I Won’t Keep It to Myself

Then isn't this imperial decree just an escort order?

Shangguan Yunying's brows relaxed, and she nodded thoughtfully.

Seeing that she was listening, Luo Zhao struck while the iron was hot:

"So, you see, it doesn't endanger his life, it has my aunt escort him back to the capital, and at the same time, it suppresses his momentum."

"It allows us to verify whether his cultivation base will drop as his status and power are weakened."

"Tell me, isn't this killing three birds with one stone?"

Killing three birds with one stone.

Shangguan Yunying silently repeated this phrase in her heart, finding it more reasonable the more she pondered it.

She looked up, her gaze toward Luo Zhao holding a bit more admiration.

Her Highness had truly become formidable. It wasn't just an improvement in her methods, but a maturation of her mind.

She had learned to calculate, to weigh the pros and cons, and to seek the maximum benefit from within the cracks.

How was she still that princess who used to hide behind Gu Chengyin?

Sensing Shangguan Yunying's gaze, Luo Zhao couldn't help but feel a little smug.

She had indeed calculated everything when she dictated the decree.

Taking every aspect into account to ensure there would be no accidents.

Especially the fact that Gu Chengyin absolutely could not know this decree was actually written by her.

Otherwise, the hypnosis would inevitably be exposed. Fortunately, she had two very suitable shields.

One was Emperor Luo, and the other was Cui Shifan. Based on Luo Zhao's understanding of Gu Chengyin...

As long as these two stood in front, no matter how much Gu Chengyin suspected her, she would absolutely not be the most likely suspect.

Of course, this definitely wasn't because Gu Chengyin had taught her well.

But rather because she had high talent and learned well herself.

Luo Zhao withdrew her thoughts and continued:

"But because of the hypnosis, I can't let this imperial decree be issued from my hands."

"So the best method is still to have Cui Shifan push it forward."

Luo Zhao paused, a sly gleam flashing in her eyes:

"This way, not only will Gu Chengyin not suspect me, but he will also turn his attention to Cui Shifan."

"Yunying, tell me, isn't this achieving five things at once?"

Achieving five things at once.

Shangguan Yunying stared at her blankly, not knowing what to say for a moment.

She remembered how previously, whenever Gu Chengyin was mentioned, Luo Zhao would stomp her feet in anger but remain completely helpless against him.

But now?

The Highness before her still retained traces of her former arrogance around her brows, but those eyes had become so deep they were bottomless.

When she spoke of calculations, layouts, and driving a tiger to swallow a wolf, it was as casual as discussing what to eat for the day.

Had Her Highness changed?

Or was she always this kind of person, just constantly suppressed by Gu Chengyin with no opportunity to show it?

Shangguan Yunying didn't know.

She only knew that looking at Luo Zhao at this moment, her emotions were complex—gratified, admiring, and holding a faint trace of...

Unease.

Because the more she listened to Luo Zhao's rhetoric, the more familiar it sounded.

So familiar that it made her think of Gu Chengyin.

Equally capable of turning the clouds and rain in the imperial court, navigating power struggles with ease, and always calculating without missing a single detail.

Shangguan Yunying couldn't help but carefully scrutinize Luo Zhao.

Her brows relaxed, a smile playing on her lips, her entire being exuding a calm and confident aura.

This aura was exactly like Gu Chengyin.

No, it wasn't just alike.

It was practically a carbon copy.

A thought flashed through her mind.

Was this imperial decree truly issued by Emperor Luo?

Or could it be...

Shangguan Yunying's eyes instantly became complicated.

Luo Zhao also noticed Shangguan Yunying's strange gaze.

Had Shangguan Yunying discovered something?

She shouldn't have.

Although Shangguan Yunying was very smart, she wasn't smart to the level of Gu Chengyin.

If Gu Chengyin were standing here, he would definitely see through her at a glance.

That damn bastard was always so smart it made her grit her teeth in frustration.

Luo Zhao quickly calculated in her heart.

Shangguan Yunying's expression was confused, hesitant—the kind of state where something felt wrong but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

This meant she only faintly felt something was fishy and hadn't truly figured it out yet.

She had to divert her attention.

She had to lead her in another direction.

Luo Zhao's mind raced, and she suddenly spoke:

"Yunying, have you ever seriously thought about something?"

Shangguan Yunying snapped back to reality. "About what?"

"About Gu Chengyin's cultivation base."

Luo Zhao's tone became serious, a thoughtful gleam flashing in her eyes:

"If Gu Chengyin's cultivation base is truly linked to his status and power, then have you considered..."

"What will happen when his official rank advances another step?"

Advances another step.

Shangguan Yunying's heart suddenly tightened.

What did advancing another step mean?

The Golden Core realm.

Gu Chengyin was currently at the Foundation Establishment realm. If his rank advanced further, it would be the Golden Core realm.

That was a realm countless cultivators dreamed of.

How many people were stuck at the Foundation Establishment realm their entire lives, unable to take that step until the day they died?

And Gu Chengyin, how old was he?

In his early twenties.

If he stepped into the Golden Core realm at this age, what would that mean?

Luo Zhao's voice sounded again, this time carrying a hint of probing.

And a trace of worry:

"If Gu Chengyin advances another step, when he steps into the Golden Core realm..."

"Will you... be able to keep him?"

Shangguan Yunying's breathing stalled.

She stared blankly at Luo Zhao, not knowing how to answer for a moment.

If there truly came a day when Gu Chengyin stepped into the Golden Core realm and became a true titan of a region...

By that time...

Would he still remember her?

Would he still smile and call her Yunying like he did now?

Shangguan Yunying's throat tightened, as if something was blocking it, rendering her speechless.

Watching her like this, Luo Zhao's heart stirred.

She knew she had poked the exact spot Shangguan Yunying feared the most.

Shangguan Yunying liked Gu Chengyin.

This matter was very obvious.

Not just liked, but liked a lot, very much so.

Liked him enough to be willing to do anything, enough to ignore her own feelings.

Liked him enough to pretend she didn't care whether Gu Chengyin liked her back.

Looking at Shangguan Yunying's pale face, complex emotions surged in Luo Zhao's heart.

She wasn't reminding Shangguan Yunying.

But rather utilizing this affection.

Because Gu Chengyin had taught her that only by poking at the deepest fears in a person's heart could one make them walk in the desired direction.

Shangguan Yunying's loyalty did not need to be tested.

But her fear could be exploited.

Luo Zhao said softly, "Yunying, I'm not trying to scare you."

"I am only reminding you that some people, if you don't hold onto them..."

"...once they are gone, they are truly gone."

Shangguan Yunying did not speak.

She lowered her head, looking at the red sandalwood box in her hands.

After a long while, she raised her head, her voice somewhat hoarse:

"Your Highness, what should I do?"

Luo Zhao looked at Shangguan Yunying, the corners of her lips curving up slightly as if everything was already set in stone.

She took a step forward, pulled Shangguan Yunying into her embrace, and leaned in to whisper softly by her ear:

"Yunying, as long as you listen to me, I promise you."

"When the day of our success arrives."

"Gu Chengyin."

"I will not keep him all to myself."