Upon returning from the Second Young Master's quarters, Jin Niang received a letter sent by Broker Cheng, informing her that the Embroidery Academy had posted a notice requesting her to submit a personal profile. If she was unsure how to write it, she could pay 200 coins to have someone draft it for her.
The so-called "personal profile" was similar to a resume, requiring details such as her hometown, household registration, ancestral lineage, family members, age, and previous employment. Jin Niang, of course, had no need to spend money on this.
She wrote from right to left: Wei Jinniang, aged fifteen, born on the eighth day of the sixth month, maternal surname Luo. On a new line, she added: Both parents living, one younger brother. Paternal grandfather and great-grandfather deceased. Father originally served in the Shaanxi Imperial Guard, native of Jiangling Prefecture but currently residing in Kaifeng Prefecture, registered under father’s household. Previously employed as an embroiderer at Shu Embroidery Pavilion, specializing in floral and avian Shu embroidery techniques. Later served at the Bureau of Military Affairs under the Chief Councilor’s office, term now completed.
The Embroidery Academy was located among the outer offices outside the palace, alongside institutions like the Left and Right Imperial Guards, the Dairy Office, the Eastern and Western Workshops, the Brocade Academy, and the Armory.
Her documents would first undergo review. Jin Niang thought she could use her remaining days in the Zhou household to make embroidered pouches and sachets, as their needlework would undoubtedly be scrutinized. Regardless, she would prepare in advance.
Ten days later, Broker Cheng sent someone to collect her embroidery samples for the preliminary selection. Jin Niang handed over the sachets she had prepared and tipped the messenger twenty coins.
Though the Embroidery Academy’s benefits were modest, having its prestige on her resume would undoubtedly elevate her future embroidery career.
On the eve of Eldest Miss Zhou’s wedding, the dowry procession began. The second and third branches of the family sent servants to assist with carrying the items, and Jin Niang and the others gathered at the inner gate to watch.
Jin Niang’s gaze lingered on the embroidered pieces, bathed in the glow of the setting sun. The intricate craftsmanship left her murmuring, "Those are my embroideries."
Fang Qiaolian sighed beside her. "When the First Lady took these pieces from our needlework room, many gathered to admire them. Everyone praised the bedding embroidery."
Jin Niang smiled. "You haven’t seen Madam Chen’s bridal attire yet. That is truly exquisite."
In Eldest Miss Zhou’s room, a fiery red wedding gown stood displayed. Madam Chen’s specialty was embroidered capes, and for this occasion, she had crafted a "Four Seasons" red bridal cape. While it was customary for brides to wear green and grooms red, she had opted for a green silk bodice paired with a red cape embroidered in green, creating a regal and elegant ensemble.
True to the Embroidery Academy’s standards, the gown featured wide sleeves, abandoning the traditional long-beizi style.
Accompanying the dowry were Eldest Miss Zhou’s wet nurse and maids, who went ahead to prepare the bridal chamber. Lady Wang, along with her daughters-in-law, came to inspect. The third daughter-in-law, though from a less prominent family, boasted an impressive dowry.
Even the wedding quilt, particularly the mandarin duck design on its cover, was exquisitely embroidered.
Fang Qiaolian had once embroidered a dragon-and-phoenix motif, but Madam Jiang found it too conventional. In contrast, Jin Niang’s mandarin ducks brimmed with vitality, transforming the quilt into a vivid painting.
Unbeknownst to Jin Niang, Madam Chen had even borrowed her creative ideas, though Madam Chen’s superior skill had elevated the designs further.
In the needlework room, Jin Niang and Fang Qiaolian began packing. After the wedding banquet the next day, Madam Chen and the others would return to Jiangling by boat, while Jin Niang would go home. Over the years, she had saved over a hundred strings of coins—fifteen taels given to her family, leaving her with 102 strings. She also possessed six bolts of fine silk, two lengths of gauze, ten pairs of incense candles, three catties of premium tea, half a chest of silk and wool threads, ten handkerchiefs, two gold hairpins, a pair of pearl hairpins, a pair of pearl flowers, three pairs of earrings, seven rings, a box of velvet and silk flowers, and three silver hairpins.
