The Best Treatment

"Of the remaining sixty-five percent, forty percent is reserved for His Majesty."

Gu Chengyin pointed upward, his meaning clear. "This primarily consists of the wealth, farmland, and shops confiscated from the Xiao clan. All of it must be legally transferred into the state treasury and the Emperor's privy purse. This is the lion's share that His Majesty deserves."

"As for the remaining twenty-five percent." Gu Chengyin's gaze narrowed slightly.

"Five percent goes to the Censorate."

"Or rather, to the humble-born faction behind the Censorate."

"They entered the game the latest, so they get the smallest bite."

"Furthermore, the fall of the Xiao clan weakens the power of the noble families. For the sake of balance, giving the humble-born faction even five percent is considered a lot."

Gu Chengyin analyzed, "Even so, for them, this is a rare opportunity for growth."

"As for the final twenty percent..."

Gu Chengyin looked at Luo Zhao, his eyes deep and profound. "Aside from the ten percent we have already swallowed, we will eat as much of this twenty percent as we can."

"There is no need to worry about others snatching it away. No one else will touch it."

"This is the Xiao clan's last chance at survival, and it rests entirely on His Majesty's ruling."

Luo Zhao listened in a daze, feeling that her mind could barely keep up with Gu Chengyin's pace.

The Hall of Literary Principles was still auditing the accounts day and night, and Xiao Song was still sitting securely in his cabinet seat, perhaps even plotting a new counterattack...

Yet Gu Chengyin was already calculating how to divide the cake, like the shrewdest of merchants.

He had factored in her royal father, the Cui clan, and the Censorate, even acting with absolute certainty that things would proceed exactly according to his proposed scheme of benefit distribution.

This precise prediction and manipulation of human nature, interests, and the overall situation made Luo Zhao's heart palpitate.

It also made her realize, more clearly than ever before, just how vast the gap was between herself and Gu Chengyin.

Luo Zhao took a soft breath, suppressing her chaotic emotions, and steered the conversation back to business.

"Then... what should we do next?"

Gu Chengyin replied, "I need to make a trip to the Grand Secretariat first."

He pointed outside. "If nothing goes wrong, after Wang Gangfeng returns to report, Yuan Zhengqing will receive the news."

"After all, he and Hu Juzheng are the representatives of the humble-born faction in the imperial court. The Chief Censor will definitely speak with him."

"I need to communicate with him to ensure a basic consensus between the Crown Palace and the Censorate."

"When I return from the cabinet, Your Highness, we need to take this stack of documents and enter the royal palace once more."

"After we meet with His Majesty, we will determine our subsequent strategy."

Luo Zhao listened very intently, knowing that Gu Chengyin's arrangements were intricately linked.

When Gu Chengyin finished speaking, she nodded and gave a sound of agreement.

Seeing that he had explained everything clearly, Gu Chengyin solemnly cupped his hands in Luo Zhao's direction.

"Your Highness, I shall take my leave first."

With that, Gu Chengyin turned and walked toward the small desk nearby.

He reached out incredibly naturally and gently rubbed Gu Xiaoli's head.

Gu Xiaoli's short hair was soft and smooth; ruffled by his hand, a few strands instantly stuck up in a playful manner.

But Gu Xiaoli did not resist. An incredibly bright light burst forth in her eyes as she simply tilted her small face up, gazing eagerly at Gu Chengyin as if she had been hit by an immobilization spell.

Gu Chengyin smiled at her, said nothing more, withdrew his hand, and walked toward the door.

Setting aside the secrets hidden within Gu Xiaoli, in terms of sheer capability, Gu Xiaoli's contributions were paramount to the Hall of Literary Principles' current high-efficiency operation.

Her photographic memory, acute intuition for numbers and logic, and astonishing patience and meticulousness when handling tedious documents played an irreplaceable role.

This alone was enough to warrant Gu Chengyin giving her ample attention and kind treatment.

When Gu Chengyin emerged from the Crown Palace and was about to walk toward the Cui estate's carriage, a voice suddenly called out from behind, stopping him in his tracks.

"Gu Chengyin."

Gu Chengyin paused his steps and turned to look.

He saw Shangguan Yunying quickly catching up from behind.

Her steps were light and swift, and in the blink of an eye, she was standing right in front of him.

"Master Yun..." Gu Chengyin opened his mouth instinctively, wanting to address her according to his old habit.

However, before the word could fully leave his lips, Shangguan Yunying hastily interrupted him.

"You are now Her Highness's Junior Preceptor."

A strange look flashed across Shangguan Yunying's face. "Don't call me Master anymore, otherwise..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but Gu Chengyin already understood.

Otherwise?

Otherwise, the hierarchy of seniority would be completely messed up.

He was now the Crown Heir's Junior Preceptor, which nominally made him Luo Zhao's teacher.

And Shangguan Yunying was Luo Zhao's chief female official.

If Gu Chengyin still called Yunying "Master," wouldn't that mean Luo Zhao would have to call Yunying "Grandmaster"?

"Cough..."

Gu Chengyin coughed lightly and nodded. "Understood."

Shangguan Yunying breathed a sigh of relief, but immediately after, her expression turned tense and concerned.

Stepping closer without any regard for proper etiquette, she carefully scanned Gu Chengyin's body, from his face to his neck, then to his shoulders and arms...

"I heard from General Chen that you were assassinated yesterday?"

"And you were severely injured? Covered in blood and couldn't even walk steadily?"

Seeing Shangguan Yunying's concerned appearance, looking as if she wanted nothing more than to strip off his clothes to inspect him, Gu Chengyin hurriedly waved his hands and explained.

"No, no, don't listen to General Chen's exaggerations."

"Those assassins had mediocre skills. They didn't even touch the hem of my clothes, let alone injure me."

"What General Chen saw was fake. Wasn't I about to have an audience with His Majesty at the time? I just put on a little act."

"It merely looked scary, but in reality, I am completely fine. Rest assured."

Hearing Gu Chengyin say this, Shangguan Yunying carefully observed his rosy complexion and steady stance; he indeed did not look like someone who had suffered heavy injuries.

Only then did she truly relax, her tense shoulders loosening a bit.

She patted her chest and let out a long sigh of relief. "That's good, that's good. When General Chen told me, I was scared to death!"

But immediately after, Shangguan Yunying's expression shifted, and she said with murderous intent:

"Don't worry, Her Highness has already issued a kill order! Besides that."

"I've also arranged for the best doctors to follow them the entire time, guaranteeing that every single stab wound they receive will get the best medical treatment!"

Gu Chengyin blinked, completely failing to understand the meaning behind Shangguan Yunying's words.

What kill order?

What did she mean by every stab wound receiving the best medical treatment?

He was just about to ask for clarification, but Shangguan Yunying had already taken a step back, a bright and hearty smile returning to her face.

"Alright, seeing that you're okay puts my mind at ease. I still have a pile of things to do, so I won't chat with you any longer!"

As she spoke, Shangguan Yunying reached out very naturally and helped Gu Chengyin straighten his collar.

After performing this intimate gesture, she waved at Gu Chengyin with a beaming smile.

Then, she turned around crisply and walked back into the Crown Palace with brisk steps.

Gu Chengyin stood rooted to the spot, watching Shangguan Yunying's retreating back while recalling those baffling words from just a moment ago.

He couldn't help but feel that Luo Zhao had issued some strange command behind his back, and Shangguan Yunying was the executor.

"It shouldn't be anything major, right?"

Gu Chengyin rubbed his chin, comforting himself.

He then shook his head, turned around, and continued walking toward the Cui estate's carriage.