Zhu Qingyu reached her hand into Gu Zhao's sleeve and grasped his wrist.
His pulse was chaotic, erratic and surging. Like a tsunami beneath a calm sea, it seemed ready to destroy the world, raging wildly without end.
He was far more agitated and angry than his currently cold and indifferent exterior suggested.
Zhu Qingyu couldn't let him leave, much less let him continue to be so angry.
Tomorrow the Emperor would see Zhang Shen. The Emperor and the Grand Secretary had already set their sights on the Zhang family's silver, and Zhang Shen's swift death was in their best interests.
If the Emperor sentenced Zhang Shen to immediate execution tomorrow and had him taken out to the Meridian Gate to be beheaded, Zhang Shen would have no chance of being sent back to the Imperial Prison. There would be no opportunity for him to die quietly in the prison, which would allow Shen Xu to secretly substitute him.
No, under the current circumstances, the method Shen Xu proposed was still too risky, with too low a success rate.
Zhu Qingyu needed Gu Zhao—a calm and rational Gu Zhao.
Gu Zhao had asked what he was to her, and what she was to him. Zhu Qingyu didn't know how to define their relationship either. In fact, whatever the relationship was or what it was called, Gu Zhao could define it however he wanted; it didn't really matter to her.
Zhu Qingyu held onto his wrist, looked up at him, and said softly,
"Shouming, whatever you want me to be to you, that is what I am. Please don't go. Help me, alright?"
While the two were talking, a bewildered Marchioness Anyuan came out with her group of older female servants and Xie Ze.
Seeing the two holding hands and talking, Marchioness Anyuan became even more confused. She looked at Xie Ze and asked quietly,
"What's going on with them? Is it really not her? Did I really make a mistake?"
Xie Ze was about ready to drop to his knees before his mother. Although he didn't know why Gu Zhao and Shen Xu were here today, it was fortunate that they were. Otherwise, who knew what kind of scene his mother would have caused at the Zhang residence today.
Bringing such an unwarranted disaster upon Doctor Zhu out of nowhere—how could he ever have the face to see her again?
Xie Ze pulled Marchioness Anyuan to leave, his face full of exasperation:
"My dearest mother, I told you it was a mistake! A mistake! A mistake! But you just wouldn't listen. Let's go back, please? Let's go back, and I'll tell you which family's daughter it actually is."
Although Marchioness Anyuan was also very curious about how a married woman dared to be so publicly intimate with the heir of the Gu family without fearing gossip,
she had no grudge against Zhu Qingyu. As long as the woman wasn't involved with her son, it was none of her business who this young lady tangled with. She had no reason to make things difficult for an innocent woman.
If it really was a mistake, then bringing such a large group of people here today to demand answers was far too rude. Thus, Marchioness Anyuan offered a few polite words of apology:
"Young lady, it was my mistake today. Please don't take it to heart. I see you are busy today, so I won't disturb you any further. I will send someone with a gift to apologize another day."
After Marchioness Anyuan and Xie Ze came out, Gu Zhao kept staring at Zhu Qingyu's hand holding his.
He didn't move, allowing Zhu Qingyu to hold his wrist, nor did he offer any explanation.
He wanted to see if Zhu Qingyu would let go in front of Xie Ze and the crowd, and how she would try to explain away their relationship. He wanted to hear with his own ears exactly what he was to her, in her own words.
To his surprise, in front of everyone, Zhu Qingyu continued to hold tightly to Gu Zhao's hand, showing no intention of letting go. She turned to Marchioness Anyuan and said:
"It was just a small misunderstanding; clearing it up is enough. You needn't be so polite, Madam. I should invite you to sit and have a cup of tea, but my family has some urgent matters today and things are a bit chaotic. I don't have the time or proper means to host you all. I truly don't mean to be neglectful. Another day, I will invite you for tea."
With pleasantries exchanged and a graceful exit provided for both sides, Marchioness Anyuan nodded. She then led her group into their carriages and departed.
Between Xie Ze and himself, she had chosen him.
This realization inexplicably gave Gu Zhao's unvented anger an outlet to dissipate. It even made an unconscious surge of triumph swell in his heart, making him feel as though he stood tall with a blade in hand, looking around with immense pride and satisfaction.
However, just as a hint of smugness rose in his heart, Gu Zhao suddenly woke up to reality and plunged deep into despair because of it.
Gu Shouming, what exactly are you so pleased about?
You are the dignified heir of a Duke's estate, a powerful high-ranking official of the current dynasty. You should be able to summon the wind and rain and do whatever you please. Yet now you've been reduced to being manipulated and picked over by a mere young woman. What is there to be proud of?!
Gu Zhao despairingly realized that he had completely lost control. His heart was now entirely at the mercy of her every move.
Since when had she gained ownership of his heart, able to issue commands to him anytime and anywhere, with her every word and action sending his emotions plummeting to the depths of sorrow or soaring to the heights of joy, between love and hate?
And yet, he was actually willing—even glad—to endure it.
She must have drugged him. She must have.
No, it couldn't go on like this. If this continued, he would truly be ruined by this seemingly fragile young woman.
What was even more despairing was that this young woman and her husband were deeply in love; there was no chance for him at all.
As long as her husband was around, she would never give him even half a shred of true affection. It was true in the past, and it would be true in the future.
It would be better to take advantage of this moment, while he was still lucid and still in pain, to use this piercing agony to sever all ties with her. He would never meddle in her affairs again, never listen to news of her, and never have any dealings with her. That way, he wouldn't sink further into an even more pathetic and ridiculous state.
Gu Zhao pulled his hand back. Zhu Qingyu sensed something and followed his gaze behind her.
They had sent one away, only to be left with another.
Shen Xu stood at the doorway, also looking at where their hands had just been joined, without saying a word.
Gu Zhao looked at Shen Xu and sneered:
"Someone is still waiting for your answer. Have you replied to him? Tell him, what is your answer?"
Answer him. Tell him you are willing to marry him, and make me give up completely.
Shen Xu also looked at Zhu Qingyu:
"Doctor Zhu, don't be afraid. My proposal and promise are still valid. How is your consideration going?"
Zhu Qingyu was about to speak when Gu Zhao suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. The force made her lose her balance, and she stumbled, falling against his body.
Gu Zhao wrapped his arms around her upper body, his eyes fixed on Shen Xu. He leaned down close to Zhu Qingyu's ear and said with malice and coldness:
"If you dare to say yes to him, I will kill Zhang Jingyan. I will have him executed by a lingering death, leaving him without an intact corpse. I am just that wicked of a person. Do you want to try me?"
