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

Zhu Qingyu didn't understand a word of Gu Zhao's long speech.

What kind of life?

What, that night?

What responsibility?

Where should we even begin?

Zhu Qingyu looked puzzled and asked:

"What? Which night? What happened?"

Gu Zhao moved even closer, so close that their clothes were almost touching.

This distance completely exceeded Zhu Qingyu's sense of security. Although his tone was gentle, his gaze was too direct, making her feel very uncomfortable.

Zhu Qingyu took several steps back, her face already showing displeasure:

"My lord!"

She couldn't understand why this Vice Minister Gu had suddenly become so rude for no reason.

Gu Zhao stopped in his tracks. Sure enough, the closer he got, the more his body roared, like a ball of fire, rampaging and growing ever more intense.

In the past few days, while investigating the case, Gu Zhao couldn't help but think about this question: what exactly is wrong with me?

Gu Zhao's gaze swept over Zhu Qingyu's displeased eyes, down to her half-exposed neck, along her arms completely covered by her sleeves, and then down to the swaying hem of her skirt as she walked, before he spoke:

"I saw it that night. If you need me, I can take responsibility."

Today she was dressed conservatively, but the fleeting glimpse of him that day when he barged into her boudoir seemed to be imprinted in her mind, adding a new and enchanting touch to the misdeeds she committed in her dreams that no one knew about.

A beautiful and graceful woman, I long for her day and night.

poo.

For Gu Zhao, it was only natural for a man to be attracted to a woman of outstanding beauty, and it was not difficult for him to admit that he was just an ordinary man who was attracted to beauty.

Human beings have six desires, so this can only be the reason. What else could it be? The state of being possessed, which had troubled him for so many months, must have been nothing more than this.

Now that the crux of the problem has been found, it cannot be left unresolved. Gu Zhao thought about it for several days and finally decided to take action to solve this problem that had been troubling him for a long time.

It's not difficult to solve; one desires but cannot obtain, hence the longing for submission; once the desire is fulfilled, the problem is naturally solved.

He hadn't deliberately sought her out, yet he encountered her repeatedly. This was fate, a predetermined destiny. With her looks, she deserved to live a life of luxury, surrounded by servants, pampered and never lifting a finger. Instead, she was here, dressed in coarse clothes, showing her face for a few taels of silver.

She didn't have an easy life, but he could give her a better and more dignified one. It was a perfect solution where both of them got what they wanted.

Zhu Qingyu thought for a long time before she finally understood what Gu Zhao meant by "he saw" and what his so-called responsibility was all about.

There are some things that even someone as cautious and prudent as her, who grew up in modern society, would find difficult to be so sensitive to.

For her, the fact that Gu Zhao barged in that night and saw her wearing short sleeves and shorts would be perfectly acceptable for going out shopping in modern times, but in this world, it might be associated with things like innocence or chastity.

That's why he felt responsible, and it's no wonder he's been avoiding me these past few days.

As for how a duke's heir would take responsibility, it's obvious. Given his status and position, he wouldn't marry her; at most, he would just reserve a place for her in his backyard.

A surge of anger welled up inside her. Damn feudal society! This dog of a man seemed to be asking her in an arrogant and condescending tone if she wanted to be his concubine.

The reason he made this offer was not because he was interested in her, but because he held himself to high standards of conduct.

No wonder he hid for so many days and went through so much trouble, condescending to come and say these words. He probably still felt that she, a commoner doctor, was not worthy of entering the Duke's mansion. He felt wronged that he had to take her in because of an accident!

Zhu Qingyu was so angry that she wanted to smash the steaming stove on the table into his face.

Seeing the growing anger in Zhu Qingyu's eyes, Gu Zhao realized that the better and more respectable life he envisioned might not be what this young woman wanted.

He had indeed considered this possibility; it would be more troublesome and require more thought and effort, but it wasn't entirely hopeless.

Gu Zhao pretended not to know what she was thinking, and with a serious face, he patiently and persuasively said:

"Is Madam Zhu unhappy? Indeed, although this was an accident, ultimately the responsibility lies with me. My delay and silence over the past few days are ultimately my fault. Or perhaps, my willingness to take responsibility has offended Madam?"

Arguments only happen when both sides are evenly matched and exchange words. With Gu Zhao's attitude being so good, Zhu Qingyu felt that if she really got angry and yelled at him, she wouldn't have the confidence to back it up.

Well, men in feudal society had their limitations. By today's standards, what he did was indeed the act of a gentleman.

Zhu Qingyu took a deep breath, feeling a profound sense of powerlessness in the face of this worldview that was hundreds of years apart.

Forget it, we have different views, different views, different views.

Forget it, I won't stoop to his level. I won't stoop to his level. I won't stoop to his level.

Okay, don't be angry, don't be angry, don't be angry.

Zhu Qingyu silently recited several sentences before suppressing her anger and trying to speak in a calm tone:

"This woman has her own husband; there is no need for you, sir, to take responsibility."

Gu Zhao was completely taken aback by this answer; she was already married!

Although he was shocked, he was also somewhat skeptical. Could it be that this was just an excuse? If she really had a husband, why would she need to go through all this trouble?

Even though his heart was in turmoil, Gu Zhao's tone remained calm and composed:

"Oh? Is that so? Then where is he? Why has he been nowhere to be found all this time?"

At this moment, Zhu Qingyu really wanted to make a phone call and shake Zhang Shen in, then slap him in the face to show him what was happening!

Fine, considering his high rank and the fact that he controls the Zhang family's business, I'll let it go.

After a series of calculations to calm herself down, Zhu Qingyu tried to reply in a less angry tone:

"Zhang Jingyan, the head merchant of Yangzhou, is my husband. You have met him, sir. He has been at the Huainan salt fields these past few days. When he returns, you will know as soon as you ask. There is no need for me to lie about such a thing."

It turned out to be Zhang Jingyan, with a name and surname. Judging from her expression, she didn't seem to be faking it.

Gu Zhao looked around the cramped pharmacy and found it hard to associate it with the family of a salt merchant. The Zhang family was worth millions, so why would they let their eldest daughter-in-law run such a small clinic in public?

No wonder she was so angry just now. He came here so rashly today and actually said those words to a married woman. To harass a respectable woman in broad daylight is simply, utterly absurd!

Despite still having many questions, Gu Zhao, realizing the absurdity of the situation, had no intention of pursuing the matter further, and finally only said:

"I see. I was truly abrupt and offensive."

Since a powerful figure like him could lower himself to apologize, Zhu Qingyu didn't want to make things too awkward, so she softened her tone and said:

"I appreciate your kind intentions, but there's really no need for you to take responsibility for me. I need to prepare medicine for Young Master Xie, so please excuse me."

This was a way of ending the conversation and seeing the guest off. Zhu Qingyu stopped looking at Gu Zhao and focused on distillation.

In the corner of my eye, I saw someone leave the pharmacy, but then stop at the door.

Zhu Qingyu looked over in confusion:

"Is there anything else you wish to tell me, sir?"

Gu Zhao glanced at her again, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he remained silent and turned to leave.