Ye Xian seemed to be strolling through a garden, walking very slowly.

Gu Jin Chao merely glanced at him once before entering the flower hall with Xu Jingyi. The last time she had seen him was when she had just become engaged to Chen Third Master. It would be inappropriate for them to meet again, so it was better to avoid him.

Madam Xu had also come to drink the wedding wine. Xu Jingyi led her to pay respects to Madam Xu, and they sat at the same table.

After the main meal, desserts, watermelon, and pear water were served in succession. Madam Xu was called away to play mahjong with other ladies, so Xu Jingyi began chatting with Gu Jin Chao: “…The last time I spoke with Fifth Sister-in-law, I heard her mention her brother.”

Xu Jingyi gestured toward the resting area: “…That Marquis Changxing’s heir apparent you just saw. You glanced at him, so you must recognize him, right?”

Jin Chao nodded: “The Young Master used to visit Fifth Aunt frequently. We’ve exchanged a few words.”

Xu Jingyi smiled and said: “I heard he’s going to marry Duke Wuding’s legitimate daughter. Marchioness Changxing has already gone to Duke Wuding’s residence to arrange it, and they’ve exchanged birth charts. When your grandmother heard about this, she summoned her Fifth Sister-in-law to ask why such important news wasn’t shared with her… Fifth Sister-in-law couldn’t say much, but afterward, she specially found a pair of white jade pendants to send to your grandmother.”

Gu Jin Chao said: “That’s just grandmother’s nature.” Madam Feng had been trying to establish connections with the Marquis Changxing’s family for quite some time.

Ye Xian was getting married… No wonder, he was somewhat older than her, so he must be nearly eighteen. In her previous life, Ye Xian hadn’t married. After the decline of the Marquis Changxing’s household, he had no mind for such matters. Later, when he became Minister of War, many concubines were gifted to him… Gu Jin Chao had occasionally heard that when Ye Xian was at his most dissolute, he had engaged in indecent acts with palace maids in broad daylight and was even caught by the Emperor. Nobody knew what he had said, but the Emperor hadn’t become angry or punished him, and instead had rewarded him with some bedroom items…

She didn’t know if it was true, or perhaps it was fabricated by those with ulterior motives, just to make him seem more dissolute.

But Jin Chao only remembered one thing: Ye Xian had no children even in his thirties.

Because she recalled Chen Xuanqing once saying that Ye Xian “had done so many unconscionable things, it was fitting he would have no descendants.”

His marriage to Duke Wuding’s daughter was a good thing; at least he might not become as obsessive as in her previous life.

Xu Jingyi then asked Jin Chao if she knew how to play leaf cards, and they watched others play a few rounds. At this moment, Fu Ling came to the flower hall with a message that Madam Feng had requested Gu Jin Chao’s presence. Gu Jin Chao excused herself to the ladies and followed Fu Ling to the guest resting area.

The guest resting area was already nearly empty, with only Madam Feng accompanying an elegantly dressed elderly woman. This elderly woman wore a jade headdress, gold lantern earrings, and a purple jacket with subtle floral patterns. Madam Feng beckoned Jin Chao over and introduced her to the elderly woman with a smile: “…This is our family’s Second Young Lady. Don’t you think she’s well-behaved?”

The elderly woman lazily raised her eyes to look at Gu Jin Chao. She was dressed in simple yet elegant attire, strikingly beautiful, with a gold bracelet set with tourmaline stones on her wrist that was quite valuable. However, her hair was styled in a married woman’s bun, indicating she was already married and visiting her maiden home. In Madam Jiang’s view, Gu Lian’s marriage to Yao Wenxiu was certainly marrying up. She had been speaking quite casually with Madam Feng, so she just smiled and responded perfunctorily: “She’s very pretty.”

Madam Feng told Jin Chao that this was Yao Wenxiu’s grandmother, Madam Jiang, from Changping.

The Jiang family of Changping was the famous Jiang family of North Zhili with four generations of imperial scholars. Gu Jin Chao bowed in greeting and politely said: “I’ve long heard of the Jiang family’s reputation. It’s an honor to meet Madam Jiang.”

Madam Feng pulled Jin Chao to sit down and slowly said: “My Second Young Lady recently married Chancellor Chen. This is her first visit back home.”

Only then did Madam Jiang raise her head, saying with some surprise: “…Is that the Chancellor Chen from earlier?” She had only glimpsed Chancellor Chen earlier and thought he was just a friend of Fourth Master Gu, attending the meal as a favor, giving face to the Gu family for their daughter’s wedding.

Madam Jiang hadn’t heard Madam Yao mention that the Gu family had a daughter who had become Chancellor Chen’s second wife. No wonder Yao Wenxiu wanted to marry Gu Lian… She smiled at Gu Jin Chao: “I almost failed to show proper respect! Come sit down… Your grandmother served Junshan Silver Needle tea…”

Gu Jin Chao didn’t much care for Madam Feng’s behavior. She said: “I drank too much pear water earlier and can’t drink any more tea.” Then she said to Madam Feng, “Grandmother, I heard Chen Third Master has arrived. Do you know where he is now?”

Madam Feng nodded toward the pavilion and said: “Your Second Uncle invited him to play chess. Your father and Fifth Uncle are also there.”

Gu Jin Chao excused herself to Madam Feng and left the guest’s resting area. Madam Feng’s face froze. “Chao’er, won’t you keep Madam Jiang company a little longer?”

Jin Chao lowered her head and smiled. With her current status and position, she naturally didn’t need to be constrained by Madam Feng at the Gu residence. There was no need for courtesy, so she turned back and said: “I just want to take a walk to the pavilion, and I wouldn’t want to interrupt your conversation with Madam Jiang.”

