Third Master Chen returned home and heard about Chen Xi's fever. He went to the eastern side room to check on her.
Her fever had already subsided a little. She was obediently wrapped in blankets and leaning against the wall while Caifu fed her lotus seed porridge. She swallowed spoonful after spoonful but only managed half a bowl before whispering, "I can't eat anymore..."
Caifu smiled and asked, "Would you like to try something else then? How about some golden thread honey dates?"
Chen Xi shook her head slightly, feeling no appetite and completely drained of energy.
Caifu took the bowl away and withdrew.
Third Master Chen sat down by the heated brick bed and gently touched her forehead. "Are you still feeling unwell?" he asked softly.
Chen Xi was as docile as a kitten in front of Chen Yanyun and quickly shook her head, replying in a tiny voice, "I'm much better now..."
Jinchao brought in the medicine and set it on the side table to cool.
Chen Yanyun was still wearing his scarlet round-collared right-closure official robe, not even having had time to change. He said to Chen Xi, "...Don't eat chilled things from now on. You're still young and can't handle the cold. You should also eat less watermelon and pears in the future."
Chen Xi was somewhat afraid of her father. When she was younger, he had always been busy with court affairs and rarely looked after her. Whenever she saw him, he was always surrounded by people who treated him with utmost respect—her mother and brother included—so she couldn't help but be influenced by this.
She nodded stiffly.
Chen Yanyun wasn't sure what else to say to the child and sighed as he stood up. "...If there's anything you'd like to eat, just tell your mother."
Chen Xi's gaze fell on the medicine bowl on the side table, her face showing fear. She hated bitter things the most.
Gu Jinzhao smiled and said, "Don't be afraid, Xi Jie'er. I added licorice root—it won't be too bitter." Seeing that the medicine had cooled enough, it was time for her to drink it and rest early. The child looked utterly exhausted.
Even with licorice root, it couldn't possibly be completely bitter. Chen Xi clutched the blankets, her eyes welling up with tears. "Mother, Xi Jie'er will get better even without the medicine."
"Good medicine tastes bitter—it's unavoidable. But once you take it, you'll recover faster. When you're better, I'll have Qingpu teach you how to kick the shuttlecock. She knows all sorts of tricks. Or we can make lotus leaf rice again, or play with floral appliqués..." Jinzhao coaxed her.
Chen Xi looked dejected. "I'm not good at kicking the shuttlecock... Zhao Jie'er even laughed at me..."
Jinzhao comforted her, "No one is born knowing how. It's something you learn. I used to be terrible at embroidery—people laughed at me too."
Chen Xi looked at her curiously, her voice growing even softer. "People laughed at you? Grandmother says your needlework is excellent."
"Everyone goes through that phase," Jinzhao replied. Without realizing it, she had already fed Chen Xi the medicine. She picked up a piece of winter melon candy from the tray and gave it to her, smiling. "See? Not so bitter now, is it?"
Chen Xi hadn't even noticed the bitterness and stared blankly at Jinzhao.
Chen Yanyun stood to the side, watching the two talk. He hadn't known that Gu Jinzhao was good at comforting children—and very good at it. The scene wasn't exactly harmonious; it had an amusing quality, like an older child coaxing a younger one, whispering secrets as if he couldn't possibly join in.
Jinzhao continued, "Then get some rest now. You'll feel better when you wake up tomorrow morning. Should I have Caifu stay with you?"
Chen Xi nodded obediently. "When I get better, I want to learn how to kick the shuttlecock."When Jinchao and Third Master Chen returned to the western side chamber, the maids began serving dinner in succession.
Jinchao relayed Madam Chen's words to Third Master Chen. After hearing it, he said, "Moving here is fine. The Fragrant Splendor Pavilion was originally where Jiang Wanqing lived—it's too desolate." Gu Jinchao knew very little about Jiang Wanqing and had never heard Third Master Chen mention her before.
Third Master Chen continued, "Xi Jie'er isn't close to me. She seems to prefer you instead. You really have a way with children."
Jinchao smiled. "It's not that I have a way with children—I'm like this with everyone. I'm not very good at taking care of children, even though I'm the eldest sister. At my maternal grandmother's house, I was the youngest, always bullied by my older cousins. They secretly called me the 'home tyrant.'"
Third Master Chen chuckled, looking at her gently. "Being a home tyrant isn't bad—it means you don’t let others bully you."
After the dishes were cleared, Jinchao helped him change into a Straight Robe. Noticing him rubbing his temples, she reached up to massage his forehead. "What's wrong? If you're too tired, you should rest early."
Chen Yanyun gave a faint hum. "I interrogated several people in a row and also went to Daxing..." The prison's lighting was poor, and with the use of torture instruments, he felt somewhat exhausted. Upon returning, he heard Xi Jie'er had a high fever and went to see her without even changing his clothes.
"Why would you be interrogating people?" Jinchao was curious. Chen Yanyun was the Minister of Revenue, not someone from the Court of Judicial Review or the Censorate.
Chen Yanyun smiled faintly. "It's not related to the Ministry of Revenue. The Grand Secretariat is currently in a state of factional chaos and needs to be cleaned up." Wang Xuanfan had become too obstructive in the Grand Secretariat and had always opposed him. He had originally intended to use the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to suppress him.
