Lady Zhang was packing Zhou Cunzhi's luggage. The couple had been separated for three years, and during their recent reunion, they had coexisted peacefully. However, she would not be accompanying him on his official assignment. At this thought, she recalled her mother's words:
"Men are all the same at heart—there’s no cat that doesn’t steal fish. So it’s best to turn a blind eye."
Fortunately, during Zhou Cunzhi’s three-year absence, he had returned without bringing anyone back with him. She had interrogated his attendants, and they confirmed he had no improper affairs. This put Lady Zhang at ease.
But now Zhou Cunzhi was leaving again for another assignment. What would happen in the next few years? She couldn’t say.
"Second Madam, the Second Master has sent a servant to order new clothes again."
Since the household’s tailoring department had been disbanded, Zhou Cunzhi’s clothing had been her responsibility. So why now…?
Lady Zhang was always vigilant, and a faint unease crept in. "He’s ordering clothes behind my back? Has he gone anywhere else?"
"No, the Second Master has been in his study the whole time," the servant replied.
Then the servant added, "Do you know which tailor he went to? It’s the same Madam Wei who visited during the Lantern Festival."
Lady Zhang scoffed. "So it’s that merchant’s daughter. No wonder she barged in that day—she had ulterior motives."
"What do you mean?"
Lady Zhang snorted coldly. "Just keep an eye on them."
Meanwhile, Jin Niang remained completely unaware. When Zhou Cunzhi’s servant arrived at her shop to order men’s clothing, Chen Xiaolang politely declined, "Young master, our shop only serves female clients. Please take your business elsewhere."
The servant returned to report, leaving Zhou Cunzhi speechless. Lady Zhang, having eavesdropped, was delighted.
After Zhou Cunzhi left for his assignment, Lady Zhang even placed an order with Jin Niang—embroidering pink peonies on the hem of her blue satin skirt. Jin Niang happily earned two strings of coins from the deal.
Fourth Miss Zhou soon heard about this. Though she had no say in her brother’s marital affairs, she was relieved that Jin Niang, who in the books had been her brother’s concubine, now had no connection to him.
"Why is this life so different from the last?"
She even wondered if she had read a fake book.
Meanwhile, Jin Niang was busy making embroidered pouches and ropes for the Dragon Boat Festival when a matchmaker arrived.
The matchmaker had come for Luo Yu'e. Beaming, she said, "Your daughter is truly blessed—she’s caught the eye of an official’s son!"
It turned out that Madam Gong, who had been ill for a long time and could no longer manage household affairs, wanted Jin Niang as a second wife.
Luo Yu'e planted her hands on her hips and snapped, "Get out! My daughter would rather stay unmarried forever than become someone’s concubine!"
The matchmaker pressed, "The Gong family is no ordinary household—they’re the son of the Kaifeng Prefect! Don’t be ungrateful!"
"Then I’ll go to the Kaifeng Prefecture myself and ask what the punishment is for forcibly taking a commoner’s daughter!" Luo Yu'e slammed a cleaver into the table, sending the matchmaker fleeing in terror. She dusted off her hands and laughed. "You think I was born yesterday? Our family wouldn’t survive in Kaifeng without some backbone."
Later, she discussed the matter with her daughter. "Even though your shop only serves women and you rarely go out, you’re at that age, beautiful, and financially independent. More and more people will covet you. Instead of letting others pick for you, why not choose for yourself?"
Jin Niang was well aware. Before her embroidery business took off, it hadn’t been an issue. But now, all sorts of unsavory characters had come knocking.
Her friend Qu Fengying had hastily married in March—becoming a stepmother—and recently confided that her husband was lacking.
Jin Niang sighed but still hesitated.
Then came unsettling news: the emperor remained childless, and wealthy families were again scouting for beautiful commoner girls to adopt and send to the palace.
"Mother, I promise I’ll choose someone to marry—but he must be of suitable age and status, and I’ll keep running my business after marriage," Jin Niang finally decided.
Her birthday passed in this uneasy atmosphere. Luo Yu'e couldn’t just pick anyone—she had to rally her connections, even swallowing her pride to approach Ying Niang and Rongniang.
For her daughter’s sake, she wouldn’t mind the humiliation.
