Chapter 87 Chapter 87 Two Chapters in One
But in the afternoon, Cao Da came to withdraw money to buy a horse carriage and a donkey cart. He liked the horse for 25 strings of cash and the donkey for 8 strings of cash, a total of 33 strings of cash. There is a special garden, pavilions, terraces and rockery behind their inner house. There is also a special stable near the garden, which is convenient for entering and exiting.
However, Jinniang asked Cao Da: "Generally speaking, in Kaifeng Prefecture, the average price of a horse is about 18 guan. The horse you mentioned can be brought along with a carriage for 25 guan?"
Cao Da then went back and asked the merchant to add more carriages and shafts, and settled on a total of thirty taels.
Since donkey carts are mostly used to transport goods and buy vegetables, they are covered with blue woolen cloth. Horse carriages are used for travel, so they are decorated with high-quality cloth. Jinniang's embroidery shop once had a wide range of business. These little things only took half a day to make. When Chen Xiaolang put them on, they looked extremely gorgeous.
With the carriage, Jinniang said to Jiang Xian, "Don't forget one important thing. We have to withdraw our four thousand strings of cash."
Jiang Xian said quickly, "Of course I remember it, but it's not good for me to go to the gold and silver shop and bring back so many boxes of money right after I took office."
"You don't have to exchange them for copper coins this time. Find a reputable gold and silver shop in Jieshen Lane and sell them all for gold ingots weighing twelve and a half taels. Remember to make sure they are 100% gold. Don't be fooled by anyone into thinking they are only 90% gold. In this way, more than thirty gold ingots will be enough to bring back a box." Jinniang said.
Jiang Xian said, "Madam, if you change all of it into gold ingots, what about your daily expenses?"
"These four thousand strings of cash are our last life-saving money. We can't touch them from now on. Didn't I tell you before that we have more than five thousand strings of cash? We have four thousand strings in reserve, five hundred strings with us, and another five hundred strings. I asked the people at the gold and silver shop in Bianjing to make some gold and silver utensils for me. Even if I'm inviting people to dinner, I can still afford it."
After saying that, Jinniang took out another key and opened a box to show him.
Jiang Xian looked over and saw that there were fruit and vegetable plates filled with silver inlaid gardenias. The centers of the plates were engraved with origami patterns, including peonies, chrysanthemums, peonies, lotus flowers, a bunch of lotus flowers, camellias, hibiscus, hibiscus, gardenias, and water chestnuts. There are also five silver-gilt diamond-shaped cups, with the mouths of the cups made into plum blossoms, okra, diamond flowers, gardenias, and thousand-petal lotus flowers respectively. The same patterns are found in the center and on the inner walls of the cups. There are also two golden marigolds, golden hibiscus and golden sunflower, as well as silver daffodil cups and silver chrysanthemum cups.
"It's really beautiful. We can use it to entertain guests." Jiang Xian looked at it with a smile.
Jinniang said, "That depends on who you are entertaining. Since you are new here, you should be low-key and quiet. If you show off your wealth too much, it will easily cause resentment."
Jiang Xian also thought it was okay, but he heard his wife say, "We only have 256 taels in our hands now, and I plan to use it for more than a year's expenses, so we have to be frugal from now on, so that it will be a long-term plan."
Don't be too frugal in your life, as you will easily lose the fun of it. But if you are too extravagant, you will easily leave no way out for yourself in the future.
Jiang Xian naturally had no objection. His wife had always been the head of the family, and there was always enough money anyway.
The couple discussed the official matters, and Jinniang also mentioned that the county lord's wife would come to the garden to welcome her tomorrow. Jiang Xian did mention something, but he was afraid that Jinniang would be angry: "Someone asked about my background, and I said that although my family is not from a high-ranking official family, they are rich and well-mannered, and there is a scholarly atmosphere in the family."
"I was going to say that too. It's nothing." Just like ordinary people have to write their resume perfectly when applying for a job. Especially since this was ancient times with a strict feudal hierarchy, she was very proud of herself for having made a name for herself as a little girl. However, if you tell the truth to people you don't know, they may laugh at you. So you have to package yourself, as long as it's not excessive.
