Accompany Her

Fan Pavilion.

This seven-story wooden pavilion was situated right in the middle of the Imperial Street, occupying the most prosperous location in the Divine Capital.

Vermilion lacquered carved railings, flying eaves, and bracket sets adorned the structure, while the gilded wind chimes hanging from the corners of the eaves emitted a clear and melodious ringing in the evening breeze.

The pavilion was brightly lit inside, and the faint sounds of string and bamboo instruments drifted out, mingling with the rich aroma of fine wine and delicacies that could be smelled from half a street away.

Tonight, it was especially bustling, filled with a cacophony of voices.

The wide stone-paved Imperial Street in front of the pavilion was already crowded with all kinds of luxurious carriages.

Brightly dressed high-ranking officials, nobles, and scions of aristocratic families were all waiting eagerly in front of the building, conversing in low voices with expectant looks on their faces.

They had all heard that Junior Preceptor Gu was hosting a banquet here tonight, and they wanted to join the fun, strike up a connection, or at least show their faces.

But unfortunately for them.

In front of the Fan Pavilion's two heavy red sandalwood doors, the second manager personally stood guard along with eight pavilion guards.

They were expressionless, their eyes as sharp as eagles, blocking everyone from entering.

A luxuriously dressed young man, clearly a scion of some aristocratic family, tried to step forward. With a smile plastered on his face, he pulled a calling card from his sleeve:

I once had a brief encounter with Junior Preceptor Gu. Could you perhaps make an exception...

Before he could finish, the second manager interrupted him in a gentle tone:

Tonight, the Fan Pavilion has been entirely booked by Junior Preceptor Gu. All unauthorized personnel are strictly forbidden from entering.

The smile on the young aristocrat's face stiffened, but he still refused to give up:

Second Manager, my father serves in the same court as Junior Preceptor Gu. Look...

The second manager shook his head in refusal once more, maintaining his smile as he said:

Even if the Ministers of the Six Ministries came in person, without Junior Preceptor Gu's written order, they would still not be allowed inside.

These words were spoken with absolute certainty, leaving no room for negotiation.

The young aristocrat's face flushed red, and just as he was about to lose his temper, an older official nearby quickly pulled him back and whispered:

Do not be impulsive! Have you not heard? Lord Jingzhe of the Celestial Master's Mansion is inside!

The name Lord Jingzhe acted like a bucket of ice water poured over his head, instantly extinguishing the young aristocrat's anger.

His expression shifted, and he ultimately backed away resentfully, not daring to say another word.

Similar scenes played out continuously in front of the pavilion.

Some announced their official titles, some showed off their prominent family backgrounds, and some even tried to secretly slip in a bribe...

But without exception, they were all turned away by the smiling second manager.

That was until someone, refusing to accept the situation and emboldened by a bit of alcohol, tried to force his way in.

Clang!

Eight long blades were simultaneously drawn half a foot from their sheaths!

The cold gleam reflected the lights in front of the building, and a chilling killing intent permeated the air.

The drunkard sobered up instantly, stumbling and crawling as he retreated behind the crowd.

In the end, everyone could only wait obediently outside the building, staring longingly at the red sandalwood doors, hoping that someone would come out to deliver a message and give them a chance to enter.

Unfortunately, even when the moon reached its zenith, no one had been granted this honor.

Top Floor of Fan Pavilion, Cloud Viewing Pavilion

This was the most honorable and private room in the Fan Pavilion.

Three sides of the room featured wide-open carved wooden windows, outside of which lay the night view of the Divine Capital.

In the distance, the lights of the imperial palace shone like stars; nearby, carriages and horses flowed like a river along the Imperial Street; and further away, the Luo River stretched out like a ribbon, reflecting the starry sky.

Gu Chengyin was currently leaning against the vermilion lacquered railing by the window, toying with a white jade wine cup in his hand, his gaze directed at the bustling crowd downstairs who were unable to find a way in.

After watching for a long time, he could not help but sigh softly:

Auntie is truly amazing, it is almost as if His Highness had come in person.

These words were spoken with utmost sincerity.

Just the title of Jingzhe of the Celestial Master's Mansion was enough to make a host of high-ranking officials and aristocratic scions become meek and obedient, waiting quietly outside the building.

Looking at the entire Divine Capital, those who could achieve such a deterrent effect could be counted on one hand.

Lin Qingyan sat upright in the center of the room, her eyes closed in meditation.

She was still dressed in a plain cyan shirt, her long hair loosely pinned up with a wooden hairpin, with a few stray strands falling by her shoulders.

