On the day of the Winter Solstice, Jin Niang let Madame Zhu leave half an hour earlier than usual and even sent her off with two fish, a chicken, and a box of pastries. Madame Zhu was overjoyed. During these days at the Wei family embroidery workshop, not only was her pay always on time, but when she worked extra, the employer would also give bonuses. In summer, the workshop had ice; in winter, there was a warm fire. On traditional festivals, gifts were also given. She was thoroughly pleased.
“Thank you so much, Master, thank you,” Madame Zhu said.
Jin Niang smiled warmly. “No need to thank me. Go home early and enjoy the festival with your husband.”
Madame Zhu nodded. “Yes.”
After Madame Zhu left, Jin Niang continued sewing a fur-lined jacket. The outer layer was tiger fur, and she was stitching on satin embroidered with the “Three Friends of Winter” pattern—pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms—in a rich purple hue. This jacket was for Jiang Xian; since all his money was entrusted to her, she couldn’t let him suffer the cold.
Xi Qiu came over from the kitchen. “Mistress, the dishes are almost ready.”
“Hm, we’ll wait for the master to come back before we eat,” Jin Niang replied without looking up.
Ying rubbed her belly. “Mistress, why hasn’t the master returned yet? I’m getting a little hungry.”
“After Master Jiang arrived at the Jiang household, he still had to deliver gifts all around. It won’t be quick. You should go to the alley entrance and buy some warm cakes to fill your stomach for now. We’ll have to keep the shop open a little longer,” Jin Niang said with a smile.
Hearing this, Ying quickly got up from her stool and went out to buy some food.
At that moment, Jiang Xian was at the Zhou family’s home. He had returned home earlier today and then visited several branches of his clan living in the capital to deliver Winter Solstice gifts. After that, he went to see Liu Jixiang, Scholar Huang, and Han Xiao, and finally arrived at the Zhou family.
Fortunately, both Madam Jiang and Zhou Cunzhi were present and greeted him warmly.
Madam Jiang asked about his current situation, and Jiang Xian assured her that everything was well.
“We moved out from our old home and now live on Sweetwater Lane. My nephew’s family takes very good care of us. Please rest assured,” Jiang Xian said.
Zhou Cunzhi replied, “If there’s anything you need help with, just send someone over.”
Jiang Xian smiled. “Second Brother, please rest easy. I won’t be shy about asking for help.” Then he turned to Madam Jiang. “Nephew must take his leave now, so as not to disturb your Winter Solstice celebrations.”
Madam Jiang nodded, and Zhou Cunzhi saw Jiang Xian out. The two cousins chatted a little more, and Zhou Cunzhi mentioned, “Did Ninth Brother say he took some white Huai fish from your home last time?”
“Yes, yes. A sea merchant exchanged them with my wife. Would you like some? Unfortunately, there’s none left now. But there’s a tavern nearby that serves excellent steamed hairy crabs. How about you come to my place sometime? We can have a meal there—no alcohol, just the two of us chatting. How does that sound?” Jiang Xian proposed.
He had expected Zhou Cunzhi to decline, but to his surprise, Zhou Cunzhi readily agreed. Of course, he also took the opportunity to confide in Jiang Xian about something:
“I heard that Gong Ziliang once intended to take your younger sister as a second wife. You should be careful.”
Jiang Xian was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered and thanked Zhou Cunzhi earnestly.
Leaving the Zhou Family’s residence, Jiang Xian felt a mix of anxiety and uncertainty. It was the first time he had ever fallen for a woman at first sight. His affection wasn’t solely because of her beauty; more importantly, she spoke about her embroidery with such passion and dedication. She even insisted that after marriage, she must continue managing the embroidery shop—otherwise, she wouldn’t agree to the union.
He had always known he was good-looking and smart since childhood, with a photographic memory. His parents favored him, and by the time he was fifteen, many girls admired him. Though his family’s status wasn’t extraordinary, they were still considered gentry.
