When Jinchao heard Concubine Song mention the Marquis of Changxing, her brow suddenly twitched.

She was very familiar with the Marquis of Changxing’s family! Third Master Chen studied under Zhang Julian and was an outstanding civil official who had always been at odds with the Marquis of Changxing and his associates. Later, when Zhang Julian briefly controlled the court, it was the Marquis of Changxing who used military power to suppress him. Even Third Master Chen’s death was inextricably linked to the Marquis of Changxing.

But all these events would happen several years later. Currently, the Emperor was in good health, and the political chaos would have to wait until the Wanli years…

After chatting for a while, the Old Madam sent a servant to summon them. The group returned to the reception area, but Father was no longer there. Seeing that the Old Madam’s expression was fairly peaceful, Jinchao thought privately that their conversation must have gone well. Having a good relationship with the ancestral family would benefit Father, especially since Fifth Master Gu had married the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Changxing…

Although no one knew why the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Changxing would be interested in him!

The Old Madam specifically called Jinchao over: “…The last time I saw Chao’er, you were only this tall.” She gestured with her hand and smiled, “You insisted on playing on the artificial hill, and no one could stop you. You even fell from it. Do you still remember?”

Jinchao naturally smiled and said: “Grandmother is being generous. I was just young and mischievous then.”

“Your features have matured well—such a lovely beauty,” praised the Old Madam. “And you’ve grown more sensible too. What people say outside… I believe in seeing for myself. Our Chao’er is a proper and refined young lady.” Jinchao naturally knew what the unfinished part of her sentence meant—in her previous life, her shameful affairs had spread throughout Shi’an, but she hadn’t expected them to reach Daxing as well.

The Old Madam then called Gu Lan over: “Your father says your needlework is very good and you have a gentle personality. I can see you’re a wonderful girl. Has your marriage been arranged yet?”

Hearing this, Gu Lan blushed slightly and said: “…Although there have been some proposals, Father has declined them all.”

The Old Madam said: “Our Lan’er naturally deserves someone good. I’ll keep an eye out for you too. Lian’er’s marriage has already been arranged—to the legitimate son of Grand Secretary Yao from the Wenhua Palace. Everyone praises me for making such a good match!” Grand Secretary Yao of the Wenhua Palace was a senior minister of the Cabinet! It was indeed an excellent match.

However, bringing up these matters in front of Gu Jinchao wasn’t very appropriate… Second Madam thought to herself that Gu Jinchao had already come of age but wasn’t yet engaged. Girls usually started receiving marriage proposals at twelve and had their marriages arranged before coming of age. Jinchao had a bad reputation, so those who proposed were either looking for a second wife, held low official positions, or had various issues with their sons—no suitable candidates had been found.

Second Madam glanced at Gu Jinchao and saw that she still wore a faint smile, seemingly unbothered.

She’s quite composed, Second Madam nodded unconsciously and decided to change the subject.

“…Mother, Fifth Brother’s wife just sent word that everything is ready at the theater stage. Should we go there now?”

The Old Madam considered it: “That’s fine. After watching the play, we’ll have a meal. In the afternoon, you can all gather to play cards and board games for some entertainment.”

The group proceeded to the theater stage where the Gu family had invited the Fangwu Theatre Troupe to perform. The previously prepared stage had been newly decorated, painted red and gold, creating a festive atmosphere. Fifth Madam was waiting for them there. The legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Changxing wore a dark red vine-patterned padded jacket and an ivory embroidered skirt, appearing both elegant and slender. Fifth Madam invited them all to be seated and gave the program book to the Old Madam to select the plays.

The Fangwu Troupe soon began performing. Jinchao sat between Gu Lan and Gu Lian. Gu Lian had a spoiled nature, and Gu Lan was most skilled at dealing with such people. The two quickly became familiar, and as they chatted, the conversation turned to “The Jade Hairpin.” Gu Lian usually watched plays according to the Old Madam’s taste, but hearing Gu Lan talk about “The Jade Hairpin” immediately caught her attention.

Gu Jinchao sat in the corner position, with only a winter plum tree in full bloom to her left, its shadows slanting across, its subtle fragrance drifting. No one paid attention to her, which she rather enjoyed for its tranquility.

Moxue spoke softly to her: “…I didn’t expect the Second Miss would watch ‘The Jade Hairpin.'” “The Jade Hairpin” tells the love story between a Buddhist nun Chen Miaochang and a scholar Pan Bizheng, which not only violated propriety but also the religious prohibition against desire. Jinchao simply smiled and said: “Just enjoy the play.”

It wasn’t clear exactly which “play” she was referring to.

“Grandmother, I’ve been looking for you. So you’re here watching the play!” a young man’s voice suddenly sounded.

All the spectators looked over to see a young man wearing a sapphire blue floral patterned straight robe. Behind him were two others: a man with his hair tied up wearing a crane-patterned straight robe, and another young man in a cyan dark-patterned straight robe.

Everyone’s gaze then fell on the young man behind them. He wore a straight robe with subtle embroidery, revealing faint silver stitching. He was slim and tall, with a face more beautiful than a woman’s—like white jade, with red lips and white teeth. He wore a bamboo-patterned jade hairpin and stood quietly with his hands behind his back. The cold wind blew at his clothes and belt, while the winter plum’s subtle fragrance drifted around him, creating an unparalleled elegant appearance.