Her wardrobe, accumulated over three years, filled two chests—lined, cotton, silk, gauze, and more.
She called Si'er over and handed her a booklet of embroidery patterns. "These are the designs I’ve collected over the years. If you’re ever unsure what to embroider, use these as reference. You’ve already mastered cutting, so I’m not worried about you."
"Jin Niang, I wish you could stay," Si'er clung to her like a fledgling.
Jin Niang smiled. "All good things must come to an end. If I stayed, you’d never have your chance to shine. Who knows? Our paths may cross again. My parents are in Bianjing now, so we’ll surely meet someday."
Still reluctant to let go, Si'er received a few more sketches from Jin Niang’s collection. "These are outfit pairings I’ve designed. Use them if you need inspiration, but I know you’re clever enough to surpass me one day."
"Thank you, Jin Niang." Si'er wiped her tears.
Jin Niang dabbed her cheeks with a handkerchief. "No matter what becomes of this needlework room, with these skills, you’ll always carve your own path."
Lan Xue, Rui Cao, Lv Ying, Sister-in-law Hu, and Zhen'er arranged a farewell feast in the kitchen, insisting Jin Niang relax. She crossed her arms playfully. "Fine, today I’ll indulge."
As the maids chattered, the Zhou family gathered for dinner at the matriarch’s quarters, including the heavily pregnant Madam Wu. Eldest Miss Zhou’s eyes welled up as she looked around. Madam Jiang, also emotional, dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. "Don’t cry on such a joyous occasion. Tomorrow, your brother will escort you to the bridal sedan."
The matriarch added warmly, "The Wang residence isn’t far. You can visit often."
But Madam Jiang advised, "In your new home, honor your in-laws and respect your sisters-in-law. A well-lived life is the greatest blessing."
She disapproved of relying too much on family support. Like her own Jiang family, official status alone couldn’t guarantee happiness—it depended on one’s own efforts. Once married, a woman belonged to her husband’s household.
Without self-reliance, even parental backing was temporary.
Eldest Miss Zhou nodded. She understood the family’s efforts for her wedding and resolved to set an example for her younger sisters, strengthening the familial alliance.
Among the unmarried girls present, only Fourth Miss Zhou and Mei Pan'er remained unattached—the two being close friends. The elderly matriarch no longer socialized, leaving matchmaking to Madam Jiang, who had secured an excellent match for Third Miss.
She always thought Madam Jiang was being difficult, unaware that Madam Jiang felt she had already done her best. The third daughter of the main branch had just been betrothed, the eldest daughter was about to marry, and after the eldest daughter's wedding, there was still the second daughter's marriage to arrange. How could she possibly spare any attention for Cousin Miss?
After the banquet, the old lady, having drunk a bit of wine, lay on the couch and sighed faintly.
Nanny Dong, who had served the old lady since childhood, stepped forward and asked, "What troubles you, madam? Is it because you’re reluctant to part with Eldest Miss? In my opinion, there’s no need for sorrow—this is such a blissful match, one that others could only dream of."
Nanny Dong was shrewd. She knew the old lady was still resentful toward the First Lady, but some things were better left unsaid. So she changed the subject: "Madam, our Cousin Miss is no longer young. You mustn’t let the right opportunity slip by."
The old lady frowned. "You old fool, speak plainly. What are you hinting at?"
"The Han family is still in mourning. Their Seventh Young Master Han has no parents, but his elder brother is kind-hearted and will surely divide some property and land for him. That young man is also an excellent scholar. Why not arrange a marriage between our families?" Nanny Dong suggested.
But the old lady waved her hand dismissively. "No, Seventh Young Master Han is too ambitious. He won’t marry until he passes the imperial exams, and our Pan'er can’t wait that long. Besides, with no parents to rely on, she needs someone gentle and dependable."
Nanny Dong tried again. "What about Third Master Jiang? He’s a bit younger, but among our relatives, he’s the most suitable in age and appearance."
