Elder Lady Chen ordered a banquet to be set up in the flower hall. Soon, people streamed in continuously from the front courtyard.

Chen Yan’yun had just seen General Zhao and was walking back with Duke Zheng, Constant Hai, engaged in conversation.

“Zhao Huai is just a scoundrel. Even after being a General for so many years, he still can’t change his nature!” Constant Hai complained. “That Commander Qi under him was someone I sent to Shaanxi… When Zhao Huai was the Front General of Conquering Barbarians, Commander Qi served as his archer. He demoted him just like that, and now he’s some measly Camp Food Officer. A few days ago, he wrote to me complaining about his situation. I wanted to put in a good word for him, but Zhao Huai wouldn’t listen no matter what…”

Zhao Huai’s position as Superintendent was only a second-rank official, while he, Duke Zheng, held a hereditary first-class title. Zhao Huai should have shown him proper respect… Constant Hai felt uncomfortable just thinking about Zhao Huai’s arrogant face.

Chen Yan’yun calmly said, “That’s just his character. Why bother asking him about it? You know he hates corruption the most… Besides, Qi Shu embezzled military provisions. It’s already good that he didn’t execute him in front of you.”

When Constant Hai heard Chen Yan’yun mention the military provisions, he sneered, “It was just a few thousand taels of silver. I could easily invest tens of thousands in a silver shop. Zhao Huai comes from common origins and has a small mind. Is his life not worth a few thousand taels?”

Chen Yan’yun glanced at him, feeling somewhat perplexed, “I didn’t demote Qi Shu, so why are you telling me this? You should confront Zhao Huai directly.”

Constant Hai realized his tone was a bit urgent and coughed once, “Forget it, I don’t want to speak with him.” Only then did Constant Hai notice that Chen Yan’yun was heading toward Elder Lady Chen’s place, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Your new wife is acknowledging her relatives, with Elder Lady Chen overseeing it. Why are you going there?”

Chen Yan’yun paused and replied unhurriedly, “Can’t I just go have a look? Are you in charge of this household now?”

Constant Hai shook his head with a smile, “The household matters of you, Third Master Chen—how dare I be in charge?” His temper came and went quickly. Quickening his pace to catch up with Chen Yan’yun, he said, “My wife is serving as the ceremonial assistant. I’ve heard your new wife is very beautiful. Why don’t you take me to see her?”

Chen Yan’yun stopped in his tracks and slowly looked Constant Hai up and down. Constant Hai wore a purple robe with floral patterns made of Hangzhou silk, a gold-edged belt inlaid with emerald jade, and boots embroidered with cloud patterns in gold thread. This luxurious attire made his delicate face shine with golden light.

Chen Yan’yun shook his head, “Some other day. Go to Crane Extension Tower and wait for me first.”

Constant Hai was very dissatisfied with his refusal. “Third Chen, I even went with you to welcome the bride. How can you be so stingy? I won’t steal your new wife after seeing her.” He seemed to think of something and raised his eyebrows with a smile, “Are you afraid I’ll steal your thunder?”

Chen Yan’yun replied very calmly, “Nonsense. It’s just not convenient for you to enter the inner courtyard.” He urged him to go to Crane Extension Tower quickly.

Constant Hai thought to himself that “not convenient” hadn’t stopped him from entering before. Third Chen was stingy. If he couldn’t see her, so be it. He pointed at Chen’s servant to lead the way and strolled toward Crane Extension Tower with his hands behind his back.

Only then did Chen Yan’yun go to Elder Lady Chen’s place.

Jin Chao had just finished lunch when it was time to acknowledge the relatives. Madam Qin accompanied her as they walked through the banquet hall. The banquet hall had dozens of tables, and all the ladies were resting there. Seeing Jin Chao dressed in bright red, everyone knew she was the new bride. The elders gave her many welcome gifts, so many that Qing Pu and Cai Fu couldn’t hold them all.

Most of these were from the Chen family’s maternal relatives, as well as families with generations of friendship with the Chen family. Elder Master Chen had three brothers who had established separate households, and there were many branches in the family. Jin Chao simply followed Madam Qin to pay respects, not remembering many faces.

