Shen Xu said he couldn't do it, and Zhu Qingyu did not force him.
After all, Gu Zhao had also said that there was only one chance before the Emperor. They had to find a reliable method and could not act recklessly.
However, she didn't want to cut off Shen Xu as a route of retreat, so she resorted to a stalling tactic and said to him,
It is too sudden for you to come and tell me all this today. My mind is a bit of a mess. If I do not give you an answer today, will you kill me? Will you kill Zhang Jingyan?
Seeing that every word she spoke revolved around life and death, showing she was truly terrified of him, Shen Xu was filled with immense regret. He wished he could go back to that day and fiercely slap himself twice for raising a blade against her.
There were many people in this world who feared the Jinyiwei, but he didn't want her to be one of them.
Shen Xu took a few steps back, almost retreating to the door.
You do not need to be so afraid of me. Although I have a bad reputation, I am truly not someone who kills the innocent indiscriminately. I very much hope that you can marry me, but it is not to the extent that I would kill you if you refuse.
Seeing Zhu Qingyu's expression of obvious disbelief, Shen Xu felt even more remorseful. The gentleness in his tone practically overflowed.
There is no rush. I will give you time to think it over carefully. Although you might not believe me now, if you marry me, I will treat you well. Of course, I also hope you can treat me as you treat Zhang Jingyan. You can give me your answer anytime before the Emperor sees Zhang Jingyan. Once you have thought it through, come find me at the Jinyiwei's office.
...
The plan Shen Xu offered could only be considered a final fallback. Zhu Qingyu paid lip service to thinking it over, but as soon as he left, she completely dismissed his proposal from her mind and instead placed more of her hopes on others.
Over the next few days, Zhu Qingyu practically wore out the official rosters. Those who could directly see the Emperor and influence him included imperial concubines, eunuchs, relatives of the Emperor, and Grand Secretariat ministers.
Investigating these people one by one based on their addresses, the most suitable person she could reach who was currently in urgent need of money was still Lord Zhuang. And the most presentable thing she currently had on hand was still silver.
The eighth day of the tenth lunar month was auspicious for praying for fortune, making sacrifices, setting up incense, and breaking ground. It was the perfect time to offer incense.
Zhu Qingyu took out the box containing beautiful jade from the secret room. Then, fifteen minutes earlier than the household of the Commissioner of the Office of Transmission, Lord Zhuang, she waited on the route they had to take to Huangjue Temple.
Holding the box, Zhu Qingyu saw there was no one around and instructed Uncle Lyu,
Push the carriage over.
During this time, Uncle Lyu had been running around with Zhu Qingyu, living in fear for his master. He fully understood the Madam's deep affection for the master. Therefore, although he didn't know what the Madam was up to, upon hearing the order to push the carriage, he sank his breath to his lower abdomen, gave a forceful shove, and pushed the carriage over onto the side of the road.
After a while, a carriage approached from a distance. Zhu Qingyu instructed Uncle Lyu again,
Push it back up.
Uncle Lyu was a bit dumbfounded.
Madam, one person cannot possibly push it back up.
Not being able to push it up was exactly the point.
Zhu Qingyu instructed,
It is fine, just push it as you normally would.
The Zhuang family's carriage gradually drew near and arrived right in front of them.
Uncle Lyu was still grunting and panting as he tried to push the carriage. Zhu Qingyu stepped aside to the edge of the road and even used her sleeve to cover her face.
The Zhuang family's carriage didn't stop and passed by normally.
Just as Zhu Qingyu thought today's endeavor was off to a bad start and it seemed she wouldn't be able to strike up a conversation, the carriage stopped ahead.
A driver and a maid walked over.
The driver was a tall and sturdy man in his forties or fifties. The little maid looked to be thirteen or fourteen, her face still carrying a childish innocence.
The little maid spoke first,
We are from the household of Commissioner Zhuang. My young lady asks if you have encountered some difficulty? Do you need help?
