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

Zhu Qingyu hid the key in her bosom and turned to look at the bed.

Gu Zhao was still sleeping soundly, without even changing his position.

Taking advantage of such a rare opportunity, Zhu Qingyu did not hesitate or rush at all. With a clear goal in mind, she walked out slowly. Because she had been bedridden for the past few days, she was wearing soft-soled brocade shoes for home. Her feet were soft, and she walked to the door without making a sound as she stepped on the floor.

Zhu Qingyu looked back again; Gu Zhao was still asleep.

To get from the cabin to the study, you'll pass the adjacent tea room.

Although she said that day that there was no need to make things difficult for people, perhaps in Lord Gu's eyes, servants were naturally meant to be used, and there was no question of whether or not to make things difficult for them. He still arranged for a tea room to be set up, and had someone with them day and night.

These past few days, when Gu Zhao was working, the tea he drank, or the sweet soup that the nanny arranged for Zhu Qingyu to have warming, stomach-soothing soup, all came from the tea room.

At two or three in the morning, when people are usually most sleepy, the tea room door was wide open, and the maid who was assigned to watch the tea room was sitting in front of the tea stove, dozing off.

Zhu Qingyu held her breath so as not to disturb her, and walked over quietly.

Passing the tea room, no one else saw her. In the corridor, only a few dim lanterns swayed gently with the hull of the ship. Zhu Qingyu lifted her skirt and ran through the night, all the way to the study, where she opened the door.

The study was empty. The four locked boxes were still on the bookshelf, in the same positions as when she last looked at them.

Zhu Qingyu took out the key, ran to the bookshelf, and started opening the boxes in order, beginning with the first one.

I tried for a while, but it seems the key is wrong; I just couldn't open it.

Worried that the key might break inside, Zhu Qingyu didn't dare to use too much force. She took it out and was just about to try the second box when someone whispered at the door:

"The third one."

It was Gu Zhao's voice.

At that moment, Zhu Qingyu was so shocked that her scalp tingled. She barely managed to suppress a scream, quickly hid the key in her palm, turned to look at Gu Zhao, and forced a calm smile:

"I can't sleep, so I came to find a book to read."

Gu Zhao, wearing the coat on the rack, walked towards her step by step, his expression calm and unreadable. Reaching her, he extended his hand, his tone still gentle:

"Are you looking for a book, or Zhang Jingyan's file? If it's Zhang Jingyan's file, it's in the third box."

Zhu Qingyu is currently leaning against the second box, and the third box is next to her, within easy reach.

She knew Gu Zhao's gesture meant he wanted the key back, but being so close, she couldn't bear to give it back. She kept the key hidden in her palm, only placing her other hand in Gu Zhao's, taking his hand, and replying:

"Let's look for books to read, but we haven't found anything good. Let's go back."

Gu Zhao looked at the hand that she had taken on the initiative, and surprisingly, he didn't expose her on the spot, nor did he force her to give him the key. Instead, a gentle smile appeared on his face:

"Alright, the candlelight is dim at night, so there's no need to rush. Read the book tomorrow to avoid hurting your eyes."

Gu Zhao pulled her back, walking slowly to the door.

Zhu Qingyu couldn't help but look back; the box was still in the same spot.

Gu Zhao noticed her hesitation, stopped, and looked down at her tenderly:

"What's wrong, Qingyu? Is there anything you want to tell me?"

Zhu Qingyu shook her head and walked out, saying:

"Let's go back."

They retraced their steps, passing through a dimly lit corridor and a young maidservant still dozing off, before entering the cabin.

Zhu Qingyu went to the bed, climbed into her spot, and while pulling the blanket over herself, hid the key under her pillow before lying down.

Gu Zhao stood in the middle of the cabin, not coming over for a long time.

Zhu Qingyu looked over and asked hesitantly:

"Shouming? Are you going to sleep?"

Gu Zhao raised both arms and looked at her with a deep gaze, but did not speak.

Zhu Qingyu belatedly realized that Gu Zhao seemed to be waiting for her to help him change his clothes.

Although, in terms of their status, the two had reached a tacit understanding that she was now Gu Zhao's mistress and would serve him in his daily life.

However, in Zhu Qingyu's heart, this was just a way for her to compromise. She did not truly accept this identity, nor did she ever ask herself to serve Gu Zhao according to this identity.

Including the time she took off his coat to check the key, she never offered to do anything for Gu Zhao other than serving him tea or water or undressing him. Strangely, Gu Zhao never asked her to do the same.

Although Gu Zhao was of noble status and had many servants and subordinates on his ship, Zhu Qingyu found that after spending time with him, Gu Zhao was actually quite similar to her in terms of daily life, such as eating, changing clothes, and bathing. He did most of the things himself and didn't rely on servants much.

But now, the way Gu Zhao looked at her seemed to be waiting for her to fulfill her duty as a person of her status: to help him change his clothes.

Although he remained calm and made no extreme words or actions, for some reason, Zhu Qingyu subconsciously foresaw an impending storm and danger through his deep, night-like expression.

He must be angry.

Of course, she had just secretly taken his keys and was caught red-handed.

Zhu Qingyu tried to downplay his dangerous aura by changing the subject, hiding half her face under the covers and looking at him pitifully:

"Shouming, I promise I won't stay up this late reading anymore. Please don't be angry, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Zhao actually laughed. His smile was still as gentle as ever, but the words he uttered sent chills down Zhu Qingyu's spine:

"Zhu Qingyu, does toying with me like this make you feel good?"

Zhu Qingyu subconsciously burrowed deeper into the blankets, as if this small, enclosed space could truly protect her, still trying to defuse his anger, and said in an even more pitiful voice:

"Shouming, I don't understand what you're talking about. You're scaring me. It's too late, let's go to sleep and talk about it tomorrow, okay?"

When Zhu Qingyu did not bow her head, Gu Zhao's anger burned even more fiercely, reaching the top of his head. He took off his clothes and walked towards Zhu Qingyu.

How dare she! How dare she toy with him like this!

First, she wove a false dream to make him indulge in her tenderness, then she created a nightmare that made him worry about her life every day. One moment she lifted him to the sky, the next she threw him to the ground. She so ruthlessly manipulated and ravaged his heart that was so concerned for her, all for the sake of obtaining her husband's case file.

She never trusted his promises, nor did she believe he would keep Zhang Jingyan's life as promised, and of course, she never gave up on rescuing her husband herself.

How could he have actually believed she wanted to die!

Yes, she is a doctor who saves lives and knows the value of life. How could she give up her own life so easily?

At this moment, Gu Zhao didn't know whether he should be happy or angry.

Fortunately, she did not have any desire to die.

What's infuriating is that she clearly had no intention of dying!

The more turbulent his inner world became, the calmer Gu Zhao's face remained. He took off his outer garment and threw it on the ground, then took off his inner garment, and even managed to say with a smile:

"Fear? Ha, Zhu Qingyu, you've never been afraid of me at all. I've been too lenient with you, which is why you have such a lack of respect, daring to use life and death to fool me. Tell me, I must punish you severely, don't I?"