Mama Song was directing the maids to change the curtains in the room, replacing them with azure-blue oblique-woven auspicious patterns, making the room look much fresher. Gu Jin Chao looked them over and then had the dwarf bamboo on the tall table replaced with newly blooming four-season begonias.

The wet nurse was dressing Chang Suo, putting a small jacket on him as he obediently allowed her to grasp his little hands to slip them through the sleeves.

Chen Xuan Yue came to see him.

He happily crawled toward Chen Xuan Yue, smiling and calling out, “Ninth Brother! Ninth Brother!”

Chen Xuan Yue held him in his arms and asked with a smile, “Chang Suo, have you had breakfast yet?”

Chang Suo didn’t understand. Gu Jin Chao answered, “He ate two sweet buns.”

Chang Suo clapped his hands saying, “Buns! Buns!”

After Chen Xuan Yue played with Chang Suo for a while, Gu Jin Chao finally wiped her hands with a hot towel and came to sit down.

“…After taking a few more doses of medicine, you can stop your treatment. It’s a pity it delayed you…” Gu Jin Chao said regretfully.

Chen Xuan Yue only began formal studies at age ten. He had outstanding talent and a photographic memory. With proper guidance, he would certainly have no problem passing the imperial examinations.

After Fourth Master Chen was placed under house arrest, Gu Jin Chao considered Chen Xuan Yue’s situation and had Luo Yongping invite a miracle doctor from Jiangnan to treat his “symptoms of idiocy.” The entire household knew that the Ninth Young Master was gradually regaining his clarity of mind.

Chen Xuan Yue smiled indifferently and looked up, “Aunt, there are many paths in this world. The Chen family has a tradition of scholarly pursuits, so the descendants all become civil officials. But my ambitions lie elsewhere, and I don’t want to spend more than a decade planning my career. If luck is good, that’s fine—like Third Uncle who entered the cabinet in his thirties. But those unlucky Hanlin scholars toil their entire lives and remain minor officials. Besides, I’m not interested in learning the eight-legged essay format…”

He always had his ideas. In his previous life, he had taken the path of military merit.

Later, he becomes a commander and the General of Gansu at a young age.

Gu Jin Chao smiled, “Then I won’t bother with you anymore. If you want to follow those noble military families and establish merit on the battlefield, that’s fine too.”

Chen Xuan Yue held the restlessly crawling Chang Suo in his arms and thought for a moment before saying, “I do have such plans…”

Soon, an elderly maid from the sewing room came in.

Chen Xuan Yue was at the age of rapid growth, and he grew particularly fast. Even though he had suffered in his previous life, his height didn’t lose to any of his brothers. Now he showed signs of growing even taller. The straight gowns and robes made for him couldn’t be worn after just half a year.

Chen Xuan Yue stood up to let the elderly maid measure him, somewhat embarrassed, “Aunt, there’s no need to trouble yourself. I can still wear these clothes!”

“The sleeves are already too short, aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you?” Gu Jin Chao shook her head, “Raise your arms higher, or the measurements won’t be accurate.”

Chen Xuan Yue looked at her, wanting to speak but hesitating. Finally, he turned his face away and mumbled something softly.

Gu Jin Chao asked him, “What are you muttering about?”

Chen Xuan Yue just smiled without answering.

Yu Wan Xue came to pay her respects, bringing some small clothes she had made for the child.

“After I go to Suning, I definitely won’t be here for the birth of Mother’s child, so I made some clothes this month. The child can wear them right after birth…” She had her maid open the package to show Jin Chao.

Jin Chao accepted them and examined them; the stitching was done very well.

Chen Xuan Qing followed behind Yu Wan Xue as they entered. He paid his respects to her.

Gu Jin Chao asked him when he planned to depart.

Chen Xuan Qing said, “It should be in the next few days. I’ll come to bid you farewell when the time comes.”

Gu Jin Chao nodded, “You should leave early. After all, you’re the official in charge of a region, responsible for the common people there.” He shouldn’t have come back in the first place. Like Chen Xuan Feng from the second branch, who only returned once every three years.

