Pouring Tea

After Shangguan Yunying finished assigning tasks, she left in a hurry, clearly having a lot of matters to handle.

Gu Chengyin changed into a brand-new dark cyan everyday uniform, with a golden fish pouch symbolizing his status and a jade plaque granting him access to the Crown Princess's Palace hanging from his waist.

Since he wouldn't be attending the royal audience until tomorrow, Gu Chengyin decided to take a stroll around this palace belonging to Luo Zhao.

The palace covered a vast area with magnificent halls; the flying eaves and bracket sets fully displayed the royal grandeur.

But perhaps because Luo Zhao preferred tranquility, or perhaps due to the recent turmoil, there were not many servants in the palace.

Along the way, he only saw female officials in matching palace dresses and submissive young attendants walking silently through the corridors.

Seeing an unfamiliar face dressed in military attire, they were surprised, but all of them were well-trained enough to quickly lower their heads and step aside.

No one came forward to question him, because the jade plaque at Gu Chengyin's waist was the best pass.

Gu Chengyin was happy to enjoy the peace and quiet. He seemed to be wandering aimlessly, but in reality, he was familiarizing himself with the environment and digesting the massive amount of information he had recently acquired.

After returning to the Divine Capital, his influence rose along with the consolidation of his status, and the true qi within his body had steadily broken through to the mid-stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

His five senses became increasingly sharp, and his mind clearer, but he knew very well that the waters of the Divine Capital were much deeper than those of Luoshui Commandery.

Although Luo Zhao was hypnotized by him, he had let her make her own judgment regarding the position of the Director of the Internal Affairs Bureau.

After all, no one understood the situation in the Divine Capital better than Her Highness. Only in this way could Gu Chengyin place himself at the most crucial vantage point.

Unknowingly, he passed through a moon gate and entered a relatively secluded garden.

Unlike the solemn halls he had just passed, this place featured artificial rockeries and winding streams. Several tall ancient trees cast mottled shade, making the area appear serene and elegant.

Deep in the garden, a small, exquisite octagonal pavilion could be faintly seen. Beside the pavilion was a pool of clear water, where several koi fish swam leisurely.

Gu Chengyin was about to step forward when suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar figure emerging from a bamboo-lined path on the other side of the pavilion.

She wore a profound black palace dress, its hem embroidered with simple yet majestic cloud patterns in dark gold thread. A black jade hairpin held up her dark tresses, revealing a fair, elegant neck.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains painted with dark ink, and her eyes resembled a cold pool reflecting the stars. Her stunningly beautiful face was shrouded in an icy demeanor that warned strangers to stay away.

If this wasn't Luo Zhao, who else could it be?

She seemed to be alone as well, her brows slightly furrowed as she gazed at the swimming fish in the pool, seemingly pondering some difficult problem, entirely unaware of Gu Chengyin's arrival.

Gu Chengyin paused his steps, feeling surprised.

He hadn't expected Luo Zhao to appear here.

But on second thought, this was her palace; it wasn't strange for her to appear anywhere.

At this moment, Luo Zhao was indeed thinking about how to best utilize Gu Chengyin as her sword.

Just then, sensing someone approaching, she looked up, her gaze colliding right into Gu Chengyin's.

Why is he here? Alarm bells instantly rang in Luo Zhao's heart.

This was her private palace. Aside from Shangguan Yunying, no one was allowed to enter or leave freely without her verbal decree.

Luo Zhao's expression remained impassive, maintaining the indifference and majesty a Crown Princess should possess, as she thought about how to respond.

However, before she could come up with a plan, Gu Chengyin suddenly smiled faintly at her.

At the same time, a crystal-clear command, like an intangible radio wave piercing through the air, appeared directly in Luo Zhao's mind:

[Come here.]

Two simple and direct words.

In that instant, Luo Zhao's pupils violently shrank to the size of pinpricks!

This feeling again!

This familiar, spine-chilling sense of losing control!

Was this his method of controlling the fake Luo Zhao? Sending commands directly into her mind?

A stormy sea of shock instantly surged in Luo Zhao's heart, and countless thoughts flashed through her mind like lightning: Did he find out?

No, looking at his expression, there was no surprise or wariness.

He didn't know that she had broken free from his control and returned to her original body!

An overwhelming sense of absurdity intertwined with icy fury welled up in her heart.

To think that the dignified Crown Princess was being ordered around so casually.

What did this guy take her for? His dog!?

In the next second, a calmer and more rational assessment quickly overpowered her instinctive reaction.

The situation in the Divine Capital was still unsettled and fraught with hidden dangers.

The Second Prince was still operating in the shadows, the veteran officials in the imperial court were wavering and observing from the sidelines, and there were undercurrents in the military as well.

She needed a blade fast and ruthless enough to cut through the fog before her, consolidate her power, and clear away the obstacles.

Gu Chengyin, without a doubt, was the most suitable candidate; his abilities had already been thoroughly demonstrated.

If she fell out with him now, even if it could vent her anger for a moment, it would be equivalent to cutting off her own arm.

Not only would she lose this blade, but she might also force Gu Chengyin to the Second Prince's side.

Moreover, his reputation in the Golden Feather Guard was not low right now, and he had an excellent relationship with Shangguan Yunying and Chen Busha.

Settling the score later was the best strategy.

Those destined for greatness do not let themselves be bothered by trifles.

As long as he was still useful, as long as he did not cross the final bottom line.

As for the rest... she would endure it!

When he helped her sweep away the obstacles and completely take control of the Divine Capital.

She would settle all new and old grudges together!

All these thoughts flashed through Luo Zhao's mind in a mere instant.

The slight stiffness on her face and the change in her pupils caused by the shock of the command were immediately smoothed over by her powerful willpower.

She returned to a bottomless calm, even deliberately adjusting her demeanor to exude a hint of submissiveness.

Following the command, she took a step forward.

The hem of her black palace dress brushed across the smooth stone floor, making a faint rustling sound.

Luo Zhao's steps were steady, her posture still maintaining royal elegance and dignity, but her direction toward Gu Chengyin was unmistakably clear.

Finally, she stopped about three steps away from Gu Chengyin. This distance was not too intimate, yet allowed for clear conversation.

She slightly raised her eyes and looked at Gu Chengyin.

She used that unique gaze of someone who had been hypnotized—calm with a trace of blankness, waiting for instructions.

Gu Chengyin nodded in satisfaction. He felt that Luo Zhao's docile appearance in a hypnotized state was much more pleasing to the eye than her usual iceberg demeanor.

He casually pointed at the pavilion. "It is quiet here, perfect for a chat."

Luo Zhao sneered in her heart, but her face remained calm. "Mm," she replied as an answer.

The two walked into the pavilion together. Inside, there were stone tables and stools, and an unused set of green jade tea utensils rested on the table.

Gu Chengyin naturally sat down on a stone stool. Then, he looked up at Luo Zhao standing to the side, glanced at the tea set on the table, and suddenly had a thought.

After running around for so many days, it was time for him to enjoy himself a bit.

Having this usually aloof and high-and-mighty Crown Princess personally serve him tea and pour water... just thinking about it was quite amusing.

Besides, there was no one else around here, so it wouldn't damage her prestige.

Thus, through the system, Gu Chengyin sent another command:

[Pour the tea.]

As the command entered her mind, Luo Zhao's body trembled almost imperceptibly.

Pour the tea?!

She, the dignified Crown Princess, the sole heir apparent of Great Luo, the future Empress.

Pouring tea for him in her own private palace!?