The carriage wheels began turning again.

Gu Jin Chao felt like she could still hear the screams of those two elderly servants.

The knife rose and fell, their eyes open wider than brass bells…

She clenched her trembling hands. These people were killed without blinking an eye, they were not good people! She couldn’t hesitate…

When they left the relay station, the horse stables were filled with blood—not only the corpses of the guards but also those postal clerks. Blood seeped across the blue stone bricks in large patches throughout the courtyard, mixing with rainwater. The courtyard had the smell of damp animal pen fodder, mingled with the stench of blood. When the newly risen sun shone down, the smell was nauseating.

Cai Fu, her face pale, held Gu Jin Chao’s hand and whispered: “Madam, it’s alright now…”

Yu Zhu and the young master had at least escaped disaster. These people hadn’t searched the rooms, and the child hadn’t cried…

A small blessing amidst misfortune.

Gu Jin Chao gave a faint sound of acknowledgment. She leaned against the carriage wall. Outside, the men were conversing, likely in their hometown dialect, which she couldn’t quite understand.

This carriage was no longer the Chen family’s but one from the relay station used for transporting people. There were no windows, and someone was guarding the door outside, so they couldn’t see the scenery outside… However, the carriage moved steadily, suggesting they were still following the official road.

It had rained last night, but today the autumn sun was fiercely hot. By noon, the carriage had become unbearably hot.

Nanny Sun asked for water, and the carriage stopped. The bearded man from before lifted the carriage curtain and came in, handing Gu Jin Chao a bowl of water, smiling as he said: “Water from the roadside river. If Madam finds it distasteful, I can have someone boil it.”

Gu Jin Chao took it and looked at him.

She was indeed very thirsty, having had neither food nor water since leaving the relay station this morning. Looking at the earthen bowl held steady in those large hands, Gu Jin Chao hesitated… What if he had tampered with the water?

The man smiled again: “Madam is exceptionally courageous. If you don’t fear death, why fear a bowl of water?”

If he truly wanted to do something underhanded, he would likely achieve it no matter what.

Gu Jin Chao silently accepted the bowl. She drank a few sips to quench her thirst, then passed it to Cai Fu and Nanny Sun beside her.

The river water seemed to have a strange taste. Gu Jin Chao felt it was somewhat astringent.

The man took back the bowl and jumped off the carriage, then shortly returned with a package of cold steamed buns. “In this wilderness, there’s nothing good to eat. Madam will have to make do.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “When we left, we slaughtered a horse and stewed a pot of meat. If Madam doesn’t mind the peculiar taste of horse meat, I could bring some over.”

That horse had been slaughtered right in front of them. Gu Jin Chao felt nauseated just recalling the smell of the cooked meat…

Suppressing her urge to vomit, she said coolly: “Sir should keep it for himself.”

The man, seeing Gu Jin Chao’s nauseated expression, seemed to find it quite amusing. He chuckled a couple of times before jumping down again.

Cai Fu took a steamed bun and broke off the softest part to give to Gu Jin Chao, but she had no appetite.

After holding the bun for a long time, Gu Jin Chao finally managed to swallow it…

About a quarter-hour later, the bearded man stood by the official road where yellow dust rose, looking at the distant city walls. Someone came over to report: “…Those women have all fainted from the drug!”

He nodded: “Then let’s enter the city!” He gazed at the distant city walls with deep eyes. “The woman of the all-powerful Chen family, and with such a beautiful face. I’ve presented such a grand token of allegiance, the Young Master should surely accept it with pleasure.”

……

Chen Yan Yun was reading a memorial from the Fujian Provincial Administration Commissioner about reducing taxes in coastal Fujian.

He read only a few lines before closing it and summoning Jiang Yan. He handed the memorial to him: “Send this to Official Zhang’s residence. Since it concerns the Japanese pirates, it shouldn’t be the Board of Revenue’s concern.”

Jiang Yan accepted it with acknowledgment.

Chen Yan Yun took a sip of tea. His gaze wandered to the latticed window outside, where the parrot kept as a pet was again flapping its wings and squawking randomly.

This was the third-day gift from Ye Xian for Chang Suo, but Third Master Chen hadn’t given it to Gu Jin Chao.

This parrot mostly slept or babbled nonsense. Now, having eaten and drunk its fill, it stood on the bamboo perch, shook its wings, and began speaking again. It seemed quite delighted, though no one could understand it.

Today, the parrot was again inspired to recite doggerel verses.

Usually, it would repeat only a few lines. Third Master Chen silently listened for a while, his fingertips lightly tapping on the desk.

“Fine brocade cut off, none to cherish; yet pity the cinnabar marks on fingers.”

He had heard this parrot recite poetry for a long time. There was nothing unusual about it. Yet this line appeared in every poem—what could it mean?

Jin Chao had been going to the Ji family for two days now. He wondered when she would return.

As Chen Yan Yun was pondering, Fourth Master Chen and Sixth Master Chen came to see him.

Sixth Master Chen had just returned from Baoxiang Temple a few days ago. When he came home, he had lost considerable weight, making Madam Ge quite distressed. He was quite happy to finally leave that dreadful place! Wearing a brand-new straight robe, he came with Fourth Master Chen to see Third Master Chen.

