Chen Xuan Qing saw Third Master Chen approaching from a distance. He stopped and bowed: “Father.”

Third Master Chen looked at him and made a sound of acknowledgment.

Chen Xuan Qing stared at his black shoe tops, finding it somewhat difficult to face his father. He raised his head and found Third Master Chen’s expression very calm.

“Did you come to see your mother?” he asked mildly.

Chen Xuan Qing nodded silently.

“I heard you were the first to arrive at the western side room yesterday, and just in time. Your mother was fortunate to have your help,” Third Master Chen continued.

Chen Xuan Qing’s heart skipped a beat. His father probably didn’t mean anything by it, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous. “Yesterday I came to teach Sister Xi to practice the zither. I heard sounds of an argument from the main room and felt it wasn’t right, so I came to check. Since it was Mother, there’s no need to talk about helping.”

“Go back and rest well,” Third Master Chen finally smiled. “You don’t seem to be in good spirits.”

“Son stayed up late reading yesterday, and woke up too late this morning,” Chen Xuan Qing tried to appear as calm as possible.

His father was a very astute man, and one slip could reveal everything. He didn’t know if his father had seen through anything; the questions he asked weren’t unusual, but when Chen Xuan Qing met his father’s gaze, he felt certain that he had noticed something.

When one feels guilty, everything seems suspicious.

“You’re about to get married, so there’s no need to study anymore,” Third Master Chen said. “Tomorrow I’ll have your grandmother assign two maids to attend to you.”

Chen Xuan Qing raised his head, about to say something, but Third Master Chen had already gone inside.

Before a man’s wedding… someone would instruct him in matters of the bedchamber. If a matron taught him, she would only provide a book on bedroom arts. If maids were to instruct, there would likely be physical intimacy involved. Was his father suggesting that he take concubines?

Under normal circumstances, he should have had concubines long ago. But since Third Master Chen never mentioned it and Grandmother never brought it up, no one did.

Madam Wang, seeing Third Master Chen return, bid farewell to Gu Jin Chao.

Gu Jin Chao smiled and said: “You’ve come back so early today?”

Third Master Chen first looked at her, then said slowly: “I was worried, so it’s better to see for myself.” He took down a book he often read from the display cabinet and sat beside Jin Chao. “You two seem to be having a pleasant conversation. What were you discussing with your Fourth Sister-in-law?”

“We were talking about Seventh Young Master’s marriage. I saw the Yu family’s daughter last time; she’s truly beautiful. Once she marries our family, our Third Branch will be lively,” Jin Chao said with a smile. “I think after the Yu family’s daughter marries, we should settle her in the adjacent Shu Ya Pavilion. By spring, we can pick Chinese toon sprouts to eat.”

Third Master Chen’s gaze fell on his book, the corner of his mouth revealing a faint smile.

Gu Jin Chao never referred to Chen Xuan Xin as the Eleventh Young Master. Perhaps she was truly guilty, or perhaps she felt that Chen Xuan Qing was already an adult and she needed to maintain propriety. But which was it?

Once doubt is planted in the heart, it’s not so easily erased.

But he had never been a particularly curious person, because behind curiosity often lay unpleasant results.

Third Master Chen closed his book and placed his hand on her belly: “It seems to have grown a bit.” Jin Chao was too thin; she had only begun to show at three months.

Gu Jin Chao said: “Matron Sun says this is normal. I eat a lot every day, but just can’t gain weight.”

“It’s good if the child is small, easier to deliver,” Third Master Chen said.

Jin Chao noticed that his gaze on her belly was exceptionally gentle. She smiled and said: “I like chubby children. Let’s raise a plump little one!”

Third Master Chen kissed her forehead and said softly: “Mm, all is well.”

Jiang Yan arrived.

Chen Yan Yun went to the study to meet him.

“Third Master, I’ve looked into what you asked about. Fan Hui’s background is clean; there’s no evidence of him having particularly close private relationships with anyone. He’s also not someone secretly placed in the Ministry of Works by Minister Zhang. However, Ji Qiu Ping has shown some unusual behavior… Six months ago, his nephew was conscripted into the military camp and now serves as a Chiliarch in the Nurgan Regional Military Commission. It’s said he has suspiciously close contact with people from the Ministry of War. The Iron Cavalry also stayed at the Nurgan Regional Military Commission and did many favors for this person.”

In other words, it wasn’t that Fan Hui had connections, but rather that Ji Qiu Ping had established ties with the Marquis of Chang Xing’s family.

Jiang Yan continued: “What Minister Zhang fears most is the Marquis of Chang Xing rising from the ashes. Ji Qiu Ping might not have been selected for the Cabinet because of his nephew. I believe that even if Fan Hui enters the Cabinet, he won’t be able to stir up trouble.”

“After another half month of recuperation, I should go to the Cabinet. Even if I need to appear weak, it’s about time…” Third Master Chen said. “However, a person who appears clean might not be clean. You won’t make progress by investigating Fan Hui; look into Ji Qiu Ping and his relationship with this nephew.”

