Lord Zhou's plan to "catch a son-in-law from the ranked scholars" had failed. It was said that most of these successful candidates had already been betrothed during the preliminary exams. Nevertheless, the Zhou family still had another joyous occasion to celebrate—the Second Young Madam was about to enter their household.
Look, the dowry had already arrived.
Jin Niang and the others hurried to the front courtyard to join the excitement. The Zhang family's dowry bearers were dressed in sapphire-blue short jackets paired with gray trousers, each with a red sweat towel tied around their waist. Leading the procession were gilded camphorwood chests, some adorned with peony motifs, others with peach blossoms—all exuding opulence.
And that was just the beginning. The furniture that followed was all meticulously matched sets. What fascinated Jin Niang the most were the rattan incense tables and the root-carved ones, rustic yet elegant. Fang Qiaolian nudged her and said, "Look, that screen is inlaid with mother-of-pearl. I love this kind."
"No, I prefer that plum blossom painted screen," Jin Niang replied with a smile.
The dowry wasn’t limited to furniture and embroidered quilts—even chamber pots were prepared in abundance. As a scholarly family, the Zhangs also included several chests of ancient books and calligraphy, leaving onlookers utterly awestruck.
Qin Shuang'er listened to the endless chorus of admiration around her, then glanced at Cuixian bustling in the distance and smirked. The new mistress was making a grand entrance, and the old maidservants might not hold onto their positions for long.
Jin Niang noticed Qin Shuang'er's expression and wondered: Qin Shuang'er and Cuixian had no past grievances, no recent conflicts. Even if the Second Young Madam disliked Cuixian, the senior maid, what did it have to do with Qin Shuang'er? Why such spite?
After the excitement died down, Jin Niang returned to her quarters. Having finished embroidering Buddhist scriptures, she was rewarded by Second Master Zhou with a pound of blended incense, a bolt of purple gauze, and two strings of coins. This year, she could send more gifts to her parents and younger brother than last year—a bolt of silk, three feet of gauze, and a pair of candle holders, all entrusted to Shu Embroidery Pavilion for delivery.
No matter what, she needed to save money as a foundation for her future.
Especially while young, one must accumulate experience. In her past life, fresh out of school, she had been lost, with no plans for the future. It took over a year before she found direction, but by then, many opportunities had slipped away.
Lost in thought, she saw Lan Xue enter. "Jin Niang, the Second Young Madam arrives tomorrow. With so many guests, we’ll need your help."
"Of course! I’ve nothing else to do tomorrow—who else would I help but you?" Jin Niang wrapped an arm around Lan Xue’s shoulder and sat down to share some pastries.
Lan Xue watched as Jin Niang devoured four pieces in one go and swatted her. "Weren’t you trying to lose weight?"
Jin Niang grinned sheepishly. While she had discipline in earning money, she lacked it entirely when it came to dieting.
Late-night embroidery sessions demanded snacks for energy. Now, after eating, she still had to sketch a new floral pattern—today’s inspiration was Bean Flowers and Dragonflies.
Lan Xue sat down and sighed. "Tomorrow, relatives, friends, and Lord Zhou’s colleagues will all be here. Our tiny tea room will be swamped."
"Don’t even mention tomorrow—with the dowry arriving today, you’ll already be busy preparing refreshments," Jin Niang teased.
Lan Xue exhaled and stood resignedly. "You’re right. I’d better get back."
Jin Niang chuckled, then noticed Qin Shuang'er entering. The moment she stepped inside, she announced, "Second Miss Zhou has taken a liking to Fang Qiaolian and just summoned her to make shoes."
"Well, that’s Fang Qiaolian’s skill," Jin Niang replied indifferently. She had no fondness for Second Miss Zhou—a petty, hot-tempered, and spiteful girl. She was more than happy to avoid her attention.
Qin Shuang'er’s attempt to stir trouble failed.
Instead, Jin Niang asked, "How are Cuixian and Bi'e faring? I heard the Zhang family sent over matrons and maids."
Qin Shuang'er’s expression shifted. "Who knows about those two maids? But the Second Young Madam’s people—now they are proper. Three or four matrons, all smiling, standing as straight as measuring rulers."
