Before autumn arrived, Jin Niang bought some soft rabbit fur to make a coat or cloak for her daughter. As for herself, she had two new fur coats made in the past two years and didn’t need another, while Jiang Xian had just gotten a tiger-fur coat last year, so there was no need for him either.
The shop now had a steady clientele for children’s clothing and wedding supplies, and Jin Niang’s exquisite garments stood out, bringing in more income than before.
Her delicate patchwork garments had even become fashionable gifts, so much so that Fourth Miss Zhou sent someone to select one from the Wei Family Embroidery Shop. Ying had just packed it neatly into a box for delivery.
Fourth Miss Zhou also stopped by to chat with Jin Niang, remarking with a smile, "Your business seems quite prosperous."
"Not many customers come on ordinary days. It’s your good fortune, Miss—your visit has brought me several new orders," Jin Niang replied with a smile.
Fourth Miss Zhou’s patchwork garment cost a few hundred coins, but when another customer came to buy wedding quilts, they purchased two without hesitation at thirteen strings of cash each—twenty-six strings in total.
The Wei Family Embroidery Shop had once been an unremarkable little store, but now it was gaining a reputation for its floral-bird skirts and children’s clothing, which was why Fourth Miss Zhou had come to shop there.
It had carved out its own niche and was becoming well-known.
Yet Jin Niang remained humble, especially in front of her former mistress.
Fourth Miss Zhou quickly said, "You’re too modest."
Jin Niang smiled and returned to her work. There wasn’t much else to say between her and Fourth Miss Zhou. Just then, another customer arrived, so Jin Niang gave an apologetic smile and went to greet them, prompting Fourth Miss Zhou to take her leave.
The new customer was shopping for dowry items for a relative. Jin Niang explained, "We have door curtains, wedding quilts, embroidered pouches, and shoes here. If you need more, we can custom-make them."
Having been married herself and coming from the well-mannered Jiang family, Jin Niang knew how to craft the finer items required by wealthy households, and she paid great attention to detail.
The customer examined the shop’s wares, impressed by the craftsmanship, and ordered two bed canopies, two door curtains sets, two wedding quilts, and a bridal gown. Jin Niang tallied it to fifty-five strings of cash and threw in a pair of embroidered pouches as a gift.
Pleased with Jin Niang’s sincerity and the quality of the materials—and since everything was ready to take—the customer arranged for a cart to transport the purchases immediately.
As a result, the bedding displays were completely emptied, leaving the shop looking bare. To avoid an unsightly appearance, Jin Niang spread out her own dowry quilts and bedsheets temporarily.
She then had Madame Zhu rush to make new wedding quilts and, by the end of August, gave her an extra string of cash and two boxes of pastries as a bonus.
Unlike the Zhou household, Jin Niang’s shop required only daytime work—no late nights—and provided charcoal in winter and ice in summer. If business was good, she also gave out bonuses.
Still, Jin Niang couldn’t help but marvel once more at how lucrative the wedding industry was.
No sooner had she completed this sale than she heard that Master Jiang the Sixth had arrived. Being sharp-witted, she guessed he had come regarding betrothal gifts. Sixth Madam Jiang had spent her life savings on Jiang Xian’s wedding, leaving nothing for her own funeral arrangements after her passing.
Jin Niang had Master Jiang the Sixth escorted to the study, where Xi Qiu served tea and pastries so he could speak privately with his son.
Master Jiang the Sixth, facing his beloved youngest son, spoke with some shame: "After your mother passed, I had no one to care for me. Your uncle arranged a marriage for me..."
"Father is still in your prime. Having someone by your side brings us children nothing but comfort," Jiang Xian reassured him, having already been soothed by Jin Niang’s earlier counsel. Since they lived separately now, it mattered little. Besides, a spouse could tend to his father’s needs better than children could.
...
What exactly the father and son discussed, Jin Niang didn’t know. She only learned that Master Jiang the Sixth left empty-handed, while Jiang Xian gave her fifty acres of land.
Jiang Xian explained, "These fifty acres border the fifty we received from the family estate. Together, we can build a small manor. Add to that the hundred acres Mother left us, and we now have two estates."
