Chapter 212: Dark Azure
Following etiquette, the couple stayed at the Gu family for a few days. By the time they returned to Wanping, it was nearly time for the six-day court assembly.
Jinchao took inventory of the items brought from the Gu family, along with a carriage full of various camellias, and recorded them in a ledger to be kept by Mama Tong. Meanwhile, Third Master Chen was in the main hall discussing the arrangement of his study with the steward. Seizing the opportunity, Jinchao called Qingpu over and instructed her to wake her at the break of dawn the next day. While it was usually fine not to attend to her husband’s morning routine, court days demanded extra care. She didn’t want her laziness to reach Madam Chen’s ears.
The next day, when Qingpu came to wake her at dawn, Third Master Chen had just risen. Qingpu whispered, “The master is washing up in the bathing room…”
Somehow, his movements never disturbed her sleep, which puzzled Jinchao. She had always been a light sleeper, but since marrying into the Chen family, she either slept too soundly or Third Master Chen moved too quietly. Qingpu helped her into a lotus-root-colored jacket, styling her dark hair into a simple bun adorned with a pair of pearl earrings the size of lotus seeds. Only then did Caifu and Xiuqu enter, carrying Third Master Chen’s court robes, which they placed on the long table.
When Chen Yanyun stepped out of the bathing room, he found his wife, who should have been fast asleep, standing and waiting for him.
Jinchao smiled brightly and curtsied. “Let me help you dress, my lord.”
Third Master Chen was momentarily taken aback by her radiant expression. Regaining his composure, he asked in his usual gentle tone, “Why didn’t you sleep a little longer?”
“I am your wife,” Jinchao replied with a smile. In truth, she understood perfectly well how well Third Master Chen had treated her since their marriage, attending to every detail with such care that it bordered on indulgence. No one had ever been so good to her—except for her grandmother.
You give me a peach, I repay you with a jade.
Something about Jinchao seemed to please him greatly. Third Master Chen gazed at her for a long moment before nodding with a smile. “Very well.”
The white gauze underrobe with blue trim, the crimson outer robe, the crimson skirt with blue edging, the rhinoceros-patterned leather belt—she helped him into each piece. Then, kneeling, she began to fasten his Ribboned Seal. Third Master Chen lowered his head, watching her slender fingers work the ties of the seal. The collar of her lotus-colored jacket parted slightly, revealing a glimpse of her jade-white neck. Her collarbone disappeared beneath the fabric, leading to an alluring shadow below…
Jinchao had never fastened a Ribboned Seal before. After several failed attempts, she grew flustered under Third Master Chen’s silent gaze. Her face warmed with embarrassment. Why doesn’t he just guide me instead of watching me struggle like this?
The ribbon tangled around the belt, and the more she tried to free it, the tighter it knotted.
Leaning closer to inspect the tangle, Jinchao suddenly felt Third Master Chen seize her hand and pull her into his embrace. Before she could react, his breath was upon her, his lips capturing hers in a fierce kiss. Even when she tried to retreat, he pursued, his hand firm on her waist, refusing to let her escape.
By the time he released her, Jinchao was breathless, her body tingling, her face flushed.
Third Master Chen gazed at her, his voice low and rough. “If you didn’t know how to fasten the Ribboned Seal… why didn’t you just ask me?”She was actually quite stubborn. If there was something she didn’t know how to do or encountered a problem, she would usually obsess over it for a long time on her own. Only when she truly couldn’t figure it out or had no other choice would she come to ask him. It was really too troublesome. Third Master Chen wished that when she faced difficulties, the first person she thought of would be him.
After all, the two of them were one—their fates intertwined, sharing both glory and loss.
"Here, tie it like this." Third Master Chen took her hand and taught her how to fasten the Ribboned Seal. His slender fingers deftly looped around the ties, forming a knot that hung elegantly behind her.
Even after he let go, Jinchao remained dazed for a long while before murmuring a soft "Thank you, Third Master." She then picked up the Liang Crown to put it on him, only to realize he was a full head taller than her—she couldn’t quite reach. Third Master Chen took the crown and placed it on himself, then said gently, "I’ll be back in the evening."
It wasn’t until long after Third Master Chen had left that Jinchao remembered she had already instructed someone to prepare breakfast the night before… but by now, he must have already passed the screen wall. She sat for a while longer. Caifu pushed the door open and entered with a smile. "Madam, why is your face so red…? It’s still early—would you like to sleep a little longer?" Only when Caifu spoke did Jinchao look up. She wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but this feeling was unfamiliar to her.
It was like when she first developed feelings for Chen Xuanqing—her heart would pound uncontrollably just at the sight of him.
"Never mind, help me freshen up," Jinchao decided against lazing in bed. She wanted to transplant all the camellias she had brought into the small garden at the back. She also needed to pay her respects to Madam Chen. Later, Madam Qin would discuss matters of the third household with her. Since Jiang Shi’s passing, the third household had been temporarily managed by Madam Qin, but now it was her responsibility.
By the time she arrived at Madam Chen’s quarters, Madam Qin, Madam Wang, Madam Ge, and the other women had already gathered. Madam Wang cheerfully pulled her over. "Our new sister-in-law is here! Come, sit with me." Compared to Madam Wang’s open and friendly manner, Madam Ge merely shifted aside slightly, offering a faint smile.
Madam Chen smiled at her. "Third Master had to attend court early today, so you must have risen early to tend to him. After he left, you should have slept a little longer—there was no need to come greet me." She handed her a small gilded dish of walnuts from beside her. "...These were brought back by Second Master from Shaanxi. Try them—they’re more fragrant than those from other places."
