Chapter 97 Chapter 97 Two Chapters in One
After the Dragon Boat Festival, until July, Wu County, which had always been the rainy season, became dry. Jinniang knew that the harvest was not good this year, so she asked Fan Zhuangtou to only collect 20% of the rent this year. Mr. Fan was afraid that Jinniang and the others were short of money, so he sold a batch of bamboos and trees in the back garden and paid seventy strings of cash in July.
Jinniang asked Aying to give them a piece of ice, and as usual, she sent them two kinds of snacks, and asked Juxiang to prepare a table of meals.
On such a hot day, ice is better than anything else.
After putting the money into the box, Jinniang cut some crepe and asked Minzhi to make two vests for Yunjie'er and Ningge'er. She also changed into another set of clothes, an amber tube top, a gauze vest embroidered with jade hairpins and magnolia flowers, a large flowered pleated skirt with flying bird patterns, and gold bracelets on her arms.
So, she opened the window, stood by the window to enjoy the breeze, and made a thin jacket for Jiang Xian.
After Jiang Xian returned home, he saw this scene. He stepped forward and stroked Jinniang's arm, then asked with a smile, "Hey, who did you do this for? Was it Ning Ge'er?"
"Of course I did it for my beloved husband." Jinniang couldn't help but smile.
Jiang Xian felt that his little tricks had been seen through, and he pretended to be humble: "I already have so many clothes, why are you still making them for me? I really don't need them anymore."
Jinniang rolled her eyes at him and said, "Stop it."
"Hehe." Jiang Xian obediently took the fan and fanned her. The ice bought for Jinniang's family is a relatively large expense, but to be honest, people still enjoy it a lot. Otherwise, you'll get a fever and it won't be worth it.
With ice and someone to fan her, Jinniang felt much cooler. She sewed a few more stitches and said, "It's almost Mid-Autumn Festival. We have been in Wu County for two years."
"The past two years have passed so quickly." Jiang Xian also sighed.
Jinniang smiled and said, "I heard that Han Zhubu is going to leave his post and take up the post of county magistrate in Liyang, so I prepared some ceremonials. The list is on the table over there. Can you take a look and see if it's feasible?"
Jiang Xian stood up and walked over, picked it up and looked at it, then marked two items: "That's all, there's no need for too many, I'm afraid it will be hard for us to cross paths in the future."
"What do you mean?" Jinniang didn't understand.
Jiang Xian whispered, "I heard that he paid over a thousand taels to get this position, all of which was Tian's dowry. It's not that I look down on the position of Yin official, but it's hard for him to move to the position of county magistrate, so it's hard to say what his future will be like."
"Then I'll listen to you." Jinniang knew that Liyang was also in Liangzhe Road, a prosperous place, but Han Zhubu was a mediocre official, that is, he did not make many achievements. This kind of official was not the same kind of person as Jiang Xian. One is ready to do something big, the other is lying down and afraid to do more, which will lead to more mistakes, so they are destined not to be on the same path.
Madam Tian was afraid that she would be forgotten when she left, but she didn't expect Jinniang to specially send her a gift. She looked very happy: "Why do I need you to spend money?"
"It's nothing. I asked the county lord's wife, and she said that she would hold a banquet in the garden in two days to celebrate your farewell. Although you are not very far away, it will be difficult to meet again." Jinniang was telling the truth. In ancient times, many people would separate and might never see each other again in their entire lives.
She and Madam Tian did not have a very good relationship, but they had never hurt each other and had a good relationship. Now that such a kind person like her is leaving, no one knows what kind of chief clerk will come.
Mrs. Tian felt a little sad when she heard this, "You guys take care of yourselves too."
Hearing this, Jinniang comforted her with a few words. When she was about to get up, Tian Niang thought about it and couldn't help but tell her: "I heard that Zhao Xuan has passed away. Sister Wei, don't worry."
Jinniang looked at Madam Tian, and Madam Tian smiled brightly.
Zhao Xuan was Madam Bao's amulet. Madam Bao had always been resentful, so Jinniang was not completely reassured. Now that Zhao Xuan had passed away, she didn't know whether she could continue to hold the position of Meixian Wei.
Therefore, at the farewell banquet, Jinniang gave Dongger two Hu brushes and a clay inkstone as a token of her gratitude.
