After Zhuangzi was purchased, Jin Niang had Steward Fan come to meet her. The steward, surnamed Fan, was quite capable in handling affairs.
Steward Fan said, "Rest assured, the tenant rent has remained consistent over the years—usually fifty percent, and only twenty percent in years of disaster. The land you bought is near the Deguang River. Ordinary fertile fields cost no more than one string of cash per mu, but yours is more expensive because of its favorable terrain and convenient irrigation."
Irrigation was crucial. Though Jin Niang had never farmed herself, she knew that back in her hometown, many fights broke out over water disputes. Higher ground meant the fields were less likely to flood even during heavy rains.
Moreover, a hundred mu of the land she purchased were planted with both early and late rice.
"To be honest," Steward Fan explained, "those two qing of land originally grew both early and late rice, but the yield was poor due to inferior varieties, so we reverted to single-season rice. Only the land you bought—the three strings per mu—can sustain double-cropping, hence the higher price."
Jin Niang silently calculated in her mind: one mu could yield two to three dan of grain, with one dou of rice priced at sixty to seventy wen. If two hundred mu produced the maximum three dan, half the rent would amount to one hundred eighty strings of cash. The hundred mu of double-cropped rice would also bring in another one hundred eighty strings.
After deducting expenses for oxen, farming tools, and the steward’s wages, she could still net around three hundred strings.
When Jin Niang voiced her calculations aloud, Steward Fan was astonished. He had assumed the young mistress was unfamiliar with farming matters, but her quick arithmetic impressed him, and he grew more respectful. "By the way," he added, "the small garden behind the estate has trees and bamboo groves, which also bring in some income."
"Last time I visited the wife of the Assistant Magistrate, I saw she had Dongting tangerines and even made wine from yellow tangerines. Perhaps Steward Fan could also plant some fruit trees—not necessarily for sale, but for our own consumption," Jin Niang suggested.
Steward Fan nodded. "Don’t worry, I’ll handle it properly."
Jin Niang rewarded him with a bolt of fine cloth and two kinds of pastries, which delighted him. She then had Juxiang prepare a few dishes and invited Chen Xiaolang to share a drink with Steward Fan.
Sister Jun was now four years old, and her daily routine was well-structured. Every morning after breakfast, she practiced calligraphy, and in the afternoon, Jin Niang taught her needlework. Jin Niang herself had only started learning embroidery at nine, much later than most, which put her at a disadvantage. In this era, a woman’s needlework was not just a skill to display but also a means to earn a living.
Everyone needed a way to support themselves. Jin Niang had built a modest fortune through embroidery, and she wanted her daughter to have a skill to fall back on if times grew tough.
Jin Niang herself was now working on double-sided embroidery, while Ying and Qing Rong sat quietly below, helping her make menstrual pads.
Not long ago, Jiang Xian had sold a chest of the pepper and tea she had saved up. Now, she had accumulated another chest—mostly gifts received after Jiang Xian passed the imperial exams, including tea cakes from the Gu family. It filled a whole chest.
As for Jiang Xian’s salary, two qing of hereditary land and two qing of official land had been allocated, so they no longer needed to dip into their savings.
The Cold Food Festival was approaching, and as usual, the mistress of the household grew busy. Jin Niang sent Chen Xiaolang to the estate to find a woman skilled in making Jiangnan-style Cold Food dishes to guide them.
There were differences between northern and southern cuisine, and one couldn’t generalize.
The woman, around thirty, was neat and quick-witted. Jin Niang learned her husband’s surname was Hua, and their family rented fifty mu of Jin Niang’s land. With five brothers in the household, as the eldest daughter-in-law, she bore more responsibilities.
"The eldest daughter-in-law has always had it tough," Jin Niang remarked with a smile. "But you seem sharp—I’m sure your family’s fortunes will only improve."
Sister-in-law Hua was struck by Jin Niang’s beauty, comparing her to the moon goddess Chang’e, and found her words gracious. Learning that she had three sons and a daughter, Jin Niang gifted her a bolt of blue woolen cloth for the children’s clothes, along with a pair of white candles and a box of malt sugar.
Sister-in-law Hua and Juxiang worked together in the kitchen to prepare the Cold Food dishes. They made dumplings from fresh glutinous rice, stuffed with chicken, fish, or goose meat, then wrapped in arrowroot leaves and steamed. There was also jiangchi—a meat jelly. While people in Jiangling preferred fish jelly, here they ate meat jelly. Malt sugar was prepared as well.
As for wheat cakes, cheese, and milk curds, those were bought from an outside vendor.
After all, no fires were allowed during the Cold Food Festival, and with so many mouths to feed, they had to prepare generously.
