Chapter 80 Chapter 80 Two chapters merged into one
The streets in the capital, which were bustling with activity the day before yesterday, suddenly became like a deserted city. Naturally, there was no need to open the shops, and Jinniang just happened to be sleeping in.
When the sun was at noon, Aying brought up breakfast, a portion of millet porridge, two pieces of lasagna, and an egg. Jinniang sat on the bed, put her breakfast on the dining table and ate it before getting up.
Ah Ying smiled and said, "Do you want to get up? I'll help you get up."
"Good, I haven't had a rest like this in a long time." Jinniang stretched lazily.
After a while, Aying brought the clothes over, helped Jinniang put them on, and then washed and combed her hair. Now that she didn’t have to go outside the shop, she didn’t have to put on powder. She simply tied her hair into a bun and covered it with a headscarf.
Minzhi brought Yunjieer over. Mother Luo was laughing and saying, "Jieer wanted to come over a long time ago, but I thought you could get some extra sleep, so I played with her for a while first."
Originally, she signed a two-year contract with the wet nurse, but things got tense a few days ago. Jinniang thought that it was only two months before the two-year deadline. If the plague trapped her here and she was separated from her own children, that would not be good. Naturally, the wet nurse refused to leave. Luo Yu'e said that your husband was not dead, but was just lying in order to find this job. Everyone felt sorry for your family and did not expose her. Then the wet nurse knelt down and kowtowed, saying that she had deceived Jinniang.
Jinniang didn't blame her. She gave her 20 kilograms of rice and flour, a packet of medicine, and asked her to pack her bag and leave.
At first the child cried for two days because he was weaned, but now he is normal.
Jinniang hugged the child and taught her to read, but the child had no patience and wanted to go downstairs to play after reading for a while. Jinniang asked Minzhi to take her downstairs to play, while she lay on the couch reading a book. As she read, she fell asleep again.
It gets dark quickly in winter, and the couple had dinner together in the study. After dinner, Jinniang stood for a while and then read a book on the couch in Jiang Xian's study.
Jiang Xian couldn't help but smile and said, "My wife is really foresighted. She bought so many candles. Now I don't have to worry anymore."
"I wonder how the family members in the old house are doing?" Jinniang said.
Jiang Xian shook his head: "That's out of our control."
Since Zheng married Mr. Jiang Liu more than a year ago, the two of them have lived a very happy life. Jiang Xian did not show it on his face, but in his heart he always felt that Zheng had taken his mother's place and drove away Fang Mama and other people who were used by his mother when she was alive. Therefore, his impression of Zheng was not very good.
Nowadays, Mr. and Mrs. Jiang Liu are spending money like water, as if they live for today without tomorrow.
Xu was full of complaints and became more and more concerned about money, and her relationship with Zheng was even more hostile.
"Fortunately, I didn't buy any New Year gifts this year, otherwise they would all be wasted at home." Jinniang only felt that she had saved about twenty strings of cash.
In fact, during the Chinese New Year period, everyone is preparing New Year's goods, so it is not easy to go hungry. Jinniang thought that this epidemic should not last long.
In fact, everyone's life was not easy. Jiang Zhuangyuan's family was not so bad. Madam Song was well-informed and the whole family had moved to a farm a long time ago. They were isolated from the world and there was no chance of infecting others.
These powerful people have their own channels and always know the first-hand information, so they have long stayed away.
But those families who had no savings and plans, such as Peng Sanlang's family, had a hard time, especially after ten days, when they ran out of food. In addition, Master Jiang Liu and the Zheng couple usually spent money like water, but at this time they became extremely frugal. Zheng was also very capable. In the past, a chicken would be eaten in one day, but now it is eaten in ten days. The chicken head is eaten for one day, the chicken wings are eaten for two days, the chicken meat is eaten for three days, and the chicken feet are eaten for two days. After eating the fish for three days, everyone starts to eat fish jelly.
The masters were fine, at least they didn't starve, but the servants had to fight for even the pickles.
The most terrifying thing is that after a month, even eating some pickles has become a blessing.
What Jinniang's family made today was fish balls and egg custard, as well as fried sauerkraut and bacon. Although the servants did not eat so well, they each had a bowl of dry rice, a spoonful of pickles, and a piece of meat.
