Must Come Back

Provoked by a beauty, Gu Chengyin naturally wouldn't remain indifferent.

So, he made his move.

Shangguan Yunying seemed as if she had been suddenly restrained.

Her body went rigid, not daring to move an inch.

She regretted it; she regretted arrogantly provoking Gu Chengyin like that.

"Do you really want to continue?"

Gu Chengyin said with malicious intent:

"Here? Right beside Her Highness?"

Shangguan Yunying yielded, she had no choice but to yield, eventually begging for mercy with a flushed face:

"I... I'm sorry, I misspoke, please... let me go, okay?"

Gu Chengyin took the opportunity to release her, while pondering whether to continue his verification.

If possible, Gu Chengyin really wanted to do something drastic to Luo Zhao.

Not just these trivial kisses, not this tentative probing.

But a true breach of the bottom line, a verification enough to make any pretender break down.

If, even after that, Luo Zhao could still maintain this perfect state of hypnosis, still keep her breathing steady, her heartbeat even, and her expression serene...

Then there would be nothing left to say.

Gu Chengyin could be one hundred percent certain that she was truly hypnotized.

But...

No.

Gu Chengyin's gaze fell upon Shangguan Yunying in his arms.

She was leaning against his chest, her crimson palace dress slightly disheveled, her dark hair scattered over her shoulders, her cheeks still flushed, and a smile lingering at the corners of her lips.

She was enjoying this embrace.

Enjoying the intimacy between them.

Gu Chengyin knew very well that Shangguan Yunying allowed him to mess around with her, allowed his kisses, because she liked him.

But this permission was strictly limited to herself.

It absolutely did not mean she would allow him to act out of line with Luo Zhao.

If he did something that crossed the line with Luo Zhao...

Gu Chengyin had no doubt that Shangguan Yunying would draw her sword on him immediately.

Even if she liked him.

Even though she had taken the initiative to kiss him just moments ago.

But this was Shangguan Yunying.

Complex, contradictory, yet with clear bottom lines.

Gu Chengyin held Shangguan Yunying as they sat on the edge of the bed, less than three feet away from Luo Zhao.

"Yunying."

Gu Chengyin spoke softly, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet bedchamber.

Shangguan Yunying murmured in response, her voice nasal, like a lazy cat.

"Aren't you angry?"

The question came very suddenly.

Shangguan Yunying bit her lip, thoughts racing through her mind.

Ultimately, she chose to tell the truth:

"Even though you bully me like this..."

"But... I really like you."

Gu Chengyin looked into Shangguan Yunying's eyes for a long time.

Finally, he nodded heavily:

"Me too."

Those two words flowed into Shangguan Yunying's heart like a warm current.

An incredibly joyful smile instantly bloomed on her face.

Not a disguise, not a calculation, not an act.

Pure, genuine happiness.

This pure joy made her whole being light up.

Looking at this smile, Gu Chengyin lost himself for a moment.

A smile that could light up the entire world.

Very beautiful.

So beautiful that it moved his heart.

But it was only for a moment.

The next second, Gu Chengyin regained his composure.

"These next few days, I need to prepare matters for the inspection team."

"I might return to the Crown Prince's Palace less frequently. There are many things I must personally verify."

Gu Chengyin spoke of these trivial matters as if he were giving instructions, but also as if he were explaining.

Explaining why he might not come around often over the next few days.

Explaining why he had to be busy with these affairs.

Explaining that he wasn't distancing himself from her.

The smile on Shangguan Yunying's face gradually faded, but the light in her eyes did not recede.

She nodded earnestly: "I know. Rest assured, I will take good care of Her Highness."

This was a promise.

And a declaration of her stance.

Gu Chengyin looked at her and continued:

"Yunying, I have a few things to instruct you on."

Hearing this, Shangguan Yunying's expression instantly turned solemn.

She sat up straight from Gu Chengyin's embrace, her expression becoming serious and focused, just like when she handled government affairs.

"Go ahead."

Gu Chengyin began, "First."

"You don't need to maintain hostility toward Emperor Luo. Emperor Luo is targeting me, not Her Highness."

"I will handle my own affairs. There is no need to worry."

"As for the rest... Yunying, you only need to tell Emperor Luo at the most critical moment that Her Highness is in my hands."

This was said very subtly.

But Shangguan Yunying understood.

Gu Chengyin was telling her that it was him Emperor Luo wanted to deal with, not Luo Zhao.

But when the critical moment came, for example, if Emperor Luo really wanted to sacrifice him, or deal a lethal blow to him.

She could use the fact that Luo Zhao was being controlled to blackmail Emperor Luo.

Shangguan Yunying's heart suddenly sank.

But she didn't show it, merely nodding:

"I understand."

She truly understood.

Furthermore, she knew that Gu Chengyin's words, while seemingly meant for her, were no different from instructing Luo Zhao.

Because Luo Zhao was right there beside them.

Luo Zhao could hear these words just the same.

And when that critical moment arrived, whether to blackmail Emperor Luo would be up to Luo Zhao herself to decide.

To decide whether to save Gu Chengyin.

Or let Gu Chengyin die at the hands of others.

"Second."

Gu Chengyin continued, "Her Highness now presides over the Ministry of Personnel. When you assist her, focus on building good relations with the officials from humble backgrounds."

This instruction made Shangguan Yunying pause in surprise.

"Why?"

She asked instinctively, "Isn't Cui Shifan the Chief Minister now? Shouldn't we..."

"The Chief Minister does indeed hold a high and powerful position, but in reality, whoever sits in that seat becomes the next target."

Gu Chengyin interrupted her:

"Cui Shifan is currently enjoying unparalleled prominence because he stepped on the corpse of The Xiao Clan."

"But how long can this prominence last?"

"The Xiao Clan has fallen, and the next to fall might be the Cui Clan."

"The struggles in the royal court have always been a matter of life and death."

"Today you are a hero of the state; tomorrow you could become a condemned traitor."

"But the faction of humble origins is different."

"They lack the massive family backgrounds of the noble houses, and they do not have such deeply entrenched, complicated networks of interests."

"To have climbed to their current positions, they relied on true talent and practical knowledge, on Emperor Luo's promotion, and on their ability to judge the times and assess the situation."

"Therefore, they are very low-profile and hide their true strengths."

"Most importantly."

"The faction of humble origins will not covet the position of Chief Minister, at least not for now."

Shangguan Yunying blinked.

She seemed to understand something, yet at the same time, she felt as if she understood nothing.

But she knew that Gu Chengyin's words definitely held profound meaning.

Although she understood court struggles to some extent, her insight was far from as thorough and far-reaching as Gu Chengyin's.

Shangguan Yunying could only nod in agreement: "I understand. I will pay attention to it."

Simultaneously, she silently prayed in her heart that Her Highness, being so intelligent, would definitely be able to understand Gu Chengyin's deeper meaning.

"Third."

Gu Chengyin's third point made Shangguan Yunying's heart clench tightly once again.

"The Second Prince is currently in the Ministry of Revenue. If I am unable to return, go find your father. He has a way to deal with the Second Prince..."

Before he could finish his sentence.

Shangguan Yunying abruptly raised her hand and covered Gu Chengyin's mouth.

"I forbid you from saying that!"

"Promise me, you absolutely must return!"