Everything as Usual

Madam Jiang's figure disappeared into the courtyard as silently as she had appeared, like a drop of ink blending into the night.

The courtyard returned to silence, save for the rustling of the night breeze blowing through the vegetation and... the subtle atmosphere between the two of them.

The moonlight seemed a bit brighter than before. Its clear glow was like water, stretching the shadows of Gu Chengyin and Shangguan Yunying long and thin upon the smooth bluestone slabs.

Shangguan Yunying lowered her head, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, completely afraid to look at Gu Chengyin.

She did not know what to say or do right now. She only wanted to flee this place immediately, hide back in her boudoir, pull the covers over her head, and pretend that nothing tonight had ever happened.

"I... I will be going back first, Deacon Gu. You should rest early too." Saying this hastily, she turned to flee quickly into the night without waiting for Gu Chengyin's response.

However, her wrist was gently grasped by a warm and powerful hand.

The touch felt like a faint electric current instantly spreading throughout Shangguan Yunying's entire body, causing her to freeze suddenly and stop in her tracks.

She looked back in astonishment, meeting Gu Chengyin's gaze.

Under the moonlight, Gu Chengyin's face had distinct features, and his eyes were deep. There was no teasing in them, only a rare seriousness.

"Master Yunying, do not be in a hurry to leave."

Gu Chengyin slowly continued,

"Just now, the Madam... has already made things clear. Since this paper window has been pierced, pretending that nothing happened would only make me seem less than honest, and it would be even more unfair to you."

Shangguan Yunying's heart skipped a beat. What was he going to say? Was he going to completely draw a line and make her give up? Or...

Gu Chengyin pulled her to sit on a stone bench, sat down beside her, and let go of her hand.

"Master Yunying, there are some things I think I should tell you clearly."

He looked directly into Shangguan Yunying's eyes, clear, magnanimous, and sincere:

"I truly do like you."

"!"

Shangguan Yunying's eyes widened suddenly, her breathing stalling in that instant.

She stared blankly at Gu Chengyin, almost thinking she had heard wrong.

He... what did he say? Likes... me?

Gu Chengyin did not pause, continuing to speak clearly as if stating the most natural thing in the world:

"I like that you are smart and quick to understand, able to keep up with my train of thought. You even have your own unique insights and judgments on many matters, rather than just echoing what others say."

"I like that you are beautiful. Your looks and temperament, whether in the Divine Capital or throughout the entire Great Luo, make you an absolutely peerless beauty."

"I like your outstanding abilities. Despite being a woman, you have secured a firm foothold in the Internal Affairs Department, becoming Her Highness's chief female official and handling affairs in perfect order."

"I like your decisiveness in handling matters. At critical moments, you never drag things out. You are ruthless when you need to be and gentle when it is called for, advancing and retreating methodically, and controlling situations with ease."

...

One by one, he detailed Shangguan Yunying's virtues, as if appraising a piece of peerless, exquisite jade.

"I believe," Gu Chengyin finally concluded, "that as long as he is a normal man, spending time with you day after day, it would be difficult not to develop a favorable impression or even admiration for you, unless he is blind in both eyes and heart, or simply not a man at all."

This last sentence, carrying a hint of teasing, caused Shangguan Yunying, who had been immersed in immense shock and shyness, to burst out laughing.

Her smile was like spring water breaking through ice, instantly diluting the deep blush on her face. Layers of ripples spread in her eyes, along with a trace of pride from being so sincerely validated.

However, the smile on Gu Chengyin's face gradually faded, his expression turning serious:

"But, it is precisely because of this."

"Master Yunying."

"Precisely because you are so outstanding, and because the position we are in is so critical, we must face this with even greater clarity."

His gaze swept beyond the courtyard, as if seeing the undercurrents surging beneath this towering imperial city:

"You saw it too. During the morning court, the attacks aimed at Her Highness came one after another, every word meant to condemn, every move lethal."

