When Gu Jinchao spoke thus, Third Master Chen naturally became serious. He said to her: “My advisors are managed by Jiang Yan, and the guards by Chen Yi. Why not have them both come over and you can ask if they know of anyone suitable?”

Gu Jinchao felt that such a formal approach would be too much, and she shook her head: “Let’s forget that. If I see someone suitable, I’ll tell you.”

Third Master Chen nodded: “Alright, you make the decision. When you find someone good, just tell me.”

The next day, Luo Yongping truly sent over a register with several suitable candidates, but they were all far away. If Qingpu married one of them, she would inevitably be unable to remain at Jinchao’s side. Gu Jinchao mainly wanted to limit the candidates to within the Chen household.

Luo Yongping had grown fatter than before. Last year, his newly taken concubine had given birth to a son. Having a son in middle age, his face was all smiles.

Gu Jinchao wouldn’t interfere in such matters; as long as he managed the business affairs well, that was enough. She casually asked about his sons. His eldest was already helping in the shop, while the youngest was still nursing. Speaking of it, even he felt somewhat embarrassed. Luo Yongping rarely came by, and he discussed with her whether to open a silk shop in Wanping as well, considering whether to sell Lu silk, Zezhou scarves, or Linqing fabrics.

Gu Jinchao had long appreciated Luo Yongping’s skill in business ventures. She inquired in detail and decided to open a Linqing fabric shop.

Finally, Luo Yongping said: “…Master Cao asked me to bring you a letter and said you should respond after reading it.”

He took out a letter from his sleeve, its seal secured with beeswax.

Gu Jinchao rarely corresponded with Cao Ziheng. After all, she was a woman of the inner chambers, and it wasn’t appropriate to inquire about court matters.

Gu Jinchao accepted the letter and had Xiuqu escort Luo Yongping out.

Chen Xi came to pay her respects and earnestly felt Jinchao’s belly. She felt it every day, judging whether her little brother had grown larger.

Jinchao had someone bring a red date and poria cakes she had made that morning for Chen Xi to eat. Chen Xi sat beside her eating the snacks, telling her about learning “The Seagulls Forget Their Wariness” today, and what she had eaten for lunch at Lady Chen’s. She then asked Jinchao, “…Mother, I just saw a fat person leaving. I don’t think I’ve seen him before?”

Jinchao said: “He’s my attendant who helps manage my shops.”

Chen Xi made a sound of understanding: “Second Aunt has a rice shop, two general stores, and a clothing shop. Before, when I had my birthday, my Second Aunt had two outfits made for me. Is it that kind of shop?”

Jinchao nodded with a smile: “Yes, I also have several silk shops and a candy shop in Baodi…”

Chen Xi’s eyes lit up at this, and she couldn’t help but take her hand, “Mother, you have a candy shop? What kinds of candy do you have? I love candy.”

Jinchao told her: “There’s lotus root candy, amber candy, rose candy, sesame candy, scallion candy… Next time I’ll have them pack some of each for you.”

Chen Xi smiled, revealing a pair of adorable canine teeth.

Caifu came to announce that the Seventh Young Master had arrived.

Since the last time Zhou Yixuan claimed to have a relationship with him, Gu Jinchao hadn’t seen him.

Chen Xuanqing brought several boxes of pastries for Chen Xi and first paid respects to Jinchao: “Mother, I hope you are well. I originally came to see Sister Xi. I didn’t expect her to be here with you, so I’ve disturbed you.”

Gu Jinchao naturally said it was nothing, wondering what was the matter with Chen Xuanqing. Could he still be concerned about Zhou Yixuan’s matter?

She thought she should explain. Their relationship had improved a bit in the past few days, but now it had turned cold as ice again.

After all, he was Third Master Chen’s eldest legitimate son, and he would be calling her “mother” for decades to come.

A maid brought over a stool. Chen Xuanqing opened the box and fed Chen Xi pastries. Chen Xi took a small piece of mung bean cake herself, climbed onto the kang bed, and fed it to Jinchao, eagerly asking: “Does it taste good?”

Her fingers still smelled of red dates. Gu Jinchao said “It’s delicious,” and then told her: “You can’t eat too much. You’ve already had several pieces of Poria cake.”

Chen Xi nodded with a smile and chatted with Chen Xuanqing for a while.

Chen Xuanqing was very gentle with his sister, feeding her nearly half of the mung bean cake. Only when Chen Xi said she didn’t want any more did he put things away?

Gu Jinchao said to Nanny An: “Nanny, please take Miss Xi outside for a walk. She’s eaten so many cakes; I fear she might get indigestion.”

Nanny An agreed and took Chen Xi to play in the small garden in the back courtyard.

As Chen Xuanqing rose to leave, Gu Jinchao said: “Please sit for a moment. I have something I want to discuss with you.”

Chen Xuanqing said coolly: “If Mother has something to say, please speak.”

Gu Jinchao looked around and saw that only Caifu was in the inner chamber. She then explained to Chen Xuanqing: “That day, I had Qingpu follow you all. You saw that, right? You must have thought I reported to your grandmother. I had Qingpu follow Miss Xuan because she had made some inappropriate remarks to me, and I was afraid she might do something improper…”

“Why are you explaining!” Chen Xuanqing suddenly interrupted Gu Jinchao.

