After the Dragon Boat Festival, the weather grew hot and muggy, with occasional rain showers. Jin Niang had Madame Zhu, who was originally embroidering wedding quilts, switch to making book bags instead. The provincial exams were approaching, followed by the metropolitan exams—business with scholars was always profitable, and few haggled over prices.
Jin Niang even put up a sign claiming that these book bags and poetry pouches had been blessed at the Great Xiangguo Temple. After all, their shop was conveniently close to the temple, so customers would surely flock in.
Why was she so confident? Because last year during the Qixi Festival, her peach-blossom sachets had sold out completely.
Jiang Xian quietly helped advertise for Jin Niang too. He often carried the book bags she made when he went out. Already a striking figure, his recent rise to fame in the capital meant people naturally imitated his style.
He had Liu Dou'er casually drop hints that the bags were made at the Wei Family Embroidery Shop in Sweet Water Alley, and soon enough, crowds followed.
Jin Niang knew nothing of this. She was busy in the shop with her daughter, Sister Jun, who had become the little model of the store. Whenever she wore new clothes and sat inside, it drew customers in.
Just after seeing off a customer buying children's clothes, Jin Niang noticed Chen Xiaolang outside, chatting with someone. Since their shop mainly catered to female customers, they had Chen Xiaolang set up a stall outside selling scholar’s supplies, keeping the two businesses separate.
Chen Xiaolang usually just delivered goods or greeted customers, but today his stall saw a steady stream of buyers.
At dinner, Jin Niang excitedly shared the good news with Jiang Xian: "Did you know? We sold over a dozen poetry pouches today—completely cleared out!"
A dozen pouches meant nearly twenty strings of cash.
Jiang Xian wasn’t one to hide his contributions. He hinted modestly that it might have been his doing, and Jin Niang rewarded him with a kiss. Jiang Xian pulled her close by the waist. "Don’t get too excited—you’re still pregnant, remember?"
She was eight months along now, with just a month or two left before the baby arrived. They had rehired Granny Kong as the midwife and found a wet nurse through a broker. After interviewing a few candidates, they settled on one who was especially good with children, even knowing tricks to soothe hiccups.
But after the last wet nurse had fabricated a tragic backstory, Jiang Xian personally investigated this one’s background. Once her clean history was confirmed, Jin Niang finalized the hire—though this time, the contract was only for a year.
Upstairs, they converted the storage room into a nursery, moving in a cradle, bedding, and a couple of old trunks.
Back when it was just the four of them, the house had felt spacious. Now, with a baby on the way, it was starting to feel cramped.
Jin Niang, ever meticulous about household matters, shared her plans for her parents with Jiang Xian. He was surprised. "Why not let your parents stay with us? I’d say it’d make the place livelier."
"Now that we have our own family, my parents don’t want to intrude. Besides, if you pass the imperial exams and get assigned to a post outside the capital, we can’t leave this house empty. So it’s best they wait for now," Jin Niang explained with a smile.
Jiang Xian admired her even more—she always put their family first.
The house was technically hers, so he had no say in how she managed it. Truthfully, he hadn’t even considered these issues, but she had everything under control.
With that, there were no more worries.
"But are your parents really okay with this?" Jiang Xian asked.
Jin Niang chuckled. "Everything has two sides—you can’t please everyone forever. If we force it now, what happens later when our children grow up, we have more servants, and my brother marries? There’ll be endless conflicts, maybe even estrangement. Would that be worth it? Besides, my parents aren’t like that."
Even if they were briefly upset, it would pass. But forcing closeness until all goodwill was exhausted? That would be a true loss.
This gave Jiang Xian much to reflect on. He realized not everything had to be perfectly managed, nor did every relationship need preserving.
Like with Third Young Master Peng—no wonder Jin Niang hadn’t pushed him to mend ties. Instead, she’d said, "Life is about phases. Friends come and go. If he avoids you, it’s not hatred—it’s just that the gap between you has grown too wide. Meeting now would only hurt."
