Time being of the essence, Jinchao asked her grandmother to leave the next day, preparing to take Luo Su back home.

Grandmother understood her intentions and didn’t try to keep her. Jinchao had Luo Su dress as an ordinary maid and board her carriage. Gu Jinrong didn’t notice, as he was carrying books and inkstones gifted by his uncles and went straight to the carriage in front.

Upon reaching the Gu residence, Jinchao brought Luo Su to meet her mother.

Lady Ji examined Luo Su for a long time, and after dismissing her, nodded with closed eyes: “The girl seems fine. Have you arranged her accommodation?”

Jinchao smiled: “Don’t worry, Mother. She’s been arranged at Jing’an Residence next to Juliu Pavilion. I plan to speak with Father tomorrow.”

Lady Ji pondered for a moment: “Have gifts been sent to her mother’s side?”

Jinchao replied: “I’ve sent a thousand taels for now. Once Father formally takes her in, I’ll send several dozen loads of betrothal gifts. Though she’ll be a concubine, she’s still the niece of Concubine Yun who served you for over a decade. Her niece’s marriage should be somewhat grand.”

Lady Ji sighed: “Yun Xiang was loyal in serving me back then.” She then instructed Matron Xu to go to Jing’an Residence to teach Luo Su proper etiquette—a girl from a modest family wouldn’t have the refined manners of a young lady from a prominent household.

Seeing her mother had nothing more to say, Jinchao had Mo Yu bring over her mother’s medicine and personally fed her. Though she’d only been gone a few days, her mother seemed to have grown thinner, her chin sharp enough to pierce paper. She knew her mother must have been worried and suffering at home—besides the two concubines, who else would keep her company? After finishing the medicine, she held her mother’s hand to trim her nails, carefully filing away any rough edges.

Lady Ji watched as Jinchao bowed her head, meticulously trimmed her nails, and felt a wave of tenderness.

Her Jinchao had become so thoughtful. She handled these matters with such care, requiring no guidance.

She raised her head to look outside the window. Today was a clear azure day, with gentle sunlight spilling over the snow-covered ground. “…Your father seems to love genuinely, putting his whole heart into it. Back then, he loved me, loved Yun Xiang, loved Concubine Song—all the same way. But this kind of love gradually fades with time. The one who died early… became the most deeply imprinted in his heart. She certainly never expected that…”

Jinchao’s hand paused. Why was her mother telling her these things?

“Yun Xiang was your father’s favorite, because he obtained her when he most desired her, and she died when his love was deepest. His love for Yun Xiang will never change…” Lady Ji murmured. She turned to see Jinchao watching her and gripped her hand. “Jinchao, be wary of Concubine Song. She might not interfere in other matters, but she will certainly try to prevent this.”

“She won’t tolerate anyone taking away her favor…”

Meanwhile, Gu Lan was learning needlework with Song Miaohua in a pavilion. She held her mother’s hand, telling her about what happened at her ancestral home.

After listening, Song Miaohua shook her head and smiled: “Who would have thought our First Young Lady now knows how to scheme… She’s certainly become much cleverer than before.”

Gu Lan frowned and said softly: “Mother, aren’t you concerned? I can’t figure out Gu Jinchao anymore… What is she planning? Is there someone capable beside her—that Qing Pu, or Matron Tong?”

Song Miaohua took up a small embroidery hoop with a pair of yellow carp stitched on it, their heads and tails connected, looking quite adorable.

She continued embroidering lotus buds beside the carp, saying calmly: “Why concern yourself with her? People don’t remain foolish forever… Now that the Madam has been ill for so long if she were to, unfortunately, pass away, I would most likely be elevated to primary wife. When that happens, even if Gu Jinchao had extraordinary abilities, she couldn’t cause any waves.”

Song Miaohua remained composed, her fingers gently tracing the pair of carp. She smiled and said: “When you were little, I made you undershirts, and you loved the carp pattern most of all, disliking any others. Carp are auspicious. I’ll make more embroidery patterns—they might be useful in the future…”

Gu Lan seemed contemplative. After a while, she said: “I understand, Mother. The current situation is best. I just need to wait.”

Song Miaohua was about to say something when she saw her head maid Qiao Wei hurriedly walking through the corridor.

“…Concubine, news from the attendants. The First Young Lady has returned from Tongzhou, bringing two unfamiliar maids—one about fifteen or sixteen, the other twelve or thirteen.”

Gu Lan sneered: “Perhaps her grandmother saw that her Liuxiang is gone and awarded her more maids!”

Song Miaohua frowned: “If her grandmother wanted to give her maids, would she need a twelve or thirteen-year-old who still needs training?” She looked at Qiao Wei, “I ask you, did they ride in the same carriage?”

Qiao Wei thought for a moment: “The old woman didn’t say, but she mentioned that the fifteen or sixteen-year-old maid is extremely beautiful.”

Song Miaohua’s expression changed, and she suddenly stood up.

Gu Lan looked at her mother: “What’s wrong? Is there something amiss with this maid?”

Song Miaohua closed her eyes to think, then after a while instructed Qiao Wei: “Prepare some refreshments. We’ll go welcome the First Young Lady back.”