Of course, Mrs. Bao was also present at such occasions. She hadn't been out for some time, and she was relieved to see that no one mentioned the past. Mrs. Tian looked very good. Her husband was about to take up the post of an official. Although the position was not high, he was the head of a county and did not have to deal with the complicated relationships above him.
Even if you build a canopy for thousands of miles, there will always be a day when it will be torn down.
Jinniang said to Jiang Xian, "I don't know why, but I always felt very excited when I first came out of Bianjing. Now that I've seen so many separations and reunions, I feel that Bianjing is actually pretty good."
Jiang Xian was not as sentimental as Jinniang. After Han Zhubu left and the new Zhubu had not yet arrived, Jiang Xian had to take charge of the Zhubu's affairs. The chief clerk usually assists the county magistrate in his work, so after completing his job as a county lieutenant, he also has to deal with the county magistrate's affairs, and he is extremely busy.
Of course, Jinniang also had things to do. She had successfully completed the double-sided embroidery with different colors.
Another good news is that Luo Da came from Bian Jing and brought a lot of news. First, it was about family matters. Master Jiang Liu fell ill in the spring, but fortunately, with Zheng's good care, he is now fine. Jinniang's younger brother Yangger ranked third in the provincial school examination. However, it was heard that the third aunt of the Wei family brought old lady Wei to Bian Jing.
Jinniang asked, "Does my grandmother also live in Tianshui Lane?"
Luo Da shook his head: "No."
After saying that, Luo Da also took out a letter, which was also written by Yang Ge'er. It turned out that his mother mentioned that his grandmother was coming and planned to take her to Tianshui Lane to live for a few days, and then move out after Jinniang and the others returned. However, Sheng Ge'er's wife was pregnant, and Third Aunt couldn't even cook, so grandmother had to go and take care of her. Grandmother always doted on her youngest son's family, so of course she went to Sheng Ge'er's place.
In addition to these family matters, Luo Da Zi also talked about his relatives, such as Zhou Cunzhi offended the ruling party and asked to go to Jiangling to be a judge, Jiang Xian's friend Peng Sanlang went to work as a hanger-on for Zhang Jiulang, and Peng Sanlang's sister, Jiang Yanzhi's wife, died of an acute illness...
Even Jiang Xian sighed: "We have only been out for two years, and yet so many things have happened."
"Yes, the second young master actually went to Jiangling to be the magistrate?" Jinniang thought that Jiangling Prefecture was her hometown, and she wanted to buy some land and houses in Jiangling when she had extra money, as the saying goes, a cunning rabbit has three burrows.
Jiang Xian was very alert. He had long noticed that Zhou Cunzhi seemed to have some interest in his wife, but what about his wife? After all, she had stayed in the Zhou family for a few years...
Therefore, he quickly changed the subject: "Brother Zhou Er has always been a man of his own accord, but this may not be a bad choice to avoid disaster."
"Yes, it's good to stay away from disputes." Jinniang nodded.
There were still some official matters. Jiang Xian said he would go to the study to ask Luo Da, while Jinniang counted the things Luo Da brought. There were 500 strings of coins for the rent of Jinliang Bridge, 300 strings of coins for the rent of Tianshui Lane, 150 strings of coins for the harvest of two hectares of land, and in addition there were 30 strings of coins for the sale of poultry, livestock, eggs, and duck eggs, for a total of 980 strings of coins.
Jinniang asked Aying to count out two pieces of good cloth, two cakes of tea and a piece of Jiaozi worth five strings of cash to reward Luo Da later.
Luo Da rested at home for three days, then contacted Jinniang and took the Gu family's boat to Bian Jing.
After he left, Jinniang bought some hairpins and rings for herself at the gold and silver shop, bought some leather at the fur shop, and purchased a lot of silk threads at the woolen thread shop and the silk thread shop.
Jinniang made new hairpins and rings, and opened the old box. She gave Aying a pair of pearl flowers and Qingrong a silver hairpin. The two maids were very happy to get the head ornaments.
Of course, after a period of shopping, Jinniang sealed up the silver and money and did not plan to take out any more money from it.
"Madam, the magistrate's wife wants you to come over." Someone said outside.
