Sixth Madam Jiang did not live to see the day her sons would take the imperial examinations, nor even the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunions under the full moon. Jin Niang, who was with child, knew she must not let her emotions overwhelm her, lest she lose the baby—an event that would deal an even greater blow to her health.
Jiang Xian had already risen from bed. As he dressed, Jin Niang handed him a cloak. "Don’t rush," she said. "Autumn has begun, and the nights are chilly. Wear this before you go. I’ll follow shortly."
"Alright—no, my dear, you stay. Take your time coming over. You must think of the child."
Even in such a moment, Jiang Xian’s concern for Jin Niang moved her deeply.
One by one, the lamps in the Jiang household’s sixth branch were lit. Madam Xu had planned for everything—except her mother-in-law’s untimely passing. The disappointment weighed heavily on her. As the eldest daughter-in-law, the household affairs now fell to her. What was done could not be undone; she had to find a way forward.
News of Sixth Madam Jiang’s death spread swiftly through the night, reaching her natal family, the Lius, the Weis (her daughter’s in-laws), the Xus, as well as the clan and numerous distant relatives by marriage.
By the time the Zhou Family received the news, dawn was breaking. Madam Jiang, already grieving a recent death in her own family, frowned upon hearing the tidings. "Has Second Master been informed?"
Xiang Ming replied, "Yes. He intends to visit the Jiangs in person."
"In person? Sending a servant would suffice." To Madam Jiang, the sixth branch of the Jiangs held no official rank—hardly worth her son’s personal attendance.
Xiang Ming held her tongue. These days, Madam Jiang slept poorly, often unwell. One maid had already been discreetly dismissed through the back gate. She knew she must tread carefully, lest she meet the same fate.
A simple chill could claim a life—who would speak up for a mere servant?
Zhou Cunzhi arrived in person. Though still in mourning himself—and thus exempt from such obligations—he felt compelled to go. Yet Lady Zhang advised, "Let us first send funeral gifts. We can pay our respects during the first-week memorial."
"Very well," Zhou Cunzhi agreed, steadying his emotions.
The Jiangs now faced the task of procuring a coffin and burial garments—matters that should have fallen to Master Jiang the Sixth. But he was hopeless in practical affairs, leaving Jiang Yan and Jiang Xian to seek out a coffin shop. They wished to purchase a lacquered coffin for a hundred strings of cash.
"A hundred strings?" Madam Xu was stunned. The household coffers could scarcely afford thirty, let alone such extravagance.
Jin Niang, standing nearby, also thought thirty strings would buy a fine coffin. Yet the Jiang brothers moved in elite circles precisely because they upheld appearances—proof they still had connections.
Such connections were priceless. Sixth Madam Jiang had exhausted herself for the sixth branch—expanding the garden, arranging marriages, ensuring they did not fall from their station despite her failing health.
Sensing Madam Xu’s financial strain, Jin Niang offered, "Sister-in-law, let me handle the ice for Mother’s chamber and the burial garments. It would be a small act of filial piety from my husband and me."
Madam Xu nearly agreed, then hesitated. "Sister-in-law, a woman in your condition shouldn’t trouble herself. I’ll arrange it."
She instructed the steward to procure ice and burial garments on credit instead.
Back in her room, Ying remarked, "I feared Madam Xu would ask you for money. Thankfully, she didn’t."
"That’s unlike her," Jin Niang mused. Since the property division, even Jiang Xian’s study allowance had been delayed. He paid for his own ice, and Madam Xu had quietly omitted their share of gifts until Jin Niang discreetly made up the difference.
Now, she’d rather take on debt than accept Jin Niang’s help. Was this reluctance to let her shine—or something more calculated?
Ying urged, "Don’t dwell on it, Mistress. The child comes first."
"I’ll rest awhile. As for the shop, you must oversee it. The osmanthus skirt is ready—have the young master deliver it and close for now. We can’t break our word to customers."
Ying hesitated. "If I go, you’ll be left without trusted help. Minzhi and Xi Qiu are good, but they’re not truly ours."
Jin Niang reconsidered. In these times, running a business while her mother-in-law lay dead might draw criticism for heartlessness—unlike the modern era. "Very well. Have the young master deliver the skirt and post a notice: ‘Closed temporarily due to family matters.’"
