The Ex

Luo Zhao was overjoyed, but she put on a look of concern on her face.

"Of course I can, but Xiaoli, there’s something you have to promise me."

Luo Zhao’s expression turned serious, and she said earnestly,

"You and Auntie are both extremely powerful. If you really came to blows, the entire divine capital would be buried with you."

"So no matter what, don’t ever start a fight, understand?"

"If something comes up, talk it out properly. Auntie is such a reasonable person; she’ll definitely listen to you."

These words were half sincere advice and half a preemptive warning.

Though Luo Zhao wanted to see Gu Chengyin flustered and overwhelmed, she didn’t want to see the divine capital razed to the ground.

If those two really fought, the consequences were not something she could bear.

Hearing this, Gu Xiaoli’s urgency eased slightly, and she nodded earnestly.

"Don’t worry, Your Highness. The Empress Dowager said the same thing."

"Xiaoli and Sister Qingyan both know when to hold back, so we’ve never actually fought before."

The Empress Dowager had said it too.

A flicker of warmth stirred in Luo Zhao’s heart.

Though her mother was no longer here, the influence she had left behind was everywhere.

That was fine. With that warning, neither Lin Qingyan nor Gu Xiaoli would actually come to blows.

At least, they wouldn’t bury the entire divine capital.

"Go ahead," Luo Zhao said gently.

Gu Xiaoli turned at once, her small figure quickly walking out of the hall.

Her crimson skirts fluttered in the moonlight like a little moth diving toward a flame.

Luo Zhao watched her go until the tiny silhouette vanished into the night, and only then did she slowly curl her lips into a smile.

Moonlight pooled like water, casting a faint depth over her smiling face.

"Gu Chengyin, oh, Gu Chengyin,"

Luo Zhao murmured to herself, her tone brimming with smugness.

"No matter how clever you are, a fire in your own backyard—let’s see how you handle it."

Lin Qingyan and Gu Xiaoli, two of the most formidable figures in the world,

both pieces she couldn’t bear to discard.

Now, because of Gu Chengyin, they were at odds.

Who would he help?

Who would he protect?

If he helped Lin Qingyan, Gu Xiaoli would be hurt.

If he protected Gu Xiaoli, Lin Qingyan would grow distant.

No matter which choice he made, it was a dead end.

Luo Zhao’s smile deepened with sly satisfaction.

She rose and walked to the window, standing still as she gazed at the solitary moon in the sky, her thoughts turning over and over.

Today’s move had been brilliant.

Without spending a single soldier or an ounce of effort, with just a few words, she had stirred up conflict between Lin Qingyan and Gu Xiaoli.

No matter the final outcome, she would come out on top.

If Lin Qingyan won, Gu Xiaoli would inevitably feel disappointed in Gu Chengyin.

She would no longer be his cat, but instead, obediently become Luo Zhao’s cat instead.

A half-step Nascent Soul demon cat—who wouldn’t want that?

If Gu Xiaoli won, Lin Qingyan would surely give up on Gu Chengyin.

Then Luo Zhao could take the opportunity to drive a wedge between Lin Qingyan and Gu Chengyin.

A former lover at the peak of the Golden Core stage—enough to give Gu Chengyin a headache.

The more Luo Zhao thought about it, the more delightful it seemed, and she couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

After laughing for a while, she remembered another matter.

Shangguan Yunying.

Today, she had used Shangguan Yunying as a pretext, promising Lin Qingyan to restrict her, and then bringing it up in front of Gu Xiaoli.

That chief female officer had no idea she had already become a target in so many people’s eyes.

But it couldn’t be helped.

After all, Gu Chengyin happened to be fond of her.

Exactly for that reason, only by getting a hold on Shangguan Yunying could she get a hold on Gu Chengyin.

...

In the eastern market of the divine capital, dusk settled.

Lanterns began to glow along the long street, bright as daylight.

Shops lined both sides, their banners fluttering.