Jiang Xian breathed a sigh of relief. His wife really understood the ways of the world and was not the kind of person who would be so stubborn.
It is also said that Madam Qi had someone prepare a banquet in the back garden of the county government office. Today, Madam Jin was wearing a dark green, gold-printed, double-breasted, fragrant-colored, and various-precious-gem-patterned silk jacket with a layer of gauze over it, a pine-colored bodice with broken-branch flowers underneath, and an ivory-white pleated skirt. She wore a crystal necklace on her chest and emerald bracelets on her hands.
Looking at the people present, Madam Qi had her hair done up in a bun, with pearls and jade all around her head. She also had a golden phoenix hairpin, a golden bun, and a golden comb. She looked like a delicate piece of jade and was very dressed up. Then there was the chief clerk, Mrs. Tian, who was also dressed up carefully. She had her hair done in a dragon-core bun, with flowers and pearls in her hair, and two cat's-eye rings on her hands.
Compared to the other two, Bao Niangzi's jewelry was inferior, but her attire was more eye-catching. Her hair was combed into a bun with a golden hairpin inserted diagonally, and her silver-red tube top was faintly visible through the white gauze dress.
After the few people met each other, everyone saw her in a different light and felt that she was dressed elegantly and noblely.
According to the status of the people, at the head of the table sat Madam Qi, the county lord, followed by Madam Tian, the chief clerk, Madam Jin, and Madam Bao.
The second table was occupied by the wives of the petty officials.
During the banquet, Madam Qi asked two maids in her family who could play and sing to sing "Xijiang Yue" and "Queqiaotian", and the wife of the bailiff, who was standing with a cup in hand, was joining in the fun.
"Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. The county lieutenant's wife came all the way from Bianjing. She didn't know that although our place is small, it is very lively. The rich families decorate their houses with lanterns and the common people also stay up all night long."
Jinniang smiled and said, "Wu County is the capital of Pingjiang Army and has always been prosperous. Although I only saw the people and their appearance when I got off the boat, I also felt that it was a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery."
"Does sister Wei have any children at home?" Mrs. Tian asked with a smile.
Jinniang said, "We have a son and a daughter, both are still young, so it's not good to let them go out. Where's your sister?"
Madam Tian said, "I gave birth to a boy the previous year, but he didn't survive. Fortunately, I gave birth to another boy later, who is now just three years old." Then she added, "My elder sister gave birth to a little girl, who has already married in Xijing."
Jinniang was surprised that Madam Tian was actually a concubine, and she didn't expect her to be so frank. But she did not talk about this topic, but instead talked about safer topics such as fashionable jewelry, silk flowers, rouge and fabrics.
After the banquet, everyone went to the corridor to play games of tossing pots, backgammon and fighting with grass. Jinniang had practiced several times on the boat, but when she played backgammon with Bao Niangzi, she was still no match for her and lost to her by two taels of silver. After Bao Niangzi won, she laughed so hard that her body shook with laughter.
But while Bao was getting up to relieve herself, Qin Dutou's wife pulled Jinniang behind the rockery and said, "County lieutenant's wife, you may not know that the east courtyard, with a total of 20 rooms, was originally yours. But it was forcibly occupied by the Mei family. When we heard about this, we all felt very sorry for you."
Qin Dutou's wife was quite disgusted with Bao Niangzi, especially because she saw her frivolous words and actions. Then she looked at Jin Niang who came later and was obviously well-spoken and treated people generously and kindly. Therefore, she wanted to use this incident to win Jin Niang's trust.
Jinniang was of course happy about others' surrender. As the saying goes, one hero needs three helpers. If no one supports you when you speak, you will have no influence and will not be well-informed.
But in front of Qin Dutou's wife, Jinniang said: "Our two families are both county lieutenants, and our official positions are the same. Since they are living here, they can stay. I see that Madam Bao is a nice person, so there is no need to bring up the past."
"My wife is such a generous person." Qin Dutou's wife praised.
Jin Niang waved her hands quickly: "As the saying goes, it takes a hundred years to be able to cross the river together. I am a person who respects me one foot, and I respect others one yard. After I came to the county government, Madam Bao treated me well."
