Old Madam Chen gave a few more instructions to Nurse Zheng, asking her to select two well-behaved servants from the attendants’ quarters. The most important requirement was that they be good-tempered and gentle. She selected a matron surnamed Yu from the household management office to be sent to the outer courtyard. “Xuan Qing lives in a five-room house next to the courtyard. I recall there are many plantain trees planted outside, and it’s called Banana Leaf Hall. Tidy up this courtyard for Xuan Yue to move in…”

Nurse Zheng left to carry out her orders.

Old Madam Chen called over Madam Qin: “In a while, you and Jin Chao go pack Xuan Yue’s belongings and move them to Banana Leaf Hall. Don’t worry about anything else.”

Madam Qin took a deep breath before saying: “Your daughter-in-law understands.”

Gu Jin Chao wanted to lead Xuan Yue up to see if he had anything he wanted to take with him. Chen Xuan Yue, however, possibly misunderstood Jin Chao’s intention and rolled under the kang table. Fortunately, his body was small enough to curl up inside. Only a pair of eyes peeked out, watching Gu Jin Chao.

It was better to just leave him here; he wouldn’t know what to take anyway.

Gu Jin Chao left him alone and brought several matrons to follow Madam Qin to the Second House.

On the way, Madam Qin spoke softly: “Third Sister-in-law has a clever plan. How did you get that little thing to become attached to you?”

Gu Jin Chao replied: “Second Sister-in-law is overthinking. I truly did meet him on the road… I felt sorry for him. Even if he’s not your biological son, he still calls you mother. How could you bear to neglect him and let him become like this?”

“What does it have to do with me!” Madam Qin said indifferently. “Besides, this is the Second House’s business. Third Sister-in-law is meddling too much…”

She was furious inside. Why was Old Madam Chen making an issue out of this? Wasn’t it just to suppress her and pave the way for her biological son’s future wife?

Could things be so simple? She had managed the household for so many years; the stewards and matrons from each branch and department were all familiar with her and served as her informants. Even with Old Madam Chen’s support, it wouldn’t be easy for Gu Jin Chao to become the main mistress! She would still have to get past her.

The Chen family was large and prosperous… but beneath prosperity, worms inevitably grow. Master Chen Second’s official position was no lower than Master Chen Third’s, so the Second and Third Houses were evenly matched in power. Madam Qin believed that the Fourth and Sixth Houses also had their plans and ideas.

With two powerful branches in the Chen family, after Old Madam Chen’s death, the family would likely be divided.

Both Master Chen Second and Master Chen Third were honest officials. The Chen family’s wealth came from ancestral properties and businesses. These assets were managed by her and Master Chen Fourth as public family property. When the time came to divide the family assets, there would inevitably be biases… At that point, whoever was in charge would be crucial.

Madam Qin thought far ahead, and she believed the other branches did too. On the surface, they were harmonious, but privately, everyone had their small calculations.

She had shared these thoughts with Master Chen Second, but men’s perspectives often differed from women’s. Master Chen Second had scolded her, believing that brotherly unity was fundamental to the Chen family. He and Master Chen Third shared a deep bond and thought that day would never come.

Madam Qin inwardly disagreed, thinking these men knew nothing of the inner courtyard’s complexities.

Today’s incident made her very uncomfortable. Chen Xuan Yue was a simpleton born to a concubine, and she had always found him irritating. How was any of this Gu Jin Chao’s business? Did she want to be a good person? Madam Qin doubted it; targeting her was more likely the true motive!

Gu Jin Chao smiled: “Second Sister-in-law has truly misunderstood. I only wanted to create good karma, which is also helping you.”

If Madam Qin continued to mistreat Chen Xuan Yue like this, by the day he achieved fame and success, Madam Qin would likely face even more terrible retribution.

Chen Xuan Yue hadn’t refrained from such actions in his previous life; otherwise, the three young masters of the Second House wouldn’t have failed to accomplish anything.

Madam Qin smiled: “Then I should thank my Third Sister-in-law for helping me? It’s true indeed. This idiot is trouble for whoever has him. If Third Sister-in-law wants to manage him, doesn’t that make things easier for me?”

Gu Jin Chao merely smiled without speaking.

The Second House’s residence was closer to Tanshan Courtyard, with several courtyards connected by covered walkways. Chen Xuan Yue lived behind the walkway, adjacent to the plum forest on the back slope.

Gu Jin Chao went inside to look around and found there truly wasn’t much to pack. The small three-room house had a portrait of Confucius hanging in the main hall. The western side room was used as an inner chamber; opening the door, she immediately smelled the damp, musty odor. On the kang bed were several wooden puppets of roosters or monkeys, probably Chen Xuan Yue’s toys. The kang was covered with several layers of yellowed cotton padding. Looking up, she saw thin blue gauze curtains hanging inside, and on the treasure shelf sat two blue and white porcelain pieces covered in dust. There was also a red-lacquered clothes rack with several jackets and cotton clothes hanging on it.

…It wasn’t even as good as her senior maid’s room!

Gu Jin Chao felt a pang in her heart and had someone collect Chen Xuan Yue’s wooden puppets. She went to the eastern side room, which contained a round table, four embroidered stools, and laid out rice paper and an inkstone. On the rice paper were crooked characters written over and over—just his name…

He didn’t even have a study. Who had taught him to write his name?

Looking around, there wasn’t much worth packing. Gu Jin Chao simply instructed Mama Sun to have new clothes and bedding made for Chen Xuan Yue. If his monthly allowance wasn’t enough, the expenses would come from her account.

After everything was arranged, it was already afternoon. Chen Xuan Yue’s room at Banana Leaf Hall was not yet ready, so they had dinner at Old Madam Chen’s place.

