Jin Niang felt as though she was being buried under layers of cloth, unable to breathe, until she abruptly opened her eyes and realized it was just a dream.
The dream mirrored her state of mind—lately, life had been overwhelmingly busy. She got up to pour herself a cup of water and heard faint rustling from Qin Shuang’er’s side. Jin Niang quickly asked, “Shuang’er, are you awake too?”
Qin Shuang’er chuckled. “It’s just my monthly cycle.”
Jin Niang sighed. “And you’re happy about that?”
Though the Zhou Family now provided better menstrual pads made of cotton and paper, they still couldn’t compare to modern hygiene products. Jin Niang dreaded these days the most. She would even fill two metal bottles with hot water to wash herself in private, fearing bacterial infections.
Qin Shuang’er replied, “Go back to sleep. I’m about to rest too.”
She hurried to bed, pulling the thin quilt over herself, her heart free of burdens. In a few months, the others would still be lowly maids drifting from place to place, but she would be different.
For now, not being pregnant was the best outcome.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shenzhi sought out Second Master Zhou, his tone slightly bashful. “Nephew pitied her and hoped Second Uncle could lend a hand.”
Second Master Zhou had been quite the ladies’ man in his youth, though he was no wastrel—his shrewd management had multiplied the family’s wealth. He was a clever man.
Hearing his nephew’s plea, he remarked, “If she were truly respectable and cared for you, would she encourage such behavior before marriage? But no matter. Just be mindful of your limits.”
Zhou Shenzhi said, “Since childhood, Mother has been strict with me, as Father knows. Nephew regards Second Uncle as a father, and Second Aunt has raised me with kindness. For this marriage, I must thank Second Uncle for your help. I will honor and cherish my bride.”
“Rest assured,” Second Master Zhou said. “I heard she’s an outside hire. I’ll simply say your household lacks a seamstress and have her serve in your quarters. What happens afterward will be up to you.” He wasn’t worried about his elder sister-in-law’s displeasure—a maid was nothing in the grand scheme. After all, he had generously contributed to the dowries of the two eldest Zhou daughters.
Overjoyed, Zhou Shenzhi bowed. “I leave it all to Second Uncle.”
Second Master Zhou patted his shoulder. “I never achieved much in my career, only securing a minor post through family connections. But you and Cun’er are scholars at heart. Study hard—don’t disappoint the elders’ expectations.”
“Nephew understands,” Zhou Shenzhi replied with a smile.
Second Master Zhou was a smooth talker. To Madam Wu, he framed it as purchasing a seamstress for the Third Branch to assist Lady Xi: “You’ve always been close to Third Sister-in-law. I noticed the maid who embroidered your ‘Hundred Sons’ quilt is quite skilled, so I obtained her contract from the matriarch. Once Eldest Miss’s dowry is finished, she’ll be transferred. Pick another girl to send along as a chamber maid.”
“Why is the master handling such matters personally?” Madam Wu asked, puzzled.
Second Master Zhou embraced Madam Wu and said, "Our Qin'er is still so young, and we don't even know whether the child in your belly will be a boy or a girl. I’m getting older and fear I won’t be able to protect you all much longer. At least there’s still Zhou Shenzhi. Our new daughter-in-law has no ties to us and won’t speak up for us, so let’s keep two servants on hand just in case."
His words carried an inexplicable sadness. Madam Wu felt uneasy: "As his uncle and aunt, how can we send maids to our nephew?"
"We are elders—it’s perfectly normal for us to do so. Besides, the third branch is struggling financially. They might not even have the means to hire two capable maids." Second Master Zhou was well-versed in matters of economy.
Whether for practical reasons or sentiment, he believed it was the right thing to do. Madam Wu, after hearing him out, agreed.
Thus, Madam Chen said to Qin Shuang'er in the sewing room, "Your contract still has five months left, but for now, you’ll work here for another month before being transferred to the third branch."
Qin Shuang'er feigned surprise, though inwardly she was pleased she hadn’t misjudged the situation: "Why would the third branch ask for me?"
"I don’t know the details, but they’re sending you along with another maid from the second branch who’s skilled in cooking." Madam Chen assumed it was because the second branch wanted to gift two capable servants to the third branch.
Jin Niang glanced at Qin Shuang'er, wondering if her recent outings had been part of some scheme. But if she went through with this, she’d likely go from being a paid worker to an unpaid caretaker.
Fang Qiaolian whispered to Jin Niang, "If they were picking someone, why not choose you?"
"Me? I’d never agree to go," Jin Niang shook her head.
