The matter was settled, and by afternoon, Jin Chao had ordered a servant woman to clear out the side room of the hall. Although Lady Chen had said they needn’t pay respects today, Jin Chao and Third Master Chen still went to Tan Shan Courtyard after lunch. Madam Qin and her two daughters-in-law were keeping Lady Chen company. The eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Shen, had a gentle appearance, while the second daughter-in-law, Madam Zhuang, was plain-looking but came from an excellent family. These two daughters-in-law were most favored by Madam Qin, who often kept them by her side.

Jin Chao bent her body in greeting, and both daughters-in-law stood up to pay respects to Third Master Chen and Jin Chao: “Third Uncle, Third Aunt, how are you?” Lady Chen used the excuse of letting them rest, so Madam Qin took them to the side room for tea.

A maid brought over stools, and the two sat down. Only then did Lady Chen smile and ask Jin Chao: “Are you getting used to living in Mu Xi Hall? Has my third son been bullying you?”

Jin Chao thought to herself, what kind of question was Lady Chen asking, teasing her like this…

Jin Chao shook her head and said: “…Third Master treats me very well.” Chen Yan Yun, listening beside her, noticed her halting speech and lowered his head with a smile. As for bullying, he had certainly bullied her.

Lady Chen said: “Don’t make excuses for him. He may appear dull and honest, but he’s quite cunning!”

Jin Chao could only smile, thinking that Third Master Chen didn’t look particularly honest anyway.

Lady Chen continued: “…When he was young, he studied the Analects with his fifth brother. Their uncle was very strict, and whenever their uncle was about to check their lessons, he would invite his fifth brother to listen to stories. His fifth brother couldn’t recite well, so his uncle would focus on scolding him and not criticize my third son…”

At this point, Lady Chen’s expression darkened. Third Master Chen smiled and said: “Fifth Brother was just easily fooled.”

Lady Chen sighed and then brought up Jin Chao’s three-day return home visit.

They had just been talking for a while when Chen Xuan Xin entered, carrying a plate of fragrant melon seeds. His voice was cheerful: “Grandmother, I brought some fennel melon seeds from Sixth Uncle…”

As he stepped through the door and saw his father was also present, his voice immediately weakened, and he quietly greeted them both.

When Chen Yan Yun heard him mention Sixth Master Chen, he frowned slightly: “You went to your Sixth Uncle’s place again?”

Chen Xuan Xin looked uneasy, his handsome face turning slightly red: “Sixth Uncle said he brought me melon seeds from Wei Xiang Residence…” Seeing his father’s expressionless face, he quickly added, “Son will visit less often in the future.”

Lady Chen beckoned him over, took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and said to Chen Yan Yun: “It’s just a plate of melon seeds, why scold him…” But then she turned to admonish Chen Xuan Xin, “You should visit your Sixth Uncle less often; it’s chaotic there.”

Chen Yan Yun said nothing more, but the back of his hand tensed up, which Jin Chao noticed when she looked down. She couldn’t help but think that Third Master Chen’s concerns were justified. Chen Xuan Xin would indeed later amount to nothing, not even passing the provincial examination. He would end up living under Chen Xuan Qing’s protection.

After leaving Lady Chen’s quarters, she said to Third Master Chen: “Grandparents always indulge their grandchildren somewhat. If you want him to be more steady, why not let his cousins take him to the Imperial Academy to study? People become well-behaved through books.”

But Chen Yan Yun stroked her hair and sighed slightly: “People become well-behaved through books—well said. His Sixth Uncle was at least a provincial graduate back then, who would have known he’d become what he is now? I can still keep him in check at home; otherwise, he’d behave even more outrageously… Xuan Xin has always been with his grandmother, who has never agreed to send him to the Imperial Academy, instead hiring tutors to teach him at home. This child doesn’t have a good aptitude for studies but is interested in unorthodox practices, much like his Sixth Uncle…”

He stopped speaking at this point. Jin Chao thought of Sixth Master Chen’s unorthodox practices and felt a chill, immediately recalling Madam Ge’s pale, desperate face. She changed the subject to discuss the back garden with Chen Yan Yun.

