Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Gao Zhao hadn't expected Zhang Zhenniang to be eavesdropping, but he remained completely calm, instead looking at her with a half-smile, "You heard everything that just happened?"

Zhang Zhenniang looked at him blankly, her expression a mixture of surprise and unease. Her voice trembled as she asked, "What did you say to my sister that made her so angry?"

Upon seeing her like this, Gao Zhao guessed that she had been drawn here by Zhang Yunniang's exclamation, but hadn't heard what they were saying. A thought quickly crossed his mind, and he adopted a melancholy expression, letting out a long sigh:

"Alas... I just told your sister about my feelings for you, young lady, but I never expected..."

"Ah!" Before Gao Zhao could finish speaking, Zhang Zhenniang exclaimed in surprise, then quickly covered her mouth, like a frightened little rabbit, taking several steps back, her face blushing red.

"You... how could you talk nonsense..." Zhang Zhenniang's voice involuntarily became tearful. At this moment, she was both ashamed and afraid. She felt that Gao Zhao's nonsense had implicated her, and she felt wronged for a moment.

Gao Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, watching the girl's flustered and red-eared appearance. The playful smile in his eyes deepened, but he deliberately put on a look of melancholy and anxiety.

"How can you be talking nonsense! Didn't we already agree on this?"

"Who said that was okay with you!" Zhang Zhenniang stomped her foot angrily, trying to scare the other party away with her anger.

But to Gao Zhao, her appearance only added to her girlish charm, especially the lingering effects of her anger, which were accentuated by her light green gauze dress, making her voluptuous figure seem even more alluring.

Gao Zhao's heart fluttered, and his mischievous side was aroused. He stepped forward and argued, "How could you not have agreed! I did say it that day. I even hugged you and had my foot stepped on me. It felt sore..."

"Shut up, shut up..."

Zhang Zhenniang never expected him to bring up the old matter again. Her face turned as red as if it were about to bleed. She was so embarrassed that she jumped up and down repeatedly. Her light green silk skirt fluttered wildly, her chest heaved violently, and her almond-shaped eyes turned red.

"You...you're bad!" The girl was even more embarrassed when she saw that he was not only not afraid, but also looking at her with a grin, seemingly very happy. She scolded him angrily and turned to run away.

This sharp rebuke was clear and melodious, yet incredibly powerful, making Gao Zhao's heart tremble and his whole body feel weak.

He clutched his chest, stumbled a few steps, and decided it wasn't a good time to stay out any longer; he had to go home.

After finding Shi Qian, he rushed home and called Feng San Niang into his room to ask her questions, intending to find out about the recent situation in the mansion.

After an incense stick had burned, Feng San Niang finally emerged, her mouth dry and parched.

Qian Bao'er saw it clearly: the woman had been talking for so long that white foam appeared at the corners of her mouth. As soon as she went out, she frantically drank water, and her face turned bright red. She had obviously been scolded by Gao Zhao.

She felt some sympathy for the woman. When Gao Zhao came back last time, she saw her being forced to squat under the tree and work in the sweltering heat. She was truly pitiful!

That Gao Yanei is no good person. I thought he had changed his ways! I didn't expect him to still be so harsh on his servants!

It seems like a leopard can't change its spots!

Just then, Gao Zhao walked out of the room, glanced at Qian Bao'er, and ignored her!

She's just a girl with a little bit of looks!

In the end, it's just a stinking carcass, nothing more than a beautiful but empty skeleton!

Qian Bao'er stood to the side, watching Gao Zhao leave with a look of astonishment on her face!

In the past, Gao Zhao would always tease her whenever he saw her, especially since he even kissed her last time. Why is he so cold today?

This isn't right!

Could it be because I insulted him last time?

That shouldn't be the case, I've already criticized them before!

Hmph! Ignore you if you want, who cares! I won't talk to you next time either!

Qian Bao'er watched Gao Zhao's departing figure, let out a soft snort, and turned to walk in the other direction.

……

Since Gao Qiu had a falling out with Guo Shi over the salt permit issue, he rarely went to the backyard, and even ate his meals mostly in the study.

I had just picked up my rice bowl when Gao Zhao walked in. I was slightly taken aback and asked in surprise, "You didn't go out to play?"

Gao Zhao sat down opposite him and said with a smile, "It's been a long time since I've eaten with you, sir!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Qiu paused, put down his bamboo chopsticks, looked up at Gao Zhao, a faint hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, his expression softened, and he nodded slightly, saying, "It's rare to see someone so calm and composed lately, unlike the unruly and dissolute person he used to be."

Gao Zhao smiled slightly, took the bowl and chopsticks handed to him by the servant, and looked straight at Gao Qiu.

"Eat!"

Gao Qiu shook his head and chuckled, picking up his chopsticks to eat. Gao Zhao immediately followed behind, devouring the food with gusto, saying between bites, "Home-cooked meals are still the best! Those cooks at the Imperial Academy should all be sent to the palace so His Majesty can experience the hardships of ordinary people!"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Gao Qiu glared at him and reprimanded, "I think you're just ungrateful for your good fortune. Don't say such 'why don't they eat meat porridge' again!"

"Your Excellency is mistaken!" Gao Zhao retorted. "Emperor Hui of Jin has lived in the palace since childhood and has never witnessed the suffering of the common people. This is not because he is inherently bad, but because he is young and lacks experience. When he said this, he was even offering advice to the disaster victims!"

"And what were those ministers who ridiculed him doing? Instead of teaching and correcting their ruler, they mocked him, making him a laughingstock for all time!"

"My lord, who are you mocking with these words? I think we should not only say it, but say it loudly, to expose those treacherous officials with ulterior motives, and let the whole world know that we are the true loyal subjects of the Song Dynasty!"

Gao Qiu stared at him in astonishment, feeling that it was probably inappropriate for the Emperor to appoint him as a close attendant like the Gatekeeper, as he might cause a great disaster!

But the decree had already been issued, and he couldn't change it. He could only advise, "Be careful what you say in front of the Emperor!"

"Don't worry!" Gao Zhao waved his hand dismissively, "Do you think I don't know who pays our salaries? Rest assured, I'll make sure the officials feel they've gotten their money's worth!"

"What kind of talk is this? It's utterly disrespectful to a subject!" Gao Qiu scolded, clearly displeased with his choice of words. He then instructed, "Go to the Biyong Academy in the next two days to finalize your leave of absence from school. After that, I'll have someone take you to the Right Selection Office of the Ministry of Personnel to report for duty and confirm your official position!"

Gao Zhao nodded repeatedly, then suddenly raised an eyebrow and said, "I have an imperial edict; do they dare to make things difficult for me?"

"Don't have this kind of mentality!" Gao Qiu's face turned stern as he admonished, "The road to officialdom is long and arduous. Making enemies unnecessarily will only make your progress difficult! They may not be able to do anything to you this time, but if they say a few bad things about you, they might trip you up in the future. How much of the Emperor's favor can you withstand such attrition!"

Gao Zhao smiled sheepishly. He understood the reasoning, but it was the first time he had the support of an official, so he couldn't help but feel a little arrogant.

After finishing his meal and listening to Gao Qiu's admonition for half a day, Gao Zhao saw that it was getting late and got up to take his leave, as he had to rush back to Biyong.

He had to take a leave of absence from school and say goodbye to his friends; he was going home to take up an official post!

I hurried back to the dormitory and saw Fan Tong beaming with joy, showing no signs of frustration.

Hmm? Did they succeed?