“Third Brother, that Master Jianming of yours is truly annoying! Forcing me to recite sutras all day made my ears hurt.” He took a sip of tea. “The temple was truly so boring I could die. Not a single day of meat. I finally caught a pangolin, but the monks released it…”

Fourth Master Chen laughed: “Though Sixth Brother lived in the temple for a year, your temperament hasn’t changed at all. You’ve just returned home and surely can’t find anything to do. If you’re bored, come help me with my business.”

Chen Yan Jiang quickly shook his head. “I’m enjoying myself, I’m too lazy to bother with your affairs!”

Third Master Chen slowly said: “I won’t interfere with your amusements, but if you do more of those disgraceful things, I won’t spare you.” Just then, a servant brought in tea.

Chen Yan Jiang, recalling those shameful matters, could only laugh awkwardly and quickly gulped down his tea.

At that moment, Chen Yi came over. Without entering the study, he said: “Third Master, I have something to report…”

Third Master Chen, seeing his unusual expression, stood up and walked outside.

He asked in a low voice: “Your face looks so grim, what exactly has happened?” He first thought of the flood in Fengyang. A few days ago, the Board of Revenue had sent a group of officials, along with people from the Board of Works, to repair the dikes. “Is there a problem with the water inspection personnel?”

Chen Yi opened his mouth and said with great difficulty: “It’s the Madam… Miss Yu Zhu has returned alone with the young master.” He paused, trying to keep his voice as steady as possible, to avoid trembling. “She said… on their way back, they encountered a group of people from Sichuan who kidnapped the Madam… Her whereabouts are now unknown.”

……

When Third Master Chen brought people to see Yu Zhu, Chang Suo was crying loudly.

In the room, the wet nurse held the child, trying to comfort him and feed him milk. But Chang Suo twisted his head, dodging left and right, refusing to comply, looking around with tear-filled eyes.

Seeing Third Master Chen appear, he whimpered and tried to leap into his arms.

Chen Yan Yun took the child into his embrace, his arms tensing.

Yu Zhu sat dazedly on a stool, her eyes red-rimmed, continually choking back sobs.

While hiding in the wardrobe, she had been terrified of discovery, trembling with fear, and worried that Chang Suo’s crying would attract attention. When Chang Suo woke up, she had desperately covered his mouth. Shocked and frightened, she didn’t even dare to cry audibly. With the young master in her care, she absolutely couldn’t afford any mishaps!

As Chen Yan Yun comforted the child, his expression softened slightly. But as the child buried his face in his shoulder, sobbing continuously, his face darkened again. He felt his eyes incredibly dry and closed them briefly to regain composure. Once the initial shock and heartache passed, anger surged up.

He asked Yu Zhu: “What exactly happened? Tell me clearly, every detail.”

Yu Zhu recounted the events at the relay station: “…After they left, I dared to come out from the wardrobe. There was still a carriage at the relay station, so I found a local to help drive and brought the young master back. The guards and the two elderly attendants the Madam brought are all dead… The Madam is gone. I—I thought since it had just rained, I should follow their wagon tracks along the road. They seemed to be heading toward the capital! But after passing the Baodi section, there were too many tracks, and I couldn’t distinguish them… So I hurried back…”

Third Master Chen’s voice was hoarse: “She… asked you to bring the child back…?”

Yu Zhu nodded.

She saw Third Master Chen close his eyes and remain silent for a long time. Chang Suo in his arms gradually became quiet, having cried himself to sleep against his father’s broad shoulder. Yu Zhu then remembered Gu Jin Chao’s instructions and quickly said: “The Madam also said,” she lowered her voice, “that you should beware of Fourth Master Chen and Official Zhang… I don’t know why either!”

Third Master Chen nodded and placed the child in the wet nurse’s arms. He immediately strode outside, coldly instructing Chen Yi: “Go gather all the guards from Heyan Tower! Lead them personally to investigate those people’s whereabouts at the Baodi relay station!”

Chen Yi saluted in acceptance and hurried to Heyan Tower to gather men.

As Third Master Chen walked, he told Feng Juan: “Bring me the official seal from my study.”

Feng Juan was startled: “Third Master, this is to…”

“Seal the city,” he said coolly. “I’m going to see the Commander of the Five Districts Military Police. We’re sealing off the capital city right now. No one enters or leaves.”

Feng Juan was shocked, knowing this wasn’t good for Third Master Chen—it was too assertive of his power. But he dared not say anything and quickly went to the study to fetch the seal.

Third Master Chen changed into his official robes and came out. The carriage was prepared and waiting outside Muxi Hall.

Fourth Master Chen and Sixth Master Chen followed out, still unclear about what had happened. But all the Chen family guards had been alerted, so they knew something momentous must have occurred. Fourth Master Chen saw Third Master Chen walk out in his official robes and hurriedly stepped forward to ask: “Third Brother, what exactly are you doing… What has happened?”

Third Master Chen recalled what Gu Jin Chao had just said.

He glanced at Fourth Master Chen but didn’t explain. He had no desire to explain now, only saying: “Watch the house, and don’t tell Mother anything!”

A servant fastened his cape, and he immediately bent to enter the carriage. He left without looking back.