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

Gu Zhao had received news from the second manager for several days, but there was still no word from him.

That day, Zhu Qingyu was preparing medicine at the clinic when the head manager suddenly rushed to the clinic looking for her in a panic.

Upon meeting, the head manager was already flustered:

"Madam, disaster has struck! The second manager has been arrested by the authorities!"

After Gu Zhao left that day, no more news came. Everything was calm on the second manager's side as well. Zhu Qingyu thought he was still investigating, but who knew that he had quietly arrested the person.

Zhu Qingyu asked the head manager:

"When did this happen? Where did the authorities arrest these people? Our shop?"

The head manager was still completely bewildered and replied:

"They didn't arrest him at our shop. The second manager hadn't come all day, and I figured something must have happened at home, so I went to look for him. But his door was sealed off by the government, and the whole family was gone. I asked the neighbors, and they said they saw him last night; he even went out to buy meat. This morning, the door was sealed off. Nobody seems to have seen what time they were arrested or when the seal was put up. Madam, what's going on? We don't know what they did wrong. Should we go to the government office and find out?"

Of course, she wanted to find out why the second manager was arrested and whether he had really set up a fake account book to harm the Zhang family. Zhu Qingyu was also eager to know.

Zhu Qingyu comforted her:

"Don't rush, go back to the shop first. I'll ask someone about the second manager's matter."

The head manager came in such a hurry not only for the second manager, he added:

"Madam, there's more! Lord Dai sent someone again today. This time he was very rude, saying that all the other families have paid, but our family isn't cooperating or proactive. He'll only give us five more days to raise the money. If we don't pay the salt tax, the Zhang family can forget about getting salt permits from the Salt Commissioner. Lord Dai has also set a limit on the number of salt permits, at least a minimum. I've checked the quantity, and it's much more than the cash we have on hand! What should we do? Should we wait for the master to return? Or should we borrow some money from the government to tide us over?"

If it were truly a good business, it would have been snapped up long ago. Why would the government keep offering money like this? Zhu Qingyu's suspicions about borrowing money from the government grew even stronger, and she dared not easily give an answer, replying:

"You have to wait. The master has already sent word that he will arrive tomorrow. With him there, he will naturally make the decision."

The head manager dared not make such a big decision on his own, mainly because he couldn't bear the responsibility if he made a mistake. Upon hearing that Zhang Shen was coming back, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good, good, it's good that Master is back. Let's wait for Master to come back and make a decision."

After the head manager left, Zhu Qingyu considered whether to go to Gu Zhao to ask about the second manager. However, if she went to the government office to find him, it would surely alert Lord Liu. As for other places, Gu Zhao's whereabouts were not easy to find out, and she did not know where to look for him.

Moreover, given the environment she's in now that values ​​the differences between men and women, meeting so frequently every few days, even if she has a clear conscience, it's bound to cause misunderstandings if word gets out.

With this in mind, Zhu Qingyu did not make any rash moves. She did not inquire about Gu Zhao's whereabouts or the Second Manager's affairs. She thought that since Zhang Shen would arrive tomorrow, she would wait until he returned before asking him.

As it approached lunchtime, Xiong Kun actually came looking for him:

"Madam, the master invites you."

In just one night, Gu Zhao actually got the results of the investigation!

Still curious about whether the second manager harbored malicious intentions, Xiong Kun came again. Zhu Qingyu put down her work and replied:

"Okay, I'm coming."

Seeing that she was still wearing the same clothes she wore when she was seeing patients at the clinic, and that she showed no intention of changing, Xiong Kun couldn't help but remind her:

"Madam Zhu, are you going like this? Would you like to change your clothes?"

Zhu Qingyu glanced down at her clothes. She had just been preparing medicine and had some powder on them. It would be disrespectful to go see people like this, so she quickly said:

"Thank you for reminding me. Please wait a moment, I'll be right there."

Xiong Kun, knife in hand, waited downstairs with an air of authority, fully prepared for the wait.

After all, given how plain-faced Madam Zhu looked just now, if she were to dress up, it would take quite a bit of effort, not to mention bathing and changing clothes, just changing clothes, combing hair, applying rouge and drawing eyebrows.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Zhu Qingyu came downstairs:

"Lord Bear, let's go."

"This is too fast!" Xiong Kun turned his head in surprise. Well, Mei was still beautiful, but Su Nian was still Su Nian, the wooden hairpin was still the wooden hairpin, and even her hairstyle hadn't changed. She had just changed from one piece of cloth clothing to another.

In all the time Xiong Kun had served in the capital, he had never seen a wealthy woman living such a rough life.

Seeing Xiong Kun's expression, Zhu Qingyu sensed he had something to say, so she looked at herself again. She was perfectly clean and tidy, without a single flaw, and asked:

"What is it, Lord Bear? Is there anything else you need to tell me?"

Xiong Kun's expression was complex; he seemed to want to say something but hesitated, finally shaking his head and saying, "Please."

A plain-looking blue cloth carriage, the same one she usually rode in, was parked outside the clinic.

Zhu Qingyu got into the car without any suspicion, still asking Xiong Kun:

"Are we going to the government office to see Lord Gu?"

Xiong Kun didn't say anything, but just winked at her.

Zhu Qingyu thought to herself: No way? It can't be that Lord Gu is also in the carriage.

When they lifted the curtain, they found Lord Gu indeed inside the carriage!

So it's only a few steps away?

Why can't Lord Gu lower himself to speak?

Compared to Zhu Qingyu's coarse clothes, Gu Zhao was dressed exceptionally brightly today, wearing a jade crown, brocade, and even silk shoes. At first glance, he looked like a leisurely young nobleman.

This young nobleman was even reading a book with the other car window open.

So Zhu Qingyu was even more confused. The carriage was so shaky and the lighting was so bad, how could she read a book?

If you have the time to read a book, why can't you just come down and talk?

Perhaps this is the kind of pomp and circumstance that aristocratic families value?

Seeing that she was neither advancing nor retreating, Gu Zhao put away the book and asked:

"Madam Zhu, you said the other day that if there was any need, you would do your best without hesitation. Today, I, Gu, have a matter that requires your assistance. Does Madam Zhu still stand by your word?"