Qiao Wei understood the urgency and quickly agreed before withdrawing. Seeing her daughter still watching her, Song Miaohua said: “Your brother has also just returned from Tongzhou. Go talk to him. Don’t concern yourself with this matter for now.”

Gu Lan pouted: “You needn’t worry about him. He now despises Gu Jinchao to the bone, wishing he didn’t have such a sister!”

Song Miaohua gazed coldly at the lake water: “That’s not necessarily true. Your elder sister now seems intent on turning things upside down.”

Song Miaohua quickly went to Qingtong Court with Qiao Wei.

As Gu Jinchao was returning from her mother’s quarters, Bai Yun was already waiting on the path to inform her that Concubine Song had arrived.

Cai Fu was surprised: “Concubine Song heard the news so quickly?”

Jinchao smiled: “Do you think her management of the inner court for half a year was just for fun?” Throughout the inner court, countless maids and servants had been bought by her and were now working for her. Jinchao couldn’t spare the effort to deal with them now, especially since Concubine Song was at the height of her influence.

But Jinchao wasn’t anxious. Now that the person had arrived, Concubine Song was powerless to change anything.

Song Miaohua saw Gu Jinchao enter and stood up smiling: “…I’ve brought some pastries. The Young Lady has just returned and must be tired from traveling.”

She instructed her maid to open the food box and arrange plates of flower-shaped pastries, pine cakes, and Buddha’s pineapple delights.

Jinchao ordered Yu Tong to serve tea to Concubine Song. After sitting down, Song Miaohua didn’t rush, leisurely drinking her tea while speaking to Jinchao: “…The Young Lady has returned at just the right time. The Master will soon return to court. The household has been busy lately, and I haven’t had time to attend to the Madam daily. It would be best if you could help care for her… However, the Master’s mentor, Lord Lin, is expected to be promoted after the New Year. The Master has been busy and cautious about his career, speaking and acting carefully. The household hasn’t even contributed money to the Shi’an Lantern Festival this year.”

Every year, the Shi’an Lantern Festival was funded by several wealthy families in Shi’an, with the Gu family typically contributing three thousand taels.

Concubine Song was here to advise her, fearing she wouldn’t read the situation correctly and would cause trouble, disturbing her father’s mood.

However, Jinchao knew that her father’s mentor, Lin Xianzhong, wouldn’t be promoted. By June of this year, the current Emperor Muzong would pass away. After his death, the court fell into chaos, followed by Cabinet First Minister Zhang Julin and Imperial Ceremonial Supervisor Eunuch Feng Cheng seizing control of the government. The Minister of Revenue position would be filled by the Chen family’s second master, who had close ties with Zhang Julin, while Lin Xianzhong would be transferred to serve as the Provincial Governor of Zhejiang.

Although her father wasn’t one of Zhang Julin’s subordinates, neither was he from a military or noble family. In this court turmoil, he would barely protect himself, though until Jinchao married into the Chen family, he wouldn’t be promoted.

Jinchao smiled and said slowly: “It’s a pity indeed. The Shi’an Lantern Festival is always the most lively event of the year.”

Concubine Song’s expression turned unpleasant.

She had thought that with Gu Jinchao’s intelligence, she would understand her meaning. Was she truly not understanding, or was she pretending to be ignorant? Or was she still determined to introduce the girl to the Master regardless?

Song Miaohua understood clearly that even if Gu Jinchao brought back a stunning beauty to be Gu Dezhao’s concubine, he would likely not agree. Her attempt to dissuade her now was only out of consideration for the Master, to prevent this rash Young Lady from causing trouble everywhere!

She wondered if this was Lady Ji’s idea—that woman seemed to be growing more confused with her illness!

Since Gu Jinchao wouldn’t listen, she didn’t want to say more. At worst, she would just have to clean up her mess afterward, as she had done so many times before. Song Miaohua smiled and said: “Indeed. The Young Lady has been of age for half a year now, and it’s time to consider marriage matters. You must be especially mindful of yourself now. I have some matters at the affairs office, so I’ll take my leave.”

Jinchao lifted her teacup and said slowly: “Yu Zhu, see the guest out.”

The young girl behind the curtain quickly responded, causing Song Miaohua’s face to stiffen… She had called a third-rank maid to escort her out.

“No need, Young Lady. I still know the way,” Song Miaohua said with a forced smile before leaving with Qiao Wei.

Yu Zhu lifted the curtain and skipped in. Bai Yun saw this and quietly scolded her: “No manners…”

Yu Zhu stuck out her tongue. She had a round, bun-like face with round eyes, looking quite adorable.

“Young Lady…” Yu Zhu sat by the stove, turning the silver-threaded charcoal, and quietly spoke to Jinchao, “I feel that Concubine Song’s smile is creepy, not like a good person…” Her expression was very serious.

Bai Yun was somewhat annoyed—this little maid was under her training, yet she spoke so carelessly in front of the Young Lady!

Gu Jinchao, however, smiled and asked her: “How does she not seem like a good person?”

Yu Zhu tilted her head: “Only the outermost layer of her face is smiling! All the other layers of her face are angry!”

Hearing this, Gu Jinchao burst out laughing. Even Bai Yun and Qing Pu could hardly contain their amusement—this maid truly had an entertaining way of speaking.