The Mid-Autumn Festival, usually their most profitable season, would now pass in mourning.
Her family arrived swiftly—Feng Sheng, Rongniang, and Ying Niang with their husbands—though they seemed ill at ease. After paying respects, the men were led away by clansmen while the women gathered with Jin Niang.
Luo Yu'e, experienced in funeral matters, asked, "Is the burial plot prepared?"
"The land is secured, but the tomb must still be built," Jin Niang replied.
Ying Niang remarked, "That will cost dearly. Even the recent charity cemetery—donated land, leveled grounds, walls, caretakers, two ossuaries, and cremation platforms—cost over a thousand strings."
Unlike modern times with death certificates and quick cremations, ancient methods were laborious. Still, Jin Niang said, "I’m not well-versed in this. Surely the Jiang clan has ancestral burial grounds."
"Since your sister-in-law and husband are managing it, focus on your health," Luo Yu'e advised.
Jin Niang touched her belly. "I know. But the shop must close for now. Keep Juxiang home to help with chores. The new building is nearly done—shut the doors when it rains, air it out when dry."
"Of course," Luo Yu'e agreed.
Knowing her mother’s impatience, Jin Niang had Ying fetch a prized inkstick. "This was meant for Younger Brother Yang for Mid-Autumn. Now that we’re in mourning, please give it to him for me."
Luo Yu'e had thought this year blessed—her daughter married well, the business thrived, and a child was soon to come. Her scholarly son-in-law stood poised for the exams. Who could have foreseen his mother’s passing?
Jiang Xian didn't return to check on Jin Niang until late in the evening, his eyes still rimmed red. Jin Niang wrung out a warm cloth to wipe his face and said gently, "I've prepared a small stove with a few dishes kept warm. Would you like something to eat?"
"Alright." Jiang Xian had been running around all day with his elder brother, and after expressing gratitude to the clan members in the evening, he was truly famished.
Jin Niang had expected him to be overwhelmed with grief, thinking she would need to console him. To her surprise, after a brief moment of emotional vulnerability, Jiang Xian quickly regained his composure and even said to her, "Later, I still need to go keep vigil. You should rest first."
"Let me keep vigil with you," Jin Niang said, grasping his hand.
Jiang Xian shook his head. "Don't push yourself."
Jin Niang took a sip of plain water and couldn't help asking, "Earlier, I thought about providing ice and burial clothes for Mother. I considered using the dowry you gave me—I haven't touched it—so we wouldn’t have to borrow money. But Sister-in-law insisted on handling it, so I didn’t press further."
"Is that so? Let her take care of it then. The household funds are with her anyway. Since she offered, there’s no need for you to contribute. The dowry is yours—our family shouldn’t touch your personal belongings." Jiang Xian glanced at his wife and squeezed her hand in return.
Jin Niang embraced him. "If you're sad, you can cry. Let it out."
Jiang Xian smiled faintly. "I’ll save my tears for the vigil." He sighed. "Truthfully, when Mother urged me to marry last year, her health was already failing. She endured so much pain, relying on medicine for my brother and me. In a way, this is a release for her."
"Without Mother, we wouldn’t have this marriage. I’ll always be grateful to her, especially for thinking of our child even in her final moments. My dear, we should look after Nanny Fang, Meng Dong, and Guiyue—those who served Mother faithfully." Jin Niang gently stroked his cheek.
Jiang Xian was far more resilient than she had imagined. As Jin Niang spoke of these everyday matters, he gradually relaxed and shared more of his thoughts.
"My mother was known throughout the clan as a woman of great fortune—charismatic and well-respected. She always had people around her, even friends who held office in Guangnan’s eastern circuit, who would bring her gifts from afar. But after my sister married and my elder brother started his own family, our household declined. My second brother went to Hangzhou to study, and my aunt suggested adopting him. Mother refused, but the clan criticized her for being unreasonable—having three sons yet unwilling to let one join another family. She held firm, but when she learned my brother had gone willingly, she fell gravely ill."
"Afterward, though she recovered, she was never the same. Especially in recent years, with Father repeatedly failing the imperial exams and my elder brother following suit, Mother exhausted herself holding the family together. Those who once surrounded her scattered like birds and beasts, even her own relatives, who feared we’d become a burden. Some even recoiled, afraid of catching her illness..."
