Chapter 62 Chapter 62 Two Chapters in One
On the third day, Xu saw that her sister-in-law had changed her clothes again. The silver-red satin bodice revealed her fair skin, and the white gauze skirt was embroidered with big red butterflies. The thin silk shirt made her look more noble. She also pinned a graceful butterfly on her collar. The clothes looked beautiful and she looked very happy.
Today, Xu wanted to take her to meet the elders of the Jiang family and get to know them, so they greeted Mrs. Jiang Liu and left.
After exiting the corner gate, Xu introduced: "Going out of this corridor is the residence of my uncle's family. My uncle's family is a clan family, so I have to interact with them on a daily basis."
Jinniang nodded.
Mrs. Xu had also been observing her along the way. She saw her going to different rooms to meet people. She was very calm and confident without any shyness, but she also didn't interrupt or say much. She thought it was no wonder that her mother-in-law chose her.
"I just realized that my mother-in-law chose you instead of all the other daughters of officials. It's true. Before, there were daughters of prefects, daughters of magistrates, and daughters of big pearl merchants, but my mother-in-law didn't like them all."
This was not a compliment, but a condescending attitude. Jinniang also asked Jiang Xian about Xu's family background. Xu's father died while serving as the chief clerk of Chuzhou when she was only ten years old. She was one of six brothers in the family and she and her mother worked all year round spinning hemp, cloth and embroidering to support the family. The family finances were difficult and they lived in a shabby alley.
Fortunately, she had an uncle who was also a Jinshi. He was the magistrate of Suining at the time. When he returned to Beijing to report on his work, he saw that his niece had not found a marriage. He also remembered that Master Jiang Liu had once had a very good relationship with his deceased brother. He also met Jiang Yan and, seeing that he was a handsome man, he was willing to marry his niece to him. He also said that his niece's family was poor and he would pay for the dowry.
At that time, Mrs. Jiang Liu's family was relatively well-off. Seeing that Xu was dignified and simple, without the slightest bit of arrogance, and had excellent handwriting, and that two people in the Xu family had become Jinshi, and that her brothers also had high praise for her, she agreed to the marriage.
Last year, Xu's uncle also passed away.
The officialdom is different from other places. Once a person leaves, the atmosphere gets cold. Besides, her uncle is an official in a foreign country, and his own children may not be able to benefit from his legacy, let alone her.
This is not because Jinniang is snobbish, but she uses different methods to deal with different people. For example, when dealing with Madam Gu who often gets clothes for free, she can just drive her out without being polite. But when dealing with Miss Zhou Er, she can only use the method of bullying.
Similarly, now she treated people like Xu, who was said to be the daughter of an official family, but was actually a poor family, but she mocked her in front of her. Of course, Jinniang would not let her go, so she pretended not to know: "Sister-in-law's praise really makes me feel ashamed. I think sister-in-law is a very generous person, different from us. I wonder where sister-in-law's father is serving as an official now?"
When Mrs. Xu heard this, her eyes dimmed and she was unhappy: "My father has been gone for more than ten years."
Jinniang apologized repeatedly: "It's my fault for bringing up my sister-in-law's sad story."
But when she returned to the garden, she didn't seem to be really sorry and was in a good mood. Ah Ying was a little worried: "Mrs. Xu is in charge of the household now. What if she makes things difficult for you?"
"Don't be afraid. She said those words in front of me and didn't respect me at all. Why should I give her face?"
Mrs. Xu was also very angry when she returned to her room. She said to Mother Ge, "That Mrs. Wei is really sharp-tongued and disrespectful to my sister-in-law."
Mother Ge advised: "Why do you have to be angry with her? When the family socializes, you can deliberately distance yourself from her a few times. She will be isolated and helpless, and she will know who is the boss of the family in the future."
Of course Jinniang didn't know about these things. Today, the Wei family sent three-day gifts. Juxiang had already said that her family sent jewelry, colorful satin, oil honey, steamed cakes, and goose eggs. She and Jiang Xian still had to go back to her parents' home.
