What a coincidence

Wouldn't Shangguan Yunying be the perfect person to take you out of here?

Before Gu Chengyin could voice the doubts in his heart, the door to the room was pushed open from the outside.

Shangguan Yunying, dressed in a crisp, neat martial outfit, strode inside.

When she saw Gu Chengyin standing perfectly fine in the center of the room, wearing a helpless smile on his face, the worry and tension in her eyes instantly dissipated, replaced by a bright gleam of relief.

She closed the door behind her, walked straight up to him, opened her arms, and gave Gu Chengyin a tight hug.

"It's so good to see that you are alright!"

Shangguan Yunying buried her face in Gu Chengyin's shoulder, her voice still trembling with lingering fear.

Despite having various procedures and safeguards in place, she had still endured immense psychological pressure.

Gu Chengyin raised a hand and gently patted Shangguan Yunying's back in a soothing gesture.

At the same time, his gaze drifted involuntarily toward the bed. Through a gap in the brocade quilt, Cui Zilu was secretly peeking out.

The corner of Gu Chengyin's mouth twitched.

He decided not to expose this 'little thief' for the time being; business came first.

"What could possibly happen to me?"

Gu Chengyin gently pulled Shangguan Yunying from his embrace and led her to a chair by the table.

"What is the situation outside right now?"

Shangguan Yunying allowed herself to be seated, her mind and attention completely focused on Gu Chengyin.

She didn't notice the anomaly on the bed at all.

Knowing that business was paramount, Shangguan Yunying immediately began to explain:

"After learning that you were taken away by the Qingli Department, Her Highness immediately took me and rushed to the Cabinet."

"She forced the Cabinet to issue an order requiring a joint dispatch of special envoys from six parties to station at the Ministry of Personnel. They are to supervise the entire interrogation process to ensure everything is legal and compliant, without any lynching or shady operations."

Gu Chengyin nodded; this was within his expectations.

Shangguan Yunying continued, "Afterward, Her Highness reached an agreement with Yuan Zhengqing. The Censorate will officially merge their case with the Crown Palace."

"Right after that," Shangguan Yunying lowered her voice, a hint of excitement lacing her tone, "Her Highness used that stack of documents to persuade Cui Shifan, and they entered the palace together to seek an audience with His Majesty."

Hearing this, Gu Chengyin's gaze became focused.

"After His Majesty saw those things, he was furious."

Shangguan Yunying described with lingering fear, "He immediately ordered Lyu Fang to intervene in the case, mobilizing all the forces under the Imperial Household Department to take charge of collecting and securing the key evidence."

"His Majesty also issued a clear decree, requiring Her Highness to complete the collection and organization of all evidence within three days, and then present it at the morning court."

Having said all this, Shangguan Yunying looked at Gu Chengyin, waiting for his reaction.

Gu Chengyin nodded thoughtfully. Looking into Shangguan Yunying's expectant eyes, he smiled and praised,

"You all did very well. Her Highness truly lives up to her title. Even if I were the one doing it, I couldn't have done it any better than her."

Hearing these words, a radiant smile bloomed on Shangguan Yunying's face.

She nodded vigorously, "Mhm! I will definitely pass these exact words on to Her Highness!"

"If Her Highness knows you praised her like this, she will definitely be overjoyed!"

However, Gu Chengyin abruptly changed the subject, his tone turning serious:

"Well, there is one thing. When you go back, tell Her Highness that she must be careful of the Xiao family."

The smile on Shangguan Yunying's face froze, and she asked in confusion, "Be careful of the Xiao family?"

Gu Chengyin's eyes grew profound. "Xiao Jie had a private chat with me today."

He briefly recounted his conversation with Xiao Jie and then analyzed,

"Reading between the lines, it seemed like he was admitting defeat and yielding, only seeking self-preservation, but I always felt things weren't that simple."

"Xiao Song has been in control of the court for so many years; he would never willingly accept defeat just like that."

"Otherwise, there would be no need to drag me into the Qingli Department. This shows they must be planning to do something, but they are afraid of my interference."

"So I guess Xiao Song might be trying to drag someone down with him as a scapegoat."

Hearing this, Shangguan Yunying instantly became extremely nervous and pressed, "A scapegoat?! Could it be the Cui family?"

Gu Chengyin shook his head, his brows slightly furrowed.

"I'm not sure. It could be the Cui family, or it could be Her Highness, but I need more information to judge."

"And right now, I'm trapped in the Qingli Department, completely unable to see the Imperial Household Department's intelligence network."

"But it must be a very important figure. Only then can they make people hesitate for fear of collateral damage and avoid being completely wiped out."

He looked at Shangguan Yunying, his tone solemn. "Therefore, you must remind Her Highness to be extra careful."

Shangguan Yunying nodded repeatedly, firmly memorizing every word Gu Chengyin said.

A sharp glint flashed through Gu Chengyin's eyes as he proposed a bold suggestion:

"If worst comes to worst, have Her Highness find an excuse to bring my case up for trial at the morning court."

"Ah?!"

Shangguan Yunying gasped in shock, her eyes widening. "But if that happens and it's publicly tried at the morning court, there will be no turning back!"

"I've already found your original file. It's not the one I made at all; it was filed under a humble origin."

"The only person who could do this in the Imperial Household Department is Lyu Fang. This must be His Majesty's intention!"

Gu Chengyin, however, appeared very calm. "It doesn't matter."

"If His Majesty really wanted to deal with me, he wouldn't need to find an excuse."

"He actually just wants to throw me away from Her Highness's side."

"So that Her Highness can independently drive this storm against the Xiao family."

"So that's how it is..." Shangguan Yunying thought aloud, deep in thought.

"Therefore," Gu Chengyin nodded, "my case is not the key."

"The key lies in whether the Xiao family will throw dirty water on Her Highness and catch her off guard."

"If I can be at the morning court, at least I can try to think of a way to block them."

"It's better than sitting here waiting to die."

After listening, a look of realization dawned in Shangguan Yunying's eyes. She said with a serious face:

"I understand! I will definitely relay everything to Her Highness exactly as you said!"

After speaking, she abruptly stood up, ready to immediately return to the Crown Palace.

"Wait!" Gu Chengyin grabbed her wrist.

Shangguan Yunying turned around in confusion. "?"

Gu Chengyin showed a helpless expression and pointed to the bed. "Help me take someone with you."

"Take someone?" Shangguan Yunying became even more confused. Was there someone else in this room besides the two of them?

Then, she watched as Gu Chengyin walked to the bed, reached out, and pulled off the brocade quilt.

"Ah!" A short gasp.

A figure curled up into a ball, holding her head with both hands, wishing she could hide herself into the bed boards, was exposed right before Shangguan Yunying's eyes.

Shangguan Yunying: "...???"

She froze at first, then her eyes widened as she cried out involuntarily:

"Cui Zilu?!"

Caught red-handed, Cui Zilu knew she couldn't hide anymore. She sheepishly released her hands from her head.

Forcing a flattering smile onto her face, she guiltily greeted the dumbfounded Shangguan Yunying:

"What a... what a coincidence, Sister Yunying..."