She Will Go Crazy

The reason Lin Qingyan brought up Luo Zhao was because she suddenly realized that while Gu Chengyin had explained everything else, he had left out the one person who required the most explanation.

The one he had publicly declared his love for in the royal court, the one he spent his days and nights with.

The Crown Princess, whose identity was the most special and the most dangerous.

Why?

Was it because there was no need to explain? Or was it because it could not be explained clearly?

And upon hearing Luo Zhao's name, Gu Chengyin's pupils contracted slightly.

The reaction was so subtle that if Lin Qingyan were not a Golden Core cultivator with divine sense far sharper than ordinary people, it would have been nearly imperceptible.

But it was this momentary contraction that caused the sliver of doubt in her heart to suddenly magnify.

He was hesitating.

Why the hesitation?

Was it because the question was too sensitive?

Or was it because even he himself could not clearly articulate what his feelings for Luo Zhao were?

Lin Qingyan watched him quietly, waiting for an answer.

Gu Chengyin was indeed hesitating.

Not out of a guilty conscience, but out of confusion.

He did not understand why Lin Qingyan would mention Luo Zhao.

In Gu Chengyin's heart, Luo Zhao was an entirely different kind of existence compared to Shangguan Yunying, Gu Xiaoli, and Cui Zilu.

Shangguan Yunying was someone he mutually liked, and also someone he owed.

Gu Xiaoli was a mystery, an existence that needed to be explored.

Cui Zilu was the projection of a young girl's affections.

But Luo Zhao was the Crown Princess, the future Empress, a target that had to be controlled.

Moreover, she was someone who hated him to the bone.

This hatred was pure and profound; it could be said that it was completely devoid of even the slightest trace of admiration or tender affection.

Gu Chengyin was very clear about this. From their very first meeting, the look in Luo Zhao's eyes when she looked at him had carried cold scrutiny and hostility.

Later, even after being hypnotized by him, that hatred was merely suppressed beneath the surface; it had never disappeared.

This was also why Gu Chengyin had to carry Luo Zhao's hypnosis through to the end, tirelessly testing her time and time again.

He had to ensure the stability of the hypnosis, ensure that Luo Zhao would not break free again, and ensure his own life and safety.

If he undid Shangguan Yunying's hypnosis, Gu Chengyin could still coax her back, as she liked him after all.

But if he undid Luo Zhao's hypnosis.

Then his only option would truly be to run for his life, and the farther the better.

By that time, even if he used hypnosis to control Emperor Luo, it would be of no use.

Luo Zhao would genuinely risk everything to kill him, bringing the full might of the Great Luo Empire to hunt him down to the ends of the earth.

Therefore, Gu Chengyin's feelings toward Luo Zhao were very complex.

There was the most basic respect, a reliance on her status, a desire to control a chess piece, and also vigilance against a potential threat.

The only thing lacking was romantic affection.

At least, that was what Gu Chengyin himself believed.

So he thought about it and gave the most official answer:

"Her Highness is the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess will not fall in love with anyone, nor should she fall in love with anyone."

These words sounded high-sounding and dignified, like the cliche phrases used by old ministers in the royal court when admonishing their monarch.

Lin Qingyan was clearly unsatisfied.

She frowned slightly, a trace of displeasure flashing through her cold, clear eyes: "I am asking about you. Your feelings toward Zhao'er."

At the same time, she emphasized:

"Not the Junior Preceptor toward the Crown Princess, but Gu Chengyin toward Luo Zhao."

This phrasing was much sharper.

Gu Chengyin fell silent for a moment.

He was considering how to answer in a way that would neither arouse Lin Qingyan's suspicions nor expose the fact that he had hypnotized Luo Zhao.

Ultimately, Gu Chengyin chose to tell the truth.

Because he realized that in front of Lin Qingyan, honesty was the most effective way to respond.

This fairy maiden had seen too much of the treachery of the human heart; any deliberate concealment or embellishment would have nowhere to hide in front of her.

