Ultimately, Luo Zhao used her astonishing willpower to forcibly suppress and crush all her emotions, sinking them into a bottomless, freezing pool.
She was Luo Zhao, the Crown Princess of Great Luo, the future Empress.
She could not, and should not, be swayed by any emotion.
What she needed to do was utilize everyone available to achieve her goals.
As for Gu Chengyin... she would wring every last drop of value out of him first. It wouldn't be too late to settle the score then.
With this thought, the ripples in Luo Zhao's heart completely settled.
She gave a slight nod, her voice cold and flat, devoid of any superfluous emotion.
Then I will leave this hard work to you.
These simple words were both an agreement and a delegation of responsibility.
Gu Chengyin paid no mind to the indifference in Luo Zhao's tone; this was the proper boundary between a ruler and a subject.
He nodded and continued, Your Highness, although there is a high probability that the Xiao and Cui families will not dare to make a move against the Crown Princess's Palace.
Even a cornered rabbit will bite. If they are truly pushed to the brink, there is no telling what crazy actions they might take.
Right now, it is still just the probing phase. But if this drags on and they find themselves out of options, I fear they might take a desperate risk and resort to more extreme measures.
Gu Chengyin paused before suggesting, I believe we should make preparations early and strengthen the defensive forces of the Palace. For example... General Chen.
Now that the matter concerning Chen Busha had been resolved, his loyalty was beyond doubt, and his personal martial prowess made him one of the strongest experts in the Foundation Establishment realm.
If he could lead the Golden Feather Guards to participate in the defense of the Crown Princess's Palace, its security would be greatly enhanced.
Luo Zhao expressed her agreement. I understand. Tomorrow, I will personally visit the Golden Feather Guards' encampment outside the city.
Going in person was not only to see Chen Busha but also to pacify the morale of the thirty thousand Golden Feather Guards.
Having said all that needed to be said, Gu Chengyin spoke no more and bowed to indicate the end of his report.
Luo Zhao stood up. Her gaze swept over Gu Xiaoli, who was about to fall asleep again nearby, and she instructed Shangguan Yunying,
Yunying, I am leaving Gu Xiaoli in your care. Remember, do not leave her side for even a single step.
Yes! Please rest assured, Your Highness, Shangguan Yunying responded solemnly.
Luo Zhao did not linger. With steady steps, she walked toward the door, her dark silhouette quickly blending into the night until she disappeared from sight.
Only after Luo Zhao's figure had completely vanished did the tense atmosphere ease slightly.
Shangguan Yunying immediately approached Gu Chengyin, her face etched with worry. Isn't... isn't this too risky for you?
What if the noble families really become desperate and send assassins after you at all costs?
Although you have cultivation, two fists are no match for four hands. How about... I dispatch a few highly skilled female officials to protect you in secret?
Shangguan Yunying was genuinely worried. In her heart, Gu Chengyin's importance had surpassed anyone else's, save for Her Highness.
Gu Chengyin smiled and shook his head. I appreciate Master Yunying's good intentions.
However, we are already short on female officials, and you have to split your attention to protect Gu Xiaoli, making your responsibilities even heavier.
You do not need to worry about my safety. Tomorrow, I will go find myself a protective charm.
A protective charm? Shangguan Yunying blinked in confusion. What protective charm? Is it an expert I know? It couldn't be General Chen, could it?
A mysterious smile appeared on Gu Chengyin's face as he waved his hand. Of course not. As for what exactly it is, you will find out tomorrow.
Seeing him so certain, Shangguan Yunying could only suppress her doubts, though she repeatedly urged Gu Chengyin to be extremely careful.
The next day, early morning.
The grand, vermilion-painted gates of the Cui Manor had just opened. The servants were sweeping the courtyard when they saw a carriage slowly come to a halt in front of the gates.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Gu Chengyin stepped down, dressed in dark cyan casual attire, looking completely at ease.
The servants at the door recognized him immediately and hurriedly ran inside to report.
Soon, having received the report, Cui Ziting rushed out to greet him. His face still carried traces of sleepiness, as well as surprise at seeing Gu Chengyin.
Marquis Gu? What brings you...?
Cui Ziting cupped his hands in greeting, his eyes filled with bewilderment.
It had only been one night; why was the Marquis of Equal Merit visiting again so early in the morning?
Could there be some unfinished business?
Gu Chengyin patted his shoulder, wearing a smile that suggested everything was perfectly natural, and got straight to the point.
Morning, Brother Cui. After I returned last night, I tossed and turned, unable to eat or sleep!
Ah?
Cui Ziting was stunned. Unable to eat or sleep?
Because of what? Was last night's singing and dancing not spectacular enough? Or was the fine wine not mellow enough?
Or perhaps... Cui Zilu's absurd question had offended him.
Did he get angrier the more he thought about it after going back, and had come today to settle the score?
At this thought, Cui Ziting's heart skipped a beat.
However, Gu Chengyin sighed with exaggerated emotion, The scenery of your esteemed manor is truly too elegant, and the fine wine and delicacies are too tempting. Especially your warm hospitality, Brother Cui, which made me feel right at home. I simply cannot stop thinking about it!
