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

Gu Zhao was used to this fickle and capricious young woman, so she didn't bother arguing with her and extended her hand, saying:

"Do you have lunch planned? It's rare that you're off duty today, so have lunch with me."

Zhu Qingyu's original plan was to make contact with the dealer, and if things went smoothly, she would have lunch with the dealer's people. Even the vegetarian meal offered as a thank you from the temple had been arranged in advance.

But now that there's no hope with the dealer, they can't get any food.

Zhu Qingyu placed the box in Gu Zhao's hand:

"Alright, Shouming, I've ordered vegetarian food. Do you want to eat vegetarian food?"

Gu Zhao held the box, as if recalling something, and a rare look of bitterness appeared on his face:

"Female benefactor, this humble monk ate vegetarian meals at this temple for three years before. Please don't make me eat vegetarian meals again. Let me treat you to something better."

As soon as they left the dormitory, Xiong Kun, who was always by Gu Zhao's side, was indeed waiting at the door. When he saw that it was Zhu Qingyu, he was not surprised at all and even nodded to her.

Gu Zhao handed the box to Xiong Kun:

"Give this to Madam Zhu's servant, and tell my mother that I have seen Miss Zhuang and will see what she has to say. I have to go now, so please excuse me."

After Xiong Kun left, Gu Zhao extended his hand again:

"Let's go."

Zhu Qingyu stepped back to avoid his hand, glanced cautiously at the monks around her, and replied:

"Were you really a monk before? How come you're even less respectful than me? This is a sacred Buddhist site! A sacred Buddhist site!"

Gu Zhaoben was still somewhat bothered. He had seen her and Zhang Jingyan holding hands in public the previous few times, so why couldn't it be the same for him?

He wanted what others had.

But since she mentioned a Buddhist holy site, even Gu Zhao became more reserved and asked:

"You have no respect for the Bodhisattva, yet now you're thinking of some sacred Buddhist site?"

Zhu Qingyu muttered:

"It's different. We're already at the temple, so of course I have to respect the temple's etiquette. You go first, and I'll follow behind."

Gu Zhao gave up this time and walked ahead, while Zhu Qingyu followed at a distance, neither too close nor too far.

After leaving the inner hall, they arrived at the last courtyard gate, where soldiers were guarding the entrance. Upon seeing Gu Zhao, the soldiers opened the gate.

Gu Zhao turned to look at Zhu Qingyu:

"Qingyu, come here."

Zhu Qingyu stepped forward and walked alongside him. As they exited the courtyard, a bright and open space opened up before them.

We were already at the back of Huangjue Temple, the mountain covered in red maple leaves, interspersed with the fragrance of golden osmanthus, it was the most beautiful time of late autumn.

Huangjue Temple is an ancient temple with a history of over a thousand years. The front mountain is always filled with incense smoke and throngs of tourists, while the back mountain was a private reserve of the royal family. It was a place where the royal family could enjoy the mountains and escape the summer heat, and only members of the royal family were allowed to enter.

Now that they had left the sacred Buddhist site, there was no need to observe Buddhist etiquette anymore, so Gu Zhao took Zhu Qingyu's hand without any hesitation:

"Watch your step, the scenery here is beautiful. You probably haven't been here before. I haven't been here for almost a year either. Let me show you around."

The scenery is indeed beautiful. It is a place used by the royal family for sightseeing and recreation. It not only has red maples and golden osmanthus, but also waterfalls, various pavilions and towers for rest, and even a magnificent mountain villa hidden in the mountainside.

The resort is named Yongfu. It stretches up the mountainside and is even larger than Huangjue Temple on the front mountain. It is a good place for a vacation.

Gu Zhao led her through the gates of the manor:

"I used to be a monk here."

Zhu Qingyu was shocked.

Poverty truly limits one's horizons. Before, when she heard that Gu Zhao had become a monk at Huangjue Temple, she imagined him living a life of hardship, alone by the ancient Buddha and the dim lamp. She never imagined that he would become a monk in such a large resort.

