He had painted a picture of pine and cypress trees with an elk beneath the pines. In the distance, majestic mountains were shrouded in mist and clouds.
Although Gu Jin Chao was more learned than ordinary noble ladies, she wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about such matters. She couldn’t discern the meaning of the painting, but since it depicted an elk, she assumed it symbolized good fortune and prosperity. Chen Yan Yun, however, gazed intently at his painting, added a few strokes to the pine branches, and handed it to her, saying, “I noticed your study is quite empty with only one piece of calligraphy by Yan Zhen Qing hanging there, so I painted this for you… Have it mounted and hang it in your study.”
Gu Jin Chao smiled. “Yes, I’ll send it for mounting right away.” She glanced at his waist and asked, “Where is your seal? The one engraved with ‘Zhu Shan Ju Shi’?”
Chen Yan Yun replied gently, “What’s the matter? I don’t often carry that seal when I go out, though I do have my official seal with me.”
Gu Jin Chao expressed a look of regret. “Your calligraphy and paintings can sell for a hundred taels of silver each outside. With your seal, they could fetch five hundred taels… The valuable part is that seal. How could you not carry it with you?”
Chen Yan Yun laughed, put down his brush, took a sip of tea, and asked her, “How do you know my paintings are valuable?”
Jin Chao looked at him earnestly and said, “Your humble wife inquired about it. However, few of your paintings circulate outside. People keep them as treasures to pass down to their descendants. They’re priceless and not available on the market.”
Chen Yan Yun knew she was joking with him, so he reached out and stroked her hair. “Hmm, I’ll paint several more for you. In the future, you can pass them on to our children as family heirlooms.” Gu Jin Chao’s face warmed, but she continued, “You should still add your seal to this painting.”
“Using my official seal will do just as well.” Chen Yan Yun took out a silk-wrapped seal from his sleeve and asked Jin Chao to find some seal paste to stamp it on the painting. The official seal was engraved with “Jiu Qing.” Chen Yan Yun also had another official seal, but it was kept at the Ministry of Revenue and not carried with him.
Jin Chao called for Qing Pu to come over and instructed her to take the painting to be mounted.
Chen Yan Yun took her hand and said, “Come, show me where you live.”
He had been painting for her for about two hours and his bones felt stiff, so it was a good opportunity to move around.
The Gu family’s residence wasn’t as large as the Chen family’s. Jin Chao’s Yan Xiu Hall was situated at the junction of the west wing and the front courtyard. Walking to the west side room, one could hear the clamor of guests from the front courtyard. Beyond the corridor was a flower garden where she had planted elm trees. Jin Chao enjoyed eating elm seeds, which she had planted herself after moving to Daxing. In the courtyard, there was a moss-covered clay vat with several lotus flowers as large as bowls. Along the window eaves of the west secondary room, she had specifically planted philodendron, so that when the window was opened, one could see a tranquil patch of green… Inside the west secondary room was a screen that she had embroidered herself, depicting the common theme of plum, orchid, and chrysanthemum.
Lord Chen examined everything and asked her, “You moved from Shi’an to Daxing, so did you grow up in Shi’an as a child?”
Jin Chao shook her head and said, “I was raised by my maternal grandmother in Baodi, Tongzhou.” She turned to look at him. “What about you? Did you always live in Wanping with your mother?”
Lord Chen said, “I also lived in Suzhou for a few years when my father held office there. At that time, I enjoyed boat rides. I remember a white shrimp restaurant by Lake Tai that served excellent river delicacies. Suzhou had many scholars and literati, and my father often took me to visit renowned recluses of the time, including the most famous of the Four Talents of Wu, Hengshan Jushi.”
Hengshan Jushi… such a famous figure, Gu Jin Chao had naturally heard of him. She asked with interest, “What did you discuss with him?”
Chen Yan Yun’s gaze grew distant as he spoke to her in a mellow voice, “Hengshan Jushi was nearly eighty years old at that time, with a long white beard. He not only guided my calligraphy but also gave my father a basket of hairy crabs.”
