The scholars had their names announced at Donghua Gate, and with many families scrambling to catch a son-in-law from the new graduates, Jin Niang's business also picked up. The manager of Brocade Pavilion sent someone to her home, requesting her to make a wedding dress from fabric provided by a client. The payment she would receive was thirteen strings of cash.
You get what you pay for, and at that price, it would be difficult to create an elaborate and exquisite wedding gown. Jin Niang visited the bride's home to take measurements. The bride was the daughter of a minor official in the Court of Judicial Review, but the family was quite poor. Jin Niang already had an idea—social customs prioritized wealth over social status. The practice of buying and selling marriages was rampant in the Song Dynasty. She had heard of newly minted scholars being chosen as sons-in-law by wealthy merchants, with brides bringing dowries of five thousand strings of cash, not to mention other expenses.
Even imperial clan daughters leveraged their noble status to marry into merchant families for vast sums of money. The wealthy merchant "Tian the Hat" boasted of having married ten county princesses, each costing five thousand strings.
As for this bride, her father was only a minor official, and her dowry was meager. She was marrying a poor scholar who had failed the exams. Jin Niang accidentally caught a glimpse of the betrothal gifts list, which was equally modest.
Seeing the bride’s shy expression, Jin Niang decided to design something beautiful despite the limited budget. She abandoned the traditional wide-sleeved robe and opted for a beizi-style wedding dress. The fabric the bride provided was actually quite good—a deep red with peony patterns woven into it—so Jin Niang focused her efforts on the collar and trim.
She designed the collar with the twelve seasonal flowers, edged with gold thread, and added a pattern of twin flowers for harmony.
Since she was busy at the Imperial Embroidery Workshop during the day, she worked on the wedding dress at night. Even on her rare days off, she stayed home sewing, missing out on her beloved scented baths.
By the time the dress was nearly finished, it was already Qingming Festival. Her parents closed their shop in the morning and urged her to go out for a spring outing in the afternoon.
Luo Yu'e said, "No matter how much money you make, you can't neglect your own life."
"What important matter?" Jin Niang was puzzled.
Luo Yu'e laughed. "During Qingming, men and women all go out to enjoy the spring. You should go too. I’m not pressuring you, but you’re almost seventeen. Even if it’s not for marriage, you should meet more people."
Jin Niang immediately saw through her mother’s intentions. "You must have someone in mind! Tell me quickly, or I won’t go."
Luo Yu'e revealed, "There’s a family selling flowers across from our shop. The widow raised her son alone—she’s very easygoing and cheerful. They own three houses near Daxing Gate, bought for seven hundred strings, with two hundred still unpaid. Her son works as a fire watchman in the capital’s fire patrol."
Fire watchmen were akin to modern firefighters. In the capital, watchtowers were set up every three hundred paces, each manned by five patrolmen responsible for nighttime security and apprehending criminals.
Jin Niang nodded to herself—this match wasn’t bad. Since she was tired from sewing all month, she agreed. Luo Yu'e, pleased, urged her to dress up.
Jin Niang chose an orange beizi she had made for herself last spring but rarely wore, pairing it with a gardenia-yellow wrap-style bodice and a pleated skirt tied with a scrolling vine belt. However, she was broad-shouldered and stout. She styled her hair in a hanging bun to soften her face, adorning it with peony silk flowers.
She dabbed on rouge, powdered her face, and when she stood up, even Luo Yu'e was impressed. "Jin Niang, you don’t usually dress up, but when you do, you look lovely."
"Mother, you only think that because I’m your daughter. I’m so plump my features are practically lost in my face—round as a wicker ball." Jin Niang was well aware of her appearance.
People from Jingchu tended to have delicate features, and with her plumpness, her face had lost definition.
Once ready, Luo Yu'e took Jin Niang out in a donkey cart. They arrived at the gathering spot, where Luo Yu'e discreetly pointed out a tall young man. "Look, that’s him."
Jin Niang glanced over and saw a decent-looking, spirited young man, which gave her some approval.
