After lunch at the reception hall, Fifth Aunt went with several concubines to visit Lady Ji.

Father was engrossed in conversation with Gu Jin Xiao. Though Jin Xiao was a Confucian scholar, he was also interested in Daoist teachings. Father rarely found such a kindred spirit and insisted on taking him to the study to discuss Daoist classics in detail.

In Jin Chao’s previous life memories, her family had little contact with the Zu family. The only few interactions occurred after she married the Third Master Chen. Jin Chao only remembered that Gu Jin Xiao, obsessed with Daoist teachings, only passed the provincial examination at thirty-four, became a minor official, and never advanced further.

Gu Jin Xian, however, chose the same path as her father.

After Emperor Mu’s death, Marquis Chang Xing and other powerful figures were suppressed. Many civil officials connected to them were either exiled or demoted. To protect themselves, the Zu branch of the Gu family ceased all contact with the Marquis Chang Xing’s household. Consequently, Fifth Aunt endured much contempt in the Zu family and eventually poisoned herself due to the humiliation. Gu Jin Xian then separated from the family, conspired with Ye Xian to disrupt court affairs, and later served as the Minister of Justice, holding the rank of Senior Second Grade.

If the later Ye Xian was a wolf, then Gu Jin Xian was his sharp claw.

Even after Gu Jin Xian rose to power, the Zu branch of the Gu family lived in constant fear, dreading that he might seek revenge for his mother. By then, the elderly Second Master Gu needed to be supported as he trembled, going to Jin Xian’s residence to beg for forgiveness.

Jin Chao slowly walked toward her courtyard, thinking about her previous life. Before reaching the steps, she saw two people standing at her door.

It was Gu Jin Xian and Ye Xian!

Gu Jin Xian wore a sapphire blue straight-collared robe but, like common scholars, had on a six-panel melon-skin cap, looking quite comical. Ye Xian wore a white-trimmed wide-sleeved robe with flowing sleeves and a sash. With his exquisite features and jade-like complexion, he appeared otherworldly.

He had the air of a celestial being, yet his heart was full of malice.

Weren’t these two supposed to be watching monkeys at Guangci Temple? Why had they come to her place? Jin Chao couldn’t help but wonder privately.

“Elder Cousin Sister is back!” Gu Jin Xian quickly came forward, smiling enthusiastically. “We’ve been waiting here for you for half an hour.”

Jin Chao smiled back, somewhat startled by his warmth. “Wasn’t Second Cousin Brother going to Shi’an County? How did you end up here?”

“Don’t mention it! I took Uncle to see monkeys, but who knew Guangci Temple was built on a mountain peak with so many steps? Halfway up, Uncle complained of fatigue and wanted to return. We didn’t even see a single monkey hair!”

Ye Xian walked over with his hands behind his back, speaking softly: “If not for me, you would have turned back at the foot of the mountain.”

Gu Jin Xian didn’t mind Ye Xian undermining him and continued, “Then we went to watch cockfighting in Shi’an County… We haven’t eaten anything yet!”

Jin Chao invited them in and instructed Qing Pu to find someone from the small kitchen to prepare food for these two young lords. The two sat on stone stools under the grape trellis, finding Jin Chao’s courtyard quite novel. “Unlike Elder Cousin Sister’s personality, this looks like a recluse’s retreat.”

Ye Xian didn’t even glance at Jin Chao, simply drinking his tea.

Jin Chao first had her maid bring two plates of savory pastries and honey cakes, along with a plate of mixed fruits.

Gu Jin Xian appeared very excited, but Jin Chao couldn’t help remembering his previous life when he stood in Third Master Chen’s study with hands behind his back, looking grim. She secretly sighed, wondering if he would eventually become like that…

She spoke to Gu Jin Xian: “Did you come looking for me just for some food?”

Gu Jin Xian shook his head: “Cousin Sister forgot, I said I would come to you for advice on growing orchids.”

Jin Chao smiled bitterly. The things she used to pass the time in the side courtyard in her previous life were now quite useful. No wonder Gu Jin Xian was so cordial to her—it was thanks to the orchids.

Ye Xian asked her: “What tea is this?”

Jin Chao replied: “It’s last year’s Wanchun Silver Leaf.”

He nodded: “No wonder it tastes slightly astringent…” Fresh tea would be better.

How could he be like this? Visiting someone’s home as a guest, yet complaining the tea was astringent… Wanchun Silver Leaf could be stored for years without issue! This heir had a strange temperament. Jin Chao thought privately but outwardly responded gently: “Our humble household doesn’t have good tea. Please forgive me, Young Lord.”

Ye Xian glanced at her and said softly: “Don’t be angry. I wasn’t criticizing you.” After a moment, he added, “You forgot, you should call me Uncle.”

He was very sensitive to others’ feelings.

Jin Chao didn’t know what to say.

Gu Jin Xian said to Jin Chao: “Cousin Sister, don’t mind him. Uncle is very casual by nature, don’t take his words to heart. I’d like to see those orchids you’re growing. Where are they?” He looked quite eager.

Jin Chao said: “They’re in the greenhouse. I was planning to view them after the meal. They’re not rare varieties, Cousin Brother, so don’t be disappointed…”

“Why wait until after eating? Looking at flowers is more urgent!” Gu Jin Xian urged to go see them.

Unable to resist his enthusiasm, Jin Chao asked Ye Xian: “Would… Uncle like to join us?”

