When Ye Xian returned to the Marquis of Changxing’s residence, Madam Gao was waiting for him in the study.

“Your grandfather is unwell and has already retired to bed. You unfilial son…” Madam Gao said softly, then began to weep silently. “Our family is in such a predicament now. Your father’s health has been fundamentally damaged; he can’t even lift anything heavy. The Marquis of Changxing’s household is counting on you, and what have you done? What disgraceful things…”

After Ye Xian had left with his men, the old Marquis immediately sent people to follow him.

Though they couldn’t see what happened inside, Ye Xian, as the heir to the Marquis of Changxing, should have been treated with courtesy. Yet there was not the slightest sound from within… something was certainly amiss. Madam Gao asked him, “What exactly do you intend to do? I’ve told you before, a woman like Gu Jin Chao is not worthy of our Changxing Marquis family’s status, especially now that she’s already been promised to Chen Third Master…”

Madam Gao sat beside the candlelight, murmuring, her silhouette cast upon the window lattice. Ye Xian noticed several strands of white hair at her temples. During these days of his father’s illness, his mother had grown even thinner than his father. The bracelet on her wrist, which hadn’t been so loose before, now hung slack. Her oversized sleeves and dangling jade bracelet made her wrist bones appear extremely thin.

Madam Gao sat with her back ramrod straight, not even looking at him.

His mother had been a well-bred lady from a scholarly family, and her small seal script was better than that of most scholars. She had always lived a smooth and fortunate life, and others had always praised her for being steady and dignified. It seemed as if all the misfortunes she had encountered were now manifested in her son…

Ye Xian couldn’t help feeling guilty. Even if Madam Gao looked down on Gu Jin Chao, she was still his mother, and he shouldn’t be so cold to her.

When he was little and deathly ill, Madam Gao had accompanied him day and night, playing string games with him to keep his spirits up. Only when he couldn’t see would she secretly wipe away her tears, never letting the child sense her worry.

The bite Gu Jin Chao had left on his hand still throbbed with pain.

Ye Xian sighed, his voice softening: “It’s already the hour of Hai (9-11 PM). You should go rest.”

Madam Gao looked up at him, her eyes still red and swollen.

Ye Xian could only say, “Would you allow me some time to think alone?”

Only then did Madam Gao stand up, as if wanting to say something to Ye Xian but not knowing how. Her lips trembled: “This matter… your grandfather and I have agreed to keep it from your father, and you shouldn’t mention it either.”

As Madam Gao reached the door, she suddenly turned back and said to him: “Mother has watched you grow up. Others may not know what you’re thinking, but Mother knows.” To her, Ye Xian’s thoughts were easy to guess; he always went straight for what he wanted, regardless of how incomprehensible the process or methods might seem to others. This child was quite simple; he was just more obtuse than others.

“No matter how much you like her… it simply cannot be,” Madam Gao said softly.

Ye Xian looked at Madam Gao with some confusion.

Madam Gao’s heart was full of pity. She could sense that Ye Xian was in low spirits; his hand remained hidden in his sleeve.

When he was small, he loved the Pekingese dog his maternal grandmother raised. Every time he visited, he would hug the Pekingese to play with it, not knowing his strength. After several such encounters, the Pekingese would fear Ye Xian whenever they saw him, hiding frightened under the arhat bed and refusing to come out. When little Ye Xian would crouch beside the bed without speaking, he had this same expression.

He didn’t know what he had done wrong, looking both innocent and at a loss.

“…Think about it yourself, then,” Madam Gao smiled bitterly before leaving the study.

Ye Xian lay down on the circular chair, closing his eyes in thought for a long while.

He already understood, and it wasn’t a big deal—he simply liked Gu Jin Chao. Wanting to protect her, wanting to see her often—how was that not liking her? But it seemed he was already too late.

As Gu Jin Chao had said, no matter how willful he might be, he couldn’t ignore her situation, her family, her elders…

Ye Xian opened his eyes in frustration. He didn’t like this feeling of helplessness.

He had many ways to prevent Gu Jin Chao from marrying Chen Yan Yun. But no matter what, it would be a kind of harm to Gu Jin Chao. She couldn’t be as unconcerned as he was…

No matter how unwilling, he would have to let it go.

Ye Xian lay back on the circular chair, but his mind was now clear.

What if she got married? Did his liking her require her consent?

He would just go on liking her this way, and who would know?

Why should he care about others?

Gu Jin Chao stood in the corridor, looking at the red silk lanterns hanging from the eaves.

Madam Feng had only said one thing to her: “Think thrice before acting. You’ve always been more sensible than your sisters; Grandmother trusts you completely.”

After saying this, she went to the main hall where guests were already waiting outside.

The sedan chair from the Xu family had already been carried through the main gate.

Jin Chao saw her father, tall and straight, standing silently among the crowd, wearing a dark red formal robe with roundel embroidery.

Xu Jing Yi, carrying a vase, descended from the sedan chair, stepped over a saddle and a basin of money and grain, and, supported by a matron, completed the wedding ceremony. In the west courtyard, a feast of ham and shark fin was immediately served, with tables of food flowing in one after another. Her father drank a lot of wine and was soon escorted by the crowd to the bridal chamber.

Jin Chao continued talking with her maternal grandmother until the evening before returning to Yan Xiu Hall.

By now, deep in the night, she still couldn’t sleep. She put on a robe and went out to look at the lanterns.

These lanterns all over the garden would remain lit throughout the night.

Jin Chao’s mind was in chaos. She thought about her impending marriage to Chen Third Master, about the Chen family, and her child from her previous life… who knew what it would all be like! And what exactly did Ye Xian intend with what he had said today?

She couldn’t help feeling anxious.

When Jin Chao woke up the next day, she inevitably felt somewhat mentally fatigued.

