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

Wen Yuanshu shook her head: "Auntie, don't overthink it."

Qu felt even more uneasy, as if she realized that she had become someone's weapon, destined to be used against Wen Yuanshu, and she became restless.

After waiting a while, Lady Yan walked in with a smile: "I'm sorry to bother you, Madam Lu. I went out for a while and came back to ask Steward Qu about the recent events at the girls' school. I didn't expect Steward Qu to be out, so I came here instead."

Ms. Qu clenched her fists instinctively.

It was Lady Yan who prepared the gifts and invited me here...

Moreover, she hadn't even finished her tea when Lady Yan arrived. Wasn't she the one who had been waiting at the door all along?

Wen Yuanshu looked at the female official Yan and said with a half-smile, "I see."

“Perfect timing. I also have something to discuss with Madam Lu. Steward Qu, you’ve been here for a while now. If there’s nothing else, you can head back to the girls’ school.”

"The girls' school... still relies on Manager Qu."

The second half of Lady Yan's sentence was meaningful, seemingly carrying a hint of threat, yet it was difficult to hear clearly.

"Lady Yan is the backbone of the women's school. Whether I am here or not is of no importance." Madam Qu showed no respect for Lady Yan.

As soon as Madam Qu finished speaking, the corners of Lady Yan's mouth also fell down.

The female official couldn't help but feel annoyed.

She was the one who promoted Qu to her current position, but at such a crucial juncture, Qu didn't give her any face!

Wen Yuanshu was not surprised by this, and even slowly picked up her teacup and took a sip: "Auntie is not an outsider, Lord Yan, please speak your mind."

The female official gritted her teeth.

Whatever.

Anyway, the Qu family is weak and powerless, so even if she finds out, there's nothing they can do.

So Lady Yan calmed herself down and said, "Madam Lu, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager said at the beginning of the girls' school that she would send female officials to teach. Now that the girls' school has gained a foothold in the capital and is even expanding outwards, shouldn't it be time to put the matter of female officials teaching on the agenda?"

Wen Yuanshu nodded and said casually, "Yes."

The female official Yan gritted her teeth in anger at her attitude: "It was Madam Lu who first proposed the girls' school. Madam Lu also put a lot of effort into its establishment. Since Madam Lu thinks so, I wonder if we could invite Madam Lu to the palace to report this matter to the Empress Dowager?"

“That may be true, but isn’t the power of the girls’ school now in the hands of adults?” Wen Yuanshu sighed. “I just gave birth, so how much can I say at the girls’ school now?”

Lady Yan gritted her teeth, as if she had made a tremendous decision: "...How about this, Madam Lu goes to the palace to talk to Her Majesty about the lady-in-waiting's teaching. If it goes well, I will give Madam Lu five thousand taels of silver, how about that?"

"Also, how about the girls' association send Madam a monthly briefing, just like when Lord Chen was here?"

She casually asked for five thousand taels, and even Wen Yuanshu raised an eyebrow: "You're really generous, sir."

The female official's heart ached terribly.

Isn't that a big investment?

She received a lot of money and spent a lot of money. This five thousand taels of silver is one-third of the silver she currently has!

If it weren't for the fact that Wen Yuanshu was no ordinary person and that she was afraid that a small amount of money wouldn't catch her eye, then Lady Yan wouldn't have asked for such a large sum of money so readily!

“However, the Empress Dowager has been unwell recently, and even Lord Yan cannot enter. How can I go?” Wen Yuanshu seemed quite troubled. “You come from the palace, so you are naturally closer to the Empress Dowager than I am.”

"Since the lady is a confidante of the Empress Dowager, she can naturally go."

Wen Yuanshu sighed and didn't continue. Instead, she turned to look at Madam Qu: "Aunt, does Aunt know why Lord Yan is so eager for female officials to teach?"

"Madam Lu!" Lady Yan exclaimed urgently.

“I am rather curious,” Madam Qu glanced at Lady Yan, “Why don’t you tell me, Yuan Shu?”

Wen Yuanshu chuckled lightly and, as if chatting casually, recounted how Lady Yan had used her position as a female official to make money by giving lectures.