Resting in the Official Residence

Shangguan Yuan felt a chilling sensation shoot up from his tailbone, rushing straight to the crown of his head.

He forced himself to calm down, banished all distracting thoughts, and replayed the scenes from that morning's court session in his mind.

He re-examined them as meticulously as he would the Ministry of Revenue's most critical and confidential ledgers.

When His Highness had requested a delay in reporting back, he had merely thought it a sign of cautious action.

But now, looking back, it was far more than mere caution.

This was... a coordinated, tacit understanding!

Emperor Luo had first hinted at potential changes within the Grand Secretariat with his remark about "vacancies," subtly suggesting a certain possibility.

Then, Gu Chengyin cooperated by tactfully declining. Emperor Luo then seized the opportunity to raise the issue of the empty state treasury, asking for strategies to address it.

His Highness, under the guise of requesting a delayed report, had then clearly unsheathed the sword hanging over the Ministry of Revenue's head.

Throughout the entire process, apart from asking for strategies and granting permission, His Majesty had simply sat high upon the dragon throne, quietly observing the developments.

This was no spontaneous court dispute; it was a tacitly coordinated chess game between the Emperor and the Crown Prince!

"So that's how it is... So that's it!"

A sudden clarity dawned upon Shangguan Yuan's heart. All his doubts were shattered into pieces by this truth in an instant, only to rapidly reassemble into an even more resolute attitude.

If this were merely the Crown Prince's own intention, he might still need to weigh whether this heir apparent's authority was sufficient, whether the action would face backlash, and whether the risks and rewards of placing his bet were proportional.

But when the Emperor himself stood behind it! The meaning of everything changed completely!

This was not a struggle between the Crown Prince's faction and the factions of other princes or officials; this was the will of imperial authority!

It was His Majesty intending to use the Crown Prince's hand to cleanse the court, discipline powerful factions, and even pave the way for the future transfer of power!

Refusing Luo Zhao might still leave some room for maneuver.

But resisting the Emperor's will? That would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—sheer folly inviting self-destruction!

Great risk often accompanies heaven-sent fortune! And now, this fortune, backed by Emperor Luo, was further gilded with an irrefutable golden sheen!

A sharp glint flashed in Shangguan Yuan's eyes. He abruptly stood up. Though slightly portly, he now exuded an aura of profound stability, like a deep pool or a towering mountain.

He did not look at Gu Chengyin. Instead, he snatched the list from the table, walked straight to the nearby charcoal brazier, and with a flick of his wrist, tossed it in.

The list caught fire immediately. Orange-red flames swiftly devoured the names and accusations, soon reducing them to black ashes that fluttered down.

Having done this, Shangguan Yuan finally turned to face Gu Chengyin, his expression unprecedentedly solemn:

"Deacon Gu, this old man understands now."

"Please return and report to His Highness. Give me one day to organize everything. When the time comes, I will personally deliver all that His Highness requires."

Seeing this, Gu Chengyin knew the major matter was settled. He rose and offered a deep, respectful bow. "This humble servant will return at once to convey Your Excellency's intentions to His Highness."

"Wait!"

Just as Gu Chengyin prepared to take his leave, Shangguan Yuan suddenly called out to stop him.

Gu Chengyin halted his steps and turned back to look at Shangguan Yuan, his eyes questioning.

Shangguan Yuan stroked his short beard, his tone softening. "Deacon Gu, look, the hour is late now, the night is deep."

"His Highness has likely already retired for the night. Returning now and disturbing His Highness would be rather inappropriate."

He walked over to Gu Chengyin, patted his shoulder, and his face broke into an even more genial smile. "How about... Deacon Gu rests here in my humble residence tonight? The guest room has long been prepared, with all necessities provided."

"Tomorrow morning, after I have handed over the initially organized key documents to you, you can take them back to the palace together when you report to His Highness. Wouldn't that serve both purposes beautifully?"

