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

If Zhang Shen were to plead his case and defend himself, the Emperor, busy with countless affairs of state, might not have the time or patience to listen to his nonsense.

In a fit of anger, he might have someone drag him out and beat him to death on the spot, ending it all and getting rid of the bad luck that had been nagging at him for years.

But now that Zhang Shen knows he is guilty and is so willing to die, the Emperor's anger has subsided by half.

With his anger subsided, the Emperor gained more patience and became interested, willing to spend another quarter of an hour to find out more. So he asked:

"At least you have some sense of shame and right from wrong. Zhang Shen, raise your head. If you know you're guilty, why did you commit the crime in the first place?"

Zhang Shen raised his head, his face full of shame:

"Although I am far away in Yangzhou, I am able to have a modest fortune and live in peace and contentment, all thanks to the Emperor's rule and the clean and honest administration. I have been blessed by Your Majesty's grace, and although I am of humble status and have little influence, I am still grateful to Your Majesty and the Son of Heaven, and I have always been eager to repay your kindness."

The Emperor was truly surprised by this answer. It is said that a dying man's words are often wise, and since Zhang Shen is about to die, his words are almost certainly true.

No one dislikes flattery, including the young emperor, of course.

The emperor was an emperor who grew up in the deep palace and had never experienced the common people or had ever come into contact with them.

In the emperor's eyes, the term "common people" was merely a concept used when governing the country, never referring to living, breathing people.

But now, there is a living person, whose people run up to the emperor and say, "Your Majesty, I live very well under your rule, so I want to repay the monarch."

Such sincere yet clumsy flattery was far more pleasing to the emperor than the daily fawning of court officials, palace concubines, and eunuchs.

An emperor, who already possesses the world and the highest power, naturally has spiritual pursuits that go beyond material things.

The emperor couldn't help but feel proud. So, in the eyes of the people, I am such a wise and virtuous ruler?

I am truly a wise ruler!

Because of this, the emperor's other half of his anger had subsided, and as he sipped his tea, a hint of amusement crept into his voice:

"So this is the method you came up with?"

Zhang Shen felt even more ashamed, and his head hung even lower:

"Zhao Shiyuan dared to deceive the Emperor; he deserves to die. But this humble subject is powerless and powerless; besides this method, I can think of no other way. This humble subject has deceived the Emperor and deserves to die a thousand deaths; I dare not presume to ask for the Emperor's forgiveness..."

As Zhang Shen spoke, his head drooped lower and lower, and his voice grew softer and softer. Finally, his head slammed onto the floor with a thud, and he slumped to the side, unconscious.

The Emperor was startled, put down his teacup, and looked at Shen Xu:

"What happened to him? Is he dead?"

Shen Xu bent down and checked Zhang Shen's breath with his finger, then replied:

"Your Majesty, not yet, he's still breathing. While he's still alive, should I drag him out and execute him? Otherwise, he might die on his own soon."

The psychological effect of the term "wise ruler" still exists; how could a wise ruler casually behead people?

The Emperor's anger had subsided considerably, and he was much more tolerant of Zhang Shen. He then gave the following instructions:

"Forget it, he may be a bit slow-witted, but he's loyal. Let his family take him away. Whether he lives or dies is up to fate."

Shen Xu dragged Zhang Shen up, half-dragging and half-carrying him out, and replied:

"Yes, Your Majesty. Confiscate the family's wealth and send men to search their property."

The Emperor is a wise ruler. He even pardoned Zhang Shen's crimes. It would not sound good to confiscate his property without cause. It would be contrary to the reputation of a wise ruler.

So the emperor thought for a moment and said:

"Since he has the heart to serve the country, I will give him a task: to raise money to build Huiyi Temple. Let him do it."

......

Gu Zhao told Zhu Qingyu to wait at the palace gate at Chenshi, but Zhu Qingyu, who had barely slept all night, couldn't wait and got up at Yinshi.

Not only Zhu Qingyu woke up, but almost everyone in the Zhang residence woke up.

Zhang Ruohua was tossing and turning in bed before dawn. Uncle Lü had already prepared the carriage and was waiting. The head steward was also dressed and waiting at the door. Even Wang Mama was in the kitchen, cooking mutton and red date soup.

Since we're already awake, there's no point in staying home and just getting anxious. We might as well go wait at the palace gate.

Once the curfew was over, the gates of the Zhang family mansion opened, and a carriage carrying Zhu Qingyu and Zhang Ruohua, with Uncle Lü and the head steward in the hood, along with a group of people, went to pick up Zhang Shen.

They arrived at the gate of Donghua before dawn. Ministers passed by one after another to attend court, and then left one after another to leave the court. They waited until half past dawn, but Zhang Shen still hadn't come out.

Even Zhu Qingyu couldn't stay still in the carriage. She got out and paced around the palace gate like a donkey pulling a millstone.

For as long as Zhu Qingyu circled around on the Donghua Gate, Gu Zhao watched her.

In his presence, she was always calm, rational, and at ease, even when he pinned her down on the bed.

Gu Zhao had never seen her like this before. It turned out that she could be like this for another man, restless, fearful, and completely irrational.

The more she witnessed, the more the pain and jealousy entangled her. Gu Zhao almost self-harmed, forcing herself to remember how she was now so preoccupied with another man.

Gu Shouming, you must remember this: this is the true nature of how she shows concern for someone.

Everything else was just a facade.

Don't even think about it; you'll never get it.

Just once, then let it go.

As they were watching, Shen Xu half-dragged and half-carried Zhang Shen out.

Gu Zhao saw the young woman who had been so agitated just moments before rush over, almost lifting her skirt, and catch her in his arms.

With the help of many people, Zhu Qingyu helped Zhang Shen onto the carriage.

Zhang Shen's condition is very bad; he has a high fever and we need to get back quickly.

Just as Zhu Qingyu was about to get into the carriage, she seemed to sense something and glanced at the city gate.

Gu Zhao laughed and mouthed:

"Shen Shi (3-5 PM)".

Zhu Qingyu, I have fulfilled my promise, now it is your turn to fulfill yours.

Let's settle things once and for all.