In ancient times, the powerful and wealthy seized power step by step.

Gu Zhao immediately regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth.

Why would you say such terrifying things to threaten her when you've just made up your mind to cut ties with her?

Because he was so afraid, afraid to hear that she would rather choose Shen Xu, rather marry Shen Xu, than choose him.

Now, because of her, because of this woman who is full of lies and has no feelings for him, he is not only confused, but he has also lost control of his words and actions.

As Gu Zhao finished speaking, Shen Xu drew his sword:

"Shouming, let her go. Don't force her. Let her choose for herself."

Gu Zhao laughed as he watched his friend draw his sword against him.

"Shen Chongshu, you're playing the savior now. Her husband is imprisoned in the imperial prison and may be executed tomorrow. You're letting her choose? Choose what? Me, forcing her? Didn't you? Of course I forced her. I'm not some gentleman, so who are you?"

The closer the relationship, the more incisive and hurtful their malicious words will be.

Faced with Gu Zhao's piercing words, Shen Xu was speechless.

His forte has always been coercion and force; he gets whatever he wants by robbery, so he has absolutely nothing to do with being a gentleman.

He and she were no different; they both relied on her husband being in prison to force her to choose, cloaking their coercion in a guise of voluntariness in order to have a gentle start and gain her tenderness and love.

But in the end, neither he nor Gu Zhao ever truly let her choose for herself.

Zhu Qingyu had just been pulled into Gu Zhao's arms, bumping into his hard muscles, and for a moment her head was spinning.

He was only briefly stunned, but the situation took an unexpected turn, and Shen Xu even drew his knife.

That won't work!

It is not in her interest for Gu Zhao to have a conflict with Shen Xu.

She was still hoping they would join hands and work together to help her save Zhang Shen; even if they didn't help, at least they shouldn't cause trouble.

Tomorrow the Emperor will meet with Zhang Shen. Both Gu Zhao and Shen Xu are close ministers of the Emperor, and their words and actions have an influence on the Emperor.

Saving Zhang Shen might be difficult, but destroying him is so easy.

If any of them wanted to harm Zhang Shen, they only needed to say one sentence to the Emperor.

Gu Zhao's threat to take Zhang Shen's life might have been an angry outburst, but he was fully capable of doing so without much effort. Zhu Qingyu dared not gamble on whether either of them would turn their angry words into reality.

Zhu Qingyu, steadyed by Gu Zhao's hand, first addressed Shen Xu:

"Lord Shen, please put your knife away. I know none of you are that kind of people. The coercion was just something said in the heat of the moment. You've been helping me all along, never forcing me. You came here today to help me find a solution, and I'm very grateful. Let's not turn our knives on each other because of a momentary outburst, okay?"

Shen Xu couldn't say no. She had already said that forcing him was just something she said in anger. Could he really say something like, "No, I just wanted to force you to submit to me"?

He wanted her pity, he wanted her to give him a normal, lively, and loving home, so he couldn't be a bad person in front of her and could only silently put away his knife.

After Shen Xu sheathed his sword, Zhu Qingyu said again:

"I'm very grateful that you're willing to help me come up with a solution, but after thinking about it, this method is still too risky. It's not only very risky for Jingyan, but it will also be very risky for you if things go wrong in the future. Unless absolutely necessary, it's best not to use this method. Can you allow me to think about it some more? Jingyan has never met the Emperor before, and I'm worried that he doesn't know anything and might offend the Emperor. Could you go back and look after him and give him some pointers? As for your suggestion, I will think about it carefully. Once I've made up my mind, I'll come to the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters to find you, is that alright?"

Those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see things clearly. Gu Zhao, who was used to Zhu Qingyu's seductive tricks, now watched as she served one to Shen Xu, and realized that Zhu Qingyu only used a few methods.

Gratitude is a means of appeasement, and procrastination is a way to secure one's future. She is always like this: she doesn't want to provoke anyone, she dares not refuse anyone, she is unwilling to take responsibility, and she makes no promises.

He was repeatedly fobbed off by her using these obvious tricks, and he was defeated time and time again.

Shen Xu didn't seem to be much better off than Gu Zhao. Hearing Zhu Qingyu say this, he actually took the reins and said:

"Alright, if you've thought it through, come find me. I'll say it again: my suggestions are valid until the Emperor sees him."

After Shen Xu left, only one person remained.

Zhu Qingyu then looked at Gu Zhao again, tugging at his sleeve to make him dismount:

"Shouming, don't be angry. You must have misunderstood me. Come down, have a cup of tea, sit down, okay?"

No, I can't let her play me like this anymore.

He wanted to sever all ties with her.

Gu Zhao hardened his heart, remained seated on his horse without moving, and asked with a smile:

"Zhu Qingyu, how many men have you actually slept with using this trick? Besides Xie Ze and Shen Chongshu, who else don't I know about? Is it that to you, they're all the same?"

This statement is blatantly malicious speculation.

Zhu Qingyu released his sleeve, took a few steps back, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled to calm herself before asking:

"Lord Gu, does humiliating me like this make you happy?"

Gu Zhao didn't feel happy; he felt immense pain, so much so that he could barely breathe.

Even though he was thinking of cutting ties with her, when she let go of his sleeve, he subconsciously wanted to take her hand.

As she stepped back, he could hardly contain himself, wanting to dismount, hold her in his arms, lock her by his side, and keep her in his heart, so that she could never escape again.

He's really gone mad.

Is it because he has never had her that he is so infatuated with her, as if he has lost his mind?

If I get it, will I be able to let go and be free from this pain?

This pain drove Gu Zhao mad, causing him to speak recklessly, wanting her to experience this boundless suffering with him.

Gu Zhao watched her back away, his smile unwavering, and asked:

"Why aren't you answering? You can't even count them yourself, can you? How many people did you sleep with to save him? And how many times did you sleep with Shen Chongshu?"

Gu Zhao must be insane.

Don't talk to a madman.

Zhu Qingyu didn't say a word, leaving the crazed Lord Gu behind, and turned to leave.

As soon as she stepped into the house, someone rushed up behind her like a whirlwind, grabbed her hand, pulled her along, and strode inside.

Gu Zhaoren was taller than her, and her strides were longer; she walked faster and more hurriedly.

He led Zhu Qingyu along, and they practically jogged.

The small house has two courtyards, and its layout is so simple that it is almost non-existent.

A fire was raging in Gu Zhao's heart. He led her across the front yard and headed straight for the hanging flower gate.

After entering the gate, crossing the courtyard, we arrived at the main house.

In this small house, without needing anyone's guidance, Gu Zhao pulled her into her bedroom and pushed her down onto her bed.

With one hand, he pinned her hands to the headboard, then pressed down on her, swiftly and decisively giving her no chance to resist or even himself to back out. He bit her neck and whispered viciously in her ear:

"Zhu Qingyu, I saved him once, and we severed all ties. You and he, get out of the capital and never come back!"