If Ji Qiu Ping truly had connections with the Marquis of Chang Xing’s family, would he openly display such a relationship?

After careful thought, Jiang Yan agreed and prepared to withdraw.

“…While you’re investigating the Yao family, also inquire about Madam’s previous matters.”

Jiang Yan thought he had misheard. Third Master Chen had instructed him yesterday to investigate who within the Yao family was causing trouble, and whether they had intended to harm the Third Madam Yao or his wife. But why was Third Master Chen now asking him to investigate his wife?

Jiang Yan looked up and saw Third Master Chen standing by the window, silently watching the sky.

“I understand,” Jiang Yan finally said. As he walked out of the study, he noticed that the sky outside was very gloomy. It would probably rain soon.

…

Gu Lian and Madam Zhou returned to Daxing by noon the next day.

They hadn’t even had water during the journey and were parched. Having not slept well in the swaying carriage, both appeared particularly exhausted.

Upon returning to the Gu family home, they didn’t even have time to speak with Madam Feng. Both first ate a bowl of noodles to fill their stomachs. Madam Feng, hearing of their return, was surprised. They had come back so early—had everything been settled?

She had Fu Ling change her outer garment for her and personally went to the western wing room to question them.

Madam Zhou sighed repeatedly and recounted the events of the past few days to Madam Feng.

“I suspect someone intended to harm Sister Lian, but it backfired and affected Gu Jin Chao instead. And Gu Jin Chao is pregnant. Mother, you have no idea—when Gu Jin Chao almost lost her child, the Chen family people would have torn Sister Lian and me to pieces if they could… Third Master Chen was already being courteous by not throwing us out. If we were to ask him for help again, he would likely finish De Yuan off for good. That’s why I didn’t dare say more and came back first.”

Madam Feng stared in disbelief: “So this matter is just going to end like this? What about Old Second’s official position?”

Madam Zhou sighed: “Mother, Gu Jin Chao is now the Third Madam Chen, not the Gu Jin Chao of before. With the Chen family protecting her, it doesn’t matter who we send. It would be useless.” After experiencing so many days of turmoil, Madam Zhou felt exhausted. She now thought that it might be better for Gu De Yuan to remain a minor official.

Heaven sees what man does. She felt this saying made a lot of sense.

Madam Feng sat on a stool and tried to calm herself. After a while, she recovered. Indeed, after such an incident, even if she went to ask Gu Jin Chao, she wouldn’t agree. Besides, how could she stoop to that level?

Madam Feng heaved a long sigh and said: “None of you can be relied upon! When this old woman dies, I won’t be able to face our ancestors in the netherworld!” Two granddaughters had made good marriages, yet neither could help the Gu family.

Such a disgrace!

Madam Zhou supported Madam Feng to sit on the kang bed, comforting her: “Mother, life, and death are predestined, and wealth and honor are determined by heaven. Let’s not think too much about it.”

Madam Feng straightened her posture, not wanting to show weakness in front of the daughter-in-law she usually controlled. She said coldly: “You have no ambition and speak so lightly! No wonder the sons you’ve raised can’t even pass the provincial examination.”

Madam Zhou dared not talk back.

Madam Feng then asked her: “Does Sister Lian know who tampered with the pastries she brought back from the capital?”

After returning, Gu Lian had been in poor spirits. Madam Zhou worried for her and let her go to sleep first.

“She said it was Gu Lan, but there’s no evidence. She just said it off the top of her head. After thinking it through, I believe it’s possible. The items were given to her by Madam Yao; surely Madam Yao wouldn’t want to prevent her from having children!” Madam Zhou said softly.

Madam Feng said: “…Even if she didn’t do it, she can’t escape responsibility! Allowing her to live until now was our mistake. We might as well kill her and be done with it, to avoid future obstacles.”

Madam Zhou remained silent. Madam Feng talked about killing as if it were easy. This was a living person, and now in the Yao family. How could they kill her just because they wanted to?

Madam Feng spoke slowly: “You usually handle those concubines with such skill. Why are you at a loss for words now?”

Madam Zhou looked troubled: “…Do you have any ideas?”

“No evidence? Then find evidence,” Madam Feng said coldly. “Just find some maid to say she saw Gu Lan tampering with the items, claiming she wanted to poison her mistress. Then have two old servant women strangle her, and that’s the end of it.”

Madam Zhou said softly: “You don’t understand… Right now, Sister Lian is having a dispute with Yao Wen Xiu. If we kill his concubine now, I’m afraid…”

Hearing this, Madam Feng sighed and said: “I knew early on that she couldn’t keep a man. With her temperament… It would be better to choose a maid around Sister Lian who is obedient and has a gentle nature, and introduce her formally. Your maid, as long as she’s not elevated to a concubine, won’t she still stay in Sister Lian’s room?”

After hearing this, Madam Zhou remained silent for a long time.