Most people would fear being called unfilial if they didn’t let their parents live with them. But Jin Niang wasn’t afraid. She stopped potential problems before they escalated, even if it caused short-term displeasure. In the long run, it was for the best.
He was learning so much from her.
In return, Jiang Xian took Younger Brother Yang to poetry gatherings and introduced him to learned scholars. If his brother-in-law could study under a renowned teacher someday, it would be a great opportunity.
On the eighth day of the sixth month, Jin Niang celebrated her birthday. Since marrying, time seemed to fly. Back in the Zhou household, the days had dragged—perhaps hardship made time crawl, while happiness made it sprint.
Jiang Xian made her favorite crispy meat pies. She’d avoided them for a while after overindulging last time (they’d made her uncomfortably warm), so having them now was a special treat.
This year, she turned twenty-four—her zodiac year. Jin Niang rubbed her belly. "You must come into this world safely."
While Jin Niang’s life was peaceful, the old Jiang residence buzzed with activity. Jiang Fang and his wife dropped by for a visit. Madam Zheng had tea and snacks prepared, while Jiang Yan and Madam Xu brought Xuan'er along. The gathering was lively and cheerful.
Jiang Fang praised Madam Xu: "Sister-in-law, you’ve raised Xuan'er so well."
Madam Xu demurred politely, and Madam Zheng joined in the compliments. But whenever Madam Zheng spoke, Madam Xu fell silent.
Ever since the epidemic passed, the two women had despised each other. Madam Xu thought Madam Zheng was wasteful and obsequious toward her father-in-law, while Madam Zheng saw Madam Xu as domineering.
Madam Xu even deliberately dressed shabbily, making outsiders assume she was mistreated as the new matriarch. There was no way to explain the truth.
Their relationship was a tangled mess. In public, they played the part of a loving family, but once guests left, they’d gladly spit at each other. Madam Xu still had to bow respectfully when taking her leave, and Madam Zheng would smile magnanimously.
Back in her room, Madam Xu’s back and chest ached, but she didn’t rest. Instead, she told Xuan'er, "You’ve played with your uncle long enough today. Go to the study and practice your calligraphy."
The Xu family had produced two imperial scholars, and naturally, they had their own specialized methods for studying.
However, Madam Xu also doted on her son. The weather was unbearably hot this year, and her son had grown exceptionally fast—his old clothes no longer fit. She asked Granny Ge, "Has anyone from Sweetwater Alley sent over any clothes?"
In previous years, Madam Wei from Sweetwater Alley would send a fine inkstone and a set of clothes for her son.
Granny Ge shook her head. "No, not this year. Madam Wei is pregnant now—she must have forgotten."
"She has several embroiderers in her shop; it’s not like she has to make them herself," Madam Xu said, feeling she was being quite reasonable. After all, she had even sent gifts for Madam Wei’s birthday.
In truth, Jin Niang hadn’t been making many clothes for Jiang Xian this year. For one, she had already made plenty in the past, and secondly, she was taking extra care of her health.
This pregnancy felt much heavier than the last, so apart from handling shop duties during the day, she avoided needlework in the evenings or during her free time. Besides, the two embroiderers in her shop were already busy enough. Having started as a common embroiderer herself, Jin Niang didn’t want to burden them with extra work.
Ying had privately remarked to Jin Niang, "This is just as well. She only ever sends a box of pastries worth less than fifty coins, while you’ve always given Xuan'er generous gifts."
"This year, I have my hands full. Beyond the usual seasonal courtesies, I can’t manage anything more. I even sent her a few yards of fashionable fabric for her birthday—I owe her nothing," Jin Niang replied dismissively.
As for Xuan'er, she held no grudge against him. But household expenses had risen significantly this year, and things couldn’t continue as before. If Jiang Xian passed the provincial examination and advanced further, the costs would be substantial—even the wet nurse they’d just hired through a broker wasn’t cheap, costing over ten taels a year.
Most importantly, Madam Xu had never sent anything decent for Jin Niang’s daughter. So, she was merely returning the courtesy.
