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

Lord Gu didn't even order any servants to serve him tea; he poured it himself.

Zhu Qingyu stood up respectfully and accepted the teacup, holding it but not drinking, explaining:

"It is not out of respect or disrespect that I have come here. The reason is that he went to the Huaibei salt fields a few days ago and is not in Yangzhou. There is really no one at home. I first asked Lord Liu for an audience, but Lord Liu said that he could not make the decision. My sister-in-law is an unmarried girl and is not fit to stay in a place like a prison. Therefore, I had no choice but to come and bother you, sir. Please forgive me."

Gu Zhao looked at the untouched cup of tea in her hand and smiled:

"Madam Zhu, you saved Xie Ze, doing me a great favor. Otherwise, if something had happened to Xie Ze, I would have had a very difficult time explaining to Her Majesty the Empress. So, there's no need for such formalities as 'intruding' between us. It's good that you thought of coming to me when you encountered difficulties, and I will naturally help if I can. But have you ever thought about why this happened so soon after Zhang Jingyan left, forcing you to come?"

Even Zhu Qingyu could sense something amiss in today's events, so it's understandable that Lord Gu would have some doubts.

However, Zhu Qingyu did not believe that this matter was related to Zhang Shen.

For her, if there is only one person in the world she can trust, it should be Zhang Shen, not anyone else.

Zhu Qingyu looked back and smiled:

"There may be some misunderstanding here. I dare not speak for others, but Jingyan is my husband. I know him. He is not that kind of person. He has great respect for the Vice Minister and would never dare to have such opportunistic or crooked thoughts."

They were truly husband and wife, their love unwavering. Her genuine smile and unconditional devotion to her husband were so intense that Gu Zhao found them somewhat jarring and couldn't help but look away.

Gu Zhao looked at the raging wind and rain outside the door and said:

"Since Lady Zhu vouched for him, I naturally believe her. But today, Lord Liu just arranged a maid for me who bears a striking resemblance to Lady Zhu. Lady Zhu, what a coincidence! Or perhaps I'm just overthinking things?"

Zhu Qingyu recalled the figure she had just seen at Lord Liu's place. No wonder it seemed familiar; it looked just like her!

She and Gu Zhao had only met a few times and had barely exchanged a few words; they were practically unrelated. Why would Lord Liu have such a wild idea and do something like this?

The only possibility is that when Gu Zhao said those words to her at the clinic that day, someone else overheard it and it reached Lord Liu's ears.

This is a bit troublesome. Only she and Gu Zhao were there that day. What if Lord Gu thinks that she and Lord Liu are in cahoots?

Could it be that he suspects she came here today to use her beauty to seduce someone?

In any case, we must first distance ourselves from being accomplices with Lord Liu.

Zhu Qingyu said solemnly:

"Your Excellency is wise. I have not spoken of what happened that day to anyone else, let alone to Jingyan. As for others, they must have heard some rumors from somewhere and misunderstood..."

Before Zhu Qingyu could finish speaking, Gu Zhao suddenly stood up, and to Zhu Qingyu's surprise, walked up to her, put one arm around the back of her chair, and leaned down to look at her:

"Oh, a misunderstanding? I'd like to ask you, Madam Zhu, what is he misunderstanding?"

Lord Gu spoke gently and looked ordinary, but his approach was far too ambiguous.

The gaze that stared straight at her was too sharp, like a hunter locking onto his prey, making Zhu Qingyu completely unable to feel any romance in this ambiguous situation. Alarm bells rang in her mind, and she didn't even dare to move for a moment.

He was so close that when he leaned down, a strand of half-wet hair even brushed against Zhu Qingyu's cheek.

The unique scent of soapberry after a bath, mixed with the cool steam, wafted towards her. Zhu Qingyu belatedly realized what was happening and hurriedly stepped back, her back bumping against Gu Zhao's hand, which was wrapped around the back of the chair.

Lord Gu's hands were as cold as his hair.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Zhu Qingyu dared not move again, and met his gaze in response:

"He underestimated you, sir, and overestimated me. You are a virtuous and upright gentleman, while I am just an ordinary woman."

Gu Zhao looked into her eyes and remained silent for a long time, seemingly assessing whether her reply was perfunctory or sincere.

Zhu Qingyu let him look at her, and then said:

"Lord Gu, this matter has nothing to do with Jingyan, nor with me. I only have respect for you, and would never dare to harbor any thoughts of currying favor. Can you be trusted?"

Seeing her say this, and then looking at the unused teacup in her hand, Gu Zhao suddenly smiled, stood up, and said:

"Madam Zhu, I have no misunderstanding about you. If you truly had such feelings for me, you wouldn't be so afraid to even drink a cup of my tea."

As Gu Zhao stood up, so too did the invisible aura of a superior that had lingered around him, immobilizing him, depart.

So Gu Zhao poured her tea and suddenly got so close just now to test her?

Did you pass the test?

Zhu Qingyu even suspected that if she had dared to touch Gu Zhao just now, he might have immediately labeled her as being on the same side as Lord Liu, and might have even taken her down on the spot.

As for not drinking his tea, this is Zhu Qingyu's habit when she is away from home. Except for banquets where everyone is present, she doesn't touch anything given to her by others, whether she is a guest or a doctor.

Being pointed out to her so openly by Lord Gu was quite embarrassing. Zhu Qingyu took a sip from her cup and explained:

"The tea is good, but I was too worried about my sister-in-law to make it."

Gu Zhao watched her drink the tea, and then her gentle smile returned to normal.

"I see. I was overthinking it. I understand. I'll handle the rest."

After speaking, Gu Zhao looked towards the door and gave the order:

"Xiong Kun, escort Madam Zhu back and tell Lord Liu that I said to let him release her. If he has any further questions, let him come and ask me himself."

Xiong Kun, still dressed in his oiled oil coat and carrying a knife, appeared at the door and replied:

"Yes, sir. Madam Zhu, please."

Zhu Qingyu stood up and gave Gu Zhao a curtsy:

"Thank you, sir. When Jingyan returns, my wife and I will definitely come to express our gratitude again."

Hearing her emphasize the word "husband and wife," Gu Zhao remained noncommittal, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

After Zhu Qingyu went out and opened her umbrella, ready to leave, Gu Zhao suddenly called her back:

"Wishing you well, Madam."

Zhu Qingyu turned around:

"Is there anything else you need, sir?"

Gu Zhao's expression was unreadable, his emotions difficult to discern, as he said:

"Wishing you good fortune, when you go out in the future, please take more people with you, especially when I am still in Yangzhou."

The hidden meaning in the last sentence left Zhu Qingyu speechless for a moment. She could only nod silently, turn around again, and leave Gu Zhao's warm and cozy courtyard, heading into the raging wind and rain.