Interested

It is merely a gathering of the younger generation of my family, along with a few scions of noble houses in the Divine Capital who are of a similar age to Marquis Gu.

Now that Marquis Gu's name is renowned throughout the Divine Capital, quite a few noble ladies are very interested in you.

Why not let this old man fulfill the duties of a host and introduce them to Marquis Gu?

Gu Chengyin's eyes flickered slightly, quickly perceiving the hidden intent in Cui Shifan's words: recruitment.

Or at least, an initial attempt to win him over.

From the corner of his eye, he cast a swift glance at Xiao Song, who stood beside them with his eyes half-closed the entire time.

This Grand Secretary Xiao had not reacted at all from beginning to end, acting as if he were truly completely uninvolved.

A look of flattered hesitation appeared on Gu Chengyin's face, which then shifted into respectful decisiveness.

He cupped his hands again, his tone sincere:

Pavilion Elder Cui's kind intentions are deeply appreciated by this junior.

Since you have personally invited me, and it is an excellent opportunity to meet the outstanding talents of the Divine Capital, how could this junior possibly decline?

Once this junior has reported to Her Highness, I will certainly tidy up my appearance and visit your esteemed residence.

It's just...

Gu Chengyin paused briefly, a trace of shyness showing in his eyes: This junior comes from humble beginnings and possesses shallow knowledge. If there is any breach of etiquette, I hope Pavilion Elder Cui will offer plenty of guidance.

Seeing Gu Chengyin agree, the smile on Cui Shifan's face deepened, making him appear even more satisfied.

He waved his hand and said amiably, Marquis Gu is too modest. What breach of etiquette? It is merely a family banquet; just be at ease.

My nephews and sons are also quite lively in nature. Marquis Gu will see when you arrive. There is no need to be formal.

As he spoke, Cui Shifan closed the distance, leaning in closer to Gu Chengyin.

Lowering his voice, he said:

Her Highness is auditing the accounts. This matter concerns the national economy, as well as the prestige of the Crown Princess and the dignity of the imperial court. Grand Secretary Xiao and I...

Cui Shifan cast a seemingly casual glance at Xiao Song: As Pavilion Elders of the Grand Secretariat, how could we truly sit idly by and watch Her Highness be put in a difficult position?

He leaned forward slightly, his voice even softer but every word distinct: As long as Marquis Gu comes, this old man will definitely ensure you return satisfied.

Minor obstacles can always be moved aside with some thought. As long as our hearts are in the same place and our efforts are directed toward the same goal, there is nothing in this imperial court that cannot be accomplished.

These words were almost a naked promise and transaction.

Politics is the art of compromise.

As long as Gu Chengyin was willing to draw closer and reach a certain tacit understanding with them on behalf of Luo Zhao, then someone would clear away any resistance encountered moving forward.

Gu Chengyin's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he were carefully chewing over the profound meaning in Cui Shifan's words.

He made no guarantees, only solemnly cupping his hands once more in a deep bow:

This junior is endlessly grateful for Pavilion Elder Cui's kindness.

He did not say he would go, nor did he say he wouldn't. He certainly did not respond to Cui Shifan's promise.

He simply kept his posture very low, enunciating the word grateful clearly.

Given what kind of person Cui Shifan was, he naturally heard the reservation and caution in Gu Chengyin's words.

But he did not take offense; instead, he felt this was a normal reaction.

Good, good.

Cui Shifan smiled and patted Gu Chengyin's arm: Then this old man will wait quietly in my residence for good news.

This junior takes his leave.

Gu Chengyin said no more. He took two steps back, turned around, and walked out of the council hall with a steady pace.

...

Twilight gathered from all directions, gradually blurring the towering silhouette of the Divine Capital into a dark cyan shadow.

The second floor of the Wenli Hall in the Crown Princess's Palace.

Lamps had long been lit, dispelling the gradually thickening night, yet they could not dispel the atmosphere of deep concentration.

Luo Zhao sat upright behind a wide desk, her black hair held up by a black jade hairpin without a single strand out of place.

Shangguan Yunying and Gu Xiaoli sat side by side behind a slightly smaller desk, burying their heads in piles of documents. Their brushes flew rapidly, producing an endless rustling sound.

Before long, Gu Chengyin's figure appeared at the doorway.

His casual attire looked slightly travel-worn. Without breaking his stride, he headed straight for the raised platform.

Hearing the footsteps, Luo Zhao did not look up. She merely tapped her wolf-hair brush lightly against the inkstone.

Her gaze remained on the lines of text as a sentence drifted from her mouth: You're back.

Gu Chengyin's eyes quickly swept to his side. Gu Xiaoli was sitting obediently beside Shangguan Yunying, with a pile of old account books that had clearly been sorted sitting in front of her.

Feeling Gu Chengyin's gaze, Gu Xiaoli raised her head. A trace of relief flashed through her large, cat-like eyes. She blinked at him and then quickly buried her head again.

Shangguan Yunying also looked up, meeting Gu Chengyin's eyes with a look of inquiry and concern.

Gu Chengyin gave a slight nod, signaling that everything was fine.

Yes.

Gu Chengyin replied, standing by Luo Zhao's side.

Only then did Luo Zhao put down her brush and lean back against the cushioned back of her chair, though she did not look at Gu Chengyin.

I have received Imperial Father's verbal edict. You don't need to write that self-reflection anymore.

As for what to do next, handle it as you see fit.

These few words were spoken lightly and casually.

Gu Chengyin pondered for a moment before speaking: Your Highness, Cui Shifan has invited me to a banquet at his residence tonight.

Cui Shifan?

Luo Zhao paused slightly and finally raised her eyes.

Her phoenix eyes, illuminated by the lamplight, were like obsidian soaked in a freezing pool—profound and icy.

He wants to recruit you? Her tone was questioning, but carried an eighty percent certainty.

It should be so.

Gu Chengyin nodded and concisely recounted the promise Cui Shifan had made at the time. Finally, he added: The implication is clear: as long as I am willing to go, regarding the matter of the empty national treasury...

...he and the noble families behind Xiao Song can resolve it. But exactly how they will resolve it, I will only know if I go.

Luo Zhao listened quietly. Only when Gu Chengyin finished speaking did she nod: Mm, this is fine too.

You are currently riding high on a wave of prominence. It is entirely within reason for Cui Shifan to set his sights on you, test the waters, and try to build a relationship.

As long as they focus their attention on you, then here at Wenli Hall... Luo Zhao raised her eyes, sweeping her gaze over Gu Xiaoli and Shangguan Yunying, who were writing furiously: ...it will be safer.

I understand, Gu Chengyin replied in a deep voice.

Luo Zhao gave an affirmative hum and reached out for her brush. The moment her fingertips touched the brush shaft, she suddenly remembered something. Her movements halted, and she asked: This banquet Cui Shifan mentioned, what kind of banquet is it? Did he invite you alone, or...?

Cui Shifan said it was a family banquet, Gu Chengyin answered truthfully. But his words implied that besides the younger generation of the Cui family, there would also be several noble scions of similar age from the Divine Capital.

When Gu Chengyin mentioned the noble scions, the tips of Luo Zhao's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

Upon hearing the rest of his words, a trace of an extremely faint, cold light flashed through the depths of Luo Zhao's perpetually calm eyes, so fast that one might think it was an illusion.

He also mentioned that quite a few noble ladies are very interested in me, and he is merely fulfilling the duties of a host to introduce them.

When the words noble ladies reached her ears, Luo Zhao's face remained entirely expressionless, as if she had just heard an inconsequential term.

Deep in her heart, however, she couldn't help but let out a cold snort.