To My Worthy Nephew Cheng Yin

"Wait!"

Cui Shifan's voice came from behind.

Gu Chengyin paused his steps, slowly withdrawing the foot he had just stepped over the threshold.

He turned around to look at Cui Shifan, who was walking toward him.

At this time, in front of the Cui Manor's main gate, the crowd that had previously welcomed the Crown Prince's carriage had tactfully dispersed to attend to their own duties.

The porter and the butler stood far away in the shadows of the pillars, keeping their eyes downcast and pretending they did not exist.

In front of the vermilion gates, on the spacious steps, only the figures of an old man and a young man remained.

Under the dim, yellow halo of the lanterns, the atmosphere suddenly became subtle and solemn.

Cui Shifan walked with steady steps and stopped in front of Gu Chengyin.

"Marquis Gu... no, Junior Preceptor Gu."

Cui Shifan got straight to the point, "I believe you should have returned to the Crown Prince's Palace with His Highness."

His words were direct, even carrying a hint of eviction.

Gu Chengyin raised an eyebrow, then revealed a smile:

"Is Pavilion Elder Cui going back on his word?"

He deliberately emphasized the words going back on his word.

Cui Shifan did not avoid the question. He nodded frankly, his voice steady:

"Yes, after all, the situation has changed."

"I originally thought that you came to the Cui Manor to leverage our influence and disperse your risks."

"This is understandable, and could even be called a wise move."

"However," Cui Shifan's tone suddenly shifted, becoming cold and hard:

"It now seems that you, Marquis Gu, have treated my Cui Manor as a shield and a protective talisman."

"The troubles you provoke will more or less be blamed on me by others, simply because you live here."

He took a half-step forward, coming closer to Gu Chengyin, his voice carrying even more weight:

"That would be fine. As for court disputes, my old bones are not entirely unable to withstand them."

"But you should not have dragged Zilu into this!"

At the mention of Cui Zilu's name, Cui Shifan's eyes suddenly grew stern, even carrying a trace of anger.

"What I originally said was to let Zilu accompany you within the Cui Manor to fulfill our duties as hosts, and to let her broaden her horizons."

"I never said, nor would I ever agree, to let her follow you out of the manor to get involved in those dangerous matters!"

Facing Cui Shifan's reasonable and emotional reprimand, the smile on Gu Chengyin's face disappeared, replaced by a serious expression.

He did not argue, nor did he look for excuses. Instead, meeting Cui Shifan's stern gaze, he said earnestly:

"Pavilion Elder Cui, regarding the matter with Zilu, I must offer you my sincere apologies."

"I did not intentionally mean to drag Zilu into danger. Bringing her along, my initial thought was indeed as you said."

"I wanted to borrow your prestige to make certain people hesitate and restrain their actions."

Gu Chengyin looked at Cui Shifan with clear eyes: "I truly did not expect the other party to react so aggressively."

"Placing Zilu in a dangerous situation was indeed my lack of consideration."

"But please rest assured, I guarantee that she has not suffered the slightest bit of harm."

Having said this, Gu Chengyin took a step back, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and bowed slightly toward Cui Shifan, performing a solemn salute.

This action clearly stunned Cui Shifan for a moment.

He had anticipated various reactions from Gu Chengyin: arguing, changing the subject, using smooth words, or even turning the tables to accuse him of being overprotective...

The only thing he had not expected was that Gu Chengyin would admit his mistake and apologize so sincerely, lowering his posture so much.

No stubbornness, no putting up a front, and no attempt to use grand principles to cover up his faults.

Knowing one's mistakes and admitting them, able to yield and to stand tall—a true man.

Looking at Gu Chengyin's solemn posture, Cui Shifan could not help but soften a bit.

Regardless, this honesty and sense of responsibility were much better than many young nobles who would rather suffer than lose face.

Thinking of this, Cui Shifan cleared his throat, his tone becoming much more polite:

"Junior Preceptor Gu need not do this. I was merely anxious for a moment and not entirely targeting you. It's just..."

