Old Lady Chen sighed, “I think the people serving him are too careless. After all, he is still a young master of the Chen family.”

Madam Qin’s smile faded slightly as she continued, “His original wet nurse passed away two years ago, which is why we replaced her with Zheng. Zheng used to manage the storeroom, so perhaps she’s not attentive enough. I’ll assign another servant to look after Xuan Yue right away.”

Old Lady Chen made a sound of acknowledgment, “His father doesn’t want to care for him, but as his mother, you must manage properly. Make him several new sets of clothes. I noticed the sleeves of his current clothes are too short.”

Madam Qin replied, “Seasonal clothes were made on schedule and sent over at the beginning of summer. Xuan Yue doesn’t like wearing new clothes…”

After pondering for a long while, Old Lady Chen finally said, “Then forget it, don’t bother with him.”

Shortly after, Madam Wang arrived with Chen Rong. Chen Rong was born of a concubine and obediently followed behind Madam Wang. She had a fair complexion and especially alluring diamond-shaped eyes. Chen Rong respectfully greeted everyone, and Old Lady Chen called her over to talk.

Meanwhile, Madam Qin offered a plate of sliced pears to Jin Chao, smiling as she said, “…These are the first duck pears of the season. My family just sent them over. Third Sister-in-law, please have a taste. Later, I’ll have someone send you a basket, along with some smoked meat. I wonder if you like that?”

Jin Chao picked up a piece with her fork and ate it, smiling as she said, “People say that the pears from Zhending are as big as fists, sweet as honey, and crisp as water chestnuts. They’re truly so. I also enjoy eating meat, especially when it comes from my Second Sister-in-law.”

“Then I’ll send some smoked meat to you as well.” Madam Qin placed the small plate beside Jin Chao, raising her phoenix eyes as she softly said, “Today is the fourth day of the seventh month. The monthly allowance for each household will be distributed soon. Shall I bring it to you, or would you prefer to send someone to collect it?”

Jin Chao replied, “I’ll have Madam Sun collect it. No need to trouble Sister-in-law.”

Madam Qin smiled again, “There’s no trouble between us sisters-in-law. But previously it was always Madam Wang who came to collect it. Why has it changed to Madam Sun now? I must inform the steward to avoid any confusion.”

“I was just about to mention this to Sister-in-law. Madam Sun was recently assigned to me by my mother. I wanted to let her practice. She’ll be managing my household affairs from now on. If Sister-in-law has any instructions, just tell her.”

So she’s abandoned Madam Wang? Madam Qin glanced at Old Lady Chen. The old lady was talking with Chen Rong and seemed not to have heard their conversation. Or perhaps she had heard but didn’t want to intervene.

By noon, Third Master Chen and Fourth Master Chen arrived.

Old Lady Chen specifically called Fourth Master Chen to discuss Chen Rong’s marriage. “…Madam Zhao from Gourd Lane has proposed a match with the young master of the Xue family from Liangxiang. He earned his xiucai degree a few years ago, and his family is quite wealthy. If you agree, we can finalize this marriage arrangement.”

Fourth Master Chen, Chen Yan Wen, had a delicate appearance, and his face looked even colder when he wasn’t speaking. He frowned upon hearing this, “Only a xiucai degree…”

Marrying Chen Rong would certainly be marrying above one’s station.

Madam Wang, sitting nearby, quickly smiled, “I know Madam Zhao. I find the young master Xue to be very ambitious.”

Fourth Master Chen ignored Madam Wang completely and instead asked Old Lady Chen, “What does Mother think?”

Madam Wang’s smile became awkward as she took a pear to eat.

Old Lady Chen smiled, “Rong is only raised by a concubine, after all, not of the same status as a proper legitimate daughter. Besides, that young man is indeed good, the Xue family is wealthy, and she would be his wife, not a concubine. She’ll only enjoy good fortune there.”

Fourth Master Chen nodded, “Then let’s follow Mother’s decision.”

Neither Jin Chao nor Chen Yan Yun could comment on such matters. Chen Yan Yun sat beside her and finished her plate of pears. Jin Chao handed him a handkerchief.

When he returned it to her, he said, “It smells like camellia.”

Jin Chao asked quietly, “What do you mean, it smells like camellia?”

Chen Yan Yun smiled and pointed at her, “You… but the cloak you made for me, why does it have the scent of pine?”

So he guessed it was made for him? Gu Jin Chao thought to herself, then raised her sleeve to smell it. She couldn’t detect any scent… rather, she felt that after living with him for some time, she had taken on his faint sandalwood fragrance. Gentle and peaceful.

Madam Zheng came in to ask where lunch should be served, and Old Lady Chen said in the flower hall. As Jin Chao stepped out of the room, she saw Chen Rong talking to Chen Zhao, bending down to watch Chen Zhao play with a string of glass beads, speaking very cautiously. Seeing Fourth Master Chen and Madam Wang emerge, she hurriedly came forward to pay her respects, appearing very nervous.

Fourth Master Chen, not yet thirty, looked rather effeminate but was extremely handsome. Madam Wang stood beside him, looking like siblings.

He nodded, casually gave Chen Rong a few instructions, and asked how her concubine mother was doing.

Madam Wang’s face was pale, and she dared not say anything.

Third Master Chen walked out afterward and gripped her shoulder, asking, “What are you looking at?”

Jin Chao smiled and shook her head, following him to the flower hall.

