Liang Chen Mei Jin

Before long, Madam Qin arrived with several stewardesses to report household matters to Madam Chen.

Chen Xuanan and the others went to the study first.

Madam Qin had sharp, slender phoenix eyes and was extremely capable, managing the vast Chen Family with impeccable order.

"Since Yunru has been pregnant for several months, we specially purchased some expensive medicinal herbs for her, which increased our expenses a bit. The items Third Sister-in-law bought when she returned to Daxing, the new Canopy Bed for Fifth Sister-in-law... each household's expenditures have risen somewhat."

Madam Chen flipped through the account book and frowned, asking, "Why has the Sixth Household's expenses decreased by more than half?"

Madam Qin explained, "Sixth Sister-in-law said that since Sixth Master has gone to Bao Xiang Temple for Qing Xiu, she doesn’t need so many maids by herself and sent some to the front courtyard. Thus, the expenses have significantly decreased, and daily spending has also lessened."

But Madam Chen remarked, "She’s just afraid of gossip. Even without Old Six, how much can the expenses really be reduced? Food, clothing—how does losing one person cut the costs by more than half..." Madam Ge’s temperament was overly cautious, not as steady and capable as the other daughters-in-law who understood the bigger picture. Madam Chen pitied her for this and often supported her in daily life.

...But she also needed to stand up for herself! After Madam Chen passed away, given the current dominance of the Second and Third Households, it might be difficult to avoid dividing the family. What would happen to her then? Would she let Old Six bully her to death?

Madam Qin quickly said, "I thought the same and even went to check on her personally. Sixth Sister-in-law insisted she didn’t need—"

Madam Chen handed the account book back to Madam Qin. "Since you’ve heard her say so, I’ll go see her myself later."

As for the other accounts, Madam Chen only skimmed through them briefly and quickly verified the records.

Madam Qin had the stewardesses take the account books back and began shelling walnuts for Madam Chen.

"Mother, didn’t you mention yesterday that Xuan-jie wrote a letter saying she’d come stay for a few days? I’ve already had the Bamboo Pavilion on the east side prepared for her arrival. Perhaps you could take a look later to see if anything needs to be added."

Madam Chen then said, "If you hadn’t reminded me, I would have forgotten about Xuan-jie’s visit... Jinchao," she turned to Gu Jinzhao, who was watching Chen Zhao play cat’s cradle, and asked, "You haven’t met Xuan-jie yet, have you?"

Gu Jinzhao looked up. While Madam Chen and Madam Qin discussed household matters, she had deliberately focused on Chen Zhao’s game to avoid eavesdropping.

Xuan-jie... Of course, she had met this person before—but only in her past life.

Gu Jinzhao smiled and replied, "I heard you mention her during the family introductions but haven’t had the chance to meet her yet."

Madam Chen explained, "...Your eldest sister married into the Zhou Family of Longqing and had a son and a daughter, but she passed away the year before last." At this, Madam Chen sighed. "Your eldest sister was short-lived. She worked hard managing the Zhou Family and raising her children, only to leave so early. Xuan-jie couldn’t attend the wedding banquet because she was in mourning. Last month, she just completed the mourning period and wanted to visit you and me. She should arrive in a few days."The eldest sister mentioned by Madam Chen was the sister of Third Master Chen. The previous generation of the Chen Family had more sons than daughters, with only this one illegitimate daughter, who was raised under Madam Chen's name and married off as a legitimate daughter. The Zhou family in Longqing was also wealthy, but there weren't many officials among them. Gu Jinzhao only remembered that Xi Jie'er's uncle was a county magistrate. Xi Jie'er's own father had passed the imperial examination and served in the Ministry of Personnel for decades but eventually resigned and returned home.

Gu Jinzhao said, "Then I must prepare a proper gift for our meeting."

Madam Chen smiled and said, "You'll surely like her when you meet her—she's very lively. That child loves receiving gifts the most."

