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

The so-called "method that is not a solution" requires luck and patience, with luck being the most important factor.

Mr. Zhuang said:

"Madam Zhang, if I were you, it would be best not to mention your husband to the Emperor in front of anyone. It would be best if the Emperor forgot about him. Next month is the day of the Autumn Executions. If the Emperor doesn't issue an order to execute him before the Autumn Executions, then your husband will at least be alive until the next Autumn Executions. If an opportunity arises this year, such as next May, when the late Emperor holds a grand memorial ceremony and the Emperor removes his mourning clothes, or when the Emperor's first son is born, the Emperor may issue a general amnesty. If Zhang Jingyan is lucky enough, he can use the amnesty to get out of the imperial prison. So, Madam Zhang, be patient and wait for the right opportunity."

Although Lord Zhuang's suggestion was vague and uncertain, it undoubtedly offered Zhu Qingyu another way out.

This path to survival depends on luck, but if it can be achieved, it is at least better than the one Shen Xu gave her, which forced Zhang Shen to live in anonymity for the rest of his life.

Before leaving, Zhu Qingyu gave the box containing the jade to Miss Zhuang:

"Your character is as pure as the moon and as noble as jade. It is my great fortune to have met you. I would like to offer this as a gift to you as a token of our acquaintance. Please do not refuse."

Miss Zhuang blushed from the praise:

"I accept your praise, but I can't accept such a valuable piece of jade."

Zhu Qingyu forced her into the car:

"Miss Zhuang, my husband is currently in prison. I will do everything in my power to get him out, even if it means giving away all my wealth. If this jade remains in my possession, I will eventually give it away. Furthermore, if the Emperor issues an edict, I fear the entire Zhang family will be confiscated, and it will not remain in my hands for long. It would be better to give it to you as part of your dowry. If I ever become destitute in the future, please consider my kindness in giving you this jade today and allow me to visit your home and ask for some money to help me make ends meet. I would be eternally grateful."

Miss Zhuang had just blushed from the praise, and now her eyes were almost red from the words. Finally, she accepted the jade and replied:

"Since you trust me and dare to entrust such a valuable item to me, I will keep it for you for the time being. You can come back to me to take it back when you need it."

Zhu Qingyu nodded and saw the two of them into the car.

Just before leaving, Miss Zhuang rolled down the car window and waved to her.

As Zhu Qingyu approached, Miss Zhuang leaned closer and asked in a soft voice:

"Madam Zhang, is he really not forcing you? Is it because your husband is in prison that you have no choice? I'm not blaming you, I'm just a little worried about you."

As she was still a young woman who had not yet married, Miss Zhuang did not dare to speak too openly about her romantic relationships.

Zhu Qingyu smiled:

"No, that's not true. I did it voluntarily. Thank you for your concern."

Watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance, Zhu Qingyu thought to herself that she had done it voluntarily. She had voluntarily boarded Gu Zhao's boat that day, and she had voluntarily gone to Gu Zhao's manor today.

No one forced her; she always gave the same answer to whoever asked.

Even if Zhang Shen came to ask.

In particular, Zhang Shen came to ask.

And one day, as long as Zhang Shen is released from the imperial prison, he will definitely ask her this question.

She had prepared her answer and was ready to face it.

As long as he can get out, nothing else matters.

He once risked his life and fortune to bring down a powerful figure for her sake, and she would never let that happen again.

......

As autumn transitions into winter, the weather in Beijing grows colder day by day, and the day of the autumn executions draws ever closer.

Zhu Qingyu heeded Lord Zhuang's advice, kept a low profile, and didn't go to anyone. She even started to comfort herself, offering three sticks of incense to the Bodhisattva every day, praying that before the autumn execution, the busy Emperor would be either preoccupied with state affairs or indulging in the harem, and that he would never suddenly think of that insignificant Zhang Jingyan.

She didn't go out, but the Zhang family in Qingyi Lane was still quite lively.

Xie Ze came every few days, and this time he came specifically to tell her the news that Zhang Shen was in prison:

"The Imperial Guard I know is an officer under Shen Chongshu. He said that Shen Chongshu has been acting strangely lately. He suddenly moved your husband to a cell upstairs. It has windows, a bed, a table, and even books. He even had it cleaned. It's much better than before. Did you give him money?"

Shen Xu disappeared without a trace after that day when he suddenly came to propose to her, saying that she should go to the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) office to find him once she had thought it through.

Therefore, Zhu Qingyu had no idea about this man she had only met twice, and she couldn't understand why he had suddenly changed his attitude.

Moreover, he and Gu Zhao are completely different. Gu Zhao is full of hostility towards Zhang Shen. Although he did not personally take action against Zhang Shen, he mostly let Zhang Shen fend for himself.

But Shen Xu didn't seem to have any hostility towards Zhang Shen, and even seemed to have a rare bit of goodwill towards him.

Kindness is often taken advantage of, even by the Imperial Guard. Zhu Qingyu, who was opportunistic and knew how to treat people differently based on their status, wanted to take advantage of the situation. So she asked Xie Ze:

"Could you ask me if I can go in and see him again, and bring him some things? It's getting cold, so I'd like to bring him some warm clothes."

As the two were talking, Xie Ze's attendant hurriedly ran to the door:

"Young Master, I think I just saw Granny Qiu on the street corner."

Xie Ze was speechless.

"My mother, no way! She's sent people all the way here! Okay, okay, I'll go back right away."

Seeing the puzzled look on Zhu Qingyu's face, Xie Ze explained:

"I disagree with the marriage to the Wen family, and my mother is so suspicious. She always suspects I'm having an affair, which is why she disagrees with the marriage. She's even had people following me. I'm going back now to avoid getting involved with you. As for sending the clothes, I'll have my servant send you a message when I have news."

Zhu Qingyu was completely confused by what he said:

"Didn't you say last time that you liked Sister Wen? What, you don't like her anymore?"

When talking about sad things, Xie Ze's face was full of sorrow:

"The fallen flower longs to follow the flowing water, but the flowing water has no affection for the fallen flower. I went to confess my feelings to her, but she scolded me, saying that I was clearly talking about marriage with my sister, yet I came to provoke her and sow discord between the sisters. She called me a lecherous scoundrel and a womanizer. I am truly wronged. What can I do? I can't really marry my sister."

Well, even the insults used by the noble ladies of the capital are of the same ilk. Zhu Qingyu felt deep sympathy for Xie Ze.

While Zhu Qingyu was at home preparing seasonal clothes for Zhang Shen, she was also waiting for the right opportunity.

Gu Zhaoxin's long-cherished wish to build the Huiyi Temple was unexpectedly interrupted by an opportunity presented by General Wen of the Northern Frontier, who urgently delivered a military intelligence report from 800 li away to the Emperor.

In the northern border region, an epidemic is suspected to have broken out. General Wen earnestly requests the Emperor to dispatch imperial physicians to the northern border region to oversee the diagnosis and treatment.