Chen Yan Yun came out wearing a straight robe and saw several dishes arranged on the kang table, while Jin Chao sat on the other side reading.

Jin Chao rose to help him sit down, smiling, “I suddenly felt hungry and asked for some food to be brought. Please eat something too.”

Chen Yan Yun glanced up at her before sitting down and picking up his bowl. Jin Chao occasionally spoke to him, and he responded gently. Seeing that she ate little, he picked up a piece of braised bamboo shoot and placed it in her bowl, “Didn’t you say you were hungry? You should eat more.”

Was he still angry? Gu Jin Chao observed the Third Master’s calm expression and wondered silently.

After they finished eating, a servant came to report that Mr. Jiang had matters to discuss with the Third Master. The Third Master told her, “Go to sleep first if you’re tired,” and went to his study with Chen Yi. Jin Chao had a maid light a candle and picked up “The Book of Changes” again, resting against the large bolster to read. Shortly after, Qing Pu brought in the pine-scented cloak and placed it on the kang table before withdrawing.

Candles were also lit in the study. Jiang Yan placed the letters in his hand on the desk, “…As the Third Master instructed, we’ve been secretly monitoring Zhang Ling’s movements. Indeed, he still maintains contact with Official Wang, corresponding under the name of Official Wang’s fellow townsman’s grandson. However, the letter still reveals clues.”

Chen Yan Yun took the letter and read it. Half a year ago, Deputy Chief Judge Zhang of the Court of Judicial Review had been stripped of his position and exiled for colluding with private salt merchants. At that time, it was the Heir of Marquis Changxing who investigated the case, and within half a year, he had been promoted to Deputy Chief Judge. Ye Xian’s abilities were undeniable, but he hadn’t dug deeply enough.

Zhang Ling was an extremely cautious person. No matter how greedy he might be, he wouldn’t collude with private salt merchants. He had worked diligently at the Court of Judicial Review for over ten years, reviewing case files three times before approving them, never daring to engage in activities like colluding with private salt merchants. Chen Yan Yun had found it suspicious at the time and had people monitor Zhang Ling continuously.

As Chen Yan Yun read a particular section, the corner of his mouth curved into a slight smile, “…Southern Zhili is Wang Xuan Fan’s stronghold, with his influence deeply entrenched in Yingtian Prefecture, Huai’an Prefecture, and Yangzhou Prefecture. Zhang Ling escaped during his exile journey and went to Yuqing…”

Yuqing was the largest official salt production site in the Huai River region.

Chen Yan Yun placed the letter on the desk and said to Jiang Yan, “Find the case files of the river bandit case that Zhang Ling presided over. Record everything Zhang Ling does in Yuqing and everyone he meets in meticulous detail and report to me.” Jiang Yan cupped his hands in acknowledgment.

Chen Yan Yun tapped his fingertips on the desk for a moment, then added, “The Salt Transport Commissioner in Yuqing was formerly Wang Xuan Fan’s student. Pay special attention to him.”

After Jiang Yan withdrew, Chen Yan Yun asked Chen Yi, “…Did Madam Wang bring the attendants over?”

Chen Yi cupped his hands and replied, “This servant has been observing closely. She brought two people, and they left in a hurry. The one who didn’t come is said to be Xu Xing, the manager of the former madam’s shop…”

Chen Yan Yun closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again and saying quietly, “Though loyal, she goes too far.”

He waved Chen Yi away and then returned to the main room along the corridor. The crimson gauze curtains were half-drawn, and a cool breeze came through the latticed windows. Jin Chao had fallen asleep against the bolster. Cai Fu, who was watching over Jin Chao, was startled and quickly bowed to him.

The Third Master shook his head and said softly, “You may leave first.”

After Cai Fu left and closed the latticed door, he went to pick her up, only to find that her body was slightly cool… How daring to fall asleep on the couch without fearing a chill!

