The old woman moved the kang table from the large heated bed by the window in the east side room and warmed up the kang.

Gu Jin Chao was in the inner chamber grooming and washing, applying fragrant cream.

Chen San Ye came back especially late today, likely because there were too many matters in the cabinet. Jin Chao, now pregnant, grew tired early, curling up on the couch with a hot water bottle while reading, intending to wait for Chen San Ye to return. She yawned several times, so tired that tears came to her eyes.

Cai Fu urged her: “Why don’t you go to sleep first? The kang is already nice and warm. If Third Master comes back and sees you waited so long for him, he might scold you…” While speaking, she had already begun quietly collecting the books Jin Chao was reading.

Gu Jin Chao was too tired to notice and simply nodded. Cai Fu immediately summoned two second-tier maids to help Gu Jin Chao prepare for bed.

Gu Jin Chao had just reached the east side room and removed her outer satin jacket when Chen San Ye returned.

Seeing only Cai Fu in the west side room, Chen San Ye asked her: “Has the Madam gone to bed already?”

Cai Fu answered: “…Madam waited for you for a while, but has just gone to sleep now.”

Chen San Ye’s expression softened somewhat. He waved his hand dismissing her and tiptoed toward the inner chamber, afraid of waking her. He was very quiet even while washing in the bathroom. After washing, he walked to the bed, intending to check if she was sleeping well, but didn’t see anyone there!

Where had she gone?

Chen San Ye called Cai Fu in to ask, and only then learned that Gu Jin Chao had gone to sleep in the east side room. His face darkened as he strode toward the east side room.

Hadn’t he told Gu Jin Chao yesterday that they couldn’t sleep separately? What was she thinking?

Gu Jin Chao had just arranged herself comfortably under the covers when she saw Chen San Ye enter.

He seemed somewhat angry, his face expressionless. The two maids in the east side room quickly paid their respects to him, but Chen San Ye gestured for them to leave first.

“Third Master… what’s the—”

Chen San Ye walked quickly over and without hesitation grabbed her wrist: “Gu Jin Chao.”

Gu Jin Chao was startled. He looked at her expressionlessly, and once he wasn’t smiling, his appearance was truly severe, instilling fear.

“Where did you go today?” he asked.

Gu Jin Chao frowned slightly—his grip was too tight, causing waves of pain in her wrist. She twisted a little. “Today I kept Mother company for a while, then saw Qing Pu out of the mansion… Third Master, what’s wrong?”

But he didn’t loosen his grip at all, just stared at her and demanded: “Why did you move to the east side room by yourself?”

Could it be that he was so angry because she moved out of the inner chamber? Gu Jin Chao thought that unlikely—even if he were angry, he would at most question her a few times, certainly not like this! She rarely saw Chen San Ye like this. “I told you last night… I was afraid of disturbing your rest, so I wanted to sleep in the east side room! Third Master, my hand hurts, please let go first!”

Chen San Ye loosened his grip slightly and took a deep breath inwardly. She had indeed mentioned it yesterday, but he had too many troubling matters on his mind lately. Besides affairs at court, there was also her relationship with Chen Xuan Qing… Just now he instinctively felt…

He sat on the edge of the bed and saw that her wrist had turned red.

“I didn’t agree, yet you dared to move over here on your own. You’re truly bold.” Chen San Ye helped massage her wrist.

Though he said this, Gu Jin Chao knew that Chen San Ye’s inexplicable anger from moments ago had disappeared, and she relaxed. “I originally thought sleeping separately would be better for both of us… Look how late you’re sleeping now. How could I justify disturbing you further?”

Chen San Ye said calmly: “There are already many matters to handle; adding you isn’t much more. You’re not allowed to come here again, otherwise I’ll carry you back every day.”

He picked her up horizontally, bedding and all. Gu Jin Chao was wrapped like a silkworm cocoon, with only her eyes exposed, looking at him.

Chen San Ye carried her back to the inner chamber, and soon he too got into bed. They embraced as they slept.

After a while, Gu Jin Chao said: “Third Master, did something happen today? If your mood isn’t good, you can tell me…”

Chen San Ye closed his eyes. She thought he was directing anger at her because of other matters.