Ever since Shen Zhijun took office, the wife of the Tongpan has had less worries. She no longer has to hold a small banquet every three days and a large banquet every five days. Later, she wanted to marry County Magistrate Hou's sister. Of course, after County Magistrate Hou stepped down, the marriage was called off. Now it was her granddaughter's turn to get married, and she wanted to ask Jinniang to be the bridegroom.
Jinniang was very experienced in being a Quanfu person, so of course she agreed. Just like being an embroiderer was a job for her, being a Quanfu wife was also a job. In any case, she was very conscientious.
First check the betrothal gift sent back by the man. If there is anything wrong, communicate with the matchmaker. Put the gift box in the main hall while they prepare incense, candles, wine and fruits, then pray to the heaven, earth and ancestors, and finally remove the veil.
After going to the Tongpan's house, Jinniang learned that the Tongpan's granddaughter was only two years older than Yunjie'er, and she was engaged so early. Madam Wen, who came with us, agreed: "It's not easy to find a good husband. Pingjiang is rich, and there are many talented people in the area. If we don't act early, I'm afraid all the good husbands will be taken."
"You're right, but I always feel that my sister Yun is too young, and her father didn't say anything about this, so it's hard for me to make the decision." Jinniang is a modern person, so naturally she hopes that her daughter can fall in love with each other and choose a husband she likes.
Madam Wen smiled. Everyone knew that County Lieutenant Jiang obeyed his wife. It was said that one day a minor official from the county government came to the county lieutenant's residence without knowing anything, only to find that the county lieutenant had actually given up his job and made soup. Don't be fooled by Mrs. Bao's cunning and arrogant appearance. She is actually just a paper tiger. The truly powerful women are those like Wei, who can handle the relationship with honest officials like the Shen family very well, and can also get along well with the local gentry in Pingjiang. She also has a good reputation among the people in the county government.
The key point is that they are not so complacent, but extremely low-key. Jinniang's understanding of herself as a blessed person was how much bonus she could get. Fortunately, the Tongpan lady was much more generous than the previous Lady Qi. She got a piece of crimson silk, a piece of peacock silk, two pieces of coarse silk, two cakes of green bud tea, two boxes of dried fruits, and a jar of wine.
After returning home, she took the coarse silk and cut it into lengths to distribute to the maids and servants. Qingrong helped to light the silk skillfully. Every year, the family rewarded the servants with several feet of cloth and silk. People outside envied such treatment. This was also the reason why Ma Yangniang refused to go home.
After dividing the ruler's head, Jinniang gave some of the dried fruit and wine to Master Song. This master was indeed an old hand at criminal law and helped a lot when Jiang Xian was handling the case.
Therefore, she prepared generous gifts for Mr. Song, hoping that Jiang Xian would have good political achievements and be promoted in the future.
After everything was settled, Jinniang took a rest. When she woke up, she found herself in bed with her underwear taken off. She was about to get up, but saw Jiang Xian lying on the ground. She said hurriedly, "I am so tired today that I feel dizzy. You, you didn't wake me up, but instead..."
"My wife, I will be away on business for a few days. Please help me." Jiang Xian pleaded.
Jinniang was also in a dilemma and had to nod secretly.
After the couple had some lovemaking, Jiang Xian got down to business: "The new chief clerk has been appointed and will probably take up his post at the beginning of next year. It is said that he passed the imperial examination in his forties and is from Guanzhong."
"If he comes, your burden will be lighter. Isn't that a good thing?" Jinniang said with a smile.
Jiang Xian sighed, "Yes, the personnel affairs are very complicated. Fortunately, I have gained a lot in the past two years in Wu County. However, my wife, I heard that an imperial envoy is coming. If I am appreciated by the imperial envoy, my official position may be moved."
He was a little gloomy at first, but when he mentioned the last sentence, his eyes lit up.
Jinniang said, "Since you are an imperial envoy, you will definitely look at your political achievements. But do you want to make arrangements? If you do, just tell me."
"That's not necessary now, don't worry, ma'am." Jiang Xian already had an idea in mind.
Jinniang smiled and said, "I have a purple-robed Guanyin and a sutra scroll embroidered in my hands. Recently, when I have time, I am embroidering a double-sided full-color embroidery. If the two of us are out of money, these three paintings can still be sold for a lot of money. So, don't worry about the money."
“Madam, you spent ten months embroidering this Purple-robed Guanyin. How can you sell it? You’d better keep it.” Jiang Xian couldn’t bear it.
