Chapter 264: Embezzlement
After Third Master Chen left, Jinchao continued reviewing the account books.
As dusk fell, Qingpu brought over a candlestick.
Jinchao called her over to talk, setting aside the account books. "Sit down, let's talk properly," she said, dismissing the other maids.
Qingpu looked puzzled but obediently pulled over a stool. Jinchao's calm expression made her feel somewhat uneasy instead.
"A few days ago, Second Madam released two maids, Baifu and Baizhi, from her quarters—both seventeen, having reached the age to leave service. Second Madam even gave each of them ten taels of silver and a pair of gold bracelets as dowry gifts, and they married into decent families. You’re nearly twenty now, long past the usual age for leaving service..." Jinchao sighed. "Originally, it was my fault for delaying you. You can’t serve me forever—why don’t I find you a suitable match? Unless... you already have plans of your own?"
Qingpu remained silent for a long time. Marriage wasn’t something she had never considered, but she had only ever thought about it in passing. Someone like her wouldn’t find a good match—it was better to keep serving her mistress. But if she didn’t marry... she knew what people said behind her back. Softly, she asked, "Madam... do you find my service unsatisfactory?"
Gu Jinchao smiled and shook her head. "I’m afraid others will say I’m harsh! Besides, if you’re willing, you can continue serving me even after marriage. How could I ever dislike you? You grew up with me—I just want you to have a good life."
Reassured, Qingpu managed a small smile. "Serving you, Madam, is already a good life. I don’t ask for anything more..." Still, the thought of marriage made her uncomfortable. She wasn’t sure how she felt about it.
Jinchao had long wanted to find Qingpu a good husband. The fact that Qingpu was still unmarried at her age invited gossip. Though people wouldn’t say it to her face—given her status as a senior maid—they whispered behind her back. Just like the scornful remarks Mama Wang had once made about her. No matter how capable a woman was, if she remained unmarried past a certain age, people would talk. Besides, Jinchao didn’t want her to end up alone in old age.
Seeing that Qingpu wasn’t opposed, Jinchao smiled and asked, "Who do you think would be suitable? The sons of my dowry servants or shopkeepers, the guards in this courtyard, or the stewards’ sons... Have you ever noticed anyone you liked?" Realizing she wasn’t familiar with her own dowry servants, she added, "Or I could have Manager Luo select suitable candidates and compile a list for you to look over..."
Qingpu flushed. "Madam, how could I possibly deserve such consideration?"
Letting her choose...?
Jinchao chuckled. "It’s fine. Nothing’s decided yet—we’d still have to ask the other party. You’re my personal maid. Of course you deserve this."
She then called Xiuqu in and asked her to fetch Mama Tong.
Soon, all the maids knew Qingpu was to be married and were happy for her. Qingpu herself, however, felt nothing of the sort. Having been alone for so long, she wasn’t used to the idea.
Most of the stewards in the Third Household were Third Master Chen’s men, leaving few suitable candidates. If Qingpu wanted to continue serving Jinchao after marriage, it would be better to match her with someone inside the household. Marrying the son of an estate manager or shopkeeper would make that difficult.
Jinchao thought of Lin Yuanshan, who had spoken with Qingpu before.
She first instructed Mama Tong to deliver a message to Luo Yongping and hand over the sorted account books to be stored in the study.
Before long, Third Master Chen returned."Jinchao... I want to discuss something with you." Third Master Chen gestured for her to sit down, his tone gentle.
Gu Jinzhao also had something to say to him, so she complied and took a seat, looking at him curiously.
Jiang Yan had come to report official matters—could it be that Third Master was now willing to share such things with her? Jinchao found that unlikely.
Third Master Chen said, "It's about the Gu family. Your second uncle, Gu Deyuan... has been suspended and detained for embezzlement. He hasn’t been formally charged yet, but the Censorate and the Court of Judicial Review have already begun investigating him."
Gu Deyuan himself was the Right Assistant Censor—how could he have stolen from his own post?
Gu Jinzhao suddenly recalled overhearing a conversation between Gu Deyuan and Madam Feng, where Madam Feng had accused him of "taking bribes from the Prefectural Vice Magistrate." Gu Deyuan was certainly corrupt—had his misdeeds finally come to light?
But why was Third Master telling her this?
Third Master Chen continued, "When Gu Deyuan first sensed trouble, he sent someone to deliver a letter to me, asking for my help to shield him..." He usually stayed out of such matters, but since this man was Jinchao’s uncle, he thought it best to inform her.
He motioned for her to sit closer and said, "Jinchao, when I first visited the Gu family, I noticed they didn’t treat you well. Your second uncle often sent me gifts—many of them rare and valuable—but I always returned them. Yet from the moment you became pregnant until now, the Gu family hasn’t even sent a single person to check on you."
Was he still holding a grudge on her behalf? Jinchao looked up at him.
Third Master Chen smiled faintly. "I’ve investigated your family and know how your father was forced out. After returning, how did they treat you? Before you married me, you were neglected in the Gu household—even your personal maids were nearly married off at random. Isn’t that right?"
