Madam Qin’s attitude toward this stepson who had suddenly regained his senses was quite peculiar.

She had previously brought physicians to examine Chen Xuanyue, but none could cure his illness.

But now, without any explanation, how had he suddenly recovered?

She had specifically questioned the tutor who taught Chen Xuanyue, and the tutor said that the Ninth Young Master had a weak foundation, and it was already difficult for him to keep up with the lessons, let alone excel in his studies. Only then did her heart relax somewhat. If Chen Xuanyue truly possessed extraordinary intelligence, she feared she would have to be more vigilant.

After answering the questions, Chen Xuanyue naturally sat down beside Gu Jinchao. The wet nurse held Changshuo, who smiled and called out “Ninth Brother,” stretching out his little body wanting to leap over. Chen Xuanyue took him, and Changshuo affectionately wrapped his small arms around his neck, refusing to let go.

Chen Xi stood behind Jinchao and glanced at Chen Xuanyue.

She had grown more mature now and was no longer as shy as before. Chen Xuanyue was playing with Changshuo, who repeated his words with childish innocence. He listened with delight, his smile extraordinarily dashing… she couldn’t help but stare.

Speaking of good looks, the most handsome person Chen Xi had seen her Seventh Brother, although all the cousins of the Chen family’s Xuan generation were good-looking. But Chen Xuanyue possessed a rather uncommon temperament. He was extremely composed, and his features carried a subtle nobility.

Gu Jinchao hadn’t noticed, but she observed Madam Qin glancing at Chen Xuanyue several times, thinking to herself that Madam Qin must be panicking!

As long as Chen Xuanyue no longer pretended to be simple-minded, his natural bearing was quite outstanding, clearly not an ordinary person.

Old Madam Chen invited everyone to eat freshly made Chinese toon tree bud pancakes.

The newly sprouted tender leaves of the Chinese toon tree had a light, fresh fragrance when eaten. Old Madam Chen had a servant woman with excellent culinary skills who could make various pastries. The Chinese toon pancakes were not greasy at all, and Gu Jinchao ate quite a few.

After everyone had finished eating, the maids quickly cleared away the bowls and plates. Old Madam Chen then said, “Third daughter-in-law, stay and chat with me. The rest of you may leave first.”

Why keep her alone to talk?

Gu Jinchao was somewhat surprised, thinking Old Madam Chen would discuss Fourth Master Chen’s matter.

After everyone had withdrawn, Old Madam Chen finally spoke to Gu Jinchao. Now that her health had improved, she planned to bring back the mother and child that Second Master Chen was keeping outside. “That child is already over six months old and cannot always be raised by his mother’s side.” Old Madam Chen still disliked the child’s mother’s background and said softly to Gu Jinchao, “It wouldn’t be good if the child is poorly raised. Tomorrow, arrange for someone to bring them back…”

Gu Jinchao was massaging Old Madam Chen’s calves and nodded upon hearing this, asking, “What about Second Sister-in-law? What does she say?”

Old Madam Chen waved her hand: “You needn’t worry about that; I’ll speak to her myself.”

“When the Second Sister-in-law learns that the Second Master has kept a mistress, who knows how angry she’ll be. You must console her properly,” Gu Jinchao sighed.

Old Madam Chen smiled slightly: “She’s not stupid. What man can remain faithful to one woman forever? She’ll eventually understand.” Then, realizing this might sound inappropriate to Gu Jinchao, she continued, “Third Master is indeed devoted. He’s been that way since childhood—once he decides on something, that’s it. But unfortunately, Fourth Master’s matter…”

At the mention of Fourth Master Chen, Old Madam Chen felt distressed.

She recalled the words she had spoken to Third Master Chen.

“Third Master hasn’t had it easy,” she thought. “Outside, he struggles to maintain the Chen family’s prosperity and wealth. At home, people cause him worry. Even a person made of iron couldn’t endure it.” And yet she had doubted Third Master Chen’s actions, thinking he was cold-hearted and couldn’t tolerate his brothers…

When she spoke with Chen Yanwen, she couldn’t help but cry continuously, telling him one sentence after another: “Do you think I don’t know that you were responsible for Fifth Master’s death? You’re foolish and think others can’t see through you. You and Fifth Master had been at odds for a long time, and coincidentally, only you two were absent that day. When you returned, I saw grass seeds on the hem of your clothes and knew you had been by the pond… When Fifth Master died, your father was furious. To help conceal your involvement, I even sent away all the servants who attended to Fifth Master… Don’t you understand?”

