Third Master Chen returned home to hear about Chen Xi’s fever and went to the east wing room to see her.

Her fever had already subsided somewhat. She was obediently wrapped in her bedding, leaning against the wall, as Cai Fu fed her lotus seed porridge. She swallowed it spoonful by spoonful, but after consuming less than half the bowl, she felt it was enough and said softly, “I can’t eat anymore…”

Cai Fu smiled and asked, “Would you like to eat something else then? How about some honey-threaded dates?”

Chen Xi shook her head slightly; she had no appetite and felt weak all over.

Cai Fu took the bowl and withdrew.

Third Master Chen sat down on the edge of the kang bed and reached out to feel her forehead, asking softly, “Are you still feeling unwell?”

In Chen Yan Yun’s presence, Chen Xi was as docile as a small cat. She quickly shook her head, saying in a thin voice, “I’m much better already…”

Jin Chao brought in medicine and set it on a nearby long table to cool.

Chen Yan Yun was still wearing his scarlet round-collared right-lapelled official robe, not having had time to change. He said to Chen Xi, “…In the future, don’t eat iced things anymore. You’re young and can’t handle cold foods. From now on, eat less watermelon and pears as well.”

Chen Xi was somewhat afraid of her father. When she was very young, her father was always busy with court affairs and rarely took care of her. Whenever she saw her father, he was surrounded by many people who were extremely respectful toward him—both her mother and brother were like this—and she was inevitably influenced by this.

She nodded nervously.

Chen Yan Yun didn’t know what else to say to the child, so he sighed and stood up. “…If there’s anything you want to eat, just tell your mother.”

Chen Xi’s gaze, however, fell on the medicine bowl on the long table, her expression fearful. She dreaded bitter things the most.

Gu Jin Chao smiled: “Miss Xi, don’t be afraid. I’ve added dry dates to it, so it won’t be too bitter.” Seeing that the medicine wasn’t too hot anymore, she thought it best to have her drink it and go to sleep early, as the child looked too weak.

Even with dried dates, it would still be bitter. Chen Xi clutched her blanket, her eyes watery: “Mother, I’ll get better without taking medicine.”

“Good medicine tastes bitter; it can’t help but be somewhat bitter. But after taking the medicine, Miss Xi will recover more quickly. Once you’re well, I’ll have Qing Pu teach you how to play the shuttlecock; she knows many tricks. Or we can make lotus leaf rice and play with flower hairpins…” Jin Chao told her.

Chen Xi looked a bit dejected: “I’m not good at shuttlecock. Sister Zhao laughs at me…”

Jin Chao comforted her: “Who is born knowing how to do everything? We all have to learn. My embroidery used to be very clumsy, and everyone laughed at me too.”

Chen Xi looked at her curiously, her voice much softer: “Did people laugh at you? Grandmother says your needlework is excellent.”

“Everyone has such times,” Jin Chao continued talking with her, and without realizing it, Chen Xi had drunk all the medicine. Jin Chao picked a piece of candied winter melon from the plate and fed it to Chen Xi, smiling as she asked, “Isn’t it less bitter now?”

Chen Xi hadn’t even noticed the bitter taste and looked at Jin Chao in bewilderment.

Chen Yan Yun stood nearby watching the two talk. He hadn’t known that Gu Jin Chao was good at coaxing children, and quite skilled at it too. The scene wasn’t exactly harmonious; it had an interesting quality of an older child coaxing a younger one, the two children whispering together as if he couldn’t participate.

Jin Chao continued: “Now go to sleep quickly. You’ll feel better when you wake up tomorrow morning. Shall I have Cai Fu sleep with you?”

Chen Xi nodded obediently: “Once I’m better, I want to learn shuttlecock too.”

After Jin Chao and the Third Master returned to the west side room, the maids brought in the evening meal in sequence.

Jin Chao related Old Madam Chen’s words to the Third Master. After listening, he said: “Moving here is good. Fang Hua Pavilion was where Jiang Wan Qing used to live; it’s a bit too desolate.” Gu Jin Chao knew very little about Jiang Wan Qing and had never heard the Third Master mention her.

Third Master Chen continued: “Miss Xi isn’t close to me but seems closer to you. You have quite a way with children.”

Jin Chao smiled: “It’s not about having a way with children; I’m like this with everyone. I don’t know how to take care of children. Although I was the eldest sister at my maternal grandmother’s house, I was the youngest among all the cousins. My cousins always bullied me, and they secretly called me ‘bossy at home.'”

Third Master Chen smiled, looking at her tenderly: “Being ‘bossy at home’ is fine as long as you don’t let others bully you.”

After the bowls and chopsticks were cleared away, Jin Chao helped him change into a straight robe. Looking up, she saw him rubbing his brow and reached out to massage his temples. “What’s wrong? If you’re too tired, you should sleep early.”

Chen Yan Yun made a sound of agreement: “I’ve interrogated several people in succession and also made a trip to Daxing…” The interrogation room had poor lighting, and torture implements were used. He felt somewhat tired. Upon returning and hearing about Miss Xi’s high fever, he went to see her without even changing his clothes.

“How did you end up interrogating people?” Jin Chao was curious. Chen Yan Yun was the Minister of Revenue, not someone from the Court of Judicature or the Censorate.

Chen Yan Yun smiled and said: “It’s not a matter of the Ministry of Revenue. The current Grand Secretariat has chaotic factions that need to be cleared out.” Wang Xuan Fan was already too much of an obstacle in the Grand Secretariat and had always opposed him. He had originally intended to use the matter of the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicature to suppress him.

