Conquest by Force

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Morning light filtered through the carved window lattices of the Wenli Hall, casting mottled shadows.

As Shangguan Yunying stepped into the hall, Luo Zhao was sitting behind her desk, holding a book, but her eyes were somewhat hollow.

This was her state when she switched to her consciousness puppet.

The moment Shangguan Yunying spoke her first sentence, this disguise instantly shattered.

Your Highness, Gu Chengyin has entered the palace.

As her words fell, the rigid look in Luo Zhao's eyes vanished, replaced first by a relieved lightness, and then by a teeth-gritting annoyance.

I thought that bastard had come!

Luo Zhao put down the book and said with great dissatisfaction, He is obviously the one at fault, so why am I the one hiding!

She spoke with grievance, but it was the truth.

Given what Gu Chengyin had done to them, they should have been the ones in the right.

But the reality was that she and Shangguan Yunying had to disguise themselves and endure, terrified of showing the slightest flaw.

Shangguan Yunying covered her mouth and chuckled softly. She walked to Luo Zhao's side and poured her a cup of tea. Please don't be angry, Your Highness. This is all for the sake of the bigger picture.

Think about it, who is Gu Chengyin running around out there for? Isn't it all for you, Your Highness?

These words were half true and half false.

Gu Chengyin was indeed paving the way for Luo Zhao, but behind these actions, it was ultimately for his own power and cultivation base.

However, hearing this, Luo Zhao's mood did improve significantly.

She took the teacup, her fingertips rubbing the warm porcelain wall, and her gaze fell on Shangguan Yunying's face. Yunying, look.

After saying that, the aura around Luo Zhao suddenly changed.

A solid and powerful aura instantly permeated the air.

Your Highness, you have reached Foundation Establishment? Shangguan Yunying asked in surprise.

Luo Zhao nodded, her expression complex. I was too busy before. Court affairs, dealing with noble families, implementing new policies... just reviewing memorials took several hours. Where would I find the time to cultivate?

She paused, her voice lowering a bit. But looking at it now, I still cannot afford to fall behind.

Shangguan Yunying instantly understood.

Her Highness was afraid that in the future, if they ever faced off one-on-one, she would be counter-killed and humiliated by Gu Chengyin.

However, with Gu Chengyin's cultivation advancing a thousand miles a day... even as the successor of the Azure Sword Sect, she would not dare claim an easy victory now.

If they really started fighting, Her Highness would probably...

With your talent, Your Highness, you can definitely surpass Gu Chengyin!

Shangguan Yunying immediately encouraged her, her tone very sincere. You are the Crown Princess, and you have the guidance of the royal enshrined experts, giving you a solid foundation.

You were only delayed by busy political affairs before. Now that you have decided to resume your cultivation, catching up to and even surpassing Gu Chengyin will absolutely not be a difficult task.

Luo Zhao nodded, a flash of determination in her eyes. Yes, this is also a two-pronged preparation.

If anything goes wrong in the future, at least I can still conquer him by force.

As she said this, a hint of a blush appeared on Luo Zhao's cheeks, but it was quickly masked by a cold expression.

The words conquer him by force were not only a plan for the future but also a response to past humiliations.

Speaking of which, he went to your house last night? Luo Zhao changed the subject, picking up her teacup to take a sip.

Shangguan Yunying nodded, then sat down in the chair opposite Luo Zhao, detailing the events of last night's banquet.

Luo Zhao listened quietly, her fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the desk.

When she heard that Gu Chengyin and Shangguan Yuan were secretly plotting to use Shanshui City as bait to harvest the newly rising noble families, a gleam flashed in her eyes.

So he wants to coordinate with Shangguan Yuan from the inside and outside?

Luo Zhao looked thoughtful. That is actually a good idea.

First, use Shangguan Yuan's status as a newly appointed cabinet minister to gather those ambitious newly rising families, then lure them into the trap, and finally...

The corners of her lips curled into a cold sneer. Swallow all their wealth. Although Gu Chengyin is a bastard, I have to say he is indeed formidable in this regard.

Hearing Luo Zhao curse him one moment and praise him the next, Shangguan Yunying smiled without speaking.

