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

Zhu Qingyu was not surprised at all to see Gu Zhao.

Rescuing Zhang Shen is the condition for ending things between them, so he will definitely come to confirm the result.

At least judging from the outcome, Zhang Shen's release from the imperial prison was all thanks to him, and Zhu Qingyu was grateful for his help.

She owed Gu Zhao this favor, and if she didn't repay it, she wouldn't be able to sleep at night because she would keep owing him.

Zhu Qingyu bowed her head to Gu Zhao from afar, and mouthed the same words:

"Alright, Lord Gu, thank you very much."

Ah, Lord Gu.

And so began the story of Lord Gu.

He knew that he would get nothing from her except gratitude.

Gu Zhao, who repeatedly succumbed to despair only to awaken from her pain time and time again, understood better than anyone that after this once, the words "Shouming" would never be uttered again.

If the two were to meet again, they would only be strangers to Lord Gu and Madam Zhang.

No, she will never set foot in the capital again, not even with Lord Gu or Madam Zhang.

So be it. This is the path he has chosen for the two of them. Since they have made the choice, they should not regret it.

He will give up his infatuation with her and his physical desire for her. No matter how painful or bloody the process of quitting is, he will be able to dig her out of his heart completely and throw her away without leaving a trace.

From that moment on, Gu Zhao suppressed his smile and turned to leave.

After Gu Zhao left, Zhu Qingyu said to Shen Xu, who had seen Zhang Shen out:

"Lord Shen, thank you so much for today. His condition is not good, so I must take him back quickly. I will visit you another day to express my gratitude."

Shen Xu stood aside, silently observing the subtle, unspoken tension between the two.

He remained silent the entire time, but now that Zhu Qingyu was about to leave, he called out to her:

"Madam, the Emperor has issued a decree."

Zhu Qingyu was very anxious about Zhang Shen's poor health and wanted to leave as soon as possible. Upon hearing that the Emperor had issued another decree, she quickly jumped out of the carriage and hurriedly said:

"Please speak."

Seeing that Shen Xu seemed a little stunned, Zhu Qingyu came to her senses.

Ugh, this damned feudal society! Listening to imperial edicts here is like having to kneel down?

Do I have to kneel?

In the past few years, because the Zhang family was a respectable family in Yangzhou, Zhu Qingyu had never knelt before anyone except when she accompanied Zhang Shen to worship their ancestors during festivals. It was difficult for her to develop the kind of conditioned reflex that only natives have, so she was quite unsure.

So Zhu Qingyu sought confirmation from Shen Xu:

"Should I listen on my knees, right?"

If that's really the rule, then kneeling at the palace gates is fine; it won't hurt you. After you've finished kneeling and listened to the explanation, hurry back.

Logically, one should kneel. Shen Xu was surprised that someone would ask such a question. Normally, upon hearing that the emperor had issued an edict, one's legs would have gone weak and one would have knelt down long ago, not utter a question.

He discovered that this Lady Zhu was quite unconventional. She naturally lacked a sense of awe towards imperial power or worldly customs. That's why she was able to disregard everything and make so many choices that ordinary women in their boudoirs would not dare to make in order to save people.

However, Zhang Shen was present when the Emperor issued the decree, so in principle, Zhang Shen should have accepted the decree.

So whether he was relaying or proclaiming an imperial edict is not so clear. Not kneeling is not a big problem.

Therefore, Shen Xu said:

"No need for that. He was probably not fully conscious when he received the decree. If he forgets it after recovering from his illness, it could cause problems. So I'm reminding you a few things. The Emperor has issued a decree instructing Zhang Jingyan to raise funds to build Huiyi Temple. Once he wakes up, don't forget to send the money to the Ministry of Revenue."

This was indeed an extremely important matter. Zhu Qingyu had no idea that the rumored cold-blooded and cruel Lord Shen was actually a kind-hearted citizen who had come to give her special instructions.

Zhu Qingyu sincerely thanks:

"Lord Shen, thank you so much. I'll remember this. Well then, I'll head back now."

