Lyu Fang

As if calculating the exact moment Gu Chengyin reached the appropriate distance, Lyu Fang slowly stopped his movements.

He gently placed the elegant purple clay teapot back onto the tea tray with a soft clink. Only then did he unhurriedly raise his head, revealing a smile like one who had long been waiting for an honored guest.

Instead of remaining seated, he immediately stood up and took the initiative to welcome him.

"Manager Gu."

Lyu Fang stopped in front of Gu Chengyin and bowed slightly with a touch of perfectly measured respect. "No, look at my memory. Now, I should be calling you Marquis Bingjian."

He looked Gu Chengyin up and down, a look of admiration on his face. "For Marquis Gu to be so young and yet receive such profound trust from Her Highness, your future is truly limitless."

Gu Chengyin's internal vigilance grew even stronger.

The more flawless these old foxes were, the harder they were to deal with.

He mirrored the appropriate smile on his face, cupped his hands in return, and spoke in a humble tone:

"Eunuch Lyu, you flatter me. You have served His Majesty for many years with dedication and great merit. You are the true role model for our generation."

"Marquis Gu is too modest. Please, take the seat of honor."

Lyu Fang stepped aside, guiding Gu Chengyin toward the already prepared yellow pear-wood armchair.

The two sat down, their postures relaxed yet maintaining the necessary decorum.

A young eunuch standing nearby stepped forward silently, serving Gu Chengyin a cup of freshly brewed fragrant tea.

The tea was clear and its aroma rich—a top-tier tribute tea.

Gu Chengyin picked up the teacup and gently brushed the floating tea leaves, but did not drink immediately.

He looked at Lyu Fang and probed:

"Eunuch Lyu, this junior arrived suddenly without prior notice. I wonder if I have delayed your official duties?"

Hearing this, Lyu Fang simply waved his hand lightly, his tone relaxed:

"It is no matter. It is my honor that Marquis Gu could come. As for official duties..."

He paused, his gaze lifting slightly as he spoke softly, "I have already sought instructions from His Majesty."

Gu Chengyin understood instantly.

As expected! His guess was not wrong.

Lyu Fang was waiting for him here not just because he was well-informed; behind this was the tacit approval, or perhaps even the direct instruction, of Emperor Luo.

Gu Chengyin revealed a look of sudden realization and nodded. "So that is how it is. His Majesty is exceptionally wise and compassionate toward his subjects. Then this junior can impose on you without worry."

Lyu Fang picked up his own teacup, gently blew on the foam floating on the surface, and took a small sip, savoring the tea's aroma.

Then, he put down the cup, looked at Gu Chengyin, and suddenly asked what seemed to be a casual question:

"Marquis Gu is so young, yet already holds a high position and is deeply relied upon by Her Highness."

"If I may be so bold, where is Marquis Gu from? Who else is in your family? By what serendipity did you catch Her Highness's eye and come to serve by her side?"

This was a background check, probing into his origins.

Gu Chengyin's eyes narrowed slightly, but the smile on his face remained unchanged.

He had long been prepared for this question. His identity as a transmigrator was his biggest secret, but it also left a blank slate that he could fabricate at will.

In a steady tone, carrying just the right touch of grassroots humility, he said, "To be honest with Eunuch Lyu, this junior comes from a humble background. I am but a rustic from a remote village outside Beihe City in the Luoshui Commandery."

"I have no family left. I have been alone and destitute since childhood, wandering from place to place. Fortunately, while in Beihe City, I encountered Her Highness's carriage."

"Her Highness did not despise my lowly origins or my shallow knowledge. She made an exception to bring me to her side, teaching and employing me."

"That I am where I am today is entirely due to Her Highness's appreciation and patronage. I will never forget this grace and virtue for as long as I live."

Lyu Fang listened quietly, a gentle smile on his face, nodding slightly from time to time, as if earnestly listening to a junior's history of struggle.

