The Fierce Farm Girl Has A Secret Space

In the tea house, Madam Niu's heart was racing. Two hours had already passed, and if they didn't come back soon...

Fortunately, at that moment, Zou Qiuyue finally returned.

"Madam." Madam Niu's heart finally settled back down. "Thank goodness you're back..."

"Is there anything the matter?" Zou Qiuyue looked somewhat tired, but still settled into the private room. At least she wanted to know what songs were performed earlier in the tea house, and what tea was served here.

"Earlier, we ran into Madam Liu Hanlin. The old servant said Madam had gone to the bathroom, and then saw the Imperial Censor's wife. However, she didn't see us and didn't come over to greet us..." Madam Niu recounted the events and encounters of the past two hours.

Zou Qiuyue nodded. She hadn't been in Beijing for long, mostly had been in the Shu Region before, and only came to the capital after the incident with Gu Ye. Counting the time, it had only been five years.

Five years wasn't short, but because Zou Qiuyue's status wasn't high, it doomed her to a low social standing. She tried hard to integrate into the circle of Beijing's noblewomen, but because of Shu Manzhi's presence before—who was not only a beauty but also a talented woman—everyone liked to openly and secretly compare her to that late figure. The result of all this comparing was that everything she did became a joke...

So, frankly speaking, she hadn't truly integrated into those circles of noblewomen over these five years. The waters within were quite deep.

As a result, even her father-in-law looked down on her, but there was nothing she could do.

However, there were benefits to not getting close to anyone, like people only politely greeting her when they knew she was here, never really trying to befriend her. Of course, there were those who tried to ingratiate themselves with her, but those were only people seeking favors from the Gu Family, and such people were beneath her disdain.

This led to her very awkward situation.

But at this moment, she could not afford to worry about all that. Too much time had been wasted, and she must return quickly. Moreover, after indulging there without bathing, she felt unbearably uncomfortable.

Madam Niu watched Zou Qiuyue's walking posture and naturally understood what had happened in the past two hours, and couldn't help but sigh silently. She had feelings for Zou Qiuyue, but she wasn't foolish. After watching her repeatedly ignore wise counsel and commit so many malicious acts over the years, she suddenly felt a bit lost. Should she continue to follow this path? She still had a son and grandchildren. If... She swallowed hard, perhaps she should start considering the future for herself and her family...

Putting aside the Gu Family's sordid matters, let's speak again of the palace.

Normally, the Governor's Office opens for business on the sixth or eighth of the month, with early court sessions resuming after the fifteenth, either on the sixteenth or eighteenth, depending on the Emperor's wishes.

But this year was different. There's warfare at the border; though victorious, it cost manpower and money dearly. Several border cities suffered devastating hits, under such circumstances, there's no way to rest easy and continue indulging in pleasures. All banquets were canceled, and even the Empress Dowager was leading the way in eating vegetarian and praying for the soldiers and common folk. In this situation, what official dared to feast grandly at home?

Moreover, early court sessions started on the seventh.

Just now after court, the Emperor directly called Gu Sheng and the Crown Prince together.