But Jin Niang stopped her. "Don’t bother with them. They wouldn’t lift a finger to help, and even if they did, they’d only introduce unsuitable candidates."
Luo Yu'e fretted, "Then what do we do? What if you’re really chosen for the palace?"
Rumors swirled that some families were willingly sending daughters to ease their burdens, while others, like Jin Niang—beautiful and accomplished—might be selected as palace attendants, later presented to the emperor.
Jin Niang sighed softly. "It’s just speculation. As a commoner, entering the palace isn’t so simple."
Yet misfortunes never came singly. Jin Niang had always believed staying single was ideal—marriage meant losing freedom. As long as she stayed home under the guise of filial duty, no one could force her.
"Mother, I feel like the men brought by matchmakers are leftovers—already picked over." Jin Niang distrusted matchmakers.
Luo Yu'e, a small-time merchant, knew no one worthy of her daughter. Then she thought of the Zhou family. "Last time I visited, both the First and Second Madams seemed decent. Maybe you could ask them for help."
"First Madam is out of the question, but Second Madam might listen—I still have some goodwill with her."
After all, Jin Niang had once saved Brother Qin and even made clothes for him in March. Madam Wu was kind, but asking for favors was Jin Niang’s least favorite thing.
She hated relying on others.
Just as she brooded, Ying entered. "Miss, a customer is here."
"Alright, I’ll go."
No matter how troubled she felt, the moment she stepped into the shop, she put on a smile. The customer was a gaunt woman in her forties, her face still bearing traces of past beauty.
"Madam, how may I assist you? I can recommend anything you need."
The frail woman spoke impatiently. "I’ve been gravely ill—lost so much weight these past months. How can I look less hollow?"
Jin Niang smiled. "Loose embroidery would only emphasize your thinness. Instead, opt for a cross-collared underrobe—avoid a dudou. A layered collar with contrasting colors would work best, paired with a narrow-sleeved overcoat."
The woman nodded upon hearing this. Seeing how ill she looked, Jin Niang said, "Wait a moment. I'll sketch it out first, and then we can add the colors."
With that, she took out her easel and began drawing a water-red cross-collared undergarment, adding an extra layer of bright red to the collar. "For the narrow-sleeved outer jacket, I'll adjust the shoulders for you to fix the silhouette. This way, your head and shoulders won’t look awkward—it’ll be quite elegant."
The woman then asked, "I happen to have a roll of brocaded satin. How much would it cost?"
"If it’s for the undergarment and jacket, plus some embroidery, the total labor would be four strings of cash," Jin Niang replied.
As they spoke, another customer came in to buy a collar trim, purchasing one for a string of cash. The woman blinked and quickly agreed to the price.
Jin Niang smiled and wrote out a receipt for her maid. To her surprise, the woman lived in Nanxun Ward—a neighborhood known for housing many officials and noble families.
Little did Jin Niang know the woman had ulterior motives. Later, she reasoned with herself, deciding not to overthink it. "When trouble comes, deal with it then. Marriage is a lifelong matter—how can it be treated so casually? Besides, even daughters of officials struggle to marry without a dowry these days. Though I lack status, I have a house and a shop. What’s the rush?"
"If I lose my composure now, one misstep could lead to disaster. Marriage is no child’s play. A bad match could cost half your life."
Other things require hard work and luck, but matters of the heart truly depend on fate.
Unexpectedly, two days later, Xiang Ming paid her a visit.
Jin Niang assumed she had embroidery work for her, but Xiang Ming said, "Sister Jin Niang, there’s something I must tell you—it’s about your future."
"My future?" Jin Niang was puzzled.
Since helping Madam Jiang repair the kesi gown and receiving Jin Niang’s embroidery manual and guidance, Xiang Ming had been promoted from a third-rank maid to second-rank, often serving Madam Jiang directly. Thus, she was well-informed.
She explained, "Sixth Madam Jiang wanted Madam Jiang to act as a matchmaker for you, but Madam Jiang refused."
Though Jin Niang didn’t know who Sixth Madam Jiang was, she guessed Madam Jiang didn’t want her marrying into the Jiang family. Despite Madam Jiang’s earlier praise, deep down, she still saw Jin Niang as a former servant unworthy of marrying into her family. She voiced this thought aloud.
