Chen Yan’yun had only seen that Pacification Commissioner once, at a banquet in the Governor’s mansion.

The position of Pacification Commissioner of Shishi Wei had always been passed down through generations. Regardless of one’s character, as long as one had legitimate Qin family blood, one could obtain the position of Pacification Commissioner. This generation’s Pacification Commissioner was not only uneducated but also coarse and ugly, possessing nothing but brute strength.

If Gu Jinchao truly married him, she would likely spend the rest of her life confined to that small place.

Chen Yan’yun exhaled softly, feeling he was concerning himself too much.

What did this have to do with him? If she wanted to marry, let her marry. He had already shown mercy by helping her father once.

That evening after returning to Wanping, the Third Master Chen went to pay respects to Old Madam Chen.

Old Madam Chen reclined against a pillow, while Governess Zheng fed her a bowl of cooling mung bean soup.

After paying his respects, he stood beside the couch. A young maid brought over a stool for him to sit. Old Madam Chen pushed away Governess Zheng’s hand, indicating she didn’t want to drink anymore. “It tastes strangely sweet.”

Governess Zheng smiled and said: “Sometimes you complain it’s bland, sometimes too sweet. This servant doesn’t know what to do anymore.”

Old Madam Chen laughed: “I just don’t want to drink it. I need to find some excuse to refuse, don’t I?”

Chen Yan’yun looked at his mother, feeling there was hidden meaning in her words.

Old Madam Chen slowly lay down and asked: “Third Son, what did you think of the second daughter of the Liu family from Baoding that I mentioned last time?”

Chen Yan’yun replied: “Son hasn’t even met the second Miss Liu. How can Mother expect me to give a detailed assessment?”

Old Madam Chen snorted: “Don’t I know you? I raised you. Every day you use official business as an excuse, saying how busy you are. You simply don’t want to go see her! Next time I’ll have Old Madam Liu bring her granddaughter to watch a play, and you can see if she’s suitable…”

Chen Yan’yun was about to say something.

Old Madam Chen waved her hand: “If you refuse again, I’ll personally go arrange the betrothal for you.” She then scolded him, “It’s not that Mother is forcing you, but look at how you’ve lived these past two years, with no one caring for or attending to you. When you grow old, will you live with only lamps and Buddha for company? Do you want to make your mother unhappy?”

Chen Yan’yun smiled bitterly: “Mother, that’s not my intention.”

He paused and said: “Then let me think about it.”

Hearing a hint of compromise in her son’s words, Old Madam Chen was finally satisfied: “Fine, if you agree, I’ll invite the young lady to watch a play!”

Chen Yan’yun knew Old Madam Chen’s personality; without leaving some room for compromise, it simply wouldn’t work.

So did he need to remarry?

He had spent over ten years with Lady Jiang, with their relationship being quite distant. Nevertheless, they had spent so many years together, and he wasn’t entirely without feelings for Lady Jiang; they had simply worn away over time.

If he truly took another wife, he would need to care for another person’s daily needs. Chen Yan’yun didn’t want to do that.

The next day, Gu Dezhao came again to invite him for drinks.

Chen Yan’yun became somewhat impatient: “Next time he comes, drive him away with a broom!”

The messenger was startled and no longer dared to announce Gu Dezhao.

Having been turned away, Gu Dezhao walked dejectedly toward the Ministry of Revenue, encountering a colleague who greeted him on the way.

“Lord Chen still won’t see you?”

Gu Dezhao sighed: “Don’t mention it, I was completely rebuffed.”

The man asked curiously: “So are you going to marry your daughter to Qin Meng?”

Gu Dezhao said: “If she can marry far away, then if things are exposed later, she won’t be implicated.”

A light rain began to fall from the sky. Gu Dezhao and his colleague stood under the eaves to take shelter. They saw someone hurriedly walking through the rain with an umbrella. As he approached, they recognized one of Chen Yan’yun’s servants, who quickly said to Gu Dezhao: “Director Gu, I’ve finally caught up with you! Lord Chen requests your presence!”

Why would the Third Master… summon him now?

Gu Dezhao dared not delay and followed the man back.

The Third Master gazed at the fine rain outside, deep in thought.

In the courtyard stood a large vat planted with water lilies. The rain fell steadily, bringing a somewhat chilly feeling.

