The Emperor had been in a fairly good mood recently. Glancing at Chancellor Gu, his expression was mild: “What matter does my beloved minister wish to raise?”

Chancellor Gu said: “The Sixth Prince has been unconscious for many days without awakening, and the Ministry of Justice is at a critical juncture in investigating the case. My untalented and unvirtuous son only obtained the position of Vice Minister of Justice through luck, and will be of no help whatsoever in investigating and handling cases. I have served at court for over ten years and understand matters of deployment. I hereby petition Your Majesty to transfer Vice Minister of Justice Gu Chaobei to the position of Eastern Camp Commander.”

Yuwen Changqing raised an eyebrow. Wasn’t the Eastern Camp under his command? The position of Commander was more than one official rank below Vice Minister. One only ever saw fathers seeking promotions for their sons—this was the first time encountering someone requesting a demotion.

The civil and military officials discussed among themselves, all feeling that the Chancellor was righteously selfless, serving the nation without regard for personal relationships. Academician Fu beside him even stepped forward directly to say: “Having such a Chancellor is our dynasty’s fortune.”

The smile on the Emperor’s face faded somewhat as he looked toward Gu Chaobei standing far in the back: “Does Vice Minister Gu also feel this is appropriate?”

An official position obtained with such difficulty was now to be handed over just like that—was he willing?

Gu Chaobei yawned and came forward from the back: “The Chancellor speaks extremely correctly. This subordinate has no objections.”

The Emperor frowned slightly and fell silent.

“As this concerns the matter of the Sixth Prince being attacked, naturally someone reliable should replace him to investigate thoroughly.” Someone spoke from behind the screen: “The Chancellor shows such righteousness—does Your Majesty still find this inappropriate?”

A woman’s voice in the imperial court was somewhat jarring no matter what. The Emperor furrowed his brow, but ultimately closed his eyes and said: “There is nothing inappropriate. Let it be so.”

If Gu Chaobei’s position hadn’t been granted by the Emperor’s own word, the Chancellor would certainly not even need to report it and could have arranged matters privately.

“The examination results should come out soon, and naturally there will be more outstanding people then.” The person behind the screen said: “Your Majesty need not be impatient.”

The Emperor’s face darkened, and he said nothing.

Chancellor Gu felt somewhat heavy-hearted. When court adjourned, he wanted to find Gu Chaobei to speak with him, but the man had already run over to General Yuwen.

“I must trouble General Yuwen to look after me.”

As the officials dispersed, they couldn’t help but turn back to watch. After the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet incident, Gu Chaobei clearly stood in the Fifth Prince’s camp. But this Yuwen Changqing was a great general under the Sixth Prince and Empress’s banner. The Chancellor sending his son over like this—shouldn’t there be a good show to watch?

“Hmph.” Sure enough, Yuwen Changqing paid Gu Chaobei no attention whatsoever, flicking his sleeve and walking past him. Gu Chaobei rubbed his nose and muttered as he followed behind.

The Gu family’s Fourth Young Master’s official position came quickly and left quickly. While his sedan chair was still on the road, he heard the common people nearby discussing.

“Look at that—luck is sometimes good and sometimes bad. Without real ability, trying to take on work beyond your capability, this is the only outcome.”

“Indeed, what use is it for his wife to have good fortune if he himself has no ability?”

Gu Chaobei crossed his legs, letting these ignorant common people mutter all the way without getting angry.

There were so many who didn’t know the inside story, and there were always people who understood nothing but followed the crowd in gossiping—paying too much attention would only anger oneself, wouldn’t it?

Returning to the manor, thinking that Yan’er was still waiting for him, Gu Chaobei ran cheerfully into the Northern Courtyard.

But she wasn’t there.

Gu Chaodong had already left. Jiang Shi held a water basin and looked at him resentfully for quite a while before saying: “Madam has gone out.”

Gu Chaobei smiled at her and obligingly said: “I didn’t necessarily come back to see Madam—seeing you is just the same.”

The grievance in Jiang Shi’s eyes couldn’t be hidden: “Master is deceiving Biyue. What nonsense about house flowers and wild flowers—Master just doesn’t want to touch Biyue.”

Gu Chaobei had a bit of a headache, but could only smile and embrace her: “That’s not true—let me explain.”

“I won’t listen, I won’t listen!” Jiang Biyue twisted away and went into the room.

Gu Chaobei: “…”

Shen Guiyan brought Xu Zhuangzhou to the school together. Going inside, she discovered there were quite a few more people than before.

“The reeds grow lush and green, white dew turns to frost. The one I long for is there, on the water’s far side.” A group of bright-eyed children held their books and recited after their teacher.

Shen Guiyan surveyed the school. Inside, many more desks and benches had been added, making it much more orderly than at the beginning. Among the children seated were those dressed cleanly as well as refugees in tattered clothing—the teacher accepted them all.

“Coming here to help, I only then learned the school was being supported by the Young Madam.” Xu Zhuangzhou smiled: “The Young Madam is truly kind-hearted. No wonder my sister told me to save you that time.”

Shen Guiyan watched for a while, then said: “It’s not really kindness—it’s just that I have money with nowhere to use it. Now at the Chancellor’s Manor I don’t worry about food, drink, or clothing, so why not use the money to let others live better too?”

“There are plenty of wealthy people, but few like the Young Madam who think of others.” Xu Zhuangzhou said: “Now the refugees have gradually all settled in the capital. Many families are grateful for the Young Madam’s kindness and have all sent their children here to study, teaching them to learn from the Young Madam and be good people.”

“Coming here five or six times, every time I hear people praising the Young Madam.” Xu Zhuangzhou sighed: “Only the people in the manor would give such a good person like you trouble.”

