After returning home, Yao Ping summoned Madam Yao to talk, his face gloomy.

Madam Yao felt uneasy seeing his expression. She had a maid place a pot of simmered duck soup on the kang table and asked softly, “My lord, what is it…?”

Yao Ping waved his hand and asked, “Has Wen Xiu finished his studies?”

Madam Yao replied, “My lord, you’re mistaken. Wen Xiu is at the Imperial Academy now and won’t return until the end of the month… Why do you look so troubled?”

Yao Ping clenched his teeth and remained silent. Among the Grand Secretariat ministers, his position was the lowest, merely a Third Rank Ritual Minister. He knew his influence was limited, so he had always been careful not to form factions and simply focused on doing his job well. When Wang Xuan Fan informed him about Third Master Chen’s matter, he understood that Wang had political calculations behind it. But if Third Master Chen intervened to cancel the engagement between their families, the Yao family would be at a disadvantage. That’s why he had taken the initiative to cancel the engagement with the Gu family.

Who knew that Wang Xuan Fan was such a shameless person, using such tactics to suppress him!

The reason he gave for breaking off Yao Wen Xiu’s engagement was absurd, but as long as Third Master Chen came to propose marriage, people would easily guess that he was making way for Third Master Chen. This wouldn’t harm the Yao family’s reputation at all. But now it turned out that the person Third Master Chen wanted to marry wasn’t Gu Lian at all…

Yao Ping felt a chill in his heart.

If the Gu family and Chen family formed a marriage alliance in the future, the Gu family would surely harbor resentment over this unexpected cancellation.

Yao Ping explained the situation to Madam Yao, who was also greatly alarmed.

When children’s marriages became entangled with official politics, it was beyond what women could resolve.

She lowered her voice: “My lord, what… what should we do?”

Yao Ping took a deep breath and said, “We can’t let this matter end here. Before Chen Yan Yun visits the Gu family, they hurry to the Gu household and reestablish the engagement. Let’s just consider it a slap in the face, as if nothing else happened.” The cancellation had only occurred a few days ago, and the news hadn’t spread yet. There was still time to remedy the situation! He continued, “When Yao Wen Xiu returns, have him apologize to the Fourth Miss Gu and say it was all a misunderstanding.”

First canceling and then reestablishing the engagement—wouldn’t that make them a laughingstock in the Gu family? Madam Yao’s face paled slightly: “My lord, perhaps we should just let the engagement with the Gu family go. If I go to discuss marriage with them again, where would I put my face…?”

Yao Ping scolded her for her “womanly perspective”: “If news of our cancellation spreads later, we’ll become a huge joke!”

Madam Yao’s face alternated between red and pale as she assented and withdrew, preparing to visit the Gu family tomorrow.

At the Chen family home in Wan Ping, a maid brought a bowl of cow’s milk lotus seed soup to Old Madam Chen.

However, Old Madam Chen had the maid set the soup aside and smiled as she picked up walnut kernels from a crystal dish: “You’re in such a good mood today, even finding time to shell walnuts for me. What happy event has occurred?”

Third Master Chen sat on a stool, took two walnuts from a box, and easily cracked them open, placing clean, intact kernels on the crystal dish. The serving maid Lü Luo watched in amazement—the small walnuts that the old madam enjoyed were extremely hard, yet the Third Master could crack them open effortlessly. It was surprising that the Third Master, who usually spent his time reading and writing, had such extraordinary strength in his hands.

They used small hammers to crack walnuts, which inevitably broke the kernels. Old Madam Chen particularly enjoyed it when the Third Master kept her company and shelled walnuts for her, producing clean and intact kernels. But the Third Master was busy with court affairs and didn’t visit often.

Third Master Chen smiled: “I’m just here to keep you company.”

Old Madam Chen shook her head helplessly, had the maid bring over a candlestick, and chatted with Third Master Chen: “Sixth Brother’s wife came crying to me yesterday. Sixth Brother is truly outrageous. He went out riding with someone and took a fancy to the daughter of a widow who sells pancakes in the Nine Jin district in the west of the city. He’s been keeping her for nearly half a year. Only when she cried and made a fuss about entering the family did he come back to tell his wife? When his wife disagreed, he even made a scene and stayed in Nine Jin district, refusing to come home.”

“Sixth Brother has always been unruly, just like his birth mother. I went to Nine Jin district yesterday afternoon and beat that little beast with my cane. He rolled on the ground and acted shamelessly, which angered me terribly… He’s only ever listened to you since he was little. When you have time, bring him back. Our Chen family can’t lose face like this!”

Third Master Chen placed a handful of walnut kernels in the crystal dish and said, “Beating him won’t work; he doesn’t respond to that. Take Chen Xuan Yu with you and have him call Sixth Brother back. He’ll return.”

Old Madam Chen was half-skeptical: “Is that appropriate… would it work?”

Third Master Chen said: “Strike the snake at its vital point—he fears corrupting Xuan Yu the most. Otherwise, he wouldn’t keep the woman outside the family.”

Old Madam Chen’s expression finally relaxed as she continued: “Afraid of corrupting Xuan Yu, yet still doing such disgusting things…” Thinking of Sixth Brother made her feel like beating iron that wouldn’t turn into steel. She took two more walnut kernels and put them in her mouth when she heard Third Master Chen say quietly: “Mother, I’d like you to ask Old Madam Chang from the Zheng family to propose marriage on my behalf.”

Old Madam Chen was stunned and almost choked on the walnut kernels. She quickly took a large gulp of the cow’s milk lotus seed soup, while the maid hurriedly patted her back. She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, quite surprised: “What? When did this happen? Why didn’t you discuss it with me? Which family’s daughter?”

