Gu Jinchao was also looking forward to the child in her womb, as the months gradually progressed. Her movement became increasingly difficult, and when approaching delivery, she couldn’t sleep well each night, always needing to use the toilet. Going back and forth to the privy exhausted her to the point of appearing haggard.

Chen Third Master was concerned for her and suggested having a servant bring a chamber pot to the inner room.

Gu Jinchao felt very embarrassed. Having a chamber pot was one thing, but using it in front of him… how could she do that!

Chen Third Master comforted her with a smile: “Between husband and wife, we’re bound to see each other at our most awkward and embarrassing moments. Why are you still concerned about this?” He held her as she half-reclined in his embrace and whispered, “Later when I’m old and have difficulty moving, when you need to attend to those matters for me… would you find me disgusting?”

Gu Jinchao shook her head. How could she ever find him disgusting?

He looked down at Gu Jinchao very earnestly and said, “I’m more than a decade older than you. When you’re still young, I’ll certainly have white hair and wrinkles. I can only accompany you in your youth for a few more years…”

Gu Jinchao couldn’t help but grasp his hand. In his previous life, he had indeed grayed early… by thirty-five, though he was still young, silver strands had already appeared at his temples. He had too many worries, too many burdens layered upon his shoulders like heavy loads.

The last time she saw him was during the Qingming Festival when Chen Yan’yun went to sweep Ji Madam’s grave, and she also needed to pay her respects.

He wore a black cloak, as spring rain drizzled down steadily, the chill not yet abated.

Gu Jinchao saw him from a distance, standing before Ji Madam’s grave.

Chen Yi held an umbrella for him as he stood silently for a long time. She didn’t know what Chen Third Master was thinking.

A gust of wind carrying cold rain swept by, and Chen Third Master covered his mouth with his fist, emitting a few suppressed coughs.

After Chen Third Master finished paying respects to Ji Madam and turned to leave, Gu Jinchao finally saw his slightly thinner face, his expression exceedingly detached.

At that time, Gu Jinchao didn’t understand him, nor did she want to understand him.

She merely felt that the tall, retreating figure appeared to have grown leaner.

What burdens Chen Third Master carried were none of her concern. Not only did she watch from afar without doing anything, but she also caused him trouble at every turn. Perhaps the steward had some emergency, or Chen Xuanlin needed him to look into something.

At that time, Old Madam Chen’s health was poor again, and Chen Third Master had to worry about her as well, keeping him extremely busy.

…

When Gu Jinchao heard him say he could only accompany her youth for a few more years, she couldn’t help feeling a lump in her throat. How she had treated him before, how difficult things had been for him—none of it should be repeated now. She just wanted to be with him properly, and even if there were truly many hardships, she would stay by his side throughout.

She embraced Chen Third Master’s waist, burying her head in his chest without saying a word.

Why had she suddenly become so sensitive?

Could it be as others said, that pregnant women become more emotional?

Chen Third Master couldn’t help but laugh: “Jinchao, what’s the matter?” He whispered in her ear, “I was just teasing you. I’ll have a screen brought over soon and placed there. I won’t be able to see.”

Gu Jinchao remained silent. Inwardly resentful, she secretly pinched his arm, yet found she couldn’t even make an impression.

Chen Third Master laughed heartily at this.

Just a few days after the screen was brought in, it was time for the hundred-day celebration of Sun Madam’s child.

Yu Wanxue came early to pay respects to Gu Jinchao and accompany her to the Second House.

She wore a goose-yellow plain four-happiness pattern embroidered padded jacket, with her hair in a falling-horse style and kingfisher feather ornaments. With her fair complexion and gentle demeanor, the goose-yellow color suited her well. She came to help Jinchao with her hair, smiling sweetly as she said, “When I was at home, I often helped my mother with her hair. I can style any hairdo, though not excellently, at least evenly.”

She styled a divided-heart bun for Gu Jinchao, which indeed looked dignified and impressive. Gu Jinchao’s originally coquettish features were all tempered into elegance. Gu Jinchao smiled and praised her: “Don’t be modest, your skill is quite good! Even my hairdressing servant isn’t as skilled as you… you seem capable of everything.”

Yu Wanxue was to be Chen Xuanqing’s principal wife, and the Yu family had put some effort into her training.

Yu Wanxue continued: “The Seventh Young Master has gone to his post, and I have little to do daily. Fortunately, I can chat with Mother. Since Mother likes it, I’ll come often to style your hair from now on.”

Having Gu Jinchao as a mother-in-law was truly fortunate.

If it were someone like Qin Madam, a new daughter-in-law would first have to follow strict rules for half a year, and if she didn’t comply, there would be other methods to deal with her—that would be most difficult. She had a close friend from her maiden days who married a prefect’s son. Not only did she have to serve her mother-in-law every day, but also her husband. If her husband showed any dissatisfaction, the mother-in-law would enforce rules, often making her stand still for half a day, leaving her with a sore waist and knees by the end of the day, barely able to stand the next day.

Daughters-in-law eventually became mothers-in-law, and all went through this process. So when a daughter-in-law entered the family, the mother-in-law naturally wanted to enjoy her privileges, imposing all the hardships she had endured as a daughter-in-law. It was often women making life difficult for other women, believing that having borne sons made them powerful and entitled to enjoy life.

Gu Jinchao knew that since Chen Xuanqing’s departure, Shu Ya Pavilion had become much quieter.

“If you feel bored, you should invite your mother over to see you,” Gu Jinchao suggested.

Since Yu Wanxue’s marriage, Madam Yu had not yet visited the Chen family.

Yu Wanxue thanked Gu Jinchao for her kindness and offered her several hair ornaments to choose from. Gu Jinchao selected only a hollow white jade hairpin.

