Chapter 274: Visit
Gu Jinzhao drank a bowl of black rice porridge, and soon Caifu came in, whispering in her ear, "Madam... the pastries brought by Third Madam Yao were the problem. Third Master has already questioned them, and they've been sent out of the Chen Family overnight..."
Gu Jinzhao fell into deep thought upon hearing this.
Was Gu Lian trying to harm her?
At first, Gu Jinzhao found it impossible to believe. Gu Lian didn’t hate her that much, nor would she do something so foolish.
Gu Lian had said the pastries were brought back from the Yao family in the capital. Could it be that someone had intended to harm Gu Lian, but she had accidentally eaten them instead? If so, who wanted to harm Gu Lian? She hadn’t been married into the Yao family for long, and Yao Wenxiu only had Gu Lan as his concubine. Could it be Gu Lan?
Gu Jinzhao asked Caifu, "Did you hear what Third Master asked them inside?"
Caifu shook her head. "This servant stood far away, and only Third Master’s people were in the side room. Third Master will be here soon—perhaps you can ask him directly."
Gu Jinzhao was worried that Third Master Chen might not tell her the truth.
After questioning Gu Lian and Zhou Shi, Third Master Chen would surely remain uneasy until he sent someone to investigate the Yao family thoroughly.
Gu Jinzhao closed her eyes, suddenly feeling exhausted. The events of the afternoon had drained her completely. Just as she shut her eyes to rest, Madam Chen entered, followed by Madam Qin, Madam Wang, and Madam Ge.
Caifu immediately moved to wake Gu Jinzhao, but Madam Chen raised a hand to stop her, sighing. "This child... it hasn’t been easy for her. Let her rest. I’ll come see her tomorrow. All of you, take good care of her these next few days—she shouldn’t be moving around too much."
The maids bowed in unison.
Madam Qin said worriedly, "Looking at Third Sister-in-law’s condition, I doubt she’ll be able to oversee Xuanqing’s wedding preparations."
The Chen Family had already exchanged the Marriage Certificate with the Yu family, and Madam Chen had been drafting the guest list these past few days. In two days, they would set up tents and stoves and send the dowry boxes to hasten the bridal preparations.
Madam Chen considered this. Gu Jinzhao was pregnant and had just suffered such an incident—it wouldn’t be right to burden her with Chen Xuanqing’s wedding. As a grand secretary, Third Master Chen couldn’t personally handle many of the arrangements. Leading her daughters-in-law out of the East Side Room, she said to Madam Qin, "You take charge of Xuanqing’s wedding for now, with Fourth Sister-in-law assisting you. If there’s anything you’re unsure about, come and ask me..."
Madam Qin nodded with a smile.
Madam Chen saw Third Master Chen emerge from the side room, followed shortly by Zhou Shi and Gu Lian. She dismissed those accompanying her and went to ask Third Master Chen what had really happened.
Since the issue had arisen from something brought by Gu Jinzhao’s own cousin, Third Master Chen naturally didn’t explain the full details to Madam Chen. He only said there had been a minor dispute between them, and Jinzhao’s stomachache was due to momentary agitation. He reassured her, "...It’s already dark. You should go back and rest—don’t overexert yourself."
Madam Chen, being older, indeed felt somewhat worn out. After giving Third Master Chen a few more instructions, she left with her maids.
Third Master Chen glanced at the heavily guarded sentries outside.
When Gu Jinzhao had fallen ill, he couldn’t immediately determine the cause. If an outsider had infiltrated, Osmanthus Hall needed to be secured first. Now that it was unnecessary, he ordered them to withdraw to Crane Extension Tower, leaving only a small squad guarding the front courtyard.Returning to the East Side Room, he saw Jinchao had actually fallen asleep on the welcoming pillow. Only then did the tension in his expression ease.
Gently carrying her back to the inner chamber and placing her on the bed, Third Master Chen had a maid bring a basin of hot water. He personally wiped her face with a towel.
Handing the towel to a young maid beside him, he bent down to remove her shoes and socks.
Feeling a cool sensation on her feet, Gu Jinzhao woke with a start. Seeing Third Master Chen removing her shoes and socks, she was startled. "Third Master... you shouldn't..." It was one thing for her not to serve him, but how could she let Third Master Chen remove her shoes and socks for her?
"Lie still," Third Master Chen said quietly, and Jinzhao found she truly couldn't move.
His large hands firmly encircled her ankles, holding them completely immobile.
The man silently washed her feet without saying a word. Naturally, none of the maids dared make a sound at this moment, taking the hot water away when finished.
Staring at the ceiling, Gu Jinzhao wondered what Third Master Chen must be thinking.
He usually valued her so highly—even a minor finger injury would pain him greatly. Just now, she had nearly lost their child...
Jinzhao still remembered how he had comforted her during that chaotic moment, his voice soft and reassuring. Only after hearing it had she finally relaxed.
Third Master Chen released her and tucked her under the blankets. As he leaned down, Jinzhao reached out and embraced him. Third Master Chen paused briefly but didn't refuse, sighing as he climbed into bed and allowed her to wrap her arms around his neck.
Jinzhao buried herself in his embrace without speaking.
She rarely took the initiative to be this close to him, and when she did, it was usually because she wanted something or wasn't fully conscious.
After a moment, Third Master Chen wrapped his arms around her in return, holding her tighter.
"Third Master, did Lian jie er say who was really behind this?" Jinzhao asked without looking up.
She heard his voice above her. "It's still unclear. We'll have to investigate first."
