Affection?
Love?
The moment this absurd thought crept into her mind, Zhu Qingyu ruthlessly tossed it out without a second of hesitation.
To talk about love with a feudal aristocrat, a man of imperial lineage and immense power—she really had been in this world too long. She must be going mad.
Lying on the bed, Zhu Qingyu looked up at the condescending man who possessed almost everything.
He held the highest power in the world, an impeccable family background, and even his appearance and physique were outstanding. For a man like him, romance between a man and a woman was nothing but an insignificant spice of life. He did not need love.
The affection she had presumptuously guessed at was perhaps more akin to possessiveness or a desire to conquer. For instance, whatever caught his eye could not be tainted by anyone else, even if that someone else was her rightful husband.
As Zhu Qingyu remained silent, the storm brewing in Gu Zhao's eyes turned into an undisguised murderous intent.
"Qingyu, answer me. What if he isn't?"
Did he just say, what if he isn't?
She and Zhang Shen were clearly registered as husband and wife at the government office. They had exchanged marriage certificates and bowed to heaven and earth. They were perfectly legitimate.
What was Gu Zhao planning to do to make Zhang Shen not her husband?
In this imperial society, it would be effortless for Gu Zhao to do whatever he pleased. He could even take Zhang Shen's life openly and legally.
For a man thrown into the Imperial Bodyguard's prison, wasn't it entirely plausible for him to die from unbearable torture, or to commit suicide out of fear of punishment?
At this moment, Zhu Qingyu firmly believed that Gu Zhao truly intended to kill.
She had to say or do something to distract him and dispel this terrifying thought.
Propping herself up with her palms against the bed, Zhu Qingyu slowly rose and sat on the edge of the mattress.
The injuries she had sustained from falling at the Xue residence earlier had not yet been treated. Moving like this pressed on her wounds, causing her to instinctively furrow her brows.
Gu Zhao finally snapped out of his previous infatuated trance and noticed her injuries.
He grabbed her wrist, turned her palm over, and saw the still-bleeding scrapes. Then, he half-squatted and lifted the torn hem of her skirt.
As he pulled up the equally torn trouser leg beneath her skirt, Gu Zhao looked up at her. Seeing her lowered eyes and lack of resistance, he pulled the fabric all the way up to her knee, revealing a shocking, swollen red bruise.
Gu Zhao felt a mix of anger and heartache. He had no idea how she had managed to run so fast while bearing such severe injuries. When he pinned her down just now, she must have been in terrible pain, yet she hadn't uttered a single sound. Was she afraid of offending him?
He had made up his mind not to frighten her. When he reached out to her at the bow of the boat, he was still planning to take things slowly, giving her time and patience.
But the moment she threw herself into his arms, all thoughts of taking it slow or waiting for the flower to bloom vanished into thin air.
He had lost his reason. He wanted her right then and there, unwilling to wait even a single second.
Overcome by passion, he had broken his own rules. By using both physical force and verbal coercion, he had ultimately become a detestable, power-abusing villain in her eyes.
Right now, she was probably terrified in her heart, forced into submission solely by her fear of his power.
After he finished inspecting the wound, Zhu Qingyu pulled her trouser leg back down and dropped her skirt, covering herself from his gaze.
Gu Zhao stood up and asked,
"How did this happen?"
Zhu Qingyu kept her eyes lowered.
"I ran too fast and fell."
It was obvious who and what she was running so fast for.
After running around all morning, she probably hadn't even had a sip of water or eaten breakfast.
He knew she would be like this, and precisely because he knew, he had been absolutely certain she would come to him.
Gu Zhao knew his jealousy was completely irrational. In the past, he couldn't control it; now, he simply didn't want to.
Finally, sighing, Gu Zhao said,
"I'll get you some medicine. After applying it, come eat with me."
Zhu Qingyu finally looked up at him. At this hour, it was too late for breakfast and too early for lunch. She didn't know what kind of meal Lord Gu was having.
But at least he was no longer fixated on that terrifying topic of making Zhang Shen not her husband. And since she hadn't had a drop of water or a grain of rice since waking up, it really was time to eat.
Thus, Zhu Qingyu didn't ask another question and just nodded.
"Yes, My Lord."
Gu Zhao corrected her,
"I told you to call me by my name."
Zhu Qingyu readily complied,
"Yes, Shouming."
Gu Zhao tirelessly corrected her again,
"Don't say 'yes' to me. Say 'okay'."
Zhu Qingyu was completely obedient to him.
"Okay, Shouming, I understand."
Gu Zhao brought over some military-grade ointment for bruises and falls. Zhu Qingyu reached out to take it, but Gu Zhao held it back and said,
"Sit up there. I'll apply it for you."
Zhu Qingyu didn't insist on doing it herself. She had never interacted so intimately with Gu Zhao in private, nor did she know what kind of man he was behind closed doors when it came to relations between men and women.
To save Zhang Shen, the crux of the matter lay with Lord Gu. The more she understood about him, the higher the chances of rescuing Zhang Shen.
Therefore, she planned to seize every opportunity to spend time with him and learn as much as possible about the man.
So, what exactly did Lord Gu think of her right now?
She had originally thought all he wanted was physical intimacy, but he had stopped, seemingly wanting more.
This 'more' made Zhu Qingyu feel it was a very thorny situation. She could only test the waters step by step.
If his feelings for her stemmed from a desire to conquer because she had once rejected him, then perhaps her total obedience would make him find it dull, causing him to lose interest and let her go.
Sitting on the bed, Zhu Qingyu didn't wait for him to speak. She proactively pulled her skirt up to her waist, revealing her undergarment trousers. Then, grasping the wide hem of the trousers, she rolled it up past her knee, openly exposing her swollen knee and smooth leg.
Perhaps surprised by her proactive behavior and complete lack of maidenly modesty, Gu Zhao glanced at her again. Ultimately, he didn't say anything. He simply applied the ointment for her and bandaged the wound on her palm with gauze.
Throughout the entire treatment process, Gu Zhao did not make any inappropriate touches. Applying the medicine was just applying the medicine, as honorable and straightforward as a physician treating a patient.
Just as Zhu Qingyu was thinking that, sure enough, what Lord Gu wanted was the thrill of the conquest, Gu Zhao suddenly leaned over, pinned her shoulders down, and kissed her again.
Earlier, Zhu Qingyu had been prepared, but now she was completely caught off guard and hastily turned her head to avoid him.
The kiss that was meant for her lips landed on her cheek instead, trailing down to her ear.
Lord Gu's breathing was heavy against her ear, the longing in his tone entirely undisguised:
"Qingyu, I know what you are plotting, but you truly do not understand me. Your taking the initiative like this only makes me want you more."
Since he had already broken his rules, so be it.
He had lost his patience for waiting. He wanted more.