"Second Master Zhou’s quarters will be crowded," Jin Niang mused. Zhou Cunzhi already had six maids. With the Second Young Madam’s arrival, another dozen or so attendants would join.
Managing so many personalities would be a headache. Jin Niang pitied the bride—thrust into an unfamiliar household, where her husband had his established routines and trusted servants, while she had to adapt to the Zhou family’s bustling, well-established dynamics.
The next morning, on the day of the Second Young Master’s wedding, Madam Jiang’s sisters-in-law—Madam Wu and Lady Xi—came to assist. With limited space in the main household, the side courtyard was also utilized. The three Zhou matriarchs got along well. Madam Jiang knew why: Madam Wu, a second wife, had only one child in her thirties and had no interest in power struggles. Lady Xi’s family background was even humbler—neither dared overshadow her.
Madam Jiang had always prided herself on her distinguished lineage and thriving children. But now, her daughter-in-law’s family outshone her son’s, and Zhou Cunzhi was not one to yield gracefully. She worried this marriage might turn sour.
As she pondered, Lv Ying entered. "Madam, the Han family ladies have arrived."
Madam Jiang straightened. "Quickly, serve tea."
Lv Ying hurried to relay the order.
The seamstresses, including Jin Niang, had locked their workshop to help elsewhere. Qin Shuang'er had rushed to the Second Young Master’s courtyard—closer to the action meant better chances for wedding red packets. Fang Qiaolian and Jin Niang were assigned to the tea room, while younger maids like Si'er and Little He ran errands.
Lan Xue’s station was stocked with Jian ware teacups—wide-mouthed and narrow-based, some funnel-shaped. Jin Niang, who had initially known nothing about tea, had learned through helping here.
She measured a spoon and a half of powdered tea, added water, and whisked it vigorously with a bamboo chasen until the mixture foamed into a thick, creamy consistency. Then Lan Xue took over, using a tea spoon to "paint" designs on the surface—like latte art.
This final step required skill Jin Niang hadn’t mastered yet. She was stuck as the assembly-line worker, tirelessly whisking foam. Her plump frame hid surprising strength, and her foam earned praise from Lan Xue and the others.
"Jin Niang, keep this up, and you’ll be a master soon," Lan Xue teased.
Jin Niang waved her off. "All my years of strength are wasted on your tea."
One bowl of tea could fill four cups. Lan Xue started with careful strokes but soon resorted to quick pours.
Just then, Cai Juan from Madam Jiang’s quarters appeared. "Lan Xue, is it ready yet?"
“Alright, alright, the Han family's order is done—everything's ready.” Lan Xue was nearly frazzled from the constant urging.
Once they left, Jin Niang sighed and spread her hands. "Let's keep going. This is just the first batch—guests will surely keep pouring in."
Lan Xue replied, "No need to rush too much. Madam Jiang has hired the Four Bureaus and Six Offices. They're professionals with proper tools, far better than us amateurs."
The Four Bureaus and Six Offices? Jin Niang recalled how back in her village, hosting guests meant relying on neighbors for help. Truly, money made life easier in any era.
She relaxed for a moment, but then someone hurried in, announcing that Madam Jiang and her entourage had arrived. Jin Niang had no choice but to resume whisking tea foam with her bamboo whisk.
The front courtyard was bustling too. Fourth Miss Zhou was already dressed up. This year, she no longer styled herself as before but followed the fashion for young maidens—her hair tied in twin loops, adorned with a bridge-shaped hairpin at the center.
On such occasions, women like Miao Xiaoniang weren’t allowed in the main courtyard. Fourth Miss Zhou had once thought Miao Xiaoniang lived comfortably, but now she understood how painful it was to be ignored. In modern times, people joked about lazing around with food and no work, enduring scolding as long as they didn’t have to lift a finger. But in ancient times, respect from others mattered more than anything.
Entering the side room, she found the other young ladies already there, sipping tea. Her three elder sisters were dressed extravagantly, especially Third Miss, whose natural beauty now shone even brighter. Unbeknownst to her, while she observed them, they were also eyeing her. Fourth Miss Zhou’s delicate features were striking—a stark contrast to her past life, where she’d been merely plain. Now, she’d been reborn with a beauty she wasn’t yet accustomed to.
