“You want to take away Fourth Brother’s stewardship?” Old Madam Chen’s face grew solemn after hearing this. “Has he done something wrong?”

Third Master Chen sipped his tea while speaking: “His business dealings aren’t entirely clean. It would cause trouble if investigated in the future.”

Old Madam Chen thought for a long time, her lips moving slightly: “Then… if you don’t let him handle these matters, what will he do instead? Who will you transfer the stewardship to? Surely not Sixth Brother? Sixth Brother absolutely cannot shoulder such responsibility!”

Third Master Chen said: “Please rest assured, I will naturally appoint someone to manage it.”

Old Madam Chen still felt uneasy as she listened. She stood up and paced back and forth slowly. Then she stopped and said to Third Master Chen: “Yan Yun, you know your Fourth Brother’s temperament—narrow-minded and prone to holding grudges. When you didn’t let him continue as an official back then, he was already unhappy… Now with this situation, he’ll certainly be even more unwilling! You are blood brothers, closer than Second Brother and Sixth Brother. Don’t you understand?”

Third Master Chen already knew what Old Madam Chen wanted to say and simply listened in silence.

Although Old Madam Chen was tolerant and generous, treating her concubine-born sons the same as her legitimate sons, only she knew clearly in her heart that these two kinds of love were different. With her concubine-born sons, she indulged them; with her legitimate sons, she guided them. To others, there seemed to be no difference, and some even thought she favored her concubine-born sons. But Old Madam Chen knew this wasn’t the case at all—what mother isn’t selfish!

Chen Yan Wen must have done something else, otherwise Third Brother wouldn’t treat him this way!

Old Madam Chen asked with a serious expression: “Yan Yun, tell me honestly, what exactly did Fourth Brother do? Did he harm you?”

Third Master Chen originally didn’t want to tell Old Madam Chen, knowing she would certainly be heartbroken to hear it.

But since she asked, Third Master Chen wouldn’t deliberately conceal it.

He sighed: “Fourth Brother colluded with people from the Imperial Ceremonial Court to fabricate evidence against me. If these things were exploited by others, the consequences would be unimaginable.”

Old Madam Chen’s face turned pale as she murmured: “How is this possible? How could he do such a thing!”

The intricate affairs of the imperial court were beyond her comprehension.

But she understood the severity of the matter.

“What do you plan to do?” Old Madam Chen asked him. “Have you asked him why he did this?”

“There’s nothing to ask,” Chen Yan Yun simply stated.

Old Madam Chen sat down: “He’s truly being foolish! No matter what, he shouldn’t collude with outsiders…”

After saying this, Old Madam Chen noticed her son remained silent.

She felt somewhat worried.

Chen Yan Yun was merciless in these matters—Old Madam Chen knew her son’s character best. But fraternal conflict was the last thing she wanted to witness. Taking Third Master Chen’s hand, she sighed: “What do you intend to do to him… Third Son, no matter what, Yan Wen is still your brother… He’s just too narrow-minded. If you discipline him with a few words and talk to him properly, he will surely listen. Yan Wen is already thirty years old and should understand reason by now.”

Third Master Chen’s expression remained calm, his voice soft: “Mother, please don’t worry. Even if I don’t consider that he’s my brother, I still must consider that he’s your son. I’m merely taking away his stewardship rights and will have people keep a close watch on him from now on. I won’t do anything more to him.”

Old Madam Chen added: “It’s not that I don’t understand your difficulties, but brothers harming each other is not good. I’ll counsel him for a few sentences. He will surely listen to his mother’s words. His actions were indeed excessive, so it’s good that you’re taking away his stewardship!”

Third Master Chen simply drank his tea.

Old Madam Chen looked exhausted. “In my life, among the few things worthy of praise is raising you brothers… You’ve all made me proud, especially you and Second Brother, never causing me to worry. Unfortunately, I’ve failed as a person. Fourth Brother turning out this way is also my fault.”

Chen Yan Yun sighed: “Mother, I understand. That’s why I’ve also shown Fourth Brother some consideration, thinking he hasn’t reached the point of no return.”

Old Madam Chen gripped Chen Yan Yun’s hand tightly, feeling distressed.

News that Fourth Master Chen would no longer serve as steward quickly spread throughout the entire household.

Everyone’s attitude toward Lady Wang also subtly changed.

Fourth Master Chen was frequently summoned by Old Madam Chen for talks. Upon returning, he would practice calligraphy or appreciate flowers, truly enjoying a period of leisure.

As winter approached, the New Year was also drawing near.

Since Fourth Master Chen no longer managed business affairs, there were more miscellaneous matters in the inner courtyard, making Gu Jin Chao even busier.

She was holding Chang Suo in the courtyard, admiring the newly bloomed winter plum blossoms. Chang Suo wore a small jacket with a fox fur collar, looking like a fluffy ball.

After holding him for a while, Gu Jin Chao could no longer hold him and was about to hand him to the wet nurse. But he suddenly turned and lunged outward.

Third Master Chen had returned.

Third Master Chen took his son in his arms, listening to his babbling, and couldn’t help smiling as he asked: “What are you trying to say?”

Chang Suo stared blankly at his father, neither understanding what his father was saying nor able to resist reaching for the pearls on his father’s six-ridge official hat.

Gu Jin Chao smiled as she went inside. The western side room had floor heating and was very warm.

She took off his cape and handed it to the maid beside her.

“…So Zhou Hu Sheng ended up without incident?”

