The Incompetent Niece

Shangguan Yunying's face was extremely unsightly.

She saw the look in the eyes of the inner demon version of Lin Qingyan as she looked at Gu Chengyin; the attachment in them was almost overflowing.

"You like her?"

This sentence carried a distinct tremor, like a string pulled too tight, ready to snap at any moment.

Gu Chengyin saw the surging grievance in Shangguan Yunying's eyes.

Without the slightest hesitation, Gu Chengyin immediately pulled his arm out of Lin Qingyan's embrace.

He walked briskly to Shangguan Yunying, placed his hands gently on her shoulders, and explained:

"There's no such thing, Yunying. My little aunt and I are just cooperating."

"I help her, she helps me. You know she is a Golden Core cultivator, which is crucial for this inspection tour."

Shangguan Yunying looked up at Gu Chengyin.

Gu Chengyin's eyes were full of sincerity, along with a trace of panic.

Not panic from a guilty conscience, but from the fear that she would misunderstand and be heartbroken.

Shangguan Yunying's heart suddenly softened a bit.

She took a deep breath, trying hard to calm herself down.

Yes.

Gu Chengyin was right.

Lin Qingyan was a Golden Core cultivator, the Jingzhe of the Celestial Master Mansion, directly related to the safety of this sect inspection tour.

If her inner demon lost control, let alone resisting assassination, it would be a blessing if she didn't self-destruct.

Gu Chengyin was only doing what he had to do.

Just like scheming in the imperial court and navigating among various factions.

He was just completing his mission, just trying to ensure everything went as smoothly as possible.

Thinking of this, Shangguan Yunying's rationality gradually returned.

But she still couldn't help confirming in a small voice:

"Really?"

There was a lingering trace of grievance in her voice. Even though she already believed it, she still needed to confirm it one more time.

"Of course it's true!"

Gu Chengyin's tone was resolute, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"What are you thinking? How many days have I known my little aunt? She is the Jingzhe of the Celestial Master Mansion!"

"If there wasn't really no other way, how could I..."

Shangguan Yunying looked at the unfeigned sincerity on Gu Chengyin's face, and the last shred of doubt dissipated.

"You're right, I was overthinking."

Shangguan Yunying's eyes became firm again:

"So what are you going to do?"

Gu Chengyin finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew that since Shangguan Yunying said so, even if she didn't fully accept it, she was at least willing to cooperate.

"Yunying, I need you to do me a favor."

"Go down in a moment and distract Her Highness."

"Then I will... I will complete the steps as quickly as possible."

Shangguan Yunying's eyes widened. Although Gu Chengyin spoke tactfully, she still understood.

The so-called steps were obviously intimate acts between a man and a woman.

And the reason for distracting Luo Zhao...

It wasn't because Gu Chengyin still suspected Luo Zhao, but because Lin Qingyan herself cared.

After all, Lin Qingyan didn't know that Luo Zhao had been hypnotized.

As a little aunt, she also had to save face, even if it was to weaken the inner demon.

But...

Shangguan Yunying's tone suddenly became unfriendly as she warned:

"Only one kiss."

Gu Chengyin froze.

"Also, no tongues allowed!"

"Got it?!"

Gu Chengyin immediately raised his hand and said righteously:

"I swear! Just one kiss, absolutely no tongues."

Shangguan Yunying stared at Gu Chengyin for a while, confirming that he wasn't lying.

Only then did she indignantly release the grip she had somehow taken on Gu Chengyin's collar.

Adjusting her emotions, she regained the calmness expected of a chief female official:

"I'll go down first. You two come down in a bit."

"I will distract Her Highness."

With that, Shangguan Yunying turned and walked toward the stairs.

After a short while.

Gu Chengyin gestured to Lin Qingyan.

"Let's go."

Lin Qingyan nodded, and the two walked down the stairs one after the other.

Their footsteps were very light, making no sound.

Turning the corner of the stairs, the scene on the first floor of the Wenli Hall came into view.

Shangguan Yunying was standing in front of Luo Zhao, holding a large stack of memorials and reporting something.

Luo Zhao's brows were slightly furrowed, seemingly immersed in Shangguan Yunying's report.

Most importantly...

Her back was facing the staircase.

Gu Chengyin's heart stirred. A perfect opportunity.

The two passed through silently and arrived behind Luo Zhao.

There was a large folding screen there.

The screen was large enough to completely conceal the figures of two people.

Gu Chengyin took Lin Qingyan and hid behind the screen.

The space was narrow.

The two stood almost pressed against each other.

Gu Chengyin looked down at Lin Qingyan.

The latter was looking up at him, her blood-red eyes full of anticipation.

Gu Chengyin gently pulled Lin Qingyan into his arms.

Lin Qingyan's body stiffened, but quickly relaxed.

She obediently leaned into Gu Chengyin's embrace, her hands gently wrapping around his waist, her face buried in his chest.

Gu Chengyin didn't do anything immediately.

Instead, he first circulated the Azure Cloud Art.

Although it was useless in the face of Lin Qingyan's lightning power, it at least provided some psychological comfort.

Only then did he lower his head, slowly drawing near.

Lin Qingyan closed her eyes.

Just at the moment their lips were about to touch, Gu Chengyin suddenly heard Luo Zhao's voice from in front of the screen:

"...There is a problem with this memorial."

Gu Chengyin's movements stopped abruptly.

But Lin Qingyan was completely unaffected.

She proactively stood on her tiptoes and gently kissed Gu Chengyin's lips.

The touch was icy cold.

Incredibly soft.

Gu Chengyin's mind went completely blank, leaving only the sensation from his lips.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

There were no lightning flashes.

There was no thunder.

There wasn't even a trace of spiritual energy fluctuation.

After a long time, the two separated.

Lin Qingyan opened her blood-red eyes, looking fully satisfied.

"That's enough."

Gu Chengyin stared at her blankly.

Enough?

What was enough?

The next second he understood.

Because the color in Lin Qingyan's eyes was fading.

From deep dark red, it slowly lightened to pale red, to pink, and finally...

It returned to those cold, clear pupils.

Lin Qingyan was back.

Then she gently pushed Gu Chengyin away and took a step back.

Just then, Luo Zhao's voice sounded again from in front of the screen:

"...Yunying, just leave these memorials here."

"Yes."

Shangguan Yunying's voice rang out, carrying a hint of nervousness.

Gu Chengyin suddenly snapped back to reality.

He looked at Lin Qingyan, who had already restored her usual cold aloofness, as if the person who actively kissed him just now wasn't her at all.

The two exchanged a glance and silently left from behind the screen.

Throughout the entire process, Luo Zhao never turned her head.

She was still focused on reviewing the memorials, her vermilion brush gliding across the paper, making a faint rustling sound.

The Wenli Hall had more than one door for entering and exiting, so there was a back door they could use.

At this time, Shangguan Yunying had already put down the memorials and come to the back of the hall.

She glanced at Lin Qingyan, said nothing, and pointed in the direction of the back door.

Then she stomped heavily on Gu Chengyin's foot, put her hands on her hips, and puffed out her cheeks in anger: "I'm mad!"

It wasn't until Gu Chengyin promised to find her that night that Shangguan Yunying moved her foot away.

Meanwhile, in front of the screen, the brush in Luo Zhao's hand suddenly paused.

The tip of the brush left a small cluster of vermilion ink on the memorial.

Like a drop of blood.

Coagulated on the paper.