Two days later, Yuanyuan went to the main kitchen to get some silver wire charcoal. On the way, she overheard several old women whispering among themselves.

“I knew it, that child looks like the young master.”

"Is the young master having an affair with his cousin?"

"Yes, it's hidden in a place like the South City."

"Isn't the Crown Prince's wife furious?"

"Yes, they're making a scene!"

...

The old women left while talking, and Yuanyuan stood up only after they had gone far away, and walked confidently towards Qingpu Courtyard.

Once inside the courtyard, he told Xie Zhaozhao everything that had happened.

Manman said in a low voice, "That's strange, who told the Second Miss?"

"The old women said someone delivered a letter to Fanghua Garden."

Xie Zhaozhao was writing a letter to Dong Qin. According to her memories from her previous life, the earthquake in Zhongzhou was still a day or two away.

He was taken aback by Yuanyuan's words.

She had originally planned to tell Xie Xiangxiang the news after Guan Yingying returned. Didn't she love catching people cheating? Let her catch them all she wants in her life!

Someone actually gave the message to Xie Xiangxiang before she did! Who was it?

Fine, let her and Tu fight it out! That way, it won't affect my grand plan.

Just then, a report came from the courtyard: "The Grand Secretary has returned."

She quickly welcomed him in, noticing his exhausted face and chapped lips.

She handed him a bowl of lotus seed soup, saying, "Autumn dryness, drink some quickly."

Gu Shaoyu has been busy with court affairs these past two days and has not returned home.

Normally, when I eat lotus seed soup, I would carefully use a spoon to eat it, but today I just picked it up and poured it into my stomach.

After finishing his bowl, he asked Xie Zhaozhao, "Is there any porridge?"

A pot of mung bean porridge was quickly brought over: "Young master, how could you be so hungry?"

Seeing that Nanxing also looked exhausted, Yuanyuan quickly served him a bowl of mung bean porridge. As Nanxing drank, he said, "Your Excellency has been dealing with memorials from other places for the past two days and nights."

Gu Shaoyu drank two bowls of porridge before he recovered.

"Zhaozhao, a huge disaster could really happen in Zhongzhou."

Gu Shaoyu received an urgent message in the past two days that the local people had seen various strange clouds in the sky.

"In the gloomy sky, a bright, oddly shaped cloud suddenly appeared, like a giant mushroom."

"This cloud is not only strangely shaped, but also has a special color. It is neither red nor purple, and it is very different from the clouds I have seen before."

“In the suburbs of Zhongzhou, an old farmer also discovered a strange phenomenon: the dark sky was illuminated as if it were daytime.”

"Red stripes appeared in the sky at times, like a bright sunset, and blue light appeared at other times, looking like the low-hanging dawn."

In short, it's very unusual.

Gu Shaoyu had initially believed Xie Zhaozhao's dream of an earthquake in Zhongzhou, and took precautions. He carefully arranged for people to deliver these messages using special falcons.

Xie Zhaozhao's face turned deathly pale; it looked like another earthquake was really about to occur!

Even if she were reborn, she wouldn't be able to control such a major disaster.

Gu Shaoyu held her hand, patted her back gently, and comforted her, "Don't worry. You told me about that dream last time. I've already ordered the officials in Zhongzhou Prefecture to prepare for the autumn harvest, reinforce the houses, and make escape arrangements."

However, it's hard to guarantee how well those officials actually implement the policies.

After all, it was just Xie Zhaozhao's dream. As a Grand Secretary, if he said too much, it would easily cause panic among the people and could even lead to man-made disasters.

"I haven't returned these past two days because I've been closely monitoring this matter. I showed His Majesty the letter delivered by the falcon, summoned the people from the Imperial Observatory, and after analysis, we confirmed that an earthquake could indeed occur in the Central Plains."

The entire imperial court was on high alert and made various arrangements for the Central Plains.

All arrangements were carried out in secret, and only officials of the second rank or above were qualified to participate.

After talking for a while, Gu Shaoyu took off his shoes and socks to take a shower.

"I need to wash it, it's all spoiled."

Xie Zhaozhao prepared all his changes of clothes.

Staring blankly in the bedroom.

In this life, it's best if there's no earthquake. Even though she's hoarded so much food, she'd rather have it all go to waste than have a natural disaster happen.

"Madam?" Yuanyuan knocked on the door.

Xie Zhaozhao immediately went out and asked, "What is it?"

"There are rumors outside that an earthquake is coming, and everyone is scrambling to buy food overnight. The price of food has already increased fivefold." Yuanyuan had just returned from outside, her eyes gleaming. The two, master and servant, understood each other perfectly.

"When did this start circulating?"

"News started circulating early this morning about unusual celestial phenomena. The rumors got more and more outlandish, and people started hoarding food, salt, and even blankets."

Wu Zhaohui was the largest grain merchant in the capital. Although he was not an imperial merchant, he was one of the top three grain merchants in the entire Daqian region.

Wu Zhaohui's granddaughter was the concubine of Wei Shixun, the seventh grandson of Chengen Gong.

The fact that the Duke of Cheng'en allowed his own grandson to marry the granddaughter of a merchant was naturally because of his immense wealth.

This time, Wu Family Rice Shop took the lead in raising prices fivefold. No one would believe it without information provided by the Duke of Cheng'en's mansion.

"Madam, our food..."

"Hold your positions and don't move," Xie Zhaozhao said softly.

Yuanyuan withdrew, and Xie Zhaozhao was uneasy, but she didn't show it on her face.

Back in the bedroom, Gu Shaoyu had already showered, his long hair hanging wetly over his shoulders, his eyes staring straight at her.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Xie Zhaozhao handed him a cloth to dry his hair, and Gu Shaoyu suddenly asked, "Do you still have any?"

"Which one?" Xie Zhaozhao was taken aback.

"Well, that." He turned his head, glanced at something, then looked into her eyes with deep, dark eyes, full of longing.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!