Liang Chen Mei Jin

Chapter 186: Calculations

Jiang Yan returned to Crane Extension Tower in the outer courtyard, where the advisors resided. Passing through the corridor on the first floor, he came upon a pavilion where an Eight Immortals table and long stools were set up. Several men stood up and bowed to him, saying, "...Mr. Jiang is back. We were just about to eat." Jiang Yan glanced at the table—there was a cured goose, a plate of sliced braised beef, and several dishes of peanuts and broad beans.

Feng Jun raised a wine cup to him with a smile. "Come, sit down and have a few drinks!"

Jiang Yan waved his hand. "No, I still need to go to Ninghui Hall to find Chen Yi. And you shouldn’t drink either—Third Master might have orders for us later..."

The men quickly set down their cups and asked him what was going on.

Jiang Yan wasn’t entirely sure himself, but recalling Third Master Chen’s cryptic words, he felt uneasy.

Something big was definitely about to happen.

Without elaborating to Feng Jun and the others, he hurried off to Ninghui Hall.

Chen Yi promptly gathered a group of guards and headed toward Third Master’s residence.

Third Master Chen was practicing calligraphy in his study. The attendants in the room dared not make a sound as he focused intently, his brush moving like a dragon across the paper without even lifting his gaze. Jiang Yan’s eyelids twitched—Third Master only practiced calligraphy when he was grappling with a difficult decision. And no one was allowed to disturb him.

Soon, Feng Jun arrived with his men, and the group stood waiting outside. Everyone knew Third Master’s habits, so no one dared speak first. By the time the sun began to set, their foreheads were beaded with sweat.

Finally, Third Master Chen set down his brush and instructed Shuyan to put away the writing. He picked up his teacup and took a sip before ordering, "Chen Yi, spread the word to Wang Xuanfan that I am deeply fond of the young lady of the Gu family and intend to marry her." He pointed at the calligraphy on the desk and continued, "In case he doesn’t fully believe it, deliver this piece to Gu Jinzhao—but make sure Wang Xuanfan’s people 'accidentally' discover it. Let him think it’s a gift for the Fourth Miss Gu."

Chen Yi looked puzzled. What was Lord Chen’s purpose in this? The last time, Lord Chen had even sent an Ink Bamboo Painting to the Gu family.

Jiang Yan cautiously ventured in a low voice, "Does Third Master intend to turn their scheme against them—using the marriage alliance with the Gu family to drive a wedge between Yao Daren and Lord Wang?"

Chen Yanyun gave a faint hum of acknowledgment.

Feng Jun added, "...Once Wang Xuanfan learns of this, he’ll surely report it to Yao Ping. Not just that—he’ll also bring it up with Lord Zhang. Stealing a colleague’s daughter-in-law? This would be a scandalous mistake for them to exploit. In the end, he’ll be the one who tries to steal a chicken only to lose his rice..."

Jiang Yan fell silent. If Third Master wanted to eliminate Lord Wang, he wouldn’t need to go to such lengths.

There must be something else he was planning!

Third Master Chen continued, "Report back once it’s done, and I’ll tell you the next steps."

Jiang Yan and Chen Yi exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other’s eyes. Though Third Master rarely explained his actions, he had never been this cryptic before. What else was he planning?

After everyone else had withdrawn, Jiang Yan remained standing with his head lowered. Gritting his teeth, he said, "This subordinate truly cannot understand. I beg you to clarify. Even if Lord Wang mentions this to Lord Zhang, at most, you could reject the matter—but it wouldn’t be enough to destroy Lord Wang. Such an elaborate scheme with so little gain is unlike you. May I ask, what is your true objective? Otherwise, I fear I might misinterpret your intentions and mishandle the task..."Jiang Yan didn't hear Third Master Chen speak, which made him even more nervous. Even without looking up, he could feel Third Master Chen's icy gaze upon him. His legs felt weak, but he steeled himself and refused to back down.

He continued, "Everything you've done is related to the Gu family—to that young lady of the Gu family! Last year when the Tongcang incident occurred, you intervened to save her father. The time before that at the Jieyin Temple, you exceptionally invited her to take shelter from the snow. And now this matter..."

There was more he hadn't said. During the evaluation of the Ministry of Revenue's vice ministers, Third Master Chen had met with several officials from the ministry, yet he alone had visited the Gu family.

To Jiang Yan, this was completely unnecessary.

Third Master Chen's tone was indifferent: "You dare question my affairs now?"

Jiang Yan knew he was being audacious, but he had no choice but to ask.

Just as he was about to speak further, he heard Third Master Chen's slightly weary words: "...You may leave for now."

Jiang Yan froze. When he finally looked up and met Third Master Chen's gaze—utterly cold and detached—his mind went blank with realization. He had actually dared to pry into Third Master Chen's affairs! By the time he stepped out, he was drenched in sweat, thinking only that if Third Master Chen took offense, his future career would be ruined...

It was true that Third Master Chen had an excellent temper and rarely lost his temper. But this was precisely what made him most terrifying. He acted silently and without warning. Once, an advisor secretly contacted Prince Rui's household and leaked Third Master Chen's information. When he found out, he said nothing. He merely turned his teacup upside down on the table and had the advisor escorted out of the residence. Later, that advisor died in a foreign land, beaten to death for theft before his death.

Chen Yi was waiting outside and hurried forward when he saw Jiang Yan emerge. Jiang Yan shook his head without a word.

After Jiang Yan left, Third Master Chen leaned back in his reclining chair.