At this moment, a five or six-year-old girl ran over, smiling and extending her hand to her, calling out in a crisp voice, “Third Aunt!”

She looked exquisitely pretty, very adorable.

Madam Qin smiled, “This is my little daughter, Zhao. She’s quite mischievous!”

Jin Chao also smiled, “I find her very adorable! Here, this is a gift from Third Aunt.” She took a pair of red gold bracelets with bells from Cai Fu and gave them to Chen Zhao. Chen Zhao’s eyes widened, “Third Aunt, I saw you gave round gold beans to other children!”

Madam Qin patted her head, “Silly child, gold beans aren’t pretty.”

Jin Chao said, “Aunt also has gold beans for you.” She took out a handful of gold beans from her embroidered pouch and gave them to her. Chen Zhao cupped them in her hands and went to play with her maid.

Madam Qin spoke about her daughter: “…After turning thirty, I thought I couldn’t have any more children. But then she was born such a mischievous one, and I can’t bear to scold her. She’s grown quite clever, though I do discipline her when she needs to follow the rules.”

Jin Chao smiled without saying anything. After Madam Qin married into the Chen family, she gave birth to three sons: the eldest young master Chen Xuan’ran, the second young master Chen Xuan’feng, and the third young master Chen Xuan’rang. Among the three, Chen Xuan’ran had earned the title of Provincial Graduate, and all three were already married. Chen Xuan’ran had gone to his official post, while Chen Xuan’feng and Chen Xuan’rang still lived at the Imperial Academy. The second branch also had two sons born of concubines, but neither had survived…

Madam Qin took her to meet the children of the fourth and sixth branches. The fourth branch had one legitimate son, Chen Xuan’an, and one son born of a concubine, Chen Xuan’ping, both still young and studying with a tutor in the Chen family’s separate courtyard. The third young lady, Chen Rong, was thirteen years old, also born of a concubine, and had reached the age for marriage arrangements. The sixth branch had only one legitimate son, Chen Xuan’yu, born to Madam Ge, who studied at the Imperial Academy with Chen Xuan’rang.

After acknowledging all the relatives, the two children from the third branch were to serve her tea.

Jin Chao didn’t see Chen Xuan’qing, which made her feel relieved.

Chen Xi was only seven years old, with her hair in two buns. Her nanny had adorned her with a beautiful pair of pearl hairpins. She wore a light pink short jacket with a persimmon pattern and a yellow embroidered skirt. Her expression was timid as she looked at Jin Chao with eyes like black grapes, softly calling out, “Mother.”

Chen Xi had a very fragile temperament, which only worsened after her birth mother Jiang died. In her previous life, Jin Chao hadn’t paid much attention to her, only sending people to take care of her, barely speaking a word to her. The child later became increasingly weak, growing sickly before she could even marry.

Jin Chao called her over. Chen Xi hesitated for a moment before carefully taking her hand. Jin Chao noticed that Chen Xi’s hands still had baby dimples, which softened her heart. She stroked Chen Xi’s head, smiled and praised her for being well-behaved, and gave her a pair of black jade bracelets. Chen Xi then revealed a small smile but quickly stood behind her wet nurse, Nanny Deng.

The second one to serve her tea was Chen Xuan’xin, the son of Concubine Xue. Only eight years old, he resembled Chen Xuan’qing somewhat. After Madam Jiang fell ill, he was raised by Elder Lady Chen and was very well-mannered. Jin Chao gave him a box of inkstone.

Madam Qin told her about Chen Xuan’qing: “…After he became a Third Scholar, he was appointed as a Compiler in the Hanlin Academy. They say there’s a lot of compilation work at the Hanlin Academy, and he hasn’t been able to get away for several months. By my calculation, he should return soon, and he’ll serve you tea then.”

Jin Chao smiled and agreed.

Elder Lady Chen then called Madam Wang over and suggested playing leaf cards.