While she was speaking, she heard the branches rustling behind her, but pretending not to know, she said some very high-sounding words. After hearing this, Qin Dutou's wife praised him again and again. Then the two of them heard someone calling them from the front, so they followed them over.
Little did they know that it was only after the two of them left that Madam Bao came out from behind the tree.
This Miss Bao was originally a personal maid of Madam Zhao Xuan in Zhao Xuan's mansion. She was seduced by Zhao Xuan very early on. The Mei County Lieutenant was originally a personal soldier of Zhao Xuan. After all, Zhao Xuan was old and his wife was very jealous, so Madam Bao had an affair with the Mei County Wei in secret. Later, the Mei County Wei gave Zhao Xuan two hundred taels of silver, and Zhao Xuan got the official position. When Zhao Xuan's wife learned that the Mei County Wei's wife had died, she killed two birds with one stone by marrying Madam Bao to the Mei County Wei.
Because of her background, she refused to accept her fate. When she first arrived at the county government office and learned that Madam Tian was also a concubine, the two of them had a lot of fun together, feeling that they were in the same boat. Unexpectedly, Madam Tian not only had a huge dowry, but also gave birth to a son and was good-looking. The county lord's wife also obviously valued Madam Tian more.
What is the difference between Yinguan and military officials? They are both looked down upon by civil officials who are Jinshi graduates.
But Madam Qi just respected Madam Tian more. When the wife of the governor came a few days ago, she was not allowed to attend.
She had heard that the new county lieutenant was a genuine Jinshi, so she wanted to take a look. Unexpectedly, this Wei seemed quite polite and not pushy. Judging from her behavior and speech, she should also be born into a scholarly family, but she was not prejudiced against family status.
She also said that after the banquet, the next day, Bao Niang came with needlework to work with Jin Niang. Jin Niang also called her daughter Yun Jie'er to come to pay a visit, and apologized, "My son is only one year old, he is not well behaved, and it is not appropriate for him to meet my sister."
Madam Bao went back and asked someone to prepare a silver necklace and send it over. The next day, Jinniang asked her daughter to wear it, which made Madam Bao feel even more pleased.
Besides, after Madam Qi invited everyone, it was originally Madam Tian's turn to invite everyone, but it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, so everyone just said they would have dinner together after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Jiang Xian also exchanged the golden ingot back, and the couple locked it up and hid it carefully.
Jinniang smiled and said, "From now on, we will just pretend that we don't have these four thousand strings of cash. We will use the money urgently."
"But my lady, Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon, and we have to prepare gifts." Jiang Xian was still worried.
Jinniang smiled and said, "It's just some cakes and fruits. It won't cost much."
Jiang Xian was puzzled: "Didn't my wife send crabs to Liu Jixiang's house before? Those were not cheap."
Jin Niang shook her head: "That's because you are in someone else's house. You are an official now. It's over since we first came here to pay a visit. I also asked Madam Bao and Madam Tian, and they are all like this."
Then he ordered Juxiang to buy watermelons and pomegranates, and asked Qin Dutou's wife about the famous bakery in the city. He bought some and tasted them himself, then selected two boxes and sent the other three fruits and vegetables to the county government.
Watermelon has many seeds, which symbolizes many children and good fortune; the red flesh of watermelon represents reunion and joy, which fits the family reunion and happiness of the Mid-Autumn Festival, so this gift brings much joy.
Mrs. Tian immediately returned with a bunch of dewy flowers, two boxes of rose cakes, and a box of grapes.
Ah Ying smiled and said, "Mrs. Tian's food is really fresh. We have never seen it before. This rose-flavored one is the first time we have eaten it."
"I think so too." Jinniang also took out a piece to taste. It didn't have the greasy taste of ordinary shortbread. The rose flavor can easily become bitter, but this one was very sweet.
Mrs. Tian happened to be coming with her son. When she heard Jinniang say that the rose shortbread was delicious, she quickly sent over the recipe. Jinniang said excitedly, "When I have time in the future, I will definitely ask the kitchen to make it."