Third Miss, like her, was a child born of a concubine. Usually competitive and ambitious, she was now eagerly pushing forward, though the marriages of Eldest Miss and Second Miss Zhou took precedence.
Just as she sat down, the nannies summoned them to the main hall. The moment Fourth Miss Zhou stepped inside, the overpowering scent of hair oil nearly made her faint. Seated inside were relatives from the Han and Jiang families—the Han family, still influential, was the old matriarch’s backbone, while the Jiang family, though declining, remained formidable.
Madam Jiang visited often, but Lady Han rarely came. Today, she wore a white-horned headdress with cascading tassels, adorned with a flower as large as a bowl. Her robe, embroidered with peonies, exuded grandeur. Lady Han gave each girl a gift—no distinction was made between legitimate and illegitimate in such settings, though she praised Eldest Miss and Second Miss Zhou far more than Third Miss or Fourth Miss Zhou.
This wasn’t the time to compete—doing so would only reflect poorly on them.
"And this must be your Fourth Miss? Oh, what a lovely girl."
That was all the acknowledgment she received.
Fourth Miss Zhou lowered her eyes, careful not to overshadow her sisters. Yet, while she harbored a soul in her twenties, Third Miss was truly just eleven—boldly interjecting to showcase herself, much to Madam Jiang’s visible annoyance.
……
Unaware of the ladies' and misses' scheming, Jin Niang simply waited for the feast.
Today, the Four Bureaus and Six Offices had prepared dishes she’d never seen in the Zhou household. Sister-in-law Hu saved a portion for her, and Jin Niang sneaked off to a secluded corridor to eat.
Lifting the lid of the food box, her mood instantly lifted. "So many delicious things…"
Inside were several delicacies: crispy yellow-bone fish that crunched with every bite, melt-in-the-mouth braised pork knuckle, and glistening rice—a feast fit for royalty.
She ate quietly, thinking herself unnoticed, but from the pavilion, a young man watched her intently. He’d rarely eaten rice since childhood, let alone meat—just the thought of it nauseated him. Yet, seeing her relish each bite made his own stomach growl.
"I’d like a serving of meat too," he murmured.
He wanted to eat with such gusto.
But when someone approached, Jin Niang panicked and hastily shoveled down a few more mouthfuls before slipping away. Unbeknownst to her, after she left, the young man finally managed to finish a meal.
The boy was surnamed Han. Though orphaned, he was the Han family’s direct-line grandson, raised by Lord Han out of pity for his late younger brother. Doted on excessively, his refusal to eat had driven the household to desperation.
News of his rare meal reached Lady Han, who exclaimed, "A miracle!"
"If that maid’s presence helps, just take her to our estate. The Jiang family won’t begrudge us. Do we know who she was?" Lady Han asked idly.
The maid shook her head. "She ran off before anyone could see her clearly."
Lady Han smiled. "No matter. Find another maid to dine with him regularly."
The maid praised, "How benevolent of you, my lady."
"Hush—the bride is arriving," Lady Han reminded.
As the bride entered, Jin Niang received a handful of wedding sweets. She popped one into her mouth. "So sweet."
Si’er giggled. "Sister Jin Niang, is Second Young Master going to bow with Second Young Madam now?"
"Yes, after the bows, they’ll greet the elders, then it’s off to the bridal chamber. Come on, it’s chilly—let’s return to the sewing room. We’ll see our new young madam tomorrow."
Ever the gossip, Si’er added, "I heard Bi’e was sent off to marry a servant. Who’d have thought?"
Jin Niang sighed, recalling the pretty, vivacious maid. "I thought she’d become a concubine someday."
Once, maids like Bi’e and Cuixian had carried themselves like unofficial madams, yet their fates were no better. Bi’e’s only crime was her beauty—a lesson that reinforced Jin Niang’s resolve to save enough to never remain a servant after her time with the Zhous.
Three days later, she finally met Second Young Madam when Madam Chen summoned them to Madam Jiang’s quarters.
