As Expected of Me

They both turned to look at each other at the same time, their gazes colliding midair in a silent storm of unseen waves.

In Lin Qingyan's cold, clear eyes, a rare flicker of astonishment appeared.

She was somewhat surprised that Shangguan Yunying wanted to resign as the chief lady-in-waiting, but she didn't really care.

What caught her attention was Gu Chengyin's suggestion that Shangguan Yunying should spend some time with her.

Lin Qingyan lowered her eyelashes, turning his words over and over in her mind.

She could understand Gu Chengyin's intentions.

After all, she was the unbeatable master of the Golden Core stage. That wasn't just ample experience — it was overflowing with it.

She could teach Shangguan Yunying a great deal, especially when it came to breaking through the Golden Core realm.

And on top of that, Shangguan Yunying cultivated the Qingyun Art — the female version of it.

This wasn't just complementary.

It was practically fated.

At that thought, the corner of Lin Qingyan's mouth twitched involuntarily.

From a logical standpoint, Gu Chengyin's arrangement made perfect sense. If anything, it showed tremendous thoughtfulness.

But the problem was...

Lin Qingyan raised her eyes, casting a strange glance at Gu Chengyin.

For her to guide Shangguan Yunying in breaking through the Golden Core stage — how was that any different from personally forging her own romantic rival?

Shangguan Yunying was already watching her like a hawk, practically itching to shove her out of Gu Chengyin's life.

And now Gu Chengyin was asking her to teach Shangguan Yunying cultivation.

To pour out all her experience and insights, to personally deliver Shangguan Yunying to the Golden Core realm.

Only Gu Chengyin could come up with such an earth-shattering, heaven-defying request.

Lin Qingyan sighed inwardly.

Shangguan Yunying's expression was even more conflicted than Lin Qingyan's.

She could understand Gu Chengyin's good intentions, and she knew he was looking out for her.

After all, how many people in this world would kill for a single word of guidance from Lin Qingyan, yet were denied?

The unbeaten Lord Jingzhe of the Golden Core stage — one word from her was worth decades of someone else's bitter cultivation.

Now that Gu Chengyin had spoken up, given how much Lin Qingyan cared about him, she would certainly teach.

But how she taught — that was another matter entirely.

Because this was Lin Qingyan, after all.

In everyone else's eyes, she was the unbeaten Lord Jingzhe, an untainted immortal.

But in Shangguan Yunying's eyes, Lin Qingyan was nothing more than a shameless rival who picked on those smaller than herself!

To cultivate with Lin Qingyan, to spend all day in her presence, to humble herself and learn under her...

Just thinking about it made a nameless fury surge straight to Shangguan Yunying's crown.

But this was Gu Chengyin's request.

And logically speaking, his arrangement made sense.

She did need guidance, and Lin Qingyan was indeed the most qualified person for the job — bar none.

What's more... Shangguan Yunying stole a glance at Gu Chengyin.

He was thinking of her.

He knew she was trying to break through to the Golden Core stage, knew how difficult that path was, knew she needed a powerful mentor.

So he spoke up, personally securing this enormous blessing for her.

She couldn't let that sentiment go to waste.

Lin Qingyan was thinking about the same thing.

She knew Gu Chengyin was doing this for both her and Shangguan Yunying's sake, without a hint of favoritism.

His intention was to help Shangguan Yunying avoid unnecessary detours, and also to deepen Lin Qingyan's own comprehension of the Dao.

That was just how Gu Chengyin operated — weighing every factor carefully and then making the most reasonable arrangement.

As for whatever side effects this arrangement might bring, like personally forging a romantic rival...

Gu Chengyin had probably never even considered it.

Or rather, in his mind, there was no notion of a romantic rivalry between her and Shangguan Yunying at all.

That realization made Lin Qingyan feel both exasperated and amused.

Two beauties of entirely different temperaments, each lost in their own thoughts.

But in the end, neither raised any objection.

Because this was Gu Chengyin's request.

And logically speaking, it did make sense.

In Gu Chengyin's arrangement, there were no losers.

Lin Qingyan didn't lose, because she could gain insight into Shangguan Yunying's complete path of cultivation.

Shangguan Yunying cultivated the Qingyun Art, and in guiding her, Lin Qingyan would also be comprehending another complete path of the Dao.

For her, that might not be a bad thing after all.

Shangguan Yunying didn't lose either, because she would receive guidance from the unbeaten Golden Core master.

With Lin Qingyan's personal instruction, her chances of breaking through to the Golden Core stage would increase dramatically, helping her achieve her goals even sooner.

And for Gu Chengyin, this was practically a win-win.

He only had to open his mouth once to benefit both women at the same time.

Helping Shangguan Yunying solve her cultivation problem while also giving Lin Qingyan insight into the female version of a complete Dao path.

Killing two birds with one stone — why wouldn't he?

Seeing that neither Lin Qingyan nor Shangguan Yunying raised any objection, Gu Chengyin took it as their silent agreement.

A warm, bright smile curled at the corners of his mouth, and his voice carried a hint of lightness:

"So, it's settled then?"

That smile, when it landed in Lin Qingyan's eyes, stirred something faint in her heart.

And when it landed in Shangguan Yunying's eyes, it swept away more than half of her reluctance.

A trace of emotion — barely perceptible — flickered through Lin Qingyan's cold eyes. It was something between resignation, indulgence, and perhaps something else entirely.

She gave Gu Chengyin one look, then took the initiative to turn sideways and extend her hand toward Shangguan Yunying.

That hand was fair and slender, with well-defined knuckles, and fingertips carrying a faint coolness.

Her voice still had that crisp, clear texture, but her tone had softened considerably:

"Since Chengcheng has made this request, Yunying, I will teach you with all my heart."

These words were spoken with solemn weight — not mere courtesy, not indifference, but a genuine, heartfelt promise.

Since Lin Qingyan had put on such an air, Shangguan Yunying certainly wasn't one to be petty.

Besides, Gu Chengyin was watching right there. If she resisted now, it would just make her look small.

Shangguan Yunying raised her hand and clasped Lin Qingyan's.

The two hands joined together — one cool, one warm; one firm, one gentle. Their textures were completely different, yet in that moment of joining, they struck some strange and wonderful harmony.

Shangguan Yunying's fingers tightened slightly, giving Lin Qingyan's hand a squeeze, while a graceful and proper smile spread across her face. Her voice was gentle, perfectly measured:

"Thank you, Lord Jingzhe."

That address of "Lord Jingzhe" was very courteous — proper in etiquette, yet subtly maintaining just the right distance.

Lin Qingyan caught the implication but only gave a slight nod, saying nothing more.

The two hands lingered in a brief clasp before parting.

The contact was short — barely the span of a single breath.

But in that moment, both women sensed something far more subtle in the palm of the other's hand.

It wasn't hostility, nor was it warmth. It was an unspoken understanding.

They both knew that from this moment on, their relationship would grow even more complicated.

Rivals in love. Teacher and student. Friends. The people who understood each other best.

Gu Chengyin watched the scene unfold and nodded with satisfaction.

Inwardly, he gave himself a mental pat on the back.

Now that's what I call a job well done.