He Insists

When the door of the small room was opened from the inside once again.

Gu Chengyin was the first to step out, his pace unhurried and his spirit refreshed.

Furthermore, his robes were smooth, without a single wrinkle on his cuffs, and even his hair was combed meticulously.

It was completely impossible to tell what had been done in this small room just moments before.

Shangguan Yunying, on the other hand, kept her lips tightly pursed, following half a step behind him.

A faint blush colored her cheeks, spreading from the base of her ears down to her neck, as if she had been dyed with a layer of rouge.

Her eyes were cast downward, her gaze fixed on the heels of Gu Chengyin's boots, not daring to look up.

Her entire being exuded an indescribable sense of panic and shyness.

Gu Chengyin stopped, turned to look at Shangguan Yunying, and said with concern,

Then I will go find Madam Jiang.

Shangguan Yunying nodded gently, still not daring to raise her head.

It was not until Gu Chengyin strode away, crossing the corridor and disappearing from sight.

After a good while, Shangguan Yunying finally suppressed the throbbing in her heart and walked toward the main hall.

Luo Zhao was still sitting behind the long desk, the brush in her hand moving across the memorials, writing meticulous annotations.

Your Highness.

Shangguan Yunying's voice sounded, carrying a deliberate calmness.

Gu Chengyin asked me about the situation of the Qingjian Sect, and then went to find my mother.

Hearing this, Luo Zhao was about to speak.

But right at this moment.

Her brows suddenly furrowed, as if she had smelled something.

Luo Zhao looked up, her nose twitching slightly as her suspicious gaze swept through the air before her.

What is that smell?

This scent was a bit familiar.

Faint, carrying an unspeakable aura of ambiguity.

Just like last night...

Luo Zhao's expression changed instantly.

She abruptly turned her head and looked at Shangguan Yunying standing to the side.

Her gaze was like lightning, so sharp it seemed to pierce through the calm facade to see the truth directly.

Meanwhile, Shangguan Yunying stood in place with an innocent expression on her face.

Only, her lips were tightly pursed.

Pursed very tightly.

As if she was trying desperately to hide something.

Luo Zhao's gaze finally settled on Shangguan Yunying's lips.

Then, two clusters of fury instantly ignited in her phoenix eyes.

Yunying! You gave it to him again?!

Shangguan Yunying trembled all over.

How could she dare to look at Luo Zhao now? Her eyes darted away evasively, and her voice was as small as a mosquito's buzz,

He insisted...

This answer was simply adding fuel to the fire.

Luo Zhao was even more furious now, even angrier than she had been last night.

If he wants it, you just give it to him?!

Are you my chief lady-in-waiting.

Or Gu Chengyin's bed-warming maid?!

......

Having already left the Hall of Civil and Military Affairs, Gu Chengyin naturally had no idea what was happening inside.

He walked out of the palace gates, the morning breeze brushing against his face, carrying the unique freshness of the early morning.

Then he saw a figure standing not far outside the gates.

As expected.

It was Lin Qingyan.

She was still wearing a simple robe, her dark hair pinned up with a plain wooden hairpin, revealing a cold and exquisite side profile.

The morning light spilled over her, reflecting her figure as if it were carved from ice and snow, her entire body radiating a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay.

Just by standing there, she formed a world of her own.

Gu Chengyin stepped forward.

Little Aunt!

Lin Qingyan's gaze swept over Gu Chengyin, her eyes calm and unrippled.

She neither asked why he took so long to come out, nor where they were going next.

She merely gave a faint nod to indicate she had heard him.

Gu Chengyin was used to this.

Although Lin Qingyan was no longer as distant toward him as she had been in the beginning ever since the inner demon incident.

But her underlying nature was still cold and aloof, like a lotus flower on the peak of a snowy mountain; you could get close to admire it, but you could never truly touch its core.

So Gu Chengyin did not mind.

He raised his hand to signal the carriage waiting outside the palace gates to come over.

After you, Little Aunt.

Gu Chengyin stepped aside and made an inviting gesture.

Lin Qingyan floated into the carriage, her movements light and elegant, her hem fluttering slightly in the morning breeze like a blooming epiphyllum.

Gu Chengyin followed closely behind, boarding the carriage.

The interior of the carriage was very spacious, paved with thick velvet carpets, and equipped with a soft couch and a small table.

Once the carriage curtains were lowered, the clamor of the outside world was cut off, leaving only the rumbling sound of the wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs.

The carriage started slowly.

Lin Qingyan sat upright on the soft couch, her gaze falling on the fleeting street scenes outside the window.

Gu Chengyin took the initiative to say,

Little Aunt, we are going to the Shangguan Manor first to find Madam Jiang. She is the Qingjian Sect's liaison envoy in the Divine Capital.

I will communicate with her about the inspection tour schedule, and we will probably set off in the next two days.

Lin Qingyan's brows furrowed imperceptibly as she asked,

Not delaying for a few more days?

Gu Chengyin shook his head and explained,

The inspection team has already been assembled, and everyone who should be involved is already in.

Delaying for a few days would only give the other side time to prepare. Rather than doing that, it is better to catch them off guard.

Lin Qingyan said nothing more, only replying faintly,

I understand.

Then she added another sentence, I have no problems on my end. We can set off at any time.

Gu Chengyin had initially been a little worried about Lin Qingyan's inner demon, but seeing her so certain.

He figured that weakening the inner demon must have taken effect, so he did not ask any further.

The carriage drove steadily along the streets of the Divine Capital.

Nothing unexpected happened on the road this time.

Soon, the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Shangguan Manor.

Gu Chengyin was the first to step down.

Then, he saw Jiang Jianli waiting at the door.

The wife of the cabinet elder had her hair meticulously combed, adorned with a few exquisite pearl hairpins. She looked elegant and luxurious, yet possessed a transcendent temperament unique to cultivators.

A spring breeze-like smile hung on her face, her eyes were bright, and the corners of her lips curved into a perfect arc.

But when Gu Chengyin got out of the carriage, she did not move, but stood in place as if waiting for something.

It was not until Lin Qingyan emerged from inside the carriage and stepped down.

Only then did Jiang Jianli step forward, completely bypassing Gu Chengyin and walking straight toward Lin Qingyan.

Stopping three paces away from Lin Qingyan, she respectfully cupped her hands and performed a standard cultivator's bow.

Jiang Jianli of the Qingjian Sect greets Lord Jingzhe.

Her voice was gentle, her posture humble, and her eyes filled with respect.

Gu Chengyin stood to the side, watching this scene.

He was used to this kind of situation by now and thought nothing of it.

It was only after Lin Qingyan nodded in acknowledgment that he spoke up, teasing,

Madam Jiang, you were not like this when I came.

Jiang Jianli straightened up and rolled her eyes at Gu Chengyin.

Then she politely greeted Lin Qingyan,

Lord Jingzhe, please come inside.

Jiang Jianli turned sideways to lead the way, her posture respectful and her tone gentle.

The two walked one after another toward the interior of the manor.

And as she passed by Gu Chengyin, Jiang Jianli's footsteps paused.

She turned her head slightly and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear,

Careful, or I will have Yunying deal with you, kid.

The tone seemed threatening, but her eyes were full of amusement.

Clearly, she had completely treated Gu Chengyin as one of her own family.

Gu Chengyin smiled without saying a word.

There was nothing wrong with what she said.

After all, before he came, Shangguan Yunying had indeed dealt with him for a bit.