Xu Jingyi’s face wore a faint smile as she said softly, “…She’s truly clever.”

Jin Chao asked, “Didn’t you say she had contracted an epidemic and was confined to her quarters by Grandmother? How is her health?”

Xu Jingyi nodded, “After you married, Mother said Lan’er was in poor health and moved her out of Yixiang Court. She prepared the back quarters of the East Wing for her to stay in, and Mother required Gu Lan to attend to her daily.” She paused, “It was just a way to punish her secretly. In the heat of summer, the room wasn’t allowed to be opened, and she had to use thick cotton quilts, claiming her body was afraid of cold and couldn’t be exposed to wind. Lan’er developed a severe heat rash…”

“At that time, Mother didn’t know about Lan’er’s pregnancy. Lan’er’s daily meals were specially prepared in Mother’s small kitchen. Lan’er probably discovered something added to the food because after eating it once, she never ate it again. She took ten taels of silver with snowflake patterns from her private funds and exchanged meals with her little maid. Having good food to eat and money to take, the little maid naturally said nothing… Until one day, Lan’er suddenly couldn’t stop retching. Mother called a doctor to examine her and discovered something wrong… She then questioned all the maids in Lan’er’s room and learned about the meal exchanges.”

What Xu Jingyi said was deeply significant.

How did Madam Feng decide to check Gu Lan’s food upon discovering her pregnancy?

Xu Jingyi smiled faintly, “Your grandmother is no ordinary person! She probably tampered with Gu Lan’s food early on, and when things didn’t go as expected, she naturally became suspicious. After the doctor left, your grandmother told us Lan’er had contracted an epidemic… Who with an epidemic looks like that? I knew then she was pregnant. Your grandmother threw her into a courtyard with several old servants guarding her. We weren’t allowed to visit her…”

“…No one knows what happened during the days Gu Lan was confined to the courtyard. The night before last, she escaped and ran toward the outer courtyard, probably hoping to find the Fourth Master, knowing only he might save her. But before she reached the hanging flower gate, she was intercepted and captured again. Your grandmother was furious. With this commotion… the entire Gu family now knows that Lan’er isn’t ill at all, just confined.”

Gu Jin Chao thought for a moment, then asked Xu Jingyi, “…If she was guarded by servants, how did Gu Lan manage to escape?”

Xu Jingyi explained, “Only one old woman was keeping night watch, lying on bedding in the corridor. Lan’er took her cloud-patterned silk pillow in hand, and before the woman could speak, covered her nose and mouth. The woman struggled desperately, her nails scratching Lan’er’s neck. But Lan’er didn’t loosen her grip at all… she suffocated the woman to death. Only then could she escape… Never mind others, even your Second Uncle and your father were shocked when they saw the woman’s body.”

Indeed, she had been pushed to the extreme if she could resort to killing.

“Father knows about this too?”

Xu Jingyi nodded, “After all, someone died, and it caused such a commotion. When Gu Lan tried to break through the hanging flower gate, everyone thought thieves had entered, and they were carrying torches looking for intruders. Gu Lan was first captured by Mother and locked in the back quarters. Your father and Second Uncle went over to inquire and only then learned what had happened. But Lian’er and Yao Wenxiu’s marriage has already been arranged, and the two families can’t openly discuss this matter without losing face…”

When Xu Jingyi mentioned Gu Lian, Jin Chao realized she hadn’t seen Gu Lian all day.

“With such a commotion, Lian’er must know by now, but I don’t seem to have seen her today.”

Xu Jingyi smiled, “Speaking of Lian’er, that’s the most interesting part. To ensure she would marry with peace of mind, your grandmother didn’t tell her anything about Gu Lan. When she heard that Gu Lan had been confined, she wanted to find your grandmother and ask her to release Lan’er…”

What Gu Lian said at the time was: “Is it because you saw that Gu Jin Chao married into the Chen family and gained status that you’re targeting Lan’er to please her? Or did Gu Jin Chao tell you to punish Lan’er properly to satisfy her hatred, and you just followed through? Did she also say that you should target me in the future?”

Madam Feng was furious and immediately slapped her.

Gu Lian had never been struck like this in her life. She froze, then covered her face and began to sob.

“…Later, when she learned about Gu Lan and Yao Wenxiu, she still couldn’t believe it. She said she wanted to ask Gu Lan personally, and your grandmother finally told her: ‘Do you need to wait until the child is born and do a blood test before you’ll believe?’ …Having suffered such a shock, Lian’er hasn’t left her room these past two days, crying all day long.”

Gu Jin Chao sighed. Gu Lian was the kind of woman who appeared strong but was fragile inside, having never experienced much hardship. She certainly couldn’t handle such a situation.

She squeezed Xu Jingyi’s hand, “You’ve had enough trouble managing the Fourth Household with so many issues arising.”

Xu Jingyi smiled, “It’s not a big deal, since Lan’er is no longer considered part of the Fourth Household…”

With that thing in her belly, it was now the Second Household’s matter. Anyway, Gu Jin Chao wouldn’t get involved, and she didn’t want to either, so it could only be left for the Second Household to resolve. Gu Lan had done such a terrible thing to protect her child, but it was all in vain. Regardless of what was said, for the sake of both families’ reputations, the child couldn’t possibly survive. If Madam Feng didn’t secretly take care of it, the Yao family would certainly persuade them to terminate it. Gu Lan still didn’t understand this reality.