Xiang Ming sighed. "You’re so perceptive. I’m afraid I’ve made things awkward. Actually, this match would’ve been good." She then confessed how she’d orchestrated Jin Niang’s involvement, feeling guilty.
Touched, Jin Niang reassured her, "Thank you for thinking of me. Your kindness means everything."
"Madam Jiang likely refused because Sixth Madam Jiang is Third Young Master Jiang Fang’s birth mother. It’s not that she looks down on you—she just worries about former mistress and servant becoming sisters-in-law," Xiang Ming analyzed.
Now Jin Niang understood. This Sixth Madam Jiang was Jiang Fang’s mother, though he’d been adopted out. Since she didn’t know these people, she said, "Don’t worry. There’s no need to blame yourself."
Xiang Ming smiled. "Though Madam Jiang refused, Sixth Madam Jiang isn’t one to give up easily. If Madam Jiang mentions Third Young Master, Sixth Madam might insist even harder. To be brief, Sixth Madam has three sons and a daughter. The eldest is married, the second was adopted out, and the daughter is wed. Only her youngest, Sixteenth Young Master Jiang Xian, remains unmarried."
"He’s studious, handsome, and a few years younger than you—a perfect match."
Hearing someone call for her outside, Xiang Ming hurriedly stood. "I came under the pretext of offering incense for Madam Jiang. I can’t stay long. Be prepared these next few days."
Though Jin Niang found the matter far-fetched, she didn’t want to dismiss Xiang Ming’s kindness. "Don’t worry," she said with a smile.
She kept this to herself and resumed cutting fabric for pouches. Summoning Chen Xiaolang, she instructed, "Take this roll of Jianyang gauze I bought from a Fujian merchant to the Gao family dyehouse. Have them dye it these two colors—here."
The gauze cost only five hundred coins. Even with dyeing fees for crimson and emerald, the total wouldn’t exceed a string of cash.
She didn’t source all her fabric from Qu Fengying—sometimes she found affordable, beautiful textiles herself. Now she began crafting pouches, which could serve as complimentary gifts or be displayed in rows for sale.
After embroidering two pouches, Jin Niang started on Madam Liu’s floral embroidery, losing herself in the work. Ying could handle ordinary customers now, so Jin Niang had no worries.
Meanwhile, after offering incense, Xiang Ming returned to report. Madam Jiang was troubled over Fourth Miss Zhou’s marriage prospects—she’d hoped to match her with Han Xiao, but he’d married the daughter of Minister Liu instead.
Thinking of Minister Liu reminded her of Sixth Madam Jiang (née Liu). She complained to her visiting eldest daughter, Eldest Miss Zhou, "Your sixth aunt is money-mad—she actually wants to marry her son to a merchant’s widow!"
Having left early during the Lantern Festival to attend her mother-in-law, Eldest Miss Zhou only learned from Fourth Miss how Jin Niang—once their seamstress—had transformed into a woman of means. Now a seasoned wife, she understood the importance of wealth.
"Sixth Uncle has repeatedly failed the exams and pretends to be cultured while his family fortunes decline. No wonder he’s drawn to someone with property. Still, if they want wealth, they should aim higher. I know a jeweler’s daughter—we often buy from her shop. Shall I arrange an introduction?"
Madam Jiang sighed. "I heard Sixteenth Young Master was studying under Minister Liu. Why was he dismissed?"
Eldest Miss Zhou hesitated before answering reluctantly, "Madam Xun disapproved of Eldest Young Master Liu’s closeness with Jiang Xian. Minister Liu kept him as a student because he’s clever and got along with Eldest Young Master Liu. But the Liu and Xun families—even some servants—spread rumors. Madam Xun made a scene, so Minister Liu had to send Jiang Xian away."
"What baseless slander! Just because he’s handsome doesn’t justify such gossip," Madam Jiang said indignantly.
Sixth Madam Jiang had the same thought. She originally wanted to ask Madam Jiang for help in arranging a marriage, not entirely because of Jin Niang's wealth, but also because Jin Niang was exceptionally beautiful. In her view, the only way to dispel the rumors about her son's alleged preference for men was to arrange his marriage as soon as possible.