Chen Yan Yun thought for a moment and said: “I saw white water lilies blooming on the palace lake. They’re pink when they first bloom and gradually turn white. If you like them, I can get some for you.”

Jin Chao had never seen such water lilies and was very interested. She asked many questions as they gradually walked to Mu Xi Hall. Only then did she learn that the current Empress Dowager also enjoyed water lilies and that the palace even had water lilies grown in bowls, as small as wine cups, for appreciation? Chen Yan Yun spoke at length, and seeing her eyes bright as stars, he couldn’t help saying: “When you have children in the future, I’ll teach them to read.”

Jin Chao was taken aback, wondering how the conversation had turned to children…

Chen Yan Yun smiled: “Don’t worry, I can’t guarantee anything else, but my scholarship is passable.”

He would teach their children to read… he was a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet… Thinking of this, Jin Chao felt her heart skip for some reason. What would it be like for Chen Yan Yun to teach children? She couldn’t help asking: “What if it’s a girl? Would you still teach her to read?”

Chen Yan Yun’s smile deepened: “Let’s wait until you give birth to discuss that.”

He straightened his clothes and stepped into the room.

The next day was time for the return home visit, and Jin Chao retired early. Early in the morning, Gu Jin Rong came with Gu Jin Xian in a carriage to pick up Jin Chao for her visit home. Lady Chen had prepared two large baskets of various sweets, four types of Beijing fruits, a load of freshly picked summer tangerines, and three sacrificial animals with wine as return gifts, filling an entire carriage. The four people were divided into two carriages and rattled off toward Daxing.

Gu Jin Rong and Gu Jin Xian sat uncomfortably in the carriage. Gu Jin Rong had only glimpsed things on his wedding day, but now sharing a carriage with the Grand Secretary made him nervous. Chen Yan Yun, however, kindly inquired about his essay writing. Gu Jin Rong answered very respectfully and took the opportunity to ask some questions. Chen Yan Yun gave him some guidance, and Gu Jin Rong responded with a tone of sudden enlightenment: “The Grand Secretary’s scholarship is superior indeed. My teacher never explained these issues so clearly… Did Examination Director Chen also study under you?”

Chen Yan Yun shook his head: “He studied under his grandfather, so his learning isn’t flexible enough.” He had seen Chen Xuan Qing’s examination essay and thought that his appointment as the Third Scholar probably considered his young age and status as his eldest son. The Emperor was simply giving him some face.

Gu Jin Rong, however, was very envious. No matter how inflexible his learning, it was still much better than theirs.

Upon arriving at the Gu family house in Daxing, Jin Chao alighted from the second carriage and went with Third Master Chen to kowtow to Madam Feng and Gu De Zhao.

Gu De Zhao was quite emotional at the moment. His eldest daughter wore a long-sleeved crimson robe embroidered with gold, her hair styled in a phoenix tail bun, adorned with two gold filigree phoenix hairpins with red rubies and gold hairpieces inlaid with white jade. With a flower design painted between her eyebrows, she was now dressed as a married woman.

In the blink of an eye, his eldest daughter had married. Now she looked radiant and showed no signs of unhappiness. If Madam Ji could see from the underworld, she would smile too.

Second Master Gu invited Third Master Chen to the hall for tea.

Xu Jing Yi took Jin Chao to the east wing, where Madam Feng was waiting for her.

This time, Madam Feng received her not in the west side room but in the flower hall, where all the Gu family women had gathered. Jin Chao deliberately glanced over and saw Gu Lan standing behind Madam Feng. Since the incident with Yao Wen Xiu until now, not even half a month had passed, yet her cheeks had grown thin, and her spirit was dejected. Wearing a somewhat worn pea-green robe with twig patterns, she kept her eyes lowered and said nothing, only bending to pay respects.

