It was Third Master Chen’s first day returning to the morning court.

Jinchao rose early to help him dress. The court attire was too complicated for him to manage alone.

After securing the rhinoceros leather belt and ornamental ribbons, Third Master Chen handled the rest himself, unhurriedly fastening his collar and arranging his sleeves. He noticed Jinchao leaning against the daybed, nearly falling asleep. He carried her back to bed, and she didn’t even notice, hugging the blanket and continuing to sleep.

Third Master Chen lowered the bed curtains, picked up the six-ridged official hat from the large red lacquered tray, and walked out. Chen Yi was already waiting for him outside.

White marble steps, vermilion walls with yellow glazed tiles, golden dragon and phoenix ornaments, three-way six-patterned lattice doors and windows, with four gilded incense burners set in front.

Even after two months away, Qianqing Palace remained as magnificent as ever.

The Imperial Tutor was now Academy Chancellor High Minister Gao, but the Emperor still occasionally summoned Chen Yanyun to ask him about scholarly matters. Chen Yi waited outside the palace gate while Chen Yanyun entered.

Zhu Junan’s eunuch led him toward the side chamber, saying with a smile: “This way, Minister Chen. His Majesty has transformed the side chamber into a study, saying that he can watch the golden carp in the lotus pond while reading there. The Imperial Consort specifically ordered more fish to be added to the pond, making it quite a sight…”

Unlike the golden brick floors of Qianqing Palace, the side chamber was quite modest. It was furnished with a copper crane lamp stand, a long desk, and a rosewood curio cabinet. The lattice windows were fully open, indeed offering a view of the lotus pond in the small garden.

Zhu Junan smiled broadly upon seeing him: “It’s been a long time, Minister Chen!” He invited him to sit.

Chen Yanyun replied: “This humble official was merely resting due to injury for a few days and now has mostly recovered.”

Zhu Junan nodded: “I heard from Minister Zhang that you were wounded by an arrow… Has Minister Zhang not come?”

“Perhaps Minister Zhang has important matters to attend to,” Chen Yanyun said with a faint smile.

Zhu Junan looked disappointed: “He used to visit me frequently, but now I only see Minister Zhang during morning court. Ye Xian recently got married and cannot come to keep me company either… The palace people are all very dull, and not as fun as Ye Xian! Last time, Ye Xian gave me a parrot that could recite the Analects. I liked it very much, but unfortunately, it died after a few days. Otherwise, I could have shown it to you.”

Speaking of Ye Xian, Zhu Junan had endless things to say: “He’s a very interesting person and even keeps snakes. Last time, he secretly brought one to show me in his sleeve—bright green. It startled Minister Gao… who then went to complain to the Marquis of Changxing’s wife!”

“Does Your Majesty often interact with the heir apparent?” Chen Yanyun asked.

Zhu Junan nodded: “He is the Imperial Consort’s brother and Minister Gao’s grandson, so he often comes to keep me company.” He then showed Chen Yanyun an essay he had written a few days ago about governing through non-interference. Chen Yanyun thought the topic was too advanced—Zhu Junan was only fourteen and couldn’t understand these concepts, so he tactfully advised him, “Your Majesty might benefit from reading more of the ‘Four Books Commentary,’ which applies to governance and serving the people.”

Zhu Junan looked at him with confusion: “Isn’t Minister Zhang responsible for governance and serving the people? Why would I need to do that?”

Chen Yanyun smiled: “The time will come when it’s needed.” Though he said this, Chen Yanyun couldn’t be certain that when that time came, Zhang Julian would be willing to relinquish power. The taste of being second only to one person and above ten thousand others was too sweet.

At this point, a palace attendant entered to report that the heir of the Marquis of Changxing had arrived.

Zhu Junan was delighted and ordered him to be shown in. Chen Yanyun took his leave.

He encountered Ye Xian on his way out.

Ye Xian had changed into court attire, wearing a jade-white over-robe. He seemed to particularly favor these loose, flowing clothes, with the black sash fluttering elegantly. His expression was mild, his complexion fair as jade, lips red and teeth white, his frame slender—he had the bearing of a noble family’s young master.

Ye Xian smiled: “Minister Chen! I heard you were ambushed recently and nearly lost your life. Are you well now?”

Though Ye Xian’s official rank was lower than his, he had long been named heir apparent. In terms of status, he was not inferior.

“Thank you for your concern, Heir Apparent. It was my good fortune to return from the gates of death,” Chen Yanyun replied.

Ye Xian sighed: “That’s truly a pity…” These words could easily be misinterpreted, so he quickly added, “It’s a pity that a Cabinet Elder who works so hard for the country and people should be harmed by villains. Fortunately, the villains that the Elder wanted to eliminate have been dealt with; otherwise, it would not have been worthwhile.”

Chen Yanyun said calmly: “If it’s for the country and the people, even being injured is worthwhile. I haven’t yet congratulated the Heir Apparent on his recent marriage. Why didn’t you send me an invitation card for your wedding? I would have liked to send a gift.”

“I was afraid the Elder was too busy and didn’t want to disturb you,” Ye Xian said slowly. “I heard that the Elder’s wife is with child, and your eldest son has just married—that’s a double blessing. My event hardly compares.”

Ye Xian typically wasn’t talkative, but once he spoke, he was acerbic and acerbic in a subtle way.

The officials were generally careful not to associate with the Heir of the Marquis of Changxing and tried to avoid offending him.

Chen Yanyun didn’t know what he had done to provoke him, but he didn’t want to dwell on it. He said, “The Heir Apparent should go in now; His Majesty will be waiting. I have matters to attend to and won’t keep you any longer.”

