Madam Ji Wu stayed at the Chen family home for several days before Gu Jin Chao prepared to send her off.

Before leaving, Jin Chao personally selected many gifts for her maternal grandmother and, holding her hand, said, “When Chang Suo reaches three months old, I’ll bring him to pay respects to you.”

Madam Ji Wu smiled and sighed, “Your maternal grandmother is old now, and naturally wishes to see you. However, if you’re too busy, there’s no need to make the trip. I have Chun’er and Yu’er keeping me company, so I don’t feel lonely.”

Yu’er? Gu Jin Chao was momentarily stunned, then realized she must be referring to Ji Yao’s child, Ji Yu.

Madam Ji Wu slipped something from her sleeve into Jin Chao’s hand, saying softly, “Your maternal grandmother has stayed here for several days and knows that Third Master Chen truly treats you well. Nevertheless, this is my heartfelt gift. If you need it, please use it…”

Gu Jin Chao felt the smooth paper surface being pressed into her hand and realized it must be bank notes, likely for a considerable amount. She immediately tried to refuse: “From childhood until now, you’ve already given me more than enough. I’m a married woman now, how could I accept more?”

But Madam Ji Wu insisted that Gu Jin Chao take it, pressing the bank notes into her sleeve: “Consider it money for my great-grandson’s clothes. Besides, your maternal grandmother only wishes for you to live well—what else matters!”

Unable to decline further, Gu Jin Chao reluctantly accepted the bank notes with an inward sigh. After a moment’s thought, she said to Madam Ji Wu: “There is one favor I’d like to ask of you.” She lowered her voice, “Please keep an eye on the Yongchang Trading Company. If you notice anything unusual, write to me immediately.”

Madam Ji Wu considered this for a moment but didn’t ask why. She simply smiled warmly and said, “Very well, I’ll watch it for you.”

Gu Jin Chao clasped her grandmother’s warm, dry hands tightly and held them for a long while before letting go.

As she couldn’t leave her bed, Sun Mama helped escort Madam Ji Wu out.

Gu Jin Chao examined the bank notes and discovered they amounted to three thousand taels…

She instructed Tong Mama to record the bank notes in her private accounts.

…

A month later, Chang Suo began sleeping soundly through the night. The wet nurse still had to wake five or six times each night to feed him, but Jin Chao quickly adjusted to the routine. Childbirth always takes a toll, but her body has mostly recovered now.

The baby’s small bed was placed in the warm room, where, besides Nurse Zhu and two wet nurses caring for him, several young maids who had experience caring for younger siblings were also assigned to help. Chen Xi made several cloth tigers for her brother and hung them at the head of his bed. Little Chang Suo had initially stared at the yellow cloth tigers for a long time but eventually lost interest and no longer paid attention to them.

Taking advantage of the warm weather, the wet nurse unwrapped his swaddling clothes to bath the child.

With time on her hands, Jin Chao played with him. Chang Suo kicked his little legs in the wooden tub filled with warm water, trying to grab her hand with his chubby little hands that resembled lotus root segments. Jin Chao laughed and patted his hand, and he stared at Jin Chao’s face. His eyes were wide open, focusing entirely on her.

Her heart melted at the sight. Though children could be troublesome, they were truly adorable.

After his bath, little Chang Suo was brought back to her arms. Jin Chao sat on the luohan bed reading a book while he, no longer swaddled, reached for her collar and burrowed his head against her chest, disrupting her reading.

When Madam Zou saw this, she quickly moved to take the child: “My lady, the young master needs to be fed…”

Gu Jin Chao had no milk to feed him herself, and seeing that little Chang Suo was indeed hungry, she could only wait for Madam Zou to take him away for feeding. But he struggled and began to cry, seemingly unwilling to be held by Madam Zou.

Gu Jin Chao’s heart softened at the sound: “Let it be… feed him when he gets hungrier!”

Madam Zou complied and released him. Little Chang Suo threw himself back into Jin Chao’s arms, clutching her sleeve and stopping his tears, though he still sniffled pitifully.

Gu Jin Chao stroked his soft baby hair and asked Sun Mama to bring over his six-panel melon-skin cap to put on him.

Madam Qin and Madam Wang accompanied Old Madam Chen on her visit.

Old Madam Chen came every other day to hold her grandson and chat with Gu Jin Chao.

Old Madam Chen brought a bowl of sweet red bean soup for her. Gu Jin Chao sipped it slowly while smiling as she watched Old Madam Chen playing with little Chang Suo.

After a while, when it was time, little Chang Suo was taken by Madam Zou to be fed.

Old Madam Chen chatted with Gu Jin Chao: “Tomorrow marks the end of your confinement period. Has your body recovered well? Some prestigious families observe a confinement period of one and a half months, like Duke Zheng’s wife. If you still want to rest, by all means, stay in bed for another half month!”

Gu Jin Chao smiled and said, “I’ve almost completely recovered. If you make me stay confined for another half month, I couldn’t bear it!”

Old Madam Chen smiled warmly and said, “That’s true. You’ve gained some weight during your confinement and look radiant now.”

Gu Jin Chao knew she had gained weight. Nutritious foods had been constant throughout the month, and Third Master Chen wouldn’t let her eat less. Fortunately, she had been too thin before, so it wasn’t too noticeable! But Gu Jin Chao felt uncomfortable about the extra flesh on her face.

She had already planned that after her confinement ended, she would walk for half an hour every day around Muxi Hall.

Madam Wang looked at Gu Jin Chao and said, “I always thought Third Sister-in-law was too thin. Now you look just right!”

Gu Jin Chao shook her head and said, “How is this just right? I feel so much heavier… if I continue to be nourished like this, I’ll develop a double chin.”