Madam Tian's son is called Dong Ge'er. The child has a handsome face, but he is a little weak physically. Children are prone to minor illnesses and pains when they are young. Even Sister Yun had diarrhea for several days before the symptoms stopped.
The two of them couldn't stop talking about their children. Jinniang even had a special notebook to record her children's daily life. Madam Tian loved to hear about this.
It was also said that after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Madam Qi fell ill. Jinniang came to visit her and saw that her face was sallow and she had a headband tied around her head. She hurriedly said, "Madam, please lie down quickly. We are here to visit you, so why would we bother you to get up?"
Madam Qi's illness is mostly a women's disease, or a heart disease. She has no children, but her concubine has a son. Although I treated her respectfully, people's hearts are hidden. Who knows what will happen in the future?
Therefore, she wanted to go out to burn incense and worship the gods, but it was not appropriate for her to go out alone, so she said to Jinniang, "I haven't taken you out for a walk these days, sister Wei. When I get better, let's go to Zijin Temple to burn incense together."
Jinniang naturally agreed.
But when she came out, she saw a young woman with a bun coming in from the county magistrate's house. She looked very smart and had acupuncture tools in her hands. So she asked the maid beside Madam Qi, "Is this a female doctor?"
"She is a female coroner in this county. She only knows some medical skills. My wife often suffers from colds, so we just ask her to give her a few injections and she will be fine." said the girl.
This was the first time Jinniang had seen a female coroner, and she found it a little strange.
In the evening, Jiang Xian came back from outside. Now that the heat had dissipated a little, the family prepared some delicious side dishes, with few greasy dishes. She was saying to Jiang Xian, "The county lady wants us to go to Zijin Temple together in three days."
"Burn incense and worship Buddha? Well, that's good, you can also go out for a walk." Jiang Xian said with a smile.
He was also happy that his wife would interact more with others after she came out. When she was in Beijing before, he felt that his wife was a bit eccentric, but now that she was sent out, her popularity had improved. I thought that in the past my wife only needed to embroider and didn't need to go through the trouble of maintaining interpersonal relationships, but here, interpersonal relationships are very important.
There are even some things that can be seen from the back house, such as what is happening in the front hall.
"Xianlang, how are you getting along with the Meixian Magistrate?" Jinniang helped him serve a bowl of soup and asked with concern.
Jiang Xian nodded: "It's OK. I think this person is quite smart and capable. He can get to know all kinds of people, and he is not reckless when dealing with me."
Seeing him like this, Jinniang said, "I don't know what's going on in your government, but I know it's always a good idea to be more careful about everything."
This is Jinniang. She never interferes when it comes to other people’s professional fields.
On that day, Jinniang went to Zijin Temple with everyone else. Jiang Xian sent his attendant Ding San to go with them for protection. Ding San drove the horse-drawn carriage with Jinniang and Fang Mama sitting in it. Chen Xiaolang was driving the donkey cart at the back with Aying and Qingrong sitting in it.
This time, Jinniang did not wear a veil, but instead put a layer of white gauze on her head, making her look like Guanyin. She didn't really believe in ghosts or gods, but she still hand-copied a scripture and sent it over.
Mother Fang smiled and said, "Wu County is a good place, with beautiful mountains and clear waters."
"Mom, you said that Madam Qi had just recovered from an illness, so why did she have to go to this temple to worship Buddha?" Jinniang didn't understand. If it were her, she would definitely rest well.
Mother Fang was an old woman, so there was nothing she didn't understand: "A woman's biggest concern is her son. Madam Qi is a virtuous woman, and she has several concubines' children, but she has no children of her own, so how could she not care about them? Some nuns in the nunnery have secret recipes for having children, and maybe they are asking for this."
Jinniang shook her head: "There is no secret recipe for having a baby in the world."
But Madam Qi kept it from her, and she and Madam Qi were not close friends, so it was naturally difficult for her to persuade her.
When they arrived at Zijin Temple, nuns from the temple came out to greet them, and everyone followed them over. She had never thought that it was the coroner who was accompanying Madam Qi, so Jin Niang did not move forward. She heard Madam Bao coming over and saying, "A mere coroner is so ignorant that he has tried to curry favor with the madam of the county lord. He really thinks he will become a phoenix if he flies to the treetops."
