How could Eunuch Zhou know if it was because both were despised by the aristocratic circle that they felt a mutual sympathy? He said this merely to lessen the Emperor's suspicion and to evoke his compassion.
Indeed, as soon as he finished speaking, he was ready to kneel down and confess, "This servant was only speculating; as for the truth, this servant does not know. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Emperor Chu chuckled, kicked him lightly, and said, "You old ghost, what are you confessing for? It's just a few words, get up. But are they really so disliked?"
Eunuch Zhou quickly got up and said, "Your Majesty is not unaware. The nobles pride themselves on their high status, and even the civil servants often look down on women from military families, considering them vulgar and disrespectful for wielding weapons and going to war. Let alone a woman who even goes to the battlefield and mingles with men daily?"
