Gu Nanjiao was reading Lu's mother's reply when Lü Siniang listened and sighed deeply.

Unexpectedly, Gu's father and Lu Yanzhao actually went back. This had worried her for a long time, and she hadn't been able to eat lately. Seeing the letter finally put her mind at ease.

Gu Nanjiao said, "I need to recruit some people quickly and get back as soon as possible. I'll come back when Lu Yanzhao takes the spring exam."

Lu Siniang said worriedly, "The shop has only just stabilized, how can we leave people behind? Why don't we wait for them to come to the capital? A few more months won't make a difference."

"The matter of Meiwuzhai still needs to be explained. I wish I had a clone. I won't feel at ease if I don't go back."

Gu Nanjiao sighed. If this were now, a plane could take off and travel in two or three hours, crossing several provinces in a single day.

The journey by carriage took a month or so, with inconvenient transportation and slow communication. Gu Nanjiao's longing for Lu Yanzhao only deepened. A saying came to mind: "In the past, carriages and horses were slow, letters took a long time to arrive, and one could only love one person in a lifetime. In modern times, with bright lights and sounds audible for miles, how many hearts can truly find love after a hundred years?"

Actually, this is for the best. As long as Lu Yanzhao's heart doesn't change, she won't leave. But if one day Lu Yanzhao has three wives and four concubines, and his heart is divided among many, she will turn around and leave without hesitation.

A man is never her support, and a woman cannot rely on a man for her lifelong happiness. Most women always want to find a man to shelter them from the wind and rain, but after marriage, they find that all the storms are brought by this man.

Relying on heaven, earth, or anyone else is not as good as relying on yourself. A woman needs to be independent in thought, and even more so in finances.

While Gu Nanjiao and Lü Siniang were talking, a red-curtained sedan chair stopped at the entrance of Jiaoniang Pavilion. Zhou Yu, supported by her maid, stepped down onto a soft stool.

Lu Siniang hurriedly went to greet him, but was stunned when she saw Zhou Yu.

Miss Zhou from the Minister's residence? Gu Nanjiao was also stunned. Why was she here? Didn't her maids tell them to get lost?

Zhou Yu glanced at Gu and said sarcastically, "The manager of Jiao Niang Pavilion has quite the airs. Can't my Minister's Mansion invite you? You leave without even saying goodbye. You're really audacious!"

Gu Nanjiao almost laughed out of anger: "Miss Zhou, didn't your maid tell us to get lost? We left, how does that count as leaving without saying goodbye?"

Zhou Yu frowned and looked at the maid beside him.

The maid pursed her lips and said, "Miss, it must be some shallow-minded person gossiping to you. I told you before that the clothes at Jiao Niang Pavilion are indeed very nice, and the manager is not the kind of person who is shallow-minded, but you just don't believe me."

The maid's name was Lü Fu. She had recommended them to Zhou Yu after seeing that the clothes at Jiao Niang Ge were quite nice. Zhou Yu then sent his nanny to have someone come and make them.

The person who had previously told Gu Nanjiao to get lost was Zhou Yu's head maid. Now that she had been squeezed out by Lü Fu, she was resentful and naturally didn't give Lü Fu a friendly look.

Gu Nanjiao smiled back at Lü Fu, finding it rare to have such an understanding maid.

Zhou Yu snorted coldly: "Could it be that you received some benefits from them? Why are you speaking up for them at every turn?"

Green Fur was shocked and immediately knelt down: "Third Miss, that's not true! How could I possibly accept any benefits from others? I was only thinking of you, Miss!"

Zhou Yu said impatiently, "Alright, alright, get up! Stop embarrassing me here."

Gu Nanjiao quickly stepped forward: "Miss Zhou, after you left, a maid in red shouted at us to get lost, so we left without lingering. We've never seen this lady in green with you before, so how could she accept any benefits?"

"Alright, alright, I know." Zhou Yu waved her hand impatiently, and Lü Fu quickly got up and helped Zhou Yu sit down.

When Zhou Yu approached the chair, she frowned. Lü Fu quickly wiped her brows with a handkerchief before Zhou Yu gracefully sat down.

She hadn't wanted to come today, but the First Madam had disqualified her from the Chrysanthemum Banquet, so she went to argue with the Third Madam.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Wan ran into Zhou Yu on the way. Zhou Wan pretended to be serious and told Zhou Yu that she had gone to plead with the First Madam yesterday, but the First Madam was sharp-tongued and said that anyone who pleaded for mercy would be punished as well.

She grabbed Zhou Yu's hand and apologized profusely, her tearful appearance irritating Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu wanted to get some fresh air, but as she walked, she ended up at Jiao Niang Pavilion.

Seeing the Beauty Pavilion made him furious, and he was ready to vent his anger.

When I saw the walls of Jiaoniang Pavilion covered with clothing styles I had never seen before, I gave up the idea.

Although the shop was small, the clothes caught her eye.

"The clothing designs you drew are exactly to my liking. I wonder if you can make round fans?"

"meeting!"

"That's fine. What I need are unique clothes and accessories from head to toe. Can you make them?"

"able!"

Seeing Gu Nanjiao's confidence, Zhou Yu raised an eyebrow and said with a hint of disbelief, "If you can really make it to my satisfaction, the price is negotiable."

"You will definitely be satisfied!"

Zhou Yu nodded, then, as if thinking of something, suddenly lowered her head and said dejectedly, "What good is it if you do something to my satisfaction? I won't be able to attend the chrysanthemum banquet next month. Who am I going to wear these beautiful clothes for?"

Then he waved his hand and said, "Never mind, I don't want it."

Upon hearing this, Gu Nanjiao thought, "This Miss Zhou really knows how to tease people. Every time she piques our interest, she ends up not doing it at all."

Gu Nanjiao rolled her eyes: "Although I don't know why you can't attend the Chrysanthemum Banquet, everyone loves to look beautiful, so you should find a way to dress up for them. If you can't attend the Chrysanthemum Banquet, there are other banquets. You should make up for it at other banquets, shouldn't you?"

Zhou Yu perked up: "That's right! If the chrysanthemum banquet is over, there's still the autumn banquet, the poetry gathering, why put all our eggs in one basket!"

"Alright, I'll make a few more. I only have one requirement: each garment must be unique and eye-catching."

"no problem."

Gu Nanjiao was very confident in her design and had complete confidence in Lü Si's craftsmanship.

If Miss Zhou wore the clothes from Jiaoniang Pavilion to attend a few more gatherings, wouldn't her fame spread to the aristocratic circles?

Will we still have to worry about customers not coming to our door in the future?

Zhou Yu arrived in a fit of rage but left in high spirits. Before leaving, Gu Nanjiao even gave her a round fan as a gift.

Although the daughters of wealthy and noble families may be arrogant, it's still beneficial to keep them on your side. It's better than making enemies.