Female coroners are generally called "sitting women" or "midwifes", and are mainly responsible for examining women's lower bodies.
This female coroner was originally not qualified to be a coroner as she was too young and unmarried. However, her mother was a female doctor and she loved solving cases, so she followed in her father's footsteps and became a female coroner.
The key point is that the two people who handled the case in the county government were Mei County Wei and Jiang Xian. Jinniang was very confident in Jiang Xian. Mrs. Bao was probably afraid that her husband would have too much contact with the female coroner, so she said a lot of gossip. Jinniang just listened and did not agree with anything.
However, Jinniang said to Bao Niangzi, "Why does it seem like there is a group of people waiting in front? They don't seem to be nuns from the temple."
Mrs. Bao smiled and said, "That person is a local squire. He has a gold and silver shop and a cloth shop in the city, and his business is very large. Her family members are officials in the court, so even ordinary officials dare not look down on her."
"Sister Bao, you know a lot, and you're good at playing backgammon. My husband told me to stay with you and learn more." Jinniang looked convinced.
Although Mrs. Bao is two-faced and cruel, she is also a very genuine person.
Madam Sitian knew that Madam Bao was not someone to be trifled with, so she became weak instead and tried to please her and be harmonious. Although Jinniang was somewhat humble, she said soft words but did hard things. Just like Qin Dutou's wife who was in front of her, she would not cut ties with Qin Dutou's wife just because Bao Niangzi didn't like her. I won't stop associating with Madam Tian just because Madam Bao doesn't like her.
The country gentleman in front was named Gu. His wife, Mrs. Gu, his mother-in-law, Old Lady Gu, and their children and daughters-in-law were all there to welcome them.
Although Madam Gu was old, she was still as hot-tempered as ginger and cinnamon. She seemed quite shrewd: "I have prepared a table of vegetarian food for the county lady and other ladies. The vegetarian ladies of Zijin Temple must try it."
Madam Qi smiled and said, "Zijin Temple is usually very popular, and those who come to ask for vegetarian food have to wait until next year. We can come directly today, and the arrangements are so complete, all thanks to Madam Gu and Madam Gu."
Mrs. Gu came out quickly and said she didn't dare.
This temple is located by the mountain and the water, simple and elegant, with lush branches and leaves beside the road, small and exquisite. She had also visited the ancient temples in Bian Jing. Unlike the grandeur of the ancient temples, this place had a very Jiangnan style.
The vegetarian food was delicious, very fresh, but not undercooked. Jinniang is most afraid of eating show-off dishes, which are those dishes that look particularly appetizing and are presented particularly beautifully, but taste very bad.
The Gu family was very considerate. They treated the two wives of the bailiffs with courtesy. The gifts they gave to everyone were not very vulgar. Instead, they said that the weather was hot and they were worried that everyone would feel hot, so they gave them a fan. This fan looks plain at first glance, but it is full of mystery. The bamboo silk used on the fan is as thin as bristles, and the fan handle is made using the cast-off and rhinoceros horn carving techniques. The handle is hollowed out and carved with three symmetrical groups of Ruyi cloud patterns. The hollowed-out patterns can also rotate.
This is the skill of carved lacquer and hollowed out. Jinniang sighed in her heart.
After the meal, everyone went to the guest room to rest after the bumpy journey. Jinniang came just to accompany her, brought ten taels of silver as incense money, and then really went to sleep.
Madam Qi naturally came for the purpose of having a child. She offered money for incense and kowtowed sincerely, and then she took two talismans and several packets of medicine. It was naturally inconvenient for the coroner to participate in such a private matter. She just stood guard at the door and waited for Madam Qi to come out before saying, "Madam, let's go."
"Okay." Although Madam Qi was wary of people who dealt with the dead, the coroner was very skilled in medicine. Every time she felt unwell, she would not look for help from outsiders, but would just let her give her a few injections.
The coroner's wife looked forward and said, "Madam, Madam Bao is in front, let's go to the front."
Mrs. Bao was a sharp-tongued and thorny person, and Mrs. Qi thought so too. The two of them flanked her from a small path, but they accidentally tripped over a female corpse on the way.