Zhu Qingyu lowered her sleeve and replied,
We are from the Zhang family in Qingyi Alley. Please thank your young lady, I am truly grateful.
The driver stepped off the curb and helped Uncle Lyu push the carriage together.
Although the little maid was young, she seemed quite organized. Seeing that they wouldn't be able to push it up for a while, she added,
My young lady says that if it is going to take some effort, you can come and sit in our carriage, Madam. It is better than waiting by the roadside.
Going up to sit was exactly what Zhu Qingyu wanted. She expressed her thanks and followed the little maid into the carriage.
The carriage rented by the Zhuang family was also the most ordinary green cloth carriage. The space inside was not large, and a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl was sitting there. This should be Miss Zhuang.
Miss Zhuang had an elegant and pure temperament and beautiful features. Upon seeing Zhu Qingyu, she smiled gently,
Please sit, Madam. Do not worry, my mother's carriage is right behind us. If they cannot push it up, there will be more people to help.
Her smile was like spring water, and Zhu Qingyu almost found herself taking a liking to Miss Zhuang. She thought to herself that Gu Zhao was truly blessed. She hoped that after marrying such a beautiful and kind-hearted girl, he would cherish and treat his wife well, and stop pestering a married woman like herself.
Zhu Qingyu thanked her and took a seat.
Thank you so much. I am the Madam of the Zhang family in Qingyi Alley. I am going to Huangjue Temple to offer incense today. Fortunately, I met you to help, otherwise I would not know what to do.
Miss Zhuang's driver was tall, big, and strong as an ox. Helping Uncle Lyu, they pushed the carriage up in just a few tries, so fast that Lady Zhuang's carriage hadn't even arrived yet.
Zhu Qingyu thanked Miss Zhuang once again, got out of the carriage empty-handed, and sat back in her own carriage.
On the way to Huangjue Temple, Zhu Qingyu calculated that when Miss Zhuang discovered the box containing the beautiful jade later, there could only be two scenarios.
One scenario was that Miss Zhuang would see the beautiful jade, give rise to greed, and silently embezzle it. In this case, it would no longer be suitable to contact Lord Zhuang, and she would have to find someone else.
After all, the Zhang family's current situation was that the master was in prison, and the young and beautiful Madam held a vast fortune. In the eyes of those with ulterior motives, she was simply a delicious, defenseless fat sheep. If she took the initiative to approach them, and the Zhuang family was capable of coveting the jade, they would naturally be capable of swallowing the Zhang family whole without leaving even the bones, and they would not care at all whether Zhang Shen lived or died.
But there was another scenario: Miss Zhuang was an upright person. Seeing the beautiful jade, she wouldn't feel greedy, but would instead think of returning the item to her. Miss Zhuang knew she was also going to Huangjue Temple to offer incense and knew she lived in Qingyi Alley. As long as she wanted to return it, she would definitely be able to find her.
Then Zhu Qingyu could visit the Zhuang household under the pretext of delivering a thank-you gift and request to see Lord Zhuang. This way, everything would be perfectly justifiable.
The plan sounded excellent in theory, but as a result, when Zhu Qingyu arrived at Huangjue Temple and entered the main hall, she immediately spotted Gu Zhao, who seemed to be waiting for someone in front of the hall doors.
Why was he here?
Taking advantage of the fact that he hadn't noticed her, Zhu Qingyu quickly dodged his line of sight and ran toward the rear hall, planning to hide in the guest room she had booked earlier for pilgrims.
Just as she ran inside and was about to close the door, a hand reached in. Gu Zhao closely followed her into the room, grabbed her hand, and trapped her in his embrace to keep her from running away, laughing,
Why are you running? Qingyu, did you know I had a matchmaking meeting today and came specifically to ruin it? I am so happy.
Before Zhu Qingyu could speak, a hesitant voice asked from behind her,
Madam of the Zhang family, you left something in my carriage. Um, is it a bad time for you right now?
