Let's Have a 'Good Talk'

Gu Chengyin sat inside the carriage, his eyes closed as he leaned against the brocade cushions.

There was not a trace of complacency on his face; it was as calm as still water, even exuding a biting chill.

Re-hypnotizing Luo Zhao was a matter that brooked no delay.

The longer it dragged on, the more variables would arise.

No matter how many life-saving magical treasures and immortal artifacts Luo Zhao had on her.

Gu Chengyin realized that the answer to this question was actually unimportant.

Wouldn't it be fine as long as he stripped Luo Zhao of all her belongings?

This way, even if Luo Zhao practiced some unknown cultivation technique, with her cultivation at the peak of the Qi Refining realm.

It would be absolutely impossible for her to resist the System's hypnosis.

If she actually managed to resist it, Gu Chengyin swore he would never use this trashy golden finger again.

Furthermore...

Gu Chengyin slowly opened his eyes, a dark gleam flowing in their depths.

If he could control Shangguan Yunying first, the success rate of this hypnotic operation against Luo Zhao would be one hundred percent.

Two Foundation Establishment realm cultivators catching someone off guard, coupled with the fact that one was the Junior Preceptor to the Crown Heir and the other was the Chief Lady-in-waiting.

Controlling Luo Zhao would be a piece of cake.

But the prerequisite was that he had to hypnotize Shangguan Yunying first.

Thinking of this, Gu Chengyin sighed deeply, a trace of complexity coloring his brow.

Hypnotizing Shangguan Yunying indeed had a much higher success rate than dealing with Luo Zhao.

After all, Shangguan Yunying did not harbor the deep-seated hatred and vigilance toward him that Luo Zhao did. There was even a seemingly ambiguous, yet actually subtle, relationship between the two of them.

But, it was only much higher.

The difficulty still existed.

It lay not in strength or environment, but in the human heart.

Gu Chengyin's thoughts couldn't help but drift back to a late night nearly half a month ago, right after they had returned to the Divine Capital.

Under the cover of night, Shangguan Yunying had quietly come to the side hall where he was temporarily residing to seek answers.

At that time, Gu Chengyin did not answer her question, but instead asked, "Is Her Highness any different today than before?"

He clearly remembered Shangguan Yunying's reaction then.

Those beautiful eyes, always harboring a radiant smile, had a microscopic pause in that instant.

But she quickly returned to normal, tilting her head slightly to reveal a perfectly measured thoughtful expression, before shaking her head. Her tone was gentle yet firm:

"I haven't noticed anything unusual about Her Highness."

At that moment, Gu Chengyin's heart sank.

Nothing unusual? That was the biggest problem!

And this problem pointed not only to Luo Zhao, but also to Shangguan Yunying.

She was lying.

As the eldest miss of the Shangguan family, someone who could become the Chief Lady-in-waiting of the Internal Affairs Department in a royal court and harem filled with powerful aristocratic families, and even go toe-to-toe with Lyu Fang.

Granted, she had the backing of the Azure Sword Sect and the Shangguan Estate, but her own intellect, methods, and ability to read people must be top-tier.

In high positions, there are no weaklings.

Of those who could reach this level, who didn't have monumental backgrounds behind them?

What they competed on was naturally pure personal ability, plus a little bit of luck.

And a woman so unparalleled in intelligence, who accompanied Luo Zhao day and night.

How could she possibly be completely oblivious to the massive contrast in Luo Zhao's personality and behavioral changes?

It was absolutely impossible.

Therefore, there was only one conclusion: Shangguan Yunying had not only noticed, but likely noticed a long time ago.

Gu Chengyin even suspected that as early as Beihe City, when he automatically released his hypnosis on her in order to hypnotize Luo Zhao.

Shangguan Yunying had already realized something.

Otherwise, there was no way to explain her series of abnormal behaviors afterward.

Especially how, whenever Gu Chengyin proposed a strategy, Shangguan Yunying would inevitably raise doubts.

This completely contradicted the style of a Chief Lady-in-waiting.

Later on, Shangguan Yunying's attitude gradually became even more ambiguous, as if she had been conquered by his personal charm.

Whether it was the admiration in her eyes, the intimacy in her words, or even her willingness to show shyness and dependence.

If it were anyone else, they probably would have long been bewitched by her stunning beauty, gentle demeanor, and seemingly sincere affection.

And they would believe that this Chief Lady-in-waiting had truly fallen in love with them.