Standing at the doorway, Gu Dezhao saw the Third Master sitting in a Dongpo chair by the window, with his official documents placed beside him, facing an antique shelf with several old scrolls in a vase.

“Lord Chen…” Gu Dezhao cupped his hands in greeting, “What matter does Your Lordship have for this official?”

Chen Yan’yun glanced at him, tossing the document in his hand before him, “See for yourself.”

Gu Dezhao took it, opened it, and quickly read through it. His face immediately turned pale: “Third Master, this is fabricated! This official would not be so foolish. Please investigate clearly!”

“I haven’t said anything yet, no need to panic,” said Chen Yan’yun. “Sit down and talk.”

Gu Dezhao sat down anxiously.

“Let me ask you, did you personally appoint the Granary Director?”

Gu Dezhao nodded, then quickly added: “But this official never had him manage the grain…”

The Third Master smiled: “Did I ask you about that?”

Gu Dezhao shook his head repeatedly, his clothes nearly drenched with sweat.

The Third Master sighed: “Someone around you wants to harm you, and you don’t even know it?”

Gu Dezhao looked at the Third Master in bewilderment, truly not understanding what he meant. He was just a minor official; how could he be blocking anyone’s path, and why would anyone want to harm him?

“Never mind, just be careful in the future,” said the Third Master, seeing his reaction and knowing his words were futile. “Pay attention to your subordinates from now on. This time I saw it first, but next time if a censor reports it to the Censorate, it won’t be so easy.”

Gu Dezhao repeatedly acknowledged this. Chen Yan’yun waved his hand to dismiss him, then suddenly asked, “Director Gu, I hear you’re arranging a marriage alliance with the Qin family?”

Gu Dezhao realized Chen Yan’yun was referring to the Pacification Commissioner Qin’s family.

Only the most helpless people would marry their daughters to such remote places.

There was no law in those territories governed by these tribal chiefs.

Gu Dezhao smiled bitterly: “This official did have such plans, but I fear my daughter won’t agree. She has always been very stubborn and certainly won’t be willing.” After thinking for a moment, not knowing what else to say, he bowed, “Then this official takes his leave.”

Chen Yan’yun remained silent for a moment, then suddenly called for Chen Yi to come in.

“Prepare a carriage, we’re going to Shi’an.”

He went to Shi’an to meet someone, and by the time he finished discussing matters and came out, it was already very late.

“Third Master, shall we find an inn to rest?” Hu Rong said, “This servant remembers there’s a gentry family ahead; we could also seek lodging there.”

Chen Yan’yun was already somewhat tired and said with closed eyes: “Go to the Gu family.”

Since Gu Dezhao wanted to invite him for drinks, he might as well stay there for the night.

Hu Rong didn’t ask further. After inquiring about directions, he drove the carriage toward the Gu residence, giving Gu Dezhao quite a fright.

He hurriedly had the kitchen prepare wine and dishes, changed his clothes, and waited by the screen wall. Seeing that the Third Master was wearing casual clothes when he alighted from the carriage, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Chen Yan’yun smiled and asked him: “I hope I’m not intruding?”

“Not at all, this way please, Lord Chen,” Gu Dezhao said with a smile. “This official has been hoping for your visit!”

The dishes were served successively. Gu Dezhao instructed the kitchen to serve only the finest, though he dared not eat. He helped serve dishes for the Third Master, feeling very awkward.

Chen Yan’yun slowly chewed a piece of fish, suddenly feeling a bit regretful. Perhaps he shouldn’t have come to the Gu residence after all.

Suddenly, voices could be heard from outside.

It seemed to be a girl.

Gu Dezhao apologetically smiled: “Please excuse me, Lord Chen, it’s my eldest daughter. She’s being difficult now!”

“How so?”

“She heard she’s to be married far away.” Gu Dezhao paused. “Her stepmother is trying to persuade her. It will be fine shortly.”

Chen Yan’yun could already faintly hear her voice.

“Tell him, don’t even think about marrying me off…! Anyway, you don’t like me. I’d rather go live with my grandmother…”

Gu Dezhao finally couldn’t bear it anymore. Putting down his chopsticks, he said: “Please wait a moment, Lord Chen. She’s being too unreasonable. I’ll go scold her and be right back!” As he said this, he stood up, and a servant lifted the curtain for him to exit.

