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

Zhu Qingyu returned to the clinic and was restless all afternoon.

Whether she was overthinking it or not, it was no longer appropriate for her to go to the government office.

Fortunately, whether she was overthinking it or not, just as Zhang Shen said, Lord Gu was an imperial envoy and would not stay in Yangzhou for long. After finishing his mission, he would return to the capital, and from then on, they would be separated by thousands of miles, never to see each other again, and would have no further connection.

Zhu Qingyu was still pondering how to use a suitable reason that wouldn't make Zhang Shen overthink things to tell him that she wouldn't bring him food anymore, but Zhang Shen actually came to the clinic to pick her up and take her home that afternoon.

Seeing Zhu Qingyu's surprised expression, Zhang Shen smiled and said:

"The errand is done, you don't need to go starting tomorrow."

Zhu Qingyu breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Lord Gu was a respectable man, and without her saying anything, he had avoided suspicion on his own. So she smiled and said:

"That's good. You should rest at home for a few days and take good care of yourself."

When Lord Gu came to Yangzhou to suppress bandits, everyone in the town thought it would be all bark and no bite, just a show, like when Lord Gao suppressed bandits before.

After all, Lord Gao had been suppressing bandits for two years, and Lei Dawu had been entrenched in the Liangjiang region for two years, not only unscathed but also with his private salt business growing bigger and bigger.

As a result, Lord Gu's speed in suppressing the bandits exceeded everyone's expectations. Within a few days, news of a victory came that Lord Gu and Lei Dawu had fought a battle on the river, defeating the bandits and capturing a string of bandit leaders who were beheaded in the market.

A few days later, news spread that Lei Dawu's lair had been destroyed, and the notorious salt smuggler Lei Dawu had his head chopped off on the spot by Lord Gu.

The box was packed, and at the fastest speed possible, Lei Dawu's head was sent to the capital to be presented to the emperor.

Lord Gu's speed in suppressing the bandits was truly overwhelming and unstoppable, leaving all the onlookers speechless.

After suppressing the bandits and completing his mission, Lord Gu, who had never accepted gifts during his long stay in Yangzhou, suddenly started talking about social etiquette as he was about to return to the capital. He held a victory banquet to invite all those who had contributed to the suppression of the bandits in the Liangjiang region, and to reward them according to their merits.

Given Lord Gu's status and the great merit he has made, it's easy to imagine that when he returns to the capital, his position will likely be further promoted. He will be a second-rank vice minister, or even a minister in charge of a ministry or a regional governor.

People from the Liangjiang region who wanted to curry favor with Lord Gu were as numerous as carp crossing a river. Taking advantage of Lord Gu's victory celebration banquet, the river was filled with boats delivering gifts to him. Gifts from all over the country flooded into the Yangzhou government office. Anyone with a bit of influence hoped to get an invitation to the celebration banquet so they could show their face in front of Lord Gu and build a relationship.

Regarding whether or not to give a gift to Lord Gu, both Zhang Shen and Zhu Qingyu felt that since everyone was giving gifts, the Zhang family should follow suit and give one as well.

As for the invitation to the victory celebration banquet, both of them felt that the Zhang family hadn't contributed much to the bandit suppression, so they didn't bother with it.

A few days later, Xiong Kun actually went to the Zhu Family Medical Clinic in person to deliver an invitation to Zhu Qingyu.

Zhu Qingyu and Xiong Kun hadn't seen each other for quite some time. Having received the invitation, they couldn't just dismiss him as a mere errand boy, so they invited him for tea and exchanged pleasantries:

"Congratulations to Lord Xiong! You have rendered meritorious service in suppressing the bandits, and you will surely be promoted."

Xiong Kunlai came with a mission. After drinking the tea, he began to explain his mission:

"Madam Zhu, we've known each other for so long. Forgive me for speaking up, but this is a victory celebration banquet, unlike usual. You are a distinguished guest of the master, so you can't attend in plain clothes."

Zhu Qingyu was truly at a loss for words:

"Yes, yes, thank you for your guidance, Lord Xiong. I am the eldest daughter of the Zhang family. This is a formal banquet, not a private one. I know the proper etiquette. Jingyan and I will definitely dress up and attend in our finest attire, and we will not embarrass you, sir."

After chatting for a few more minutes about everyday matters, Zhu Qingyu felt that was enough and got up to see Xiong Kun off.

"It's kind of you to make this special trip while you're so busy, sir. I won't keep you any longer."

After drinking this cup of tea, Zhu Qingyu didn't ask Lord Gu a single question from beginning to end.

Without uttering a single word, Xiong Kun felt quite troubled as he waited for a reply, fearing he might not be able to deliver a satisfactory answer.

Gu Zhao was in his study arranging troops with several deputy generals when he asked one of them:

"Is everything arranged?"

The lieutenant pointed to a spot on the map:

"Reporting to you, sir, everything has been arranged as you instructed. On the day of the victory banquet, when Lei Dawu's guards are at their most relaxed, we will attack from three directions and surely capture him."

Gu Zhao then looked at another person:

"Is everything arranged in the city?"

The other lieutenant also replied:

"Rest assured, my lord, the banquet venue has been arranged, with three layers of guards inside and out. Manpower has also been set up at the city gates and various checkpoints. If even one person escapes, I will bring you my head."

With everything arranged, as the meeting was about to adjourn, Gu Zhao gave one more instruction:

"If the Embroidered Uniform Guard comes to arrest people on the day of the victory celebration, let them do so first. Everyone is doing their own job and serving the Emperor. There is no need for conflict. What is rightfully yours can be claimed before the Emperor. I will not treat you unfairly."

Upon hearing the words "Imperial Guards," everyone present was startled.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was independent of the officials and reported directly to the emperor. When the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrested people, they never gave reasons or evidence; it was all at the emperor's behest.

No one would be so tactless as to obstruct the Imperial Guards' investigation and cause a conflict with them.

It is unknown who was present that day, or what grave mistake they committed that even Lord Gu was excluded from the investigation, and that the Embroidered Uniform Guard personally apprehended them.

Everyone bowed their heads in agreement and took their leave.

Seeing Xiong Kun standing outside the door, Gu Zhao beckoned him in:

"Is everything taken care of?"

Xiong Kun didn't dare to look at Gu Zhao:

"Yes, Madam Zhu said she will definitely dress up in her finest attire and will not embarrass you, sir."

Gu Zhao sent him on this trip not just to deliver an invitation, but also because he was somewhat prepared. Seeing that he was silent, Gu Zhao couldn't help but ask again:

Has she asked about my injuries?

Xiong Kun lowered his head, not daring to speak.

That means there isn't any left.

So many days have passed, and not a single word has been spoken.

Although he already knew that the young woman had no feelings for him, Gu Zhao still felt a surge of anger mixed with disappointment raging in his heart, which could not be relieved, now that it had been confirmed once again.

They had some kind of relationship, even if they were just ordinary friends, they should have at least asked about each other. But she didn't say a word, which was far too heartless and ungrateful.

Gu Zhao let out a long breath:

"Okay, you can go now."

So what if they're heartless and ungrateful?

Husbands and wives are birds of the same forest, and when disaster strikes, they fly separately.

He can restrain himself for her, and he can wait for her.

She will eventually have nowhere to go, and she will eventually fly into his palm.

Not urgent.