Then she met his mother, Madam Lou. Despite being a widow, she carried no bitterness and appeared youthful, speaking with grace. Madam Lou said to Luo Yu'e, "This must be your daughter? She looks very fortunate."
Jin Niang noticed Madam Lou’s slight surprise at her appearance—after all, Luo Yu'e was fair-skinned and delicate, typical of southern beauty, while Jin Niang was the opposite.
Luo Yu'e, aware of this, quickly emphasized her daughter’s worth. "Yes, and without her, we wouldn’t even be in Bianjing. She works at the Imperial Embroidery Workshop, making clothes for noble ladies. With such skills, she’ll never go hungry, no matter where she goes."
This impressed Madam Lou further. Her family was well-off, and many minor officials’ daughters sought to marry her son.
Luo Yu'e had often praised Jin Niang’s diligence and education, and since ancient times, a virtuous wife was prized. Madam Lou was already seventy to eighty percent willing.
There was even a shared regional connection—the Lou family hailed from Xiangyang in the Jingxi South Circuit, while the Wei family was from Jiangling Prefecture in the Jinghu North Circuit. During the Three Kingdoms period, Xiangyang had been the seat of Jingzhou, so ties between the two regions were strong.
In ancient times, one couldn’t expect love. Her parents had interacted with Madam Lou for over half a year—she was of good character, the man had a stable job, and his looks were passable.
But the match didn’t progress. Madam Lou didn’t pursue the topic further—clearly, they hadn’t taken a liking to Jin Niang. Luo Yu'e didn’t blame her daughter, saying, "They’re very picky. The young man has been introduced to many matches over the years, but none have worked out."
"Mother, don’t say that. We judge others, and others judge me too. Don’t take it to heart—good things take time. I’ll just go back to designing patterns." Jin Niang comforted her mother instead.
Secretly, Luo Yu'e resolved to mobilize all connections to find her daughter a good match.
After Qingming, Zou Yue'e returned in high spirits—she, too, had gone out for matchmaking.
"How did it go?" Jin Niang asked.
Zou Yue'e smiled and shook her head. "I don’t know yet."
Jin Niang covered her mouth with a laugh. "Then it seems good news is near."
Through Zou Yue'e, Jin Niang saw the struggles of Song Dynasty’s older unmarried women.
Spring Day
In this world, some men deliberately remain unmarried until later in life to seek higher status before marrying, while those like Zou Yue'e, who lack substantial dowries, can only rely on luck. Now that Zou Yue'e has found a suitable match, Jin Niang is genuinely happy for her.
However, it was unexpected that they would become engaged just a month after meeting, having only known each other for three days. Jin Niang found it hard to believe: "Is this engagement happening too quickly?" Back in the Zhou household, she had seen how long it took for the eldest daughter and the second young master to become formally engaged. Even if commoners' customs weren't as elaborate as those of official families, surely things couldn't move this fast.
Yet Zou Yue'e seemed unusually at ease: "My family has five members—my parents and three siblings. My younger brother is apprenticing elsewhere, and when he returns, he has to sleep on benches pushed together in my parents' room. If I can marry and move out sooner, even if it means renting a place, at least it’ll ease the crowding."
"That’s wonderful!" Jin Niang rejoiced for her.
Zou Yue'e added, "Our wedding is set for a few days before the winter solstice. If you have time, you must come."
"Of course," Jin Niang agreed.
Then Wen Shuhui chimed in, "Jin Niang, don’t just congratulate others—you should think about your own future too."
Jin Niang laughed. "If I meet the right person, I’ll marry. If I meet a benefactor, I’ll focus on my career. As for me, I’ll let fate decide."
At home, her parents had even begun to defer to her, and her younger brother was making progress in his studies, scoring first in his recent exams for the first time. With her parents' love and her sibling’s support, her career was smoother than most. Aside from not being betrothed yet, she had little to worry about.
The atmosphere among the embroiderers at the embroidery workshop was far more harmonious than the Zhou household, with none of the scheming and power struggles. They often joked among themselves. Third Sister Xu asked Zou Yue'e, "Even if the engagement is rushed, the 'Three Golds' are a must. Otherwise, when you marry into that family, they’ll say you came for free—especially the mother-in-law. If you waive the betrothal gifts out of goodwill, she might even assume no one else wanted you."
