Four Seasons Brocade – CH 070

Chapter 70 ☆、

“Miss, this Snow-gloss satin was worn by the Imperial Concubine at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet this year, stunning everyone. All the noble ladies and young women in the capital have begun to imitate it. However, the annual production of Snow-gloss satin in the south is fixed. If it were not for your instructions last year, we would not have been able to catch this wave. The price has increased five or six times; we’ve really made a fortune.” Even someone like Liu Jingniang had a hint of excited joy on her face.

Ah Wu nodded. As for her memory of the Snow-gloss satin, it was actually because she had attended the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in the palace in the autumn of the twenty-sixth year of the Longqing reign, and she still vividly remembered Consort Xiang’s Snow-gloss satin dress. A woman in her thirties, yet she looked as beautiful as someone in her early twenties wearing it; even Ah Wu had to admit that Consort Xiang was very good at dressing.

In the capital, whatever fabrics sold well depended entirely on what the nobles wore.

However, Ah Wu could not really remember what these people wore clearly. If it were not for a fortuitous coincidence—she had attended the banquet that year and had some recollection—she would not have caught the Snow-gloss satin craze. It was truly a stroke of luck; she was destined to make a fortune.

Ah Wu looked at the silver notes and account book that Liu Jingniang had brought. Good heavens! Even Ah Wu was astonished—a full four thousand taels of silver. Although four thousand taels was not a huge sum for Ah Wu, it was the first time in her life she had seen such a large amount of money.

Ah Wu kept the account book, intending to examine it carefully later. However, she took the box containing the silver and instead offered it to Liu Jingniang. “Take this as capital; we are not short of money for staff these days.” Making money from money was the fundamental principle.

Liu Jingniang did not refuse. “With this money, our shop can develop even better.”

Ah Wu nodded. Back in the summer, Ah Wu had shared ten percent of the profits with Liu Jingniang and her son and five percent with Old Nanny Peng, keeping the two of them firmly under her wing, both wholeheartedly supporting her.

Liu Jingniang ran the shop, while Old Nanny Peng managed the embroiderers.

After the New Year, Ah Wu received news from Liu Jingniang that she had opened a shop on Chang’an Gate Street, the most bustling street in the capital. Then, she not only sold finished Cui Embroidery products but also various kinds of fabrics. Some of these fabrics were fresh materials that Liu Jingniang herself sourced from small workshops near the capital. Those workshops had little capital and couldn’t open large stores, so they just bought and sold whatever they could. Now, Liu Jingniang had acquired them, signed contracts, and established an exclusive business, which had become a major feature of “Cui Ji.” ^(璀记)

“Cui Ji” was a name that Ah Wu came up with. The character “Cui” ^(璀) was a homophone for “Cui” ^(崔) in Cui Embroidery, while “Cui Can” ^(璀璨) was a characteristic of Cui Embroidery—bright, dazzling, and eye-catching colors.

Not to mention Liu Jingniang’s successful management of the shop.

The year turned to the spring of the twenty-seventh year of the Longqing reign, and great news came from the third branch of the Duke of Anguo’s Mansion.

Third Master Rong had returned.

Upon hearing this news, Lady Cui’s illness improved considerably. Unable to wait even a moment longer, she had Ah Wu help her wait outside the courtyard. Third Master Rong first kowtowed to the Duke of Anguo and the Old Madam, exchanged greetings, and then returned to the third branch’s courtyard.

Upon seeing Third Master Rong, who had just returned home after two years away, Lady Cui was so overwhelmed with emotion that she could not speak. Her hands trembled as she clasped Third Master Rong’s, and the two stood speechless, tears welling in their eyes.

When Ah Wu saw Third Master Rong, her vision also blurred. Although she knew he would return safely, she needed to see him alive and well before she could feel at ease.

“Father,” Ah Wu called out, tears streaming down her face.

Third Master Rong could no longer hold back his tears. He embraced his wife and daughter, and all three were overcome with emotion, their eyes brimming with tears.

After calming down, the three sat down to talk. Third Master Rong began to vividly describe the customs and cultures of foreign lands.

Ah Wu looked at Third Master Rong and felt that his demeanor and bearing had changed dramatically. Compared to before, he was like jade that had been blessed with light, radiating a brilliance. Third Master Rong had grown a long beard. He was already handsome, and his scholarly air, combined with his five-strand beard, added to his refined and elegant appearance. Furthermore, his experiences navigating the vast ocean and witnessing foreign sights over the past two years had broadened his horizons, adding a worldly maturity and a wise, capable air to his eyes.

