After some consideration, Ye Xian specially changed into a sapphire blue Hangzhou silk straight robe and draped a feathered crepe cape before going to meet Chen Yan Yun.

Chen Yan Yun’s carriage was parked at the end of Academy Lane, with his guard Chen Yi standing watch outside.

Jiang Yan lifted the curtain and invited him in.

The carriage was spacious, with a copper stove inside. The Third Master Chen was pouring water from a teapot.

“Please sit, Young Master,” he set down the teapot and pushed a blue porcelain teacup with twining branches pattern toward him, smiling, “My skills are poor, Young Master will have to make do.”

Ye Xian glanced at Chen Yan Yun, who maintained his cultured smile, revealing nothing.

He slowly picked up the teacup: “If Lord Chen were to poison me now, that would be quite effective. Your guard could then kill my guard, leaving no witnesses. Tell me, should I drink this tea?”

Chen Yan Yun smiled faintly: “Since the Young Master dared to come, you must have made thorough preparations. Your Iron Cavalry Camp has many skilled fighters; I couldn’t easily succeed in an ambush. Besides, if I wanted to kill the Young Master, it certainly wouldn’t be at this time.”

Only then did Ye Xian drink the tea. He also smiled, “Lord Chen is not being modest at all.”

He looked at Chen Yan Yun: “Since Lord Chen’s skills are poor, you probably didn’t invite me especially for tea. Whatever your business is, please speak plainly.”

Chen Yan Yun fingered his prayer beads and dropped his smile: “The Young Master’s recent actions have been rather risky. Framing Zuo He De, making Fan Hui show his hand in front of Lord Zhang… to attempt such a two-pronged strategy must involve significant risk.”

Ye Xian maintained a calm exterior, but internally he was in turmoil.

How did Chen Yan Yun know about his actions?

Knowing this, why didn’t he tell Zhang Ju Lian and secretly eliminate Fan Hui? Why come to him instead?

What was Chen Yan Yun trying to do?

Chen Yan Yun continued unconcerned: “During the Rui Prince’s palace coup, the Young Master had the assistance of an expert, which is how you outmaneuvered Xiao You and outplotted the Rui Prince. How is it that this expert is no longer by the Young Master’s side offering guidance? The Young Master’s current actions are rather conspicuous.”

“Expert?” Ye Xian frowned slightly, not understanding what Chen Yan Yun meant.

Chen Yan Yun was a master at reading people’s expressions and could easily tell that Ye Xian’s surprise was genuine.

Could it be that this expert didn’t exist, and Xiao You wasn’t dead?

That didn’t make sense either. If Xiao You were still by Ye Xian’s side, he certainly wouldn’t let Ye Xian make such rash moves.

Ye Xian was very intelligent, but he was too young and didn’t truly understand Zhang Ju Lian.

Even Chen Yan Yun, who had followed him for several years and whom he had personally promoted, was viewed with suspicion by Zhang Ju Lian. How would he trust the sudden appearance of Fan Hui? Hence, Fan Hui’s unexpected show of goodwill would only make Zhang Ju Lian wary of him.

Chen Yan Yun continued slowly: “This person warned the Young Master about problems with Master Xiao, the Young Master surely hasn’t forgotten…”

Only then did Ye Xian realize that the expert Chen Yan Yun mentioned… was none other than Gu Jin Chao. He looked at Chen Yan Yun with a peculiar expression. “Chen Yan Yun, what do you mean by this?”

He didn’t even bother with the title “Lord Chen” anymore.

Chen Yan Yun spoke in a gentle tone: “I am merely having a casual conversation with the Young Master.”

Ye Xian thought for a good while before coming to his senses.

He smiled: “This expert… I should be asking Lord Chen about that. Why are you asking me? Aren’t you just trying to mock me?”

Suddenly, Ye Xian had no interest in continuing the conversation. He put down his teacup and said coldly: “I have other matters to attend to and won’t accompany Lord Chen in idle chat any longer. Please enjoy your tea.” He exited the carriage, while Li Xian Huai, who was waiting for him, seemed confused about what had happened.

Ye Xian had already walked ahead with a gloomy expression before Li Xian Huai caught up with him.

Li Xian Huai was puzzled: “Young Master, what’s wrong?”

Ye Xian didn’t respond.

Li Xian Huai couldn’t make sense of it: “What did the Third Master Chen say to you? Your servant heard from outside… it seems he knows about our affairs!”

But Ye Xian suddenly stood still, realizing something was amiss… he might have overthought the situation.

The Third Master came to question him, probably to probe him. He truly didn’t know who that person was… and by speaking as he did, he might have aroused Chen Yan Yun’s suspicions instead.

After Ye Xian left, Jiang Yan was speaking with the Third Master.

“Third Master, your servant couldn’t understand the Young Master’s words. Does he mean… that we know this expert?”

Chen Yan Yun also wasn’t sure what Ye Xian meant by his statement.

However, based on Ye Xian’s words, this person must have existed and somehow had a connection to him.

Who could it possibly be?

When Chen Yan Yun returned to the Chen household, Gu Jin Chao was still asleep. He lifted the bed curtain to look at her. She was curled up in the bedding, breathing steadily.

Hearing the movement, Gu Jin Chao awoke.

Seeing that it was already dark outside the latticed window, Gu Jin Chao sat up, surprised that she had unknowingly slept for so long…

Noticing Chen Yan Yun wearing a gray straight robe, Gu Jin Chao realized he had gone out. She smiled at him: “When did you go out? You didn’t even wake me when you returned…” She should have been preparing the evening meal.

“I was just about to wake you, it’s time for dinner,” the Third Master reached out to carry her.

