Jin Chao was momentarily at a loss for words. After thinking for a while, she bowed to him and said: “Jin Chao thanks Cousin. If Cousin helps me this once, if there is anything I can help you with in the future, I certainly will.”

This favor from her could save his father, the Marquis of Chang Xing, from death.

Yet Ye Xian said: “Don’t thank me just yet. I haven’t agreed to help you.”

Jin Chao stared at him, stunned with anger… this Young Master of the Marquis of Chang Xing! If he didn’t plan to help her, why such a long speech?

She took a deep breath and asked: “Does Cousin have any conditions…”

Ye Xian shook his head, his brows slightly furrowed as if hesitating. “I will come to find you in three days.”

Jin Chao no longer had any interest in sightseeing. She didn’t even pay attention to Gu Lan and Gu Lian whispering to each other all the way.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

In the capital, Yu Liu Hutong was where the Marquis of Chang Xing’s mansion was located. Yu Liu Hutong was adjacent to Fu Xue Hutong, where the Shuntian Prefecture Governor resided, and was home to the capital’s nobility. The Marquis of Chang Xing’s mansion was the crown jewel among them, occupying more than half of Yu Liu Hutong, built like a Jiangnan garden, full of poetic charm.

Although the Marquis of Chang Xing was a rough man who didn’t understand such things, he married Gao Shi, the daughter of the Director of the Hanlin Academy. Compared to other noble ladies, Gao Shi was extremely versed in poetry and prose. Under her management, household affairs were in perfect order.

The couple was harmonious and loving. Even though Gao Shi had not given birth to a son in the first ten years after entering the family, the Marquis had not taken any concubines.

Ye Xian was born when Gao Shi was thirty-four.

At this moment, he was lost in thought in his study, sitting on a fox-fur-covered chair, holding a cup of hot tea. Steam rose from the cup, and outside the window, a fine rain was falling. In the blue porcelain fish tank, there was a “clang” as an old turtle flipped over.

“Young Master, the Old Master has summoned you,” his pageboy Zhi Shu reported at the door.

Ye Xian raised an eyebrow and casually placed the teacup on the high table: “…Finally willing to see me.”

He walked into the corridor first. Zhi Shu was startled and hurried to find an umbrella to catch up with him: “Young Master, you mustn’t get caught in the rain!”

The Old Master was the old Marquis of Chang Xing, now nearly eighty years old. The old man had also lived a military life but was superior to his son—well-versed in poetry and literature, and capable of writing a strong, proper seal script.

The Old Master was practicing calligraphy, his brush strokes steady, his characters powerful and vigorous. After hearing the maid announce the visitor, he placed the brush on the brush rest and said: “Let him in.”

Ye Xian entered his study. The grandfather and grandson silently faced each other for a long time. The Old Master saw that he didn’t speak and thought to himself that though the boy was young, he had more cunning than his father and dared to compare steadfastness with him—truly resembling his father-in-law’s character…

The Old Master didn’t want to waste time and asked directly: “…If you invite Xiao Qi Shan down the mountain, can you guarantee his identity won’t be revealed?”

Ye Xian thought for a moment and said: “Currently, the Emperor has been ill for a long time without recovery. The Empress is anxious, and the palace and the Imperial Guards are running in circles. Probably no one will pay attention to this matter. Besides, Master Xiao has been living under an assumed name for many years. Few people recognize him now… Rest assured, Master Xiao is my mentor after all. I won’t let him take risks.”

He didn’t guarantee it, but he didn’t say it was impossible either.

The Old Master smiled: “Back when the Prince of Cheng’s faction plotted rebellion, he was the most respected advisor in the Prince’s camp and should have been executed. I admired his resolve not to abandon the city and flee. I thought if he could serve the Emperor, he would benefit the people. Who would have thought he was so stubborn, preferring to hide in the mountains rather than pledge loyalty to the Emperor…”

“Since he is your mentor, you are responsible for his life and safety. You may go. After all, the Marquis of Chang Xing’s household will eventually be yours to manage. You must grasp the measure of things.” The Old Master waved his hand, dismissing him.