Again, the old lady refused. "The Jiang family’s Sixth Master’s household has already declined. And his wife is notorious for being a shrew. Our Pan'er, who cries at the slightest provocation, would only suffer if she married into that family. Even if she used her dowry to fill their coffers, she’d still be bullied."
Nanny Dong remembered the last time Sixth Madam Jiang had visited. When Sixth Master Jiang had gambled away some money, she had thrown a fit, screaming like a banshee—utterly devoid of wifely virtue.
With two proposals rejected, Nanny Dong was at a loss. These days, scholars were all opportunists, delaying marriage until they passed the exams so they could marry into wealthy, influential families. Even the prime minister had to pay his son-in-law three thousand taels of silver as a "bed-making gift." The old lady only had five thousand taels to her name—her life savings—and at most, she could spare half for Mei Pan'er.
With such a meager dowry, how could she hope to secure a scholar? Even the third daughter, born of a concubine, was said to have a dowry of five thousand taels.
...
Fourth Miss Zhou left the old lady’s quarters, unwilling to visit Miao Xiaoniang, who was now pregnant and overly cautious. Among her sisters, she got along best with Eldest Miss Zhou, but the latter was busy preparing for her wedding tomorrow and had long been summoned by the First Lady.
So she returned to her room, feeling rather bored, when her maid Yu Xing came back, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Where have you been?" Fourth Miss Zhou asked.
"I just attended the farewell banquet for the seamstresses. Madam Chen, Jin Niang, Qiaolian, and the others are leaving tomorrow, so we all pooled money for a little feast. The wine has just stopped flowing, so I came back now," Yu Xing explained.
Jin Niang was leaving too. Of course—when she met Zhou Cunzhi, she was already a widow remarrying.
Fourth Miss Zhou said, "I’ve heard much about her skills. Have her come and draw a floral pattern for me. After tomorrow, she won’t be able to do so anymore."
She hoped Jin Niang wouldn’t cross paths with Zhou Cunzhi again—then she wouldn’t be deceived into marrying him.
Jin Niang had just finished eating and was lighting a charcoal brazier to rest when she was summoned by Fourth Miss Zhou. She thumped her chest in exasperation. "Not even the last day in peace." Resigned, she picked up her ink box and paints and went.
To her surprise, she was only asked to sketch a floral pattern. "What would you like me to draw, Fourth Miss?" Jin Niang asked.
"Morning glories," Fourth Miss Zhou replied offhandedly.
Unlike intricate designs that required careful outlining, morning glories were simple—just a few strokes of the brush after mixing the paints. Jin Niang had long studied the styles of Xu Xi and Huang Quan, so even her casual strokes carried an elegance that left Fourth Miss Zhou astonished.
Those watching had no idea Jin Niang had practiced copying masterpieces and assumed this was her natural talent. Fourth Miss Zhou, who prided herself on her own innovative designs—praised by all her maids—was humbled. Jin Niang’s rendition of pale purple morning glories, complete with a bamboo fence and a butterfly with milky wings and a faint blue body, exuded rustic charm yet carried an air of sophistication.
No wonder her second brother had taken a liking to her.
Even in scholarly households of the Song Dynasty, most women in the capital only read "Admonitions for Women" and "Biographies of Exemplary Women." True female talents were rare and required open-minded families. At dinner earlier, Madam Jiang had doted on Eldest Miss Zhou, and Elder Master Zhou cherished his eldest daughter as the apple of his eye—yet they still preached obedience to her future husband and in-laws, emphasizing a woman’s duty to be meek and humble.
Could Jin Niang have some extraordinary background?
Fourth Miss Zhou suddenly asked, "Jin Niang, what do your parents do?"
"Just small trades," Jin Niang replied with a smile.
After finishing the painting, Jin Niang noticed Fourth Miss Zhou’s disbelief and understood her thoughts—and felt a flicker of disdain. This girl had pretended to respect her earlier, but deep down, she still saw herself as superior, unable to fathom how a mere maid could paint so well.