Jin Chao also greeted the Second Madam and the others. Second Madam smiled and supported her: “Sister Chao has become even more radiant.”

When a maid brought over an embroidered stool and Jin Chao sat down, she realized she didn’t see Gu Lian. Second Madam told her: “…The marriage with the Yao family is set for the eighth month. Your grandmother says she wants to discipline her character and has been keeping her busy with needlework! When you return in the eighth month after the Mid-Autumn Festival, you’ll see her marry.”

Jin Chao felt that the Second Madam was unusually warm toward her, while in contrast, the Fifth Madam had been quietly drinking tea without speaking to her at all.

After lunch, Madam Feng called her into the room to talk.

Jin Chao saw Gu Lan’s hands clenched, raising her head to give her a cold look.

Jin Chao had almost guessed what Madam Feng wanted to discuss.

Madam Feng had Fu Ling bring up a plate of summer tangerines. She peeled one and handed it to Jin Chao, smiling and saying: “…Even at the early market, tangerines are hard to find. It’s clear that Third Master Chen values you highly.” For the three-day return visit, it was customary to bring tangerines, symbolizing ‘restraining the son.’ At this time, tangerines had not yet appeared in the early market; Third Master Chen had ordered them transported from Jiangxi…

Jin Chao smiled and thanked Madam Feng: “You are my elder; these gestures should come from me.”

Madam Feng, however, noticed the pigeon egg-sized ruby on her head and couldn’t help but marvel—who would have thought that the one who would become a phoenix would not be Gu Lian, but this Gu Jin Chao whom she had never valued! With Jin Chao, the Fourth House could now stand equal with the Second House.

But the important matter needed addressing… Madam Feng thought of Gu Lan’s face and felt uncomfortable. She had even considered having Gu Lan killed and claiming it was a sudden illness. But Gu Lan was, after all, Gu De Zhao’s daughter…

Madam Feng recalled how Gu De Zhao, upon learning of Gu Lan’s affair, had trembled with anger and slapped Gu Lan twice, sternly saying: “If you want to debase yourself to be a concubine… don’t consider me your father anymore, and don’t expect a single piece of dowry! You even dare to have an affair with your sister’s husband—how shameless can you be…” Madam Feng had never seen Gu De Zhao speak so harshly.

But Gu Lan, covering her face, had cried: “Do you still consider yourself my father? What have you ever done for me, or my birth mother? If you won’t fight for me, I’ll fight for myself—what’s wrong with that… My mother was even a legitimate daughter who became your concubine. Is this how you treat us, mother and daughter!”

Gu De Zhao was too angry to speak and left in a huff…

Madam Feng lifted the tea cover, swept away the tea foam, took a sip, and sighed. Her tone was very solemn: “Grandmother has something she hasn’t told you. At the time, thinking you were about to marry, we didn’t want to trouble you. Now, however, we must speak of it…” She told her about Gu Lan’s affair with Yao Wen Xiu.

“Though you are sisters, Lan has never gotten along with you. Her temperament is too narrow to accommodate others. Now that she’s done such a filthy thing, I’m heartbroken…” Madam Feng sighed, “With no other options, we can only let the Yao family take her as a concubine. What does Sister Chao think?”

Jin Chao understood clearly that Madam Feng feared she might intervene in Gu Lan’s affairs.

After all, Gu Lan was from the Fourth House, and if she relied on Jin Chao’s position as Third Madam Chen, she might have some standing in the Yao family. Madam Feng was overthinking—she had not taken action against Gu Lan, who was already showing the utmost kindness. Help her? That was impossible. Jin Chao calmly told Madam Feng: “I’ll follow Grandmother’s wishes. Gu Lan has brought shame to the Gu family by her actions. I will not interfere.”

With these words from Gu Jin Chao, Madam Feng truly felt relieved. Without Jin Chao’s intervention, Gu Lan would have to suffer the consequences.