Jin Chao, half-asleep, felt herself being lifted and half-opened her eyes, only to see the Third Master’s resolute chin and feel his solid arms holding her. That sudden fluttering feeling came again, and she couldn’t help but bury her head against his chest, childishly inhaling his scent.

A warm sandalwood fragrance, even with the smell of ancient books.

“Are you awake?” his gentle voice asked.

Jin Chao made a sound of agreement, suddenly feeling that this was quite nice. Pretending to be still half-asleep, she tightly embraced his waist and closed her eyes again.

The Third Master sighed, “Now you’re being docile.” He placed her on the bed and, thinking she wasn’t fully awake, kissed her cheek.

He went to the adjacent room to extinguish the lights and saw the cloak on the kang table. A cyan-colored cloak embroidered with carnation patterns. He had taught her how to draw the design, and she had learned quickly and well. Chen Yan Yun picked up the cloak and smelled the scent of pine wood…

He recalled how Jin Chao had leaned by the window embroidering the cloak, attentive to every stitch.

Gu Jin Chao waited for a long time before the Third Master came over. He lay down gently on the bed, making very little noise. No wonder he never woke her up.

The night was too quiet; Jin Chao could hear the Third Master’s breathing. She hesitated for a moment, guessing the reason for his unhappiness. Jin Chao didn’t want to remain in this awkward state—the better the Third Master treated her, the more guilt she felt.

Something slipped into his bedding, and Chen Yan Yun instinctively grabbed her, though his eyes remained closed.

Gu Jin Chao emerged from his covers, lying on top of him and softly saying, “Third Master, I was reading ‘The Book of Changes’ this evening and couldn’t understand one hexagram…”

Chen Yan Yun lowered his eyes to look at her, “Which hexagram?”

The Four Books and Five Classics were essential for scholars preparing for examinations, and he had placed second in the metropolitan examination. He was thoroughly familiar with these texts and could certainly answer her questions.

Jin Chao continued, “In the Wuwang hexagram, it says, ‘Yuan Heng, Li Zhen. Qi fei zheng you sheng, bu li you you wang. Chu jiu, wu wang wang, ji. Liu er, bu geng huo, bu zi she, ze li yong you wang…’ I don’t understand this passage.”

Chen Yan Yun held her in his arms, his deep, gentle voice coming from above her head, “This hexagram speaks of ‘thoughts without evil,’ that one’s actions and thoughts must be upright and conform to righteousness. One shouldn’t expect to gain without effort. This is the surface meaning of the hexagram. If we consider the line statements, it becomes very complex… This hexagram combines two trigrams: Qian representing heaven and Zhen representing thunder. Only by following pure righteousness and not acting rashly can one ensure that Wuwang will bring rewards and blessings.”

If they delved deeper, they could discuss it all night.

“The Book of Changes” was obscure and difficult to understand. Jin Chao had read it all afternoon and was already quite dizzy, unable to fully comprehend his explanation. Leaning against his arm, she said softly, “Perhaps you can explain it properly to me when you have time. I really can’t understand it right now.”

Chen Yan Yun laughed at her, “I started learning ‘The Book of Changes’ at twelve years old and studied for a year with my uncle, who was a lecturer at the Hanlin Academy before I dared say I had a basic understanding. Naturally, you wouldn’t understand these few lines. Why did you suddenly decide to read ‘The Book of Changes’?”

Jin Chao replied, “I took the book from your study, just wanting to see what you read daily…”

Chen Yan Yun lowered his head. Her eyes gazing at him were like spring water, her black hair like satin spread across his body, her shapely figure leaning against him, her skin as white as warm jade… Thinking of how smooth her skin would feel to the touch, he suddenly felt his mouth go dry.

The hand holding her waist unconsciously tightened.

Gu Jin Chao only felt his body stiffen slightly, thinking she was too heavy, and carefully shifted, saying to him, “You worship Buddha at home—are you considered a practitioner? Should you follow certain precepts?” It seemed that practitioners generally had precepts, such as not killing or not speaking falsely.

