“Auspicious snow foretells a prosperous year. Next year should be bountiful.”
Swirling snowflakes had blanketed the rooftops and alleyways overnight in pristine white.
Heavy snowfall always stirred homesickness in Madam Ji. The snow in Chang’an was heavier than in Shu, though the heated kang beds here were more comfortable than the winter days in Shu with their charcoal braziers. She would never return to Chang’an in this lifetime. As Madam Ji gazed at the snow falling in the courtyard, she hazily recalled her late husband, Master Ji.
“Mother, I’m going to deliver goods to the city.”
As Ji Yaoting’s silhouette disappeared from the central courtyard, his father’s voice echoed in Madam Ji’s ears. Her son’s figure seemed to overlap with her husband’s. A gentle smile graced Madam Ji’s face.
Madam Ji and Fourth Young Madam Zhang were going over the accounts together. The Huanhua Dye House had been inherited by her son. Madam Ji had no intention of maintaining control over household affairs and wanted her daughter-in-law to familiarize herself with the accounts early to take over household management.
With the New Year approaching, the dye house had finished its final batch of fabric for the year. Fourth Young Madam Zhang closed the account book and reported to Madam Ji: “Mother, we have over eight hundred strings of cash remaining. Once the young master sells this last batch of fabric, we can close the books for the New Year.”
The gold from the Yang family had cleared all debts with two hundred taels remaining. Madam Ji hadn’t touched it. This money had been given privately by the Yang family as Ji Yingying’s dowry. However, she still planned to save money to return it to the Yang family. When marrying into a family with heads held high, one must live there with humility. Madam Ji didn’t want her daughter to live in the Yang household with a guilty conscience.
The money in the accounts was earned by Ji Yaoting and Ji Yingying working from dawn to dusk dyeing fabric. Ji Yaoting shared his mother’s mindset. Ji Yingying wanted to earn more money for the family before her marriage. Previously, Ji Yaoting had worked alone at the dye house, but with Ji Yingying’s help, they could handle more work with greater ease.
“Fourth Young Madam, the Ji family has few members. This dye house will depend on you and Yaoting in the future. When spring comes, the shop’s accounts should also be handed over to you. Thank you for your hard work.”
Fourth Young Madam Zhang had brought four personal maids and two household managers as part of her dowry, prepared specifically for managing household affairs. She was grateful for her mother-in-law’s trust and willingness to delegate: “I’ll still need your guidance.”
After finishing the accounts, the mother and daughter-in-law sat together doing needlework. Fourth Young Madam Zhang took the initiative in her role as eldest sister-in-law: “Mother, is the Yang family bringing the betrothal gifts tomorrow? I happened to meet Matron Wu going to collect Sister-in-law’s embroidery when I arrived.”
Madam Ji smiled: “The betrothal ceremony will be before the Kitchen God Festival on the twentieth day of the twelfth month. Yingying isn’t young anymore—she’ll be seventeen next year. I want to discuss with the Yang family about setting the wedding date in April. Let her spend one last Third Month Third Festival at home before getting married.”
Fourth Young Madam Zhang smiled with pursed lips: “No wonder I didn’t see Sister-in-law this morning. I wonder what embroidery she’s sending. Sister-in-law’s needlework is excellent—the Yang family is getting a treasure.”
Hopefully, Young Master Yang San would protect Yingying. The Yang family had been wealthy for a hundred years, but who knew if life would truly be good after marriage? Worry appeared again in Madam Ji’s eyes.
The bride’s return gifts for the betrothal ceremony typically included homemade steamed cakes and embroidery. Ji Yingying had given Matron Wu a door curtain embroidered with magpies perched on branches of silk.
Xiang’er had grown increasingly lively lately and dared to tease Ji Yingying: “Miss, why don’t you make clothes and shoes for the young master?”
Ji Yingying replied seriously: “How can I make them without knowing his measurements?”
Except for shoes, one could generally estimate someone’s clothing size with just a glance, and wouldn’t be far off. Xiang’er blinked: “So Miss wants to make shoes for the young master!”
Ji Yingying raised her hand to strike, but Xiang’er had already run toward the door. Just then, Ling’er lifted the curtain to enter and almost collided with her. Ling’er glared at her: “You’re getting too mischievous! We’re running low on charcoal in the room—go to the kitchen and ask Matron Tian to bring a basket.”
Xiang’er responded cheerfully. After entering, Ling’er took a diamond-folded paper from her sleeve and handed it to Ji Yingying: “Miss, Young Master Yang’s attendant Xiangyou brought this.”
Ji Yingying took the diamond-shaped paper and unfolded it. There was nothing inside except a thick thread. She held it up, momentarily confused: “What’s the point of sending a thread?”
