Chapter 61 Chapter 61 Two Chapters in One
Night fell outside. The red candles in the bridal chamber were crackling and burning. Candle oil dripped from the lamp onto the table. Juxiang quickly wiped it off with a cloth. She heard some giggling sounds again and looked over. It turned out to be the two maids serving their son-in-law.
She knew they were laughing at her for being silly, but Juxiang didn't care. She wanted to guard the house for her girl.
There happened to be a noise outside at this moment. The two girls who had just laughed at Juxiang immediately rushed down like arrows and stood guard at the door.
At this time, of course, Jinniang came back first. Jiang Xian still had to accompany them outside to have a few drinks. She was extremely tired now, but she was very happy in her heart. From being a slave, to the hard-to-reach alley of Stinky Water Lane, to Sweet Water Lane, and finally to a big house like this. She takes every step firmly and is making progress.
Back in the room, Aying helped Jinniang take off her hairpins and wide-sleeved clothes. Jinniang sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the two unfamiliar maids in the room. The two maids understood the situation and immediately knelt down and told their names.
"Your servant Xiqiu/Minzhi pays respects to Grandma Sixteen."
Jinniang smiled and said, "Stand up. I don't have so many rules here." She pointed at Aying and Juxiang and said, "These are the two maids who serve me every day. You have met each other. You must get along well in the future."
Ah Ying was always smart, and she stepped forward immediately and said, "I am Ah Ying, please ask me for advice in the future."
Xiqiu and Minzhi both said they dared not.
Jinniang asked them whether they were born in the family or bought from outside. They both said they were born in the family and had served Jiang Xian for three years. She then rewarded each of them with thirty-six copper coins, and they both thanked her immediately.
"It looks like a new courtyard here?" Jinniang asked.
Xi Qiu nodded: "It was because Sixteenth Young Master was getting married that his wife asked Eighth Madam to open up this place and renovate it."
"Well, where is the bathroom?"
"It's in the annex next to the main entrance."
"Then please ask someone to prepare hot water. I want to wash up. My husband will also need to wash up when he comes back later." Jinniang ordered.
Xiqiu and Minzhi hurriedly obeyed the order and went out. Jinniang gave Ah Ying and Juxiang a reward of 100 coins each, and then said, "There are also two feet of satin and ten feet of red linen for each of you. Ah Ying, you can open the box and share them."
As personal maids, of course they would get more, as there has always been a distinction between close and distant relatives!
The two of them lived in the west wing. The Jiang family had known about the dowry in advance and had already arranged the place for them.
When Xiqiu and Minzhi brought water over, Jinniang went over to take a bath and wash up. The bathroom was quite clever, with two doors on the main entrance, so one could enter from the outside, or directly open the side door from the main room.
Lying in the wooden barrel, she thought it was really tiring to get married. Although the Jiang family had fallen into decline, there were still too many rules. I heard from Yingniang that when Anping’s family got married, they went straight into the bridal chamber without so many rules.
After taking a bath, she washed her hair again. She had no choice but to wash her hair because she had used a lot of osmanthus oil and there was still firecracker debris and ashes on her hair. When she was a maid, it was inconvenient for her to wash and comb her hair, so she asked someone to buy shampoo for her, but it was low-quality shampoo, which caused a blister on her scalp that has not healed yet. Therefore, she washed her hair very frequently.
Jiang Xian had not expected that when he came back, he would meet a beauty coming out of the bath. Her hair was disheveled on both sides with moisture on the ends, making her face look even smaller and fairer. Her light gauze nightgown revealed her graceful curves. He immediately looked away.
"Madam, I, I brought the food over."
Jinniang smiled, "I think I am actually a little hungry."
Perhaps because Jiang Xian was a few years younger than her, she was very calm in front of him and had her orange-petal gauze lamp moved to the table. Xiqiu and Minzhi quickly set the table and followed Aying out. After all, it was their wedding night and it was not appropriate to disturb the newlyweds.
As the saying goes, the more you look at a beauty under the lamp, the more beautiful she becomes.
"Don't you want to eat?" Jinniang urged him again when she saw that he didn't move his chopsticks much.
Jiang Xian smiled and said, "I'll come and eat right away. What do you think of the taste of the food, madam?"