When Sister-in-law Hua finished, Jin Niang, pleased with her diligence and skill, rewarded her with two pieces of cured meat. "Try this cured meat from my hometown," she said.
Sister-in-law Hua was deeply grateful. Though their family had plenty of land, with so many members, food was scarce. The gifts from the County Captain’s wife were exactly what she needed.
Jin Niang's efforts naturally bore fruit, as the county officials exchanged Cold Food Festival gifts, and the clerks at the County Captain's office also received their share.
The female coroner, Jiang Liujie, was among those who received a Cold Food Festival gift from Jin Niang. She remarked to an elderly woman in her household, "See? We don’t have to go through the trouble of making these ourselves."
The elderly woman was Jiang Liujie’s aunt, blind in one eye and suffering from illness. Her own son and daughter-in-law had scorned her, so Jiang Liujie took her in and even hired a young maid to care for her.
Aunt Jiang examined the assortment of dumplings and pastries before her and sighed, "The county office treats you so well."
"This isn’t from the county office—it’s from the County Captain’s wife. She’s always been meticulous about etiquette. During the Lantern Festival, her family even sent us glutinous rice balls," Jiang Liujie explained.
This was why the clerks at the County Captain’s office often said County Captain Jiang Xian was better than County Captain Mei. Some petty officials were skilled at lining their pockets and lived comfortably, while others were honest and frugal. For them, receiving such festival gifts was a matter of pride to bring home.
Unlike Madam Bao, who looked down on minor officials like them. Even her servants complained about not having enough money to buy things—she was notoriously stingy.
Meanwhile, some merchants sent gifts to the county office. Jin Niang, as usual, refused them. But Madam Qi was busy tallying the offerings—beneath the Cold Food Festival gift boxes were silver ingots, fifty taels per box, totaling a hundred taels.
These ingots bore no official seals and could be spent freely, leaving no evidence for others to trace.
Most of these gifts came from timber merchants involved in river projects, who had profited handsomely thanks to Hou Gong.
Madam Qi, now pregnant but keeping it quiet, sent twenty taels to the temple as a vow repayment. When her sister-in-law, Sister Hou San, mentioned wanting to do needlework at Madam Tian’s place, Madam Qi readily agreed.
She wasn’t surprised—her sister-in-law adored Madam Tian, who was generous and open-handed.
Speaking of generosity, Madam Wei was also lavish, but in a different way. Madam Tian freely spent her dowry, while Madam Wei knew how to make hers grow.
Yet County Captain Jiang Xian’s reputation far surpassed that of Registrar Han. It was said Jiang Xian never allowed merchants into his home—once, a wealthy merchant even offered his daughter as a concubine with a hefty dowry, but Jiang Xian refused. In contrast, Registrar Han, who had inherited his position, lacked such scruples and was often criticized.
During the Cold Food Festival, Jiang Xian was on leave and finally free from casework. He was chatting with Jin Niang at home when a woman’s shrill scream, like a pig being slaughtered, pierced the air.
"Ying, go see what’s happening," Jin Niang urged.
Ying rushed out and returned to report, "Captain Yang is beating his wife—kicked her right in the chest. He’s furious because she’s been telling everyone he spends money on other women while their children starve at home. He also accused her of mistreating his mother, denying her food."
"If he had something to say, he should’ve said it properly. Why resort to such violence? Husband, perhaps send Luo Da to intervene," Jin Niang suggested. She knew Captain Yang’s wife was no paragon of virtue, but Captain Yang himself kept a separate household and treated his wife brutally.
Knowing his wife’s kind heart, Jiang Xian sent Luo Da, his attendant, to the Yang household. Sure enough, the commotion soon died down, and Captain Yang even sent two boxes of fruits as an apology.
Jin Niang had no intention of eating his gifts. She sent half a box to the pregnant Minzhi and had Nanny Fang distribute the rest among the servants.
Unbeknownst to them, Madam Bao and Qiao'er were gleefully celebrating what they saw as vengeance. Captain Yang’s beating had been instigated by Madam Bao, who sneered, "That woman deserved a good thrashing."
Qiao'er sighed in disappointment, "Too bad it stopped after just a few kicks. I heard County Captain Jiang’s people stepped in."
"How annoying," Madam Bao grumbled.
Qiao'er wondered, "Why didn’t Madam Tian step in? She’s usually so kind."
Madam Bao scoffed, "That’s why everyone praises her—but I think she’s hiding something. Acting all saintly, handing out petty favors, but when real trouble comes, she’s the first to hide."
