Gu Lian’s carriage had just stopped at the screen wall when Second Madam immediately rushed forward to greet it.

First, Gu Lian was helped down by her nanny, followed by several maids carrying items.

Second Madam sensed something was wrong at first glance, her brows furrowing tightly: “…What are you doing?” Seeing Gu Lian’s reddened eyes, her heart tightened, “Is it… is it that your in-laws are unwilling to help?”

Gu Lian said: “It’s not about Father’s situation, I’m just angry…”

Second Madam pulled her inside before learning that Gu Lian was upset with Yao Wen Xiu. It was a minor issue—Yao Wen Xiu knew she liked bone-in abalone snails and had several boxes brought back, giving one box to Gu Lan and the rest to her. Gu Lian continued indignantly: “…If Gu Lan hadn’t seduced him if they hadn’t been carrying on behind my back, how could she have married into the Yao family as a concubine? I’ve suffered such a great injustice, yet he still takes her side.”

Gu Lian took a deep breath: “I merely said a few words to him, and he became angry. He slammed the door and went to sleep in the study. I didn’t even lose my temper, so why should he be angry… I haven’t spoken to him for several days, and he hasn’t spoken to me either. I just want to come back and stay for a while…”

After hearing this, Second Madam was so angry that the blood rushed to her head: “Your father is in trouble now—this is precisely when we need to ask the Yao family for help, yet you’re still being so inconsiderate! It’s just a box of bone-in abalone snails. Throwing a tantrum with him—do you think you’re still the fourth miss of the Gu family…”

Gu Lian hadn’t expected her mother to speak so harshly to her and was so stunned that she forgot to cry. After a while, she finally said: “I… I don’t like how good he is to Gu Lan. He doesn’t consider my feelings, Mother, how can you still blame me…”

Second Madam beckoned the nanny over: “She wanted to come back, and you didn’t stop her?”

The nanny smiled bitterly, “Third Madam insisted on coming back…”

She was just a servant. When Gu Lian was in a good mood, she would listen to her; when she wasn’t, she could kick her into a corner to gather mold for all she cared. With Gu Lian in such an angry state, how could she have prevented her from leaving?

Second Madam sighed, knowing that her daughter had been spoiled by her and always expected others to yield to and dote on her. She didn’t immediately address the matter between Gu Lian and Yao Wen Xiu but instead asked: “I asked you to inquire about your father’s situation. Has there been any progress?”

Gu Lian lowered her head and said: “I… I haven’t seen Yao Wen Xiu for days, so how could I ask him? But I did ask my mother-in-law, and she said that her father-in-law has been very busy lately, and she hasn’t had a chance to speak with him. She said that if they could help, they certainly would…”

This response was far too perfunctory.

Second Madam frowned deeply in thought for a long time. Seeing her mother’s silence, Gu Lian also felt somewhat uneasy.

“Mother—Father won’t be in trouble, will he? Didn’t you say that Fourth Uncle went to see Father? How is he?”

“I don’t know either. Your Fourth Uncle only went this morning…”

As mother and daughter drank tea, Second Madam lectured Gu Lian for a while, telling her to go back and apologize to Yao Wen Xiu, to which Gu Lian perfunctorily nodded in agreement. At this moment, Fuling, who served Madam Feng, came to invite them over, saying that Gu De Zhao had returned.

…

In the east wing, Madam Feng was questioning Gu De Zhao: “Has your second brother been punished? Has he lost weight?”

Gu De Zhao, who hadn’t yet had a chance to catch his breath, took a sip of tea before saying: “He’s only been detained, not formally interrogated. How could he be punished? As for other matters, he’s just worried about being demoted…”

Gu De Xiu then asked: “Does Second Brother think there’s a high possibility of him being demoted?”

Gu De Zhao sighed: “What was Second Brother thinking, associating with someone like Wang De? Wang De has done many evil deeds over the years. Wasn’t it that time when he accepted money from the Luo family’s eldest son, covering up for him after he beat several commoners to death? It caused quite a stir. This kind of official collusion is taboo. However, Second Brother said that fortunately, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, who is on good terms with him, will protect him, so he won’t lose his position…”

Madam Feng’s face darkened: “At a time like this, let’s not blame your second brother. Whatever he did was for this family!”

Gu De Zhao felt awkward, not knowing what to say, and lowered his head to gulp down his tea.

Madam Feng sighed again: “Now that your second brother is in trouble, you two are the only men in the family who can handle matters. At this time, you must come up with a plan to see if you can protect your second brother’s official position. Your second brother has done so much for the family over the years, and this is what we should do.” She asked Gu De Xiu, “Have you seen the Young Master? Did the Young Master say anything?”

Gu De Xiu said: “You know his personality! He only promised that within his jurisdiction, he would try his best to ensure that Second Brother doesn’t suffer… He’s currently busy with his marriage arrangements. In half a month, he will be personally escorting his bride, and he said he doesn’t have time to see me recently.”

Madam Feng thought for a moment and then turned her gaze to Gu De Zhao: “If there’s no other way, you should go and plead with Third Master Chen…”

Upon hearing this, Gu De Zhao felt very uncomfortable and said reluctantly: “Mother, I am, after all, Third Master Chen’s father-in-law. It doesn’t seem right for me to go and plead with him. Moreover, Third Master Chen must already know about Second Brother’s situation, yet he hasn’t sent anyone to say a word, clearly showing that he doesn’t want to get involved…”

“Do you expect me, an old woman, to go and plead?” Madam Feng glared at Gu De Zhao.

Gu De Zhao could only remain silent.

