Chapter 344: Qiqiao: Washing the Green Silk

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

In the hall, all present fell silent after hearing Jia Cong recount the matter as explained by Wang Wang Xifeng.

Jia Zheng could not help asking: "With the family facing such a grave matter, Cong-ge often attends court audiences—surely you have some sense of His Majesty's intentions. Is Wang Xifeng's plan still viable?"

Jia Cong asked: "Sir, do you know that after the new law was enacted, His Majesty punished five officials of fourth rank or higher, and publicly exposed their corruption and abuse of power?"

Jia Zheng, hearing this, grew solemn and said: "Of course I know. Those five were all key ministers, holding vital posts—no one expected them to be condemned overnight."

Jia Zheng turned to Jia Mu and added: "Grandmother, one of them was Shi Zhe of the Seventh Branch of the Shi family—he was promoted last year from Director of the Gold Bureau in the Ministry of Revenue to Vice Minister of Revenue."

Jia Mu was stunned and hurriedly asked: "Zhe-ge of the Seventh Branch? He was such a promising lad—could it be true that His Majesty has condemned him?"

Shi Zhe of the Seventh Branch was a proper Rank Jinshi graduate; among the Shi family, only the two marquises of the main line surpassed him in ability—he had risen from commoner to Vice Minister of Revenue.

He was one of the most outstanding disciples among the Shi family's twelve branches in the capital.

Jia Zheng held his title by hereditary grace, the sole noble scion in the Ministry of Public Works; though well-liked, he was politically marginalized.

Upon hearing this, both Jia Mu and Jia Zheng wore expressions of shock.

At night, when the streets were empty and the candles burned everywhere, doors opening and closing inevitably invited treachery and theft—such risks could not be ignored.

But Lady Rongguo Prefecture still held those he cared for; having spoken these warnings, he had done all he could.

Even Wang Wang Xifeng, Wang Lady, and other inner-court women, lacking official insight and fixated on wealth, changed color.

Wang Lady told Wang Wang Xifeng: "You may cut expenses, certainly—but your sisters already live so plainly. If you trim further, I simply cannot bear it."

"His Majesty has publicly revealed his crimes—he is now imprisoned in the Celestial Jail, and come autumn, he will be exiled to the sea cliffs of Qiongzhou. I've held back this news for fear it would grieve you…"

Jia Mu understood Wang Wang Xifeng's intent and said: "Any night watchwoman or servant who drinks, gambles, or indulges in vice invites disaster—such behavior must not be tolerated. Catch one, punish one—no leniency!"

No one would speak such political secrets to him, lest they invite trouble—for everyone knew that since ascending the throne, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had harbored resentment toward the old noble houses like the Four Kings and Eight Dukes…

Jia Mu had a vivid memory of this nephew by marriage; Shi Zhe's wife often visited the Jia household.

Jia Cong glanced at Wang Wang Xifeng—this Fengjie truly had a sharp mind.

"First, the household remains stable; second, expenses are reduced."

In truth, Jia Cong, now enfeoffed, living apart, and established in his own residence, though blood-related to Lady Rongguo Prefecture, was effectively two separate households in the official realm.

Jia Cong said: "Shi Zhe and the other four officials were all known for opposing the new law enacted in May, constantly criticizing His Majesty's reforms in court and among the people. Combined with their own crimes exposed, they were severely punished."

Jia Mu had instructed not to delay the summer tax; household income would surely plummet. Wang Wang Xifeng's first reaction was to reduce staff and cut expenses—she was indeed an exceptionally astute household manager.

Jia Zheng, however, spent his days immersed in scholarly discourse and the mysteries of the classics, showing no interest in such political secrets, so he was unaware of the true reasons behind the sudden downfall of these five officials.

Whether Jia Mu and the others would heed him—that was beyond his control.

Seeing the shock on Jia Mu and Jia Zheng's faces, Jia Cong knew they had understood his meaning.

This is the first summer tax collection since the new law's implementation—the court will certainly be vigilant, and any resistance to the reforms will be met with no leniency!

Even if Lady Rongguo Prefecture collapsed into ruin, it would not harm him in the least.

