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

To find official documents in Gu Zhao's study, one needs a legitimate reason that allows them to stay there for an extended period of time.

Zhu Qingyu was plotting something in her mind, but she remained calm on the surface. Without hesitation, she picked up her pen and wrote down her hometown address and her father's name.

As she picked up her pen to write, Gu Zhao observed her closely. Seeing that her writing flowed smoothly and without any stumbles, he felt even more trust in her.

After all, if you didn't know the address and name by heart, you couldn't have made up such a perfect story on the spot.

Gu Zhao summoned Xiong Kun and, in front of Zhu Qingyu, gave him the following instructions:

"Arrange for someone to disembark at the next ferry crossing, go to Sichuan, find Lady Zhu's family at this address, and then bring her family to the capital to settle them down."

As if aware of Zhu Qingyu's worries, after Xiong Kun left, Gu Zhao said, half comforting and half threatening:

"Qingyu, I don't want you to live in constant fear, but there are some things we need to discuss beforehand. I don't want to use any underhanded tactics on you, but you'd better not try anything funny in front of me either. I promised you I would get your father's job done. If Zhang Jingyan really is your cousin, I can't say much else, but at least I can protect his life for you. But you have to promise me you will never have any contact with him again. Not only is there no romantic relationship, but all familial ties must be severed, and you are not allowed to see him even if you meet him. I can keep my promise to you, and I hope you can keep yours as well. Can you do it?"

A huge weight was lifted off her shoulders. Zhu Qingyu, who had been worried sick about Zhang Shen since waking up in the morning, finally felt relieved.

At least, Zhang Shen's life was saved until the people Gu Zhao had arranged returned to the capital to report.

Of course, the people sent to look for her family would not be able to find her and would eventually return empty-handed.

However, the roads to Sichuan are notoriously difficult, and there is no high-speed rail now. Even if the journey from Jiangnan to Sichuan and then back to Beijing goes smoothly, it would take almost a year for the round trip.

Trading space for time gives her at least a year to resolve her current predicament, which is better than the current inescapable dead end.

Having finally obtained his promise, and fearing he might go back on his word, Zhu Qingyu immediately replied with unwavering conviction:

"Yes, I can. I won't see him, I won't contact him, I'll cut off all ties with him. I can repay you, get used to you, and get along well with you. I can do all of that."

Gu Zhao was a powerful minister with important matters to attend to, and he had just handled such a major case as the salt smuggling case. He was busy with official duties and did not have time to indulge in pleasure like a playboy.

Therefore, after arranging to pick up Zhu Qingyu's relatives and reaching an agreement with her, Gu Zhao, who still had a lot of official documents to handle that afternoon, said to Zhu Qingyu:

"Now you can rest assured, right? You must be tired, go and rest first, and have dinner with me tonight. I've arranged four maids and four matrons for you, all prepared for you. If you need anything, have them take care of it for you. If they're not suitable, don't put up with it, just tell me, and I'll arrange something else for you. Since you're with me, I won't let you suffer any injustice."

If we go back like this, it will be difficult to find a suitable opportunity to come to his study without arousing his suspicion.

Therefore, Zhu Qingyu did not leave immediately, but instead probed:

"Can I stay and keep you company?"

Gu Zhao was somewhat surprised:

"Do you want to stay and keep me company?"

Zhu Qingyu lowered her eyes, a blush rising to her cheeks. She seemed embarrassed by what she had just said, and said shyly:

"I know you've been good to me, and I promised to repay you, so naturally I'll keep my word. I also want to spend more time getting used to you and getting along well with you."

Seeing her shy and timid expression, Gu Zhao's heart fluttered, and he thought to himself:

"She must be trying to sweet-talk me again."

So what? Since it was cooked by her, even if it was a love potion, it would still be delicious, and he would gladly accept it.

She may only be pretending to be affectionate towards him now, but as time goes by, and they spend more time together, even a fake relationship can become real.

He could give her time, as long as she was willing to stay by his side.

Gu Zhao's face was full of gentle smiles:

"Okay, then you stay here with me. From now on, let's get used to each other and get along well."

Gu Zhao needed to process official documents, and Zhu Qingyu volunteered to grind ink for him.

Although having a beautiful woman by one's side is a delightful pleasure, Gu Zhao wouldn't mind enjoying such intimate moments with her husband on ordinary days.

But seeing the bandage wrapped around her hand, Gu Zhao changed his mind, pulled her to sit down beside him, and said:

"It's not like my hand is broken. Why would I need a patient like you to grind ink for me? Just sit here and relax. I'll have someone bring you some afternoon tea and snacks."

Haste makes waste. Zhu Qingyu didn't expect to start looking for official documents today. She had to cultivate the habit first and let him get used to her presence in the study.

Therefore, Zhu Qingyu was incredibly obedient. After the nanny brought up the tea and snacks, she sat down to one side, ignoring everything else, and focused intently on eating the snacks.

When Gu Zhao is handling official documents alone, he is completely focused and never keeps these things in his study, let alone eats in his study to affect his efficiency.

Although Zhu Qingyu was very careful and didn't make a sound, perhaps because she was so focused on eating, Gu Zhao couldn't concentrate at all today and couldn't help but look at her, becoming completely absorbed in her gaze.

His mind wandered, imagining that an ordinary afternoon like this might become his and her daily life in the future. As he thought about this, Gu Zhao became a little absent-minded.

When she came to her senses, she realized that the same character in the official document was separated by a huge gap between the strokes. Gu Zhao quickly composed herself and forced herself to calm down.

It wasn't very effective. Not long after calming down, Gu Zhao's gaze couldn't help but fall on her again.

After receiving such intense gazes so many times, Zhu Qingyu naturally became aware of it. Looking up, she saw Lord Gu staring intently at the red bean iced drink in her bowl. Thinking he wanted some, she asked:

"Shouming, do you want some?"

If he wanted to eat, he could ask the nanny to bring him another bowl. On this ship, he was the most important person, and everyone revolved around him. A bowl of iced drink was not a difficult thing at all.

Gu Zhao didn't have the habit of eating while doing office work, but hearing her say that, he went along with her:

"What did you eat? Let me see it."

Zhu Qingyu took the bowl and went over to him, placing it in front of him to show him:

"Red bean iced drink, would you like some? Besides red beans, you can also add fruit. They even have ice on the boat, so the fruit should be..."

Zhu Qingyu stopped halfway through her speech.

Because Gu Zhao used the spoon she had used to scoop up a spoonful and ate it, while keeping his eyes glued to her, and said with a smile:

"It's delicious! No wonder you're eating it so heartily."

It was the spoon she had used.

But the two of them had just kissed.

The image of him pinning her down on the bed and kissing her suddenly flashed into her mind. Zhu Qingyu, belatedly realizing it, stiffened slightly and replied:

"Shall I ask the nanny to bring you another bowl?"

Gu Zhao continued to smile, his gaze moving from her face to her now fully covered front, recalling the scene of her exposed skin just moments before. He then changed the subject and asked:

"Qingyu, how many days will it take for your injury to heal?"