Ultimately, Cui Shifan raised the wine cup in his hand.
The composure cultivated over decades of navigating the treacherous seas of officialdom allowed him to maintain his basic dignity.
Pressing the cup to his lips, the amber liquid flowed slowly down his throat. It was spicy and burning, much like his current mood.
It is but mere worldly possessions.
Cui Shifan consoled himself in his heart.
The Cui Manor had deep foundations. Although losing this amount of wealth stung, it was merely a flesh wound.
Furthermore, problems that could be solved with money were never truly major issues.
But despite reasoning with himself, the flesh-cutting agony at the bottom of his heart still spread uncontrollably.
Footing the bill was one thing.
Bleeding so much wealth, and he only drank two cups of wine?
The most crucial point was that the favor for all this fell entirely on that brat, Gu Chengyin?!
These martial artists and officials were grateful to Junior Preceptor Gu for hosting the banquet, and in awe that Junior Preceptor Gu could even invite the Grand Secretary.
Although they ultimately cheered for Elder Cui's generosity, this generosity was clearly forced upon him by Gu Chengyin!
What did that make him, Cui Shifan?
A gullible fool?!
Cui Shifan's fingers tightened slightly around the empty wine cup.
But in the end, he did not lash out.
Seeing Cui Shifan drink the wine, Gu Chengyin knew the matter was settled.
The smile on his face grew even more radiant as he immediately announced loudly:
Elder Cui attends to myriad state affairs daily and is extremely busy. It is already a rare honor that he could take the time to come tonight.
We shall not keep him any longer, lest we delay the Elder in handling national affairs!
He turned to the crowd and declared loudly:
Everyone, eat and drink well! Enjoy yourselves to the fullest!
The people in the venue stood up one after another, cupping their hands in unison:
Respectfully seeing off Elder Cui!
Their voices were uniform, their attitudes respectful.
Gu Chengyin nodded with a smile, extended a hand in an inviting gesture, and walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Cui Shifan down the stairs and towards the exit.
The two remained silent along the way, with only the dull thuds of their boots stepping on the wooden stairs.
As they neared the main entrance, Gu Chengyin suddenly spoke in a familiar tone:
Old Cui, rest assured. My little aunt is magnanimous and won't fuss over such trivial matters.
He patted his chest, looking like a man who could be completely trusted:
I guarantee you this much.
Cui Shifan cast a sidelong glance at him, his lips moving slightly, but he ultimately remained silent.
He didn't want to speak.
After all, some things were better left as an unspoken mutual understanding; pointing them out would only lower one's status.
He merely gave a faint hum of acknowledgment as a response.
The two stopped just inside the red sandalwood main doors of the Fan Pavilion.
Outside, the Cui Manor's carriage was still waiting, the wind lanterns hanging from its eaves swaying gently in the night breeze.
Inside, the clamor grew even more fervent, the music and dancing showing no signs of stopping.
Gu Chengyin withdrew his smile and switched to a businesslike tone:
So, what is the plan, Old Cui.
Cui Shifan also adopted a strictly professional expression.
He adjusted his robes, his voice steady and solemn:
This old minister learned that my useless son acted out of line at the training grounds today, offending the prestige of Lord Jingzhe. I am filled with trepidation and dare not be negligent.
I specially entered the palace to beg forgiveness from His Majesty and explain the situation. This old minister will immediately and strictly discipline that unworthy son, imposing a heavy punishment without leniency.
At the same time, to express my apologies, this old minister is willing to dispatch capable guards to escort Lord Jingzhe on her journey, bearing all expenses myself to offer my meager assistance.
I only pray for His Majesty's boundless grace to forgive this old minister's failure in teaching his son.
Speaking to the end, Cui Shifan's gaze finally landed on Gu Chengyin as he said:
Junior Preceptor Gu, His Majesty has already granted permission.
This bureaucratic speech was flawless and high-sounding.
Gu Chengyin blinked, then quickly realized what was happening.
Brilliant!
Cui Shifan had gone directly to Emperor Luo to confess his faults.
He framed Cui Zilong's offense today as an affront to Lord Jingzhe, and then, under the guise of making amends, dispatched aristocratic experts to escort Lin Qingyan on her journey.
This way, the aristocratic families sending experts to join the inspection team became an act of making amends by imperial decree, rather than a collaboration with Gu Chengyin.
It achieved the practical goal while severing the Cui clan's ties to the Crown Prince's Palace.
This was equivalent to telling Emperor Luo that he, Cui Shifan, had absolutely no ulterior motives.
No wonder Cui Shifan was able to become the Grand Secretary.