When she returned home three days later, Jinniang also prepared gifts for the people at home. She gave Luo Yu'e two pieces of colorful satin, two handkerchiefs, a gold-wrapped silver hairpin, and a pair of lotus earrings.
Luo Yu'e also asked: "Where did this come from?"
"The two pieces of satin were given to the new bride by her parents-in-law, and the jewelry was given by the elders of the Jiang family today. They are not good things either." Jinniang said with a smile.
She also remembered that Rongniang had kept watch over her room that day, and Jinniang had given her a piece of colorful satin, two boxes of tea and fruit, and two roast geese.
Rong Niang smiled and said, "Why be so polite?"
Jinniang said, "The more we are family, the more we cannot take things for granted. Big sister helped me stay awake all night, who else can I thank if not you?"
This incident really pissed Yingniang off to death.
Feng Sheng sent a lot of finished medicines this time and seemed very enthusiastic. Even Luo Yu'e said, "Your brother-in-law Feng is different now. He came to help very early today."
"If that's the case, it would be great." She didn't want to speculate the worst, she just hoped that Rong Niang could be self-reliant and strong. If Feng Sheng could get along well with Rong Niang and her husband, that would be great. If not, Rong Niang would be able to stand on her own in the future.
After returning home, she only had some tea and food before returning to her husband's house. Luo Yu'e also reminded her: "Don't always think about home."
She always hoped that her daughter could live the life that a normal woman should have.
After returning home three days later, Jiang Xian usually studied at home. He told himself that he would sometimes go to Master Huang's house. Jinniang was making couple shirts for them. Both of them were wearing smoke-green silk shirts with lotus patterns, and the collars were embroidered with twin lotus flowers, but Jinniang used snail-green embroidery powder for Jiang Xian.
It was Xi Qiu who told her, "Madam Peng from the clan house invited people to play chuiwan, and Madam Xu went, but she didn't ask you to go."
"If you ask me to go, I won't be able to do it." Jinniang was telling the truth.
When she was in the Zhou family, she had seen the wives of small officials being teased, and even their children of humble origins being bullied. Just like in her previous life, her parents tried their best to send her to the so-called aristocratic private schools to build up connections, but if you are not in the same class as them and there is no exchange of interests, who will really treat you equally?
A good blacksmith must have strong tools himself. If Jiang Xian has no hope of passing the imperial examination in his lifetime, he might as well give up the vanity of fame and fortune and earn the money he deserves in a down-to-earth manner. If Jiang Xian can become an official in the future, it will not be too late to make friends with him later.
Within seven days after returning home, Jinniang prepared clothes for her and Jiang Xian. When Jiang Xian returned to his room, he was very happy to put on the clothes.
"You know my embroidery shop only accepts female customers and rarely accepts men, so if there is anything I do wrong, you must tell me." Jinniang smiled and helped him straighten his clothes.
Although he had only been married for ten days, Jiang Xian had already experienced the benefits of having a wife. There would be one of his favorite dishes on the table every day, his clothes would be ironed in advance, and incense would be burned every night, not to mention the couple's happy evenings. The two of them were like fish in water.
His wife would also care about his mood, make clothes for him, and often ask about his mother's health.
While he was reading at home, his wife would make tea and paint.
Jiang Xian of course returned the favor and asked the kitchen to make chicken soup for Jinniang. He then pointed at his own clothes and said with a smile, "Nothing fits better than this."
Jinniang was very happy. She didn't like men or women with weird personalities, just like her mother. If it was something given to her by someone else, she would not use it and would hardly give a good compliment. But if it was something that belonged to her, she would insist that others use it and would not openly accept kindness and praise others.
This is also the reason why she would rather give some satin to her family and let her parents find a tailor to make it.
"As long as you like it." Jinniang said with a smile.
