Zhou Jie nodded. "I couldn't believe it at the time either. I even went to the Ministry of Revenue to check. Sure enough, her name was there. Sigh, I never expected this. Didn't Mu Yurou have her eye on Zhou Jun before? How come she changed her target in just a few days, and even wants to enter the palace?"
Although Han Luoxue was surprised, she quickly understood: "Actually, it's simple. Merchants generally have a low social status, so they will definitely seize the opportunity to enter the palace."
Think about it, no matter what rank Mu Yurou holds after entering the palace, at least the Mu family will have a connection to the palace. They'll have more confidence in Yancheng or elsewhere. With that status, making money will be easy, won't it?
Although merchants have money, they are often exploited. For example, some local officials are indifferent to even a small amount of silver. They can easily trip you up and cause significant losses. Generally, merchants' daughters are well-educated. If the opportunity arises, they are married off to an official, even if it's just as a concubine.
The Mu family, with their keen insight, set their sights on the current emperor.
After Han Luoxue said that, Zhou Jie understood, and she couldn't help but sigh.
"I didn't expect Mu Yurou to have such lofty ambitions. It seems she didn't have any feelings for Zhou Jun before? Otherwise, how could she have changed so quickly?"
Han Luoxue had no way to refute these words!
"Mu Yurou has already come to the capital, so what about Wang Yan?"
If she remembered correctly, the two families were rivals and had always disliked each other.
Zhou Jie shook her head. "I checked specifically, and Wang Yan didn't sign up. I guess her target is still Zhou Jun, and she's probably still in Yancheng with him..."
"What you said is possible. Wang Yan is much more naive than Mu Yurou. When it comes to choosing a wife, it's about finding someone virtuous. I think it would be better to choose someone like Wang Yan. Sister Zhou, this applies not only to choosing a wife but also to choosing a man. You need to keep your eyes open in the future and not choose someone who has ulterior motives towards you."
With Ouyang Zhen's ascension to the throne, the Zhou family's status rose accordingly. Although no one from their family held official positions, everyone knew that Ouyang Zhen and the Zhou family had a good relationship, as they were related by marriage. Nowadays, not to mention the eldest daughter of the Zhou family, even an ordinary child, even a son or daughter born out of wedlock, was highly sought after by many.
The Zhou family's doorstep was practically worn down by matchmakers, but the Zhou family has always been low-key. Although they have gained power, they are not arrogant and remain as low-key as ever.
"Oh, I know, I just haven't met the right person yet. When I do, I'll ask you to help me choose! Sister Xue'er, I trust your judgment, you can definitely help me find someone, right?"
Seeing Zhou Jie acting coquettishly towards her again, Han Luoxue was utterly helpless; Sister Zhou was getting more and more adept at playing games.
"Don't worry, the old lady is keeping an eye on things. Her eyes are closed. As long as you don't touch anyone she doesn't want, I believe things will be fine!" Speaking of which, Sister Zhou is really not young anymore. Most people her age would have already gotten married and had children. Only she can be a little willful.
...
"Miss, we are no match for those young ladies from noble families!"
When Mu Yurou arrived in the capital, she was excited. When her father first suggested she enter the palace, she had been somewhat resistant. However, she had heard that the current emperor was young and handsome, and marrying him was something many women dreamed of. Furthermore, in Yancheng, Zhou Jun and Wang Yan had become close, and she felt she had no chance of marrying Zhou Jun, so she agreed.
Hearing the Empress's bizarre rule, she was initially pleasantly surprised. The condition that one could enter the palace simply by exceeding the Empress's fundraising efforts didn't seem too demanding. Her family had been established in Yancheng for generations, so they had some resources.
If it's about family background, they might not be able to compete. But if it's about money, the Mu family can still put up a fight.
Mu Yurou was full of confidence, but she wouldn't unleash her full power on the first day. Her father had given her a considerable sum of money, and she decided to travel around the capital first, ideally making connections with a few young ladies from prominent families.
"What are you afraid of? You have to get through things on your own, don't worry!"
"Don't you trust your young lady?" Mu Yurou said calmly. She had been out in the world since she was a child and believed that she was no less capable than those young ladies from noble families who were raised in seclusion.
However, she was also aware of her situation. Even if she were lucky enough to enter the palace, she would still need someone to help her. Otherwise, without power or influence, wouldn't she be easily taken advantage of and killed in the palace?
"Miss, I heard that Madam Han is from the capital. Do you think she is also from a prominent family?" The little maid tilted her head, looking quite curious!
Mu Yurou smiled nonchalantly: "Who knows?"
She didn't want to dwell on things that were already in the past.
"But back then, didn't someone say that she might be the mistress kept by some powerful official?" Although no one confirmed it, most people thought so!
"What are you worrying about? If we're meant to be, we'll meet again!"
"It's a pity, though. I put a lot of effort into her back then, but in the end, Wang Yan got the better deal..."
If possible, she still hoped to be with Zhou Jun. Zhou Jun was handsome, came from a good family, and didn't seem like a womanizer. Unlike the current emperor, who would probably select many women to enter the palace. With more people in the harem, there would be more trouble, and it would be impossible to have peace and quiet.
"They were just reminiscing. Who knows, we might run into Madam Han sometime. Sigh, she's been gone from Yancheng for a while now. Do you think she might have come to the capital?"
Han Luoxue didn't tell anyone when she left. It was only later, when Mu Yurou went to look for her, that she found out that she had already left.
It's a bit of a shame that she brought two children with her. She didn't even say goodbye. I've wasted all that time trying to please her!
...
Han Luoxue was unaware of Mu Yurou's scheming. To her, Mu Yurou was merely a fleeting passerby, the kind of person whose name she wouldn't even remember after a while. She remained busy; business at the grain shop was booming. Since the pre-order plan was released, several thousand shi of grain had already been pre-ordered in just a few days.
This was a number she never dared to dream of before, and Han Luoxue hadn't expected these people to go completely mad. They were going to great lengths to gather food so that their daughter could enter the palace.
"Xue'er, your method really works!"
Ouyang Zhen was also extremely shocked. Hearing the report from below, he could hardly believe it. In the past, getting his subordinates to produce some silver was harder than taking their lives.
Now things are much better; everyone is risking their lives to buy grain for the national treasury. This is the first time he has ever seen his ministers so enthusiastic.
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