Old Madam Jiang quickly smiled and said: “Please go ahead, Third Madam Chen. There’s no need to keep an old woman like me company.”

Madam Feng was very displeased. She had wanted Gu Jin Chao to put in a good word for Gu Lian. Since she had married Chen Yanrun, shouldn’t she contribute something to the Gu family? No one was asking her to seek official positions or money; couldn’t she even say a few words? But these thoughts she could only keep to herself, maintaining a smile as she acquiesced to Gu Jin Chao’s words. Now she couldn’t even speak harshly without carefully considering whether she could say it. How could she possibly control Gu Jin Chao anymore?

With so many people around, Jin Chao didn’t intend to find Chen Yanrun. She walked back along the corridor with Qing Pu. Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind: “Third Madam Chen, why are you walking so hurriedly?” She knew the voice well.

It was Ye Xian… Gu Jin Chao turned around, curtseyed, and called him “Cousin Uncle,” without raising her head.

Ye Xian gazed at her for a long while before walking toward her. The wind stirred his trimmed brocade robe, and a faint medicinal fragrance emanated from him. Ye Xian spoke coolly: “It seems he treats you quite well. You look healthy… I just spoke with him.”

This “he”… did he mean Chen Third Master?

Jin Chao raised her head: “What did you speak with him about?”

Ye Xian glanced at her, tightening his hands behind his back, his voice still calm: “Are you nervous? Don’t worry, I was just playing chess with him.” He paused before continuing, “A few days ago, Chancellor Chen came to see me. I mentioned you, and he seemed displeased. Chancellor Chen truly has good manners; today when he saw me, he showed no negative emotions at all. However, when you see him, you’ll probably need to explain.”

Gu Jin Chao found this puzzling. Why would Ye Xian mention her… She spoke evenly: “Then thank you for your concern, Cousin Uncle.”

Ye Xian didn’t know what else to say to her. Her hair was styled in a married woman’s round bun, making her neck appear slender and graceful. He shouldn’t have come at all. What did Gu Lian’s marriage have to do with him? He couldn’t be bothered to give Gu Lian any face. He had only come because he knew Gu Jin Chao would return home for a visit…

Seeing that he had fallen silent, Gu Jin Chao said: “If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave…”

Ye Xian pressed his lips together. She was now referring to herself as “your servant.”

“Gu Jin Chao… I’m getting married,” he said softly behind her. “It’s a match my mother arranged, to Duke Wuding’s legitimate daughter. We should be married before the new year…”

Gu Jin Chao didn’t know how to respond.

Ye Xian continued: “Sometimes I don’t want to bother with all this. What does the Marquis Changxing’s household have to do with me? What do I care about the Ye family’s future…”

There was a faint weariness in his voice.

Gu Jin Chao turned to look at him, suddenly remembering the night when Marquis Changxing was severely injured and he had killed his own master. He had traveled overnight from the capital to Daxing to see her. His delicate face had been very pale, and he had looked extremely weak and pitiful. He had the same expression now. Some people are like that—appearing full of thorns, but quite fragile, regretting the harm they cause even as they inflict it.

She said softly: “If you’re unwilling, you can speak up.”

Ye Xian was silent again. After a while, he said to her: “…Forget it, you should go.”

Gu Jin Chao said nothing more and left with Qing Pu for the west wing courtyard. By dusk, when it was time to board the bridal sedan chair, Gu Lian was carried out on Gu Jin Xiao’s back. She and Yao Wenxiu bowed together to Second Master Gu and Second Madam, then she was helped into the bridal sedan chair by the auspicious woman.

At this same time, a dark red sedan chair was carried out through the side door of the Gu residence. Only a little maid carrying a bundle followed behind. Her steps weren’t large enough, so she had to run to keep up with the sedan chair, leaving her breathless.

Gu Lan sat in the sedan chair, dressed in a water-red jacket, as she didn’t have the status to wear true red. Her hair was combed into a smooth phoenix-tail bun, adorned with two red crepe silk flowers. The jade pendants by her ears swayed back and forth. She could hear the firecrackers, the sound of suona horns, and the laughter of children gathering scattered coins at the Gu residence, though none of these sounds belonged to her. She raised her head to look in the direction of the Gu residence, her eyes inevitably moistening.

From now on, she would be Yao Wenxiu’s concubine, performing concubine’s rites before Gu Lian. Even if she bore children in the future, they couldn’t call her mother.

She probably wouldn’t be able to return to the Gu residence again. Perhaps that was for the best—she didn’t want to see anyone from the Gu family.

…

Jin Chao stayed to play with Gu Yi and Gu Xi for a while longer before returning to Yanxiu Hall. At the entrance, she saw maids waiting for her, announcing that Chen Third Master had arrived and was waiting inside. Jin Chao looked into Yanxiu Hall and indeed saw many guards standing under the veranda.

She walked into the west side room but didn’t see Chen Third Master. When she entered the study, she found him standing before her desk, painting. He held an ink brush in his left hand, with agarwood prayer beads hanging down. His profile was very scholarly. In the warm yellow candlelight of the room, even his lowered eyelashes had a faint glow.

The study was very quiet, so quiet that one could hear the sound of brush touching paper.

Gu Jin Chao also lightened her footsteps, taking the teacup handed to her by the maid and gently placing it on the long table nearby. She walked over to Chen Third Master and said softly: “You came to drink the wedding wine without telling me?”

Chen Yanrun put down his brush: “I said I would come to take you back.” He looked up at Gu Jin Chao and said calmly, “I also wanted to see where you live.”