Ye Xian had servants harness the horses and headed for Shi’an County.

Hearing that the Young Master had come alone to see Jin Chao, Gu De Zhao was somewhat shocked. He hurriedly had people prepare wine and delicacies to entertain him and sent Shui Ying to find Jin Chao.

When Jin Chao rushed over, Ye Xian was leaning against the railing, feeding the fish. He watched the ripples spread across the emerald water surface as koi swam back and forth beneath. His black tassels and jade pendant hung down, his profile as beautiful as jade.

Jin Chao saw him from afar and secretly admired Ye Xian’s elegant demeanor. If nothing else, in appearance and temperament, he was truly a graceful young gentleman.

Without turning around, Ye Xian said lazily: “Remember, you owe me a favor.”

Jin Chao’s heart leaped with joy—he had agreed to find Xiao Qi Shan to treat her mother’s illness!

She walked to Ye Xian’s side and smiled: “Of course. May I ask when Master Xiao will arrive? I should make preparations.”

Ye Xian turned his head to look at her. Gu Jin Chao’s eyes were smiling. Although she usually smiled, her smiles always seemed somewhat gloomy. Now she was smiling brightly, radiantly.

He couldn’t help but curl his lips: “I don’t know either, probably in a month or so. Master Xiao likes tranquility; he has no other requirements.”

He came quickly and left in a hurry, only saying to Gu Jin Chao once more: “You must remember, you have to return the favor.”

On her way to Qing Tong Courtyard, Jin Chao’s steps were light. Qing Pu was also happy for her: “So, Madam’s illness might be cured… Should we tell Madam first?”

Jin Chao thought for a moment and said with a smile: “If something goes wrong on the way and he doesn’t arrive on time, it would only worry Mother. Better to tell her when Master Xiao arrives. There’s no rush!”

Qing Pu thought it made sense: “April 13th is the Second Miss’s coming-of-age ceremony. The household will be busy for a month. If Madam has to worry about Master Xiao’s matter as well, it doesn’t seem too good…”

As they were talking, they saw two servants carrying things out of Ju Liu Pavilion in the distance. Looking carefully, there were scrolls, inkstones, tea, and other items. The steward walked behind the servants, continuously urging them to move the things out quickly.

Jin Chao gestured with her eyes, and Qing Pu went forward to stop the steward, asking: “Steward Li, where are these things being moved to? Are they unwanted from Ju Liu Pavilion?”

Steward Li looked up and, seeing the First Miss standing nearby, respectfully answered: “These are things that Official Mu previously sent to the Master. The Master said to throw them out of the mansion!”

Qing Pu asked in confusion: “Isn’t Minor Minister Mu of the Ministry of Rites usually on good terms with the Master?”

Steward Li said: “You don’t know, but today Official Mu invited Grand Secretary Jiang from the Imperial Academy to come as a matchmaker to the Master, seeking to marry his eldest son by a concubine to the Second Miss. Official Mu’s eldest son by a concubine is dull and fat, and no one in the capital wants to marry their daughter to him. After hearing this, the Master was displeased. He had people escort Grand Secretary Jiang out and then flew into a rage in his study, ordering us to throw out all the things Official Mu had previously given…”

“If it weren’t for Grand Secretary Jiang’s high moral standing, and the Master being his student during his time at the Imperial Academy, he might have lost his temper right then…” Steward Li spoke while observing Jin Chao’s expression.

After the steward left, Qing Pu walked back to Jin Chao’s side and said with a smile: “Miss, now Concubine Song and Second Miss will have a lot to worry about…”

Jin Chao’s lips curved: “Official Mu’s rank is higher than Father’s. Father can lose his temper but can’t directly refuse. If Gu Lan doesn’t want to marry Young Master Mu, she’ll likely be troubled.”

Mu Nian An’s eldest son by a concubine was not only dull and fat but also somewhat dim-witted.