Jinchao took a handful and passed the dish to her sisters-in-law. Madam Qin waved her hand. "I can’t eat dried fruits." She then turned to Madam Chen and began talking about her third daughter-in-law, Sun Shi. "...She’s another one who doesn’t know how to take care of herself. Even though she’s with child, she still went to listen to opera at Second Madam Wu’s place and nearly slipped on the steps!" Jinchao’s hand, still holding the dish, paused mid-air before she set it down on the nearby side table.
Sun Shi, sitting nearby, flushed red. "Mother, I didn’t know I was with child at the time..."
Madam Qin scolded her again. "You don’t even remember when your monthly courses stopped? You always have a retort—I can’t stand it."
Sun Shi pouted angrily but didn’t dare say another word.
Madam Chen, however, was delighted. "You’re with child and didn’t tell me sooner? When your elder sister-in-law was expecting, I assigned two extra kitchen maids to attend to her. Your eldest nephew was born plump and healthy—he didn’t fall ill once until he was two!"
She immediately called for Granny Zheng and instructed her to assign Du Zhong’s wife, who worked in her own kitchen, to serve Sun Shi.Madam Qin smiled. "There's no need to trouble Mother with such matters. I've already arranged for the kitchen staff and assigned two more maids to attend to her. Since this is Xuanrang's first child, I plan to visit Bao Xiang Temple tomorrow to offer incense and pray for a protective charm for the baby."
Madam Chen said, "Then take your sixth sister-in-law along to worship as well."
Just as she spoke, a young maid came to announce, "...Seventh Young Master has returned. He wishes to pay his respects to the Madam."
Madam Chen perked up immediately, smiling as she said, "Quickly let him in so he can see his mother. He's been so busy at the Imperial Academy these past two months. I wonder if he's lost weight..."
Chen Xuanqing was back! Gu Jinzhao tightened her grip on her embroidered handkerchief, then relaxed it moments later. She had known she would encounter him again after marrying into the family. Why avoid it now? From now on, she would simply treat him as her stepson and deal with him accordingly. Having resolved this in her mind, a faint smile appeared on her face.
Outside, a child's soft voice piped up, "Seventh Brother, you're back!"
A gentle male voice responded with an affirmative hum. As the maids lifted the curtain, a slender young man in a dark green ramie silk robe with a round collar and right lapel entered, carrying a delicate, jade-like child in his arms—Chen Xi, who had come to pay respects.
Chen Xi obediently clung to her brother's neck, her dark, grape-like eyes bright and gentle.
Upon reaching Madam Chen, she slipped down from her brother's arms to bow and greet her grandmother. Chen Xuanqing knelt and performed a formal salute. Madam Chen hurriedly rose to help her grandson up, and Chen Xuanqing said, "Having been away from Grandmother's side for over two months, I've missed you dearly. Have you been well?"
Madam Chen held his arm, examining him closely, her smile tinged with tears. "I'm perfectly fine. But look at you—you've grown taller and thinner." Chen Xuanqing was the most handsome among the family's younger generation, with delicate, refined features resembling an ink painting. Like bamboo emerging from misty mountains, he exuded tranquility and an otherworldly grace. Raised by Madam Chen, he was her most cherished grandchild.
Chen Xi tugged at Chen Xuanqing's sleeve and whispered, "Seventh Brother, you promised to bring me sugar dough figurines..."
Chen Xuanqing smiled. "How could I forget? I'll give them to you when we return."
Having achieved the rank of Third Scholar and with his father, Third Master Chen, paving his way, Chen Xuanqing was destined to become the most outstanding of the Chen Family's younger generation. The earlier discussion about Sun Shi's pregnancy now seemed trivial. Sun Shi began whispering to her maid, earning a cold glare from Madam Qin, which silenced her immediately. Madam Qin considered her worst mistake to be choosing such a tactless daughter-in-law. Were it not for her pregnancy, she would have made her copy Buddhist scriptures as punishment.
Madam Chen excused the women to the eastern chamber for tea and beckoned Jinchao forward, saying to Chen Xuanqing, "Your father remarried half a month ago to the Second Miss of the Gu Family. She is now your mother—come and greet her properly."
Chen Xuanqing bowed first. But when he lifted his head and saw Gu Jinzhao's face clearly, he was visibly stunned.
Gu Jinzhao returned the greeting calmly. Madam Chen had them sit and began chatting with Chen Xuanqing. "Since you're back, stay home for a while longer. Your tenth brother's tutor is currently teaching him the Great Learning . I can't assess his progress, so you can test his knowledge for me..."Chen Xuanqing quickly regained his composure. "If Grandmother wishes to test him, why not summon Xuanxin now?"
Chen Xuanxin had been practicing calligraphy in the study of the front courtyard. At Madam Chen's summons, he came running over. Delighted to see Chen Xuanqing, he respectfully called out "Seventh Brother" before standing properly. When Chen Xuanqing asked about his studies, Xuanxin replied he had just learned the third chapter's passage: "Look at that Qi River's bend, where green bamboos grow lush. There's a refined gentleman. Like cutting and filing, like carving and polishing."
Chen Xuanqing asked him to explain the meaning. After some thought, Xuanxin answered: "It speaks of maintaining a reverent attitude in scholarly pursuits."
Chen Xuanqing nodded. "The next line continues 'There's a refined gentleman, one can never tire of praising him.' Together they describe a gentleman's virtues. You must read more comprehensively to gain deeper understanding."
Having received guidance from the Third Scholar, Xuanxin promptly bowed formally. "Thank you for the Hanlin's instruction."
Madam Chen laughed. "You see? Now that you're the Third Scholar, doesn't he obey you more readily?"
Yet Chen Xuanqing couldn't muster even a trace of smile. His lips pressed slightly together as he stared rigidly ahead.
Jinchao noticed his unease. She also observed how Chen Xuanqing's back remained ramrod straight, his posture almost stiff... No wonder. (
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