Zhao Ming had just been pushed out of the Luo family estate, accidentally stumbling on the steps. Furious and red-faced, he cursed, “Luo Xian, you ungrateful dog! After how I treated you, this is how you treat me today!”

Earlier, Zhao Ming had been driven out of the Gu family estate by the guards, who wouldn’t let him take anything. He could only straighten his collar and walk with his head held high toward the Luo family estate, under the sidelong glances of the people of Lingbi Village.

…Unexpectedly, before he could say anything, Luo Xian had already turned against him, ordering servants to drive him out.

Luo Xian stood with folded arms and said mockingly, “Steward Zhao, you must understand my position—within ten villages and eight shops around here, who dares to go against the Ji family? The Ji family’s Second Young Master accompanied the Gu young lady here and specifically spread the word that no one should employ you. What can I do about it?”

Zhao Ming was stunned—he thought the Ji family’s young master had shown no intention of getting involved!

Luo Xian continued scornfully, “Besides, think about it: if you dare steal from the Gu family to give to me today, won’t you steal from the Luo estate to give to others tomorrow? With such an ungrateful character, do you think everyone covets your services? Only a fool would want someone as stupid as you!”

Zhao Ming glared at him in rage, never imagining that Luo Xian would look down on him so much, never truly intending to bring him into the Luo family.

He rushed forward, wanting to punch Luo Xian, but was blocked by the estate workers. Luo Xian snorted coldly and ordered people to close the estate gates, ignoring Zhao Ming.

After shouting and cursing until his mouth was dry, seeing that no one paid any attention to him, Zhao Ming had no choice but to reluctantly leave the Luo estate.

Before long, night fell. After much thought, Zhao Ming gritted his teeth and decided to return to the Gu family, thinking that at worst he would apologize to the young lady… Surely she wouldn’t make things too difficult for him! Having made up his mind, Zhao Ming walked toward the Gu estate in the moonlight, only to be intercepted by tenant farmers on the way.

Having endured his bullying for years, now that Zhao Ming no longer held power over their lives, they took the opportunity to settle old scores. More than a dozen farmers with clubs beat Zhao Ming until he cried for mercy. In the end, they broke his legs and dumped him outside Lingbi Village.

Jin Chao heard this news the next day and said, “He got what he deserved. Let’s not concern ourselves with him anymore.”

The previous night, she had already written to the steward of another estate in Yongxin, asking him to send trustworthy people to oversee the Lingbi estate. These matters should be handled by someone who understands farming, as they needed to return to Tongzhou.

With everything packed and ready, the man called Qin Er came over with one basket of fresh chicken and duck eggs and another full of chestnuts and dates. Very nervously, he said to Madam Tong, “These are all collected from the villagers. There are also some persimmons and corn flour, but I thought the young lady wouldn’t care for such things, so I didn’t bring them…”

Madam Tong smiled at him, making him even more nervous. “These things are all easy to transport! The dates are large and sweet, and the chestnuts are fragrant…”

Jin Chao emerged from the room and told Madam Tong to accept the gifts, then asked him, “Would you like to help with the estate’s affairs? The estate is currently short-handed. When Steward Xu arrives from Yongxin, you can assist him. If nothing else, your family won’t go hungry.”

Qin Er was stunned for a moment before reacting with great excitement, thanking her profusely and wanting to kowtow to Jin Chao.

Jin Chao smiled and accepted his courtesy.

By noon, the group was ready to return to Tongzhou. However, there was a problem at the silk estate in Xianghe, and a manager came overnight to Lingbi to consult with Ji Yao, who could not return to Tongzhou. As Jin Chao boarded the carriage, she heard him walking and talking with the manager: “…He’s truly audacious! Daring to help those bandits from Guizhou transport goods. Arrest all of them, I’ll question them personally…” His tone was extremely cold.

Bandits from Guizhou? Jin Chao’s heart skipped a beat when she heard this.

But judging by Ji Yao’s demeanor, this certainly wasn’t anything good. She didn’t know exactly what had happened…

Jin Chao didn’t ask. This was a private Ji family matter, and Ji Yao would be put in a difficult position if she inquired.

It was already past noon when they returned to Tongzhou. Jin Chao hadn’t eaten yet. Her grandmother arranged for the kitchen to send up a table full of dishes, saying with a smile, “…You probably didn’t eat well during these days in Xianghe.” She then asked how the estate matters had been handled.

Jin Chao smiled wryly and said, “Grandmother, I’m still in mourning…” How could she eat such rich food?

Her grandmother frowned and said, “The living are most important. Look how much weight you’ve lost these past months. If your mother saw this, she would surely be more heartbroken and worried…” She placed chopsticks in Jin Chao’s hand, brooking no refusal.

Jin Chao had no choice but to start eating. Her grandmother, meanwhile, began discussing with Madam Song, asking for all the details about Steward Zhao. After hearing everything, she smiled and stroked Jin Chao’s hair, saying, “Our Chao girl is still the capable one. Such a person should never have been kept!”

Jin Chao felt a warmth in her heart, feeling like a cherished child in her grandmother’s presence.

Shortly after, Ji An Chun was carried by a servant to pay respects to Ji Wu Shi. Not only did Ji An Chun observe morning and evening rituals, but he also came once at noon. He was very fond of Ji Wu Shi, who always prepared two large six-compartment porcelain boxes for him, filled with various dried fruits, sugar crisps, and preserved fruits and meats as snacks.

Ji An Chun sat on the kang bed with a large box, nestling against Ji Wu Shi. Seeing Jin Chao eating, he stared at the plate of pickled goose feet for a long time.

Jin Chao picked up a small piece of pickled goose feet and asked him, “Does young master Chun want some?”

