Chapter 262: Misunderstanding
Why was he looking at her? Could he know that she had someone follow him?
Gu Jinzhao hesitated inwardly. She had sent Qingpu to follow Zhou Yixuan because she knew what Zhou Yixuan had done in her past life. But now, she couldn’t explain this matter, so she simply lowered her gaze and pretended not to notice.
Chen Xuanqing turned his head back and said indifferently, "...No, it was just me and my cousin."
Chen Yanyun closed his eyes briefly before asking, "What's this about Yixuan giving you a piece of calligraphy?"
Chen Xuanqing found it strange and replied softly, "She never gave me any calligraphy." Chen Yanyun remained silent, staring at him coldly.
Chen Xuanqing lowered his head but did not yield.
Chen Yanyun called for a maidservant and gave her instructions. The maidservant left to carry out the order. He then exchanged a glance with Madam Chen.
Understanding his meaning, Madam Chen took Gu Jinzhao to a side room to rest for a while. She had a maidservant bring over a quilt. "You can lie down and wait." Gu Jinzhao didn’t refuse—she was indeed feeling a little cold. Wrapped in the warm quilt on the heated brick bed, she listened quietly.
The night was too still, and with only the lattice window separating the rooms, she could still hear the commotion on the other side.
Soon, someone returned, stepping over the threshold.
Third Master Chen’s voice was icy. "And what is this?"
After a pause, Chen Xuanqing explained, "This... this is just some calligraphy my cousin practiced. She asked me to check if there were any mistakes." He added hastily, "Father, she didn’t give this to me! Why would I accept something from her..."
Third Master Chen cut him off. "If someone else had found this, would they listen to your explanation? You’re already grown—don’t you think before acting? She’s young and doesn’t know better, but what about you? No matter the reason, you shouldn’t have taken anything from her... If this spreads, who would care about your excuses? Now, I’m asking you..."
Madam Chen grew restless and instructed Luo to stay with Gu Jinzhao before rising to join the others.
Gu Jinzhao heard Third Master Chen ask softly, "Are you and Yixuan involved?"
Chen Xuanqing replied, "...No. You can call my cousin here and ask her yourself... Though I don’t know who said this, I swear there’s nothing between us." His tone was resolute.
Hearing this, Gu Jinzhao had an inkling of suspicion. Could Chen Xuanqing have assumed that she had seen him meeting Zhou Yixuan in private and reported him? To someone who didn’t know Zhou Yixuan, it was a plausible thought—after all, not everyone would dare to speak up about such matters.
Upon reflection, it made perfect sense.
Leaning against the pillow, she grew drowsy as she listened. The voices from the other room became indistinct.
Caifu noticed she had fallen asleep and quietly tucked the quilt around her.
The candlelight from the altar flickered against the ginger-colored linen curtains, casting faint shadows.
Chen Xuanqing pressed his lips together, kneeling upright. He had done nothing wrong—he felt no guilt, nor did he need to.
He had seen Qingpu following him earlier, her shadow cast on the stone bricks by the sunlight. He had just seen her with Gu Jinzhao and recognized the silver Buddha-hand hairpin she wore. At the time, Chen Xuanqing hadn’t paid it any mind—Gu Jinzhao often sent maids to follow him before, and he had assumed she wanted to relay something. But with Zhou Yixuan present, it wasn’t the right time to speak...Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to be summoned for questioning that very night—and about whether he had an improper relationship with Zhou Yixuan.
Gu Jinzhao... just what are you trying to do?
Madam Chen pressed him further: "During your private meetings, did you say anything to Xuan'er? Did you tell her you disliked Miss Yu, or perhaps... spoke to her with inappropriate intimacy?"
Chen Xuanqing let out a bitter laugh. "Since you already know everything... why bother asking me?"
"You wretched boy! Xuan'er is your cousin! You're already betrothed—how could you do such a thing!" Madam Chen grew even more furious at his response.
Chen Xuanqing replied calmly, "Betrothed? Since when? You never told me, so how was I supposed to know?"
"Chen Xuanqing!" Third Master Chen snapped coldly. "Is that any way to speak to your grandmother?"
But Madam Chen detected the loneliness and anger beneath his words and sighed. "It's not that I didn't want you to know... I invited Madam Yu over a few days ago because I noticed something amiss and wanted to nip Xuan'er's feelings in the bud. Who knew that stubborn girl... The exact wedding date hasn't been set yet. I planned to tell you once it was finalized, but then you..."
Third Master Chen helped Madam Chen sit down and handed her a cup of tea.
He then approached Chen Xuanqing, his tone softening slightly. "A doting mother spoils the child. Because your mother indulges you, I must be stricter. I've always demanded more from you than your cousins—you're the legitimate eldest son of the main branch, not like your carefree younger brother."
"The Chen Family does not break engagements without cause, nor can we tolerate any scandal. Tomorrow, I'll have Xuan'er sent home. You're never to see her again—do you understand?" Third Master Chen asked finally.
Chen Xuanqing nodded silently.
After a maidservant escorted Chen Xuanqing out, Third Master Chen and Madam Chen discussed the matter further and decided to move up Chen Xuanqing's wedding with Yu Wanxue, tentatively scheduling it for early October. "Tomorrow, invite Tai Furen Zheng to act as matchmaker and finalize the date with the Yu family. Xuanqing should have someone by his side."
Madam Chen nodded with a sigh. "If he weren't already betrothed, there'd be no harm in him marrying Xuan'er..."