Back in her quarters, Madam Wang carefully observed Fourth Master Chen’s expression. When they returned, he sat silently on the luohan bed. Madam Wang personally brewed tea for him, “Fourth Master, please don’t be angry… I was thinking that since this matter wasn’t finalized yet, so I…”

Fourth Master Chen coldly said, “Were you planning to tell me after it was settled? Who’s in charge of this household, you or me? Today, in front of Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law, you made me lose face. What exactly are you trying to do?”

Madam Wang forced a smile, “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I only mentioned Madam Zhao once, and it was Mother who took an interest and asked about it.”

Wasn’t it embarrassing enough? Chen Rong’s marriage should have been discussed with her father, but Madam Wang hadn’t even told him. What would others think…

Seeing that Fourth Master Chen remained silent, Madam Wang said softly, “It was my fault. I will be more careful.” She then changed the subject, “Have you and the Third Master decided on going to Wenzhou Prefecture in Zhejiang? I’ve already written to my brother, asking him to receive you when the time comes.”

Chen Yan Wen’s face darkened completely, “My trip to Wenzhou… you told your brother about it?”

Seeing his displeased expression, Madam Wang’s heart skipped a beat. Not knowing which nerve she had struck, she could only explain in a low voice, “It would be more convenient for you to have my brother’s assistance in Wenzhou.”

Chen Yan Wen stood up, his tall, slender figure casting a shadow on the floor in front of Madam Wang in the candlelight.

He said coolly, “You go to sleep first.” He took the cloak beside him and walked toward the door.

Madam Wang quickly grabbed his sleeve, “Fourth Master, you’re supposed to stay in my room tonight… Where are you going?”

His lips curved into a sneer, “So you are in charge?”

Madam Wang was stunned, but Chen Yan Wen had already left the inner room. Soon after, her maid Shi Liu came to inform her, “…Fourth Master went to Concubine You’s quarters. They’ve ordered another table of dishes.”

Concubine You was Chen Rong’s birth mother.

Madam Wang sat weakly on the luohan bed.

Shi Liu whispered, “Madam, today was supposed to be your day. The master went to Concubine You’s place, letting her gloat… Why not summon Concubine You tomorrow? You could set some rules for her to prevent her from becoming arrogant with this favor.”

Madam Wang smiled and shook her head, “Forget it. It would only make us a laughingstock. No matter how pleased she is with herself, she wouldn’t dare to be presumptuous. Let her be.” After all, without giving birth to a son, she would never gain any real power. Once Chen Rong was married off, Concubine You would have even less to rely on.

Shi Liu helped her comb her hair and sighed, “You’re so careful with Fourth Master, yet he’s never satisfied…”

Madam Wang smiled bitterly, “He simply dislikes my merchant family background, finding me tainted with the stench of money. People are like that… when they dislike someone, everything that person does seems offensive.” Though both Fourth Master Chen and Third Master Chen were legitimate sons of the Chen family, the difference between them was immense. Moreover, Fourth Master Chen had passed the imperial examination years ago and had a chance to become an official, but because of Third Master Chen… Fourth Master Chen only held a nominal position at the Imperial Academy, and his temperament had worsened ever since.

Madam Wang’s hand tightly gripped a gold filigree hairpin on her dressing table, so hard that her fingernails turned white.

Two days later, when Madam Sun came to collect the monthly allowance, Jin Chao learned that she received seventy taels of silver each month, while the concubines in the Third Household received twenty taels. The head maids received four taels, second-tier maids three taels… and so on, with the housekeeper receiving the same as the head maids.

Jin Chao picked out four taels of silver for Madam Sun, then handed her a separate red cloth bundle containing silver ingots, “I heard your son is getting married. This is my contribution.”

It weighed at least ten taels… Madam Sun felt it was too much and quickly declined, “Madam, you need silver for your expenses. There’s no need for a gift… Country folk don’t have such elaborate wedding customs!”

To gain loyalty, one must show kindness. Jin Chao smiled and placed the silver in her hand, “In a while, I’ll have Qing Pu select two bolts of silk and prepare some crisp sweets and cakes to send over. For such a joyous occasion, you should spend more days at home… Please don’t refuse. There will be plenty more expenses in the future.” Madam Sun had a blind second son who relied on her monthly allowance and her eldest son’s work at the Chen family’s farm for support. Their family had never been well-off.

Madam Sun could no longer refuse, accepted the silver, and curtseyed to thank her.

Soon it was time for the Zhongyuan Festival. On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, there were ancestral sacrifices, floating lanterns on water, and the Baoxiang Temple held the Ullambana Festival. Old Lady Chen took the Chen family women to attend. The Ullambana ceremony was grand, and Baoxiang Temple was the largest temple in the vicinity, second only to the Grand Xiangguo Temple. With pilgrims and tourists flooding in, the Chen family women were guided through a side entrance by a reception monk.

After paying respects at the main hall, Chen Yi, who served Third Master Chen, came to deliver a message that the Third Master was waiting for her on the back mountain.

The Chen family women went to the meditation room to rest. Gu Jin Chao informed Old Lady Chen before following Chen Yi toward the back mountain. The last time she came to Baoxiang Temple was in winter. Third Master Chen had been talking with a high monk in the Jiexin Hall. She encountered a snowstorm then, and he had invited her to take shelter…

Chen Yan Yun was standing outside Jiexin Hall waiting for her. It was a time of brilliant sunshine, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.

Third Master Chen smiled and said, “Come in for a cup of tea first.” He led her into Jiexin Hall, to the same side room as before. Soon, Shu Yan brought tea.

Jin Chao took a sip to quench her thirst before asking, “Why did you ask me to come here?”