His tone remained calm, without much fluctuation.

As if it were the most ordinary matter.

Gu Jinchao looked straight at him—she knew exactly what kind of person Chen Yanrun was!

“So what’s the situation now?” Gu Jinchao asked, adding, “You must tell me.”

Third Master Chen sighed: “Zhou Husheng’s case is a breakthrough, but if Zhang Julian wishes, it would still be easy for him to suppress it. So this matter alone can’t shake him. We have further plans; you needn’t worry.”

“Zhang Julian surely won’t just wait for his demise. How will he retaliate… Are you in danger?”

Third Master Chen merely smiled: “Knowing it was my doing, he will naturally try to suppress me. In the coming days, my faction will suffer significant losses… He still controls what happens in court. If he wants to act covertly, the most convenient way would be to target me and those around me… My death would solve everything for him, but I have skilled guards; killing me won’t be easy.”

Hearing his calm tone, Gu Jinchao felt a tightness in her chest.

What did he mean by “killing me won’t be easy”?

Gu Jinchao grasped his hand: “Zhang Julian must have skilled guards too, right?”

Third Master Chen nodded and continued: “He and I are different. Although his family is important to him, they wouldn’t hinder his plans. I’m different—if you, my mother, or the children were threatened, I would certainly hesitate. So I have weaknesses.”

Suddenly, he gazed at her with eyes deep as pools.

“That’s why I’ve assigned people to protect you and arranged an escape route for you. I’m compensating for my shortcomings,” Third Master Chen said. “Only when I have no worries about what’s behind me can I be at ease. Do you still blame me for not telling you?”

Somehow it had become her fault.

Gu Jinchao remained silent for a moment, then said softly: “I just fear something might happen to you…”

In her previous life, Chen Yanrun’s death hadn’t affected Gu Jinchao at all. How could she have feelings about the death of someone unrelated to her?

But now, the thought of never again seeing Chen Yanrun, never seeing him sitting quietly reading on the luohan bed, never hearing his gentle voice, never seeing his silhouette as he slept beside her… Gu Jinchao felt a heaviness in her chest that was unbearable even for a moment.

“Everyone dies eventually,” Third Master Chen consoled her. “Look, even if I survive this time, I’m so much older than you. I’ll surely die before you.”

Gu Jinchao looked at him without speaking.

If only people didn’t have to face so many calamities, if they could just live a simple, peaceful life—everything would be fine.

She simply reached out to embrace him, somewhat dejected, not wanting to speak. She buried her head against his chest.

Third Master Chen also held her. Though he was comforting her, the smile on his face disappeared, his expression gradually becoming profound.

Despite their strict protection, Li Ying was still being attacked…

He had requested someone from the Imperial Pharmacy to treat Li Ying but didn’t know if his life could be saved. They had underestimated Zhang Julian, not realizing he had reached this point where he no longer cared about public opinion’s pressure on him.

Zhang Julian had guided him for so many years; he had previously greatly admired this man. Perhaps as people age, their minds become increasingly narrow and their methods more ruthless. In a way, this made things easier to deal with, but his methods would be harder to predict.

Gu Jinchao’s concerns were justified, as he shared the same worries.

Chen Yanrun closed his eyes.

The next day was a rest day, and Third Master Chen didn’t go to the cabinet. But he was still busy—after paying respects to Old Madam Chen, he spent the whole time in his study discussing matters with Jiang Yan and others. Soon, Chang Hai arrived as well.

Gu Jinchao took Changshuo and went to visit Madam Ge.

Sixth Master Chen was just leaving Madam Ge’s room after breakfast. He smiled, called her “Third Sister-in-law,” and wanted to hold Changshuo.

Gu Jinchao taught Changshuo to call him “Sixth Uncle.” Changshuo obediently did so, delighting Sixth Master Chen: “Lin is indeed clever. Come, let Uncle take you for some cakes.” He was very fond of children and had a childlike personality himself.

Madam Ge came out from the main room to welcome her, smiling as she said: “You’re not good at holding children. What if you hurt Young Master Lin!”

Sixth Master Chen became impatient: “He’s my nephew; I know my limits.”

Gu Jinchao didn’t stop him. Changshuo enjoyed being taken around by others, so she let the matron and wet nurse who attended Changshuo follow Sixth Master Chen.

Madam Ge accompanied her into the western side room and had the maid bring over a box of preserved fruits. It contained plums and apricots, catering to Gu Jinchao’s tastes.

Since returning from his year at the temple, Sixth Master Chen had become much more sensible, and Madam Ge’s complexion had improved considerably. She spoke softly about the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival. Gu Jinchao asked about her sister: “…Last time you mentioned she would come to Northern Zhili. I wonder if she’s still coming?”

Madam Ge shook her head: “Originally, she was supposed to come to Northern Zhili so I could find her a good husband. But recently, my mother has been unwell, and I’ve been taking care of her, so it wasn’t convenient. My father has already arranged my sister’s marriage…”

Gu Jinchao smiled slightly: “That’s good too.”

Madam Ge didn’t quite understand what Gu Jinchao meant by “good.”

At least Madam Ge had found fortune in misfortune. If her sister had come to Northern Zhili, it would have caused quite a commotion.

Gu Jinchao merely said: “Everyone has their destiny; it can’t be forced.”