He never expected a girl to value him more than others.
Especially after moving to Sweetwater Alley, he increasingly noticed his wife’s principles and boundaries. She was steadfast yet not stubborn, neither servile nor arrogant. How could anyone not be drawn to such a woman, especially one with such looks?
What surprised him most was that someone had actually coveted his wife.
That Gong Ziliang—he had heard that last month he lost his wife…
“Uncle Luo, hurry up, I need to get back quickly,” Jiang Xian urged.
Uncle Luo cracked his whip over the carriage. When Jiang Xian returned, the embroidery shop was just about to close. Jin Niang had just finished sewing the leather jacket. Seeing Jiang Xian come in, she quickly said, “Just in time, try it on.”
“Making clothes again? Why don’t you take a rest, my dear?” Jiang Xian stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.
Jin Niang smiled, “Winter is coming soon. I can’t sit for too long these days, so I’m making a leather jacket while I still can. This fabric is specially saved for you. The leather is the tiger skin you saw last time. You already have a sable one, a lynx one, and a raccoon sleeve—this new one will be a nice change.”
Winter clothes reveal a person’s wealth more than anything. Jin Niang had a sheepskin jacket last year, and this year she was making a deer leather one. It was much better at blocking the wind than padded or cotton jackets.
“Why do you treat me so well?” Jiang Xian felt a little embarrassed, as if he didn’t deserve it.
Jin Niang poked his cheek playfully. “Why do you keep saying that? If by some chance, our Sixteenth Master passes the imperial exam, people might say I’m the one who’s lucky to marry you.”
Jiang Xian scratched his head. “But what if it takes ten or twenty years, or I never pass, just like my father?”
“That’s no problem. One of our shops collects rent, and I run the other. We also have one hundred and fifty acres of land. We may not be rich, but we can live comfortably without worry,” Jin Niang said, knowing her own strong personality. If she married someone too stubborn or sharp-tongued, it wouldn’t work out.
Hearing this, Jiang Xian was genuinely moved but asked a question even he didn’t expect to ask: “Do you treat your husband well because he’s good, or do you only treat me well?”
“Of course it’s because you’re good. If he were a bad husband, I wouldn’t pay him any attention,” Jin Niang replied naturally.
Jiang Xian immediately swore, “I will only treat you better and better from now on.”
“You’re such a talker after just coming back. Let’s hurry and eat,” Jin Niang laughed.
On the day of the Winter Solstice, Younger Brother Yang was also at home. This fellow liked to drink non-alcoholic beverages; knowing that his brother-in-law couldn’t drink alcohol, he had specially brought along two kinds of drinks. The table was laden with dishes, and in front of Jin Niang lay a plate of plump, white dumplings that looked very inviting. She took a bite and was surprised to bite on something hard—it was a copper coin hidden inside.
“Jin Niang, out of the hundred dumplings I had Juxiang put three coins into, you actually got one! It must mean that our daughters will be blessed with good fortune next year,” Luo Yu’e said with a smile.
Jin Niang smiled and looked toward her mother. “All I hope for is that everyone stays safe and healthy.”
Everyone was delighted.
With Jiang Xian around, Younger Brother Yang had someone to guide him in his studies. The two got along like brothers, which pleased Jin Niang greatly. Their family was quite poor, and whenever her brother wanted to ask for help, he never knew whom to turn to. This was truly a blessing.
Ying thought to herself that Jin Niang really knew how to handle people. If she treated her son-in-law well, he would naturally treat the Wei family better. But if she suppressed him, constantly reminding him of favors, a talented man like him would surely harbor resentment.
Indeed, the art of getting along with others is truly a great subject to master.
After the Winter Solstice, Jin Niang’s main focus remained on cotton-padded jackets, fur coats, and bridal items. Today, she was busy embroidering a pillowcase, decorating it with a design of bamboo, plum blossoms, and the double happiness symbol.
She intended to finish it by the morning, so she kept her head down, stitching diligently.