An old vendor with a pole selling sugar figurines ambled past. A girl from a rouge shop closed the awning at her door. The scent of wine and the sound of laughter wafted from the taverns.

Gu Chengyin and Shangguan Yunying walked side by side through this worldly bustle.

He wore a moon-white robe, a jade ornament hanging from his waist, his ink-black hair tied up with a jade crown, making his handsome, refined face stand out even more brilliantly.

Shangguan Yunying, on the other hand, was dressed in a lotus-petal skirt, a small velvet flower pinned in her hair.

Her brows were curved and her lips carried a smile. She occasionally stole a glance at Gu Chengyin, then quickly looked away.

The two had just wandered through the entire eastern market, from the ink-and-brush shop in the west to the cosmetics stall in the east, from the jewelry store in the south to the bookshop in the north.

Shangguan Yunying had bought a hairpin, and Gu Chengyin paid for her.

She then smiled so wide her brows scrunched up, as if she had gotten some incredible treasure.

Now, the two were seated at the highest restaurant in the eastern market, waiting for the roasted mutton to be served.

This restaurant, called the Star-Plucking Tower, stood five stories tall. The top floor had windows open on all sides, offering a panoramic view of the entire eastern market.

At this moment, the myriad household lamps resembled countless stars scattered below, a magnificent sight to behold.

Shangguan Yunying had booked the entire Star-Plucking Tower well in advance.

It wasn’t that she liked putting on airs—it was simply unavoidable.

The Shangguan family had long been a wealthy clan in Luodu, with generations of noble lineage.

Now that Shangguan Yuan had entered the Cabinet as a chancellor, he added even more prestige to their status.

Whether in the divine capital or Luodu, the Shangguan family was undeniably top-tier aristocracy.

And Shangguan Yunying, as the only legitimate daughter of the Shangguan family, had naturally become the most sought-after jewel in the eyes of countless young gentlemen.

Matchmakers had nearly worn down the doorstep of the Shangguan mansion.

One day, a Mr. Cui would send a poem; the next, a Mr. Li would deliver a letter; the day after that, the old Madam of the Wang family would personally come to propose.

A dazzling array of ploys—quite the lively scene.

Though none had succeeded, Shangguan Yunying had become the brightest pearl of high society.

Of course, "brightest" excluded Luo Zhao.

Mostly because no one was foolish enough to court the crown princess.

So, to avoid unnecessary trouble, especially when she was with Gu Chengyin,

Shangguan Yunying always made careful arrangements. She knew very well the little schemes those young gentlemen had.

If they saw her walking side by side with Gu Chengyin, there would inevitably be arrogant fools trying to pick a fight.

Outwardly, it would be flirting; secretly, they would try to catch her attention.

Picking a fight wasn’t scary—what Shangguan Yunying feared was ruining Gu Chengyin’s mood.

Those useless sons of noble families could never compare to Gu Chengyin in her heart.

After all, even Luo Zhao, in her mind...

So Shangguan Yunying absolutely would not let such a thing happen.

Though in terms of status, Shangguan Yunying was inferior to both Lin Qingyan and Luo Zhao,

in all of Daluo, she was only inferior to those two.

Gu Chengyin withdrew his gaze from the night view of the divine capital and turned to look at Shangguan Yunying beside him.

From just now on, this eldest daughter of the Shangguan family had been staring at him without blinking, not shifting her eyes for a moment.

Her apricot eyes were bright and glittering, as if filled with starlight, or as if hiding some little secret.

She was simply staring at him upright, openly and daringly, as if it were perfectly natural.

Gu Chengyin couldn’t help but ask with a smile,

"What are you staring at me for?"

Shangguan Yunying answered without thinking, "Because you’re beautiful!"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than she realized what she had said, and her cheeks flushed bright red.

She quickly averted her gaze, looked down, and mumbled sheepishly,

"I just like looking at you, that’s all."