Third Master Chen shook his head. "Xuanqing's wife will be the matriarch of the family—Xuan'er's temperament isn't suited for that. Even if he weren't engaged to Miss Yu, I wouldn't have agreed." Though the match with the Yu family had been arranged long ago, Third Master Chen ultimately approved of Yu Wanxue in part due to her personality.
Madam Chen remarked, "You've clearly given this much thought and have no objections." Her son, having navigated the complexities of officialdom for years, saw everything clearly and considered matters thoroughly.
Chen Yanyun smiled faintly. "I'll take that as praise. Later, explain the situation to Xuan'er—she's young and foolish, spoiled by her family into thinking she can have whatever she wants. That won't do."
"Don't worry, I'll go talk to her soon," Madam Chen said. "Jinzhao is in the side room—I'm afraid she might be dozing off..."
When Chen Yanyun entered the side room, he found Jinzhao already asleep.
Caifu, noticing his arrival, moved to wake her.Chen Yanyun waved his hand to decline assistance, then bent down to scoop Jinchao up in his arms. She seemed vaguely aware but didn't wake, instead burying her face in his chest and curling up like a kitten. Sleeping so peacefully...
Even with child, she's still so light... I wonder if she's been eating properly.
Chen Yanyun gazed at Gu Jinzhao's profile, his eyes dark and unreadable. He recalled how Chen Xuanqing had glanced at Jinchao when answering his questions earlier.
Chen Xuanqing's explanation had been: "I went to see Mother today, but you weren't there so I left. Then I met Cousin on the way." Based on his experience interrogating people, this was clearly an over-explanation - usually a sign of guilt...
After fastening her cloak, he carried her out of Sandalwood Mountain Courtyard.
Perhaps he'd been immersed in schemes and calculations for too long, even starting to suspect his own family's words and actions. Maybe it really was just a simple statement. Maybe he was overthinking.
The next day, Zhou Yixuan left the Chen Family, with Madam Chen presenting her twenty taels of silver as a parting gift.
Madam Qin spent her morning in the main hall receiving reports from various housekeepers.
Setting aside the account books, Madam Qin sipped her tea before remarking, "Mama Jiang, regarding the new writing materials purchased for the two young masters returning to the fourth branch - this expenditure should be recorded. Otherwise, how shall I explain it when reporting to Tai Furen? Don't you agree?"
Her phoenix eyes and lowered eyebrows carried natural authority even without anger.
Mama Jiang tiptoed to check the accounts and indeed found the missing entry. With a laugh, she said, "This servant has been too busy these days! I'll add it right away!"
Madam Qin smiled again. "What has kept Mama Jiang so occupied recently?"
Mama Jiang chuckled, "Nothing particularly important. Just additional duties with the young masters' return. More work, as expected."
After finishing her report, Mama Jiang withdrew.
Noticing Mama Jiang's evasive answers, Madam Qin sensed something hidden. She summoned Hanping to investigate matters in the fourth branch.
Just then, her personal maid Hanzhen came to report: "...Last night, Third Master and Third Madam were summoned by Tai Furen for discussion, followed by Seventh Young Master. They didn't leave until late at night."
Having managed the Chen household affairs for years, Madam Qin's networks ran deep. Frowning, she mused, "Called the third branch for talks last night, then sent Miss Xuan away today. I did wonder why Miss Xuan looked so pale. Even Seventh Young Master didn't see her off... What do you suppose this means?"
Hanzhen smiled, "Whatever you say it means, madam. In any case, it's all past now."
Madam Qin took another sip of tea. "After sending Miss Xuan away, Mother went to visit Old Madam Zheng in the alley, saying she wanted to formally propose to the Yu family... There must have been something between Miss Xuan and our Seventh Young Master. Pity it's all over now."
As Hanzhen organized the disordered account books, she remarked, "Madam... You work so hard with all these matters every day."Madam Qin sighed, "Hard work is nothing as long as there's reward. The Second Master stays in Shaanxi all year round, only returning for a few days during New Year. As a woman, I just want to hold up the Second Household... But I fear no matter how well I do, everything will fall into others' hands in the end, leaving me with nothing." A cold smile appeared at the corner of her lips. "Sometimes I envy Third Sister-in-law. She doesn't need to do anything, always protected by Third Master... Now that she's pregnant, the whole family treats her like treasure."
After chatting with Hanzhen for a while, several wives came to pay their respects first, followed by the concubines.
Finally, Nanny Zheng brought Chen Xuanyue over.
But Chen Xuanyue threw a tantrum and refused to enter, wrestling with Nanny Zheng at the doorway, causing quite a scene.
Madam Qin rubbed her temples in irritation. "Get him inside quickly."
Chen Xuanyue was eventually dragged in by the maids, his lip split and bleeding profusely. When Nanny Zheng tried to wipe it, he stubbornly avoided her.
Madam Qin asked, "How have you been taking care of him? How did he end up like this again?"
Nanny Zheng forced a smile. "The new maid you assigned him broke his favorite vase, and he's been upset ever since! I've been trying to calm him for hours to no avail—Ninth Young Master even tried to hit me. Just now he fell on the steps from struggling too hard..."
Chen Xuanyue trembled with sobs, tears mixing with blood streaming down his face.
Madam Qin usually turned a blind eye to Chen Xuanyue's affairs. Waving her hand dismissively, she said, "Go scold that maid, then take him away and bandage his wound."
Nanny Zheng acknowledged the order and led Chen Xuanyue away.
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