Cai Fu came to help her stand, as moving about had become increasingly difficult. Outside, a small oil-powered carriage with green curtains was prepared as transportation within the inner courtyard.

By the time they arrived at the Second House, the child had already been brought out.

Many people had come to attend the hundred-day celebration, including clan women who had good relations with the Chen family, Sun Madam’s mother and two sisters, Madam Wu who was on good terms with Qin Madam, and others, all sitting in the reception area chatting lively.

Hearing that Chen Third Madam had arrived, everyone couldn’t help but look at her curiously, respectfully greeting her.

It was still because of Chen Third Master’s face… Gu Jinchao smiled and returned each greeting.

Sun Madam quickly had a servant bring over a grand master chair for her, cushioned with a soft Luzhou silk-faced bolster.

Shortly after, Old Madam Chen arrived.

The baby was passed into her hands, and she smiled as she cooed at the child: “Treasure, give Great-grandmother a smile!” Bao’er was the child’s milk name. The formal name will be given by Chen Xuanrang during today’s naming ceremony.

The baby babbled as if talking to her, small hands grabbing Old Madam Chen’s bracelet, trying to put it in her mouth.

Tiny children were like this, wanting to taste everything.

Old Madam Chen kissed the baby’s milk-scented cheek and took a gold anklet from a servant girl. Sun Madam’s eyes brightened, and she smiled as she went to accept it.

Although Old Madam Chen always gave gifts to her great-grandchildren during the third-day ceremony, this was the first time she had gifted something at a hundred-day celebration.

It seemed Old Madam Chen truly liked this great-granddaughter.

Sun Madam smiled and said, “The child clings to you and won’t let go, she likes you too!”

Old Madam Chen handed the baby to the wet nurse and sat down to drink tea: “I’ve raised both Xian’er and Zheng’er, and they were both very lively. This child is quiet and will surely have a good temperament in the future. I am very fond of her!”

Qin Madam arrived just in time to hear this comment. Shen Madam and Zhuang Madam brought their children in and also heard it.

Xian’er and Zheng’er, seeing such a small baby for the first time, competed to hold their little sister.

Sun Madam naturally wouldn’t allow it, smiling as she said, “You’re still too small, be careful not to hurt your sister.”

Qin Madam’s face immediately darkened, feeling that Sun Madam was being somewhat self-important. In front of Old Madam Chen, she couldn’t express her displeasure openly. Instead, she smiled and said, “The banquet probably won’t start for a while. Why don’t we gather to play dominoes? I just received an ivory set, perfect to bring out for a game.”

Old Madam Chen smiled and declined, but was persuaded by Old Madam Wu to join the domino game. The reception area was left with just a few younger members of the family, plus the Zheng Duke Consort from the Chang family.

Zheng Duke Consort, Madam Jiang, rarely went out with Old Madam Chang. She was petite and appeared rather taciturn.

However, with the Zheng Duke’s reputation, no one dared to look down on her. Many had been engaging her in conversation earlier, but now they had all followed Old Madam Chang to play dominoes. Feeling somewhat awkward, she noticed that Gu Jinchao was of similar age and status, so she spoke to her softly: “Third Madam, you’re close to delivery, aren’t you?”

Gu Jinchao hadn’t noticed her before. Madam Jiang wore a true-purple cloud-patterned long padded jacket with a sandalwood-colored pleated skirt, but her hair ornaments were extremely luxurious. Such colors didn’t suit her, making her appear too old. She smiled and rose to return the greeting: “Thank you for your concern, Duke Consort. It should be soon.”

Her official rank was two grades lower than Madam Jiang’s.

Madam Jiang quickly gestured for her to sit down: “No need for such formalities. Chen Third Master and the Duke are on good terms, so don’t be too distant!”

Qin Madam, seeing Gu Jinchao conversing with Madam Jiang, felt her heart skip. She walked over with a smile: “Duke Consort, you rarely visit. Why are you hiding here chatting instead of joining the domino game?”

Madam Jiang shook her head: “I play terribly, better not to embarrass myself…”

Qin Madam laughed: “The Duke Consort is being too modest! It must be boring for you to just sit here. Why don’t we form another table? My domino skills are also average, but my Third Sister-in-law’s skills are excellent. Why not ask Third Sister-in-law to join us for a few rounds?”

Gu Jinchao repeatedly waved her hands: “No, no, you all go ahead.”

With her big belly, she didn’t feel like moving at all.

Madam Jiang looked at Gu Jinchao with some surprise: “Are your domino skills truly good? Then you could teach me; I always lose when playing with them…”

Gu Jinchao was somewhat reluctant, but Qin Madam took her hand: “Don’t worry, Third Sister-in-law, just two rounds. It won’t tire you out!”

Gu Jinchao could only agree. After all, just two rounds wouldn’t matter, and refusing to play with Madam Jiang would be discourteous.

…

Old Madam Chen had just gotten a “treasure within a treasure,” and her luck was excellent.

Old Madam Chang, however, was losing badly, fidgeting with the ivory dominoes in her hand, hesitating to play.

Old Madam Chen laughed: “What are you hesitating for? Everyone is waiting!”

“Don’t rush me, I’m confused here…” Old Madam Chang rearranged her dominoes once more, looking unusually serious, making everyone laugh.

Old Madam Chen picked up her tea and sipped slowly while waiting.

At this moment, a servant girl hurried over and curtseyed to the ladies.

Old Madam Chang had finally sorted out her dominoes and was about to play when this servant interrupted.

She frowned: “What is it? Why are you rushing about so anxiously?”

The servant quickly reported: “…It’s Third Madam, her labor has begun! Second Madam sent this servant to inform the Old Madam! She asks Old Madam to come quickly and see!”