The fingers hidden beneath the sleeves curled slightly, but her face revealed nothing, only instructing in a calm tone:
"Mhm, you must be careful of these so-called noble daughters of aristocratic families."
"Within the aristocratic families, other than the direct descendants, everyone else is merely a tool used to win over people's hearts."
"During the banquet, you must be attentive. Do not easily fall into a trap, make promises you shouldn't, or let someone catch a slip of the tongue."
These words were spoken straightforwardly and coldly, stripping away the tender facade of aristocratic socializing to reveal the naked calculations of interest underneath.
Hearing this, Gu Chengyin revealed an understanding smile, cupping his hands in a salute. "Rest assured, Your Highness. I know what to do."
Seeing Gu Chengyin's clear expression, without the slightest hint of eagerness to try.
Only then did the displeasure at the bottom of Luo Zhao's heart dissipate.
She nodded and said simply, "Go."
"I shall take my leave." Gu Chengyin bowed and turned to leave.
He strode out of the brightly lit Wenli Hall.
His figure quickly disappeared around the corner of the stairs.
Arriving outside the gates of the Crown Princess's palace, a carriage was already waiting.
The evening breeze brushed past the palace walls with a chill, fluttering Gu Chengyin's robes.
The last trace of rosy clouds in the sky completely faded away, and the dark blue night sky began to be dotted with sparse stars.
The myriad lights of the Divine Capital lit up one after another, outlining a silhouette vastly different from its daytime solemnity.
Gu Chengyin did not immediately board the carriage. Instead, he stood by the shafts and looked up at the towering imperial city gradually illuminated by lights.
He then looked toward the direction of the Cui Residence, located in the gathering area of the Divine Capital's nobles.
It was brightly lit with candles, and the sound of string and bamboo instruments could be faintly heard—another scene where power and prosperity intertwined.
"To the Cui Residence."
Gu Chengyin withdrew his gaze, lifted his robes to board the carriage, and ordered in a flat voice.
"Yes, Marquis."
The driver acknowledged and lightly shook the reins.
The carriage started smoothly, rolling over the even bluestone path in front of the palace gates, heading toward the brightly lit noble district.
Inside the carriage, Gu Chengyin closed his eyes to rest, the true qi within his body naturally flowing slowly.
In his mind, he quickly reviewed the known information about the Cui family, the backgrounds of the aristocratic youths who might attend the banquet, and Luo Zhao's final reminder.
The front of the Cui Residence was brightly lit.
Two tall stone lions were bathed in the soft glow of silk lanterns. The vermilion gates were wide open, and servants stood solemnly on both sides, looking extraordinarily imposing.
Gu Chengyin's carriage had just come to a stop, the rolling sound of the wheels not yet completely settled, when a middle-aged steward dressed in a decent silk shirt hurriedly came forward to greet him, bowing respectfully:
"Marquis Gu! You have finally arrived! I am Cui Fu, and I have been waiting here for a long time on the master's orders!" His attitude was respectful but not fawning, striking the perfect balance.
Gu Chengyin lifted the carriage curtain and slowly stepped down.
He had changed into a more formal dark brocade robe with hidden cloud patterns, a jade belt cinched around his waist.
Though still low-profile, under the illumination of the Cui Residence's brilliant gate lights, it accentuated his tall and straight posture, his facial features appearing even more sharply defined in the interplay of light and shadow.
Gu Chengyin's gaze swept over and found that besides the steward Cui Fu, there was also a young master in splendid clothes.
This person was in his early twenties, with a face like flawless jade and handsome features, wearing a lake-blue Suzhou silk long gown embroidered with silver bamboo patterns.
A beautiful jade sachet hung at his waist, and he held an ivory-ribbed folding fan. Standing there, he naturally exuded the noble demeanor of an aristocratic descendant.
Seeing Gu Chengyin's gaze fall upon him, the young master did not wait for the steward to introduce him. He took a step forward, elegantly snapped his fan shut, cupped his hands, and said in a clear voice, "I am Cui Ziting, the second son of the family."
"I have long admired the great name of Marquis Gu. Seeing you today, you are indeed handsome and spirited, even better than the rumors. My father specially ordered me to welcome you here. Marquis Gu, please."
Cui Ziting's manners were elegant, and his speech was appropriate. He spoke pleasantries naturally and sincerely, as if from the bottom of his heart, showing excellent upbringing and social skills.
Gu Chengyin immediately formed a preliminary impression of the second young master of the Cui Residence: a typical aristocratic descendant, glamorous on the outside and skilled at socializing.
He was likely one of the figureheads Cui Shifan used for external relations to display the family's elegance.
He returned the salute just as politely, his tone humble:
"Young Master Cui overpraises me. My meager contributions were merely fortunate enough to receive Her Highness's favor. How could I dare claim a great name?"
"It is you, Young Master, who is like a jade tree, exuding an imposing aura. One look and it is clear you are a dragon among men, making me quite envious."
"I did not expect Pavilion Elder Cui to be so polite as to have you personally welcome me. It makes me feel somewhat apprehensive."
Gu Chengyin paused slightly, a look of shame appearing on his face. "Today in the Grand Secretariat, my words may have offended the Pavilion Elder. I have been feeling uneasy about it."
"Later, when I see Pavilion Elder Cui, I will certainly apologize first and penalize myself with three cups of wine to express my regret."
Seeing Gu Chengyin's attitude so humble and polite, a flash of surprise crossed Cui Ziting's eyes.
"Marquis Gu, your words are too heavy!"
Cui Ziting's smile grew wider as he turned sideways to lead the way. "My father often says that discussing matters in court and expressing one's own views is a sign of loyalty to the country. How could there be any talk of offense?"
