The next day was Ji Anchun’s first birthday ceremony. The child had been raised plump and fair, and could already call out to people.

Jinchao smiled as she held her nephew. The child was very active, hugging her neck while turning his head to look around, and trying to grab a lotus-patterned silver hairpin from her head. The young wet nurse quickly tried to take him back: “Young Master Chun, you mustn’t grab the Young Lady’s hairpin!”

Liu Shi, afraid of displeasing Jinchao, hurriedly smiled and said, “The child likes his cousin…”

Jinchao’s hair was pulled painfully by the child, and she could no longer hold this monkey-like child, so she returned him to the wet nurse. She then removed her hairpin and handed it to Young Master Chun to play with, smiling as she kissed his cheek: “If Young Master Chun likes it, he can play with it!”

The child was very happy holding the silver hairpin, waving his hand toward Liu Shi saying, “Mother, give… give…”

Ji Wu’shi found it amusing: “Young Master Chun is so little, yet already knows how to present borrowed flowers!”

Everyone in the reception hall laughed. Many people came to attend the child’s first birthday ceremony—wealthy families from Tongzhou, the Ji family’s relatives by marriage, and even the Gu family had sent a steward with gifts.

…Father didn’t come.

Jinchao glanced at the solid gold Maitreya Buddha statue presented by the steward.

Soon a large table was set up in front of the kang bed, displaying a seal, scriptures from the three teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, along with a brush, ink, paper, inkstone, as well as an abacus, coins, account books, and other items. Young Master Chun was placed in front of the table. He crawled around in a circle, seeming a bit bewildered. He looked at his wet nurse and Liu Shi; everyone found him amusing as he babbled incomprehensibly.

He seemed to spot something he liked and crawled in that direction, causing the silver hairpin in his arms to fall out.

Young Master Chun finally grabbed what he liked—a jingling abacus. He picked it up and shook it vigorously, playing with great delight. Liu Shi relaxed a bit and also revealed a slight smile.

The women congratulated Ji Wu’shi and Liu Shi: “…Young Master Chun will become skilled at accounting and business in the future, achieving great commercial success!”

After playing with the abacus for a while, Young Master Chun threw it aside and crawled back to pick up the hairpin Jinchao had given him earlier.

Why did he pick up the Young Lady’s hairpin… Liu Shi felt a bit uneasy and glanced at her mother and mother-in-law, but neither showed any unusual reaction. Young Master Chun refused to let go, excitedly stretching out his hands, wanting his wet nurse to carry him to Gu Jinchao. Jinchao was also surprised—children naturally like to grab pretty things during the first birthday ceremony.

Fortunately, Ji Wu’shi didn’t see anything wrong with it and instead smiled, saying, “Young Master Chun knows how to grab valuable and beautiful things!”

“This child likes his cousin,” Liu Shi said softly, noticing that Grandmother’s smile deepened, and she finally relaxed.

After the ceremony, Young Master Chun was carried to the outer courtyard, while the women gathered to chat and play cards. Soon a servant woman entered and whispered a few words to Ji Wu’shi, who nodded and beckoned Jinchao over.

“…Concubine Yun has returned first; let’s go see her.”

She’s back so quickly! From Tongzhou to Taihe County was at least half a day’s journey, not to mention the round trip. She must have traveled day and night to report back first… Since she returned ahead of time, the matter was likely settled!

These thoughts flashed through Jinchao’s mind as she nodded and followed her grandmother back to her courtyard, where Concubine Yun was waiting in the western side room.

She looked extremely tired with dark circles under her eyes, holding a porcelain teacup and drinking sweet soup.

Grandmother excused her from paying respects and let Jinchao question her.

Concubine Yun smiled slightly: “When we went to Taihe County, the county magistrate came out to welcome us. After hearing our purpose, he immediately invited Assistant Magistrate Luo. This Assistant Magistrate Luo has four sons; my sister married the son of his concubine.”

“My niece, named Su, came of age six months ago. She is fresh and delicate in appearance, with a gentle temperament, no less than my sister in her day. She was originally engaged to a xiucai scholar in the county. However, after hearing our intentions, Assistant Magistrate Luo personally went to the scholar’s home to break off the engagement, settling the matter within a few hours. My niece is now preparing and should arrive by evening.”

Jinchao nodded and asked her, “Did the scholar agree readily?”

Concubine Yun’s lips curled slightly: “Even if he didn’t want to agree, what could he do? He wouldn’t dare offend the Ji family. Besides, he didn’t object. He’s just a poor scholar who still needs to take the provincial examinations. We gave him a thousand taels of silver, and he said nothing.”

Jinchao felt relieved—it was easier to handle since the girl wasn’t yet married. When she arrived, Jinchao would assess her, give Assistant Magistrate Luo some money, and if his daughter could persuade her father in the future, perhaps secure a promotion for him—that would depend on her capability.

Many people would desperately wish for such a connection to the Gu family.

