After paying respects to Madam Feng, Jin Chao accompanied Gu Jin Rong to the wing rooms in the West Courtyard. Gu Jin Rong stayed in the easternmost room, while Gu Jin Xiao and Gu Jin Xian were in the west. The Imperial Academy had just ended classes a few days ago, and both of them happened to be in the West Courtyard as well.

Gu Jin Rong’s chamber had been arranged by the Second Madam. In the study room were a writing desk, a long table, and two Dongpo chairs. By the window stood a blue-glazed cloisonné plum vase with a blue base, along with a slightly worn purple bamboo brush holder containing brushes of various sizes. Jin Chao told him: “After you’ve settled your things, go pay your respects to Father and your two uncles. Don’t forget the two cousins from the Imperial Academy either; they’re much older than you…”

Gu Jin Rong smiled and said: “It’s been a few months since we met, why has Elder Sister become so talkative?”

After Ji Shi passed away, everything in his life was managed by his elder sister. During those months in Shi’an, she arranged everything for him—his winter clothes, bedding, food, and even knee protectors for the cold—all very thoughtfully prepared. Gu Jin Rong remembered Jin Chao’s kindness and had been eagerly looking forward to seeing her. Fortunately, she was living well in Daxing and hadn’t lost weight. Seeing this put his mind at ease.

Gu Jin Chao said: “Now you’re complaining that I’m nagging…” She looked at Jin Rong’s face, which somewhat resembled their mother’s, and brushed the snow off his fur coat. “Then I won’t say more. Just remember to go to the East Courtyard later to pay your respects to Grandmother again.”

Gu Jin Rong grinned and didn’t let her leave: “I haven’t asked Elder Sister about something yet! I heard you’re getting engaged to Second Cousin?”

Jin Chao shook her head: “Nothing is settled yet. Where did you hear that from?”

Gu Jin Rong avoided answering and said seriously: “Second Cousin is a good person, worthy of my Elder Sister!” He held Jin Chao’s arm and pleaded, “I want to eat the cloud sesame leaf cakes you used to make… Will you make them for me?”

Jin Chao felt that Gu Jin Rong was behaving like a child. She nodded in agreement. After Gu Jin Rong had met with his father and uncles, he eagerly came to Gu Jin Chao, following behind her expectantly. He asked her to add more sugar to the cakes and to put raisins and dried longan in the hawthorn cakes.

The small kitchen was already busy, and Jin Chao found him too chatty, so before long she sent him to sit in the study.

Gu Jin Rong had just sat down and had a cup of tea when he casually picked up a book that Jin Chao had left on the desk.

A maid came to report that the Second Young Lady had come to see him.

Gu Lan then entered the study, where a stove was burning.

Gu Jin Rong looked at her coldly. She was carrying a food box and said with a smile: “…Second Sister made some snacks for you.”

Gu Jin Rong pointed to the desk, indicating she should put it down. Then he said: “Thank you, Second Sister.”

Gu Lan looked at Gu Jin Rong, thinking of how he used to depend on her so much, following her around like a little tail. He had always been close only to her, would argue with Gu Jin Chao to help her, and learned ivory carving to please her…

Gu Lan forced a smile and said: “Rong, why have you become so distant from Second Sister? Even if Second Sister did something wrong, I’m still your Second Sister… If you still resent me, can’t I apologize to you? I’m already in such a state, yet you still despise me…”

As she spoke emotionally, tears streamed down her face.

Gu Jin Rong frowned tightly; seeing Gu Lan like this now only disgusted him.

But he smiled and said: “Does Second Sister think you’re pitiful? I think you’re pitiful too. What are you trying to achieve by pleasing me? Is it because you don’t have anyone to support you now, and you feel insecure?” He had sympathized with Gu Lan, but who had sympathized with him? When Ji Shi had just died, he was in a constant state of anxiety, because he had indirectly caused his mother’s death. His elder sister wouldn’t acknowledge him, and he couldn’t forgive himself.

Whenever he thought of the scene of his mother’s death and his elder sister’s tear-stained face, Gu Jin Rong found the sight of Gu Lan utterly repulsive.

Gu Lan was stunned.

Gu Jin Rong continued: “Second Sister—I still call you Second Sister, so please just be a proper concubine-born sister! Elder Sister is about to get engaged to Second Cousin, and I just want Elder Sister to be well. Don’t bully her! Even if you hadn’t come to find me, I would still have said this to you. If you dare to harm my Elder Sister, I won’t let you off.”

Gu Lan sneered: “How could I bully her? She knows her affairs best!” Thinking of Gu Jin Chao’s threatening words, Gu Lan still didn’t continue. She finally said in a low voice, “Gu Jin Rong, you were the first to disregard our brother-sister relationship, so don’t blame me for completely tearing off the facade!”

Gu Jin Rong still smiled as he watched her. Gu Lan left Yan Xiu Hall.

In the evening, Jin Chao heard about this from Cai Fu and thought about it for a long time.

