These past few days, Chen San Ye had often been out with Chen Er Ye, busy with unknown matters.

This day, Gu Jin Chao woke up early while Chen San Ye was still getting dressed. She opened her eyes and watched his back for a good while. Chen San Ye dressed methodically, ensuring his collar and sleeves were perfectly neat. Perhaps due to his years as an official, even when wearing a simple robe, he gave off a very formal impression. She asked him, “Yesterday you went riding at Xiangye Mountain. Was it enjoyable there?”

Chen San Ye walked over to her and bent down to look at her. “You’re awake. Did I disturb you?”

Gu Jin Chao shook her head: “This concubine just didn’t sleep well.”

Chen San Ye lay down beside her and reached out to embrace her. His outer garment was cold, causing Gu Jin Chao to shrink away slightly. He smiled helplessly, withdrew his arm, and propped his head up saying, “With Chang Hai and the others, it’s never boring. The winter plum blossoms at Xiangye Mountain are blooming abundantly. We also had tea at the Taoist temple halfway up the mountain.”

Gu Jin Chao said, “It’s good to go out for a while. Are you going to Xiangye Mountain today as well?”

Chen San Ye shook his head: “Today I need to meet with Official Liang. We have some matters to discuss—official business. I’ll come back in the afternoon to accompany you.”

He kissed her forehead. “You should sleep a bit longer. Mother retired late last night and said there’s no need to pay respects to her today.”

Gu Jin Chao looked at him and made a sound of acknowledgment. After Chen San Ye left the bed and departed, Gu Jin Chao opened her eyes.

She stared at the ceiling for quite a while before calling Cai Fu to enter.

Shortly after Gu Jin Chao got up, Madam Song brought Chen Xuan Yue over. He wore a brand new brocade jacket with auspicious patterns, his little face cultivated to a fair complexion.

After paying his respects, he immediately sat beside Gu Jin Chao, his small feet swinging continuously. He showed her what he held in his hands.

It was round and plump, resembling an egg.

Madam Song explained with a smile: “…A chicken from the outer courtyard kitchen escaped and laid an egg in the grass, which the Ninth Young Master found. He treasures it greatly. The Ninth Young Master even takes it to bed, and we servants aren’t allowed to touch it—he gets angry if we do.”

Chen Xuan Yue, however, trustingly offered the egg for her to see: “Aunt, little chicken.”

Gu Jin Chao stroked his head and told him: “This won’t hatch into a little chicken.”

He wasn’t a mother hen; how could he hatch an egg? Hatching eggs wasn’t simply about keeping them in a blanket until chicks emerged on their own.

Chen Xuan Yue smiled and held it up to her: “Little chicken, hatch it for Aunt.”

Gu Jin Chao was both amused and exasperated, but didn’t bother explaining further, instead agreeing with him: “Alright! Hatch it for Aunt.” She then found Madam Song and said, “If he wants little chickens, just buy him a few to raise.”

A maid brought up a plate of sliced frozen pears, and Jin Chao fed Chen Xuan Yue several pieces.

He smiled happily, much more lively than before.

Chen Xi came to pay her respects and was delighted to see Chen Xuan Yue there as well. She wore a bright red vest with eggplant flower patterns, looking as adorable as a prosperity doll. Seeing Chen Xuan Yue mysteriously holding something, she leaned in: “Ninth Brother, what are you holding?”

Chen Xuan Yue turned away, refusing to show her. Chen Xi insisted on prying his hands open, which angered Chen Xuan Yue: “No looking!”

The child might be simple-minded, but he had quite a temper. When provoked, he was known to throw things.

Gu Jin Chao took his hand and said to him: “Xuan Yue when Xi’er has toys, doesn’t she let you play with them? It’s give and take—when you have something nice, you should also let Xi’er see. You shouldn’t keep it all to yourself.”

Chen Xuan Yue silently looked at her as Gu Jin Chao smiled.

Finally, reluctantly, he opened his hand to show Chen Xi, who didn’t mind his stinginess at all, and asked with a smile: “Ninth Brother, isn’t this a chicken egg? What are you doing with it?”

Chen Xuan Yue said: “Little chicken, will come out.”

Chen Xi’s eyes brightened: “Really? When will it come out?”

Chen Xuan Yue nodded seriously, and the two children began whispering to each other.

After playing until tired, both children sat beside Gu Jin Chao to drink cinnamon broth. Meanwhile, Gu Jin Chao was listening to Madam Tong discuss her shop affairs.

“…The three Lu silk shops in the capital, and the several Hangzhou silk and silk fabrics shops in Baodi, Wanping, and Xianghe have all seen reduced profits. Manager Luo says silk prices have dropped significantly. It’s not just affecting our small shops but also the Jis’ larger businesses and silk estates.”

Gu Jin Chao thought for a moment and asked: “Is the reduction substantial?”

“Not very—about half a percent. In previous years when silk production was high, similar situations occurred, and many people didn’t take it seriously. But Manager Luo finds it suspicious. Last year, even though silk production was abundant, the silk tax was heavy, so prices shouldn’t have varied so drastically. Manager Luo specifically visited the Ji family’s head manager, who attributed it to Yongchang Trading Company releasing more silk fabrics this year…”

Yongchang Trading Company? Gu Jin Chao found this name very familiar, yet couldn’t immediately recall who it belonged to. Just hearing the name of this trading company gave her a strange feeling—she must have heard about it in her previous life.

“What’s the background of this Yongchang Trading Company?”

Madam Tong shook her head: “This servant doesn’t know much about that. Should I go ask Manager Luo?”

Gu Jin Chao took a sip of tea and nodded: “If Luo Yong Ping doesn’t know, write to the Ji family to inquire.” The Ji family would likely know more.

