A few people were talking in the front hall when the gatekeeper reported: “Lord Gu is visiting.”
The head manager saw that the second manager was still being stubborn, so he took the opportunity to ease the tension. He immediately stood, pulling the second manager aside to smooth things over:
“The second manager is only worried that our business might be taken by others. It’s understandable if he’s not thinking fully. Madam, you have an esteemed guest, so we’ll not disturb you. We’ll go back, review the accounts, and return another day for your guidance.”
Zhu Qingyu also stood:
“I am young and speak without much consideration; please do not take offense, both managers. Leave the accounts here—I’ll review them and have someone return them to you.”
As Zhu Qingyu escorted the two managers out, Zhang family servants dared not leave Lord Gu waiting at the gate. They guided him into the front hall, where the two parties just happened to meet at the screen wall.
The second manager, still frustrated from being contradicted by Zhu Qingyu, could not contain his anger and exclaimed at the door:
“All business involves risks! Afraid of this, afraid of that—this business can’t be done!”
Gu Zhao, overhearing this clearly, paused:
“What business can’t be done? Madam Zhu has a guest; perhaps I’ve come at an inopportune time and disturbed her.”
In front of such a distinguished guest, the head manager shot the second manager a sharp look, bowed to Gu Zhao, and quickly ushered him away.
The second manager’s agitation was obvious—he had failed to achieve his goal, was unreasonable, and utterly flustered. Such words were unnecessary to tell Gu Zhao, let alone to shout them there.
Zhu Qingyu looked at the departing men and said:
“Nothing to worry about, Lord Gu’s visits are always welcome. Please, come inside.”
The two managers were family employees, so Zhu Qingyu had received them in the study. But for a guest like Lord Gu, the study was too private, so she brought him into the front hall and invited him to sit.
She herself sat on the opposite side, the vast hall between them creating a distance as if separated by a river and a moat.
After the servant served the tea and withdrew, Gu Zhao sipped and casually asked:
“Just now, were those people here to trouble you, Madam Zhu?”
Zhu Qingyu did not know his intentions and responded politely:
“They were just our managers. In business, disagreements happen. A few words were exchanged, nothing serious. You came to see Jingyan, right? Unfortunately, he hasn’t returned yet. When he does, I’ll make sure he visits you promptly.”
Indeed, this little lady could be cold and unfeeling—just days ago she had spoken of gratitude and respect, yet now she brushed him aside as soon as he arrived.
Gu Zhao, being turned away, feigned ignorance, showing concern as he looked at Zhu Qingyu:
“Madam Zhu, I came especially for you. You haven’t gone to the clinic these past few days. Have you encountered trouble? Has Lord Liu given you any difficulty?”
How could he know she hadn’t gone to the clinic? His words suggested he was watching her every move.
Was he secretly following her?
Zhu Qingyu was startled, choking on her tea and coughing several times, unable to speak.
Gu Zhao, reading the surprise and suspicion in her eyes, remained calm, showing no hint of panic, and continued:
“Uncle Qi said you haven’t been to the clinic these past few days. I was worried, so I came to check.”
Ah, that made sense.
Zhu Qingyu finally regained her breath and replied:
“Thank you, Lord Gu, for your concern. All is well. I’ve been busy with household matters and wanted to avoid troubling you. If I went out, I feared Lord Liu might get involved and inadvertently hinder your work.”
Gu Zhao smiled, polite and gentle:
“I see. I thought perhaps Madam Zhu had a misunderstanding of me—suspecting I colluded with Lord Liu, or had improper intentions. Otherwise, why would you try to send guests away the moment I sat down?”
Zhu Qingyu had not expected such direct questioning. Each statement was almost face-to-face, leaving her embarrassed. She thought she had been careful enough.
She did not doubt his character or suspect him of wrongdoing.
As a married woman, older than Gu Zhao, she would never assume a young, affluent gentleman like him could harbor romantic interest in her.
Still, she avoided him, unwilling to get entangled.
The reason was simple: even after three years here, she remained, at heart, an ordinary person from a modern society, unfamiliar with this world.
She was not accustomed to opulent life in mansions, nor skilled in currying favor with the powerful, nor ambitious to achieve political success or pursue dramatic romances.
She simply wished to live a steady life, with a skill to sustain herself, perhaps take a few medical apprentices, and pass on her knowledge peacefully.
Yet Gu Zhao’s status and the case he handled—cracking down on illegal salt trade—inevitably stirred turmoil in Yangzhou, creating trouble she wanted to avoid.
Thus, she naturally kept her distance, unwilling to form ties.
Yet avoiding relations did not mean she could offend him. Since Lord Gu asked, Zhu Qingyu immediately expressed loyalty:
“Lord Gu, you jest. I am delighted by your visit. Our entire household feels honored. Did you come to the clinic to give me instructions?”
Gu Zhao’s visit indeed had purpose. He set down his teacup and, looking across the hall at Zhu Qingyu, asked:
“Lord Liu presented me with an account book, evidence that the salt smuggler Lei Dawu colluded with the Zhang family. I have come today to ask Madam Zhu—has the Zhang family engaged in salt smuggling?”
His words, soft yet like thunder on a clear day, startled Zhu Qingyu. She had hoped to stay out of trouble, yet it surged relentlessly toward her.
Smuggling salt was a capital crime, punishable by the seizure of property and extermination of the family.
Lord Liu, it seemed, neither sought her to curry favor with Gu Zhao nor to use her to harm him—he intended to destroy the Zhang family.
At this point, mere avoidance was useless.
Zhu Qingyu stood, crossed the hall she had personally demarcated, approached Gu Zhao, her expression serious, and bowed formally:
“I can guarantee, there is absolutely no such thing. Please investigate thoroughly and grant my family the chance to prove our innocence. Your grace will not be forgotten.”