After Third Master Chen left, Jinchao continued reviewing the account books.

As the sky gradually darkened, Qingpu brought in a candlestick.

Jinchao stopped her to talk, setting the account books aside: “…Sit down, let’s talk slowly.” She asked the other maids to withdraw first.

Qingpu was somewhat puzzled but obediently pulled over a stool. Jinchao’s expression was serene, which made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

“A few days ago, Second Madam released two maids who had come of age, Baifu and Baizhi, both seventeen years old. Second Madam also gave each of them ten taels of silver and a pair of pure gold bracelets for their dowries, marrying them into decent families. I see that you’re almost twenty this year, well past the suitable age for leaving the household…” Jinchao sighed, “Previously, I was holding you back. You can’t serve me for your entire life. Why don’t I find someone suitable for you… I just don’t know if you have any plans.”

Qingpu remained silent for a long time after hearing this. She had thought about marriage, but only in passing. Someone like her couldn’t find a good family, so it was better to continue serving her mistress. But if she didn’t marry… she knew what others said behind her back. She asked softly: “Madam… do you feel that my service has been inadequate?”

Gu Jinchao shook her head with a smile: “I’m afraid others will say I’m being harsh! Besides, if you’re willing, you can continue to serve me after marriage. How could I find fault with you? You’ve grown up by my side; I just want you to have a good life.”

Qingpu felt much more at ease after hearing this and revealed a smile: “Serving Madam, I already live very well. I don’t have any other desires…” Thinking about getting married, she still felt somewhat awkward, not understanding her feelings.

Jinchao had long wanted to find a good match for Qingpu. With Qingpu so old and still unmarried, others might not say anything to her face as the chief maid, but they would gossip privately. Just like the words Wang Mama had said about Qingpu before, full of contempt. No matter how good a woman was, if she reached a certain age without marrying, people would have opinions. Moreover, Jinchao didn’t want her to be dependent in her old age.

Hearing that she wasn’t opposed, Jinchao smiled and asked: “Think about what kind of person would be suitable—one of my attendants or a shopkeeper’s son, or the son of a guard or steward in this compound… is there anyone you find favorable?” Realizing she wasn’t familiar with her attendants, she added, “Perhaps I can have Manager Luo select appropriate candidates and send over a register…”

Qingpu’s face reddened at these words: “Madam, how could I have such honor!”

To think she would be allowed to choose…

Jinchao smiled: “It’s fine, nothing is decided yet. We also need to ask the other party’s intentions. You’re my maid, how could you not have such honor?”

She then called Xiuqu in and asked her to find Madam Tong to come for a talk.

All the maids knew that Qingpu was to be married and were very happy for her. Qingpu herself didn’t feel that way; having been accustomed to solitude, she found it somewhat uncomfortable.

Among those managing the Third Household, most were Third Master’s people, so suitable matches were few. If Qingpu wanted to continue serving at her side in the future, it would be better to match her with someone from the household. Matching her with a farm overseer or shopkeeper’s son would be inconvenient.

Jinchao thought of Lin Yuanshan, who had previously spoken with Qingpu.

She first had Madam Tong send a message to Luo Yongping, giving her the organized account books to store in the study.

Soon, Third Master Chen returned.

“Jinchao… I want to discuss something with you.” Third Master Chen asked her to sit down, his tone gentle.

Gu Jinchao happened to have something to tell him too, so she sat down as instructed, looking at him curiously.

The matter Jiang Yan came to report must have been court affairs. Could it be that the Third Master was now willing to share these matters with her? Jinchao thought this unlikely.

Third Master Chen said: “It concerns the Gu family. Your Second Uncle, Gu Deyuan… has been suspended and detained for embezzlement. Though not yet sentenced, people from the Censorate and the Court of Judicature are already investigating him.”

Gu Deyuan himself was a Right Assistant Censor-in-Chief—how could he steal what he was meant to guard?

Gu Jinchao suddenly recalled when she had eavesdropped on Gu Deyuan and Madam Feng talking, and Madam Feng asking if he had ‘taken silver from the Vice Prefect.’ Gu Deyuan was certainly not clean—had he been exposed?

But why was Third Master Chen telling her this?

Third Master Chen continued: “When Gu Deyuan first sensed trouble, he had someone bring me a letter, asking me to protect him…” He usually didn’t involve himself in such matters, but since this person was Gu Jinchao’s second uncle, he thought it better to inform her.

He asked her to sit beside him and said: “Jinchao, when I visited the Gu family before, I felt they didn’t treat you well. Your second uncle often sent me gifts, many of them precious items, which I returned… But since your pregnancy until now, the Gu family hasn’t sent even one person over.”

Was he holding a grudge for her? Gu Jinchao looked up at him.

Third Master Chen smiled: “I’ve investigated your family and know how my father-in-law distributed everything. I know how they treated you after you returned home. Before you married me, you weren’t valued in the Gu family; even your chief maid was almost married off casually. Isn’t that right?”

