After she asked, Third Master Chen fell silent.

His slender fingers stroked Gu Jin Chao’s long hair as he pondered.

“His temperament… isn’t well-suited for officialdom. His mind is narrow, and he doesn’t understand the art of flexibility and compromise… Without my protection and Second Brother’s, he would have eventually been defeated by others. At that time, our teacher, seeing that he was my full brother, had intended to assign him as the magistrate of Shanyin County after completing his three years as a court gentleman. If he could perform well as the Shanyin County magistrate, it would have been convenient to promote him later, but I suppressed it.” He withdrew his hand and stood up. “Enough now, you should get some sleep.”

Gu Jin Chao knew he didn’t want to continue talking.

She remained silent for a moment before saying softly: “I just feel that Fourth Master’s temperament is too gloomy… and he seems to have no interest in business.”

Third Master Chen didn’t want her to manage these matters, nor did he want Gu Jin Chao to touch upon his other side.

In truth, he was also quite a merciless person.

Since he was unwilling to converse, Gu Jin Chao had no way to pursue the topic. But she wasn’t content to let it go. Lying in bed, she reached for his hand again: “When I look at Fourth Master, I always feel he’s hiding something. Such a person probably wouldn’t be content to remain subordinate to others…”

Third Master Chen sighed and finally turned to pin her down.

He looked into her eyes seriously and said: “I know all of this; you needn’t worry about these matters. Though he has ambition, he lacks the corresponding strategies. If he were truly placed in my position, he’d likely be done within days… You keep mentioning him today—has someone said something to you?”

He was extremely sensitive to such matters. His gaze became severe, nearly compelling Gu Jin Chao to blurt out the truth.

Gu Jin Chao explained: “I just exchanged a few words with my Fourth Sister-in-law… nothing else.”

He lowered his head to kiss her face, then her lips, his iron-like arm around her waist tightening slightly. Her bosom, which had developed further after pregnancy, pressed firmly against his chest. Gu Jin Chao pushed against him lightly and heard his hoarse voice: “…I understand.”

He merely found release against her legs. There was another bout of heavy breathing within the bed curtains.

They soon calmed down. He used a handkerchief to clean her, then helped her put on her undergarments and inner clothes again. She was also tired and fell into a deep sleep in his arms. Third Master Chen, however, held her and thought for a while. Someone must have said something to Gu Jin Chao… or Gu Jin Chao herself knew something.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have evaded his questions like this.

…

After the previous incident, Gu Jin Chao understood that telling Third Master Chen certain things wasn’t easy. And being seen through by him so easily was truly counterproductive. She carefully avoided mentioning Fourth Master Chen’s affairs again. However, she secretly had Luo Yong Ping investigate Fourth Master Chen’s movements.

Madam Tong came to report to her: “Fourth Master has dealings with Second Madam. Second Madam has several rice shops and clothing stores of her own. All are supplied by Fourth Master Chen at half the market price. What the Fourth Master controls is the family property, while the Second Madam’s money is her private funds. This means he’s using the family’s assets to supplement Second Madam’s private wealth… Both are tacitly aware of this. It seems Third Master and Old Madam also know but haven’t said anything.”

Such matters went against family harmony, and Gu Jin Chao understood why the Third Master and Chen Old Madam wouldn’t speak up.

“Is there anything else besides this?” Gu Jin Chao asked.

Madam Tong shook her head: “Nothing else regarding Fourth Master… except that Old Madam Ji has sent a letter inviting you to bring the young master for a visit.”

The child was already three months old. She had promised before to take the child to see his maternal grandmother.

Gu Jin Chao smiled: “I understand. Please prepare some sweets for me, and some small toys for Young Master Chun and Young Master Yu.”

Madam Tong smiled and went to carry out her orders.

Meanwhile, Steward Liu brought a register for her to review: “On the twenty-first of the eighth month, the Director of the Imperial Stables, Old Madam Guo of the Guo family, will celebrate her sixtieth birthday. What gift would you consider appropriate?”

Gu Jin Chao remembered that the relationship between the Guo family and the Chen family was ordinary, but since it was a milestone birthday, the gift should naturally be substantial. She took a sip of tea and asked Steward Liu: “When Mother celebrated her fiftieth birthday, did the Guo family send gifts?”

Steward Liu replied: “They sent two white jade ruyi scepters with five bats wishing longevity, a small Buddha statue made of purple sandalwood, and a monetary gift of five hundred taels of silver.”

That was indeed a very substantial gift. The Guo family and Chen family weren’t family friends for generations, so why would they send such lavish gifts? Moreover, Steward Liu hadn’t clarified the relationship between the Chen family and the Guo family. This was an attempt to mislead her.

Gu Jin Chao slowly glanced at Steward Liu and smiled: “In Steward Liu’s opinion, what would be an appropriate return gift?”

After dealing with Third Madam for over two months, Steward Liu understood her temperament. She didn’t like to be domineering or overbearing; if you made sense, she would listen, and she often asked for his opinion. He hesitated before answering: “This humble one doesn’t dare to make such a decision…”

Gu Jin Chao was now certain there was a problem here.

She didn’t expose him but said lightly: “Then prepare gifts according to this standard. Old Madam Guo enjoys flowers and plants, so have some ink chrysanthemums and green peonies sent from my garden. They should bloom in about a month.”

Steward Liu accepted the order and withdrew, quickly going to report to the second household.

“…Third Madam wasn’t suspicious and said to prepare the gifts as before. However, Third Madam asked for my opinion, but I didn’t give one.”

Madam Qin was eating a plate of tangerines.

