Intimate Friends in the Boudoir

Chen Busha glanced at Cui Zilu behind Gu Chengyin and understood.

He immediately nodded, cupped his fists, and said, "Marquis Gu, please wait a moment. I will go and announce your arrival."

After saying that, he turned and strode up the steps, heading into the hall.

Before long, Chen Busha walked steadily out of the Hall of Literary Principles and stepped aside, gesturing, "Marquis Gu, Her Highness invites you in."

Gu Chengyin thanked him, then led Cui Zilu over the high threshold and stepped into the hall.

The light in the hall was clear and bright, the furnishings solemn, and the originally piled-up account books had noticeably decreased.

On the main seat, Luo Zhao sat peacefully.

Today she was not wearing a complicated palace dress, but only a casual dark outfit embroidered with hidden gold cloud patterns. Her bare face was cold and clear, naturally exuding an imposing manner.

Shangguan Yunying stood attentively to the side and slightly behind the main seat, wearing a scarlet palace dress, her expression respectful.

Seeing Gu Chengyin enter the hall, the trace of worry in her eyes quietly dissipated.

However, when she saw the 'young guard' following behind Gu Chengyin, her delicate brows could not help but furrow slightly.

Strange... Why did this 'youth' look so familiar?

It was as if she had seen him somewhere before. The facial features, the demeanor, and even the way he tried hard to straighten his back gave her an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

But trying to think carefully, she could not find a face in her memory that completely matched.

Shangguan Yunying's doubts grew, but this was clearly not the time to investigate.

She quickly gathered her thoughts and restored her usual calm.

Gu Chengyin stepped forward a few paces, stood in the center of the hall, cupped his hands, and bowed. "This official greets Your Highness."

Cui Zilu, who was following behind him, hurriedly mimicked his actions, cupping her fists and bowing.

Her heartbeat accelerated slightly, both because of the nervousness of meeting the Crown Princess and because Shangguan Yunying was right in front of her.

She just didn't know if Sister Yunying had recognized her disguised as a man.

If she hadn't, that would be too much fun!

This thought birthed a sliver of anticipation in her heart, which actually dispelled a lot of her nervousness.

Unlike Shangguan Yunying's confusion, Luo Zhao only took one look and had already recognized her.

Wasn't this the Eldest Miss of the Cui Residence, Cui Zilu?

Luo Zhao coldly snorted in her heart again.

This guy Gu Chengyin, how could he hook up with pretty little girls wherever he went?

However, she also knew that Gu Chengyin's goal should be the Cui clan behind Cui Zilu.

It was just that seeing a new pretty face appear by his side again, she couldn't help but despise his character once more.

Of course, these thoughts only flashed through her mind for an instant.

On the surface, she remained an unruffled pool of indifference and directly cut to the chase:

"Has Marquis Gu just returned from the residence of the Left Vice Minister of Revenue?"

"Replying to Your Highness, exactly," Gu Chengyin continued.

"The scene has been investigated. Later, this official will still need to go to the Grand Secretariat to submit the preliminary conclusions."

Luo Zhao nodded slightly. "Mm, right now Grand Secretary Xiao is still discussing matters in the palace, and all three Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet are present."

"Regarding the case of the Left Vice Minister, in order to avoid suspicion, Grand Secretary Xiao has already taken the initiative to state that he will not participate in the deliberation of this matter."

"Therefore, the follow-up of this case will be overseen and handled by Grand Secretary Cui."

Gu Chengyin understood implicitly. He came to the Crown Princess's palace first before going to the Grand Secretariat.

It was to exchange information and clarify each other's understanding of the current situation and available resources.

He immediately said, "Currently, based on the scene investigation, the preliminary conclusion leans towards 'suicide'."

"Constable Zhu of the Ministry of Justice has already begun to investigate the massive embezzlement mentioned in Xiao Michang's suicide note."

"Censor Wang of the Chief Surveillance Bureau will soon take a warrant and station himself in the Ministry of Revenue to thoroughly investigate top to bottom."

Gu Chengyin spoke at a steady pace and with clear logic, but falling into Luo Zhao's ears, it held a deeper meaning.

A sharp light flashed through Luo Zhao's eyes, and she imperceptibly glanced at Shangguan Yunying beside her.

