Chapter 285: Eye Contact
The next day, Jinchao sent Chen Xuanyue to the outer courtyard.
Though Banana Leaf Hall was small, it was arranged very quietly and simply. Several clusters of banana plants grew beside the artificial hill, with clear springs flowing and green shade spreading like a canopy. The five rooms were also tidied up neatly. Mama Song led two young servants over to pay respects to Gu Jinzhao. Jinchao noticed that while Mama Song wasn’t talkative, she wore a navy-blue cotton jacket and silver bracelets, appearing neat and efficient.
When she saw Chen Xuanyue standing behind Gu Jinzhao, she smiled and greeted him.
Chen Xuanyue mostly ignored people and continued eating his malt candy.
Granny Sun had already prepared everything that needed to be arranged. Jinchao looked around—she had full confidence in Granny Sun’s work. Aside from the inner chamber, the side rooms, and the main hall being well-furnished, a study had also been set up in the easternmost room. A stack of snow-white Chengxintang Paper was piled on the Curio Cabinet.
Granny Sun brought over a stool, and Jinchao spoke to Mama Song: "...From now on, you will personally attend to the Ninth Young Master. Though he isn’t clever, his heart isn’t bad. You must be patient with him and talk to him often. Sometimes he has a temper—if there’s anything he won’t listen to, come and tell me. Also, bring him to pay respects to me every other day. Though he’s afraid of strangers, he’ll recognize if you treat him well... Do you understand?"
Mama Song respectfully agreed, and Jinchao motioned for Chen Xuanyue to go to her. Chen Xuanyue held onto Jinchao’s hand and didn’t move.
Jinchao gently pulled her hand free, leaving him where he stood, and left with Granny Sun and the others.
After all, this was the outer courtyard—it wasn’t proper for an inner household woman to linger too long.
As Jinchao walked out of Banana Leaf Hall, Mama Song’s voice called from behind. She turned to look—the child was still following her, still eating his malt candy. It was as if he had decided he should follow her and didn’t realize she was leaving him behind.
When she stopped, he stopped too, staring blankly at Gu Jinzhao.
This child had suffered since he was young. When he met someone who treated him even slightly well, he would cling to them.
Like a puppy that had imprinted on its owner.
Mama Song hurried out: "Ninth Young Master, let’s go back and see your study..." She reached out to try and lead him back.
Surely he wouldn’t want to follow her forever... Gu Jinzhao turned around and quickly walked back the way she came.
Chen Xuanyue also quickened his pace to follow her. He couldn’t keep up with an adult’s stride and soon broke into a little run. Then, he tripped and fell. Mama Song rushed to help him up, and Chen Xuanyue let out two rough, hoarse cries: "W-wait... wait..."
Mama Song held onto him, but Gu Jinzhao was walking too fast—he couldn’t catch up anymore.
Chen Xuanyue grew agitated again, struggling and biting Mama Song’s wrist. Mama Song gritted her teeth against the pain but didn’t dare let go.
Such a pitiful yet endearing child. How could Madam Qin bear to treat him so cruelly...
Gu Jinzhao sighed inwardly, lost in thought. So much so that she didn’t notice the figure in pale blue robes ahead of her. The two collided abruptly, and Jinzhao took a step back before realizing it was Chen Xuanqing.
He looked startled but quickly composed himself. Softly, he asked, "Are you alright, Mother?"
Only then did Jinzhao remember that his former residence was right next to Banana Leaf Hall... Her forehead had bumped against his chin, but it didn’t hurt much. She smiled. "Aren’t you supposed to be at the Imperial Academy today?"Chen Xuanqing was dressed in a moon-white straight robe with black trim, his frame now more robust than before. Where he had once been slender, his broad shoulders now filled out his clothes naturally, lending him a more mature air. "The year-end is approaching," he remarked. "The Imperial Academy is always idle at this time." Compiling annual records didn't require the likes of their Compilers. "I thought I'd move some books over. What brings you to the outer courtyard?"
Moving books from the outer courtyard... which meant his belongings hadn't been fully relocated to the Shuyage Pavilion.
Gu Jinzhao asked him, "It's a long story. I came to escort your Ninth Young Master... Will you still be staying in the outer courtyard in the future?"
Chen Xuanqing replied indifferently, "Perhaps." Then he inquired about her Ninth Young Master. "Hasn't he always been under Second Aunt's care? Why has he moved to the outer courtyard?"
Gu Jinzhao briefly explained Chen Xuanyue's situation and suddenly had an idea. She had been considering finding someone to teach Chen Xuanyue to read, and now that Chen Xuanqing had free time, with his residence conveniently near Banana Leaf Hall, perhaps he could spare some moments to teach the boy.
She wasn't sure if he'd agree, so she asked for his thoughts: "...The Ninth Young Master isn't bright. Just teaching him a few simple characters would suffice. It wouldn't take much time each day... Of course, if it interferes with your affairs, there's no need."
Chen Xuanqing smiled faintly. "How could it? Where is Ninth Brother now?"
Gu Jinzhao thought of the little rascal and sighed. Leading Chen Xuanqing back, they found Mama Song had restrained Chen Xuanyue and locked him in the study. Inside, the boy was banging loudly on the lattice windows, accompanied by the sound of shattering porcelain...
Such a temper! Mama Song dared not let him out, standing outside the lattice windows pleading with him.
Gu Jinzhao instructed Mama Song to open the lattice windows, and Chen Xuanyue immediately bolted out. He dashed far away before noticing Gu Jinzhao standing outside the windows. He hurriedly hid behind her, glaring at Mama Song and shouting incoherently, as if trying to tell Gu Jinzhao that this was a bad person.