Shen Xu looked over, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

Zhu Qingyu looked over in confusion:

"Does Lord Shen have anything else to instruct?"

If you're going to tell me, hurry up and tell me! Someone's in a real hurry to save their life. Zhu Qingyu is frantic with worry.

Seeing that she was completely preoccupied with her husband's condition and showed no concern whatsoever for her own future, Shen Xu finally couldn't help but say:

"Madam Zhu, if rumors spread in the future and you can no longer stay in the Zhang family, my suggestion will still stand."

Good heavens, he still remembers this!

Alas, this Lord Shen is a pitiful, devoted man. Perhaps it's because he looks so much like his deceased fiancée that he can't let go of her.

But now that Zhang Shen has been released from the imperial prison, his suggestion is no longer an option for her, and this way out should no longer be kept.

Zhu Qingyu said to Shen Xu:

"Lord Shen, do I really resemble your fiancée that much? But you must understand, no matter how similar people may look, their inner selves are completely different. If you try to find her shadow in me, you will ultimately be disappointed and in pain. If she could know this in the afterlife, she would probably hope that you look forward. With your power, there are many noble ladies in the capital who are a good match for you. They are all excellent girls. Find a girl of equal social standing and mutual affection, and a perfect match will naturally come together. The lively life you desire, with children to raise, will all come to you. Lord Shen, once Jingyan is feeling better, we will come to pay our respects again. Farewell."

Zhu Qingyu didn't know if Shen Xu had listened to her. She wasn't a professional psychologist and couldn't treat his psychological trauma.

She said all this mainly to make her stance clear, so that Shen Xu wouldn't waste any more time on her. Therefore, after speaking and bowing, she got into the carriage and instructed Uncle Lü:

"Uncle Lü, let's go back."

Uncle Lü was also waiting anxiously on the side. Now that he had received the order, he immediately whipped his whip so fast that the journey back to Qingyi Lane seemed to be flying.

The carriage was jolting violently, and Zhu Qingyu held Zhang Shen in her arms to prevent him from falling off while he was unconscious. Zhang Ruohua sat beside her, her eyes reddening as she looked at her half-dead second brother.

When Zhang Shen came out of the palace, he had a high fever and was unconscious.

Hunger, cold, whip marks, and the psychological pressure of facing death took turns attacking, finally breaking down this already physically weak rich young master who had never suffered so much.

Uncle Lü and the head steward worked together to carry Zhang Shen down from the carriage and back to the inner courtyard.

Because Zhang Shen's condition was so bad, and he looked like he was about to die at any moment, the members of the Zhang family couldn't care less about etiquette at this time. They all gathered around and waited for Zhu Qingyu to treat him.

The atmosphere was so heavy, like a funeral. Surrounded by anxious onlookers, Zhu Qingyu took Zhang Shen's pulse and said:

"It can be cured."

A single sentence, like a stabilizing force, instantly transformed the atmosphere from a funeral to a joyous occasion.

Uncle Lü, panting heavily, wiped away his tears and laughed as he spoke:

"Oh, that's great! I didn't even dare to breathe properly just now, for fear of disturbing the master's breathing."

If the condition can be treated and the person is still alive, everything else becomes trivial.

Writing prescriptions, going out to get medicine, brewing medicine in the kitchen, cleaning and changing clothes for Zhang Shen, applying medicine and bandaging wounds—the entire Zhang household was bustling with activity.

Zhu Qingyu was busy until 15 minutes before Shenshi (3-5 PM), when she called Zhang Ruohua to stop:

"Third sister, I have to go out for a while and I probably won't be back until tomorrow. I'm leaving the house in your care. If your second brother wakes up, just tell him I went to Huangjue Temple to fulfill a vow and will be back soon."

Zhang Ruohua tensed up immediately, her eyes widening, and she grabbed Zhu Qingyu's hand to stop her from leaving.

"Sister-in-law, don't go! Sister-in-law, let's go home, take Second Brother with us, let's leave now, let's go back to Yangzhou right now!"