But Gu Chengyin knew she hadn't.

In his eyes.

Shangguan Yunying was just as deeply hidden as the proud curves of her bosom.

Everything she displayed right now was merely a facade.

From their first meeting in Beihe City until now, it had been a mere half a month at most.

Even if Gu Chengyin's charm was immense and his abilities formidable, it was impossible in such a short period of time.

To make a mature, highly respected Chief Lady-in-waiting who was accustomed to seeing the outstanding talents of aristocratic families and the storms of the royal court.

Fall so uncontrollably in love.

A person needs to have self-awareness.

Just as it is impossible for a woman to simultaneously possess the three virtues of being beautiful, smart, and good-tempered.

A beautiful and smart woman will definitely have a bad temper.

A smart and good-tempered woman will inevitably lack in looks.

And a beautiful and good-tempered woman is definitely not very bright.

As for someone like Shangguan Yunying, who was extremely beautiful, extremely smart, possessed an excellent temper toward Gu Chengyin, and also acted as if she liked him very much...

There was only one possibility:

She was deceiving him.

She was meticulously weaving a web of tender affection, attempting to use her beauty and true feelings as weapons to uncover the secrets Gu Chengyin held.

This didn't mean that Shangguan Yunying's affection was entirely false.

It couldn't be ruled out that she might have acted so well she ended up falling for her own act.

The liking might be real, but this liking came with an ulterior motive.

After all, half-truths are the most moving.

Thinking of this, Gu Chengyin narrowed his eyes slightly.

Shangguan Yunying using herself as bait was not a bad thing for him.

Because the more she tried to get close, the easier it was for her to lower her guard, and the easier it was for her to create opportunities for him.

Therefore, during these past few days, Gu Chengyin cooperatively reciprocated the ambiguity.

He responded to her probes, accepted her inquiries, and occasionally revealed just the right amount of appreciation and infatuation.

He was acting too.

Acting the part of a lucky man bewitched by beauty, gradually drowning in a haven of tenderness.

This intangibly increased Shangguan Yunying's trust in him, and also increased the chances of success when hypnotizing her.

The game played between adults is never just simple love and affection.

No matter what intentions Shangguan Yunying actually harbored toward him.

After the hypnosis, none of it would matter anymore.

The sharpest sword often requires the most tender honey to temper it.

Doesn't it?

Just as Gu Chengyin's thoughts were racing, the carriage slowly came to a halt.

The driver's voice drifted in from outside: "Lord Junior Preceptor, we have arrived at the Crown Heir's Palace."

Gu Chengyin gathered his thoughts, lifted the carriage curtain, and stepped down.

The towering gates of the Crown Heir's Palace stood right before his eyes. With its vermilion walls, emerald tiles, flying eaves, and bracket sets, the atmosphere was imposing yet elegant.

Gu Chengyin was just about to stride into the palace when his gaze was drawn to two figures not far away.

It was exactly Luo Zhao and Shangguan Yunying.

Luo Zhao walked at a leisurely pace, heading toward the Wenli Hall.

The sunlight spilled over her, accentuating her aloof and icy temperament even more vividly, making her seem like the bright moon in the highest heavens, forever out of reach.

Meanwhile, Shangguan Yunying trailed half a step behind her, her figure graceful and her posture respectful.

Right at this moment, as if sensing Gu Chengyin's gaze, Shangguan Yunying suddenly turned her head and looked toward the palace gates.

Their eyes met.

Gu Chengyin clearly saw Shangguan Yunying's beautiful eyes, which always seemed to harbor a gentle smile, visibly light up the moment they landed on him.

Immediately after, the corners of her lips naturally curled upwards, blossoming into a bright and captivating smile.

The smile was perfectly measured—neither overly eager, nor distant and aloof.

Gu Chengyin returned a warm smile of his own, nodding in a polite and cultured manner.

Walking ahead of her, Luo Zhao did not look back, continuing straight toward the Wenli Hall.

After acknowledging Gu Chengyin with her smile, Shangguan Yunying quickly turned her head forward again, quickening her pace by half a step to keep up.

Gu Chengyin watched their figures disappear behind the doors of Wenli Hall, the smile on his face slowly fading away.

He turned and walked toward his own side hall.

His pace was unhurried, yet a plan had already taken shape in his mind.

Tonight, he would pay a visit to this Chief Female Official.

And they were going to have a proper 'chat'.