Especially after giving birth to Sister Jun, people had begun to assume her gifts to Xuan'er were motivated by her lack of a son—as if she were currying favor. This annoyed Jin Niang, which was why she hadn’t argued further with her mother.
Last Mid-Autumn Festival, when Jin Niang was still the guild leader, she had received countless gifts from merchants. This year, only a few business associates from the embroidery shop sent presents. Luo Yu'e sighed nostalgically, but Jin Niang just laughed. "This is how it should be."
Just then, the Jiang family—the one with the top scholar—sent over lavish gifts. Jin Niang had Young Master Chen record them before informing Jiang Xian.
Jiang Xian smiled. "My dear, this is only the beginning. Don’t worry."
Usually, it was Jin Niang who spoke while Jiang Xian listened. But today, there was something assertive in his demeanor, his brows carrying a hint of dominance. Jin Niang’s cheeks flushed slightly.
As Mid-Autumn passed, Jin Niang, though nearing her due date, still helped her husband prepare his examination basket—a meticulous task. The basket could be made of bamboo, willow, brambles, or rattan. She chose a three-tiered square one woven from brambles, its corners reinforced with silver and its latticework delicate for easy inspection. The handle was even adorned with gold leaf.
Her husband, after all, had a taste for extravagance.
The first tier held the exam canopy, curtains, food bags, scroll cases, brush holders, and oiled paper for wrapping candles and vegetables. The second tier contained bowls, chopsticks, teacups, a portable stove, candle scissors, nails, and a hammer. The third tier was stocked with peeled longan, boiled lotus seeds, rock sugar, pastries, halved salted eggs, diced ham, flatbreads, rice, and pickled dishes like preserved eggplants and dried fish.
There were countless finer details—oilcloth to protect the exam papers from rain, a correction knife and paste for mistakes, and high-quality candles. She even asked Luo Yu'e to observe: "If your brother passes, you’ll need to prepare the same. Best to learn now."
Luo Yu'e felt dizzy just looking. "Why nails and a hammer?"
"You have to set them up as soon as you enter the exam compound—to shield from wind and rain and keep warm at night," Jin Niang explained.
Then she suddenly remembered. "I forgot the sachets! I’ve heard that if you’re placed near the latrine, the stench is unbearable. And you know how fastidious your son-in-law is."
She also packed medicine—for coughs, cholera, nausea, and diarrhea—until the basket was stuffed full.
What she thought would take a moment ended up consuming two or three days.
On the morning of the provincial exam, Jin Niang drowsily heard Jiang Xian rise in the dark. Knowing he’d fuss over her if she woke, she pretended to sleep.
Before leaving, Jiang Xian bent down, kissed her forehead, and strode out.
Uncle Luo drove the carriage while Luo Da and Liu Dou'er loaded the supplies...
Meanwhile, on the first day of the exam, Jin Niang went into labor. Thankfully, her parents were there, and Granny Kong, an experienced midwife, eased her fears.
Childbirth was a brush with death—no one could guarantee luck.
But Granny Kong reassured her: "Don’t worry, Madam Wei. The baby’s position is perfect, and your belly is pointed—it’s surely a boy. If your husband passes, it’ll be double happiness."
"Then I’ll take your words as a blessing," Jin Niang said, hoping Jiang Xian would indeed succeed.
This delivery was smoother than Sister Jun’s, but the strain left her with a slipped lumbar disc, confining her to bed.
Yet everyone rejoiced—she had borne a son.
Even Ying sighed in relief. Though mourning rites had previously prevented conception, outsiders wouldn’t care. At twenty-one, Jiang Xian had a bright future, but Jin Niang was twenty-four. Without a son, her position would be precarious.
Watching Sister Jun, Ying’s eyes unexpectedly welled up. "Young Miss, your mother is resting. Let me take you to your grandmother, alright?"
"Alright. Thank you, Sister Ying," Sister Jun said obediently, taking her hand.
