Doted By The Regent King
Chapter 156: The National Situation Is Very Grim

Chapter 156: Chapter 156: The National Situation Is Very Grim

Wufu learned from Jin Xi that Lady Liang had been inquiring covertly about her working here, which didn’t surprise her. After all, her presence here as a girl, and the way she carried herself, was bound to raise suspicions.

The days ahead for her and her mother would be much easier, a world apart from the past, and that was sure to arouse suspicion as well. Now that she had a cover story, it was time for everyone to know that the good days she was enjoying were earned through her own skills.

Keeping in mind what she had discussed with Shopkeeper Lin, Wufu left the Silver House and headed to the grain shop first, purchasing 30 pounds of rice and 20 pounds of fine flour. She planned to store some grain just in case.

Fortunately, she had been training every day, so carrying a 50-pound load of grain didn’t faze her. She walked steadily, without a flushed face or shortness of breath, leaving the shop assistants in amazement.

After picking up rice and flour, Wufu made a detour to the book store and learned that there was still no news regarding the matter she had previously inquired about, so she didn’t linger and left after picking up a couple of books.

Just past the archway at the edge of the town and on the way to the official road, there was a tea shed where several people were sitting and drinking tea, and a few horses were tied to the frame of the shed munching on hay.

Wufu thought for a moment and decided to take a seat. She set down her bamboo basket and called out, "Grandma Sun, a bowl of herbal tea, please."

Wufu had visited this tea shed several times. It was run by an old woman and her daughter-in-law, along with a young grandson, known to folks as Grandma Sun.

"Alright."

There were quite a few people in the tea shed, so Grandma Sun’s shop, besides serving tea, also made pancakes, which her daughter-in-law and grandson, named Big Grandson Sun, were busy making, likely for those customers.

The tea was brought over by Grandma Sun’s young grandson, Sun Erniu. Wufu took it and sipped, listening to the conversations at the next two tables.

"...there are already refugees coming out of Shandong, and several hills between Shaanxi and Guicheng have been occupied by bandits and horse thieves. The lives of the common people are getting harder and harder. If the imperial court doesn’t provide relief or put down the unrest soon, the situation will only get worse, and there will be more and more people in chaos."

Someone snorted, "Relief? As far as I know, those corrupt officials are currently scavenging off the people to prepare for Empress Dowager Chi’s birthday celebrations in August!"

"Big Man, watch your words!" someone reprimanded.

Using her peripheral vision, Wufu glanced over and saw three men at a table, the one advising caution was a young man in his thirties wearing a long robe.

The loud and outspoken one was a burly, bearded Big Man whose very size was intimidating.

Wufu lowered her head to continue drinking her tea while listening.

"Those nobles and corrupt officials, they let food rot and go to waste at home, while the common folk can’t even stay alive on the dirt they eat. Xiao Qing, that’s what I, Old Ma, hate!" the bearded Big Man said angrily.

The young man called Xiao Qing sighed, "This is the unfairness of our world."

"It’s not about fairness; it’s that those people are only concerned with their own pockets and personal interests. How could they care about the common people?" another man said.

"It’s a hard world, and it’s a shame that all we can do is watch, powerless to act."

The young man, sensing someone listening, turned his head, and Wufu quickly pretended to be startled and lowered hers, no longer looking in that direction, only calling to Sun Erniu to collect the money.

After giving two copper coins, Wufu picked up her bamboo basket and left.

The young man kept his eyes on her retreating figure until his brothers snapped him out of it, and he finally turned away.

Wufu didn’t breathe easy until she felt the gaze lift off her back.

But reflecting on the information she had just overheard, she furrowed her brow again. It seemed the nation was even more corrupt and rotten than she had known.