Gu Jin Chao found this fascinating. However, seeing that it was completely dark outside, she thought it wouldn’t be appropriate to keep him… When they returned to their rooms, they would need to avoid each other at night.
She discussed returning to Wanping with him the next day: “…In the morning, I’ll first pay my respects and bid farewell to my grandmother, mother, and father, then return to Wanping. Will you be going to the Inner Cabinet tomorrow? Perhaps I should have the kitchen prepare breakfast first.”
Chen Yan Yun shook his head and said, “I came specifically to escort you back, so naturally I’ll accompany you. The Inner Cabinet is also not very busy these days.” He stroked his prayer beads with his left hand and suddenly asked softly, “You know Ye Xian, don’t you?”
Gu Jin Chao fell silent for a moment. Initially, he hadn’t asked, so she thought he wouldn’t. What exactly had Ye Xian told Lord Chen? She wasn’t quite sure, as Ye Xian had always been willful and presumptuous… Gu Jin Chao felt somewhat troubled. She could only carefully say, “The Heir is Fifth Aunt’s brother. I’ve met him a few times.”
She looked up and saw Chen Yan Yun staring at her. Once again, she seemed to see that look in Lord Chen’s eyes—his countenance was extremely gentle, but his gaze was extremely sharp, like a knife piercing one’s heart. Any attempt at concealment by others would be futile. It made her palms go cold.
Her relationship with Ye Xian was indeed very complicated. To be honest, Ye Xian had helped her, and in return, she had helped the Marquis of Chang Xing avoid a calamity from Prince Rui. As for the day when Ye Xian rushed into her courtyard, held her hand, and said, “Why don’t I marry you,” Gu Jin Chao dismissed it as a momentary confusion.
Gu Jin Chao decided to explain everything truthfully to Lord Chen, as there was nothing shameful about it: “When my mother was gravely ill… the Heir invited his own master to treat her. But it was too late, and my mother passed away a step ahead…” She spoke with some hesitation. She didn’t mention the palace coup involving the Marquis of Chang Xing, as these matters were too complicated and involved the conflict between the Marquis’s household and Prince Rui. These were things she shouldn’t have known, and she couldn’t explain how she knew them.
Moreover, back then, Prince Rui was on good terms with Zhang Ju Lian. By helping the Marquis of Chang Xing, she was effectively acting against Zhang Ju Lian. Although Lord Chen was her husband, he was also the Minister of Revenue and an Elder of the Inner Cabinet. He was more familiar with court struggles than anyone else… Compared to him, even her two lifetimes seemed naive.
Chen Yan Yun, however, slowly reached out his hand, stroked her head, and with a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, said, “Look at you, what are you afraid of? Would I not believe you?”
Gu Jin Chao’s heart tightened even more at his touch.
Chen Yan Yun’s hand slid down, gently caressing her face. Her skin was exceptionally fair, delicate, and smooth… Suddenly, he pulled Jin Chao into his embrace, lowered his head, and kissed her cheek. “All right, I won’t ask anymore. But you should see less of him in the future…”
When Ye Xian mentioned Gu Jin Chao, he knew in his heart that Ye Xian wouldn’t bring her up without reason. There must be more between them than mere acquaintance. Yet he didn’t know their connection was so deep. Would someone like Ye Xian, who was fickle, treacherous, and complex, simply help treat her mother’s illness without cause?
Gu Jin Chao felt the kiss was burning hot on her face, then on her lips. The embrace also grew scorching, and the large hand constraining her waist held her tighter. She could feel Lord Chen’s restraint, yet he was extremely controlled. After kissing her, he set her down and adjusted her collar. This was her maiden home… they couldn’t engage in marital relations.
Gu Jin Chao felt it necessary to explain: “Lord Chen, the Heir is naturally willful and arbitrary. We are indeed related as an aunt and nephew by marriage and have only met occasionally. It truly doesn’t amount to anything…” She feared he might think otherwise.