He, too, felt somewhat absurd.

This really shouldn't be happening.

He mocked himself inwardly. Who would have thought he'd become the kind of man who would forsake power for beauty—the very type he had always despised.

He had always been fond of power, believing that beneath his gentle exterior, he was at heart a cold and ruthless man.

Gu Jinzhao would likely agree with this. Every time she saw him, she seemed afraid—not just because of his authority. Her reactions to him were peculiar, unexpectedly tolerant.

Chen Yanyun had initially met her twice out of pity. But the more he interacted with this little girl, the more he found himself genuinely fond of her. Despite her stunning beauty, she seemed indifferent to it, as if she disliked it. Her quiet demeanor was oddly charming.

Thinking of how she had stared at him—with an expression caught between surprise and reproach—Chen Yanyun couldn't help but smile.

He wanted to protect her, to bring her under his wing, or at least to see her often.

She must like him too, going so far as to give him sweets. Among all the rooms in the Gu family's outer courtyard, she had coincidentally stumbled into his... Third Master Chen was willing to believe these things, convinced that this little girl held some special regard for him.

Everything he had done was driven by an instinct to protect her. Even afterward, he found it unbelievable, yet he felt no regret. Now, as he thought of the Gu family and his own circumstances, a strange but wonderful idea took shape in his mind.Why not let Gu Jinzhao marry him instead! He would protect her himself, and no one would dare bully her. He was quite fond of her too—teasing her occasionally was rather amusing, as long as he didn’t go too far. With him as her backing, Gu Jinzhao could strut around the Gu family without anyone daring to stop her. Jinzhao’s temperament was too subdued; at her age, she ought to be livelier. Just like the first time he saw her—bold enough to reach for lotus seed pods, threatening her maid that she’d sell her off to the mountains to be a child bride.

Chen Yanyun was more than willing to do this—he wanted to marry her!

But it wasn’t a simple matter. Gu Jinzhao’s family background was far beneath his. Even if he persuaded them, and even though Madam Chen was reasonable and wouldn’t look down on Jinzhao, Second Master Chen would be a problem. The Gu family’s connections were also troublesome.

Originally, if he were to marry, it should be to a woman of the highest standing, so as not to affect his political career. The Gu family was aligned with the Marquis Changxing’s faction. If he wanted to marry Gu Jinzhao, failing to plan this carefully could lead to endless repercussions.

No one understood better than him how to dispel Zhang Julian’s wariness. Once he had everything arranged, he’d go to Gu Jinzhao and tell her. She probably wouldn’t refuse… right?

At this thought, Chen Yanyun hesitated. After all, he wasn’t young anymore.

What if Gu Jinzhao thought he was too old?

He was actually getting anxious over this.

Third Master Chen leaned back and closed his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips. Jinzhao would surely be stunned when he proposed, wouldn’t she?

Gu Jinzhao knew nothing of this. The next day, she received a calligraphy piece—clearly in Third Master Chen’s handwriting—a poem praising bamboo. Seeing the "Nine Balance" seal stamped on the scroll, she read it several times, utterly impressed. Third Master Chen had written of the bamboo grove: "The wind stirs the bamboo, the louder the rustle, the deeper the quiet." She adored it, finding it exquisitely phrased, and even copied those words to hang in her study.

Once the crabapple blossoms faded, it was time to end the mourning period. The fourth branch of the family had completed their mourning rites, and the household held a ceremony to remove the mourning garments, setting up a memorial altar at home. They were originally supposed to make a trip to Mount West Emerald of Shian for worship, but Madam Feng found it inappropriate and said to Gu Jinzhao, "Since it’s not a full mourning period, there’s no need for such grandeur. Besides, the household will soon have a joyous occasion—Lian jie er is about to marry into the Yao family. It wouldn’t do to offend the spirits. Let your grandmother handle it…" She personally arranged for vegetarian meals to be sent to each household.

Gu Jinzhao said nothing, only spending the day reciting sutras for her mother in the small prayer room.

However, Yao Ping soon learned from Wang Xuanfan that Third Master Chen intended to marry Gu Lian. He was shocked.

"...Why her, of all people!" Yao Ping felt Gu Lian was reaching above her station with Third Master Chen. Pacing in his study, he pondered what to do. Third Master Chen was not someone to offend—he was currently Zhang Julian’s favored man. Yao Ping’s own influence was quietly being sidelined. After some thought, he decided it was just a woman—better to break off the engagement first! To avoid any offense.

He immediately summoned Madam Yao.

Madam Yao was equally stunned: "The fourth young miss of the Gu family was originally our Wenxiu’s choice. We all thought the Gu family was reaching above their station—how could Lord Chen have taken a liking to her…"Yao Ping said impatiently, "First, you must cancel the engagement! And you must be respectful and courteous to them. We don't want the Gu family to make things difficult for us if they rise to prominence in the future. But be sure to subtly hint that we have better prospects."

Yao Madam already knew all this—she was just concerned for her son. So she went back and called Yao Wenxiu over to talk, telling him that this marriage might not happen after all.

Yao Wenxiu let out an "Oh," but didn't seem particularly upset, even appearing somewhat distracted.

Yao Madam didn't pay it much mind and hurried off to the Gu family.

PS: It's 2 a.m., and I'm pushing hard! Mwah, everyone—finally off to bed.

Honestly, I don't want to write Chen San's psychological analysis. Just doing it once for plot development—we'll rely on guessing from now on.