After paying respects, Madam Jiang announced, "Our Eldest Miss is betrothed. The wedding’s in two years, so start preparing the dowry. I’ll open the storeroom later—Zhou Cunzhi’s wife should advise us too."
Second Young Madam, though young and initially shy, standing meekly beside Madam Jiang, suddenly spoke up. "If Mother trusts me, perhaps your seamstresses could review my trousseau. It’s nothing grand, but it may offer some reference."
Jin Niang thought to herself that this Second Young Madam had a straightforward and unpretentious personality, quite generous in demeanor, yet even such a slightly expressive person left an impression of remarkable strength.
Madam Chen chimed in at the right moment, "Second Young Madam's wedding gown is truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship."
Second Young Madam Lady Zhang flushed with shyness again.
Then Madam Jiang added, "Originally, I was the only one managing the household, always overwhelmed. Now that you’ve come, it’s perfect timing for you to assist me. After all, this household will eventually be handed over to you young ones."
"Madam, you flatter me. As a new bride, I know nothing and only hope to learn a thing or two by your side, so as not to make a fool of myself." Second Young Madam, newly married and deeply enamored with her dashing husband, found even the strictest household rules sweet, her words always laced with a smile.
While the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law appeared harmonious, Jin Niang was thinking that their real task had finally begun. Over the past year, they had been learning other skills, but now it was time to showcase their true expertise. Shu embroidery was mostly used for weddings, and this was what Jin Niang most wanted to learn from Madam Chen. Only grand weddings required large quantities of clothing, bedding, and curtains—these were the big orders. Nothing else compared.
But Jin Niang had seen too little and had no idea what else noblewomen needed for weddings beyond bridal gowns and bedding. If she could figure it out, she’d become a master embroiderer, fully versed in all matters of weddings and funerals.
If she could return to the Shu Embroidery Pavilion as a master embroiderer after her coming-of-age ceremony, she’d earn about three strings of cash monthly. Even after marriage, she’d have her own craft. She yearned for places like the Brocade Pavilion, the Literary Embroidery Academy, and Embroidery Lane, but no matter how much she desired, she knew staying in the capital was nearly impossible—Tokyo’s housing prices were beyond ordinary people’s means.
Soon, they followed Madam Jiang to the storeroom to inspect the dowry she had prepared. It was a dazzling array. The first thing that caught their eyes was a six-pillar "endless knots" bed inlaid with nanmu wood. Further inside stood a huanghuali double-moon-arch canopy bed, alongside a carved beech canopy bed and a black lacquer mother-of-pearl bed adorned with floral and butterfly motifs.
The beds alone were extraordinarily lavish, not to mention the lantern-back chairs, luohan couches, bookshelves, side tables, chess tables, curved-leg tables, and flower stands—an overwhelming variety.
Madam Chen gasped. "Madam, I’ve never seen anything like this. Even half this amount would take two to three years to embroider. We mustn’t delay now."
Second Young Madam agreed, "Indeed, Madam. There’s no time to waste, especially since my sister is marrying into the Wang Dacan family. There mustn’t be the slightest mistake."
The Wang Dacan family? Jin Niang was surprised. So it was the prime minister’s household! No wonder the marriage had been kept so secret. Previously, they had even prepared a box of pearls for pearl-embroidered clothing. The dowry seemed even more extravagant than Lady Zhang’s—now it all made sense.
This turn of events left Qin Shuang'er regretful. She had originally planned to cozy up to the Eldest Miss, but Jin Niang beat her to it. Then she tried currying favor with Nanny Lin, even recognizing her as a foster mother and spending no small sum of money. Yet Second Young Madam proved too formidable, and now the Eldest Miss was marrying up. Qin Shuang'er was left with neither advantage.
After inspecting the storeroom, Madam Jiang told Madam Chen, "If you need measurements, ask Lv Ying. I’ll instruct her."
"If possible, we’d like to start as soon as we can," Madam Chen said anxiously. But haste often led to mistakes, and any blunder would tarnish her reputation.
It was always like this—those doing the work learned the secrets first because preparations had to be made early.