There were four dishes and one soup on the table, including crystal stew, stir-fried bamboo shoots, silver tripe, crispy yellow ribs and a bowl of braised lamb. Jinniang is not a picky eater and just said, "They are all delicious."
Jiang Xian raised his eyebrows, but returned to normal in an instant: "Yes, my lady is right." Jinniang asked him in return: "Then what do you like to eat? I am not a picky eater at all. I eat everything except bitter melon and insects."
It was a very casual conversation. Jiang Xian rarely talked to others in such a casual way. He smiled and said, "I'm not picky about food, but I like to eat a dish called yellow sparrow vinegar. First clean the yellow sparrow, then wash it with wine, wipe it dry, mix it with wheat germ, red yeast rice, salt, pepper, chopped green onion, etc., put it in the jar, put a layer of yellow sparrow, a layer of spices, cover it with bamboo leaves when it is full, and fix it with bamboo strips. Pour out the brine, add wine and seal it. When you want to eat it, take out a few. It is extremely delicious."
He actually knows so much about food and is so meticulous. He wants to wear good clothes and eat good food. Most people can't afford him.
Jinniang had eaten all the food on the market in the Song Dynasty, especially when she was in Wenxiu Courtyard, where she ate out every day at noon. She said, "I haven't eaten the pickled yellow sparrow you like, but I had a delicious fried quail in a tea shop in Zhouqiao. It was at the deepest part of the alley, and many gourmets ate there. There were no more than ten tables a day. They cooked quail and quail eggs together. The secret was to fry them first and then boil them with his secret braised meat. I can't say that the fragrance can be smelled ten miles away, but at least it can be smelled three miles away."
"Hearing what you said, I would like to try it." Jiang Xian was curious.
Jinniang smiled and said, "Okay, let's go there together when we have time in the future." Then she asked, "Have you been to Shaozhuyuan in Xiangguo Temple?"
Jiang Xian nodded immediately: "Of course I have been there."
"Actually, there is another shop that is not inferior to Xiangguo Temple. It is a foot shop near Huixian Tower. At first, I thought the shop was small and why there were so many people. Later, I went there once and found out that I think it tastes better than the one in Shaozhuyuan. The crispy texture is wrapped in the tender and soft meat, and the juice is overflowing, and the mouth is full of fragrance. They also have a specially made dry powder with chopped broad beans in it. Just thinking about it makes me happy to have a bite." Jinniang tilted her head and looked at him.
When Jiang Xian saw her smile, he thought it was so sweet.
They were almost done eating, and Jiang Xian called someone in. Xi Qiu brought in some tea, and Jinniang took it to rinse her mouth. Aying thought to herself that this tea was used to rinse the mouth, as they had never done this before in the Wei family.
The dining table was cleared away, and Minzhi found pajamas for Jiang Xian. Then they went downstairs and they no longer needed to serve in the room.
After Jiang Xian went to the bathroom, Jinniang immediately took out chicken tongue incense from the dressing box and put it in her mouth, then slowly rubbed her hair with fine linen. Holding chicken tongue incense can make the mouth and tongue fragrant and exhale a fragrant breath, so that when the two of them are close, they will not be smelled.
You know, she suffers from bad breath. Sometimes, when she sees someone who looks pretty and bright coming into the store, the bad breath will overwhelm her as soon as she opens her mouth...
Little did he know that Jiang Xian did the same. After coming out of the shower, he took a few mint leaves and put them in his mouth before coming out of the bathroom.
At this time, there were only two people in the room, and they both felt a little uncomfortable. Jinniang's previous composure was gone by half, and she was even a little nervous. Seeing Jiang Xian getting closer, she stood up suddenly, wanting to hide.
Jiang Xian sensed her nervousness and asked, "Is your hair dry?"
"The ends of my hair aren't dry yet." Jinniang stroked her hair uncomfortably.
Jiang Xian smiled and said, "Let me help you dry your hair. If you don't dry your hair, you'll catch a cold easily."
Jinniang handed him the handkerchief. Jiang Xian took it and sat down beside her. He lifted her fluffy black hair, which seemed to carry the fragrance of morning dew and flowers. Her body was faintly visible under her wide and soft silk skirt. His hand, which was stroking her hair, also began to move forward...
