After giving her instructions and waiting for Baoshan to bring the silver, Shen Guiyan returned to the Northern Courtyard. But all along the way, Baoshan’s expression didn’t look good, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Guiyan looked at her.

“Nothing.” Baoshan’s eyes darted left and right, then said: “This servant was thinking—Miss used to like the Eldest Young Master very much, didn’t you? So what about now?”

Shen Guiyan froze, then lightly tapped her on the head: “Now that things are already like this, I don’t even remember that I once liked him. Can you just stop remembering it for me?”

Baoshan covered her forehead, her expression growing even more anxious: “Then what about Miss’s feelings toward the Fourth Young Master now…”

At the mention of Gu Chaobei, Shen Guiyan’s face flushed slightly. She couldn’t help but think of last night’s events, and all her calculations dissolved into warm water: “He’s actually quite good.”

It’s over. Looking at her young mistress’s expression, Baoshan’s heart sank. She hurriedly reminded her: “But Miss, the Fourth Young Master is habitually dissolute. This servant has heard that even at his most devoted, he only stayed in Miss Baihe’s room for a month. Usually he goes from room to room without any constancy…”

“Baoshan.” Shen Guiyan lowered her eyes: “I know all those things.”

“Then…”

“Now I am his person. How he behaves is beyond my control, but I will fulfill my duties as a wife.” Shen Guiyan smiled: “Let’s go, return home.”

Baoshan sighed and nodded helplessly.

Returning to the courtyard, Gu Chaobei was already seated at the table in the main room. Jiang Shi looked at her with a brilliant smile: “Madam has returned.”

Gu Chaobei also smiled and stood to pull her inside: “Where did you go?”

Shen Guiyan didn’t plan to tell him about Doctor Liu’s matter, only responding: “I went out to look at Master’s school. Has husband eaten yet?”

“No, wasn’t I waiting for you?” Gu Chaobei looked at her, his eyes full of teasing: “It troubles my wife to go out when her body is unwell.”

Shen Guiyan’s face reddened. She gritted her teeth and stepped on his foot, glancing somewhat awkwardly at Jiang Shi beside them.

Jiang Shi paid no attention, her face still wearing a faint smile. Ever since Shuangjiang and the courtyard maids had been taken away by the Chancellor, she had become much more obedient in front of Shen Guiyan, no longer daring to be as presumptuous as before. Now that the principal wife was favored, she also received some benefits, so naturally she needed to be even more meek and compliant to serve long-term.

Gu Chaobei smiled and pulled her to eat, serving her dishes: “Today at court, Father already informed His Majesty that I would be transferred to General Yuwen’s camp.”

Shen Guiyan froze, thinking of Yuwen Changqing, and casually responded: “Isn’t that just perfect?”

These two already had considerable connections.

Who knew that as soon as the words left her mouth, her foot was lightly kicked. Shen Guiyan looked up to see Gu Chaobei smiling bitterly: “How is it perfect? Not only was I demoted, but I’ve also changed from a Vice Minister with great power to a minor officer under General Yuwen. From now on, I won’t be able to give my wife prestige.”

Seeing his expression, Shen Guiyan finally reacted and went along with it: “I actually think you being a minor officer is better than a high official. Military officers have no constraints, and it saves you from offending His Majesty at some unknown time, which would bring disaster upon the family rather than prestige.”

Gu Chaobei made a couple of humming sounds, then said with a grin: “My wife doesn’t blame me?”

“What is there to blame?” Shen Guiyan smiled lightly: “Whether husband is wealthy and noble or poor and destitute, this humble wife will follow alongside.”

Jiang Shi, listening from the side, pursed her lips slightly.

News of Gu Chaobei’s demotion quickly spread throughout the Chancellor’s Manor. Gu Chaodong was shut in his room wallowing in sorrow, but upon hearing this news, he immediately revived with full energy and went out to find Chancellor Gu.

“The examination results haven’t been announced yet.” Chancellor Gu said with a stern face: “But today I petitioned the Empress, and because of the Sixth Prince’s case, you can temporarily assume the Vice Minister position.”

“What about Fourth Brother?” Gu Chaodong asked.

“He’s gone to serve as Commander under General Yuwen.” Chancellor Gu sighed: “Though it also suits his temperament, it’s still somewhat unfair to him, so you should cause him less trouble in daily life. Understand?”

“Your son understands.”

Gu Chaodong felt this was truly heaven leaving no path unopened. He had thought everything was finished, but Father had given him such a good opportunity.

Understanding was just verbal agreement. Now that he was replacing Gu Chaobei in the Vice Minister position, wouldn’t he return all the grievances he’d previously suffered?

Leaving Chancellor Gu’s study, Gu Chaodong first returned to the Eastern Courtyard.

“Where is the Young Madam?” he asked Yushu.

Yushu stammered: “The Young Madam has recently become friendly with a madam from the Yuwen Manor. These past few days she goes out daily to chat idly with her.”

“A madam from Yuwen Manor?” Gu Chaodong raised an eyebrow. Yushu added: “It’s Yuwen Houde’s principal wife, Han Shi.”

Nodding, Gu Chaodong didn’t take it to heart. It was good if that woman could settle down—he didn’t want her causing trouble in the manor either.

Changing his clothes, Gu Chaodong couldn’t wait to head toward the Northern Courtyard.

Gu Chaonan was sitting beside Gu Chaobei, looking at a jade ring in his hand and sighing: “Fourth Brother’s excellent prospects—who would have thought they’d all be defeated by Father’s favoritism.”

Gu Chaobei sipped his tea and smiled: “I was never ambitious to begin with. Second Brother needn’t feel regret for me. After all, we’re one family—either way, the wealth stays within.”