Chen Yan’yun also put down his chopsticks, listening carefully to the commotion outside.

Gu Dezhao reprimanded her in a lowered voice. Her voice suddenly rose: “Anyway, I want to go to Grandmother’s house. No matter whom you bring to persuade me, it’s the same! I won’t agree!”

Gu Dezhao couldn’t help but angrily scold her: “What kind of behavior is this? Don’t you know we have a guest? You’re making us a laughingstock!”

She retorted defiantly: “What kind of behavior? This is how I am. You’ve raised me to this age; don’t you know what I’m like? I’ve seen that Pacification Commissioner… I refuse to marry him! What guest do you have that I can’t even speak my mind?”

Gu Dezhao was furious: “You… shut up! Quickly take her back and confine her properly. Only let her out when she realizes her mistake.”

She snorted: “I want to see exactly what kind of guest is here!”

With that, she ran toward them, with several people calling out “Young Miss” while chasing after her.

Chen Yan’yun was startled but couldn’t help smiling.

She was still so full of spirit.

Before he could decide whether to meet her, he saw someone peering in at the doorway.

“Are you my father’s guest?” she suddenly asked.

Chen Yan’yun nodded with a smile: “Yes, what is it?”

She wore a short scarlet jacket with a cyan skirt, looking very lively. “I just wanted to see…” Before she could finish, a servant grabbed her hand. Gu Dezhao quickly caught up from behind, his face dark as water, ordering the servants to take Gu Jinchao away.

Gu Jinchao’s eyes were red and moist, but she defiantly shouted: “Anyway, I won’t! I just won’t!”

Gu Dezhao was so angry his hands trembled: “Take her away quickly!”

She was finally dragged away by the servants. Only then did Gu Dezhao apologetically smile at Chen Yan’yun: “Please excuse us, Lord Chen. My daughter is willful and disobedient.”

Chen Yan’yun said: “It’s no problem. She’s simply innocent.”

Gu Dezhao was taken aback by this remark.

Chen Yan’yun changed the subject: “Lord Gu, this tea set of yours looks quite nice. Is it from the Ru kiln?”

Gu Dezhao then shifted his attention to the teacups.

Chen Yan’yun felt somewhat disappointed. It seemed she didn’t recognize him.

Well, on both occasions when she saw him, she hadn’t seen him clearly, so she certainly wouldn’t remember him.

Chen Yan’yun was in quite a good mood. A few days later, when Old Madam Chen asked him again about the matter of the second Miss Liu, he instinctively refused: “Mother, I have my ideas. Please don’t rush.”

Old Madam Chen asked in return: “Oh? Have you found a young lady you favor?” The old woman was delighted and quickly pulled Chen Yan’yun to sit down. “Tell your mother, which family’s daughter is she? How old is she?”

Chen Yan’yun was about to say no, but suddenly Gu Jinchao’s face came to mind.

She was so interesting and pitiful. If he truly needed to remarry, why not marry her?

Chen Yan’yun was startled by his thought but soon felt it was a good idea, and quite clever at that.

If the person he wanted to protect and take responsibility for in the future was Gu Jinchao, he didn’t seem to find her troublesome; rather, he quite wanted to protect her. He was unwilling to see Gu Jinchao marry some Pacification Commissioner, so why not marry her himself?

What support could be more reliable than his?

If Gu Jinchao married him, he could guarantee that no one would dare touch the entire Gu family again.

Thinking of this, Chen Yan’yun smiled slightly: “I can’t say for sure, but she’s not meek and obedient. You might need to be patient… You’ll know when the time comes.”

Hearing that there was truly a prospect and that her third son wasn’t just making excuses, Old Madam Chen was delighted. She quickly sat up from the bed, “Tell me more clearly, you truly want to remarry?”

Chen Yan’yun said: “How could this be false?”

Old Madam Chen was overjoyed and hurriedly called for Governess Zheng to come in: “Prepare the ceremonial process. Tomorrow we’ll go discuss with Old Madam Chang! Then invite the person over for a viewing.” She then said in a serious tone, “Once this matter is settled, you can’t deceive your mother. If you dare to go back on your word, I’ll settle accounts with you then!”

Chen Yan’yun smiled helplessly.