His handsome face was taut with anger. His previous calm had been merely a facade. He stared directly at Gu Jinchao, clearly not trusting her: “If you weren’t feeling guilty, why would you explain? In any case, I’ve already been accused of having an affair with my cousin. What’s the point of saying all this?”

Gu Jinchao hadn’t expected the usually aloof Chen Xuanqing to lose his temper and was momentarily stunned.

Why was he so angry? This matter had nothing to do with her.

“There’s no need to be so agitated. I just don’t want you to be cold toward me in the future. After all, we’re all part of the Third Household. Of course, I also don’t like being misunderstood,” Gu Jinchao said with a deep frown. “Regarding your matter with Miss Xuan, I didn’t speak up for you at the time because I felt it couldn’t be easily clarified. But you and she are cousins of different surnames. If she doesn’t mind these issues, you should. If her words and actions were unusual, couldn’t you see that?”

After hearing this, Chen Xuanqing took a deep breath before saying calmly: “I was too emotional just now. I apologize.”

“Since this matter has nothing to do with you, there’s no need to say more… You are my stepmother, and I will continue to treat you as I always have. There won’t be any awkwardness.”

Gu Jinchao felt that he still didn’t quite believe her, but she had said all she wanted to say. If Chen Xuanqing didn’t believe her, so be it.

“…I’ve said what I wanted to say. You may leave now.” After speaking, Gu Jinchao picked up the account book she hadn’t finished reviewing, not wanting to deal with Chen Xuanqing any further.

The evening sunlight shone on her jet-black hair, giving it a silken luster, and her skin was as soft and white as snow.

Gu Jinchao’s appearance was truly stunning.

Chen Xuanqing looked at her, standing silently for a long time. The pastries he had bought for Sister Xi were still on the kang table; earlier, Sister Xi had gone to feed her. Everything in the sunset had a sense of loneliness and loss. Yet he could still feel a stirring in his heart.

No matter how angry or cold he appeared, he couldn’t disguise the feeling… the urge to be close to her, to treat her gently, to have a good conversation with her.

“If it wasn’t you who told… how would Grandmother know what Zhou Yixuan and I said?” Chen Xuanqing asked.

Gu Jinchao lifted her head and sighed: “Miss Xuan went and told herself. She was just being foolish.”

“Like you?” Chen Xuanqing suddenly asked.

Gu Jinchao frowned. What did he mean? How was she similar?

“Then I’ll take my leave… I misunderstood you, but there was a reason. Perhaps I thought myself too important.” He gave a self-mocking smile. “I’m sorry, Mother.”

With that, he turned and left.

Gu Jinchao watched Chen Xuanqing leave, thinking his manner was somewhat strange. But it was good that things had been clarified. She sighed with relief.

Matron Sun came in to discuss the evening meal with Gu Jinchao.

Caifu quietly withdrew from the west side room. Chen Xuanqing was walking quickly, and she had to run to barely catch up with him.

“Seventh Young Master, this servant has something to tell you…”

Chen Xuanqing stopped and, seeing it was one of Gu Jinchao’s maids, frowned. “What is it?”

Caifu also felt that stopping him like this was inappropriate, but she couldn’t worry about etiquette now. After hesitating, she bowed and said: “This servant has only one thing to say… My mistress has already let go of past matters. She married into the Chen family because of the Third Master, for no other reason. So you should let it go too.”

“Have I not let it go?” The corner of his mouth revealed a slight smile. “What do you mean?”

Caifu smiled bitterly: “This servant dares not say more… I’ll withdraw now.”

She quickly went back. Chen Xuanqing’s hands were trembling; he clenched them to control himself.

Caifu had seen through him… If this continued, everyone would see it. He realized that his behavior wasn’t normal. After all, he wasn’t ignorant. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he was much calmer.

He was already far from Muxi Hall. He silently watched the ginkgo leaves falling in the autumn wind in the distance.

He knew it probably wasn’t Gu Jinchao. If she truly wanted to harm him, the matter would certainly have become widely known. He had always valued his reputation, adhering strictly to propriety, and abstaining from wine and women. If one wanted to destroy a person’s self-respect, wouldn’t starting with what they cared about most be the quickest way?

But only his grandmother and father knew about this matter. And it was quickly controlled.

…Actually, he just wanted to find some emotion to suppress himself. It didn’t matter what it was; hating her would be best.

Yet he knew in his heart that he could no longer bring himself to hate her, no matter what.

When Chen Xuanqing first understood his feelings, he was terrified. From a young age, he had never done anything inappropriate, much less allowed his thoughts to stray. When his cousins began talking to him about women, he found such matters too vulgar and had never stooped to their level. Who would have thought that now, he would have thoughts a hundred times more frightening… How could he not be alarmed!

If, when Gu Jinchao had liked him before, he had also happened to like her, and then married her, his thoughts wouldn’t need to be as complex and confused as they were now…

Ironically, it was only after she no longer cared that he realized he might… like her a little.

Thinking back to how he had humiliated Gu Jinchao back then, he found it quite laughable now… Although the Gu Jinchao of that time was bold and indiscreet, she had liked him. But just as Gu Jinchao had said about Zhou Yixuan today, “she was just being foolish.”

With one sentence, she had completely negated her past.

…From now on, he would stay far away from Gu Jinchao.

Chen Xuanqing calmed himself and continued walking toward the outer courtyard.