Zhou Wanxiu gave a cold laugh: "Great-Grandmother, don't think that the Changning Marquis's Mansion is still like it was when Empress Dowager Xiaosu was alive."

"When Su Wanwan was empress, she didn't seem to seek any benefits for your family."

"Help me out this time, and we'll all enjoy the good life together in the future. Why not?"

Ms. Chen rolled her eyes.

Wanwan managed to keep the jobs of all the men in the family in the Imperial Guard, and also supplied goods to the Zhou family's most profitable shops.

After his son-in-law, Su Nan, returned to Beijing, he would come to pay his respects every year during the Spring Festival, showing his respect openly.

The men of the Changning Marquis's mansion have promising futures and are well-off; why would they need to have any wicked thoughts about Zhou Wanxiu?

On the contrary, the Qingyun Marquis's mansion of the eldest branch, after offending the emperor and Wanwan back then, has fallen into decline and now lives on that meager stipend.

Even Zhou Wanxiu was too lazy to ask her own maternal family, the Qingyun Marquis's Mansion, for help, but instead came to ask this old woman who rarely went out.

"I am old and have little happiness left to enjoy, so I will not take advantage of being the wife of the Duke of Wei's heir."

"I'm tired, so I won't see you off."

Zhou Wanxiu's face turned pale and then flushed.

That old hag, she actually tried to kick her out!

Zhou Wanxiu was so angry she almost exploded. After leaving the Marquis of Changning's residence, she pondered for a long time before deciding to go to Chief Minister Yang's house.

...

During the first month of the lunar year, Madam Yu warmly entertained Zhou Wanxiu, but she was puzzled and couldn't quite figure out Zhou Wanxiu's purpose for coming.

After Li Dongqian retired, Yang Tingsheng became the Grand Secretary.

He was Lu Xingjian's teacher when he was in the Eastern Palace, and his eldest son Yang Zhen was also Yan Ge'er's teacher. The whole family were true royalists.

As a result, Madam Yu's status among the noblewomen in the capital rose accordingly, and every day countless noblewomen wanted to visit her and curry favor with her.

However, due to limited personal energy and the fact that Madam Yu doesn't meet just anyone, she declined as many offers as possible.

Zhou Wanxiu used to follow Su Wanwan and associate with Madam Yu.

Out of guilt and longing for Su Wanwan, Madam Yu still met with Zhou Wanxiu.

Having learned her lesson from being rebuffed at the Marquis of Changning's mansion, Zhou Wanxiu played the victim card this time.

“Mrs. Yu, you look even younger than when we first met a few years ago.”

Madam Yu gently touched her face, a smile appearing on her lips. "Madam Zhou, you flatter me."

Older women still enjoy being complimented on looking young.

Zhou Wanxiu wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, her eyes immediately reddening: "My poor Aunt Wan, she's gone..."

Madam Yu pursed her lips, her eyes dimming.

She knew some of the truth behind Su Wanwan's deposition as empress, but not all of it.

All that is known is that in order to save her child, Su Wanwan sacrificed herself and fell into the hands of thieves.

If these things were revealed, it would inevitably affect Su Wanwan's reputation, so Madam Yu naturally wouldn't tell anyone.

Su Wanwan treated her sincerely at first, but she distanced herself from Su Wanwan because Yang Zhen was implicated.

Ultimately, it was she who owed Empress Su a great deal.

Now the Yang family has become the head of the civil officials, while Su Wanwan has been deposed and her whereabouts are unknown. The world is so unpredictable, it is truly lamentable.

"Madam Zhou, what brings you here today?" Madam Yu cut straight to the point, refusing to give a reply.

There was a hint of seriousness in his expression.

Zhou Wanxiu's face stiffened for a moment, and she dared not beat around the bush anymore.

"Wanxiu missed Aunt Wan too much. Over the years in Jinling, she happened to meet a woman whose appearance and demeanor were eight parts like Aunt Wan's."

"I then swore sisterhood with him and regarded him as my brother."

"Recently, I returned to the capital and remembered that I had helped with disaster relief with Madam Yu, so I brought my sister here to see if there was anything I could do to help."

Madam Yu readily agreed, "That's excellent."

"The weather is cold now, and the various gates of the capital are distributing porridge to the refugees. It would be a good thing if Madam Zhou were willing to help. But you are pregnant?"

Zhou Wanxiu quickly replied, "It's alright, my sister Wanning can help me."

Madam Yu nodded, "That's fine too."

Zhou Wanxiu quickly gestured for the woman who looked very much like Su Wanwan to step forward, "This is my sworn sister, Zhou Wanning."

When Madam Yu saw Zhou Wanning, she was taken aback and looked sharply at Zhou Wanxiu.

They really do look alike.

What is Zhou Wanxiu trying to do?

Zhou Wanxiu looked innocent and did not explain her purpose.

Madam Yu's eyes held a meaningful look: "Alright then, starting tomorrow, Miss Wan Ning will help distribute porridge at Xizhimen."

Zhou Wanning answered timidly, "Yes."

Zhou Wanxiu's expression turned ugly for a moment.

The area around Xizhimen is full of poor people; Madam Yu really doesn't give them any face at all.

Madam Yu was very busy, so after exchanging a few more polite words, she served tea and saw the guest off.

Zhou Wanxiu looked embarrassed and had no choice but to take her leave.

How come Su Wanwan and Madam Yu used to have such a good relationship, calling each other sisters, while she could only be a background figure?

As they were walking out, they encountered a tall and handsome young man.

Zhou Wanning stopped in her tracks, tugged at Zhou Wanxiu's sleeve, and asked shyly, "Sister, who is that young master?"

Zhou Wanxiu said irritably, "It's Yang Yongxiu, the eldest son of the Yang family and a top scholar in the imperial examination. He's already married and has children."

As they were talking, Yang Zhen heard the commotion and looked over.

In an instant, his pupils focused rapidly.

Empress Su?!

No.

no.

The woman was a few years younger; she had the form but not the spirit.

He turned his gaze away and was about to walk away.

The servant behind him reported: "Young master, the carriages and attendants for watching the lanterns tonight have all been arranged."

"Go tell the eldest young mistress to take Geng-ge'er with her tonight," Yang Zhen said casually before leaving.

Zhou Wanxiu watched Yang Zhen's departing figure with envy.

A talented and handsome top scholar who also dotes on his wife and children.

Unlike her good-for-nothing husband, Xu Pengju, every maid and servant in the house who was even remotely attractive could not escape his clutches.

She was merely a titled wife of the heir apparent.

Fortunately, she didn't like Xu Pengju either.

Once he gives birth to a legitimate son, let him go somewhere cool and stay there.

Zhou Wanning's eyes darted around, then she lowered her gaze, lost in thought.

When evening came, Zhou Wanxiu went to bed early.

Zhou Wanning put on a cloak, and quietly left with her maid, heading to the lantern street.

The one glance that Young Master Yang gave her today made her heart flutter.

The young top scholar, with his handsome appearance, is truly captivating.

For some reason, she felt that Young Master Yang's glance was filled with strange emotions.

Perhaps he also has feelings for me?

Zhou Wanning's heart was pounding.

I heard that Young Master Yang's wife is bedridden and has been taking medication; she might not live much longer.

She felt her life would be complete if she could marry a man like that.

As for the future career path to the palace that Zhou Wanxiu had planned for her, she couldn't think that far ahead.

The emperor had no idea what kind of ugly old man he was, so she wasn't looking forward to it.

"Young Master Yang!" Zhou Wanning searched and searched, and finally spotted Yang Zhen in the crowd.

Yang Zhen's outstanding appearance made him stand out like a crane among chickens.