Jinzhao pressed further. "How will you investigate? It might have been an accident. I don't think Gu Lian would do such a thing."
"Don't worry, I have my ways," he replied.
Jinzhao pulled back slightly to look up at him. "Did Gu Lian mention Gu Lan?"
"Yes," Third Master Chen said. "It could be inner-house conflicts involving you, or there might be more complicated reasons. It's hard to say for now. Don't dwell on it—get some rest."
Jinzhao knew he wouldn't tell her more. Closing her eyes, she tried to retreat into her own bedding.
But Third Master Chen held her and said, "It's fine. Sleep like this tonight."
He asked her nothing else.
Nestled in his warm embrace, Jinzhao slept soundly. In the hazy light of morning, she felt him planting light kisses along her cheek, his breathing gradually growing heavier. But soon he rose, and the sound of water from the washroom indicated he was bathing.
It was already early autumn—there was no need to bathe again in the morning... Jinzhao thought drowsily. Opening her eyes, she saw through the lattice window that the sky was still dark, with the distant sound of a rooster crowing. It must have just reached mao hour. But Third Master Chen always rose early.
Closing her eyes again, Jinzhao drifted back to sleep. When she awoke, it was fully daylight.
After breakfast and her medicine, Chen Xi came to see her.
Knowing she shouldn't move around much, Jinzhao sent Granny Sun to inform Madam Chen that she wouldn't be able to pay her respects for the next two days.Each household sent over nourishing gifts, which Caifu tallied and stored in the eastern annex.
Wang Shi, being the closest, visited her again the next day. She spoke of Chen Xuanqing's upcoming wedding: "...Second Sister-in-law is overseeing it now. You needn't worry. Having managed household affairs for so many years, she's certainly capable of handling a wedding. If you're feeling bored, I can come often to keep you company."
Chen Xuanqing's wedding... Just days ago, Madam Chen had summoned her to discuss it. They needed to finalize the guest list and prepare the invitations in advance.
Likely due to her poor health, Madam Chen had temporarily handed the arrangements to Madam Qin.
Gu Jinzhao smiled. "I'd be delighted to have your company. I heard from Third Master that Xuan'an and Xuanping won't be returning to the villa and will instead study with the family tutor? That's good. At least Xuanxin will have companions."
Wang Shi's sudden mention of Chen Xuanqing's wedding surely carried underlying thoughts.
As the manager of the third branch, Gu Jinzhao should have been the one overseeing Chen Xuanqing's wedding. It wasn't overly taxing—even in her condition, she could manage. Having Madam Qin handle the wedding of the third branch's young master would raise eyebrows.
When Gu Jinzhao brought up Chen Xuan'an, Wang Shi forced a smile. "The villa is a four-day round trip, and Fourth Master finds the journey too long. Besides, having Seventh Young Master's guidance at home is far better than staying at the villa."
Gu Jinzhao knew of the discord between Wang Shi and Fourth Master Chen, especially regarding their children's education. Neither of the fourth branch's sons had achieved much, fueling Fourth Master Chen's resentment toward Wang Shi. After the Chen family divided their household, Gu Jinzhao never saw Wang Shi again and never learned of her eventual fate.
As they spoke, Chen Xuanqing arrived.
He had returned very late the previous night. When tensions escalated, he had taken Chen Xi back to the rear courtyard, where An Momo soothed the child to sleep. He himself had lingered in the pavilion until the commotion died down before leaving.
Back in his quarters, he drank an entire jug of wine.
Chen Xuanqing wasn't unfamiliar with alcohol—Chen Xuanran had once sneaked him sips of aged Huadiao wine.
Surprisingly, he had a knack for drinking; even half a jar didn't intoxicate him. Chen Xuanran marveled at this, but seeing his flushed face, worried Third Uncle might notice, quickly took him to the lotus pond to sober up. Only after midnight, when he seemed normal, did Chen Xuanran escort him back. It was one of the few rebellious acts of his childhood.
Yet after that, Chen Xuanqing never drank again. He simply didn't enjoy the taste. He couldn't fathom why literature praised wine as divine nectar—to him, it burned from tongue to throat, devoid of any fragrance. When Chen Xuanran later sneaked him to a tavern, he ordered tea and sat alone for hours.
This time, drinking brought no solace. Instead, his mind grew more turbulent with each sip. Tossing and turning, he lay awake until dawn. By morning, he resolved to check on Gu Jinzhao.
Unsure of her condition but hearing no major disturbances the night before, he assumed the child was safe.
Yet he waited until nearly noon to visit, finding her in conversation with Wang Shi.
Wang Shi smiled at him. "Well, if it isn't our Seventh Young Master." As the Chen family's most promising descendant, every branch treated him with deference.
Chen Xuanqing replied coolly, "I merely came to see Mother," then asked Gu Jinzhao, "Are you feeling better?"Gu Jinzhao nodded and noticed that although he had tidied himself up, he looked disheveled with a hint of stubble on his chin. She asked, "Did you not rest well last night? It's getting colder at night now, remember to add an extra blanket."
Chen Xuanqing smiled, still keeping his head lowered. "It's fine." Even in winter, he only used a thin quilt, let alone this slight chill.
Outside, a maid announced that Third Master Chen had returned.
Chen Xuanqing stood up first. "Then I'll take my leave. Please rest well." The maid lifted the curtain for him as he exited the western chamber.
Gu Jinzhao now found Chen Xuanqing completely incomprehensible. Since he was no longer avoiding her, he must have let go of the past, right?
OpenNovel