Gu Jinzhao smiled wryly. She had forgotten to warn Mama Song that Chen Xuanyue absolutely hated being confined.
Chen Xuanqing had long known about his "idiot" Ninth Brother, but as the eldest legitimate grandson and the most outstanding among the Chen Family's Xuan generation, he had never spoken to Chen Xuanyue. He had only seen him once or twice in passing and couldn't even recall his appearance clearly.
He only knew that his other half-brothers mentioned this fool with amusement, never paying him any mind.
Yet this child was as nimble as a monkey, clinging tightly behind Gu Jinzhao. Surprisingly, she shielded him, soothing him gently, "Xuanyue, Mama Song didn't mean to lock you up... Did you break something inside?"
Watching Chen Xuanyue clutch Gu Jinzhao's hand, Chen Xuanqing felt a faint discomfort.
Gu Jinzhao then grabbed Chen Xuanyue by the collar and saw the newly arranged porcelain in the study shattered across the floor. Mama Song gasped in shock. "Third Madam, this servant didn't know..." She hadn't expected Chen Xuanyue to smash things—had she known, she would have locked him in the side room instead!
The porcelain here was all from official kilns, including a blue-glazed vase and a cloisonné piece from Gu Jinzhao's private collection.
Pointing at the shards, Gu Jinzhao scolded him, "With that one smash, you've destroyed over thirty taels of silver! Do you realize your mistake?"Chen Xuanyue looked at the shattered porcelain pieces on the floor, not understanding what the thirty-some taels meant. Seeing Gu Jinzhao feigning anger, he raised his head and gave her a small smile.
Gu Jinzhao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She had Mama Song bring a broom to sweep up the broken porcelain and took him to sit in the western side room.
A servant boy brought tea.
Chen Xuanqing noticed the child paid no attention to anyone, quickly retreating to the kang. Gu Jinzhao's explanation was brief, as it involved the second branch—he'd already heard more details from Yu Wanxue. He said, "With Ninth Brother's condition, I'm afraid he won't be able to learn much..."
No matter how erudite he was, he couldn't make a simpleton pass the imperial exams.
Gu Jinzhao nodded with a smile: "I know, just teaching him to recognize a few characters is enough. After the new year, he'll be attending lessons with Xuanxin and the others... Xuanxin's tutor is already lecturing on the Great Learning, so he likely won't have time for him."
She had considered teaching him herself, but her pregnancy made it inconvenient. If Chen Xuanqing was unwilling, she could simply hire another tutor for Chen Xuanyue.
"If you have other matters..." Seeing his silence, Gu Jinzhao didn't want to force him.
But Chen Xuanqing interrupted her: "Alright, I'll come daily to teach him for half an hour."
Gu Jinzhao smiled, about to thank him, when she noticed Chen Xuanqing looking at her. His gaze was intense, as if filled with unspoken emotions—too profound. Their eyes met abruptly, and he quickly averted his.
Her heart skipped a beat, sensing something amiss in Chen Xuanqing's demeanor, though she couldn't pinpoint why.
The room fell into an awkward silence until Gu Jinzhao stood up: "...It's almost noon. I need to report to your grandmother, so I'll take my leave."
She gave Chen Xuanyue some instructions, telling him to come pay respects tomorrow and listen to Mama Song. Later, Guard Chen would take him to Crane Extension Tower—there was no need to be afraid... She knew Chen Xuanyue could understand; he just struggled with communication.
After these instructions, Gu Jinzhao left Banana Leaf Hall.
Chen Xuanqing stood to see her out.
This time, Chen Xuanyue didn't chase after her. Sitting on the kang, he glanced at Chen Xuanqing, his brow furrowing slightly.
But no one noticed.
Gu Jinzhao reported to Madam Chen and had lunch there. In the afternoon, she played leaf cards with visiting Madam Wu. As a new bride, Yu Wanxue became the focus of the Wu ladies' attention. Her card skills were poor, and she lost seven taels, repeatedly insisting she couldn't continue.
Madam Wu patted her hand: "No need to worry! Your household has a Third Scholar. Just ask him to cover your losses!"
Everyone laughed while Yu Wanxue blushed deeply, though her lips curled upward despite herself.
Madam Wu added: "Since Seventh Young Master Chen was twelve, matchmakers have come knocking. I recall a cousin's sister once asked me to propose a match with him—the Hu family from Fengyang, Anhui. I refused immediately. Many have admired Seventh Young Master since childhood... Yet he's remained impeccably proper, without even a bed-warming maid. Seventh Madam truly married well!"
Gu Jinzhao lowered her head with a faint smile. Countless women had adored and admired him—she'd once been among them. But those were youthful mistakes. Now, handling Third Master Chen alone was enough.
As the Wu ladies spoke, they pulled Yu Wanxue back into the card game. This time, Gu Jinzhao stepped away from the table, and Wang Shi took her place.Gu Jinzhao was right beside Yu Wanxue, guiding her. Beginners at cards often have good luck, even if they play poorly. Yu Wanxue simply followed Gu Jinzhao's instructions and ended up winning back four taels of silver. Madam Wu, having lost quite a bit, shook her head with a bitter smile and said she wouldn't play anymore. Over ten taels of broken silver had ended up in the pockets of Wang Shi and Second Madam. Madam Chen chuckled and had the table cleared, while maids brought out sliced apples for everyone to enjoy.
These apples had been specially transported from Shaanxi by Second Master Chen's connections, as he was due to return to the capital in a few days.
PS: I originally planned to make up for the missed update this morning, but some mischievous kids came over, and I had to help them with their winter vacation homework...
Honestly, the New Year period is quite busy! I’ll aim for three updates today, with at least two guaranteed!
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