After Chen Xuan Qing left, Gu Jin Chao carefully examined the letter that Cao Zi Heng had given her.

Cao Zi Heng’s letter addressed the matter of Gu De Yuan’s embezzlement, providing more clarity compared to the Third Master’s concealment.

Gu De Yuan had been dragged into trouble because the Deputy Magistrate of Ying Tian Prefecture had been implicated and named him during interrogation. The Deputy Magistrate, who had been corrupt throughout his years in office, had committed numerous unconscionable acts due to his greed. Gu De Yuan, as Investigating Censor of the Censorate, had been shielding the Deputy Magistrate. For years, the Censorate had never investigated the Deputy Magistrate of Ying Tian Prefecture because Gu De Yuan had been secretly protecting him.

Having knowingly committed this offense, Gu De Yuan would likely not escape easily. Even if he avoided being stripped of his position and investigated, he would hardly escape demotion.

When Gu De Yuan learned of the Deputy Magistrate’s predicament, he first had Madam Feng seek help from the Yao family, but Lord Yao’s position in the Cabinet was not firmly established enough to offer assistance. He hadn’t even considered the Marquis of Chang Xing, who certainly wouldn’t help him. Cao Zi Heng guessed that Gu De Yuan had probably also sought Third Master Chen’s help, though he wasn’t sure of the outcome. This was something Gu Jin Chao did know about, as the Third Master had discussed it with her just yesterday.

Cao Zi Heng also mentioned Wang Xuan Fan’s situation. Since being implicated in the case of illegal salt trading, his standing has greatly diminished. Recently, he had also committed an impropriety in the Imperial Court and was demoted by the Emperor to the Magistrate of Yangzhou, with not a single person at court pleading on his behalf.

…

After reading the letter, Gu Jin Chao burned it and contemplated for a long while.

If Madam Feng found all her requests for help denied, she would inevitably come to her. Gu De Yuan was her only son, and she wouldn’t allow anything to happen to him.

If Gu De Yuan hadn’t committed any unconscionable acts, Gu Jin Chao wouldn’t refuse to help, after all, blood was thicker than water. But now that things had developed to this point, Gu Jin Chao didn’t want Third Master Chen to become involved because of her, unnecessarily tarnishing his reputation. She could only wait and see.

However, Cao Zi Heng had mentioned a very important matter.

It turned out that Wang Xuan Fan’s demotion to Magistrate of Yangzhou wasn’t because of Third Master Chen, but because of his impropriety in court.

The current Emperor was thirteen years old, and though still an inexperienced youth, he surely understood what he needed to understand… Had someone else instructed him to demote Wang Xuan Fan, or had he done so deliberately?

Gu Jin Chao recalled that in her previous life, during this young Emperor’s reign, the country remained stable. Despite continuous turbulence in the court, the common people lived in peace, and the nation flourished. The transformation from a puppet to a wise ruler was surely not a simple matter.

Who was behind the Third Master’s death in her previous life?

Gu Jin Chao couldn’t help but add the Emperor to her list of suspects. Besides Zhang Ju Lian, Third Master Chen was also clearly under the Emperor’s control.

She thought about many things, then took a candlestick and burned the letter.

Meanwhile, Third Master Chen was at Crane Pavilion, discussing business matters with Fourth Master Chen.

“…The brocade silk, printed silk, and lian silk are all imported from Shaoxing in large quantities. They’re transported through the Ji family’s shipping company. A few months ago, when the canal flooded and shipping stopped, the shops suffered heavy losses. Only this month have things gradually improved.”

Business matters had always been managed by Fourth Master Chen, and Chen Yan Yun rarely interfered.

“Rise and fall, gain and loss—losses are inevitable at times. You don’t need to report these matters to me,” Third Master Chen said with a smile. “I trust you completely.”

Chen Yan Yun also smiled: “I still need to report to you. After all, we are brothers born of the same mother.”

“When Father was alive, he always said that brotherly unity and harmony were most important. Even though Second Brother, Sixth Brother, and we are not from the same mother, we are still the same.” Third Master Chen merely smiled. “You have a meticulous mind and consider things thoroughly, managing these affairs better than Sixth Brother. Speaking of Sixth Brother, he’s been confined at Bao Xiang Temple and must be feeling uncomfortable. When you have time, go visit him.”