She was already used to Her Highness's contradictory attitude. She held a hatred toward Gu Chengyin for being manipulated by him, yet also had an appreciation for his methods.

She had both the determination for revenge and some kind of unspeakable, complex emotion.

Well, this matter with Shanshui City is indeed not urgent.

Luo Zhao continued to analyze. We can wait until the new families taste the sweetness, prolong the time so they lower their guard, and wait until they invest all their assets. It will not be too late to cast the net then.

She changed the subject, her tone turning solemn. However, I did not expect this matter with the Azure Sword Sect... Heh, this bastard really has people wanting to kill him no matter where he goes.

Although it was mockery, Shangguan Yunying could hear a trace of worry in it.

Very faint, almost imperceptible, but it was definitely there.

Luo Zhao recalled what was just said about Gu Chengyin's whereabouts and frowned slightly. Since someone wants to make a move against him, with this guy's quick wit, he will definitely look for an amulet to save his life.

Since he has entered the palace, he must have gone to find Imperial Father.

Luo Zhao stood up and paced slowly within the hall, the hem of her palace dress swaying gently with her movements.

Hmm... To be so confident means that Imperial Father also has designs on the cultivation world...

As Luo Zhao paced, she thought, involuntarily beginning to sort things out around Gu Chengyin:

The Azure Sword Sect needs legitimacy, and Gu Chengyin needs to save his life. This is the first layer.

Imperial Father knows Gu Chengyin's identity, yet he still pushed him into the position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, allowing him to come into contact with the cultivation world. This is the second layer.

Now that Gu Chengyin is facing murderous intent, he immediately entered the palace to seek help, which shows he knows Imperial Father will help him. This is the third layer.

Luo Zhao's speaking speed grew faster, her train of thought becoming clearer and clearer:

Why would Imperial Father help? Because Gu Chengyin is useful alive.

Useful for what? To become the legitimacy of the Azure Sword Sect, then complete their inheritance, and reconnect the immortal path...

Luo Zhao suddenly stopped pacing, turned to look at Shangguan Yunying, and a look of realization flashed in her eyes:

Imperial Father wants the immortal path after it has been reconnected.

Shangguan Yunying suddenly understood.

And if Gu Chengyin wants to save his life, Luo Zhao sat back down in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop, with his personality, he would demand at least a Golden Core realm expert before agreeing to leave the house, otherwise he would not be Gu Chengyin.

In just a few words, Luo Zhao realized she had actually sorted out the entire sequence of events.

She had not only seen through Gu Chengyin's calculations but also completely understood her Imperial Father's layout, and even anticipated the subsequent developments.

This made her freeze for a moment. She blinked, finding it somewhat unbelievable herself.

Beside her, Shangguan Yunying clapped her hands lightly and said with a smile, Wow! Your Highness is amazing! You are becoming more and more like Gu Chengyin!

As soon as these words came out, Luo Zhao's slightly excited expression instantly turned displeased.

She glared at Shangguan Yunying, her tone dangerous. Yunying, are you praising me or insulting me?

Shangguan Yunying covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes full of slyness. If I were saying your character is like Gu Chengyin's, that would definitely be an insult. But talking about your strategy and analysis, that is definitely a compliment, Your Highness.

She dragged out the end of her sentence with a playfulness unique to young girls. You see, your analysis just now was progressive and logically rigorous. You even calculated Gu Chengyin's psychology perfectly.

In the future, he definitely will not be able to escape the palm of your hand and can only be played with at your fingertips.

Luo Zhao snorted, though the corners of his mouth still crept up into a faint smile.

Being told his strategic mind resembled Gu Chengyin's left him with mixed feelings.

On one hand, it was a clear acknowledgment of his capabilities. On the other hand, being associated with that bastard left a distinctly sour taste in his mouth.

"However, Your Highness," Shangguan Yunying said, shifting the topic as her expression grew serious. "Which royal guardian do you think His Majesty will send to accompany and protect Gu Chengyin?"

That question hit right at the heart of the matter.

Luo Zhao's gaze sharpened, and a specific figure instantly flashed across his mind.