"Let Juxiang make some white radish soup for everyone. It can clear away heat and promote digestion."
These days, Jinniang asked the kitchen to make soup for everyone every now and then, either pear soup, radish soup, or mung bean soup. She even mixed the honey she had saved with water for everyone to drink, because these soups can clear away heat and detoxify.
After the meal, everyone had nothing to do, so they all stayed in their rooms to sleep. Even Yang Ge'er, who was as thin as a bamboo pole, had a rounder face.
As soon as he finished speaking, Ah Ying came in and said, "Madam, there is a neighbor next door coming to borrow food."
Jiang Xian opened his mouth but said nothing in the end. Of course he didn't want to lend it. The plague had been spreading for a month now. If he gave it to someone else, he would have to give it to the other family after giving it to the east, and his family would starve to death.
But my wife has always been kind-hearted...
While he was struggling, Jinniang hurriedly said, "Just tell them through the door that we don't have much food left."
She has always been very decisive. At this time, she should have put her family first. She didn't think there was anything wrong with her.
Jiang Xian finally breathed a sigh of relief.
After resting for a month, Jinniang found that her period had not come. As an experienced person, she knew what was going on, so she told her family. Jiang Xian was happy and worried at the same time. Jinniang took the opportunity to act coquettishly: "Then if you stay with me more, I will be fine."
"Of course I will accompany my wife." Jiang Xian couldn't help but kiss her forehead.
Upon learning that Jinniang was pregnant, Luo Yu'e couldn't help but think that her daughter's house was so small that her family of three occupied two rooms. She planned to look for a house after the epidemic was over.
Jinniang had other plans, "Mother, even if the baby in my belly is born, it will be around August or September. I have three rooms upstairs, and I can separate one room from the living room. Your son-in-law will take the exam in August. If he passes, he will be sent out. You should live well here and just look at the house. If he fails, the mortgage of our house will expire at the end of next year. If the man doesn't redeem it, it will be ours. You can spend twenty or thirty strings of cash to renovate it and move in. It won't be too late."
"But this house is given as a dowry to you. If it's yours, then I'll give it to you." Luo Yu'e refused to take it.
Jinniang smiled and said, "Don't worry about me. I have already paid off the loan for the house in Tianshui Lane and I still have cash in hand. Or if you don't want to live in Choushui Lane anymore, we can find a building agent and rent a nice house. Choushui Lane will still be rented out, which will also be an income. When Yangge'er is older and ready to get married, we will sell the house in Choushui Lane and add the money you have to buy a house with one entrance, so that Yangge'er can pay off the loan in the future and live in a new house."
In fact, she had never wanted the house that her parents gave her as a dowry. She only wanted it to bring honor to her parents. Now that she had made up her mind, she told them her plan.
Even if her brother is short of money to buy a house in the future, she can lend him some if she has extra money, but she can't say this too early.
Firstly, no one knew what would happen to her at that time, and secondly, she knew her parents too well. If they have hope, they are prone to slack off.
Her father is completely brainless and is easy to take money. Her mother is a little better, but she gets carried away easily, so she always keeps them by her side, for fear that something might happen to them.
But after getting married, she also has her own family and human energy is limited. Her parents and younger brother also have their own lives to live, and she cannot be overly involved in their lives.
These words were obviously well thought out, and Luo Yu'e felt they were appropriate.
Jinniang pulled her aside again and said, "Mother, you can't show your intention to move out in front of the servants."
"Why?" Luo Yu'e didn't understand.
Jinniang smiled and said, "As the saying goes, when people leave, the tea gets cold. So they must not be sincere."
Luo Yu'e said: "No way, I think they are all very honest."
Jinniang shook her head: "They are so honest because I, your daughter, usually keep them in check. Who doesn't have some ulterior motives? Even if they don't flatter the powerful and bully the weak, they will definitely be indifferent to you because they think you are no longer the master of the house."
After listening to her daughter's words, Luo Yu'e realized that she actually didn't trust anyone. If she didn't distinguish between master and servant, she would have thought that her daughter treated those maids as her own sisters.
