Throw into the Luo River to Feed the Fish

Cui Zilu's eyes widened slightly, not expecting Shangguan Yunying to say such a thing.

"Because just like you," Shangguan Yunying said with absolute firmness, "I also like him very much."

Cui Zilu was completely stunned.

"However."

Shangguan Yunying's tone suddenly shifted. "I have never forced the issue of having to be with him."

"Because he and I, as well as His Highness..."

"We have things more important than romance, things more worthy of striving for with our entire lives!"

An astonishing brilliance erupted in Shangguan Yunying's eyes. It was a conviction and sense of mission that transcended personal feelings.

"It is the stability of the court, the well-being of the people, the consolidation of His Highness's position, the continuation of His Majesty's empire, and the purging of vermin to clear the imperial court!"

"Every single one of these matters is thousands of times more important than our little personal thoughts and petty romances!"

Her gaze refocused on Cui Zilu's face. All tenderness completely vanished, replaced by icy severity.

"And you, Cui Zilu, what are you doing right now?"

"Do you think you are bravely playing the hero? Playing out a scene of a gifted scholar and a beautiful lady?"

Shangguan Yunying's voice suddenly rose, carrying suppressed anger. "Let me tell you, you are harming him!"

"What kind of place do you think the Ministry of Personnel is? Is it the backyard of the Cui Manor where you can casually climb walls and windows?"

"Do you think Xiao Song and Xiao Jie are devout men and women of virtue? Today they might serve Gu Chengyin good food and drink, but tomorrow they can use your actions as leverage to attack him!"

"Do you know that your self-righteousness will plunge him into a situation of eternal damnation?"

"This is not a play script you read! It is not a game of house that can be restarted! And it is certainly not playful banter!"

"This is a life-and-death struggle!"

Every word from Shangguan Yunying was like a heavy hammer, smashing fiercely against Cui Zilu's heart, shattering her naive and romantic fantasies to pieces.

"Gu Chengyin will not speak harshly to you. He might even comfort you and make excuses for you."

"That is because he is using you, using the Cui clan behind you. Your relationship has always been mixed with interests and calculations."

"Even if he suffers retribution due to your stupidity today, in his eyes, it is merely the price of using you, something he deserves."

"However." Shangguan Yunying's eyes suddenly became incredibly dangerous, staring intently into Cui Zilu's terrified eyes.

"I will not accept that."

"Cui Zilu, I am leaving these words here."

"For the sake of our past friendship, I am taking you back this time and will help cover for you, but only this once."

"If you act so recklessly again and treat his safety as a trifling matter..."

Shangguan Yunying leaned in slightly, closing in on Cui Zilu, and warned clearly, pausing after every word:

"Then do not blame me for disregarding our past friendship."

The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the gate tower of the Cui Manor.

Cui Zilu, looking completely desolate, lifted the carriage curtain and stumbled out.

Xiaodie, who had been waiting, hurried forward to support the swaying Cui Zilu and asked worriedly, "Eldest Miss, are you alright?"

Cui Zilu did not answer. She merely shook her head blankly and let Xiaodie support her as she walked with weak steps through the gates of the Cui Manor.

Sitting inside the carriage, Shangguan Yunying watched Cui Zilu's figure disappear. Her eyes held only a deep calmness that bordered on indifference.

Just as she had told Cui Zilu moments ago, this was not a play about scholars and beauties, nor a story where the ending could be casually rewritten.

This was a life-and-death struggle in the imperial court, a deadly gamble where a single misstep could affect everything.

Here, personal romance and impulsive recklessness were not only insignificantly small, but they would also become fatal flaws and leverage to be exploited by others.

Although her words were harsh, Shangguan Yunying knew clearly in her heart that she only warned her so severely because she had a good relationship with Cui Zilu and truly treated her as a younger sister.

She hoped Cui Zilu could understand the stakes and truly grow up, or at least stop harming herself and others out of ignorance and impulsiveness.

If the person who did this today was some ignorant, ulterior-motive-harboring wild woman...

Unconcealed killing intent flashed in Shangguan Yunying's eyes. She was not this gentle with just anyone.

Throwing them into the Luo River to feed the fishes would already be her showing magnanimity.

Gathering her drifting thoughts, Shangguan Yunying calmly instructed the driver, "Return to the manor."

"Yes, Eldest Miss."

The carriage started moving again, heading in the direction of the Shangguan Manor.

About fifteen minutes later, the carriage stopped in front of the Shangguan Manor.

The driver respectfully reported from outside, "Eldest Miss, we have arrived."

Shangguan Yunying lifted the curtain and agilely jumped down from the carriage.

Looking up, the Shangguan Manor was brightly lit.

The wide golden thread nanmu gate that had originally been kicked flying by Gu Chengyin had now been replaced with a new one.

Shangguan Yunying turned a blind eye to this, not pausing for a moment as she quickly passed through the porch and headed straight into the manor.

The servants and retainers she met along the way all bowed respectfully in greeting, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Shangguan Yunying had a clear destination, heading straight for Shangguan Yuan's study.

The study door was ajar. Shangguan Yunying pushed it open and entered, closing the door behind her.

Inside the study, Shangguan Yuan was sitting behind a red sandalwood desk. Holding a document in his hand, he flipped through it while leisurely sipping fragrant tea.

He looked to be in a good mood, at least much more peaceful than when he was so angry at Gu Chengyin that smoke practically came out of his ears.

Hearing the door open, Shangguan Yuan did not even lift his head. He reached out and tapped the red sandalwood box on the desk, saying casually:

"The rest are all in here."

Shangguan Yunying walked up to the desk, picked up the red sandalwood box, and carefully put it away.

Then, her gaze swept around the study, and she asked, "Where is Mother?"

A helpless expression appeared on Shangguan Yuan's face. He sighed and said, "The matter of the Vice Minister of Rites keeping a top courtesan as a mistress was discovered, causing an absolute uproar."

"Your mother and several madams she is usually on good terms with were invited to uphold justice. They are probably upholding it with great enthusiasm right about now."

Shangguan Yunying: "......"

Only then did Shangguan Yuan lift his head and carefully observe his daughter, asking, "Just came out of the Ministry of Personnel? How is that kid Gu Chengyin doing?"

Shangguan Yunying nodded. "He is doing well, it is just..."

Given how shrewd Shangguan Yuan was, he immediately understood the implication.

He raised an eyebrow, put down the teacup in his hand, and adopted a listening posture, gesturing:

"Take a seat. It seems you have serious business to ask your father about."

Shangguan Yunying sat down on the chair opposite the desk, her back straight and her expression serious.

She recounted word for word the speculation Gu Chengyin had mentioned to her regarding the possibility of Xiao Song dragging someone down as a scapegoat.

At first, Shangguan Yuan just listened, but as Shangguan Yunying narrated, his expression became increasingly solemn, and his brows furrowed deeply.

"Even if I were to go back and tell His Highness this matter exactly as it is,"

Shangguan Yunying said with concern, "given His Highness's current pressure, I am afraid it would only add to his troubles. It would be difficult for him to make effective precautions and responses."

"After all, we do not know who the Xiao clan will actually drag down as a scapegoat, nor what methods they will use, so..."

Shangguan Yunying looked toward Shangguan Yuan. "I would like to hear your opinion, Father."