Chapter 587: Chief Treasurer of the General Office

"Yueru, my dear sister, don't blame me for saying this — you're the Deputy Chief Treasurer of the Great River Silver Bank, how can you still do all this washing and sweeping yourself? It truly pains your sister to see it."

At Huaiqing Bridge Head, not far from Taoye Ferry, a massive figure carrying a broom darted from the small courtyard's light well into the main hall, then continued into the west-side bedroom.

Jiang Shuqiong, the shopkeeper of Nanjing Baishun Hall, was personally sweeping as she walked through the house, broom in hand. Zhou Yueru and her two maids were also in the room, utterly unable to stop the enthusiastic Shopkeeper Jiang.

Zhou Yueru said, a little embarrassed, "Jiang Jiejie, you work so hard every day, and you only get one day of leisure every ten days. How could I trouble you with these chores?"

"Your sister here just can't stay idle — I feel off if I don't do something every day. Besides, you said it yourself, what's the point of going home on a day off? Seeing that old man just annoys me. Coming here to do things loosens up the muscles, and just seeing a heavenly, fairy-like person like Yueru makes my heart so happy. How is this trouble? It's even more pleasant than leisure."

As she spoke, she reached the washstand. Shopkeeper Jiang seemed to suddenly discover something. She first inspected the copper basin, then picked up the soap box on the top shelf of the stand. The soap box was made of wood, and inside was a round piece of soap. It was clearly used for some time, with little left, and bore signs of soaking — the bottom of the soap box was sticky.

Shopkeeper Jiang took out the soap, held it under her nose and sniffed for a moment, then bent down to examine the bottom of the box. Zhou Yueru and the others had no idea what she was doing.

Shopkeeper Jiang directly pulled a box from her bosom, turned her head to the two maids, and said, "Don't use this old soap box anymore. There are no holes underneath, so water collects and ruins the soap. It gets dirty when you put it on your face. From now on, use this soap box — it has holes underneath, much better. But you still need to dry the soap after use. Clean and fresh is always best."

With that, she placed the box in her hand onto the washstand. Judging by its color, the box was made of a yellow metal. If it were gold, it would be quite valuable. The box was exquisitely crafted, with a slight curve on the bottom and a hole in the middle to let water drain away.

Zhou Yueru hurriedly said, "Sister, I can't accept this. How can I take such a valuable item from you for no reason..."

Jiang Shuqiong waved her hand dismissively with an "Ai," placed the old round soap into the copper basin, then reached into her bosom. When her hand came out again, she was holding something shaped like a purple flower. "Compared to you, dear sister, nothing is too valuable. These ordinary soaps are hardly worthy of someone like Yueru. Your sister here has a cassia purple soap, with cassia flowers and a secret ingredient added. The weather is very dry right now. Using this purple soap leaves your face fragrant and moist. Use it once in the morning when you go out. Remember, this soap isn't just for morning use — when you return in the evening, you two must help her use it again. That way, her skin won't dry out overnight. When it runs out, come to me for more. You absolutely must not stand on ceremony with me. Once summer arrives, we'll switch to a different kind, and I'll bring it over then."

This type of soap was a daily-use item in the Ming dynasty specifically for washing the face. Its main ingredient was pig pancreas, pounded into a paste and mixed with plant ash, lard, and other substances. It could remove dirt from the human body, functioning much like a Ming dynasty facial cleanser. By that time, it had become widespread in cities and came in different grades. The one Jiang Shuqiong brought out was considered top-grade, something only wealthy households could afford.

Without waiting for Zhou Yueru to speak again, Jiang Shuqiong had already placed the soap box down. She put both hands on the sides of the washstand and lifted it with a whoosh. "The inner chamber is for resting and sleeping — it should be spacious and clean. Too many odds and ends ruin the feng shui. Especially for someone like Yueru, piling up things makes you seem vulgar. Move the washstand to the outer room."

As she spoke, she did it herself, carrying the washstand alone to the outer room. The two maids hurriedly followed her out.

Zhou Yueru remained in the bedroom. She only heard Jiang Shuqiong's voice from outside saying, "Yueru manages such a huge business at the Silver Bank — when does she have time to look after herself? You servants must put more thought into things. The day before, before nightfall, you must prepare the next day's clothing. Not just one set, but two. In the morning, check the weather and choose the right one. Don't wait until she's up to rummage around in a mess. A day's plan begins in the morning — don't spoil Yueru's good mood. Not just clothing, but also hair ornaments, shoes, socks, hats..."

Just then, a clang sounded from outside, as if the washstand had been set down. Jiang Shuqiong's voice continued, "Look, this hat isn't prepared right. It's just early spring, still so cold — you need a hat with a neck wrap. Where is the wardrobe? Let me take a look. Yueru, this rabbit fur won't do — it sheds. You there, go to my room and bring that new top-quality mink hat."

