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

Gu Zhao and Shen Xu were once both the emperor's study companions.

Given such a close relationship, could Gu Zhao be behind Zhang Shen being taken away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

If it really was Gu Zhao who did it, what did he want?

It couldn't possibly be the Zhang family's money, could it?

Zhu Qingyu recalled Lord Gu's uninhibited words and actions that morning, and those unspoken words that were only separated by a thin layer of paper, which he knew she also knew, though they had not been explicitly stated.

He didn't hide anything from her, and told her directly:

"Qingyu, you need to know that I am not a gentleman, much less a virtuous man like Liu Xiahui."

What Lord Gu wants is obvious.

Was it because Zhang Shen got into trouble that Lord Gu had this idea, or did he deliberately cause Zhang Shen's accident because he already had this idea?

Which is the cause? Which is the effect?

Regardless of which is the cause and which is the effect, the key to saving Zhang Shen now lies with Gu Zhao.

At 3:45 AM, Gu Zhao was about to leave Yangzhou by boat!

It's almost 9 AM now!

Zhu Qingyu dared not linger any longer. She hurriedly bowed to General Manager Xue and Madam Xue, then pulled Zhang Ruohua and ran outside, calling to the coachman who was guarding the door:

"To the ferry terminal! Quickly!"

Zhang Ruohua was hurriedly pulled into the car by Zhu Qingyu, and the jolting made her dizzy. Barely managing to steady herself, she saw her sister-in-law's anxious face and asked, puzzled:

"Sister-in-law, what are we going to the ferry for?"

Time was running out, so Zhu Qingyu quickly told Zhang Ruohua the most important thing:

"Third sister, you heard it too, your second brother is in trouble, and I have to go to the capital to find him. I'll be leaving by boat soon. After I leave, go home immediately, then call the head steward, take reliable servants, plenty of people and valuables, find a place you want to go, and hide. If I can find your second brother, we will come to pick you up. If I don't come back, you'll be all alone from now on."

At this point, Zhu Qingyu's nose tingled with emotion, and she could barely speak, pausing involuntarily.

Zhang Ruohua is a young girl who hasn't experienced much in life. She has a good personality and is quite innocent, lively, and adorable.

Zhu Qingyu has been married into the Zhang family for two years, and Zhang Ruohua has never argued with her or raised her voice. No matter what good things there are, she always remembers to save some for her sister-in-law, so Zhu Qingyu has always liked her very much.

Because Zhang Ruohua had been bedridden for a long time and had finally had two years of lively life, Zhang Shen loved her very much and was even reluctant to let her marry into another family and suffer.

Some time ago, Zhang Shen had discussed with Zhu Qingyu that he would let Zhang Ruohua have a few more years of fun, and after two years, he would find a son-in-law for Zhang Ruohua to live with him. He didn't need a very capable person, just someone who was good-looking, kind-hearted, and honest. Under his nose, he would spend money to support his sister and brother-in-law for the rest of their lives.

But if something happens to Zhang Shen, she may not be able to escape unscathed. What will happen to Zhang Ruohua, a young girl?

Zhu Qingyu paused, suppressing the bitterness in her voice, and tried to speak calmly to Zhang Ruohua:

"Third sister, even if you're alone, no matter where you are, you must take good care of yourself."

Last time, when Zhang Ruohua had her own accident, she hugged Zhu Qingyu in the carriage and cried her eyes out.

Now that her second brother was in trouble, and after hearing her sister-in-law's words, which sounded like her last testament, Zhang Ruohua, though her eyes were brimming with tears, didn't cry at all. She held her head high, like a goose ready for battle.

"Sister-in-law, I don't want to hide. I want to go to the capital with you to save my second brother."

Zhu Qingyu patted her head:

"Third sister, listen to me. The Embroidered Uniform Guard could come and arrest you at any time. The Imperial Prison is not a place for you. At this time, your second brother certainly hopes that you can hide well and stay safe."

Zhang Ruohua shook her head, her stubbornness unprecedented:

"Then let them arrest me. I am my second brother's sister, a member of the Zhang family. If my second brother goes to jail, I should go to jail with him."

Perhaps the previous incident left a mark on Zhang Ruohua's heart. The little girl who only knew how to eat, drink, and be beautiful had grown up without Zhu Qingyu knowing.

But with one more person, there's one more vulnerability.

Given the circumstances in Beijing, even Zhu Qingyu herself couldn't guarantee her own safety upon this trip. Under such circumstances, it would be even more difficult for her to ensure Zhang Ruohua's well-being.

Zhu Qingyu changed her tone:

"Alright, Third Sister, let's not hide anymore. Let's go rescue Jingyan together. Rescuing your Second Brother requires money. I'll use the money we have in the capital, but it definitely won't be enough. I need you to stay in Yangzhou and stabilize the Zhang family's business. Only when the business is stable will we have the money to rescue your Second Brother. When Jingyan returns, we want to give him a complete family. Can you do that?"

Suddenly entrusted with such an important task, Zhang Ruohua became more serious than ever before, and nodded solemnly:

"able."

Zhu Qingyu gave her final instructions:

"Alright, then remember, don't borrow money from the government. Whoever asks you to borrow money to do business is a bad person. If you're unsure, you can ask Master Xue how he does it and learn from him. I'm entrusting the family to you, Ruohua."

At 3:45 AM, at the Yangzhou ferry crossing.

It was time to set sail, and Chang Sui couldn't help but look out of the cabin again.

He had already checked the young master's luggage for the fifth time. Even the maids and nannies who were assigned to serve Lady Zhu had boarded the ship, but Lady Zhu was still nowhere to be seen at the ferry.

She glanced at the young master inside the cabin, who was playing chess with himself. His expression was calm, showing no sign of urgency.

The servant was confused. Why did the young master let Lady Zhu go this morning? If he were Lady Zhu, he would probably be hiding somewhere right now. How could he possibly come back?

Xiong Kun entered the cabin and asked:

"Sir, the time has come. The boatman has come to ask if we are ready to set sail?"

Gu Zhao placed a piece:

"Wait a little longer."

Xiong Kun hesitated for a moment, then finally said:

"Should I go and look for it?"

Just like his attendant, Xiong Kun was thinking the same thing: Lady Zhu had probably run away. If they kept waiting like this, they would never see her again. Rather than waiting for Lord Gu to get angry when he couldn't find her, they should go and find her now and bring her back even if they had to tie her up.

Gu Zhao was engrossed in studying the chessboard, without even looking up:

"No need to look for her, she will definitely come."

Everyone says that husband and wife are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly away separately.

The reason why Chang Sui and Xiong Kun were worried that she wouldn't come was precisely because of this.

That's because they don't understand her.

Sensing something, Gu Zhao suddenly raised his head and looked out the window.

The birds that had fled from him that morning were now, lifting their skirts, rushing back towards his boat without a care in the world.

She ultimately did as he wished, knowing full well that danger lay ahead, yet she still flew back into his palm without hesitation.

For another man.