Even Ah Wu secretly exclaimed, “Excellent!” Now that Third Master Rong’s fortunes had turned, he seemed poised for great things. His demeanor and appearance truly lived up to the title “Third Master Rong.”

Sure enough, upon his return, Third Master Rong’s answers in the imperial court pleased the Emperor, winning his favor. He was specially promoted from a sixth-rank compiler in the Hanlin Academy to a fifth-rank Left Advisor in the Left Spring Palace of the Supervisorate of Imperial Instruction.

The Supervisorate of Imperial Instruction was an official residence under the Crown Prince’s palace. Since there was no Crown Prince at the time, the Supervisorate of Imperial Instruction was essentially a nominal entity. The positions of the Left and Right Spring Palaces held no real power; they were effectively used as a place for the promotion of compilers and reviewers in the Hanlin Academy. The opening of a palace signified the Emperor’s intention to appoint officials.

Less than three months later, Rong Jichang was specially appointed as the fourth-rank Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.

After returning from his mission abroad, Third Master Rong’s official career progressed rapidly. In just a few months, he was promoted four ranks to the fourth rank. One must not underestimate this fourth rank; two more ranks and he would be a third-rank official.

In the Great Xia Dynasty, officials of the third rank and above were considered high-ranking officials. Only those in the capital could ride in a grand sedan chair with four bearers. They could enter as prime ministers or be appointed to regional governorships—a significant dividing line in officialdom.

Third Master Rong’s fourth-rank position meant he was already a prospective third-rank official. As long as he did not make any major mistakes, even if promotion was based on seniority, he would eventually rise to the third-rank position; his future was bright.

Returning to the story of Third Master Rong’s return, Lady Cui recounted to him everything that had happened in the household over the past two years, including, of course, the affair between Concubine Wang and the Second Master and her subsequent flight. Master Rong was not particularly affected. While men typically would not tolerate being cuckolded and would be furious, this incident occurred during his diplomatic mission abroad, and he had not been present at the time. Therefore, the impact was less pronounced.

Ah Wu, however, was considering whether to expose Concubine Wang’s affair with the Eldest Master, creating a shameful situation of three brothers sharing one concubine, hoping to force a division of the household. But the chances of success were slim, and Ah Wu was reluctant to take that step, so she held back.

Moreover, at this time, Third Master Rong’s official career was at its peak. Emperor Longqing appointed him as a lecturer at the Imperial Academy, meaning he would not lecture daily, but he would have a monthly opportunity to see the Emperor and listen to his teachings, thus increasing his chances of being by the Emperor’s side.

Two months later, the Jiangsu Provincial Education Commissioner died of illness while on duty, leaving the position vacant. Emperor Longqing again issued a special decree to promote Third Master Rong to a fourth-rank Junior Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and appointed him as the Jiangsu Provincial Education Commissioner.

In the Great Xia Dynasty, the position of Education Commissioner was usually filled by officials from the Hanlin Academy, the Imperial Secretariat, the Censorate, or the Circuit Intendants, without a specific rank. The rank remained the same regardless of the previous official position held, and the commissioner would return to their original post upon leaving office. Emperor Longqing’s special promotion of Third Master Rong to the fourth rank was intended to facilitate his interactions with governors and prefects in the provinces. This was a favor and a symbol of the Emperor’s great favor.

Since ancient times, Jiangnan had been a place where literary talent gathered. Half of the Jinshi in both the provincial and municipal examinations were from Jiangnan. Being appointed as the Educational Commissioner of Jiangsu Province meant that he would be the mentor of future candidates from Jiangsu Province, and he would also be connected with many future Jinshi. Putting aside everything else, this network of connections alone was extremely valuable.

The Hanlin scholar, always frugal, longed for a post outside the capital. The Imperial Academy and the Imperial Secretariat were both lucrative positions, and he desperately wanted a post outside the capital. These posts were divided into three ranks. The next rank was chief examiner, responsible for the provincial examinations. A single posting could earn him several thousand taels of silver, a standard practice in officialdom, not extortion.

The best post was the Educational Commissioner, the position Third Master Rong was about to assume, overseeing education and the imperial examinations in a province. After three years, a commissioner in a large province could earn thirty to forty thousand taels of silver, and even in a smaller province, no less than ten thousand.