"Marquis Gu arguing strongly for Her Highness is exactly the duty of a loyal subject. My father has even privately praised you for your courage and insight!"
As the two exchanged pleasantries, they stepped through the gates of the Cui Residence under Cui Fu's guidance.
Upon entering the gates, Gu Chengyin's vision broadened. Even though he was mentally prepared, he couldn't help but secretly marvel at the grandeur of the Cui Residence.
It was indeed the residence of a family of high officials for generations and a current Pavilion Elder. Its heritage and imposing manner were far beyond what ordinary wealthy families could compare with.
Facing them was a massive white marble spirit screen, carved with a relief of pines and cranes symbolizing longevity, giving off a warm luster under the lights.
Bypassing the spirit screen, a wide bluestone main path capable of accommodating several carriages side by side appeared before them. Towering ancient trees of precious varieties lined the path, their branches and leaves casting dancing shadows under the illumination of carefully arranged corridor lights.
A stream of running water was channeled alongside the path, murmuring as it flowed. A delicate stone bridge spanned it, with exquisitely carved railings.
In the distance, stacked rockeries with jagged stones could be seen. Pavilions and towers were faintly visible among them, with flying eaves and upturned corners dotted with lights, making it look like a fairyland.
What was even more striking was that the entire Cui Residence seemed to be celebrating a festival, adorned with lanterns and colored decorations everywhere.
Exquisitely styled silk lanterns hung beneath the eaves of the corridors, and brilliantly glowing strings of glazed lamps were wrapped around the trees. Even the stream beside the path had little lotus lanterns floating and rippling with the current.
The sound of string and bamboo music faintly wafted from deep within the residence, and the rich scents of wine, flowers, and premium incense drifted in the air.
Servants and maids, dressed in uniform brand-new attire, walked briskly back and forth, all wearing respectful smiles on their faces.
How did this look like an ordinary family banquet?
It was clearly the setup of a grand celebration!
Cui Ziting walked by Gu Chengyin's side, gesturing vaguely at the surroundings with his folding fan, and said in a brisk tone:
"What does Marquis Gu think of the scenery? When my father learned that you were willing to grace our banquet, he was overjoyed. He immediately gave orders to prepare thoroughly, ensuring you would not be slighted."
"Speaking of which, it has been a long time since the residence was this lively. Are these arrangements pleasing to Marquis Gu's eyes?"
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
s + Rent Collection Wealth】 At the start, he inherited a rundown house in the urban village from his grandfather. The house had no tenants, but the moment he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, a self-proclaimed empress from the Tianxuan Continent arrived as his first tenant. Ye Chuan soon discovered that with every new tenant moving in, not only did he receive massive daily payments, but he also obtained unique items related to their backgrounds. 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Tiger Strength Pill—dramatically enhances physical power!】 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Deer Blood Pill—significantly boosts vitality!】 …… From that day on, all sorts of bizarre tenants began appearing in the house: the empress from Tianxuan Continent, an apocalyptic sorceress from the Magic Realm, a mysterious scientific girl who fell through a spacetime rift… Every single day, he received strange, powerful items and endless money. Then one day, he suddenly realized—he had become invincible. Enough, enough! Stop giving me more!
nd fell into a coma while saving his younger sister from an out-of-control car. He became a vegetable. No one knew that his consciousness had crossed into a world of cultivation. Over the course of sixty years, he began as the lowest kind of mine slave, struggling to survive amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood. By sheer chance, he eventually obtained the complete memories of a fallen Immortal King. Alchemy, medicine, formations, feng shui, physiognomy, artifact forging… Every great inheritance of the cultivation world was now his. But when he opened his eyes again, he discovered that ten full years had passed in the modern world. To pay for his treatment, his father had sold the family’s shop and house, leaving himself covered in lasting injuries and illness. His mother had cared for him day and night, and more than half of her hair had already turned white. His younger sister, who had been only fifteen back then, was now twenty-five. To help repay the family’s debts, she had been forced to lower her head and put on a smiling face in places of glittering lights and endless revelry. Only then did Chen Xuan understand that what he had lost was not merely ten years. He had lost the life his entire family was meant to have. The good news was that he had brought back the memories of an Immortal King’s entire lifetime. The bad news was that his soul had returned alone—his cultivation had not come with him. Spiritual energy was scarce, resources were depleted, and the modern world still had firearms, surveillance, capital, and laws. If he wanted to protect his family, break free from everyone’s control, and become truly invincible beneath the heavens, he would have to start all over again.
agon king storylines. At the start, I obtained the "Ultimate Lackey System" - the more I act as a lackey, the stronger I become. What else could I do? I chose to become the personal henchman of the ultimate villain, Su Muwan. I provoke all sorts of chosen ones, snatch away their opportunities, and commit every evil deed imaginable. You ask who's behind me? Hmph! You're not worthy of knowing my lady's name! ...... ....... I am Su Muwan, the eldest daughter of the Su family. Since childhood, I've possessed extraordinary talent in martial arts, which led to my arrogant and domineering personality in my past life. I was even foolish enough to repeatedly challenge those favored by heaven, ultimately resulting in a tragic death. In this life, I must behave and absolutely cannot walk the same path again!! However... SLAP!! "So you're the Dragon King, huh?!" When I saw my little lackey swagger over and viciously slap the Dragon King who was hiding his identity, I felt my heart sink. Su Muwan's suspended heart finally died as she watched Qin Luo, her utterly loyal lackey, standing before her. She fainted on the spot from shock. Heaven is determined to destroy me!! (Pure love 1v1, light-hearted, no angst, single female lead, villain, reincarnation, lackey)