She was an exceptionally sweet and well-behaved child. These past days, with Jin Niang too heavy to move much, she had quietly let Granny Luo and Xi Qiu take her to the study to read.
But such temperament was cultivated by Jin Niang. Even Ying herself had learned to read, keep accounts, and manage affairs under her guidance. They all wished for her happiness.
After the baby boy was born, Jin Niang, still unwell, only glimpsed him a few times. But she had Granny Luo, Ying, and Minzhi take turns watching him—both to prevent substitution and to ensure the wet nurse’s diligence.
Luo Yu'e had just returned from seeing her little grandson and came in joyfully, saying, "They say sons take after their mothers, but I think the little one looks exactly like you."
"I really don’t want to have any more children after this," Jin Niang sighed, rubbing her forehead.
Luo Yu'e wiped her daughter’s sweat and reassured her, "I know you’ve suffered. Rest well during your confinement—nothing is more important than recovering properly."
"Yes, I understand," Jin Niang replied, lying back down. Her thoughts then drifted to Jiang Xian, wondering how his imperial examination was going.
At that moment, Jiang Xian had already spent a full day in the examination hall. He carefully packed his neatly transcribed essays into the special book bag Jin Niang had made for him, though his stomach growled with hunger. He took out a small portable stove, a few silver fish, and asked the guards to prepare him a pot of longan and lotus seed soup along with some steamed flaky pastries.
With money in hand, the service was swift, and soon the food was brought to him. As he ate with a spoon, his mind wandered to his wife. How was she faring after childbirth?
Shaking his head, he pushed aside these distracting thoughts. The priority now was to focus on the provincial examination. If he failed, Jin Niang would have to keep working tirelessly.
She had started working in the embroidery workshop at the age of nine and had been sewing for fifteen years. Though she appeared fine on the outside, her body desperately needed rest. If she didn’t recover properly, her eyesight would weaken, her vitality would decline, and in a few years, her health would deteriorate even faster.
With this in mind, he quickly finished his meal and returned to writing.
When the examination finally ended, though exhausted, he rushed home without delay.
Upon arriving, he saw the shop was open, with Chen Xiaolang standing at the front stall. Jiang Xian knew this was Jin Niang’s idea—she had always wanted to expand the business so everyone could prosper.
Ying had just bid farewell to a customer and cheerfully remarked, "This garment was personally embroidered by our Madam Wei."
Jiang Xian slipped in through the side door. The house buzzed with activity as he hurried upstairs two steps at a time. His mother-in-law was in the small sitting room on the second floor, playing cat’s cradle with Sister Jun. Spotting him, she exclaimed excitedly, "Sixteenth Young Master! Jin Niang has given birth to a little boy! She’s been worried sick about you—how did the examination go?"
Thanking her, Jiang Xian rushed inside to find his wife lying in bed. He knelt beside her and said softly, "Jin Niang, I’m back."
It was the first time he had called her by her name. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at him. "When I was giving birth, I felt like my spine was about to break. I was so scared—I never want to go through that again."
"Then we won’t have any more children," Jiang Xian declared firmly.
His family already had three sons, and when times were tough, his second brother had even suggested adopting one out. After his mother’s death, her position had been usurped, and his father hadn’t intervened. He would rather see Jin Niang safe and healthy than watch her suffer.
She was already someone who struggled during her monthly cycles—enduring this much pain was unbearable.
When Jin Niang reached out to embrace him, she suddenly covered her nose and grimaced. "You reek! You smell awful."
Jiang Xian laughed helplessly. "Alright, I’ll go wash up."
He was usually meticulous with others, but with Jin Niang, he agreed to everything unconditionally.
Only after he left did Jin Niang realize something—he had stopped calling her "wife" and now addressed her by her name.
Her postpartum confinement lasted a full month and a half, by which time her back had fully healed. When she finally emerged, their son had already been given a name—Ning, meaning "peace."
Eager to return to the embroidery shop, Jin Niang immediately instructed Madame Zhu, "Stop making book bags. Start working on bridal veils, wedding quilts, bridal gowns, and bed canopies. I’ll help too—we’ll finish faster."