Gu Jin Chao felt somewhat embarrassed and avoided his hands, reaching for her shoes herself. “I haven’t instructed the kitchen to prepare dinner yet… Fortunately, the main kitchen sent over some four-gilled perch that we can steam.”

“Let me carry you up, so you don’t have to put on shoes,” the Third Master smiled and suddenly bent down to lift her.

Gu Jin Chao quickly wrapped her arms around his neck, hearing his low chuckle in her ear: “Are you still shy? You’re about to become a mother.”

She was only concerned that her pregnancy might make her too heavy for the Third Master to carry. Besides, being carried just to go eat seemed too pampered, something Gu Jin Chao couldn’t bring herself to do. “I am with child, it must be tiring for you to carry me.”

He said softly: “It’s fine, your husband can still carry you.”

Indeed, he carried her to the western side room and placed her on the arhat bed. Gu Jin Chao, seeing her feet clad only in silk socks, felt even more embarrassed and tucked her feet under the quilt. The maids entered one after another with the evening meal.

The Third Master said: “I gave instructions before I left, fearing you might sleep too long.” He also mentioned arranging for midwives: “You’re just over seven months pregnant, but your belly is slightly larger than usual, though it doesn’t seem like twins. I’ll request two midwives from the palace to look after you regularly.”

Of course, these were arrangements for him to make; she just needed to listen.

Gu Jin Chao nodded with a smile, her hand unconsciously resting on her belly. Just three more months… and the baby would arrive.

…

On the fifteenth day of the second month, Madam Sun gave birth to a baby girl.

Madam Sun wasn’t very pleased, but Old Madam Chen adored this great-granddaughter, holding her and refusing to let go.

Gu Jin Chao brought some tonics to visit Madam Sun.

Madam Sun lay in bed wearing a forehead band inlaid with South Sea pearls, her face still somewhat pale. She kept sending Chen Xuan Rang running back and forth. Having just given birth to a daughter, Chen Xuan Rang treasured her like a jewel, fetching water and offering preserved fruit. Madam Qin’s face darkened at the sight.

What kind of husband waits on his wife like this? Madam Qin sent Chen Xuan Rang away: “We women are talking here, you needn’t stay. Sun’s childbirth has already delayed your time at the Imperial Academy, don’t let it affect your studies. Go study diligently, lest you fall behind.”

Chen Xuan Rang naturally obeyed his mother and left after a few comforting words to Madam Sun, leaving her quite unhappy.

Seeing she had a daughter while her two sisters-in-law must be feeling smug! They both had sons on their first try, while she had a daughter. In future conversations with her sisters-in-law, she would have no standing. If she couldn’t produce a son in the next two years, Madam Qin would find an excuse to get a concubine for Chen Xuan Rang!

With so many people present, being indirectly scolded by Madam Qin, Madam Sun could only swallow her anger.

The baby was wrapped in a red swaddling cloth, with a round tender face that melted Madam Wang’s heart.

She passed the baby to Gu Jin Chao to hold: “Look at her… with those pursed little lips, isn’t she adorable?”

Yu Wan Xue watched from the side, also finding the baby endearing and feeling somewhat envious. She wondered when she would have a child of her own. Chen Xuan Qing had gone to Suning County and probably wouldn’t be seen until next year…

The baby was still too young to discern any features. Gu Jin Chao smiled and complimented: “Her eyes and eyebrows resemble her mother’s.” After holding her for a while, the wet nurse took the baby back.

Madam Ge smiled and held Madam Sun’s hand: “Your childbirth was quick; others suffer for several hours, or at least several days. You delivered in just one hour, and so smoothly… you’re born to be a good mother!”

Mentioning this, Madam Sun also felt proud: “Around noon I felt abdominal pain and called for the midwife. The midwife was startled and hurriedly prepared labor-inducing medicine and boiled water… but before I could even drink the medicine, the baby was born. People say childbirth is suffering, but I didn’t feel that way!”

Madam Qin said coldly: “Your two sisters-in-law were in pain for quite some time. Your easy delivery means it came easily.”

Madam Qin simply couldn’t stand Madam Sun’s attitude, and with Madam Ge spoke up, she had to put her down.

Madam Sun’s face paled, and she fell silent.

Madam Qin then looked at Gu Jin Chao, smiling: “…Now we’re just waiting for Third Brother’s wife’s child. Have the midwives and wet nurses been selected yet? If there’s anything I can help with, Third Brother’s wife, feel free to ask.” In her view, Gu Jin Chao merely had the advantage of being the principal wife, but in terms of family background and status, she felt Gu Jin Chao was far beneath her.

Gu Jin Chao nodded with a smile. The midwives were elder nannies that the Third Master had found in the palace, and the wet nurses were selected from the Nursery Office. The Third Master was handling everything, while she prepared clothes, shoes, and socks for the baby. Chen Xi and Chen Xuan Yue had already collected toys for the baby, filling a small basket. They were all waiting for the little one to be born. She feared that with everyone doting on the child, it might become spoiled and arrogant.

“Everything is almost ready, thank you for your concern, Second Sister-in-law.”

Madam Wang looked at Madam Qin, then at Gu Jin Chao’s belly, and smiled: “I see that Third Sister-in-law’s belly is pointed, and Mother often says the child is active. It should be a boy. When my Third Sister-in-law’s child is born, I want to gift him a golden longevity lock.”

Gu Jin Chao didn’t mind whether the baby was a boy or a girl. If she were to be honest, she preferred girls, as boys were too mischievous. When Chen Xuan Yue got naughty, he was difficult to manage. A quiet, gentle girl would be best.