After they talked for a while, Madam Feng sent a maid to invite Gu Jin Chao to the East Wing.

Xu Jingyi smiled and said, “See, now that you’re a Grand Secretary’s wife, your grandmother is inviting you over.”

Gu Jin Chao smiled too and went with her to the East Wing.

Madam Feng was sitting on a lacquered Luohan bed, with the Second Madam and Fifth Madam seated on stools nearby. Madam Feng specifically beckoned Jin Chao to sit with her. Soon, maids brought tea. After some idle chat, a small maid announced the arrival of the Fourth Young Lady.

Gu Lian walked in wearing a light purple diamond-patterned jacket, her hair in a center-parted maiden’s style, adorned with pearl ornaments. She had applied rouge and powder, but they couldn’t hide the dark circles under her eyes. Her gaze fell on Gu Jin Chao, and she unconsciously clenched her hands. Gu Jin Chao wore a misty brocade jacket embroidered with cranes overlooking orchids in white silk, with only a single phoenix pearl hair ornament adorned with many ruby chips the size of rice grains, very exquisite.

And very luxurious… She must be living well in the Chen family, right?

Madam Feng saw Gu Lian but said nothing.

Gu Lian smiled, approached, and greeted everyone before sitting beside Madam Feng. Submissively she said, “I’ve been unwell these past few days and haven’t come to pay respects to Grandmother. I hope Grandmother will forgive me!”

Madam Feng sighed. After all, this was a child raised on her knee; she should be especially lenient.

“It’s good that you’ve come to pay respects. Your Second Sister rarely comes back, and she’s returned specifically for your marriage. You should speak well with your Second Sister.”

Gu Lian smiled somewhat unnaturally, “Of course…” She paused, then said to Madam Feng, “Grandmother, I want to see Gu Lan. Just to say a few words to her. I have some questions…”

Madam Feng said, “No need to see her. Things have already come to this pass; what more could you learn by asking?”

Gu Lian looked at Madam Feng, tears welling in her eyes.

The Second Madam stood up and said with a smile to Jin Chao, “Your eleventh sister can sit up now. She’s grown plump and rosy, quite adorable. Why don’t we go to your Fifth Aunt’s place to see the child?”

…She probably wanted to leave Madam Feng and Gu Lian to talk. Gu Jin Chao readily agreed. The Fifth Madam smiled, “She’s even more mischievous than her brother was as a child. She resembles her uncle. She wants to taste everything she sees… She especially likes seeing many people around, so she’ll certainly be happy to see you all.”

Xu Jingyi also stood up, and the group took their leave from Madam Feng and exited the western side room.

Fu Ling closed the door, and only then did Gu Lian begin to cry, “Grandmother, what should I do… Yao Wenxiu… he said he liked me… I’m about to marry him, yet he and Gu Lan did such shameless things…”

Madam Feng held her close and took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

“Haven’t you cried enough these two days? What use is crying for your grandmother to see? You should be crying for Yao Wenxiu to see!”

Gu Lian looked at Madam Feng in confusion, “I… I don’t know.”

Madam Feng asked, “Do you still want to marry Yao Wenxiu?”

Gu Lian murmured, “I thought I would have a good life marrying him, at least better than Gu Jin Chao.” She looked up at Madam Feng, “Grandmother, tell me, will such a man treat me well… He took Gu Lan, will there be other concubines in the future…”

Madam Feng shook her head and smiled, “You still don’t understand. Look at your father, with two bedchamber wives and several concubines. You may see Gu Jin Chao living gloriously now, seemingly cherished by Grand Secretary Chen, but Grand Secretary Chen has three concubines. For such a high official, people are eager to send women his way to curry favor. He can have as many concubines as he wants. For men, this is all perfectly normal…”

Without waiting for Gu Lian to speak, Madam Feng continued, “Although someone like Gu Lan is detestable, think about it—if not Gu Lan, there would be others. You can’t expect him to remain faithful to you alone… If you use Gu Lan’s situation well, you could keep a tight grip on Yao Wenxiu.”

Gu Lian bit her lip and said in a low voice, “When she falls into my hands, I will certainly torment her… And the child in her belly cannot be allowed to live!”

Her granddaughter wasn’t clever enough; Madam Feng suddenly truly realized this.

She had previously only thought Gu Lian was naive.

Holding Gu Lian’s hand, she said slowly, “The child in Gu Lan’s belly certainly cannot remain. Even if I don’t act, the Yao family won’t allow this child to exist… After you marry, you must treat Gu Lan exceptionally well, especially in front of Yao Wenxiu. Make yourself appear more tolerant. After what happened between him and Gu Lan, he must feel guilty toward you… If you show yourself to be virtuous, he will respect you even more.”

Gu Lian was momentarily silent. Although she still liked Yao Wenxiu and wanted to marry him, the situation with Gu Lan had left her confused… Was Grandmother’s meaning that she should still marry him? What about Gu Lan’s matter?

Gu Lian looked at Madam Feng and asked softly, “Grandmother, will Gu Lan marry into the family with me?”

Madam Feng smiled again, “Silly child, you will be the primary wife, and Gu Lan will have to perform the concubine’s ceremony for you. How to handle her will be entirely up to you. Gu Lan has no status whatsoever in the Fourth Household, while you are a legitimate daughter of the Gu family. You need not pay her any mind at all.”

Gu Lian remained silent for a long time, deep in thought.