"So you're about to be promoted to Deputy Embroidery Head?" Luo Yu'e's anger turned to delight as she looked at her daughter.
She had initially been upset that her daughter returned late and missed a good marriage opportunity, but she never expected Jin Niang to have such a promising future.
Jin Niang smiled. "Not Deputy Embroidery Head—just acting in the role for now. Mostly because the clothes I make, though some still find flaws, are rarely sent back. I also work faster than the others, so Head Embroiderer Gu trusts me."
Wei Xiong chimed in, "Does this mean you can stay at the Embroidery Bureau permanently? That’s wonderful news."
For someone like Wei Xiong, who feared change, a stable position was everything. At their age, security mattered more than anything.
But Jin Niang laughed. "Nothing in this world stays the same forever. Right now, this is a good opportunity, but I’m only temporarily filling the role. Later, a new Deputy Embroidery Head might be appointed."
For the first time in a long while, she set aside her embroidery that evening to chat with her parents.
Her mother sighed regretfully. "Today’s suitor was the son of your father’s comrade. He’s studying now, and his family manages a storeroom for someone else. They have two rooms and even a loft upstairs. What a shame…"
"What’s there to regret? If I’m worthy, they’ll come back. If not, even meeting them wouldn’t change their minds." Jin Niang was no longer worried.
Her mother, like most parents—whether in ancient times or modern—couldn’t help but fret over her unmarried daughter. Jin Niang understood Luo Yu'e’s concerns.
But she wouldn’t live her life just to please her parents.
Even though Luo Yu'e loved her dearly, she still believed only her son would bring honor to the family, while a daughter’s skills were merely meant to secure a good marriage.
Jin Niang wouldn’t argue loudly about it. She’d simply work quietly toward her goal of earning a thousand strings of cash.
A few days later, Jin Niang officially took up her new role. She had expected embroidery to be her biggest challenge, but managing people proved far harder.
She bought pastries to share with everyone, yet some—even those she’d once been close to—seemed to suspect ulterior motives. Wen Shuhui, the most straightforward among them, laughed and said, "Jin Niang, you’ll spoil us like this…"
Jin Niang replied, "It’s nothing. We’re all just working together for the palace."
Sitting at the foremost embroidery frame, she felt a pang of loneliness.
Wen Shuhui and the others couldn’t help feeling resentful. They whispered among themselves, "Why did Head Embroiderer Gu choose her?"
Third Sister Xu rubbed her belly. "Well, maybe her skills are better than ours."
Among their group, apart from Meng Liniang, who had already left, Jin Niang was the youngest. Most in the Embroidery Bureau were seasoned veterans. Though her work was good—even completing more pieces each month with fewer returns—something about it still didn’t sit right with them.
Meanwhile, Jin Niang focused on learning Head Embroiderer Gu’s duties.
"The designs come from the Imperial Art Academy," Head Embroiderer Gu explained. "Here’s the roster of the academy’s artists on duty, along with the major festivals and their required garments. You’re familiar with these, but now you’ll need to assign the daily tasks."
The Embroidery Bureau operated on rotating shifts—one person resting every ten days—but someone always had to be present.
The Flower-and-Bird Workshop had twenty embroiderers dedicated to screens—ten leading, ten assisting. Another ten specialized in shoes, ten in handkerchiefs and sachets, and thirty in clothing.
Among them were veterans, slackers, latecomers, and the distracted.
Managing people was an art in itself.
"Deputy Embroidery Head Wei, the winter solstice garments must begin immediately," Chief Embroiderer Du instructed.
Jin Niang nodded and sent someone to fetch the designs from the art academy. Normally, the process was straightforward: retrieve the sketches, hand them to Chief Embroiderer Du for approval, then distribute the work.
But the first step hit a snag.
Jin Niang was decisive by nature, but Attendant Wu from the art academy had unexpectedly taken leave that day.
"We need these today," Jin Niang told the messenger. "I still have to submit them to Chief Embroiderer Du."
The attendant hesitated. "What should we do, Deputy?"
"Find out where Attendant Wu lives. Go to his residence and stress the urgency—this is an imperial matter. Here’s money for the carriage." She handed him a handful of coins.
The attendant started off but turned back. "But what if the art academy officials take offense? If they refuse…"
"These designs are for imperial garments. We’re not pressuring them—it’s the palace’s demand. If he truly can’t return, I’ll report it to Chief Embroiderer Du, and the responsibility won’t fall on us."
Thankfully, Attendant Wu was responsible enough to send the sketches over. Jin Niang immediately organized the work, following Head Embroiderer Gu’s records meticulously.
