I raised stunning young ladies, but they all wanted to possess me.

Lin Jinyu stood to the side without clapping, her arms crossed over her chest, her lips pursed even more.

"It's like someone's going to marry her. She's so old and still so picky."

Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for a few people nearby to hear.

Pei Youyi couldn't hold back any longer and gently patted Lin Jinyu's shoulder.

"Jinyu, say less. It's not good if someone hears you."

Lin Jinyu snorted and remained silent, but the disdain on her face didn't diminish at all.

Gu Yan stood to the side, silently giving Lin Jinyu a thumbs up in her heart.

This woman is truly outspoken; she dares to confront anyone, not even the Marquis of Wu'an.

As he was thinking, he suddenly felt a gaze fall on him.

The feeling was subtle, like being looked down upon from above, or like being watched by something.

He looked up and saw that Chief Minister Zhuge was standing on the edge of the platform, looking in his direction.

Those eyes hidden behind the gold-rimmed glasses were as gentle as a lake.

But Gu Yan felt that the gaze lingered on him for a moment, very briefly, but he could feel it.

His heart skipped a beat; that eerie feeling returned.

Why does the Grand Secretary need to see him?

He subconsciously shrank back behind Pei Youyi, and Pei Youyi's body stiffened again.

She could feel the boy behind her getting closer, his breath hitting her back.

My ears were burning, my cheeks were burning, and my heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of my chest.

She wanted to look back, but didn't dare, so she just stood there, her fingers clenched until they turned white.

Pei Yuran noticed Gu Yan's unusual behavior and glanced at him with her icy blue eyes.

Then, following his gaze, she looked at the Grand Secretary on the high platform and frowned slightly.

But she didn't say anything, she just moved closer to Gu Yan, blocking his view.

Lin Jinyu didn't notice anything; she was staring at Fu Shiwei.

His golden eyes were full of disdain, and he was muttering to himself.

Gu Yan hid behind Pei Youyi, still thinking about that gaze from earlier.

Why did the Grand Secretary want to see him? Was it because he recognized him or for some other reason?

The Book of the World has also lit up, meaning Fu Shiwei's storyline is about to unlock.

He looked at Fu Shiwei on the platform, where she was answering reporters' questions.

His amber eyes gleamed in the sunlight, and the medals on his military uniform swayed gently in the wind.

What story lies hidden within this woman? What exactly does the Book of the World want to show him?

As he was thinking, the system panel flashed again.

[The Book of the World (Red): Storyline unlocking, please continue to interact with specific characters.]

The text flashed a few times and then disappeared, and the panel slowly faded away.

Gu Yan took a deep breath. It seemed she needed to find an opportunity to get close to Fu Shiwei.

He was also curious about what would happen next.

He was worried because the commendation ceremony on the platform was nearing its end.

The Emperor made a few polite remarks at the end, and then announced the end of the conference.

The crowd in the square began to disperse, and celebrities walked out in twos and threes.

Gu Yan peeked out from behind Pei Youyi and let out a long breath.

It's finally over. If he stayed any longer, he was afraid that the gaze would make him burn his way out.

He was about to follow the crowd out when he suddenly felt someone pat him on the shoulder.

He turned his head and saw a man in a servant's uniform standing behind him.

"Mr. Gu, the Grand Secretary would like to invite you to come over for a chat."

Gu Yan was still standing there, not having reacted yet, when Lin Jinyu spoke first.

"No, I don't agree, Xiao Yan, don't go."

Her voice was urgent and harsh, and her golden eyes were full of displeasure.

She took a step forward and blocked Gu Yan's way, like a golden kitten with its fur standing on end.

"What does the Grand Secretary want with you? What's there to talk about? You don't even know him."

Her tone was sharp, but Gu Yan could tell that it wasn't anger, but anxiety.

Pei Yuran didn't speak, but her hand slid from Gu Yan's sleeve to his wrist and then grasped it.

He gripped the servant tightly, his knuckles turning white, his icy blue eyes fixed on him without blinking.

His gaze was as cold as a blade, as if to say, "If you take another step closer, I won't be polite. My sword is not just for show."

Pei Youyi also took a step forward, shielding Gu Yan behind her, her voice gentle but firm.

"Xiao Yan isn't feeling well, so it's not advisable for her to go."

"I wonder what business the Grand Secretary has with him."

"If it's something important, I can relay the message, so he doesn't need to go in person."

She turned her body slightly to the side, shielding Gu Yan completely behind her, like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

The attendant stood there without moving, his expression calm, as if he had expected this to happen.

"Don't worry, Patriarch Pei, the Grand Secretary simply invited Mr. Gu over for a chat and a cup of tea."

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, and he spoke each word clearly, slowly and deliberately, like he was chanting a sutra.

"The master said he meant nothing more than to see the Imperial Jade and chat about everyday matters."

Gu Yan stood behind the three people, completely blocked, only able to peek half her head out from beside Pei Youyi's shoulder.

His mind raced, a flurry of thoughts flashing through his mind like a slideshow.

Just as he had thought, the empire knew he was safe and that he was hiding in the Pei family.

If the Grand Secretary even knows about his physical condition, then he must also know how long he has been staying at the Pei family's residence.

The fact that they're coming to see him now shows that the Empire has been keeping a close eye on him and has never let its guard down.

If the Grand Secretary seeks him out, wouldn't that mean he can get in touch with Marquis Wu'an and unlock the later parts of the story?

The Book of the World just lit up; you need to keep interacting with specific characters to unlock the story.

Fu Shiwei is right next to the Grand Secretary. Going to the Marquis's residence will allow you to see her. This is a golden opportunity.

If I miss today, I don't know when I'll be able to see Marquis Wu'an again.

But whenever Gu Yan saw this legendary prime minister now, he felt that nothing good was coming, and the chill down his spine hadn't subsided yet.

The feeling of being watched is still there, like being targeted by an old fox.

He instinctively didn't want to go; it was too strange. What would the Grand Secretary want with him?

Is there going to be some trouble again?

But I couldn't find a good reason to refuse; they said it was just for a cup of tea.

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and tried to keep his voice steady and polite.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency. I will visit you another day. I won't bother you today."

"I have some matters to attend to at home, so I must head back now. Please convey my thanks to the Prime Minister, and I promise to visit you another day."

After he finished speaking, he took a step back, wanting to leave this place as soon as possible, his foot even shifting half an inch.

The servant didn't move, but just looked at Gu Yan, his eyes as calm as a stagnant pool, unfathomable.

"Mr. Gu, the Grand Secretary is somewhat aware of the Lord's health condition."

His voice was still so calm and steady, but the words he spoke made Gu Yan freeze.

"The Grand Secretary said he could help in some way and hoped that you could meet with him and have a talk with him in person."