Mu Jin lit a pine oil lamp, brightening the space for Gu Lan. She then brought a bowl of hot osmanthus leaf soup and placed it beside the writing desk.

Gu Lan was practicing calligraphy. The official script commonly used by scholars wasn’t suitable for young ladies, so she was practicing a small seal script. After finishing a sheet of paper, she held it up against the lamp to examine it, feeling somewhat dissatisfied. Gu Jin Chao’s handwriting was much more beautiful than hers. When she was with the Ji family, she studied alongside the young masters of the Ji household. As for herself, she had only received elementary education from a female teacher hired by her father.

Mu Jin helped Gu Lan put away the paper and said softly, “Song Luo was just called back to the East Wing Courtyard. They say Lady Dowager wants to question her…”

Gu Lan gave a cold laugh: “Let her go.” An ungrateful dog—even feeding her was troublesome. Her voice grew colder, “I was too careless and fell into Gu Jin Chao’s trap. I’m afraid Grandmother will give me the cold shoulder again…”

Mu Jin was puzzled, “From today’s events, I couldn’t see anything suspicious. Does Young Lady think the First Young Lady was behind it?”

Gu Lan took a sip of the hot osmanthus leaf soup and asked Mu Jin, “Who do you think benefited the most from this incident?”

Without hesitation, Mu Jin answered, “Naturally, it’s the First Young Lady. Now Qing Pu doesn’t have to marry Xu Houcai.”

Gu Lan smiled and said, “Not only does Qing Pu avoid marrying Xu Houcai, but Song Xiang also can’t marry Steward Lei’s son. She killed two birds with one stone.” But she couldn’t find any flaw in Gu Jin Chao’s plan. Gu Jin Chao couldn’t possibly have bribed Xu Houcai to frame Song Xiang…

Gu Lan also secretly hated herself for falling into Gu Jin Chao’s trap.

Moreover, there were many strange aspects to this incident. Why was Song Xiang unwilling to call the maid for a confrontation? What was she hiding? She felt this matter was far more complex than she had imagined.

Gu Lan sighed, her gaze falling once again on the pair of Hetian jade paperweights.

After Jin Chao returned to Yan Xiu Hall, Cai Fu, and the others hurried over to her. Seeing that the First Young Lady appeared to have been crying, they were all confused. Jin Chao immediately smiled, “It’s fine now, everything’s settled. Go find Madam Xu.”

The maids all cheered happily, taking Qing Pu’s hand to speak with her. Qing Pu not having to marry Xu Houcai was indeed a joyous occasion. Bai Yun went to find Madam Xu, while Jin Chao personally wrote letters to Cao Zi Heng and Steward Lei in the study room, explaining the situation, and asked Madam Xu to deliver the letters.

She then instructed her: “…Song Xiang will be married from Cheng’an Alley. I estimate Grandmother will provide fifty taels for her dowry, and we should contribute twenty taels, which should be sufficient. Also, buy some crunchy sugar candies and peach slice cakes to send along as wedding gifts.”

Madam Xu asked, “Why does the First Young Lady look like she’s been crying… Did Madam Feng notice something?”

Jin Chao smiled, “Don’t worry, Madam Feng knows this matter is complicated and doesn’t want anyone to mention it again. She wouldn’t dare touch it. My crying was to gain benefits for us.” As soon as she had left, Madam Feng had found excuses to punish all the maids and elderly servants who had witnessed the incident. Song Xiang’s admission to flirting with Xu Houcai had embarrassed her, and she wanted everyone to be cautious.

Besides, it wasn’t as if she had deliberately led them to witness it, so how could she be blamed? Furthermore, Madam Feng had to praise her for being sensible and courteous, and for saving her personal maid’s life.

After this incident, although Madam Feng wouldn’t completely restrain herself, at least she would behave for a good while.

