After taking her medicine, Miss Xi went back to sleep. Jin Chao had the maids set up stools in the pavilion in the back courtyard and invited Madam Wang and Madam Ge to view the newly bloomed sleeping lotuses. The white sleeping lotuses that the Third Master had brought back from the imperial palace had not yet flowered, but the goose-yellow sleeping lotuses had blossomed throughout the pond, looking exceptionally beautiful.

Servants were constantly coming and going, carrying flower vases and long tables. Madam Wang asked Jin Chao with some confusion: “Third Sister-in-law, what’s happening here?”

Jin Chao replied: “Miss Xi will be moving to live in the back courtyard, so we’re helping arrange things for her.”

Madam Wang said: “That’s good. Miss Xi living alone in Fang Hua Pavilion was quite pitiful. But you’re truly kind-hearted, taking care of Miss Xi without any reservations. I see she listens to you very well.”

Madam Ge spoke up: “When the previous Third Madam was still here, she was always worried that Miss Xi would be bullied. She even asked me and Fifth Sister-in-law to take care of her. Seeing her fall ill now, I feel anxious and feel I’ve failed her request. Our Ninth Young Master is a child without a concubine mother and hasn’t been adopted under the Second Sister-in-law’s or Mother’s name. Look at his life… he can’t even wear a new piece of clothing. You are exceptionally kind-hearted; I believe the previous Third Madam would have nothing to worry about now.” She smiled at Jin Chao.

Madam Wang coughed once. Madam Ge indeed didn’t know how to speak properly. Why bring up Jiang in such a pleasant conversation? She didn’t seem concerned that Gu Jin Chao might feel uncomfortable hearing this.

Gu Jin Chao didn’t feel anything in particular; she had experienced Madam Ge’s flaws too many times in her previous life.

She picked up her teacup, took a drink, and then said: “I also find the Ninth Young Master pitiful, being so simple-minded. If the servants mistreat him, he probably wouldn’t know whom to complain to.”

Madam Wang shook her head with a smile: “If he weren’t simple-minded, he wouldn’t have survived until now…”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she seemed to realize she had misspoken and quickly added: “His concubine mother had a difficult birth with him. At that time, they chose to save the child over the mother, and it was an extremely difficult delivery… When he was five years old, the Ninth Young Master had a high fever that damaged his brain, leaving him simple-minded ever since. Perhaps fools have their luck; he still grew up healthy, without illness or calamity, and is now already ten years old.”

Madam Ge’s face turned pale, and she couldn’t help digging her nails into her palm.

Gu Jin Chao found Madam Ge’s expression very strange and glanced at her: “Is Sixth Sister-in-law feeling unwell?”

Madam Ge quickly shook her head: “No, how could that be?” She smiled and pushed a plate of peanut cookies toward Jin Chao. “Try these, I find them especially fragrant.”

Jin Chao grew more suspicious in her heart. What was Madam Ge thinking about?

After Madam Wang and Madam Ge left, she called Mama Sun over to ask questions, inquiring if she knew anything about Chen Xuan Yue’s situation.

Mama Sun said: “This servant only knows a little. I heard he was born in a case where they chose to save the child over the mother. The Second House has only one concubine-born son who grew up; in the first two, one died right after birth, and the other died at four years old. This one who grew up has some mental issues… I heard he doesn’t live well; his bedding is washed and patched up but not replaced throughout the four seasons.”

Gu Jin Chao recalled Madam Wang’s words… if he weren’t simple-minded, Chen Xuan Yue wouldn’t have survived until now.

What exactly did that mean?

She asked Mama Sun: “Regarding choosing to save the child over the mother, who made that decision initially?”

Mama Sun shook her head: “This servant doesn’t know. It could have been Second Master, or it could have been Old Madam. In cases where a concubine has a difficult birth, they usually choose to save the child. Unless the Second Master specifically said to save the mother… If you want to inquire further, I can invite a servant who used to serve in the Second House and now works in the sewing room.”

Gu Jin Chao was just asking casually and didn’t want to disturb others.

“Let’s forget it. It’s not appropriate for us to inquire too much into Second House’s affairs. Just pretend I never asked.”

Mama Sun agreed, then thought for a moment and said to Jin Chao: “…Madam, there are many unsavory matters in this household that aren’t worth managing. All that glitters is not gold. Second Madam is extremely formidable; you must be careful of her in the future.”

This was the first time Gu Jin Chao heard Mama Sun speak to her in such a manner, with a tone of sincerity.

She smiled: “I’ll just avoid confronting her.”

Mama Sun sighed: “After all, the Third Master is the legitimate son. In the future, the household management will certainly be handed over to you. Conflicts will be unavoidable, since Second Madam has managed the household for so many years, and people inside and outside are already her people. It will be troublesome for you then…” She finished with a smile, “This servant has spoken out of turn; just take it as something to consider.”

Gu Jin Chao said: “Rough words but true meaning. I know you’re thinking of my interests. In the future, if you have anything you want to say, feel free to speak your mind.” Mama Sun was very clever and had extraordinary insight.

She had asked about Chen Xuan Yue, but Mama Sun had spoken about Second Madam being formidable. Whether she was guessing or knew something, she had her understanding.

If Chen Xuan Yue weren’t simple-minded, he would probably have met the same fate as those two other concubine-born sons.

Mama Sun smiled and nodded, then asked where lunch should be arranged.

After two more days, Chen Xi’s fever had completely subsided. Jin Chao allowed her to get out of bed. Chen Xi wore a bean-green lined jacket and followed Qing Pu to learn shuttlecock kicking in the courtyard. Qing Pu knew many styles of shuttlecock kicking—kicking two shuttlecocks simultaneously, forward kicking, and backward kicking. Chen Xi watched with unwavering attention.

