Jin Chao returned to the main room, where only a few maids were doing needlework under the corridor.

The rain was still drizzling outside. Jin Chao closed her umbrella, and Qing Pu took it from her, saying, “The Third Master is in the bathroom.”

Gu Jin Chao opened the bathroom door and discovered Third Master Chen with his robust upper body bare, changing his clothes.

He turned around to look at Gu Jin Chao with surprise.

In the candlelight, Gu Jin Chao saw several faint marks on Third Master Chen’s chest. She couldn’t help but blush, saying, “I… didn’t know you were changing clothes.”

Third Master Chen nodded and handed her the inner garment from the clothes rack.

“I didn’t have an umbrella when I returned. Coming in from the Osmanthus Hall entrance, I was soaked after just a few steps.” He looked at Gu Jin Chao and said softly, “Come, help me change.”

Gu Jin Chao took his clothes and shook them open, thinking that although she often helped him dress, it was usually when he was already wearing his inner garment. Since she was helping him dress… it should all be the same.

Third Master Chen spread his arms, waiting for her to dress him. Gu Jin Chao felt somewhat embarrassed, her eyes glancing downward.

After a while, Third Master Chen finally said, “Gu Jin Chao… you tied the sash wrong.”

Gu Jin Chao looked up and saw that the sash was perfectly tied. She was puzzled; wasn’t it tied properly?

But Third Master Chen smiled at her: “I was just teasing you… what are you afraid of? You still don’t dare to look at me. Before was one thing…” He leaned down and whispered, “But now you still don’t dare to look?”

Gu Jin Chao took a deep breath and smiled, “It’s just that there’s nothing much to see.”

Third Master Chen put on his straight robe himself and asked her, “Really?”

Gu Jin Chao nodded, “Really.”

Third Master Chen raised his hand and fastened his collar, “Well then, tonight you can look more carefully and think about whether you’ve seen wrong.”

Look more carefully… what did that mean? Gu Jin Chao said, “I just went to see Xi and finally coaxed her to sleep. I promised to sleep with her tonight. After telling you what I needed to, I have to go back.”

Third Master Chen was silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.

“…I’ve been very busy these days. Don’t wait up too late for me.” Once when he returned, he found her asleep on the arhat bed and had to carry her to the proper bed.

Gu Jin Chao wanted to tell Third Master Chen about the assassination attempt, but it was difficult to know how to say it.

Third Master Chen sat on the arhat bed and drank a cup of clear tea. Wearing a scholar’s straight robe, his features were gentle, as if he were just an ordinary scholar, not a Cabinet Elder, far removed from court disputes.

Gu Jin Chao sat beside him and poured tea for him. After a while, she finally spoke, “Third Master…”

“Hmm, what is it?” Third Master Chen didn’t look up, continuing to read the book in his hand.

Jin Chao said, “What have you been busy with lately? You’re always leaving early and returning late. If something is troubling you, you can talk to me about it.”

Third Master Chen smiled, “It’s just some court affairs. What good would it do to tell you? You wouldn’t understand, and it would only trouble you as well.” Feeling she was overthinking, Third Master Chen closed his book and patiently told her, “There’s nothing difficult, don’t worry.”

Third Master Chen was a man of strong principles. If he felt something was inappropriate for Gu Jin Chao to be involved in, or even to know about, he wouldn’t tell her. He thought this was a form of protection for Jin Chao, but Gu Jin Chao found it somewhat frustrating.

She said, “I’ve been feeling uneasy lately, always feeling like something might happen. You should be more careful and keep your guards close…”

Chen Yan Yun smiled with a sigh, beckoning her to sit beside him. Stroking her hair, he said, “If you have nothing to do, visit Mother more often and chat with your sisters-in-law. Don’t let your little mind wander and scare yourself. Understand?”

But Gu Jin Chao said earnestly, “When Buddha wanted to impart teachings to Dao Lin, he appeared in his dream as a mountain spirit, saying, ‘Move to Cold Stone Mountain in Zhang’an County, and I will offer you a room.’ Later, Dao Lin spread the Buddhist teachings, built a temple, and lived in seclusion on the mountain until he was one hundred and ten years old. Last night, Buddha also appeared in my dream, saying that the world is now difficult, and there might be treacherous people seeking harm. I’ve been restless all day…”

Now she could only speak in Buddha’s name.

Chen Yan Yun was silent for a long time, then pulled her into his embrace. “Hmm, I understand what Buddha told you.” He lowered his head to comfort her, “I always keep my guards close. Besides… how could I bear to die?”

Gu Jin Chao felt slightly relieved in her heart. Having said this, Third Master Chen should be more vigilant.

He continued to hold her and picked up his book to read again.

Gu Jin Chao lay in Third Master Chen’s arms and saw that he was reading a book about river dredging. She slowly closed her eyes; it was good to rest quietly like this for a moment.

Seeing she had fallen asleep, Third Master Chen’s movements became gentler. He gazed at her sleeping face for a long time, unblinking.

After a while, he beckoned a maid to bring his cloak and cover her with it.

Jin Chao woke up from her nap, and Third Master Chen was still reading. The candle had already burned halfway down. She sat up in surprise; she had intended to go sleep with Xi but had fallen asleep as soon as she closed her eyes… Third Master Chen casually rubbed his sore arm and said, “Seeing you sleeping so soundly, I didn’t have the heart to wake you… Go quickly now; I’m going to sleep too.” He put down the book and walked toward the inner chamber. Soon, the maids came to lower the bed curtains.

When Xi woke up, she indeed found Jin Chao sleeping in her bed. She lingered in Jin Chao’s arms for quite a while before getting up.