She didn’t blame him, but instead wanted him to confide in her.

What should he say?

Tell her that he suspected his eldest son had feelings for her. That he even suspected she and Chen Xuan Qing still had lingering attachments?

Ever since learning about her previous relationship with Chen Xuan Qing, he had started paying attention, and the more he noticed, the more things seemed wrong. Suspicion, endurance—he feared there would come a day when he couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Just some court matters,” Chen San Ye said softly. “I’m sorry, I lost control for a moment. It’s nothing… go to sleep now.”

What could make him so angry? Gu Jin Chao knew clearly that Chen San Ye was not the type to misdirect his anger, especially not at her. This matter must be related to her and had nothing to do with court affairs…

The two remained silent. Jin Chao lay in Chen San Ye’s arms, but could still feel his heavy thoughts. Because of what just happened, there was an inexplicable barrier between them. After a long while, Gu Jin Chao finally heard Chen San Ye say: “The outer courtyard has a mix of people coming and going. Try to go there less often in the future.”

Gu Jin Chao made a sound of agreement. He lowered his head and kissed her lightly.

She didn’t go to the outer courtyard much, to begin with, so why did Chen San Ye say this?

Gu Jin Chao considered many possibilities in her mind but gradually fell into sleep.

The first snow of the season fell on the second day of the eleventh month.

When Gu Jin Chao woke the next day, everything outside was a blanket of white. Fluffy snow had settled on grass clumps and tree branches. The maids and old women were all happy, collecting snow in pottery jars to use for brewing tea.

When Chen Xuan Yue came to pay his respects, his six-panel winter hat and cloak were covered in snow.

A maid helped him take off his cloak, and only then did Song Ma Ma catch up, panting and smiling: “The Ninth Young Master runs too fast, this servant couldn’t keep up.” She put away the umbrella outside the door.

Chen Xuan Yue had been recovering for half a month and could now speak with people. He pointed at the paper in Jin Chao’s hand and asked unclearly: “Aunt, what’s that?”

He only spoke half sentences, but Gu Jin Chao could understand his meaning.

“This is a letter from home.” Gu Jin Chao tucked the letter into her sleeve and had a maid bring him hot osmanthus branch tea to drink.

This letter came from the Gu family in Daxing. It had been sent half a month ago but only reached her hands now.

The letter was written by her father, briefly mentioning trivial family matters before finally telling her: that Gu Lan had died. She died in the Yao family home. After being discovered for secretly poisoning the mistress of the house, she feared punishment and hanged herself out of guilt.

Gu Jin Chao couldn’t believe it when she first read it. Gu Lan died just like that?

Gu Lan, who had been fighting with her endlessly in both past and present lives, died just like that. She was fine when Concubine Song was in a stupor, fine when she had an affair with Yao Wen Xiu, and even fine when she was nearly strangled to death by Feng Shi. But she hanged herself out of guilt after failing to harm Gu Lian?

This wasn’t like the Gu Lan that Gu Jin Chao knew. The Gu Lan she knew was extremely stubborn and would never commit suicide.

Hearing that she died like this, Gu Jin Chao felt a strange sensation in her heart. She wondered how Concubine Song in Shi’an would feel if she knew her daughter had died. She looked at the snowy scene outside and sighed.

It wasn’t that she found Gu Lan pitiful; rather, she experienced the complex emotions one feels upon hearing of an enemy’s death.

Gu Lan had schemed for half her life, thinking she would enjoy herself once she entered the Yao family, not knowing it was a den of tigers and dragons. If she had honestly married the Zhao scholar’s son back then, she wouldn’t have met such a fate. Even if the Zhao family wasn’t wealthy or prestigious, at least she wouldn’t have worried about food and clothing, and there wouldn’t have been a mistress oppressing her.

Chen Xi also came over, bundled up like a snowball with her little face round and very cute. She now liked her Ninth Brother very much and brought him something every time she visited, whether it was hot chestnuts or dried longan. She found her Ninth Brother appeared indifferent, but was endearingly simple-minded. She brought a nine-linked ring puzzle for Chen Xuan Yue and asked with a smile: “Ninth Brother, do you know how to play this?”