Gu Jinzhao had a very deep impression of Zhou Yixuan, so much so that she hadn't forgotten her even after all these years.

Zhou Yixuan was Third Master Chen's niece. In her past life, when Jinchao married into the family, Chen Xuanqing was already married to Yu Wanxue. Zhou Yixuan had been infatuated with Chen Xuanqing, crying and insisting on becoming his concubine, determined to marry him. Jinchao remembered how furious Madam Chen had been. She had summoned Zhou Yixuan's aunt overnight, reprimanded her, and only then did she take her back home. When Zhou Yixuan left, she was still reluctant. Later, she seemed to have married far away to Xiangyang...

Madam Qin, whose words had been interrupted by Madam Chen, now changed the subject with a smile: "Why haven’t we seen Xi Jie'er today? Doesn’t she usually come to play in the afternoon?"

Madam Chen replied, "She came this morning, but she seemed drowsy and not well-rested, so I sent her back. She must be tired—yesterday she was playing shuttlecock with Zhao Jie'er and worked up quite a sweat..."

Just then, Chen Zhao pouted and said, "Fourth Sister is so clumsy! She can’t even kick the shuttlecock as well as my little maid. I don’t like playing with her!"

Madam Qin glared at her. "Your fourth sister didn’t even want to play in the first place. You dragged her into it and now blame her for not being good at it? That’s hardly fair."

Chen Zhao didn’t dare argue with her mother and shrank back, muttering softly, "But she really isn’t good..."

Madam Chen patted Madam Qin’s hand. "Children say whatever comes to mind. Don’t be too strict with her."

Gu Jinzhao, however, felt she hadn’t seen Chen Xi in quite some time and thought it a good opportunity to check on her. She said to Madam Chen, "I’ll go see her then. It’s been nearly half a month—I’ve missed her."

Madam Chen agreed, and Jinzhao left with her maids and attendants.

As she passed through the corridor, she happened to walk by the Sixth Branch’s courtyard. The gate was half-open, and a maid in a purple-red sleeveless jacket with her hair in double buns came out. Seeing Gu Jinzhao surrounded by her entourage, the maid quickly curtsied. Jinzhao, however, frowned. This maid was one of Madam Ge’s first-rank attendants, often seen by her side. Recalling that Madam Ge hadn’t been present today, Jinzhao asked her, "Is the Sixth Madam resting? Why aren’t you attending to her?"

The maid replied, "The Sixth Madam is reciting scriptures and sent me to fetch some tea leaves from the tea room."

Each branch usually purchased their own tea leaves to suit their preferences.

Yet Madam Ge wasn’t even buying tea anymore... Madam Qin had claimed there were no issues in the Sixth Branch and hadn’t bothered with Madam Ge’s affairs at all.

In her past life, Madam Qin had always treated Madam Ge poorly, barely exchanging words when they crossed paths.

Gu Jinzhao pondered this thoughtfully.

Granny Sun cautiously asked, "Does Third Madam find it strange?"Gu Jinzhao asked, "Granny Sun, do you know something about this?"

"It might not amount to much..." Granny Sun hesitated. "When Second Madam first started managing the household, Tai Furen had Sixth Madam assist her. You know Sixth Madam's temperament—she wasn't good at managing people. The servants became lazy in their duties, and Second Madam had to speak up for them. Later, when the silver was placed in Sixth Madam's hands, Sixth Master actually took it as if it were Sixth Madam's personal funds and spent it. By the time Second Madam needed to distribute the monthly allowances, the money couldn't be produced... Eventually, Madam Chen reprimanded both of them. Sixth Madam hid Sixth Master's actions and refused to tell the truth, insisting on covering the shortfall with her own dowry."

"Originally, both of them were in charge, but when Sixth Madam used her own money to cover the deficit, Second Madam was left in an awkward position. Second Madam urged Sixth Madam to reveal the truth, but Sixth Madam was afraid of being scolded by Sixth Master and didn't dare to speak up... Over time, Second Madam grew increasingly displeased with Sixth Madam. Their relationship has been strained ever since..."