From then on, Qin Shuang'er worked even more sluggishly, her mind clearly elsewhere. She seemed cheerful every day, spending some of the ten taels of silver the third young master had given her to treat Xiao He to snacks. The two often neglected their duties altogether.
Jin Niang looked up at Si'er and said, "Tighten the stitches here—they need to be finer."
Si'er replied, "Alright."
After finishing her own needlework, Jin Niang began copying scriptures. Her tasks were numerous, leaving her no time to rest. Under these circumstances, she sought guidance from Madam Chen, who was willing to teach her—after all, Jin Niang’s productivity helped meet their quotas.
But Jin Niang only did her own work, refusing to take on extra tasks. She had only a few months left and intended to stand her ground, honing her skills to the fullest.
Success had come too suddenly for Qin Shuang'er, and she could hardly contain her excitement. Watching Jin Niang and the others toil away, covered in dust, only reinforced her belief that she had made the right move. Fortune favors the bold, she thought, and even Miao Xiaoniang had begun secretly courting her favor.
Before finishing lunch, she went off to nap. Madam Chen watched her leave and muttered, "Honestly, does she really plan to spend her whole life in the Zhou Family…?"
For some reason, Madam Chen recalled the words of the He family’s old maidservant on the boat years ago—that some would stay with the Zhou Family forever. It seemed prophetic now.
Madam Jiang paid no mind to these matters. Most of the bridal embroidery for the Eldest Miss was already done, and once the Eldest Miss married, the third young master’s wedding would follow. Sending servants over wouldn’t interfere with anything.
Lv Ying remarked, "How amusing. If they wanted to send someone skilled in needlework, shouldn’t it have been Jin Niang?"
"Since the second branch of the family wants her, it’s just a small favor to let her go. What’s the big deal?" Madam Jiang didn’t care much about such trivial matters—after all, it was just a servant.
The Second Master Zhou was shrewd in business and generous to his family. His two daughters had received dowry additions worth thousands of taels from others. As the saying goes, those who take gifts are softened. On top of that, Madam Wu, his wife, always deferred to her elder sister-in-law. So, whether it was sending one servant over or ten, it was no cause for concern.
Lv Ying nodded. "You’re right. These days, the Second Madam has been managing the household with such vigor. Soon, our estate will be completely transformed."
The Second Madam had first cracked down on the habits of drinking and gambling among the servants, a move Madam Jiang supported. As a result, many servants had been caned—even Lan Xue’s own brother had received a few strikes—and Sister-in-law Hu had been docked a month’s ration.
Though Jin Niang was on good terms with them, she agreed with the Second Madam’s strict measures. Gambling and drinking often led to trouble, stirring unrest in the household. With the main branch of the family growing larger by the day, such discipline was necessary.
However, these thoughts couldn’t be voiced in front of Lan Xue, so Jin Niang simply changed the subject. "Our sewing room has eased up a bit lately. If any of us are sent elsewhere in the future, we’ll surely be considered skilled hands."
Having endured the hardest and most exhausting work, they could only look forward to better days ahead.
Seeing her optimism, Lan Xue added, "Congratulations! In just a few months, you’ll be able to return home and reunite with your family."
Jin Niang shared the same hope.
But then, unexpectedly, Zhen'er came over and said, "Sister Jin Niang, your parents are here. They’re waiting for you at the side gate."
"My parents? Could it be imposters?" Jin Niang was baffled.
The journey from Jiangling to the capital was no short trip. Had they really come all this way because of her letter? Jin Niang rubbed her temples, her heart pounding as she rushed to the gate. There, she saw a couple holding a little boy’s hand, waiting for her.
"Father, Mother, Younger Brother Yang—how did you get here?" Jin Niang was stunned.
Wei Xiong rubbed his hands together, grinning but at a loss for words. Luo Yu'e, however, spoke up. "How could we leave you alone in the capital? Your father was against it at first, but I insisted we come. Just as you said, Jiangling can’t compare to the capital when it comes to earning a living."
Then, noticing her daughter’s dark circles, greasy hair, and sallow complexion, Luo Yu'e gasped in dismay. "Oh, my child! Your face looks like it’s been smeared with mud!"
Jin Niang glanced at her mother and brother—her mother’s skin was so tender it seemed to glow, and her brother’s fair cheeks and long lashes made him look like a doll. She touched her own face. "I’m actually considered quite fair here. It’s just that lately, I’ve only been sleeping two or three hours a night. The rest of the time, I’m sewing."