Jinniang told her not to tell even her father about these arrangements and to let the situation change as it came.
"Jinniang, we don't know what to do without you." Luo Yu'e felt that her daughter was the backbone of the family.
Jinniang smiled and said, "Mother, you have changed a lot now, and your temper is much better than before. As for your brother, I have also discussed it with your son-in-law. If he passes the imperial examination, he will recommend your brother to a better academy."
Luo Yu'e was overjoyed when she heard this.
Jinniang whispered, "Then don't tell Yang Ge'er first, or he won't try hard. We still have to rely on ourselves."
"You're right. Yang Ge'er told me that his brother-in-law taught him very well, better than his teacher." Luo Yu'e knew that her daughter had found a husband and was married well. Her son was not yet fifteen years old this year, so she was most worried about her son.
The mother and daughter talked for a while in private before separating.
The plague spread for almost two months before it returned to normal. Jiang Xian studied at home for two months, oblivious to what was happening outside. After he went out, he learned that the scholar who had studied with him at Liu Jixiang's house had died.
In addition, Xiao Hanlin, whom he had met through Jinniang's clothes, also died. There were also people who died of other illnesses because they were locked up at home and unable to receive medical treatment.
Jinniang was very cautious and delayed the opening for a month, because it was easy for some people to come in with illnesses when the store first opened. She was pregnant now, so she had to be careful about everything.
Even Yun Jie'er was not allowed to go out and see outsiders. If her parents went out for business, they would have to wash their hands and change their clothes before coming back to see their granddaughter.
It was such a coincidence that the first person to visit the newly opened shop was White Snake. Her brother and sister-in-law went back to Beijing to report on their work, so she followed them back. Actually, she is a lot plumper than before. Jinniang chatted with her and found out that she had given birth to two sons and was now pregnant with another. She smiled and introduced them, "We still have a lot of children's clothes here. Do you want to take a look, Lady Bai?"
"I wonder how much it costs?" White Snake asked with a smile.
Jinniang introduced them quickly, "This set of red satin embroidered round flowers is more expensive, about two strings of cash, and this set of lake blue folded branch flowers is about three strings of cash."
This time, White Snake was quite generous. She bought two sets of children's clothes and a set of clothes for herself, and paid the five strings of cash without blinking an eye. After putting the money into the box, Jinniang suddenly wanted to eat strawberries, so she asked Chen Xiaolang to buy her a small basket of strawberries. She didn't dare to eat too much herself, so she only put one on a gold-painted porcelain plate, and gave the rest to Jiang Xian, her parents, and Yun Jie'er.
The advantage of being the master of your own house is that you can do whatever you want and eat whatever you want.
Then I heard Chen Xiaolang say, "Madam, you don't know, I fought for this small basket of strawberries for a long time. I bought them like crazy, no matter how expensive they were."
"We've been holding it in for so long, and everyone must be tired of it." Jinniang thought this was a good opportunity to make clothes for herself.
After the epidemic, everyone may be more practical than before. No one will make clothes that are too expensive. It is better to make some cost-effective clothes now. There is no need to choose too expensive fabrics, just make the styles look better.
With the change of strategy, Jinniang no longer had to go to Donghuamen to buy cloth, and she also took less gold and silver foil.
However, because I was pregnant, many things were not as convenient as before, and I didn't have as much energy. Even the position of head of the group that I had fought so hard for, I gave it up after only one year.
Jinniang sometimes feels that women are actually no worse than men, and are even stronger, but men do not have to go through pregnancy.
She was a little depressed, but she touched the baby in her belly and realized that since ancient times, you can't have your cake and eat it too. It was already tiring for her to take care of her own shop, let alone manage the guild.
Luo Yu'e was very happy: "You are older than your uncle. When he really passes the imperial examination in the future, even if he doesn't mention it, others will think that you have no children and send a woman to him. What's more, you two have such a big foundation, and you still want to give it to outsiders. So, it's better to give birth to a son."
"You can give it to Sister Yun." It's not her decision whether to have a boy or a girl.
Luo Yu'e shook her head: "You have an average relationship with her uncle's family, and the Xu family has driven you out of Nanxunfang, so you have very few family members to rely on. Even if you and your wife give Yunjie a younger brother, you can still give her something to rely on."
