The Most Obedient Dog

When the female official in charge of internal and external communications rushed up to the second floor of Wenli Hall.

She reported the news that Gu Chengyin had been taken away for investigation by the Department of Scrutiny on charges of falsifying his background.

Shangguan Yunying, who was organizing the account books, looked as if she had been struck by lightning. The files in her hands fell to the ground with a clatter.

She stood up abruptly, the color instantly draining from her face, and a chill rushed from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.

"Impossible!"

Shangguan Yunying cried out, "I handled his files with my own hands! How could they be forged!?"

"Besides, I clearly wrote that he was a commoner from the countryside. Where did this 'poor scholar' background come from!?"

"It must be that old thief Xiao Song acting out of desperation, using the Ministry of Personnel to make trouble!"

Anxious as an ant on a hot pan, she ordered sternly, "Go immediately and find Gu Chengyin's original filing documents! Hurry!"

"Yes!"

The female official, also badly frightened by Shangguan Yunying's loss of composure, quickly bowed to accept the order and trotted downstairs.

Shangguan Yunying's mind was in turmoil, both angry and anxious.

She knew that the Ministry of Personnel's Department of Scrutiny specialized in auditing official files. Xiao Maoqing was a member of the Xiao clan; holding official documents and bringing the Golden Imperial Guards to arrest someone in the streets meant the procedure was fully legal and compliant.

But once Gu Chengyin was taken into the Ministry of Personnel, there was no telling how many of the Xiao family's disciples and former subordinates were inside.

She couldn't even imagine what might happen.

Torture to extract a confession? Forced admission of guilt? Or even a staged suicide?

"Your Highness!"

Shangguan Yunying suddenly turned to Luo Zhao, who had been sitting upright at the main desk:

"I dare to guarantee with my life that there is absolutely no problem with Gu Chengyin's files!"

"This must be Xiao Song's conspiracy! We must save him immediately! Should we ask His Majesty..."

Before she could finish speaking, she saw Luo Zhao raise a hand, making a gesture to stop.

Luo Zhao slowly lifted her eyelids. She showed no panic, no fury, not even surprise, only the solemnity of deep thought.

"Yunying, calm down."

"The sky is not falling."

These few simple words smoothed away Shangguan Yunying's panic.

Although her worries remained, she at least regained her rationality.

Then she heard Luo Zhao speak in Gu Chengyin's calm tone:

"Elder Xiao, I understand him."

Luo Zhao's fingertips traced lightly across the smooth desktop. "He acts cautiously and will never easily leave anything that could be used against him."

"A low-level and easily discoverable trick like fabricating files is not his style."

She paused, her eyes turning sharp.

"This time, for him to act so decisively by using the Ministry of Personnel to strike in the streets, and even mobilizing the Golden Imperial Guards to accompany them."

"This shows that he likely holds some solid evidence in his hands, or at least a suspicious point that can stand up to scrutiny."

Shangguan Yunying's heart tightened as she listened. "But Your Highness, the files are clearly..."

Luo Zhao interrupted her, "This also shows someone is getting desperate."

She looked at Shangguan Yunying and said word by word, "Desperate to get rid of Gu Chengyin. Only if he disappears immediately will they have a glimmer of hope."

Just as she reached this point in her analysis, Luo Zhao herself suddenly froze.

A clear thought uncontrollably intruded into her mind.

Before Gu Chengyin left Wenli Hall, all his subsequent plans, steps, how to implement them, and even how to divide the benefits...

He had told her everything clearly and plainly!

He was going to the Cabinet to communicate with Grand Secretary Yuan, to have the Crown Princess's Palace and the Chief Surveillance Bureau merge their cases.

He wanted to enter the palace with her again to change Emperor Luo's attitude.

He analyzed the reactions and interest demands of all factions.

He had even planned out the distribution ratio of the benefits.

What he did was like a strategist about to travel far away.

Handing over his entire formulated strategy, down to the smallest detail, to his lord.

And all she had to do seemed to be, during his temporary absence.

To follow this brilliant plan he left behind, continue pushing the chessboard, and just take it step by step...

No wonder...

No wonder when she heard that Gu Chengyin had been taken away by the Ministry of Personnel's Department of Scrutiny, facing such serious accusations and danger.

Deep in her heart, apart from the initial shock, there wasn't much panic or fear.

Because she already knew how every subsequent step should proceed.

Was this also part of your plan...

Luo Zhao bit her lower lip hard, an extremely complex emotion suddenly erupting within her.

Even without that damn directive, even if you are imprisoned at this moment.

I still have to act like a marionette, moving forward along the tracks you laid out in advance.

Then what am I exactly?!

Your most obedient dog?!

The surging emotions almost drowned Luo Zhao, causing a trace of suppressed redness to well up in her phoenix eyes.

Her strong pride and independent will clashed fiercely with the cruel reality of being manipulated right before her eyes.

But in the next moment, her powerful willpower and rationality, forged through a thousand trials.

Acted like the sturdiest dam, forcefully suppressing this churning flood of emotions.

I cannot lose control!

No matter how resentful, no matter how unwilling, I absolutely must not be swayed by emotions!

I must face reality rationally and then make the right decision.

As long as I implement and respond according to the framework of the plan Gu Chengyin outlined.

This sudden crisis before me can be resolved, and even transformed into an opportunity to counterattack!

That damn man will sooner or later be locked in a dark, sunless underground prison.

And pay a trillion times the price for his current actions!

So I absolutely cannot, in such a major matter concerning the overall situation and my own interests.

Act recklessly because of personal emotions!

That would be true stupidity and seeking my own doom!

Having figured this out, or rather, having forced herself to accept this point.

Luo Zhao took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

With this action, the last trace of struggle in her eyes completely disappeared.

It was replaced by a firm, sharp light.

At the same time, an aura of confidence, stronger than ever before, explosively erupted from her!

Standing to the side, Shangguan Yunying was shaken by this sudden change in momentum, her mind trembling.

She only felt that the Luo Zhao before her seemed to have become different.

In the past, her aura was certainly strong, but when facing those calculating old ministers, there was always a stifling feeling of being unable to exert her full strength.

But the current Luo Zhao, the confidence and certainty between her brows and eyes, could pierce through all conspiracies and tricks.

"Yunying."

The cold and majestic voice sounded, instantly pulling Shangguan Yunying back from her shock.

Shangguan Yunying immediately straightened her back, gathered all her thoughts, and replied with utmost respect:

"Your Highness!"

Luo Zhao's red lips parted slightly, every word clear and powerful:

"Send someone to notify the Ministry of Personnel..."

She paused, her voice suddenly rising:

"No, notify the entire court and the public!"

"Gu Chengyin is my person."

"He carries the Crown Prince's token, personally bestowed by me."

Cold light radiated from Luo Zhao's phoenix eyes, and a fierce killing intent spread out:

"Whoever dares to touch a single hair on his head."

"I will execute their entire nine generations!"