After a while, Jiang Yan brought in a cloak, “Third Master, I couldn’t find anything suitable. This cotton cloak was newly made by the temple monks. Would this work…”

Chen Yanyun took the cloak, examined it, and called Jinchao over, “Change into this cloak. The one you’re wearing is soaked.”

Jinchao was reluctant to change. If she rested here for a while and returned with a new cloak, she wouldn’t know how to explain it to others.

Seeing that she didn’t take it, Chen Yanyun stood up and walked to her, “It can’t compare to your sable fur cloak, but there’s no other option. If you don’t mind, you could use my gray squirrel fur robe.” She would probably be even more unwilling, Chen Yanyun paused at this thought. Seeing her silent face, he said softly, “Come here,” then sighed almost inaudibly, “Am I really that frightening?”

Jinchao didn’t find him frightening, but this situation was truly awkward. She said quietly, “Lord Chen, it’s not necessary… I don’t feel cold.”

He ignored her protest and his slender hands reached out to unfasten the ties of her cloak, his warm fingers inadvertently brushing against her skin. Gu Jinchao looked up in surprise to see Chen Yanyun with lowered eyes, deeply focused, his face without a smile, his movements gentle and soft.

Jinchao felt somewhat embarrassed.

The cloak was handed to Qingpu who stood nearby, and Third Master Chen offered the cotton cloak to her. Jinchao no longer objected as the objection would be futile anyway. She silently fastened the new cloak.

Chen Yanyun discreetly placed his hands behind his back and returned to the kang bed to continue reading the Buddhist scripture.

The snow showed no sign of stopping. Even as the sky darkened, it hadn’t lessened at all.

Gu Jinchao had been sitting in the Reception Hall for three hours. At noon, Jiang Yan brought in a table of vegetarian dishes, and Gu Jinchao tasted the crispy tofu, golden needle mushrooms with tender cucumber, and blanched vegetable hearts that Second Aunt had mentioned. The flavors were indeed exquisite.

When Jiang Yan entered again, he bent down to whisper in Third Master Chen’s ear. After listening, Chen said, “…No hurry, Zhang Ling won’t give up so easily. Let’s see what Wang Xuanfan intends to do… The one plotting against Zhang Ling is Ye Xian. That man’s thoughts run deep; Wang Xuanfan will likely lose more than he gains.”

“Should we do something…”

Chen Yanyun shook his head, “The position of Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is crucial, and Wang Xuanfan is on good terms with the Minister. Let Ye Xian handle it.”

Gu Jinchao perked up her ears at the mention of Ye Xian’s name, but Chen Yanyun changed the subject and asked her, “I saw you were heading to the lamp tower earlier. What were you going there for?”

Gu Jinchao explained that she was going to offer an eternal lamp and added, “…I heard the lamp tower is beautifully constructed and wanted to see the view.”

Chen Yanyun smiled, “The lamp tower doesn’t look good up close. Come with me.”

He opened the lattice door and walked outside, with Gu Jinchao following behind. By now the sky was dark, and in the distance, the lamp tower rose from the ground, its eternal lamps emitting a soft glow. The entire tower appeared especially solitary against the deep blue sky, its warm yellow light undisturbed by the falling snow.

Gu Jinchao was momentarily captivated by the scene.

Chen Yanyun said, “I come to Baoxiang Temple every month to worship Buddha and stay in the inner chamber of the Reception Hall. When I grow tired of reading late at night, I come out to look at the lamp tower. If there’s a moon in the sky, it casts a pale golden glow on the clouds, which reflects against the towers and pavilions. It’s even more beautiful then.”

Unfortunately, there was no moon tonight.

Gu Jinchao sighed, “I feel that among all of Baoxiang Temple’s seven towers, nine pavilions, and twenty-seven halls, none embodies the Buddha nature as much as this single lamp tower.”

Chen Yanyun looked down and saw the brilliant lamplight reflected in her eyes, though her expression seemed somewhat melancholic. He smiled at her, “How old are you to already understand Buddha nature?” Yet in his heart, he felt the same way—no matter how many gilt Buddha statues or grand, exquisite Buddha halls there were, none could quiet the heart like this lamp tower.

Outside, snow fell abundantly. He turned sideways to shield Gu Jinchao, his shoulder becoming covered with snow.

Gu Jinchao felt moved and suddenly reached out to brush the snow from his shoulders. Chen Yanyun instinctively caught her hand.

Gu Jinchao thought to herself that she had mistaken Third Master Chen for Gu Jinrong, helping him brush off the snow—it was truly too impulsive! She hurriedly apologized and tried to withdraw her hand, but it wouldn’t budge.

Third Master Chen pulled her toward the inner chamber, shocking Qingpu who was inside.

He did not explain, simply released her hand and said it was fine, then returned to his book without paying her any further attention.

