Chapter 171: Sweet Treats
After a while, Jiang Yan brought in a cloak. "Third Master, I couldn't find a suitable one. This cotton one was newly made by the temple monks. Will this do...?"
Chen Yanyun took the cloak and examined it, then motioned for Jinchao to come over. "Change into this cloak. The one you're wearing is soaked."
Jinchao was reluctant to change. She planned to rest here for a while before heading back, but if she returned wearing a different cloak, she wasn’t sure how to explain it to others.
Seeing her hesitation, Chen Yanyun stood up and walked over to her. "It’s not as good as your mink one, but there’s no other choice. If you don’t mind, you could use my gray squirrel overcoat instead." Though he suspected she’d be even less willing. He paused, then added quietly, "Come here." He sighed almost imperceptibly. "Am I really that frightening?"
Jinchao didn’t find him frightening—it was just that this situation felt improper. She lowered her voice. "Lord Chen, there’s really no need... I’m not cold."
But he ignored her protest. His slender fingers reached out to untie the ribbons of her cloak, his warm fingertips brushing lightly against her skin. Gu Jinzhao looked up in surprise, only to see Chen Yanyun’s lowered gaze, focused intently on the task. His expression was serious, his movements gentle and deliberate.
Gu Jinzhao felt a little embarrassed.
After handing the cloak to Qingpu, who stood nearby, Third Master Chen passed the cotton cloak to her. This time, Jinchao didn’t resist—there was no point anyway—and silently fastened the new cloak.
Chen Yanyun subtly clasped his hands behind his back and returned to the kang to continue reading Buddhist scriptures.
The snow showed no sign of stopping, continuing relentlessly until dusk without the slightest letup.
Gu Jinzhao had already been sitting in the Reception Hall for three hours. At noon, Jiang Yan brought in a table of vegetarian dishes, allowing her to sample the Crispy Tofu, Golden Needle Mixed with Tender Cucumber, and Plain Boiled Vegetable Heart that her second aunt had praised. The flavors were indeed exceptional.
When Jiang Yan entered again, he leaned in to whisper something to Third Master Chen. After listening, Chen Yanyun said, "...No rush. Zhang Ling won’t let this go. Let’s see what Wang Xuanfan plans to do first... It’s Ye Xian who’s scheming against Zhang Ling. That man’s mind is far too cunning—Wang Xuanfan might end up losing more than he gains."
"Should we take any action...?"
Chen Yanyun shook his head. "The position of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is crucial. Wang Xuanfan is also close with the Minister. Let Ye Xian handle it."
At the mention of Ye Xian’s name, Jinchao perked up, but Chen Yanyun didn’t elaborate further. Instead, he asked her, "Earlier, I saw you heading toward the Lantern Tower. What were you going there for?"
Jinchao explained that she intended to offer an Eternal Lamp. "...I also heard the Lantern Tower is beautifully constructed and wanted to see the view."
Chen Yanyun smiled. "The tower doesn’t look as impressive up close. Come here."
He opened the lattice window and stepped outside. Jinchao followed. The sky was now dark, and in the distance, the Lantern Tower rose from the ground, its Eternal Lamp casting a soft glow. The entire structure stood strikingly solitary against the deep blue sky, its warm yellow light undisturbed by the heavy snowfall.
For a moment, Jinchao was awestruck by the sight.
Chen Yanyun said, "I come to Bao Xiang Temple every month to pay respects to the Buddha and stay in the inner chamber of the Reception Hall. When I’m tired from reading late at night, I come out to look at the Lantern Tower. If there’s a moon, its golden reflection on the clouds blends with the tower’s radiance. It’s even more breathtaking."
Too bad there was no moon tonight.Gu Jinzhao sighed and said, "I actually think that among the seven towers, nine pavilions, and twenty-seven halls of Bao Xiang Temple, none possess the Buddhist essence quite like this Lantern Tower."
Chen Yanyun looked down to see the brilliant lantern lights reflected in her eyes, yet her expression carried a trace of melancholy. He teased her, "You're still so young, yet you speak of Buddhist essence." But inwardly, he agreed. No gilded Buddha statue or exquisitely ornate temple hall could bring the same tranquility as this Lantern Tower.
Outside, heavy snow fell. He turned sideways to shield Gu Jinzhao, letting the snow gather on his shoulders.
Moved by the gesture, Gu Jinzhao suddenly reached out to brush the snow off him. But Chen Yanyun instinctively caught her hand.
Gu Jinzhao inwardly chided herself—how could she mistake Third Master Chen for Gu Jinrong and act so boldly as to brush snow off him? It was far too presumptuous! She hurriedly apologized and tried to withdraw her hand, but it remained firmly held.
Third Master Chen pulled her toward the inner chamber, startling Qingpu who was inside.
Without any explanation, he released her hand and simply said, "It's nothing," before returning to his book, ignoring her.
