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

Gu Zhao had been looking forward to their first time together for a long time.

He always dreamed that once she was healed, he could kiss her again. He often thought about it so much at night that he felt hot all over and couldn't sleep.

After all, his previous encounters with her were only superficial, involving some kisses and hugs. Although he was already quite intoxicated by them, he also became increasingly unsatisfied and always wanted more.

They haven't even officially started yet.

But when she actually adopted such an indifferent attitude, letting him do whatever he wanted, Gu Zhao felt sorry for her.

He has already used the lives of her family to force her to stay by his side. Does he also want to force her to dedicate herself to him in such a humiliating way from now on?

How could he possibly take her under these circumstances? It's obvious that if it happened under these circumstances, the damage to her would be irreparable, and her depression would only worsen afterward.

Perhaps one day, in a moment of impulse, she might really jump off the boat and end it all.

To gain, not to destroy.

Gu Zhao went over, pulled the blanket over her, then lay down beside her and carefully hugged her, blanket and all, saying:

"No need for that. I just came to check on you. Your injuries haven't healed yet, so go to sleep."

Zhu Qingyu turned her back to him, leaving her with nothing but a flat, emotionless statement:

My periods have always been very regular.

Gu Zhao didn't quite understand what she was talking about, so he gave a soft "hmm" and asked:

"Is something missing? I'll have someone prepare it."

Zhu Qingyu's tone remained emotionless:

"My period is always very regular, it will arrive tomorrow. If you don't want it today, you'll have to wait several more days, and that won't work. I don't know what you demanded of your previous women, but with me, when my period comes, even if you want it, it's not allowed. It's very harmful to your body, please be understanding. So why don't you let me serve you tonight? I've bathed, applied perfume, and my clothes are new. Please tell me in advance what rules, preferences, and demands you have of me in bed. Do you want me to be dignified or want me to be more wanton? I will do as you ask, and even if I don't do it well at first, I will learn to satisfy you. I don't have many close relatives, but each one is very important to me. They are no problem for you, and keeping them around makes it easier to control me, isn't it? Please be merciful and magnanimous, and don't harm them."

Although he was the one who threatened her with such terrible words that day, and the one who put her in such a humble position, Gu Zhao still felt a sharp pain in his heart when he heard Zhu Qingyu speak to him in such a lowly and subservient manner.

He didn't want to turn her into this because of his own desires, nor did he want her to live such a miserable, lifeless existence from now on.

Gu Zhao hugged her even tighter:

"I've never had a woman before, and I don't have any so-called bedroom rules. Don't say things like that again. As for your loved ones, as long as you're alright, they'll be alright too. Your injuries haven't healed yet, so focus on getting better first."

This time, Gu Zhao didn't say anything about his limited patience or that he shouldn't wait too long. He just patted her reassuringly and repeated:

"Don't think too much, go to sleep."

Zhu Qingyu closed her eyes, listening to the sound of him getting out of bed and blowing out the candles. The footsteps grew closer, and the space next to her sank in as he pulled back the covers, lay down on his side, and hugged her again under the covers.

Not counting her drunken state at the government office, this was the first time she had shared a bed and quilt with Gu Zhao while sober.

The beds on the ship were rather cramped compared to those at home. With Gu Zhao, a tall man over 1.9 meters, lying down, the two of them pressed together felt even more crowded.

Gu Zhao's chin rested on her hair, and her head nestled against his neck.

She was only wearing a summer top, a halter top style, with only a few straps binding her back, leaving her entire back skin almost completely exposed against his chest.

Because her period was approaching, Zhu Qingyu's hands and feet were still cold despite it being summer.

Gu Zhao placed his hand on her waist and abdomen, holding her cold hand, and placed his leg under her feet, his hot body completely embracing her.

Nestled in his arms, Zhu Qingyu could clearly sense that he was thinking about it, and quite obviously so.

Although he continued to threaten her verbally, he remained restrained in his actions.

It seems that Lord Gu is someone who responds better to gentleness than force. In dealing with Lord Gu, the strategy of retreating to advance and feigning weakness is effective.

Zhu Qingyu didn't speak or move again, slowed her breathing, and gradually fell asleep.

At midnight, all was quiet except for the splashing sound of the official boat cutting through the river.

It was pitch black all around, with only the hazy, faint moonlight shining through the windowpanes into the cabin.

Zhu Qingyu opened her eyes.

She didn't know when, but she had changed her sleeping position. Before, she was facing away from him, but now her face was pressed against Gu Zhao's chest, her head was in the crook of Gu Zhao's arm, her hands were pressed against his inner clothes, and her legs were curled up together and placed on his lap.

It was warm inside the blankets, even her originally cold hands and feet were warm.

Gu Zhao held her in his arms; her breathing was steady, so she must be fast asleep.

Zhu Qingyu gently sat up from his arms, preparing to climb off him, when Gu Zhao suddenly spoke:

"What's wrong?"

Zhu Qingyu was startled. Wasn't he asleep? This person's alertness is too strong; he wakes up at the slightest movement.

Gu Zhao held her hand and asked again:

"What do you want?"

In the hazy darkness, only Gu Zhao's outline could be seen; his expression was obscured, and the nuances of his tone of voice were impossible to discern.

Zhu Qingyu let him pull her along, and groped her way to sit on the edge of the bed:

"I want to drink water."

Gu Zhao also sat up:

"Sit down, I'll pour you some water. It's too dark, don't fall. Tomorrow, we need to ask the nanny to leave a nightlight on."

Gu Zhao lit the lamp, poured her some water, and said:

"It's all cold, but you'll have to make do with this for now. It's too late today, and I noticed you didn't arrange for anyone to stand guard outside your door. You could arrange for someone to stand guard next door in the future, and also set up a tea room next door, so that if you want to drink water in the middle of the night, you can get hot water."

Zhu Qingyu knew that it was customary for these young masters of noble families to have maids or servants on night duty, but if someone was always guarding outside, it would be very inconvenient for her to go to the study in the middle of the night, so she declined, saying:

"Why make people stay up all night to drink water when they just need a drink? They can't even get a good night's sleep. We are all servants, so let's put ourselves in their shoes. There's no need to torture people like this."

Gu Zhao felt a dull pain in her heart and corrected her:

"Qingyu, you are not my servant. I have never treated you as a servant."

Zhu Qingyu sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at him, and even managed to smile as she spoke:

"Not a servant? Then what is she? A maidservant? A mistress? A concubine? They're all the same, aren't they? Can you really marry me?"