Keep Your Distance

Shangguan Yuan looked at his daughter's eyes, full of trust and expectation. The corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up slightly, and a sense of achievement and satisfaction as a father rose in his heart.

The frustrations he had suffered at the hands of Gu Chengyin these past few days all vanished into thin air at this moment.

What could make an old father feel more comfortable and proud than being seen as a pillar of support by his precious daughter?

A sharp light flashed in Shangguan Yuan's eyes, and he instantly became much more energetic. After pondering for a moment, he slowly spoke:

"Although your father has a 'great feud' with Gu Chengyin."

He emphasized this point first, then continued, "But I have to admit, that kid is indeed formidable."

"The depth of his mind and the sharpness of his foresight are completely unlike what someone of his age should possess."

Shangguan Yunying listened very seriously and nodded slightly in agreement.

As for the so-called "great feud" from Shangguan Yuan's mouth, she automatically filtered it out.

Shangguan Yuan continued his analysis while thinking:

"Based on my understanding of Xiao Song, it is highly likely that he wants to drag someone down with him."

"This so-called dragging down actually means tying himself to a person or faction of massive influence, creating a situation where both jade and stone are burned together."

"This way, when His Majesty deals with the matter, he will have to take the collateral damage into consideration."

Shangguan Yuan paused, took a sip of tea, and cleared his throat:

"Then, the scope of who he might drag down is actually quite clear."

"First, the one who can be ruled out is Gu Chengyin." Shangguan Yuan held up his first finger. "Although he is currently in the limelight, his influence over the entire royal court is far from enough."

"Dragging him down doesn't carry enough weight and cannot shake the overall situation. Moreover, judging from Xiao Jie's initiative to ask Gu Chengyin to remain silent..."

"...they do not want to push Gu Chengyin to a dead end. They hope he can remain neutral, or even cooperate in the future."

Shangguan Yunying nodded thoughtfully.

"Then, the remaining possible candidates are nothing more than a few."

A shrewd light flickered in Shangguan Yuan's eyes as he began to list them one by one:

"First, His Highness."

"His Highness is one of the direct promoters of this matter and also the biggest future beneficiary."

"But it would be difficult to drag him down, because the Xiao clan and His Highness are already opposing factions. No matter how much dirty water is thrown, in the eyes of others, it will just look like partisan attacks."

"Second, Cui Shifan."

"The Cui clan has just betrayed the noble family alliance and defected to the Crown Prince. They are the traitors the Xiao clan hates the most."

"But the possibility of dragging them down is not very high either. With the fall of the Xiao clan, the power of the noble families in the court has already been greatly weakened. If the Cui clan is dragged down as well, the balance of the court will be completely broken."

"Therefore, even if the Xiao clan wants to seek revenge on the Cui clan, it will definitely not be now. Xiao Song still has this bit of big-picture perspective."

"Third, and also the one your father thinks is the most likely."

Shangguan Yuan stopped here and paused for a long time, his gaze becoming incredibly profound.

Finally, looking into Shangguan Yunying's eyes, he slowly spat out two words:

"His Majesty."

"What?!"

Shangguan Yunying exclaimed in a low voice and suddenly sat up straight. "Is Xiao Song crazy? He wants to drag His Majesty down?"

Shangguan Yuan, however, appeared unusually calm. He shook his head:

"Not in the literal sense."

"No matter how crazy Xiao Song is, he wouldn't dare to directly frame His Majesty."

"But he can use a more subtle way to bind them together."

"For example, spreading some rumors: If Xiao Song is an unforgivably corrupt official..."

"...Then what does that make His Majesty, who allowed Xiao Song to serve as the Chief Grand Secretary for so many years?"

Listening to this detailed and logical analysis, the fog in Shangguan Yunying's eyes gradually cleared.

She nodded solemnly at Shangguan Yuan:

"Thank you for your guidance, Father. Your daughter understands. I will go back and report to His Highness immediately so we can take precautions early."

Knowing that Shangguan Yunying had taken his words to heart, Shangguan Yuan felt a bit relieved.

He was just about to nod and say good when another thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

"By the way, Yun'er."

Shangguan Yuan called out to stop Shangguan Yunying, who was about to turn around. A complex expression appeared on his face, and his tone carried the unique concern and vigilance of an old father:

"Gu Chengyin indeed has some abilities, and your father has to admit this, but!"

He emphasized his tone, "You must absolutely not get too close to him. That boy is not a good person."

"His mind is too deep, his methods are too dark, and his belly is full of schemes. Dealing with him, if you are even slightly careless, you might end up helping him count the money after he sells you out."

"You are pure-hearted and kind; you can't outplay him."

Shangguan Yuan pleaded earnestly, trying to give his daughter a preventative vaccine against Gu Chengyin. "Besides, the people who like our Yun'er could form a line from the outer city gates all the way to the Xuanwu Gate."

"The entire divine capital is full of young talents, each with a prominent family background and outstanding character and appearance. Which one of them isn't a hundred times better than Gu Chengyin?"

"Later, I'll have your mother properly arrange some matches for you..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he saw Shangguan Yunying blink her eyes, revealing a well-behaved and docile smile, and she interrupted with a nod:

"Alright, Father, I will listen to your advice."

Shangguan Yuan felt a surge of joy in his heart, thinking that his daughter was indeed obedient.

Then he heard Shangguan Yunying say helplessly, "It's just that... there are simply too many things going on with His Highness recently. There are thousands of threads to sort out, and each matter is more urgent than the last."

"As the chief female official, your daughter truly cannot split herself in two and cannot step away for even a moment."

"Let's not have Mother arrange things at this time, alright? Where would I find the free time to go meet young lords?"

Hearing this, not only was Shangguan Yuan not displeased, but he actually felt relieved.

His original intention wasn't really to make his daughter go on blind dates immediately. As long as she kept her distance from Gu Chengyin and wasn't bewitched and kidnapped by that kid, it was fine.

Thinking of Gu Chengyin's previous wicked deeds—destroying his beloved antique teacup and kicking down the golden thread nanmu grand gates of his family's estate.

Shangguan Yuan's liver ached with anger. Those were all genuine, authentic goods!

Although they were worldly possessions, and compared to the returns, these things were not worth mentioning.

But.

Shangguan Yunying was Shangguan Yuan's most cherished precious daughter.

He absolutely could not let this pearl in his palm be snatched away by Gu Chengyin as well!

"Mm, as long as you know what you are doing, it's fine."

Shangguan Yuan suppressed those messy thoughts in his heart, leaned back in his chair again, picked up his teacup, and restored his leisurely and contented appearance. "Then hurry back, don't let His Highness wait anxiously."

Watching Shangguan Yunying crisply and neatly bow to take her leave, turning around to walk out of the study.

Shangguan Yuan happily took a sip of the fragrant tea, feeling comfortable all over.

What could be more wonderful than getting promoted and making a fortune right after a 'vacation'?

Well, except for Gu Chengyin occasionally popping up to cause him grief.

Fortunately, his precious daughter promised to keep her distance from Gu Chengyin.

Looking at it this way.

Life was simply perfect!

Shangguan Yunying walked briskly out of the Shangguan estate and boarded the carriage waiting outside.

Inside the carriage, the well-behaved and docile look on her face had long since vanished.

It was replaced by a calm and focused expression.

"Return to the Crown Prince's Palace."