Grandma Sun came especially in the evening to ask what she would like to eat.

“Qing Xi from the Old Madam’s place has come over and brought many tonic herbs. The Old Madam has also given a list to the outer courtyard kitchen, requesting them to send us a pork knuckle, two bass, a pair of pigeons… as well as other things like cow’s milk every day, saying that your diet will be different from now on. What do you think is the best way to arrange these things?”

Gu Jin Chao took the list handed to her by Grandma Sun and looked at it. Elder Madam Chen had listed many items, all highly nourishing.

She asked Grandma Sun, “Are these paid for by the Fourth House?”

Grandma Sun shook her head with a smile, “The Old Madam specifically said that this would be considered her contribution to your pregnancy care, including those herbs.”

Gu Jin Chao frowned slightly. Elder Madam Chen was naturally well-intentioned. But at this time, Sun Shi from the Second House was also pregnant, and all expenses were accounted for in the Second House’s budget. Yet her expenses were covered by Elder Madam Chen, which seemed somewhat improper.

Grandma Sun also knew what Gu Jin Chao was thinking, so she said, “You are the wife of the eldest son of the main branch, it’s only right that the Old Madam shows you special care. You shouldn’t feel any guilt in your heart.” After all, with Third Master Chen there, everything was manageable.

Usually, young mistresses in their youth tend to be flamboyant and lack restraint. However, Gu Jin Chao was extremely cautious. Grandma Sun felt that she didn’t need to think too much. This was Elder Madam Chen’s favoritism, and anyone would show such favoritism. The Second House wouldn’t have complaints either.

Gu Jin Chao sighed, “Very well.” After all, it wouldn’t be possible to return the list, which would defy Elder Madam Chen’s good intentions.

“I don’t have experience in arranging meals, you take full responsibility and discuss it with Qing Xi.”

Grandma Sun accepted the list, feeling somewhat hesitant. Usually, when a lady from a complex clan becomes pregnant, she would notify her natal family, who would send trusted elderly maids to serve her, rather than entrusting everything to her husband’s family. This was to guard against potential ill intentions from her husband’s family.

But she had heard that the Third Madam’s mother had passed away two years ago…

She asked Gu Jin Chao, “Would you like to write to Old Madam Gu to inform her and have her send an elderly maid… so two people can watch over you together?”

Gu Jin Chao shook her head, “I trust you, just go ahead and do it.” News of her pregnancy had been sent out in the afternoon, but having Madam Feng send someone to serve her made Gu Jin Chao uncomfortable at the mere thought. Xu Jing Yi didn’t have many dowry maids to spare either.

Grandma Sun smiled, bowed, and left.

Madam Tong carried a bamboo basket in, her face full of smiles: “Madam, look at what this servant found in the storehouse. All Lu silk, gauze, and silk fabrics, are most suitable for making children’s clothes. Why don’t you pick out a few good ones to make bibs for the child first?”

Gu Jin Chao took the basket and looked inside. It contained fabric pieces of various colors and patterns, at least more than ten.

She touched these soft and smooth fabrics, a smile involuntarily appearing at the corners of her mouth, her heart feeling as soft and warm as the fabrics.

Gu Jin Chao selected a piece of bright red Bai Ji patterned fabric and a piece of yellow plain silk damask. The latter could be embroidered with patterns of babies playing with lotuses or “prosperity year after year.” “Cut these two pieces of fabric, and find a few skilled elderly women to starch the shoe soles.”

Madam Tong took the fabrics and withdrew. Cai Fu and Xiu Qu brought in more fabric pieces, saying they wanted to make small jackets for the child.

It wasn’t until evening that everything regarding the child was settled. After all, she was only two months pregnant, and the child wouldn’t be born until July of the following year.

Jin Chao had just finished a bowl of pork knuckle soup when she heard someone talking outside, it seemed to be Chen Yi…

Had the Third Master returned?

Gu Jin Chao asked Qing Pu to go out and check. Soon, Qing Pu brought Chen Yi in.