Chen Yan Wen nodded in agreement. “It has been a long time since I’ve seen him.” He then asked Third Master Chen, “I heard that Third Sister-in-law’s second uncle is in trouble?”

“Yes, he’s already been detained,” Third Master Chen said, reclining against the armchair and sipping a cup of hot tea.

“Don’t you plan to help? I heard that this time he might not fare well.”

“We’ll see about that later. I’m recuperating now and shouldn’t interfere in such matters,” Third Master Chen answered ambiguously.

Chen Yan Wen then said, “Speaking of recuperation, I’ve procured a basket of shad fish for you, which I’ve already had delivered to your residence.”

At this moment, Chen Yi came in to report.

Chen Yan Wen then left Crane Pavilion, preparing some items to visit Sixth Master Chen.

“…I’ve investigated both subordinates of the Ministry of Works officials. Ji Qiu Ping has been an official for twenty years and believes in the doctrine of the mean. Now approaching sixty, he commands great respect in the Ministry of Works. Fan Hui, on the other hand, obtained his jinshi degree in the fortieth year of Jiajing, two sessions after you, ranking fourth in the second grade that year. He’s only thirty-six now…”

After Wang Xuan Fan’s exit from the Cabinet, the new Minister of Works would likely become a Cabinet Minister.

This appointment was particularly important.

Chen Yi said, “Master Jiang thinks Ji Qiu Ping has a greater chance of being promoted.”

“We cannot rule out the possibility of someone else entering the Cabinet… Keep a close watch on Lord Zhang’s movements,” Third Master Chen told him, pausing for a moment.

Seeing Third Master Chen deep in thought, Chen Yi asked, “What’s wrong? Do you find something inappropriate?”

“I’m wondering whether Wang Xuan Fan’s impropriety at court is good or bad…” A corner of Third Master Chen’s mouth curled up. “Initially, I thought it wasn’t good, but thinking carefully now, it’s not without benefits…” Neither of the two officials from the Ministry of Works belonged to Zhang’s faction, which was advantageous for balancing power within the Cabinet.

Third Master Chen vaguely sensed that Zhang Ju Lian was guarding against him, a caution that Zhang Ju Lian himself had not perceived. Now with outside forces, Zhang Ju Lian would relax his vigilance somewhat and direct considerable attention to the new Cabinet Minister.

Chen Yi hesitated for a moment before saying, “By the way, you instructed me to have people secretly guard Mu Xi Hall and report any situations to you… I’m not sure if I should mention this.”

After his assassination attempt, Third Master Chen had arranged guards at Mu Xi Hall, staying in the front wing of the side room of the main hall, unknown to Gu Jin Chao. He feared that if she knew, she would feel uncomfortable, but he was concerned for her safety. He had originally planned to recall the guards in a few days.

He nodded. “Go ahead, what is it?”

“Seventh Young Master went to see Fourth Miss today… He stayed with Madam, and there seemed to be some dispute. However, from a distance, the guards weren’t certain what was said. Seventh Young Master appeared disrespectful toward Madam in his speech,” Chen Yi said. After hearing this from the guards, he wasn’t sure whether to tell Third Master Chen. But he thought that if there was any displeasure between Madam and Seventh Young Master, Third Master Chen should know.

To his surprise, upon hearing this, Third Master Chen furrowed his brow and remained deep in thought for a long while.

Then he asked Chen Yi, “Who else was in the room at that time?”

Chen Yi said, “It seemed to be only Madam’s maid. Fourth Miss had been taken out by her nanny. Third Master, is there some issue between Seventh Young Master and Madam that’s making him unhappy… I saw Seventh Young Master leaving quickly, looking quite angry.”

Third Master Chen said coldly, “No matter how angry he is, there’s no reason to direct his anger at his stepmother.”