Madame Zhu was puzzled. "But the examination results haven’t even been announced yet, and next year is the metropolitan exam. Won’t scholars still need book bags?"
"You’re mistaken," Jin Niang chuckled. "With so many young scholars passing the provincial exams, wealthy families are already scrambling to snatch them as sons-in-law. Our wedding items are renowned for their quality. Trust me—set aside the book bags and focus on bridal and children’s items. Stock up in advance."
Madame Zhu still found it odd. "Madam, you’ve just had a son, and your husband might pass the exams. Shouldn’t you be more nervous? Others would be restless with anticipation."
Jin Niang smiled. "Right now, all I’m worried about is our business."
Even if Jiang Xian succeeded, boasting too much might not sit well with others.
Even her own mother, after a few days of celebration, had shifted focus to whether her younger brother could pass the exams, praising his talents instead.
For lunch, Jiang Xian cooked again. He had a refined palate and, after casually learning a few techniques, had become quite skilled—able to replicate dishes after just a few tries. As the couple ate together, he sighed. "After eating so much rich banquet food outside, nothing beats the simplicity of home-cooked meals."
"Ahem, what nonsense are you spouting?" Jin Niang shot him a look.
Jiang Xian was baffled.
Jin Niang clarified, "Anyone hearing that would think you’ve been frequenting pleasure houses."
"Cough—wife, don’t wrong me like that!" Jiang Xian stood abruptly, then pointed at her accusingly. "You’re really something, accusing me like that. Though, you’re hardly a ‘simple home-cooked meal’ yourself."
Jin Niang had only been teasing him, and his response made her burst into laughter.
The examination results wouldn’t be announced for another two months. In the meantime, Jin Niang encouraged Jiang Xian to study at home, quoting, "The Art of War says, ‘He who can remain calm amid thunderous upheaval is fit to be a great general.’"
Jiang Xian obeyed without question. If Jin Niang could remain composed even after becoming a guild leader, he had no excuse to fret over uncertain results.
The embroidery shop had been peaceful until, half a month later, a family arrived demanding a refund for a wedding quilt. "We never used this—it’s brand new!" they insisted.
Jin Niang checked their purchase record and scoffed. "You bought this three months ago and inspected it then, even stamping your seal. How do I know you didn’t use it? I can’t resell it if you return it now."
"What kind of shopkeeper are you?" the customer shrieked. "Our daughter died in her wedding sedan—of course it was never used!"
Ying couldn’t hold back. "You bring death into our shop and call it unlucky? Get out—we don’t deal with such nonsense!"
Jin Niang refused as well, with Minzhi and Madame Zhu stepping forward to back her up. Intimidated by the shop’s formidable women, the customer finally slunk away.
After they left, Jin Niang frowned. "Wasn’t the Du Family’s daughter married into the richest household in the south? How did she die so suddenly?"
Ying inquired, "Madam, the wealthiest family in the southern part of the city originally served as servants in the Du Family household. Later, when they prospered, they sought to marry the daughter of their former masters. As you can see, the Du Family had already fallen into decline and were eager to arrange the marriage. But the young lady of the family found it utterly humiliating—she attempted suicide several times at home and eventually swallowed gold to end her life in the bridal sedan."
Jin Niang scoffed, "Such rigid class distinctions are nothing but self-destructive folly. If you trace the Du Family’s lineage back three generations, they were likely peasants or humble commoners too. How foolish to cling to such outdated notions."
After she spoke, Ying glanced at Jin Niang, worried the remark might stir painful reflections. Yet Jin Niang remained composed, unruffled. Ying mused that her mistress always carried herself as though she deserved the finest things in the world, seldom wallowing in self-pity.
No sooner had the two finished speaking than the sound of gongs and drums erupted outside—a herald had arrived with joyous news.
Jiang Xian had passed the provincial examination! And not just passed—he ranked first in the Kaifeng prefecture.