The two were just chatting about family matters when they saw thunder and lightning in the sky, which suddenly shone on the clothes rack. Jiang Xian pointed there and was startled: "It's a ghost, the ghost is over there."
Jinniang looked over, lit the candle with a tinder, and walked over. Seeing that there was nothing there, she came back and said softly to him, "There is no ghost. My clothes are hanging there."
Jiang Xian's heart tightened and he shrank back: "But I really saw it."
"There are no ghosts, really. With me by your side, no water ghosts, kicking ghosts, or other evil ghosts can drive you away. If they come, I will help you drive them away, okay?" Jinniang stroked his back.
It was not easy for Jiang Xian to deal with so many cases and remain calm in front of everyone when he was a county lieutenant at the age of 22. He is also a human being, and Jinniang feels sorry for him.
Jiang Xian slept well that night after being comforted by Jinniang.
It rained the next day, and the autumn rain was continuous. Jinniang went to the kitchen herself and asked Juxiang to stew ginseng chicken soup, which is a great tonic for vital energy. Many people were in a trance or had hallucinations, which was most likely due to deficiency of qi and blood.
This time, there was more stew, so Jinniang asked Aying to send a bowl to Gu Qingru, and of course, it was also accompanied by a box of fried lotus root boxes and noodle soup.
When Ah Ying came back, she said, "Madam Gu asked me to bring back two boxes of buttered abalones."
"She is too polite." Jinniang said with a smile.
At noon, Jiang Xian came back for lunch, and Jinniang specially served him chicken soup: "Replenish your body well."
When Jiang Xian saw his wife, he felt like he had seen his guardian angel. He was so scared last night, and it was entirely because of his wife who comforted him. He caught a criminal who had been on the run for six years, but what this man had done was so horrific that he was afraid.
Naturally, if this case is handled successfully, his political achievements will be better.
Drinking the warm soup, Jiang Xian took another nap. When he woke up, he vaguely saw a figure sitting beside the bed. It was his wife doing needlework.
"Jin Niang..."
"Huh? What's the matter?" Jinniang put down the scarf in her hand and looked at him in confusion.
Jiang Xian couldn't help but murmur, "It's great to have my wife here."
Seeing that he was a little distracted, Jinniang stayed by his side and talked to him for a long time, and only then did Jiang Xian feel refreshed.
Because of this, she seldom burned incense and worshipped Buddha on weekdays. This time, Gu Qingru asked her to go to the temple to worship together, and Jinniang agreed. Gu Qingru's business is going very smoothly, but there are also many hidden dangers. For example, Jinniang and others may leave their positions next year, and old lady Gu is not in good health. She also has to plan for her future, so it would be a good idea to seek marriage.
She could only tell Jinniang these words, and Jinniang naturally agreed, but also said to her: "This time, find someone with good character, who is also good to you."
Gu Qingru is different from Ruyan. Gu Qingru has a clan and a dowry, is very good at business, and is well versed in human relationships. It's just that she didn't meet a good man when she first got married. She just needs to find a good man in the future. For someone like Ruyan, who has no clan or family background, Jinniang cannot keep her as a servant. If she has a skill and can save up some household items in the future, it won't be too late to find a good man later.
"Although there is a matchmaker, I still feel uneasy. What if my sister..." Gu Qingru felt a little embarrassed when she said this.
Jinniang smiled and said, "If you like someone, I'll ask my husband to find out for you. However, we can only find out the surface of a person. In the end, it depends on whether you like him or not."
Even her own parents might not think so. Gu Qingru was very moved: "I owe my sister more favors."
Jinniang smiled and shook her head.
The two of them went up the mountain together, and happened to meet two little monks who were begging for food together. Jinniang asked Qingrong to give some of the food she brought to them. Gu Qingru said: "It is said that many of these little monks are abandoned babies. Sister really has a kind heart."
"There was a drought in Wuzhong this year, and the people had a hard time. It was said that many people planned to sell their children. Fortunately, there were a few autumn rains later, and this scene did not happen." Jinniang also came from the lower class, and she knew that for ordinary people, let alone natural disasters or man-made calamities, even if they got sick, their family might be ruined or even killed.