Suddenly, an elderly woman entered with a little boy. The old lady was well dressed, indicating a fairly affluent background. Although Jin Niang was pregnant, her loose winter clothes concealed it well.
The little boy was very well-behaved. Jin Niang had someone prepare a small plate of snacks and placed it aside. Then she introduced herself to the elderly woman: “The peony-patterned fabric you brought for the magpie design is truly exquisite. If you ask me, it would be best to make a folded-branch peony collar with gold-threaded scalloped edges. That would really suit this fabric.”
The elderly woman listened carefully as Jin Niang explained in detail, even sketching the design for her. Her handwriting was beautiful, and she was extremely patient. Unable to help herself, she asked, “Madam, are you betrothed?”
Jin Niang pointed to her hair, “I am already married.”
The elderly woman looked somewhat disappointed. “My eldest son is a county magistrate in Heze. His first wife passed away, and I am quite old now. He has only one son to care for. I had thought you were meticulous and refined, with a blessed appearance. I hadn’t expected you to be married already.”
She saw that this lady was well dressed and skilled in running a shop. Most importantly, her life seemed very promising. She hadn’t expected the lady to be truly married.
“Thank you for your kind words. To have raised a son who is a local official is truly admirable. How about this: if you work with me here, I’ll give you a pair of embroidered sachets as a gift,” Jin Niang said with a smile.
The elderly woman was initially a bit stingy, but when she heard the gift was a pair of sachets and saw the beautiful sketches Jin Niang had drawn, she bit the bullet and decided to pay five guan and three qian.
Jin Niang issued a receipt, and noticing the little boy’s fondness for fruit, she slipped a handful of fruit into his pocket.
She thought it was just a minor incident, but Jiang Xian found out about it and was utterly distraught—here he was, facing a potential rival, Gong Ziliang, and now even a sixty-year-old woman was recommending her own son.
What on earth was going on?
The next day, Jin Niang was surprised to find herself drinking a soup made personally by Jiang Xian. She whispered in astonishment, “Isn’t it said that a gentleman should stay away from the kitchen?”
Jiang Xian smiled and replied, “I’m making a meal for my own wife tonight. Does anyone have the right to gossip about that? Try it, I had Juxiang and Xi Qiu teach me all morning.”
Jin Niang eyed the soup suspiciously. It looked good, but she worried it might be some kind of ‘dark cuisine’—after all, she was pregnant. She gave Jiang Xian a doubtful look. “Have you tasted it yourself?”
“Of course I have. If I hadn’t, how could I serve it to you?” Jiang Xian looked at her expectantly.
Jin Niang scooped a spoonful and tasted it. To her surprise, it was delicious.
The soup was filled with lean minced pork, topped with a few scallions and a sprinkle of pepper. The flavor was well balanced, and she kept eating, feeling a little moved. “My husband is truly the best in the world.”
Jiang Xian, flattered by her praise, felt a bit shy. “You flatter me, my dear.”
He smiled at Jin Niang and said, “If you like it, I’ll make it again next time.”
There was no denying it—Jiang Xian had a real talent for cooking. Jin Niang’s culinary skills barely extended to making things edible, but Jiang Xian picked it up easily and even found it simple.
Springtime
Their relationship naturally grew even closer than before. Just then, Jiang Xian mentioned that Zhou Cunzhi might pay them a visit and that he had already arranged a feast. Jin Niang didn’t pay it much mind.
Zhou Cunzhi had been an official away for several years and was no longer the same person he had been at home. He brought many gifts with him. Though the place was small, it was tidy and well-kept, with white walls and peach trees. In front of the study was a cluster of bamboo. The servants served tea and snacks with impeccable order.
“A peaceful retreat amidst the bustle. A fine place,” Zhou Cunzhi praised.
Jiang Xian smiled. “The best thing here is the sweet water. Brother, try this tea.”
Zhou Cunzhi took a sip, savoring its fresh aroma. “Hmm, quite good.”
