Chen Xi came to see her early in the morning and asked, “Mother, did you say your sister is coming to visit you today?”

Gu Jin Chao said, “Yes, remember to address them properly. The younger one is your Maternal Aunt and the older one is your Grand Aunt.”

Chen Xi nodded to show she understood, then said, “Mother, will Maternal Aunt and Grand Aunt bring something delicious?”

“They will. But don’t eat too many sweets. You’re losing your baby teeth now, don’t ruin your new ones.” Jin Chao pinched her cheek. Chen Xi had lost a tooth a few days ago, and Nanny An had already started limiting her sugar intake.

Chen Xi obediently responded with a sound of agreement. This child rarely troubled adults over such matters.

Gu Jin Chao took Chen Xi’s hand and went to wait outside Mu Xi Hall. In the distance, they saw the carriage trotting toward them. It stopped at the entrance of Mu Xi Hall, where a servant woman placed a mounting stool to help Gu Lian and Madam Zhou down from the carriage.

Gu Lian had her hair styled in a married woman’s bun but otherwise showed no changes.

Gu Lian quickly sized up Gu Jin Chao, who was surrounded by maids and servant women. She wore a light pink, long padded jacket with auspicious floral patterns, a watermelon-red Xiang skirt, with her hair styled in a loose bun, adorned with gold ornaments, and a carved hairpin inlaid with yellow beryl. Then she looked at the little girl holding her hand, dressed in a white padded jacket with cherry blossom patterns. The child had a delicately beautiful face with eyes like black grapes. Around her neck was a gold necklace with a pearl almost the size of a longan fruit…

Such a large pearl was extremely valuable. This little girl must be Chen Xi, Third Master Chen’s legitimate daughter.

Madam Zhou walked forward with a smile, and Jin Chao bowed to her. Chen Xi softly called her “Grand Aunt.”

Gu Jin Chao’s gaze fell on Gu Lian.

Only then did Gu Lian force a smile and step forward to greet her: “Second Sister’s place is truly grand. Even after passing through the hanging flower gate, one still needs a carriage!”

Gu Jin Chao knew this was just Gu Lian’s nature, so she merely smiled faintly without taking offense, and instructed Chen Xi to call her “Maternal Aunt.”

Gu Lian said in a soft voice: “So this is Fourth Miss? She’s adorable!” She reached out to take Chen Xi’s hand.

Chen Xi, who had been chatting happily with Jin Chao just moments before, now seemed afraid of strangers. She timidly hid behind Jin Chao, withdrawing her hand, and whispered to Jin Chao: “Mother, the wind is cold outside. Xi’er wants to go inside.”

Gu Lian was taken aback. This little thing was so close to Gu Jin Chao, yet she was still shy around strangers.

Gu Jin Chao invited them inside to rest and have tea, suggesting they take a break before going to pay respects to Old Madam Chen.

Gu Jin Chao knew they wanted to persuade her to save Gu De Yuan. But Second Madam was a shrewd person and naturally wouldn’t bring it up immediately. Instead, she first congratulated Gu Jin Chao on her pregnancy and mentioned the nourishing items she had brought for her.

Only then did she bring up the matter of Second Master Gu being arrested for embezzlement.

“Your Second Uncle is locked up in the Court of Judicial Review, with nothing to eat or drink. He’s become so thin… he’s unrecognizable…” At this emotional point, Madam Zhou pulled a handkerchief from her bosom to wipe her tears. “Your father is running around every day trying to save him, and your mother is so worried that she has developed sores around her mouth. It’s a shame that we women are so helpless…”

Gu Lian also began to cry: “Second Sister, it was all my fault before. I was ignorant then, but I never meant to harm you… Let’s forget all past grievances. Now my father is detained, please help us!”

Mother and daughter cried bitterly together.

Madam Sun, hearing this from outside, instructed a maid to bring snacks from the small kitchen. She carried them in, smiling as she said: “…Madam had snacks prepared early. Please try some.”

Gu Jin Chao, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke: “Come, stop crying, try these crab shell pastries.” Then she sighed and continued, “I know about Second Uncle’s situation, but since things have progressed to this point, you should consider what to do next. I’ve heard that the Left Deputy Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate is a good friend of Second Uncle, and also his superior. With his help, Second Uncle should at least keep his position, right?”

Madam Zhou was startled. How did Gu Jin Chao know about the Deputy Censor-in-Chief?

“Even if he can keep his position, he’ll only be a minor official of the sixth or seventh rank. You know your Second Uncle is very concerned about face…” Madam Zhou sighed. “He’ll probably never be promoted again, and our Gu family… will have a difficult future.”

Gu Jin Chao thought to herself that if they knew how the Gu family had nearly been ruined in her previous life, they would realize how fortunate it was to even keep a minor official position.

She felt they were being greedy. Gu De Yuan had embezzled funds; it was impossible to completely preserve his official position.

“You’ve come all this way to see me, let’s not dwell on these sad matters. Have some snacks first, and then I’ll take you to pay respects to the Old Madam.” Gu Jin Chao said with a smile. She then called a young maid to arrange for the two to stay in the west wing room.