Chen Yi’s face was very pale, his forehead covered in sweat. He knelt on the ground and didn’t speak for a long time.

Gu Jin Chao’s heart tightened. Could it be… had something happened to Third Master Chen? Hadn’t he said he would be careful?

“Guard Chen, what exactly is the matter? Quickly make it clear. What’s the meaning of being tight-lipped like this?” Gu Jin Chao’s voice was as steady as possible.

Chen Yi’s lips trembled, “Madam… The Third Master was returning from the Imperial Cabinet today, when in Lan Xi District… he was ambushed. It was due to our incompetence…”

Gu Jin Chao’s face also paled somewhat. She felt her body weaken, her hand tightly gripping the duck-green longevity patterned cushion on the arhat bed. “Where is he now… How serious is the injury?”

Chen Yi quickly responded, “In the outer courtyard study, where the Third Master originally stayed. An arrow struck his chest… We’ve already sent someone to invite the Imperial Physician. The Third Master is still conscious, please don’t worry, it shouldn’t be serious. Mr. Jiang has already invited the Old Madam over, and she specifically instructed that, for the sake of your condition, you need not go.”

How could she know how serious the injury was if they wouldn’t let her see him?

Gu Jin Chao was more afraid they were concealing the severity of the Third Master’s injuries, fearing that it might affect the child in her womb.

She struggled to stand up and said resolutely, “I must go see him.” She instructed Qing Pu, “Bring my cloak, accompany me to the outer courtyard.”

Chen Yi hurriedly knelt and said, “Madam, your condition is important. The Third Master also said before that you shouldn’t see him… Please understand this servant’s position! It’s truly not serious, otherwise we would have sent a message to the Second Master in Shaanxi by now, wouldn’t we…”

Gu Jin Chao fastened her cloak and, ignoring Chen Yi, left with Qing Pu. How would she know whether a message had been sent to the Second Master? She only knew that Third Master Chen was now seriously injured, and she had to go see him… What if something unexpected happened?

Chen Yi stood up, thinking that the madam had just conceived the Third Master’s child, yet he dared not stop her. He also feared that seeing the situation might disturb her pregnancy. If that happened, being punished would be one thing, but he would likely feel guilty for a lifetime.

Chen Yi could only lead the guards to follow Gu Jin Chao out. Several elderly women were guarding the moon gate. Seeing the Third Madam walking so hurriedly, they tried to stop her, but heard Qing Pu say in a low voice, “Blind fools, who do you think you can stop!”

The elderly women quickly stepped aside, and seeing Chen Yi leading people anxiously following behind, they hurriedly asked, “Guard Chen… what exactly…”

Guard Chen waved his hand, “Don’t ask, don’t ask, just guard well!”

The outer courtyard was already under strict security, not only guarded by Crane Extending Tower guards but also by attendants wearing formal robes, all equipped with broadswords and solemn expressions. Seeing Chen Yi following behind Gu Jin Chao, no one stopped her.

Gu Jin Chao had only visited Third Master Chen’s outer courtyard study once.

Third Master Chen’s study was located next to Crane Extending Tower, a small two-courtyard compound with several tall pine and cypress trees planted beside it. Usually very quiet, it was now heavily guarded, with even servants unable to enter or exit. Hot water and medicines were all carried in by guards.

…This situation was very serious!

Gu Jin Chao walked inside. The guards at the door tried to stop her. Chen Yi made a gesture behind her, and the guards let her pass.

Not only was Elder Madam Chen inside, but Chen Xuan Qing and Fifth Master Chen were also present. Chen Xuan Qing was talking to an elderly man wearing a round-collared robe, “Father’s injuries are quite serious, and I’m afraid he will need your careful nursing… Whatever medicines are needed, please feel free to say so.”

When Elder Madam Chen saw Gu Jin Chao’s reddened eyes and pale face, she hurried over to support her: “Why did you come…”

Jin Chao said to Elder Madam Chen, “Mother, I want to go in and see him.”