“How can I not feel regret?” Gu Chaonan said: “He’s already reached the point of poisoning you with medicine. I’m afraid he stopped caring about brotherhood long ago. Only a fool like you would think he’s not an outsider.”

Gu Chaobei froze.

Gu Chaonan sighed: “You’re inexperienced in worldly affairs. Your eldest brother is that kind of person—only seeking profit. Don’t be fooled by his elegant speech and magnanimous bearing; what’s in his belly is extremely sharp. Don’t blame Second Brother for not warning you—if you continue being lenient with him, you’re giving him a second chance to throw arsenic in your soup.”

If Second Brother hadn’t mentioned it, he would have almost forgotten. Last time when Father hastily handled the arsenic incident, supposedly Lin Danniang was caught outside the city, and the two were thrown in prison. Before they could say anything, they committed suicide out of fear of punishment.

He found it somewhat laughable. If they wanted to commit suicide, why not do it earlier? Why run? Moreover, attempted murder wasn’t a capital offense—why would that couple be so desperate?

However, the Chancellor forbade mentioning this matter, so no one in the manor spoke of it anymore. Gu Chaobei had originally had some doubts about this incident, but now could only assume it was Gu Chaodong’s doing.

Thinking about it this way, he really shouldn’t let him off.

“Now the chair you hadn’t even warmed has been forcibly taken by Father and given to Eldest Brother. If I were you, I definitely wouldn’t let him off.” Gu Chaonan grew agitated as he spoke, even slapping the table.

“If Second Brother were me, what would you do?” Gu Chaobei looked at him with some curiosity.

“Need you ask? Certainly I would…” Gu Chaonan’s words paused, and he sighed: “Some things are truly difficult to say now. But Fourth Brother, you really mustn’t be so careless next time.”

Gu Chaobei glanced at him and nodded: “Thank you for Second Brother’s reminder.”

With the Southern Courtyard visiting today, while Gu Chaonan and Gu Chaobei talked, Shen Guiyan naturally conversed with Xu Mengdie.

After previous events, Shen Guiyan felt somewhat apologetic toward Xu Mengdie—she had ignored so many warnings and deserved to learn her lesson.

Xu Mengdie was still as gentle as before, holding her hand and comforting her: “You needn’t feel sad about Fourth Brother’s matter. Ultimately it was Father’s fault, not Fourth Brother’s.”

Shen Guiyan nodded: “I’m not too sad. Whether prosperous or not, fate probably has it predetermined.”

Xu Mengdie looked at her with some relief and smiled: “It’s good that you can think this way. It’s just that now Eldest Brother is an official again, and who knows how arrogant the Eldest Young Madam will be. It’s truly unpleasant to watch.”

Shen Guiyan’s gaze darkened: “She won’t be arrogant.”

“Oh?” Xu Mengdie became interested: “Does the Young Madam have a way to deal with her?”

Shen Guiyan only smiled without speaking.

It was at this moment that Gu Chaodong barged into the Northern Courtyard.

Since the arsenic incident and the consummation incident, there had been an unspoken hostility between the Northern and Eastern Courtyards. So as soon as he stepped in, Baoshan shouted: “The Eldest Young Master has arrived!”

Her tone was about the same as “the wolf has come.”

Gu Chaobei and Gu Chaonan, who had been talking in the front courtyard, both looked toward the entrance. Inside the room, Shen Guiyan and Xu Mengdie exchanged glances and also stood up.

“Well, well, everyone’s here?” Gu Chaodong walked in, looking at Gu Chaobei with a slightly twisted expression: “Didn’t you exhaust yourself all last night? How is it that Fourth Brother seems so energetic today?”

Gu Chaobei smiled at him, showing eight white teeth: “Youth—naturally I’m energetic.”

Gu Chaodong’s expression stiffened, and he snorted coldly. He was only a few years older than him. Speaking of youth, he was young too.

Turning to look at Shen Guiyan at the room’s entrance, Gu Chaodong smiled: “I wonder if everyone has heard of the changes in court positions?”

He asked “everyone” but looked only at Shen Guiyan. Shen Guiyan frowned at him and nodded: “I’ve heard. Congratulations, Eldest Brother.”

Gu Chaodong was pleased and walked two steps toward the entrance with a smile: “So some decisions should not be made too early, don’t you think? Yan’er?”

Gu Chaobei stood up and walked in front of him to block his way, nodding: “Indeed. Just like back then, Yan’er deciding too early to marry you would never have led to a good outcome.”

Gu Chaonan came over and pulled at Gu Chaobei: “Fourth Brother, what kind of talk is this? Fourth Sister-in-law is right here. Bringing up old matters—surely Eldest Brother isn’t someone who disregards propriety?”

Xu Mengdie also nodded: “The Eldest Young Master surely only asked casually and wouldn’t be absurd enough to target anyone with veiled remarks. Fourth Young Master, don’t be too impulsive.”

With this persuasion from left and right, it was Gu Chaodong who was put in an awkward position. Looking back, he had only Fengxiao beside him, while ahead was a crowd of Gu Chaobei’s people.

The situation seemed somewhat unfavorable.

Gu Chaobei snorted lightly. From behind, Shen Guiyan smiled and spoke: “Today Eldest Brother has cause for celebration. You shouldn’t have come to the Northern Courtyard but should have found Eldest Sister-in-law to celebrate together.”

“Exactly.” Xu Mengdie chimed in: “Even if the Eldest Young Madam isn’t here, doesn’t Eldest Young Master’s courtyard still have two chamber maids? Why come to the Northern Courtyard?”

“I was just passing by.” Gu Chaodong turned awkwardly and took a deep breath: “I’ll head back now.”