Gu Jinchao found the situation utterly baffling and felt even more uncomfortable sharing a room with Third Master Chen. Qingpu moved from the brazier to stand beside her without speaking, looking somewhat warily at Third Master Chen. She had originally thought this Lord Chen was a good person, but could he be trying to take liberties with her mistress? Sharing a room like this and touching her hand—if word got out… her mistress’s reputation would be ruined!

Chen Yanyun’s lips were tightly pressed together, finding that he couldn’t absorb a single word from the Buddhist scripture. He looked up to discover that both mistress and maid were watching him cautiously, with Gu Jinchao’s maid particularly vigilant. After a moment of deliberation, Gu Jinchao quietly said, “Lord Chen, the snow outside seems less heavy than before. Perhaps you could provide us with an umbrella, and we’ll take our leave.”

Chen Yanyun had always prided himself on his self-control, and today’s lapse was truly unexpected. He had only reached for her hand because he found Gu Jinchao’s hands so small. He also reproached himself internally. But seeing Gu Jinchao so eager to avoid him, he suddenly felt a touch of anger and said calmly, “What are you afraid of?”

He wasn’t a man of poor character. Years ago when Gu Jinchao fell into the water, if he had wanted to take advantage of the situation, he could have done so. But at that time, Gu Jinchao was only thirteen, and he never entertained such thoughts. To avoid damaging her reputation, he had returned to Wanping that very night.

Gu Jinchao stood up and bowed, “My lord misunderstands. It’s not that I’m afraid, but the hour grows late…”

She felt somewhat uncomfortable, as the development of these events far exceeded her expectations. Third Master Chen had helped her so much, and she didn’t know how to repay him, nor did she want to burden him because of herself.

Chen Yanyun said, “…I understand everything in my heart. You needn’t be afraid.” After a pause, he added, “And even if you are afraid, it won’t help.”

He stood up and walked to Gu Jinchao, looking at her with a smile, “Don’t you want to know why I’m helping you? Think about it carefully. You’re so clever, you’ll surely figure it out. Why would I be so kind to someone for no reason?”

Gu Jinchao’s forehead throbbed. She said softly, “My lord… the hour grows late.”

The snow finally lessened. By the time Jinchao returned to the Gu family women’s quarters, she was still somewhat unsettled. The others crowded around her with concerned inquiries, and Lady Feng even scolded Gu Lian, “I told you to take your elder cousin with you, and you… look how wet your elder cousin is!” She had Jinchao sit with her on the large kang bed to warm up. Jinchao could only pretend that nothing had happened in the Reception Hall, smiling as she conversed with Lady Feng.

Lady Feng didn’t notice anything unusual.

The next day, after the snow cleared and the sky brightened, Lady Feng had the servants harness the horses, and their party prepared to return home.

On the way, they encountered a soft sedan chair, heavily guarded and extraordinarily grand. Lady Feng called Madam Xu to inquire, and Madam Xu soon returned, speaking in a hushed tone, “…The sedan uses rhinoceros-patterned Hangzhou silk curtains, and it’s escorted by Imperial Guards from the Divine Mechanism Battalion. The servant following behind told me it belonged to Third Master Chen from Wanping…”

Lady Feng was immediately surprised, “Minister Chen?” She suddenly became uncertain. Third Master Chen was Gu Dezhao’s highest superior—if they could establish a connection with him, Gu Dezhao’s promotion to Deputy Minister of Revenue would be much more likely. But without any family connection, why would he pay any attention to her…

Lady Feng couldn’t help but blame the weather. If the snow hadn’t been so heavy, they could have met Minister Chen yesterday and perhaps exchanged a few words!

Gu Lan’s maternal grandmother, Lady Song, had once mentioned being able to connect with Minister Chen, but Lady Feng saw that their family’s master didn’t seem particularly close to Minister Chen, so asking for help to pass along a message was simply impossible… Lady Feng didn’t want to miss such an opportunity. After thinking for a long time, she told Madam Xu, “…We have several sweet boxes with candied fruits. Take them to Minister Chen… If he doesn’t accept them, come back immediately.”

Gu Jinchao watched silently from the side. Lady Feng’s gesture was somewhat inappropriate.

After a while, Madam Xu returned, looking extremely pleased, “Old Madam, when the Minister heard I was a servant from the Gu family, he accepted the gifts!”

Lady Feng rewarded Madam Xu with a pair of eight-fen silver ingots and said to Gu Jinchao, “The Minister is quite approachable. It’s a pity we couldn’t exchange a few words. There’s no harm in showing our goodwill… Your father’s promotion might have hope!”

Gu Jinchao smiled, “…Grandmother always knows best.”

Would Third Master Chen casually accept things sent by strangers? She thought it unlikely and worried he might think she had sent them… surely not!

A few days after returning home, she received a scroll painting of ink bamboo, with bold, elegant brushstrokes. Four characters were inscribed at the top in formal, practiced chancellery script: “Returning evil with virtue.”

Gu Jinchao couldn’t help but laugh when she saw it. Third Master truly thought she had sent the box of sweets, and he didn’t like sweet foods.

She had Qingpu store the painting in her private collection, as it couldn’t be displayed outside.