Meanwhile, the Crown Princess's Palace is cold and deserted, with far too many rules. It is truly suffocating.
Therefore, I have come uninvited today to trouble your noble household and stay for a few days. I wonder, Brother Cui, am I welcome?
Stay... stay for a few days?!
Cui Ziting was completely dumbfounded. His eyes went wide, his mouth hung slightly open, and he couldn't react for a long time.
The Marquis of Equal Merit, personally titled by Her Highness, the favorite before the Eldest Princess, and the principal manager of the Internal Affairs Department, had run to the gates of the Cui Manor early in the morning, asking to crash there?
What... what kind of play was this?! Had the Crown Princess's Palace caught fire? He hadn't heard anything about that!
Mar... Marquis Gu, you aren't joking, are you?
Cui Ziting laughed dryly, trying to find a trace of a joke on Gu Chengyin's face.
Do I look like I am joking?
Gu Chengyin wore a serious expression, even looking a bit hurt. What, Brother Cui? Just yesterday we were having a heart-to-heart, lamenting that we hadn't met sooner.
Today you despise me, reluctant to even offer a place to stay? Alas, it seems I have been overly presumptuous...
No, no, no! I meant no such thing! For Marquis Gu to grace us with your presence is an honor for the Cui Manor! You bring light to our humble dwelling! I am overjoyed, how could I possibly despise you!
Terrified, Cui Ziting waved his hands repeatedly, hurriedly making his stance clear.
Are you kidding? This master was currently favored by his father; he could not afford to offend him.
It is just... just that this matter is a bit sudden. I need to inform my father...
Gu Chengyin said nonchalantly, That is only natural. Go and inform him.
Then let me lead you to the reception hall first before I go inform my father.
Inside the reception hall of the Cui Manor, Gu Chengyin had just taken his seat.
Before he even had time to taste the fragrant tea served by the maid, Cui Ziting excused himself and hurriedly left to find Cui Shifan.
Gu Chengyin was in no rush, leisurely observing the furnishings in the hall.
Before long, steady yet slightly hurried footsteps came from outside.
Cui Shifan's figure appeared at the door, his face filled with pleasant surprise and enthusiasm, as if he were seeing a long-lost friend.
Without waiting for Gu Chengyin to stand up, he quickly stepped forward and grasped Gu Chengyin's hand firmly.
s + Rent Collection Wealth】 At the start, he inherited a rundown house in the urban village from his grandfather. The house had no tenants, but the moment he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, a self-proclaimed empress from the Tianxuan Continent arrived as his first tenant. Ye Chuan soon discovered that with every new tenant moving in, not only did he receive massive daily payments, but he also obtained unique items related to their backgrounds. 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Tiger Strength Pill—dramatically enhances physical power!】 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Deer Blood Pill—significantly boosts vitality!】 …… From that day on, all sorts of bizarre tenants began appearing in the house: the empress from Tianxuan Continent, an apocalyptic sorceress from the Magic Realm, a mysterious scientific girl who fell through a spacetime rift… Every single day, he received strange, powerful items and endless money. Then one day, he suddenly realized—he had become invincible. Enough, enough! Stop giving me more!
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
nd fell into a coma while saving his younger sister from an out-of-control car. He became a vegetable. No one knew that his consciousness had crossed into a world of cultivation. Over the course of sixty years, he began as the lowest kind of mine slave, struggling to survive amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood. By sheer chance, he eventually obtained the complete memories of a fallen Immortal King. Alchemy, medicine, formations, feng shui, physiognomy, artifact forging… Every great inheritance of the cultivation world was now his. But when he opened his eyes again, he discovered that ten full years had passed in the modern world. To pay for his treatment, his father had sold the family’s shop and house, leaving himself covered in lasting injuries and illness. His mother had cared for him day and night, and more than half of her hair had already turned white. His younger sister, who had been only fifteen back then, was now twenty-five. To help repay the family’s debts, she had been forced to lower her head and put on a smiling face in places of glittering lights and endless revelry. Only then did Chen Xuan understand that what he had lost was not merely ten years. He had lost the life his entire family was meant to have. The good news was that he had brought back the memories of an Immortal King’s entire lifetime. The bad news was that his soul had returned alone—his cultivation had not come with him. Spiritual energy was scarce, resources were depleted, and the modern world still had firearms, surveillance, capital, and laws. If he wanted to protect his family, break free from everyone’s control, and become truly invincible beneath the heavens, he would have to start all over again.
u Chenyuan transmigrated into a female-oriented novel about a real and fake heiress, becoming the CEO elder brother of both. Unfortunately, the entire Lu family—including himself, the CEO—were mere cannon fodder in the story. Determined to save himself, Lu Chenyuan took action. The spoiled, attention-seeking fake heiress? Thrown into the harsh realities of the working class to learn humility. The love-struck real heiress? Pushed toward academic excellence, so lofty goals would blind her to trivial romances. As for the betrayed, vengeful arranged marriage wife… the plot hadn’t even begun yet. There was still time—if he couldn’t handle her, he could at least avoid her. "CEO Lu, are you avoiding me?" Mo Qingli fixed her gaze on Lu Chenyuan. For the first time, the shrewd and calculating Lu Chenyuan felt a flicker of unease.