His gaze was deep, evaluating the truthfulness of Gu Chengyin's words.

After listening, Lyu Fang nodded slightly, his tone carrying a trace of emotion. "I see. Although Marquis Gu comes from a humble background, you are gifted with intelligence. Meeting a wise master and soaring to the heavens is truly a beautiful tale."

"It is indeed consistent with the information I have received."

His last sentence seemed casual, but it was actually telling Gu Chengyin: I have investigated your background, and for now, there are no issues.

Gu Chengyin's expression did not change; he merely smiled humbly. Now that the small talk was over, it was time to discuss business.

Sure enough, the smile on Lyu Fang's face gradually faded, replaced by a complex, profound expression.

He sighed, his voice lowering:

"Marquis Gu, you are the new favorite by Her Highness's side, so perhaps you are unaware."

"Ever since Her Highness established her own estate and was appointed as the Crown Princess, His Majesty handed the affairs of the Internal Affairs Department over to her to manage."

Lyu Fang raised his eyes to look at Gu Chengyin, his gaze deep. "I have served His Majesty for many years and once held the position of Chief Director of the Internal Affairs Department."

"But since Her Highness took over, I voluntarily resigned from the position of Chief Director to wholeheartedly serve His Majesty, no longer interfering in the affairs of the Internal Affairs Department."

These words first demonstrated his understanding of the times—voluntarily relinquishing power and not competing with the Crown Princess.

"Logically speaking," Lyu Fang continued, "everyone in the Internal Affairs Department, no matter who they are, since they are under Her Highness's jurisdiction, should naturally follow her orders. This is our duty, and it is the rule."

Gu Chengyin frowned slightly. These words sounded like a declaration of loyalty, yet faintly carried a strange undertone.

As expected, Lyu Fang's tone suddenly shifted, and a bitter smile appeared on his face:

"Marquis Gu, you have seen it too. In this court, the winds and clouds constantly shift, treacherous and unpredictable."

"I am just a servant who waits upon others. I am truly not in control of my own fate."

He looked at Gu Chengyin, his tone sincere. "In truth, I have always wanted to find an opportunity to run some errands for Her Highness and offer my meager strength, but Her Highness..."

Lyu Fang shook his head, finding it somewhat difficult to speak. Finally, he said in a low voice, "Her Highness always seems to have some estrangement toward me and the people under my command."

"Not only is she unwilling to employ us much, but she has instead supported a new faction of female officials, reallocating many duties that were originally handled by eunuchs to them."

Gu Chengyin simply listened quietly, not saying a single word.

After Lyu Fang finished speaking, he tilted his head slightly and softly called out to the young eunuch not far away:

"Come here."

As his words fell, the young eunuch lowered his head and walked over respectfully.

He stopped about three steps away from Lyu Fang, standing with his hands at his sides, not daring to look up.

Lyu Fang pointed at this young servant and said to Gu Chengyin:

"Marquis Gu, Her Highness has given you the position of Manager of the Internal Affairs Department and also titled you Marquis Bingjian. Presumably, she hopes you can coordinate internal and external affairs and share her burdens."

"Here, I have nothing else but some servants who are reasonably diligent and somewhat familiar with affairs."

He glanced at the young servant and continued, "This little one is named Li'er. She has been with me for a few years, is quite clever, and knows a few words."

"Marquis Gu is a newcomer here. If you need to audit any accounts, you will always need someone familiar with the situation by your side to run errands."

"Let Li'er follow Marquis Gu and be at your disposal. Whenever there is a task, she will certainly do her utmost."

"Of course," Lyu Fang leaned in a bit closer and whispered, "I know that another reason Her Highness supports female officials is because she is... extremely repulsed by the scent of castrated men."

"Therefore, Marquis Gu can rest assured. Li'er is not a castrated eunuch, but my adopted goddaughter."

If there is anything you need, Marquis Gu, please feel free to give your orders to Li'er. You will certainly be satisfied.