Gu Lan was momentarily stunned and quietly asked Gu Lian: “Who is that young man…”

Before Gu Lian could answer, the Old Madam spoke first: “I was wondering where you’d gone. Your fourth uncle’s cousins have arrived. Come and meet them.” She looked pleased as the three approached. The Old Madam held onto the young man who had spoken first but pointed to the one whose beauty surpassed a woman’s: “This is the eldest son of the Marquis of Changxing, Ye Xian.” Ye Xian nodded slightly to them, naturally exuding nobility and elegance.

“This is the eldest son of Old Second, Xiao’er.” The Old Madam pointed to the man with his hair tied up, and finally patted the young man she was holding: “This is the eldest son of Old Fifth, Xian’er.” The four exchanged greetings, and the Old Madam briefly introduced Gu Jinchao and the others.

As the three spoke with the Old Madam, everyone’s gaze inevitably fell on the beautiful young man again. So he was the eldest son of the Marquis of Changxing! Wasn’t he the most privileged person here? No wonder the Old Madam introduced him first. But how strange that the Marquis of Changxing, a military official, had produced such a beautiful son who looked more like a refined young nobleman. Rather than appearing to be the son of a military official, he looked more like the eldest son from a scholarly family.

Fifth Madam was also sitting beside the Old Madam, holding her brother’s hand and asking with a smile: “Where did you go with your two nephews?”

Ye Xian replied languidly: “We went to Hengxie Residence to view the plum blossoms, but the plum blossoms here are even better.”

Although Gu Jinxiao and Gu Jinxian were about the same age as Ye Xian, they were a generation apart in family relations. Hearing this, Gu Jinxiao said with a smile: “Uncle wasn’t there to see the plum blossoms at all. He was sleeping at Hengxie Residence for most of the day. If we hadn’t called him, he probably wouldn’t have wanted to come!”

Ye Xian replied: “It’s just spring drowsiness.”

Gu Jinxian patted his hand: “In this deep winter, Uncle is already experiencing spring drowsiness. I wonder what will happen when spring arrives!”

The Old Madam said to Gu Jinxiao: “…It’s good that you’re taking your brother and cousin around to see the sights. Take guards with you and make sure nothing goes wrong.” Gu Jinxiao was the oldest and had already passed the provincial examination.

When Jinchao heard this, she felt puzzled. Why would they need guards when walking around in their manor?

Seeing them walk down from the Old Madam’s side, Gu Lian went up to greet them first: “Big Brother, Second Brother, let me introduce you. This is Fourth Uncle’s second daughter, Lan’er.” Earlier, the Old Madam had only mentioned their ranking without saying their names.

Lan’er respectfully bowed, appearing somewhat constrained.

Gu Jinxiao and Gu Jinxian exchanged a few words with her. Gu Lan seemed eager to speak with Ye Xian, but he merely grunted and paid no further attention to her.

Moxue, watching this scene, became anxious. Such a good opportunity—why wasn’t her young mistress going to speak with the son of the Marquis of Changxing? Even a single exchange would be beneficial. Yet she sat there watching the stage with her chin resting on her hand, as if oblivious to everyone around her. Even Qingpu kept her eyes straight ahead.

The two servants shared the same temperament as their mistress.

Gu Lan still didn’t give up. If she could become familiar with the son of the Marquis of Changxing, it would be tremendously helpful to her.

“Young Master, you mentioned viewing plum blossoms earlier. I wonder where those plum blossoms are? I’d like to see them too,” she said with a gentle smile, looking softly at Ye Xian.

Ye Xian replied lazily: “Next time.” Then he placed his hand on Gu Jinxiao’s shoulder and turned his head to ask quietly: “Who is that under the plum tree?”

Gu Lan’s smile stiffened.

Gu Jinxiao frowned slightly and said: “Grandmother mentioned earlier that she’s Fourth Uncle’s eldest daughter… that would be Gu Jinchao.”

He naturally disliked Gu Jinchao. There were many rumors about her circulating among the children of official families like theirs, and it wasn’t just any arrogant and domineering legitimate eldest daughter who would be so widely discussed. More of the gossip centered on her appearance. Even though she wore plain clothes and sat in the farthest corner, one glance in her direction would immediately draw attention.

Her beauty was like the most splendid crabapple blossom, yet she deliberately wore the plain colors of blue lotus and white tea. Her overall demeanor was calm and serene—an extreme contrast that made one’s heart itch with curiosity. A face that should have been adorned with fine clothes and gold jewelry—why would she choose to wear such subdued colors?

“So that’s Gu Jinchao.” Ye Xian nodded and asked no more.

Gu Jinxian teased him: “Uncle, please. I remember at Duke Dingguo’s mansion, a little maid merely stood in her way, blocking her line of sight, and she insisted on dragging the girl over to personally slap her face several times. The poor maid didn’t even dare to cry, so pitiful…”

Ye Xian smiled faintly: “I was merely curious.” He then added: “It’s boring watching plays here. Why don’t we go find your father and take the horses out for a ride.”

Gu Jinxiao hurriedly stopped him: “That won’t do, but there are several mules kept in the inner courtyard that we could ride…”

The three left as they spoke. Gu Lian was somewhat dissatisfied that her big brother and second brother hadn’t spent much time talking with her. She sat down huffily and casually asked Gu Lan: “Did your elder sister beat a maid like that?”

Gu Lan replied in a gentle voice: “You haven’t seen her when she’s even worse.”