Upon receiving this imperial decree, even Third Master Rong, who had mastered the art of remaining calm even in the face of adversity, could not help but rub his hands together excitedly. He was short of money; this post would provide the funds for his future activities in the capital.

However, a seemingly insurmountable obstacle loomed before him, causing Third Master Rong’s hair to prematurely turn white with worry. Seeing his reaction, Lady Cui was secretly astonished. In her opinion, life could not be better than it was now.

Not only was Third Master Rong going to Jiangsu, but Lady Cui herself and Ah Wu could also accompany him. This was the Duke of Anguo’s intention. Although the Old Madam was so angry she did not eat all day, the Duke of Anguo remained steadfast in his decision.

Because Third Master Rong was poised for a powerful rise in status, the Duke of Anguo, unlike the Old Madam with her womanly perspective, had keenly sensed that the future of the Duke’s Mansion would likely still depend on this illegitimate son. Now, although he did not necessarily want to win over his son, he could no longer turn a blind eye or remain subservient.

Third Master Rong had subtly expressed his opinion to Duke Anguo, saying, “Your son will be gone for several years, with no one to take care of him. Concubine Mu is rather dull-witted, so I still hope Lady Cui will go with me to serve me. Besides, Ah Wu is growing up, and I want to take the time to raise her myself. She should also bring honor to the Duke’s family after she marries.”

Duke Anguo was well aware of his wife’s opinion of the third branch of the family. Now that the third son had been promoted, Lady Cui and Ah Wu were under her control, and who knew what she might do to them? If she were to damage the relationships between father and son, mother and son, and brothers, it would not be good.

Therefore, Duke Anguo decided that Lady Cui and Ah Wu should both go to Jiangsu.

“What’s troubling you? You’ve looked so worried these past few days,” Lady Cui asked, gently resting her head on Third Master Rong’s shoulder and lightly stroking his chest.

Third Master Rong asked, “How much money do we have left?”

Lady Cui looked up at Third Master Rong, puzzled.

Third Master Rong knew that Lady Cui was clueless, but since she was going to her new post with him, he could not let her remain completely bewildered. Therefore, he said, “When officials from the capital are sent to other posts, it’s customary to send gifts to various ministries and departments. I’ve inquired about it these past few days. For a post like mine, each Cabinet Minister needs at least two hundred taels of silver, the six ministers need one hundred taels, and the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites require extra gifts. The vice ministers and the censor-in-chief need fifty taels, and you cannot skimp on seniority or family connections. I roughly calculated that it would take at least five thousand taels to justify this.”

“What? That much!” Lady Cui exclaimed in surprise, sitting up in bed. “Could you send less?”

“How can the corruption in officialdom be eradicated?” Third Master Rong put his hands behind his head, slumped back, and sighed helplessly.

“I only have a few dozen taels of silver left. I’ve been ill these past two years, and it’s cost a lot of money,” Lady Cui said, feeling very guilty. “The shop’s affairs are all thanks to Ah Wu, who has been so sensible at such a young age. I… I am so sorry for her…” As she spoke, Lady Cui began to cry.

Third Master Rong sat up and hugged Lady Cui. “Alright, alright, do not cry. I will find a way. Father will have to provide some assistance.”

In truth, Third Master Rong was lying to Lady Cui. The Duke of Anguo had already provided him with two thousand taels of silver, leaving a three-thousand-tael shortfall. That was why he asked Lady Cui. He had already anticipated the outcome. These past two years, the mother and daughter had barely managed to survive in the mansion; they dared not ask for anything more. Third Master Rong was just asking casually, hoping for the best.

“Tomorrow, I will ask Ah Wu. She thinks she can scrape together one or two hundred taels from the shop. If not, we can sell it,” Lady Cui whispered. She was utterly devoted to Third Master Rong and willing to sacrifice anything.

“That will not do. I was planning to give that shop to Ah Wu as part of her dowry,” Third Master Rong rejected Lady Cui’s suggestion. Actually, he had another option in mind, but he did not want to take it.

That option was borrowing money.

Officials often borrowed money to give as gifts when taking office, intending to repay it later. There were people in the capital who specialized in lending money like this. Their doors were always open to customers, and they were not worried about you not repaying. When you were an official, they could control you and extort you; once you borrowed, you were in their hands, like a puppet on strings.

