Today was the day for the court assembly held every six days. Ye Xian stood in the second-to-last row of the civil officials' line, dressed in a blue robe with a round collar and right lapel, a silver floral belt, and a three-tiered crown. Behind him were the sixth-rank officials from the Court of Judicial Review, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and the Court of State Ceremonial.
Handsome in appearance and exuding an air of nonchalance, his status as the heir of Marquis Changxing drew frequent glances from the officials around him.
Ye Xian gazed ahead without a word. He had been the subject of countless stares in his life and was long accustomed to it.
If someone stared too long, he would leisurely turn his head and lock eyes with them coldly for a moment. Naturally, they would obediently avert their gaze.
The next time he encountered them, he would mock them relentlessly—until they learned to keep their eyes forward during court sessions.
Zhu Junan sat upright on the throne, while below him stood Peng Yousong, the Vice Minister of Rites, reporting on the completion of repairs to the imperial mausoleum.
Apart from such matters, there was truly nothing else worth reporting to Zhu Junan. Real power had long been seized by those shrewd old foxes in the Grand Secretariat... Ye Xian’s gaze involuntarily landed on Chen Yanyun, clad in crimson official robes in the second row.
Only after the eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial announced the dismissal of the court did Zhu Junan leave first, followed by the civil and military officials exiting through the side doors.
Ye Xian lingered far behind the crowd, thinking it wouldn’t hurt to bask in the sun for a while.
Just as he descended a few steps of the white marble staircase, someone called out from behind, “Heir, please wait.”
Ye Xian stopped and turned to see Chen Yanyun standing atop the steps, hands clasped behind his back, wearing a refined smile.
Ye Xian smiled. “What business does Chen Ge Lao have with this humble official? The weather is scorching—hardly a convenient time for conversation.”
Chen Yanyun replied calmly, “Since the heir finds the weather too hot, might I invite you for a cup of tea? There’s a teahouse in Jiuchun Fang with an excellent jasmine tea.”
Ye Xian studied Chen Yanyun impassively. No matter how cunning a person was, there was always a tell. Inviting him for tea? Chen Yanyun was not the type to idle away his time. A man like him would never seek someone out unless he wanted something.
He was a master of self-preservation. Look at how many of his peers had fallen—Yuan Zhongru had died so tragically, yet he remained standing tall.
...Moreover, he had married Gu Jinzhao.
A smile played on Ye Xian’s lips. “How rare for Lord Chen to offer an invitation. It would be impolite of me to refuse.”
In the teahouse at Jiuchun Fang, a pot of jasmine tea was served.
The teahouse was quiet, and through the open window, one could see the Directorate of Imperial Parks and the Foreign Scriptures Workshop across the river. Ye Xian glanced outside.
Chen Yanyun leisurely poured him tea, gesturing for him to drink as he explained, “Don’t worry, no one is following us. I sought you out regarding the case of the Fuzhou Prefect embezzling treasury silver. I’ve already spoken with Chief Minister Zheng of the Court of Judicial Review beforehand.”
Ye Xian moved the teacup closer and said indifferently, “Ge Lao misunderstands. I have no reason to distrust you.”
Chen Yanyun chuckled and shook his head. “Trust is irrelevant. We stand on opposing sides—distrust is only natural.”
Ye Xian’s expression cooled. A man like this... Gu Jinzhao had married him—could she possibly outmaneuver him?
He continued, “Ge Lao exaggerates. I did attend your wedding banquet, after all. By seniority, you should even call me ‘uncle.’”
Chen Yanyun ignored his remark, merely smiling. “Then it seems we are fated.”Ye Xian wouldn't actually make Chen Ge Lao address him as uncle. He shifted his sitting posture and continued, "The case of the Fuzhou Prefect embezzling treasury silver has been transferred to the Censorate. I only handled it briefly and am not familiar with the details. The Grand Secretary might be disappointed..."
Third Master Chen said, "Your Highness is mistaken. Back then, you merely glanced at the river bandit case files yet remembered everything, using it to overthrow Zhang Ling. Even if you only skimmed the treasury silver case... you should still recall it."
He picked up his teacup to drink.
After some thought, Ye Xian suddenly laughed. "Grand Secretary Chen didn't come for the treasury silver case, did he?"
Someone as sharp as Ye Xian didn't need explicit explanations.
Leaning back in his chair, Third Master Chen continued, "Let's not beat around the bush. Your Highness understands that in this world, one can never have too many friends. I wish to befriend Your Highness through this." He extended his hand, and Jiang Yan presented a letter.
Ye Xian enjoyed conversing with those who spoke in circles—but only when he was the one confusing others, not when others treated him like a fool.
His delicate brows furrowed slightly. "What is this?"
Chen Yanyun replied, "Your Highness may decide after reading." He stood and straightened his sleeves. "I must return to the Grand Secretariat and shall not disturb you further."
Ye Xian said coolly, "Grand Secretary, stay a moment."
Chen Yanyun paused but didn't turn around.
Ye Xian asked, "Has my niece caused you any trouble?"
Chen Yanyun's smile faded.
"No trouble? Good," Ye Xian chuckled. "Since the Grand Secretary has official business, please go ahead. This official will stay and enjoy some tea."
By the time Gu Jinzhao arrived at the Gu residence, it was already past noon.
Madam Feng had gathered the Gu family's female members at the spirit wall to wait for her. Seeing her descend, Madam Feng stepped forward to take her hand, beaming. "...Your grandmother has been thinking of you daily. I've had your favorite steamed four-gill perch and braised mutton prepared. You must be hungry?"
Gu Jinzhao found Madam Feng overly enthusiastic.