Jin Chao dressed her and lifted her. Chen Xi seemed very happy, pulling her hand and saying, “Mother, will you do my hair? I want a double bun hairstyle and a pearl headband.”

Jin Chao smiled and said, “Let’s not wear the pearl headband today. How about wearing jasmine flowers instead? Your hair will be fragrant with tea scent.”

She asked the maid to pick jasmine flowers; she had light green pearl jasmine growing in her flower garden.

After breakfast of egg pockets and trough cakes, Jin Chao took Chen Xi to pay respects to Old Madam Chen.

Old Madam Chen looked at the flowers in Chen Xi’s hair with surprise and said to her, “Not only does it look good, but your mother was even willing to pick pearl jasmines for your hair. To put it nicely, it’s because she loves you; to put it less kindly, it’s like ruthlessly destroying flowers without appreciating their elegance.”

Chen Xi smiled bashfully, and everyone laughed.

Today, Old Madam Chen had invited ladies from several friendly families to watch opera, engaging the Deyin Society troupe. The estate already had a ready-made stage at Half Bamboo Bank. Madam Qin had already made preparations in advance. Behind Half Bamboo Bank was a pavilion where circle chairs and nanmu tables had been set up facing the stage. Tea and snacks were also arranged, and several pots of black bamboo had been moved in to set the mood.

Old Madam Chen was very satisfied with the arrangements and praised Madam Qin for her attention to detail.

Soon, the two Madam Wus and Old Madam Wu, along with Old Madam Chang of the Duke Zheng’s Mansion and her three daughters-in-law arrived. Old Madam Wu and Old Madam Chang sat with Old Madam Chen, while the younger generation of wives gathered with Madam Sun. Zhou Yi Xuan sat beside Chen Zhao, keeping her company.

The opera troupe came to pay respects to Old Madam Chen, who first rewarded them with ten taels of silver, as a treat for the troupe members to have tea.

Just as everyone was seated, Nanny Zheng came over and told Old Madam Chen, “…Madam Yu has arrived.”

Old Madam Chang turned to ask Old Madam Chen, “Is this the Yu family with whom you’ve arranged a marriage alliance?”

Old Madam Chen nodded with a smile, “The last time I saw Madam Yu was at the Duke Ding’s Mansion. It’s been almost half a year since we’ve met. It’s good to invite her over for a gathering.” She then called Jin Chao over and said, “Madam Yu has already reached the Drooping Flower Gate. Go and welcome Madam Yu and the Yu family’s young lady.”

Madam Qin, who was sitting beside Old Madam Chen, froze her smile upon hearing this.

By rights, the task of welcoming guests should have fallen to her.

Gu Jin Chao quickly realized that this was about meeting her future in-laws.

Old Madam Chen pulled her to her side and lowered her voice, “Take a good look at this Miss Yu; she will be marrying Xuan Qing in the future…”

Jin Chao smiled and replied, “Your daughter-in-law understands.”

Old Madam Chen was somewhat gratified, “You’re the most sensible; I’m not worried about you. But since you’ve just recently married into the family, Madam Yu might not recognize you. Let your Fifth Sister-in-law go with you.” She then called Madam Wang over to instruct her.

Jin Chao and Madam Wang subsequently took maids and elderly female servants to the Drooping Flower Gate.

Madam Yu was already waiting at the Drooping Flower Gate. Jin Chao could see her from a distance, along with a young lady standing beside her. The young lady had a pure and elegant demeanor, wearing a lake-colored, vase-patterned jacket with an embroidered design and a plain white skirt with decorative stitching. Her hair was arranged in a bun, and though her features still had some childlike innocence, her skin was snow-white, and she was gentle and captivating.

Madam Wang whispered, “That must be Yu Wan Xue… She truly is beautiful.”

The two stepped forward. Madam Yu first noticed Madam Wang, and they exchanged greetings. Madam Yu smiled, “Fifth Madam hasn’t changed at all.”

Madam Wang first introduced Gu Jin Chao to Madam Yu. Madam Yu’s smile was somewhat hesitant.

This young woman looked about the same age as her daughter, yet she had her hair arranged in a married woman’s style, and Madam Wang was introducing herself first… This meant the young woman held a high status. She had originally thought she might be a daughter-in-law of the Chen family’s grandchildren’s generation and hadn’t paid much attention.

Madam Wang then said, “…This is my Third Sister-in-law.”

So she was Third Master Chen’s second wife! Madam Yu was shocked and quickly smiled, “So you’re Third Madam Chen. I apologize for my oversight!” She had heard that Cabinet Elder Third Master Chen had taken a second wife but hadn’t realized it was the person before her.

The only legitimate son of a Cabinet Elder, who had also placed third in the imperial examinations this year and been appointed as an editor in the Hanlin Academy. If not for the arrangement made by Old Madam Yu’s generation in earlier years, this marriage alliance with the Chen family would probably never have fallen to Yu Wan Xue… Although the Yu family was also a prestigious household, this marriage was a step up for them. So when Old Madam Chen sent a letter asking her to bring her daughter to watch the opera, Madam Yu had made thorough preparations before bringing Yu Wan Xue. If this marriage were to go through, Yu Wan Xue would be marrying up. It would be beneficial for the Yu family.

“Wan Xue, come and meet Third Madam Chen…” Madam Yu turned and pulled Yu Wan Xue forward.

Yu Wan Xue stepped forward, smiling and curtsying to Jin Chao and Madam Wang, very gentle and polite.

Gu Jin Chao looked her over a few times. Apart from her appearance still seeming somewhat immature, Yu Wan Xue didn’t differ much from her previous life, still looking as if Jin Chao remembered her.