But Jin Niang mused that Fourth Miss Zhou, despite not being a time-traveler like herself, was even more feudal-minded than local girls. Eldest Miss Zhou, Third Miss Zhou, even Second Young Master Zhou had never doubted her abilities.
Well, she’d be gone tomorrow. No point dwelling on it.
The next morning, the Zhou household was awash in red. Jin Niang and the others had no duties for once and could finally relax in the garden. Fang Qiaolian laughed. "Let’s enjoy ourselves today. We’ve been hunched over needlework all this time—never had a chance to stroll properly."
"We should still stay out of sight," Jin Niang cautioned. "If we’re seen wandering around so freely, it won’t look good." She understood their pent-up longing for freedom.
No one was born to be a servant.
The Zhou family’s wealth and influence were indeed formidable. Rumor had it Elder Master Zhou would soon be promoted again, and with Eldest Miss Zhou marrying into the prime minister’s family, even more guests had arrived.
Fang Qiaolian said, "I’ll fetch some snacks. Let’s hide in the back of the garden and have some tea and pastries—otherwise, we’ll starve later."
"Agreed," Jin Niang said.
Before long, the two of them were enjoying boiled peanuts and a few plates of snacks while admiring the flowers and listening to the distant sounds of an opera troupe, utterly content. However, Fang Qiaolian clutched her stomach and said, "I need to relieve myself. I’ll head straight to the sewing room for a nap afterward. You stay a while longer, but remember we’re leaving today."
"Alright." The thought of leaving still made Jin Niang somewhat reluctant.
After Fang Qiaolian left, a group of spirited young men in fine attire unexpectedly arrived. Jin Niang recognized a few of them—some were relatives of Madam Jiang, while others were sons of official families. She had planned to wait for them to leave before quietly returning to the sewing room, as her parents would soon arrive to move their belongings.
Unexpectedly, the group grew rowdy. A tall, stout youth insisted on an archery contest, declaring, "Scholars nowadays must master the Six Arts of a Gentleman!" He then pointed at two slender youths and said, "Fourth Young Master Xi, Third Young Master Peng, you two step forward."
Jin Niang knew that Fourth Young Master Xi was the nephew of Third Lady Xi, a modest and frail-looking boy who now appeared timid under the rough handling. The other, Third Young Master Peng, was also a delicate youth who protested weakly, "Why not play pitch-pot instead? We’re not skilled at archery."
The stout youth brandished his bow and sneered, "No wonder you two act like little girls. Move aside."
The obnoxious behavior of the stout youth was hard to ignore, yet none of the other boys stepped in to mediate. The situation escalated until the most handsome among them, Jiang Xian—whom Jin Niang recognized as the nephew of the First Lady—slipped away unnoticed. She had seen him once before during a polo match and assumed he was fetching an adult to intervene. Instead, she overheard him whispering to another boy by the flower bushes nearby:
"Zhang Shiba is going too far. Bullying others is one thing, but Fourth Young Master Xi is the nephew of Third Lady Zhou. If this causes strife between the main and third branches of the Zhou family over a nobody like Zhang Shiba… Well, he’s still one of your Zhang family’s own."
The boy Jiang Xian addressed had been standing aloof, but upon hearing this, he scoffed coldly. "Zhang Shiba is just a distant relative of our Zhang family. His parents groveled before my mother, begging for favor. And now he’s putting on airs here? I’ll teach him a lesson."
Jin Niang quickly pieced it together: the stout youth, Zhang Shiba, was a clansman of Second Madam Zhang, while the indifferent boy was her younger brother. By letting the Zhang family handle their own, the Zhou household was spared unnecessary drama, and the two meek boys were rescued from further humiliation.
Jiang Xian, despite being several years younger than her, was remarkably shrewd.
Soon, Young Master Zhang stepped forward, berating Zhang Shiba harshly. At first, Zhang Shiba retorted, but eventually, he apologized to Fourth Young Master Xi and Third Young Master Peng. By then, Jiang Xian had vanished.