After that, Zhou Cunzhi naturally spoke about his scholarly pursuits. Jiang Xian found him easy to talk with. Then, he had someone call Younger Brother Yang over to introduce him.
Younger Brother Yang, Jiang Xian’s brother-in-law, was honest but somewhat slow and awkward, not very skilled at socializing. Jiang Xian wanted him to interact with others more, to avoid stage fright. If people sensed your fear and hesitation, they would instantly spot your weakness.
Younger Brother Yang hurriedly bowed. Zhou Cunzhi smiled and exchanged a few words with him, then took a jade pendant from his waist and gave it to him as a token. He kindly asked about his studies. Though Younger Brother Yang stammered, Zhou Cunzhi was not harsh but instead offered some encouragement.
Jiang Xian smiled and said to Younger Brother Yang, “Brother Zhou is a successful scholar. You’d better listen carefully.”
Younger Brother Yang quickly replied, “Yes, sir.”
Then, Jiang Xian asked him to leave first and resumed talking about the recent essays he had written. After reading them, Zhou Cunzhi engaged him in a discussion.
Before long, it was noon. Jiang Xian had lunch sent over, and Jin Niang came by to pay her respects. Though heavily pregnant and not easily noticeable from behind, her walk gave it away.
“Please, sister-in-law, have a seat,” Zhou Cunzhi said warmly.
Jin Niang smiled, “My husband said you like to eat white Huai fish, but unfortunately, there wasn’t any this time. Next time, I’ll keep an eye out, and if there is, I’ll have him send some over.”
For some reason, Zhou Cunzhi felt a flutter in his heart, touched that someone was thinking of him. He couldn’t hide his joy, “That would be a trouble for you, sister-in-law.”
Jin Niang, bowing her head, was unaware of this little undercurrent. After speaking, she quietly left. Jiang Xian, however, was extremely sensitive—not towards Zhou Cunzhi himself, but to anyone around his wife. Yet, he showed no sign of this on his face, continuing to chat with Zhou Cunzhi about history and current affairs.
Only when it was time to leave did Jiang Xian put on his leather coat, a bittersweet expression on his face. “My wife has made me so many clothes that I can’t possibly wear them all. This year is clearly a mild winter, and I’m sweating just wearing them. But if I don’t wear them, she’ll surely worry I’ll catch a cold. Ah, women…”
Zhou Cunzhi smiled casually, “Seeing how well sister-in-law treats you, my mother needn’t worry anymore.”
“Please tell cousin and aunt that I’m doing well. I’ve always admired my wife, and now she feels the same… In short, please don’t let them worry about me,” Jiang Xian said shyly when speaking of his wife’s feelings.
When Zhou Cunzhi left, his figure looked somewhat lonely.
Jiang Xian, meanwhile, entered his study with a stern face, grinding ink and writing continuously in one go.
Jin Niang knew nothing of this. She only heard Younger Brother Yang say that Jiang Xian had recommended him, so she told him, “Your brother-in-law missed the imperial exams this year because of a family mourning, but he is truly talented and capable. You should remember to learn from him.”
Younger Brother Yang showed her the gift Zhou Cunzhi had given him, and Jin Niang said, “Since it was given to you, take good care of it.”
“All right,” Younger Brother Yang accepted it carefully.
Time quickly passed until the Laba Festival. Rongniang personally came over with Laba porridge. She said to Jin Niang, “You don’t know, I cooked this porridge myself. I picked out each lotus seed and soaked them overnight before cooking. Smell it—it’s fragrant, isn’t it? I also added hazelnuts.”
Jin Niang took a sniff, “It really is fragrant.”
Rongniang smiled, “You like it, but don’t eat too much. Too many beans can cause bloating.” Then she asked Jin Niang if the midwife arrangements were ready.
Speaking of the midwife, Jin Niang sighed, “We originally found one, but recently heard she had been drinking and almost caused a mother’s death. We had to find another.”