Jiang Xian mentioned that he would go to Han's house in the afternoon and told Jinniang not to wait for him for dinner.
Jinniang asked, "Is the Han family the Zhou family's old lady's family?"
"Yes, they are a family. Han Zineng is now marrying the great-grandniece of Mr. Zhaowen. She used to be a magistrate outside the capital, and now she is in charge of the Jixian Academy. My brother and I are here to celebrate." Jiang Xian said.
Jinniang nodded: "I see, you just got married, I'm afraid someone will tease you, so don't be stingy when you give them tips. By the way, do you want to bring something with you? You can't go empty-handed."
Jiang Xian was a man, so he didn't pay attention to these things. Usually, his mother prepared everything for him, so he asked, "Then what should I send?"
"I know a Mrs. Huang. Her family specializes in selling fresh produce. I'll ask Xiaolang to buy some for us." Jinniang said.
An hour later, Chen Xiaolang spent two hundred coins to buy a bunch of Taiyuan grapes and a few golden and silver peaches from the Huang family and put them in a plum-red box. Jinniang first picked the grapes that were almost rotten, and cut a square handkerchief to put underneath.
From time to time, Jiang Xian and his brother Jiang Yan went out together. The contrast between the two brothers when they stood together was very strong.
Jiang Yan was wearing a green robe, which looked neat, but in fact it had been washed several times, and the color was not bright enough, unlike Jiang Xian's new clothes, which were very shiny, and he was holding a gift box in his hand.
Jiang Yan smiled and said, "Your sister-in-law asked me to prepare a box of snacks for you. We will take it with us when the time comes. I didn't expect that you also prepared some. Could it be that your sister-in-law prepared it?"
"Brother is right. My wife prepared it." Jiang Xian said.
Jiang Yan patted his brother's shoulder and said, "Live a good life after you get married."
The two brothers discussed academic matters in the carriage for a while. When they arrived at Han's house, Han Xiao's servant congratulated Jiang Xian again when he saw him. "Sixteenth Young Master, congratulations on your wedding."
Jiang Xian threw two silver fish to him: "This is a reward for you, kid."
The servant saw that the fish looked so lifelike that he held it in his hands and expressed his gratitude profusely.
Some of the friends who came with them brought Shi Lou's Bi Guang wine, and some brought a dish. Because this was just a gathering of friends and not a gift-giving event, everyone was not going to be too formal.
Jiang Xian's fresh fruit won first prize. A yamen official at the table said, "This bunch of grapes is round and firm, and tastes sweet and juicy. I wonder where you found it from."
Everyone knew that Han Xiao usually had a poor appetite, but after tasting a few grapes today, he seemed to have his appetite whetted and ate an extra cup of rice.
Jiang Xian smiled somewhat complacently and said, "I didn't find it. My wife prepared it."
The young masters couldn't help but clamor to see the new bride. Jiang Xian couldn't refuse but agreed. After three rounds of drinks, the Jiang brothers said goodbye. Some people who saw Jiang Xian in the limelight couldn't help but say, "I heard that Jiang Shiliu's new wife is from a merchant family. I don't know how she got to know him."
But some people also laughed and said, "The bride's dowry of three thousand strings of cash is not something that ordinary families can afford."
It would have been fine if the young masters just talked about it, but Jiang Yan's servant told Xu about how Jiang Xian stole the show at today's banquet, and Xu cursed him inwardly, "A merchant girl."
Mrs. Ge said, "He is not a big merchant. He only has a few shabby shops. People may praise him on the surface, but who knows what they are saying in their hearts."
Xu said, "Speak softly, don't let Balang hear it."
Only Mrs. Jiang Liu was very happy after hearing what Jiang Xian said: "It seems that your wife is a thoughtful person and she cares about everything for you."
Jiang Xian smiled and replied, "My son thinks so too."
After returning, he told Jinniang that some of his friends wanted to come visit. Jinniang said, "How about this? We pay for the chef to make some of his specialties. I'll ask someone to buy fried quail from Zhouqiao as a treat. We also have Biguang wine from Shilou. What do you think?"
