Chapter 183: Accidental Intrusion
Gu Jinzhao arrived at the banquet and rest area in the front courtyard with her maids and matrons. Servants were continuously bringing in dishes and pastries. Standing on the covered corridor, she glanced over and saw Third Master Chen’s guards surrounding the area. Chen Yi, his attendant, was standing at the entrance, questioning the matron delivering the food.
The matron curtsied to him before approaching Gu Jinzhao. "Reporting to Second Miss... that official requested a set of silver tableware."
After a brief pause, Gu Jinzhao instructed the kitchen steward to fetch the silver utensils.
Those around Third Master Chen were extremely cautious. Given his status, he had no choice but to be meticulous in all matters.
She then called Biyue over and asked, "...Has Tai Furen and Second Master arrived yet?"
Biyue replied respectfully, "...Second Master came in full official attire, but the guards in Chengzi uniforms stopped him. Shortly after, Tai Furen arrived but was also denied entry. They both went to the side hall instead."
Gu Deyuan had come in his official robes... Jinzhao exhaled softly upon hearing this. Madam Feng’s intentions were all too obvious.
She didn’t leave immediately but stayed to oversee the serving of the dishes. The final course was steamed four-gill perch, and she instructed the steward to take the crabs back. Since Third Master Chen’s visit was likely related to the selection of the Deputy Minister of Revenue, serving lavish dishes might not be appropriate.
Over an hour later, Li Guanshi emerged to report to her, "...Lord Chen and the master discussed the Eight-legged essay. The master remained composed. Only a few light vegetarian dishes were touched. Seeing how late it was, the master invited Lord Chen to stay the night, and he agreed. Everything went smoothly. You may rest assured and retire for the evening..."
Gu Jinzhao nodded. Remembering that Madam Feng was still waiting in the side hall, she decided to pay her respects. She headed there with Qingpu.
The banquet and rest area had two side halls. Outside the western one was a bamboo grove, connected to the western wing of the front courtyard via a narrow passage. Madam Feng and Gu Deyuan weren’t inside the side hall but stood outside, conversing under the moonlight. Two maids held up horn-shaped glass lanterns nearby.
Gu Jinzhao overheard her second uncle’s voice: "...Ever since the incident at Daxing Granary, I’ve begun to suspect Fourth Brother..."
Jinzhao frowned. She glanced back at Qingpu, signaling her to stay quiet, then lifted the hem of her skirt and tiptoed closer to the bamboo grove.
The maids and matrons were all at a distance. Under the moonlight, Madam Feng and Gu Deyuan stood together, their voices faint.
Madam Feng murmured, "What do you find suspicious about Fourth Brother?"
Gu Deyuan continued, "...Think about it. The Daxing Granary had a deficit of over two hundred thousand dan of grain. Even if he emptied the Ji family’s coffers, it wouldn’t have been enough to cover it! He couldn’t have relied on the Ji family for help. When we sought assistance from the Marquis Changxing’s household, they barely acknowledged us. So who did Fourth Brother turn to—someone with such extraordinary influence that they could effortlessly fill such a massive void?""I asked Fourth Brother, but he refused to say anything. There are many things he's hiding from us... During the last routine inspection by the Censorate, I was worried the matter of accepting silver from the Prefectural Vice Magistrate would be discovered, so I asked Fourth Brother to help me discreetly. Yet he claimed his position was too insignificant to assist. Now he's involved with Lord Chen... Fourth Brother isn't on our side, Mother. You must keep a close watch on his household. I fear we may need to ask favors of him in the future..."
Madam Feng hesitated, "Deyuan, did you... did you accept bribes in private? Why would the Prefectural Vice Magistrate give you silver?"
Gu Deyuan grew impatient, "Mother, why ask such things? You don't understand the hardships of being an official... Whether I take it or not, it's troublesome either way. Besides, our Gu family isn't wealthy. With Fourth Brother's branch added to the household, our expenses have only increased!"
