Chapter 820.2: Earth-Shattering Secret
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S T E L L A R C L O U D
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O R A N G E S T A R
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At this point, whether Xiao Heng’s identity was revealed or not hardly mattered anymore.
Even if the Emperor hadn’t completely figured it out today in the imperial study, in just a few days, Shangguan Qi would confess everything from inside the prison.
Shangguan Qi had conspired with the Nangong Family and had orchestrated repeated assassination attempts against Xiao Heng. Once this crime was confirmed, yet another noble family would fall.
None of the ten great noble families were innocent; every account would be settled eventually.
However, there were priorities in everything. If a greater threat loomed, then the noble families had to focus on preserving their strength first.
On this point, Shangguan Yan and Xiao Heng had no objections.
A person could not be ruled by hatred alone. Revenge could always wait, but protecting what mattered could never be delayed.
Shangguan Yan, Xiao Heng, and Gu Jiao boarded a carriage bound for the Duke An Estate. Lord Yanshan had his own carriage and followed behind at an unhurried pace.
Thinking of Lord Yanshan’s appearance, Gu Jiao voiced the doubt that had been lingering in her heart, “His eyes are different from ours.”
It was rare for people from the central plains to have such an eye color.
Shangguan Yan paused for a moment before saying, “Actually, Lord Yanshan is not the late Emperor’s flesh and blood. His biological father was from the Turkic people. To preserve the imperial family’s dignity and to prevent the Empress Dowager from facing criticism or punishment, the Emperor falsely claimed to the outside world that Lord Yanshan was the posthumous son of the late emperor.”
Such an earth-shattering secret was spoken by her in such an offhand manner that even Xiao Heng didn’t quite know how to respond.
Gu Jiao let out a thoughtful “Oh” then proceeded, “No wonder the Emperor of Great Yan trusts Lord Yanshan so unreservedly. Turns out, it’s because Lord Yanshan poses no threat to his throne at all.”
Shangguan Yan said, “You could put it that way.”
Her imperial father was a man of deep suspicion, yet the only two people he had ever doted on without reservation were Lord Yanshan and Shangguan Qing. One was a fake imperial member, and the other wouldn’t live past twenty.
Neither of them could ever pose the slightest threat to his imperial power.
Gu Jiao asked, “Does Lord Yanshan know?”
Shangguan Yan replied, “He knows, but he doesn’t care. The Empress Dowager had him in her later years, and her health deteriorated not long after giving birth. She passed away shortly after, and it was the Emperor who raised him. An elder brother is like a father—what the Emperor gave him was genuine care and love, and what he gave the Emperor in return was true respect and loyalty. That kind of sincerity is rare within the imperial family.”
Gu Jiao nodded in agreement. “That’s because there were no entanglements of personal interest.”
Shangguan Yan sighed. “Lord Yanshan’s only flaw is that he’s too playful. He refuses to get married, and the Little County Princess is actually the daughter he fathered from a one-night affair while he was out gallivanting.”
Not mature enough, not a responsible father.
As a result, after raising him, the Emperor had to raise his daughter too; it was truly exhausting.
“What are you all saying behind my back now?” Lord Yanshan’s carriage suddenly pulled up beside theirs. Using his folding fan, he lifted their curtain and peered inside. “Little niece, are you asking for trouble again?”
Shangguan Yan chuckled. “Seventh uncle, we’ve fought so many times, but I don’t recall you ever winning against me. So tell me, who’s the one asking for trouble?”
Though Lord Yanshan had seniority in the family, he and Shangguan Yan were of similar age and had grown up together. When they were young, they fought often.
With the outstanding bloodline and training of the Xuanyuan Family, Shangguan Yan had completely overpowered her seventh uncle.
Lord Yanshan’s mouth twitched. The long-buried fear of being dominated by Shangguan Yan surged up again. He gritted his teeth. This was a humiliation he would never be able to wash away in this lifetime.
His gaze then fell on Xiao Heng’s face. Smiling, he asked, “Your son doesn’t seem to know martial arts. Was he bullied when he was young?”
That phrase “your son” carried a lot of weight.
Yet, the expressions of Shangguan Yan and the others remained completely unchanged, as if they hadn’t heard it at all.
Xiao Heng replied, “No. I had Long Yi.”
Anyone who dared to bully him was beaten into a punching bag by Long Yi.
Lord Yanshan, who had just tried to regain some dignity through Xiao Heng: “…”
“Stop the carriage.” Lord Yanshan suddenly said.
He got off his own carriage and climbed onto the Duke An Estate’s carriage instead.
Shangguan Yan looked at the seventh uncle she had beaten up since childhood and asked coolly, “Why are you squeezing in here with us?”
Lord Yanshan opened his folding fan, smiled, and said, “Your little seventh uncle is afraid you’ll feel awkward. These two lovebirds are being all lovey-dovey, and yet you’re sitting here with them. Don’t you feel like an extra wheel?”
Gu Jiao’s eyes widened, and she nodded seriously.
Shangguan Yan was momentarily stunned. “You…you can tell?”
Lord Yanshan pointed at Gu Jiao’s throat with his fan and smiled like a spring breeze. “When she speaks, her Adam’s apple doesn’t move.”
Back in the imperial study, it wasn’t just Gu Jiao who had been observing Lord Yanshan; Lord Yanshan had been observing Gu Jiao all along as well.
In some ways, he and Gu Jiao were very much alike—bold yet meticulous. Most people would feel uncomfortable staring at someone for too long, but the two of them had no such reservations.
“Oh? Is she my grandniece-in-law?”
This sentence was also a trap.
If Shangguan Yan said yes, it would mean she was indirectly acknowledging Xiao Heng as his grandnephew.
If Shangguan Yan said no, she would only be denying Gu Jiao and Xiao Heng’s relationship as husband and wife, not Xiao Heng’s identity as her son.
Shangguan Yan shot him a glare. “Why do you always like digging pits for people?”
Lord Yanshan laughed aloud, fanning himself with his folding fan. “Then how about this, seventh uncle will trade a secret with you?”
Shangguan Yan snorted in disdain. “What valuable secret could you possibly have?”
Lord Yanshan gave a mysterious smile. “For example, the truth behind the fall of the Xuanyuan Family?”
All three of them perked up their ears at once.
Though he knew it was inappropriate to smile when bringing up such a grave matter, he couldn’t help but think, could their expressions be any more synchronized?
With a half-smile, Lord Yanshan said, “Seeing you all so curious, I suddenly feel like changing my mind. Telling you outright seems like too much of a bargain for you, but since you’ve been taking care of Little Xue for so long, just for that alone, I should share everything I know without holding anything back.”
“Hm.”
Shangguan Yan and Gu Jiao, satisfied, lowered the sticks in their hands.
The two of them stared at him seriously, as if saying that if he dared to hold back, they wouldn’t hesitate to beat him to the ground with a single swing.
Lord Yanshan’s face darkened completely.
Shangguan Yan being fierce was one thing, but how did she even manage to find such a fierce daughter-in-law as well?!
In the end, Lord Yanshan let out a long sigh and confessed, “You’ve all heard the prophecy divined by the Imperial Advisor, haven’t you? ‘The Purple Star appears; the Emperor will rise from the Xuanyuan.’ But do you know that there were actually two lines that came before it?”
Gu Jiao and Shangguan Yan spoke in unison. “What were the two lines?”
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…