When Gu Jinchao spoke thus, Third Master Chen naturally became serious. He said to her: “My advisors are managed by Jiang Yan, and the guards by Chen Yi. Why not have them both come over and you can ask if they know of anyone suitable?”
Gu Jinchao felt that such a formal approach would be too much, and she shook her head: “Let’s forget that. If I see someone suitable, I’ll tell you.”
Third Master Chen nodded: “Alright, you make the decision. When you find someone good, just tell me.”
The next day, Luo Yongping truly sent over a register with several suitable candidates, but they were all far away. If Qingpu married one of them, she would inevitably be unable to remain at Jinchao’s side. Gu Jinchao mainly wanted to limit the candidates to within the Chen household.
Luo Yongping had grown fatter than before. Last year, his newly taken concubine had given birth to a son. Having a son in middle age, his face was all smiles.
Gu Jinchao wouldn’t interfere in such matters; as long as he managed the business affairs well, that was enough. She casually asked about his sons. His eldest was already helping in the shop, while the youngest was still nursing. Speaking of it, even he felt somewhat embarrassed. Luo Yongping rarely came by, and he discussed with her whether to open a silk shop in Wanping as well, considering whether to sell Lu silk, Zezhou scarves, or Linqing fabrics.
Gu Jinchao had long appreciated Luo Yongping’s skill in business ventures. She inquired in detail and decided to open a Linqing fabric shop.
Finally, Luo Yongping said: “…Master Cao asked me to bring you a letter and said you should respond after reading it.”
He took out a letter from his sleeve, its seal secured with beeswax.
Gu Jinchao rarely corresponded with Cao Ziheng. After all, she was a woman of the inner chambers, and it wasn’t appropriate to inquire about court matters.
Gu Jinchao accepted the letter and had Xiuqu escort Luo Yongping out.
Chen Xi came to pay her respects and earnestly felt Jinchao’s belly. She felt it every day, judging whether her little brother had grown larger.
Jinchao had someone bring a red date and poria cakes she had made that morning for Chen Xi to eat. Chen Xi sat beside her eating the snacks, telling her about learning “The Seagulls Forget Their Wariness” today, and what she had eaten for lunch at Lady Chen’s. She then asked Jinchao, “…Mother, I just saw a fat person leaving. I don’t think I’ve seen him before?”
Jinchao said: “He’s my attendant who helps manage my shops.”
Chen Xi made a sound of understanding: “Second Aunt has a rice shop, two general stores, and a clothing shop. Before, when I had my birthday, my Second Aunt had two outfits made for me. Is it that kind of shop?”
Jinchao nodded with a smile: “Yes, I also have several silk shops and a candy shop in Baodi…”
Chen Xi’s eyes lit up at this, and she couldn’t help but take her hand, “Mother, you have a candy shop? What kinds of candy do you have? I love candy.”
Jinchao told her: “There’s lotus root candy, amber candy, rose candy, sesame candy, scallion candy… Next time I’ll have them pack some of each for you.”
Chen Xi smiled, revealing a pair of adorable canine teeth.
Caifu came to announce that the Seventh Young Master had arrived.
Since the last time Zhou Yixuan claimed to have a relationship with him, Gu Jinchao hadn’t seen him.
Chen Xuanqing brought several boxes of pastries for Chen Xi and first paid respects to Jinchao: “Mother, I hope you are well. I originally came to see Sister Xi. I didn’t expect her to be here with you, so I’ve disturbed you.”
Gu Jinchao naturally said it was nothing, wondering what was the matter with Chen Xuanqing. Could he still be concerned about Zhou Yixuan’s matter?
She thought she should explain. Their relationship had improved a bit in the past few days, but now it had turned cold as ice again.
After all, he was Third Master Chen’s eldest legitimate son, and he would be calling her “mother” for decades to come.
A maid brought over a stool. Chen Xuanqing opened the box and fed Chen Xi pastries. Chen Xi took a small piece of mung bean cake herself, climbed onto the kang bed, and fed it to Jinchao, eagerly asking: “Does it taste good?”
Her fingers still smelled of red dates. Gu Jinchao said “It’s delicious,” and then told her: “You can’t eat too much. You’ve already had several pieces of Poria cake.”
Chen Xi nodded with a smile and chatted with Chen Xuanqing for a while.
Chen Xuanqing was very gentle with his sister, feeding her nearly half of the mung bean cake. Only when Chen Xi said she didn’t want any more did he put things away?
Gu Jinchao said to Nanny An: “Nanny, please take Miss Xi outside for a walk. She’s eaten so many cakes; I fear she might get indigestion.”
Nanny An agreed and took Chen Xi to play in the small garden in the back courtyard.
As Chen Xuanqing rose to leave, Gu Jinchao said: “Please sit for a moment. I have something I want to discuss with you.”
Chen Xuanqing said coolly: “If Mother has something to say, please speak.”
Gu Jinchao looked around and saw that only Caifu was in the inner chamber. She then explained to Chen Xuanqing: “That day, I had Qingpu follow you all. You saw that, right? You must have thought I reported to your grandmother. I had Qingpu follow Miss Xuan because she had made some inappropriate remarks to me, and I was afraid she might do something improper…”
“Why are you explaining!” Chen Xuanqing suddenly interrupted Gu Jinchao.
His handsome face was taut with anger. His previous calm had been merely a facade. He stared directly at Gu Jinchao, clearly not trusting her: “If you weren’t feeling guilty, why would you explain? In any case, I’ve already been accused of having an affair with my cousin. What’s the point of saying all this?”
Gu Jinchao hadn’t expected the usually aloof Chen Xuanqing to lose his temper and was momentarily stunned.
Why was he so angry? This matter had nothing to do with her.
“There’s no need to be so agitated. I just don’t want you to be cold toward me in the future. After all, we’re all part of the Third Household. Of course, I also don’t like being misunderstood,” Gu Jinchao said with a deep frown. “Regarding your matter with Miss Xuan, I didn’t speak up for you at the time because I felt it couldn’t be easily clarified. But you and she are cousins of different surnames. If she doesn’t mind these issues, you should. If her words and actions were unusual, couldn’t you see that?”
After hearing this, Chen Xuanqing took a deep breath before saying calmly: “I was too emotional just now. I apologize.”
“Since this matter has nothing to do with you, there’s no need to say more… You are my stepmother, and I will continue to treat you as I always have. There won’t be any awkwardness.”
Gu Jinchao felt that he still didn’t quite believe her, but she had said all she wanted to say. If Chen Xuanqing didn’t believe her, so be it.
“…I’ve said what I wanted to say. You may leave now.” After speaking, Gu Jinchao picked up the account book she hadn’t finished reviewing, not wanting to deal with Chen Xuanqing any further.
The evening sunlight shone on her jet-black hair, giving it a silken luster, and her skin was as soft and white as snow.
Gu Jinchao’s appearance was truly stunning.
Chen Xuanqing looked at her, standing silently for a long time. The pastries he had bought for Sister Xi were still on the kang table; earlier, Sister Xi had gone to feed her. Everything in the sunset had a sense of loneliness and loss. Yet he could still feel a stirring in his heart.
No matter how angry or cold he appeared, he couldn’t disguise the feeling… the urge to be close to her, to treat her gently, to have a good conversation with her.
“If it wasn’t you who told… how would Grandmother know what Zhou Yixuan and I said?” Chen Xuanqing asked.
Gu Jinchao lifted her head and sighed: “Miss Xuan went and told herself. She was just being foolish.”
“Like you?” Chen Xuanqing suddenly asked.