Cai Fu found a crimson jacket and skirt embroidered with diamond patterns for Jin Chao to change into. Jin Chao felt it was too bright and said: “My mother is ill, how could I wear such colorful patterns? Find something in more subdued colors. For hair ornaments, no gold or silver—just a white jade hairpin will do.”

Cai Fu was somewhat puzzled. The young miss didn’t usually like subdued colors; she always dressed quite vividly and had few plain-colored garments. She agreed to look, and after searching for a long while, finally found a light purple jacket and skirt embroidered with branch patterns. After helping the young miss change, she arranged her hair into a small bun.

Her mother’s residence wasn’t far from Clear Tong Courtyard, but with the heavy snow, it took the two of them quite sometime before they saw Mama Xu standing by the steps of Slanting Clouds Courtyard, lecturing a young maid. Mama Xu was her mother’s wet nurse who had come as part of the dowry from the Ji family and enjoyed a relatively high status among the servants.

Mama Xu received Jin Chao, helped her remove her cloak, shook off the snow, and then said: “The eldest young miss is ill, why come at this time? What if you catch a chill?” Having watched Jin Chao grow up, her words carried a measure of intimacy.

Jin Chao quickly glanced at the courtyard through the covered walkway. The winter plum blossoms were in full bloom, forming clusters of red, with numerous holly trees planted along both sides of the bluestone path. The curtains in her mother’s room were drawn, and two maids sat at the entrance, working on their needlework.

Mama Xu then said to Cai Fu: “…you should take better care of the young miss!”

Cai Fu responded meekly without speaking. How could she prevent the young miss from doing as she wished? Jin Chao said to Mama Xu: “I insisted on coming. How has my mother been these past few days? Have you been attending to her?”

Mama Xu accompanied Gu Jin Chao as they walked over. The two maids stood up and curtsied to her. Gu Jin Chao vaguely remembered that one was called Pin Lan and the other Pin Mei, both second-class maids of her mother. Mama Xu said: “Mo Xue, Mo Yu, and I have been attending to her. The concubines also visit frequently, with Concubine Song being the most diligent. Right now, Concubine Guo is serving inside, along with the Fourth Young Miss. Madam is still the same as before, mostly sleeping, and when awake, lacking energy. But at least her cough isn’t as severe. The eldest young miss shouldn’t worry too much…”

The room was very warm with two braziers burning vigorously. Past the screen, near the window, was a lacquered Luohan bed inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The floor was covered with a velvet carpet embroidered with five bats offering longevity in sandalwood color. Concubine Guo and a seven or eight-year-old girl were sitting on stools. Upon seeing Jin Chao, they stood up. The exquisitely delicate girl, dressed in a pea-green jacket and skirt, timidly curtsied to her: “Elder sister.” Her pair of eyes closely resembled Concubine Guo’s.

This was her fourth sister, Gu Xi, who had feared her since childhood. When Gu Xi was five, Jin Chao bullied her and pushed her into a vase. Although there was no serious harm done, from then on, Gu Xi hardly dared to breathe in her presence. Her mother was also the most timid among the concubines.

Gu Xi and the third sister, Gu Yi, were both raised under her mother’s name and lived together at Leaning Bamboo Tower.

Gu Jin Chao smiled and gently helped her up: “Fourth sister, no need for such formality.”

The most timid mother and daughter were indeed the most honest people. Later, when she fell from grace, Concubine Guo still visited her at the Chen family.

Jin Chao stepped forward and saw her mother looking at her with open eyes. She was half-sitting, wrapped in an embroidered cloud-patterned brocade quilt. Due to her serious illness, her cheeks were gaunt and pale, but her features remained delicate and beautiful.

Mo Yu, who was attending in the room, quickly brought a stool for her. Jin Chao held her mother’s skeletal hand, looking at her mother’s gentle expression, a flood of emotions surging through her heart.

Seeing Jin Chao arrive, Concubine Guo and Gu Xi took their leave.

Seeing Jin Chao remain silent for a long time, her mother smiled and said softly: “My Jin Chao, staring at her mother like a silly child…”

Gu Jin Chao couldn’t help but burst into tears, calling out “Mother” before burying her head in her hands.

Her mother’s hand felt like gentle silk, never fading despite the passage of years.

Gu Jin Chao wept because she remembered how unfilial she had been in her previous life, not fulfilling her duty as a daughter before her mother’s death.

During her mother’s lifetime, she had been busy mediating between the various concubines and managing the household affairs of the Gu family, thus neglecting the upbringing of her children. But her mother was ultimately the person who treated her best. That she could see her again made Jin Chao feel it was enough. To be able to see her mother once more before she died left her with no regrets.

Her mother lifted her head, and due to her weakness, spoke very softly: “Jin Chao, how did you fall ill?”

Gu Jin Chao paused, not knowing how to tell her mother that her illness was because she had heard that the Chen family’s Seventh Young Master was going to attend the flower party at the Duke’s mansion, and she wanted to meet him. This news hadn’t come directly to her but was told to her by her half-sister, Gu Lan.

Her father had three concubines, among whom Concubine Song, Song Miao Hua, was of the highest birth. Originally the legitimate daughter of the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Sacrifices, she was as beautiful as a flower and most favored by her father. Moreover, Concubine Song was very skilled in social interactions, and even the Jin Chao of her previous life liked her very much.