Jin Chao led him back to Muxi Hall. Chen Xuan Yue hugged the tangram puzzle he had taken from Old Madam Chen’s place and squatted on the ground to play by himself.

Chen Xi watched her ninth brother for a while, then went to fetch her toys. Nine linked rings, feather shuttlecocks, Shandong stone guardian, tiger pillows—she piled them on the ground for Chen Xuan Yue to play with. She curiously spoke to him: “Ninth Brother, do you like candy? I’ll ask Mother to get you some candy.”

Chen Xuan Yue seemed confused for a moment, pushed her toys away, and retreated to play by himself.

Gu Jin Chao called Chen Xi over, stroked her head, and said with a smile: “He likes to play alone. Let him be by himself.”

She had Cai Fu bring a small stool for him to sit on while playing.

When Master Chen Third returned, he saw a thin, small figure squatting on the black-lacquered oak floor. The floor was piled with toys. The child made no sound and didn’t turn around despite hearing movement.

Gu Jin Chao walked to his side and helped him take off his six-ridged official hat: “Third Master… shall your concubine have the meal served?”

Master Chen Third made an affirmative sound: “Who is this child? Did you bring him back?” Or perhaps he was the child of one of her servants.

Gu Jin Chao then explained Chen Xuan Yue’s situation to Master Chen Third: “…Your concubine feels the Ninth Young Master is quite pitiful. My second Sister-in-law completely neglects him… In the future, he’ll be raised in the outer courtyard. Do you think we could invite a doctor to examine him? This child can barely speak now.”

Master Chen Third sat down, took a sip of tea, and said: “He’s been treated before. When Second Brother was still at home, even imperial physicians were invited to examine him. They all said it was incurable. I’ve seen his condition before… When confined in remote areas for too long, people temporarily lose the ability to speak. As long as people keep talking to him, he’ll gradually improve.” Everyone in the Chen family knew about Chen Xuan Yue’s situation; they just hadn’t intervened. No one expected Madam Qin to go so far.

Incurable? Then how did he recover later?

The dishes were quickly served, and Jin Chao arranged the food for Master Chen Third. He had returned later than usual today. After two months of rest, he likely had many matters to attend to. It was already remarkable that he managed to return home. Jin Chao noticed his slightly damp sideburns and felt concerned.

Master Chen Third, however, asked her to sit beside him and inquired about what she had done today, what she had eaten, and whether the child had disturbed her.

Gu Jin Chao answered everything and added: “…Your concubine felt movement in her belly. I wonder if he kicked me.”

Master Chen Third shook his head: “It’s only been a little over three months; it’s not time yet. Fetal movement usually begins around the fifth or sixth month…”

Gu Jin Chao became curious and asked him: “How do you know?”

Master Chen Third smiled and changed the subject: “It’s getting late. Have the nurse take the child to sleep. We’ll send Xuan Yue to the outer courtyard tomorrow.” Of course, he had asked the nurses about it. Jin Chao was experiencing her first pregnancy and had no experience, and she generally didn’t pay attention to these matters, so he naturally had to watch out for her.

The matron led Chen Xuan Yue away, and Chen Xuan Yue looked back at Gu Jin Chao.

Jin Chao went over and touched the back of his head where he had bumped it earlier; the swelling had subsided. Chen Xuan Yue, however, hissed softly as if in pain. Gu Jin Chao comforted him: “Mama Song will take you to rest. It’s alright.” She picked up his tangram puzzle and placed it in his arms.

Chen Xuan Yue didn’t resist and was obediently led away by the matron to rest.

Gu Jin Chao went to Master Chen Third and said: “I see this child is always being bullied. Why not have him learn some martial arts with the guards at Heyan Tower…” Teaching Chen Xuan Yue to read wouldn’t be very useful; it would be better to teach him more martial arts.

In a few years, the Chen family would face a great calamity, with the Third Master being the first target. If Chen Xuan Yue could become a military officer, he would also be an asset to Master Chen Third.

Master Chen Third thought it was reasonable. Both he and Master Chen Second had practiced swordplay since childhood and believed children should learn martial arts. Even if they couldn’t fight enemies, they could at least defend themselves and strengthen their bodies. He called Chen Yi in and asked him to take Chen Xuan Yue to Heyan Tower tomorrow to have a look.

…

When Yu Wan Xue returned to Shuya Pavilion, Chen Xuan Qing had already returned.

He was practicing calligraphy in the study, with two personal maids serving beside him, helping to lay out paper and grind ink.

After Yu Wan Xue entered, the maids withdrew. She rolled up her sleeves, preparing to continue grinding ink, when Chen Xuan Qing asked: “Did you eat at Grandmother’s place before returning?”

Yu Wan Xue nodded and told him: “Your concubine witnessed an unusual incident today… Shall I tell you about it?”

Chen Xuan Qing had just finished writing a piece. He paused his brush and said indifferently: “What incident?”

Yu Wan Xue then recounted the story of Gu Jin Chao rescuing Chen Xuan Yue: “…Mother is kind-hearted and truly took the Ninth Young Master under her protection. I felt afraid just looking at Second Aunt’s eyes. Poor Ninth Young Master, so young yet tormented to such a state.”

Chen Xuan Qing suddenly put down his brush and said: “Stop grinding ink. Let’s set the table for dinner.”

He walked straight out of the study.

Didn’t he usually write two pieces?… Yu Wan Xue’s heart sank. She had never heard him use such a harsh tone!

Had she said something wrong just now?

She followed him out anxiously and saw Chen Xuan Qing washing his hands with the maids’ assistance. Biting her lip, she smiled and went to help dry his hands. Not sensing any rejection from him, her heart finally eased.

Why had he become angry earlier? Yu Wan Xue had many thoughts but didn’t dare to ask him.