“Among you brothers, we were counting on De Yuan to be the most accomplished, having attained the prestigious fourth-rank official position. If his position cannot be preserved, how can our family maintain our standing in Daxing…” Madam Feng patiently advised Gu De Zhao for a long time. “The second branch has always supported your fourth branch. When you were in trouble, didn’t your second brother help you? Your fourth branch in the Gu family has been well provided for, with the best food and drink. How I’ve treated you and your children, you’ve seen with your own eyes. When Zhao’er got married, we contributed so much to save face for you. Now we’re just asking her to help, is she unwilling?”

Gu De Zhao, who was never eloquent, found himself even more speechless after Madam Feng’s circuitous speech.

Outside, a young maid came to announce that the Second Madam had arrived, and Madam Feng dismissed Gu De Zhao, telling him to think carefully.

They both exited the west side room.

Second Madam first inquired about Gu De Yuan’s situation and breathed a small sigh of relief. Then she mentioned the discord between Gu Lian and Yao Wen Xiu.

Madam Feng frowned deeply: “She’s just adding to the troubles… Never mind, let’s not worry about her now. I think we still need to find Gu Jin Chao. Didn’t we arrange for her to marry into the Chen family so that the Chen family could help us? Now it’s time for Gu Jin Chao to repay us. Tomorrow, you should take Madam Xu… No, Madam Xu probably wouldn’t be willing in her heart and might secretly sabotage our efforts. It’s good that Lian’er has returned. Take Lian’er to see her, saying you’re bringing her pregnancy nourishment items. Then have Lian’er plead and speak softly, you must convince Gu Jin Chao!”

Second Madam nodded, then hesitated: “Will Third Master Chen listen to Gu Jin Chao?” At this point, everyone wanted to avoid involvement.

Madam Feng hesitated: “I see that Third Master Chen is extremely good to her. You should go and try. If the old second is demoted, the fourth branch will be in charge of the Gu family from now on. At that time, not only will the second branch be controlled by the fourth branch, but Lian’er will also not have an easy time in the Yao family.”

Second Madam agreed and went back to explain the situation to Gu Lian.

Gu Lian genuinely wanted to see what the Chen family was like and what kind of life Gu Jin Chao was living. Hearing her mother say that she should humble herself, she was somewhat unwilling: “She’s just from a concubine’s chamber, marrying into a good family doesn’t make her anything special. When she got married, how much dowry did our family prepare for her, letting her leave with glory and dignity? Now, helping us is just what she should do…”

Second Madam sighed: “If you want your father to be restored to his official position, then humble yourself to me and apologize for the past… Everyone likes to hear pleasant words. What you truly think doesn’t matter; just say what sounds good. Understand?”

“Third Master Chen might not even listen to her. Who knows what the Chen family is like? We might be wasting our efforts…” Gu Lian said, receiving a glare from her mother. She quickly lowered her voice, “Rest assured, when the time comes, I will say only pleasant things. I know what’s important.”

Hearing her daughter say this, Second Madam finally felt relieved.

She immediately ordered people to prepare many items, planning to go to Wanping the next day.

Gu De Zhao returned and discussed the matter with Madam Xu. Xu Jing Yi shared his opinion. “Since even Lord Yao is unwilling to help, the matter must be very thorny. If you go to plead, you might put Third Master Chen in a difficult position, and it won’t look good for Jin Chao in her husband’s family. Mother also came to me earlier and told me about it, saying that my Second Sister-in-law should go first to test the waters. You might as well claim that you’re busy with official duties and wait until your Second Sister-in-law returns before deciding…”

Gu De Zhao also felt it would be best if he didn’t go, and said to Xu Jing Yi: “Second Brother has committed a serious error; being demoted would be a favorable outcome. Yet Mother still wants Second Brother to keep his position. Isn’t that asking too much of others…”

Xu Jing Yi nodded, comforting him: “I understand. Please eat something first. I’ve stewed some black fish soup for you. You’ve been to the Court of Judicial Review and back; you probably haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

Only then did Gu De Zhao show signs of fatigue, nodding to Xu Jing Yi.

…

Jin Chao woke up very early the next day, preparing to visit Old Madam Chen with the Third Master.

Third Master had already returned from his morning exercise and was reading while waiting for her.

Afraid that he might be bored waiting, she styled her hair in a simple bun and wore no extra ornaments.

Third Master put down his book and gazed at her for a while, lost in thought.

Gu Jin Chao asked him: “What’s wrong? Is something inappropriate?”

She wore a water-blue padded jacket with white patterned edges and a ginger-yellow plain satin Xiang skirt. Though natural beauty was its kind of elegance, it was too plain. Third Master walked directly to the dressing table, looked for a moment, then took two gold hairpins inlaid with white jade orchid carvings, had her sit down, and pinned them in her hair.

“How does this look?”

Gu Jin Chao examined herself and felt that the two hairpins were indeed well-chosen, nodding in approval.

Third Master was also very satisfied and smiled, kissing her forehead.

Madam Sun quickly entered with a letter for Gu Jin Chao: “…It’s sent from the Gu family in Daxing.”

Gu Jin Chao opened the letter and read it. It was written by Second Madam Zhou, saying that she and Gu Lian had heard about her pregnancy and wanted to come visit her.

If someone were to visit her, wouldn’t it be better if Xu Jing Yi came… Gu Jin Chao quickly guessed that the Second Madam was coming for Gu De Yuan’s matter.

Third Master couldn’t interfere with her family affairs, but he still said to her: “Jin Chao, if there’s anything you need my help with, you must tell me.” He looked at her and said in a serious tone, “Don’t keep things to yourself, understand?”

Gu Jin Chao smiled, nodding that she understood.