“Later, Father called us in for a lecture. I was punished with copying the Dao De Jing ten times…”
Gu Jin Chao murmured her acknowledgment, thinking about how busy they had been lately. They’d had little time for intimacy, mostly just him holding her as they slept. Though he often became aroused, he had been considerate of her exhaustion and hadn’t touched her. A man his age naturally had strong desires, while she was still young and sometimes found it difficult to satisfy him…
After some thought, Gu Jin Chao didn’t refuse him. Third Master Chen knew his mind and wouldn’t disregard her needs.
Third Master Chen still had the presence of mind to talk with her, patiently arousing her while slowly telling her about his past—things he had done and been punished for, times he had been ridiculed. He shared all his unflattering stories with Gu Jin Chao, making her both laugh and cry.
They shared quite a while of tenderness.
The suspicions between them faded considerably.
The next day, Yu Wan Xue came to pay respects, accompanied by Chen Xuan Qing.
Gu Jin Chao had just risen, and Third Master Chen had already left half an hour before.
He had instructed the small kitchen to prepare fish and meat porridge for her, with two plates of fresh, crisp mixed vegetables, and a plate of thin-skinned soup dumplings.
Gu Jin Chao felt that he had delayed her with their dalliance and wasn’t grateful to him. Hearing that Chen Xuan Qing had also come, she naturally ordered: “Have them wait in the main hall for a while!” Then, thinking Chen Xuan Qing might have come to see Chen Xi, she called for Madam Sun, “…go invite the Fourth Young Lady to come.”
She hadn’t yet arranged her hair and couldn’t properly receive them. Pressed for time, she had her maid style a simple round bun.
Chen Xi had seen Chen Xuan Qing the previous night but hadn’t been able to speak with him much.
So today, upon seeing her seventh brother, she happily rushed toward him, only to be restrained by her attending matron: “Fourth Young Lady! Fourth Young Lady! You must pay your respects properly…” This was a reminder that Chen Xi was older now and needed to mind her behavior; she could no longer throw herself into her brother’s arms.
Chen Xi looked disappointed and reluctantly performed a formal greeting.
Chen Xuan Qing came forward to pay respects to Gu Jin Chao, having a maid present a brocade box. He said it was a gift for Gu Jin Chao. Opening it, she found an unpolished purple jade stone about half the size of her palm. Purple jade wasn’t particularly valuable, but it carried auspicious meanings of warding off evil, so Gu Jin Chao accepted it.
Chen Xuan Qing said, “I thought for a long time about what gift would be appropriate, but nothing seemed quite right. So I decided on this raw jade. You can have it carved into whatever shape you prefer.”
For Chen Xi, he had brought an exquisite bracelet carved with lotus patterns, which Chen Xi loved.
Yu Wan Xue sat to the side, smiling as she watched Chen Xi question her brother.
Gu Jin Chao, however, remembered Third Master Chen’s mention of taking a concubine and glanced at Yu Wan Xue. This matter should properly be handled by Yu Wan Xue.
When Chen Xi led Chen Xuan Qing away to see the flowers she was growing in the warm room, Gu Jin Chao explained the situation to Yu Wan Xue. After hearing it, Yu Wan Xue paused for a long while before nodding: “Yes, I understand. I’ll select a suitable concubine for the Seventh Young Master when I return.”
There was no question of willingness; someone in Chen Xuan Qing’s position needed to take concubines.
Otherwise, how could he continue the family line when he was away from home year-round?
Gu Jin Chao dared not interfere in Chen Xuan Qing’s affairs. Given his temperament, when he truly had a concubine, he wouldn’t neglect her. Perhaps having a concubine to keep Yu Wan Xue company in conversation might even be a good thing.
After Yu Wan Xue stayed for lunch, she returned home, deep in thought.
A maid from Old Madam Chen’s household came with a message, saying Old Madam Chen wanted to see her to discuss something.
Gu Jin Chao changed into a satin jacket with white fox fur cuffs and went to Old Madam Chen’s quarters.
Old Madam Chen’s face rarely lacked a smile, but now she pointed to a stool for her to sit on and dismissed all the attending maids and old women.
It seemed there truly was a serious matter!
“…I’ve called you here regarding Second Master’s affairs,” Old Madam Chen began.
Gu Jin Chao was puzzled. Why would Old Madam Chen discuss Second Master Chen’s affairs with her rather than with Madam Qin? As both from another branch of the family and a junior, how could she properly comment?
But she quickly realized this must be something that couldn’t be shared with Madam Qin.