Gu Zheng looked down at her and said casually, “Huang Lilan wanted to use you to restrain me, and you agreed. Since you chose to be my enemy back then, you should at least pay the price for your actions! Miss Shen, don’t tell me you’re naive enough to think that you’re simply trying to atone for your sins now?

“Only allies have the chance to atone for their sins. You’re just a chess piece in my hands. You don’t have the right to refuse whatever I ask you to do. If you offend Huang Lilan, she might kill you, but if you offend me…”

Gu Zheng’s deep eyes were filled with coldness. Then, the corners of his mouth curled up into a devilish smile. “If you offend me, I’ll make you wish you were dead!”

Shen Ying’s body went weak as she collapsed to the ground. Her eyes were filled with tears as she shouted in horror, “No! I don’t want to die! Please spare my life!”

“Since you don’t want to die, you know what to do.” A small silver knife appeared in Gu Zheng’s hand. He held the knife to Shen Ying’s chin and forced her to look up.

“If you fail the mission Huang Lilan tasked you with, I’ll let you go. But can you guarantee that Huang Lilan will let you off? If you serve Gu Weiming and obtain his love, who in the Gu family will dare to touch you?

“Although Gu Weiming is muddle-headed, he has the final say in the entire Gu family’s old residence. Only he can compete with Huang Lilan and protect you. Miss Shen, you should understand that all of this is for your own good.”

Shen Ying’s body trembled. After a moment of silence, she wiped her tears and nodded reluctantly.

Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Gu Zheng smiled and stood up to leave. He knew that Shen Ying was also involved in the car accident, but he still decided to give her a chance. It was not because he pitied her, but because things would only become interesting if she was kept alive.

…

In the banquet hall, Tang Ruge walked in with a smile. Lu Yan came forward to greet her. “Hello, Miss Tang.”

Everyone’s gazes landed on the two of them. “Is this the daughter of the Tang family in the capital? As expected of a daughter of a noble family. Her every move is very elegant and noble. Miss Tang’s temperament is unparalleled.”

Tang Ruge nodded slightly at everyone and said gently and politely, “Thank you for your praise, everyone. I don’t deserve it.”

“Miss Tang, what’s your gift?” Everyone looked at the gift box in Tang Ruge’s hands in confusion. Since it was her gift to Old Madam Gu, it must be something good.

Tang Ruge smiled and said, “I heard that Old Madam Gu likes Old Master Wang’s calligraphy works. I happened to obtain Old Master Wang’s last work titled Thousand Words Life. He wrote a thousand words.

“Actually, I originally wanted to give Old Madam Gu a porcelain vase. But the vase was bought by Second Young Master Gu. Hence, I could only choose this Thousand Words Life. I hope Old Madam Gu will like it.”

Everyone exclaimed. As expected of the Tang family. Old Master Wang’s works were very valuable. She was actually able to give a piece to Old Madam Tang as a gift. She was really considerate.

At this moment, Qiao Xi and Gu Zheng walked into the banquet hall hand in hand. Gu Yao lowered his voice and reminded her, “Qiao Xi, that woman is here. Be careful.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Tang Ruge held a glass of red wine and walked toward the three of them with a smile. She smiled at Qiao Xi. “Mrs. Gu, I was in the wrong for what happened before. I apologize to you. Let me give you a toast.”

Before Qiao Xi could speak, Gu Zheng said with a cold face, “Miss Tang, you can apologize, but my wife is not good at drinking. There’s no need to ask her to drink. It’s been so many days since the incident. Miss Tang, please fulfill your promise and hand over that ancient painting as soon as possible.”

Tang Ruge’s expression froze. Everyone was confused and did not know what was going on.

On the other hand, Ye Chi could not take it lying down. He muttered to the person beside him, “It was this Mrs. Gu who set up a trap for Ruge and got her to give her to hand over the 30 million yuan ancient painting named Eternal Winter Snow. She’s really too much!”

Gu Yao glanced at Ye Chi. Where did this fool come from? Could just anyone enter the Gu family’s old residence?

He did not care who the other party was and mocked, “Miss Tang took the initiative to make a bet with my sister-in-law and even asked her to bet on a necklace worth more than 100 million. At my request, Miss Tang unwillingly bet on an ancient painting worth 30 million. Since Miss Tang lost, shouldn’t she hand over the painting?

“This bet was proposed by Miss Tang. Now that you’ve lost, you’re unwilling to fulfill your promise and are even slandering my sister-in-law? Is this the scholarly character of a member of the Tang family?”