Investigating the Spy

Everyone knew that Chancellor Evans placed special importance on the Textile Works, so each person put forth their utmost effort in their duties.

Soon, all the women who were hired received their notifications, and were gathered at the factory for training.

During training, everyone was issued a uniform. Eighty smart, energetic women stood together, forming a vibrant and youthful scene.

On the first day of training, everyone was inevitably nervous. No one knew what the Textile Works did, what they would be making, or how to do it. There was a vague worry in their hearts—what if they couldn’t keep up and got dismissed? After all, the pay was generous, and nobody wanted to lose such a good job.

“Do you think I’m up to it?” Mrs. Zane, the gentle young wife from yesterday, tugged at an older woman’s sleeve, her face full of uncertainty.

The older woman was the one Mrs. Zane met during registration yesterday—she’d been hired too, and her surname was Lu.

Mrs. Lu was a cheerful soul. She squeezed Mrs. Zane’s hand and laughed, “Don’t worry! If they hired us, it means we’re good enough.”

But Mrs. Zane had always lacked confidence. “But there’s still training and a trial period, isn’t there? I’m just worried I’m too slow to learn. At home, my mother-in-law always calls me pig-headed. I’m scared I won’t make it.”

Mrs. Lu rolled her eyes at the mention of Mrs. Zane’s fierce mother-in-law. “Don’t listen to her nonsense! If she was so capable, why isn’t she here herself? Little Zane, don’t overthink it. We’re not stupid—of course we’ll be fine.”

Mrs. Zane was still a bit timid. She only knew Mrs. Lu, so she stuck close to her. Mrs. Lu noticed her shyness—it reminded her of her own little sister—so she took extra care of Mrs. Zane and let her follow along.

The two women were chatting, completely unaware that another female worker behind them had been watching them closely.

This worker was about twenty years old, plain-looking and easily lost in a crowd, but her eyes were sharp and clever. She scanned the group of eighty women several times and quickly figured out that Mrs. Lu was the most cheerful and helpful, while Mrs. Zane was the most timid and easily swayed.

After thinking it over, the young woman stepped forward to strike up a conversation. “Hello! I’m a new hire too. We’ll be working together, so let’s get acquainted. My name is Greta.”

Mrs. Lu, true to her nature, greeted Greta warmly. “Hello, Greta! It’s fate that we get to work together. By the way, your accent doesn’t sound local—are you from out of town?”

Greta’s eyes flickered, and she put on a sad face, lowering her voice. “I married in from another region. But... after only a year, my husband died. I haven’t had any children, and my mother-in-law and sister-in-law are both fierce. Life’s been tough...”

Mrs. Lu understood immediately—Greta was a young widow with no children. Life must be hard for her.

Mrs. Zane, herself bullied by her mother-in-law, instantly empathized with Greta’s troubles. “Don’t worry, Greta. As long as we earn money here at the factory, our in-laws won’t dare bully us anymore.”

Greta’s eyes reddened and she looked as if she might cry. “Mrs. Lu, Mrs. Zane, you’re so kind. Everyone else calls me a jinx and won’t talk to me, but you two are willing to befriend me. I’m truly grateful. This job is my only hope—if I lose it, I’m afraid my in-laws will torment me to death.”

The three were deep in conversation when a few officials from the court approached, whispering to the factory’s female supervisor.

One of the officials spoke in a low voice: “We’ve received reliable information that a spy has infiltrated the female workers and is planning sabotage. We need to investigate and root out the spy.”