"Aunt Seven," Gu Lejia began, with an embarrassed Xiuxiang in tow, "this is Song Xiuyang."

Jin Qianqian had already guessed the reason for Gu Lejia’s visit. ’This guy seems to have a real problem with me lately,’ she thought. He only greeted her when Ancient Wen Heng was around; otherwise, he completely ignored her.

Jin Qianqian gave a slight nod before turning to get back to her work.

"Aunt Seven, this is Xiuxiang’s first time visiting. Shouldn’t you at least welcome her?"

Jin Qianqian had no intention of coddling him. "Gu Lejia, I actually preferred it when you ignored me. If it weren’t for your Seventh Uncle, you probably wouldn’t even be allowed in this courtyard."

Humiliated like that, especially in front of the woman he admired, Gu Lejia’s expression soured, but he couldn’t find the words to argue back.

Beside them, Xiuxiang curtsied to Jin Qianqian. "Greetings, Madam. I apologize for the intrusion. It was presumptuous of me to visit without notice."

Even though Jin Qianqian was annoyed, she wouldn’t take it out on a stranger. "I am well. It’s just that we have guests today, so it’s not a convenient time to entertain. Please, miss, I’m afraid you’ll have to see to yourself."

Hearing Jin Qianqian’s formal mode of address, Xiuxiang understood her attitude. Murmuring an apology for the disturbance, she turned and walked away.

"This—" Gu Lejia hadn’t expected this outcome. He wanted to run after her but didn’t know how to explain.

He turned and glared at Jin Qianqian resentfully. "Seventh Aunt, Xiuxiang was my guest! Even if you weren’t going to host her, couldn’t you have at least spoken politely?"

Jin Qianqian retorted, "Remember two things. First, I am your elder. Second, this is my home. Do guests normally show up so unannounced?

Before you criticize my attitude, when are you going to correct your own?"

Gu Lejia was left speechless. ’Mom used to say all my aunts were cunning and selfish, each one more so than the last. Looks like she wasn’t wrong at all.’

In that moment, he completely forgot his father had taught him to respect the hierarchy of age and be deferential to his elders.

* * *

"Gu Lejia, don’t go out after you finish eating. Later tonight, you’re coming with me to Chen Dongjia’s house," Ancient Wen Heng said, setting down his bowl and chopsticks. He was speaking to his nephew, who sat to the side, gnawing on a steamed bun.

’As for this kid, sitting next to Deng Yuanhang and dryly gnawing on a few steamed buns... does he really think I can’t see through his little ploy?’

’But what does it matter? There’s plenty of food in the kitchen. If he won’t get it himself, he can act pitiful all he wants, but who’s going to fall for it?’

He didn’t even notice Deng Yuanhang glancing at him a few times as if he were an idiot. Deng Yuanhang’s family ran an escort agency; he’d seen all sorts of people.

"Why are we going to see Chen Dongjia?" Gu Lejia nearly jumped to his feet. "I’m not going back there! Besides, Chen Dongjia is generous with his Silver. I want to save up a few more Silver Taels to bring back to my parents."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "I am your elder, and he saved your life. If I weren’t here, this would be none of my business.

But since I do know, and I am your only relative here, we must pay him a formal visit to express our gratitude.

Besides, I had Tianbao deliver a formal notice of our visit this morning, and Chen Dongjia has already accepted. You wouldn’t want me to break my word, would you?"

"Oh," Gu Lejia grumbled, though inwardly he was unimpressed. ’It’s just a visit. Why does it have to be so complicated?’

Ancient Wen Heng didn’t want to argue with him. If it weren’t for the sake of his own reputation, he truly wouldn’t bother meddling in the boy’s affairs. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Deng Yuanhang, sitting nearby, shot Ancient Wen Heng a look, wiggling his eyebrows. It was a clear ’I told you so’ expression, mocking him for choosing this thankless task instead of joining him at the calligraphy competition. ’See what you get for your troubles.’

Ancient Wen Heng shot back, "It seems my cooking isn’t half-bad, since Senior Brother deigned to eat it."

Deng Yuanhang recalled seeing Ancient Wen Heng’s practiced movements in the kitchen earlier and knew the man must cook often.

He smacked his lips. "It was passable, I suppose, but still a ways off from your wife’s cooking. Still, if you’re willing to cook for your Senior Brother a few more times, I suppose I could be persuaded to come again."

Ancient Wen Heng deadpanned, "...You have some nerve."

Deng Yuanhang: "..."

* * *

"Chen Dongjia, my apologies for the intrusion." The moment Ancient Wen Heng stepped through the main gate, he saw Chen Dongjia already waiting to greet him and quickly offered his apologies.

Chen Dagui grinned. ’These scholars certainly are proper.’ It was the first time he had ever received a formal notice of a visit. "Scholar Gu, I am delighted you could grace my humble home. It’s no disturbance at all!

Come, please, come inside."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "Due to my busy studies at the academy, I was unable to find the time to visit until today. Please forgive my delay in coming to thank you for saving my nephew’s life."

Chen Dagui quickly replied with humility, "It was a small matter, really. I didn’t do much, just gave him a bit of water and food. In fact, Gu Lejia has been a great help to me recently."

"..."

After they exchanged pleasantries for a while, Ancient Wen Heng signaled for Hong Tianbao to place the gifts they had brought on the table. "This is just a small token of my gratitude. I hope Chen Dongjia will accept it."

"This is far too generous," Chen Dagui said, looking at the several gifts on the table. "In the future, your presence alone is enough. There’s no need for such formalities."

Ancient Wen Heng smiled. "My nephew can be a handful. I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to continue looking after him for some time to come."

"Gu Lejia is quick on his feet and a capable worker. It’s a shame he has to leave with you next spring, otherwise I’d be truly reluctant to let him go," Chen Dagui said, offering the expected pleasantries.

"Dad, look at the design I drew!" Just then, a young man burst into the room.

Chen Dagui quickly smiled and said, "This is my son, Chen Ziyue. He can be quite a handful as well."

Then he turned to scold the boy, "I have a guest! Whatever it is can wait."

Chen Ziyue immediately composed himself. "Greetings, honored guest."

Ancient Wen Heng stood to return the courtesy, but was caught off guard when the young man pointed at the tassel on his belt. "How do you have that?"

Ancient Wen Heng looked down at the Jade Pendant on his waist, confused. "Is there a problem?"

Chen Ziyue rubbed the bridge of his nose and shot a cautious glance at his father, only to find the old man glaring daggers at him. He sighed inwardly. ’I’ve given myself away.’

Not wanting to reveal his son’s interest in "women’s crafts," Chen Dagui interjected, "This boy is always making a fuss over nothing. Why aren’t you at the shop? You never seem to be doing any real work."

As Chen Ziyue mumbled his assent, he couldn’t help but steal another glance at the Ping’an pendant on Ancient Wen Heng’s waist. ’Not only does it have my handiwork,’ he thought, ’but it’s attached to the very Jade Pendant I’ve been thinking about constantly.’

"Scholar Gu, you are so young and promising. Will you be participating in the autumn examination next year?" Chen Dagui asked, hastily changing the subject.

Ancient Wen Heng smiled. "The academy is encouraging us to give it a try, but I’ll have to see when the time comes."

The time for registration hadn’t arrived yet, and besides, there was no telling what might happen between now and then. Ancient Wen Heng naturally wouldn’t make any firm commitments.

Standing behind Ancient Wen Heng the whole time, Gu Lejia watched his Seventh Uncle chat and laugh so freely and felt a sense of unfamiliarity. ’Is this poised man, who handles everything with such ease, really the same person I remember?’