Shen Guiyan blushed from the praise, but still stood straight with an indifferent expression: “Who troubles whom—it’s all just different positions. Where in the world are there absolute good people or bad people?”

Xu Zhuangzhou was startled: “I didn’t expect the Young Madam to think this way.”

“Mm.” Shen Guiyan didn’t disturb the teacher’s lesson and just walked slowly around the school.

Xu Zhuangzhou followed along. Seeing that Shen Guiyan didn’t want to talk, he spoke to Baoshan instead: “Speaking of which, there’s something strange. Doctor Liu at the manor was brought back by the Fourth Young Master?”

Baoshan found him pleasant and her young mistress didn’t object, so she said: “Yes, why?”

“That Doctor Liu is a miracle doctor and also an extremely careful and considerate person.” Xu Zhuangzhou said: “As soon as he arrived at the manor, he made rounds to all the courtyards and recorded all the masters’ physical conditions.”

“That’s a good thing—now we don’t have to worry about having no one to treat us when we’re sick.” Baoshan said.

“Indeed. I also injured my leg while practicing martial arts that day, so I went to the medicine room to find him. I accidentally saw what he had recorded. For some reason, under the name of the Eldest Young Madam, Doctor Liu wrote that her vital energy and blood flow smoothly, with no illness or ailment.”

Shen Guiyan’s steps halted as she turned around. Baoshan’s eyes widened in shock: “Vital energy and blood flow smoothly? No illness or ailment?”

“I don’t understand much about women’s matters.” Xu Zhuangzhou scratched his head: “But after a miscarriage, it can’t be called ‘no illness,’ can it? So I found it strange and told my sister about it. Sister only told me not to concern myself with these matters. Today I couldn’t hold back and ran my big mouth again to tell you.”

Shen Guiyan frowned. The matter of Shen Guiya’s miscarriage had caused her to be beaten twenty strokes—she still remembered that grudge. Yet she had no illness or ailment?

A flash of insight crossed her mind. Shen Guiyan turned: “Baoshan, we’re returning to the manor.”

“Yes.”

Xu Zhuangzhou smiled: “This humble one will continue helping at the school. Young Madam, take care.”

Shen Guiyan nodded lightly, then left without looking back.

Initially, Shen Guiya seduced Gu Chaodong only twice, and from just those two times she became pregnant—wasn’t that a bit fast? And it was so coincidental that it was discovered on her wedding day, immediately stealing her wedding dress.

During the miscarriage, she had grasped Shen Guiya’s hand so tightly, yet was pinched and shaken off—clearly it was intentional too.

From the very beginning, could this all have been a trap?

Shen Guiyan hurried back to the manor. She didn’t return to the Northern Courtyard but went directly to the medicine room.

Today Shen Guiya had also gone out. Gu Chaodong shut himself in his room seeing no one, not knowing what he was doing. She had dressed herself up elaborately and, like last time, arranged to meet Yuwen Houde at the Youyuan Inn.

Only this time, Yuwen Houde hadn’t come alone.

When Yuwen Changqing returned to the manor after court today, Yuwen Houde came over and said: “General, I heard that the Fourth Young Master Gu was demoted under your command today?”

He nodded, neither warm nor cold toward this distant cousin.

“Perfect timing then. The Young Madam of the Gu family requests an audience—will you see her?” Yuwen Houde asked carefully.

The Young Madam of the Gu family? Yuwen Changqing’s eyes brightened slightly: “Why would she want to see me?”

“She says she has a request.” Yuwen Houde said: “Jiangxue came to ask me. You know I can never refuse Xue’er’s requests. The General happens to be free—why not make the trip?”

Yuwen Changqing usually disappeared as soon as court adjourned. Fortunately today he managed to catch him. However, Yuwen Houde wasn’t very confident because this cousin’s temperament was truly too peculiar.

Who would have thought that after hearing his words, Yuwen Changqing only hesitated briefly before actually nodding: “All right.”

Yuwen Houde was overjoyed and quickly led him to Youyuan Inn.

The taste of that Eldest Young Madam Gu was exquisite. Perhaps Yuwen Changqing would like her too. If he did, Yuwen Houde would have merit, and his status would naturally rise even higher. Then no one would dare continue saying behind his back that he was a disfavored relative.

“Shall we go?” Yuwen Houde had already prepared the carriage, but Yuwen Changqing looked down at his clothing: “I should change into regular clothes. Wait for me.”

This wait lasted quite a while. When he emerged again, he had changed into a moon-white robe.

Yuwen Houde muttered in puzzlement but harnessed the horses and took him away.

Shen Guiya’s outfit today was even bolder than last time. Underneath she wore a self-made bikini, with a thick outer robe that would reveal infinite scenery with one removal. Ancient men had never seen such things—who could resist the temptation?

The door was pushed open. Shen Guiya quickly sat up properly and raised her head to look at the person entering: “General Yuwen.”

The moment Yuwen Changqing’s face saw her, it darkened: “Who are you?”

Shen Guiya was stunned and glanced at Yuwen Houde behind him. Yuwen Houde quickly stepped forward to explain: “This is the Young Madam Gu.”

“The Young Madam Gu?” Yuwen Changqing pressed his lips together: “What is your husband’s name?”

“Replying to the General, this humble woman’s husband is Gu Chaodong.” Shen Guiya gazed up at the man before her, momentarily staring somewhat dazedly.

What a magnificent and imposing man.

Yuwen Changqing’s eyes filled with disappointment. He snorted coldly: “The *Eldest* Young Madam Gu.”

“Precisely.” Shen Guiya looked at him with a smile: “This humble woman has a matter…”