus, the whole family could move from the countryside to the town, and the child could transfer from the village school to the town school.
"I never thought we could lease a place. It's much cheaper than buying a house," Shang Dalang said with a laugh.
Rongniang's expression froze. She once looked down on her second uncle and aunt for leasing a place. Feng Sheng even cursed that only poor, foolish people leased houses. At the time, she didn't refute him, only feeling that her own relatives were disgraceful.
But now, she was unwilling to spend too much money buying a house. Although this was just a town, it had a developed water network with many merchants passing through. Buying a house would cost around a hundred strings of cash, so she thought of leasing one.
At first, business was slow. The couple wasn't even very good at attracting customers. Gradually, they became more open, and she even learned to argue with people.
As for her son, of course, he couldn't pass the imperial exams, but he still studied very well. He even entered the county school and eventually became a minor clerk in the government office.
This was all thanks to the appreciation of the new County Magistrate, Wei Jun.
Seeing her son in his brand-new clerk's robe, Rongniang felt immensely proud. "Wonderful! Tell me quickly, how did Magistrate Wei come to appreciate you?"
"It was a coincidence, really. The Magistrate asked about something, and because I usually pay attention to such matters, I was able to answer," Clerk Shang said with a smile. Then, still excited, he added, "Mother, do you know the background of our County Magistrate?"
Rongniang shook her head. "How would I know?"
"He is the son-in-law of Chancellor Jiang! Speaking of Chancellor Jiang, he served as a County Sheriff here many years ago. Don't you think if I can get close to him, I'll never suffer losses in the future?" Clerk Shang wore an expression of great pride.
Rongniang suddenly asked, "Chancellor Jiang... would that be Jiang Xian?"
Clerk Shang looked disapproving. "Mother, how can you address Chancellor Jiang by his given name so directly?"
Rongniang murmured to herself, "Jiang Xian is already the Prime Minister now, so Jin Niang must be the Prime Minister's wife..."
If she had been as independent and strong-willed as Jin Niang back then, would her own life have turned out completely different? Alas, life offers no second chances. But then again, she thought, her present circumstances were quite satisfactory.