Elder Madam Chen had also been crying earlier, and hearing this, she felt a lump in her throat again: “Well, you’re pregnant. What good will it do to see him…”

Gu Jin Chao tightly held Elder Madam Chen’s hand and asked in a low voice, “Is he unconscious?”

He was unconscious… so he couldn’t hear her voice. Previously, whenever she spoke outside, Third Master Chen would have servants invite her in as if no matter where she was, he could immediately notice her.

Gu Jin Chao felt cold inside. Although he had survived in her previous life, what if something unexpected happened in this lifetime? What would she do… She had just conceived his child, and wasn’t he supposed to teach the child to read? Just thinking that the Third Master might die made Gu Jin Chao feel her breathing become heavy…

Since when had she started to care so much about him?

Elder Madam Chen, thinking of her son’s injuries, also felt her heart-wrenching pain. Far from being able to comfort Gu Jin Chao, she couldn’t help shedding tears herself.

Fifth Master Chen came over to comfort Elder Madam Chen: “Mother, please don’t harm your health. Why don’t you and your Third Sister-in-law sit in the side room? Xuan Qing and I will watch over here, nothing will happen.”

Gu Jin Chao took a deep breath. She couldn’t be sad. She could help with these matters. Third Master Chen’s ambush was certainly the work of people involved in the river bandit case. She had warned Third Master Chen early on, how could he still be ambushed? How rampant were these people to dare assassinate a second-rank official of the court?

“Granny Zheng, please support Mother to rest in the side room.” Gu Jin Chao instructed, then looked toward Fifth Master Chen, “Fifth Master, rest assured, I won’t be overly distressed. Please ask Chen Yi to come and report, I have questions for him.”

She entered the side room, wanting to clarify the circumstances of the Third Master’s ambush. Given her warnings, Third Master Chen certainly wouldn’t have been so careless. What exactly had happened on the road?

Qing Pu brought over a round-backed armchair. Soon someone entered, but it wasn’t Chen Yi, it was Chen Xuan Qing.

He wore a blue round-collared right-lapelled robe, having just removed his official hat. He said softly, “What do you want to ask?”

Gu Jin Chao didn’t care about formalities at this point and asked directly, “Do you know how the Third Master was ambushed, and where is the weapon used?”

Chen Xuan Qing sighed and said, “Mother, you’d better not ask. This matter is too complicated… The weapon was an arrow, which had already been extracted and sent to the Ministry of Justice. Our people have examined it, it’s just an ordinary arrow. You should go back and rest first, we’ll be busy here until late…”

Qing Pu thought for a moment and also advised her, “Madam, let’s come back to see tomorrow. It’s already getting dark… After all, you have to consider the child.”

Gu Jin Chao knew she had a child in her belly, but she was truly worried.

She wanted to see the Third Master with her own eyes, to know how serious his injuries were, and not be kept in the dark.

Chen Xuan Qing frowned, “Child?”

What child?

Qing Pu bowed and replied, “The Madam is already pregnant and should not be overly fatigued.”

Gu Jin Chao… is carrying the Father’s child? Chen Xuan Qing couldn’t describe the feeling in his heart as he saw her silent. Usually, she was strong and gentle, but now she looked so pitiful. She looked so thin… was she pregnant?

“You…” his hand in his sleeve tightened, “Since you’re with child, you shouldn’t worry and tire yourself. Let me have someone escort you back.”

Gu Jin Chao said softly, “I just want to see him once, then I’ll leave.”

She stood up, seeming a bit unsteady, her body swaying slightly. Chen Xuan Qing immediately wanted to reach out to support her, but Qing Pu had already done so. And she gave Chen Xuan Qing a look, feeling that his expression was somewhat strange…

Gu Jin Chao steadied herself and looked directly at Chen Xuan Qing: “I want to see him.”

Chen Xuan Qing remained silent for a long time before sighing: “Come with me then.”