Fourth Master Chen had been imprisoned for several months, unable to contact anyone, suffering greatly.

Upon hearing this, he couldn’t help but freeze, and after thinking for a long time, his lips trembled as he held his mother’s hand and said hoarsely, “I… I nearly harmed you… It was my fault…”

He had grown so thin that the bones in the back of his hand protruded, his skin was pale, and his mental state had deteriorated. He mumbled these few words, both crying and laughing.

Old Madam Chen was heartbroken at the sight and couldn’t help but embrace her son, weeping bitterly. After returning, when she thought of her third son’s cold detachment, her heart felt like it was being cut by a knife.

Gu Jinchao didn’t know what had transpired between Old Madam Chen and Third Master Chen.

She guessed there must be a misunderstanding, as Old Madam Chen appeared extremely remorseful.

What could a mother have done to feel she had wronged her son?

She held Old Madam Chen’s hand and said, “Mother, Third Master isn’t intentionally distancing himself from you. He’s been very busy these days. Why don’t I come with him tomorrow evening to pay our respects? How does that sound?”

“I know he’s busy,” Old Madam Chen nodded. “With the court in such turmoil, I won’t disturb him.”

“But Fourth Master wants to see him. Fourth Master told me that Third Master wouldn’t agree to meet him and asked me to pass along the message… can you help convey this?”

Gu Jinchao agreed.

When Third Master Chen returned, she told him about Fourth Master Chen’s wish to see him.

Third Master Chen pondered deeply.

“Originally… I had no intention of seeing him,” he said, a weariness showing on his face at the mention of Fourth Master Chen.

Gu Jinchao quickly said, “Mother asked me to convey this message. I think Fourth Master must have something important to tell you, otherwise he wouldn’t have asked Mother to relay it. You should meet with him; it won’t take much time…”

“All right,” Third Master Chen agreed quickly.

Gu Jinchao was somewhat surprised, but Third Master Chen looked at her with a smile, “Since you’ve put it that way, it won’t hurt to see him.”

Gu Jinchao wanted to smile and brought him a cloak: “Even though spring has arrived, the night wind is still quite cold. Go quickly and return quickly.”

Third Master Chen responded with a sound of agreement and soon left.

Gu Jinchao accompanied Changshuo on the luohan bed, teaching him to recognize things. His chubby little hand grabbed a piece of chestnut cake, eating until there were crumbs all over the bed. When he couldn’t eat anymore, he offered it to Gu Jinchao, pushing it toward her mouth: “…Mother eat.”

Gu Jinchao smiled and rubbed his little face, while Changshuo looked at his mother with bewilderment.

Gu Jinchao had the wet nurse take Changshuo to wash his hands and face, then personally lulled him to sleep.

She had just asked Caifu to light several candelabras and was leaning against the bed, working on summer socks. She had only embroidered a few stitches when Third Master Chen returned.

Gu Jinchao put the sewing basket under the small table and went to meet him, but Third Master Chen remained silent.

“What’s wrong?” Gu Jinchao asked softly.

Could it be that Fourth Master Chen had done something again? That’s impossible; he was already in such a state…

“Fourth Master gave me some things,” Third Master Chen told Gu Jinchao. “They’re related to the Directorate of Ceremonial.”

Items from the Directorate of Ceremonial? Gu Jinchao asked, “Is it evidence of Zhang Julian’s collusion with the Directorate?” Without the Directorate’s assistance, how could Zhang Julian have wielded such power on his own? Feng Chengshan managed the young Emperor’s vermilion brush imperial edicts, so naturally, whatever Zhang Julian said became law.

Third Master Chen stroked her hair: “I suppose so, but he has too little in his possession… it can’t have a significant impact.”

Then why was he acting this way? Gu Jinchao didn’t quite understand.

