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

Zhu Qingyu scolded Zhang Shen, suppressing his impulse to sacrifice himself for others, before letting him lie down and checking his injuries.

They carefully examined him from top to bottom. It was hard to say whether it was a blessing or a curse, because Zhang Shen's health was really too poor, and the emperor had not issued any decree to deal with him. The jailers were also afraid that if they accidentally killed him, they would not be able to produce him when the emperor wanted to see him. So they did not dare to use too much torture on Zhang Shen in the first place.

Therefore, Zhang Shen didn't have many injuries. The most serious injury was a wound on his leg, which looked like it had been whipped. Because it wasn't treated properly from the beginning, even after medicine was available, it never fully healed. The ulcerated wound looked shocking.

Zhang Shen was afraid of frightening her and wanted to cover it up, but he was also afraid she would curse again, so he carefully discussed it with her:

"Don't look, it's a bit scary."

Zhu Qingyu deftly unwrapped the gauze from his bandage and replied:

"I'm a doctor, why would I be afraid to examine wounds?"

Zhang Shen didn't dare stop her either:

"A doctor cannot heal himself; I'm afraid you'll suffer."

Zhu Qingyu removed the gauze, remained silent for a moment, then took out her first-aid kit and cleaned him again, her tone softening:

"The environment here is terrible. If your wound isn't treated properly, it might cause long-term problems. You have to believe me, I'll get you out of here as soon as possible, and then we'll go home together. Ruohua is still waiting for us at home. Don't overthink things. I'll send more money in. Just remember to eat well, sleep well, and take good care of your wound every day. I'll come to take you home."

Zhang Shen didn't really have any hope of getting out. He had never heard of anyone who had been imprisoned and then managed to get out, especially since he had offended the emperor.

But since Qingyu was being so good to him, he couldn't bear to say no, so he replied:

"Okay, I'll wait for you."

Shen Xu only gave Zhu Qingyu a total of three-quarters of an hour. After examining Zhang Shen's injuries, the Imperial Guard who brought Zhu Qingyu in was already standing at the door with a lantern, urging her to hurry up:

"Madam Zhu, Madam Zhu, it's time to go."

Zhu Qingyu put away the medicine box and then gave her instructions:

"Remember what you promised me, and wait for me."

Zhang Shen nodded, leaned on the cell bars, and watched her walk out until she was out of sight. He stared at the empty doorway, reluctant to look away.

At noon, the exact time Shen Xu had chosen for Zhu Qingyu to murder her husband, Zhang Shen was still alive and kicking, while Zhu Qingyu walked out of the imperial prison.

Suddenly emerging from the dark and gloomy environment of the imperial prison, and with the midday sun shining brightly, her eyes found it difficult to adjust. Zhu Qingyu unconsciously lowered her eyes and paused for a moment to catch her breath.

A voice came from the side:

"What's wrong? Do your eyes hurt?"

It was Gu Zhao's voice.

Zhu Qingyu looked over in surprise. Gu Zhao, seeing her carrying a medicine box, reached out and took the box from her, saying:

"Let's go, I'll take you home."

This was the first time the two had met since disembarking.

The last time Gu Zhao came to deliver clothes to her, the two of them were still talking through the door and didn't even meet face to face, so it can be considered that he did not violate his own rule not to see her again.

But today he appeared before her again, as if the ban had simply vanished.

Zhu Qingyu was unsure of Gu Zhao's attitude, so she silently followed behind him without saying a word.

While on the ship, he had demanded, or rather threatened, that she was not allowed to have any further contact with Zhang Shen, or even see him again, or he would use methods against her.

He's already here, and he's even waiting here on purpose. There's no way he doesn't know she's going to see Zhang Shen.

Zhu Qingyu was unsure whether his threat still held true, and what his current status was in carrying her medicine box.

Upon exiting the imperial prison gate, Xie Ze's carriage, which was supposed to be there to bring Zhu Qingyu today, was nowhere to be seen. In its place was the Duke's carriage, with Xiong Kun sitting at the front, serving as the coachman for the day.

Zhu Qingyu hesitated to go any further. The unknown is always the most terrifying. She was unsure what Gu Zhao's so-called methods were. What if, after she got into the carriage, it drove into the Duke's mansion and she was locked up and never came out again?

The person behind her didn't follow, there were no footsteps, so Gu Zhao naturally noticed. He turned around and saw her standing there, so he walked over, took the medicine box from her with one hand, and took her hand with the other, asking:

"What happened? Did you leave something with Zhang Jingyan?"

Zhu Qingyu was even more frightened by his calm attitude, and took a step back, trying to reassure him:

"Shouming, don't be angry. My second cousin is really badly injured. I just went to check on his wounds."

Gu Zhao chuckled softly and firmly took her hand in his.

"I'm not angry. Let's go, don't be afraid. I'm really taking you home, not to the Duke's mansion. The next time you'll enter the Duke's mansion will be when we get married."

marriage?

marriage?!

What the hell?!

She must have misheard.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Gu Zhao continued:

"But it will probably have to wait until next year. I can only propose marriage after your family arrives in the capital."

He must have been traumatized, he's going crazy!

Isn't he discussing marriage with the Zhuang family's daughter?

Moreover, they are worlds apart, how could they possibly get married?

Having dropped such a bombshell, Gu Zhao didn't seem to expect her to answer, and asked again:

"Which name is better, 'Medical Center' or 'Public Welfare Center'?"

Zhu Qingyu was completely bewildered by him:

"Shouming, did you just say you wanted to marry me?"

Gu Zhao led her into the carriage:

"Yes, Qingyu, I want to marry you. Will you?"

Zhu Qingyu had no idea what had gotten into him this time. He was acting on a whim, and this wasn't modern times, where people had the freedom to marry and date.

Given his status, could he marry her simply by relying on her willingness, or solely by relying on his willingness?

Once they were in the carriage, Zhu Qingyu tried to reason with him, smiling as she said:

"Shouming, whether I'm willing or not has nothing to do with whether you can marry me, right? Why do you insist on humiliating me?"

Gu Zhao understood that what she really meant was that she was unwilling.

But as she said, whether she is willing or not doesn't matter much in this matter; they can first establish a legitimate reason, and then slowly get her to agree.

Even after returning to Qingyi Lane, Zhu Qingyu did not give Gu Zhao a clear answer. Fortunately, he did not go crazy again today and left so easily.

Just when Zhu Qingyu thought the day was finally over, an unexpected person came to her door in the evening.

Shen Xu, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

This was the second time Zhu Qingyu and Shen Xu had met. The last time, he had tried to kill her, but this time, the first thing Shen Xu said upon meeting was:

"Madam Zhu, if you want to save Zhang Jingyan, I can help you."

The second sentence is:

"On the condition that you marry me."