Ling’er laughed: “How did Miss not realize? I guess this must be for measuring the young master’s shoe size. If we work through the night, we should finish in time for tomorrow.”
He is… Ji Yingying felt both annoyed and amused as she tossed the thread into a basket: “It’s not for shoe measurements. Besides, I won’t stay up all night making shoes.”
Yang Jingyuan’s voice suddenly came from outside the window: “Why not?”
The mistress and maid were startled. Ji Yingying quickly walked to the window and pushed it open. Snowflakes were drifting, and Yang Jingyuan’s smile was especially radiant. In his purple-red long robe with narrow sleeves, he looked as handsome as a red plum blossom in snow. Snow had already accumulated on his shoulders, showing he had been standing outside for a while. Ji Yingying couldn’t help but feel annoyed: “Why are you climbing walls in broad daylight? Is the wind out there sweet?”
Ling’er tactfully withdrew from the room. Yang Jingyuan didn’t enter but said with a grin: “If I hear you’re making shoes for me, the wind would be sweet!”
“Then keep drinking the wind!” Ji Yingying said, moving to close the window.
“Hey, hey!” Yang Jingyuan held the window, lifting his foot to show Ji Yingying: “My shoes are unwearable now. And you haven’t agreed to make me shoes yet.”
The deerskin boots had several broken hemp threads in the layered soles, and the uppers were covered in mud and water. Ji Yingying couldn’t help but ask curiously: “Don’t you ride horses? How did your shoes get so dirty?”
Yang Jingyuan leaned on the windowsill with a smile: “Make me a pair, and I can wear them tomorrow!”
He wore a lazy smile, but his eyes were tinged with red as if he hadn’t slept all night.
Ji Yingying’s gaze fell on his hands gripping the windowsill. His fingers were red from cold, with bluish knuckles. Who knew how long he had been standing outside?
She reached out to brush the snow from his shoulders, chiding: “How long have you been standing out there? If you wanted shoes, you just needed to ask—wouldn’t I make them for you?”
Yang Jingyuan said with a grin: “After tomorrow’s betrothal ceremony, I won’t be able to see you anymore.”
After the formal betrothal and setting the wedding date, their marriage would be settled. It was considered unlucky to meet before the wedding.
This was why he had climbed the wall to stand outside her window, just to see her one more time.
Ji Yingying stared at him blankly and softly scolded: “Aren’t you silly?”
Yang Jingyuan just smiled.
At that moment, there was only the silent falling snow in the world as the two gazed at each other quietly.
“Miss, the First Young Madam is coming!” Outside, Ling’er announced while Cong’er went to assist Fourth Young Madam Zhang, intentionally buying time.
Yang Jingyuan rubbed his hands, feeling them warm up a bit, then reached out to pinch her cheek, somewhat reluctant to leave: “I’m going.”
Ji Yingying leaned forward, watching Yang Jingyuan climb over the wall for the first time. As he leaped up, he was like an eagle, his movements graceful as he easily landed on top of the wall. He turned back to look at her, his radiant smile reaching his eyes, before disappearing beyond the wall.
She leaned on the windowsill as snowflakes drifted down. Ji Yingying closed her eyes, memorizing his handsome face standing in the snow.
“Sister-in-law, why is the window open? Be careful not to catch cold!” The maids couldn’t delay for long, and Fourth Young Madam Zhang lifted the door curtain to enter. Seeing Ji Yingying at the window, she complained while quickly pulling her back, glancing outside before closing the window.
Ji Yingying smiled and helped her sit: “Why did Sister-in-law come over?”
Fourth Young Madam Zhang took a box from her main maid and said: “These were all made by me and my maids. Our family is small and doesn’t need so many pouches and handkerchiefs. They’re all for you. Tomorrow when the Yang family comes for the betrothal, find out how many people there are. If it’s not enough, I’ll help you make more.”
“Thank you, Sister-in-law.”
The Yang family was large, and a new bride needed to give many gifts. These were typically small items like pouches, handkerchiefs, and fan cases. Ji Yingying opened the box to look and gratefully thanked Fourth Young Madam Zhang.
“The snow is heavy today. When your brother returns, let’s have a hotpot tonight.” Fourth Young Madam Zhang didn’t stay long, leaving with her maid after delivering the items.
After seeing her out, Ji Yingying took an armband to roll up her sleeves: “Xiang’er, find and cut the shoe soles. Ling’er, open the chest—I remember storing a piece of deerskin in there last year.”
Both maids burst out laughing: “Is Miss making shoes?”
Ji Yingying said without blushing: “What’s wrong with making shoes? If we don’t finish today, nobody gets to sleep!” Then she too began to laugh.