The Dual-Faced Dancer

At dusk, Gu Chengyin emerged from the Ministry of Rites and took a horse-drawn carriage to the Shangguan Estate.

He had spent the entire day carefully reviewing the information and records of all the immortal cultivation sects in the Great Luo Dynasty, etching them into his memory.

Ultimately, he concluded that the Azure Sword Sect remained the absolute best choice, bar none.

Therefore, aside from supporting Luo Zhao's ascension to the throne as emperor.

Gu Chengyin now had a new goal: to bring the Azure Sword Sect under his command.

This made tonight's family banquet incredibly important.

After all, no other household possessed key figures from both of these crucial factions quite like the Shangguan Estate.

Shangguan Yuan was a newly appointed Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, representing the emerging noble families of the Luo Capital while also being half-aligned with the Crown Prince's faction.

Jiang Jianli, on the other hand, was the only daughter of the Azure Sword Sect's master, and more importantly, the sect's special liaison envoy stationed in the Divine Capital.

As for Shangguan Yunying, her significance went without saying.

Gu Chengyin stepped down from the carriage at the entrance of the Shangguan Estate and was quickly and respectfully escorted inside by the butler.

Passing the screen wall, winding corridors, and lush gardens, he finally arrived before an exquisite hall.

The hall was brightly lit, filled with the lingering scent of warm incense, and the banquet was already laid out.

Shangguan Yuan and Jiang Jianli were waiting inside.

Seeing Gu Chengyin, Shangguan Yuan was the first to stand, offering a warm smile. "Junior Preceptor Gu has arrived. Please, have a seat."

Jiang Jianli had changed into an everyday ruqun dress. Without heavy makeup and with her long hair loosely pinned up, she exuded the gentle elegance of a household matriarch.

She smiled and nodded at Gu Chengyin. "It is wonderful that Young Master Gu could come."

"Grand Secretary Shangguan, Madam Jiang."

Gu Chengyin cupped his hands in greeting. "Thank you for the invitation. I apologize for the intrusion."

"No need to be polite, please sit," Shangguan Yuan said, gesturing for Gu Chengyin to take his seat.

The banquet was set out in a standard four-person family arrangement: Shangguan Yuan in the host's seat, Gu Chengyin on the left, Jiang Jianli on the right, and the seat opposite Shangguan Yuan temporarily empty.

Just as Gu Chengyin sat down, light footsteps echoed from outside the hall.

"Father, Mother, I have returned."

A clear, melodious voice rang out as Shangguan Yunying appeared at the entrance of the hall.

She wore a pale azure silk skirt embroidered with orchid patterns, her dark hair half-tied and adorned with only a simple jade hairpin.

A gentle smile graced her face, and her eyes revealed the natural warmth and affection of seeing her parents.

She looked exactly like a happy daughter who had just come home.

There was no trace of blankness or submissiveness; her gaze was lively, and her expressions were vibrant.

Even upon seeing Gu Chengyin, a flash of surprise crossed her face before she gave a slight nod. "So Junior Preceptor Gu has already arrived."

Shangguan Yunying naturally walked over to the empty seat and sat down, her movements fluid and without the slightest hesitation.

After sitting, she even took the initiative to lift the teapot, pouring tea for her parents first before filling Gu Chengyin's cup to seventy percent full.

"Please enjoy the tea, Junior Preceptor Gu."

At that moment, Gu Chengyin looked into Shangguan Yunying's eyes.

Deep within her pupils, that familiar hollow submission remained.

"Thank you."

With a brief word of thanks, Gu Chengyin picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

Seeing Gu Chengyin drink the tea, the corners of Shangguan Yunying's mouth curled up slightly before quickly smoothing out.

She was currently switching seamlessly between her true self and her conscious puppet state.

When pouring tea for her parents, her eyes were gentle, smiling, and vividly alive, because that was her true self.

But when she turned to Gu Chengyin, the liveliness in her eyes instantly vanished, leaving only a programmatic emptiness, because she had switched to her conscious puppet state.

When she turned back to speak to her parents, she switched back to her true self again...

This switching was smooth and natural, completely flawless. She perfectly controlled even the slightest changes in her breathing, heartbeat, and muscles.