In the Song Dynasty, the "Three Golds" referred to gold bracelets, gold rings, and gold hairpins—different from modern customs.
There’s a certain kind of person in this world—if you act magnanimous, they’ll mistake it for weakness and take advantage.
Zou Yue'e shook her head. "Those are luxuries for wealthy families. We don’t have such things."
Third Sister Xu chuckled. "I’ve heard there’s some new alchemy method these days—turning small coins into gold."
After listening to a stream of domestic gossip, Jin Niang felt exhausted by the time her shift ended. The tangled dynamics between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law and wives—if anyone ever tried such tricks on her, she’d make sure to teach them a lesson.
On her way home, she found Third Aunt visiting. Unlike her usual disheveled self, today she was adorned in glittering gold jewelry, talking animatedly: "They really can turn stones into gold! I picked up a random rock, and it turned into gold right before my eyes. I asked for more, but he said he needed to refine his skills first. Now they’re collecting money to set up an alchemy workshop and buy special ingredients. Such a good opportunity—of course, I thought of you!"
Though Wei Xiong and Luo Yu'e weren’t the most worldly, they were cautious with money. Wei Xiong waved his hand. "Nothing good comes that easily in this world—and even if it did, it wouldn’t land in my lap."
"If you don’t believe me, look at this!" Third Aunt thrust out her hand.
Her mother quickly added, "We’d better not get involved. We don’t have money for such things—if we did, we wouldn’t have needed to borrow from Third Uncle before."
Third Aunt left in a huff. Jin Niang gave her parents a thumbs-up. "I was afraid you’d fall for that alchemy nonsense. It’s obviously a scam."
"I’ll go talk to your Third Uncle later—this doesn’t sound reliable at all," Wei Xiong said, standing up.
But Jin Niang sighed. "Third Uncle won’t be easily persuaded."
Third Uncle’s family hoarded cash instead of investing in property, always chasing get-rich-quick schemes while complaining about hard work. Jin Niang doubted her father would succeed.
Sure enough, Wei Xiong returned frustrated. "Your Third Uncle just glared at me and said he’s already committed—if it’s a scam, so be it."
"Well, you and Mother should return those twenty strings of cash to him soon. If he profits, it’ll be a bonus. If he loses it, at least he’ll have something to live on," Jin Niang advised.
Historical scams were rampant—oil adulterated with fish fat, water-injected pork, wormwood sold as chrysanthemum, fake clams passed off as pufferfish. Her mother cursed every time she bought meat: "Not a single honest pork seller out there!"
Back in her room, Jin Niang picked up her needlework. Since the start of the year, aside from the New Year embroidery rush, business had been slow. By mid-year, she’d only earned fifty strings of cash—far less than last year.
She knew she’d hit a plateau. At the Zhou household, her creativity had flourished, but at the embroidery workshop, technical precision and rigid rules stifled her. Chasing trends had cost her original passion. She needed to find balance.
That evening, she convinced her mother to accompany her to a street near Pan Tower, where vendors sold imitation hairpieces, hats, combs, and collars. As they snacked and browsed, a peddler called out, "These collars are just like the ones at the Ghost Market!"
"Ghost Market?" Jin Niang hurried over. "Uncle, what’s the Ghost Market?"
The vendor scoffed. "You don’t know? The Ghost Market opens at the fifth watch—lanterns up, trading starts, and it’s gone by dawn. They sell clothes, paintings, floral wreaths, collars, you name it."
Jin Niang was fascinated. She believed in the saying: "Without small steps, one cannot cross a thousand miles; without tiny streams, no rivers form." To improve, she needed to see others’ work.
Yet venturing alone to the Ghost Market at night terrified her.
Luo Yu'e smiled. "Why not take a day off soon? We’ll all go together."
"Mother..." Jin Niang hesitated. Last time, her father had struggled to his feet to work despite back pain.