Third Master Chen put the walnut dish aside and wiped his hands.

“I’m discussing it with you now, aren’t I? If you agree, please ask Old Madam Chang to propose marriage tomorrow.”

After Third Master Chen finished speaking, Old Madam Chen frowned in thought. This Second Miss Gu… whom she’d never heard of before, what kind of person was she to catch her son’s eye? Her son was in such a good mood today—could it be because of this?

Old Madam Chen said: “Since you’ve already made up your mind, I won’t say much…” The decisions Chen Yan Yun made were always firm and didn’t allow others to change them. He had been this way since childhood, and now with his high position and power, even more so.

But to find Old Madam Chang tomorrow, she would probably need to speak with her today.

Old Madam Chen continued: “…You’ve chosen this girl carefully, right? I won’t delay your affairs. As long as she has proper conduct and is educated, that’s enough.”

Third Master Chen thought of Jin Chao’s appearance and smiled: “You’ll know when she arrives. She’s truly wonderful. Don’t believe what others say—seeing is believing.”

Old Madam Chen couldn’t help but feel interested in the Second Miss Gu. She had never heard her son defend someone like this before.

Chen Yan Yun was always gentle, but she rarely saw her son so happy… no matter who it was, as long as they made him happy, that was good.

Old Madam Chen smiled: “So you came to shell walnuts for me today because of this! Very well, for these few walnuts, this old bag of bones will make the trip for you!” Her son was getting married—this was a joyous occasion. She might not trust others, but she always trusted her son.

Old Madam Chen was beaming with joy, feeling extremely content, and went to the Zheng family’s home that afternoon.

Jin Chao was reading “The Classic of Tea” by Lu Yu. The pine oil lamp’s wick crackled a few times, and several begonia petals drifted in through the window, landing on the long desk by the window. Jin Chao raised her head and said to Qing Pu: “…My left eyelid keeps twitching. I feel like something is about to happen.”

Qing Pu thought for a moment and replied: “People often say ‘left for wealth, right for calamity’—Miss, you must have good fortune coming your way.”

Jin Chao laughed and shook her head. As if she would suddenly become wealthy!

After dinner, Madam Feng asked her to come over for a chat.

“…The day for the wedding ceremony has been set for half a month from now, and the betrothal gifts have already been sent. Your Second Uncle’s wife has also prepared the guest list. Take a look and see if there’s anything you want to add or remove.” Madam Feng handed a red silk booklet to Gu Jin Chao.

Although Jin Chao had not yet married, the Fourth Branch now had only her to manage affairs.

Jin Chao accepted it and examined it carefully, finding no issues.

Madam Feng continued with a smile: “Madam Guo came today. She has found a good match for Lan. It’s the son of Scholar Zhao from Bao Di. Madam Guo says they’re not exceptionally wealthy, but the young man already has the xiucai degree. As the elder sister-in-law is like a mother, I want to ask your opinion about Lan’s marriage… I’ve already discussed it with your father, and he thinks it’s not bad.”

The son of Scholar Zhao from Bao Di? She had no idea what kind of person he was.

Jin Chao didn’t want to deal with Gu Lan herself, nor did she want her to live well. Gu Lan was very concerned about appearances, and she would certainly be unwilling to marry the son of a scholar with little prospect. But in this matter, Madam Feng, her father, and she could all have a say, while Gu Lan had no power to refuse.

Jin Chao didn’t want to inquire further about Gu Lan’s affairs.

“Grandmother’s decision is best. I know little about these matters.”

Madam Feng felt that life had been going smoothly lately, with both granddaughters’ marriages settled. Especially Miss Lian’s matter—it was like gold falling from the sky, stunning her completely. She nodded with a smile and then spoke about Jin Chao’s affairs: “…Your father said he would find someone suitable for you, but I don’t see him making any moves. If it’s really difficult, why not let Madam Guo help arrange a match for you too? Those high-ranking families won’t work, but like Lan, marrying into a clean and honest family wouldn’t be bad. Grandmother will give you a little more dowry, and your life will be comfortable.”

Madam Feng felt that this was all Gu Jin Chao could hope for in life—she couldn’t make big waves. After marrying into a humble family, wouldn’t she still be at the mercy of her in-laws? Because of this, Madam Feng treated her more kindly now, feeling mostly content because Miss Lian had secured a prestigious match.

Jin Chao smiled without speaking. Madam Feng was in a good mood now and was kind to everyone.

After a while, Gu Lian came to pay her morning and evening respects to Madam Feng. She wore a lychee-red, grapevine-patterned embroidered vest with twelve pleats. At her waist hung a white jade pendant, her hair was styled in a center-parted bun, and at her temples, she wore a gold filigree pomegranate hairpin inlaid with rubies.

These days, Gu Lian dressed very glamorously, which made her appear more beautiful than flowers, quite captivating.

Gu Lian glanced at Jin Chao, who was lowering her head to drink tea.

She felt somewhat irritated. Since the Yao family had broken off their engagement, every time she saw Gu Jin Chao, this was how she looked. Was she secretly laughing at her?

Gu Lian immediately sat on the luohan bed, affectionately held Madam Feng’s arm, and called her “Grandmother,” saying: “…My little maid Hui Zhi broke my crane-and-deer-together vase. She’s so reckless. I want to replace her with some obedient and steady maids…”

Madam Feng held her hand and took a close look—her hands were as fair as congealed cream, with beautiful red nail polish, youthful and attractive.

She said: “You don’t need to ask me about these small matters. Do as you wish.”

Gu Lian played with the string of bodhi beads that Madam Feng always wore, smiling and saying softly: “I think Cai Fu from Elder Sister Jin Chao’s room is quite good!”