Aunt quickly smoothed things over: “You’re sisters, isn’t it too formal to speak this way…”

But Gu Jin Rong interjected: “Elder Sister has many fine things, while Second Sister has very few. Why doesn’t Elder Sister make a small sacrifice and give it to Second Sister?” He noticed Jin Chao’s silent demeanor and somewhat cold expression.

Every month, the Ji family sent Elder Sister many things. Her room was filled with countless gold and silver ornaments. Second Sister merely wanted a gold filigree hairpiece, yet she seemed extremely reluctant to part with it, probably preferring to let it gather dust in a corner rather than give it to Second Sister!

In this situation, Concubine Du and Concubine Guo naturally dared not speak. Gu Xi held Gu Yi’s hand, both with reddened eyes.

Gu Dezhao looked at Jin Chao, then at Gu Lan. Gu Lan’s eyes were brimming with tears, appearing quite fearful, while Jin Chao was pressing her lips tightly together, looking stubborn. He said: “Jin Chao, you’re the elder sister. How about letting Lan have this item?”

Gu Jin Chao felt a stab in her heart.

She smiled and said: “Father, what are you saying? Since Second Sister has already set her eyes on it, and specifically on my belongings, of course, I should give it to her. Lan calling it ‘made for Elder Sister’ is being too formal.” She paused, “Originally, these two gold filigree hairpieces were meant for me to wear during New Year and the Lantern Festival, as Mother wished. But thinking about it, Second Sister will soon come of age, and these gold filigree hairpieces would certainly look better on her.”

As she finished speaking, Gu Lan’s expression stiffened.

Jin Chao’s words carried deep meaning. But indeed, Gu Lan had set her sights on Jin Chao’s belongings, and what could Jin Chao do about it? Now she had a Father and Brother supporting her, and her Mother was managing the inner household of the Gu family. She didn’t believe Jin Chao could refuse!

Aunt was a kind person. Seeing the tension between them, she changed the subject: “Mother said that on the eighth day of the New Year, everyone should return to the ancestral home for a gathering. Having been separated for many years with little interaction, the bond between siblings has weakened…”

After tea and refreshments, everyone dispersed.

When no one else was around, Aunt finally discussed Ji Shi’s condition with Gu Dezhao: “…I went to see your wife. She’s seriously ill and weak. Although there’s no immediate danger to her life, I’m afraid she won’t recover.”

Gu Dezhao sighed: “We’ve been married for twenty years. Though our feelings aren’t as deep as before, the bond remains. She’s been ill for over half a year, and I can’t bring myself to see her, fearing to witness the once vibrant Xiangjun so emaciated…”

Aunt nodded: “I know you’re a man of deep feelings. Mother sent me because she knows you always listen to me, so she asked me to advise you… You must think clearly. If something happens to your wife, you need to prepare for remarriage. After all, your career is going well, and the inner household needs a mistress to support it.”

She feared Gu Dezhao might refuse to remarry out of sentiment for the past.

Seeing Gu Dezhao’s silence, Aunt continued: “Don’t blame your sister for speaking bluntly. Although the Ji family can support you financially, they offer no benefit to your career. Back then, you insisted on marrying her, even willing to break ties with the Gu family. Things are different now.”

Gu Dezhao understood his mother and sister’s meaning. When he passed the imperial examination, he was determined to marry Xiangjun. At that time, the Ji family was far less prosperous than today. The Gu family, with its scholarly tradition and strict family values, could never approve of his marriage to Ji Shi. He broke ties with the Gu family, but during his official career, with the Ji family’s financial support and the Gu family’s secret assistance, he rose steadily to the fifth rank.

Gu Dezhao’s gaze fell on the latticed window. The warm glow of red lanterns outside filtered through the openwork, creating a particularly serene and gentle ambiance.

“I understand… How does sister feel about Concubine Song?”

Aunt nodded: “Concubine Song is acceptable. Lan is lively and adorable, quite likable. As for Jin Chao…”

Gu Dezhao frowned: “Sister doesn’t think well of Jin Chao?”

Aunt smiled and shook her head: “It’s not that. I’ve heard many rumors about Jin Chao outside, making me think she was an arrogant, imperious young lady with no sense of propriety. But now that I’ve met her, I find her temperament steady. She speaks with more restraint than Lan, and her appearance and demeanor are exceptionally distinguished. How different from what people say! I’m just surprised.”

Speaking of his eldest daughter, Gu Dezhao’s expression softened: “Since her mother fell ill, Jin Chao has become much more steady in character, increasingly sensible and obedient. Knowing I like orchids, she sent me several pots of rare winter ink orchids a few days ago…”

His eldest daughter hadn’t grown up by his knee and wasn’t close to him. Lan and Rong were closer to him. He felt he had somewhat neglected his eldest daughter and usually indulged her unless she made a major mistake.

…

Night fell, and lamps were lit in Xie Xiao Garden.

Mo Yu was helping Ji Shi drink ginseng soup. After finishing a cup, she was resting against a large pillow when a young maid, about thirteen or fourteen, with a neat appearance and hair in a double bun, was brought in by Madam Xu.