The two of them arrived at the temple while they were talking. Gu Qingru listened to Jinniang's words and continued to take care of herself every day. Even though she was in her thirties, she looked like she was in her twenties. Moreover, Jinniang said that there was no need to give up her love just for Xiang Qilang, as there might be a silver lining after all. Therefore, she gave him twenty taels of incense money in the hope of finding a marriage partner. Jinniang did not donate money for incense, but just bought a few talismans. No matter whether they work or not, it is always a psychological comfort.
As expected, she took the talisman back and put it in her purse for Jiang Xian to wear. Jiang Xian just looked through the purse and asked, "Madam, is this the purse you made?"
It’s a bit touching to say the least.
"No, I bought it at Binyunlou before." Jinniang remembered that it seemed that Binyunlou was clearing out its stock, and she bought a bunch of them because they were cheap.
The words of gratitude were stuck in his throat, and Jiang Xian laughed awkwardly: "My wife really has good taste."
Jinniang smiled secretly, and when the servants were out and not paying attention to them, she pulled his hand and shook it back and forth, her eyes like stars. Jiang Xian's ears turned completely red, and he lowered his head, not daring to look at her.
…
During this year's Warming Festival, Jinniang asked Juxiang to warm the rice wine in the kitchen, prepare the barbecue utensils, and also prepare melons and tangerines. When she came out again, she saw Ah Ying talking to Liu Dou'er about something, with her hands on her hips and looking so arrogant. However, anyone who had experienced it could see the look in Liu Dou'er's eyes when she looked at Ah Ying.
I really didn't expect that the two of them had feelings for each other. For such a matter, Jinniang would naturally let Fang's mother ask it first, and wait for Fang's mother to confirm.
She asked Aying to come over again. Aying was already 21 years old this year. She had a red flower pinned on her hair, which made her look even more fit and pretty. Standing in front of her, she was already an exceptionally capable and mature woman.
"Aying, I watched you grow up. Although we are master and servant, you and I are like sisters. I have heard about your story. I never thought that you and him would get along so well?" Jinniang said with a smile.
Ah Ying lowered her head and pinched the handkerchief in her hand: "He is a gentle person. If I hadn't supported him, he would be ordered around all day long."
In fact, Aying had thought about marrying out of town, and her wife had told her several times that even if she married out of town, she would help her get rid of her citizenship and prepare a dowry for her. But she didn't want to leave her mistress, as that would leave her alone in the future. In this mansion, only because of her mistress's love and respect for her could she act without restraint.
But she would not tell this to her wife, otherwise her wife would definitely say that she was a failure.
Seeing that Ah Ying was shy, Jinniang smiled and said, "Well, you can see that he can't live without you. In that case, I will talk to my husband and you can get married by the end of the year. Don't be too hasty. You have to ask Minzhi to make a wedding dress for you, and I will also make some jewelry for you."
Ah Ying whispered, "It's up to you, my lady."
After Jinniang finalized the matter with Jiang Xian, she first went to the gold and silver shop to buy a set of jewelry for Aying, including three small plum blossom hairpins, two larger silver gilt flower hairpins, and a pair of gold lotus leaf earrings. She also took out a piece of red silk, a piece of uncolored coarse silk, a piece of fine silk, a piece of blue woolen cloth, and a set of red silk clothes from her box.
Then she gave Minzhi money to make two new beddings and new clothes for Aying and Liu Douer.
When Gu Qingru heard that Aying was getting married, she sent a load of wedding cakes and a pair of gold hairpins as decoration. Even Madam Wen and Madam Bao sent gifts.
Because Aying is going to get married, she will be a housekeeper in the future and will not be required to serve in the room. Although it is not easy to buy people in Wu County, the people on the farm were originally Jinniang's people. So Mother Fang asked Mr. Fan to pick two maids and send them over, one to Jinniang and the other to Yunjie'er.
As the eldest girl, Aying was very responsible in teaching the new girl Zi Teng, but she was impatient and started yelling after a while.
"You can't move your hands like that. You have to move them in one direction."
Jinniang listened in the room, smiled and shook her head, saying, "One has a fiery temper, the other is gentle and kind, they are a perfect match."
Mother Fang said, "Don't be fooled by Liu Dou'er's gentle appearance. He is actually very perceptive and good at making changes. Otherwise, why would the master only value him?" After saying that, she thought about the servant following the master. Shiliu Lang is still a cunning man. From the outside, everyone thinks he is a caring and good person.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com