Chen Xuan Yue pulled the nine rings into a complete mess, unable to find where to begin. His strength had improved significantly, and he bit his teeth wanting to tear the thing apart.

Chen Xi quickly took it back, afraid he would damage it. She patiently taught him how to remove the rings.

Jin Chao smiled and invited them over to eat pastries. Although she had asked Chen Xuan Yue to come pay respects every other day to see how the servants treated him, he instead ran over to play every day, staying for half the day once he arrived. Chen Xi now had a playmate.

Chen Xuan Yue had chestnut cake all over his mouth, and Chen Xi laughed at him: “Ninth Brother, you look like a little spotted cat!”

Chen Xuan Yue looked at her blankly, and seeing her just laughing, thought she wanted to snatch his food, so he hurriedly stuffed the remaining cake in his mouth.

Chen Xi laughed so hard that she rolled around on the bed.

Song Ma Ma quickly wiped Chen Xuan Yue’s mouth, and Jin Chao asked her: “How is the Ninth Young Master doing with his studies at Heyanlou?”

Song Ma Ma replied with a smile: “The Ninth Young Master doesn’t complain of tiredness while learning, nor does he throw tantrums. The teacher at Heyanlou says he’s doing very well. The Seventh Young Master also often comes to teach the Ninth Young Master to recognize characters. He can now recognize sixty characters!”

Song Ma Ma’s tone was full of delight, but Jin Chao felt somewhat embarrassed. Chen Xuan Qing had taught him for half a month, and he recognized sixty characters… She wondered if he found it tedious! After all, he was a third-place imperial scholar. Gu Jin Chao asked Song Ma Ma: “Is the Seventh Young Master patient with him?”

Song Ma Ma nodded: “The Seventh Young Master is very patient. If the Ninth Young Master doesn’t understand something right away, he teaches it several more times. He also told this servant that it’s harder at the beginning, but later he’ll be able to recognize characters more quickly.”

Watching Chen Xi and Chen Xuan Yue play, Jin Chao couldn’t help thinking that when the little one in her belly came out, the house would be even livelier.

At that moment, Old Madam Chen’s maid came to announce that the Second Master had returned and invited her to gather together.

With the New Year approaching, the Chen family members were gradually returning. The second branch was the most lively. A few days ago, Chen Xuan Ran returned from his post, making not only his wife Shen Shi happy, but bringing joy to everyone for two days. Then Chen Xuan Feng, Chen Xuan Rang, and Chen Xuan Yu returned from the Imperial Academy.

Ge she was the happiest. The Sixth Master had gone to Baoxiang Temple, leaving her alone in the sixth branch. Although the Sixth Master was unrestrained in his romantic pursuits, he only had Chen Xuan Yu as his child. Now that Chen Xuan Yu had returned, she busied herself making different dishes for him every day. Chen Xuan Yu didn’t mind his mother’s enthusiasm and showed concern for Ge Shi’s well-being, making Ge Shi speak with a smile these days.

Hearing that the Second Master had returned, Jin Chao changed into a satin jacket and first took Chen Xi to Tanshan Courtyard. As for Chen Xuan Yue, Gu Jin Chao considered briefly and had Song Ma Ma bring him over half an hour later. It wouldn’t be good for her to go with Chen Xuan Yue together, as it might attract Qin Shi’s attention.

After Jin Chao left with Chen Xi, only two maids remained at the west side room’s doorway, while Song Ma Ma chatted with Sun Ma Ma outside.

Chen Xuan Yue glanced at the nine-linked rings on the kang table and took them in his hand. He examined them briefly, then immediately began solving the puzzle with extraordinary speed and dexterity. In less than a quarter hour, he had completely disassembled it. If Chen Xi had seen this, she would certainly have been amazed.

He muttered something, then quickly restored the nine-linked rings to their previous chaotic state, with each ring interlocking perfectly, placed in its original position.

By the time Song Ma Ma came in, Chen Xuan Yue was still playing with his tangram puzzle, rearranging the wooden pieces back and forth without forming any pattern.

Song Ma Ma poured him hot water to drink, and thinking of the returned Second Master, couldn’t help but sigh.