Gu Yi and Gu Xi came to find her; it was time to pay respects to Xu Jing Yi.

Jin Chao arranged her hair in a simple bun, put on a pair of earrings, and went with the two of them to the east courtyard.

On the way, Gu Xi spoke to her: “Elder Sister, I’ve never seen Miss Xu.”

Jin Chao said, “You should call her Mother now.”

Gu Xi made a sound of acknowledgment, then asked quietly, “You’ve seen her—is she beautiful? Is she mean to people?”

Jin Chao smiled and stroked her head, saying, “You’ll see her soon enough. How can I explain it all in a few words? Just don’t be afraid.”

Despite Gu Jin Chao’s reassurances, Gu Yi and Gu Xi still felt nervous. They had heard that Miss Xu’s father held an official rank of Third Grade, higher than Gu’s Second Master’s position. In their eyes, Gu Second Master’s rank was already quite high. They had heard that stepmothers always tried to establish their authority when they first arrived, especially when the children were already grown.

The new bride would first offer tea to Madam Feng, meet her sisters-in-law, and then formally meet the family. By going to the east courtyard to pay respects to Madam Feng, they could also pay respects to Xu Jing Yi at the same time.

Just as Jin Chao was leading her two younger sisters to the east courtyard, they heard voices from within. Upon entering, they saw their father and Xu Jing Yi already present. Father was wearing a dark blue straight robe of Hangzhou silk. Xu Jing Yi was tall, only half a head shorter than Father. She wore a bright red wide-sleeved jacket embroidered with cloud patterns, had her hair done in a married woman’s round bun, adorned with a simple yet elegant pure gold hairpin, and wore a pair of Kingfisher feather bracelets.

Madam Feng scrutinized Xu Jing Yi from head to toe.

Indeed, she was not beautiful, but her gentle demeanor was her strength. While brides were usually shy, she was poised and dignified, with clear eyes.

…She would not be easy to deal with.

Xu Jing Yi served tea to Madam Feng, who gave her a gift box painted red as a meeting present. Xu Jing Yi said, “Thank you, Mother.”

At this moment, the Second Mistress closed her tea lid and smiled in praise: “Fourth Sister-in-law is so proper! I remember when I first came to pay respects to Mother, my hands were shaking so much I could barely hold the teacup…”

Xu Jing Yi smiled and replied, “I’m merely accustomed to serving my mother at home; I can only be called obedient…”

Gu De Zhao then glanced at Xu Jing Yi.

It was then that Jin Chao led her two younger sisters in, and they each paid their respects to everyone.

Xu Jing Yi smiled and nodded to Jin Chao.

Madam Feng said to Xu Jing Yi: “As a daughter of the Xu family, you needn’t worry too much about etiquette. The affairs of the Fourth House have been managed by Jin Chao and me, which isn’t appropriate. First, learn from your Second Sister-in-law for a few days, then take over the management of the Fourth House. With you looking after things, I can rest easy… Raising children, serving your husband—just fulfill your duties.”

After the greetings came the formal introductions to the various branches of the Gu family, close friends, and relatives. Once this was complete, the children of the Fourth House followed Xu Jing Yi back to Wan Hua Hall, while Gu De Zhao went first to the study in the front courtyard.

The courtyard had three to five front rooms, connecting through a winding corridor to the front yard and Second Mistress’s courtyard. Double happiness characters were still pasted on the window lattices.

After entering the west side room, Xu Jing Yi sat on the kang bed and pulled Jin Chao to sit beside her.

“…When we parted, I never imagined we would meet again under such circumstances,” Xu Jing Yi sighed. “Who would have thought our fate would be so deep.”

Jin Chao smiled and nodded, calling Gu Xi and Gu Yi over to introduce them to Xu Jing Yi. Gu Lan, who followed at a distance, stood by the tall table, coldly watching them. Jin Chao didn’t call her over, and Xu Jing Yi didn’t even look at her.

It seemed that Gu Jin Chao had previously known Xu Jing Yi, and their friendship appeared to be quite special.

…This wasn’t what she had expected. Shouldn’t a stepmother coming into the house be at odds with Gu Jin Chao? How was it that they seemed to be getting along so well?

After Gu Jin Chao introduced Gu Yi and Gu Xi, she said to Xu Jing Yi: “Please don’t mind, but Brother Rong is at the Imperial Academy and probably won’t be back for a few days. We’ll have him come pay his respects to you then.”

Xu Jing Yi smiled in acknowledgment and had her attendant bring out meeting gifts for the three sisters.

“Naturally, Brother Rong’s studies take precedence; I don’t mind at all,” Xu Jing Yi said, then turned to Gu Lan, “And this must be Lan, why are you standing there foolishly without coming over, as if you’re afraid of your mother?”

Gu Lan bowed and smiled, “How could I be afraid of you?”

After everyone had paid their respects, Xu Jing Yi kept Gu Jin Chao behind to talk while the others left. Xu Jing Yi held Jin Chao’s hand and spoke earnestly: “Jin Chao, do you resent me in your heart?”

Jin Chao smiled and shook her head: “How can you say that?”

Xu Jing Yi let out a sigh of relief: “You’re a sensible person… My marriage here fulfills one of my mother’s wishes—I don’t have to marry into the Luo family, for which I’m deeply grateful. Actually… I understand to some extent why your father proposed to me.” Madam Ji Wu had spoken to her privately about this and had told her about the Gu family’s situation. Xu Jing Yi found it quite normal; it was merely a case of mutual benefit.

Jin Chao looked at her young face, suddenly remembering the paleness and fatigue of that same face in her previous life.

Xu Jing Yi continued with a smile: “…From now on, we’re family, and our honor and disgrace are one. But you must tell me about the Gu family’s circumstances so I won’t be completely ignorant…”