If the Jia family now watches the wind and waits for the tide, deliberately delaying the summer tax for nobles and gentry, clinging to Lady Jiao Xing hopes, they will give the court grounds to accuse them of resisting reform—those five high officials are a warning…

When Jia Cong had refused to aid Shi Zhe in Jin Ling, Shi Zhe's wife had complained to Jia Mu.

He added: "His Majesty is resolutely pushing reform to strengthen the state and secure the people—this is the inevitable tide of governance."

The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy; each person calculated how to navigate the current crisis.

Jia Mu slapped the arm of her chair and scolded: "After all the effort to rise to such a high office, he didn't cherish his fortune—he brought this upon himself, squandering his future."

Jia Mu and Jia Zheng had heard stories of the outside world; after careful thought, they found Jia Cong's words reasonable.

After a long pause, Jia Zheng said: "Grandmother, though national law ensures the summer and autumn taxes yield much silver, preserving the household's peace and avoiding punishment is the long-term strategy."

Jia Cong suddenly said: "Grandmother, Sir—Shi Zhe abused his power and tolerated his clan's misconduct. Though guilty, his crime was not capital. His dire fate stems from another cause."

Jia Mu could only sigh: "Then that's all we can do. Feng-ya, don't delay the summer tax—do what must be done. There's no escaping it."

"Though I've never known great wealth, I fare better than your sisters. If you must cut, start with me."

Such a man had been condemned by His Majesty—and Jia Mu had known nothing of it.

Wang Wang Xifeng suddenly said: "Grandmother, lately, the old maids and maidservants on night watch have been gathering to gamble and drink. Whenever such things happen, negligence follows."

…

Jia Cong's words sent shock through Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, and the others.

"My suggestion is to secretly investigate and dismiss anyone who breaks rules, is lazy, has little to do, and stirs up trouble."

These five high officials were condemned on the surface for their individual crimes—but in truth, the Emperor is killing a chicken to scare the monkeys. This is a sacrifice to launch the reforms!

His clan merely exploited his influence to do bad deeds—common in official circles, not a capital offense. Why expose his crimes, destroy his career, and exile him to Qiongzhou with such severity?

But Jia Mu and Jia Zheng, born into noble houses and steeped in officialdom all their lives, grasped the underlying meaning quickly—even though Jia Cong held back and did not spell it out.

Jia Mu, immersed all day in the inner quarters, knew nothing of affairs beyond the walls.

The Jia family of Lady Rongguo Prefecture, a premier founding noble house, was under the eyes of all—their every move watched by the world.

Jia Zheng said: "The Court of Justice found Shi Zhe guilty of favoritism—he accepted bribes from his Jin Ling clan and helped them seize others' farmland, a grave moral failing."

Wang Wang Xifeng immediately understood Wang Lady's meaning—this wasn't concern for Lin Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, or Little Xichun; she feared Wang Wang Xifeng would cut Jia Baoyu's expenses too.

As for cutting from Wang Lady's side—that was merely pretty talk, never meant to be taken seriously.

Who in the household doesn't know Jia Baoyu is the family's phoenix? His chamber alone has ten first- and second-class maids, not counting wet nurses, rough maids, and boy servants—twenty in total.

Jia Baoyu's extravagance far exceeds Grandmother's. How much does he spend each year? Wang Lady knows this well—that's why she spoke first.

Jia Mu naturally understood her meaning; she had always spoiled Jia Baoyu and would say nothing.

Jia Zheng, ignorant of household affairs and inner-court schemes, heard nothing hidden in his wife's words.

…

According to Wang Wang Xifeng's logic, even cutting Jia Baoyu's staff by half would still be sufficient.

Wang Wang Xifeng thought of this and glanced at Jia Cong—how could Third Brother, a marquis, have only four personal attendants, with only Wu'er and Qingwen counted as proper maids?

Zhi Shao and Zhen Ying Lady Lian—one received a gift from the Empress and draws a young lady's stipend, the other is a fostered daughter-in-law with a pendant necklace—neither is a proper maid, yet they still became officials and nobles.

Second Master constantly complains that Jia Baoyu mingles with girls—but Grandmother and Lady Wang fill his chamber with so many maids—how could he not?

But since Wang Lady had spoken, Wang Wang Xifeng would not provoke her.

She knew the condition of every maid and old woman—cutting a few was easy, no need to target Jia Baoyu's chamber.