She first curtsied to Madam Feng, then successively to Xu Jingyi and Fifth Madam. Not only were the female relatives waiting, but even Gu Jin Xiao and Gu Jinxian—who were usually at the Imperial Academy and rarely home—were present. Gu Jinxian smiled at her, while Gu Jin Xiao, who had never liked her, forced a stiff grin.
Madam Feng then noticed another carriage entering, from which a tall guard in a Chengzi uniform emerged. Several other guards stepped forward to unload items from the carriage. Gu Jinzhao explained, "Mother had me bring many things—dried fruits and pastries, of course, but also the bone-in abalone snails Grandmother loves..."
The guards worked efficiently, swiftly unloading everything. Chen Yi approached Gu Jinzhao and cupped his hands respectfully. "Madam, everything has been placed."
Madam Feng nodded dismissively. "You're the Chen Family's guards? You've worked hard." She summoned a matron. "Take them to the back rooms to rest and serve them wine and dishes. Don't neglect them." Despite her words, her tone remained condescending—after all, they were merely low-ranking guards. Why hadn't any matrons been sent to accompany Gu Jinzhao...?
Could it be that the Chen Family matriarch didn't value Gu Jinzhao much?
Jinchao felt the need to clarify their status. Smiling, she said, "Guard Chen is Third Master's personal guard, merely lent to me for a few days. I must ask Grandmother to treat them well, lest any mishap occur. I wouldn't know how to explain it to Third Master upon our return."Chen Yi looked somewhat embarrassed: "Madam, you flatter me too much! We're all rough men—just give us dry rations to eat and we'll sleep by the eaves. How could we afford to be particular?"
When Madam Feng heard Gu Jinzhao refer to him as a "personal guard," she was startled. Guards raised by high-ranking officials' families were different from ordinary security—their status was no less than that of advisors. Why would Third Master Chen send his personal guard to accompany Gu Jinzhao back... She quickly smiled: "I nearly offended you." She called for the steward and instructed, "Take Guard Chen to the side chamber to settle in, and fetch a few jars of Autumn Dew White Wine from the storeroom."
Chen Yi hastily declined: "The old madam is too kind! But we're forbidden to drink alcohol—just boiled water will suffice."
Madam Feng knew these officials' guards had strict rules and didn't press further: "...If our hospitality is lacking, please make yourselves at home."
The group escorted her and Madam Feng toward the eastern courtyard. Jinzhao distributed gifts to each household and chatted with Madam Feng for a while. Thinking of the guards who had accompanied her back, Madam Feng showed great consideration: "...You must be exhausted from the journey. Go rest for a while. Your belongings in the Beautiful Embroidery Hall are all still there—Grandmother has someone clean it daily."
Gu Jinzhao was indeed tired... she hadn't slept well the previous night.
The Beautiful Embroidery Hall still preserved all her belongings, neatly arranged. On the heated bed table in the western chamber sat a bluish-white glazed gourd vase with a fish-and-lotus motif, holding freshly bloomed gardenias. Caifu smiled and told her: "Gardenias are rare... I recall the family greenhouse only cultivates a few plants."
Jinzhao noticed a camphor tree she had planted in the courtyard, now grown to human height. The bed curtains still bore the scented sachets she had embroidered herself.
She smiled faintly: "As long as they're not arrogant or impatient, let them be."
Back in the Gu family, when Second Miss harmed her and the eldest young master distrusted her, Jinzhao had worn this same expression.
Caifu inexplicably felt reassured.
Gu Jinzhao took a nap but woke in less than half an hour, feeling something was missing.
Lying on the wormwood-stuffed pillow, she blankly pondered before realizing Third Master Chen wasn't beside her. When sleeping with him, if she tossed and turned sleeplessly, he would always pull her into his embrace. Breathing in his scent, she'd surprisingly sleep soundly. When he woke before her, he'd kiss her forehead before leaving. Or whisper things she couldn't quite hear—but his tone was always tender.
Jinzhao had originally suffered from poor sleep and frequent nightmares. After marrying Third Master Chen, her sleep had actually improved.
She buried her face in the brocade quilt—how could she already miss him after just half a day apart...
Someone like Third Master Chen was far too easy to love. Without her past life's experiences... she might have already sunk into the quagmire.
Gu Jinzhao called Qingpu in to fetch water for washing her face.
Xiuqu entered to announce: "...Fourth Madam has arrived."
Jinzhao nodded: "Please invite her in at once." She then instructed Qingpu to brew some candied orange peel tea.Xu Jingyi was wearing a honey-colored bajii-patterned jacket with her hair neatly tied in a round bun, looking fresh and clean. Jinchao invited her to sit, and Qingpu quickly brought over tea infused with candied orange peel. After sipping the tea, Xu Jingyi smiled and said, "How odd... Every time I come here for tea, you serve me sweet tea—whether it's candied orange peel, walnut and pine nut tea, plum syrup, or hawthorn water... Never once have you offered me a proper expensive tea. Now that you're the wife of a cabinet minister, you're still this stingy."
Gu Jinzhao smiled faintly. "I thought you preferred sweet tea."
In her past life, whenever she visited the Luo family, Xu Jingyi would always serve her sweet tea. When she asked why, Xu Jingyi would reply, "Life is already so bitter—one must sweeten it for oneself. What's the point of drinking bitter tea?"
Xu Jingyi had only been teasing her and continued, "I like expensive tea—the pricier, the better. Ten Thousand Springs Silver Leaf or Big Red Robe Tea would be ideal..." She chuckled. "Alright, enough teasing. I need to talk to you about Gu Lan... You'd never guess what she's done."
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