"Why did you ask us to come out so early?" Zhang Qihui whispered, "So you wanted to come here before noon when the guests haven't arrived yet."

　　"If we were late, someone would definitely hear me talking to you." Li Mumu explained, "It's more convenient to talk now when there's no one around."

　　"Got it." Zhang Qihui pinched her lips, "When someone comes later, we'll talk about something that's hard to tell."

　　Li Mumu laughed.

　　The four of them chatted for a while, and when it was almost noon, guests began to arrive one after another.

　　Li Mumu and the other three stopped talking about topics that could reveal their identities.

　　"I'm just trying my luck today." Li Mumu whispered, "I may not be able to hear other people talking about it."

　　"Not necessarily. I think there is still a high chance that I will hear it today." Madam Shang smiled and said, "Yesterday was the Crown Prince's wedding. As a close friend of the new Crown Princess, you will definitely be discussed. Not only you, but all of us, including the Crown Princess, will be discussed."

　　Sure enough, not long after Madam Shang finished speaking, she heard someone say, "By the way, is this store jointly opened by the Crown Princess and her friends?"

　　"Yes." Another person nodded, "I never thought that we would always patronize the Crown Princess's shop."

　　"Do you think the Crown Princess will quit this shop?" Woman A said, "The shop was opened before, when she was not the Crown Princess, so it was no problem to open the shop. But now she is the Crown Princess, if something happens to the shop, it will easily involve her."

　　"I don't know if they will quit, but I haven't heard about it yet." Woman B said, "However, the other three owners of this shop are the wife of a general, the wife of a vice-magistrate, and the last one, Madam Gu, who is not only the wife of a general, but also a county lady. With their status, even if something happens, they can suppress it and it won't affect the Crown Princess."

　　"Besides, the Crown Princess is here. Even if something bad happens, it won't be known to others easily." Woman B said.

　　Woman C said: "Before the Crown Princess became the Crown Princess, the four of them opened this shop and nothing bad happened.

　　Besides, Madam Gu has a big business, and her shop has always had a good reputation, and I have never heard of her using her power to oppress others."

　　"Yes, as long as nothing happens, it's fine. But if something happens, it will definitely not be helpful to the Crown Princess." The woman Ding said.

　　"Forget it, this is not something we need to worry about." Woman A said, "Let's not talk about it anymore, otherwise it would be a false statement about the Crown Princess."

　　The other three also nodded hurriedly, and Woman A added: "Anyway, if the Crown Princess doesn't withdraw, she probably thinks there's no problem."

　　"Madam Gu and the others are close friends with the Crown Princess, so they probably won't do anything to harm her. After all, they and the Crown Princess share weal and woe." Woman B said softly, "If the Crown Princess is well, then they will be well too. With Madam Gu and the others' intelligence, they should know how to be careful."

　　"However, I really didn't expect that Madam Gu is not only capable, but also lucky. She is successful in business and was even conferred the title of county lady. Now she has become a close friend of the Crown Princess and is now a household name in the capital." The woman Ding said.

　　"Yes, I heard that many people want to get acquainted with the other three owners of this shop, all because of the Crown Princess." Woman A said.

　　"Yes, although the wife of the Tongzhi is far away in Chong'an, I think she must be very popular in Chong'an." Woman B said, "The remaining Madam Shang and Madam Gu are both in the capital. I'm afraid they must be overwhelmed by the invitations from various families."

　　"But speaking of it, we have never seen or heard of the wife of the Tongzhi, but Madam Shang and Madam Gu are very famous in the capital." Woman C whispered.

　　"Ahem." Woman A also lowered her voice, "These two are famous fierce women in our capital."

　　"They both have some tricks up their sleeves, especially Madam Gu. I heard that she became good friends with the Crown Princess, the granddaughter of General Li, when she was of humble status." Woman B laughed softly. "There are so many ordinary people in Daxi. Even a noble lady may not be able to become friends with the Crown Princess just by becoming friends. But Madam Gu, who was of humble status at the time, was able to do so, and she has a very good relationship with the Crown Princess until now."

　　"With such means, it's no wonder that she can control her husband so well.

　　Accept the two colors." Woman B said.

　　"To be honest, I'm quite envious." Woman C said, "Rather than saying they have the ability, it's better to say that in addition to their own abilities, their husbands are also willing to cooperate."

　　"If you meet a heartless man like that, no matter how capable your wife is, no matter how hard she tries to discipline him, what's the point? Even if he can't be taken home, he will still mess around outside." Woman C said, "A child is always more obedient than a husband, right? But he still can't be controlled when he shouldn't be. What if the husband has two minds, especially if he can be controlled by some means?"

　　"Yes." Woman A sighed, "People outside always say that Madam Gu and Madam Shang are shrews. But to be honest, I envy them. They have husbands who are devoted to them and do not accept two women. I am willing to bear the reputation of a shrew."

　　"Yes, my neighbor's wife mocked Madam Gu and Madam Shang for being fierce and unvirtuous. But she didn't look at her husband, who has three concubines at home and even has his eyes on her maid." The woman said, "Is it good for her to be virtuous?"

　　"If you ask me, who knows who has a truly comfortable life." Woman A said, "I am annoyed to death by those concubines in my family. I don't care at all about where my husband sleeps, but I am annoyed by those concubines who always come to pick on me."

　　"Who isn't? I think those who gossip are just jealous." The woman said, "If you ask them if they want their husbands to stay with them alone, they definitely do."

　　"But..." Woman B suddenly said, "People who can be friends must have similar personalities and similar views. Like the four of us, we can talk about everything and have the same ideas."

　　"Since Madam Shang and Madam Gu treat their husbands in the same way, I have also inquired about the wife of the Tongzhi. Although her husband has a concubine, the concubine is not favored. Even now, the lady's status in the family is getting higher and higher, and her relationship with her husband is getting better and better. The concubine lives in a corner and also abides by her duties at home and dares not make trouble." Woman B said.

　　"However, I think the change in Mr. Zuo's personality has something to do with Madam Zuo's friendship with the Crown Princess, Madam Shang, and Madam Gu," said the woman Ding.