Concubine Song had given birth to a daughter, the second young miss of the Gu family, Gu Lan, who was clever and quick-witted. In her previous life, she had been very close to Jin Chao.

But Jin Chao had never known about Concubine Song’s wolf-like ambition.

Half a year after her mother’s death, Concubine Song gave birth to a son and was elevated by her father to the position of official wife.

One could imagine that this child was conceived while her mother was seriously ill when Concubine Song had been caring for her mother day and night. During this time, somehow, she had managed to climb into her father’s bed, conceived a child, and once the child was born, he became the legitimate son. Such scheming was truly not to be underestimated.

At that time, Chen Xuanqing was getting married, and Jin Chao’s attention was all on her beloved, not paying attention to anything else. Not until Chen Xuanqing’s father, Chen Yan Yun, came to propose marriage to her.

Originally, Jin Chao had been quite hesitant, but after listening to Gu Lan’s persuasion, she decided to marry into the Chen family.

Gu Lan had said at the time: “Elder sister, you’re going to marry someone anyway. If you marry into another family, you’ll never see the person closest to your heart again. Wouldn’t it be better to marry into the Chen family, where you can see him often? I’m sincerely thinking of my elder sister’s welfare. Elder sister, you should consider carefully.”

Jin Chao had been quite moved, feeling that she had such a good sister. Now thinking carefully, Gu Lan must have known her personality well, knowing that after marrying into the Chen family, she would certainly not come to a good end!

With Jin Chao’s spoiled character, how could she possibly endure seeing her beloved being intimate with another woman right in front of her?

After she married, only Concubine Song remained powerful in the Gu family. To ensure that her young son would inherit the family property, she didn’t put much effort into raising Gu Jin Rong and even encouraged him to indulge in wine and women.

One day, Gu Jin Rong went with some young gentlemen to find a famous performer and molested a young boy. When her father found out, he was furious and had Gu Jin Rong beaten with a rod. From then on, Gu Jin Rong became depressed. He failed in his scholarly pursuits and repeatedly failed the imperial examinations for the jinshi degree.

With her status as the legitimate daughter, Gu Lan eventually married the Auxiliary General as his principal wife, receiving a small portion of the Gu family’s property as dowry, and gave birth to the eldest legitimate son after marriage.

After her father’s death, Concubine Song claimed that Gu Jin Rong had offended his father’s concubine with excessive lust, and thus expelled him from the family.

Jin Chao didn’t know what happened after that; this was just what she had heard.

Thinking about what Concubine Song and Gu Lan had done to them, Jin Chao couldn’t help but feel angry. She also hated herself for being so rash and careless. Her mother’s death hadn’t awakened her; instead, she had sent both herself and her brother into an abyss!

She raised her head and smiled faintly: “Daughter only caught a cold, mother need not worry.”

Her mother frowned slightly: “I heard from your maid Bai Yun that you went to the flower party at Duke Ding’s mansion?”

Jin Chao didn’t want her mother to worry too much. Her serious illness and anxiety were not good for her health.

“I just wanted to get some fresh air. Who knew it would be so cold that day, and the plum blossoms had hardly bloomed? I came back with a bit of a headache. But it’s nothing serious now. Now that I’ve paid my respects to Mother, please don’t worry anymore.” She then beckoned to Mo Yu, who was standing nearby, “Is mother’s medicine ready?”

Mo Yu, with her delicate features and double buns, replied, “It’s been prepared. Mama Xu said to bring it in once it’s cooled down.”

Jin Chao said: “Go bring it now.” Mo Yu went out to fetch the medicine, leaving only mother and daughter in the room. Her mother then said: “I’ve seen you being close with Gu Lan and know you’re fond of this sister, but one should still be cautious… Although Concubine Song attends to me daily, I dare not trust her.” At this point, her mother began to cough, and Jin Chao quickly rubbed her back to help her breathe.

Her mother grasped her hand, her gaze gentle: “…I know my condition; illness strikes like a mountain collapsing. If anything happens to me in the future… you must take good care of your younger brother. If you find it difficult, go to your maternal grandmother; she has always loved you the most…”

Jin Chao’s eyes reddened again. Her mother understood everything, yet in her previous life, she hadn’t listened to any of it!

Her mother smiled again, raising her hand to wipe away her tears: “You’re usually such a cheerful person, why are you crying non-stop today… When I’ve spoken to you about these things before, you never listened, always turning around to follow whatever Lan-er said… Alright, alright, the maids will see if they come in.”

Jin Chao felt that since returning, her emotions had become more volatile.

Not having seen her mother for many years, and recalling her past actions, she felt that each one had been absurd.

Mo Yu brought in the medicine. Jin Chao took it, slowly cooled it, and fed it to her mother. After the medicine, she also helped her mother eat a small plate of cloud seed and sesame leaf cakes. After chatting for a while longer, her mother grew tired and, leaning against the large pillow, gradually fell asleep.

Despite the charcoal brazier lit in the room, as she held her mother’s hand, it felt as cold as ice. She asked Mo Yu to bring in a heated hand warmer for her mother.

If she could stay, she would certainly protect her mother and brother well.

Looking at her mother’s thin, sallow face, Jin Chao silently vowed that she must stay.