Mother held Jin Rong’s hand and said, “Studying with Mr. Zhu is better than before. But Mother sees you’ve gotten thinner. Are you eating and dressing well in Qifang Hutong?”

Gu Jin Rong replied, “Since I went there to study, son understands I need to be diligent. The food and clothes you send every month are certainly sufficient. Son is thin only because I miss Mother. You’ve been seriously ill in bed, yet I couldn’t come back to see you…” He had his page boy bring over several boxes. “…Some tonics and medicinal herbs. They sell especially good ones in Qifang Hutong, so I bought some for you.”

He then picked up a small box carved with peonies: “This is for my elder sister.”

Gu Jin Chao accepted it with thanks. Ji shi looked at this with satisfaction: “You two are siblings of the same mother, closer than other brothers and sisters. If something happens to Mother in the future, Rong, you must support your sister and not let others bully her.”

Hearing this, Gu Jin Rong comforted her: “Mother, you haven’t yet seen your son succeed in his studies. How could anything happen to you? You’ll certainly live peacefully to a hundred years…”

Mother then asked Gu Jin Rong about his studies, and how he was progressing with the Four Books. Jin Chao thought to herself that Gu Jin Rong was only twelve years old; he had only generally read through the Four Books. When he got older, the teacher would begin deeper instruction. Mother hadn’t read many books herself, so naturally didn’t understand these things. Gu Jin Rong showed no impatience and calmly answered his mother’s questions.

After asking, Ji Shi told him to return to Jingfang Study first to arrange his things and rest, as he must be tired from his journey.

Jin Chao remained silent for a moment.

Ji shi had managed the household for many years and naturally understood everything clearly. She had always known that Jin Chao and Jin Rong’s relationship wasn’t good. The siblings had barely interacted just now. Leaning against her large pillow, she looked at her daughter.

After Gu Lan’s coming-of-age ceremony would be Jin Chao’s sixteenth birthday. Her daughter had grown as beautiful as a crabapple flower, though she dressed plainly. Her black hair had a silky luster in the sunlight’s halo, her eyes were clear as a pond, and her skin was fine and delicate. With such beauty and family background, she would certainly marry a good husband worthy of her daughter.

Ji Shi recalled Master Xue’s earlier words: “…The young lady is extremely intelligent and has put her heart into learning embroidery, so she learns very quickly.”

Her daughter had become much more steady in temperament since her illness, which comforted her heart.

“You should interact more with your brother. Born of the same mother, you should support each other in the future,” Ji Shi instructed Jin Chao. “Before, you were impatient with your brother’s liveliness, but you shouldn’t mind these things now. If I die, you’ll only have your brother to back you up…”

Gu Jin Chao understood everything in her heart, but changing someone’s perception wasn’t easy. Being too close to her brother too suddenly wouldn’t be good. She had her measure of things, and hearing her mother worry about her health again, she said nothing more. Instead, she brought up another matter: “…Among the shopkeepers of the stores from your dowry, are there any you particularly trust? I’d like to borrow them for some business.”

Ji Shi thought for a moment and said, “All the shopkeepers are honest and faithful men, and the stewards of the farms and houses are also good. Since you want to use them, besides being honest and faithful, they should also have some insight. The shopkeepers in Baodi could be useful…”

She didn’t ask what Jin Chao wanted to do.

Ji Shi then explained in detail which shopkeepers and stewards were honest, which were particularly clever, and which were very intelligent.

Jin Chao understood that her mother wanted her to become familiar with her dowry. Her mother’s dowry was substantial and would eventually belong to her and her brother, so she naturally needed to understand it clearly.

After talking for a while, Ji Shi felt her strength failing. Jin Chao helped her lie down to rest. Then she asked Qing Pu who had accompanied her to go back and fetch two calligraphy pieces by famous artists, wanting to visit Gu Jin Rong at Jingfang Study first. He was still young, and if they could get along and talk, they would naturally become closer.

She pondered this as she walked to Jingfang Study with Qing Pu. The little maid went in to announce her, then invited her to sit in the east side room.

Gu Jin Rong entered after a while: “…I was just arranging my books. The elder sister has waited long.”

Jin Chao smiled and said, “I’m the one disturbing you. Sister heard you like calligraphy, so I specifically collected two pieces. See if you like them.”

She had Qing Pu open them for Gu Jin Rong to see.

After looking, Gu Jin Rong praised them: “Mr. Shitian’s writing is unconstrained, free and flowing. Branch-Finger Mountain Man’s writing is warm and gentle. Both are very good. The elder sister has been thoughtful.” Though his features were still childish, he spoke about these matters with authority.

Jin Chao looked at Gu Jin Rong, thinking of her child Chen Xuanlin. They say nephews resemble their uncles, and Xuanlin had also been this mature as a youth…

Gu Jin Rong did indeed like these two calligraphy pieces and gazed at them admiringly, yet he didn’t say much to Jin Chao. Soon a little maid came in: “Young Master, Second Miss is here!”

Gu Jin Rong’s eyes immediately brightened. He put down the scroll and hurried out: “Is it Second Sister?”

The little maid followed behind him saying: “Young Master, you haven’t put on your cloak! Don’t catch a cold!”

“It doesn’t matter!” Gu Jin Rong paid no attention.