Leaving aside other places, since Seeing Yingchun was taken by Jia Cong to the Eastern Prefecture, bringing only Xiujue, the maids and old women from her former chamber still lingered idle in the household…

…

In the following days, a fierce undercurrent surged through the Jia household.

Though Wang Lady forbade Wang Wang Xifeng from touching Jia Baoyu's expenses, Jia Baoyu, now nearly twenty and of marriageable age, still had not entered school.

This was Wang Lady's greatest worry—so she conceived the idea of using this opportunity to purge Jia Baoyu's chamber.

Under the pretext of a cup of maple dew tea, she dismissed Jia Baoyu's maid Qianxue and retired his wet nurse, Li Mama.

She also dismissed Jia Baoyu's rough maid Liang'er on charges of theft.

The vacancies were filled by moving Lin Lin Zhixiao's daughter Hongyu into Jia Baoyu's chamber as a second-class maid, thereby winning over Lin Lin Zhixiao, the household's chief steward.

It was also a gesture to show the lady of the house leading by example, practicing frugality.

On this side, Wang Wang Xifeng received Jia Mu's orders and assigned Ping'er and Wang'er's wife to handle the summer tax—box after box of silver was carried out, causing Wang Wang Xifeng great pain.

On that side, night inspections uncovered five or six middle-aged maids involved in drinking and gambling, including Seeing Yingchun's wet nurse.

Wang Wang Xifeng seized the opportunity: Seeing Yingchun's wet nurse, her daughter-in-law Wang Zhu'er, and the maid Lianhua—who had not accompanied Seeing Yingchun to the Eastern Prefecture—were all dismissed under various pretexts and sent to work on the estate outside the city.

Wang Wang Xifeng, cunning as ever, knew Jia Cong had refused to let these women accompany Seeing Yingchun to the Eastern Prefecture because he disapproved of their character.

Seeing Yingchun's wet nurse and her daughter-in-law had repeatedly pawned Seeing Yingchun's gold phoenix hairpins as gambling stakes; though they later redeemed them before scandal erupted, many had heard the rumors.

As for Lianhua, though young, she was a troublemaker, always disliked by others.

Later, these women tried to plead with Seeing Yingchun at the Eastern Prefecture—but they couldn't even enter the gate. Wang Wang Xifeng then understood Jia Cong's intent and acted against them without mercy.

After this storm, some displayed virtue and won hearts, others crushed rotten persimmons and saved expenses—each side settled contentedly.

While the Western Prefecture was in chaos, with people in panic and disorder, the Eastern Prefecture remained serene.

Jia Cong's holdings, besides his noble estate, were tax-exempt lands—his tax-exempt lands were even in Liaodong, before the new law was enacted.

In the capital, how many noble houses, like the Jias, were now frantic from the reforms?

Yet none of these upheavals or hardships affected Jia Cong's Marquis Estate in the slightest.

…

Marquis Estate, Jia Cong's Courtyard.

Today was the seventh day of the seventh month.

In the front courtyard, birdsong and laughter filled the air; two large bronze basins stood beneath the eaves—one filled with clear water, the other with fragrant decoction of cypress leaves and peach branches.

Sunlit spots in the front courtyard were laid with several straw mats.

Zhen Ying Lady Lian's long hair, freshly washed, hung loose, gleaming dark and glossy in the morning sun.

She knelt on the straw mat, her curved waist folded, having shed much of her youthfulness, now revealing the alluring curves of a young woman.

She placed her books one by one on the mat, carefully opened each, weighted them with plum blossoms, and left them to dry in the sun.

A breeze stirred the damp strands at her temples; her face glowed with a tender flush as she hummed an unknown tune—Jia Cong watched, deeply pleased.

The seventh day of the seventh month—Qiqiao Festival, also called the Girls' Festival—was a crucial day for young women; the Jia household's women traditionally observed it.

Drying books was a key ritual of the Qiqiao Festival.

Zhen Ying Lady Lian managed Jia Cong's study; drying books was naturally her duty today.

For the Girls' Festival, Jia Cong had planned to give each girl in his chamber a gift—but when he asked what they wanted, they all smiled and stayed silent.

