Although Ye Xian was the legitimate son of Marquis Chang Xing, he was born with a weak constitution and disliked wielding swords and spears or engaging in fighting. He possessed extraordinary intelligence and had a grandfather who was a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy. It was said that at seven years old, he could compose poems spontaneously, yet he had no interest in pursuing scholarly honors. Until he was twenty, the Heir of Marquis Chang Xing had nothing particularly outstanding about him.

Later, when Emperor Shen Zong ascended the throne, Marquis Chang Xing was repeatedly suppressed by Zhang Ju Lian, and only then did the Heir enter officialdom. His official position rose rapidly; this person was especially skilled in scheming and calculations. Many seasoned and shrewd individuals couldn’t outmaneuver him. His temperament was unpredictable, and he didn’t follow conventional rules. Chen Xuan Qing, being an upright person, particularly despised him at that time.

Jin Chao still remembered several things about him.

When the Founding Emperor established the dynasty, to promote frugality and never forget one’s roots, he instituted a rule that every palace meal must include one tofu dish. Later, when it came to Emperor Shen Zong, grew impatient with having a bland tofu dish on the banquet table every day. The Young Master then suggested to him that the tofu could be made using birds’ brain marrow. On the surface, it would still appear as smooth, white tofu, but when eaten, it would be an exquisite delicacy.

Emperor Shen Zong greatly appreciated this idea and ordered the servants to prepare it. Each plate of tofu required hundreds or thousands of birds’ brain marrow. The palace people followed suit, and even the nobles, dukes, ministers, and their families popularized this dish of “thousand-bird tofu.” For a time, the birds in Yan Jing were all hunted to extinction.

On another occasion, in the seventh year of the Wan Li era, when Ye Xian was in charge of the Da Li Temple, he wanted to research how many cuts could be made during the lingchi execution. Using his authority, he had prisoners brought out and, with great enthusiasm, personally experimented. At that time, he killed a total of thirty-seven people before completing his research on the maximum number of cuts possible.

This incident shocked the court and the public. Many remonstrating officials petitioned the Emperor to punish Ye Xian for his crimes. However, the Emperor was extremely fond of him and said that Marquis Chang Xing had fought for the country for many years, protecting the borders, so how could his son be punished for the sake of a few criminals? He even publicly asked Ye Xian how to make the maximum number of cuts.

Ye Xian slowly shook his head and said: “No need for knives. Tie the person to a wooden bed and pour boiling water over them. Then use an iron brush to scrub until the bones are visible…”

…Thinking about the things Ye Xian had done later, Gu Jin Chao’s face turned increasingly unpleasant. She must never provoke this living hell-king; otherwise, she wouldn’t even know how she died!

After nightfall, eight ram horn glass lanterns were lit in Chui Hua Hall, and the night banquet was arranged.

The Elderly Madam, assisted by the Fifth Madam, took her seat and, looking up, did not see Ye Xian. She beckoned Gu Jin Xiao to come over and asked him: “Where is your maternal uncle? Why isn’t he at the table?”

Gu Jin Xiao respectfully replied: “Grandmother, Maternal Uncle said he felt stifled staying here and wanted to walk around.”

Elderly Madam frowned: “How can you be so careless! Your maternal uncle’s illness hasn’t fully recovered. What if he falls ill in this mansion!”

Fifth Madam comforted her from the side: “Mother, you needn’t worry about him. After inviting Xiao Qi Shan from Pu Ding in Guizhou to treat him, his health has improved considerably… Please drink this bowl of lily bulb, lotus seed, and white fungus soup first. I’ll send someone to find him.”

Since it was Fifth Madam speaking, Elderly Madam’s expression eased slightly. She also recalled what Second Madam had mentioned about this afternoon’s events. Looking at Fifth Madam’s clean and beautiful profile, she didn’t know how to ask, or whether she should ask at all. Although she was Fifth Madam’s mother-in-law, Fifth Madam was also the legitimate daughter of Marquis Chang Xing…

Elderly Madam swallowed her words.

Fifth Madam summoned several guards, but before she could instruct them where to search, they saw a slender, tall youth approaching. His robes fluttered, and the lamplight gradually enveloped him, illuminating his flawless jade-white profile with a warm glow. She hurriedly went to take his hand, showing some concern: “Where have you been? Why have you been gone so long…”

Ye Xian smiled faintly and said: “Second Sister, don’t worry. I went fishing.” In his hand, he held a grass rope tied to a yellow koi fish that was still flipping about vigorously. He dangled it in front of Fifth Madam as if seeking her praise.

Fifth Madam didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “This fish belongs to the Elderly Madam! Never mind, I won’t scold you.”

Ye Xian took back his fish and said: “This fish is peculiar. Other fish all gathered to snatch food, but it didn’t move. Look—even fish have temperament! It knows not to eat food given in contempt… But I don’t think this fish is clever.”

Fifth Madam said: “What nonsense! Quickly wash your hands and join the banquet.”

Ye Xian handed the fish to a page boy standing nearby, instructing him: “Put it in the large porcelain vat in my study, and keep it with the turtle.” Fearing the fish might die, the page boy immediately ran off with it, looking to find a water container to keep it alive.

