Chi Yu assumed that once the Old Madam's birthday celebration concluded, her ties with the Gu family would temporarily cease. Unexpectedly, the Old Madam seemed quite fond of Chi Yu, inviting her over for meals frequently.
Qiao Yu, worried that the Old Madam harbored ulterior motives, accompanied Chi Yu on two occasions, yet detected nothing amiss.
However, Chi Yu was quick to notice. The Old Madam lavished praises over the Bamboo Grove Mist painting and subtly probed for information about Elder Yan. Hearing that Elder Yan was still robust, regularly exercising at dawn and dusk, she was visibly pleased, sighing about her own waning vigor, lamenting her laziness, and wondering aloud how much longer she had left.
Suspecting a past between the Old Madam and Elder Yan, Chi Yu inquired of Qiao Yu, who, despite knowing the Old Madam to be no simple figure, was scant on details regarding her private matters.