"My wife."
"Sir, what's wrong?"
"I, can I?"
"……Um."
Jinniang thought that at the most critical moment, he would still respect herself. She closed her eyes and only felt a slight pain at first, and then all her limbs felt relaxed. Originally, she thought that only men enjoyed doing this kind of thing, but she never thought that women could also enjoy it in this way.
The next morning, Aying took the clothes and ironed them first, then helped Jinniang put them on. She wore a lotus-colored plain bra, with an ivory-white plain gauze pleated skirt, and a long scarlet silk jacket with a four-sided ruyi pattern on the outside. She wore a crane-shaped purse on her waist, and a pair of red satin high heels on her feet. The highlight of these shoes was the toe, which was first embroidered with auspicious clouds in silver thread, and then a white crane was pasted on it, as if the crane was hovering over her shoes. A closer look revealed that her whole body was dressed in red and white.
"Aying, wear your hair in a single bun." Jinniang said with a smile.
Aying tied her hair into a bun neatly, with a carved silver comb inserted in the middle and golden crane-boy earrings adorning her ears.
In the compartment, Jiang Xian just opened the curtain and came in. Seeing Jinniang dressed up, he said, "Mother has sent someone to urge us to come. Let's go now."
"Yeah." Jinniang smiled.
The two of them left the garden together. Jiang Xian walked beside Jinniang, feeling a little warm in his heart. Thinking of last night, he still couldn't calm down. She was as soft as a ball of water, and even a hand couldn't hold her. But she was very serious during the day, and she didn't even look at herself when they walked together.
"Wife." Jiang Xian called out unconsciously.
Jinniang smiled and said, "Sir, how is it?"
Jiang Xian then realized that he had called Jinniang, and found that her dress was charming but not vulgar. Most people would easily look tacky in red, but her outfit was very unique, and the highlight was even her shoes, a pair of white cranes that looked like they were about to flap their wings and fly.
"I mean this set of yours looks good." Jiang Xian said.
Jinniang said, "I don't have any gold prints or gold ornaments on my dress. In fact, I think 'the first blooming lotus' is more beautiful than 'intricately colored gold ornaments'."
Jiang Xian also agreed with this. He looked at Jinniang's profile, her eyebrows curved in a smile, so sweet that it touched people's hearts.
As they were talking, they arrived at the main hall. Jinniang faced a table with a dressing table and a mirror, and bowed. After bowing, she took all her needlework to the elders.
The so-called elders of the Sixth House are Mr. Jiang Liu and Mrs. Jiang Liu. Jinniang prepared a pair of purses, a fan cover, and three pairs of silk stockings for her father-in-law, three pairs of shoes, a pair of purses, and three pairs of silk stockings for her mother-in-law, three pairs of purses for Jiang Yan, a pair of shoes and a pair of silk stockings for her sister-in-law Xu, a pair of shoes and a pair of silk stockings for her aunt Jiang Qi Gu, and three pairs of purses for her brother-in-law Xue.
After the gifts were given out, everyone gave gifts in return. Mr. Jiang Liu and his wife gave two boxes of silk flowers and a piece of colorful satin, and the rest of the people also gave a piece of colorful satin.
Then everyone sat down and talked.
Jinniang spoke politely to everyone, but seeing that Mrs. Jiang Liu looked even worse than last year, she thought that her mother-in-law might be on her last legs, probably because she had been struggling for the sake of her youngest son.
"After you return home after three days, let your sister-in-law take you to meet more people in the clan." Mrs. Jiang Liu ordered.
Jinniang quickly agreed, and then said to Xu: "I'll trouble you in the future."
Xu smiled and said, "We are all family, so please don't be polite to me."
Yesterday, Jiang Qigu heard her husband mention that the Liu family wanted to introduce Jiang Xian to the daughter of the magistrate. She always felt that her brother had missed a good match. Even if her brother did not marry that White Snake, as long as he waited for the exam this year, his brother would become a juren and could marry the daughter of a high-ranking official.
The mother's heart was too anxious.
But she also had to admit that Wei was indeed beautiful and looked dignified. When she stood next to Xu, people who didn't know her would think that she was a daughter of an official and Xu was born a commoner.