Fifth Madam resumed her conversation with Elderly Madam. After the banquet, Fourth Master Gu’s family should return home, but it wasn’t clear who should see them off.

Elderly Madam then said: “I should go see them off too. After so many years, what grudges can’t be resolved? Besides, Ji Shi is already so ill… Find two-hundred-year-old ginseng roots from the storehouse for Old Four to take back…”

Fifth Madam nodded: “I understand, Mother. When I have time, I’ll also visit my Fourth Sister-in-law.”

After the banquet, the night had deepened.

Gu Jin Chao was the last to leave the ancestral home in a blue-curtained luxurious carriage. Her father insisted on riding in the same carriage with her. Having heard about the afternoon’s events at Heng Xie Residence, he enthusiastically asked his daughter about her needlework.

“…It was Lan-er who told me. I never knew before. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Gu Jin Chao suddenly remembered the white frost that Concubine Song had wiped from his eyebrows earlier, and softly said: “Father, to win against others, one shouldn’t let others know what cards one holds.”

Father frowned: “Who do you need to win against? What’s all this talk about cards? Could someone be trying to harm you?”

Jin Chao smiled and said no more.

The next day, she went to pay respects to her mother. The two ginseng roots had already been delivered, and Madam Xu had brewed a thick ginseng black chicken soup for her mother.

Jin Chao took the small celadon bowl with a rhombic pattern and personally fed her mother. Since that episode of illness, her mother’s spirits had not been good. She reclined weakly against the large welcoming pillow, listening as Jin Chao spoke slowly to her. After drinking the soup, she also massaged her mother’s legs, afraid that her mother would feel uncomfortable if she didn’t move them for a long time.

Ji shi said to her: “Yesterday your brother came to keep me company all day. I mentioned you to him… I don’t know why that child isn’t close to you at all. When you return to your maternal grandmother’s home on the twelfth, take him along. He rarely visits his maternal grandmother’s home…”

Jin Chao nodded. She was aware that Gu Jin Rong didn’t like her. After all, Gu Lan had been instilling this notion in him for more than ten years; it couldn’t be changed quickly. She probably also needed to find ways to distance Gu Jin Rong from Gu Lan. Now, with her mother’s illness possibly recurring at any time, if Gu Jin Rong still listened to Gu Lan in everything… things might become very difficult in the future.

Ji Shi took a light breath and slowly said: “Do you remember your Second Maternal Uncle?”

Jin Chao smiled: “Of course I remember. Second Maternal Uncle liked to raise crickets and birds, and even gave me a pair of hwamei birds…”

Maternal Grandmother had only given birth to Eldest Maternal Uncle and Mother. Second Maternal Uncle was a son of a concubine, and thus lived a very leisurely life, enjoying tending to flowers and plants and raising birds and fish.

Ji Shi said: “Your Second Maternal Uncle has a concubine named Yun Jin. She was originally his bedchamber attendant, only elevated after your Second Maternal Aunt married into the family. Yun Xiang is Yun Jin’s younger sister; they look very similar… Your father was very fond of Yun Xiang at that time.”

Jin Chao didn’t understand why her mother suddenly mentioned her Second Maternal Uncle’s concubine and looked at her in confusion. Ji shi’s expression, however, was very calm: “Yun Xiang should have two older sisters. One was sent away from the mansion early on and became a concubine to a county magistrate’s son. Yun Xiang visited her once; she had given birth to a daughter…”

Jin Chao suddenly had a premonition about what her mother was going to say. She held her mother’s hand tightly and looked at her intently: “Mother…”

Ji shi continued: “That child should be fifteen this year, the same age as you.” As she spoke, she could no longer control herself. Her voice tightened, gradually becoming weaker, her eyes already red with emotion. “Go ask Concubine Yun if that child is married yet…”

Jin Chao grew quiet again. She stared blankly at the shadow of branches cast on the small black lacquered table. The smoke from the brazier rose straight up, slowly dispersing. The room was dim… without the brazier lit, the cold eaves blocked the sunlight, and only a faint shadow fell on her mother’s face.

She thought for a moment and softly asked: “Miss Mo Xue, did she tell you about what happened at the ancestral home?”

Ji Shi nodded slightly. If not for this incident, she probably wouldn’t have made up her mind… She had no idea that Gu Lan had grown so bold. Although Jin Chao wasn’t easy to bully, after hearing Mo Xue describe the scene that day, her heart couldn’t help but ache… What mother could bear to see her daughter bullied like this? If not for Concubine Song, would Gu Lan dare to treat her this way?

She knew that Gu De Zhao favored Concubine Songs. But after so many years, the feelings between them had long faded. What couldn’t be held onto ultimately couldn’t be held. Initially, Gu De Zhao had been determined to leave his ancestral home to marry her, but later he took concubines one after another. She had long since ceased to care.

…However, if Concubine Song dared to rely on her favor to harm her daughter, that was intolerable!

Knowing her mother agreed to this matter, she should be happy. But Gu Jin Chao truly couldn’t feel any joy. Why her mother agreed, she understood better than anyone. If not for her and her brother’s sake, how could she possibly agree?

She continued massaging her mother’s legs and softly said: “Mother, please don’t worry. I know what to do.”