Han Zhen peeled the tangerines, removing the white fibers meticulously, and fed them clean and neat into Madam Qin’s mouth.

Madam Qin bit into the tangerine and then said leisurely: “She didn’t ask why the gift was so generous?”

Steward Liu shook his head: “Third Madam is young and doesn’t understand the relationships between noble families. She probably doesn’t comprehend the significance of gift-giving.”

“At that time, the Guo family was doing business with us, and the money couldn’t be accounted for properly, so it was added to the gift money. Now Third Madam is about to send that money right back…” Madam Qin sighed. “Such youthful impulsiveness.”

Steward Liu nodded with a smile: “It’s not us setting her up. Third Madam doesn’t know about our relationship with the Guo family and didn’t ask for clarification.”

Madam Qin took another bite of tangerine. Though these tangerines had come to market early and were still somewhat green, they tasted sweet and pleasantly tart.

“These tangerines are excellent. I’m rewarding you with a basket; take it home to eat.”

Han Zhen quickly brought out a basket of tangerines.

Gu Jin Chao soon learned about Steward Liu leaving the second household with a basket of tangerines.

Madam Sun worried: “Third Madam… this servant sees that all these servants are loyal to Second Madam. They report matters to you, but Second Madam immediately knows about it. When you truly begin to manage the household, these people will certainly create obstacles for you in secret.”

Gu Jin Chao said calmly: “…I fear it won’t wait until then.”

Madam Qin was already creating problems for her. She could now guess that if the gifts had already been sent, she would inevitably be reprimanded by Chen Old Madam. While the gifts hadn’t been sent yet, she needed to act first…

Madam Sun continued: “Should this servant inquire about the Guo family matter?”

Gu Jin Chao shook her head: “No need, I’ll ask Mother tomorrow.” She wasn’t a particularly good person herself and saw no reason to cover for Madam Qin. If Madam Qin wanted to make her err, this was an error delivered to her doorstep.

The next day, when paying respects to Chen Old Madam, Gu Jin Chao brought Chang Suo along.

Chang Suo was eating and sleeping well, growing white and plump. Gu Jin Chao’s arms would tire after holding him for a while. Chang Suo wasn’t afraid of strangers; anyone could hold him, and anyone could make him laugh happily.

Chen Old Madam held her grandson, playing with him, extremely delighted. Chang Suo wore a little jacket and sat in Chen Old Madam’s lap, babbling “Ya ya ya.”

Gu Jin Chao brought up Old Madam Guo’s sixtieth birthday: “…Since it’s a milestone birthday, will Mother attend?”

Chen Old Madam shook her head with a smile: “I’m too old to go out much; let your Second Sister-in-law and Fourth Sister-in-law go together!”

Madam Qin smiled: “You’re being lazy! My Fourth Sister-in-law and I will have to work hard.”

As she spoke, she reached out to hold Chang Suo.

Gu Jin Chao continued: “That’s strange… I noticed that during your fiftieth birthday, the Guo family sent many gifts, so I thought they had deep ties with our Chen family. I had Steward Liu prepare quite substantial gifts to send over…” Her voice softened. “Have I arranged these gifts inappropriately?”

Madam Qin’s hands tightened around Chang Suo, making him uncomfortable. He squirmed and then began to wail. She quickly adjusted her posture.

Chen Old Madam frowned slightly and called Steward Liu over to question him: “…What has been arranged?”

Steward Liu answered tremblingly: “…A pair of pink enamel plum vases, three pairs of red gold chopsticks inlaid with turquoise, and six hundred taels of silver as a monetary gift.”

That amounted to over a thousand taels…

Losing money wasn’t a significant issue, but making the recipients uneasy upon receiving such gifts was problematic. The level of gifts should match the level of the relationship; giving too much would raise questions. Fortunately, the gifts hadn’t been sent yet. Otherwise, it would have been truly difficult to rectify.

Chen Old Madam gave her decision: “Since they haven’t been sent yet, let’s make some changes. The three pairs of chopsticks aren’t necessary, and the monetary gift should be reduced to two hundred taels.”

Steward Liu acknowledged the order. Chen Old Madam then asked: “How long have you been a steward?”

Steward Liu replied: “It has been seven years…”

“After seven years, shouldn’t you know what gifts are appropriate for which relationships?” Chen Old Madam asked lightly.

Steward Liu realized that Chen Old Madam’s anger was directed at him, and sweat was about to flow down his face: “This humble one… has always followed orders. It was my oversight! I didn’t consider that Third Madam has just begun managing affairs and isn’t yet familiar with these matters…”

Still trying to implicate her? Gu Jin Chao stood up, curtseyed, and said, “It was also the daughter-in-law’s fault. I should have clarified the situation beforehand. Even if Steward Liu had no advice to offer, I should have consulted Second Sister-in-law. I shouldn’t have made decisions on my own…”

Hearing her speak this way, Chen Old Madam could no longer blame her. She reached out to make her sit down: “Why blame you? The ignorant are not at fault! Even when I first began managing affairs, I couldn’t possibly distinguish all the noble families, great and small… Besides, you’re now caring for Chang Suo. Understandably, you can’t allocate all your attention.”

Madam Qin’s expression soured.

This Gu Jin Chao, though young, certainly knew how to speak. She must have known there was an issue with the Guo family but waited for Madam Qin to set her up. This hurt both parties, but for Gu Jin Chao, it wasn’t much of a loss, while Madam Qin might lose a loyal steward. It wasn’t worth it.

…She had thought Gu Jin Chao young and naive, but it turned out she was quite skilled in these matters!