I, Shangguan Bao

Gu Chengyin heard the concern and warning in her words. He nodded solemnly, "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Master Yunying."

"Rest assured, I will act with a sense of propriety and won't let her get involved too deeply."

Just as Gu Chengyin thought the conversation was over, Shangguan Yunying suddenly took a step forward.

The distance between them closed in an instant, and he could even clearly catch the cold, faint fragrance wafting from her.

Shangguan Yunying raised her eyes. Her gaze clearly reflected Gu Chengyin's face, brimming with earnestness and undisguised worry.

"You must be careful. No matter what, do not let anything happen to you."

She paused, as if having made some kind of resolution, her tone growing even firmer.

"If you encounter an insurmountable obstacle, Pavilion Elder Cui might weigh the pros and cons and hold back."

"But I won't. I can ask my mother to seek out my grandfather."

"The person the Cui clan dares not protect, my Shangguan clan will!"

These words exploded like thunder in Gu Chengyin's ears.

He looked at Shangguan Yunying, clearly seeing the genuine concern in her eyes, along with a protective resolve that bordered on burning her bridges.

She was telling him that if he was truly driven into a corner where even the Cui clan might retreat...

...she would not hesitate to mobilize the power of her mother's family to keep him safe.

Gu Chengyin remained silent for a moment. Then, he reached out and gently patted Shangguan Yunying's shoulder.

His movement was natural and carried a soothing intent, his voice gentle yet firm.

"Don't worry, everything is under control."

Shangguan Yunying stared blankly at Gu Chengyin, looking at the calm yet profound light in his eyes that seemed capable of dispelling all gloom and unease.

The hot blood that had rushed to her head out of worry slowly cooled down, replaced by a more solid sense of trust and reliance.

She believed in him.

"Mhm."

Shangguan Yunying said no more and stepped aside to make way.

"Mhm."

Gu Chengyin nodded, brushed past her, and continued walking toward the palace gates.

Outside the palace gates, the green-curtained carriage was still waiting quietly.

After Gu Chengyin told the driver to head to the Grand Secretariat,

he lifted the carriage curtain and ducked inside.

Inside the carriage, Cui Zilu was resting her chin on her hands, looking out the window in sheer boredom. Evidently, she had been waiting for quite a while.

Upon hearing the movement, she immediately turned around. Her face instantly bloomed with radiant excitement, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Brother Chengyin! You're back! Are we going to the Grand Secretariat now?"

Gu Chengyin sat down across from her and nodded. "Yes, to the Grand Secretariat to report the preliminary conclusions of the Left Vice Minister's case to the Pavilion Elders."

"That's great!"

Cui Zilu almost clapped her hands, but then remembering her identity as a personal bodyguard, she quickly restrained herself. However, her eyes still sparkled as she asked,

"Then do I get to go inside with you?"

Seeing her eager face, Gu Chengyin shook his head, saying gently, "You shouldn't follow me into the Grand Secretariat."

"Ah? Why?" Cui Zilu's little face immediately fell, full of confusion and disappointment.

Gu Chengyin explained patiently, "Zilu, think about it. Who is sitting in the Grand Secretariat right now?"

"Pavilion Elder Cui is the person in charge of reviewing this case."

"If you follow me inside, even if you are dressed as a man, given Pavilion Elder Cui's familiarity with you and his sharp eyes, do you think he wouldn't recognize you?"

These words were like a basin of cold water that instantly woke up Cui Zilu's feverish mind.

Her eyes widened abruptly. That's right! She was only thinking about going inside to watch the fun, but forgot that her father, that imposing figure, was right in there!

If he found out she had dressed as a man, sneaked out of the manor, and was running around with Gu Chengyin, the consequences would be unimaginable!

He would absolutely send someone to escort her back to the Cui Manor immediately. Being locked up for ten days or half a month would be getting off lightly, and she might even implicate Brother Chengyin.

At this thought, Cui Zilu's little adventurous notion vanished into thin air, replaced by lingering fear and relief.

