After discussing with Madam Feng, Yao’s eldest son returned home, though Madam Yao stayed for a few more days.

After Jin Chao’s return, Madam Feng had specifically told her that she needn’t pay morning and evening respects, but should only visit the east wing courtyard daily to see her. Jin Chao naturally avoided the east wing, instead teaching Gu Yi to write and review account books at Xu Jingyi’s quarters.

When September arrived, Gu Yi would hold her coming-of-age ceremony. After that, she would marry into the Du family. She had blossomed into a charming young lady, with a graceful figure like orchids and chrysanthemums, and had very proper manners. She learned diligently from Jin Chao.

As the daughter of a concubine, Gu Yi had not previously learned household management. However, since the Du family was involved in various businesses, Gu Yi would inevitably need to manage such matters after marriage. Jin Chao taught her now to prevent her from being deceived after marriage due to ignorance. Gu Xi played string games with Xu Jingyi’s little maid nearby.

Xu Jingyi had the kitchen prepare well-chilled sugar-glazed pears for them to enjoy during their break. They stayed at her place until evening. Xu Jingyi leaned over to look at the account book in Jin Chao’s hand and smiled, saying: “I also learned the ‘Six-Six Calculation Method’ for the abacus. Would you like me to teach you as well?”

Just as she said this, Gu Dezhao arrived. Xu Jingyi had an elderly female servant set the evening meal in the second room.

After dinner, everyone retired to their quarters. Only then did Gu Dezhao ask her: “You can also review account books?”

Xu Jingyi looked at him, not understanding his meaning.

Gu Dezhao explained: “When I came in earlier, I heard you say you know the ‘Six-Six Method.’ If you can review accounts, help me manage them. I have several farms and shops outside, and some things the managers cannot oversee well…”

Xu Jingyi was quite surprised: “I know a little, but I’m not good at managing them. I’m not as proficient as Chao’er…”

Gu Dezhao interrupted her: “That doesn’t matter. Chao’er grew up with her maternal grandmother, learning by exposure. You needn’t compare yourself to her. I’ll have someone bring the accounts to you shortly.”

Xu Jingyi nodded with a smile. “I see that Lian’er is about to get married. I’ll give her a pair of gold hairpins inlaid with rubies for her dowry. What do you think?”

Gu Dezhao thought for a moment: “When Chao’er got married, the Second Madam gave a pair of gold bracelets for her dowry. Your gift is quite nice. If you don’t have enough silver, feel free to ask Manager Li for funds. Manager Li manages my private money.”

His tone was very calm.

Xu Jingyi was about to say it wasn’t necessary, as her monthly allowance of forty taels was sufficient. But outside, a young maid announced through the curtain that someone from the east wing courtyard had come to request her presence.

Xu Jingyi changed her clothes and went to the east wing courtyard.

Soon after, the east wing courtyard sent someone else to Yanxiu Hall to summon Gu Jin Chao.

Gu Lan had lost her child. The elderly female servant said she had fallen from the bed and hit her stomach…

When Jin Chao went to see her, she was still unconscious, but her hand tightly clutched the silk quilt, refusing to let go.

The back chamber was quietly bustling with activity, with elderly servants carrying hot water in and out. Madam Feng stood in the main hall, observing the situation in the second room, and sighed: “Such misfortune for the family… to have such an ominous event. Ah, let’s wait until she pulls through before saying more…”

The Fifth Madam looked at Gu Lan lying on the bed, her hair soaked with sweat, and turned away, unable to bear the sight. She didn’t want to watch these people act out their lies. She left the main hall, looked at the waxing moon in the sky, and sighed. Her servant woman quietly said: “If Madam is feeling unwell, you should return to rest. Our Eleventh Young Lady should be nursing now…”

The Fifth Madam nodded, “Go tell Mother for me. Looking at the blood beneath her, I truly can’t bear it. After all, it was a child…”

Hearing the servant’s words, Madam Feng nodded in agreement: “Go back then. There’s not much else to do here.”

She yawned and said to Xu Jingyi: “I’m tired too. You handle things for now, and report to me tomorrow.”

Xu Jingyi curtseyed in acknowledgment, and Madam Feng left for the east wing courtyard, supported by the Second Madam.

Jin Chao said to Xu Jingyi: “…I’ll stay with you to wait.”

Just then, a young maid carrying a pillow ran in, but was stopped by the servant guarding the door: “Qiushui, what are you doing?”

The young maid said: “Third Young Lady had a stiff neck a few days ago, so I made her a buckwheat-husk pillow…” She craned her neck to look inside, asking curiously: “Nanny Xu, is Third Young Lady seriously ill? I’ll just put the pillow inside and leave, it won’t take long…”

Before she finished speaking, a sharp scream came from inside, followed by loud sobbing.

She jumped in fright, her eyes widening as she looked at the people in the room.

Xu Jingyi took servants and went into the side room.

Jin Chao closed her eyes briefly, seemingly transported back to the night when Concubine Song lost her child.

The young maid stood outside the hall, softly calling her: “Second Young Lady…”

Only then did Gu Jin Chao ask her: “What do you need?”

She said cautiously, “This servant has finished making the pillow. Should I place it in the Third Young Lady’s room? It’s filled with buckwheat husks, as the Third Young Lady requested a few days ago.”

Gu Jin Chao took the pillow and examined it: “You go first, I’ll handle this.”

She walked into the second room, but Gu Lan had stopped crying. She lay on the bed with her eyes tightly closed, though tear tracks still marked her face.