Madam Feng dropped the subject about Gu Deyuan and turned to Gu Dezhao instead, "...After how we've treated Fourth Brother, he still dares to defy me about remarrying. After all my efforts raising him, this is how he repays me... Don't worry, if you need anything in the future, just tell me directly. I refuse to believe he won't listen to me!"
Hidden in the shadows, Gu Jinchao seethed with anger. How could Second Uncle say such things! Although Fourth Uncle's household had many members, they were all unmarried women—how much could they possibly spend? Father's original share of the estate yielded over ten thousand taels annually, all of which went to the Gu family. How much of that actually reached Fourth Uncle's household? In contrast, Second Uncle's family lived in abundance—Gu Lian had new clothes and jewelry every month, and Second Uncle would casually spend hundreds of taels treating colleagues to drinks. Most of Father's earnings ended up in Second Uncle's hands...
And he blamed his bribery on Fourth Uncle's household? What a laughable excuse!
Gu Jinchao vaguely recalled that in her past life, Gu Deyuan had been demoted—apparently due to corruption...
Just as Gu Deyuan was about to continue speaking, he suddenly looked up toward the bamboo grove and barked, "Who's there? Come out at once!"
Only then did Gu Jinchao notice her shadow cast on the stone path under the moonlight, faintly obscured by the bamboo shadows. But when she moved, Gu Deyuan spotted the anomaly! After a moment's thought, she decided hiding deeper in the bamboo grove was best... She immediately dashed further into the grove and signaled Qingpu to hurry back to Beautiful Embroidery Hall.
Madam Feng said, "It looked like a woman—probably some maid from the estate..."
Gu Deyuan ordered the matron to take some servants with torches to search, "We can't let anyone overhear what we discussed today. Find that person, but don't let others notice!"
The matron hurried off with the servants.
If Madam Feng discovered she had been eavesdropping, there would be serious consequences. Gu Jinchao glanced around—the passage ahead led to the west wing...
The torchlight outside the bamboo grove drew nearer.
Gritting her teeth, she lifted her skirt, stepped onto the railing, and leaped onto the passageway.
She couldn't let the matron catch her. The west wing was usually only frequented by maids—she could hide in any room and then take the small path behind the wing to her father's quarters, and no one would be the wiser.
Having made up her mind, Gu Jinchao randomly opened a lattice window in the west wing and slipped inside. Standing in the room, she watched the commotion outside, but before she could react, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist, twisted it behind her back, and clamped a hand over her mouth.
A cold voice whispered in her ear, "Who are you?"Gu Jinzhao was stunned—how could there be someone in the side chamber? That voice… it sounded like Third Master Chen!
The room was unlit, with only the faint moonlight filtering through the Korean paper.
Third Master Chen had one hand gripping her wrists and the other covering her mouth. She was completely restrained by him, and Jinchao could even catch the faint, soothing scent of sandalwood on him. She didn’t struggle or make a sound, merely moving her hands slightly in response.
Third Master Chen had come to the Gu residence to visit, intending to test whether Gu Dezhao was fit for the position of Vice Minister of Revenue. A few probing questions were enough to reveal that Gu Dezhao was diligent but lacked sharpness—such a man was truly unsuited for important responsibilities. Gu Dezhao had invited him to stay overnight in the west chamber, and since it was already late, he hadn’t refused. Chen Yi and the others were stationed outside the passageway of the side chamber. He had just blown out the lamp and was preparing to rest when, unexpectedly, someone barged in!
His first instinct was to subdue the intruder, assuming they were a skilled assassin sent by someone else. But instead, it turned out to be a young girl. The moment he covered her mouth, Third Master Chen recognized her as Gu Jinzhao—she carried a faint fragrance of camellia.
This was the Gu residence. How had the legitimate young lady of the Gu family ended up here?