The next day, Madam Xu went to deliver the letters. When Steward Lei learned that his son wouldn’t have to marry Song Xiang, he was extremely grateful and immediately found a matchmaker to propose to the girl his son had set his heart on. When Song Xiang married Xu Houcai, Madam Xu attended and presented wedding gifts.

The days passed into the eleventh month.

After the Minor Snow solar term, it snowed for the first time the following day.

On the third day of the eleventh month, it was finally time for the new Emperor’s ascension to the throne. The reign was named Wanli. There was a general amnesty, and the whole country celebrated.

When Jin Chao heard this, she fell silent for a moment. In this life, the new Emperor’s ascension was about a month later than in her previous life.

Since it was the auspicious time of the new Emperor’s ascension, Madam Feng set up a feast in the East Wing Courtyard and invited all household members to attend. Ye Xian also came from the Marquis of Changxing’s mansion to visit Madam Feng and the Fifth Madam. After the meal, Madam Feng invited Ye Xian to the East Wing Courtyard. Given Ye Xian’s status, he should have been received in the main hall, but the west side room was warmer, so they went there to talk. Madam Feng also had her new personal maid, Fu Ling, bring Huangshan Mist tea for Ye Xian.

Jin Chao attended to Madam Feng on the side.

Outside, the first snow had not yet melted. Maids were sweeping the snow off the steps with brooms, and the newly bloomed plum blossoms in the courtyard were vibrantly blossoming. However, the west side room was separated by thick curtains, with warm charcoal fires burning inside, so it didn’t feel cold.

Madam Feng had just asked, “…With the imperial physicians attending, the Marquis’s health should be fine now, right?”

But Ye Xian didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he took off his bluish-gray embroidered gray squirrel fur cape, casually handed it to Gu Jin Chao who was standing nearby, and said to her, “Spread it out on the stove to warm it for a while, but be careful not to let it catch fire.”

Madam Feng was momentarily stunned, then realized that Ye Xian had mistaken Gu Jin Chao for a maid.

Madam Feng hadn’t introduced Gu Jin Chao to Ye Xian yet. After all, Gu Jin Chao was a young lady without a prestigious status, so it wasn’t appropriate to introduce her to the Young Master. But the Young Master was confused—Gu Jin Chao’s attire and appearance were not like those of a maid.

Gu Jin Chao held his cape, feeling somewhat bemused, but seeing how naturally he acted as if he were just instructing a maid.

The Fifth Madam, who was drinking caterpillar fungus pigeon soup, also froze for a moment, almost choking on the soup. She handed the soup bowl to a maid and then smiled, saying, “How strange you are. You normally remember clearly even guards you’ve met only once. You met your niece last year, how could you not recognize her today and even try to order her around…”

Hearing the Fifth Madam’s words, Madam Feng recalled the events from earlier in the year.

Ye Xian turned to look at Gu Jin Chao. She was wearing a light blue satin jacket with a persimmon pattern and a stone-blue moonlight skirt, still in plain attire. She was holding his cape but lowered her eyelids, avoiding eye contact with him. He smiled faintly and said, “Only after Elder Sister mentioned it did I remember there was such a person.”

Madam Feng smiled, “She is your brother-in-law’s third brother’s eldest daughter, who has just returned from Shi’an not long ago. She’s learning proper etiquette by my side.”

After Ye Xian and Jin Chao exchanged greetings, he ignored her and continued talking with Madam Feng: “…Father’s health is no longer in danger, but he will need to recuperate for a few years. You needn’t worry.”

The Fifth Madam smiled, “Mother, you don’t know yet, but the Marquis of Changxing’s household is now managed by our Young Master. He has also secured a position as an official in the Court of Judicial Review and goes there daily to handle official business. It’s only been a few days, and he’s already daring to order his niece around…”

Hearing this, Madam Feng was also very pleased. Usually, sons of noble families could at most secure positions in the Imperial Guard or the Imperial Clan Court. Places like the Court of Judicial Review were normally only open to those who had passed the highest imperial examinations… she wondered how Ye Xian had managed to enter!