At this, Jiang Xian looked at Jin Niang. "Such is the fickleness of human relationships."
With that, he finished his meal in silence.
Jin Niang then called for Liu Dou'er and instructed him, "Take good care of the young master. Here are his favorite pastries and hot water. Though the days are still warm, the nights grow chilly—don’t let him catch a draft. Bring this blanket too."
Ying hung the items on Liu Dou'er one by one and added, "Madam also prepared a box of fine sweets for you."
"Thank you, Madam, and thank you, Sister Ying. This humble one will surely take good care of the young master." Liu Dou'er grinned earnestly.
Having just finished his meal, Jiang Xian watched as Jin Niang fussed over Liu Dou'er and glanced at him with concern. Only then did he truly understand what it meant to be husband and wife.
That night, Rongniang, who had returned from the Jiang residence, remarked to Feng Sheng, "Jin Niang is so excessively polite. Just asking my parents to check on the newly renovated house, and she insists on sending gifts. Was that really necessary?"
From the start, Rongniang had kept her distance from Jin Niang, finding her overly formal—always giving gifts for every little thing.
Feng Sheng, however, disagreed. "Even if they’re your parents, would you ask a stranger to watch your house without compensation? Isn’t it better to give something to your own family?"
Rongniang suddenly understood. Since leaving the perfumery, she no longer had to rise early. After a long day at the Jiangs’, she fell asleep immediately, unaware that Feng Sheng seemed to have made some decision.
At the Jiangs’, he had met many scholars and even officials who, as Jiang Xian’s in-laws, treated him with respect. He’d also heard how effortlessly Jin Niang had acquired five prime shopfronts at Golden Beam Bridge—a location he often eyed with envy.
A family like theirs could let slip the smallest favor, and it would sustain someone for life.
Glancing at the woman beside him—content to laze about, enjoying everything he provided while scorning his efforts—Feng Sheng’s eyes darkened.
The next day, the funeral attire arrived. Jin Niang, never one for flamboyance, looked even more striking in mourning white. Strangely, though her demeanor remained pure and gentle, there was an undeniable allure about her now—a married woman’s charm that stirred admiration.
Unaware of this, she changed clothes and instructed Nanny Luo to guard the courtyard. "Many visitors will come today. We must ensure no one intrudes here."
Nanny Luo thumped her chest. "Don’t worry, Madam. I’ll keep watch."
Jin Niang then headed to the vigil with her maids. Upon arrival, several men lowered their gazes, though a few stole glances despite themselves. Jiang Xian noticed and immediately excused himself from his conversation to approach her.
"Darling, didn’t I ask you to rest? With my sister, sister-in-law, and so many clan women here, your presence isn’t necessary."
Jin Niang replied, "It wouldn’t be proper for me to stay away."
How could she hide during her mother-in-law’s funeral?
Jiang Xian insisted, "We’ll hold the burial after the first week. You’ll join the procession then—no need to exhaust yourself now. Go back and rest for the baby’s sake."
Relenting under his persuasion, Jin Niang agreed. "Very well."
Jiang Xian took her hand. "Let me escort you back."
Why the sudden hand-holding? Jin Niang knew her husband—though thoughtful in private (even washing her hair), he rarely showed affection publicly. Both preferred subtlety over overt displays. Today was unusual...
But before she could ponder further, he had already seen her back to their room.
Lying in bed, Jin Niang mused that funeral garments brought little profit compared to weddings—where bridal quilts, gowns, veils, and door curtains sold like hotcakes.
Indeed, there hadn’t been time to arrange things earlier, but now that the shop was temporarily closed, she needed to think about its layout.
Over the past few days, Madam Xu had been quite considerate toward her, repeatedly mentioning her pregnancy and urging her not to overexert herself. It wasn’t until the seventh-day funeral rites that the two met again, by which time Madam Xu had visibly lost weight.
Seventh Aunt, naturally, held some resentment toward Jin Niang. Having kept vigil with Madam Xu, sharing meals and living quarters, she noticed Jin Niang’s absence and thus treated her with cool detachment. Fortunately, Jin Niang paid no mind to such things.
