Is there a return gift

The fragrance of tea curled upward within the hall, which fell into a brief silence.

Only the blue smoke rising from the gilded beast-head censer silently traced the trajectory of the airflow.

Gu Chengyin's mind was crystal clear.

Lu Fang's arrangements clearly indicated he had interpreted this sudden visit as a routine matter:

the female officials were short-handed and unable to process the Ministry of Revenue's years of accumulated accounts in a short time, so they came to seek support from the eunuch faction.

However, despite all of Lu Fang's calculations, he never expected that Gu Chengyin's true purpose was far more thrilling and dangerous than asking for help with auditing!

Gu Chengyin's thoughts raced.

He needed to shatter Lu Fang's current cognitive framework and guide the conversation to a deeper level, but without being too blunt.

Gu Chengyin's gaze fell on the slightly cooled teacup in front of him.

During their previous exchange, the tea had gradually lost its warmth.

Gu Chengyin suddenly smiled faintly and reached out to pick up the purple clay teapot from the table.

The pot was warm to the touch, showing that the tea inside was still scalding hot.

His movements were natural, as if merely showing the courtesy of a junior, as he first slowly filled Lu Fang's mostly empty cup with steaming new tea.

The clear tea poured into the white porcelain cup, stirring up tiny whirlpools as the rich aroma rose once again.

Only then did he refill his own empty cup.

Having done all this, he gently placed the teapot back onto the tea tray with a soft clink.

Lu Fang had originally been watching Gu Chengyin's actions with a smile.

However, when he saw the two cups of freshly poured, steaming tea, his pupils slightly contracted!

When the guest leaves, the tea cools.

This was one of the basic etiquette hints in the officialdom of the Great Luo.

If a guest finished their tea and the host did not pour more, or allowed the tea to go cold.

It meant the meeting could end and the guest should take their leave.

For Gu Chengyin to personally pour him hot tea was absolutely more than just the courtesy of a junior!

This was conveying a signal in the most subtle way possible:

Our words are not yet finished.

Our business is not yet concluded.

The purpose of my trip goes far beyond this.

A sharp glint flashed in Lu Fang's eyes! His original composure and certainty showed a subtle crack at this moment.

He quickly replayed in his mind every word, expression, and movement of Gu Chengyin since entering the hall.

What he wants to discuss is not simply borrowing personnel to audit accounts... The thought flashed through Lu Fang's mind like lightning.

He originally thought he had seen through the purpose of the visit, but only now did he suddenly realize that beneath the surface lay a much deeper iceberg!

The smile on Lu Fang's face remained unchanged, but his gaze abruptly became sharp and profound.

He did not touch the new tea. Instead, he slowly raised his hand and gently waved at Li'er, who was standing by.

Li'er was extremely perceptive. Seeing this, he immediately bowed, then took swift, silent steps to quickly exit the hall, gently closing the heavy doors behind him.

Creak.

After the soft sound of the doors closing, only the two of them remained in the great hall.

Only then did Lu Fang reach out and pick up the cup of hot tea Gu Chengyin had poured for him.

Feeling the warmth from the cup's surface, it was as if he was using it to calm his mind, and also as if he was savoring Gu Chengyin's deeper meaning.

After a moment of silence, Lu Fang slowly spoke, casually bringing up a small matter:

Marquis Gu, I heard... last night, Shangguan Yunying, on His Highness's orders, returned to her estate to visit her family?

After being apart for so many days, Lord Shangguan must have been overjoyed to see his beloved daughter return, right?

Here it comes!

Gu Chengyin narrowed his eyes slightly.

As expected, his and Shangguan Yunying's whereabouts at the Shangguan estate could not be hidden from Lu Fang's eyes and ears.

But it was also obvious that Lu Fang only knew he went to the Shangguan estate; he did not know what cooperation he had reached with Shangguan Yuan, otherwise, he wouldn't have made his previous assumptions.