She simply hadn’t expected Madam Jiang to refuse.
Looking at her youngest son, her heart ached. "Ahem, your aunt only goes on about how the girl is from a merchant family. Isn’t her own second uncle engaged in trade? Without that merchant uncle, would her daughters have had such generous dowries? Even princesses and noblewomen have married into merchant families—what’s so disgraceful about it? I’m the daughter of a Hanlin scholar, and your sister-in-law is from an official’s family too. What good has it done us? Back then, I said marrying the daughter of a poor official would only bring hardship to us all, but your father wouldn’t listen. In the end, we had to sell a shop to cover the betrothal gifts, and when her uncle sent her over, her dowry was a mere two hundred strings—and even that took them ages to scrape together. Now, our family’s situation is only getting worse. My health is failing, and who among your father, brother, or sister-in-law will care for you? They don’t have the means to, either."
"That Madam Wei I met is not only beautiful and talented but also skilled in managing finances. Most importantly, she’s humble and filial. You shouldn’t follow those who keep aiming higher, waiting to pass the imperial exams before marrying. You’re only seventeen—who knows how many years it’ll take to become a jinshi? If I pass away, who will look after you?"
……
Jin Niang hadn’t expected her mother to suddenly suggest a trip to Renwang Temple for incense offerings. Luo Yu'e even said, "If you want to marry a good man, you must pray sincerely to the Bodhisattva."
"But why Renwang Temple? It’s quite far from here," Jin Niang replied.
"Though it’s farther, it’s quieter, and we can enjoy a vegetarian meal before returning," Luo Yu'e said with a smile.
Then, lowering her voice mysteriously, she added, "Jin Niang, today, Attendant Wu’s wife suddenly came to our house, saying she wanted to arrange a marriage for you. When she told me the details, I was stunned."
Hearing it was about her own marriage, Jin Niang dropped her pretense of modesty. "Really? Which family is it?"
"Also the son of an official family. His great-grandfather was once a chancellor, but his grandparents have passed away. Still, they’re a scholarly household—his mother is the daughter of a Hanlin scholar, and his father was a scholar too. They own a three-courtyard house with a large garden in Nanxunfang, as well as a five-bay shopfront on Jinliang Bridge and two hundred mu of fertile farmland." Luo Yu'e was so delighted she could hardly contain herself.
Jin Niang laughed. "Such a good family—why would they consider me?"
"Don’t belittle yourself. You now have your own house and shops, and all of it is yours. That family has two sons—once the parents are gone, who knows how much he’ll inherit?" Luo Yu'e believed her daughter was fit to be an imperial consort.
Jin Niang nodded slightly. "Then I’ll meet him. But if it doesn’t work out, don’t force me."
"Of course not. When have I ever forced you?" Luo Yu'e spread her hands.
Jin Niang thought it over. Even if they took a liking to each other, she would still investigate his temperament. It wasn’t as if meeting meant immediate marriage, so she agreed.
When Ying learned Jin Niang was going to meet a suitor, she remembered how Jin Niang had hesitated to spend money on jewelry. Using her own savings, she bought Jin Niang a pearl hairpin to help her dress up.
"Are you all really spending your own money to do your jobs?" Jin Niang said, both amused and exasperated.
Ying replied, "I’ve saved all the tips guests have given me. I don’t usually spend much—even my handkerchiefs, rings, and earrings were gifts from you."
Jin Niang relented. "Fine, fine."
Ying styled her hair in a "dangling tassel" updo, coiling it into a concentric bun and tying a silk ribbon at the base. She adorned the center with two pearl hairpins—one she had bought and another gifted by Old Madam Zhou during their time in the Zhou household. Pearl earrings dangled from Jin Niang’s ears, and her makeup was the "flying rosy clouds" style—rouge applied before powder, giving her a delicate, blushing glow.
She wore a willow-green undergarment paired with a pale yellow plain silk blouse and a pearl-white pleated gauze skirt. A finely embroidered pouch hung from her waist.
"Your neck needs powder too," Ying said, dusting it lightly with a puff.
At dawn, Wei Xiong drove the donkey cart carrying Jin Niang, her mother, and Ying to the temple. Their cart had been refurbished with brocade curtains and was now reserved for outings and deliveries.
