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 (*≧∀≦*)

Lord Yanshan remained silent for a long while before speaking solemnly, "The fate of Great Yan wanes; its reign shall come to an end."

At that moment, the other three people inside the carriage seemed to understand something.

If the prophecy only stated, "The Purple Star appears; the Emperor will rise from the Xuanyuan," then Shangguan Yan, who carried half of the Xuanyuan bloodline, could have fulfilled it.

But with the addition of "The fate of Great Yan wanes; its reign shall come to an end," it was impossible for Shangguan Yan, as the Crown Princess of Great Yan, to be the prophesied Emperor.

The Xuanyuan Family was destined to replace the Shangguan imperial family as the new imperial clan. This was the real reason the Emperor sought to eradicate every last member of the Xuanyuan bloodline.

Shangguan Yan turned to Lord Yanshan, who was seated beside her. "You knew about this long ago?"

Lord Yanshan waved his fan. "Not too long ago. I overheard it outside the imperial study a few years back."

Shangguan Yan asked, "What else did you hear?"

Lord Yanshan sighed. "The prophecy was not something the Imperial Advisor voluntarily told His Majesty. It was leaked by someone. You may think the Emperor destroyed the Xuanyuan Family because of this prophecy, but that was only one reason. There was much more to it."

Hearing this, their first suspicion was dispelled.

They had privately doubted whether the prophecy was fabricated due to its extraordinary implications.

But now, it was clear that the Imperial Advisor had indeed divined this prophecy and might have paid a great price for it.

"The Imperial Advisor knew what this prophecy would mean for the Xuanyuan Family. He chose not to tell them to prevent them from developing rebellious intentions, nor did he inform the Emperor to avoid inciting his murderous suspicion. But what he never expected was that the Imperial Advisor's Hall had been infiltrated by a spy from the State of Jin."

The spy had been selected at the age of eight and had remained hidden for ten years. Throughout that time, he never once aroused suspicion, eventually earning the Imperial Advisor’s trust and becoming his first disciple.

He had been present when the prophecy was revealed.

By the time the news spread, the Imperial Advisor realized he had been betrayed.

He disposed of the spy, but it was too late. Both the Emperor and the Xuanyuan Family had already heard the prophecy.

The Xuanyuan Family had never harbored rebellious intent, but they knew the Emperor's suspicious nature would make it impossible for him not to regard them as a threat.

They were prepared to surrender their military power and retire from politics, but at that moment, the States of Jin and Liang made their move.

The State of Jin was the first of the six states to become an upper state, establishing the hierarchy that divided them. At its peak, no other kingdom could challenge its dominance.

Later, the State of Liang also rose in power. With the State of Jin's recognition, the State of Liang became the second upper state.

For Great Yan to join their ranks, it needed approval from both the States of Jin and Liang.

Naturally, they refused. To prevent Great Yan’s rise, they instigated border wars and secretly funded domestic unrest.

Yet, despite facing both internal and external crises, Great Yan did not fall. Because the Xuanyuan Family held the line.

Xuanyuan Li’s red-tasseled spear struck fear into all who opposed him.

Countless elite generals from the States of Jin and Liang perished at his hands, their armies routed and in shambles, unable to mount another attack for years.

But the peace did not last.

Jin and Liang persistently refused to recognize the State of Yan as an upper state. They knew that as long as the Xuanyuan Family existed, Great Yan’s military prowess would be unstoppable. Given time, the Xuanyuan Army would inevitably march through their lands.

Then, fate played its hand.

As they brew schemes against Great Yan and the Xuanyuan Family, the Imperial Advisor’s prophecy surfaced.

Their envoys arrived in Great Yan with an enticing offer for the Emperor——eradicate the Xuanyuan Family, and they would recognize Great Yan as the third upper state.

They promised to share maritime access, grant rights to island resources, and even allow Great Yan to partake in the exploitation of the remaining three lower states.

Becoming an upper state was not just about prestige; it came with substantial, tangible benefits. To claim he was not tempted would be a lie.

At that moment, the Emperor had two choices.

First, send Xuanyuan Li to lead an army against Jin and Liang, forcing them to submit through sheer military might.

“The Emperor chose the second path.” Gu Jiao said.

“That’s right.” Lord Yanshan sighed with regret.