Just as she was lost in thought, a gust of wind rose outside, and Jiang Xian immediately approached, pulling her aside to whisper, "When we step out later, pretend to faint, understand?"
"What?" She remembered the last time she had feigned fainting was to deal with the Zhou family’s second daughter. There was no need for such theatrics now.
Jiang Xian said worriedly, "The wind’s picked up, and you already had spotting last time. What if you catch a chill and fall ill again?"
Jin Niang, being rather honest, shook her head. "I—I don’t know how."
At her age now, pretending to faint? What if someone saw through it?
"Then just lean against Ying. Leave the rest to me." His mother’s funeral was important, but so were his wife and unborn child.
Feeling slightly guilty, Jin Niang returned to her seat, where Seventh Aunt teased, "Xian’er’s wife, what did he say to you? Newlyweds really are different."
The others joined in the lighthearted banter.
Only Madam Deng, Seventh Aunt’s daughter-in-law, was displeased. She had watched this Wei woman laze about for days, yet instead of being called lazy, she was praised for her competence. It was infuriating.
Soon, it was time for the funeral procession. The moment Jin Niang stepped outside, Jiang Xian shot her a meaningful glance. She quickly closed her eyes, pressing a hand to her forehead as she leaned against Ying. In less than a breath, Jiang Xian rushed over.
"Wife, wife! Wake up! You’ve been working so hard these past days for the funeral—don’t let anything happen to you…" His voice carried loudly.
All eyes turned to them as Jiang Xian scooped Jin Niang into his arms and said to Jiang Yan, "Brother, I’ll take my wife back first. Wait for me—she’s fainted…"
Jiang Yan immediately replied, "Hurry back, and call for a physician."
Jiang Xian nodded firmly.
Up ahead, Madam Xu’s face darkened. She had kept vigil for days, yet with Jiang Xian’s dramatic proclamation, it was as if Jin Niang had become the hero of the hour.
Carried all the way back by Jiang Xian, Jin Niang didn’t dare open her eyes, afraid someone might question her. Jiang Xian, however, was perfectly composed. After laying her on the bed, he said, "Rest well."
She caught his sleeve, and he patted her reassuringly. "We might not return until tomorrow. Don’t wait for me."
With that, he drew the bed curtains and left.
Jin Niang hadn’t planned on sleeping, but fearing accusations of pretending, she forced her eyes shut—and somehow drifted off.
By evening, Xi Qiu had brought in several dishes, and Ying remarked, "The young master treats you so well."
But the better he treated her, the harder it was to imagine leaving him. She would only grow greedier, more possessive. What if one day he took another woman? The thought was unbearable.
After dwelling on this for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Jin Niang sketched another floral pattern for a quilt cover and handed it to Ying. "Take this to Madame Zhu and have her start on it now."
"Even though the shop’s closed, the embroidery work must continue. Tell her wages will be paid as usual," Jin Niang instructed.
Ying thought to herself that if her mistress were a man, she’d surely be remarkable. Though she had her romantic entanglements, they occupied little of her mind. Most of her energy went into planning for her shop, her livelihood.
Her ambition was almost frightening.
Yet she wasn’t the type to preach about women’s roles—she simply lived by example.
After Sixth Madam Jiang was laid to rest, Jin Niang designed several chrysanthemum-patterned garments to sell when the shop reopened in the ninth month.
One was a golden-yellow robe embroidered with chrysanthemums in gold thread, exuding opulence. Another was a pale blue overdress with chrysanthemum-patterned collars, elegant and refined. The third design featured chrysanthemums embroidered on a petal-shaped bodice.
She personally selected the most fashionable fabrics from Donghua Gate and brought them home to work on. Jiang Xian and his brother had missed the imperial examinations this year and were now confined at home to study.
However, the meals at home were growing worse—today’s fare was tofu with cabbage, and the rice had a stale taste.
Just as Jin Niang was about to send Chen Xiaolang out to buy food, Nanny Ge, Madam Xu’s attendant, arrived. "Madam Wei, our mistress has called everyone to discuss a matter."
"This past month, sister-in-law has shouldered all the household burdens while I’ve been of little help," Jin Niang said.
Nanny Ge gave a strained smile. "Why say such things? We’re all family."