Chen Xuan Qing looked up at her. She had styled her hair in a loose topknot, with a white jade carved hairpin inserted, making her appear even more gentle. Her striking features had softened considerably. A snow-white wrist peeked out from her sleeve, adorned with a gold bracelet as wide as a finger.

Why did she always match things so poorly… She should be wearing jade or tourmaline instead.

He sighed inwardly, increasingly feeling that she truly wasn’t skilled in certain aspects.

The purple jade stone he had given Gu Jin Chao had caught his eye immediately, yet it had cost him three months’ salary. Afterward, he had lived frugally for quite some time.

But Gu Jin Chao probably wouldn’t have it made into jewelry to wear; it wasn’t like her personality.

…He shouldn’t have bought it, yet he still wanted to give it to her. He thought it wouldn’t matter if she didn’t wear it; it was just a piece of jade. But when she truly showed indifference, he felt a dull pain—a feeling of his sentiments being disregarded.

Chang Suo grew tired of playing and wanted his mother to hold him. Gu Jin Chao picked him up, touched his back, and found he was sweating a little. She unbuttoned his small jacket and brought some warm water for him to drink.

Chen Xuan Qing stood up to say goodbye. Gu Jin Chao nodded in acknowledgment, and the two left Osmanthus Hall one after the other.

Chen Xuan Yue was also about to leave, “…The teacher instructed me to practice ten pages of calligraphy. I’ll come to see you tomorrow!”

Before Gu Jin Chao could speak, he had already left, seeing from a distance that Chen Xuan Qing was walking behind Yu Wan Xue.

He walked very slowly and stopped beside an elm tree with newly sprouted tender leaves.

“Why are you following me, Ninth Brother?” he asked coolly.

Being Third Master Chen’s son, he couldn’t be too foolish.

Chen Xuan Yue caught up and said with a smile, “I just wanted to ask Seventh Brother, you won’t be coming back again after you go to your post this time, right?”

Chen Xuan Qing looked at this brother from another branch.

He had taught Chen Xuan Yue for two months and at that time felt that although his ninth brother was slow-witted, he had a pure heart. He heard that Gu Jin Chao had found someone to treat his “symptoms of idiocy,” and after taking several doses of medicine, he had indeed improved. However, since Chen Xuan Yue recovered, he hasn’t spoken much with his brother.

Chen Xuan Yue was turning twelve this year, and without his idiotic demeanor, he naturally exuded a certain nobility.

His features were elegant as he stood before him, watching him with a smile.

Yet his words could hardly be considered friendly.

Chen Xuan Qing also smiled, “What exactly does Ninth Brother want to say?”

“Seventh Brother understands very well,” Chen Xuan Yue continued smiling. “Others might not see it, but Seventh Brother certainly understands clearly.”

Chen Xuan Qing didn’t want to waste time with him and frowned, “I have matters to attend to, so I won’t keep talking with Ninth Brother. Please return.”

He had walked several steps when he heard Chen Xuan Yue say softly, “You will harm her.”

His footsteps faltered.

“If you continue like this, you will eventually harm her, so it’s best not to return.”

Chen Xuan Qing almost lost his balance and took a deep breath. How had Chen Xuan Yue seen through him? He didn’t know; his mind was in chaos. But Chen Xuan Yue was right—he shouldn’t have come back in the first place.

He continued walking as if he hadn’t heard Chen Xuan Yue’s words at all.

Chen Xuan Yue watched him quietly and added, “Seventh Brother if you harm her, I won’t let you off.”

Chen Xuan Qing finally stopped but didn’t turn around, “I know all this—but what does it have to do with you? I don’t need you to tell me about my affairs.”

“Indeed, it has nothing to do with me. What relationship do I have with you people?” Chen Xuan Yue said carelessly with a smile. “In this family, apart from Aunt, who has truly been good to me? Do you think I want to say these things?”

Chen Xuan Qing pressed his lips together; this brother was truly sharp-tongued.

“Ninth Brother must not have fully regained his senses to say such things. Next time, remember to control your mouth.”

Chen Xuan Qing ignored him further and walked straight ahead.

Chen Xuan Yue watched his back for quite some time before returning to the outer courtyard.