Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Instructor Zhang was jolted, his eyes widened in disbelief, and the stack of banknotes he was holding nearly slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.

His face turned deathly pale, then flushed crimson. A surge of anger rose to his head, and he shouted angrily, "Young master! What... what nonsense are you spouting! I've come here today to beg you to save my son-in-law, not to sell my daughter!"

Zhang Yunniang was struck dumb, frozen in place, her tears suddenly stopped, and she stared blankly at Gao Zhao, her heart feeling as if it had been doused with ice water.

She never expected Gao Zhao to say such things in public. What kind of person did he take her for?

Her lips trembled as humiliation, grief, and despair surged up all at once. Her eyes were red, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

"Young Master..." Her voice was weak, yet it carried an unyielding spirit, "I am Lin Chong's lawfully wedded wife. My husband has been wronged and is suffering. I have come here to beg for your impartial assistance, not to make a deal. Please take back such contemptuous words!"

"Contempt? Weren't you the ones who contemptled me first?" Gao Zhao sneered, sat back on the couch, leaned back, and sneered, "When Lin Chong was imprisoned before, I already saved him once. Tell me yourselves, did I ask you for anything in return?"

Instructor Zhang paused, a look of shame on his face. Last time, when Lin Chong was falsely accused and imprisoned, he had nowhere to turn for help. It was Gao Zhao who stepped in to save Lin Chong's life, and Gao Zhao had never asked for any benefits.

It was indeed inappropriate of me to come to his door today seeking help and offer him this sum of ten thousand strings of cash; it was too disrespectful of him!

No wonder the other party took out 50,000 strings of cash to mock him!

This is definitely mocking myself! Who can demand 50,000 strings of cash as a bride price? Marrying a princess only costs a few dollars!

If someone were truly willing to offer such a large dowry, which family in the entire capital wouldn't be able to marry their daughter?

Don't spout nonsense about treating money like dirt; it's just because you don't have enough money!

Back in the day, two prime ministers of our great Song Dynasty fought over money to marry a widow. They were so shameless that they almost came to blows, causing a huge uproar and becoming a laughing stock!

Thinking of this, he subconsciously turned to look at his daughter and saw that she had her head down and her face was flushed with embarrassment. She was obviously embarrassed by his actions!

Little did he know that Zhang Yunniang was embarrassed by Gao Zhao's words.

He didn't ask for money in return, but he still didn't let himself off the hook!

She felt ashamed and indignant when she thought of the day Gao Zhao had taken liberties with her.

But all of this was to save her husband...

She thought the matter was over and she had already made up her mind not to let him succeed. Even when they met several times later, she never gave him a kind word!

Unexpectedly, Lin Chong is now in trouble again, and he has nowhere else to turn but to beg him for help.

To prevent him from doing anything reckless, they even invited his father along, hoping to bribe him with money...

But she had forgotten that this young master of the Imperial Guard was not short of money at all. Not only did he refuse to accept her offer, he even offered 50,000 strings of cash to take her as a concubine...

This made her feel ashamed and indignant, as if the other person was belittling her!

Despite her shame and indignation, she couldn't help but feel a little smug. She never expected that even as a married woman, she would still be worth so much money in the other person's eyes.

However, as soon as the thought crossed her mind, she immediately suppressed it. Given her status, she shouldn't even be thinking about such a thing!

But now her husband is being held captive in the army, his fate unknown. Is she just going to stand by and watch him die?

Now the only person she can turn to for help is Gao Zhao, but how can she persuade him to help her?

Is it only possible to...?

Zhang Yunniang gripped her clothes tightly with her fingertips, the fabric wrinkled deeply, her heart churning with conflicting emotions.

On one hand, there is her affection for Lin Chong and the bottom line of a wife's reputation; on the other hand, there is the desperate situation with a knife hanging over her head, her husband's life hanging by a thread in Gao Zhao's hands.

The moment that thought arose, she felt ashamed and quickly suppressed it, tears welling up in her eyes, but she bit her lower lip to keep them from falling.

Gao Zhao watched the two men's expressions change, but his expression remained unchanged.

This doesn't mean he wanted to use this to blackmail Zhang Yunniang, but rather that he had only just learned the reason for Lin Chong's accident and instinctively realized that there was something fishy about it.

Who knows what forces are behind this!

If you jump in without understanding these things, it's tantamount to courting death!

Although the young master was bold and fearless, he was not a reckless and impulsive fool.

Even if Zhang Yunniang came begging, soaking wet, let alone the two of them pleading now, he still couldn't agree!

The young master isn't the kind of person who's blinded by lust!

"I can't handle this matter. You two should go back!" Gao Zhao didn't hesitate any longer and directly gave them the order to leave.

Zhang Yunniang's face turned pale, all color drained from her. Instructor Zhang pleaded repeatedly, "Young Master, you can't just stand by and watch me die! This old man has no other choice but to beg for your mercy!"

Gao Zhao's lips curled up, and he suddenly laughed: "Instructor Zhang, it's just a son-in-law, why bother so much! Instead of running around and worrying about Lin Chong, you might as well find a different son-in-law."

As he spoke, he reached for the stack of pawnbroking notes on the table, handed them to Instructor Zhang, and said sincerely, "I have long been in love with your daughter. If Instructor Zhang is willing to grant my wish, you may take this betrothal gift now!"

"You!" Instructor Zhang retreated a step as if avoiding a snake or scorpion, but despite his resentment towards Gao Zhao's actions, he couldn't help but glance at the stack of money!

Fifty thousand strings of cash!

This is no small sum for anyone!

He took it out without hesitation!

There are plenty of beautiful women in the capital, and countless virgins. Why did he take a fancy to his own daughter and be willing to pay such a high price?

Instructor Zhang glanced subconsciously at his daughter, noticing her flushed face and hint of anger. He was slightly relieved, then turned serious and said, "Young master, please don't speak jokingly. Although I am of humble status, I am a man of principle. How could I possibly do something like marrying one woman twice!"

Gao Zhao smiled faintly, not press the matter, and took back the pawn ticket, saying calmly, "In that case, please go and look elsewhere, lest you delay important matters! I am truly sorry that I am powerless to help!"

"Let's go!" Instructor Zhang's face darkened, and he called Zhang Yunniang to leave.

Zhang Yunniang glanced at Gao Zhao with a complicated expression, then turned and left.

After the father and daughter left the commander's mansion and walked a while longer, Instructor Zhang paused and said in a deep voice, "Yunniang, your husband is now imprisoned and his future is uncertain. That Gao Yanei still harbors wicked intentions towards you. Don't be bewitched by him!"

Zhang Yunniang hurriedly shook her head and said, "Father... I didn't..."

Coach Zhang gave her a deep look, sighed, and said nothing more.

It is said that good women are afraid of persistent suitors, and Gao Yanei, in terms of both status and affection for her, far surpasses Lin Chong.

He spent 50,000 strings of cash in one go. How many women could resist such a generous gesture?

But given the current situation, what can he do?