Jin Niang didn’t know what Madam Xu intended, but she suspected it had to do with debts. If they were asked to share the burden, she could accept that.
To her surprise, Madam Xu proposed another solution: "The creditors came knocking earlier, threatening to take it up with the clan if we don’t pay. What do you think of this…?"
The claim was dubious—merchants wouldn’t dare challenge a noble family, especially not before the forty-ninth-day mourning rites. Jin Niang found it strange, but Master Jiang the Sixth chimed in, "Indeed, your mother’s medicines left us in debt to the apothecary. With Sixteenth Young Master’s wedding this year, the family coffers were already strained. The funeral expenses have only deepened the hole."
"Fortunately, an official from Qizhou is in the capital seeking a residence. He’s a man of refined taste and is willing to rent our garden," Madam Xu revealed.
Master Jiang the Sixth added, "Yes, this truly relieves our pressing difficulties."
Then, turning to Jiang Xian and Jin Niang, he said, "It does mean you two will have to move to the eastern wing."
"Your elder brother and I are terribly embarrassed. It’s our fault for being so incapable," Madam Xu said tearfully.
Seeing Jiang Xian remain silent, Jin Niang spoke up, "But the eastern wing in the second courtyard only has two rooms—both studies. Where would we stay?"
At this, Jiang Yan interjected, "Why not have Xuan’er move back in with us? You two can take the eastern wing in our third courtyard instead."
"No need. Xuan’er is grown now—it wouldn’t be proper for him to share quarters with you," Jiang Xian said, already grasping their intent.
Jin Niang understood too. Madam Xu had deliberately let debts pile up for this very moment—to prevent Master Jiang the Sixth from selling those hundred acres of land. She had won him over, allowing her sister-in-law to move in early, leaving them with nowhere to go.
In a moment, Jin Niang made her decision: "Indeed, Eighth Brother truly needn’t trouble himself. I’m already carrying a child, and once the baby is born, we’ll need a larger space. Why don’t my husband and I move to Sweetwater Lane? It’s just as well—I had a study built there for Sixteenth Young Master in case he ever came looking for me."
Master Jiang the Sixth and Jiang Yan’s wife, Madam Xu, strongly objected, insisting it wouldn’t do.
"How can this be? If you move out, people will assume your elder brother and sister-in-law drove you away," Master Jiang the Sixth said, though he had his own motives. Even though Sixth Madam Jiang was gone, he still had the rest of his life to consider—those hundred acres were his retirement fund. He couldn’t rely solely on his sons and daughters-in-law for money in the future.
Yet he also wished for his sons to live together, believing it was a sign of family prosperity.
Jiang Xian smiled. "Father, what are you saying? Even if we move out, we’ll still be one family."
Madam Xu pressed further, "Sixteenth Young Master, if you leave now, it’ll seem like you blame your sister-in-law."
"Sister-in-law, we know very well how you’ve treated us. We’re only going away for a short while. Once the family debts are settled, we’ll reunite," Jin Niang reassured.
"Then it’s settled—once the debts are cleared, you’ll return," Madam Xu said with "heartfelt" sincerity, clasping Jin Niang’s hands.
Jin Niang and Jiang Xian repeatedly assured them that their stay in Sweetwater Lane was temporary. Only then did Master Jiang the Sixth and Jiang Yan’s couple relent. Jin Niang thought to herself how impressively everyone played their roles of feigned affection.
...
Back in their courtyard, Jin Niang instructed the maids to start packing. Her dowry would also be moved back—just in time, as she had planned to mimic a modern bedding shop by setting up a bed with bridal quilts to entice buyers. Now, packing everything back home was perfect.
Noticing Jiang Xian sitting absentmindedly, she went over and embraced his head. "What’s wrong?"
He gave a bitter smile. "I never imagined Eighth Sister-in-law would scheme like this. With Mother gone, family no longer feels like family, and this home is lost to us. I’ve heard Father is already being approached with marriage proposals. Even our bridal chamber will have to be given up. How swiftly life changes."
"From now on, I’ll be your family, your loved one. People may change, but I never will," Jin Niang said, her eyes filled with concern.
She expected him to linger in sorrow, but instead, he stood and bowed to her with clasped hands. "Then I entrust my future to you, my wife."