Xu Jingyi silently looked at her and said softly: “Why do you do this to yourself? People should know when to yield. Since you felt marrying Scholar Zhao’s son wasn’t good, don’t regret becoming Yao Wenxiu’s concubine later…”

Gu Jin Chao placed the pillow beside her. Gu Lan reached out, touched the pillow, and opened her eyes to look at Gu Jin Chao: “Elder Sister, do you remember the thing you used to kill my mother’s child? It was a pillow…”

Xu Jingyi glanced at Gu Jin Chao, who replied: “What are you saying? I don’t understand.”

Gu Lan said: “After Mother went mad, I went through her things. Bedding could be burned, but pillows were unnecessary… Later, the more I thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. You were quite painstaking…”

Xu Jingyi, acting as if she hadn’t heard anything, said to Jin Chao: “I’ll go outside to check if the servants have heated the water. You stay here and keep Lan’er company.” She walked out directly, closing the door behind her.

Gu Jin Chao then said calmly: “You should have evidence for your accusations, and not spit blood to smear others.” What good was her realization now? Did she dare to turn around and bite her? It was already a case without witnesses, and Gu Lan was merely guessing.

Gu Lan clutched the pillow tightly and said in a low voice: “…I miss my mother. I want to see her, but seeing her would only mean seeing a madwoman, what use is that? She can’t help me anymore, no one can help me, I can only help myself.” She rubbed her cheek against the pillow and smiled, saying, “Elder Sister, once I marry into the Yao family, everything will be fine. It doesn’t matter that I don’t have a child now, I’ll have more…”

Gu Jin Chao laughed: “That’s true, you’ll have more.” Seeing that pillow, she knew this was impossible.

Gu Lan closed her eyes, “Ah… I just had no one to talk to, so I wanted to tell you. You may go, I’m tired…”

Gu Jin Chao saw that she had closed her eyes and stopped speaking, so as told, she stood up and walked out.

On the twenty-fifth day of the seventh month, the Gu family began to hang lanterns and decorations, setting up tents and test kitchens to entertain their guests.

The betrothal gifts from the Yao family arrived, and the list of gifts was handed to Madam Feng for inspection. She was very satisfied. Although it couldn’t compare to the betrothal gifts Chen’s family had given to Gu Jin Chao, it was much more than expected. When the bridal trousseau arrived on the first day of the eighth month, it filled the Gu family’s entrance. Whole pigs and sheep, geese, wine, cakes, a gold-embroidered headdress, rouge boxes, and a complete set of red gold and pearl headdress ornaments — it all looked very presentable.

Gu Lian’s face gradually showed more smiles.

On the day of the welcoming ceremony, Jin Chao was awakened early by Xu Jingyi. The two went together to the west wing courtyard. Gu Lian was dressed in a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, her makeup applied to make her look especially lovely. Jin Chao and Xu Jingyi both gave dowry gifts, and the Second Madam invited them to sit and drink white fungus soup with rock sugar.

The woman invited to do Gu Lian’s hair was the Second Madam’s older female cousin, who had rushed over from Lingbi. Gu Lian affectionately called her “Cousin Aunt.” The woman was very amiable, dressed properly, and smiled as she chatted with the Second Madam.

At this moment, Cai Fu entered from outside. After curtseying, she said to Jin Chao: “…Third Master Chen has arrived.”

Chen Third Master had come? He had said he would come to pick her up, but Jin Chao thought he wouldn’t come during the wedding event.

The Second Madam was also surprised: “Chen Third Master has come?”

With Chen Third Master attending Lian’er’s wedding, it was quite an honor. When the Yao family’s welcoming party arrived and saw Chen Third Master, wouldn’t they value Lian’er even more? She smiled and took Jin Chao’s hand, teasing her: “…He must miss you terribly. Hurry and go see him!”

Jin Chao hadn’t seen him for nearly half a month, and she was quite eager to see him. However, since Chen Third Master had come, he would certainly need to pay respects to Grandmother and Father. When the wedding feast began, it wouldn’t be too late for her to go see him. Besides, Chen Third Master’s visit… added many faces to the Gu family.

Jin Chao said: “I’m afraid I won’t see him for a while anyway. I’d rather stay here and chat a bit longer.”

The Second Madam secretly poked Gu Lian’s arm, and she then realized. Smiling at Jin Chao, she said: “I also want to spend more time with Second Sister. After I’m married, it will be even harder to see you. Here… try this plate of pea cakes, they’re so sweet.” Her attitude was unprecedentedly good.

By noon, after a series of firecrackers, Yao Wenxiu finally led several young men into the Gu family home. They knelt in the main room of the front courtyard to pay respects to Second Master Gu and Second Madam, then went to the east wing courtyard to serve tea to Madam Feng, before being escorted to the west wing courtyard. Jin Chao caught a glimpse of Yao Wenxiu from a distance; his face wore a smile, and he looked quite happy. She then went with Xu Jingyi to the west wing courtyard.

Jin Chao asked the attending elderly nurse, who said that Chen Third Master had arrived, but Second Master Gu had invited him to the guest resting area. Jin Chao was not in a hurry to see him, deciding to eat at the flower hall first.

The womenfolk were all dining in the flower hall. Before Jin Chao entered, she heard a voice from behind: “…I just came to see my niece. Coincidentally, my cousin’s daughter is also getting married, so I’m joining the festivities. You don’t need to especially entertain me.”

The speaker’s voice was lazy yet clear… it sounded like Ye Xian.

Gu Jin Chao turned to look and saw a tall, handsome youth wearing a jade-white trimmed robe, surrounded by guards. The Fifth Madam was accompanying him, and they seemed to be heading toward the guest’s resting area.