Before Cui Shifan could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by Gu Chengyin's next action.

He saw Gu Chengyin straighten up, catch the softening in Cui Shifan's tone, and with brightening eyes, step forward to grab Cui Shifan's hand.

"So that means,"

Gu Chengyin's face was full of pleasant surprise, and he spoke rapidly: "As long as I don't take Zilu out of the manor, Pavilion Elder Cui, you agree to let me continue staying here?"

"That's wonderful! I knew it, Pavilion Elder Cui, your words carry enormous weight, and you are highly respected. You are definitely not the kind of person who breaks his promises!"

"The Cui Manor is indeed my warmest home in the Divine Capital!"

While speaking these cheesy flatteries, Gu Chengyin gripped Cui Shifan's hand and shook it vigorously, as if they had reached a consensus.

Then, without waiting for Cui Shifan to react, he let go of his hand and turned to walk through the main gate.

Cui Shifan was dumbfounded by Gu Chengyin's series of actions. When he finally realized what happened, he was so angry that his beard almost curled up.

We are both thousand-year-old foxes, who are you trying to trick with these ghost stories?

"Halt!"

Cui Shifan gave a low shout, and with quick reflexes, grabbed Gu Chengyin's arm, forcefully pulling him back.

Gu Chengyin staggered from the pull and could only turn around helplessly.

The pleasant surprise on his face collapsed, replaced by a distressed expression that read, I knew it wouldn't be that easy.

"Hah!"

Cui Shifan sneered coldly, let go of his hand, dusted off his own sleeves, and said unhurriedly:

"Junior Preceptor Gu, trying to fool me with a few sweet words is not quite enough, is it?"

Gu Chengyin secretly cursed old fox in his heart.

He knew that these old veterans who had become shrewd spirits in the officialdom were harder to deal with than the last. They would not release the eagle until they saw the hare.

It seemed that trying to freeload off the Cui Manor's protective talisman was not going to work.

Gu Chengyin sighed, a helpless expression appearing on his face.

"But Pavilion Elder Cui, think about it. Even if I return to the Crown Prince's Palace right now,"

"in the eyes of others, aren't I already standing on your side?"

"For you, the risks haven't decreased much, yet you failed to keep the person. Isn't this a pure loss?"

Cui Shifan remained silent, simply narrowing his eyes and staring quietly at Gu Chengyin.

Gu Chengyin knew that he had to offer something real this time.

"Alright, alright."

Gu Chengyin raised his hand, spread his five fingers, palm facing up.

He extended it flatly in front of Cui Shifan. This gesture was neither offering something nor paying respects.

But when Cui Shifan saw this gesture, his old eyes suddenly lit up!

"I'll give this to you all."

Gu Chengyin was concise, a pained expression on his face: "Will that do?"

He did not say what this was.

But Cui Shifan understood. Not only did he understand, but he was also extremely satisfied.

"Oh my! Junior Preceptor Gu, what are you saying!"

The seriousness and reserve on Cui Shifan's face vanished instantly. He enthusiastically took a step forward.

He wrapped an arm around Gu Chengyin's shoulders, patted him vigorously, and smiled so widely that his eyes crinkled shut:

"You're treating me like an outsider! What is the relationship between us two? We are practically sworn brothers!"

"What's this nonsense about borrowing a place to stay? That's too distant! Just treat the Cui Manor as your own home! Stay as long as you like!"

He kept his arm around Gu Chengyin, half-pushing and half-hugging him as he led him inside the main gate.

As they walked, he loudly ordered the butler, who was still standing far away with downcast eyes:

"What are you standing around for? Didn't you see our distinguished guest has returned? Go, quickly!"

"Tell the kitchen to quickly prepare the finest food and wine! And bring out that jar of Luoshui Spring I have been saving!"

"Tonight, I will drink and be merry with Junior Preceptor Gu... no, with my worthy nephew Chengyin! We shall not stop until we are thoroughly drunk!"