…
I originally went there to relax, but I encountered a murder case.
It was said that the woman was washed up in the river near Zijin Temple, and for some reason her body did not decay.
This was Jiang Xian's first case since he took office. Jinniang was a little nervous, but Jiang Xian was not afraid at all. Instead, he said, "This case should have been set up by the female coroner. Her original intention was to help this woman uncover the truth."
"Was it murder?" Jinniang asked.
Jiang Xian shook his head: "That's not the case. Guess why her body hasn't decayed for more than a month? It's because there's a lot of mercury and cinnabar in her body."
"Could it be for insomnia? I heard that cinnabar has the effect of calming the mind, soothing the nerves and detoxifying." Jinniang said.
Besides, cinnabar is not cheap. The identity of this corpse is just a girl? Could it be the contraceptive soup?
"Contraceptive soup, it's contraceptive soup, right?"
In order to avoid having children, Jinniang and Jiang Xian used sheep intestines, which are similar to modern condoms, otherwise they would not get it inside. But some men were selfish and didn't want to wear these, and wives didn't want their maids to have children, so they used drugs like musk and mercury.
This is the inner house's secret. Jiang Xian glanced at his wife and said, "My wife is smart. This woman was originally the concubine of the chief of the Hu family. Because his wife had not married yet, he took this woman in, so he often fed her contraceptive medicine."
Jinniang looked at him and said, "What do you intend to do? Shouldn't you verify the evidence and then arrest the person? Giving someone mercury is poisoning."
Seeing his wife looking at him like this, Jiang Xian said seriously, "I will immediately send someone to interrogate the Hu family."
"In that case, I will thank my husband on behalf of all women in the world." Jinniang said.
Jiang Xian smiled, he thought it was not a bad idea to go the straight way.
As for how to collect evidence during the process and how to deal with the Hu family without offending anyone, this depends on your own wisdom.
…
Within three days, the Hu family stated that the woman was indeed Hu Dayanei's concubine, but she knew nothing about taking mercury. It was because a nanny in the pharmacy was jealous of her high salary and deliberately replaced it with contraceptives to make her lose more than she gained. However, she never expected that she would die.
Naturally, the nanny was sentenced to death, and the Hu family compensated the girl's family with two hundred taels of silver.
The Hu family wanted to bribe Jiang Xian, but Qian Jinniang took the initiative and retreated.
This case serves as a warning to all women in the county that contraceptive pills are extremely harmful to the body and may even cause death.
But she never expected that the female coroner was dissatisfied. She did not look for Jiang Xian, but only for Jinniang: "Madam Wei, the mastermind of this matter is Hu Dayanei. I hope you can inform the county lieutenant."
"Madam Coroner, we do not discuss official business in private. If you really want to make the decision on this matter, you should at least find the evidence to prove it, or go directly to your superiors, County Lieutenant Jiang and County Lieutenant Mei. I can't do anything for you." Jinniang said.
The coroner's wife's face turned pale and red. She had indeed heard about this and the county lieutenant's wife felt very sympathetic, so she intended to let County Lieutenant Jiang kill Hu Dayanei. After all, the Hu family is a big family in the local area with deep roots and extensive branches. How can she, a little female coroner, fight against the Hu family?
It is said that County Lieutenant Jiang has a strong background, so he can easily ask his superiors to deal with the Hu family.
But the county lieutenant's wife's words pierced through the window paper. Based on the existing evidence, this is the only verdict. If you think it is not possible, you can continue to look for evidence, or find your superiors, the two county lieutenants, and ask them to continue the investigation instead of coming here to morally blackmail her.
The female coroner left in anger.
Jinniang looked at her back and thought to herself, it was only because Jiang Xian had some background. If he had no one to rely on, the person would probably have been replaced when the case began to be investigated.
Besides, Jiang Xian was only an assistant official, and the one who finally heard the case was Magistrate Hou. Unless Jiang Xian gave up his official position, what would happen? However, it is naturally unlikely that you, a female coroner, did not even risk your life to help, but let Jiang Xian get beaten to a pulp and lose his job because of a secret internal affair.
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