Chapter 281: The Child
Third Master Chen's first day back at morning court.
Jinchao rose early to help him dress. The court robes were too elaborate for him to manage alone.
After fastening the rhino leather belt and ribboned seal, Third Master Chen took care of the remaining details himself. He meticulously adjusted his collar and sleeves, only to notice Jinchao already dozing off against the daybed. He carried her back to the wormwood bed, but she remained oblivious, curling up with the quilt to continue sleeping.
Third Master Chen lowered the bed curtains, picked up the six-tiered crown from the red lacquered tray, and stepped outside, where Chen Yi was already waiting for him.
The white marble steps, vermilion walls, and yellow-glazed tiles, adorned with golden dragon corbels and triple-intersection six-lobed transom windows, stood as resplendent as ever. Four gilded incense burners were arranged at the front.
Even after two months of absence, the Qianqing Palace remained as magnificent as before.
Though the current imperial tutor was Lord Gao, the Imperial Academy's chancellor, the emperor still occasionally summoned Chen Yanyun to consult on scholarly matters. Chen Yi waited outside the palace gates while Chen Yanyun stepped inside.
Zhu Junan's personal eunuch guided him toward the side chamber, smiling as he said, "This way, Lord Chen. His Majesty has converted the side chamber into a study, saying that reading here allows him to view the koi in the lotus pond. The Grand Imperial Consort even ordered more fish to be raised in the pond—it’s quite a sight..."
Unlike the gold-paved floors of the Qianqing Palace, the side chamber was modestly furnished. A bronze crane lamp stand, a long writing desk, and a sandalwood curio cabinet were arranged inside. The lattice windows were wide open, offering a clear view of the lotus pond in the small garden.
When Zhu Junan saw him enter, his face lit up. "It's been so long since I last saw you, Lord Chen!" He gestured for him to take a seat.
Chen Yanyun replied, "This humble official was merely recovering from an injury for a few days. I’m fully recovered now."
Zhu Junan nodded. "I heard from Zhang Aiqing that you suffered an arrow wound... Has Zhang Aiqing not arrived?"
"Perhaps Lord Zhang is occupied with urgent matters," Chen Yanyun replied with a faint smile.
Zhu Junan looked disappointed. "He used to visit me often, but now I only see Zhang Aiqing during morning court. Ye Xian recently got married and can’t come to keep me company either... Everyone in the palace is so dull—none of them are as fun as Ye Xian! Last time, he gave me a parrot that could recite the Analects. I adored it, but it died after just a few days. Otherwise, I could’ve shown it to you."
Once he started talking about Ye Xian, Zhu Junan couldn’t stop. "He’s such an amusing fellow—he even keeps snakes! Once, he secretly brought one in his sleeve to show me. It was emerald green and gave Lord Gao such a fright... He even went to complain to Changxing Marquis's Wife afterward!"
"Does Your Majesty often spend time with the heir?" Chen Yanyun asked.
Zhu Junan nodded. "He’s the Grand Imperial Consort’s younger brother and Lord Gao’s grandson. He often comes to keep me company." He then showed Chen Yanyun an essay he had written recently—on the concept of governing through non-action. Chen Yanyun thought the topic was too profound for Zhu Junan, who was only fourteen, to grasp. Gently, he advised, "Your Majesty might consider studying the Annotations on the Four Books more—they are essential for governance and serving the people."
Zhu Junan looked puzzled. "Isn’t governing and serving the people Lord Zhang’s responsibility? What do I need to do?"
Chen Yanyun smiled. "There will come a time when it’s needed." Though he said this, he wasn’t certain whether Zhang Ju Lian would ever relinquish power when that time came. The taste of standing above all but one was too intoxicating.
Just then, a palace attendant entered to announce that Changxing Marquis's Heir had arrived.Zhu Junan was delighted and ordered someone to summon him in. Chen Yanyun took his leave first.
On his way, he encountered Ye Xian.
Ye Xian had already changed out of his court robes and was wearing a jade-white overgown. He seemed to particularly favor this kind of loose, flowing attire. The black ribboned belt fluttered gracefully, and his expression was indifferent. His jade-like face, with red lips and white teeth, paired with his slender figure, exuded the refined demeanor of a noble scion.
Ye Xian smiled and said, "So it's Third Master Chen? I heard you were ambushed recently and nearly lost your life. Are you alright now?"
Though Ye Xian held a lower official rank, he had long been titled as the heir. In terms of status, he was not inferior.
"Thank you for your concern, Heir Ye. It was sheer luck that I managed to escape the jaws of death."
Ye Xian sighed, "What a pity..." The remark was easily misconstrued, but he quickly added, "Pity that a statesman who toils for the nation and its people should fall victim to treachery. Fortunately, the villain you sought to eliminate has been dealt with. Otherwise, it truly wouldn’t have been worth it."
Chen Yanyun replied coolly, "If it’s for the nation and its people, any injury is worthwhile. I haven’t yet congratulated you on your recent marriage. Why wasn’t I sent an invitation? I would have liked to send a gift."
"I feared you were too busy and didn’t wish to trouble you," Ye Xian said slowly. "I heard your wife is with child, and your eldest son just married—double happiness for your household. My affairs pale in comparison."
Ye Xian was usually reticent, but when he did speak, his words were cutting—delivered with effortless subtlety.
Most officials took care to avoid interactions with the heir of Marquis Changxing and tried not to provoke him.
Chen Yanyun wasn’t sure what he had done to offend him, nor did he care to dwell on it. "You should head in now, Heir Ye. The Emperor will summon you soon. I have matters to attend to and won’t keep you."
With a cupped-hand salute, he departed, followed by Chen Yi.
Ye Xian stood quietly for a moment.