Everyone laughed, and Old Madam Chen held her hand and said, “After your confinement ends, you should help your Second Sister-in-law manage the household. She not only manages some of the Chen family workshops but also oversees the outer courtyard affairs. I fear she can’t handle it all, so you can help manage the reception room and kitchen matters… Xian Lan,” she called to Madam Qin, “your Third Sister-in-law isn’t familiar with these duties yet, so please help guide her.”

Madam Qin smiled faintly and said, “Of course. I just worry that Third Sister-in-law has just ended her confinement, and such work might be too tiring.”

Her hand, hidden in her sleeve, was already clenched tightly.

Sure enough, Old Madam Chen still wanted to place household management authority in Gu Jin Chao’s hands. Gu Jin Chao had barely finished her confinement period, yet she was already eager to let her manage the reception room and kitchen—two of the most crucial areas in the outer courtyard! Now that Old Madam Chen’s health was declining, she naturally had to start planning.

Gu Jin Chao had anticipated that Old Madam Chen would ask her to manage the household but hadn’t expected it so soon, just as her confinement was ending.

She couldn’t help looking at Old Madam Chen, who was smiling at her and saying softly, “You and your Second Sister-in-law can manage the household together, which will make it easier for both of you. If you manage well in the future, these responsibilities will remain yours.”

Gu Jin Chao was somewhat surprised but nodded with a smile: “As long as my Second Sister-in-law doesn’t find me troublesome!”

Old Madam Chen’s words left room for interpretation. If she didn’t manage well, Old Madam Chen wouldn’t let her continue managing the household… In her previous life, Old Madam Chen had said similar words, but with a considerably stricter tone. Gu Jin Chao believed that if there had been other options then, Old Madam Chen probably wouldn’t have let her take charge of the household.

If she didn’t manage the household, the authority would pass to Madam Qin. Gu Jin Chao didn’t want that to happen.

Madam Qin smiled and said, “How could that be? I’m naturally pleased. However, to save Third Sister-in-law trouble, I’ll have the managers report to you here! Since it’s inconvenient for you to walk around, you won’t need to come to my place.”

Old Madam Chen nodded inwardly at hearing this. In truth, she was quite satisfied with Madam Qin. Madam Qin knew when to advance and retreat, and could effectively command the servants.

After returning to Tanshan Courtyard, Governess Zheng brought hot water for her to soak her feet.

Old Madam Chen closed her eyes, leaning against the backrest, slowly turning the old sandalwood Buddhist beads in her hand while reciting sutras. Governess Zheng looked up and noticed that her face in the candlelight had a faintly waxy yellow hue. Her heart silently alarmed—the Old Madam’s complexion truly wasn’t good…

“Old Madam, this servant doesn’t quite understand,” Governess Zheng said. “If you want Third Madam to manage the household, why not simply give her full authority? Why mention whether she manages well or not… Are you hesitant?”

Old Madam Chen sighed, “The Third Son’s wife is still too young, and previously had a questionable reputation in town. I want to see if she can shoulder great responsibility. Otherwise, she can only live her life under the Third Son’s protection. Qin Xian Lan is also good… except over the years, she has made many small moves behind my back… I simply didn’t want to deal with it, turning a blind eye to let it pass.”

Not deaf, not foolish, not intervening in family affairs. She didn’t interfere with Madam Qin’s matters because they didn’t threaten the Chen family’s foundation. Making an issue of it would only cause chaos in the household. It had happened before, giving her headaches.

Governess Zheng asked further, “What if Third Madam doesn’t manage well? Will you still insist on giving her the responsibility?”

Old Madam Chen remained silent for a long time before finally saying, “…We shall see. The Third Son’s wife is very steady, but I don’t know if she can handle it.”

She slowly closed her eyes, allowing Governess Zheng to massage her legs.

…

When Third Master Chen returned, Gu Jin Chao told him about Old Madam Chen asking her to manage the household.

Third Master Chen merely smiled. It wasn’t his place to interfere with inner courtyard affairs, and Jin Chao could manage however she wished. He teased her, “You don’t seem like someone who can command authority. Would you like me to assign you a couple of guards?”

Gu Jin Chao shook her head in refusal. When had she ever failed to command authority? “…When I managed the Gu family before, I had everything running smoothly and obediently!”

“I just worry you’ll tire yourself,” Third Master Chen sat down to drink tea, saying slowly, “You’ve just ended your confinement… Why don’t I speak to Mother and let you rest for a few more months? There’s no rush.”

Gu Jin Chao smiled, “I have nothing else to do, so helping Second Sister-in-law is fine. Besides, I need to be more active—look how much weight I’ve gained…”

Third Master Chen reached out to touch her waist and said, “How can you call this gaining weight? You were too thin before. This looks just right to me.”

Gu Jin Chao met his smiling eyes, knowing his implied meaning, and couldn’t help but cough slightly.

Fortunately, Nurse Zhu brought Chang Suo over. Chang Suo wore a red dudou (belly cover) embroidered with koi fish. Seeing his father present, he let go of Nurse Zhu’s hand, his little body leaning toward him, clearly wanting to be held.

Third Master Chen took his son in his arms and said, “…I’ve decided on the child’s formal name.” With one arm holding the baby, he dipped his left hand in ink and wrote the character ‘麟’ (lin) on paper. Looking up with a smile at Gu Jin Chao, he said, “The qilin prances in the nine marshes, while bears roam freely in the imperial park. What do you think?”

When Gu Jin Chao saw this character ‘lin’ again, she felt a pang in her heart.

As rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns… this name was too precious. She smiled and nodded: “It’s wonderful, just perhaps too valuable.”

“What is there to fear?” Third Master Chen put down his brush. “He has me as his father!”

It was rare to hear him speak like this.

Gu Jin Chao smiled at him but couldn’t say anything. Nor was there any need to say anything.