Thinking of the Ji family, Gu Jin Chao wanted to visit her maternal grandmother, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time. Unfortunately, being with a child, she couldn’t travel far.

After Madam Tong withdrew, Gu Jin Chao asked Chen Xi: “Xi’er, will your Seventh Brother come to see you today?”

Chen Xi nodded: “Seventh Brother will teach me to practice the zither.”

That was good—she wouldn’t need to invite him over.

When Chen Xuan Qing came in the afternoon to teach Chen Xi to practice the zither, Gu Jin Chao invited him to the west side room to talk.

The last time she saw Chen Xuan Qing was on New Year’s Day at Elder Madam Chen’s place. Chen Xuan Qing’s expression seemed somewhat cold as he stood at a distance looking at her: “Does Mother have something to discuss?”

Gu Jin Chao thought she indeed shouldn’t wade into these troubled waters. She asked Yu Zhu to bring a stool for him to sit on and poured him a cup of Emei Snow Bud tea.

He glanced up, noting Gu Jin Chao’s two personal maids standing in the west side room.

“I spoke with Wan Xue recently, and she mentioned you seem preoccupied,” Gu Jin Chao said in a neutral tone. “I shouldn’t meddle in your marital affairs; I’m just offering a few casual words. If something is bothering you, you should find someone to talk to. Life must go on…”

Chen Xuan Qing’s lips tightened, and the more he listened to her, the angrier he became.

“What right do you have to interfere in my affairs!” he said with a cold smile.

Gu Jin Chao frowned slightly: “…It was just a casual remark. The Seventh Young Master need not listen.”

“I’m troubled, but who can I talk to?” Chen Xuan Qing seemed to have reached his limit of endurance, his entire being filled with incredible anger, his smile becoming more sarcastic. “Do you know what’s in my heart? If I were to speak of it, would you dare to listen?”

He stood up, suddenly feeling he should speak out.

He shouldn’t be the only one suffering; Gu Jin Chao should know, Gu Jin Chao should understand!

The situation he found himself in now—what was it all because of?

Why had he suddenly become so angry? Gu Jin Chao found it strange: “Seventh Young Master, even if you’re troubled, you shouldn’t speak this way…” Given Chen Xuan Qing’s current state, no wonder Yu Wan Xue said he wasn’t normal—he was truly acting abnormally! She took a deep breath. “I need to rest now. Seventh Young Master, please see yourself out.” Continuing this conversation would likely make matters worse. This wasn’t her business to manage; it would be better not to get involved.

“Stop right there!” Chen Xuan Qing suddenly reached out and grabbed her, tightly gripping her wrist. “I’ll tell you. Sit down!”

Not only Gu Jin Chao but also Cai Fu and Yu Zhu were shocked. Yu Zhu quickly closed the latticed door, while Cai Fu approached: “Seventh Young Master… what are you doing?”

Gu Jin Chao struggled to break free, but Chen Xuan Qing held on tightly. Even though he was a scholarly man, he was still a man!

Gu Jin Chao said in a low voice: “Chen Xuan Qing, have you lost your mind? Do you know what you’re doing?”

If this were discovered, was he trying to ruin her reputation and make her the target of public contempt?

Gu Jin Chao felt Chen Xuan Qing was being utterly incomprehensible!

“I know, and I want to ask you,” Chen Xuan Qing said softly. “You liked me before. Why don’t you like me anymore?”

Gu Jin Chao was stunned.

“I was simply foolish before. Doesn’t the Seventh Young Master understand? I am now your stepmother! These words should never be spoken,” Gu Jin Chao continued.

He smiled again, as if mockingly: “Gu Jin Chao, I’ve become like this because of you. You’re the one who made me say it.”

…Hearing him speak this way, Gu Jin Chao could now understand Chen Xuan Qing’s meaning.

Even without her previous life, she was still his stepmother, let alone with her previous life. Gu Jin Chao was so shocked that she became calm.

She closed her eyes briefly: “If you want to ruin my reputation, go ahead and don’t hold back.”

Chen Xuan Qing struggled to quell the anger in his heart, only then realizing what an inappropriate thing he had done.

He released her hand and stepped back, yet still looked at Gu Jin Chao: “I am a respected Hanlin Academy Editor. Why is it that when you asked me, I agreed to teach a simpleton to read… Gu Jin Chao, don’t tell me you don’t know.”

Gu Jin Chao remained silent, her heart incredibly conflicted.

Chen San Ye had just entered the middle courtyard when the young maid guarding the moon gate spotted him and hurriedly stood up to bow.

His bodyguard remained outside the moon gate as Chen San Ye walked along the bluestone path. Xiu Qu quickly came forward to greet him: “The Third Master has returned. This servant will go announce you!”

Chen San Ye noticed her nervous demeanor.

He asked calmly: “Where is the Madam?”

Xiu Qu thought of the closed latticed doors of the west side room, her hands trembling. She could only hide her hands in her sleeves and forced a smile: “The Seventh Young Master came to teach the Fourth Young Miss to practice the zither. Madam asked to speak with him briefly.” She spoke loudly.

Her obvious attempt to conceal… Chen San Ye silently observed Xiu Qu. Her behavior was full of contradictions, causing his heart to sink.

Inside the west side room, Gu Jin Chao also heard Xiu Qu’s voice… Chen San Ye had said he would return in the afternoon, but she hadn’t expected Chen Xuan Qing to create such a situation! She glanced at Yu Zhu, who was very quick-witted, and hurriedly opened the latticed doors of the west side room.

When Chen Xuan Qing heard that his father had returned, he was startled, as if suddenly coming to his senses.

…It seemed he had just revealed everything.