Jin Chao looked at the two calligraphy pieces abandoned on the table, her heart growing cold. Then she heard a gentle, harmonious voice: “Our Young Master has grown much taller. Second Sister can’t match your height anymore.”

The siblings entered while talking. Jin Chao saw Gu Lan wearing a bright red gold-patterned jacket, looking beautiful. Jin Rong was now slightly taller than her, lowering his head as he smiled: “No matter how tall I grow, I’m still Second Sister’s brother!”

Gu Lan patted his shoulder: “Why didn’t you say Elder Sister was here too? I wasn’t prepared.” She also greeted Jin Chao.

Jin Chao smiled and said: “It doesn’t matter. He was just happy to see you.”

Gu Jin Rong said: “Elder Sister already said it’s fine, yet you still scold me!” His tone was light-hearted, now truly like a boy of eleven or twelve.

Gu Lan took Jin Chao’s hand: “Elder Sister hasn’t often visited me these days. Now that we’ve met, we sisters should have a good talk.” Then she turned to instruct Jin Rong, “Why haven’t you served tea to Elder Sister? Didn’t you say your etiquette has improved?”

Gu Jin Rong smiled: “I haven’t had the chance yet. What tea does Elder Sister prefer?”

Jin Chao felt that if she continued to stay, she would only be unwelcome.

She stood up and said: “Mother needs someone to look after her, so I’ll leave first. When you’re free, come see Mother more often. She thinks of you day and night.” At the mention of mother, the smile on Gu Jin Rong’s face diminished somewhat. He nodded.

As Jin Chao walked into the covered corridor, she could still hear Gu Jin Rong’s voice: “…This is for Second Sister. I carved it myself—eighteen Arhats in ivory. You don’t like gold and silver, so these decorative items are best…”

Jin Chao’s smile slowly faded. Qing Pu followed silently behind her. Leaving Jingfang Study, they saw a frozen lake. Jin Chao didn’t want to go back just yet, so she walked along the corridor to a pavilion by the lake and looked at the withered branches on the opposite shore.

Qing Pu was used to seeing her young mistress bright and vivacious, rarely so silent, and felt compassion: “…The young master is just thoughtless. You and he are still the closest blood relatives. When he grows up, he’ll understand.”

Jin Chao shook her head: “…That’s not what concerns me.”

She sat in the pavilion feeling the cold wind, then took out the small peony-carved box from her sleeve. Inside was an ordinary piece of Hetian jade. It was carved in the popular Beijing style of “prosperity, status, longevity, and joy.”

Only in front of people he liked and felt close to did Gu Jin Rong show his childish side. Perhaps Xuanlin was the same, viewing her as merely a stranger with the title of mother, naturally appearing so mature beyond his years. Jin Chao smiled self-mockingly, then put away the jade pendant and said: “We should go back to see mother.”

The gulf between her and Gu Jin Rong was indeed not shallow. Changing this relationship would require great effort.

Yet thinking about how Gu Lan would treat him in the future, Jin Chao felt somewhat resentful.

Did Gu Lan truly regard Gu Jin Rong as a brother, or merely as the legitimate eldest son of the Gu family? When she and her mother drove Jin Rong out of the Gu family, did they consider today’s trust and dependence that Jin Rong had on her?

Gu Lan accepted the delicate ivory carving from Gu Jin Rong’s hand, seeing how intricate it was, with the Buddha figures lifelike.

“So you learned ivory carving,” she said somewhat reproachfully. “Sister was only joking. Learning these things takes away from your study time. If your schoolwork falls behind because of this, how can I explain to Father!”

The last time Gu Jin Rong came home, Gu Lan had casually mentioned that she liked ivory crafts. To please his second sister, Jin Rong had gone to learn this skill. He said: “It’s no trouble. Our academy teachers are good, and we have much more free time than the students at the Imperial College.”

Gu Lan then spoke of Gu Jin Chao: “…Although Elder Sister has her faults, she is still our elder sister. You must not be disrespectful to her. Go pay your respects to her tomorrow. She’s usually free in the mornings.”

Gu Jin Rong felt emotional for a moment: “After how she treated you before, you still speak for her. Second Sister, don’t be too gentle—kind people get taken advantage of!”

Hearing Gu Jin Rong say this, Gu Lan was quite helpless: “Elder Sister is still the legitimate eldest daughter. How could I defy her? Last time she took a fancy to a maid in my courtyard and simply took her away. I was very fond of that maid. When she left, she was extremely reluctant… but I didn’t dare keep her. I fear she’s not having a good life now in Qingtong Courtyard.”

Gu Jin Rong frowned: “Such a thing happened! I’ll go get the maid back for you. Gu Jin Chao has always had such a temperament, taking whatever she likes. Don’t worry…”

Gu Lan quickly said: “Second Sister tells you this not because I want your help, but because I want you to be more respectful to Elder Sister. It’s nothing for me to suffer a little grievance. What’s important is that you treat Elder Sister well. After all, she is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Gu family!”

Gu Jin Rong was somewhat contemptuous: “This legitimate eldest daughter has long disgraced the Gu family. Many of my schoolmates know of her. They all say she’s just an empty shell with a pretty face, a bad temper, and no sense of shame! Really… really…”

Gu Lan stroked his back and said softly: “Never mind what others say. She is still your sister by blood. Don’t say such things.”

Gu Jin Rong said in a low voice: “I’d rather not have such a sister…”