Ye Xian raised his head, his dark eyes looking at her with waning interest: “I’m not interested in those things. I’d like to rest first…” He then lazily leaned against the stone pillar, his fair fingertips elegantly picking through the fruits as if plucking harp strings, selecting cherries to put in his mouth.

Since he didn’t want to go, Jin Chao naturally didn’t insist and led Gu Jin Xian to the greenhouse behind the inner chamber.

The greenhouse was in full bloom. Jin Chao loved camellia more than orchids, so seven or eight out of ten plants were various camellias, all in full blossom. The orchids were placed on a separate shelf, mostly common varieties like spring orchids, sword orchids, and fragrant orchids. The lotus-petal green-cloud orchids were in perfect bloom, and the remaining butterfly orchids filled the room with their fragrance.

Gu Jin Xian exclaimed in wonder: “Though these are common varieties, it’s rare to see them bloom so beautifully. Besides, the blooming period for lotus-petal green-cloud orchids is almost over. How do they still flourish?”

Jin Chao’s flower-growing skills were self-taught, merely to pass the time, so she didn’t mind sharing with Gu Jin Xian.

“When it produces its earliest flower buds, remove some. Then place it in a cool, shaded spot when the weather warms up, and the flowering period can be delayed.”

Gu Jin Xian asked many more questions, genuinely eager to learn. He noticed that Jin Chao’s few pots of camellias were also quite nice and was thinking about asking her for a couple when they heard a sharp cat cry from outside!

It was Bao Pu’s voice!

Jin Chao exchanged a glance with Gu Jin Xian, and they immediately walked out. Under the veranda stood Cai Fu, Bai Yun, Yu Zhu, and Yu Tong, while Ye Xian was half-crouching. Bao Pu had scurried behind a pillar, watching them warily.

Jin Chao noticed a drop of blood emerging from Ye Xian’s hand between thumb and forefinger. She frowned and said to Cai Fu: “Quickly bring medicine and bandages.” Then she turned to ask Bai Yun, “What happened?”

Bai Yun was so anxious she choked up. This injured young lord was the heir of Marquis Chang Xing—what could the little maids Yu Zhu and Yu Tong do? In this situation, she would be held responsible! “I… I… this servant doesn’t know clearly. At that time, this servant was pruning the begonia.”

Jin Chao looked at Yu Zhu, as the cat was usually under her care.

Yu Zhu also felt wronged: “Uncle said we needn’t attend to him and told this servant and Yu Tong to play string games on the side… So this servant… played string games with Yu Tong and didn’t see Uncle get scratched by Bao Pu…”

Jin Chao saw they were holding a colorful thin string in their hands.

“Don’t question them. I’ll tell you myself,” Ye Xian stood up, took the bandage Cai Fu brought to wipe the blood, and then casually tossed it back to her.

“I saw your cat sleeping under the eaves and was curious, wanting to play with it. I didn’t expect it to be so temperamental.”

Yu Zhu quickly shook her head: “Young Miss, you know how small Bao Pu is. It wouldn’t hurt people…”

Jin Chao hushed her quietly: “Be quiet for now!” She walked toward the wary Bao Pu, who shrank further behind the pillar. Jin Chao quickly grabbed it around the ribs and lifted it, discovering that blood was seeping between its front paws, staining its fur almost completely red.

She carefully lifted Bao Pu’s injured front paw. Bao Pu meowed in pain and tried to scratch Jin Chao with its claws, but due to the injury, its paw wasn’t functioning properly and didn’t scratch her. Cai Fu immediately brought over Bao Pu’s basket for Jin Chao to place the cat inside.

Jin Chao was somewhat angry. Even if Bao Pu had scratched him, it was just a small cat—why did he need to hurt it? She steadied herself and gently asked Ye Xian: “About Bao Pu’s injury… what does Uncle have to say?”

His dark eyes looked at Jin Chao as he explained: “It hurt me, so I just wanted to discipline it a little.”

Gu Jin Xian felt uncomfortable hearing this. Uncle never admitted when he was wrong, but this was Young Miss Gu Jin Chao’s kitten… How could he not consider that? Now he didn’t even dare ask Jin Chao for flowers. “Uncle, that cat naturally doesn’t like people. Why bother with an animal? Are you…” He could only give Ye Xian meaningful looks; as the younger generation, he couldn’t say something as inappropriate as asking an elder to apologize.

Ye Xian slowly tucked his injured hand into his sleeve and said: “It’s just a cat. Tomorrow I’ll buy you ten or eight purebred Persian cats…” After a pause, he added: “But raising these isn’t good.”

Although Jin Chao was angry, she knew she couldn’t offend Ye Xian and simply responded evenly: “Doesn’t Uncle also keep such animals at home?”

Ye Xian shook his head: “It’s different. The creatures I raise live their own lives. Cats and dogs are different—they develop feelings for their owners… Why would you want an animal to like you?”

What kind of statement was that?

Gu Jin Xian tugged at Ye Xian’s sleeve, wanting him to stop talking.

Jin Chao smiled slightly: “All beings have spirits. Uncle, please eat with Second Cousin Brother. I need to visit my mother once more, so I’ll take my leave now.” She then instructed Bai Yun and Yu Zhu to take Bao Pu for treatment, while she went to Xie Xiao Garden with Yu Tong, leaving Cai Fu to attend to the two gentlemen.

Ye Xian watched her leave, his lips moving slightly as if wanting to say something, but he remained silent.