Soon it was the fifth day of the tenth month.

Jin Chao had instructed Cai Fu to wake her at the beginning of the Tiger Hour (3-5 AM), so Cai Fu didn’t dare sleep deeply. She brought a blanket and dozed outside the latticed door, opening her eyes periodically to check the water clock, ready to enter and wake her mistress when the time came.

Outside the latticed door, the sky was pitch black, but the small kitchen had already started boiling water. Occasionally, the soft voices of servant women could be heard.

Jin Chao could barely open her eyes and was about to get up when Third Master Chen embraced her.

He was very alert, though not fully awake, and rested his head against the side of Jin Chao’s neck, asking softly: “So early, where are you going?”

Jin Chao tried to remove his arm: “I need to oversee the kitchen. It’s time to get up. You should sleep a bit longer…” Third Master Chen didn’t need to rise so early. It wouldn’t be too late for him to get up at the Dragon Hour (7-9 AM) when guests would begin arriving at the outer courtyard. Many high-ranking officials would require Third Master Chen’s attention.

Third Master Chen frowned slightly and asked Cai Fu: “What hour is it?”

Cai Fu replied: “The beginning of the Tiger Hour.”

Jin Chao pushed at his arm: “Let me up, otherwise Second Sister-in-law will arrive first.”

Third Master Chen finally released her and sat up himself. Jin Chao looked at him: “Why are you getting up?”

“I need to be up in an hour anyway, so I might as well get up with you.” Since she would be busy, Third Master Chen didn’t ask her to help him dress, but took a straight-collared robe from the clothes rack and put it on himself. Later he would need to return and change into his second-rank official uniform to receive guests.

The maids entered in sequence, carrying several red vests. Jin Chao hesitated between the light red and the crimson, thinking that she was young and wearing light red might make her appear too youthful. She chose the crimson vest, and when styling her hair, instructed the maid to fashion a peony bun. The peony bun was elaborate, something she usually disliked, but today it was necessary. For hair ornaments, she wore a gold filigree tourmaline hairpin and gold hair flowers. When she finished dressing, she felt she looked a few years older, which pleased her.

Third Master Chen came out of the washroom, and Jin Chao turned to ask him: “How do I look? Dignified enough?”

Third Master Chen shook his head, smiling without speaking.

He walked to Jin Chao’s side, and the maids naturally stepped back. He took her box of lip rouge and sat at an angle on her dressing table. “Look up,” he said softly. Jin Chao raised her head to look at him as he dipped a fine brush in the rouge and gently applied it to her lips.

The lip rouge he chose was made from rose juice. While not bright in color, it was very becoming.

Third Master Chen put down the lip rouge and said: “Let me accompany you.” She had never managed these affairs before, and he worried about her inexperience.

Jin Chao shook her head: “You cannot go. A gentleman stays away from the kitchen.” How could she possibly let Third Master Chen go with her?

Third Master Chen smiled: “I am hardly a gentleman…” But thinking about it, he realized it would indeed be inconvenient for her if he went along. He didn’t insist, but changed his approach: “Then take Mama Sun with you.” He called Mama Sun in and instructed her: “The Madam is with child now and cannot be too tired. You must watch over her carefully.”

Jin Chao said with a wry smile: “Third Master, I’m not that delicate.”

Third Master Chen stroked her hair and said: “Right now, you are that delicate. I don’t want you to go…” He paused, “Never mind, I’ll come check on you at noon. If you encounter any difficulties, send someone to tell me, understand?”

Gu Jin Chao nodded. By the time she left, it was already the end of the Chen Hour (7-9 AM).

When she arrived at the outer courtyard kitchen with her group of maids and servant women, Madam Qin was already there.

The main kitchen in the outer courtyard was a building with three rooms and seven rafters. Madam Qin was dressed magnificently in a bright red gold-woven vest, with two pairs of gold longevity hairpins, and ruby cluster grape-shaped earrings. She was sitting in a round-backed armchair outside the corridor, drinking tea and listening to the steward speak to her, surrounded by a large group of people. Seeing Gu Jin Chao arrive, Madam Qin was somewhat surprised.

She had thought Gu Jin Chao wouldn’t know the proper customs for managing a wedding feast and would sleep until the Dragon Hour (7-9 AM).

“Quickly bring a chair for Third Madam,” Madam Qin instructed a servant woman beside her, then took Jin Chao’s hand to sit her down, smiling as she said, “It’s hard on you to come so early while pregnant. I thought you wouldn’t come, so I’ve already started things here…”

The stewards and servant women around them were from the outer courtyard, and many had never seen Gu Jin Chao before. They all paid their respects to her.

“I just came to observe and learn from Second Sister-in-law,” Jin Chao smiled, asking those who had greeted her to rise, and rewarded them all with red envelopes.

Madam Qin then said: “Well, have a seat first.” She had white fungus soup and pastries brought over for her.

The steward who had been speaking with Madam Qin continued: “For the twenty-four dishes, twelve large and twelve small, the cold dishes, fresh fruits, and dried fruits were prepared days ago. Of the nine hot meat dishes, the braised sea cucumber with scallions is complex, and the sea cucumbers aren’t plump enough yet… If we move it to later, I fear there won’t be enough time. The ham and chicken soup with winter melon and braised mutton need to be served last.”

Madam Qin frowned slightly: “Who’s in charge of the sea cucumbers? Weren’t these things prepared earlier?”

The steward replied sheepishly: “Yesterday we were preparing cold dishes, plus the dried peanuts and fried walnuts, and the kitchen staff weren’t careful enough…”

Madam Qin discussed with several servant women before saying: “Then start cooking now, and add more water when stewing.”