Gu Jinzhao had no idea such a thing had happened.

She asked Granny Sun, "How did they later find out it was Sixth Master who took the money?"

Granny Sun lowered her voice. "Sixth Master was squandering money recklessly outside, and word eventually reached Third Master, who was serving as Junior Supervisor at the time. Third Master brought him back for questioning, and that's how the truth came out. The missing silver was then deducted from Sixth Master's private funds... For a while, Sixth Master didn't even have money for new clothes."

Given Madam Qin's personality, once she took a dislike to Madam Ge, she would find fault with everything about her. Since these matters didn't concern her directly, Gu Jinzhao thought for a moment and said to Granny Sun, "Later, when you return, pack some Junshan Yinzhen Tea and send it to Sixth Madam." Madam Ge was fond of this tea.

Granny Sun acknowledged the instruction.

The group passed by the lakeside pavilion and arrived outside Osmanthus Hall. Walking along the side corridor of Osmanthus Hall for a short distance brought them to Fragrant Splendor Pavilion, where Jiang Shi had once lived. Xi Jie'er still resided there now.

In the courtyard, two maids were busy washing clothes and hurried over to greet her.

"Is Xi Jie'er here?" Gu Jinzhao asked them.

A maid in a blue short coat replied, "Fourth Miss is sleeping inside."

Gu Jinzhao crossed the stone-paved path, and the maids waiting outside curtsied before lifting the curtain for her to enter.

Gu Jinzhao walked into the western chamber and saw the screen she had gifted to Xi Jie'er still displayed there. On the large kang by the window lay an unfinished embroidery hoop and twelve zodiac pouch ornaments, with the monkey and tiger embroidered plump and adorable. Below the kang sat a pair of her satin shoes, their patterns slightly faded.

The lattice window was half-closed, with a layer of silk gauze curtains drawn, obscuring the view inside.

Gu Jinzhao instinctively softened her voice and asked the attending maid, "How long has Fourth Miss been asleep?"

The maid answered, "Fourth Miss has been sleeping since returning from Tai Furen's place—over two and a half hours now. Qiutang went to the kitchen to fetch some pastries and didn't wake Fourth Miss..."

Gu Jinzhao felt something was amiss. Even for a nap, how could she sleep so long without eating lunch?

She quickly stepped into the inner chamber and instructed Qingpu to draw back the curtains. Approaching the bed, she saw Chen Xi, her little face flushed red, curled tightly under the blankets. When Gu Jinzhao touched her forehead, she was startled.

This child was burning up with fever, and no one had even noticed!The maid following behind her whispered, "Third Madam. The fourth young lady is sleeping soundly. Perhaps we should let her sleep a little longer..." Gu Jinzhao's movements were so abrupt that the maid feared she might wake Chen Xi.

A surge of anger rose in Gu Jinzhao's heart. This was a motherless child, and a legitimate young mistress at that, yet the maids and old nannies were so negligent in their care. Not only were Qiutang and An Momo nowhere to be found, but they hadn't even noticed the child was running a fever.

She had returned from Madam Chen's place in the morning—could it be that no one had even called Chen Xi up for lunch?

Unable to contain herself, Gu Jinzhao said, "Sleep longer? You go find Qiutang and bring her back to me at once!" Then she instructed Caifu, "Go inform Tai Furen that Xi Jie'er has a fever and to summon a physician immediately. Qingpu, help me carry her up—we're taking her back to Osmanthus Hall."

The maids paled at the news of Chen Xi's fever.

Gu Jinzhao first pulled back the quilt and gathered Chen Xi into her arms. The child's small body was drenched in sweat, letting out a faint whimper. Heart aching, Gu Jinzhao removed one of her outer jackets before carrying her back to Osmanthus Hall.