How Is It You

The stone lions in front of the Cui Residence cast long shadows under the glow of the lanterns.

Normally at this hour, the main gates of the Cui Residence would have long been tightly shut, leaving only the side door for people to come and go.

But tonight was different.

Cui Shifan, draped in a dark cloak, personally led the butler and others, waiting neatly at the bottom of the steps outside the main gate.

The evening breeze fluttered his beard, but he stood as still as a statue, his gaze occasionally darting toward the end of the long street, his brows slightly furrowed.

Just half an hour ago, the porter had rushed in to report that he saw the Crown Princess's carriage and honor guard heading toward the Cui Residence.

This news made Cui Shifan's heart skip a beat.

The Crown Princess Luo Zhao, unless there was an urgent matter or a special favor, rarely visited a subject's residence in person at night, especially the home of a Pavilion Elder like him.

Was this sudden arrival a blessing or a curse?

Was it ordered by His Majesty, or was it the Crown Princess's own intention?

Was it aimed at Xiao Song? Or the case of the Left Vice Minister?

Or... was it because of that troublemaker Gu Chengyin?

Countless thoughts raced through Cui Shifan's mind, but no matter what, the Crown Princess arriving in person was an immense honor, as well as a situation that required the utmost caution.

He immediately ordered the center doors to be opened and personally led people out to welcome her, making sure to perform all the proper etiquette without the slightest negligence.

Finally, the silhouette of the carriage appeared at the end of the long street.

That magnificent cabin and the familiar honor guard undoubtedly belonged to the Crown Princess.

Cui Shifan's spirits lifted. He adjusted his attire, straightened his back a bit more, and replaced his expression with one of respect and anticipation.

The horse carriage moved at a steady pace and stopped firmly in front of the Cui Residence's main gate.

The sound of the wheels ceased, and the fine steeds neighed softly.

The accompanying guards silently spread out, guarding the surroundings.

Cui Shifan immediately stepped forward, bowed in greeting, and spoke in a loud, clear voice:

"This old minister Cui Shifan respectfully welcomes Your Highness! Please forgive me for not going further out to meet you!"

The crowd behind him also bowed in unison, holding their breath with rapt attention.

The carriage curtain did not move an inch, and it was completely quiet inside.

Cui Shifan maintained his bowing posture, feeling somewhat puzzled in his heart.

According to protocol, the Crown Princess should have spoken up to dispense with the formalities, or at least had an attending female official relay her words.

What was the meaning behind such silence?

Just as his mind was racing, the carriage curtain embroidered with golden phoenixes and auspicious clouds was suddenly thrown open from the inside.

The movement was clean and crisp, even carrying a hint of casualness.

Cui Shifan subconsciously looked up. The proper, welcoming smile on his face instantly froze when he clearly saw the face poking out from the cabin, and then shattered into pieces of sheer astonishment.

It was not the peerlessly elegant and unparalleled Highness he had expected.

Instead, it was a face he absolutely did not want to see at this moment.

Gu Chengyin?!

Cui Shifan's pupils contracted sharply, his mouth falling slightly open.

The phrase of welcome that he had been brewing for ages got stuck hard in his throat, turning into a short exclamation of shock:

"Why is it you?!"

The butler and servants behind him were also dumbfounded, looking at each other in dismay, having no idea what kind of play this was.

Gu Chengyin had already nimbly jumped down from the carriage, landing steadily, and casually patted off some non-existent dust from his clothes.

Hearing Cui Shifan's exclamation, he raised an eyebrow and asked in return:

"Why couldn't it be me? Pavilion Elder Cui, you seem very disappointed to see me?"

Cui Shifan choked and was momentarily at a loss for words, almost unable to catch his breath.

Disappointed? It was more than just disappointment! It was simply a fright!

He pointed at the Crown Princess's carriage with its open curtain, his fingers trembling slightly, not knowing whether it was from anger or shock.

He lowered his voice and asked anxiously, "Where is Her Highness? Where is Her Highness?"

Gu Chengyin followed his pointing finger to look at the carriage, then turned back, a look of surprise on his face.

As if Cui Shifan had asked a very strange question: "Her Highness? She is right here."

He stepped aside and made a gesture inviting him to look into the cabin.

Then he looked at Cui Shifan and asked leisurely, "Pavilion Elder Cui, do you want to see Her Highness? Do you need me to announce you?"

"No, no, no!"

Cui Shifan was so frightened that he waved his hands repeatedly, his movements so large that he almost threw off his cloak.

