After consulting with the Chang Xing Marquis household, Gu De Zhao and the others returned to the Gu residence that same night.

Gu Jin Chao had instructed Qing Pu to wake her when her father returned. Qing Pu kept watch in the corridor, and upon seeing the front courtyard’s candles light up, she entered the east wing room to call the Young Miss. It was only midnight, and upon leaving the warm heated bed, Jin Chao felt the chill throughout her body.

She put on a winter jacket, draped a sable cloak over herself, and went to her father’s quarters in the front courtyard.

Gu De Zhao had gone without rest for a day and night, his eyes bloodshot from exhaustion, his handsome face showing much dishevelment. Hearing that Jin Chao had come, he quickly called an attendant to light the stove and reproached her: “…What are you doing up?”

He had just returned, and the room was as cold as an ice cellar.

Regardless, Jin Chao had the advantage of foreknowledge. If she knew how events would unfold, she might devise a countermeasure. After sitting down, she asked her father: “…How did your talk with the Chang Xing Marquis family go?”

Gu De Zhao sighed and fell silent for a moment. Jin Chao understood in her heart that the Chang Xing Marquis family was keeping a low profile; if they helped the Gu family too openly, their previous efforts would have been wasted. They had probably only promised to protect her father, but escaping completely unscathed was impossible.

The Ye family wasn’t particularly loyal to the Gu family, and the Old Marquis especially was ruthless and willing to sacrifice anything.

In her previous life, after the Fifth Madam died, the Gu family notified the Ye family. At that time, the Ye household was still draped in hemp cloth and white sails of mourning, but the Old Marquis remained unmoved, merely giving a faint acknowledgment. Not a single person from the Ye family attended the Fifth Madam’s funeral.

Perhaps they deeply resented the Gu family at that time.

Gu De Zhao murmured: “I’m useless as a father. Nearly forty years old and still just a secretary, unable to gain promotion… Now through one moment of carelessness, I’ve been framed and am powerless to protect myself. And I’ve dragged all of you into suffering with me.” Gu De Zhao placed his hand on Jin Chao’s shoulder, his eyes reddening as he said, “Zhao if I truly cannot survive this… be filial to your grandmother and take good care of your siblings. I know our family has grown distant from your grandfather’s family, but if I’m gone, you’ll have to be even more accommodating…”

If he were gone, would Madam Feng treat his children well?

He didn’t want Jin Chao to live in the Gu family always yielding and compromising, but what choice was there? Being able to survive by yielding would be fortunate enough. The fear was that if the Gu family declined, generations of effort would come to nothing, and what would become of Zhao and the others then?

Having lived two lives, Jin Chao viewed many things with detachment. But seeing her father on the verge of tears now, her heart couldn’t help but ache. Even if her father had made mistakes, he was still her father…

She said softly: “Don’t worry, there might still be a solution. Get some good sleep first, and then think of a plan when your mind is clearer.”

Gu De Zhao nodded and told her to go back to sleep. His daughter being sensible was good, but these matters were not something she could interfere with. No matter how intelligent and sensible she was, she was still just an unmarried young woman.

Before leaving, Gu Jin Chao asked her father: “When will the granary be opened?”

Gu De Zhao hesitated before answering: “The twenty-fourth of the eleventh month.”

That was just three days away.

The time was too tight; they probably couldn’t wait for Cao Zi Heng’s investigation. Walking back, Jin Chao pondered slowly. If Third Master Chen’s affairs were so easy to investigate, he wouldn’t be a cabinet minister. She had a better idea in mind…

She wanted to ask Third Master Chen directly.

Since he was willing to inform the Gu family, he didn’t want to harm them. This matter might be very complex. Even within Zhang’s faction, there could be conflicts and contradictions. For example, in her previous life, Third Master Chen always had a poor relationship with the Rui Prince, with infighting between their factions.

Could it be that… Third Master Chen wasn’t trying to help them, but rather suppress his competitors?

Or as she had originally suspected, did Third Master Chen have some connection that made him want to shelter the Gu family?

Human compassion is difficult to explain. If she went to ask, perhaps Third Master Chen would be willing to point out a clear path.

But meeting Chen Yan Yun was no simple matter, especially for a young lady who rarely left home. She would probably have to wait until after Gu Lian’s coming-of-age ceremony when she could use the excuse of shopping at Yuzhao Lane to go out.

Jin Chao gazed at the ceiling with a sigh, then slowly closed her eyes to sleep.

Tomorrow was Cousin Lian’s coming-of-age ceremony, and the mansion grew increasingly bustling. Early the next morning, Jin Chao was summoned by Madam Feng’s maid to accompany Gu Lian to meet Yu Ming Ying. When she arrived at the western wing room, Yu Ming Ying was speaking with her governess, while Gu Lian was chatting and laughing with Gu Lan. Neither group acknowledged the other.

Upon seeing Gu Jin Chao enter, Gu Lan slowly rose to bow, but Gu Lian twisted her handkerchief and turned to speak with Yu Ming Ying’s governess: “Governess Wen, the style of your coat looks beautiful, not old-fashioned at all!”

The corner of Jin Chao’s mouth twitched. Was Gu Lian deliberately belittling the governess, or did she truly not know how to speak properly?

Governess Wen smiled and said: “The Young Lady Gu flatters me. It’s our Third Young Miss who has shown mercy, not minding this old servant’s coarseness.”

Yu Ming Ying’s almond eyes glanced at Gu Lian before settling on Jin Chao. Frowning slightly, she asked: “I’ve seen you before, who are you?”

Governess Wen quickly had a maid bring over an embroidered stool and whispered something in Yu Ming Ying’s ear.