Surviving in the capital wasn’t easy. Their modest earnings—three to four hundred coins a day, netting two hundred—barely covered rent, her brother’s school supplies, and household expenses. After everything, little remained.
Luo Yu'e cut her off. "No more of that talk. Our shop’s doing fine—if we clear a few dozen strings a year, I’ll be content."
"Alright, then I’ll thank Father and Mother. In a few days, I’ll treat you both to a meal at Huixian Tavern," Jin Niang said cheerfully.
Luo Yu'e quickly interjected, "Why go to such an expensive place? A simple tea house would do."
"Then let’s go to Xu’s Gourd Soup Shop on Panlou Street. After eating, we can visit the nearby entertainment district," Jin Niang suggested.
The matter was settled just like that. After browsing the novelty stalls, Jin Niang and her mother returned home. Meanwhile, Feng Sheng also urged Rongniang to go out and enjoy herself.
"The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and the streets are lively now. Why don’t we take the children out for some fun?"
Rongniang, still shaken by the events of last time, immediately shook her head. "Let’s just stay home peacefully."
Feng Sheng was puzzled. "What’s wrong with you?"
After a long pause, he sighed. "Is this still about what happened last time? There was nothing we could do then. Even your second uncle’s neighbors were robbed of their valuables and nearly injured. Now I’ve hired two more servants—nothing like that will happen again."
Rongniang looked at him and said, "Our life is already quite comfortable. Why push yourself so hard?"
"How can I not? A decent house alone costs over two thousand taels. With two sons, each needs his own courtyard. We already have seven or eight servants and a carriage. We’ll need at least a three-section house with a small garden—you love tending to flowers, after all," Feng Sheng replied with a laugh.
Rongniang stared at him as if he were mad. "Have you lost your mind? Even if you earn a few hundred strings a year, our daily expenses aren’t small. A three-section house would cost at least five thousand taels—that’s ten years of saving every penny!"
The pressure felt overwhelming to her.
But Feng Sheng was exhilarated. "Only then will we truly hold our heads high."
"You’re really..." Rongniang suddenly felt the weight of it all.
Accompanied by her parents, Jin Niang visited the ghost market and returned with many finds. By the ninth month, she unveiled a new set of clothing inspired by chrysanthemums.
The main outer robe was in the color of "sky-water green," with a collar lining of blue-green embroidered with chrysanthemums. This time, she made a wide-sleeved robe, so the cuffs were also adorned with chrysanthemum patterns. Paired with a gold-sprinkled skirt, the hem featured a chrysanthemum-patterned border. Her embroidery, inspired by the Imperial Embroidery Academy’s recent designs, surpassed anything available outside. Yet she incorporated intricate details from Brocade Pavilion, even fashioning the waist ties into chrysanthemum knots.
By the Double Ninth Festival, this set sold for twenty strings of cash.
After the festival, Zou Yue'e married ahead of schedule and was radiant with happiness. She even whispered to Jin Niang, "Marriage is actually quite nice."
Jin Niang, seeing her flushed cheeks, felt a little embarrassed.
Inspired by Zou Yue'e, Meng Liniang also grew restless with romantic longing. Before the month’s end, she left the Imperial Embroidery Academy to prepare for her wedding. Jin Niang tried to dissuade her: "You earn a good sum here every month. Why give it up?"
Meng Liniang smiled. "He said once I marry into his family, he’ll find me another job—less tiring than this one. Besides, there’s the wedding to arrange. I’ve already spoken to Head Embroiderer Gu, and she agreed."
Since Head Embroiderer Gu had consented, Jin Niang said no more, only offering, "Then I wish you peace, prosperity, and happiness in the days ahead."
Having worked in several places, Jin Niang realized that apart from family, her emotional ties had grown thinner. Truly, different stages of life brought different companions.
After Meng Liniang left, Zou Yue'e, now married, spent more time with other married women and gradually saw less of Jin Niang.
Jin Niang, however, immersed herself deeper in embroidery. Patterns she once found daunting, she now dissected and mastered. In the floral-and-bird workshop, no one could match her speed and skill.
