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There was also rice porridge and pickled vegetables. As expected, the table held the fresh greens Aunt had brought: fine spinach. It was fashionable to serve it cold, blanched and drained, then dressed with sesame oil, white vinegar, and fine sugar. In her own room, she could add minced garlic and chili oil too. Now that was delicious!

Since they were at the dinner table, a little conversation was inevitable. Once Xie Mother had eaten her fill, she said:

"The palace just sent us several bolts of fine Cloud Brocade. Autumn is nearly here, so it's time to prepare some clothes for the season. Lan Tang, take a few bolts and have some outfits made for yourself and Jin'er."

In wealthy households of old, "cooking personally" or "making clothes by hand" meant having someone else do the work while you watched and offered the occasional helpful suggestion. Since your "thoughts" went into the finished product, it counted as making it yourself.

There was no need to upset her mother-in-law over such a small matter, so Shen Lantang nodded and agreed.

Shen Lantang's second aunt, Xie Zhou, said, "Ah Jin should be due back soon, shouldn't he? You newlyweds ought to see each other every day and look after one another, but he only comes home every ten days or half a month. It's hard on you."

Shen Lantang's husband, Xie Jin, was a commander in the Outer City Military Office. He commanded two thousand soldiers and was chiefly responsible for security around Zhaojing. Most days he trained soldiers outside the city and patrolled its various outposts, though he was occasionally called into the inner city when they were short-handed.

He lived at the barracks. Before their marriage, he might not come home even once a month. Afterward, thanks to Xie Father's and Xie Mother's insistence and the emperor's sympathy, he was allowed home once every half month for a two-day stay.

Shen Lantang lowered her head and said meekly, "I don't blame my husband. He has duties to fulfill. As a soldier and our great-grandfather's descendant, he ought to set an example and uphold the honor of Great Jing's troops."

Xie Mother said with approval, "I'm glad you see it that way. Being a military man's wife is difficult, but someone must defend our homes and country. Think of it as earning blessings for your descendants."

The three exchanged a few more pleasantries. Shen Lantang had eaten until she was nearly full, and she knew the two sisters-in-law had private matters to discuss. After keeping her mother-in-law and aunt company a while longer, she took her leave.

"Mother, I have business outside today and won't be back at noon. If there's time this evening, I'll come pay my respects."

"That's fine. If you return early enough, come have dinner with us."

"Yes, of course."

After saying goodbye to her mother-in-law, Shen Lantang headed straight for the gates of the Xie Residence. She had brought only Lan Xin with her that morning. Baozhu had prepared the carriage and was waiting at the entrance.

Shen Lantang climbed into the carriage with Lan Xin and Baozhu. The coachman raised his whip, and they soon set off.

The carriage passed through several streets before stopping in the bustling central market. They got out, and Baozhu turned to the coachman.

"Head back for now. Come pick us up here at half past three."

"Yes."

The carriage departed behind them. Shen Lantang and her companions strolled along the road for about half an hour before coming to a stop.

Before them stood a jewelry shop with its doors wide open. A large sign at the center bore three characters: Jade and Gold House.

As soon as Shen Lantang entered, a middle-aged man with a short beard came to greet her.

"You're here, miss!"

Shen Lantang nodded. "Uncle Liao, how has business been these past few days?"

"Good, very good! Your idea worked wonderfully. Our esteemed customers have been delighted with the shop. I've brought out the account books. Would you like to look them over first, as usual?"

"Yes, let's look at the accounts first."

"Of course. This way, miss."

Shen Lantang went into the back room as though she knew it by heart. Manager Liao soon brought out this month's account books.

"Lan Xin, Baozhu."

"Yes, miss." The two maids stepped forward and deftly picked up the account books and abacuses. Uncle Liao watched from the side, clearly accustomed to the sight.

As mentioned before, the Jing Dynasty did not place harsh restrictions on women. Thanks in part to the founding empress and princess, many constraints from the previous dynasty had been swept away. It was not unusual for women to run households or open shops. Even a woman like Shen Lantang, who had married into a powerful family, was free to go out. Personally appearing in public to conduct business might be a step too far, but managing accounts and running a few shops posed no problem.

Once Shen Lantang had a rough grasp of this world's rules, she had quietly told herself: If anyone in my lifetime starts preaching that "a woman obeys her father at home and her husband after marriage," trying to drag women back to the "three obediences and four virtues" and a life without freedom, then even if I'm dead, my soul nailed into my coffin and five layers of yellow talismans plastered over the lid, I'll use these rotting vocal cords to shout from my grave:

Fuck that shit!

In short, when it came to the "three obediences and four virtues," only one of them could survive.

Shen Lantang had taught Lan Xin and Baozhu to read and write from childhood, so checking account books was easy for them. After going over a few large orders, she asked in surprise:

"That Gold-Inlaid Jade, Dappled Bird Headdress sold?"

"It did, it did!"

Uncle Liao beamed too. "A young lady bought it. She was already one of our 'monthly' esteemed customers. We showed her several new sets of jewelry, and the moment she saw the bird set, she fell in love with it and paid the full price on the spot."

Uncle Liao had good reason to be pleased. The owner was generous to the shop's staff: whenever a set of jewelry sold, the manager and assistants each received a share. There were always bonuses on holidays, and those who performed well could be promoted to manage other shops.

Manager Liao had worked here since before it was called Jade and Gold House. Later, it and several other shops had been given as part of a dowry to the young lady of the family, the current miss's mother.

Neither the young lady nor her husband had been good at business. Sales had gone from bad to worse, and the shops were on the verge of losing money. Then their daughter—the current miss—had stepped in.

No one knew where the miss had picked up her novel ideas. She sold off several money-losing shops and renovated the rest, changing their names and closing them temporarily. Two months later, they reopened with a grand promotion. Any young lady or gentleman passing by could try on the jewelry, and specially hired attendants would even do their makeup. There was no charge, even if they bought nothing.

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