"Everything is up to you, madam." Jiang Xian was completely convinced by Jinniang.
Jinniang took his hand and sat down: "Now that you are studying, I have nothing to do during the day, so I want to go to the shop to do some embroidery in a few days. Don't worry, I will be back in the afternoon. This way, my husband and I will have some income."
Jiang Xian certainly knew that Jinniang had said before she got engaged that she wanted to continue doing business, and his mother had agreed to it at the time, so he had no objection.
"It's just that you have to run around like this. It's also my fault that I let my wife be in the spotlight." Jiang Xian felt ashamed.
Jinniang said, "Earning money with your own hands is not considered running around. Didn't my sister-in-law go out to inspect the fields a few days ago? It's the same thing."
But Jiang Xian was a little reluctant to leave her, and the couple had rarely been separated since they got married.
Jinniang smiled and said, "When you go to Huang Xueshi's place sometimes, if you don't want to come back at noon, you can go to Tianshui Lane for lunch. You know that there are many new shops with north and south branches there."
Jiang Xian's eyes lit up.
However, Jinniang said, "But I can't bring this up with you."
Jiang Xian understood the meaning of the song and knew that Jinniang was too embarrassed to tell her, so he immediately said, "I'll tell her, and I'll definitely be able to help you get it done."
"Then I'll just wait and see." Jinniang bowed mischievously.
Her delicate appearance made Jiang Xian hug her tightly and whisper some indecent words in her ear. Jinniang couldn't push him away. Thinking of him bending over to her in bed, she felt as if a wave of heat was hitting her face.
The next morning, Jiang Xian told Madam Jiang Liu, "My son is studying during the day, and I am bored at home. Why not let her go to the embroidery shop during the day? This way, she will have some free time, and my son can study peacefully."
"I agreed to let her do business as usual, so let her do it," said Mrs. Jiang Liu.
When Jinniang heard that Madam Jiang Liu had agreed, she let Juxiang live in the Wei family and have breakfast and lunch there every day. Juxiang was so happy when she heard this. In the Jiang family, everyone has a dedicated person in the kitchen, and she was very bored.
Chen Xiaolang and Aying still went in and out with her, one driving the carriage and the other serving her.
As for Minzhi and Xiqiu, they were ordered by Jiang Xian to serve Jinniang. Jinniang asked them to do the laundry, sweep and look after the house.
"Madam, do we not have to do any other work then?" They were still a little uncomfortable.
Jinniang smiled and said, "Of course, if you do a good job, I will give you a reward at the end of the year. When I'm not around, you can't let strangers in and out of my house at will, and you can't let anyone come in and rummage through my things."
The two knew in their hearts that Jinniang did not trust them enough, but since she was her master, they had no choice but to agree.
However, Mrs. Jiang Liu felt that Minzhi and Xiqiu were too young, so she asked Jiang Xian's foster mother, Luo Mama, to come and help look after the house. Jinniang thanked her profusely. With an older person in charge, Jinniang was no longer worried and even rewarded Mother Luo with a piece of colorful silk.
Most wet nurses are close to the children they breastfed, and Luo's mother is no exception. Seeing that Jinniang has outstanding character and looks, she loves her.
Jinniang thanked Madam Jiang Liu again: "My daughter-in-law is young and ignorant, thanks to my mother-in-law for sending Madam Luo over."
Mrs. Jiang Liu smiled and said, "I hope you don't mind me being nosy."
"What are you talking about? This is also a way of showing your concern for me." Jinniang didn't mind at all.
Mrs. Jiang Liu nodded with a smile.
There were still three days before the store opened, so Jinniang first went to Donghua Gate to buy all kinds of cloth with five-poison patterns. By chance, she entered a shop selling silk dolls. The cheapest silk doll was four strings of cash each, and the clothes these silk dolls wore were also bright and exquisite.