Those unfamiliar with farming might not grasp the scale—a hundred acres was roughly the size of seven standard football fields. Jin Niang mused, "This year has been eventful—I gave birth to Sister Jun and couldn’t travel far. But now that we have these lands, we ought to inspect them. We should at least know where our property lies."
"My wife speaks wisely," Jiang Xian agreed, well aware of how fortunate he was to have such a prudent partner.
Yet Jin Niang couldn’t help but wonder, "If Father is about to remarry, how could he give us land?"
Jiang Xian smiled and said, "Naturally, my aunt promised him a hundred-acre estate to keep him quiet. Knowing our sixth branch is tight on funds, Uncle also contributed some money to help arrange this marriage."
Jin Niang sighed, "I misjudged their intentions with my petty suspicions. Since Father has given us fifty acres of land, we can’t just accept it without reciprocating. I’ll have the embroiderers from our shop make his wedding attire, and I’ll also send over the bride’s veil and gown as a gift."
Jiang Xian thought to himself how generous his wife was. His father had originally hoped to get these things for free, but after Jiang Xian’s earnest persuasion, he had reluctantly offered money. Yet Jin Niang still felt uneasy taking it.
"Very well, you’ve thought this through thoroughly. I’ll send someone to inform Father," Jiang Xian said, calling for Liu Dou'er to deliver the message to the Jiang household.
Fortunately, business in September wasn’t particularly busy, so Jin Niang and Madame Zhu worked together to finish the garments by the end of the month. Jiang Xian personally delivered them.
As the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt. Madam Xu, who lived under the same roof as Master Jiang the Sixth, was often criticized by him for being stingy and lacking Jin Niang’s generosity. Seeing the gifts Jin Niang had sent—which would have cost dozens of strings of cash if bought elsewhere—only deepened his dissatisfaction with Madam Xu.
Jiang Xian, ever the smooth talker, added, "My wife and her team neglected their business this month to finish these. She also asked me to bring twenty strings of cash as a congratulatory gift for your wedding."
Master Jiang the Sixth’s betrothal gifts, totaling two hundred strings of cash, had been covered by Master Jiang Da. Though Miss Zheng came from a respectable family, she was thirty-nine and her dowry wasn’t substantial. Since this was a second marriage for Master Jiang the Sixth, it naturally couldn’t compare to the first.
Still, Madam Xu was responsible for preparing the betrothal gifts, which displeased her. Though she didn’t show it openly, Master Jiang the Sixth wasn’t oblivious to her resentment and grew even more displeased with her.
In contrast, Jin Niang’s gifts and money only reinforced his belief that his younger daughter-in-law was kind-hearted and virtuous.
"How can I ever repay this? On the wedding day, have your wife bring Sister Jun along. I have something to give her," Master Jiang the Sixth said with a smile.
Jiang Xian quickly replied, "She’s just a child—she shouldn’t take anything from you."
Master Jiang the Sixth waved him off. "I think Sister Jun is a blessed child."
After exchanging a few more words, Jiang Xian went to pay his respects to his uncle, who had just returned from Minzhong. They spent some time catching up.
When Madam Xu heard about Jin Niang’s gifts, she was relieved to have saved money but also irritated by her father-in-law’s praise for Jin Niang, which seemed to belittle her.
Her father-in-law, at his age, was still chasing after women, remarrying. Now she, who had long been managing the household, would have to serve a new mother-in-law. The thought was suffocating.
Jin Niang could easily imagine Madam Xu’s frustration. But since she and Jiang Xian lived separately from Master Jiang the Sixth, they didn’t have to deal with such daily tensions.
Meanwhile, Eldest Young Master Liu visited their home, mentioning that Minister Liu had heard of Master Jiang the Sixth’s remarriage and invited Jiang Xian and Jiang Yan to study at the Liu residence. Jiang Yan, who had already become a disciple of his brother-in-law’s father, accepted on his younger brother’s behalf. Recognizing his brother’s goodwill, Jiang Xian agreed and informed Jin Niang, adding, "I’ll probably have to stay there."
Jin Niang nodded. "Then I’ll prepare your layered robes and jackets. If you need anything else, just send someone back for it."
Still, she was puzzled. "Why has Minister Liu invited you to study there again?"