"Moreover, that girl Yun'er has been busy with palace affairs for many days and hasn't returned home. Her mother misses her terribly. This is a perfect opportunity for mother and daughter to spend more time together." Shangguan Yuan said with a hearty chuckle.

Only then did Gu Chengyin have a sudden realization. Despite all the reasons given earlier, this last one was the true cause.

Since that was the case, a smile appeared on Gu Chengyin's face. He cupped his hands respectfully. "Then I shall trouble you, Minister. As the saying goes, 'politeness is no substitute for obedience' — I humbly accept your kind invitation."

"Haha, excellent! That's more like it!"

A genuinely pleased smile spread across Shangguan Yuan's face, as if a weight had been lifted from his mind.

He immediately called out loudly for the steward who had been waiting outside the room and instructed him carefully: "Take Deacon Gu to the east wing. Provide for all his needs according to the standards for a distinguished guest. See that he is looked after thoroughly and meticulously, without the slightest neglect!"

"Yes, Master." The steward responded respectfully, then bowed and gestured for Gu Chengyin to follow. "Deacon Gu, please follow this old servant."

Gu Chengyin bowed once more to Shangguan Yuan in farewell, then followed the steward out of the study.

Walking along the winding corridor, the night breeze was slightly cool, carrying the fresh scent of plants from the courtyard.

Under the steward's thoughtful and meticulous arrangements, Gu Chengyin settled into the spacious, bright, and elegantly furnished east wing.

After washing up and changing into comfortable everyday clothes, he dismissed the attending maid. Sitting alone on the couch by the window, he used the lamplight to carefully review the conversation in Shangguan Yuan's study once more.

Confirming there were no omissions or flaws, he then blew out most of the lamps and candles, leaving only a small bedside lamp. He lay down on the bed, still fully clothed.

...

He didn't know how long he had slept—perhaps an hour, perhaps just the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn.

An extremely subtle sense of something amiss, like the ripples from a pebble dropped into a still lake, gently brushed against the edges of Gu Chengyin's perception.

It wasn't a sound, nor a smell. It was more like the intrusion of a presence.

Gu Chengyin's nerves instantly tightened! With the system's enhancement and his mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation, his five senses and spiritual awareness had long since far surpassed those of his peers.

His perception of environmental changes was especially acute. Yet, someone had actually managed to evade his senses and silently approach his bedside?!

His eyes snapped open. The true qi within his body instinctively began to circulate, his breathing technique poised to strike.

However, the sight that met his eyes caused the vigilance and offensive momentum that were about to erupt to halt abruptly mid-course, turning into a low, suppressed gasp in his throat.

In the hazy, dim-yellow glow of the small bedside lamp, he saw an exquisitely beautiful face close at hand.

Shangguan Yunying.

She had evidently just infiltrated the room. She still carried the slight coolness of the night dew on her. She wasn't wearing the solemn palace attire from the day, but rather a set of light-colored, close-fitting martial attire that outlined her tall and slender figure.

Her jet-black hair was simply tied up, with a few strands falling by her cheeks. In the dim light, they softened her usually somewhat aloof demeanor.

Their eyes met.

Gu Chengyin clearly saw that the moment he opened his eyes, Shangguan Yunying started like a frightened deer. Her beautiful eyes widened suddenly, clearly reflecting his own astonished face within them.

A flush of crimson, visible to the naked eye, rapidly spread from her fair neck to the roots of her ears, then tinged her cheeks.

The night was deep. Inside the guest room, a man and a woman alone. One had stealthily entered, the other lay fully clothed on the bed.

This scene, no matter how one looked at it, was filled with an extreme degree of ambiguity and impropriety.

Shangguan Yunying clearly realized this as well.

As if scalded, she abruptly straightened up, took a small step back, and her hands twisted together helplessly. Her usual composure and self-control were gone, replaced entirely by overwhelming embarrassment and panic.

"I... I'm not... Father told me to... no, it was my own..."