I'm afraid that when Lord Gu became a monk, he was surrounded by servants. He didn't live a hard life at all; he lived a carefree life where he didn't have to work and just received money.

No wonder I heard that when the emperor ascended the throne, he didn't come back even when invited. She wouldn't come back either.

Gu Zhao said he hadn't been back for a long time. He didn't know if Gu Zhao had sent someone to deliver the message beforehand, or if the royal family was just so extravagant. There were still quite a few servants in the manor deep in the back mountains. When the young master Gu arrived, all the food and clothing he needed were brought up.

As soon as Zhu Qingyu sat down, a group of servants came in, bringing tea, snacks, water for washing hands, towels for wiping hands, and even a brazier.

The back mountain is covered with lush vegetation and many tall ancient trees, making it much cooler than the front mountain. It was already late autumn, and Zhu Qingyu had already felt a bit cold on her way here. Once inside the villa, it was even colder. She only felt a little better after holding a cup of hot tea and warming herself by the fire pit. She felt that the servants here were too considerate.

But no matter how thoughtful the servants were, they couldn't conjure something out of thin air. The young master hadn't mentioned it beforehand, and there were no women's clothes here.

Seeing that Zhu Qingyu was cold, Gu Zhao tried to find her a woman's cloak or cape but couldn't find one. He could only find one of his own cloaks that he had there and offered it to her, explaining:

"Most of my clothes are dark-colored, but this one is light blue satin. You'll have to make do with it for now."

It was indeed cold. Zhu Qingyu reached out to take it:

"Thank you very much."

Gu Zhao didn't give it to her, but instead shook out her clothes, gesturing for her to stand up:

"Here, let me help you put it on. My clothes are a bit big, it might be inconvenient for you to wear them yourself."

Zhu Qingyu didn't think there was anything inconvenient about wearing clothes; her hand wasn't broken. But what Gu Zhao might want was to be closer to her.

He hasn't told her yet who can save Zhang Shen.

The two have actually done things more intimate than just wearing clothes, so there's no need to worry too much about these things.

Zhu Qingyu stood up, raised her hand, and said again:

Thank you.

Gu Zhao approached her, draped the cloak over her back, and reached around her neck to tie the ribbon at her chest.

The capes were mostly ankle-length. Given Gu Zhao's height, the clothes that reached his ankles would have dragged on the ground if Zhu Qingyu wore them.

It was just a tiny touch, my fingers brushing against the jade-like skin on her neck.

Even with just this little bit, Gu Zhao saw her wrapped in his clothes, as if she were completely enveloped by him. This slight skin-to-skin contact immediately brought to mind more romantic moments between the two of them on the boat.

The beauty beneath the cloak was as exquisite as jade, even more beautiful than the jade in the box today. He had seen her before, held her in his arms, admired and appreciated her, and loved her dearly.

Overwhelmed by a surge of emotion, Gu Zhao's voice became hoarse:

"There's still some time before the meal is served. Would you like to read a book?"

Zhu Qingyu sensed the danger in his tone, but she had already sensed it when she agreed to go into the manor alone with him, or even earlier, when she agreed to leave Huangjue Temple alone with him, away from the public eye, or even earlier, when he offered the bait that he could tell her who could save Zhang Shen.

They noticed it, and they acquiesced.

Zhu Qingyu nodded:

"Okay, where can I watch it?"

Gu Zhao bent down and picked her up, his voice as soft as if afraid of scaring her away:

"Your clothes are too long, it's not very convenient for you to walk. There's a small couch in the study, sit there and I'll find you some books to read."

Zhu Qingyu reached out and hugged his neck, resting her head against his chest without refusing.

The study is in the next room, just a few steps away.

Gu Zhao indeed placed her on the small couch in the study, saying he was going to get her some books, but instead of leaving, he asked:

"Qingyu, you've searched the entire capital for someone to save Zhang Shen. I've waited for you for so long, why didn't you think of coming to me, to beg me?"