Gu Jinzhao found the whole situation utterly baffling and felt even more uncomfortable sharing the room with Third Master Chen. Qingpu, however, moved from the brazier to stand beside her mistress. Though silent, she eyed Third Master Chen warily. She had initially thought Lord Chen was a good man—was he trying to take liberties with her young mistress? Being alone in a room together and even touching hands—if word got out, her mistress's reputation would be ruined!
Chen Yanyun pressed his lips together, finding himself unable to focus on the Buddhist scriptures before him. When he looked up, he saw both mistress and maid watching him guardedly, with Gu Jinzhao's maid particularly tense. After a moment, Gu Jinzhao made up her mind and said softly, "Lord Chen, the snow outside seems lighter now. If you would kindly lend us an umbrella, we shall take our leave."
Chen Yanyun prided himself on his self-control, and today's lapse was unexpected. He had merely noticed how small Gu Jinzhao's hand was and impulsively taken hold of it. He inwardly reproached himself. But seeing Gu Jinzhao so eager to distance herself, he felt a sudden irritation and said coolly, "What are you afraid of?"
He was not a man of ill repute. Years ago, when Gu Jinzhao had fallen into the water, he could have taken advantage of the situation. But she had only been thirteen then, and he had never entertained such thoughts. To protect her reputation, he had immediately returned to Wanping that very night.
Gu Jinzhao rose and bowed. "My lord misunderstands. It is not fear, but the late hour..."
She, too, felt uneasy—events had spiraled beyond her expectations. Third Master Chen had helped her so much, yet she had no way to repay him and didn’t want to burden him further.
Chen Yanyun said, "...I understand. There’s no need to be afraid." After a pause, he added, "Not that being afraid would help."
He stood and walked over to her, smiling as he studied her. "You want to know why I’ve helped you, don’t you? Think carefully. Someone as clever as you will surely figure it out. I wouldn’t treat just anyone this well for no reason."
Gu Jinzhao felt her temples throb. Softly, she said, "My lord... it’s getting late."The snow had finally lessened, and when Jinchao returned to the residence of the Gu family women, she was still somewhat unsettled. Everyone gathered around to ask after her well-being, with Madam Feng even scolding Gu Lian a few times: "I asked you to take your elder cousin with you, and look what happened... see how wet her clothes are!" She made Jinchao sit with her on the heated kang to warm up. Jinchao had no choice but to act as if nothing had happened in the reception hall, smiling and chatting with Madam Feng.
Madam Feng noticed nothing amiss.
The next day, the skies cleared after the snow, and Madam Feng had the servants prepare the horses for their journey back.
On the road, they encountered a sedan chair, heavily guarded and exceptionally grand. Madam Feng sent Xu Momo to inquire, and she soon returned, speaking in a hushed tone: "...the sedan chair has a Rhinoceros Flower Pattern Hangzhou Silk Curtain, escorted by the Divine Mechanism Camp Imperial Guards. The attendant following behind told me it's the sedan chair of the Third Master of the Chen Family from Wanping..."
Madam Feng was immediately astonished: "Chen Ge Lao?" She suddenly felt unsure. Third Master Chen was Gu Dezhao's direct superior. If they could strike up a conversation with him, Gu Dezhao's promotion to Vice Minister of Revenue would be much more likely. But with no prior connection, why would he pay her any attention...
Madam Feng couldn't help but blame the weather. If not for the heavy snow, they might have met Chen Ge Lao yesterday and perhaps exchanged a few words!
Gu Lan's maternal grandmother, Song Furen, had long claimed she could get a word in with Chen Ge Lao, but Madam Feng saw no evidence of any closeness between their master and Chen Ge Lao—helping to pass along a message was simply impossible... Not wanting to miss this opportunity, Madam Feng thought for a long while before telling Xu Momo: "...we have several Assorted Candied Fruit Boxes. Take one to Chen Ge Lao... If he refuses, come back at once."
Gu Jinchao watched silently from the side. Madam Feng's actions were somewhat improper.
After a while, Xu Momo returned, looking very pleased: "Tai Furen, the Grand Secretary accepted the gift when he heard I was a servant of the Gu family!"
Madam Feng rewarded Xu Momo with a pair of silver bullions and said to Gu Jinchao, "The Grand Secretary is quite approachable after all. It's a pity we couldn't speak with him. But showing goodwill can't hurt... Your father's promotion might just have hope!"
Gu Jinchao smiled. "...Grandmother is always thoughtful."
Would Third Master Chen casually accept gifts from others? She found it unlikely. She feared he might think she had sent it... Surely not!
A few days after their return, she received a scroll painting—an Ink Bamboo Painting, its strokes powerful and exuding a carefree elegance. At the top were four characters written in the neat and practiced Academy Style Calligraphy: "Return Good for Evil."
Gu Jinchao couldn't help but laugh. Third Master truly thought she had sent that box of candied fruits—he didn't even like sweets.
She instructed Qingpu to store the painting safely in her private collection, not to be displayed openly.
OpenNovel