Madam Ge nodded, a smile appearing on her face: “My youngest legitimate sister has been pampered since childhood. Although the family she’s marrying into isn’t wealthy, her husband is a young tribute student! This is good too. Even among the great families in Northern Zhili, one might not find such talent…”

Gu Jinchao smiled and nodded, picking up her teacup to drink. Just as she took a sip, Yuzhu announced herself from outside the curtain.

The maid lifted the curtain to let her in. Yuzhu walked quickly, saying she had urgent matters for Gu Jinchao.

As soon as Gu Jinchao stepped out of the main hall, Yuzhu whispered in her ear: “The Heir Apparent has arrived!”

Gu Jinchao asked in shock: “Are you sure?”

Yuzhu nodded, her forehead covered in fine sweat: “I saw him enter Muxi Hall and go into Third Master’s study. I don’t know what he’s here for… Surely he’s not here to see you!”

Gu Jinchao wasn’t certain either; no one could guess this man’s intentions.

She bid farewell to Madam Ge and hurried back with her maids and matrons. Just then, she saw Ye Xian talking with Third Master Chen in the courtyard’s first section.

The two stood by a large vat beneath a metasequoia tree, with several bass fish swimming in the vat.

Ye Xian had his back to her. Gu Jinchao only saw Third Master Chen with a faint smile, listening attentively to Ye Xian. Third Master Chen wore a fine gauze straight-collared robe that accentuated his tall figure. Ye Xian wore a light blue round-collared right-lapelled robe. The two appeared quite at ease.

Jiang Yan, standing nearby, saw Gu Jinchao first and cupped his hands in greeting.

Third Master Chen then smiled and looked toward her: “You’ve returned so early? I thought you would chat longer with your Sixth Sister-in-law.”

Gu Jinchao tugged at the corners of her mouth, not knowing what to say. Ye Xian turned to look at her and smiled: “So it’s Third Madam Chen. Please forgive my rudeness.” He too cupped his hands.

Third Master Chen’s face still wore a smile as he took a teacup from a nearby servant boy and lowered his head to drink.

Ye Xian’s expression was very calm, which made Gu Jinchao feel somewhat at ease. She bowed slightly and addressed him as “Young Master.”

“Let me dispel Third Madam’s concerns,” Ye Xian nodded and said with a smile, “I’m here to see Third Master Chen. This matter requires secrecy, which is why I wanted to meet in the inner courtyard. It would be best if Third Madam didn’t mention it to others.”

“She won’t,” Third Master Chen glanced at her. “Jinchao, why don’t you go inside first.”

What could Ye Xian want with Third Master Chen… Gu Jinchao suddenly had a premonition—surely they weren’t allying!

She was momentarily shocked by her speculation.

Otherwise, why meet in the inner courtyard? They didn’t want others to catch wind of this.

She made a sound of acknowledgment and was about to walk quickly through the moon gate.

Ye Xian called out to her again: “Third Madam Chen, I have something else to ask.”

He pointed to the large vat, “Why are bass fish kept in here? Wouldn’t koi be more attractive? Or if not koi, a vat of water lilies would be nice. In summer, they would bloom in clusters, filling the entire vat.”

Gu Jinchao replied: “…Third Master feeds them. He looks at them when he has free time. When they grow larger, he puts them in the pond.”

Third Master Chen smiled slightly and added: “We used to grow flowers here. My wife enjoys eating bass fish, so we switched to raising fish.”

After hearing this, Ye Xian curled his lips in a faint smile and asked Gu Jinchao no further questions. It wouldn’t be appropriate for Gu Jinchao to linger, so she entered through the covered corridor.

Third Master Chen and Ye Xian had a private connection!

Gu Jinchao thought this was good. With a common enemy, they should naturally stand on the same side. She just wondered who had approached whom first. Given their personalities, neither seemed like the type to initiate contact with the other…

Seeing them standing together, talking so casually, she felt something wasn’t quite right. It seemed more fitting for them to be coldly facing each other.

Nevertheless, thinking of Ye Xian made Gu Jinchao feel much more at ease. She knew all too well how skilled Ye Xian was in these matters. With Ye Xian’s help, the Third Master’s chances should be even greater!

…

After Gu Jinchao left, Ye Xian reached out and stirred the water a couple of times. The small fish were frightened by him and quickly darted to the bottom of the vat, not daring to surface again for food. Ye Xian watched these fish without speaking.

Third Master Chen knew that the Heir Apparent of Marquis Changxing was quite peculiar, so he paid no attention to these actions.

Ye Xian raised his head and said calmly: “Li Ying isn’t dead, is he?”

This matter was still being kept secret; how quickly Ye Xian had found out… Third Master Chen maintained a composed expression: “Lord Li is merely investigating a case.”

“I have already allied with you,” Ye Xian said. “You needn’t guard against me.”

“It’s not that I’m guarding against you; it’s just that this person is crucial, so I must be careful,” Chen Yanrun also said. “Tomorrow at court, I will speak of this matter. At the same time, several of my subordinates will likely be impeached, and I will face censure… If the Young Master acts at this time, it would be most appropriate.”

His hand made a gesture of cutting downward.

Ye Xian understood and the corner of his mouth curved slightly: “Rest assured, if I decree he dies at the third watch, he won’t live until the fifth.”

On this, he had considerable confidence.