After the Cold Food Festival, Jiang Xian took Jin Niang and the children to their countryside estate for an outing. The estate was near the city walls, not too far—exactly as Jin Niang preferred. Though the children often played in the county office’s rear garden, it couldn’t compare to the untouched beauty of the countryside.
Sister Jun, being older, handled the trip well, but little Brother Ning, just over a year old, had to be bundled up in layered clothes and a hat.
Jin Niang arranged for Chen Xiaolang to stay and accompany the pregnant Minzhi, while Nanny Fang, being too old for long journeys, remained behind. Juxiang stayed to cook, and Advisor Song handled urgent official documents. The others—Jiao Xing, Pei Lan, and Ying—were left to look after the household. Among those traveling, Cao Da drove the horse-drawn carriage, while Liu Dou'er drove the donkey cart, with Qing Rong's Wet Nurse and Xi Qiu seated in the back. The front carriage carried the family of four.
Back in Bianjing, their family had rarely gone on outings, as everyone was always busy. Jin Niang's family ran a business, and holidays were peak times for earning money—they could hardly afford to close shop.
This scene caught the eye of County Captain Mei, who returned home envious and said to Madam Bao, "That Madam Wei, the wife of County Captain Jiang, must be quite wealthy. She’s only been here a short while and already bought such a large estate."
Madam Bao shot him a reproachful glance, her heart burning with jealousy—but more importantly, she wanted money for new clothes. "Indeed," she said. "Last winter, I saw her wearing a fine sable fur coat. Why don’t you get me one too?"
County Captain Mei frowned. "It’s only April. Who wears fur coats now?"
Madam Bao thought bitterly to herself that he had several fur coats of his own but had only ever bought her one cheap one. Seeing others flaunt multiple coats while she had just one had long fueled her resentment.
As they spoke, word came that Madam Bao’s elder brother and his wife had arrived. County Captain Mei went out to greet them, exchanging a few polite words, while Madam Bao instructed the servants to prepare the side room for her sister-in-law to stay.
Sister-in-law Bao had come for two reasons: to enjoy some luxury for a while and to "gather the autumn breeze"—a euphemism for seeking handouts.
When Jin Niang and her family returned from the estate, they met Sister-in-law Bao at Madam Bao’s home once. Jin Niang sent over two plates of fruit bought from the estate’s farmers as a gift.
Sister-in-law Bao beamed at Qing Rong and said, "Thank your mistress for me. She’s too generous with such fine things."
Qing Rong smiled. "It’s nothing. Our mistress says you should make yourself at home here. She hopes you’ll visit often once we’re better acquainted."
These words pleased Sister-in-law Bao greatly. After Qing Rong left, she remarked to Madam Bao, "That Madam Wei from the county office seems quite kind. She was very warm toward me."
Madam Bao scoffed. "She was just tossing you some worthless trinkets. Do you think she’d give you anything truly valuable?" She had long despised her brother and sister-in-law for their lack of refinement. Years ago, they had sold her off to become a maid. Now that she had climbed higher, they came crawling back, eager to curry favor.
Sister-in-law Bao forced an awkward laugh.
When it was time for her to leave, Madam Bao gave her only a string of coins and some leftover pastries from the house to take home.
Meanwhile, Jin Niang said to Jiang Xian, "I’ve heard that even official couriers sometimes pocket valuable items. So after Luo Da delivers the money this time, let’s wait until you return to the capital for your reassignment in two years before retrieving the rest."
Jiang Xian frowned. "Will we have enough money until then?"
He always worried about finances, fearing their large household would drain their resources.
Jin Niang reassured him, "We’ll have plenty."
"Then let Luo Da come in person. I’d like to ask about the situation in the capital anyway. A letter wouldn’t suffice—there’s too much to explain. Besides, we have a considerable sum. If we move to the capital later, the rents from Wu County will still need to be sent to us." Jiang Xian couldn’t understand why Jin Niang was so excessively considerate of their servants. In his view, since they worked for the family, they should simply obey.
Seeing his insistence, Jin Niang relented. "If that’s how you feel, then write to him yourself."
Jiang Xian agreed without hesitation.
After settling the matter, Jin Niang smiled and added, "We’ll collect the first round of rent in June. Steward Fan has planted half an acre of watermelons in the garden, along with several peach and pear trees, and even set up a grapevine trellis. We won’t need to buy fruit from outside anymore."
Jin Niang treated Steward Fan well—aside from letting him keep a portion of the harvest, she gave him two bolts of fine silk, two varieties of premium tea, and twenty strings of coins as yearly wages.
Similarly, Nanny Fang, who now managed various affairs for Jin Niang, earned five silver coins a month—higher than most servants’ pay.