A woman's voice answered from outside, followed by footsteps returning to the door. Shopkeeper Jiang walked back into the bedroom. The moment she saw Zhou Yueru, her face immediately broke into a smile, and she went straight to pick up the chamber pot.

Zhou Yueru let out an "Aiya," but before she could stop her, Shopkeeper Jiang had already lifted it. The two maids, who had just followed her back in, stood dumbly at the door watching the robust deputy shopkeeper pick up the chamber pot and swiftly walk out, hurriedly stepping aside to make way.

Jiang Shuqiong's face was now turned toward the maids, and the smile that had been piled on her face vanished again. As she walked, she said, "The chamber pot is only brought into the room when it's needed. There must be no smell in the room. You can't act like you did back in your own homes. This is the master's house. Every day, you must scrub it until it's completely odorless — so clean you'd dare drink from it yourselves. Only bring it in when the master needs it. Look at this house the Silver Bank bought — it doesn't even have a side room. Leave the chamber pot here in the outer room for now. You two, don't sleep in the side room. If Yueru needs something at night, she won't be able to call you. Servants must follow the rules of servants. Set up a bed here in the outer room. You two take turns sleeping here at night. Don't take off your clothes when sleeping, don't sleep too deeply, stay alert. If you hear any movement from the inner room, you must go immediately. Surely you don't expect the master to wait for you to get dressed."

Jiang Shuqiong set the chamber pot down. When she looked at the two maids, she held her head high, looking down on them from a superior position. Suddenly, Zhou Yueru's figure appeared at the bedroom door, and Jiang Shuqiong's face instantly filled with smiles again.

Zhou Yueru looked at the two and said, "They haven't been here long, and I've been a bit lax here. I've troubled you, sister."

Jiang Shuqiong immediately looked at the two maids with warm affection. "Jiang Jiejie doesn't really blame you. See, you both came from your own homes. Ordinary households don't have so many rules, and coming here with no one to teach you, it's only natural you wouldn't know. Ultimately, it's still Jiang Jiejie's fault. With all the complicated affairs at Baishun Hall every day, I didn't come earlier to give you advice. Sister is angry at herself in her heart. I spoke a bit hastily — don't take it to heart."

The two maids were stunned speechless, not knowing how to respond.

Jiang Shuqiong shook her head with a pained expression. "All these years, sister only knew the Silver Bank hired maids for you and assumed you were being well cared for. Who knew those at the Silver Bank were all rough men who don't understand these refinements? In the end, it's still sister's negligence. Sister doesn't have much else, just a decent amount of strength. From now on, I'll handle these matters of looking after you myself. Dear sister, you absolutely must not refuse me."

"How could I trouble you, sister?" Zhou Yueru took hold of the bustling Jiang Shuqiong. "Sister, you haven't visited in so long. Don't just busy yourself — sit down and rest a while."

Jiang Shuqiong immediately and affectionately hooked her arm around Zhou Yueru's forearm in return. "Thinking back to when I first met you, dear sister, it was still at Tongcheng Baishun Hall. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. Out of all those people at Baishun Hall, only a handful could come to Nanjing and still be together. This is fate. Shouldn't a sister look after her younger sister? Calling it trouble makes us strangers."

Zhou Yueru patted Jiang Shuqiong's hand. "You've looked after me all along the way. I remember it all in my heart."

"How can it be called 'looking after'? In truth, it's you who has looked after me. Otherwise, how would the management of Nanjing Baishun Hall ever fall to me? Your sister is thin-skinned and usually too embarrassed to say it, but my heart understands clearly. Every time I think of it, I feel like crying." Jiang Shuqiong pretended to wipe her eyes, then looked at Zhou Yueru and said, "Your sister just has ordinary aptitude — I can't compare to your great ability. Sister truly admires you. Now, dear sister, not only do you manage the Banknotes, but you're also about to manage the accounts of all the various families in Nanjing — the Silver Bank, Baishun Hall, the Shipping Company, the Rice and Bean Shop, all together. Sister is truly happy for you from the heart, but I just worry that so many things will exhaust you. All these years, no one has cared for you. Sister hurried over — I can't help with any big tasks, but at least I can show some heartfelt care."

"Sister, when you speak like this, I truly feel ashamed. All these years, you've poured your heart into Baishun Hall in Nanjing. Everyone sees your daily toil. Originally, it should be me, as the younger sister, looking after you."

"Sister's work is just manual labor — it doesn't tax the mind, unlike your tasks. Look, now that Nanjing is setting up a council, you'll have a seat there too. That will be even more mentally exhausting. If others don't understand, does sister not understand? Tell me, if sister doesn't come to care for you, who will?"