With a cupped-hand salute, he left with Chen Yi following.

Ye Xian stood silently in place for a moment.

He wondered what Jinchao looked like with her pregnant belly… and what she would look like lulling a child to sleep.

When he heard that Chen Yanyun had been attacked, he felt somewhat happy. Although he knew there was a strong possibility that the old fox Chen Yanyun had orchestrated the assassination attempt himself, he still had hoped for his death… hoped that Gu Jinchao would find herself in a helpless situation.

A palace attendant came to hurry him, and Ye Xian finally entered the side chamber.

…

Having just married Chen Xuanqing, Yu Wanxue came to pay respects to Jinchao every day.

Chen Xuanqing didn’t need to come, but she couldn’t avoid it.

Following the custom of training daughters-in-law, Gu Jinchao was expected to discipline Yu Wanxue. Madam Qin had even given her advice: “Newly married daughters-in-law are usually quite spoiled, having been pampered as young ladies, and often lack proper manners now. Have her serve you daily at meals and when dressing, or at least stand by to receive your instructions. When they do something wrong, you must scold them without showing leniency… After a few months, they will become obedient.” She added that she had trained her three daughters-in-law in this manner.

Gu Jinchao merely smiled and nodded without indicating agreement or disagreement. In her heart, she thought that sons and daughters-in-law were quite different—sons could be disciplined with the rod, but daughters-in-law remembered clearly how you treated them, both the good and the bad.

Qingpu was already preparing for her marriage, so during this time, Jinchao let her rest, with Caifu and Xiuqu attending her instead.

Caifu had just helped her wash her face and hands and apply fragrance when Yu Wanxue arrived.

Gu Jinchao pointed to a stool for her to sit: “…In a while, we’ll go pay our respects to the Lady.”

Yu Wanxue was dressed simply in a white jacket with vermilion borders, her hair in a neat bun. Without makeup, she looked fresh and attractive.

When the maids brought breakfast, Yu Wanxue served her noodles.

The kitchen had prepared noodles with various toppings—pickled bamboo shoots, stewed duck meat, and diced carrots and cucumbers. Jinchao asked for another bowl and asked her: “Which toppings do you prefer?”

Yu Wanxue shook her head: “Daughter-in-law has already eaten. Please enjoy your meal.”

Gu Jinchao was surprised and frowned, asking: “What time did you get up?”

“At the mao hour… Daughter-in-law has always risen at this time at home. Mother would prepare medicine for Grandmother at this hour, and I would help watch the fire. I’m accustomed to it,” Yu Wanxue explained, fearing misunderstanding.

Gu Jinchao had no intention of changing her routine. In her previous life, Yu Wanxue had also risen very early, seemingly always maintaining this habit.

Seeing that Yu Wanxue still appeared tense, she realized the girl was uncomfortable and said nothing more.

After a while, Chen Xi arrived.

She had met Yu Wanxue on the day of the family introductions, but with so many people present, they hadn’t spoken much.

Chen Xi softly addressed Yu Wanxue as “Seventh Sister-in-law” and sat behind Jinchao. Though somewhat shy, she couldn’t help peering out to observe this new sister-in-law.

Yu Wanxue smiled and greeted her: “Xi’s hairband is very pretty. I loved such things when I was young.”

“I have two more pairs. If Seventh Sister-in-law likes them, I can give you a pair…” Chen Xi said softly.

She loved hairbands and had three pairs inlaid with pearls. Nurse An liked to use them when styling her hair into various buns.

Jinchao teased her: “Your Seventh Sister-in-law no longer needs hairbands. You might give her something else instead. I think your golden cicada headdress is quite beautiful…”

Chen Xi treasured a golden cicada headdress where the cicadas looked lifelike, with wings so thin they were transparent.

Chen Xi looked at Gu Jinchao with a pitiful expression, her small hands clutching her clothes: “Or… I have a pair of gold bracelets…”

Both Jinchao and Yu Wanxue laughed, and Yu Wanxue quickly assured her: “Don’t worry, little Xi. Seventh Sister-in-law doesn’t want your golden cicadas.”

After chatting for a while, Gu Jinchao led them toward Tanshan Court.

Yu Wanxue couldn’t help looking around. The Chen estate was so vast that in her several trips to and from Tanshan Court, she had only glimpsed it briefly. She had heard there were many more scenic spots—the tall bamboo groves at Half Bamboo Slope, the extensive plum tree groves on the back hillside…

Gu Jinchao noticed her looking around and said: “If you want to see more, I can accompany you for a tour afterward…”

Yu Wanxue quickly shook her head: “You’re with child. How could I let you accompany me… I’m just looking casually.” She pointed to a pavilion shaded by phoenix trees. “That pavilion looks unusual. The flying eaves are beautifully painted, and they use yellow, green, and purple glazed tiles…”

Jinchao explained: “That’s the Eight Trigrams Pavilion. It has geomantic significance. Its construction was quite elaborate…”

Looking more carefully, she noticed someone outside the pavilion.

It was too far to see, just a slender silhouette that appeared to be a child, hiding in the flower beds outside the pavilion.

Chen Xi saw this too and tugged at Jinchao’s sleeve. Gu Jinchao signaled her to remain quiet and called Sun Mama over, saying softly: “Go see who’s there.” Who would be out in the cold morning without any maids or servants accompanying them?

Yu Wanxue was puzzled but said nothing.

Sun Mama approached quietly, but the person quickly sensed her presence. Immediately, they darted away, running toward the Taihu rocks.

Gu Jinchao watched as a figure quickly disappeared into the Taihu rocks as if through a hole, hiding and not emerging again.

But she had seen enough—it was a child.