She hastily sat up straight, the disappointment on her face swept away, replacing it with an incredibly serious expression as she solemnly promised Gu Chengyin,

"Don't worry, Brother Chengyin! I understand! I absolutely won't go in! I'll wait for you obediently right here in the carriage!"

"I promise not to cause you any trouble, and I absolutely won't be discovered by my father!"

Cui Zilu nodded vigorously, emphasizing, "If I'm caught and taken back by my father, I won't be able to follow Brother Chengyin outside to play... uh, I mean, handle business! That absolutely won't do!"

She quickly corrected herself, her little face written all over with how sensible she was.

Gu Chengyin nodded. "It's good that you understand. There are many people and mixed company in the Grand Secretariat."

"Waiting in the carriage is the safest option. Once I finish discussing matters with the Pavilion Elders, I will come out to find you."

"Okay!"

Cui Zilu agreed crisply, then asked curiously, "Then, Brother Chengyin, roughly how long will you be inside?"

"It's hard to say. It depends on the specifics of the inquiry and discussion."

Gu Chengyin glanced out the window at the approaching Grand Secretariat building complex. "If you get bored waiting, you can have the driver take you for a spin around a safe area nearby, but don't go too far."

"Mhm, I know!"

Cui Zilu obediently agreed. Although it was a bit regrettable that she couldn't enter the Grand Secretariat, there would definitely be more fun itineraries later!

The carriage slowly drove into the area where the Grand Secretariat was located. The atmosphere here was noticeably more solemn and quiet than elsewhere. The people coming and going were all officials or clerks, walking hurriedly with dignified expressions.

Eventually, the carriage stopped in a secluded corner a little far from the main entrance of the Grand Secretariat, but with a wide field of vision.

Gu Chengyin adjusted his clothes and hat, gave Cui Zilu a final instruction,

then pushed open the carriage door and stepped out. Under the respectful guidance of a subordinate official of the Grand Secretariat,

Gu Chengyin passed through several heavily guarded corridors and courtyards, arriving once again at that solemn and dignified council hall.

Unlike the bustling scene last time, although the atmosphere today was still heavy, the number of people had clearly been streamlined quite a bit.

Cui Shifan was already sitting upright in the main seat.

He was not wearing his court attire today, but rather a deep purple everyday robe. His expression was serious, his gaze profound.

Seated at the lower positions to his left and right were Hu Juzheng and Yuan Zhengqing, respectively.

Gu Chengyin stepped into the hall. Facing the direction of the three Pavilion Elders, he cupped his hands and bowed, performing the etiquette of a junior, his voice clear:

"Junior Gu Chengyin pays his respects to Pavilion Elder Cui, Pavilion Elder Hu, and Pavilion Elder Yuan."

Cui Shifan nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on him for a moment before he raised his hand to gesture, "Marquis Gu, sit."

Gu Chengyin looked up and saw that the six chairs placed during the last discussion had not been removed; merely three seats were empty.

After a brief thought, he walked toward the seat opposite Cui Shifan and sat down calmly.

Once Gu Chengyin was seated, Cui Shifan slowly spoke, his voice steady:

"Regarding the sudden death of the Ministry of Revenue's Left Vice Minister Xiao Bichang, it concerns the dignity of the imperial court and has widespread implications. His Majesty has already issued a decree."

"He has ordered this old man to oversee and coordinate the matter, with Pavilion Elder Hu and Pavilion Elder Yuan assisting in the joint management, to ensure the truth is brought to light to pacify the court and the public."

"Because Pavilion Elder Xiao is related to the main family involved, to avoid suspicion, he has voluntarily declared that he will not participate in the review of this case."

He looked at Gu Chengyin, his eyes sharp. "Marquis Gu, the Internal Affairs Department, the Chief Surveillance Bureau, and the Ministry of Justice have received the decree to take over this case."

"Presumably, your side already has the conclusions from the preliminary investigation, correct?"