Jiang Xian hesitated to explain. It was likely due to Eldest Young Master Liu’s intervention—he was always eager to help. After Madam Xun’s earlier outburst, she had probably relented upon seeing Jiang Xian married with a child, realizing there was nothing between him and Eldest Young Master Liu. Now, this opportunity had arisen.
Fortunately, Jin Niang wasn’t one to press for answers. Seeing his silence, she didn’t pry further and simply packed his belongings, even slipping him fifty strings of cash. Jiang Xian tried to refuse.
But Jin Niang insisted, "Money gives a man courage. I know you’re not wasteful, but when staying in someone else’s home, you’ll need it for extra dishes, tips, or gifts."
Earning this money wasn’t easy—during slow months, fifty strings was a stretch. But Jin Niang understood that being too tight-fisted might push Jiang Xian toward undesirable paths.
As she bustled about, Jiang Xian wrapped his arms around her from behind. "My dear, I’ll miss you."
"Don’t miss me too much—just don’t let your heart wander. And stay away from brothels," Jin Niang teased.
Jiang Xian laughed and tickled her in retaliation. "Oh, so now you’re mocking me?"
But truthfully, he was more worried about her than himself.
Jin Niang said earnestly, "Look, I’ve packed a set of your daily changes—underwear, outer garments, padded robes, and silk socks—all bundled together. There are seven sets in total for you to rotate. I know you have sweaty feet, so I’ve packed two extra pairs of shoes and ten pairs of socks. Make sure to wear them as I’ve matched them—if you mix them haphazardly, it won’t look good."
Since marrying his wife, Jiang Xian had never worried about money, and his wardrobe was truly overflowing. He knew this was all thanks to Jin Niang and felt reluctant to part with her. "Today, I’ll wash your hair for you," he offered.
Jin Niang smiled and nodded.
That night, the two were passionately entangled. By the time Jin Niang woke the next morning, Jiang Xian had already left for the Liu residence. She lingered on the memories of the previous night for a while, then went to check on their daughter, Sister Jun, before heading to the shop.
At midday, she didn’t have to dine with Jiang Xian, so she took the opportunity to paint and focus more on tailoring. It had to be said—after marriage, life had become so busy that finding a moment of quiet was nearly impossible.
In fact, just three days after Jiang Xian’s departure, Jin Niang had already grown quite accustomed to sleeping alone.
Jiang Xian, however, was far from comfortable. The Liu family treated him well—they had even set aside a small courtyard for him, and Chief Minister Liu took a keen interest in his studies, while Eldest Young Master Liu helped him socialize.
Outwardly, he maintained perfect composure, but privately, he felt unsettled. At home, he usually had lunch with Jin Niang and spent time with Sister Jun. Now, he ate alone.
There were other things too—like how he always accompanied Jin Niang to the Great Xiangguo Temple or their outings to the Ghost Market and Huixian Tower.
He reminded himself that a true man shouldn’t be so consumed by romantic attachments, but he couldn’t help missing his wife.
Especially since Jin Niang loved it when he washed her hair. Without him, she probably wouldn’t wash it properly. And if her hair wasn’t comfortable, she’d be in a bad mood all day.
Meanwhile, Madam Liu had always been fond of Jiang Xian, and his stay at their residence delighted her. If not for the fact that he was observing mourning rites, she would have insisted on having Jin Niang stay with them as well.
So when Jiang Xian subtly hinted at it, Madam Liu sent an invitation for Jin Niang to visit.
Unaware that her husband had orchestrated this, Jin Niang took the invitation seriously. It was autumn, the season for crab feasts, so she selected two baskets of plump crabs from Mrs. Huang’s, along with two boxes of exquisite candied orange peel, two boxes of rose cakes, and embroidered shawls for Madam Liu and Madam Xun.
Hearing that Jin Niang was coming, Madam Xun also came to see her, curious about Jiang Xian’s wife.
This was Jin Niang’s first time visiting the residence of the Minister of Personnel and Commissioner of the Three Departments. Determined not to embarrass Jiang Xian, she carried herself with grace, careful not to let her gaze wander.
Upon entering, she promptly bowed and greeted Madam Liu and Madam Xun.
