After Chen Third Master returned, he told her about Chen Xuanyue’s situation: “…Chen Yi took him to Crane Extending Tower this afternoon.”

He paused.

Gu Jin Chao looked at him expectantly, hoping he would say Chen Xuanyue was a martial arts prodigy, someone destined to become a general. Even if not a martial arts prodigy, he should at least have exceptional talent.

Chen Third Master continued: “This child has great brute strength, but his physique is only average. However, for self-defense martial arts, it’s sufficient.”

Gu Jin Chao felt somewhat disappointed and asked Chen Third Master: “…Are you sure that’s right?”

This seemed implausible. Chen Xuanyue was supposed to command troops in the future; if he didn’t have a talent for martial arts, what was his strength?

Chen Third Master found her reaction strange and said: “You seem very concerned about this child. The men at Crane Extending Tower are all martial experts who select children sold to them from a young age to train in martial arts. They wouldn’t be mistaken.” He found it amusing, “You have so much free time at home to worry about so many things.”

Gu Jin Chao just smiled: “I noticed the child had great strength and thought he must be good at martial arts. If the Ninth Young Master could develop martial skills, even if he couldn’t follow other Chen family descendants into officialdom through the examination system, he could still make a name for himself on the battlefield.”

Chen Third Master explained to her: “Martial arts depend on many factors. His strength is certainly an advantage, but beyond that, there’s comprehension and physical constitution. Regarding comprehension, there’s no need to elaborate. This child wasn’t raised well from a young age; even the best physical constitution couldn’t develop properly.”

He continued, “…Achieving merit on the battlefield isn’t so easy. The Chen family has no hereditary military positions. If he wants to join the army, he would first need to be selected as a soldier. Even if he enters a guard post, he might end up doing garrison duty or working in military farms. From small banner bearer to banner general and finally, to the Five Armies Command, it would take years of hardship. Only exceptional military achievements could lead to faster promotion. But throughout history, how many return from battle? Just returning alive from the battlefield is difficult enough, let alone establishing achievements and merits…”

After speaking, Chen Third Master noticed Gu Jin Chao looking at him. He stroked her hair, feeling he had said too much. She meant well, but these matters were too cruel. “Why are you thinking about these things? Even if Chen Xuanyue doesn’t achieve scholarly honors in the future, the Chen family won’t abandon him.”

He must think I’m being naive…

Gu Jin Chao watched as Chen Third Master returned to his book, thinking that her words indeed sounded childish.

But she knew the outcome. Chen Xuanyue was a strange person. Within four years, he had risen to the position of Administrator in the Five Armies Command, and later during the Mongolian rebellion, he took Weida’er’s head. After returning triumphantly, he was promoted to Left Commander, holding the rank of Gansu General. But the Mongolian rebellion would happen more than ten years later, when Chen Third Master had been dead for many years, and she had counted countless springs and autumns in the side courtyard.

Could it be true, as folk tales claimed, that Chen Xuanyue had encountered an immortal who enlightened him while in Shaanxi?

Gu Jin Chao didn’t believe in ghosts and spirits.

The candlelight flickered as Gu Jin Chao poured him tea and asked: “Is the Cabinet still busy?”

Chen Third Master closed his book and answered: “The Cabinet isn’t busy, but I’ve been seeing the Emperor more frequently lately.” As he spoke, his brow furrowed slightly, revealing a contemplative expression. His profile in the candlelight appeared very steady.

Is something troubling him? Gu Jin Chao asked softly: “When you were previously a Hanlin Academy Reading Attendant, weren’t you the Emperor’s teacher? Does the Emperor still need your guidance in his studies?”

Chen Third Master looked at her with some surprise: “You know I was once a Reading Attendant?”

Gu Jin Chao smiled: “Of course I know. I even read your poems when I was young. I didn’t know you then. My teacher was an old Confucian scholar who greatly admired your character and forced me to memorize your poems… I hated you so much back then!”

Chen Third Master reached out his long arm and pulled her into his embrace.

Although they were nestled together, Gu Jin Chao could sense his inner silence.

He was the type of person who could keep things well hidden. Gu Jin Chao hoped he would confide in her; the more she understood about Cabinet affairs, the better chance she would have to protect his life in the future. Gu Jin Chao felt she was still on the periphery of the conspiracy, which was not good.

At the very least, she needed to find out who wanted to harm him and why they would succeed.

Before Gu Jin Chao could ask, Chen Third Master began speaking: “It’s about the Emperor selecting palace ladies. Since the founding Emperor’s time, to prevent imperial relatives from gaining too much power, palace ladies were selected from common families. Only one person was an exception—the current Imperial Dowager, the sister of the Marquis of Changxing. However, when the late Emperor took her as a consort, he went against public opinion. Moreover, the Marquis of Changxing had rendered meritorious service in suppressing Prince Cheng’s rebellion, which is why the current Imperial Dowager was able to be conferred as Imperial Noble Consort at that time…”

The Emperor was nearly fourteen now. If not for the late Emperor’s passing and the pressing state affairs, the selection of palace ladies would have happened earlier.

Gu Jin Chao looked at Chen Third Master as he held her, gazing at the night beyond the latticed doors. His voice was deep yet gentle, his narrative clear and measured.

“Master Zhang wants his niece to be included among the palace lady candidates. Once his niece becomes a palace lady, being conferred as a consort wouldn’t be difficult.” Chen Yanyu could now see that although Zhu Jun’an appeared focused on his studies and amusements on the surface, he was quite clear about his situation and had his calculations, just inexperienced. Zhu Jun’an had summoned him so many times because he was feeling anxious.

