The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law-Chapter 963 - 957 Plot Twist

Fortunately, she had already finished the main part of her dress yesterday night and had placed it inside her own clothes.

The damage to the fabric wasn’t a big deal, since it was only meant for decoration.

Gu Youyou said to Xiang Chun, "You sleep in the daytime, and guard the clothes."

A palace maiden outside asked Gu Youyou in surprise, "Miss Gu, how can you compete when your things are destroyed? Do you want to report this to Empress Sheng? Her Highness is sure to stand up for you."

Hearing the palace maiden say this, the other girls became even more fearful.

Gu Youyou’s eyes swept over the girls out of the corner of her eye, and she already had an idea of the situation.

Miss Zhang’s gaze was too calm, yet her maid was too panicked.

It was said that her elder sister was a consort who married into the Prince Jin Residence alongside Lin Qianqing; Gu Youyou had once encountered Madam Zhang leading Miss Zhang into the palace during her first visit, and her aunt had been infuriated by Madam Zhang.

"No need," Gu Youyou said, "Time is limited. Telling Her Highness would surely lead to an inquisition, and by then, none of the ladies in our room would be able to finish their embroidery in time, inadvertently giving the advantage to others."

Today was the day before the deadline for submission, and she did not have time to find the person responsible. That would play right into the hands of certain people. Moreover, Gu Youyou’s words also served as a warning to those who intended to cause trouble; there were competitors beyond just us, with potential rivals filling every room, all hoping to see in-fighting among us.

The palace maiden walked away disappointed, and Gu Youyou’s lips curled slightly in disdain, thinking: Someone’s calculations have gone awry; I’m not some fool who flares up at the slightest provocation.

One of the girls, feeling that Gu Youyou made a lot of sense and grateful that Gu Youyou hadn’t made a big deal of it and involved them, timidly approached and said quietly, "Doctor Gu, it wasn’t me who did it."

Gu Youyou responded gently, "Hmm, I know."

One came forward to declare her innocence, and soon another girl came over, "Doctor Gu, it wasn’t me either."

"Hmm, I know," Gu Youyou said.

"It wasn’t me either," another girl said.

"Alright, I got it!" Gu Youyou said again.

There were five girls living in this room, and now only Miss Zhang hadn’t spoken.

Everyone turned to look at her.

The usually composed Miss Zhang was now clearly uneasy, her complexion turning somewhat pale as she thought: Gu Youyou is indeed formidable, but still not my match. I have the Empress’s support, and she will control the content of the competition to favor what I’m good at. I’m naturally talented and only slightly inferior to my elder sister. Besides her, no one in Beijing is better than me; I don’t believe I can’t outdo these women.

"It wasn’t me," she said coolly.

Gu Youyou did not respond, leaving behind an enigmatic look as she departed.

Miss Zhang maintained a smile on her face until she was out of sight, then slowly let it fade.

Anyone who was not too foolish would understand what was going on.

The girls’ gazes towards Miss Zhang changed; they now looked at her with the same dislike they had previously reserved for Gu Youyou.

Miss Zhang felt her face turn ashen; she never expected that Gu Youyou, seemingly doing nothing, had already triumphed completely over her.

"Miss Gu, you are truly impressive," Xiang Chun said with a look of admiration.

Gu Youyou chuckled quietly, "This is what you call using a minimal force to move a heavy weight; sometimes, confronting force with force doesn’t necessarily reap benefits."