Grandmother said, “You must be tired from the journey. Go rest first.”

Concubine Yun acknowledged and withdrew. Grandmother then called over a servant woman: “Go to the storeroom and bring two sets of gold hairpieces with infant-at-play lotus patterns, jewel-encrusted gold hairpins, fine Shu brocade and Hangzhou silk, and a fifty-year-old ginseng root to Concubine Yun. Also, have Matron Li prepare a side room.” The servant withdrew to make preparations.

Concubine Yun had accomplished this task well; there would be plenty of wealth and favor for her in the future.

Jinchao held Ji Wu’shi’s hand and said, “Grandmother, you’ve gone to such trouble for me…”

Ji Wu’shi looked at her and said, “I watched you grow up. Your grandmother wishes she could give you only the best—how can this be considered trouble?”

Jinchao held these warm, rough hands, momentarily speechless—nothing she could say would be adequate.

By evening, a blue-curtained carriage quietly entered the inner courtyard, arriving at Qidong Pan. Descending first was Matron Song, the favored servant of the Madame. Following her was a slender figure wrapped in a lotus-root-colored cloak, stepping down using the carriage footstool.

A maid in a brown short jacket with two buns in her hair also descended. She was thin and sallow-faced yet carried a bundle disproportionate to her size. Matron Song led them into the warm pavilion of Qidong Pan.

Grandmother had gone to entertain guests, and Jinchao was in the warm pavilion examining some Luoyang Red flowers she had brought for her grandmother when Matron Song lifted the curtain to enter: “Young Lady, I’ve brought the person.” The two figures entered one after another.

Jinchao made a sound of acknowledgment and continued trimming the branches of the Luoyang Red without looking at them.

After arranging the flower branches, she finally said to Matron Song: “These Luoyang Reds are delicate and can’t leave the warm room. You must instruct the servants to take good care of them. By late spring, they will produce hundreds of blossoms, like strings of jewels all over.”

Matron Song smilingly agreed. Only then did Jinchao have Qing Pu help her wash and dry her hands before sitting in the master chair to observe the two visitors.

The young woman standing in front was as slender as a willow, with a small face as white as jade, arousing pity at first sight. Her black hair was simply styled with a plain silver cloud-patterned hairpin. She kept her head lowered, looking at her satin shoes. She wore a water-blue jacket and skirt that appeared newly made but ill-fitting, emphasizing her frailty.

Jinchao said coolly, “You don’t even know to greet me. First, state your family background.”

The young woman’s palms sweated as she gripped her sleeves and bowed, saying softly: “Greetings, First Young Lady Gu. My surname is Luo, given the name Su. My grandfather is the Assistant Magistrate of Taihe County.”

The small maid behind her immediately knelt: “This servant is Er Ya, thirteen years old, from Zhaojia Gully in Taihe County. Yesterday, Matron Song bought me to serve as Miss Luo’s maid.”

This little maid was indeed bold and clever, a good choice by Matron Song.

Jinchao nodded and said, “Since you’re already Miss Luo’s maid, you should have a new name. From now on, you’ll be called Qing Yi.”

The little maid showed no reluctance, responding brightly: “Thank you, Young Lady, for bestowing the name.”

Jinchao then had Qing Pu take Qing Yi to put away their belongings, have a hot bath, and put on a warm cotton jacket before returning to serve.

Jinchao felt she had established sufficient authority and finally smiled at Luo Su: “Sit down and let’s talk. Don’t be afraid of me.”

Luo Su was, after all, only a fifteen-year-old girl. Upon entering the Ji mansion, she was intimidated by its luxury and numerous servants. Seeing Jinchao’s composed demeanor, truly befitting a young lady from a great family, so impressive… she couldn’t help feeling afraid.

Luo Su said, “…It’s not that I’m afraid, it’s just that Young Lady’s magnificence inspires awe.”

Jinchao smiled wryly—others might take this as a compliment, but she wouldn’t.

She invited Luo Su to sit down and had Cai Fu serve tea, then asked her: “Do you know what you’ll be doing when you return with me to the Gu family?”

Luo Su nodded and said, “Father said I would be serving Lord Gu.” A blush appeared on her fair face, and her voice grew even softer.

It seemed she had been informed.

Jinchao continued asking: “Do you know how to serve people? What skills have you learned?”

Luo Su answered: “I’ve learned needlework, household management… and I learned to play the pipa from my stepmother, who was once a singing girl… Before coming here, she taught me how to serve others…”

Her words came out haltingly, clearly distinguishing between different types of “serving.”

As long as she could keep Father in her place, Jinchao had no objections to whatever skills she possessed. Jinchao was very satisfied with this person. Beyond her attractive appearance, she had a very gentle temperament. Though somewhat timid and weak, with proper training, she could be quite useful.

The only question was whether, over time and with more exposure, she might develop other thoughts…

Gu Jinchao raised her teacup and drank. This Luo Su would need to be kept firmly under her control.