“If Master Zhang’s niece enters the palace and becomes a consort, wouldn’t that be placing a spy by the Emperor’s side…” Gu Jin Chao said, quickly trying to recall if there was such an event of conferring consorts. It seemed his niece later became one of the four consorts, the Virtuous Consort.

Chen Third Master nodded. He had previously regarded Zhang Julian as just a teacher, knowing Zhang Julian was guarded against him, so he also maintained some reserve.

But now it appeared that Zhang Julian’s ambition went beyond this.

He was Zhang Julian’s student, and Zhang Julian had promoted him over the years. So he didn’t complain about working for Zhang Julian. But he feared that sooner or later, Zhang Julian would scheme against him…

And Chen Third Master disliked being schemed against.

“Do you plan to do anything about it?” Gu Jin Chao still asked him. The consequences of Zhang Julian sending his niece to be selected as a consort could be major or minor, but being an outsider, she naturally didn’t know whether this consort would have any effect, so she dared not speak rashly. Compared to the fourteen-year-old young Emperor, she was more wary of Zhang Julian… When Chen’s Third Master died, Zhang Julian came to pay his respects. Although she couldn’t tell what this calm-faced man was thinking, the gloominess about him made her very uncomfortable. Zhang Julian himself was also a person with a heavy desire for power.

From Chen Third Master’s handling of this matter, she should be able to discern his attitude.

Chen Third Master shook his head: “I’m already causing concern by doing nothing. If I were to do something, it would be even worse.”

So he would let Zhang Julian proceed with his plans.

Gu Jin Chao sighed. Chen Third Master was guarding against Zhang Julian but had no intention of opposing him. After all, he was his teacher, and there was always the matter of moral duty.

A maid brought in a steamed pear with a fritillary bulb. Chen Third Master had ordered this prepared after returning. Last night she hadn’t covered herself properly while sleeping and had developed a cough.

A whole pear was cored and filled with fritillary bulb, wolfberry, red dates, and other ingredients, then drizzled with honey. The pear skin was wrinkled from steaming, and the brownish pear had released its juices. This pear was not only fragrant and crisp, but the pear juice was also more delicate and sweet than rock-sugar snow pear soup made from cut pieces.

Gu Jin Chao had a good constitution and felt her cough had already improved, so she didn’t think she needed this.

But Chen Third Master insisted. He scooped up some pear juice for her to drink: “You’re always restless when you sleep…”

Gu Jin Chao knew she was restless in her sleep, even more so since becoming pregnant. When she used to sleep alone, she might start at the head of the bed but wake up at the foot. Sleeping with Chen Third Master, he would try to manage her, but he couldn’t always succeed.

So they usually slept in separate beds, but she would often wake up tightly embraced by Chen Third Master. This was normal; Chen Third Master didn’t do it intentionally.

Gu Jin Chao thought for a moment and said to him: “Perhaps I should sleep in the east side room. That way I won’t disturb you at night.” He now rose early every day and was busy all day; it wouldn’t do if he couldn’t sleep well at night. Although Chen Third Master didn’t yet appear lacking in energy.

Chen Third Master glanced at her and flatly refused: “No.”

But Gu Jin Chao thought it was a good idea. If she slept alone, wrapped tightly, even if she moved from the head to the foot of the bed, there would be no obstacle, and she wouldn’t catch cold. Knowing Chen Third Master wouldn’t agree, Gu Jin Chao had decided she would move to the east side room tomorrow to try sleeping there, and then use facts to make her case.

She smiled and changed the subject: “Today I accompanied the Ninth Young Master to the outer courtyard. He now lives in Banana Leaf Hall. This child has a bad temper… he even broke several of my porcelain pieces.” Those were all items from her private treasury!

“Banana Leaf Hall…” Chen Third Master frowned, “The one next to East Wind Pavilion?”

East Wind Pavilion was Chen Xuanqing’s courtyard in the outer compound.

Gu Jin Chao nodded: “Yes, that Banana Leaf Hall… I even met the Seventh Young Master there today. Seeing he had nothing to do recently, I asked him to teach the Ninth Young Master to read. He didn’t disdain the request and agreed.”

Chen Third Master’s hand holding the porcelain spoon tensed involuntarily.

“You asked him to teach Chen Xuanyue to read, and he just agreed?” he asked flatly.

Gu Jin Chao said: “Not exactly, he did consider it for a moment.”

Chen Third Master continued: “He’s quite proud in this regard. Even when Xuanxin wanted him to teach, he had to plead for a long time. He doesn’t even acknowledge the brothers from the fourth branch. It seems he has a connection with Chen Xuanyue…” He put down the porcelain spoon. Fearing his rigid expression would arouse Gu Jin Chao’s suspicion, he left the luohan bed to place a book on the curio cabinet.

Although he knew there was nothing to it, Chen Third Master couldn’t help overthinking.

He didn’t like the idea of Gu Jin Chao meeting Chen Xuanqing privately.

Gu Jin Chao noticed his unusual behavior and reached out to him: “Third Master, what’s wrong?”

When Chen Third Master turned around, he had already regained his composure and said calmly: “I just find his recent behavior somewhat unusual. Perhaps it’s because of his marriage.”

Gu Jin Chao also felt Chen Xuanqing was acting a bit strangely. So originally it wasn’t easy to get him to teach others? In that case, hadn’t she gained a favor from Chen Xuanqing?