"Let me tell you, this is not just a rural issue. If a family has a little bit of wealth but no sons, they will be ruthless in taking advantage of it. Yes, the law stipulates that daughters can also get a share of the property, but it's extremely difficult to bring a lawsuit."
This was her personal experience. She knew why her third brother's wife and mother-in-law occupied their house and land and she had nowhere to turn to for help. The reason was that she had no children after giving birth to Jinniang.
Jinniang knew her mother had good intentions, so she smiled and said, "I understand, but if I'm pregnant with another girl, please don't be unhappy."
"That definitely won't happen." Luo Yu'e said hurriedly.
As for keeping all the swaddling clothes and small clothes that Yunjie'er wore when she was born, Jinniang asked the servants to wash them all and give them to the second child to wear when the time comes, so that they will not be wasted. Yunjie'er's clothes used to be very new, but the child has grown so fast that they can no longer be worn now.
There was no need to make new clothes for the second child, so everyone saved the effort to make spring clothes. Minzhi's salary was now the same as Zhu Xiu Niang's, but she still did not change and made children's clothes.
Because of the months of being locked up, many men and women were together and many of them became pregnant.
The business of the Natural Medicine Clinic was even better, and even the foot shop and grocery store next to Jinniang were converted into medicine shops.
Jinniang and her friends hurriedly made a batch of spring clothes before the Cold Food Festival, including a cherry pink tube top, a pink jacket embroidered with broken branches and flowers, and rouge red embroidered skirt. Or a set of goose yellow shirt, burberry green tube top, ivory white pleated skirt, and several peach blossom shirts she had designed.
A set is only one tael, and there are special offers of eight taels.
She also put up a sign at the door saying "The first choice for ladies who go for an outing."
Before the Cold Food Festival, many people gave children clothes and shirts as gifts.
In this way, the income this month was as much as fifty-six strings of cash. You should know that clothes are much cheaper than before.
Yunjie'er was over two years old, so Jinniang sent Xiqiu to take care of her. After all, Luo's mother was old, and she snored badly at night and slept too deeply. Then transfer Luo's mother's daughter-in-law to the kitchen to work, and everyone will be happy.
Every noon, Jinniang would take a nap with Yunjie, and then she would take her daughter to Jiang Xian's study. She would place picture albums that her daughter could understand in a corner of Jiang Xian's study. She would spend half an hour with her daughter every day and then go to the embroidery shop in front.
Jiang Xian sometimes read, and sometimes took a nap on the couch. He looked at the mother and daughter, and stretched out his hand for Jinniang to hold.
"You don't have to worry about me at night. You see you can't sleep well." Jinniang was pregnant this time and often couldn't sleep well at night. When she couldn't sleep well, she wanted to eat.
No matter what she wanted to eat, Jiang Xian would cook it. Sometimes, even when she had no appetite while he served the food, Jiang Xian did not show any anger at all. Instead, he felt sorry for her.
"My wife, you have worked so hard." Jiang Xian sighed slightly.
Jinniang touched her belly and said, "Fortunately, I've made it halfway. Well, stop talking about this. I just gritted my teeth and got through it. The more you talk, the more I have to think about how hard it was for me."
Jiang Xian laughed. This was his wife's temper. She was always strong and not talkative. She was better than ten men.
These days, he has gotten used to reading at home. He reads the books that he couldn't understand before carefully over and over again, and surprisingly, he has gained a lot of insights. Of course you still have to go to the Liu family. If no one helps you become famous, you will just be a small fry.
"Madam, I'm going to the Liu family this afternoon." Jiang Xian said.
Jinniang nodded and asked him if he wanted to send anything over. Jiang Xian couldn't help but said, "Prime Minister Ji loves writing just like I do, so I want to send him an inkstone."
Just a bit expensive...
Jinniang disagreed: "I'll give you the key, you open the box and take it."
"But that Duan inkstone costs twenty strings of cash," Jiang Xian said.
Jinniang said slowly, "I heard that the ink from the Duan Inkstone is as fast as the wind and as easy as oil. The ink storage never dries up and does not freeze even when it is cold. The ink grinding process never stagnates. It would be nice to give such good ink to Prime Minister Ji."