Third Master Chen asked her to sit down and told her, “He wants to go to Baoxiang Temple to practice cultivation and shave his head to become a monk.”

…Gu Jinchao was surprised to hear this; Fourth Master Chen had conceived such an idea! No wonder Third Master Chen was silent.

“What do you plan to do? Will you let Fourth Master go to Baoxiang Temple?”

In truth, the things Fourth Master Chen had done were enough to warrant death several times over. His current house arrest was deserved, and if he sincerely wished to practice cultivation in a temple, it could be considered as accumulating some merit. But how to explain it to Old Madam Chen, and what about Madam Wang? These were indeed problems…

Third Master Chen fell silent again.

After several months of house arrest, Fourth Master Chen’s temperament had changed somewhat, and he seemed to understand more than before. The words he had spoken earlier showed much more rationality. If he were to spend his life worshipping Buddha at Baoxiang Temple, it would be better than being confined to the Chen household.

Third Master Chen said, “I agreed. Once this matter is over, I’ll let him go there.”

Gu Jinchao wasn’t surprised; if it were up to her, she would also agree to Fourth Master Chen’s choice. She held Third Master Chen’s arm and said with a smile, “That’s good. It’s better than being under house arrest for life; at least he has a place he wants to go. By the time you’re no longer fighting with Zhang Julian, the child in my belly should be born. You chose the name Xuanlin, so may I choose this child’s name? I think ‘Xuanjing’ would be good, with the meaning of ‘peaceful years.’ It would work for either a boy or a girl…”

She must be longing for a peaceful life!

Third Master Chen allowed her to hold him and smiled slightly, “Whatever you say.” His hand gently caressed her slightly protruding belly, now almost six months along, when the child was at its most active. Suddenly, there was a small kick, which he could easily feel. Jinchao leaned against him, letting him touch her belly, saying, “As lively as Xuanlin, sometimes it even turns over…”

Third Master Chen embraced her as she lay on him, smiling without answering.

He wondered if he would live to see the child’s birth…

Early the next morning, Third Master Chen left, and Gu Jinchao arranged for people to bring back the mother and child.

After the courtesan alighted from the carriage, Gu Jinchao glanced at her—a typical woman from the Jiangnan region. She had a delicate figure, with a jade pendant hanging at her waist, which accentuated her excellent figure, not looking like someone who had given birth. The child wore a small embroidered silk jacket with floral patterns and sat in the wet nurse’s arms, looking around with eyes like black grapes.

Old Madam Chen took the child in her arms to look, and the child obediently didn’t cry. Looking at the child’s tender little face, Old Madam Chen couldn’t help but soften her heart.

“This child is beautiful!”

She had already spoken to Madam Qin about this matter, but Madam Qin was still in a daze and only realized the situation when she saw them in person.

But first, she surveyed everyone around her. Gu Jinchao was the one who had brought these people back, so she must have known about the existence of this mother and child for some time. Madam Ge kept her head down, looking at the ground, while Madam Wang stared vacantly at the woman.

Madam Qin felt a sense of humiliation, mixed with a feeling of tragedy, a coldness in her chest.

Yet she straightened her back and sat very properly. She was the legitimate daughter of the Qin family and would never allow anyone to make a joke of her.

The hand hidden in her sleeve, however, gripped her handkerchief tightly.

After looking at the child, Old Madam Chen called the woman forward to speak. This woman called herself Ying Yuan, with a soft, delicate voice, hesitating for a long time before answering anything, occasionally brushing aside a loose strand of hair, the red gold bracelet with inlaid green gemstones on her hand shining brightly. Despite her gold and silver adornments, her demeanor was worlds apart from Madam Qin’s.

Madam Qin had never known that her husband favored such watery, delicate women. The concubines she had chosen for him were docile and obedient, never causing trouble. In her heart, she had always looked down on such women, thinking they were so fragile that a mere pinch would leave a mark on them. They could never appear in formal settings.

Yet her husband favored someone she disdained; how could she not feel wounded?

Seeing Madam Qin’s expression, Gu Jinchao knew what she was thinking. In her heart, she couldn’t help but feel some sympathy. No matter what Madam Qin had done, she was indeed somewhat pitiful.