Ah Ying whispered, "This silk figurine makes more money than our embroidery shop."
"Yes." Jinniang had also bought silk dolls, but she bought them from peddlers, and they were all cheap goods. Real silk dolls were very valuable.
But what she valued more were the clothes on the silk dolls. If she could take the contract herself, it would be a new source of income. Thinking of this, Jinniang hurried back to the carriage, took out the booklet of clothes she usually drew, and introduced herself: "Boss, I am the owner of Wei's Embroidery Shop. I would like to ask if you need custom-made clothes for your silk dolls? If so, can you consider me?"
After saying that, he handed over his own album.
The shopkeeper flipped through the album and said, "The clothes of these silk dolls were all made by the masters themselves when they were making the silk dolls. The clothes were made according to the shape of the silk dolls."
Jinniang was a little disappointed after hearing this. She smiled and said, "I was presumptuous. I'm sorry."
I only heard the shopkeeper say, "But, ma'am, can you sell the pictures in this booklet to the store?"
ah? There are unexpected turns.
Jinniang nodded immediately: "Of course."
It turns out that selling design drafts can make money. Jinniang didn't expect that this album only had a few dozen pictures, but the shopkeeper was willing to buy it for twenty-two strings of cash.
"Are you telling the truth? You are not lying to me." For someone like Jinniang who works so hard to make money, if one day she makes money easily and her life becomes easier, she will feel that it is unreal.
The shopkeeper pinched his goat beard and couldn't help laughing, "Madam, we have such a big store, how could we cheat people? There was also a gentleman from the Hanlin Academy who sold us a picture album for two hundred strings of cash."
What this means is that what you have is nothing, my family is very rich.
Yes, the cheapest silk doll in his shop costs four strings of coins, and ten strings of coins is a medium price, so he has plenty of money.
After the transaction was completed on the spot, Aying was overjoyed, while Jinniang spent 80 wen to buy a bowl of lamb wine at the restaurant in front of Donghuamen, and also bought a lot of seasonal fresh fruits. She bought three catties of Sichuan lychees at 12 wen a catty, two catties of top-quality Taihu oranges at 15 wen a catty, a small dish of cherries at 80 wen, and twenty wen of steamed sugar-coated cheese to go with the cherries.
After returning home, he first sent a pot of lamb wine to Mr. Jiang Liu and Mrs. Jiang Liu, then put some oranges and lychees in a small bamboo basket, and put cherries on a high-footed gold-painted porcelain plate, and sent them all over.
A pot of wine and lychees and oranges were also sent to Jiang Yan and his wife.
A plate of the remaining lychees and oranges was sent to Jiang Xian in the study.
Ah Ying was replying to Madam Jiang Liu: "Our lady was originally selecting some fabrics at the silk and satin shop in Donghuamen today. Unfortunately, the shopkeeper next door recognized her and said that her paintings were very good and insisted on buying them. Madam said that although the money was not much, it was a happy occasion, so she bought some wine. She also knew that Madam loved to eat cherries, so she bought some for you to eat."
Mr. Jiang Liu loved to drink lamb wine, and he could not hold back any longer. When Ah Ying left, Mrs. Jiang Liu said, "You should also take it easy. Don't drink too much when you are old."
"Lamb wine is a famous tonic wine, so what's wrong with me drinking a little?"
"Okay, whatever you want." Mrs. Jiang Liu used to be lively and couldn't stay at home, but now she has to stay at home all day to recuperate. It's rare for her to have her favorite food, and cherries with sugar steamed cheese are just right.
The couple appreciated Jinniang's filial piety, but Xu thought Jinniang was extravagant: "This kind of thing is cheap, but she wants us to accept it. If it continues like this, I won't be able to manage this family anymore."
Jiang Yan said nothing.
The next day, she heard that Mrs. Jiang Liu had mild diarrhea, and Xu found out what she was talking about: "You can't let your mother-in-law eat such cold food. Sister-in-law, I know you mean well, but there are some things that you can't eat carelessly."
