Abattoir

He might even be killed instead by Gu Chengyang during the process.

But after all, his cultivation base was still there, so escaping with a sliver of health wasn’t a problem.

That’s exactly why Lin Qingyan had hidden away and refused to show herself when Gu Chengyang and Shangguan Yunying were being intimate.

That’s why she only sneaked out after Gu Chengyang left.

And that’s why she approached her, saying she wanted to collaborate.

Although Luo Zhao felt that what Lin Qingyan truly wanted was to restrict Shangguan Yunying,

since she had expressed her intention, there was no reason to turn her away.

And as for why things had turned out this way…

To put it bluntly, it was all because of desire—success came from it, and failure came from it too.

After all, Lin Qingyan wanted something, and Lin Qingyan got it.

Talent, beauty, cultivation—she lacked nothing.

But it was precisely this ability to get whatever she wanted that made it so unbearable for her when she couldn’t.

Especially with someone like Gu Chengyang.

Especially when she saw Shangguan Yunying being intimate with Gu Chengyang.

Luo Zhao thought about it, and the corner of her mouth curled into an ambiguous smile.

As she pondered, she studied the Gu Xiaoli standing before her.

The world-weary loli still stood there, her expression calm.

But not the kind of calm that came from a heart demon’s indifference to everything—rather, the calm of someone who couldn’t be bothered to care.

These two kinds of calm seemed similar on the surface, but they were worlds apart.

A heart demon’s stillness came from having no desires.

Gu Xiaoli’s world-weariness came from being too lazy to move.

As Luo Zhao looked at her, a sudden thought struck her.

Why would Gu Chengyang, upon learning of Gu Xiaoli’s cultivation level, go out of his way to turn her into his cat?

Because of cultivation.

Because half-step Nascent Soul meant immense power that reached the heavens and earth.

If he could gain such an ally, it would undoubtedly be like adding wings to a tiger for Gu Chengyang.

At that point, he wouldn’t have a problem with anything, even not eating beef.

And why did Gu Chengyang get involved with and even hypnotize Lin Qingyan?

Again, because of cultivation.

As the invincible Golden Core cultivator of the Heavenly Masters’ Mansion, Jingzhe—both in status and strength—even the Luo Emperor couldn’t do anything to her.

If he could control Lin Qingyan, it would be like having a get-out-of-jail-free card.

Then why did Gu Chengyang want to control her, Luo Zhao?

On the surface, it was because of status.

She was the Crown Prince of the Great Luo Dynasty, wielding power over the court.

But since Gu Chengyang’s status was tied to his cultivation level, and controlling her would grant him the highest status,

it all came down to cultivation in the end.

Everything Gu Chengyang did was aimed at cultivation.

But… Luo Zhao’s train of thought suddenly stopped.

What about Shangguan Yunying?

Shangguan Yunying was only at the Foundation Establishment stage—her strength couldn’t compare to Lin Qingyan’s, let alone Gu Xiaoli’s.

She couldn’t provide powerful combat ability, nor could she offer status.

She was just an ordinary Chief Female Officer.

Aside from being good-looking, competent, with a graceful figure, ample chest, long legs, and a gentle temperament…

There wasn’t anything particularly special about her.

But why was Gu Chengyang so good to Shangguan Yunying?

So good that it caught everyone’s attention, so good that even Lin Qingyan felt threatened.

To the point where she had to collaborate with Luo Zhao just to put limits on Shangguan Yunying, fearing she might be beaten to it.

Clearly, Shangguan Yunying couldn’t protect him, nor could she provide cultivation.

Unless…

Unless Gu Chengyang genuinely liked Shangguan Yunying.

Not for use, not for scheming, not a choice made after weighing the pros and cons.

Just pure affection—so much that he was willing to spend time on her.

So much that he was willing to be intimate with her in front of others.

So much that even a fairy like Lin Qingyan felt threatened.

Luo Zhao’s eyes gradually lit up.

If that were the case, then wouldn’t it mean…

As long as she got a hold of Shangguan Yunying, she could get a hold of Gu Chengyang?!

This thought struck her like lightning, leaving her stunned.

Yes, why hadn’t she thought of it earlier?

Controlling Gu Chengyang was difficult.

This man had no weaknesses or vulnerabilities.

You could hate him, curse him, try every way to deal with him—but you could never find a crack in his armor.

Shangguan Yunying was different.

She liked Gu Chengyang and was willing to do anything for him. But it was precisely this affection that left her full of vulnerabilities.

Yet that also made Shangguan Yunying the best card to play against Gu Chengyang.

Just like today.

Stalling for a bit of time, causing a little trouble—Gu Chengyang wouldn’t care.

But if those small troubles piled up, that would be another story.

The corner of Luo Zhao’s mouth curled into a meaningful smile.

She didn’t need to deal with Gu Chengyang directly; she only needed to affect him through Shangguan Yunying.

This influence might be small, but over time, it could still move things.

As for Gu Xiaoli…

Luo Zhao’s thoughts shifted back to the world-weary loli before her.

Since she’d inevitably be found sooner or later, rather than letting Gu Chengyang take her back effortlessly,

why not…

Have her confront Lin Qingyan!

The moment this idea popped up, it spread like wild grass, impossible to suppress.

Let Gu Xiaoli go find Lin Qingyan, preferably stir up some conflict.

If that didn’t work, a good fight would do.

No.

Luo Zhao suppressed half of this dangerous thought.

Conflict was fine, but a fight was out of the question.

One was invincible at the Golden Core stage, the other at half-step Nascent Soul.

If they really got into it, the entire capital might be destroyed in the aftermath.

So the conflict had to be kept within a controllable range.

That way, Gu Chengyang would have to choose between Lin Qingyan and Gu Xiaoli.

Choose Lin Qingyan?

Gu Xiaoli definitely wouldn’t be happy about that.

Though this cat seemed world-weary, she was actually quite vengeful.

If Gu Chengyang dared to favor Lin Qingyan, she would absolutely hold a grudge.

There was even a chance she might abandon Gu Chengyang and become completely loyal to Luo Zhao.

Choose Gu Xiaoli?

Then Lin Qingyan definitely wouldn’t stand for it.

She was already fuming because of Shangguan Yunying.

If Gu Chengyang favored a cat over her, she’d probably explode.

By then, she’d throw caution to the wind and just steal Gu Chengyang away.

Either way, a lover’s quarrel was inevitable.

The more Luo Zhao thought about it, the more brilliant the idea seemed.

She had even started sketching the scene in her head.

Lin Qingyan, her face cold, interrogating Gu Chengyang; Gu Xiaoli, her lips pouting, ignoring everyone.

Gu Chengyang caught in the middle, at a loss; Shangguan Yunying standing by, helpless.

The scene was so beautiful that she didn’t want to snap out of her fantasy.

“Your Highness?”

A calm voice suddenly sounded, breaking Luo Zhao’s thoughts.

Luo Zhao came back to reality and found Gu Xiaoli tilting her head, looking at her with those big eyes filled with curiosity.

“What was Your Highness thinking about?”

Gu Xiaoli asked. “You had such a strange smile.”

Luo Zhao was taken aback, then realized she did have a smile lingering on her lips.

She cleared her throat lightly, wiped the smile off her face, and said seriously:

“Nothing, just thinking about some things.”

Gu Xiaoli glanced at her but said nothing.

Yet her eyes clearly said: You’re lying to a cat.

Luo Zhao didn’t mind and continued:

“Xiaoli, how’s your relationship with your aunt?”