Even the discerning Madam Xun had to admit that Jin Niang was striking—her pale blue silk undergarments and ivory embroidered blouse accentuated her slender neck, while the crystal beads around it made her skin glow. The blue porcelain half-sleeved gown paired with an apricot shawl only enhanced her charm.
She wasn’t dazzlingly beautiful, but her gentle smile and a few words of conversation revealed her to be a clever, graceful, and perceptive woman.
"You shouldn’t have gone to such trouble. I regard Sixteenth Master as my own nephew," Madam Liu said upon seeing the gifts, clearly pleased.
These weren’t common pastries—even the presentation boxes were exceptional, showing thoughtful effort.
Jin Niang smiled faintly, relieved. She hated wasting good gifts on those who couldn’t appreciate them. "My husband often speaks of your kindness, Madam. I wasn’t sure of your preferences, so I hope you’ll forgive any shortcomings," she replied humbly.
When someone says you’ve gone to too much trouble, they’ve seen plenty of fine things—you must express your own unease rather than downplaying the gift’s value. Claiming it’s worthless would seem dismissive, while overemphasizing it might suggest ulterior motives.
Madam Liu then asked, "How long have you been married?"
"Over a year, Madam."
"Do you have children?"
"A daughter, seven months old now—quite the little troublemaker." Jin Niang couldn’t help smiling at the thought of her daughter, who loved visiting the shop.
As they spoke, Madam Liu sampled the rose cake and remarked in surprise, "This is different from what I usually have. The ones I’ve had are too heavy on the rose syrup, but this is refreshingly sweet."
"Yes, I added a bit of jasmine powder to the roses. Jasmine cuts through the sweetness and adds fragrance," Jin Niang explained.
Madam Liu looked at her anew and nodded approvingly. "I heard you live in Sweetwater Lane now?"
Jin Niang did not mention how Madam Xu had driven them out, as family scandals should only be exposed as a last resort—doing so would harm her as well. So she smiled and said, "Indeed, Sweetwater Lane isn’t too far from your residence."
Madam Liu, pleased by her tactful and cheerful manner, was even more delighted when Jin Niang presented her with a shawl embroidered with clusters of red pomegranate flowers in the style of the Goddess of the Luo River. The design was exquisite and versatile, complementing the blue, white, slate, and eggplant-colored garments favored by older women. "You must stay for lunch," Madam Liu insisted. "It’s the perfect chance for you and your husband to see each other."
Blushing, Jin Niang replied, "He’s only been here a few days. Let him focus on his studies for now."
Madam Liu, who adored seeing young couples in love, had Jin Niang escorted to Jiang Xian’s quarters after lunch. Though only three days had passed, Jiang Xian looked so forlorn that Jin Niang teased him, "What’s this? Have you forgotten me already?"
"My lady," Jiang Xian quickly embraced her and shut the door behind them. Jin Niang gasped in mock alarm, "Goodness! What will people think we’re doing in here?"
"We’re a proper married couple—let them talk," Jiang Xian retorted.
Jin Niang took his hand and sat down. "How have you been sleeping? I brought some candied orange peel—a new favorite of mine. And since you love persimmon cakes, I packed a box of osmanthus-flavored ones. Just remember not to eat them with crab."
"I’ve missed you, that’s all," Jiang Xian murmured, gently stroking her hand.
"It’s already September," Jin Niang said. "The New Year isn’t far off, and we can’t possibly celebrate it here. If you want to come home, just say you miss our daughter. No one will question it."
She didn’t oppose her husband maintaining ties with the Liu family. As the saying went, even a humble family had its connections—unlike her younger brother, who, as a farmer’s son with no such ties, had little hope of advancement.
During the Northern Song Dynasty, the practice of scholars presenting their writings to influential figures was still widespread, and Jin Niang knew Jiang Xian was busy networking.
But her heart ached for him.
Young couples found separation hardest to bear.
Jiang Xian brightened at her suggestion, thrilled to have an excuse to visit her often. He asked how her meeting with Madam Liu had gone.
Jin Niang recounted every detail, adding, "Madam Liu gave me a pair of gold bracelets as a welcoming gift. Let me show you." She pulled them from her pouch.