Before Jinniang opened her mouth, she heard Mrs. Jiang Liu say, "I used to eat cherries often and nothing happened to me. I drank some cold wine yesterday and I feel much better today."
Xu didn't dare to say more. She thought to herself that it was no wonder that people said her mother-in-law was partial. Now she was even more partial to her mother-in-law.
Since her mother-in-law had spoken up for her, Jinniang didn't say much. She also said that Jiang Xian had friends coming over today, so she had to go downstairs to prepare.
Jiang Xian's two friends who came today were Zhang Jiulang, Zhang's biological brother, and Peng Sanlang. The table was first served with a few plates of fashionable fruits, including pomegranates, tangerines, goose pears, and lychees, as well as some dried fruits, including longans, pear meat, jujube rings, lotus seeds, apple swirls, and large steamed dates.
There are two more side dishes: fried quail and skewered lamb tongue.
I won’t go into details about stir-fried dishes, soups and stews.
Zhang Jiulang took a bite of the fried quail and said, "Hey, this dish is delicious. I wonder how it's made?"
"This isn't made at home. I bought it in a deep alley. My wife knew you were coming, so she asked someone to order it in advance." Jiang Xian said this with pride.
Zhang Jiulang added: "Look, you've only been married for a short time, and you've already become a slave to her skirt."
"Yes, Shiliulang, you might as well let us all meet your sister-in-law." Peng Sanlang said with a smile.
Jiang Xian was somewhat reluctant to let Jinniang meet people. It was because his wife was too beautiful and kind. Seeing him hesitate, everyone started to urge him. Only then did Jinniang come over to meet the man.
She didn't dress up deliberately, only wearing two pearl flowers on her head, but her natural temperament was pitiful, and she spoke in a graceful and generous manner. Zhang and Peng each gave her a gift, and she left. Zhang Jiulang then spoke to Jiang Xian from the bottom of his heart, "They gossip about you outside, but they don't know that they are jealous of you. Take me for example, my father-in-law was a privy councilor, but he was demoted because of his different political views and passed away last year. Not only did I not get any benefit from him, but I am also afraid of retaliation from my political enemies. Now I can't take up an official position and can only stay at home as an idler."
Peng Sanlang said, "Yes, my family asked me to marry my cousin, but my cousin's dowry was meager and she was not good at managing the household. When the family was divided, she was given 3,000 guan and 200 mu of land. She bought a house and then had nothing. I was worried every time a festival came."
Peng Sanlang and Zhang Jiulang have had a very good relationship ever since Zhang Jiulang helped him out last time. He is also the legitimate son of the family, and it has only been two or three years since the family split up, but he still has to maintain his previous life and social life. No wonder things are gradually becoming difficult.
"Come on, brothers, have a drink." Jiang Xian knew that this was why his mother fell in love with his wife.
…
Jinniang was looking at the gifts prepared by Zhang Jiulang and Peng Sanlang. Zhang Jiulang gave her a pair of top-quality jade pendants with flowers and birds, while Peng Qilang gave her a pair of combs with auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns.
It was really beautiful, so she put it away.
I was thinking that I would reopen the business tomorrow and get back to normal half a month after getting married.
Just as she was thinking about it, she was hugged from behind. Seeing that his hands were getting restless, Jinniang wrinkled her nose: "You reek of alcohol, and you don't even wash up."
"Hold me for a while before you go." Jiang Xian watched her earlobes turn pink and couldn't help but pinch them gently with his hands.
Jinniang trembled all over: "Don't..."
Seeing her voice change, Jiang Xian said with some pride: "I'll go to the bathroom now, wait for me."
But before leaving, he took the cup that Jinniang had just drunk from and took a sip of water. He looked at Jinniang and smiled meaningfully. Jinniang wanted to cover her face. He was like this yesterday...
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