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

Zhu Qingyu slipped her hand inside Gu Zhao's sleeve and grasped his wrist.

His pulse was chaotic, surging and violent, like a tsunami beneath a calm sea, seemingly capable of destroying the world, rampaging wildly and relentlessly.

He was far more agitated and furious than his outward appearance suggested.

Zhu Qingyu couldn't let him leave, and she couldn't let him continue to be so angry.

The Emperor will meet with Zhang Shen tomorrow. The Emperor and the Grand Secretary have their eyes on the Zhang family's money, and it is in their interest for Zhang Shen to die quickly.

If the Emperor were to sentence Zhang Shen to immediate execution tomorrow and have him beheaded at the Meridian Gate, Zhang Shen would have no chance of being sent back to the Imperial Prison, nor would he have the opportunity to die quietly there, thus giving Shen Xu the chance to switch him out.

No, under the current circumstances, Shen Xu's method is too risky, and the success rate is too low.

Zhu Qingyu needs Gu Zhao, she needs the calm and rational Gu Zhao.

Gu Zhao asked him what she was to him, and what she was to him. Zhu Qingyu didn't know how to define their relationship, or what it was specifically called. In fact, Gu Zhao could define it however he wanted, and it wasn't important to her.

Zhu Qingyu grasped his wrist, tilted her head back, and said softly:

"Shouming, whatever you want me to be, that's what I am to you. Please don't leave, help me, okay?"

As the two were talking, a bewildered Lady Anyuan had already come out with her group of maids and Xie Ze.

Seeing the two holding hands and talking, Lady Anyuan was even more confused. She looked at Xie Ze and asked quietly:

"What's going on with them? It really isn't her? I must have made a mistake?"

Xie Ze almost knelt down before his mother. Although he didn't know why Gu Zhao and Shen Xu were here today, he was glad they were there, otherwise his mother would have caused a huge scene at the Zhang family.

He's brought this whole mess upon himself because of Lady Zhu; how can he ever face her again?

Xie Ze grabbed Lady Anyuan and tried to leave, his face contorted with rage.

"My dear mother, I've told you it's a mistake! A mistake! A mistake! But you won't listen. Go back, okay? I'll tell you which family's daughter she is."

Lady Anyuan was also very curious. How could a married woman dare to pull and tug at the young master of the Gu family in public? Wasn't she afraid of what people would say?

But she had no grudge against Zhu Qingyu. As long as she didn't get involved with her son, it was none of her business who this young woman got involved with, and she had no reason to make things difficult for an innocent woman.

If there really was a mistake, then it would be extremely impolite of her to bring such a large group of people here today to demand an explanation. Therefore, Lady Anyuan said a few words of apology:

"Madam, I made a mistake today. Please don't take it to heart. I see you're busy today, so I won't bother you any longer. I'll send someone with a gift to apologize another day."

After Lady Anyuan and Xie Ze came out, Gu Zhao kept staring at Zhu Qingyu holding his hand.

He didn't move, letting Zhu Qingyu hold his wrist, and didn't offer any explanation.

He wanted to see if Zhu Qingyu would let go in front of Xie Ze and everyone else, and how she would try to deny their relationship. He wanted to hear with his own ears what Zhu Qingyu meant to him.

In front of everyone, Zhu Qingyu still held Gu Zhao's hand tightly, showing no intention of letting go. She turned to Lady Anyuan and said:

"It was just a misunderstanding, but it's been cleared up. Please don't stand on ceremony, Madam. I should invite you to sit down and have some tea, but I have some urgent matters to attend to at home today, and things are a bit chaotic. I don't have time to entertain you properly. It was not my intention to be negligent. I'll invite you to tea another day."

Having exchanged pleasantries and given each other a way out, Lady Anyuan nodded, then led her entourage onto the carriage and drove away.

Between Xie Ze and herself, she chose herself.

This realization inexplicably gave Gu Zhao's previously pent-up anger a place to dissipate, and even unconsciously gave rise to a feeling of standing with a sword in hand, looking around, and feeling full of ambition.

Gu Zhao felt a surge of pride, but then he was suddenly jolted awake and plunged into despair.

Gu Shouming, what are you so proud of?

You, the heir of a noble family, a high-ranking official wielding power, should be able to command the winds and rains and do whatever you want. Now you've been reduced to being manipulated and picked over by a mere young woman. What's there to be proud of?!

Gu Zhao realized with despair that he had completely lost control, and his heart was now completely swayed by her every move.

From what point did she come to possess his heart, able to command him at any time, and whose every word and action could make his heart experience the highest and lowest joys and sorrows, love and hate?

And he did it willingly, even finding it sweet.

She must have drugged herself, she must have.

No, this can't go on. If it continues, he'll really be ruined by this seemingly weak young woman.

What's even more despairing is that this young woman and her husband are deeply in love, leaving him with absolutely no chance.

As long as her husband is alive, she will never have a shred of true love for him, neither before nor after.

It would be better to take advantage of the present moment, while I am still sober and in pain, and with this excruciating pain, sever all ties with her completely, never concern myself with her affairs again, never listen to her news again, and never have any contact with her again. In this way, I will not fall further into that more pathetic and ridiculous state.

Gu Zhao withdrew his hand, and Zhu Qingyu noticed something, so she followed his gaze and looked back.

One is gone, but there's still one left.

Shen Xu stood at the door, also looking at the hands the two had just held, without saying a word.

Gu Zhao looked at Shen Xu and sneered:

Someone is still waiting for your reply. Have you replied to them? Tell them what your answer is.

Answer him and say you're willing to marry him, so I can finally give up on him.

Shen Xu also looked at Zhu Qingyu:

"My lady, don't be afraid. My proposal and promises still stand. What do you think?"

Just as Zhu Qingyu was about to speak, Gu Zhao suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him, causing her to lose her balance and stumble, falling against him.

Gu Zhao pulled her upper body into his arms, staring at Shen Xu, then leaned down and whispered in Zhu Qingyu's ear with malice and coldness:

"If you dare agree to his request, I'll kill Zhang Jingyan, have him slowly sliced ​​to death, leaving no trace of his body. I'm that wicked. Do you want to try?"