Lord Chen nodded. “Yes, I understand. It’s just that Ye Xian acts too ruthlessly… Back when Xiao You betrayed him, he could personally kill his own master. I fear he’ll be no ordinary figure in the future.” He sighed. “But it’s true that I don’t like you seeing him. Will you listen?”
Gu Jin Chao naturally nodded.
Having finished their conversation, Gu Jin Chao wanted to see Lord Chen out, but he waved his hand indicating it wasn’t necessary, took a cloak from nearby, and walked out.
The next day, Lord Chen escorted Gu Jin Chao to bid farewell to Feng Shi, personally taking her back.
Feng Shi saw them off at the screen wall as the carriage departed, watching as Lord Chen half-supported Jin Chao into the carriage. His posture was as straight as a pine, elegant and distinguished, like the moon surrounded by stars. Only after they disappeared through the main gate did she let out a sigh and said to the Second Madam, “Send the guests off gradually… You should also prepare for Lian’er’s third-day return home.”
The Second Madam agreed, then looked in the direction where the carriage had gone and said softly to Feng Shi, “…This Lord Chen truly dotes on Gu Jin Chao. Despite his heavy official duties, he came to escort her back. Chao’er has indeed married well.” And wasn’t it a good marriage? The South Sea pearl headdress Gu Jin Chao had given her was made of round, smooth, uniform pearls of great value.
Feng Shi thought about how Gu Jin Chao had not given her face yesterday and still felt uncomfortable. But today, before leaving, they had at least come to pay respects to her. So she said nothing but instead called for Xu Jing Yi, instructing her to oversee the dismantling of the banquet stoves.
It was her daughter’s first day of marriage, and the Second Madam’s heart still felt somewhat unaccustomed. She wondered how her daughter was faring with the Yao family… while supporting Feng Shi, she secretly thought that Lian’er must be serving tea to Madam Yao by now.
…As a new bride, Gu Lian had just served tea to Madam Yao and Master Yao. Yao Wen Xiu was pulled aside by his second brother for a conversation, leaving Gu Lian to deal with her two sisters-in-law.
The elder sister-in-law had just given birth to a son, the first grandson of the main family branch. The entire family cherished him like a delicate treasure. Gu Lian held the baby awkwardly, causing him to cry loudly. The elder sister-in-law quickly took the child back, saying delicately, “…Afraid your arms would get tired.”
The elder sister-in-law was from Jiangnan and treated people amiably. Gu Lian, however, felt somewhat disrespected and her expression soured. By the afternoon, during the family introductions with numerous relatives, she couldn’t remember many of them and returned to the bridal chamber in a daze.
Yao Wen Xiu had just returned and asked gently, “Sister Lian, have you been exhausted today?”
Only then did Gu Lian smile. “Not at all. Let your humble wife help you change.”
Yao Wen Xiu said, “No need, you’re already so tired today.” He called his two maids to assist him with washing up in the bathroom.
Gu Lian felt that Yao Wen Xiu was quite considerate, and her heart eased a bit. When the two maids entered and greeted her, Gu Lian suddenly frowned with hesitation: “Are you… the personal maids of the Third Young Master?”
The taller maid curtseyed and said, “In response to the Third Madam, your servants are Yi Lan and Cheng Zhi, the personal maids of the Third Young Master.”
Hearing Yao Wen Xiu already calling for the maids from inside, Gu Lian’s elderly nanny stepped forward, letting the two maids enter the bathroom. She turned to Gu Lian and said, “Third Madam… these two should be chambermaids. It’s unavoidable! Even if they have served the Third Young Master, they are merely servants. You should treat them as servants and not mind too much.”
Gu Lian reluctantly nodded, thinking to herself that such matters couldn’t simply be dismissed by telling herself not to mind.
Just as she was thinking, a maid announced from outside that Concubine Lan had come to pay her respects.
Since they shared the same surname, Gu Lan could only be addressed as Concubine Lan to avoid confusion. When Gu Lian heard this name, her hand tightened, and she smiled, saying, “Let her in!”