Jiang Xian glanced at them and said, "Keep them safe. You don’t have enough jewelry yet. At year’s end, I’ll take you to Chunri to have a new set made."
Jin Niang knew the moneylender would deliver their rental income by then. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Yes!"
After all, what else was a husband’s money for, if not to spoil his wife?
They chatted for another hour before Jin Niang patted his hand and took her leave.
Back home, she headed straight to her shop to continue working on padded jackets. She also ordered cotton and rabbit fur in advance for winter coats.
Ying greeted her with a smile. "Madam, someone just bought three sets of children’s clothing in one go!"
"How wonderful!" Jin Niang beamed.
She had just begun embroidering when Luo Yu'e returned, announcing cheerfully, "Your father delivered the padded jackets to the academy today. Your brother will be back in October for the warm-stove season."
"Then we’ll all visit Yuxian Tower together!" Jin Niang clapped her hands in delight.
Her shop specialized in children’s wear and wedding attire, and sales had been brisk—by mid-September, she’d already earned five hundred strings of cash, though expenses were higher this year.
Luo Yu'e asked about the visit to the Liu family. Relieved to hear it went well, she said, "Good. Our daughter never falters, no matter the occasion."
"How’s business for you and Father?" Jin Niang inquired.
Luo Yu'e sighed. Their usual spot had been obstructed for months, hurting sales. They planned to relocate after the New Year. "What else can we do? Your brother’s study supplies cost a fortune each month. We can’t afford to stop."
In recent years, rent in Stinky Water Lane had risen to over thirty strings annually. After covering shop expenses and their son’s education, they managed to save fifty strings a year. With Jin Niang handling daily living costs, they now had over a hundred and fifty strings put aside.
Jin Niang nodded approvingly. "If you’re short, just tell me. Also, my husband mentioned taking Younger Brother Yang to visit the Lius during the New Year. Make sure he doesn’t get nervous."
"Of course!" Luo Yu'e agreed. It was heartening to see the family working together.
Before long, it was time for the Warm Stove Gathering. Younger Brother Yang had returned, and Jin Niang helped her brother cut some fine satin to make him a more splendid outfit. Jiang Xian had also come back, so they all went for a stroll near the Immortal-Meeting Tower. Luo Yu'e even specially bought Jiang Xian his favorite roast goose and dried persimmons—the mother-in-law and son-in-law got along as warmly as if they were mother and son.
Jiang Xian had originally hoped to spend some intimate time with his wife upon returning, but to his surprise, Jin Niang was even busier than he was. She was embroidering a portrait of Guanyin and said, “Wait a moment, I need to finish mastering this Buddha embroidery.”
“Darling, when did you learn to embroider such things?” Jiang Xian asked, puzzled.
Ying came in with water, covering her mouth as she giggled. “Young Master, our mistress is aiming to become the guild leader!”
“Ying!” Jin Niang chided lightly.
Jiang Xian quickly asked, “I’ve been away for a month—are you really becoming the guild leader?”
Still modest, Jin Niang replied, “Not at all, don’t listen to Ying’s nonsense. I’ve just been learning some embroidery techniques for Buddhist scriptures, that’s all.”
Jiang Xian thought to himself that while the guild leader was a merchant and not an official with formal power, their role often bridged commerce and government, giving them a quasi-bureaucratic influence akin to a local power broker. Sometimes, their sway even surpassed that of officials!
His wife was certainly capable—she had once been the head embroiderer in the Imperial Embroidery Bureau. Now, the Wei family embroidery shop had gained a reputation in Bianjing within just a few years for its delicate and exquisite work. Moreover, Jin Niang was respected for her character and skill, able to command influence both in official circles and among the common people.
Many who needed repairs for their silk tapestries had been referred to her by the guild leader. Come to think of it, hadn’t she already been serving as a guild steward for two years?
“My wife is so ambitious—it puts me to shame,” Jiang Xian said, wiping his brow.
Finally, Jin Niang admitted sheepishly, “Well, the truth is, the current guild leader has fallen ill and needs a year’s rest. Even if I’m chosen, it would only be as an interim leader, not the real one.”
“Once you’re in that seat, who would dare make you step down?” Jiang Xian said.
Jin Niang responded with a mischievous chuckle.