Rong had become much better at dealing with people than before, and he had more sense of responsibility. Her mother’s death had indeed changed him a lot. He was even worried that Gu Lan would bully her and ruin her marriage. He had wanted to warn Gu Lan.

“He is also maturing…” she thought, and asked Madam Xu to prepare preserved goose and chestnut cakes for the New Year to send to the Yu family. Looking at Rong, it was clear that the Yu family treated him very well.

Madam Xu agreed, and then asked Gu Jin Chao: “Young Lady, what do you think about the marriage proposal from the Young Master of the Ji family?”

Gu Jin Chao smiled unconsciously: “What can I think?” Remembering Ji Yao’s gentle eyes looking at her with sincerity, she couldn’t bring herself to say any words of refusal. She would just let things be. If this marriage could happen, it could only be considered following heaven’s will.

At the Marquis of Changxing’s mansion, Li Xian Huai had just returned from Shi’an after thoroughly investigating the Ji family. As instructed by the Young Master, he had checked into their ancestry for eight generations. He had also thoroughly looked into Ji Yao. When he returned, Ye Xian was in the study talking with the old Marquis.

The grandfather and grandson were secretly discussing Shanxi Provincial Governor Yuan Zhong Ru’s affairs and also mentioned the case of Fan Chuan’s embezzlement. The old Marquis highly approved of Ye Xian’s approach: “With the late emperor’s passing and your father’s serious injury… the Marquis of Changxing’s household needs time to recuperate. We can’t get involved in these messy affairs… letting Zhang Ju Lian be is also something we can’t help…”

Ye Xian pondered thoughtfully.

The old Marquis looked at his grandson and slowly began: “You just turned sixteen last month, didn’t you? For young masters of ordinary noble families, by this time they would have either married or at least been engaged. I see that your marriage hasn’t made any progress yet.”

Ye Xian glanced at his grandfather, raised an eyebrow, and said “Oh” slowly. Then he said unhurriedly: “Grandson is not in a hurry.”

The old Marquis said to him: “Of course you’re not in a hurry!” With Ye Xian’s lazy temperament, why would he be in a hurry? It was himself who was anxiously scratching his heart and lungs. The old Marquis cleared his throat and then said: “I’ve discussed with your maternal grandfather… I think the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis of Wuding is acceptable, while your maternal grandfather thinks the legitimate second daughter of the Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace, He Wen Xin, is suitable. You should discuss with your mother later to decide which one to choose, so we can ask your maternal grandfather to propose marriage.”

The old Marquis didn’t like scholars and had even less fondness for his in-law who was the Director of the Hanlin Academy. Though they said they were discussing, they ended up disagreeing and parting on bad terms, glaring at each other with flared tempers.

Master Gao complained that the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis of Wuding hadn’t even read the elementary “Three Character Classic” or “Standards for Students,” lacking cultural foundation. The old Marquis complained that the legitimate second daughter of the Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace was too quiet and dull.

Ye Xian fell silent. The two his grandfather mentioned were undoubtedly among the cream of noble daughters. The Marquis of Wuding’s ancestors were generals who had helped the founding emperor establish the country, enjoying glory for a hundred years without decline. The legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis of Wuding was only fourteen, but her reputation as a beauty was already well-known.

The legitimate second daughter of the Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace was not only exceptionally beautiful but also, remarkably, came from a scholarly family with outstanding talents. As soon as she had her coming-of-age ceremony, people flocked to the He family to propose marriage, but the He family had never found anyone to their liking.

As the heir to the Marquis of Changxing, he ought to shoulder the responsibility of ensuring the continued prosperity of the family. Marrying a woman of equal status who could help their family was a certainty.

Ye Xian suddenly thought of Gu Jin Chao.

Nominally, he was Gu Jin Chao’s maternal uncle, with their status and position being vastly different. He could pursue the cream of noble daughters because he was the heir to the Marquis of Changxing. What about Gu Jin Chao… would she marry her cousin in the future? After she was married, he wouldn’t be able to see her at will, talk with her, or give her the cactus he had raised, as he used to.

Ye Xian left his grandfather’s study and gazed into the pitch-black night, his lips tightly pressed.

He was the only legitimate son of the Marquis of Changxing family, granted the title of heir shortly after birth. His actions represented not only himself but also the Marquis’s household. He couldn’t possibly do whatever he pleased.

But he had no desire whatsoever to marry either the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis of Wuding or the legitimate second daughter of the Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace. How could they be like Gu Jin Chao, like her… Ye Xian didn’t even know what Gu Jin Chao meant to him. He gazed into the night and let out a light breath.

Li Xian Huai approached, “Young Master… I’ve found out everything you asked me to investigate.”

Ye Xian unconsciously made a sound of acknowledgment, letting him continue.

The person Gu Jin Chao was going to marry—he had to understand him thoroughly. He owed her such a great debt of gratitude that he couldn’t repay, so he would help her ensure her marriage was good.

In his heart, he truly hoped that Gu Jin Chao’s cousin was not a good person.

He didn’t want Gu Jin Chao to marry someone else.