The steward acknowledged the order and left.

The sky gradually brightened, and the kitchen became even busier, with a constant stream of people bringing in and carrying out dishes.

Fortunately, the inner courtyard had its small kitchen; otherwise, the main kitchen in the outer courtyard would certainly be overwhelmed, Gu Jin Chao thought as she looked at the plates of food stacked on the table. She didn’t say much; when Madam Qin asked her to check something, she would help out.

They didn’t need to enter the kitchen itself, as stewards and servant women were supervising inside. Madam Qin only needed to make decisions.

Jin Chao recalled that in her previous life, when Chen Xuanxin got married, she was already managing the household, and it was a similar scene. Chen Xuanxin’s marriage had come suddenly, and she had been much busier then than now. Madam Qin and Madam Ge couldn’t help, Old Madam Chen was unwell, and only Madam Wang had helped her with the ceremonies. She had been run ragged, managing not only the kitchen but also the guests. By the time the newlyweds performed their bows, she had been so exhausted that her body felt like it was falling apart.

A servant woman came in to speak with Madam Qin: “…Madam Lu has arrived with her daughter-in-law.”

Madam Lu’s husband was a colleague of Second Master Chen, and they had a good relationship. Consequently, Madam Qin and Madam Lu were also close.

Madam Qin stood up and smiled at Jin Chao, saying: “I’m afraid I need to go out and see to them. Three sisters-in-law, please watch over things here. If there’s anything you’re uncertain about, send someone to tell me.”

Gu Jin Chao didn’t mind: “Go ahead, Second Sister-in-law. I’ll keep an eye on things here.”

As Madam Qin left the main kitchen with the servant woman, the woman whispered: “Madam, Third Madam has no experience. What if she doesn’t do well? Won’t the Old Madam blame you too?”

“I have to let her try,” Madam Qin said coolly. “If she can’t handle it, I’ll come back and clean up her mess… A mere slip of a girl, how can she shoulder the responsibilities of a household mistress?” If Jin Chao did poorly, it would be better for Old Madam Chen to see who was truly capable. Madam Qin understood Old Madam Chen’s intentions perfectly. Despite her claims of treating legitimate and concubine-born children equally, when it came down to it, she still favored her own son’s wife.

As soon as Madam Qin left, a servant woman immediately came to ask: “Third Madam, there’s no more room for the hot meat dishes. Should we add more tables?”

Gu Jin Chao thought for a moment and asked: “What dishes have been prepared so far?”

The servant woman replied: “The wine-soaked goose feet.”

“Wine-soaked goose feet lose their flavor when cold,” Gu Jin Chao said. “Don’t bring them out yet; keep them in the steamer.”

The servant woman acknowledged and left.

Several more people came to request instructions. Mama Sun initially wanted to step forward and help, but realized there was no need. Jin Chao was calm and orderly, handling matters with clear logic. Her arrangements were well-organized, and she was knowledgeable about kitchen affairs, not even needing to consult Mama Sun.

Jin Chao’s mouth became dry from speaking, so she picked up her teacup for a drink. Several stewards were waiting for her instructions, barely daring to breathe.

Though young in years, this Third Madam Chen was decisive in both words and actions.

When things were nearly settled here, and most of the guests had arrived, Jin Chao gave a few more instructions before heading to the reception hall.

On the way, Mama Sun praised her: “…I had no idea you were so knowledgeable about kitchen matters. I thought you might need my help after Second Madam left.”

Jin Chao smiled: “I learned a bit at home before. I know something, at least.”

Entering the reception hall, she found it filled with guests. Old Madam Chen was sitting in the center, talking with an elderly woman, with Madam Qin attending beside her. Seeing Jin Chao arrive, Old Madam Chen took her hand and introduced her to others.

By noon, dishes were being served in a continuous stream. Old Madam Chen, with a face full of smiles, praised Jin Chao and Madam Qin: “The banquet is excellent!”

Madam Qin smiled and curtsied, saying nothing.

Outside, gongs, drums, and firecrackers were sounding. Servant women were scattering peanuts, longan, and copper coins, with children laughing happily as they picked up the coins. Gu Jin Chao sat by the window, looking outside… wondering where Third Master Chen was dining.

It wasn’t until late afternoon that the bride’s dowry was carried into the Chen household, followed by the bridal procession with its music and fanfare. More firecrackers were set off outside, with the clamor of voices and the sound of gongs and drums creating a lively atmosphere.

Third Master Chen stood by the window of his study, gazing at the festive decorations in the household. The noisy sounds seemed very distant.

Behind him, Jiang Yan said softly: “…I’ve investigated thoroughly. The person who put the drug in those pastries wasn’t Gu Lan, but a maid of Yao Wenxiu… However, Gu Lan has already been locked up by Third Madam Yao, who is convinced she did it. She’s now crying and demanding to see Third Madam Yao, saying she’s innocent, and that she has important information for Third Madam Yao that could save her life…”

Since it had nothing to do with Yao Ping, Third Master Chen wasn’t very concerned.

He turned to look at Jiang Yan and said calmly: “Have you found out about the Madam’s matter?”

Jiang Yan continued: “What I have to report is precisely related to Madam. Madam previously lived in Shi’an, and quite a few people knew her, but much time has passed, and others can’t speak clearly about it… I found a maid who once served the Gu family. That maid has since married and moved far away to Shulu in Baoding. I had to go to considerable trouble to make her talk, before finally learning the truth.”