Yet the first challenge in her new role came not from the veterans but from her own peers.
"Jin Niang," Wen Shuhui said, "my husband’s employer is transferring him to manage a private estate. They want me to help, so… I may have to leave."
Jin Niang knew this was resistance—what a coincidence, right after her promotion.
Still, she tried to persuade her. "The winter solstice is coming, then the New Year. At least stay until after the holidays—there’ll be bonuses."
Wen Shuhui smiled. "I really can’t. Family matters."
She bore no real grudge against Jin Niang. She just couldn’t accept being subordinate to someone she once worked alongside—especially when she had been the second most productive after Jin Niang. Head Embroiderer Gu’s choice still stung.
Jin Niang smiled and said, "Good. Since you've made up your mind, I’ll explain the rules to you later. According to the rules, you’ll only receive half of this month’s wages. I’ll write a termination contract for you, and you can take it to Chief Embroiderer Du to stamp with your fingerprint."
Out with the old, in with the new. Jin Niang realized why people preferred hiring newcomers—those who had just joined always carried a sense of reverence, while those who had been around too long tended to look for loopholes.
She decided to speak with Chief Embroiderer Du about recruiting two new people.
Wen Shuhui had initially hoped Jin Niang might beg her to stay, but she hadn’t expected such coldness. Still, since the termination contract had already been issued, she had no choice but to leave.
When Third Sister Xu met with Jin Niang privately later, she said tactfully, "Why not let her stay a few more days? That way, our embroidery workshop wouldn’t be short-handed, and it would also prevent gossip about you."
Jin Niang thought to herself—would keeping Wen Shuhui really stop people from talking? In truth, rumors shouldn’t be taken too seriously. She just needed to stay focused on her own goals.
Her improved mood was so obvious that even Luo Yu'e noticed. "A few days ago, you were so stressed you were losing hair over this matter, but now you seem much better."
"I tend to get anxious easily. When I do, everything feels like it’s going wrong. Mother, managing people is harder than anything else," Jin Niang sighed.
Luo Yu'e chuckled. "Isn’t that the truth? Dealing with people is always the hardest part. Look at us—just as our business starts doing a little better, the landlord wants to raise the rent."
"Oh? How much is she asking for?" Jin Niang asked.
"Eight strings of cash more per year," Luo Yu'e sighed.
Jin Niang comforted her, "Right now, you’re still making around ten strings a month. Moving elsewhere wouldn’t be worth it unless we someday have our own shop—that would be ideal."
Luo Yu'e laughed as if it were a fantasy. "How could we ever afford a shop? Honestly, I just hope that once you’re married and your younger brother has finished his studies, your father and I can retire back to our hometown in Jiangling."
Jin Niang shook her head and turned her attention back to the roster in her hands, stopping at one name—Zhu Tingfang.
Back when she was just an ordinary embroiderer, she had imagined what it would be like to be in charge. She had thought she would be kind and approachable, believing that treating others well would earn their goodwill in return. But now she knew better.
Managing dozens of people wasn’t something she could do alone. She needed capable assistants—those who could help her maintain order.
Meanwhile, Third Sister Xu was having dinner at Zou Yue'e’s house. "Plenty of people in our embroidery workshop resent Jin Niang. And now she’s even pushed away her own allies—soon, she’ll have no one left to rely on."
Zou Yue'e and the others often gathered privately. Jin Niang had joined them at first but later excused herself, claiming she was too busy. Now, as married women, they shared intimate conversations, growing closer.
"True, she’s almost eighteen and still hasn’t mentioned marriage. It’s like she lives in the embroidery workshop."
Zou Yue'e, who had married late herself, now acted as if she had "made it" and looked down on those who hadn’t.
But their gossip was meaningless to Jin Niang, who was busy selecting her assistants. Zhu Tingfang had long been overlooked by the senior embroiderers, despite her efforts to please them. Jin Niang didn’t know how long she would remain Deputy Embroidery Head, but for now, to manage the floral and avian workshop, she needed someone capable yet undervalued.
"In a few days, I’ll promote you to supervisor. Your wages will increase by three hundred coins. Some might not be happy about it, but I’ll handle them for now. After that, it’ll be up to you," Jin Niang said with a smile.
Zhu Tingfang was deeply moved. She hadn’t expected Jin Niang to actually promote her. "Don’t worry, I’ll manage things well for you," she vowed eagerly.
Jin Niang patted her shoulder. "Seems I made the right choice. They recommended both you and Wang Xinghua, but Wang Xinghua can’t tell right from wrong—she’d only create more problems."
Zhu Tingfang, who had repeatedly been passed over for embroidery screen projects, was now being promoted to supervisor. She swore she would prove herself.
