Illusion

Luo Zhao finally understood.

The tangled mess in her heart had been smoothed out, thread by thread.

Why Gu Xiaoli had lifted Gu Chengyin's hypnosis on her.

Yet kept the consciousness puppet intact.

Why Gu Xiaoli, who clearly could have helped her escape control entirely.

Deliberately held this one thing back.

This was both to let her feign a hypnotized state.

And to make Gu Chengyin believe everything was still under his control.

Only then would Gu Chengyin not leave.

Only then would Gu Xiaoli not lose her new master.

More importantly, this ensured Gu Chengyin's safety.

As long as the consciousness puppet existed, she could never kill Gu Chengyin with her own hands.

Because the consciousness puppet obeyed Gu Chengyin's commands.

It would seize control of her body at critical moments.

Just like earlier in the warm pavilion.

Luo Zhao lowered her eyelashes, her heart filling with a sense of helplessness.

This feeling was familiar to her, incredibly familiar.

Just like when Shangguan Yunying was caught between her and Gu Chengyin.

What had Shangguan Yunying done?

She chose to play matchmaker for the two of them.

She chose to let her be bullied by Gu Chengyin.

Using her own methods, Shangguan Yunying had left some leeway between them.

And now, Gu Xiaoli had chosen another path.

Using the consciousness puppet to leave some leeway between them.

The methods were different.

But the essence was exactly the same.

To prevent the situation from reaching a dead end.

To prevent her and Gu Chengyin from truly fighting to the bitter end.

Luo Zhao sighed softly.

She looked at the light filtering in through the window, watching the fine dust slowly floating within it.

Thoughts surged in her mind.

What was certain was that she hated Gu Chengyin, hated him very much, hated him to the bone.

Her current endurance, her current concessions, were all for the sake of a future lethal counterattack.

Therefore, in Luo Zhao's mind, Gu Chengyin had to die.

And he would inevitably die by her hands.

This goal had never changed.

But that was a matter for the future, for after she completed her apprenticeship.

For after she became a true Empress and took control of everything.

But looking at it now...

The obstacles in her way seemed a bit too numerous.

Leaving Shangguan Yunying aside for now.

Just looking at the one in front of her.

Gu Xiaoli.

A Half-step Nascent Soul cat demon.

Her mother's cat.

Her person.

Had actually become the biggest obstacle to killing Gu Chengyin.

Luo Zhao raised her head and looked at Gu Xiaoli.

Gu Xiaoli simply stood there.

Standing three feet in front of her.

Those large eyes were quietly watching her.

No dodging, no guilt, not a single trace of panic.

Just looking at her.

Waiting for her.

Luo Zhao looked into Gu Xiaoli's eyes.

And suddenly realized that the anger in her heart was gone.

Truly gone.

The moment she learned Gu Xiaoli's true identity, the anger had already dissipated.

Replaced by strange emotions.

Those emotions were complex, containing relief and peace of mind.

But mostly a deep sense of displeasure and sour jealousy.

This feeling was just like when she saw Shangguan Yunying and Gu Chengyin kissing right beside her.

The same suffocating feeling in her chest.

The same thought of why should they?

Gu Xiaoli was her mother's cat.

Her mother was gone.

Then she was her cat.

Since she was her cat.

Why should she protect Gu Chengyin!?

She was obviously her mother's biological daughter.

Speaking of scent, shouldn't hers be more familiar?

Speaking of closeness, shouldn't she and Gu Xiaoli be closer?

Luo Zhao furrowed her brows.

She spoke.

Her voice carried a trace of sour jealousy that even she didn't notice.

Xiaoli.

Gu Xiaoli blinked.

Hmm?

Luo Zhao asked very seriously:

I know Gu Chengyin is very much like my mother.

But I am my mother's daughter.

Don't you think...

Her voice rose slightly.

That I am the one most like my mother?

After saying this, Luo Zhao herself felt it was a bit childish.

But she just couldn't help but ask.

She just wanted to hear what Gu Xiaoli would say.

Gu Xiaoli looked at Luo Zhao.

Looked at this face that was seventy percent similar to the Empress.

And suddenly leaned in close.

Like a cat approaching something interesting.

Luo Zhao only felt her vision blur.

Gu Xiaoli's face was already inches away.

So close she could clearly see the curve of her eyelashes.

So close she could feel the warmth of her breath.

So close that Gu Xiaoli lightly sniffed.

Sniffing.

Sniffing the scent on her body.

Luo Zhao froze, motionless.

Allowing Gu Xiaoli to lean close to her neck, shoulder, and cuffs.

Sniffing gently.

The feeling was very strange.

It wasn't offensive.

It was being earnestly sniffed by a cat.

Three breaths later.

Gu Xiaoli retreated, her expression unchanged.

She looked at Luo Zhao just as seriously and said calmly:

Your Highness's scent is indeed very nice, and Xiaoli is very familiar with it.

Luo Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

But Gu Xiaoli suddenly changed the subject and continued:

But it's different. Her Majesty is Her Majesty, and Your Highness is Your Highness.

Gu Xiaoli's gaze became very soft.

To Xiaoli, you are both unique existences.

Luo Zhao fell silent.

She understood the meaning behind those words.

Gu Xiaoli did not treat her as a replacement for her mother.

Because in her heart, her mother was her mother, and Her Highness was Her Highness.

Both were unique.

Both were irreplaceable.

And neither could be substituted.

So even if she was her mother's biological daughter.

She still couldn't replace her mother's position in Gu Xiaoli's heart.

Because Luo Zhao was Luo Zhao.

Not someone's shadow, not someone's substitute.

She was the unique and unparalleled Highness.

Luo Zhao understood this logic.

Truly understood.

But after understanding it?

She felt even more stifled.

Because this meant Gu Xiaoli had set her sights on Gu Chengyin.

It was strange; being unique was obviously the best thing.

But Luo Zhao still felt very displeased in her heart, extremely displeased.

Especially after one similar experience after another.

Her chief lady-in-waiting had set her sights on Gu Chengyin.

Her cat had now also set her sights on Gu Chengyin.

In the future, would even her aunt set her sights on Gu Chengyin?!

Of course, this last thought only flashed through Luo Zhao's mind.

But since Gu Xiaoli had already committed to Gu Chengyin.

Would she let him die?

No.

Would Gu Xiaoli let her kill him?

Also no.

Then in the future...

Wait.

Luo Zhao suddenly realized a problem. Gu Xiaoli had indeed hidden her identity.

But her surface-level origins were still very abrupt, so abrupt that even she would subconsciously put her guard up.

But why hadn't Gu Chengyin? He had clearly expressed his doubts before.

Why was it that on that night, Gu Chengyin seemed to have forgotten about Gu Xiaoli?

With his intelligence, with his paranoia.

With his extreme caution where he wouldn't even overlook a passing dog.

Why was it that only when facing Gu Xiaoli did he act like he had no brain?

Was it a tacit understanding like when he first discovered she had broken free of his hypnosis?

Or was it...

What did you do to Gu Chengyin?

Hearing Luo Zhao's question, Gu Xiaoli tilted her head.

With no sign of surprise, she calmly replied:

Xiaoli tried to get close to brother, but it didn't work.

So...

Xiaoli used an illusion spell.