"Tsk, tsk! Even our ox at home doesn’t work this hard!" Luo Yu'e couldn’t help but complain.
Jin Niang stamped her foot. "Mother, keep your voice down! Someone might hear. Anyway, where are you staying? I’ll ask for leave tomorrow and come find you."
They were, of course, heading to Rongniang’s place. Luo Yu'e remarked, "Back when your uncle got into trouble, do you know why he received compensation? It was all because your father sought out his old comrades from the Imperial Guards. Otherwise, with him stealing horses from the carriage house to sell, he’d have been thrown into prison long ago. Your father just never boasts about his good deeds. We’ll rest at Rongniang’s place tonight, and tomorrow you can come over to talk properly."
Jin Niang gave them the address and reminded her parents, "If you’re staying at someone else’s home, be careful not to impose. Hurry and find a broker to rent a place."
"Alright. Oh, Jin Niang, we brought you some fermented tofu. Didn’t you always love eating it with fried rice when you were home?" Luo Yu'e quickly pulled out a jar.
For folks like her parents, who grew up in the countryside, pickles were a delicacy—something they ate with nearly every meal. Salted radishes, dried eggplants, mustard greens, along with cured meats and fish, were their favorites.
Jin Niang accepted it and watched as the carriage they hired departed.
Meanwhile, Luo Yu'e climbed into the carriage and said to Wei Xiong, "I never realized how hard our daughter’s life is. You kept grumbling that I shouldn’t have sold the house to come here, but if I hadn’t, we wouldn’t be able to look after our daughter or our son."
"We could’ve used the money to start a business in Jiangling. Wouldn’t that have been better than leaving our hometown?" Wei Xiong resisted change.
Luo Yu'e shook her head. "What do you know? Being together as a family is what matters most. Besides, as Jin Niang said, Bianjing is truly prosperous. And let’s not forget—your younger brother came here without a word."
Leaving aside how Wei Xiong and Luo Yu'e made their way to Rongniang’s and how she settled them in, earlier, Jin Niang had gone out to speak with Madam Lü. Now, even though the Second Madam was assisting with household management, she still needed Madam Jiang’s approval.
But Madam Jiang happened to have a guest. Lv Ying whispered to Jin Niang, "It’s a cousin from the Madam’s maternal family. The Jiangs are originally from Hangzhou Prefecture. He used to serve as a county magistrate and has now come to the capital for an official post. His wife is inside speaking with her."
"I’ll wait, then," Jin Niang said.
In the inner room, Madam Jiang was conversing with her sister-in-law, Madam Liu: "Sister-in-law, I’m truly delighted that Fang’er topped the Kaifeng prefectural exams. This means the Jiang family has a worthy successor. By the way, is he betrothed yet?"
"He is—to a daughter of the Peng family. They’re originally from Luoyang in the Western Capital. Her father serves as the Assistant Director of the Waterways Commission." Madam Liu praised her future daughter-in-law as virtuous and kind.
Madam Jiang knew the Waterways Commission was a lucrative post. She had even considered marrying her third daughter to her clan nephew, but now…
Still, as an official’s wife, she couldn’t let Madam Liu notice her disappointment. Jiang Fang was originally the sixth elder brother’s son but had been adopted out of the clan. Rumor had it that Madam Liu and Sixth Sister-in-law had fought bitterly over the adoption, but Madam Liu won in the end—her husband was a jinshi, while Sixth Elder Brother was just a scholar who repeatedly failed the exams, leaving his family in decline.
To make matters worse, Madam Liu and Sixth Sister-in-law were cousins. Madam Jiang sighed inwardly.
Thus, when she saw Jin Niang preparing to leave, she couldn’t help but complain, "Weren’t you all busy? Why are you going out again?"
"Replying to Madam Jiang, my parents have come from Jiangling, and I fear they haven't settled well, so I wish to visit them. Rest assured, I’ve already finished much of the needlework last night." Jin Niang thought bitterly of the hardships of being under someone else’s control—everything depended on their whims.
Madam Jiang gave a noncommittal "Hmm," neither agreeing nor refusing outright. Only after Jin Niang had waited impatiently for some time did she finally instruct Lv Ying to handle the matter.
This time, Jin Niang hired a carriage for the trip. She bought a basket of fruits from a vendor and two roasted geese to bring along.
The courtyard Rongniang had rented was small, so her parents and younger brother’s family of three had to squeeze in uncomfortably the night before. Yet they were diligent—early in the morning, they tidied the bedding, careful not to dirty anything, and even had Wei Xiong buy breakfast and meat.
