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

Although Zhang Shen was curious as to why Zhu Qingyu and Lord Gu would disembark from the same boat, he did not show any expression or ask any questions in front of everyone at the ferry.

He only took Zhu Qingyu's hand and came together to pay his respects to Gu Zhao.

Zhang Shen said, "Lord Gu."

This wasn't a private matter, so Zhu Qingyu naturally wouldn't address Gu Zhao by his courtesy name in public. Therefore, she simply followed suit:

"Lord Gu."

Everything seemed to have returned to the starting point, as fleeting as another dream.

Gu Zhao grasped his empty palm, his nails almost digging into his flesh, then put his hand behind his back, got off the boat expressionlessly, and didn't say a word.

Husband and wife in perfect harmony, their love as they ran towards each other was so genuine; this is what a true couple looks like.

In comparison, the tiny touch he had just managed to sneak around to get was simply a joke.

She doesn't have to be.

As if by some strange twist of fate, this sentence popped up again, the malice born of jealousy corroding the already precarious shackles.

Xiong Kun silently led a group of guards off the ship, who stood guard behind Gu Zhao. Each guard held a sword, ready to cut down any lawbreakers at any moment.

Indulgence is always too easy; with just a word of arrest, one can bring someone to justice with a perfectly legitimate reason. So what will she do?

A bird that has lost its shelter may suffer, but the suffering is only temporary. He will give her time and care, and the suffering will eventually pass.

Zhang Shen seemed to sense something amiss as well. He released Zhu Qingyu's hand, stepped forward, shielded Zhu Qingyu behind him, and bowed again, saying:

"Greetings to Lord Gu."

Seeing their hands separate, Gu Zhao finally spoke:

"Jingyan, where do you come from?"

Zhang Shen replied calmly and steadily:

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the Huaibei Saltworks."

Gu Zhao's expression was unreadable, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"In that case, come to the government office tomorrow and tell me what the current situation is like at the Huaibei Saltworks."

Zhang Shen bowed again:

"Yes, then I shall take my leave today."

Having received Lord Gu's nod of approval, the two bowed again and took their leave, hand in hand, to find the Zhang family's carriage.

Zhang Shenxian helped Zhu Qingyu into the carriage. Just as they were about to go inside, he inexplicably glanced at the ferry crossing again.

Lord Gu was still standing there, but he was too far away to see his expression clearly.

Zhu Qingyu entered the carriage, and seeing that Zhang Shen hadn't come in yet, she assumed he had something else to do. She lifted the curtain to go out and see what was wrong, but Zhang Shen grabbed her shoulder, stopping her, and said anxiously:

"Don't go out!"

Seeing the confusion on Zhu Qingyu's face, Zhang Shen helped her sit up, softened his tone, and smiled:

"It's sunny outside, let's go back. What are you doing with Lord Gu today?"

As soon as Zhang Shen returned, Zhu Qingyu quickly told him about a few important matters that had recently occurred:

"He asked me to help him put on a show; I'll explain in detail when we get back. First, let me tell you about a few urgent matters. Did Lei Dawu contact you last year? Lord Liu is his backer. Because of this matter, he had the second manager falsify account books to harm the Zhang family. Now the second manager has been arrested by Lord Gu, but you must be careful that Lord Liu doesn't cause trouble under any other pretext. Also, Lord Dai is urging us to pay the salt tax. He's urged us several times and even set a limit. Even at the minimum limit, we don't have enough cash at home. But borrowing money from the government is still very risky, so you need to make a decision as soon as possible."

Logically speaking, among the several life-or-death matters facing the Zhang family, the most important, in order of priority, is Lord Liu's malicious intent, followed by Lord Dai's urgent demand for salt tax payment.

As for the arrest of the second manager, Zhu Qingyu believed that it was actually a good thing that a scourge had been eliminated in advance.

Instead of asking about Lord Liu or Lord Dai, Zhang Shen frowned and first showed concern for the second manager:

"You mean the second manager made a fake account book, and now that fake account book is in Master Gu's hands? How could the second manager have thought of using a fake account book?"

Seeing Zhang Shen's unusual behavior, Zhu Qingyu suddenly thought of a possibility, and her tone became serious:

"Jingyan, you weren't really smuggling salt without telling me, were you? Does the second manager have any evidence?"

Zhang Shen was thinking about something, and when he heard her ask this, he quickly replied:

"How could that be? Why would I give up a perfectly good business to do something that could cost me my life? I swear I've never touched smuggled salt. Besides, haven't I told you everything about our business, big and small?"

Zhu Qingyu still felt that something was wrong:

"I don't think so. Why didn't you tell me about Lei Dawu's previous visit to you? Are you hiding something from me?"

Caught red-handed, Zhang Shen pitifully bowed to Zhu Qingyu.

"I was wrong about this, but it's really the only thing. I rejected the middleman on the spot, and I didn't even go to see Lei Dawu. I didn't tell you mainly because I was afraid you'd worry. As for the rest, I really haven't hidden anything from you. I even gave you the spare key to our treasury. I've entrusted my life and fortune to you. What else could I possibly be hiding from you?"

Zhu Qingyu thought that made sense and replied:

"That's true. So, do you have any plans for these matters?"

Zhang Shen received Zhu Qingyu's letter and had already thought about it on his way to Yangzhou. Now he told her about it one by one:

"While I was away, you took care of everything at home. I'm sorry to have troubled you. Now that I'm back, I'll handle everything else, so don't worry. First, let's talk about the salt tax. The situation at the Huaibei salt fields is worse than I thought. Many salt producers have absconded, and there's still salt stockpiled from last year that hasn't been transported out. Business probably won't be good this year either. Lord Dai won't be able to meet the salt tax quota set by the court. The salt tax is being collected in advance for one year this year, and next year it might be collected in advance for three years. It'll just keep snowballing. Even if you risk your entire fortune and your life, you still won't be able to fill the hole in the salt tax. So, we can't lend you any money from the government."

Seeing the anxiety on Zhu Qingyu's face, Zhang Shen comforted her again:

"But there's no need to worry. Since Grand Secretary Song retired last year, our court has lost a capable person, and various places are eyeing us covetously. I've been thinking that our family is no longer suited to continue in the salt business. It's better to retire gracefully to ensure the safety of our family, otherwise we might not have a good end in the future. So I started to withdraw last year, and now I'm taking this opportunity to slowly withdraw completely. Before I left, I discussed it with the Xue family. They won't borrow money from the government either. Our two families can pool our money and get through this year's quota."

With Zhang Shen's careful planning in place, Zhu Qingyu could finally relax.

"Alright, since you have an idea, we'll follow your lead. What about Lord Liu?"

Zhang Shen sighed:

"Tomorrow I'll go see Lord Gu and see what his instructions and arrangements are. We commoners can't fight against the government. I haven't offended Lord Liu privately; ultimately, all Lord Liu cares about is the Zhang family's money. Qingyu, if my Zhang family really falls, I'll make arrangements for you in advance..."

Zhu Qingyu interrupted him, smiling:

"If the Zhang family really falls from grace, where do you plan to put me? If that day comes, then naturally I will take care of you. Mr. Zhang, you'll be in trouble. From now on, you'll have to follow me, wear cloth clothes, eat pickled vegetables, live in a small house, and serve me like a servant, carrying my medicine box."