After speaking, Jiang Shuqiong shifted her body and lowered her voice a little. "Sister has been a shopkeeper at Baishun Hall for many years. Now I hear that these Baishun Halls in the Lower River region are going to establish a Chief Treasurer of the General Office, and the council will recommend candidates to Lord Pang. Sister isn't seeking that Chief Treasurer position for herself — I just fear it might fall to someone unsuitable. Dear sister, you know your sister is a most honest and kind person, never one to speak ill of others behind their backs. But this Chief Treasurer oversees so many branches — there must at least be some moral character. After much thought, I still feel I must speak up."

Zhou Yueru looked at Jiang Shuqiong sincerely. "Sister, I have always trusted your character."

"That lass Mao — she used to follow sister out of Tongcheng. She's now managing the Yangzhou Branch. You could say she gets things done. But as for her character..." Jiang Shuqiong furrowed her brow, as if undergoing an intense internal struggle. Finally, she gritted her teeth and said, "I might as well tell you, dear sister. Back when the Roving Bandits reached the opposite bank, someone reported you to Jiangning County as a Westerner. In truth... it was that lass Mao who reported you."

Zhou Yueru froze on the spot. It was a long moment before she said, stunned, "Why would she do that?"

"At the time, she was just afraid that if you came to Baishun Hall, you'd take the position she wanted. Sister only found out later. I gave her a thorough scolding right then and wanted to send her back to Tongcheng. That lass Mao knelt on the ground, clung to me, and cried. But sister is soft-hearted after all and didn't send her back. But from then on, I looked down on her and didn't want to deal with her. When the Yangzhou side opened, I thought as long as I sent her far away, she wouldn't bother you anymore, so I recommended her to be deputy shopkeeper at the Yangzhou Branch. Who knew she'd not only become shopkeeper but, shamelessly, still want to be Chief Treasurer — which means she'd come back to Nanjing."

The flesh on Jiang Shuqiong's face twitched a few times. "Sister isn't seeking this Chief Treasurer position for herself, but I don't want such an important post to fall into the hands of someone of bad character. I'd fear it would ruin Lord Pang's affairs. Even if I get a reputation for gossiping, there's an even bigger knot in my heart — I don't want this woman coming to Nanjing. She might stir up some trouble for Yueru again. These are all sister's heartfelt words. If Yueru doesn't believe them, just pretend sister said nothing."

"Of course I trust Jiang Jiejie. Back then, being reported by someone for no reason forced me to live outside the city for a long time and delayed many Silver Bank matters. It truly did harm Lord Pang's affairs. That person is indeed detestable."

Jiang Shuqiong sighed. "Who says it isn't? Sister never imagined she'd be capable of something like that."

"I wouldn't feel at ease with that kind of person in charge. Thank you, Jiang Jiejie, for the warning."

Jiang Shuqiong's face creased into folds. "This matter has been weighing on my heart for years. Sister wanted to speak of it many times, but it's this old weakness of a soft heart, and I feared bearing the name of someone who wounds others behind their backs. I never spoke up, letting you suffer this grievance for so long for nothing. Speaking it out today, my heart finally feels at ease."

With that, she raised her head and surveyed the room. "The Silver Bank's way of handling things — it's not that Shopkeeper Liu doesn't care about people, but they're all rough men after all, unable to think of such fine details. A courtyard like this, no matter how you tidy it, isn't comfortable to live in. Don't worry about this matter — let sister handle it. I must make sure my dear sister lives comfortably."

Zhou Yueru hurriedly declined, "This whole area has been rented by the Silver Bank, and there are guards at the street entrance. Moving elsewhere would require sending additional people, which would trouble the Silver Bank."

"Guards and such small matters — Baisheng Hall can handle them for you on its own, no need to trouble the Silver Bank." Jiang Shuqiong didn't linger. Holding Zhou Yueru's hand, she talked as she walked. At the door, she again took Zhou Yueru's arm. Zhou Yueru's face was all smiles. The two spoke intimately in low voices for a good while before Jiang Shuqiong reluctantly headed back to Baisheng Hall.

Shopkeeper Jiang's stout figure disappeared around the street corner. The smile on Zhou Yueru's face vanished with it. She turned and entered the door. The two maids stood dumbly in the courtyard. Zhou Yueru glanced at them, said nothing more, and went straight into the main hall.

The courtyard was small. Inside the main hall, a writing desk had been placed. The washstand stood right beside the desk. Zhou Yueru walked up to the washstand and picked up the purple soap. The flower-shaped purple soap was exquisite and gorgeous, like a piece of fine pastry.

One of the maids who had followed her in said in a low voice, "I've seen this kind of soap before. It costs a lot of silver. That Shopkeeper Jiang is really generous."

Zhou Yueru's expression was calm as she said, "This is purchased by the brothel attached to Baishun Hall for the top prostitutes to use. It's paid for with the guild's silver."

The maid, thinking she had said something wrong, dared not speak further. The main hall fell silent. Zhou Yueru toyed with the purple soap between her fingers for a moment, then suddenly gave a light flick. The flower-like purple soap tumbled through the air and landed with a plop into the wastepaper basket full of discarded papers.