He wondered what Jinchao looked like with a swollen belly... how she would soothe a child to sleep in the future.
When he heard of Chen Yanyun’s mishap, he had felt a flicker of joy. Though he suspected the "assassination attempt" was likely orchestrated by the old fox himself, a part of him had hoped for his death... hoped to see Gu Jinzhao left vulnerable and alone.
Only when a palace attendant came to hurry him did Ye Xian finally enter the side chamber.
...
Having just married Chen Xuanqing, Yu Wanxue came daily to pay her respects to Jinchao.
While Chen Xuanqing was exempt, she could not skip the ritual.
Following the conventional practice of disciplining a daughter-in-law, Gu Jinzhao ought to have done the same with Yu Wanxue. Madam Qin had even advised her: "New brides are often spoiled. Doted on excessively as girls, they tend to lack discipline now. Have her serve you during meals, help you dress—even if she doesn’t actually assist, make her stand by and listen to your instructions. Scold her firmly whenever she errs; don’t spare her feelings... After a few months, she’ll become obedient." She added that all three of her own daughters-in-law had been trained this way.
Gu Jinzhao merely smiled and nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Privately, she thought sons and daughters-in-law were different. Sons could be disciplined with strict measures, but daughters-in-law remembered every kindness and slight with perfect clarity.
Qingpu was now betrothed and thus given time to rest, leaving Caifu and Xiuqu to attend to Jinchao.Caifu had just finished helping her wash her face and hands and apply scented ointment when Yu Wanxue arrived.
Gu Jinzhao gestured to a stool for her to sit: "...In a little while, we'll go to pay respects to Mother."
Yu Wanxue was dressed simply, wearing a white-lined vermilion-edged beizi with her hair neatly coiled in a bun. Without any makeup, she looked delicate and charming.
When the maid brought up breakfast, Yu Wanxue served her a bowl of noodles.
The small kitchen had prepared saozi noodles with several toppings: pickled bamboo shoots, braised duck meat, and finely chopped carrots and cucumbers. Jinzhao asked the maid to bring another bowl and inquired, "Which toppings do you like?"
Yu Wanxue shook her head: "This daughter-in-law has already eaten. Please, enjoy yours."
Gu Jinzhao was surprised and frowned slightly. "What time did you wake up?"
"At mao hour... I've always risen at this time at home. Mother would start brewing medicine for Grandmother then, and I would help tend the fire. It's become a habit." Worried about being misunderstood, Yu Wanxue explained further.
Gu Jinzhao had no intention of changing her routine. In her past life, Yu Wanxue had also risen early every day—it seemed to be her nature.
Noticing Yu Wanxue still seemed a little tense, Jinzhao knew she hadn’t fully relaxed yet but chose not to comment.
After a while, Chen Xi arrived.
She had met Yu Wanxue during the family introduction ceremony, but with so many people around then, they hadn’t spoken much.
Chen Xi softly called Yu Wanxue "Seventh Sister-in-law" and sat behind Jinzhao, both timid and curious, peeking out to study this new sister-in-law.
Yu Wanxue smiled and greeted her: "Xi Jie'er, your hairband is so pretty. I loved things like this when I was little."
"I have two more pairs. If Seventh Sister-in-law likes them, I can give you one..." Chen Xi whispered.
She adored hairbands and owned three pairs embedded with pearls. An Momo often used them when styling her hair in twin buns or loops.
Jinzhao teased her: "Your Seventh Sister-in-law doesn’t need hairbands anymore. Why not give her something else? I think your Golden Cicada Hair Accessories would suit her..."
Chen Xi treasured those Golden Cicanda Hair Accessories—the cicadas were lifelike, their wings so thin they seemed translucent.
Pouting, Chen Xi clutched her hem and looked at Gu Jinzhao with pleading eyes: "Well... I also have a pair of golden bracelets..."
Both Jinzhao and Yu Wanxue laughed. Yu Wanxue quickly reassured her: "Don’t worry, Xi Jie'er. Seventh Sister-in-law won’t take your golden cicadas."
After chatting for a while, Gu Jinzhao led the two toward Sandalwood Mountain Courtyard.
Yu Wanxue couldn’t help but glance around. The Chen Family estate was vast, and even after several trips to Sandalwood Mountain Courtyard, she had only caught fleeting glimpses of its beauty. She had heard there were even more stunning sights—the towering bamboo groves by Half Bamboo Shore, the sprawling plum trees on the back slope...
Noticing her wandering gaze, Jinzhao said, "If you’d like to explore, I can take you around later..."
Yu Wanxue quickly shook her head: "You’re with child—how could I trouble you to accompany me? I was just looking around." She pointed to a pavilion half-hidden by phoenix trees. "Why does that pavilion look so unusual? The upturned eaves are exquisitely painted, and the roof tiles are glazed in yellow, green, and purple..."
Jinzhao explained: "That’s the Bagua Pavilion. It’s built with feng shui principles in mind—quite intricate..."
Looking closer, she noticed someone outside the pavilion.
Too far away to see clearly, only a slender silhouette was visible—likely a child hiding among the flower beds near the pavilion.Chen Xi also noticed and tugged at Jinchao's sleeve. Gu Jinzhao signaled her to stay silent and called Granny Sun over, whispering, "Go see who's over there." On such a cold morning, without any maids or servants accompanying them, who would come running here?
Yu Wanxue seemed puzzled but remained silent.
Granny Sun tiptoed over, but the figure quickly noticed. Immediately darting away, it ran toward the Taihu rocks.
Gu Jinzhao saw a small figure swiftly disappear into the Taihu rocks—there seemed to be a hollow where it hid and refused to come out.
But she had already seen clearly—it was undoubtedly a child.
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