He had reviewed the files on the river bandit case; they were written too secretly and vaguely. Where did a boat of contraband salt come from? Would ordinary salt smugglers dare to operate on such a large scale? Besides Zhang Ling, there must be someone else involved. Chen Yan Yun had initially thought it was the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicature but later discovered that Zhang Ling had been in contact with the Salt Transport Official in Yuqing. He then realized this matter was far more complex than he had imagined, and the smuggling operation behind it must be even more shocking, involving numerous people.

After Zhang Ling was arrested in Yuqing on charges of escaping exile, he was immediately transported to the capital by water. Once Zhang Ling’s confession was properly matched, this matter could be verified. The Salt Transport Official of Yuqing must be a key figure; putting this person in prison would cause turmoil in Southern Zhili.

And he precisely needed this kind of turmoil. If Wang Xuan Fan were allowed to grow powerful by relying on Southern Zhili forces, it would be troublesome to deal with him later.

However, these matters of the officialdom were too complex, and he didn’t want Gu Jin Chao to know.

Gu Jin Chao grabbed his sleeve and asked softly: “Will it be dangerous?”

She remembered that he would be assassinated but couldn’t recall exactly by whom, estimating it would be just a few months later. The events were too distant, and she didn’t remember very clearly.

Chen Yan Yun waved for all the maids and servants to withdraw. After everyone had left, he picked her up and walked toward the crimson silk curtains: “You’ve also had a tiring day. It’s better to rest early.”

Gu Jin Chao was held steadily in his arms, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Seeing the color of the crimson silk curtains, she was reminded of their intimate moments, the low-hanging curtains in alluring colors, and him holding her like this… She hurriedly said, “You… you’re also tired today!” Such matters could just be forgotten.

Chen Yan Yun laughed: “Why are you in such a hurry? I truly meant for you to rest.” He pulled back the bedding and placed her on the bed.

Gu Jin Chao remained silent for a moment, then silently turned away without speaking. She had originally wanted to express concern for him… but never mind!

Was she angry? Or just embarrassed?

Chen Yan Yun turned her body back toward him, facing him, and found that Gu Jin Chao still had her eyes closed, ignoring him.

He said helplessly: “Jin Chao, are you being childish?”

Gu Jin Chao heard his voice but didn’t respond. She wasn’t being childish; she just didn’t feel like talking.

Chen Yan Yun, however, was convinced she was being childish and leaned down to kiss her face repeatedly. Their exhaled breaths mingled, and she could smell his scent… His slightly warm lips lightly touched her lips, pausing briefly before he whispered, “Jin Chao… please say something.” He couldn’t continue kissing her; his body was growing restless.

Gu Jin Chao saw his deep, dark eyes, seemingly even more focused than usual… She said softly, “You should sleep early,” but was startled by the hoarseness in her voice. She turned her head away, pushed him back, and retreated into the bedding.

Third Master Chen allowed her to hide, raising his hand to adjust his collar: “You sleep first. I still have some matters to attend to, but I’ll come back shortly.” Seeing her lying inside without speaking, the bedding rose like it was hiding some animal. He smiled faintly, lowered the silk curtains, and walked out.

Gu Jin Chao covered her ears with the blanket, her heartbeat taking a long time to calm down. She seemed to be growing increasingly emotional when facing Third Master Chen. Experience from both lifetimes told her this was dangerous; being emotional made her prone to mistakes. Perhaps it was because Third Master Chen was too indulgent with her, and over time, she inevitably relaxed.

She quietly thought about what Third Master Chen had said. He had only vaguely revealed his intention to clean up the forces in the Grand Secretariat, but she understood clearly. Third Master Chen probably couldn’t tolerate Wang Xuan Fan anymore; in her previous life, Wang Xuan Fan had also been defeated by the Third Master.

Thinking about it now, it was truly strange. In her previous life, Third Master Chen had no opponents in court. As the Minister of Revenue, why would he be sent to Sichuan to suppress bandits? With skilled guards around him and his self-protection abilities, how did he die in Sichuan?

Moreover, after his death, the impact on the Chen family wasn’t significant. Later, after Old Madam Chen died, the Chen family was divided. After Second Master Chen separated, he was no longer associated with the Third House, and Chen Xuan Qing almost became mortal enemies with Fourth Master Chen.

It was indeed very strange.

As she dozed off thinking about these matters, Jin Chao gradually fell asleep, unconsciously feeling someone embracing her from behind.

By the second day, Chen Xi’s fever had completely subsided.

Jin Chao had the small kitchen make her an exquisite plate of rabbit-shaped steamed buns, which she indeed loved. She was reluctant to eat them, hesitating for a long time before finally biting off a rabbit’s ear.

Madam Qin and Madam Wang came together to see her, expressing their concern. Shortly after, Madam Ge also arrived, bringing pine nut candy and chestnut cakes for Chen Xi.

Jin Chao had servants place these on porcelain plates on the kang table for everyone to enjoy.

Seeing Madam Ge arrive, Madam Qin said to Jin Chao: “Third Sister-in-law, as we were talking… I just remembered I have something to do. I’ll have to come again another day.” She then bid farewell to Chen Xi and left with her maids and servants.

Madam Ge’s expression darkened somewhat.

Madam Wang, however, picked up a chestnut cake to eat and smiled at Madam Ge: “The taste is so sweet. Sixth Sister-in-law, did you add sugar frosting or honey?”

Madam Ge smiled with difficulty: “I added honey.”

Madam Wang said: “I usually add sugar frosting; no wonder mine isn’t this sweet. I must learn properly from you how to make it.” She thus covered up the awkwardness.

Jin Chao watched from the side, thinking that Madam Wang was indeed diplomatic, a person who offended no one.