When Jin Niang arrived, the family couldn’t help but shed tears.
Rongniang remarked, "Auntie, you wouldn’t believe how considerate Jin Niang is—she never comes empty-handed."
Luo Yu'e took her daughter’s hand and sat her down, asking about her life in the Zhou Family: "Your letters say so little—I truly don’t know how you’ve been."
Seeing that the family had private matters to discuss, Rongniang excused herself and stepped out. Jin Niang then recounted everything in the Zhou Family: "At first, the work was manageable. A family like the Zhous is already quite decent, but I’ve been punished with kneeling before. One of the girls who came with me, Shan Jie, was stripped and beaten with rods before being driven out. People like us must always mind our manners—Madam Chen’s back is bent from all the needlework she’s done."
"Tsk tsk." Luo Yu'e immediately tried to check Jin Niang’s legs, but relaxed when her daughter assured her the bruises had long healed.
She then shared her own news: "I sold our house for a hundred and fifty strings of cash, though we lost thirty on it. After working at your uncle’s shop for a year, your father and I turned the business around and made over a hundred and eighty strings. We came to the capital with several hundred strings. Your father and I know how to make steamed buns, soy milk, and fried dumplings—we’ll surely prosper here."
"Yes, Mother. If you and Father need help renting a place, you can contact the broker Cheng, the one I usually deal with," Jin Niang said, her heart swelling with hope for the future.
Still, she cautioned Luo Yu'e and Wei Xiong: "Don’t tell anyone about my plans to take the embroidery academy exam. If I pass, well and good—if not, we’ll only invite ridicule."
Luo Yu'e nodded. "We arrived late yesterday and didn’t get a chance to speak much."
Since they were in someone else’s home, Jin Niang couldn’t stay long. Glancing at the sun outside, she hurriedly added, "Once you’ve rented a place, send word to the west side gate of the Zhou Family, and I’ll come find you. Things are busy there now—I had to endure quite a scolding just to come out today."
Seeing her daughter so cautious, Luo Yu'e counted on her fingers. "Five more months. Your father and I will find a place soon. Once you’re out, you’ll never have to suffer like this again."
Jin Niang reminded her, "Mother, food in the capital is easy to come by, but housing is expensive. Take your time—don’t rush."
However, Luo Yu'e was an impatient person. Having stayed at Rongniang's home yesterday, she noticed how Rongniang's husband smiled but spoke with a tone of disdain toward them. A young man like him presuming to lecture them—how could they possibly stay there any longer?
Though the day had been chaotic, the family was finally reuniting, which felt almost miraculous to Jin Niang, as if she were dreaming. Her parents had over three hundred strings of cash, and she had a little over a hundred. Altogether, they had nearly five hundred strings—once she entered the Embroidery Workshop, things would improve.
With only a few months left, Jin Niang was in high spirits.
It was also said that Jiang Fang, the promising young clansman of the Jiang family, had originally been engaged, but his betrothed had suddenly fallen ill and passed away. Lord Zhou and Madam Jiang hurried to the Jiang residence and successfully arranged a marriage for Third Miss.
"Who would have thought Third Miss would surpass the others? This Jiang Fang is this year’s top scholar in the Kaifeng Prefecture examinations, and now he’s even related to our family. How wonderful!" Qin Shuang'er, now that her own future was settled, had the leisure to comment on household affairs, unlike before when she had been anxious.
When Jin Niang heard her refer to the Zhou Family as "our family," she already guessed part of the truth. But she had been foolish—her contract had changed from temporary to permanent, leaving her at their mercy. Now she was merely a maid serving Third Young Master Zhou Shenzhi, unsure if she could ever become a concubine. And once his official wife entered the household, she didn’t even know if she would survive.
Just look at Cuixian—a proper chamber maid had still been driven out.
Still, Jin Niang put on a happy face for Third Miss. After all, among the Zhou sisters, Third Miss was the one she had sewn clothes for from the beginning, and she was genuinely kind.
She even went to offer her congratulations. Third Miss was just thirteen this year, at that tender age of budding youth, her eyes shimmering with shyness.
And Madam Lü, standing nearby, was overjoyed.
Having a fiancé who had passed the provincial exams meant that once married, she would be the wife of a scholar-official. And since the Jiang family was Madam Jiang’s natal family, it was the best possible match.
In the Song Dynasty, scholars were highly sought after—it was said that during the announcement of exam results, families would even brawl to "catch" a son-in-law from the list.