When Xu came to marry, she came with a dowry of thirty loads, which was very light. She looked like a noble and self-righteous person, like a scholar. It was a bit annoying, but no matter what, she was still the daughter of a Jinshi.
"I am always sick and impatient to see people. When someone comes, I have to stand up. You don't have to come to pay your respects often. I will feel relieved if you take good care of Shiliulang's daily life." Mrs. Jiang Liu coughed a few times after she finished speaking.
Jinniang was about to get up, but Madam Jiang Liu quickly said that it was not necessary, and then said, "Your sister-in-law is the manager of the house now. If you need anything, just tell your sister-in-law."
"Yes." Jinniang was not unhappy at all.
However, back in the bridal chamber, Ah Ying couldn't help but ask, "Miss, how about your business?"
Jinniang smiled and said, "We'll take it one step at a time. Anyway, we have to do business. It's just a matter of when."
"It's good that you know the idea, but when will we open?" Aying asked.
Jinniang said, "Maybe in half a month. I will definitely go to the embroidery shop. If there is any accident, you guys can take over first. If I take the order, it will be the same if I do it at home."
Ah Ying was a little scared: "If you're not here, I'm afraid I can't do it."
"You always have to be able to stand on your own feet." Jinniang said with a smile.
She couldn't tell Aying now that Mrs. Jiang Liu was in weak health. If she passed away in the future, they would soon have to set up their own business. Why would she bother with that now?
Besides, she was really exhausted from preparing her dowry. She got up early and sat up late, and there was fat on her waist and abdomen. She needed to rest for a while. This is the combination of work and rest. Do you really want to risk your life just to make money?
Even machines need to be oiled after working for a long time, let alone people?
The two of them talked for a few words, and then Jianxi Qiu and Minzhi came in and stopped talking and started talking about other things.
Xiqiu and Minzhi received the reward from Jinniang yesterday, so naturally they didn't want to offend the hostess. Besides, the questions were not important, so they both answered them.
"Sixteenth Young Master originally lived in the east wing of the second courtyard. Yesterday, the two of us followed Sixth Madam's instructions and brought Sixteenth Young Master's robes here." Xi Qiu said.
Jinniang said distressedly: "Mother is not in good health, but she still worries so much about you. It's really pitiful how pitiful all parents are."
She was afraid that there would be some discord between her daughter-in-law and her son. This was what it meant to truly wish the best for her son and daughter-in-law. Of course, in some ways, this further confirmed Jinniang's thoughts.
Then she asked about their monthly allowance, meals, daily laundry, bathing, etc., leaving no detail unturned.
When Jiang Xian came back, Jinniang had a general understanding of the situation in the sixth room. The servants in the sixth room received very little monthly wages. Those who worked had food to eat, and those who did not have to take care of themselves. The masters were easy to talk to. Last year, they released two families, and this year they released several maids, saying it was a grace.
Who would sell people for no reason, especially a wealthy family, unless they can no longer afford to keep the child.
But she would not criticize, and said with admiration: "You are really a charitable family."
Seeing Jiang Xian come in again, she stood up and said with a smile, "Master is back."
"Well, I just had someone move a few books over. We can read them when we have nothing to do." Jiang Xian said with a smile.
Jinniang nodded: "I also brought a few new books, we can have tea together."
Look, he knew that a girl like his wife, who was full of bookish air, loved reading the most. Jiang Xian was very happy: "I thought so too."
When Jinniang saw a strand of his hair falling down, she gently and carefully helped him pin it up. Jiang Xian instantly felt like a person who had been hit and could not move. When he came to his senses again, he found that Jinniang was taking out her painting supplies to prepare for painting.
This is her habit. She has to draw a picture of flowers and birds every day no matter if she has anything to do or not. Before, she copied various things, but now suddenly one day she can draw directly by herself, just like typing on the computer. At the beginning, she has to do it like a chicken pecking at rice, but after typing many times, she naturally learns to type blindly.
She is now learning from those people in the art academy, finding one or two lines from ancient poems to express the artistic conception, so that she can create new clothes.
It just so happens that what I came across today is a poem by Du Gongzhan, "The lotus blossoms are bright and auspicious, rising tall and gracefully from the water. One stem draws the green alone, while two shadows share the red."
