It's My Aunt Again

So, you are going to rebel?

The moment these words left her mouth, even Lin Qingyan herself was stunned.

It was too direct.

But the words had been spoken and could not be taken back.

Lin Qingyan could only remain calm, looking at Gu Chengyin, waiting for his reaction.

After all, no matter who it was, hearing the utterly treasonous words Gu Chengyin had just spoken would elicit such a reaction.

However, Lin Qingyan did not mind it much; in fact, she felt inexplicably a little happy.

She had always disliked Emperor Luo anyway. If it were not for Luo Zhao, she would not even bother paying attention to Emperor Luo.

Yet Gu Chengyin had spoken such words right in front of her.

What did this mean?

It meant Gu Chengyin trusted her.

Right at this moment, the moonlight fully emerged from behind the clouds.

Gu Chengyin's face was clearly visible in the moonlight. His pupils shrank sharply at first, and then the muscles at the corners of his mouth twitched twice.

It was as if he wanted to laugh but could not, ultimately forming an expression of not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Lin Qingyan and Luo Zhao were indeed family; they were exactly the same in their bluntness.

Gu Chengyin raised a hand and rubbed the bridge of his nose, his movements carrying obvious helplessness.

Auntie, you cannot put it like that.

Lin Qingyan did not reply, merely watching him quietly.

Gu Chengyin interlaced his fingers and rested his elbows on his knees, adopting a posture for a serious conversation.

Her Highness is the Crown Princess, the future Empress.

After His Majesty passes away, it is only right and proper for the heir to ascend the throne.

So what I am doing is not called rebelling, but rather preparing for a rainy day. After all...

Gu Chengyin paused, revealing a meaningful look:

What if His Majesty fails to pass away?

Lin Qingyan's fingertips tightened within her sleeves.

Her mind raced, deducing the meaning behind these words and Gu Chengyin's motives.

She deduced all the possible consequences this matter could trigger, and then she asked:

So you borrowed my name to show goodwill to Luo Yanchen's people?

Gu Chengyin shook his head.

Auntie, what goodwill? I have not said anything, nor have I done anything.

Lin Qingyan furrowed her brows.

This answer was beyond her expectations.

According to common sense, Gu Chengyin should either deny, admit, or justify it.

But he said he had not done anything.

What was this?

Sophistry?

Gu Chengyin saw Lin Qingyan's confusion and suddenly spoke as if giving a formal report:

The Governor of Luoshui Commandery hosted a banquet at the City Lord's Estate in Dawn City.

As the head of the inspection team, I refused multiple times. Not only did I not attend the banquet, but I also followed Lord Jingzhe to learn from her.

Gu Chengyin's speaking speed began to increase, as if reciting a carefully prepared script:

As for where I stayed or what I ate, I never paid any attention to it.

My eyes only saw Lord Jingzhe's majestic stature, astonishing broad-mindedness, and absolute loyalty in protecting the Great Luo.

Gu Chengyin paused, emphasizing his tone:

And every single one of these traits is worth my repeated study, which is why I never participated in any banquets or social engagements.

Fan Pavilion? Is that not where Lord Jingzhe is staying?

What, does your Censorate have some dissatisfaction with the Heavenly Master Mansion?

After saying this, Gu Chengyin put on an innocent expression.

Lin Qingyan: ...

She fell silent.

A little shocked.

Shocked by the thickness of Gu Chengyin's skin.

But she knew Gu Chengyin was not joking.

He was serious.

Seriously speaking a paragraph that was entirely factual, yet simultaneously entirely a lie.

It was absurd, but very effective.

Lin Qingyan's mind began to review all the details of tonight:

Fan Pavilion was the best restaurant in Dawn City. The Heaven-tier rooms had an excellent view and could overlook the City Lord's Estate.

With Gu Chengyin here, Li Shiyuan would definitely know.

It was perfectly normal for Lin Qingyan to stay here. She was Jingzhe of the Heavenly Master Mansion, a Golden Core cultivator with a transcendent status.

Even the Censorate would not dare utter a single word of complaint.

Gu Chengyin was clearly piggybacking on her reputation. To outsiders, this equated to her supporting Gu Chengyin.

And the most important thing was that Gu Chengyin accepted Li Shiyuan's invitation.

He stayed in Dawn City for one night, but did not attend the welcoming banquet at the City Lord's Estate.

On the surface, it was upright and incorruptible; in reality, it was a dual stance:

Willing to stay for one night, this was a show of goodwill.

But not attending the banquet, this was a reminder.

A reminder that they could make contact, but could not get too close.

At least, not too close on the surface.

Because man proposes, but Heaven watches.

Who was Heaven?

Emperor Luo.

Furthermore, Gu Chengyin staying in her room all night was the most fatal move.

Li Shiyuan's people would report back: Vice Minister Gu spent the entire night in Lord Jingzhe's room.

What did this mean?

It meant the two had a close relationship, meaning the Heavenly Master Mansion might truly be supporting him from behind.

But all of these were just possibilities, guesses, and inferences.

There was no substantive evidence.

From start to finish, Gu Chengyin only did one thing: he followed Lin Qingyan and checked into Fan Pavilion.

Yet even if the Censorate's memorial was presented to Emperor Luo's desk, it would not matter if Emperor Luo saw through it.

Would Emperor Luo spare Gu Chengyin's life just because he did not see through it?

As for what Li Shiyuan thought, or what Luo Yanchen thought, that was their business.

Gu Chengyin said nothing.

He simply appeared at the right time in the right place, and then did nothing.

And let everyone guess for themselves.

The deeper they guessed, the deeper they sank.

Lin Qingyan took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

She suddenly realized that Gu Chengyin was a bit too smart.

Even smarter than her Empress sister.

Smart enough to pass truth off as a lie, and a lie as truth.

Smart enough to make everyone follow his script without anyone being able to catch anything to use against him.

This made Lin Qingyan inevitably a little worried: could Luo Zhao really handle Gu Chengyin?

Based on her understanding of Luo Zhao, it seemed a bit difficult.

Perhaps...

She should help Luo Zhao.

I wrongfully blamed you for this matter.

Lin Qingyan took the initiative to apologize, simultaneously admitting that she had been too emotional.

Gu Chengyin's eyes lit up, and he immediately replied:

Auntie, just as I said earlier.

You are Her Highness's aunt, which makes you my aunt.

I mean these words seriously.

Gu Chengyin had said this more than once.

But this time, Lin Qingyan heard a different flavor in it.

Before, it was probing, pulling strings, building an alliance.

Saying it now was a promise.

Gu Chengyin was promising that no matter what happened in the future.

No matter how much he schemed, planned, or utilized others.

He would never hurt Luo Zhao, nor would he hurt her.

Because she was Luo Zhao's aunt.

This realization made the tip of Lin Qingyan's heart tremble.

She did not know why.

She found herself somewhat hating this identity.

She did not hate Luo Zhao.

Rather, she hated being Gu Chengyin's aunt.

So Lin Qingyan looked away.

Her gaze landed on the night sky outside the window, on the distant City Lord's Estate where the lights had already gone out.

It landed on anywhere that could distract her.

But from the corner of her eye, she could still see Gu Chengyin, see that trace of a sincere expression on his face.

See the temperature in his eyes that made her heart flutter with panic.

Thus, Lin Qingyan muttered softly:

Auntie again...