What a joke! How could he dare ask the Crown Princess to come out to see him? This Gu Chengyin was clearly doing this on purpose.

Right at that moment, a woman's voice came from inside the carriage, and it was none other than Luo Zhao:

"Pavilion Elder Cui."

Just these three words made Cui Shifan shudder all over. He instantly suppressed all his emotions, put on an extremely respectful posture, and made a deep bow toward the carriage:

"This old minister is here."

"I was merely passing by and gave Junior Preceptor Gu a ride."

"There are still urgent matters to attend to in the palace, so I will not disturb Pavilion Elder Cui any longer."

Passing by? Gave Junior Preceptor Gu a ride?

The combination of these two phrases contained a massive amount of information, once again shocking Cui Shifan's understanding.

Her Highness used her own carriage to bring Gu Chengyin back to the Cui Residence?

And even called him Junior Preceptor Gu?

What kind of treatment was this?

Wait.

When did Gu Chengyin become a Junior Preceptor?

Cui Shifan's heart was churning like stormy seas, but he did not dare let it show on his face, hastily bowing as he said:

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare! Your Highness is busy with state affairs, how could this old minister dare to delay you? Please go ahead, Your Highness. This old minister respectfully sees Your Highness off!"

His attitude was respectful to the extreme, even carrying a bit of trepidation.

Although he didn't understand what had happened, Luo Zhao personally explaining it was a tremendous sign of face.

The door curtain was lowered, and there were no more sounds from inside the carriage.

Soon, the driver received his instructions and turned around. The Crown Princess's carriage, surrounded by the group of guards.

Quietly drove away from the front of the Cui Residence, just as it had arrived.

Watching the carriage depart until it was completely out of sight, Cui Shifan finally straightened up slowly and let out a long sigh of relief.

In this short moment, his mood had truly experienced massive ups and downs.

He turned around and looked at Gu Chengyin with a complex gaze.

Cui Shifan looked him up and down, as if trying to find some clues.

"Marquis... Gu." Cui Shifan spoke deliberately:

"Just now, it seemed this old man heard Her Highness call you Junior Preceptor Gu?"

He paused, afraid he had misheard, and added, "Is it because this old man is old and hard of hearing, and heard it wrong?"

Gu Chengyin grinned broadly, revealing two rows of white teeth.

He stepped forward, unceremoniously raised his hand to pat Cui Shifan on the shoulder, and then said in a tone as if delivering good news:

"Pavilion Elder Cui, your ears are perfectly fine, you didn't hear wrong."

"Her Highness and I just came out of the palace. Eunuch Lu read the imperial decree, appointing me as the Crown Princess's Junior Preceptor."

"The Crown Princess's... Junior Preceptor?"

Cui Shifan subconsciously repeated it, the wrinkles on his face deepening because of this information.

The official post of the Crown Princess's Junior Preceptor was no small matter!

Although it held no real power, its status was noble and pure, and its significance was special.

No one could hold this position unless they were highly respected, profoundly learned, and deeply trusted by Emperor Luo.

According to convention, one would have to be at least a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy or a retired Pavilion Elder to be qualified for the role.

How, how did it suddenly fall onto Gu Chengyin's head?

How old was this kid? How many days had he been in the imperial court?

Although he did have some skills and his methods were ruthless enough, in terms of seniority, academic honors, reputation...

Which of these even came close to qualifying for a Junior Preceptor?

What exactly was the meaning behind His Majesty's move? Was it pure favor, or a deeper level of balance and layout?

Cui Shifan's mind was a mess, and for a moment he didn't know how to react.

Gu Chengyin, on the other hand, stretched lazily all by himself, his joints letting out popping sounds.

He revealed an undisguised look of exhaustion on his face and muttered:

"Sigh, Pavilion Elder Cui, it has been quite a busy day today. Bustling about from dawn till dusk has left me absolutely exhausted..."

As he spoke, he naturally stepped right through the main gates of the Cui Manor, acting as if he were returning to his own home.

After taking a couple of steps, he suddenly remembered something. He turned around to face Cui Shifan, who was still standing in place in a daze.

Using the tone of a caring elder speaking to a junior, he said,

"You are not young anymore. Don't just stand outside in the wind this late at night, or you will easily catch a cold."

"Hurry back inside and get some rest. Honestly, you never give people any peace of mind."

Having said his piece, he shook his head and let out a sigh, treating Cui Shifan as though he were an ignorant child.

Then he turned back around with brisk steps, on the verge of crossing the threshold into the manor.