The postscript of this poem is "Ode to the Lotus of the Same Heart", which means twin lotus flowers, which is a good sign.
She pointed it out to Jiang Xian, who also smiled. Jinniang then said with a smile, "In that case, today is also our wedding day, so I will design a collar with lotus flowers on two stems, but not in a twined style, but with lotus flowers and dragonflies in the pond together."
After saying that, she started to paint, first making a draft, then outlining and coloring. During this time, Jiang Xian, who was preparing to concentrate on reading, looked at her frequently, but seeing that she was concentrating, he didn't want to disturb her.
Xiqiu and Minzhi were also watching. They were surprised to see that the new grandmother was so calm and talented, and that she could draw flowers so beautifully.
Of course Jinniang would not make a fuss on her first day at work. Her purpose was very clear. It was impossible for her to be madly in love with Jiang Xian from the beginning. They had to start as friends, and friends had to find common ground and respect each other.
Just after finishing the painting, Xiqiu and Minzhi brought over the food. Jinniang was surprised and said, "It's noon so soon."
The lunch dish should be the leftovers from yesterday's banquet, with just one dish of stir-fried white cabbage. Jinniang was used to a hard life and was not very picky about food, but she was a meticulous person, and that could be told at a glance.
Sure enough, looking at Jiang Xian, he didn't seem to have much appetite.
In fact, this kind of thing is very normal in their small family. For example, her younger brother Yangger doesn't like to eat leftover food, so Jinniang always asks Juxiang to go to the street and spend a dozen cents to buy him some other vegetables as food.
But now facing Jiang Xian, she smiled and said, "Are you tired of studying? I don't have much appetite."
Jiang Xian shook his head: "Not really." After that, he pondered for a moment and said, "This dish is not to my taste."
You tell me the truth, then I can tell you the truth. Jinniang said, "I can't add more dishes these days. After all, I'm a new bride, and I don't want people to say I'm picky. In a few days, what do you want to eat? We can pay the kitchen staff to make it for you, okay?"
"Okay." When Jiang Xian heard her mention money, he immediately took out his money box and handed it to Jinniang.
After Jinniang finished her meal and sent the servants out, she opened the box and took a look. There were many gold and silver ingots, silver beads, small change, and about ten strings of copper coins scattered inside. She smiled and put it away, then gave him two purses.
Jiang Xian saw that the box was full. When he opened it, he found that it was all money. It must have been prepared in advance.
"These two purses are for your daily expenses. One purse is filled with eight cents of silver. I asked Qingyin Shop to make it into the shape of a silver fish. It looks good and is cheap to give as a reward. The other purse is filled with copper coins and some loose silver. It will be convenient for you to use it when you go out." Jinniang explained.
In fact, he didn't spend much money. Fifty small silver fish in one purse were no more than four strings of cash. As for the other purse, there were three one-liang silver coins and dozens of copper coins. The two purses together did not exceed eight strings of cash, which was far less than what Jiang Xian gave him.
But Jiang Xian was very moved. It was common for some women to find ways to get money from men to buy hairpins, rings and jewelry, but it was rare to see a woman as generous and magnanimous as Jinniang.
"Thank you, ma'am." His eyes sparkled.
Jinniang joked, "If you say so, doesn't it mean that we are estranged, just as you said before?"
Jiang Xian shook his head quickly.
Seeing that no one came in, he was close to Jinniang, and the air from his rapid breathing was all on Jinniang's neck. His voice was a little tender, and as a young man, he could not control himself. Jinniang jumped up immediately and pushed him away: "It's still early, what are you doing?"
"So what you mean is that it will be fine once it gets dark." Jiang Xian said with a double meaning.
Jinniang heard the teasing in his tone and raised her head and said, "You look serious on weekdays, but you are full of nonsense."
The newlyweds joked with each other and naturally became closer than before. In the afternoon, Jiang Xian heard that she had a sore waist and gave her a massage.
…
Mrs. Jiang Liu smiled and said to the other mother, "Look at that child. He said with certainty that he wanted to study, but he was afraid that his new wife would pester him. Now, he is so diligent."
Mother Fang smiled and said, "Isn't this what you were looking forward to seeing?"
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