Of course, Su Qingge didn't reveal her secrets without contemplation. Apart from her cleverness, she had the help of her other wise soul, who had always been assisting her in forming strategies and coming up with solutions.
However, Gu Changge's sternness was too overbearing. He would sometimes appear emotionless as if he could see through everything; other times, he seemed like a jester who indulged in ridiculing others. He was indeed erratic, unlike Ye Chen who was as pure as the snow, which was the very reason for Su Qingge's concern. Having been left no choice, she could only offer Gu Changge her allegiance.
If the information regarding her exceptional refined physique—the Mysterious Nine Maiden Physique—were to get out, she would definitely be a target of numerous monstrous figures. And surrendering that information to Gu Changge could only mean a token of earnesty. Knowing that Gu Changge would understand her conveyance given his intellect, she now simply needed to wait for his reaction to her confession.
"The Mysterious Nine Maiden Physique is an outstanding refined physique, yet you told me about it so comfortably." Gu Changge's voice remained calm as he spoke, making it difficult for anyone to read his emotions.
Lowering her head, Su Qingge muttered, "I have faith in you, Prince Gu." Without question, those words were merely out of courtesy. After all, how decent of a man could Gu Changge be? Scheming, unpredictable. Those were precisely the traits of an evil man—one that she could never grasp.
"Doubtful." Gu Changge snickered, to which Su Qingge pursed her lips without saying a word.
With that, he glanced at the female protagonist, who was blessed with a flawless figure and an engaging personality, standing before him. Apart from her impeccable features, she was gifted with eyes that glistened like the rivers and brows that arced like the crescent moon; her hair was lustrous and her snowy cheeks were glowing with radiance. Though, those qualities were marred by her anxious expression.
Nonetheless, Gu Changge was not a rash man. And Su Qingge's situation didn't come from persuasion or coercion as she approached him willingly. Thus, nothing was out of order.
[System, since she came to me on her own accord, devouring her wouldn't bring me Negative Fortuity, would it?] Of course, Gu Changge felt it was best that he consulted with the system first. After all, nothing in the world was more precious than life itself. As long as his life wasn't at risk, there was no point in getting himself affected by Su Qingge's thoughts. Only protagonists would get sentimental, but he, as the antagonist, was beyond that. Although he initially wanted to force her into submission, he refrained from doing so due to potential Negative Fortuity, but now, the prey presented itself right to him.
[Ah, should have seen this coming. Curse the Gods, curse my sh*tty luck! Hell, there might really be a galactic monster observing me!] Regardless, the matter was under his estimation, so he didn't reveal any trace of perturbation on his face as he blandly stated, "Regarding your Mysterious Nine Maiden Physique, I'll pretend as if I've heard nothing today. If you wish to take the chance to touch my heart, perhaps you should return. Farewell, Saintess." On his face, there was a combination of expressions comprising apathy that was appropriately sufficient and condescension from a warrior who didn't care for anything else besides training.
[Tsk, tsk… Aren't I the best actor in the universe? D*mn, if the system were sentient, it would surely be scolding me right now, going on about my craving for the Saintess's body.]
"Prince Gu…" Su Qingge, dumbfounded by his words, had shock written all over her elegant face. Today, she came to Gu Changge prepared for the worst. Although she wasn't exactly willing to confess, which she even found insulting, she didn't quite have a choice. Nevertheless, his words still dazed her, but of course, compared to feeling surprised, she felt more relieved at the result.
"Gu Changge is indeed incalculable. Even I can't read what he's thinking." At that moment, the other soul in her body stated, sharing the same perception toward Gu Changge. "Prince Gu did not take advantage of the revelation. Perhaps I have misunderstood him. I must have read too much into it."
After retreating from the palace, Su Qingge sank into rumination. For some reason, she felt utterly reassured as she was no longer the dull Su Qingge from minutes ago. Now that she thought about it, Gu Changge didn't seem to have done anything wrong in the palace days ago. On the night of the canonization ceremony, he didn't entertain her nor did he feign the slightest interest in her. [Calculativeness is only instincts functioning, isn't it? Even I myself am an overthinker on normal days.] Having thought of that, Su Qingge suddenly felt regretful as she blamed herself for her assumption that Gu Changge was an evil man.
<*Ding!* Su Qingge changes perception. User is rewarded with 20 Fortuity and 100 Fatums.>
On the other hand, the system continuously rang in Gu Changge's heart.
Hearing the notifications, he was somewhat at a loss for words. [Is Su Qingge gaslighting herself, intending to self-destruct? But I do welcome a pleasant surprise.] However, he didn't expect the raise in Fortuity would come from the female protagonist. Regardless, the outcome earned him a great sum of Fatums. [400, 200, 100…] In just one night, he obtained 700 Fatums while Ye Chen had his Fortuity decreased by over 300. To the Fortuitous One, today had surely been hell.
Gu Changge was rather gleeful. He wasn't exactly eager to spend his Fatums as he was waiting for the System Shop to unlock and take a look at its offering. Although he didn't lack any Spells, he certainly wouldn't mind acquiring stronger ones. Besides, as his preparation was piecing together, it was about time that he dealt with Ye Chen's Master.