"Those wicked villains hiding in the dark wish they could immediately drag Her Highness down from the position of Crown Princess, damning her beyond redemption."

"If the Second Prince's strategy is implemented, who knows how many commoners will suffer, and how many benefits will flow into certain people's pockets, further strengthening Her Highness's opponents!"

"And the muddy waters of the Ministry of Revenue are no small matter either. Once stirred, it will inevitably trigger stormy seas!"

Gu Chengyin's voice grew deeper and deeper, every word striking Shangguan Yunying's heart:

"At this very moment, any slight emotional fluctuation, any shred of distracted attention, any possible weakness or flaw could leave us... dead without a burial place!"

He paused for a moment before slowly and softly calling out:

"Therefore, Master Yunying... I..."

Before he could finish speaking, a slender, jade-like finger, soft as if boneless, suddenly pressed gently against his lips.

Gu Chengyin was slightly taken aback and looked at the woman opposite him.

Under the moonlight, Shangguan Yunying stood before him.

Her eyes curved into beautiful crescents. Her previous shyness was gone, replaced by a gentle yet watery firmness.

Her voice was as soft as the night breeze brushing across lute strings, every word clear to the ear:

"Gu Chengyin."

For the first time, she called him by his full name so naturally.

"I understand what you mean."

"I understand it all. I understand how dangerous the current situation is, how heavy the pressure Her Highness bears is, and I understand your concerns."

Shangguan Yunying's tone was peaceful and lucid, as if she had already seen through all of this:

"If it weren't for my mother being... well, meddlesome tonight, this matter would never have been brought to the table."

"I am still Her Highness's chief female official, and you are still Her Highness's trusted deacon."

"Love might naturally come to fruition one day, or perhaps... it will dissipate with the wind."

She leaned forward slightly, the distance between them now close at hand.

"So, rest assured."

"After tonight, when the sun rises as usual, everything will return to its original track."

"There will be no changes between us, nor should there be any."

Gu Chengyin's astonishment came from the bottom of his heart.

Shangguan Yunying's words were clear, rational, mindful of the bigger picture, and aware of when to advance or retreat.

She didn't act like those who lose their heads once they fall in love, thinking that nothing in the vast world matters more than romance, pestering endlessly; nor did she harbor any resentment.

She understood Gu Chengyin's considerations, agreed with the current situation, and took the initiative to properly tuck away these newly sprouting feelings, not letting them become a burden and risk to each other.

"That is very good."

Gu Chengyin's voice held some relief. "Master Yunying, you..."

However.

Before his words fell.

The beautiful crescents in Shangguan Yunying's eyes suddenly flashed with a sly and bold light.

Without any warning, she leaned forward once again.

This time, the distance was so close that it broke through all safe boundaries.

A refreshing, subtle fragrance instantly enveloped Gu Chengyin.

Immediately after, a touch of warm, slightly cool red lips, with the tender feel of petals, pressed against Gu Chengyin's lips without any warning.

Time seemed to stretch infinitely in this moment.

The moonlight grew even purer, casting a layer of silver radiance over the nearly frozen scene within the pavilion.

The night breeze paused; the grass and trees fell silent.

All that remained in the entire world was the faint sensation of their lips pressing together.

It was as fleeting as a dragonfly skimming the surface of a pond, or a drop of morning dew falling upon a petal.

A fleeting touch, parting the very moment they met.

Shangguan Yunying swiftly took a step back, putting distance between them.

Bathed in the moonlight, her cheeks flushed as red as sunset clouds. Her breathing was slightly hurried, and her eyes danced with the playful mischief of having gotten exactly what she wanted.

Looking at Gu Chengyin, who had clearly not yet recovered his senses, she suddenly broke into a radiant smile.

Then she turned around, leaving him with the view of her slender, elegant back, and walked with light, brisk steps toward the courtyard's exit.

The night breeze stirred once more, carrying her soft words back to him.

"After tonight, everything goes back to normal."