Auntie Takes Control

Back in Luoshui Commandery, the person Gu Chengyin protected was Luo Zhao, and crossing the Luo River four times was also for Luo Zhao.

Returning to the Divine Capital, whether it was the political games in the imperial court or bringing down the Xiao clan.

The ultimate beneficiary was always Luo Zhao.

And Lin Qingyan, from beginning to end, was just a stranger watching from afar.

It wasn't until Gu Chengyin asked Emperor Luo for personnel for a sect inspection.

That she finally found the opportunity to appear openly and honorably before Gu Chengyin.

So...

Did this count as stealing her niece's man?

Lin Qingyan's eyelashes fluttered slightly.

This thought made her feel a little uneasy.

Even when she and Gu Chengyin were sneaking kisses behind Luo Zhao's back, she hadn't felt as uneasy as she did now.

However, Lin Qingyan did not regret it, and she would absolutely never let go.

Gu Chengyin was too smart, so smart that it was terrifying.

He strategized brilliantly in the imperial court and navigated political maneuvers with ease.

Even when facing Golden Core experts, he remained unhurried, using open schemes to force his opponents to retreat step by step.

Lin Qingyan often wondered, could Luo Zhao really handle a man like this?

Although she was the Crown Princess, although she had begun to awaken her political mindset, and although she was weaving her own network of power.

She was still too young, too immature, and lacked experience.

Ultimately, Lin Qingyan came to a conclusion.

In front of Gu Chengyin, Luo Zhao would only be deceived and run around in circles, before hiding in a corner to cry secretly.

Therefore, she could not stand idly by and watch her sister's daughter be bullied like this.

The man Luo Zhao couldn't handle, she, Lin Qingyan, could.

Because she was Jingzhe of the Celestial Master Mansion, an invincible Golden Core mid-stage cultivator.

Although in terms of methods and schemes, she, like Luo Zhao, was no match for Gu Chengyin.

But if Gu Chengyin dared to lie to her or play her for a fool.

Lin Qingyan narrowed her eyes slightly, a trace of golden light flashing in their depths.

She would not hide in a corner and cry secretly, nor would she throw a tantrum.

Instead, she would use the Nine Heavens Thunder Incantation, utilizing the purest power of thunder.

To shock Gu Chengyin into behaving obediently, not daring to play any little tricks.

This was her greatest confidence.

Liking someone was one thing, but being able to handle them was another.

So what if Luo Zhao liked Gu Chengyin?

She couldn't handle him.

But Lin Qingyan could.

Burying her face in Gu Chengyin's chest, Lin Qingyan murmured softly in a voice only she could hear:

Sorry, Zhao'er, even though you were here first.

But since you can't handle him, your aunt will just have to do it for you.

Her voice was extremely light, like a wisp of breath that dissipated into the air the moment it left her lips.

Although Gu Chengyin didn't hear it clearly, he still noticed it.

He looked down at the fairy in his arms, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.

Auntie, what did you say?

Lin Qingyan's expression changed, instantly returning to its usual coldness.

But the coldness was only on the surface; deep in her eyes, there was clearly a hint of slyness.

Lin Qingyan looked up, meeting Gu Chengyin's gaze with a hint of a smile on her face:

Nothing.

She paused, her voice softening a bit:

I just feel... I've been too mean to you.

Gu Chengyin was slightly taken aback and was about to say something.

Suddenly, he stopped and sharply turned his head to look toward the horizon.

Lin Qingyan noticed it too and quietly slipped out of Gu Chengyin's embrace.

The gentleness on her face vanished without a trace, leaving only a bone-chilling, frosty coldness.

The frost covered her face like a mask, enveloping her entire being.

As if the woman who had just been acting coquettishly in Gu Chengyin's arms had never existed.

Lin Qingyan's gaze stared coldly at the distant horizon.

Around her body, golden lightning began to faintly emerge.

That lightning was as thin as a hair, yet densely packed, flowing and wandering around her like a layer of golden light.

Every strand of lightning contained terrifying pressure, the unique power of thunder from the Nine Heavens Thunder Incantation.

Gu Chengyin narrowed his eyes, looking carefully toward the horizon.

He could barely see a few small dots rapidly approaching.

Gu Chengyin counted them.

Three.

Three Golden Core cultivators were flying toward Green Sword Mountain at an extremely fast speed.

Gu Chengyin's pupils shrank slightly.

Were they people from the Celestial Master Mansion?

Or people from other immortal cultivation sects?

His thoughts raced, but his face remained impassive as he quietly watched the three dots get closer and closer.

In the blink of an eye, they had already flown overhead.

Only then did Gu Chengyin clearly see the three figures.

All three looked middle-aged, wearing black Daoist robes with golden cloud patterns embroidered on the hems.

Gu Chengyin recognized the style of the cloud patterns; it was the symbol of the Celestial Master Mansion.

The three hovered in mid-air, scanning the entirety of Green Sword Mountain.

Their gazes carried the unique pressure of the Golden Core stage, sweeping over the mountains and halls as if they were tangible.

Finally, their eyes landed on Lin Qingyan, who was radiating golden lightning.

After confirming the location, the three immediately flew toward them.

Gu Chengyin stood in place, calmly watching the three figures approach.

He noticed that although the gazes of these three enshrinements saw Lin Qingyan, they did not linger.

Instead, all their attention was focused on him.

Was this...

Coming for him?

Gu Chengyin's thoughts churned, but his face remained as calm as water.

The three figures landed.

They were two men and one woman, all of middle-aged appearance, their auras restrained.

But their eyes held a hidden brilliance, showing at a glance that their cultivation was profound.

With a slight sense, Gu Chengyin knew that these three were all at the Golden Core mid-stage.

Although not as powerful as Lin Qingyan, they were by no means comparable to ordinary enshrinements.

Upon seeing Lin Qingyan clearly, the expressions on their faces noticeably relaxed a bit.

They stepped forward and first cupped their hands in greeting to Lin Qingyan:

Lord Jingzhe.

Their voices were respectful, carrying the etiquette a subordinate should have toward a superior.

Lin Qingyan nodded slightly. The golden lightning around her had disappeared, but her eyes remained cold and indifferent.

She swept a glance over the three of them, her brows furrowing slightly.

She had seen these three faces before and knew them all.

The Celestial Master Mansion had many enshrinements, mainly distributed in the Divine Capital and Luodu.

Those she hadn't seen were mostly the ones in Luodu, after all, she oversaw the Celestial Master Mansion in the Divine Capital year-round.

So these three... were from the Divine Capital.

Lin Qingyan understood in her heart.

The Celestial Master Mansion in the Divine Capital had many Golden Core cultivators.

But why would they suddenly appear at the Green Sword Sect?

And three Golden Cores coming all at once.

This was no small lineup.

Lin Qingyan's thoughts turned, but her face remained impassive as she spoke lightly:

What is the matter?

The middle-aged man leading the three took out an object from his sleeve.

It was a bright yellow scroll.

The scroll was about a foot long, wrapped in bright yellow brocade, embroidered with golden dragon patterns that faintly gleamed in the sunlight.

One end of the scroll was tied with a vermilion silk ribbon, and at the end of the ribbon hung a small jade seal.

That color, those patterns, that jade seal...

Gu Chengyin's pupils shrank slightly.

An imperial edict.

The leading enshrinement raised the imperial edict high, his voice loud and clear, echoing throughout the entire courtyard:

His Majesty has issued a decree!