Chen Yan Yun let the child grab his pearls and finally simply gave him the six-ridge hat to play with. “He’s fine.” He told Gu Jin Chao about how the matter was handled: “…The teacher is becoming increasingly confused. He called for the Minister of Justice and people from the Censorate to speak about it, and the matter was suppressed. That servant recanted his testimony on the spot, so Zhou Hu Sheng was exonerated.”

“And you’ve collected all the evidence?”

Chen Yan Yun said: “Of course. This matter was truly a reversal of black and white, shocking many in the imperial court.”

Gu Jin Chao sighed with relief after hearing this.

Zhou Hu Sheng’s case was one of the most important matters she remembered.

Because of sheltering and indulging this person initially, Third Master Chen’s conduct had once been widely criticized.

Gu Jin Chao clearly remembered that in the third year of Wanli, Zhang Ju Lian’s nephew Zhou Hu Sheng had forcibly taken Liu Xin Yun’s second daughter as a concubine and beaten her wet nurse and personal maid to death. Liu Xin Yun submitted a memorial, but before it reached the Grand Secretariat, he was investigated for embezzlement by the Censorate.

Third Master Chen had suppressed all memorials submitted on Liu Xin Yun’s behalf and even demoted and exiled several deeply involved officials. No one dared to cry out for justice for Liu Xin Yun anymore. Later, his entire family was exiled to Ningguta. As for Zhou Hu Sheng, he was merely confined by Zhang Ju Lian for one month.

Only now did Gu Jin Chao understand that Third Master Chen’s actions back then must have been coerced by Zhang Ju Lian. Zhang Ju Lian possessed evidence of his involvement in manufacturing eunuchs and forced him to do these things. Making Chen Yan Yun do these things was Zhang Ju Lian’s way of thoroughly blackening his reputation.

Now that these matters could no longer threaten Chen Yan Yun, naturally, this unjust case would no longer implicate Third Master Chen.

“He’s truly lively, with a temperament like yours. I was never this mischievous as a child.” Third Master Chen smiled as he grabbed Chang Suo’s fingers. “If you break your father’s things, that would be quite troublesome!” He tried to take the item from the child’s hands.

But Chang Suo giggled, revealing two front teeth.

Gu Jin Chao smiled and said: “Having come from my womb, of course he resembles me!”

“It’s good that he resembles you.” Third Master Chen suddenly gazed at her and said softly.

Gu Jin Chao was taking socks out of a bamboo basket—winter socks she had made for Chang Suo. Hearing this, she paused and looked up at Third Master Chen.

But Third Master Chen was holding Chang Suo up to play. His father’s arms were strong, lifting him high and steady, which Chang Suo enjoyed greatly.

Gu Jin Chao looked at the fine snow outside the window panels, a smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.

She hoped these peaceful and warm days would continue on and on, never changing.

The day after tomorrow would be Gu Yi’s wedding day. Gu Jin Chao needed to return to the Gu family one day in advance.

After she told Third Master Chen, he thought for a moment, then called the steward over and had many items prepared for Jin Chao to take back, saying they were additional dowry gifts for her sister.

After Yongchang Trading Company was sealed, Third Master Chen entrusted the family’s affairs to several stewards. Gu Jin Chao often saw these people. They were first-rate at managing businesses and sometimes even helped Gu Jin Chao manage her shops, increasing this year’s profits by several tenths.

However, major decisions inevitably required Third Master Chen’s judgment, making him busier than before. He had noticeably become thinner.

Now Gu Jin Chao was also managing the outer courtyard and couldn’t help him.

In a while, the steward from the Affairs Office would come to report. Gu Jin Chao had finished her lunch and was waiting to meet him in the study.

When the steward from the Affairs Office arrived, Third Master Chen was reading under the corridor eaves. Seeing Third Master Chen there, the steward hurriedly bowed respectfully in greeting.

Third Master Chen waved to indicate he needn’t stand on ceremony, slowly closed his book, and spoke with him: “…Your ancestral home is in Wuhu?”

The steward smiled and confirmed.

Third Master Chen nodded: “That’s a nice place. I know the Magistrate of Taiping Prefecture… You’re now working at the Affairs Office—who promoted you?”

“Originally, Second Mistress promoted me to assist Steward Liu… After Steward Liu left, the Old Madam granted me the position of steward,” the steward answered very respectfully, carefully adding, “Now I’m privileged to serve under Third Mistress, and I’m working with utmost dedication.”

“That’s good.” Third Master Chen smiled slightly. “Third Mistress is still young. If she can’t keep you all in line, then I’ll have to step in and speak for her.”

“That would never happen!”

The steward was so frightened he broke out in a cold sweat. “Although Third Mistress is young, she handles affairs skillfully…”

By the time he reached Gu Jin Chao’s study, his forehead was covered in cold sweat.

Gu Jin Chao was unaware of this exchange and only noticed that the steward seemed even more respectful than usual, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Her taking over the outer courtyard was a recent development. Although Madam Qin was unwilling, she had no choice, as she was already overwhelmed with her shop matters.

As long as no one secretly set obstacles for her, Gu Jin Chao managed quite smoothly.

Gu Jin Chao looked at the steward with some puzzlement, feeling something was off about him.

Tomorrow she would depart for Daxing, so after finishing her conversation with the steward, she went to bid farewell to Old Madam Chen.

Old Madam Chen held her hand and talked with her for a long time. Finally, she had someone open a trunk and found a pair of red gold bracelets inlaid with carved white jade to give to Jin Chao as an additional gift for Gu Yi. “…I cannot neglect your sister. When you return, just bring me some wedding candy!”

Gu Jin Chao smiled and agreed: “Of course, I certainly won’t forget you.”

She still didn’t know what scene would unfold at Gu Yi’s wedding!