But if you did not borrow, you could not raise the necessary gifts, offending these powerful figures in the capital. After your three-year term, you would not get any further promotions, and you might even be replaced before you even finished your term. The various dark trials and tribulations involved were too numerous to discuss with Lady Cui.

That night, Third Master Rong tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Lady Cui and Third Master Rong had been husband and wife for over a decade. Although Third Master Rong claimed he had a solution, Lady Cui knew from his expression that he was truly at a loss.

Therefore, the next day, Lady Cui told Ah Wu about the situation and inquired about the shop’s condition.

Ah Wu knew a little about the matter of the farewell gift, but did not know it would cost so much. After a moment of silence, she said, “The shop’s profits have been decent these past two years. Madam, give me three days; I will think of a solution.”

Lady Cui nodded, surprisingly not finding it strange at all that she had placed such a heavy burden on the shoulders of an eleven-year-old girl, without showing any concern for her well-being.

Only two days later, Ah Wu placed three thousand taels of silver in Lady Cui’s hands.

Not only was Lady Cui astonished, but even Third Master Rong was extremely surprised when he learned of it. He summoned Ah Wu and asked, “Where did you get so much silver?”

Ah Wu did not hide anything from Third Master Rong, telling him about the shop’s profits over the past two years and the matter of the Snow-gloss satin. However, Ah Wu attributed all the credit to Liu Jingniang, so Third Master Rong did not suspect her. He only sighed at her good fortune; she had casually saved someone, yet they had proven so useful.

Third Master Rong was both gratified and happy. Then he heard Ah Wu mention Liu Jingniang’s ambition, which was actually Ah Wu’s own ambition: to open Cui Embroidery shops all over the country.

In the past two years, Master Rong had traveled overseas, and his vision had broadened beyond the nation’s borders. Having witnessed the prosperity of coastal regions brought about by trade with foreign lands, he no longer looked down upon merchants—who, despite being ranked last among the social classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—recognized them as crucial to the nation’s future prosperity. Although this awareness was not profound or obvious, Third Master Rong had envisioned that if he ever reached the pinnacle of the nation’s officialdom, he would vigorously promote trade between the nation and foreign lands, not only along the coast but also inland, facilitating the exchange of goods and services to replenish the national treasury and enhance the nation’s prestige.

As long as the national treasury was sufficient and military expenditures were not in arrears, the northern Tatars, the northeastern Oirats, the ever-watchful Goryeo, and even the pirates currently roaming the southeast would no longer pose a threat.

Of course, all of this was just wishful thinking. His immediate priority was to pack his bags, take his wife and daughter, and diligently carry out his duties as the Educational Commissioner of Jiangsu.

In the late spring of the twenty-ninth year of the Longqing reign, before Third Master Rong had even completed his term as the Jiangsu Provincial Education Commissioner, he received an imperial edict to return to the capital to assume the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Third Master Rong had entered officialdom as a Hanlin Compiler in the twenty-third year of Longqing, and in just six years, he had become a third-rank official in the Great Xia Dynasty. Such a rapid rise, while not unprecedented, was certainly the envy of many.

In reality, Third Master Rong was simply lucky. If he had not returned safely from his diplomatic mission abroad and had not given the Emperor a favorable impression, his promotion would not have been so swift. Furthermore, Wu Mingkai, who had accompanied Third Master Rong on that mission, was now a favorite of the Emperor, having entered the Cabinet and taken charge of the Ministry of Rites.

It was Wu Mingkai’s recommendation that allowed Third Master Rong to return to the capital ahead of schedule. This was the way of fate. Years ago, the First Madam had secretly pushed for Third Master Rong’s diplomatic mission abroad, thinking she could use divine intervention to kill him, but unexpectedly, it had instead aided his career. This was something she had not anticipated.

The Grand Canal to the capital, Shangjing, had a channel dug from Tongzhou into the capital, connecting directly to the Xihai Wharf within the city. Every year, from the moment the canal thawed, the area was bustling with boats and carts, but not all vessels could dock at the Xihai Wharf. Ordinary boats had to stop at the Tongzhou Wharf and then travel by land to reach the capital.

When Master Rong, with his family, traveled from the capital to Jiangsu, he also boarded a ship at Tongzhou Wharf. But this time, according to the imperial edict, Master Rong had been promoted to a third-rank official and entered the Ministry of Rites; his official ship could now sail to Xihai Wharf.

