The Grand Secretary’s Pampered Wife

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S T E L L A R C L O U D

[Galetron]

O R A N G E S T A R

[Alma S.] [Christine G.-L.] [K.Rom]

[Lily J.] [Suong D.] [Tessy Ivy O.] [Victoria] [Ziana K.-P.]

Y E L L O W S T A R

[Anasi G.] [Passerby] [Xena]

G O L D S T A R

[Anne C.] [Nevy] [Roxanne C.]

R A I N B O W S T A R

[Debra W] [Kiiayame] [Smurfinbatik] [Scorpion Princess]

C E L E S T I A L C O N Q U E R O R

[Ava C.] [kuroneko_chan] [Manon] [Sophia W.] [Val Nes]

Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧∀≦*)

Inside the imperial study, Shangguan Yan and Lord Yanshan were also present.

Earlier, in Zhonghe Hall, Gu Jiao had been fully focused on guarding against An Hun, who could appear at any moment, and she had not paid much attention to Little County Princess’s biological father, Lord Yanshan.

Now that she had the time to take a good look, Gu Jiao realized that this man was, without a doubt, an unparalleled beauty.

Lord Yanshan was the posthumous son of the late Emperor, born to the Empress Dowager. He was nearly half an era younger than the Emperor, already in his thirties. Yet, perhaps because he had no burdens weighing on his heart, his eyes carried a youthful purity and clarity.

This gave him an appearance far younger than his actual age.

He idly rolled two large walnuts in his right hand, exuding a charming and elegant demeanor.

Additionally, Gu Jiao noticed an intriguing detail, that was, his irises were amber in color, lighter than the usual shade of a person’s eyes.

“You’re the first person bold enough to stare at me like this.” Lord Yanshan leaned his face toward Gu Jiao with a smile. “So? Do you find me good-looking?”

“Hmm… not as good-looking as him.” Gu Jiao pointed at Xiao Heng.

Lord Yanshan: “…”

That was a bit of a blow.

The Emperor cast a cold glance at the two of them and said flatly, “Enough. Zhen summoned you all here for serious matters.”

Lord Yanshan quickly adjusted his expression, becoming solemn and respectful.

It seemed this younger brother of his still held great reverence for the Emperor.

Shangguan Yan, meanwhile, was not in a wheelchair today.

——Had she finally decided there was no longer a need to keep up the act?

“The first matter.” The Emperor turned to Shangguan Yan and asked, “Where is Shangguan Qing?”

Shangguan Yan’s expression stiffened. She blinked guiltily and pointed at Xiao Heng beside her. “Isn’t… he right here?”

The Emperor’s face darkened, and he slammed his palm onto the desk. “Do you really think Zhen can’t recognize his own grandson? Shangguan Qing doesn’t eat fennel!”

Oh.

Fennel.

That was true. The chefs at the Duke An Estate had a habit of adding fennel to their dishes.

So it was in the past two days that the deception was exposed.

The Emperor glared at Shangguan Yan with deep disappointment, as if hating iron for not becoming steel. “You, as his mother, don’t even know something as minor as this!”

Shangguan Yan felt wronged and muttered in a low voice, “I… never gave him fennel either. Such an expensive spice, how could I afford to eat it?”

Life in the imperial mausoleum had been harsh, after all.

Lord Yanshan turned to look at Xiao Heng. “He’s not Qing’er? They really do look alike…”

The Emperor’s gaze grew heavy as he stared at Xiao Heng. “Who exactly are you?”

Lord Yanshan was also curious about Xiao Heng’s identity and did not bother to conceal the inquisitive look in his eyes as he awaited Xiao Heng’s answer.

Xiao Heng remained composed and unruffled as he spoke, “Who I am does not matter. Your Majesty only needs to understand that everything was done as an expedient measure. The Third Princess and the true Eldest Imperial Grandson were severely persecuted by the Crown Prince Estate, the Han Family, and the Nangong Family. They had no choice but to take such drastic action. The real Eldest Imperial Grandson is completely safe. Once everything settles down, the Third Princess will personally bring him back to Shengdu.”

The Emperor fixed Xiao Heng with a deep, penetrating stare, his hand on the armrest slowly tightening into a fist.