Giving birth isn’t such a big deal; it’s the arrangements before and after that are the most troublesome. But sometimes, it’s better not to let your heart get too anxious.
Rongniang sat for a moment before saying she had some matters to attend to and left. Jin Niang glanced at her retreating figure with a hint of puzzlement.
Halfway through their Laba porridge, Jin Niang yawned, just as Madam Feng from the dye house on East Street arrived. It was said that Madam Feng came from a scholarly family but, due to her family’s decline, had married the owner of the dye house. Still, she always carried the air of a woman from a literate household.
Ying had once been to her home to take measurements for clothes and mentioned that Madam Feng and her cousin were secretly involved in some sort of affair—something Ying had accidentally witnessed once. Since then, Jin Niang rarely sent anyone to Madam Feng’s house, but today, Madam Feng herself had come.
“Madam Feng, we have new stock recently. Please come take a look,” Ying said, rising to greet her.
Madam Feng looked at Ying and said, “I had intended for you to visit me, but as a proper woman, I never leave the main gate or step outside the courtyard. Since you didn’t come, I had to come myself.”
Ying thought to herself, *She talks about being proper all the time, but inside she’s a mess. Look at her daughter—though she runs the business, she’s never been involved with any man. And yet Madam Feng has the nerve to say this.*
Still, Ying maintained her professional demeanor, quickly putting on a smile and coming up with an excuse, “Our mistress is pregnant, so I can’t leave here. Please don’t take it amiss. Let me bring you some tea; you can take your time browsing.”
In truth, Madam Feng had come to buy a dudou (a traditional Chinese undergarment). Jin Niang’s shop made the best dudous, but many women were shy and deliberately avoided looking at them. Madam Feng picked out a bright pink triangular folded dudou embroidered with mandarin ducks swimming—a piece that had sat unsold for half a year because everyone thought it was a bit too flashy. Yet today, Madam Feng bought it.
“That’ll be five qian,” Ying said.
Madam Feng paid and left.
Whispering, Ying remarked, “I heard Madam Feng’s man is swamped with work at the dye house. I wonder who she’s buying that for.”
“Shh, mind your tongue,” Jin Niang cautioned. Then she thought of Rongniang. Though Rongniang’s style was much like her mother’s—naturally beautiful and casually dressed in cheaper clothes—today the hairpin she wore was from Qiongzhen Tower, where jewelry wasn’t cheap. Last time, Jiang Xian had helped her buy a pair of gold bracelets adorned with lotus blossoms and brocade flowers, which cost eighteen guan.
If Feng Sheng had given them, that would be understandable. But if someone else had, then Rongniang was truly bold.
Jin Niang worried that Rongniang might be getting entangled with Feng Sheng, and that she might soon demand to visit them.
With that thought, Jin Niang shared her concerns with Luo Yu’e. “Do you know how things are between our eldest sister and her husband now?”
Luo Yu’e pondered for a moment before replying, “Though they quarrelled about divorce last time, their relationship has improved since. After all, they have two children. Our eldest sister is beautiful and meticulous; she can cook seven or eight different dishes. Her husband is already in his thirties. In the end, men just want a woman to take care of them.”
“I’m not well myself. You should keep a close eye on things. Otherwise, when she runs into trouble, she’ll ask you all to come over,” Jin Niang said.
Luo Yu'e had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Stepping out of the room, she saw that Madam Xu had also sent over some Laba porridge and fresh fruit, delivered by Nanny Ge, Madam Xu’s trusted aide. Nanny Ge had visited once before, back when Jin Niang was getting engaged. Now, seeing the embroidery workshop’s business was far from thriving, and noticing that Jin Niang was still embroidering despite her heavy pregnancy, she thought to herself, “What a cruel fate.”
It seemed all along that Madam Wei had been putting on a pretentious show to keep up appearances, which brought a small measure of relief.
“How’s the business, madam?” Nanny Ge asked.