Jin Niang hadn’t been nervous at first, but as they neared Renwang Temple, her heart began to race.
The Jiang mother and son had arrived first. Jiang Xian stood before his mother, dressed in a lotus-patterned cross-collared robe with dark blue trousers, a plain silk overcoat, and a jade hair crown. His black boots completed the ensemble.
Passersby couldn’t help but glance at him. One even remarked, "What a handsome young gentleman," admiring his fair complexion and red lips.
Jiang Xian smiled faintly, fanning his mother with a folding fan.
Sixth Madam Jiang sighed. "Honestly, they tried to introduce you to some girl from a pearl shop, praising her to the skies. Luckily, I investigated discreetly. She might put on airs and know a few characters, and her family is wealthier than Madam Wei’s, but she’s the only child of a widow. After bribing her servants, I learned she’s a shrew—constantly beating the help and spoiled rotten. When I dressed plainly and ‘accidentally’ spilled water on her, her face twisted in rage. Marrying someone like that would only confirm rumors that we’re after her dowry—and make our lives miserable."
She was no ignorant woman. Her father had been a Hanlin scholar, and when she married, her husband was the grandson of a chancellor—their household had been at the height of prosperity.
Meanwhile, Jin Niang’s group reached the foot of Renwang Temple. Luo Yu'e warned Wei Xiong, "They’re waiting at the Tu family’s tea shop by the mountain. Don’t rush over and make a spectacle of yourself."
Wei Xiong scowled. "Why would I be laughed at?"
"Because you’re as dark as charcoal," Luo Yu'e retorted, thinking her husband lacked self-awareness.
Jin Niang ignored her parents’ bickering, taking a deep breath as Ying stepped down and set the footstool. She descended gracefully, while Luo Yu'e went ahead to greet the Jiangs—they had met again recently at the Wu residence.
This was Jiang Xian’s first time seeing Jin Niang. Though her beauty was heartachingly delicate, there was none of the usual feminine coyness in her bearing. She stood poised and natural, radiating an untouched purity, as if the very breeze carried her fragrance.
The adults tactfully walked ahead, leaving the two to exchange greetings. Jin Niang was startled to recognize Jiang Xian—she had glimpsed him on her last day at the Zhou household. Though it had been brief, his striking looks were unforgettable.
When Jin Niang was at a loss for what to ask, she heard Jiang Xian say, "Five years ago, during my zodiac year, my mother brought me to Renwang Temple. The path up isn’t too steep, and they serve a delicious dish of braised bamboo shoots in their vegetarian meals."
Five years ago was his zodiac year—that meant he was seventeen now, three years younger than her!
"If you say so, then I’ll have to indulge myself later. What do you usually do at this time of day?" Jin Niang asked.
Jiang Xian smiled. "Normally, I’d already be studying by now."
Since this was a matchmaking meeting, it was best to clarify things. "Are you preparing for the imperial exams in the jinshi or mingjing category?"
"To answer your question, it’s the jinshi category. Just yesterday, I composed a poem under my tutor’s guidance," Jiang Xian replied, then recited his verse at a leisurely pace.
Jin Niang found the poem well-structured, and when she heard the words "gamboge" in it, she couldn’t help but laugh. "I often use gamboge in my paintings. Oh, look—that’s a gamboge tree over there!"
Jiang Xian was surprised. "So that’s a gamboge tree?" He seemed a little embarrassed. "Though I’ve used the term in poetry, I’ve never actually seen one before. How did you recognize it? To me, it looks like a loquat tree."
"They do resemble each other, but there are differences…" Jin Niang began to explain.
Jiang Xian looked impressed. "My mother mentioned your exquisite embroidery, but I had no idea you were also well-versed in poetry and so knowledgeable."
Jin Niang quickly demurred, "You flatter me too much. I only happen to know a little—hardly enough to be called knowledgeable."
Ever since transmigrating here, she had rarely met anyone she could converse with so easily. Jiang Xian was one of the few, and their conversation flowed so naturally that she felt reluctant to part ways. Wait—Jin Niang chuckled inwardly. There was no such thing as instant rapport. The truth was, he had been skillfully guiding the conversation all along.
This young man was quite impressive!