Yu Ming Ying then smiled: “Oh right, my sister-in-law mentioned you’re Gu Lian’s cousin! Come sit. I see you’re good-looking and well-dressed. Help me see if these forehead decorations should be thrown away.”

She spoke as if addressing a maid.

Jin Chao wasn’t bothered; some pampered young ladies spoke to everyone this way. She sat beside Yu Ming Ying and helped her look at a box of various forehead decorations, smiling as she said: “I think they all look nice. Does Miss Ming Ying prefer gold decorations or emerald ones?”

Yu Ming Ying, appearing bored, stirred the box of decorations with her hand and raised an eyebrow at Jin Chao: “What do you think?”

Jin Chao replied: “Since you dress simply, you probably prefer emerald decorations or yellow flowers.”

Yu Ming Ying nodded and handed the box of decorations to Jin Chao: “These are all gold decorations. I don’t like them. Do you have any good styles?”

Jin Chao thought for a moment and said: “Common forehead decorations are made of gold, silver, emerald feathers, or colored paper. I used to have some made from cicada wings and dried flower petals. But those can’t be preserved. If Miss Ming Ying likes, we could find some flower petals to make some.”

Hearing about making forehead decorations, Gu Lan also looked at Jin Chao. Her face was always clean, and she didn’t even apply powder or rouge daily—did she know how to make forehead decorations?

Yu Ming Ying, however, was delighted to hear this. “It’s so boring here. Wait while I find scissors and a basket. Let’s go make forehead decorations!” She pulled Governess Wen along to ask Gu Jin Hua for scissors and a basket.

Jin Chao took a sip of tea and noticed Qing Pu standing at the door, seemingly calling her softly. She put down her teacup and went outside. It turned out Madam Feng had sent a maid to inquire, concerned that Gu Lian and Yu Ming Ying might not be getting along. After speaking with the maid, Jin Chao went back inside but noticed something strange about Gu Lian and Gu Lan’s expressions. Soon, Yu Ming Ying returned with a basket and pulled her outside to make forehead decorations.

It was evening when Jin Chao returned to Yan Xiu Hall.

After sitting down to drink a bowl of wolfberry and white fungus soup, Jin Chao went to her study to write a letter to Luo Yong Ping. She would use the excuse of shopping at Yuzhao Lane, but switch to Luo Yong Ping’s carriage to go to Lanxi Lane. Third Master Chen would pass through Lanxi Lane, which bordered Wanping and Daxing counties with the capital, around four in the afternoon on his way from court. It would be best if she could intercept Third Master Chen there… Fortunately, Third Master Chen didn’t like to travel with a large escort.

Just as she finished sealing the letter, she heard Cai Fu announce through the curtain that Madam Feng had requested her presence in the east wing.

Gu Jin Chao changed her clothes and went to the east wing. As soon as she reached the main hall, she heard Yu Ming Ying’s voice from the west side room: “…Did the item grow wings and fly away? How can you just say it disappeared? You Gu family are bullying me!”

Then came Gu Jin Hua’s conciliatory voice: “Ming Ying, it’s just a tourmaline bracelet. Sister-in-law will buy you an even better one when she returns. Let’s just forget about this…”

Yu Ming Ying let out a cold laugh: “Sister-in-law, I haven’t made an issue of this because you’ve always been good to me. I visited your Gu family once, and my things got stolen. You’re jealous of my Yu family’s prosperity! If I hadn’t discovered it early, would you have emptied my entire trunk?”

Just as Jin Chao was about to enter the west side room, one of Madam Feng’s elderly maids came out and whispered to her: “It’s Third Young Lady Yu’s tourmaline bracelet that’s missing. We’ve been searching for half the day without finding it. She insists that Young Lady Lian took it… Young Miss, please try to mediate.”

Yu Ming Ying’s tourmaline bracelet was missing? Jin Chao frowned slightly.

After entering and curtseying, Yu Ming Ying saw her and merely snorted without speaking further.

Jin Chao saw that Madam Feng’s face on the wooden couch had darkened like the bottom of a pot. Beside her stood Gu Lian and Gu Lan, both with heads lowered. The Second Madam and Gu Jin Hua sat to one side.

Madam Feng beckoned Jin Chao over and said to Yu Ming Ying: “Ming Ying, you say your tourmaline bracelet disappeared when Lian and the others were present. Everyone involved is now here.” She asked Jin Chao, “Zhao, tell us, were there any other maids in the room at that time?”

Jin Chao thought for a moment and replied: “There were cousin Lian’s two maids and cousin Lan’s Mu Jin in the room.”

Madam Feng forced a smile and said gently to Yu Ming Ying: “Perhaps some ignorant maid took it. Don’t worry. Let me call these maids for questioning. If we find out who took your belongings, I certainly won’t let them off lightly.”

Yu Ming Ying, however, refused to accept this gesture of goodwill and immediately replied: “I know you’re a reasonable person, Old Madam. You wouldn’t shield someone who did wrong. Could your Gu family’s maids be so bold as to take their mistresses’ and guests’ belongings? I don’t believe it. No one would dare touch it without their mistress’s instructions. I’m not upset about the bracelet itself; I’m upset because I’ve been mistreated by your Gu family! I feel wronged!… Old Madam, if you don’t make the thief apologize to me today, I won’t let this matter rest!”

Madam Feng’s expression grew even more unpleasant.

Gu Lian might be spoiled, but she wasn’t as difficult as Yu Ming Ying, who was simply being unreasonable!

Losing a bracelet wasn’t like losing her life, yet she carried on as if it were, refusing to listen to reason!