Beside her sat a pot of clear tea and two white porcelain teacups. Steam curled upwards from the tea, exuding an elegant orchid fragrance.

Other than Gu Chengyin and Lin Qingyan, there was no third person in this Cloud Viewing Pavilion.

The noise downstairs was isolated by some invisible barrier, leaving the interior incredibly quiet.

Hearing Gu Chengyin's sigh, Lin Qingyan slowly opened her eyes. She looked at Gu Chengyin and asked:

Why are you not downstairs drinking and socializing? What are you doing here?

Gu Chengyin turned around, leaned his back against the railing, and smiled at her:

To keep my Auntie company, of course.

Lin Qingyan's expression remained unchanged, clearly not believing this excuse.

Gu Chengyin was not embarrassed and added:

The main thing is... with my current status, if I really went downstairs to exchange toasts, they would not be able to let loose and would be very constrained.

It is better to stay here and keep Auntie company. Once the atmosphere warms up, I can go down, make an appearance, and say a few polite words. The effect will be much better.

This statement actually made some sense.

With the thunderous methods he displayed at the drill ground today, coupled with his multiple identities, if he really sat down to drink with them, probably no one would dare to drink freely. Instead, they would be restrained and cautious at every turn.

Lin Qingyan remained noncommittal. After a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke:

Then, how about having a few drinks with her?

Gu Chengyin froze for a moment before realizing that the her Lin Qingyan was referring to was the inner demon.

After thinking for a moment, he said:

It is not impossible, but let us wait a bit longer, Auntie. After all, are we not still expecting a guest?

He deliberately emphasized the word guest.

Lin Qingyan let out a soft snort from her nose.

She knew it. Gu Chengyin staying here was not to keep her company at all, but to wait for Cui Shifan.

However, she did not say anything. She closed her eyes again, continued to regulate her breathing and rest her mind, and ignored Gu Chengyin.

Gu Chengyin did not mind either. He turned back around, continued to lean against the railing, and looked downstairs.

Time slowly passed.

The noise downstairs grew increasingly boisterous, and the sounds of music and dancing became even more cheerful.

Through the open windows, one could hear the clinking of glasses, the rough laughter of martial artists, and the refined toasts of civil officials.

The atmosphere was already lively.

Right at this moment.

An unusual commotion arose from the Imperial Street below.

The crowd that had been congesting the entrance of the Fan Pavilion parted to the sides like a tide, making way for a wide path.

A carriage exuding solemn majesty, escorted by four guards riding tall horses, slowly approached and finally came to a steady stop in front of the main entrance of the Fan Pavilion.

A striking character for Cui was embroidered on the side curtain of the carriage.

It was the carriage of the Cui Manor.

Gu Chengyin's eyes lit up. He leaned forward slightly, staring at the carriage with great interest.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and an old man dressed in the deep purple official robes of the Chief Minister bowed and stepped out of the cabin.

It was none other than Cui Shifan.

He did not immediately alight from the carriage. Instead, he slowly raised his head, his gaze piercing like lightning straight toward the top floor of the Fan Pavilion.

His eyes perfectly met those of Gu Chengyin, who was leaning against the railing and looking down.

Separated by the height of seven stories, the brightly lit night sky, and the clamoring crowd below, their gazes intersected in the air.

A trace of a smile appeared on Gu Chengyin's face. He raised his right hand and gave a gentle wave to Cui Shifan below, as if greeting a familiar old friend.

A hint of a smile also surfaced on Cui Shifan's face. The smile was faint but just right, neither too enthusiastic nor too distant.

The way the two exchanged glances and smiled at each other from a distance made them look nothing like scheming opponents. Instead, they seemed like old friends who had agreed to meet here tonight.

After the greetings were finished, Cui Shifan withdrew his gaze, adjusted his robes, and strode toward the main entrance of Fanlou.

Behind him, Cui Ziting followed silently, his eyes lowered submissively in a highly respectful posture.

The second manager guarding the door saw Cui Shifan. Instead of blocking his path as he had done with the others, he bowed deeply and offered his salutations:

"Greetings, Lord Chief Minister!"

He then stepped aside to clear the way.

Without breaking his stride, Cui Shifan walked straight into Fanlou.

From beginning to end, no one stepped forward to stop him, nor did anyone dare to ask a single question.

The so-called inability to enter was never truly about the establishment's threshold.

It was simply because one's status was not high enough.

Because one's identity was not noble enough.