Ji An Chun ignored her again, drawing back his feet and hiding behind Ji Wu Shi. Ji Wu Shi smiled helplessly and told Jin Chao, “Young master Chun is usually not shy with strangers, but he seems a bit afraid of you. It’s strange, since on the day of his Zhua Zhou ceremony, he grabbed your hairpin…” She brought Ji An Chun out and asked him to call Jin Chao “Aunt,” but Ji An Chun kept his mouth tightly shut, refusing to speak, and eventually burst into loud tears.

The nursemaid caring for him was frightened and hurriedly comforted him in a soft voice. Ji Wu Shi then told her to take Ji An Chun to play in the courtyard. Jin Chao had finished her meal, and servants came to clear the dishes.

At this moment, Xiang Lan, the senior maid serving Ji Wu Shi, entered. She first curtseyed to Ji Wu Shi and Jin Chao before saying, “…The Third Young Master has returned; his carriage has arrived at the screen wall!”

Returning from a journey, he would certainly come to pay respects to Ji Wu Shi first. Ji Wu Shi forgot about Ji An Chun and became excited: “…I wonder how his studies with others have progressed. Have him come quickly, I want to ask him… It’s good that his cousin is also here; he should come to meet her as well!”

Jin Chao was also happy for her grandmother. The Ji family didn’t have many naturally gifted scholars. In her previous life, Ji Yun had only achieved the rank of Tong Jin Shi. Perhaps in this life, after studying with Chen Xuan Qing, he might perform better.

Xiang Lan acknowledged the instruction and left. Soon, Jin Chao heard footsteps. As Ji Yun crossed the threshold, he smiled, bowed, and asked, “Has Grandmother been well recently?” Then, seeing Jin Chao, he cupped his hands in greeting and said, “Cousin is here as well!”

Ji Wu Shi smiled and asked him to come over. She was about to say something when she noticed two people entering behind him. One was slightly shorter, wearing a tea-colored Hangzhou silk straight robe, with regular features and a face full of smiles.

The other followed a step behind, wearing a cloud-patterned fine cloth straight robe in cyan. He was tall and slender, with extraordinarily handsome features. More remarkable was his gentle and calm demeanor—though he only smiled faintly, he resembled bamboo on a misty mountain, giving people a sense of elegant refinement.

Jin Chao’s expression changed.

She secretly pinched her palm and lowered her gaze.

Chen Xuan Qing… it was Chen Xuan Qing! She had once again encountered the young Chen Xuan Qing!

Ji Yun introduced them to Ji Wu Shi, first indicating the slightly shorter one: “…This is Prince Rui’s nephew, the third son of Official An, An Song Huai. He is my classmate from the Imperial Academy.” Then he introduced the young man in the cyan cloud-patterned fine cloth robe, “…Chen family’s Seventh Young Master, Chen Xuan Qing. Grandmother knows him—he ranked third in our North Zhili provincial examination!”

Ji Wu Shi had met Chen Xuan Qing at Ji Yun’s wedding, so they were already acquainted. However, she hadn’t heard of Prince Rui’s nephew before, but since he came back with her grandson, he must also be a successful candidate in the provincial examinations. She smiled and nodded.

Ji Yun then introduced Ji Wu Shi and the two men cupped their hands in greeting and paid their respects.

Ji Yun hesitated, unsure whether to introduce Gu Jin Chao. He hadn’t listened to Xiang Lan’s detailed explanation before coming to Duanhua Pavilion and had no idea that Gu Jin Chao was present. Otherwise, Chen Xuan Qing and An Song Huai would have had to avoid meeting her. But as things stood, not introducing her would seem impolite. So he introduced Gu Jin Chao: “…This is my cousin, the eldest young lady of the Gu family.”

However much Jin Chao wished to avoid facing Chen Xuan Qing, she had to raise her head and smile with a nod.

Chen Xuan Qing was also startled but quickly regained his composure. As if not recognizing Jin Chao, he cupped his hands in greeting, saying “Greetings, Miss Gu,” then turned away and no longer looked at her. His expression remained calm, but his hand hidden in his sleeve was tightly clenched.

Had he known Gu Jin Chao was with the Ji family… he would never have come to the Ji family under any circumstances!

An Song Huai, upon seeing Jin Chao, was visibly stunned. Ji Wu Shi couldn’t help but feel displeased at this and smiled, asking Chen Xuan Qing, “Ji Yun has been learning essay composition from you, which must have troubled you. He is naturally slow-witted and only understands with others’ guidance. Young Master An must feel the same way?”

An Song Huai, aware of his impropriety, blushed deeply and hastily said, “Ji Yun is much more intelligent than I am…”

Chen Xuan Qing replied amiably, “The Old Madam is being too polite. I simply received more guidance from my father at home, or I wouldn’t have achieved this top ranking.” His father, Chen Yan Yun, had previously been the top candidate in the North Zhili provincial examinations and later ranked second in the imperial examinations.

Ji Wu Shi couldn’t help but smile. No matter what, people from the Chen family were different. Chen Xuan Qing was so learned, yet not the least bit arrogant.

Ji Wu Shi then asked Ji Yun why they had come to Tongzhou.

Ji Yun explained, “When I went to the Chen family, I happened to meet Ju Ming and spoke briefly with the Chen family’s Third Master. The Third Master advised us to seek out Teacher Zhang, the instructor of broad learning at the Imperial Academy, saying his lectures on broad learning are excellent… Teacher Zhang has retired to Tongzhou, which is why we returned. It was also a good opportunity to pay respects to Grandmother.”

Ju Ming was An Song Huai’s courtesy name.

Ji Wu Shi instructed Madam Song to prepare a ceremonial gift of one hundred taels of silver for Teacher Zhang.