Jin Chao stood listening, sighing inwardly. Just as in her previous life, Ye Xian had still entered the Court of Judicial Review…

She held his cape awkwardly, not knowing what to do with it, so she simply retreated to the side to help warm Ye Xian’s cape. After warming it, she left the west side room and asked Ye Xian’s page boy to hold it. In the courtyard, a maidservant was arranging several pots of four-season begonias. Seeing that the placement was incorrect, she went over and said a few words.

After a while, Ye Xian came out of the west side room.

The Fifth Madam was still inside talking with Madam Feng.

Ye Xian put on his cape and could feel the comfortable warmth inside. Gu Jin Chao must have warmed it for him.

After the maidservant had moved the flower pots and left, Gu Jin Chao looked up and saw Ye Xian standing under the corridor, watching her without speaking.

Ye Xian’s face was nestled in the fluffy fur. Despite his elegant and handsome features, there was a childish quality to him.

She walked over, curtseyed, and said, “Why is the Young Master standing outside? It’s cold.”

Ye Xian, however, said, “You didn’t warm the cape well. A corner of the fur has been singed. How can you not even do this simple task properly?” He picked up a corner of his cape to show Gu Jin Chao, and indeed there was a scorched area about the size of a copper coin.

Gu Jin Chao hadn’t noticed this burnt spot. She thought for a moment and then smiled, “My hands are too clumsy. If the Young Master hadn’t had such a poor memory and mistaken me for a maid, your cape wouldn’t have been damaged. If you’re upset about it… perhaps I should compensate you with a new one?”

Ye Xian smiled, “So you’re holding a grudge… Alright, I can’t be bothered to argue with you. I see that Madam Feng is not easy to get along with. If you face difficulties in the future, you can write to me…” Just as he was saying this, a guard waiting outside came in.

“Sir, Master Wei requests your presence. He says it’s about the matter with the Imperial Dispensary…”

Ye Xian then calmly acknowledged and said goodbye to Gu Jin Chao, “…I’ll come back in the twelfth month.”

He left the East Wing Courtyard with his entourage.

Jin Chao was puzzled. Why did Ye Xian tell her he would come back in the twelfth month? What difference did it make if he came?

Jin Chao pondered for a while but couldn’t understand. Then a young maid came to find her, saying Madam Feng wanted to speak with her.

Madam Feng wanted to talk to her about etiquette. “…You’ve been serving me for over two months now. I see that your manner of walking and sitting is all good. From now on, you don’t need to come serve me every day. Grandmother shouldn’t prevent you from doing other things.” Madam Feng took her hand and smiled, “Lan girl serves under the Second Daughter-in-law and is always in cahoots with Lian girl—how can she learn proper etiquette? From now on, let Lan girl come serve me, so I can teach her to behave properly. This will prevent her from causing mischief.”

With Gu Lan spending her days with Gu Lian, Madam Feng’s mind, must think Gu Lan would lead Gu Lian astray.

Jin Chao curtseyed to thank Madam Feng: “…Even if I don’t come to serve you, I will still come to pay my respects to you every day.”

Madam Feng then smiled at the Fifth Madam, “Look at this girl. Didn’t I say she understands propriety? There’s no need for me to teach her anymore—her every word and action is impeccable.” After speaking, she called in the matron from outside and selected several pieces of plain satin, a pair of chicken-blood stones as big as fists, and a string of small-leaf purple sandalwood prayer beads with golden stars from her storehouse to give to Gu Jin Chao.

Jin Chao thanked Madam Feng again.

When she returned to Yan Xiu Hall in the evening, Madam Xu was already waiting for her outside the courtyard gate. She took out a letter from her sleeve and handed it to her, saying it was a letter from the Ji family in Tongzhou.

Why would her maternal grandmother be looking for her at this time? Jin Chao wondered.