Some masters preferred micromanaging everything, but that only exhausted them. Instead, Jin Niang delegated administrative tasks to specialists, holding a single person accountable when issues arose.
This approach was far more effective than blaming multiple people at once.
Jiang Xian listened to these domestic matters passively, leaving most decisions to his wife.
As Jin Niang spoke of household affairs, she felt deeply content. Yet she knew better than to grow complacent. Rising from her seat, she picked up a book. She read voraciously—whether legends, historical biographies, or anthologies like Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, she devoured them all.
After two hours of reading, she suddenly looked up to find Jiang Xian staring at her. Startled, she asked, "What are you doing? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Jiang Xian could say nothing more, simply approaching her with the words: "Jin Niang, you look like a delicate rice dumpling dusted with powder—I could just devour you in one bite."
"Such nonsense," Jin Niang chided. Today, she wore a soft yellow blouse and a pale yellow skirt. With her snow-white complexion, she truly resembled a creamy custard bun—little did she expect he’d actually think of her that way.
Jiang Xian wrapped his arms around her from behind. "I only speak what’s in my heart."
"You—really, what am I to do with you?" Jin Niang had always indulged him, and so she let him have his way.
After the Qingming Festival passed, Jin Niang was invited to the Lin household to serve as the "Complete Blessings" matron—Madam Lin was betrothed to a local county scholar, said to be from an impoverished branch of a noble family. He had entered the county school at fourteen and, now seventeen, had just been admitted to the Pingjiang Military Academy.
Though the Lin family couldn’t compare to the extravagant wealth of households like the Gus, they were still exceedingly prosperous. Previously, they had sent gifts that Jin Niang declined. Now, as the "Complete Blessings" matron, she wore a honey-colored gauze skirt entirely unadorned, save for a large embroidered phoenix tree leaf on one side of her shawl, paired with delicate jade hairpins that made her look radiant.
For her services, Jin Niang received a filigree-encrusted coronet adorned with gemstones and pearls, exquisitely crafted. Additionally, the Lin family gifted two boxes of Taihu pearls, six bolts of Song brocade, six boxes of fashionable silk flowers, a load of tea cakes, and a pair of lacquerware.
This was already after Jin Niang had insisted on returning half—otherwise, the gifts would have been even more lavish.
She understood this wasn’t merely repayment for saving a life but also a gesture of goodwill. Though Jin Niang felt the gifts too extravagant and wished to refuse, Madam Lin assured her the dowry for the matchmakers was comparable. Only after reviewing the list did Jin Niang accept.
Ying giggled. "Good thing you didn’t listen to me about commissioning a gold coronet—that would’ve been a waste of money."
"Silly girl," Jin Niang replied. "To catch those kidnappers, the young master sought help from many, and our household spent hundreds of strings of cash. We even hired extra guards, fearing retaliation from their accomplices."
Ying stuck out her tongue and fell silent.
Some ventures brought great rewards, but the risks were just as high.
Madam Bao burned with envy over the gifts Jin Niang received as the "Complete Blessings" matron. But with no children of her own, she was ineligible for the role. Resentful, she even took perverse delight upon hearing that Madam Tian’s son had fallen ill. Later, in the rear garden, she spotted Nanny Ma playing with Brother Ning. Approaching under the guise of admiration, she pinched the child’s cheek.
Nanny Ma reported back at once: "I couldn’t stop her in time—his face was red from the pinch."
Jin Niang’s heart ached. "She grows bolder by the day. A woman like her has no scruples—best to keep our distance."
Scolding her would be easy, but who knew what she might do? Rumor had it Captain Yang’s wife had been beaten at Madam Bao’s instigation.
Meanwhile, Sister Hou San, Madam Qi’s sister-in-law, was swiftly betrothed to the youngest son of the assistant prefect’s wife. Previously, the assistant prefect had sought a match between his grandson and Sister Jun, but Jin Niang and Jiang Xian had declined. Now, impressed by Sister Hou San’s beauty, temperament, and generous dowry—and with both families stationed in the same post—they agreed to a betrothal, with the wedding set for two years later.
Madam Qi invited Jin Niang to serve as the "Complete Blessings" matron, offering two jars of Jinhua wine, two roasted geese, an unbleached bolt of fine silk, two bolts of coarse silk, and a set of red silk garments.
Jin Niang had the gifts carried home and fulfilled her duties diligently, staying until the banquet concluded.
Madam Qi was overjoyed—her sister-in-law had married up, aligning their family with the assistant prefect’s household, a prominent figure in Pingjiang’s military circles.
