Why Is It So Fragrant

This left Gu Chengyin completely at a loss.

He had come to the bedchamber, naturally, to further confirm Luo Zhao's condition.

But now, Shangguan Yunying was sleeping right beside Luo Zhao.

How was he supposed to confirm it now?

Was he supposed to test Luo Zhao right in front of Shangguan Yunying?

After a moment of thought, Gu Chengyin understood the reason.

If Luo Zhao was truly hypnotized, and Shangguan Yunying firmly believed it,

then as the chief female official, she would naturally stay by Luo Zhao's side without taking a single step away,

ensuring that if any accident occurred, she could react immediately.

Therefore, sleeping beside her was actually very reasonable.

This instead proved that Shangguan Yunying really thought Luo Zhao was hypnotized.

Her behavioral logic was built upon this understanding.

Gu Chengyin slowly retracted his perception.

Those invisible tentacles quietly withdrew from the depths of the bedchamber, shrinking back into his sea of consciousness.

The entire process did not cause any ripples.

Then, with silent footsteps, he walked toward the inner chamber.

Finally, he stopped by the door, thirty feet away from the phoenix bed.

At this distance, he could clearly see the situation on the bed without getting too close.

After all, Shangguan Yunying was a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator; her five senses were far more acute than an ordinary person's.

If he got any closer, he would likely be noticed.

Seeing it with his own eyes now further confirmed the results of his earlier perception.

Shangguan Yunying was indeed right beside Luo Zhao.

Standing in the shadows by the door, Gu Chengyin watched quietly while his mind raced.

Should he continue to confirm?

As things stood, all signs indicated that Luo Zhao was indeed under his control.

Shangguan Yunying's behavioral logic, Luo Zhao's perfect performance, and even Gu Xiaoli's vague testimony.

Everything pointed to the same conclusion: the hypnosis had taken effect, and this Crown Princess had become a pawn in his hands.

However, the thorn in the bottom of Gu Chengyin's heart had never been removed.

This was an innate intuition, an instinctive vigilance, a perception of killing intent.

It was like a hunter walking in the wilderness; even though he didn't see any danger, he could feel eyes staring at him from the dark.

This feeling was very uncomfortable.

That was why Gu Chengyin had to test the waters time and time again.

Rather than saying it was to confirm Luo Zhao's condition, it was more to put his own mind at ease.

With an uneasy heart, nothing could be accomplished.

When doing anything, if there were doubts, scruples, or uncertainties in one's heart, it would be difficult to go all out.

It was like holding a sword but always suspecting a chip in the blade; when striking, one would naturally hesitate and hold back.

And hesitation would lead to defeat.

So Gu Chengyin had to put his mind at ease.

He was now tied to Luo Zhao's giant ship, and he couldn't just jump off whenever he wanted.

His official position was built upon the foundation of the Crown Princess's faction, and his power was firmly attached to Luo Zhao's banner.

Then, through solid battle achievements, he would plant his influence deeply into everyone's hearts.

Every single one of these elements was interlocked and indispensable.

After thinking it over, Gu Chengyin finally made a decision.

He slowly released a bit of his aura.

He didn't release it completely, but rather slightly relaxed his deliberately concealed state.

But in the exact moment Gu Chengyin released his aura,

Shangguan Yunying on the bed instantly snapped her eyes open.

She immediately sat up, her gaze like lightning, shooting straight toward where Gu Chengyin was located.

Who is it?

Gu Chengyin's figure slowly emerged from the shadows.

He did not continue to hide, but proactively stepped into the area illuminated by the moonlight.

It's me.

When she saw clearly that it was Gu Chengyin, Shangguan Yunying's tense expression noticeably relaxed.

The vigilance in her eyes faded significantly, though she maintained her sitting posture.

Why are you here?

Shangguan Yunying asked in a low voice.

But in her heart, she wasn't actually surprised.

Because during the day, Luo Zhao had told her that Gu Chengyin would most likely come at night.

That was why Shangguan Yunying was here.

Appearing beside Luo Zhao was both a close-quarters protection and a part of the plan.

The plan was for her to act as bait, enticing Gu Chengyin to bully her even more excessively.

And right on this very bed, right beside Luo Zhao.

When she first heard this plan, Shangguan Yunying's initial reaction was that Her Highness had gone mad.

Time and time again of temporary forbearance had led to a psychological perversion.

It wasn't until Luo Zhao explained the deeper meaning and purpose behind it.

Only then did Shangguan Yunying realize that this was a plan specifically targeting Gu Chengyin.

It was to make him believe with one hundred percent certainty that the hypnosis was successful.

And the price paid for this was her, Shangguan Yunying.

Did she resist it?

Not really.

Shangguan Yunying actually wasn't averse to taking things a step further with Gu Chengyin.

But in order to avoid having to choose between the two of them in the future,

she was prepared to make some slight, subtle adjustments to this plan~

Gu Chengyin's gaze bypassed Shangguan Yunying and glanced at Luo Zhao beside her.

Her jet-black long hair was scattered on the pillow, gleaming with a silk-like luster under the moonlight. Her breathing was even, and she hadn't been awakened at all.

Where are the female officials on duty in the bedchamber? Gu Chengyin suddenly asked.

Shangguan Yunying paused for a moment and replied, Since I am guarding Her Highness, I let them go back and return tomorrow morning.

What's wrong? she added, carrying a hint of confusion.

Nothing. Gu Chengyin retracted his gaze. Just that when I came over earlier, I found no one on duty outside, which was a bit strange.

Something happened today, and I came to ask you about it, but I didn't expect you to be here.

Just as Shangguan Yunying was about to open her mouth and ask what the matter was.

The tip of her nose suddenly twitched.

As if she had sniffed something.

Shangguan Yunying instinctively furrowed her brows, tilted her head slightly, and sniffed carefully in Gu Chengyin's direction again.

This movement was done very naturally, like a hound identifying scents in the air.

Gu Chengyin stood in place, unmoving.

But his heart had already skipped a beat.

Crap.

He had forgotten about this.

At the Cloud Gazing Pavilion in Fanlou, he and Lin Qingyan had hugged for an entire night.

Their bodies were pressed tightly together, their breaths intertwining.

Lin Qingyan's hair had brushed against his neck, and her scent had seeped into his robes.

That special fragrance had long permeated his entire body.

Although after leaving Fanlou, he didn't take a carriage back, but instead walked in the night breeze for a long time.

Logically speaking, the smell should have mostly dissipated.

But how acute were a cultivator's five senses.

Especially Shangguan Yunying, as a woman, was naturally extremely sensitive to fragrances.

Even if there was only a trace left, she could catch it.

Sure enough.

Shangguan Yunying's brows furrowed tighter and tighter.

She got off the bed, her bare feet stepping on the cold jade bricks, and walked toward Gu Chengyin step by step.

The moonlight shone on her, and that thin nightgown outlined her slender yet powerful curves.

She walked up to Gu Chengyin, close enough to almost feel each other's breathing.

Then, Shangguan Yunying leaned close to the side of Gu Chengyin's neck and sniffed carefully again.

This time, she was certain.

On your body...

Shangguan Yunying raised her head, her eyes now filled with complex emotions.

There was doubt, confusion, and a hint of displeasure.

Why does it smell so fragrant?