Third Master Chen frowned and whispered, “So it’s you… To come to the west chamber at this hour—aren’t you afraid of being mistaken for an intruder?”
Gu Jinzhao tilted her head to look at him, her dark eyes gleaming.
Did Third Master Chen think she had come here specifically to see him…?
This was a huge misunderstanding.
A flicker of torchlight flashed past the lattice window, and Third Master Chen frowned, pulling her sideways behind the screen.
The commotion was loud enough that Chen Yi and the others stationed outside the passage quickly noticed. His hushed voice came from outside: “...Third Master has already retired for the night. You all should leave at once and not disturb his rest!”
The maids and servants holding torches, who had come searching for someone, now realized they had disturbed the master’s peace. Terrified, they hastily apologized, “This lowly one has offended,” and retreated from the west chamber.
Only after everyone had left did Third Master Chen release his hand from her mouth. His tone was ambiguous as he remarked, “I thought you had come to see me… seems I was overthinking it. Even in your own home, you’re being chased like a thief?”
Gu Jinzhao considered for a moment before replying, “It’s too complicated to explain in a few words… but I must thank you for your help. If you would kindly release me, I’ll leave at once and not disturb your rest any further.” Third Master Chen was still gripping her hands.
But he seemed to ignore her words and continued, “Next time you come to see me, don’t appear like this. I recognized you, so I didn’t harm you—otherwise, you wouldn’t have gotten off so lightly.” His tone was indifferent as he finally let go of her hands and removed the lamp shade from the tall stand, lighting the candle.
The candlelight flickered for a moment before steadying. Third Master Chen’s silhouette, cast against the glow, appeared exceptionally tall. He wore only a thin straight-collared robe, and when their bodies had been pressed together earlier, she could feel the warmth radiating from him. Gu Jinzhao had no doubt that if Third Master Chen exerted force, he could easily snap her wrist… Had he trained in martial arts?Gu Jinzhao's thoughts were in disarray. She took in the furnishings of the west chamber—the tea-colored Hangzhou silk curtains with treasure pestle patterns. Separated by an antechamber, there stood a pearwood long table carved with the Five Bats Offering Longevity motif and several stools. Behind the curtains was a Curio Cabinet, a colorful marble screen, and inside, a black-lacquered Canopy Bed... The west chamber was quite well-appointed.
Third Master Chen brought over a candlestick and gestured to the stool beside her. "Have a seat first."
Chen Yanyun poured her a cup of hot water, handing it to her to warm her hands. "Earlier, when I accidentally touched... your hands seemed rather cold."
Accidentally touched?
Gu Jinzhao set the teacup on the long table and forced herself to say, "Sir, this humble girl should not stay... If others notice my absence, it might lead to misunderstandings. Your reputation as an upright official must not be tarnished by such matters."
Chen Yanyun studied her for a long moment before smiling faintly. "...I know." He paused, then added, "It's fine."
What did he mean by 'fine'? How could this possibly be fine...
Gu Jinzhao felt her cheeks grow warm despite herself. Finding no suitable words, she bowed and prepared to leave.
Third Master Chen's voice drifted leisurely behind her: "When I saved your father, you once said that if I ever needed anything, you would spare no effort to help me. Does that promise still hold?"
Jinchao halted mid-step. Was Third Master Chen implying he needed her help? But... what could she possibly do for him?
Yet she answered without much hesitation: "Of course it holds."
Third Master Chen found her earnestness rather endearing.
After a long pause, he asked another question: "...Have you understood what I said to you last time at Bao Xiang Temple?"
Gu Jinzhao closed her eyes briefly before smiling. "Jinchao doesn't quite understand. It's getting late—I must take my leave."
Third Master Chen was momentarily stunned. Only after she had disappeared did he finally chuckle. ()
PS: Everyone, please understand—these chapters are particularly challenging to write. I've revised them several times and still don't know if I'm satisfied...
Single update today~~
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