He had reviewed the case files on the river pirates—they were written too vaguely and secretively. Where did the entire boatload of smuggled salt come from? Would ordinary salt smugglers dare to operate on such a scale? Besides Zhang Ling, there must be someone higher up involved. Chen Yanyun initially suspected the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, but later discovered Zhang Ling was in contact with Yuqing's Salt Transport Commissioner. He realized the situation was far more complicated than he had imagined—the smuggling operation behind it was likely even more shocking, involving many people.
Zhang Ling had been arrested in Yuqing on charges of evading exile and was immediately transported to the capital via waterway. Once Zhang Ling's confession was aligned, the matter could be verified. Yuqing's Salt Transport Commissioner was likely a key figure—imprisoning him would stir unrest in the Southern Metropolitan Region.
And he needed precisely this kind of unrest. If Wang Xuanfan were allowed to grow stronger by relying on the Southern Metropolitan Region's influence, it would be troublesome to deal with later.
But these political matters were too complex, and he didn’t want Gu Jinchao to know about them.
Gu Jinchao, however, tugged lightly at his sleeve and asked softly, "Will it be dangerous?"
She remembered he would be assassinated, but she couldn’t recall who was responsible—only that it would happen in a few months. It had been too long, and her memory was hazy.
Chen Yanyun waved for the maids and servants to withdraw. Once everyone had left, he lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the Scarlet Gauze Curtain. "You've had a long day too. It's better to rest early."
Gu Jinchao, held steadily in his arms, felt somewhat embarrassed. The sight of the Scarlet Gauze Curtain always reminded her of their intimate moments—the low-hanging curtain, the ** hue, and now he was carrying her again... Flustered, she stammered, "You... you must be tired today too!" Such matters should be set aside for now.Chen Yanyun chuckled. "Why are you in such a hurry? I really meant for you to rest." He lifted the quilt and settled her onto the bed.
Gu Jinzhao remained silent for a moment before turning away without a word. She had intended to show concern for him... but never mind!
Was she angry? Or perhaps embarrassed?
Chen Yanyun gently turned her back to face him, only to find her eyes still closed, ignoring him.
He sighed helplessly. "Jinchao, are you throwing a childish tantrum now?"
Hearing his voice, Gu Jinzhao didn’t respond. Childish tantrum? She just didn’t feel like talking.
But Chen Yanyun was convinced she was sulking. Leaning down, he pressed light kisses against her cheeks one after another. Their breaths mingled, and she could catch the faint scent of him... His warm lips brushed hers, lingering briefly before he murmured, "Jinchao... you should say something." He couldn’t keep kissing her—his body was growing restless.
Gu Jinzhao met his deep, intense gaze, which seemed even more focused than usual... She whispered, "You should get some rest." But the hoarseness in her own voice startled her. Turning her head away, she pushed him back and burrowed deeper into the quilt.
Third Master Chen let her retreat, straightening his collar as he stood. "Sleep first. I still have some matters to attend to—I’ll join you shortly." Watching her curled up silently under the covers, the quilt rising like a little mound as if hiding an animal, he smiled faintly before lowering the bed curtains and leaving.
Gu Jinzhao covered her ears with the quilt, her heartbeat refusing to calm. It seemed she was becoming more emotional around Third Master Chen, and her past-life experiences warned her how dangerous that was—emotions led to mistakes. Perhaps it was because he indulged her too much, making her lower her guard over time.
Quietly, she pondered what Third Master Chen had mentioned. He had only vaguely hinted at purging the Grand Secretariat’s factions, but she understood clearly. He must have reached his limit with Wang Xuanfan. In her past life, Wang Xuanfan had also fallen to Third Master Chen’s schemes.
Now that she thought about it, it was all so strange. In her past life, Third Master Chen had no rivals in court. As Minister of Revenue, why had he been sent to Sichuan to suppress bandits? Surrounded by skilled guards and capable of defending himself, how had he died there?
Moreover, after his death, the Chen Family hadn’t suffered much. Later, when Madam Chen passed and the family divided, Second Master Chen severed all ties with the third branch, while Chen Xuanqing and Fourth Master Chen became bitter enemies.
It was all too suspicious.
Her thoughts grew hazy as she gradually drifted to sleep, only faintly aware of someone embracing her from behind.
By the next day, Chen Xi’s fever had fully subsided.
Jinchao had the kitchen prepare a plate of delicate Rabbit Buns for her, which she adored. The little girl hesitated for a long time before finally nibbling off a bunny ear, reluctant to eat it.
Madam Qin and Wang Shi came together to visit, fussing over Chen Xi. Soon after, Madam Ge arrived, bringing Pine Nut Candy and Chestnut Cake for the child.
Jinchao had a servant arrange the treats on a porcelain plate and set them on the Heated Bed Table for everyone to share.
When Madam Ge entered, Madam Qin turned to Jinchao. "Third Sister-in-law, chatting with you... I nearly forgot I had tasks to handle. I’ll have to visit another day." After bidding Chen Xi farewell, she left with her maids and servants.
Madam Ge’s expression dimmed slightly.Wang Shi picked up a piece of Chestnut Cake and said to Madam Ge with a smile, "It tastes so sweet. Did you add powdered sugar or honey, sister-in-law?"
Madam Ge forced a smile and replied, "I used honey."
Wang Shi continued, "I usually add powdered sugar, no wonder mine isn't as sweet. I must learn your method properly." With these words, she smoothly covered up the awkwardness.
Jinchao watched from the side, thinking to herself that Wang Shi was indeed a smooth operator who never offended anyone.
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