Gu Jinzhao fell silent. Indeed, her past had not been easy. While her mother was alive, she had to contend with Concubine Song. After her mother’s death, she returned to the Gu family and had to carefully appease Madam Feng. Since marrying Third Master, her life had become so comfortable that those hardships now seemed insignificant.
Thinking of all the suffering she had endured, Third Master Chen couldn’t help but feel tender toward her. He still remembered the girl crying in the heavy snow. Now she sat safely by his side, protected by him, carrying his child—no one would ever mistreat her again. He pulled her into his embrace and continued, "I don’t intend to dwell on the past, but I don’t care for them either." He lowered his head and asked her, "But I’d like to hear your thoughts—if I choose not to intervene, would you be upset?"
He disliked those who had treated Jinchao poorly, but if she wished to uphold family ties and asked him to save Gu Deyuan, he wouldn’t refuse.
Gu Jinzhao shook her head, feeling the warmth and security of his arms.
The storms of the outside world were kept at bay.
In her past life, the Gu family had nearly collapsed, yet she and her father remained unharmed. Looking back now, it was impossible to believe that Third Master hadn’t secretly intervened.
She wasn’t a saint—she had no intention of repaying cruelty with kindness. Nor did she want Third Master to shield someone who was clearly guilty. In her past life, his actions for Zhang Ju Lian had nearly tarnished his reputation, and she couldn’t bear to see that happen again. Though Third Master Chen was no paragon of virtue, he had principles and dignity. By reason and sentiment, she had no intention of asking him to protect Gu Deyuan.Jinchao hesitated for a moment before reaching out to wrap her arms around his waist. Feeling his body stiffen, she realized they were both equally sensitive to each other's touch. She said to him, "Third Master, you should do as you see fit. If Second Uncle is truly at fault, then he must bear the consequences. I think that's only right."
Her voice softened slightly: "Actually, when I was at the Gu residence, I hardly ever spoke with Second Uncle..." Gu Deyuan would never have shown any kindness to parasitic figures like them.
Third Master Chen chuckled. If Jinchao had truly asked for his help, it would have been somewhat troublesome. He cherished this rare moment of agreement between them.
He whispered, "Jinchao, hold on tight."
Before she could react, he swept her up into his arms.
She gasped in surprise, clinging tightly to his waist. "Third Master... what are you—what are you doing?" She still hadn't discussed Qingpu's matter with him, and they hadn't even had dinner yet.
"Don't be afraid, it'll be quick," Third Master Chen reassured her before carrying her toward the bed curtains.
As they were speaking privately, there were no maids in the inner chamber. Hearing the commotion, Caifu quietly closed the lattice window.
People often said that newlyweds couldn't get enough of each other. The Third Master, considerate of her inexperience, mostly let her sleep peacefully during their first month together. Just as she had finally adjusted and could respond to him, she became pregnant, delaying things further.
Jinchao thought this wasn't ideal either, so when he leaned down to kiss her, she responded obediently.
His scorching hands moved along her body, rough fingertips pressing against snow-white skin—the same fingers that usually held a brush with scholarly elegance were now touching her there... what should have been refined and pure was now tainted with desire.
Gu Jinzhao's body melted into softness beneath him, trembling slightly as he pressed down.
Mindful of not crushing her, he supported himself with one arm on the bed. Burying his face in the crook of her neck, his breath hot against her skin, he felt her shiver and couldn't help saying, "Jinchao, don't move..." He was already struggling to restrain himself to avoid harming the baby—she shouldn't provoke him further.
Gu Jinzhao whispered, "I can't help it..." Feeling that heated presence pressing insistently against her waist, how could she not be nervous?
With a resigned sigh, he could only let his hand travel downward, quickly stirring her passion...
Nearly half an hour later, they finally called for maids to bring hot water. After dressing, Jinchao couldn't help reflecting on what had just happened—so there really were methods for everything. And it truly didn't harm the baby? Who on earth came up with these things?
Seeing Third Master Chen emerge in a new gray-blue straight robe, looking every bit the refined gentleman again, Gu Jinzhao kept recalling the earlier scene—those solid arms braced beside her... She averted her gaze, not daring to look at him, thinking how this properly dressed man was actually...
"Are you hungry?" Third Master Chen asked. Noticing her staring fixedly at a floral vase, he smiled. "Are you angry?"
Jinchao took a deep breath. "...This concubine wouldn't dare."
He picked up chopsticks and served her a small bowl of dishes. "Then eat quickly—don't go hungry."
Dinner was half an hour later than usual, and now they were eating for two. What if she got hungry?Gu Jinzhao picked up her chopsticks as instructed and noticed Caifu across from her, head bowed with a suppressed smile at the corners of her mouth. All the maids in the room wore similar expressions. Feeling increasingly embarrassed—these were the very attendants who served her daily—she dismissed the maids first before discussing Qingpu's matter with Third Master Chen.
"...This concubine wishes to find Qingpu a good marriage, preferably within the Chen Family. She's my most valued maid, having accompanied me since childhood. Would you kindly consider suitable candidates? Other considerations matter little—what's essential is that they treat Qingpu well..."
PS: This is walking a fine line—please don't let any well-meaning whistleblowers catch wind of this! Amen!
First update~~
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