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

In the following days, Zhu Qingyu did not leave the cabin. She not only stopped going to the study to work with Gu Zhao, but she also stopped eating with him. She ate all three meals in the cabin by herself.

Gu Zhao was all alone every day, eating, working, and sleeping in solitude, returning to the routine he had never had before.

In fact, no matter what he did before, Gu Zhao was always alone, and he never felt that there was anything wrong with it.

But in just a few days, he had already developed a habit with her. Everywhere he looked was her, and she was within his reach. Now he was addicted and could no longer bear the loneliness and desolation of being alone.

The books on the study's bookshelves had been replaced with a new batch of books. These were the ones that the servant had been ordered to buy when we stopped at the ferry last time. Based on the bookstore owner's recommendations, he bought the most popular and trending novels that the ladies of various families were currently enjoying.

When Chang Sui first brought the books into the study, Gu Zhao casually picked them up and flipped through a few.

The scene is filled with love, tender affection, sweet nothings, and alluring beauty.

Seeing that the young master's expression was not good, the servant quickly said:

"Your Highness, the popular books circulating among the common people are all like this. If Your Highness finds it inappropriate, would you like to replace them with books from the official academy?"

The books in government-run academies are all printed to educate people, and they are full of grand principles. Based on Gu Zhao's observations these days, she would not like them.

In the end, Gu Zhao only said:

"Let's leave it for now."

As a result, several boxes of lowbrow, vulgar books that would never have been in Gu Zhao's sight before now forcibly occupied half of the bookshelf, leaving no room for many of his own books. As a result, he had to put away his beloved highbrow books for the time being.

As a result, all those books that were specially bought for her have been sitting there ever since, and no one has ever looked at them again.

Sometimes, while working, Gu Zhao would habitually look towards the window to see if she had fallen asleep again. Seeing the empty chaise longue, he would remember that she had cried and complained that day, essentially breaking off all ties with him and refusing to come back, not even offering him a shred of pretense.

Gu Zhao summoned the nanny to ask:

"How is Madam Zhu?"

The old nanny had only been serving Zhu Qingyu for a few days and hadn't yet figured out her temperament, nor had she figured out Lord Gu's temperament, so she spoke frankly:

"Madam Zhu is not in good spirits and is listless all day long, just sleeping."

Gu Zhao was very worried. So many days had passed, why hadn't she figured it out yet?

He was worried that if she continued to be depressed by herself, and started overthinking at night, something bad might happen if she had a moment of weakness.

During this period, Gu Zhao never dared to push Zhu Qingyu to the end, precisely because of this.

There are things in this world more powerful than overwhelming authority, things that even the most esteemed emperor cannot defy.

This power can be wielded by everyone, from high-ranking officials to ordinary citizens.

That is: life and death.

Gu Zhao instructed the nanny to have her personal belongings moved from her current room back to the cabin.

Seeing the nanny and maids carrying Gu Zhao's things back, Zhu Qingyu didn't express any opinion. Instead, she asked the nanny to prepare water for a bath and the maids to prepare new nightgowns.

The maids settled Gu Zhao's things and then came to report.

Gu Zhao asked:

"How is Madam Zhu? Did she lose her temper? Did she throw my things out?"

The old nanny used to work in a wealthy household. She was very knowledgeable and had seen all kinds of spoiled and arrogant concubines, including those who were so arrogant that they dared to throw their master's things out or not let the master into the house.

Therefore, when Gu Zhao asked this question, the professionally trained nanny was not surprised at all. She thought to herself, "So this is how Lord Gu and Lady Zhu get along," and calmly replied:

"No, Madam Zhu instructed me to bathe and change clothes."

Knowing full well that he had his things moved back so he could stay there that night, she still insisted on taking a bath and changing clothes. Upon hearing this, Gu Zhao not only couldn't muster any romantic thoughts, but also had a bad feeling.

He would rather she throw his things in a rage, or be full of life even if she were cursing at him, than see her so depressed and suicidal.

Since she needed to bathe and change, Gu Zhao didn't go back immediately. Instead, she took a book from the study and whiled away some time.

After a while, the maids came to report that Lady Zhu had made all the preparations and asked them to invite Lord Gu. Gu Zhao's eyelids twitched. He looked at the book in his hand and found that the Buddhist scripture he used to calm his mind was the very one he had read before, but it had been crumpled up beyond recognition.

Gu Zhao returned to the cabin, where Zhu Qingyu, dressed in a thin nightgown with her hair down, sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for him.

The nightgown was made of a sheer fabric, and under the candlelight at night, the woman's beautiful figure was faintly visible, exuding a captivating allure.

When Gu Zhao entered the cabin and saw her like this, he felt as if he were in a dream, and his head was spinning.

"Is she dreaming again? She only looks like this in dreams," Gu Zhao thought incredulously.

Seeing him come in, Zhu Qingyu went up to him and reached for his waist to untie his belt.

Gu Zhao finally came to his senses and grabbed her hand:

"What are you doing?"

Zhu Qingyu looked up at him expressionlessly:

"My injuries have healed, and I can serve you now."

Gu Zhao's heart pounded, but he still held her hand tightly and said:

"There's no need for that, I just came to see you."

Zhu Qingyu remained expressionless, tiptoed, tilted her head back, and kissed his chin. Then, she moved down from his chin, lightly touching his Adam's apple.

Gu Zhao froze, swallowing hard. It was as if a grand fireworks display was exploding in his mind, leaving it in ruins. He was slow to think and even lost the strength to hold her hand.

Before he could react, Zhu Qingyu had already freed herself from his grasp, untied his belt, and removed his outer garment.

In that brief moment, Gu Zhao was almost dizzy as she was stripped of her clothes.

Zhu Qingyu turned her back to him, took his coat and walked to the clothes rack. She reached into the hidden pocket on the front of the coat, took out the contents and quickly glanced at them.

It's the key! We've found it!

Zhu Qingyu didn't go to get the key, and casually put it back. She put his coat on the rack, then took off her own gauze-like coat and folded it next to his.

She was acting very strangely today. Before Gu Zhao could stop her from taking off her clothes, Zhu Qingyu had already turned around, wearing only her undershirt and trousers. Without looking at him, she went to the bed, lay down, and closed her eyes without even covering herself with the blanket.

The candlelight flickered, and she lay on the bed wearing only a thin top and underpants. Her figure was slender and her waist was thin. The large expanse of skin she exposed was like solidified jade, dazzlingly white, and so beautiful that it seemed to be glowing. She looked like she was ready to be taken by anyone.