Back then, the Xuanyuan Family had the strength to fight off the two nations' armies. But if they truly won, it would only further elevate their reputation among the people. They were already overshadowing the Emperor, so could he also let them take credit for making the State of Yan an upper state?

Considering the prophecy, how could the Emperor allow the Xuanyuan Family to grow any stronger?

Lord Yanshan added, “There was also a minor reason; Great Yan had been at war for years, and the national treasury was empty. We couldn’t afford another war.”

Gu Jiao glanced at him and said flatly, “Confiscating a few corrupt officials’ estates should have been enough to fill the treasury.”

Lord Yanshan coughed lightly. “Ahem, that’s why I said it was a minor reason, not the main one.”

Gu Jiao recalled what Nangong Li had told her before he died.

So, he didn’t say “Jingyang,” but “Jin, Liang.” He knew it was the Jin spy who leaked the Imperial Advisor’s prophecy. He also knew that the States of Jin and Liang had lured the Emperor into this trap.

Gu Jiao rubbed her chin and muttered, “Indeed, why would an official directly call their Emperor by his name?”

It had felt odd at the time, but no one had thought much of it.

If the States of Jin and Liang had truly orchestrated all these betrayals, then it was no surprise that she had seen them invading the State of Yan during its internal chaos in her dreams.

The States Jin and Liang never intended to truly accept Great Yan as an upper state. This was merely a stalling tactic. Once the Xuanyuan Family was wiped out and the Xuanyuan Army fragmented, the noble families would seize what remained of their forces and replace them with their own——

Great Yan would lose its strongest shield and its sharpest sword. It would no longer have the power to stand against both Jin and Liang.

At that point, the two nations could devour Great Yan whole.

For years, the States of Jin and Liang had allowed Great Yan to grow, waiting for the Xuanyuan Family’s military power to decline while also fattening Great Yan like a plump rabbit.

A well-fed, defenseless prey was the perfect target.

Did the Emperor not see through their intentions?

He was mad, but he wasn’t stupid.

Despite knowing this, he still chose to exterminate the Xuanyuan Family. First, to prevent the prophecy of a Xuanyuan Emperor from coming true. Second, because he had absolute confidence in himself.

He believed that even without the Xuanyuan Family and without Xuanyuan Li, he could still build an invincible army for Great Yan in the years to come.

Gu Jiao thought he was overconfident.

The States of Jin and Liang were ambitious, always waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Originally, they had planned to invade after three years of internal turmoil had drained Great Yan’s strength. But now, the chaos had been stopped ahead of time.

If they had the patience to wait three years for Great Yan to weaken, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to launch an attack while Great Yan was still strong.

As they talked, the carriage arrived at the Duke An Estate.

Gu Jiao and Xiao Heng took Shangguan Yan and Lord Yanshan straight to Maple Courtyard.

The weather was scorching again. The adults were all staying indoors to escape the heat, but two little ones were outside, shoveling sand under the blazing sun.

Gu Xiaoshun had brought in a pile of sand for them.

The two squatted by the sandpit, using tiny iron shovels that Gu Xiaoshun had made for them. They scooped sand one shovel at a time and filled a small wooden bucket beside them.

Sweating profusely, they were completely engrossed in their play, occasionally exchanging a few words in baby talk.

Everyone found their innocent, carefree interactions heartwarming——

Except for Lord Yanshan, the worried father.

That brat! Stay away from my daughter!

Your heads are touching!

And don’t just grab her hand so casually!

“Let me help you.” Little Jing Kong said to the Little County Princess.

“Okay!” The Little County Princess happily handed him her tiny shovel.

The two of them held the shovel together and dug into the sand.

…Fine, at least someone is helping take care of my daughter.

No, no! From today onward, I will raise my daughter myself!

Lord Yanshan strode over, his towering figure overwhelming the two little ones as he forcefully wedged himself between them.

Little Jing Kong blinked in confusion at the strange uncle who had suddenly intruded.

The Little County Princess let out a soft “Yip!” and said in a sweet voice, “Dad! You’re back!”

Lord Yanshan smiled. “Yes, I am.”

“Oh? Teacher! You’re back too!”

The Little County Princess immediately dropped her shovel and ran toward Gu Jiao like a little fledgling returning to its nest.

Lord Yanshan’s outstretched arms embraced nothing but air.

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…