Jin Niang didn’t want to flaunt any wealth and quickly replied, “Just barely making ends meet. There are embroidery shops everywhere around here. Mine is small, so I can’t take on the bigger jobs, and for the smaller ones, people think my prices are too high. Sigh, there’s really no other way.”
Nanny Ge smiled warmly. “Madam, you don’t have to say that. Everyone knows the true value of your embroidery—it’s worth a fortune! You must be teasing me.”
“I’m not teasing you. I’m just hoping to earn a bit more money,” Jin Niang said, returning to her stitching.
Nanny Ge was half convinced but after sitting there for about an hour, with no customers coming in, she immediately went back to report to Madam Xu, “I sat there for half a day—it was completely deserted. No business at all.”
Only then did Madam Xu relax. “I think she was deliberately bluffing all along, trying to make her mother-in-law think she’s wealthy. Now the truth is out. It’s all just a desperate bluff.”
Both mistress and servant were secretly pleased.
As the New Year approached, Uncle Luo brought his son and arranged for the harvest from 150 acres of land to be sent over to Sweetwater Lane. Jin Niang instructed them to store it in the warehouse—about eighteen shi in total. Then she called Juxiang over and said, “Let’s store half of this grain and use the other half. It’s better to be frugal; otherwise, if we waste it now, we won’t be able to afford grain during a bad year.”
After saying this, she handed Juxiang the key to the warehouse door. Feeling deeply trusted, Juxiang promised, “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of the kitchen.”
Jin Niang smiled. “Isn’t there a grain storehouse official at the court? Well, you’re my official too. I’ll even raise your wages to five qian.”
This encouragement made Juxiang more determined than ever to manage the household well.
Uncle Luo’s wife watched all this and told her daughter-in-law, “You look down on Jin Niang for making you do menial work, but if you can’t even handle the simple chores, you won’t be able to do anything else later. Look at Juxiang—she used to be just a kitchen maid, but now she manages the warehouse, kitchen, and laundry. Even Xi Qiu behaves properly.”
The daughter-in-law recalled the first task Jin Niang had given her: to clean the courtyard thoroughly, including the latrine, and even to burn sandalwood incense there to keep it spotless. She was very reluctant.
But now, if she didn’t start from the bottom, she would be nothing. No work meant no pay.
Seeing that Juxiang’s wages had been raised to five qian while she had earned nothing, she immediately grabbed a brush and a bucket of water and went to clean the latrine.
The servants’ recent efforts did not escape Jin Niang’s notice. She was not one to tolerate those who aimed too high without putting in the work. Even if they were servants of the Jiang family, she would never keep them idle without a task.
After all, she herself was still embroidering despite her heavy pregnancy.
From the Laba Festival to New Year's Eve, the days flew by in a flash. At last, Jin Niang finished embroidering a floral and bird-patterned skirt. She said to Chen Xiaolang and Ying, “You two will deliver this to Madam Song together.”
Ying replied, “You’ve spent a whole month on this skirt. It truly feels weighty in the hands.”
The skirt, made of satin and embroidered with flowers and birds, was wrapped in a gauzy bag, giving it an ethereal charm.
This skirt alone was worth thirty guan. Along with a wedding bed cover sold by Madame Zhu for ten guan, a powder puff secured for eight guan, and other small earnings, their total income for the month reached fifty-six guan.
At last, they could have a good New Year, Jin Niang thought.
“Madam,” Jiang Xian called out.
Jin Niang turned around to see Jiang Xian carrying a tray of dishes: stir-fried king oyster mushrooms with pork, fragrant braised pomfret, steamed clams with egg custard, and a bowl of millet and yam porridge.
She smiled at him. “Did you learn these new recipes again?”
Jiang Xian set down the tray and laughed, “I don’t know how, but I never even held a kitchen knife before. Yet, just thinking about cooking for you, I suddenly picked it up. Madam, I know you like food that’s light yet flavorful. Please try it.”
Jin Niang nodded deeply. “Thank you, my husband.”
This year had been a mild winter; surely, it would be a good year to come.
