So "Good" It Is

In the future, no matter when, as long as you, Junior Preceptor Gu, take an interest in the Cui clan, or any other family for that matter.

Our Xiao clan will offer our utmost support.

This condition could not be called anything less than generous; one might even say it was extremely tempting.

It accurately targeted the potential adversaries Gu Chengyin might face.

Especially the Cui clan.

Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyin was taken aback for a moment, but then he could not help but laugh aloud, clapping his hands in admiration.

Impressive, truly impressive.

Lord Xiao, your Xiao clan and the Cui clan truly live up to your generations of intermarriage.

Xiao Jie's expression did not change; instead, he nodded in agreement.

Indeed, Junior Preceptor Gu is absolutely right.

We noble families share the same breath and branches, watching over and helping each other. Our relationship is just that good.

Without rushing him, Xiao Jie calmly stood up, straightened his robes, and cupped his hands in a salute to Gu Chengyin.

Junior Preceptor Gu, you may take your time to consider. There is no need to rush.

After all, you will not be able to leave this prison for the next few days anyway.

Saying this, Xiao Jie glanced around the interrogation room and added,

However, making you stay here is indeed an injustice. I will have someone move you to a much more comfortable room shortly.

With that, he gave Gu Chengyin a slight nod, turned, and walked toward the door.

Not long after, an official came in and respectfully escorted Gu Chengyin out of the Ministry of Justice's prison.

Outside, Xiao Maoqing was nowhere to be seen.

Gu Chengyin followed the official upstairs to a new room. Although the furnishings were simple, it was vastly better than the dungeon.

However, there were still guards stationed at the door.

Entering the new room, Gu Chengyin walked to the window and stood with his hands behind his back.

Looking out at a corner of the courtyard with its rockery and several stalks of green bamboo, he fell into deep thought.

Xiao Jie had offered an extremely tempting condition, yet only asked for his silence in return.

What did this signify?

It meant that the Xiao clan, or at least its core higher-ups like Xiao Song and Xiao Jie, already had a certain prediction regarding Emperor Luo's handling of the matter.

Moreover, they possessed considerable confidence that they could persuade Emperor Luo to show mercy and not execute the entire Xiao clan.

This was not surprising.

After all, Xiao Song had served as the Chief Minister for so many years. His disciples and former subordinates were spread throughout the government, giving him immense influence both in the imperial court and in the local provinces.

The Lanling Xiao clan was a noble family with a legacy spanning a thousand years; its roots ran deep, and moving even a single hair would affect the whole body.

Emperor Luo wanted to move against the Xiao clan because they had touched his bottom line, but as a mature emperor, he had to consider all aspects.

Killing and fighting could not solve everything.

If a peaceful resolution was possible, it was always the best option.

Therefore, Xiao Song was highly likely already utilizing all his resources and connections to plead guilty to Emperor Luo, express his loyalty, and cut ties with abandoned pawns.

He would also promise to pay a massive price in exchange for the family's survival and the relative safety of its core strength.

They needed Gu Chengyin's silence to eliminate a powerful disruptor, making Emperor Luo's lenient punishment seem more logical and reducing discussion and backlash from the court and the public.

Furthermore, the condition Xiao Jie proposed perfectly illustrated the complex relationship among the noble families—one of simultaneous cooperation and wariness, intermarriage and suppression.

If the Xiao clan fell, the Cui clan would rise to take its place.

This was obvious.

Cui Shifan had chosen the right side in this storm and would inevitably reap massive political capital, leading to a wave of expansion for the Cui clan's power.

Yet, during the Xiao clan's current disaster, not only did Cui Shifan fail to lend a helping hand, but he also swiftly stood on the opposing side and actively cooperated against them.

In the eyes of the Xiao clan's higher-ups, this was tantamount to kicking them while they were down.

Since the Xiao clan had lost its momentum this time and resisting stubbornly would only lead to death, it was better to simply lie flat and accept the punishment. At the same time, they could secretly establish good relations with Gu Chengyin, conveniently planting a blade that could be thrust at the Cui clan at any moment.

The position of Chief Minister takes turns; next year it comes to my house.

There are no eternal allies, only eternal interests.

This was the survival philosophy and mindset of these noble families that had been passed down for thousands of years and experienced countless dynastic changes.

They had long seen through the essence of dynastic rise and fall, and the shifting of power.

A temporary defeat or a temporary hibernation was not the end of the world for them.

As long as the family's core lineage, network of connections, and wealth foundation were not completely destroyed, they possessed astonishing resilience and the potential to rise again.

The same drama—cooperation, betrayal, rise, fall, and cooperation again—had been repeated countless times over thousands of years of history.

They were long accustomed to it and regarded it as a law of survival.

Having figured out these connections, Gu Chengyin did not feel much disdain in his heart.

He understood this logic; in fact, he was utilizing this very logic himself.

And he truly did not dwell on whether he absolutely had to uproot the Xiao clan entirely.

To forge iron, one must be strong oneself.

Gu Chengyin sighed softly in his heart.

On one hand, it could be said that Luo Zhao was indeed still not strong enough; her foundation was too shallow, and her team was too weak.

She possessed the title of Crown Princess and the support of Emperor Luo, but she lacked the actual power to control the situation.

On the other hand, the pacing had simply been too fast.

From returning to the Divine Capital until now, only four or five days had passed.

It was so fast that it was like a sweeping hurricane, catching everyone off guard, including Luo Zhao herself.

Her growth rate and the speed at which she accumulated power fell far behind the speed at which Gu Chengyin broke through obstacles.

Gu Chengyin rubbed his temples somewhat helplessly, but he did not truly feel regretful because of it.

Luo Zhao might be inexperienced right now and have many shortcomings.

But she was the Crown Princess, the rightful first heir, and she had Emperor Luo's intention to groom her.

Although she might be slow in the early stages, her potential was the highest.

Not to mention, inexperienced as Luo Zhao might be, she was incredibly beautiful!

Gu Chengyin's thoughts could not help but drift for a moment.

That cold and stunningly beautiful face, that graceful and elegant figure, that unparalleled nobility and pride...

Facing such an eye-catching beauty every day was undoubtedly much more pleasant than dealing with Emperor Luo, that terrible old man, or the Second Prince, that two-faced schemer.

While pondering, Gu Chengyin found a comfortable position on the rocking chair in the room and lay down.

He prepared to enjoy this leisurely time, which was nominally house arrest but practically a vacation.

He also planned to further contemplate the various possibilities behind Xiao Jie's proposed transaction.

The sound of the wind outside the window was faint, and the bamboo leaves in the courtyard rustled softly; everything seemed exceptionally peaceful.

However, this tranquility did not last long.

Just as his mind was wandering beyond the heavens, a faint and rhythmic tapping sound suddenly came from the direction of the window.

The sound was very light, like some small animal gently tapping the wooden lattice with its claws or beak, yet it sounded exceptionally clear in the silent side room.

Gu Chengyin's ears twitched, and he immediately opened his eyes, a trace of confusion flashing through them.

The side room arranged by the Ministry of Personnel was in a secluded location, with guards stationed at the door and an enclosed inner courtyard outside the window. Where could the noise be coming from?

He stood up and walked silently toward the closed window.

The middle of the window consisted of two top-hung casements that could be opened inward.

At this moment, the tapping sound was coming from right below the window, accompanied by the sound of someone breathing.