Returning home one day, she found the door locked. Unlocking it and securing the latch inside, she wondered where her parents were. Luckily, two flatbreads remained in the kitchen, which she ate to stave off hunger. By evening, her parents returned with her younger brother. Jin Niang hurried to greet them.
"What happened? Is something wrong?" she asked.
Her father looked dejected. "Your Third Uncle and Third Aunt have abandoned their business, leaving your grandmother and cousins behind. Your mother and I went to check on them. I’m certain your Third Uncle was swindled, but they won’t listen. Even your aunt came all the way from Jiangling Prefecture to join in on that nonsense about alchemy."
Jin Niang also thought it a scam but was puzzled. "Why didn’t Third Uncle try to recruit Eldest Sister’s Husband?"
Her mother scoffed. "Your Third Sister’s Husband is shrewd—he’d never fall for it. I suspect your Third Uncle knows it’s a fraud but is trying to recoup his losses by roping others in."
Feng Sheng, indeed sharp-eyed, recognized the scheme at once. But unlike Wei Xiong, he wouldn’t intervene. To him, Wei Xiong’s greed was his own doing—why meddle? Some lessons had to be learned the hard way.
He said as much bluntly to Rongniang, who grew increasingly uneasy. She cherished family deeply, always welcoming relatives from their hometown without complaint.
But her husband was different. Beyond himself, he loved no one.
The realization left Rongniang desperate to escape—but where could she go? With no family of her own and little contact with her second uncle’s household, and her Third Aunt being so unreliable, she had no choice but to endure in silence.
While Rongniang struggled, Jin Niang flourished at the Imperial Embroidery Academy. Though she hadn’t mastered two-sided embroidery, her needlework was exceptional, and she completed garments faster than anyone.
By the ninth month, Head Embroiderer Gu promoted her to the elite team crafting robes for the imperial household, increasing her monthly earnings by three hundred coins.
Head Embroiderer Gu even encouraged her, "If you excel, His Majesty might reward you."
"I’m not that skilled—it’s only because you’ve been so supportive," Jin Niang replied earnestly.
Head Embroiderer Gu waved her off. "Nonsense. Though you weren’t trained by a master, your talent is undeniable. You started with Shu embroidery but have since mastered Xiang and Su styles. In time, you’ll shine. While others make a hundred pieces, you make three hundred. I rely on you. Even after you turned me down last time, my respect for you has only grown."
Jin Niang was baffled. "But I haven’t done anything?"
Head Embroiderer Gu gave a bitter smile. "Even you can see how slim my chances are, yet my family keeps holding me back with false hopes, and I’ve been deceiving myself all along."
She had painted grand dreams for others, and others had done the same for her—until her youth slipped away in the waiting.
Seeing her like this, Jin Niang saw no need for veiled words and spoke frankly: "The palace gates run deep, and once you enter, there’s no turning back. Head Embroiderer, you’re still young, your embroidery skills are exceptional, and you handle affairs with fairness. Out there, you could achieve so much more. Why chase after illusions—flowers in water, the moon in a mirror?"
Head Embroiderer Gu pressed her lips together in a faint smile. "I think so too. That’s why I’ve decided to return and take back control of the family business. I can’t let my younger siblings take advantage of my absence to nibble away at what’s mine."
"That’s wonderful news," Jin Niang said sincerely.
Head Embroiderer Gu glanced at her. "With my departure, the position of Head Embroiderer will be vacant. I intend for you to act as my temporary replacement. However, Chief Embroiderer Du thinks you’re too young, so these next few days, you may stay later to prove yourself."
Noticing Jin Niang’s hesitation, she asked, "You’re unwilling?"
Jin Niang straightened at once. "How could I refuse? I’d be honored!"
The Head Embroiderer’s monthly pay ranged from six to eight strings of cash. Jin Niang had originally planned to leave early today—her mother had mentioned a suitor coming to visit—but now, she gritted her teeth. She would stay a little longer.
After all, a woman ought to prioritize her career. Matters of the heart could wait.