The past was the past. She didn’t have any deep grudge against the second branch and had long stopped caring about what they had done.

Gu Jin Chao took them to pay respects to Old Madam Chen, and afterward, she went to rest while Gu Lian and Madam Zhou were led to the west wing room by a young maid.

Gu Lian whispered to Madam Zhou: “Why does Old Madam Chen have no airs at all? She’s like a Bodhisattva. How can she keep her daughters-in-law in check…” Unlike her situation in the Yao family, where Madam Yao required her to serve breakfast every day, with all daughters-in-law taking turns except for the eldest who was in poor health.

Madam Zhou said: “Not every family needs to control their daughters-in-law. You’ve just seen too much of your grandmother. In great families like the Chen family, they emphasize ‘filial piety’ as the foundation. It’s taboo for children not to value filial piety, so there’s no need for control.”

Gu Lian thought about how even the casual teacups at Gu Jin Chao’s place were white Dehua porcelain, and the kang table was made of solid golden nanmu wood. The maids were well-trained, not talking to each other, and walking without making a sound. The rules for dining at Old Madam Chen’s place were impeccable, with dedicated maids to remove fish bones, and special soup served as mouthwash after meals… This was how a great family should be.

If only… If Third Master Chen had proposed to her instead of Gu Jin Chao, this life would be hers now!

Gu Lian was lost in thought, recalling how she had been reluctant when she heard she might marry Third Master Chen…

Just as she was thinking this, she heard her mother stop the young maid leading the way and give her some silver, “Young lady, I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

The young maid took the silver and smiled sweetly: “Please ask away.”

Madam Zhou asked: “Isn’t it said that Third Master Chen has three concubines? Why haven’t I seen them?”

The young maid replied: “Concubines? The concubines live in Xian Yu Pavilion, which is very far away. They only come to pay respects to Madam on the first and fifteenth of each month.”

Madam Zhou asked further: “Since they are concubines, they should serve the master. How can they serve him living so far away?”

The young maid smiled and said: “There’s no need for the concubines to serve. We serve Madam, and Madam serves Third Master. That’s enough.” By this time, they had reached the west wing room, where two maids were already waiting at the door for them.

Madam Zhou was very surprised: “The concubines… don’t share his bed?”

The young maid shook her head: “The third Master stays only in Mu Xi Hall and goes nowhere else. How could the concubines share his bed?”

The young maid took the silver and left, leaving Madam Zhou stunned for a long while.

Gu Lian was also shocked: “This… This is practically like having no concubines at all. No wonder Gu Jin Chao got pregnant so quickly! How fortunate!” She felt a strange sensation in her heart. Wasn’t it said that men of the world couldn’t control themselves? How did Gu Jin Chao find one who remained chaste?

Madam Zhou, however, said calmly: “This is indeed good. It proves she can truly influence Third Master Chen… If only Mother were here. Unfortunately, we’ve come instead, as we lack the status to pressure her.” Madam Zhou was determined to persuade her again tomorrow. If that didn’t work, she would have to invoke Madam Feng’s name. After all, Gu Jin Chao was a member of the Gu family and should listen to her elders.

…

Gu Jin Chao woke up from her afternoon nap and was leaning against a large pillow reading a book.

Madam Sun brought over a tael of silver (eight fens) and relayed to Gu Jin Chao what Madam Zhou had asked the young maid.

After listening, Gu Jin Chao pondered for a moment and instructed Madam Sun: “Reward that maid with a bag of loose silver. Let’s consider the matter closed.” Madam Sun acknowledged and left.

Gu Jin Chao continued reading her book. She didn’t care what the two were inquiring about. Regardless of what was said, she was determined not to help. What could Madam Zhou do to her anyway?

In the afternoon, Third Master Chen returned from the outer courtyard and saw her reading.

“Always either reading or embroidering, be careful not to strain your eyes.” Third Master Chen took away her book and placed it on the high shelf of the curio cabinet, out of her reach. “I’ll accompany you for a walk. Being pregnant doesn’t mean you shouldn’t move around.”

Gu Jin Chao looked up at him. “Where would you take me for a walk? It’s the season when autumn winds blow leaves away. There’s nothing nice to see.”

Third Master Chen shook his head with a smile: “You’re getting lazier… Get up quickly, or I’ll carry you up.” He bent down, making as if to lift her.

Gu Jin Chao hurriedly sat up, afraid that he would carry her.

After Gu Jin Chao and Third Master Chen returned from their walk outside, Madam Sun was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing her, she came forward: “Second Madam Gu wishes to see you. She’s waiting in the west wing room.”

Gu Jin Chao said to Third Master Chen: “Why don’t you go back first, while I go talk with Second Aunt.”

Third Master Chen smiled slightly and said firmly: “I’ll go with you.”

Gu Jin Chao hesitated a bit, feeling that she could handle this matter herself without Third Master Chen’s involvement, which might complicate things.

However, Third Master Chen was already heading towards the west wing room. Gu Jin Chao could only follow behind him. Third Master Chen reached back to take her hand, and Gu Jin Chao said nothing, looking at his tall figure while feeling reassured in her heart.