In late spring, the willow branches along the shore of Xihai Wharf were sprouting green, and the weather was at its most pleasant. On this day, the spring sun shone warmly, with occasional wisps of clouds adding color to the otherwise monotonous sky. The dockworkers, who had long since shed their cotton-padded coats and could not even wear light jackets, moved about in thin shirts, their hair gleaming with oil.

Third Master Rong’s official ship entered Xihai Wharf that day, docking at the beginning of the fourth hour of the morning according to the schedule. Ahead of them were ships from the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of War, or the Imperial Household Department, or ships carrying important officials returning to the capital to report on imperial decrees.

Third Master Rong was quite lucky that day, managing to dock before noon.

The sedan chair and carriage sent by the Duke of Anguo’s Mansion to fetch Third Master Rong had been waiting on the shore for quite some time. Seeing Third Master Rong’s official boat dock, with the character “Rong” prominently displayed on its mast, they knew it was their own boat and quickly came to greet it.

Leading the way was Rong Da, the head steward of the outer courtyard, personally appointed by the Duke of Anguo. Rong Da was a steward specially bestowed with the Duke’s surname and was the Duke’s most trusted steward. His personal presence to greet Third Master Rong made even Third Master Rong feel honored, and he let out a long sigh of relief; his father was finally paying him the attention he deserved.

Rong Da personally took Third Master Rong’s hand, helping him step onto the plank and land steadily on the shore.

Following Third Master Rong were two women, both wearing veils with long white gauze embellishments around the brim. In this crowded and intriguing Xihai dock, women of higher status always wore such veils when disembarking.

Rong Da, being an old servant in the household, knew without looking that the two women were undoubtedly the Third Madam, Lady Cui, and the Sixth Young Lady.

The maids and servants Rong Da had brought quickly went to help them, but the maids beside the two women were even quicker, separating them from the servants who had come to fetch them.

Once Lady Cui had safely reached the shore, the tall, slender girl behind her, supported by a beautiful maid in a purple vest with pinnate teeth, stepped onto the platform.

The maids and servants waiting nearby could not take their eyes off her, following her every movement. They did not even notice how the girl was moving, yet her movements were strangely beautiful. Though she was walking on the platform, it was as if a lady from a painting was gracefully stepping out of a scroll.

Some were also captivated by the girl’s delicate hand resting on the maid’s arm. Flawless white jade, slender as the first shoot of a spring bamboo, so tender and white, one almost wanted to take a bite. Her fingertips, a glossy, flesh-pink, were clean and sleek, long and slightly arched like a crescent moon—the most beautiful nail shape imaginable. Many people’s manicured nails, dyed with balsam juice, paled in comparison to these hands.

Some people were also drawn to her clothing.

In the second and fourth months of the lunar calendar, people dressed haphazardly. Some wore cotton-padded jackets, some wore lined jackets, and some wore only light clothing. But the girl’s clothes did not look like gauze or satin, yet they had a sheen like satin, and a texture as flowing as gauze. The color was also fresh—a sky-blue hue with a hint of sweet pink; no shop in the capital had ever sold such a unique and delicate color.

On the shore, people passing by stopped to watch the group disembarking. Women preparing to board and those seeing them off were pointing and talking excitedly. The insignia on the sedan chairs and carriages of the Duke of Anguo’s mansion had already been recognized, and relatives came up to greet them. The women behind them eagerly awaited the arrival of Lady Cui and her entourage, hoping to inquire about their attire.

Regardless, the Third Master Rong and his party had unknowingly become the center of attention.

A group of people gradually arrived on the shore to see them off. Several fine horses led the way, carrying young gentlemen. If Ah Wu could see, she would certainly recognize one of them—none other than Tang Yu, Tang Xiujin, the second son of the current Grand Secretary Tang Jinshan, whom she had not seen for several years.

Tang Xiujin had already taken the imperial examination and was appointed the third-place scholar by the Emperor. A large group of people behind him expressed their regret, saying that he could have been the top scholar, but this year, among the top three recommended by the examiners, apart from the young and handsome Tang Xiujin, the other two were quite old and had rather dark and rugged appearances.

During the palace examination, Emperor Longqing was torn, unwilling to choose a dark-skinned third-place candidate, so Tang Xiujin had to accept the latter.