Ji shi half-opened her eyes. The young maid knelt with a thud: “…Madam when this servant went to fetch the Young Lady’s gold filigree hairpieces, the manager told me that both sets of gold filigree hairpieces, along with the gold filigree insect ornaments, had been taken by Second Young Lady’s people.”

Ji shi frowned: “What happened? Why did the manager let the Second Young Lady take them?”

The young maid replied: “The manager said Master had approved it, so he gave them to Second Young Lady.”

Ji Shi’s expression darkened considerably. She nodded to Madam Xu: “…Call Bi Yi who serves at Ju Liu Pavilion.”

Bi Yi arrived quickly, and Ji Shi asked her: “What exactly happened at Ju Liu Pavilion today when Aunt came? Tell me everything in detail.”

Bi Yi knelt and said: “This servant was attending in the reception room when the Eldest Young Lady arrived…” She explained everything clearly. Seeing Ji Shi’s increasingly grim expression, her voice grew more cautious. Finally, she added: “Master also had a private conversation with Aunt, but this servant doesn’t know what they discussed.”

Ji shi further asked: “What did the Eldest Young Lady say at the time?”

Bi Yi replied softly: “The Eldest Young Lady didn’t express any objection and just gave up the items.”

Ji shi was so angry her face turned ashen. She waved for the maid to withdraw, then began coughing severely, her body curling up. Madam Xu quickly stepped forward to support her, saying with concern: “Madam, please don’t get upset. Your health is most important!”

Ji shi pounded her fist on the small table, her voice hoarse as if being strangled: “I’m not dead yet, and they’re all bullying Jin Chao! If I die, they’ll eat her alive!… Gu Dezhao even allows them to bully my daughter. Back during the Wu case when he was hitting walls everywhere with no help, wasn’t it the Ji family who spent money to clear the path? Now he treats us mother and daughter this way…”

Madam Xu, seeing blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, was alarmed and hurriedly rubbed her back: “Madam, please stop talking! I’ll find a doctor for you!”

Ji shi tightly clutched her collar: “Don’t get a doctor, call Master here…”

The commotion grew, and Mo Yu, Mo Zhu, and other maids hurried in. Some went to fetch the doctor, while others went to call the Eldest Young Lady. Ji Shi’s eyes were wide open as if she had exerted herself to the extreme, but suddenly, as if something had drained her, her body went limp and her eyes closed.

Madam Xu quickly pressed Ji shi’s philtrum, calling “Madam” repeatedly, so anxious she began to cry.

At this time, Jin Chao was sitting with her two younger sisters on a large kang by the window.

After leaving Ju Liu Pavilion, Gu Yi and Gu Xi came to sit with her. They had dinner, and then Gu Xi suggested cutting window flowers for fun.

Gu Yi handed over her paper cutting: “Elder Sister, look, a pattern of flowing clouds and a hundred bats. It will look perfect on the window.” Flowing clouds resembled ruyi scepters, symbolizing endless continuity. A hundred bats meant a hundred blessings without end. It was a common window paper design, and Gu Yi had cut it beautifully.

Jin Chao noticed how steady Gu Yi’s hands were while cutting paper and felt that Gu Yi possessed a rare natural tranquility. Though only thirteen, this composure seemed innate, completely unlike her birth mother, Concubine Du…

She praised Gu Yi several times.

Gu Xi, however, couldn’t cut the red paper properly. She had ruined several attempts and was now frowning as she unfolded her begonia flower cutting. The flower shape was decent, but it was missing a corner that had been cut off somewhere.

“I wanted to give this to Elder Sister…” her voice was weak and dejected.

Jin Chao smiled and stroked her head: “I like it this way too. Since it’s meant for Elder Sister, you can’t take it back.”

Gu Xi said very earnestly: “Next time I’ll cut a big Buddha for Elder Sister… like the one in your room.”

Gu Yi smiled at Gu Xi, then shifted her gaze to Jin Chao’s hands: “…I wonder what Elder Sister is cutting.”

“Blessings descending from heaven,” Jin Chao unfolded her window paper, revealing a chubby baby holding flying bats.

Gu Xi’s eyes widened, and she poked the chubby-faced baby with her little finger: “He looks so cute with his round chubby face.”

Jin Chao gave this window paper to Gu Xi, who hugged it with satisfaction. Soon after, they bid farewell to Jin Chao and returned to their quarters. Jin Chao also enjoyed Gu Xi’s childlike innocence and, infected by her mood, felt much better.

Qing Pu thought the Eldest Young Lady still had a childish side, having spent half the day cutting window papers with the two young ladies, a smile on her lips.

But the curtain was lifted, and Liu Xiang hurriedly entered: “Young Lady… something has happened at Xie Xiao Garden.”

Jin Chao’s heart jumped: “What happened?”

“Just now, Madam had an attack and fainted. She still hasn’t awakened…” Liu Xiang said.

Jin Chao’s fingers tightened on her sleeve as she stood up from the kang: “…Qing Pu, bring my cloak. We’re going to Xie Xiao Garden immediately.”

Wasn’t Mother fine just this morning?

Jin Chao was extremely anxious. If something happened to Mother, she truly wouldn’t know what to do.