Once they were all informed, Madam Jiang finally announced the news to the family. The Eldest Miss accepted everyone’s congratulations with shy delight. Remembering she had previously offended her, Jin Niang quickly presented a pouch she had embroidered in her spare time as a gift.
The Eldest Miss, who had once strived to become an imperial scholar’s wife, was now set to marry the prime minister’s son. Moreover, she had met Third Young Master Wang before—an exceedingly handsome gentleman. Thus, she was all the more determined to present herself as gracious and virtuous.
When she saw Jin Niang, she no longer displayed her previous sharpness. Instead, she said, "The embroidery workshop must be swamped. You shouldn’t have gone out of your way to bring me this."
"Eldest Miss, you’ve always been kind to me. Whenever I have free time, I’d naturally want to show my respect. But from today onward, our workshop will likely be working day and night without rest," Jin Niang teased.
The Eldest Miss pointed at her playfully. "You little minx, you’ve learned to poke fun at me now!"
After exchanging a few more lighthearted remarks, Jin Niang sighed in relief. She had guessed right—the Eldest Miss, now blessed with an advantageous marriage and a lavish dowry from Madam Jiang, only wished for the whole world to sing her praises.
Truthfully, except for someone like the Aunt, who cared little for appearances, those in higher positions often acted especially kind and tolerant—because such behavior brought them even greater rewards.
During the day, the Eldest Miss received congratulations from everyone. At night, Madam Jiang brought over a wooden box, dismissed the servants, and took out a land deed and a property deed.
"When I married, my family gave me two shops as dowry—a silk shop worth five thousand taels and a woolen thread shop worth six thousand five hundred taels. You and your sister will each receive one. Your marriage was hard-won by your father and me. Your sister is betrothed to your maternal aunt’s son, Third Cousin He—a slightly lesser match than yours. So, I’m giving her the more valuable shop to make up for it. I hope you don’t mind."
The Eldest Miss hurriedly shook her head. "Mother, how could you say such a thing? My sister… so it’s really Third Cousin He?"
"Yes," Madam Jiang didn’t hide it from her eldest daughter.
She wouldn’t manage the household for much longer anyway. Once her daughter-in-law settled in, authority would inevitably pass to her—just as her mother-in-law had handed it over to her immediately after her own marriage.
Now that both daughters’ marriages were settled, she could rest content.
The Eldest Miss pressed her lips together, then said, "Mother, don’t worry. Not only do I not mind, but I also hope you’ll give my sister even more dowry. She has a sensitive temperament. Even though she’s marrying into our aunt’s family, having her own wealth will give her security."
She feared her sister might resent their mother’s perceived unfairness, driving a wedge between them.
After hearing her eldest daughter's words, Madam Jiang let out a sigh of relief: "My child, this is how you demonstrate your magnanimity. With such broad-mindedness, you will surely thrive when you go to the Wang family. As for the shops, I’m giving them to you privately. The family funds will contribute a thousand strings of cash, your grandmother gave me two thousand strings today, your uncle also brought a thousand, and even your third uncle’s family contributed two hundred. Your father’s private savings handed me five thousand strings. I plan to use this to purchase some farmland for you soon—these will yield steady income in the long run. Business ventures are prone to losses, but with the over ten thousand strings from my own savings, we can round it up to twenty thousand strings for your dowry."
"Mother, this is too much…" Eldest Miss quickly shook her head.
Madam Jiang insisted firmly, "If I don’t give it to you, should I instead leave it for those concubine-born children? Your father’s career may flourish in the coming years, and your younger half-sisters might even marry into better families than yours. But without substantial dowries, who would be willing to wed them?"
Her mother was securing their status as sisters. If Third Miss and Fourth Miss later married into influential families, their father would undoubtedly pressure Madam Jiang to share her private savings with them. Though the Zhou family had produced officials for generations, they were not among the wealthiest aristocratic clans, and their resources were limited.
But what about the relationship between her parents…?
Eldest Miss worried, "Aren’t you afraid Father will resent you for this?"
Madam Jiang clenched her teeth. "I’ve waited all these years—until your brother finally married and your betrothal was settled. I’ve endured enough. Once you and your sisters are married off, I won’t have to cater to his whims anymore."