Bringing this up now was both a display of his well-informed nature and a probe.

With confidence in his heart, Gu Chengyin likewise picked up his newly poured hot tea, took a small sip, and then set the cup down, replying in a relaxed tone:

Eunuch Lu is indeed well-informed. His Highness is benevolent and compassionate to his subordinates. Female Official Yunying has served His Highness with utmost dedication and has been away from home for a long time.

His Highness specially permitted her to return home to visit and comfort her family. He also ordered me to bring some gifts and accompany her on the visit, out of gratitude for Lord Shangguan's hard work for the state, toiling day and night.

Coincidentally.

A sincere smile appeared on Gu Chengyin's face. This junior and Lord Shangguan hit it off right away. We had a great conversation and truly felt like we met too late.

Lord Shangguan is deeply learned and his insights are profound, which benefited this junior immensely. After our talk, it was like meeting a kindred spirit, and we formed a friendship despite our age difference.

Lu Fang listened quietly. The expression on his face did not change much, but his gaze became more focused.

He remained noncommittal, showing neither belief nor doubt, simply waiting for Gu Chengyin to continue.

Gu Chengyin shifted the topic, his tone becoming more earnest and eager to learn: As a key minister of the state, the Lord Minister naturally observes court affairs as clearly as watching a fire.

He taught this junior many principles of being an official and handling matters, giving me a clearer understanding of many things that were previously vague.

He paused, seemingly immersed in memories: Especially... when discussing the elders of the Grand Secretariat, Lord Shangguan's words were filled with heartfelt admiration and respect.

Listening from the side, this junior felt the same way, and a sense of reverence for the cabinet elders spontaneously arose.

These words sounded exactly like Shangguan Yuan teaching a junior to respect the veterans of the court, the most normal kind of officialdom education.

Lu Fang, however, frowned slightly and began to carefully ponder the hidden meaning behind these words.

Gu Chengyin continued in that tone of admiration and introspection:

The Lord Minister also sighed that with his abilities, if he were to be a cabinet elder, he would probably fall far short of how excellently the current ones are doing.

Whenever he thinks of the gap between himself and the cabinet elders, it urges him to be even more diligent and earnest in fulfilling his duties.

Gu Chengyin raised his head and looked at Lu Fang with sincere eyes: Finally, Lord Shangguan specifically instructed this junior to learn more from the cabinet elders and strive for progress.

As Lu Fang listened, his frown deepened.

Something was wrong.

Gu Chengyin had gone in such a huge circle, praising Shangguan Yuan to the heavens and placing the cabinet elders on a pedestal. What exactly was he trying to say?

Moreover, would an old fox like Shangguan Yuan really speak so openly from the heart to Gu Chengyin?

Especially on such a sensitive topic involving the cabinet elders.

Alarm bells rang in Lu Fang's mind! He faintly sensed that Gu Chengyin's words concealed a profound mystery he had yet to fathom.

Could it be... sarcasm?

Just as Lu Fang was deep in thought, Gu Chengyin finally finished recounting Shangguan Yuan's teachings and made a seemingly casual transition:

Eunuch Lu, speaking of which...

Before he could finish, Lu Fang suddenly interrupted:

Marquis Gu!

Gu Chengyin stopped and looked at him.

Since His Highness asked you to bring gifts to visit Lord Shangguan as a token of reward.

Then, when Marquis Gu returned to the palace this morning, did Lord Shangguan offer a return gift?

This question was incredibly crucial!

Gu Chengyin praised inwardly, a confident, matter-of-fact smile gracing his features as he nodded.

"Of course."

"Lord Shangguan is deeply grateful for Your Highness's grace and has specially prepared a generous gift."

"The item has been carefully secured within a purple sandalwood box."

Gu Chengyin continued, "When Lord Shangguan entrusted it to this junior, he repeatedly stressed that it must be delivered to Your Highness in person. It must not pass through the hands of another, and under no circumstances can it be lost."