Chen Xuan Qing had seemed uncomfortable several times when seeing Gu Jin Chao, and he had originally thought it was because Gu Jin Chao’s status made him awkward. But judging from the incident with Zhou Yi Xuan, Chen Xuan Qing seemed… far beyond mere awkwardness. How could someone who believed that “a gentleman’s friendship is as bland as water” be disrespectful to his stepmother? And with Jin Chao’s temperament, she wouldn’t do anything inappropriate to anger him. Unless… he and Gu Jin Chao already knew each other.

But he had never known that these two were acquainted.

What did the Third Master mean by this?

Chen Yi didn’t quite understand, but he noticed that after mentioning this incident, Third Master Chen’s expression immediately changed… He somewhat regretted it, thinking that such internal family matters were better left unsaid. Who knew what the Third Master was planning?

“Third Master, this hardly counts as an issue. Perhaps it was because of Fourth Miss…” Chen Yi hurriedly said, feeling a cold sweat on his forehead.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that something was amiss. Neither Seventh Young Master nor Madam seemed to have bad tempers, so how could they possibly have a dispute out of nowhere? Fortunately, there was a maid in the room, otherwise, it might have led to unnecessary speculation… But this maid was Madam’s attendant, who would certainly speak and act in Madam’s favor.

“Should I investigate further…” Chen Yi tentatively asked.

Several thoughts flashed through Chen Yan Yun’s mind. Regardless, Gu Jin Chao was hiding something from him.

He disliked her keeping secrets from him, and he disliked matters concerning her being beyond his control, which made him feel agitated.

But he should also respect her. Trust that these were all misunderstandings, that he was overthinking. A stepmother and stepson, what could there possibly be?

He closed his eyes, and after a while opened them again, saying calmly, “…No need, let’s pretend this never happened.”

When he returned to Mu Xi Hall that evening, Gu Jin Chao wasn’t in the room.

He went to the washroom to change his clothes and came out with a book to read. The sky had darkened outside, but Gu Jin Chao still hadn’t returned.

Third Master Chen put down his book and noticed her embroidery basket placed on the kang table, with an unfinished child’s shoe inside. He picked up the small shoe, noting how lifelike the tiger head she had embroidered was on such a tiny item.

The maid brought up a cup of Junshan Silver Needle tea. Third Master Chen took a sip, found it not as fragrant as usual, set it aside, and asked the maid, “Where is Madam?”

The maid replied, “This servant doesn’t attend to her personally, so I’m not quite sure. Sister Qing Pu just went to the outer courtyard’s sewing room to collect some items.”

Third Master Chen dismissed her and waited for another half hour before hearing Jin Chao speaking with her maid, their voices drawing nearer.

After the maid lifted the curtain, Jin Chao entered and saw Third Master Chen sitting on the arhat bed. She smiled and asked him, “You’re back already. Why aren’t you reading today?”

Gu Jin Chao noticed that Third Master Chen was looking at her strangely, though he didn’t answer and his expression remained calm. As she walked to the arhat bed and sat down, before she could say anything else, she was suddenly grabbed by the wrist by Third Master Chen: “…Where have you been?”

Gu Jin Chao felt his grip was too tight, making her wrist hurt. She struggled a bit: “I was at Mother’s place. She asked me to help choose some patterns… Third Master, you’re hurting me.”

So she had been at her mother’s place.

Third Master Chen released her, only then realizing that he had reddened her wrist. “I wasn’t careful… How is your skin so delicate?” Just a light pinch left a mark. Third Master Chen helped by blowing on it and gently massaging it.

“Have you been waiting long? Are you angry with me?” Gu Jin Chao asked with a smile. “Mother said we needed to choose items for the baby’s swaddling clothes carefully. Before, when you were busy with Cabinet affairs, didn’t I have to wait for you? How does it feel to be the one waiting? Not pleasant, is it?”

Third Master Chen looked at her for a long time, then pulled her tightly into his arms, saying softly, “How could I ever be angry with you?”

Gu Jin Chao let him hold her, but her mind was still on Cao Zi Heng’s letter. After a while, she suddenly heard Third Master Chen ask, “Jin Chao, did you have a good time playing with Xi’er today? Did anything interesting happen?”

Gu Jin Chao snapped back to attention: “I don’t know… What do you mean by interesting?”

He stroked Jin Chao’s hair, smiled, and said, “Nothing, just asking.”