When Gu Zhao asked for her help, Zhu Qingyu immediately perked up. No longer caring about avoiding suspicion, she lifted the curtain, entered the carriage, and sat down on the other side.
Since childhood, her greatest fear was owing someone a favor. If she owed one and couldn't find a way to repay it, she wouldn't even be able to sleep at night.
In order to adapt to life in this era as quickly as possible, and more importantly, to avoid stepping on any landmines by knowing exactly what she could and could not do so she wouldn't break the law for no reason, Zhu Qingyu had seriously studied the dynasty's laws.
The lawmakers of this dynasty were largely Legalists who advocated for harsh punishments and strict laws. They were extremely severe with the common people, leaning heavily towards the principle of better to wrongfully punish than to let a guilty person go.
Therefore, Zhu Qingyu knew very well in her heart that regarding the fake account book incident, she owed Vice Minister Gu a massive favor.
The current government held absolute power over the populace. Even if it was just an unwarranted accusation, since it was made by Prefect Liu, the Zhang family was under heavy suspicion.
Not to mention there was an account book written in black and white, and this book was very likely written by the Zhang family's own manager. According to the law, it was a certainty, and throwing them directly into prison wouldn't be considered an overstep.
In fact, if Gu Zhao wanted to close the case quickly now, he could simply arrest the heads of the Zhang family for interrogation, and these heads included Zhang Shen, as well as herself.
But Gu Zhao believed her defense. He hadn't touched her or anyone from the Zhang family, showing her ample goodwill. He even tried to uncover the truth based on the clues she provided to clear the Zhang family's name. This was the huge favor she owed him.
It was a pity, though. Vice Minister Gu disdained the century-old ginseng she offered, refused her cloud brocade, and wanted absolutely nothing. She didn't dare send silver, afraid he would slap her with the heavy charge of bribing an official. Being unable to repay this favor was worrying Zhu Qingyu to death.
How could a favor from a powerful noble be so easily owed? Who knew what kind of price she would have to pay in the future? Zhu Qingyu was eager to pay it off as soon as possible. Now that she had this opportunity, she naturally hopped into the carriage eagerly and immediately took the initiative to ask:
"Of course. Please give your orders, Vice Minister Gu. I am willing to hear the details."
In all the time Gu Zhao had known her, aside from the time Xie Ze was assassinated and needed emergency treatment, or matters directly concerning herself, he had never seen Doctor Zhu so proactive.
Did she want to help that badly? Did she want to avoid owing him a favor that badly? Did she want to avoid any entanglement with him that badly?
Then he absolutely would not let her have her way.
Since being gentle and polite was useless against her, he might as well change his tactics.
He refused to believe that he couldn't handle a little young lady.
Vice Minister Gu's tone turned cold again:
"Eat first. We will talk after we eat."
Zhu Qingyu was now immune to Vice Minister Gu's unpredictable moods. Since she couldn't figure him out anyway, and completely lacked the skill to guess the thoughts of her superiors, she simply stopped trying.
Ignoring the displeasure in his tone and extracting the objective information, Zhu Qingyu asked:
"So Vice Minister Gu hasn't dined yet. How about I come back after you have eaten?"
The carriage was already moving. Gu Zhao's tone was now completely frigid:
"Zhu Qingyu, would having a meal with me kill you?"
Zhu Qingyu jumped in fright:
"How does Vice Minister Gu know my name?"
In modern times, a name was meant to be known by others, and Zhu Qingyu actually didn't mind people knowing it.
But according to the rules here, aside from close relatives, a woman's name was absolutely not to be casually known by other men. These countless, nonsensical, anti-human rules had given Zhu Qingyu a massive headache when she first tried to memorize them.
As a native, there was no way Vice Minister Gu didn't know this rule.
Therefore, Zhu Qingyu had to do as the locals do, showing an attitude of being highly offended to conform to the behavioral standards of this era.
Gu Zhao maintained his cold tone:
"What, as an imperial envoy, could I not find out a mere name? Zhu Qingyu, so what if I know it? Will this kill you too?"