Last year, when he was out in the suburbs with the second son of the Liu family, the latter told him that horse urine tasted good, and he tried it, smacking his lips and marveling at how delicious it was. Although Magistrate Liu reprimanded his second son, this incident became a laughingstock about Young Master Mu.

No wonder Father was angry to learn that his colleague and friend had such intentions.

But what could be done? Gu Lan was born of a concubine, and naturally, others would look down on a young lady of such birth.

However, although Young Master Mu appeared dull and foolish, he was quite clever. Jin Chao remembered that he eventually inherited the entire Mu family estate. In the end, he even married the fourth daughter of the Baron of An Yang, cherished his wife dearly, and didn’t even have a single bedchamber maid.

This news quickly reached Gu Lan’s ears.

Her face paled as she clutched Zi Ling’s sleeve and asked: “Did Father agree?”

Zi Ling nervously said: “This servant thinks probably not… The Master later became very angry and had people throw out all the things Official Mu had sent.”

Gu Lan finally sighed in relief and quickly sent Mu Jin to find Concubine Song. She sat on the large kang by the window, gazing out at the sunlight, lost in thought. She did not want to marry a fool! If she were to marry… it should be someone like Ye Xian, a young gentleman as beautiful as an immortal, and a legitimate son with a proper wife. She had been a concubine’s daughter since childhood and had had enough of this secondary status!

Since childhood, her female cousins didn’t like to play with her, despising her for being born of a concubine. As she grew up, she had originally liked Gu Jin Chao. Who would have thought that after Gu Jin Chao returned to the Gu family, she would receive more love, have better silver and jewelry, and even more maids than herself!

She gradually grew to dislike Gu Jin Chao more and more, seeing her as arrogant and discourteous, and feeling contemptuous in her heart. She was superior to this so-called legitimate eldest daughter in every way, yet she still had to please her! But others didn’t think so. Even though she was more obedient and respectful, others always noticed Gu Jin Chao first—she was nothing! Now, was even her marriage to be such a compromise?

Seeing Gu Lan lost in thought, Zi Ling couldn’t help but say: “Miss, I think that the eldest son of the Mu family by a concubine is not a bad match. The legitimate son’s mother is no longer alive, and there’s no family to support him. Although the eldest son is dull, his character is honest and loyal. Perhaps in the future… And if you marry him, you will be the main wife. Official Mu is a fourth-rank Minor Minister, so he could arrange a good position for Young Master Mu in the future…”

Gu Lan looked at her coldly and couldn’t help but snap: “Shut up! What do you understand? Get out!”

Zi Ling became more flustered and hurriedly bowed and retreated.

Concubine Song lifted the curtain and entered. Gu Lan was already sobbing and threw herself into her arms with tears, choking as she asked: “Mother… will Father agree to this marriage?”

Concubine Song’s expression was also troubled. She hugged Gu Lan back and had her sit on the large kang.

“Your father rejected it quite decisively this time, but the person who came was Grand Secretary Jiang, who, although highly respected, is not usually skilled at matchmaking. Perhaps if Mu Nian An sends someone else to propose… your father might hesitate a bit. After all, Mu Nian An works under Lord Chen and is a promising figure in the court. Your father won’t truly sever ties with him…”

Gu Lan looked at her mother blankly: “Then what do we do… I don’t want to marry Young Master Mu!”

Concubine Song comforted her: “Mother knows. Now we can only think of a way to make Mu Nian An have misgivings and not dare to propose again…”

Gu Lan straightened up with some concern.

Concubine Song said with a faint smile: “…Tell me, if you became a legitimate daughter, would Mu Nian An still have the nerve to propose marriage?”

Gu Lan looked at Concubine Song in surprise. After a while, she finally understood what she meant: “You mean if… you were elevated to the main wife? But… judging by Ji Shi’s condition, she might live for several more years without issue!”

Concubine Song said thoughtfully: “Then we need to worsen her illness… When she dies, you would have to observe mourning and couldn’t marry for a year… After a year, I could also be elevated to main wife.”