He played these schemes and maneuvers incredibly smoothly.
However, Gu Chengyin didn't mind.
As long as the people came, that was enough.
As for whether these aristocratic experts were nominally escorting Lin Qingyan or doing something else, it didn't matter at all.
As long as the people were useful and could fight, Cui Shifan could frame it however he liked.
Gu Chengyin immediately cupped his hands, a look of admiration appearing on his face:
Elder Cui places righteousness above family loyalty and is strictly impartial. You are truly a role model for our generation! This junior is full of admiration!
He spoke sincerely, or at least he appeared exceptionally sincere on the surface.
Cui Shifan said no more. With a slight nod, he stepped toward the door.
Cui Ziting hurried to keep up from behind.
But just as he passed by Gu Chengyin, Gu Chengyin suddenly reached out and grabbed him.
Ziting, let me ask you something.
Cui Ziting paused, stopped in his tracks, turned around, and said respectfully:
Please ask, Junior Preceptor Gu.
Gu Chengyin asked straightforwardly:
How is Zilu doing now?
Cui Ziting's expression shifted slightly. He looked up at Gu Chengyin, a complex light flashing through his eyes.
After a moment of silence, a gentle smile appeared on his face, and his voice softened:
Zilu is currently at our ancestral home in Qinghe. She reads and cultivates every day without ever slacking off. She works very hard.
The elders in the clan hold her in extremely high regard. She tops the lists in all assessments.
Cui Ziting paused and added:
She is excellent, incredibly excellent.
He spoke plainly, but Gu Chengyin could hear the underlying pride. It was an older brother's acknowledgment and protective love for his sister.
Gu Chengyin nodded slightly: That is good.
He looked at Cui Ziting, a touch more seriousness in his tone:
If possible, please send her my regards.
A hint of a smile flashed in Cui Ziting's eyes, and he immediately gave a solemn nod:
Rest assured, Junior Preceptor Gu, Ziting will certainly pass it on.
I am sure Zilu will be very happy to hear it.
Gu Chengyin smiled and let go of his hand.
Cui Ziting cupped his hands again, turned around, stepped out the main door, and boarded the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Cui Shifan looked at Cui Ziting as he entered and asked: What did Gu Chengyin say to you?
Cui Ziting replied: To answer Father, Junior Preceptor Gu asked about Zilu's situation and asked me to send her his regards.
Cui Shifan was slightly taken aback and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
After a long while, he finally spoke: Hmm... since he asked you to send regards to Zilu, you should make a trip back.
Pausing, Cui Shifan added: Before you go back, go to the storehouse and take a Luoshan Token to bring to Zilu.
When you return, find an opportunity to give the other token to Gu Chengyin.
.......
Gu Chengyin stood at the entrance of the Fan Pavilion, watching the carriage depart until it completely disappeared from sight, before turning back inside.
He did not go to the noisy main hall but instead followed the stairs up toward the Cloud Viewing Pavilion on the top floor.
When he pushed open the carved wooden door of the Cloud Viewing Pavilion, stepped inside, and casually closed the door behind him.
Two slender, jade-like hands silently emerged from his left and right waist like phantoms.
They then slowly moved upward, slithering like snakes, and finally rested on his chest.
At the same time, a coquettish voice, enchanting to the bone, whispered right next to Gu Chengyin's ear from behind:
Master~
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
lanned to earn money steadily and take life at a slower pace. But he never expected... his father's remarriage, and the stepmother bringing along a dependent, would completely disrupt his life's plans...
ut it can buy an entire year of absolutely perfect training results! Su Yu stared at his empty wallet and decisively opened up various online loan platforms. “Borrow a thousand bucks! Recharge my vitality!” Boom! His vitality broke a hundred points, shattering the limits of the human body! “Borrow ten thousand bucks! Recharge my combat skills!” Boom! A basic punching technique so common it was everywhere instantly maxed out, revealing the ultimate assassination technique of Five Elements Unity—Inner Force! When a rich kid hired assassins for a midnight ambush, aiming to break both of his legs, they instead ran headfirst into a monster—a human-shaped tyrannosaur, brimming with dragon-like vitality. With just two fingers, Su Yu snapped a steel staff reinforced with alloy. Staring at the killer’s stash of stolen cash—a staggering quarter-million dollars—he showed a corporate-sincere smile: “Thanks for the pre-exam gift pack, Mr. Zhao! I’m gonna go re-invest this!” Three days later, at the National Martial Arts College Entrance Exam, while everyone else struggled just to reach the passing line, Su Yu threw a single punch—and more than a thousand vitality points literally detonated the entire arena!
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