With the personnel matters settled, Jin Niang finally relaxed.
As the embroidery head, she was gaining a deeper understanding of needlework. When the Brocade Workshop delivered the purple phoenix pattern fabric—woven with segmented, multicolored weft threads on a purple warp—she studied it carefully. Though she didn’t weave, as a skilled embroiderer, she needed to know how to repair such fabric if it were ever damaged.
Now, with her authority, she could directly consult the senior embroiderers without them withholding knowledge.
"Embroidery Head, you see here—the warp surface uses single-thread interlocking, with sections of even stitching. The finer parts have two warp threads, the thicker ones five. To repair it, you must first understand this structure," one of the senior embroiderers explained.
Jin Niang nodded. "Thank you for your guidance. I’ve learned much."
Here, she had access to the finest silks in the country, and now she could study them freely.
During lunch, she even visited the Brocade Workshop to observe. She discovered that silk tapestry weaving shared similarities with embroidery—both required tracing patterns onto the warp threads, using raw silk for the warp and processed silk for the weft, then weaving according to the design.
Now that she was the embroidery head, she no longer had to work as frantically as before. She spent her days studying silk tapestry and her evenings working on garments for the Splendid Garment Pavilion.
She still didn’t dare attempt embroidery screens—not because she lacked skill, but because they took too long. Ten senior embroiderers had been working on one for three years and still hadn’t finished. Meanwhile, the robes for the emperor and his consorts were handled by others.
But when she delivered the latest batch of robes, the Splendid Garment Pavilion was closed, with a notice saying it would reopen in two months.
"Jin Niang, take this chance to rest. You haven’t even stopped for New Year’s in all these years," Luo Yu'e said, hoping her daughter would finally focus on marriage prospects.
Jin Niang laughed. "No, even if the Splendid Garment Pavilion is closed, I can’t let my skills rust. Now that I don’t have to embroider during the day at the workshop, I’ll use the time to practice."
Just two more months and her side income would dry up. Jin Niang sighed softly, feeling that everything in life seemed unreliable except herself. Take the Shu Embroidery Pavilion where she once worked—now nearly deserted in the capital, on the verge of closing. She had visited once recently. Jiang Shanjie, who hadn’t returned to Jiangling, had stayed on at the shop, even gotten married there. But now, where would she go?
Unless it was her own shop.
If only she had a house and a shop of her own. The thought startled Jin Niang. Why couldn’t she? She currently had over three hundred strings of cash saved up—enough to give her some confidence.
She decided to wait two more months. If the Brocade Embroidery House failed, she’d figure something else out.
This season was perfect for temple visits, and Rongniang came calling, hoping to mend relations. Given her status, she didn’t need to bother with these poorer relatives.
But family was family, and outright neglect wouldn’t do. Her second and third uncles had never taken advantage of her. Besides, though things seemed fine between her and Feng Sheng on the surface, cracks had formed beneath. Reconnecting with relatives might secure her a fallback in the future.
When Rongniang arrived, the Wei household was already busy with cooking smoke curling from the chimney. She stepped inside and called for Luo Yu'e.
Luo Yu'e was surprised. "What brings you here at this hour?"
"Aunt, with my little Long'er so young these past two years, I couldn’t get out much. Now that I finally can, I thought I’d visit." Rongniang’s words were smooth.
Luo Yu'e wasn’t one to turn away politeness. "Come in and sit, then. We just got back from the shop, and I’m about to cook. Make yourself at home."
Rongniang even helped Luo Yu'e tend the kitchen fire, asking casually, "Is Jin Niang home?"
"Of course. She’s off today—probably still asleep." Luo Yu'e knew her daughter well. On rest days, Jin Niang slept like there was no tomorrow.
Rongniang smiled. "Aunt, you really should have her help more around the house. You spoil her."
Luo Yu'e replied matter-of-factly, "Our Jin Niang isn’t meant for rough work. Though she can cook when she wants to—last time her father and I were away buying stock, she made her brother egg-fried rice."
Rongniang thought, Nearly eighteen, and frying rice is an accomplishment? But she praised Jin Niang aloud anyway, then asked, "Is she still at the Imperial Embroidery Institute?"
Jin Niang had once said there was no need to boast about her promotion, but with condescending relatives like Feng Sheng and Rongniang, modesty wasn’t necessary. So Luo Yu'e answered bluntly, "Indeed. The former Head Embroiderer retired and recommended our Jin Niang for the position. She manages over a hundred people now—quite the responsibility."
"Jin Niang became Head Embroiderer already?" Rongniang was genuinely taken aback. The saying "three days apart, view with new eyes" fit perfectly.
