May this scumbag husband, who favored his concubine over his wife, rest in peace.

Originally, she thought that since Lady Yan was sent by the Empress Dowager and represented the Empress Dowager's reputation, she should still be given some consideration. But now that the Empress Dowager has already noticed something, there is no need to hide anything anymore.

Just as Wen Yuanshu was thinking of what to say, the Empress Dowager spoke again: "However, I did not agree."

Meeting Wen Yuanshu's somewhat surprised gaze, the Empress Dowager smiled slightly: "Even if you hadn't come today, I would have sent someone to fetch you."

"Although Lady Yan is my person, I have many people under my command. Regarding the girls' school, I would like to hear your opinion."

"My lady..."

At this moment, it would be a lie to say that Wen Yuanshu was not moved.

How could one not be moved by such unconditional trust in her?

"Tell me, what exactly happened to Lady Yan?"

Wen Yuanshu then told everything she knew.

The Empress Dowager's face grew increasingly gloomy. After Wen Yuanshu finished speaking, the Empress Dowager sneered, "I really didn't expect this person to have such a big mind."

Seeing that the Empress Dowager was angry, Su Lan quickly said, "Your Majesty, there are many rules and regulations in the palace. Once outside the palace, there are no rules, and with great power in hand, a person will naturally reveal their true nature."

The Empress Dowager sneered again: "I misjudged her. I used to really think she was like that lady-in-waiting before, genuinely doing what was best for the girls' school."

"How can you blame Your Highness? It's clearly that Lady Yan who keeps inquiring about the girls' school every few days. Whenever Lady Chen enters the palace, she always rushes up to her and shows concern, acting as if she cares deeply. She's putting on such a thorough act; she's really up to no good."

The Empress Dowager disliked those people, and Su Lan, the old nanny, naturally disliked them as well, and she wouldn't hold back her words.

However, with Su Lan's agreement, the Empress Dowager felt much better.

Only then did she have the mood to ask Wen Yuanshu about her plans.

"Since Lady Yan has already made connections with people, I think we should go with the flow and temporarily put aside the matter of Lady Yan teaching. When those people can't wait any longer, Lady Yan will naturally swallow the bitter fruit of her own actions."

"However, if we are to do this, we need a catalyst."

A glint of excitement flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes: "Yuan Shu, you mean..."

Those serving in the inner palace were all the Empress Dowager's true confidants, so no one else knew what Wen Yuanshu and the Empress Dowager had said.

When Wen Yuanshu left the palace, it was dusk. It should have been a time when the golden sunlight shone on the earth, but the weather was bad today. It was gloomy and light snow was falling.

Seeing this, Granny Sulan said, "Let's have a carriage take Madam Lu back."

"No need, Granny, I want to take a walk."

The Empress Dowager was getting on in years and was more sensitive to the cold, so several charcoal braziers were lit in the room. Wen Yuanshu's face turned red from the heat inside, and she felt better after coming out.

Seeing this, Granny Sulan said nothing more: "The roads are slippery in the snow, Madam, please be careful."

Wen Yuanshu nodded and walked away.

At first, she was just too hot and wanted to walk slowly, but she didn't expect the snow to fall so heavily that she was already soaked from head to toe before she even reached the palace gate.

Even though there was a charcoal brazier burning in the carriage, the master and servant's hair and clothes were still wet, and the charcoal fire couldn't heat them up.

"Madam, the Embroidered Uniform Guard's office is nearby. Let's go there to change our clothes before we leave."

Fortunately, there were clothes kept in the carriage, so we just needed to borrow a place at the government office.

Otherwise, walking back like this would surely make us catch a cold.

Seeing Chunhua, who was just as disheveled as herself, Wen Yuanshu could only nod.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters was almost right next to the city wall; it only took the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to get there.

The guards at the gate didn't stop Wen Yuanshu; instead, they turned and ran into the government office to find Lu Chengyuan.

Lu Chengyuan had just returned from outside and hadn't even gone back yet when he heard that Wen Yuanshu had arrived, so he immediately turned back.

Seeing that her face was pale from the cold, Lu Chengyuan quickly led her into his bathroom.