Shangguan Yunying's mind also trembled slightly, instantly understanding Gu Chengyin's unspoken words.

The Chief Surveillance Bureau stationing themselves in the Ministry of Revenue to investigate top to bottom naturally included the Minister of Revenue, Shangguan Yuan.

Although Shangguan Yuan could not leave his house due to being grounded, the Censors could go to his door.

Meeting Luo Zhao's gaze, Shangguan Yunying nodded slightly, indicating that she had understood and would pass this news to Shangguan Yuan.

Luo Zhao withdrew her gaze and looked back at Gu Chengyin. "I understand. This case is complex and involves many things. Marquis Gu must be very careful."

Gu Chengyin bowed again. "Thank you for Your Highness's concern. I will naturally be cautious."

"This official takes his leave."

After finishing his salute, Gu Chengyin turned and signaled Cui Zilu to follow, and the two walked out of the Hall of Literary Principles one after the other.

Just as they came out of the Hall of Literary Principles, Cui Zilu was like a little bird finally able to flap its wings, her suppressed excitement instantly overflowing.

She took two quick steps to catch up with Gu Chengyin and tugged at his sleeve, then remembered that she was now a personal bodyguard and quickly let go.

With sparkling eyes, she looked up and asked, "Brother Chengyin, do you think Sister Yunying recognized me just now?"

"Sister Yunying?"

Gu Chengyin did not stop walking, turning his head to look at her in surprise. "You have a good relationship with her?"

"Of course!"

Cui Zilu nodded vigorously, her ponytail swaying gently with the movement. "Sister Yunying is my best bosom friend!"

"Our relationship is super, super good! Before, when she was still studying in the Female Official Bureau and hadn't officially entered the Internal Affairs Department to serve, we used to play together all the time."

"Later, Sister Yunying entered the Internal Affairs Department and got busier and busier, so the chances to meet became fewer, but our friendship hasn't changed!"

Gu Chengyin raised an eyebrow slightly; this was an unexpected piece of information.

The Eldest Miss of the Cui Residence and the Eldest Miss of the Shangguan Residence were actually bosom friends.

If this wasn't secretly fueled by those two old foxes, Shangguan Yuan and Cui Shifan, behind the scenes, Gu Chengyin would eat the doors of the Hall of Literary Principles.

After a brief thought, recalling the look in Shangguan Yunying's eyes inside the hall just now, Gu Chengyin said, "I think... your Sister Yunying probably didn't recognize you."

"After all, your relationship is too good. It would be hard for her to immediately think it was you."

"Really?!"

Cui Zilu's eyes lit up even more, and she couldn't help but clench her small fists, her face full of the excitement of a prank about to succeed.

"That's great! When she suddenly discovers later that the little guard by Marquis Gu's side is actually me, she will definitely be shocked! Maybe her eyes will go completely round!"

Imagining the surprised expression that might appear on Shangguan Yunying's face, Cui Zilu was instantly overjoyed.

Looking at Cui Zilu's childish, smug appearance, Gu Chengyin shook his head.

Just as he was about to say something, his footsteps suddenly paused. He glanced back and said, "I'm afraid... you won't have to wait until later."

Cui Zilu followed his gaze and saw Shangguan Yunying coming out of the Hall of Literary Principles, hurriedly catching up to them. Her scarlet palace dress was particularly eye-catching in the corridors.

After approaching, Shangguan Yunying's gaze first rested on Gu Chengyin's face for a moment, then quickly swept over the 'young guard' beside him, who had wide eyes and was looking at her with extreme eagerness.

This gaze was too direct, carrying an agility and sense of closeness that she was incredibly familiar with, making the doubts in her heart grow thicker, yet she still couldn't recall who it was.

Suppressing the strange feeling in her heart, Shangguan Yunying first said to Gu Chengyin with a serious face, "Marquis Gu, Her Highness asked this humble official to pass a message to you."

"Everything in the Crown Princess's palace is stable, there is no need to worry."

Hearing this, Gu Chengyin nodded slightly. "I understand."

Luo Zhao's words were concise and very clear:

She had already secured the base camp and would not have her home stolen, telling him to rest assured and go dismantle the high ground.