NOVPUBSeeing the situation, Shen Roujia quickly whispered, “Keep your voice down. Do you want everyone to know?”
Gu Zhi looked around, then grabbed Shen Roujia and hurriedly walked away from the area.
“Are you out of your mind? Do you even understand what the imperial exams mean?”
Of course, Shen Roujia understood. She nodded naturally. “I know, don’t worry. No one knows about this, so it’ll be fine.”
Gu Zhi, still anxious, muttered, “Good. The fewer people who know, the better.”
After a moment of thought, Gu Zhi frowned again. “But this is even riskier. Are you really going to the palace?”
Shen Roujia nodded. “What else can I do?”
Gu Zhi stroked her chin, thinking. “Why not find someone to take your place?”
Shen Roujia patted Gu Zhi on the shoulder. “It’s too late for that. If something goes wrong, it’ll be my own fate. Zhi Zhi, you need to focus on your own life. Finding a replacement would only put someone else’s life at risk if the truth came out.”
Gu Zhi stared at Shen Roujia, as if trying to see something deeper within her. She was clearly worried and tense. “How can I not be concerned...”
Then, something seemed to dawn on Gu Zhi. “The Emperor’s birthday banquet... Alright, I’ll be there too. We can help each other if anything happens.”
Shen Roujia frowned. This was a time when many people, openly and secretly, would be vying for Gu Zhi’s favor. She couldn’t let her own problems overshadow Gu Zhi’s importance.
Once she realized this, Shen Roujia didn’t refuse or overthink it. Instead, she looked at Gu Zhi, feeling more helpless and concerned than anything else.
“Zhi Zhi, has your aunt’s situation been resolved?”
Gu Zhi hesitated briefly, and Shen Roujia immediately knew that the issue wasn’t fully resolved yet.