But her joy was short-lived. The newly appointed prefect took office, sending tremors through the local bureaucracy. Known for his uncompromising integrity and fierce anti-corruption stance, his reputation alone was enough to unsettle the officials.
Jin Niang smiled. "This is a good thing. It’s time to purge the corruption plaguing the administration."
The Jiangnan region was prosperous, but under Magistrate Hou’s tyrannical grip and the assistant prefect’s endless banquets—used to extort wealth—many officials’ wives had suffered greatly.
Jiang Xian coughed. "Indeed."
Jin Niang added, "Then the willow-leaf patterned robe I made for you—wear it sparingly when you go out. And that jasmine gauze gown with intricate embroidery—best not to flaunt such extravagance."
Jiang Xian groaned. "But that’s my favorite robe!"
"There’s no helping it. The plain robes I made for your visits to Scholar Jiang’s family will do just fine," Jin Niang soothed.
Jiang Xian thought wearing such dull attire would make life even gloomier.
After Prefect Shen took office, he refused all gifts and declined requests from officials, instead busying himself with inspecting farmland, irrigation systems, county schools, and military academies. The first to suffer from his strict governance was Magistrate Hou, who, having served for five years and knowing this might be his final year, had grown increasingly reckless.
Hou Gong had hoped to bribe Prefect Shen, believing that if he accepted money, negotiations would be easier—or at least he’d have leverage if refused. However, Prefect Shen proved incorruptible and inflexible, leaving his subordinates trembling with anxiety. Even the usually extravagant assistant prefect and his wife toned down their lavish ways.
Jin Niang was overjoyed that she hadn’t received an invitation from the assistant prefect’s wife in over a month. Previously, she had to prepare gifts for every visit, or else face exclusion. This was also why Madam Bao had grown increasingly irritable—she had to pay for gifts out of her own pocket, while Madam Tian and Jin Niang could take items from their personal dowries. If she drew too much from the household funds, County Captain Mei would accuse her of doing it deliberately.
Now, the Shen household maintained a quiet and modest lifestyle. They weren’t entirely devoid of social graces—when Madam Shen celebrated her birthday, she only accepted simple gifts like pastries, wine, or needlework from the women, refusing luxurious silks, jade, antiques, or land deeds.
Jin Niang, ever tactful, had Juxiang prepare a basket of longevity peach buns at home and sent them over. Hearing that Madam Shen was devoutly Buddhist, she also gifted a hand-embroidered Guanyin on a lotus throne—a piece she had worked on for months. Surely, they couldn’t refuse it just because her embroidery skills were excellent.
At the birthday banquet, Madam Bao was stunned to see Jin Niang, who usually dressed in refined elegance, wearing a plain silk headscarf, a robe with only a single flower embroidered on the sleeve, and coarse satin shoes. Jin Niang even acted timidly, as if embarrassed by her modest gift, saying, "Madam Shen, I had my family prepare some longevity peach buns. Please don’t find them too simple."
Madam Shen smiled warmly. "The thought matters more than the gift. How could I disdain such sincerity?"
Jin Niang then added, "Thank you for your kindness. Last year, I saw a painting of Guanyin seated on a lotus at the Purple Gold Temple and embroidered it myself. May you live as long and strong as the pine and cypress."
When the embroidery was unrolled, it revealed a white-robed Guanyin holding a willow branch, her expression radiating boundless compassion.
Madam Shen looked at Jin Niang in delighted surprise...
Upon returning home, Jiang Xian heard that Madam Shen had shown great favor to his wife, even inviting her to future Buddhist lectures. He praised her, "Who would have thought that among so many, only your gift truly pleased the old madam?"
Jin Niang laughed. "Oh, you’re so naive. I tested her with a few Buddhist phrases, and she didn’t understand a word. But my gift was flawless—whether she sells it later or gives it to her granddaughter as a dowry, it’s worth at least two hundred strings of cash. Even if she cares nothing for Buddha, she’d still say ‘Amitabha’ for such a valuable piece."
As for Madam Bao’s jade Buddha pendant? Madam Shen dared not accept it—that would have been outright bribery.
Jiang Xian suddenly understood. "Ah, so that’s how it is."
"Prefect Shen is filial to his mother. We don’t need to ask for favors now, but if trouble ever arises, having Madam Shen speak a word for us won’t be difficult." Jin Niang knew how treacherous officialdom could be—one misstep, and a trap could snap shut. If Jiang Xian ever aimed higher and faced slander, they’d at least have a path to appeal.
Her philosophy had always been: When prosperous, benefit the world; when struggling, cultivate virtue alone. As an official’s wife, she hoped her husband could master both statecraft and self-preservation.