Jiang Xian didn't know what to say. Even when his mother was alive, she would have said that he spent too much money. His wife was obviously not the kind of person who spent money lavishly, but she was especially generous to him.
However, Jinniang knew about Chen Zi'ang's story of spending a huge sum of gold to sell his zither. Her daughter only had twenty strings of gold, so it was better than going around drinking and attending poetry gatherings, which also cost a lot of money.
After the Duan inkstone was sent over, Liu Jixiang, who had already been impressed by Jiang Xian's talent, now liked him even more. Among his disciples, there was one of the Four Gentlemen of the Liu Family, who was regarded as the leader of the literary world after Master Huang. He said that Jiang Xian was born with extraordinary vision and had the talent of a minister, and treated him with great courtesy. Jiang Xian's fame suddenly increased.
Some people even came to his home specifically to discuss the meaning of the scriptures with Jiang Xian.
Such a reputation soon spread to Jiang Zhuangyuan. Mrs. Song was ordering tea for her husband and said, "You see, he thinks you are walking too slowly here, so he went to someone else's place."
Women always attach great importance to people's morality, and even have a moral obsession.
But Jiang Zhuangyuan reacted, "No, he is so famous now, it will be difficult for me to recruit talents in the future."
Things always need to be done by capable people. No matter how upright a person is or how good his moral integrity is, it won't work if he has no ability to get things done. And Jiang Xian is indeed a talented person. The last time he was assigned to the Ministry of Revenue, Jiang Xian was extremely capable and arranged everything properly in just a few days.
He can both build good relationships with superiors and control his subordinates.
When Madam Song heard what her husband said, she immediately said, "There are many people at my doorstep who present their works to my father. Why don't we help him become famous? That way, we will also be his benefactors."
"It's better not to think about seeking favors for the time being. Such a person cannot be conquered by a little kindness." Jiang Zhuangyuan saw it very clearly.
To be honest, Jiang Xian himself also thought so. Liu Ji promoted me because I have outstanding literary talent, so he showed me a favor. You wanted to drive me away in the first place, so you drove me away.
Therefore, even after becoming famous, he still studied at home.
Jinniang yawned after lunch. The Dragon Boat Festival was coming soon, and she had to rush to make a new batch of clothes. Although she couldn't sit for a long time, she couldn't be idle every day.
"Shiliulang, can you buy me some grapes, oranges and strawberries when you are free this afternoon?" she said.
Jiang Xian smiled and said, "Of course you can, my lady. I'll buy some more bananas, okay?"
Gan Jiao is banana. Jin Niang's legs are prone to cramps, and eating bananas can relieve the pain, so she nodded immediately.
But before he left the house, he heard that Jiang Zhuangyuan had sent him a letter saying that the Song family was having a banquet and asked him to attend. Jinniang couldn't help but feel happy for her husband: "That's great."
Jiang Xian said, "Before, you thought I was marrying above your station. I've already said that Sun Shichen is unfit for purpose. Now you think of me."
Jinniang smiled and said, "In any case, he recommended you to the Song family because he wanted to help you become famous. You can take the articles you are good at home. The good ones are ours."
"There's no rush. My wife and I will buy some fruits first." Jiang Xian said.
Jinniang thought that Jiang Xian actually had the mentality of a modern worker: I will go to whoever treats me well. Unlike some people who are loyal to others when they are promoted and regard it as a favor, he just thinks that he has talent and others want to recruit him.
He doesn't really believe what others say. He will follow whoever gives him the most and help them to consolidate his own interests.
Naturally, Jiang Xian is also a good person. He won't ridicule others and is even quite humane.
Sure enough, Jiang Xian also made a name for himself in the Song family, and Jinniang was of course very happy.
After listening to what Sun Shichen said at home, Miss Zhou Si thought to herself, she has a very good relationship with Madam Song, so why didn't she bring fame to her husband?
Jinniang thought, it is true that a blacksmith must be strong himself. Although this truth is scoffed at by some people with connections, if one is not strong himself, he will be punished by heaven even if he forces himself to be praised.
It turns out that her husband has listened to her words. Look, he is still reading in the study with the light on.
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