Back in her quarters, Jin Niang recounted the garden incident to Lan Xue, who chuckled knowingly. "Do you know why Jiang Xian only mentioned Fourth Young Master Xi and not Third Young Master Peng? Because Jiang Yan’s wife is from the Peng family. He was helping Jiang Yan."
Jin Niang suddenly understood. Jiang Yan was the son of the Jiang family’s patriarch and Jiang Xian’s closest cousin—she had seen them together often.
"Children of noble families are truly not to be underestimated," she mused.
Lan Xue sighed. "You’re leaving soon, and I’ll miss you dearly. There’ll be no one to talk to anymore."
"You should start planning for yourself," Jin Niang advised. "Tea-room servants rarely stay past twenty—either matched with a servant or sent home. I know you’ve been drifting along, but now that Second Madam is managing the household, things will change. Don’t wait until they force you out and arrange your fate for you." She rarely spoke so bluntly, but today was different—she was leaving the Zhou household and wanted to offer her friend some earnest advice.
The Zhang family’s arrogance was evident, and Second Madam Zhang was clearly no ordinary woman.
Lan Xue stood up, glanced at Jin Niang, then lowered her head to prepare tea. "You’re right. If I’m married off outside, I’ll never work in the inner quarters again. I’d hoped to stay here with all of you… But I can’t let others decide my future. Being hastily paired off would ruin my life."
Relieved that her friend understood, Jin Niang was about to say more when Madam Chen and Qin Shuang'er arrived. Qin Shuang'er, whom Jin Niang hadn’t seen in months, now wore a glossy satin jacket and hairpins adorned with floral designs and golden spheres, looking every bit a young lady.
"Here’s your indenture fee—sixteen taels in total. Second Madam sent it over. Should I take it to Jiangling for you, or give it to you directly?" Madam Chen was in a hurry to leave.
Qin Shuang'er, who had willingly converted her temporary contract to a permanent one for just sixteen taels, beamed. "Keep the money with me for now. I’ll give it to my mother when I bring her here."
Jin Niang thought to herself how shrewd Second Master Zhou was—a true businessman.
Qin Shuang'er clutched the money pouch, ignoring Jin Niang and Fang Qiaolian entirely. Jin Niang shrugged at Madam Chen. "She chose this herself. Let’s hope fortune favors her—otherwise, she’s a fool," Madam Chen muttered, shaking her head.
Soon, someone came to hurry them along. Madam Chen and Fang Qiaolan carried their luggage away in trips. The farewells had been said the previous night, so today’s parting was less sentimental. Jin Niang helped with the moving until her parents arrived, and Si'er and Lan Xue pitched in as well.
Wei Xiong had hired a carriage. Jin Niang introduced Si'er and Lan Xue to Luo Yu'e: "This is my little apprentice, and this is my dear friend."
Luo Yu'e greeted them warmly. Her youthful beauty made Lan Xue whisper to Jin Niang, "Is she really your mother? She looks more like your sister!"
"Stop it," Jin Niang rolled her eyes.
Wei Xiong quietly loaded the carriage with boxes of books and fabrics. Once everything was packed, Luo Yu'e urged Jin Niang home. "The furniture’s all set up at home. We bought a roast chicken and ground rice flour—we’ll make steamed dishes later. Let’s go."
Lan Xue seemed fine, being a senior maid, but Si'er was visibly anxious. Jin Niang hugged her tightly. "Take care. My bed is yours now, and I’ve left you the brush and paper. Be brave—don’t be afraid."
"Alright," Si'er replied, then added with determination, "Sister Jin Niang, till we meet again."
Jin Niang nodded firmly and glanced back at the Zhou residence. She had once thought these three years would feel endlessly long, but now, after enduring all the bittersweet moments along the way, her departure was not a joyous relief—instead, it left her with a lingering melancholy.
As the carriage began to move, just before leaving Wuxue Lane, she couldn't resist lifting the curtain for one last look at the Zhou estate. Silently, she whispered in her heart, Farewell, Zhou household. Now, I begin a life of my own.