The control granted by the Foundation Establishment Realm, combined with Shangguan Yunying's own high intellect and acting skills.

Created a perfect two-faced dancer.

Therefore, even Shangguan Yuan and Jiang Jianli did not notice anything unusual.

Because the Shangguan Yunying they saw was fundamentally different from the one Gu Chengyin saw.

The banquet began in a harmonious and joyous atmosphere.

During the meal, Shangguan Yuan shared some amusing anecdotes from the imperial court, Jiang Jianli asked about recent events in the palace, Shangguan Yunying answered obediently, and Gu Chengyin chimed in at the right moments. The atmosphere was highly congenial.

After several rounds of wine and food.

Shangguan Yuan put down his chopsticks, the smile on his face fading slightly as his tone turned formal.

"Junior Preceptor Gu, I invited you here today partly for a simple family meal, but also because there are indeed some matters on which I would like to seek your advice."

Here came the main topic.

Gu Chengyin also set down his chopsticks and said seriously, "Please speak, Grand Secretary."

Shangguan Yuan pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, "Now that I have been added to the Cabinet, it may look glamorous, but in reality, I am walking on thin ice."

"I represent the emerging noble families while also being half-aligned with the Crown Prince's faction. To put it nicely, I am finding favor on both sides; to put it harshly, I am a fence-sitter."

He looked at Gu Chengyin, his eyes showing genuine concern.

"Naturally, I wish to grow closer to His Highness."

"But if I appear too eager, it will inevitably draw suspicion and make things difficult for His Highness."

"Therefore, I would like to ask Junior Preceptor Gu for a favor. Could you request His Highness to clarify his exact stance toward our Shangguan family?"

These words were spoken with utmost sincerity and realism.

Shangguan Yuan's dilemma was real: he was the representative of the emerging noble families in the imperial court, and he was also the father of the Chief Female Official.

In the political games of the court, these two identities were not always compatible.

If he leaned completely toward the Crown Prince's faction, he might lose the support of the emerging noble families.

If he kept his distance from the Crown Prince, he might miss out on the merit of supporting the future emperor.

He needed a clear signal, a reassurance.

After listening, Gu Chengyin merely smiled faintly, shook his head, and said softly,

"You worry too much, Grand Secretary."

Shangguan Yuan was taken aback.

"This matter is actually quite simple."

"Just turn the emerging noble families into the Crown Prince's faction, and all will be well."

The hall instantly fell silent.

Shangguan Yuan's pupils slightly contracted, Jiang Jianli set down her teacup, and even Shangguan Yunying, who had been obediently eating, paused her chopsticks almost imperceptibly.

Turn the emerging noble families into the Crown Prince's faction?

It sounded so easy, but the ambition and grand vision hidden within those words made even Shangguan Yuan's heart tremble.

However, Gu Chengyin's expression remained as calm as if he were stating an absolute matter of fact.

"Is the Grand Secretary aware of the Second Prince's new policy pilot program?"

Shangguan Yuan's expression turned serious, and he nodded gently.

After Emperor Luo granted his approval, the memorial was issued to the Cabinet, so he naturally knew about it.

He was also intimately aware of the hidden agendas within it. After all, the Shangguan family had been invited to participate, but he had refused.

Gu Chengyin paused, his tone becoming profoundly meaningful.

"Shanshui City is a good place. It is close to the Luo Capital and has convenient transportation."

"I feel that the Shangguan family absolutely cannot miss out on this excellent opportunity."

Shangguan Yuan was stunned. What did this mean?

Was Gu Chengyin telling him to jump into a fire pit?

A venture that guaranteed nothing but financial loss and a heavy-handed crackdown—he wouldn't do it even if beaten to death.

Seeing Shangguan Yuan's bewildered expression, Gu Chengyin felt a bit helpless.

Although this old fox was formidable, his merchant mindset was still too strong; he cared too much about financial losses.

In reality, some things simply could not be measured by money.

Gu Chengyin could only continue, "Grand Secretary, money lost can be earned back."

"But this kind of merit delivered right to your doorstep."

"Is not something that comes around every day."