“Who you are does not matter?”

“Yes.”

“You have no desire for wealth and glory?”

“I have none.”

“Nor for power and fame?”

“None at all.”

Xiao Heng met the Emperor’s gaze directly, without a single flicker of hesitation in his eyes. His expression was open and upright, every word spoken from the depths of his heart.

The words about the empire and the fate of the nation that had nearly left the Emperor’s lips were forcibly swallowed back down. In frustration, he grabbed the teacup on the table and downed its contents in one gulp!

Gu Jiao glared fiercely at the Emperor.

Try bullying my husband again.

Just try it.

I’ll beat you up.

The Emperor, who received a threatening glance from Gu Jiao—wait, why was this brat glaring at him? Zhen was disciplining that boy; what did it have to do with him?

So fierce, are you part wolf or something?

One after another, they all managed to infuriate the Emperor to the point where his head was aching. Every time he thought that nothing in this world could possibly exasperate him more, these few troublemakers would always find a way to prove him wrong.

Shangguan Yan was a given, as she had been aggravating him ever since she was a child.

Shangguan Qing, on the other hand, had always appeared obedient, gentle, and lovable. But ever since the incident with the "hairy mole on the buttocks," the Emperor had realized just how utterly shameless that little rascal truly was behind the scenes.

——And he had no idea who he took after! The Shangguan Family and the Xuanyuan Family had no such tradition of shamelessness!

Still, Shangguan Qing and Shangguan Yan at least knew how to smooth things over when needed, but this boy before him right now? He was as stubborn as a mule, completely impervious to persuasion, with an attitude that was downright arrogant!

Before, he had been calling him "imperial grandfather" so affectionately, over and over again. But now that the Han Family and the Crown Prince’s faction had collapsed, he couldn't even be bothered to pretend anymore!

The Emperor gritted his teeth, turned his face away, and said coldly, "All of you, get out! Zhen does not want to see you!"

Gu Jiao: "Oh."

Shangguan Yan: "Oh."

Xiao Heng remained expressionless.

The two women and Xiao Heng turned around in unison and left without so much as a backward glance.

The Emperor's dragon eyes widened in shock: "…?!"

That was it? That was all?!

Are they not even going to put up a little struggle?

Lord Yanshan had just witnessed a grand spectacle. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, somewhat awkwardly, and said, "If there's nothing else, Your Majesty, this humble brother will also take his leave."

"You get back here!" The Emperor bellowed.

Was everyone just going to leave like this? Did no one care about his dignity at all?!

Lord Yanshan spread his hands helplessly. "Your Majesty, I haven’t seen Little Xue in days. I miss her dearly. Surely, Your Majesty would not stand in the way of a father meeting his daughter?"

If you have the guts, then stop running around all day! Now you suddenly remember to act like a father? Where were you before?!

This was, without a doubt, the most infuriating day in the Emperor’s life. The entire room, big and small, was filled with people who had come solely to vex him.

But in the end, he didn’t force Lord Yanshan to stay. With a wave of his hand, he let him scram as well.

Only after Lord Yanshan had left did Zhang Dequan finally muster up the courage to step forward. Forcing a smile, he said, "Your Majesty, weren’t you planning to discuss meritorious rewards? How did things… end up like this?"

The Emperor gripped the armrest tightly and let out a cold snort. "They couldn’t care less!"

Fame and fortune, glory and power, the empire itself—none of it mattered to them!

Not even…

The Emperor took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the raging fire of his anger. "If they don’t care, then Zhen doesn’t care either!"

Zhang Dequan was utterly confused.

Why did His Majesty sound like he was sulking at someone?

Had the Third Princess angered him again?

No, this time it wasn’t the Third Princess Shangguan Yan—it was Xiao Heng.

"Humph!" The Emperor was so furious that he slammed his fist against the table.

Zhang Dequan: "…"

Raz P.'s Thoughts

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Description:

In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.

When Shi Dai suddenly transmigrates, she takes on the role of the Shi family’s young lady, the one who subjects him to countless trials, eventually leading to her demise.

The twist? She never got to finish reading the novel.

From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.

***

Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.

After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"

Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"

Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don't abandon me, alri—”

Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

He hasn't finished his lines yet though…