Little Abacus

Shangguan Yunying understood.

This was a trap.

A setup designed to make Gu Chengyin direct his spearhead at Cui Shifan.

Luo Zhao withholding the imperial decree was to prove to Gu Chengyin that the hypnosis was effective.

Having Cui Shifan push the decree forward was to attract Gu Chengyin's attention.

Meanwhile, Luo Zhao, the mastermind behind all this, would wash her hands clean of any involvement.

She would become the pitiful Crown Princess who desperately tried to protect him but was dragged down instead.

Furthermore, if Gu Chengyin wanted to take a step further, the current Chief Minister, Cui Shifan, was an obstacle he had to tear down.

Now that Cui Shifan had jumped out to force the decree through, it was equivalent to striking first to suppress Gu Chengyin.

When that time came, what would Gu Chengyin think? What would he do?

He would pour all his attention and schemes onto Cui Shifan.

And Luo Zhao only needed to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight.

Shangguan Yunying silently sorted through this chain of logic in her mind. The more she thought about it, the more brilliant it seemed.

This method...

She could not help but glance at Luo Zhao again.

It was truly too similar to Gu Chengyin; it was simply the student surpassing the master.

Noticing her gaze, Luo Zhao slightly raised an eyebrow. What is it?

Shangguan Yunying hastily withdrew her gaze and shook her head. Nothing. This humble servant merely feels that Your Highness has set up this trap exceptionally well.

The smile at the corners of Luo Zhao's mouth deepened.

Naturally.

She paused, then added, However, you must remember: after arriving in Luodu, you absolutely must not show any flaws.

Gu Chengyin is too smart. Any slight abnormality will be noticed by him.

Shangguan Yunying nodded. This subordinate understands.

Also.

Luo Zhao looked at her, her gaze turning profound. You need to know your own place in your heart.

Shangguan Yunying's breath slightly hitched.

Once we succeed, no matter what you want to do, I will not interfere.

Luo Zhao's tone was light, devoid of any discernible emotion. But Yunying, you must remember.

You are my Head Court Lady, not Gu Chengyin's bed-warming maid.

Understand?

Shangguan Yunying fell silent for a breath.

Then she raised her head, meeting Luo Zhao's gaze, a trace of determination flashing in her eyes.

Rest assured, Your Highness. This subordinate knows what needs to be done.

Luo Zhao looked at her and nodded.

The carriage continued forward, its wheels rolling over the bluestone road, emitting a monotonous rumbling sound.

The light outside the window was hazy, outlining the faint silhouettes of the houses along the street.

Neither of them spoke again.

The carriage plunged into silence, with only the smoke of incense curling upwards.

It twisted and transformed under the dim yellow light, like silent thoughts.

Shangguan Yunying lowered her eyes, seemingly deep in thought, but actually silently calculating in her heart.

She understood Luo Zhao's words. Her Highness was willing to share Gu Chengyin with her after their success.

But this came with conditions: she had to complete this setup, she had to make Gu Chengyin believe in Luo Zhao's hypnotized state, she had to...

Wait.

Shangguan Yunying suddenly realized a crucial point.

If Gu Chengyin truly believed in Luo Zhao's hypnotized state, his guard against Luo Zhao would drop.

When that time came, wouldn't it be even easier for Luo Zhao to do whatever she wanted to Gu Chengyin?

And as the executor of this setup, would she ultimately be...

Shangguan Yunying raised her eyes and quickly shot a glance at Luo Zhao.

Luo Zhao was resting with her eyes closed, her face calm, showing no signs of anything unusual.

Shangguan Yunying withdrew her gaze and continued to lower her eyes.

No.

She told herself.

Her Highness wouldn't.

Even if Luo Zhao really wanted to do something to Gu Chengyin, she still needed her as the executor.

As long as she controlled the details of the execution, as long as she was the only one who knew every step of the process, it would be impossible for Her Highness to bypass her.

Furthermore...

The corners of Shangguan Yunying's mouth curved up into an imperceptible arc.

She still had her own little schemes.

That plan to intentionally make a mistake was currently slowly taking shape in Shangguan Yunying's mind.

When the time was ripe, when Luo Zhao thought everything was under control, she would...

Yunying.

Luo Zhao's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Shangguan Yunying's train of thought.

She raised her head, her face already reverting to its earnest and respectful expression.

Your Highness?

Luo Zhao opened her eyes and looked at her, her gaze deep:

There is one more thing.

Please speak, Your Highness.

Luo Zhao pondered for a moment before slowly saying, After arriving in Luodu, you will meet someone else.

Shangguan Yunying was taken aback. Who?

My aunt.

Shangguan Yunying's heartbeat skipped a beat.

Lin Qingyan.

That cold and aloof Jingzhe of the Tianshi Mansion, that Golden Core mid-stage powerhouse, the one mentioned in the submitted secret reports.

The woman who spent day and night with Gu Chengyin, and whose relationship with him was growing increasingly intimate.

Seeing Shangguan Yunying's slightly changing expression, Luo Zhao's expression also turned displeased.

The relationship between Gu Chengyin and Lin Qingyan was not a secret.

Judging from the gathered intelligence from all sides, the relationship between these two was becoming more and more inappropriate.

This made a trace of anger involuntarily rise in Luo Zhao's heart. Lin Qingyan was her aunt, after all.

What exactly did that bastard Gu Chengyin want to do?

Did he want to become her uncle?!

Yunying, you also know about the recently submitted reports. Gu Chengyin and my aunt are staying together every day.

Therefore, after you go to Luodu, besides the matter we just discussed,

you also need to confirm exactly what kind of relationship exists between them.

Hearing Luo Zhao's instruction, Shangguan Yunying fell silent.

She had indeed considered that, given Gu Chengyin's charm, he would certainly attract quite a few women.

For example, Cui Zilu from before was a prime case.

But Shangguan Yunying never imagined that Lin Qingyan would also be one of them.

Although there was no definite conclusion to this matter yet.

However, from the gathered intelligence, the relationship between Gu Chengyin and Lin Qingyan was absolutely not simple.

Shangguan Yunying even felt that this was probably the true reason Luo Zhao was sending her to Luodu.

To confirm if Gu Chengyin was really going to become Luo Zhao's uncle.

After a while, Shangguan Yunying spoke faintly:

Your Highness, if Lady Jingzhe and Gu Chengyin...

Before she could finish, Luo Zhao interrupted her, Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

Luo Zhao narrowed her eyes, staring straight at Shangguan Yunying, and gritted her teeth.

My aunt is in the Golden Core realm, she is the Jingzhe of the Tianshi Mansion. On what basis could a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like Gu Chengyin catch her eye?

Shangguan Yunying blinked. If it were put that way, she herself was the Head Court Lady and the eldest miss of the Shangguan Manor.

Luo Zhao was Her Highness the Eldest Princess, the sole heir apparent of Great Luo.

Didn't Gu Chengyin still catch their eyes, and even enter their...

Luo Zhao also seemed to feel that she was appearing a bit humiliated and angry. She thought it over.

Eventually, her gaze landed on Shangguan Yunying, and she said:

I know my aunt. As long as she wants something, she will get it.

But she is an elder. Even if there really is something going on, it wouldn't be discovered by others.

But what if... Yunying, what if you were to use Gu Chengyin right in front of her?