Chen Yan Yun made a low sound of acknowledgment and gently bit the side of her neck, his voice indistinct, “There should be precepts, but I’m not a practitioner…” His adherence to the precepts had become somewhat lax.

Gu Jin Chao wasn’t sure what to do, clutching her sleeve tightly and moving to one side, feeling a tingling sensation on her neck. He pursued her again, turning her over and pressing her beneath him, continuing, “There should be five major precepts… not killing, not stealing, not speaking falsely, not engaging in sexual misconduct, and not consuming alcohol. I try to follow them as much as possible, so you needn’t mention chamber maids or concubines…”

What about now, with the two of them being so intimate? Gu Jin Chao’s elbows pressed against her chest, feeling her face grow hot.

Chen Yan Yun irresistibly pressed her hands to her sides and kissed upward along her jawline.

Gu Jin Chao suddenly felt her whole body grow weak and hurriedly said, “Third Master, we can’t…”

Her sash had already been untied, and a pair of burning-hot hands slipped inside. Chen Yan Yun asked her in a low voice, “Why can’t we?” but his hands didn’t stop.

She didn’t intend to refuse—her monthly period hadn’t ended yet…

Seeing Jin Chao’s hesitant expression, his reason gradually returned. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly, “Knowing this… yet you still lie on top of me.” Finally, he released her and retied her sash, somewhat helplessly saying, “You’d better sleep over there.”

Gu Jin Chao quickly returned to her side, closing her eyes for a long time, only falling asleep after hearing him become still.

The next morning at the Chen hour (7-9 am), Chen Yan Yun was still lying beside her.

Since it wasn’t the first or fifteenth day of the month, he should have gone to the Grand Secretariat. Jin Chao quickly got up, thinking the maids outside had neglected their duty, and quietly called him to get up. But the Third Master pulled her into his arms, his voice still heavy with sleep, “No need to go to the Grand Secretariat today, don’t rush…”

Holding her felt very comfortable, and he continued to sleep.

He probably hadn’t slept well last night. Gu Jin Chao thought silently, leaning against his chest, and remained still.

The Third Master had strong self-discipline. Even if he hadn’t rested well, he wouldn’t be so unrestrained as to rise when the sun was already high. After a quarter of an hour, Chen Yan Yun got up, and changed into a gray-blue straight robe, and the maids brought white porridge and flaky pastries for breakfast. After eating, they went together to pay respects to Old Madam Chen. The Fourth Master came to find the Third Master, saying he had some business matters that required his decision.

Jin Chao mentioned Madam Wang’s matter to Old Madam Chen, “…This daughter-in-law finds Nanny Sun capable and wants to keep her in the chambers. Madam Wang will now manage the kitchen affairs. Previously, Manager Wan’s daughter-in-law was in charge of the kitchen, so now the two of them can oversee it together, preventing any mishaps.” She had assigned Madam Wang to manage the kitchen but still needed to inform Old Madam Chen. Manager Wan’s daughter-in-law was the daughter-in-law of the Chen family Manager Wan, was newly assigned to serve her, and was a very honest person.

Old Madam Chen nodded, “The affairs of your chambers are naturally for you to decide. Use those who are good, and dismiss those who aren’t. It’s up to each person.” She had assigned Madam Wang to Jin Chao originally to make things easier for her, but if it now added trouble, that wasn’t good.

Gu Jin Chao understood Old Madam Chen’s personality—as long as matters were explained clearly and reasonably to her, she wouldn’t overthink them.

Shortly after, Madam Qin came to pay respects, and Old Madam Chen asked about Chen Xuan Yue, “…Has the doctor examined him?”

Jin Chao couldn’t help but raise her head. Knowing this person’s future fate, she found it difficult not to pay attention.

Madam Qin smiled and curtsied, “He has been examined. The doctor said it’s not serious and a few doses of medicine will cure him.”