Extra Ingredients

Inside the carriage, Cui Zilu also saw Yuan Zhengqing and knew this was not the time to be playful or act spoiled.

She sat incredibly quietly in the corner, her large eyes staring at Gu Chengyin with deep concern.

Gu Chengyin rubbed Cui Zilu's head, signaling that he was fine.

He then began to ponder the intentions behind Emperor Luo's sudden summons, as well as the deeper reasons behind it.

Causing such a scene at the Shangguan Estate was fundamentally about seizing an opportunity to make a larger issue of things.

And to achieve the maximum effect, an opponent who could clash with him head-on from start to finish was crucial.

Shangguan Yuan was undoubtedly the best candidate.

As everyone knew, Marquis Bingjian and the Minister of Revenue were public enemies.

Then, after being suspended and confined to his home, he was misunderstood by his assassinated enemy, who blocked his door, cursed at him, and even kicked his front gates flying.

Speaking out of turn in a moment of desperation like this meant that even the Censorate could not say much, let alone do anything about him.

After all, from an outsider's perspective, Shangguan Yuan was already in a very miserable state.

Although he had been interrupted, fortunately, he had achieved part of his goal.

The carriage drew closer and closer to the towering Imperial City.

Gu Chengyin leaned against the carriage wall, resting with his eyes closed, his mind rapidly deducing the possible scenarios he might face when meeting His Majesty.

He suddenly opened his eyes, glanced down at his current appearance, and furrowed his brows.

To emphasize authenticity, he had indeed made himself look quite wretched earlier.

This appearance was naturally an excellent disguise for the streets and the gates of the Shangguan Estate, maximizing sympathy and outrage.

But after all, the person he was about to see was Emperor Luo.

Gu Chengyin felt that while his current state was pitiful enough, it still lacked a certain impact and visual shock.

I need to add a little more flavor to this.

Gu Chengyin thought to himself; the ruse of self-injury never went out of style, no matter the situation.

He began to scan the inside of the carriage.

The Cui Estate's carriage was designed quite thoughtfully to handle potential emergencies.

Gu Chengyin fumbled around in the hidden compartment meant for long blades, and sure enough, he found a gleaming short dagger.

He immediately unsheathed the dagger, its cold blade reflecting a faint light within the carriage.

Brother Chengyin! What are you doing?!

Cui Zilu, who had been sitting quietly beside him, turned pale with fright upon seeing Gu Chengyin suddenly draw a blade, and cried out in alarm.

She instinctively lunged forward, tightly grabbing Gu Chengyin's knife-wielding wrist, her eyes full of panic.

Gu Chengyin softened his voice and comforted her, It is fine, Zilu. I am just adding some finishing touches to myself so that when I see His Majesty later, it will look more realistic.

Ah? Finishing touches?

Cui Zilu blinked, her small face filled with confusion and disbelief. But slashing yourself with a knife will hurt, right? And you will bleed...

It does not hurt. Look if you do not believe me.

Gu Chengyin knew that Cui Zilu would not be at ease unless he demonstrated.

He gently pulled away from Cui Zilu's grip and used the sharp tip of the dagger to swiftly slice across the back of his other hand.

A slender red mark appeared instantly, and crimson beads of blood immediately seeped out.

Ah!

Terrified, Cui Zilu covered her mouth, her eyes wide as saucers.

However, in the very next second, something that left her dumbfounded occurred.

She watched as the small wound rapidly stopped bleeding and closed up at a visible rate!

In the span of just two or three breaths, the originally distinct cut had turned into a faint pink mark. A moment later, even that hint of pink faded and disappeared!

The skin on the back of his hand was as smooth and unblemished as before, as if the bloody scratch had never existed.

Eh?!

Cui Zilu was completely stunned. She hurriedly grabbed Gu Chengyin's hand, examining it over and over again.

She even gently touched the spot where the wound had just been.

The texture was smooth; there was nothing unusual at all.

Brother Chengyin, what is going on?

Cui Zilu looked up, her small face full of disbelief. The wound healed itself? So fast?!

Gu Chengyin smiled. He did not explain how his breathing technique and true qi enhanced his self-healing abilities, but simply said:

Just a little trick. See? Did it not heal quickly? Are you relieved now?

Cui Zilu looked at the dagger, then at Gu Chengyin's perfectly intact hand.

Finally convinced, she nodded vigorously and let out a sigh of relief. Mhm! Brother Chengyin is so amazing!

Gu Chengyin delayed no further. Holding the dagger, he began to work on himself.

He struck with measured precision, avoiding vital spots and major blood vessels.

He only created a few seemingly deep wounds with curled flesh and a considerable amount of bleeding on his arms, shoulders, and sides.

At the same time, he circulated his inner true qi to reversely stimulate certain meridians and acupoints, causing his face to turn even paler and his lips to lose all color.

Fine beads of cold sweat even seeped from his forehead, and he deliberately adjusted his breathing to be somewhat rapid and unsteady.

Before long, an image several times more miserable than before—someone who looked as if they had just crawled back from the gates of hell with only half a life left—appeared before Cui Zilu.

Gu Chengyin stopped his movements, panting slightly. He looked at Cui Zilu and asked:

Zilu, look. Is this miserable enough?

Cui Zilu's initial curiosity gradually faded as her small face turned pale, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes.

When Gu Chengyin finally asked her, she did not answer immediately. Instead, she stared blankly at Gu Chengyin's pale, weak face and the shocking wounds all over his body.

As she watched, moisture rapidly gathered in her clear eyes. Her small mouth puckered, her nose turned red, and she looked as though she was about to cry.

Waaah!

Cui Zilu ultimately could not hold back. Tears rolled down her face like pearls from a broken string.

Crying, she spoke incoherently, I... I do not know!

But seeing you like this, Brother Chengyin, makes me want to cry!

Even though I know it is fake, it looks so real. You look so pitiful, Brother Chengyin! Wuu wuu wuu...

She cried with genuine emotion, her shoulders heaving as if Gu Chengyin had truly suffered a massive injury.

Gu Chengyin: ...

For a moment, he was actually somewhat speechless.

Cui Zilu truly had abundant emotions. Even though she knew it was fake, she could still be affected by the superficial appearance.

Uh...

Gu Chengyin reached out and patted Cui Zilu's twitching shoulder, comforting her. Alright, stop crying.

I am not really hurt; it is all fake. Once I finish seeing His Majesty, I will return to normal.

Cui Zilu lifted her teary little face, sobbing as she looked at him. She nodded vigorously, her voice thick with a nasal tone:

Mhm... Then... then you must finish seeing him quickly. It makes me feel so awful to look at you...

Alright, I promise. Gu Chengyin nodded solemnly.

Just then, the voice of the Cui Estate's coachman came from outside the carriage. Marquis Gu, we have arrived at the palace gates.

Gu Chengyin's expression turned serious. He gently patted Cui Zilu's head and said warmly:

Zilu, make a trip to the Estate of the Left Vice Minister to find Elder Zhang. Tell him that the Grand Secretariat has agreed and the autopsy can proceed.

Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, Cui Zilu nodded and said:

Okay!