Eventually, Zhen Ying Lady Lian spoke up: "On the seventh, Young Master needn't buy any gift—just wash my hair once, and that would be more precious than any present."

Qingwen laughed and scolded: "Mao Tan Yatou, you look so simple-minded, but your heart isn't innocent—you've finally woken up."

Jia Cong was baffled by this, but seeing Zhen Ying Lady Lian's flushed face, he sensed something odd—yet it was harmless, and he found it amusing.

After Jia Cong finished washing Zhen Ying Lady Lian's hair, Zhi Shao went to change the water and asked Jia Cong to wash hers next, followed by Wu'er and Qingwen.

Each of them had a delicate figure, heads bowed, robes and skirts carrying fragrance; the water shimmered, their black locks glistened smooth, skin glowing with sweet aroma—endless tenderness and warmth.

Jia Cong truly served as a hair-washer, drawing laughter and coos from all around.

…

Today was the Qiqiao Festival; Seeing Yingchun had invited her sisters to her courtyard for tea and idle chat, and also asked Jia Cong to join them later.

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside Jia Cong's courtyard—Yuan Yang entered with Hu Pu, Zi Juan, Cui Mo, Jin Jin Chuan, Cai Xia, and other maids.

Each smiled differently—plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, bamboo—colors dazzling and vibrant.

Some had come with their young ladies; others had been invited by Qingwen to join the needle-threading festivities for fun.

Qingwen had once been a maid in Jia Mu's quarters, so she was intimately familiar with all of them.

When Yuan Yang and the others entered the courtyard, they saw Zhi Shao, Wu'er, Qingwen, and Zhen Ying Lady Lian all with wet hair, Jia Cong with sleeves rolled up, hands dripping, water stains splashed across his robe.

Everyone flushed red, unable to suppress laughter, yet too shy to speak.

One maid, dressed in green robe with red jacket, had delicate features and a clear, crisp voice, radiating an unusual boldness and cheerfulness.

She laughed and scolded: "Qingwen, how bold you are! Today you've pulled off such a clever trick—tricking Third Master Jia into washing your hair! You must've dreamed this!"

Yuan Yang and the others had merely been blushing and holding back laughter, but now that the maid had spoken out, they all burst into laughter.

Qingwen's secret was exposed; her pretty face turned crimson. She rushed over, clamping a hand over the maid's mouth while shoving Yuan Yang and the others toward the door.

The group gradually faded into the distance, yet Jia Cong still heard their bell-like laughter and chatter.

Curious, Jia Cong asked Wu'er: "Who was that maid just now? I feel I've seen her before, but I don't know her name."

Wu'er tucked back her still-damp hair, her cheeks flushed, and said: "It's natural you don't know her name, Third Master—she never came to Qingzhi Zhai before."

"She's Jin Jin Chuan, a maid to Second Madam. She's lively, loves to laugh, and speaks without restraint—but her heart is kind. Don't take offense, Third Master."

Jia Cong paused slightly—this maid was Jin Jin Chuan…

Jia Cong asked again: "Wu'er, why did Jin Jin Chuan say I was doing her a favor by washing your hair?"

At this, Wu'er's face turned bright red. Without answering, she fled back into her room.

She naturally couldn't tell Jia Cong: in Su Zhou and Yangzhou, it was customary on Qiqiao Festival for unmarried girls to wash their hair with sap mixed in water—not only to retain youthful beauty, but also to attract their ideal husband.

Otherwise, why would all of them insist he wash their hair…?

Zhen Ying Lady Lian was from Su Zhou; this custom was surely mentioned by Feng Shi. Qingwen, also from Su Zhou, had learned exquisite Su Zhou embroidery since childhood, so she could instantly recognize Zhen Ying Lady Lian's intent.

Zhi Shao had trained in Yangzhou for two years, so she naturally knew this custom—and thus Wu'er knew it too.

It was a special Jiangsu-Zhejiang custom for young ladies to wash their hair on Qixi. Legend said that washing hair with tree sap mixed in water on Qixi would preserve a woman's youth and beauty, and help unmarried girls quickly find their ideal husband. This custom was tied to the belief in "holy water." The Yuxian Annals recorded: "On the seventh day of the seventh month, women gather cypress leaves and peach branches, boil them into a decoction to wash their hair."

(End of Chapter)