It wasn't a big deal, but it was just so uncalled for. Why would he investigate her name? Logically, it had nothing to do with his case.
Zhu Qingyu tried to reason with him:
"Not exactly, but why did you investigate my name?"
Gu Zhao sneered:
"Why else? Naturally, it's because Doctor Zhu is as beautiful as a flower, and I have harbored improper thoughts. That day you swore so solemnly, saying you were endlessly grateful, that you were duty-bound to do whatever you could. It seems you were just humoring me without a single word of truth. You don't even dare to eat a meal with me. Doctor Zhu, your respect and loyalty are nothing but pretty words, aren't they?"
Vice Minister Gu's sudden hostility was quite abrupt. She had no idea how he managed to link eating a meal and loyalty, two completely unrelated things, and suddenly elevate the matter to such a high level.
Actually, Gu Zhao's behavior today was indeed a bit strange. He was dressed so brightly, as if he were going out drinking with courtesans, and he had specifically come to find her for a meal. To Zhu Qingyu, it vaguely felt like the boys from her school days who used to ask her out to eat.
Of course, making such a connection was definitely wrong. Vice Minister Gu's earlier remark about improper thoughts was clearly just mocking her defensiveness.
Forget it. He was a high-ranking official, so he must have his reasons for acting this way. She still needed to ask him about the second manager. It was just a name; there was no need to insist on reasoning with him or arguing about right and wrong.
Moreover, Zhu Qingyu found it quite novel. So a person like Vice Minister Gu could actually get angry in front of others?
During their previous encounters, Vice Minister Gu always seemed unflappable, with everything under his control. This naturally gave a commoner like her a sense of alienation, making him seem like someone who could only be admired from afar but never approached.
Now that he was showing emotion, he actually seemed a bit more grounded. It made Zhu Qingyu feel like he had turned into a living, breathing person she could interact with, and even the distance between them felt a little shorter.
Zhu Qingyu immediately demonstrated her ability to adapt to the situation:
"Please calm your anger. It is my fault. I am naturally loyal to you. So, are we going to eat now?"
The carriage was already moving very fast. Despite the bumpy ride, Gu Zhao actually took out that book of his to read again. Looking displeased, he didn't even glance at Zhu Qingyu:
"No. First, we will find a place to sell you."
He couldn't be truly angry, could he?
Zhu Qingyu smiled awkwardly:
"Oh, okay, okay. Whatever you say."
The carriage suddenly fell silent.
Gu Zhao had a book to read, but Zhu Qingyu did not. The carriage was so small, and it wouldn't be proper to just stare at him.
Zhu Qingyu had to look around, glancing left and right to ease the awkwardness.
Looking closely, the carriage appeared ordinary on the outside, but the inside held its own hidden world. There was actually an icebox made of green jade placed inside.
A faint chill wafted through the air.
Summer days in Jiangnan were bearable at home, but once outside, especially in an airtight carriage, it was actually quite sweltering.
A family that could afford to use an icebox in a carriage had to be wealthy and refined.
He was indeed a young master from the capital who knew nothing of practical matters. To actually dare to use something as delicate as green jade in a carriage! If the carriage suddenly braked and the green jade icebox fell and smashed to pieces, he would definitely be crying over it.
Zhu Qingyu was so bored that she let her imagination run wild, picturing Vice Minister Gu bawling his eyes out over a shattered ice basin. The more she indulged in these ridiculous thoughts, the more amusing they seemed, and an unconscious smile began to tug at the corners of her lips.
Gu Zhao did not even lift his head, still staring at the book that was practically impossible to read inside the bumpy carriage.
Catching the upward curve of her mouth out of the corner of his eye, he had no idea what was going through her mind. However, it was abundantly clear that she felt quite at ease sharing this confined space with him and was not frightened of him in the slightest.
Gu Zhao turned another page, an almost imperceptible smile hiding within his lowered gaze.