Shortly after, Chen Xuan Qing came to see her, carrying a dough figurine in his hand. Chen Xi was very happy, holding the dough figurine and running to the corridor, smiling as she said to Jin Chao: “Mother, look at the dough figurine my brother bought for me. It’s so exquisite.”

Chen Xuan Qing walked over and bowed his head, also calling Jin Chao “Mother.”

The dough figurine wore a red jacket and skirt, with a molded bun on its head, adorned with a yellow flower, and had a smiling expression.

Jin Chao praised it: “It’s really beautiful! It makes me envious.”

Chen Xi thought for a moment, and pulled on Chen Xuan Qing’s sleeve, making him bend down—she wanted to whisper something to him. Chen Xuan Qing bent down somewhat helplessly and heard Chen Xi say in his ear: “Brother, why didn’t you bring one back for Mother too?”

Though she spoke softly, Jin Chao still heard her.

Chen Xuan Qing also spoke softly to her: “You’re a child, Mother is an adult. What if Mother doesn’t like it?”

Chen Xi said very seriously: “How could Mother not like it? I like rabbit-shaped steamed buns, and Mother likes them too. I like pine nut candy, and Mother likes it too… We like the same things. Just now, Mother even said it was beautiful. Seventh Brother, is it because you don’t have any money? You knew Miss Xi was staying at Mother’s place, yet you didn’t bring anything for Mother.” She continued, “If you don’t have money, I still have several twenty-tael silver notes in my purse, given to me by Grandmother as pocket money last time. You can take them.”

Jin Chao couldn’t help but smile. Chen Xi was the kind of child who became particularly playful once she warmed up to someone, quite amusing.

Chen Xuan Qing showed a trace of a helpless smile: “Alright, alright, it’s all my fault. Next time I’ll remember to bring something for Mother too, okay?”

Chen Xi finally nodded and asked Jin Chao to hold the dough figurine for her. She then pulled Chen Xuan Qing along to watch Qing Pu play the shuttlecock.

Jin Chao returned to the west side room first and had sweet mung bean soup prepared for them to dispel the summer heat.

Chen Xi peeked in from the doorway and was spotted by Cai Fu, who smiled and asked her: “Fourth Young Miss, are you looking for the Madam?”

Chen Xi made a sound of agreement.

Jin Chao invited her in and wiped her forehead with a handkerchief: “What is it? Has your brother left?”

Chen Xi shook her head: “Not yet, come with me…” She took her hand and walked outside, whispering, “Brother can also play shuttlecock, and he plays very well. But he doesn’t want others to see… I begged him to play. I’ll take you to see…”

Jin Chao was led by Chen Xi to the passageway beside the side room and indeed saw Chen Xuan Qing playing shuttlecock. He played very well, cleanly and neatly. However, such a girlish activity was not suitable for him.

Hearing the sound of people approaching, Chen Xuan Qing quickly became alert. He reached out to catch the shuttlecock and turned to look, discovering Chen Xi bringing Gu Jin Chao to stand outside the side room. He was extremely annoyed; if it weren’t for Chen Xi’s pleading, he wouldn’t have played shuttlecock. He had carefully chosen a place where no one would see, yet this little girl deliberately brought someone to watch… and she brought Gu Jin Chao of all people.

“Miss Xi, come here,” Chen Xuan Qing said in a low voice.

Seeing that he was a bit angry, Chen Xi hid behind Jin Chao, saying softly: “Let Mother see too. What’s wrong with that…”

Chen Xuan Qing found it difficult to explain this to her. He was now a Hanlin Academy Editor, considered an imperial official. It was one thing to entertain his little sister, but to have others see such a thing… was not appropriate.

Jin Chao smiled and said: “Seventh Young Master, don’t worry. You play very well. Come quickly, I’ve prepared mung bean soup for you.”

To save Chen Xuan Qing from embarrassment, she led Chen Xi back first.

After quite a while, Chen Xuan Qing finally followed them into the main hall.

Cai Fu served him a bowl of sweet mung bean soup. Chen Xuan Qing hesitated before picking it up and taking a sip.

The taste was quite good.

In the west side room, Gu Jin Chao was talking with Chen Xi.

After a while, they both came out.

Chen Xi carefully asked him: “Brother, are you still angry? Miss Xi was wrong.”

Chen Xuan Qing didn’t speak.

Chen Xi continued: “Seventh Brother if you’re angry, can Miss Xi apologize to you?” She tugged at Chen Xuan Qing’s sleeve, looking sad. “If you’re angry, Miss Xi will cry…”

Thinking of her recent recovery from illness, Chen Xuan Qing sighed and said: “Seventh Brother isn’t angry.”

He looked up at Gu Jin Chao, hesitating whether to speak or not.

Jin Chao dispelled his concerns, saying: “Seventh Young Master, rest assured, I won’t spread this around.”

Chen Xuan Qing breathed a sigh of relief; he had never been so embarrassed before.

“Thank you. I wanted to apologize for how I spoke to you before…” Gu Jin Chao was very good to Chen Xi, yet he had always viewed her with prejudice. Looking at Gu Jin Chao’s clear eyes, for some reason, he couldn’t continue. “In the past, I…”

Gu Jin Chao quickly interrupted him: “Seventh Young Master, you’re overthinking. Let’s never mention past matters again.”

Her relationship with Chen Xuan Qing was a complicated mess that couldn’t be touched. Now, as long as neither of them spoke of it, no third person would ever bring it up.

Chen Xuan Qing silently nodded. This was for the best… such matters should not be mentioned again.