Soon, card tables were set up in the banquet hall. Jin Chao didn’t know how to play leaf cards, so Madam Wang pulled her to sit beside her and said with a smile, “You’ll learn by watching. When I first married into the family, I didn’t know how to play either. I learned by watching Mother play.” She also mentioned Madam Qin, “She’s very good at cards. You should play with her less, or you’ll lose terribly!”

Madam Qin shook her head, “I’m not that good. Mother’s card skills are the best. Last time she played with Elder Lady Constant and won over a hundred taels of silver…”

Jin Chao found all this very interesting. She only knew that Elder Lady Chen was devoted to Buddhism, but had no idea she was also good at playing cards.

She looked back at Elder Lady Chen, who smiled and said to her, “I haven’t played for a long time, but if you want to learn, I can teach you.”

Madam Wang said, “Mother is showing favoritism! When I wanted to learn, you said you were afraid I would win your money. Now you’re willing to teach Third Sister-in-law!”

Everyone laughed, and the banquet hall was very lively.

Outside, a maid announced that the Third Master had arrived.

The ladies in the banquet hall couldn’t help but carefully observe him. Chen Yan’yun, as a Grand Secretary of the East Hall, a second-rank high official, was not someone they could see just anytime.

Chen Yan’yun also noticed the ladies observing him and felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Elder Lady Chen smiled, “Everyone has already acknowledged their relatives. Weren’t you accompanying the Duke? Why have you come here?”

Chen Yan’yun said, “Just came to have a look.”

He looked in the direction of Gu Jin Chao and found that Jin Chao was engrossed in watching Madam Wang play leaf cards. Madam Wang was explaining to her how to recognize the cards, and she appeared very interested. She hadn’t noticed his arrival at all.

He had originally planned to take her to tour the garden…

Seeing how much fun she was having, he decided against it.

Elder Lady Chen smiled, “You should go back to accompany the Duke. After she finishes watching, I’m going to take her to tour the garden.” She added, “Even if it’s your honeymoon, you don’t need to keep your eyes on her all the time.”

Chen Yan’yun was teased by his mother and didn’t know what to say, so he just smiled, “I just came to check on her, worried she might have trouble handling something.”

Chen Yan’yun was always steady, and Elder Lady Chen rarely saw him like this. She wanted to say a few more words, but he took his leave first.

After watching Madam Wang play leaf cards, Elder Lady Chen indeed took Jin Chao to tour the garden.

Having not slept well the night before, by the time Jin Chao returned to Osmanthus Hall after touring the garden, she felt as if her feet would break off.

Cai Fu massaged her legs, while Qing Pu and Madam Tong organized the welcome gifts Jin Chao had received today, preparing a list for her to review. Jin Chao sat on the luohan bed, her body leaning against the edge, feeling utterly exhausted. After reviewing the list, she handed it back to Madam Tong, “Apart from those given by Mother, store the rest for now.”

Madam Tong agreed, then said, “The Elder Lady has arranged two first-class maids, six third-class maids, and eight rougher maids and women for Osmanthus Hall. The servants have all been given red envelopes. You look tired today, shall we meet them tomorrow instead?”

Jin Chao thought for a moment and asked, “Call in those two first-class maids first.”

The two maids quickly came in, introducing themselves as having previously served the Fourth Miss. One was called Xiang Fei, the other Xiang Ye. Jin Chao gave them some instructions and rewarded each with eight pieces of silver. As the background of these two maids was unclear, they naturally couldn’t serve her personally. For now, they would help manage the younger maids.

Afterward, Jin Chao looked around Osmanthus Hall and adjusted the placement of some items. After Bai Yun left, her duties were taken over by the steady Xiu Qu. Xiu Qu and Cai Fu arranged all of Jin Chao’s frequently used items.

Jin Chao opened the red lacquer wardrobe and discovered that it already contained some straight robes and Taoist robes, as well as Master Chen’s court dress, official uniform, and sacrificial attire.

He had said he would come find her but hadn’t come… Had he moved his clothes here?

His usual residence was in the front courtyard, so this meant he was going to live with her…