Luo Yu'e feigned humility. "Oh, it’s nothing much. She didn’t even want the job." With that, she tossed her hair coquettishly.
Rongniang had only meant to drop by, but after this exchange, she excused herself and left. When Jin Niang woke for lunch and heard Rongniang had visited, she laughed. "Good she’s gone. I’d have hated to invite her along to the temple later."
With the Brocade Embroidery House closed, Jin Niang had more free time. Though she still took sewing commissions, the urgency was gone, leaving her leisure to accompany her mother to the temple.
Much of the rivalry between sisters stemmed from their elders’ comparisons—Granny Wei’s habit of stirring the pot didn’t help.
After the meal, Wei Xiong hitched the cart to take his wife and daughter to Kaibao Temple.
Believing sincerity moved the gods, Jin Niang chose to climb the steps on foot. Luo Yu'e followed, her thoughts heavier—her daughter was healthy, skilled at her craft, yet still unmarried.
Kaibao Temple, built to enshrine King Ashoka’s relics, rose in an octagonal pagoda shape. Jin Niang, unaccustomed to long walks, puffed heavily by the time they neared the top.
At five-foot-three and nearly 140 pounds, she sweated easily.
As she caught her breath, a mother and son ascended nearby. Luo Yu'e, ever sociable, struck up a conversation.
The woman, around fifty with sun-darkened skin but neat clothing, was accompanied by a lanky, dutiful son who supported her.
Remembering Jin Niang’s preference for handsome men—last time, she’d rejected Granny Cai’s pharmacist nephew for being too short—Luo Yu'e probed further.
But the woman, noting Luo Yu'e’s fine moss-green jacket, indigo tie-dyed skirt, silk sash, and twin silver hairpins, saw opportunity. Jin Niang, though plump, glowed with health in her peach-red silk jacket, pearl-white pleated skirt, gold ring, and dangling hairstyle adorned with a golden comb. She looked every inch the wealthy maiden.
The woman said, "I’m praying for my youngest daughter to bear a son. Her two older sisters already have boys, but she’s only had a girl."
Luo Yu'e’s interest waned. "With such devotion, your wish will surely be granted."
Three daughters before a son? If my girl married into that family and didn’t produce a male heir immediately, she’d suffer.
Her tone cooled, but the woman pressed on, boasting, "My son works at Immortal Feast Pavilion, earning five strings a month."
Luo Yu'e smiled politely. "Five strings at sixteen is impressive. My girl here makes just over ten."
The woman’s eyes lit up at Jin Niang. "Such a capable young lady! Few girls earn so well."
Jin Niang demurred, "It’s just hard work, nothing special."
"I like you, girl. Where do you live? I’ve got golden salted duck eggs at home—I’ll bring you some." The woman’s enthusiasm grew.
Jin Niang, being sharp-witted, immediately understood the underlying meaning and quickly replied, "Thank you for your kindness, but my mother is virtuous and capable, and we have more than enough at home. I won’t keep you any longer—we must head inside now."
With that, she took her mother’s hand and hurried ahead. Once the woman was out of sight, the mother and daughter exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.
"Jin Niang, it’s not my place to judge, but families like hers—with only one son and four daughters—mean you’d have four mothers-in-law waiting for you if you married in. And they wouldn’t rest until you bore a son," Luo Yu'e remarked.
Jin Niang suddenly understood. "So that’s why you objected. Honestly, I noticed the man was missing half a finger. Unless he was born with the deformity, he’s likely a gambler."
In gambling dens, those who couldn’t repay their debts often had fingers cut off as punishment.
Luo Yu'e hadn’t considered this possibility. "They say matchmakers can turn the dead into the living with their words, but even face-to-face, the truth isn’t always clear."
Jin Niang agreed. After all, even hearts are hidden behind layers of flesh.
After finishing their prayers, the two prepared to leave. Seeing Wei Xiong waiting foolishly without even grabbing a bite to eat, Luo Yu'e scolded him lightly, "Honestly, you could’ve at least bought a pancake to tide you over instead of just standing here."
Her husband was as dependable as an old ox—never complaining when others asked for his help, considering it an honor. These days, though, he’d grown a bit wiser.
Jin Niang added, "Once we get home and pick up Younger Brother Yang, let’s just go straight to the night market for some lamb skewers. No need to cook tonight."
Her parents had no objections, eager to return. But as they arrived home with Younger Brother Yang, Granny Wei stood at the gate, her voice trembling. "Second Son, your brother’s fingernail was torn off and sent here. This handkerchief is soaked in blood… You must go and save him…"