But as long as he treated her seriously, without hiding or deceiving her.

Even if Lin Qingyan knew he had emotional entanglements with Shangguan Yunying, she would not care.

What she cared about was his attitude.

So Gu Chengyin raised his head, meeting Lin Qingyan's gaze, his eyes as candid as a pool of clear spring water:

"I respect Her Highness, and that is all."

The moment his words fell, Lin Qingyan's brows furrowed.

It was not anger, nor disappointment, but unbelievable confusion.

Her sixth sense told her.

Gu Chengyin's words were true.

In fact, of all the explanations he had given from just now until this moment, this sentence was the truest.

Truer than the explanation of Cui Zilu being just a little sister.

Truer than the explanation of his doubts regarding Gu Xiaoli's unknown origins.

Truer than the guilty honesty when explaining Shangguan Yunying.

Gu Chengyin actually only had respect for Luo Zhao?

He did not have a single other thought?

This realization left Lin Qingyan in a momentary daze.

It was not that she had not considered this possibility; after all, Gu Chengyin's public declaration of love for Luo Zhao in the royal court had indeed been full of theatrical traces. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell he was acting.

But she had thought that was merely superficial.

She had assumed that beneath that performance, Gu Chengyin was at least somewhat moved by Luo Zhao.

After all... that was Luo Zhao.

Even Lin Qingyan herself had to admit.

Luo Zhao's charm was on par with her own.

No, perhaps in some aspects, Luo Zhao was even more attractive than she was.

She was a Golden Core cultivator, enhanced by Daoist charm; every movement she made carried an otherworldly, ethereal grace, a natural halo brought about by her cultivation base.

But what about Luo Zhao?

Luo Zhao was currently only at the early Foundation Establishment stage; her charm came entirely from herself.

That unique temperament that blended royal majesty with a young girl's soft beauty.

That wisdom and bearing to be able to govern the royal court at such a young age.

That sense of vulnerability occasionally revealed beneath her majestic exterior.

That was pure personal charm, relying on no external forces.

Like a divine goddess from the highest heavens mistakenly falling into the mortal realm, even if she restrained all her radiance, she could still captivate all living beings.

For such a peerlessly magnificent existence, whom he spent every day and night with, constantly by her side.

Gu Chengyin... actually had no interest?

Not a single shred of romantic affection?

Lin Qingyan stared at Gu Chengyin's face, trying to find a trace of lying in his eyes.

But there was none.

His eyes were excessively clean, excessively candid, as natural as stating that the weather was nice today.

This actually made her even more uneasy.

If Gu Chengyin truly had no romantic feelings for Luo Zhao, then his performances in the royal court were purely political calculations.

While this could explain his calmness and restraint, it simultaneously exposed a much more terrifying problem.

What was truly inside the heart of a man who remained completely indifferent to a woman like Luo Zhao?

Where exactly were his desires, his soft spots, his weaknesses?

Lin Qingyan suddenly thought of her own attraction to Gu Chengyin.

During every intimate contact, Gu Chengyin had maintained an almost perfect sense of boundaries.

Even when facing her in her highly seductive inner demon state.

He had always guarded that line and never truly crossed it.

Lin Qingyan had originally thought that was Gu Chengyin's restraint, his respect, and how much he cherished her.

But now, she began to doubt.

If Gu Chengyin could remain indifferent to an absolute beauty like Luo Zhao.

Then could his restraint toward her also not be out of emotion.

But...

For some other reason?

A terrifying thought slithered into Lin Qingyan's mind like a venomous snake.

Making her body stiffen and her fingertips instantly turn ice-cold.

No.

That couldn't be.

Impossible.

Lin Qingyan frantically denied it in her heart, but that thought seemed to have taken root.

It grew wildly in her mind, throwing her thoughts into utter chaos.

She had to confirm it.

She had to confirm it right this instant.

Otherwise...

She would go completely mad.