After the well-wishers left, Madam Lü began calculating the dowry. The old matriarch had given Eldest Miss two thousand taels of silver, but by Second Miss Zhou’s turn, the funds had dried up. Now, the family coffers would have to provide—five thousand strings would be ideal.
"Third Miss, your mother is truly happy for you," Madam Lü embraced her daughter, tears of emotion streaming down her face.
Third Miss had once caught a glimpse of Jiang Fang in the rear garden—his features were striking, his demeanor bold and vigorous, exuding a masculine charm unlike the pale-faced scholars of the time. He was both talented and handsome.
Naturally, this stirred jealousy in Second Miss Zhou, who felt her mother was playing favorites. Why had such a splendid match been given to someone else? But as a young lady, she couldn’t openly discuss such matters, so she withdrew further into herself, growing increasingly peculiar.
In the past, Eldest Miss might have been able to offer guidance, but now that she was about to be married, she had her own embroidery to complete, as well as lessons in cooking, etiquette, and household management to attend to. She was already overwhelmed with tasks—how could she spare the time or energy to concern herself with others? Madam Jiang, however, worried that Second Miss Zhou might feel uneasy, so she secretly gifted her a set of jewelry and called her over to console her. She also reminded her that while quarrels within the family were one thing, outside the household, they were all one family. Moreover, Third Miss was very close to them—what harm was there in sisters getting along?
From Madam Jiang’s perspective, she had already given her own daughter the best of her dowry. When Third Miss eventually married, the expenses would be covered by the family coffers. Since she had only contributed effort—not money—to Third Miss’s affairs, why not take the opportunity to appear gracious? Marrying Third Miss to her own maternal cousin would not only secure an ally for her son but also placate Madam Lü.
Yet no matter how she reasoned, Second Miss Zhou remained stubborn.
This truly proved the saying: "One’s own failures may be painful, but a friend’s success is even more agonizing."
A similar situation unfolded in the Wei household. Wei Xiong and Luo Yu'e had originally gone to rent a house, but unexpectedly, the landlord was in urgent need of money to return to his hometown and wanted to sell the property instead. The house was located near the bustling State Bridge Night Market in Bianjing. Though the residence in the dilapidated alley was old, it was small yet fully functional. The alley entrance had a well, and while the property was no more than twenty or thirty paces in size, it had two large rooms and a compact parlor that could fit both a dining table and a writing desk. The latrine and kitchen were also serviceable. The total price for the house and land was over eight hundred taels of silver.
However, if leased for ten years, the cost would be three hundred strings of cash—paid in full upfront.
Luo Yu'e was immediately tempted, especially since the inner room had excellent lighting—perfect for her daughter’s needlework. Moreover, with Jin Niang currently working as a servant in another household, enduring daily hardships and bullying, having a property of their own would make arranging a marriage much easier.
The broker, Cheng Yaren, shrewdly noted that Jin Niang had a younger brother and sweetened the deal: "Madam Luo, let me be frank—near State Bridge, there are also Scholar Huang and Scholar Gou, who run the most renowned elementary schools in the area. They’ve produced several child prodigies and only accept local children. Outsiders can’t even get in."
Luo Yu'e made her decision on the spot. She paid the three hundred strings to lease the house and another ten strings to have the official deed processed.
Once the deed was secured, they still needed to renovate the kitchen. With only two rooms, they gave the one with the best sunlight and large windows to their daughter. The other room had to be partitioned with wooden planks, costing another ten strings. Their savings were nearly depleted, but they were content, eagerly anticipating Jin Niang’s return.
Feng Sheng, however, frowned upon hearing this. "Spending three hundred strings to lease a place for ten years? That family is downright foolish. They’ve emptied their coffers—what will they live on? Had they used that money to rent a shop and run a proper business, they could’ve earned enough in eight or ten years to buy a house outright. One should always live within their means."
Rongniang, who had visited the alley, remarked, "Second Uncle and Second Aunt won’t be persuaded. They’re already having the place whitewashed. Second Aunt even said she’d give it to Jin Niang as part of her dowry."
"Typical paupers—renting a house isn’t the same as buying one. Though Stinking Water Alley is in the bustling part of town, it’s where the poor crowd lives. That’s why I say they lack sense." Feng Sheng grew more animated as he spoke.
Rongniang was too frightened to argue, and upon reflection, she had to admit her husband wasn’t entirely wrong.
However, Second Master Zhou and Madam Wu had spent every last coin they brought with them to rent this house. Now, with nothing left for daily expenses, they’d likely come begging for a loan. The question was—should she lend to them or not?