Gu Jinchao was silent for a moment. Indeed, her life hadn’t been good. When her mother was alive, she had to deal with Concubine Song. After her mother died and she returned to the Gu family, she had to carefully please Madam Feng. After marrying the Third Master, her life became so comfortable that those past hardships seemed insignificant.

Third Master Chen, thinking of all she had suffered, couldn’t help but feel tenderness for her. He still remembered the girl crying on that snowy day. Now she sat safely beside him, under his protection, and carrying his child. She would never be bullied again. He couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms and continued: “I don’t intend to dwell on past matters, but I don’t much like them either.” He lowered his head to ask her, “But I want to know your thoughts. If I ignore this situation, will you be angry?”

He disliked those who treated Gu Jinchao poorly, but if she wished to honor family ties and wanted him to help, he wouldn’t object.

Gu Jinchao shook her head, feeling his embrace was warm and secure.

The storms of the outside world were all kept at bay.

In her previous life, the Gu family had nearly collapsed, yet she and her father had remained unharmed. Thinking about it now, if the Third Master hadn’t secretly assisted, it wouldn’t have been possible.

She wasn’t a particularly kind person and had no thoughts of returning evil with good. Nor did she want the Third Master to shield someone who was clearly at fault. In her previous life, what he had done for Zhang Julian had nearly ruined his reputation, and she didn’t want to see that happen again. Third Master Chen, though not a benevolent person, had principles and self-respect. For both emotional and rational reasons, she had no intention of asking the Third Master to protect Gu Deyuan.

Jinchao hesitated for a moment, then reached out to embrace his waist, feeling his body stiffen. She realized that they were both the same, sensitive to each other’s touch. She said to him: “Third Master, please do as you think best. If Second Uncle truly has done wrong, he should bear the consequences. I agree with that.”

Her voice became slightly lower: “Actually, when I was in the Gu family, I barely ever spoke with Second Uncle…” Gu Deyuan would never have shown a good face to someone he considered a parasite.

Third Master Chen began to smile. If Jinchao had truly asked for his help, it would indeed have been troublesome. He was pleased by their rare agreement.

He said softly: “Jinchao, hold on tight.”

Before Jinchao could react, he lifted her horizontally.

She gasped in surprise, holding tightly to his waist: “Third Master… what, what are you doing?” She still hadn’t discussed Qingpu’s matter with the Third Master, and they hadn’t even had dinner yet.

“Don’t be afraid, it won’t take long.” After reassuring her, Third Master Chen carried her toward the bed curtains.

The two were having a private conversation, so there were no maids in the inner chamber. Hearing the commotion, Caifu gently closed the door panels.

People say that during the honeymoon, couples can hardly bear to be apart. Third Master had been considerate of her inexperience in intimate matters; most nights they just slept properly. After a month, she had finally adjusted and could respond to him. Then she became pregnant, and they had to postpone such activities.

Jinchao felt this wasn’t good either. When he bent down to kiss her, she responded obediently.

His hot, large hand moved along her body, his rough fingertips pressing against her snow-white skin. This was where he normally held his brush… but now he was holding her there… What should have been refined and pure was now pervaded by desire.

Gu Jinchao’s body softened completely; when he pressed down, she couldn’t help but tremble slightly.

Afraid of crushing her, he propped himself up with one hand. His head buried in her neck, his breath hot, feeling her trembling, he couldn’t help saying: “Jinchao, don’t move…” He still had to control himself to avoid harming the child; he couldn’t bear any more provocation.

Gu Jinchao said softly: “I can’t help it…” Feeling the thing pressed against her waist, ready and so hot, how could she not be nervous?

He sighed helplessly, having no choice but to reach down with his hand, quickly stirring her emotions…

Half a shichen later, they called for the maids to bring in hot water. Jinchao, fully dressed, thought of the recent scene and couldn’t help thinking that there truly was a solution for everything. It really wouldn’t harm the child—who on earth had come up with these methods?

Seeing that Third Master Chen had changed into a gray-blue straight robe and resumed his cultured and elegant appearance, Gu Jinchao kept thinking of the recent scene, of the sturdy arm propped beside her… She averted her gaze, afraid to look at him, thinking that this man, so properly dressed, was also…

“Are you hungry?” Third Master Chen asked her. Seeing her staring at a flower vase without speaking, he smiled, “Are you angry?”

Jinchao took a deep breath: “…I wouldn’t dare.”

He picked up his chopsticks and served her nearly half a bowl of food, “Then eat quickly, don’t go hungry.”

They were having dinner half a shichen later than usual, and now there were two of them eating—what if they went hungry?

Gu Jinchao obediently picked up her chopsticks, seeing Caifu opposite her with a lowered head and a smile at the corners of her mouth. All the maids in the room were the same. Feeling embarrassed, as these people served her daily… she asked the maids to withdraw first and discussed Qingpu’s matter with Third Master Chen.

“…I want to find a good match for Qingpu, preferably someone within the Chen family. She is my most valued maid, having accompanied me since childhood. Please see if there might be a suitable candidate. Nothing else matters except that he treats Qingpu well…”