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.] [Azurixa] [Christine G.-L.] [K.Rom]

[Lily J.] [Nevy] [Ziana K.-P.]

Y E L L O W S T A R

[Anasi G.] [Jwyla C.] [Passerby] [Xena]

G O L D S T A R

[Anne C.]

R A I N B O W S T A R

[Debra W] [Smurfinbatik]

T H E S U N

[Kiiayame]

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

[Antonny C.] [Ava C.] [kuroneko_chan] [Manon]

[Raquel G.] [Sophia W.] [Val Nes] [Woon Li Ying]

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

Shangguan Qing calmed the surge of emotions in his heart and returned to being the aloof version of himself who recognized no one.

Shangguan Qing wasn’t much more familiar with Quyang than Xiao Heng was, but lately, his appetite had been getting worse, and in hopes of stimulating his appetite, Gu Jiao had asked Advisor Hu to scour every corner of the city for delicious food.

He vaguely remembered a few of the shop names.

The coachman was a local, and upon hearing the names, he effortlessly navigated the streets and brought them right to their destination.

It was a noodle shop run by people from the State of Qing, though it boldly claimed to serve flavors from all six states.

Shangguan Qing ordered two bowls of plain spring noodles, supposedly a specialty from the State of Zhao.

Xiao Heng glanced at the noodles in his bowl and silently thought that not only did they bear little resemblance to the spring noodles of the State of Zhao, they were practically unrecognizable as such.

He tasted a bite and found the flavor rather mediocre.

Shangguan Qing, on the other hand, appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself. He asked Xiao Heng, “So, what do you think? Do these compare to the ones you have back in the State of Zhao?”

Xiao Heng looked at him and replied, “JiaoJiao’s version tastes better than this.”

Shangguan Qing raised his brows in surprise. “That girl knows how to cook?”

A trace of gentleness flickered in Xiao Heng’s gaze. “JiaoJiao is a very good cook.”

Shangguan Qing curled his lips in disdain.

Humph, I came here to eat noodles, not to be force-fed this kind of public display of affection.

Though Quyang City was gradually regaining order, the aftermath of war was still evident, as prices had risen. Spring noodles that used to cost six knife coins were now selling for twenty.

And that was considered a mild increase. The price of meat was even more outrageous; a small bowl of donkey meat was going for a whole two taels of silver.

Shangguan Qing glanced sideways at Xiao Heng, who was quietly eating his noodles, and as a wicked gleam flashed in his eyes, he ordered two bowls of the most expensive donkey meat dish along with a jar of thirty-year-old aged wine.

“Oh right, you didn’t bring any silver with you, did you?” He asked with a perfectly serious face.

“No.” Xiao Heng blinked and shook his head.

He really hadn’t brought any.

Their entire journey had been arranged by eunuchs who handled everything, be it clothing, food, and lodging, while the silver notes remained tucked away in the baggage back at the military camp.

Shangguan Qing patted his chest with great magnanimity and declared, “No worries! I brought money! I’m your older brother, how could I make you pay for a meal? There’s a shop over there that sells really good osmanthus cake. I’ll go buy some for you!”

Xiao Heng quickly said, “Let me go instead.”

Shangguan Qing laughed, “No need, no need. I’m your older brother. I’ll go!”

Xiao Heng thought it over. “Well… Alright then.”

Shangguan Qing gave him a reminder: “Oh, and whatever you do, don’t reveal that you’re the Eldest Imperial Grandson. There are assassins from the State of Jin in the city, it’ll be really dangerous if you’re exposed!”

Xiao Heng nodded obediently. “Okay, I understand.”

Shangguan Qing walked off with a bright grin.

The moment he stepped outside the shop, he casually grabbed a waiter at the door and said offhandedly, “The guy who came in with me earlier, he’ll settle the bill.”

The two of them were handsome and well-dressed, clearly young masters from a wealthy household.

The waiter smiled respectfully and said, “Of course, young master!”

Shangguan Qing crossed the street and then turned back, coldly smirking as he looked through the window at Xiao Heng, who was still eating noodles at a leisurely pace.

Stupid little brother.

Just wait till you get a beating!

Shangguan Qing did indeed go to the osmanthus cake shop, not out of kindness, but because it offered a clear view of the noodle shop across the way.

He wanted to witness this black stain on the top scholar’s history with his own eyes!

He went up to the second floor and asked for a premium private room, ordered a pot of the most expensive tea, and crossed his legs, settling in to enjoy the show.

He should be getting kicked out any minute now, right?

When should he make his move?

Would it be too heartless to step in only after the boy was beaten so badly he cried out for his parents?

Shangguan Qing waited and waited, but still saw no commotion at the door of the noodle shop.

“What’s going on? Don’t tell me he got beaten to death inside?”

“Aiya! I forgot that shop has a backyard!”

“What if they’re doing something to that kid back there, then this is bad!”

Shangguan Qing had only intended to give Xiao Heng a hard time, not to get him killed, so he hurried downstairs, planning to toss his money pouch straight at the shopkeeper and tell him to keep the change.

But when he reached for it, his hand came up empty.

He froze, then lowered his head and patted himself down on both sides.

“Huh? Where’s my money pouch?”

The shopkeeper, seeing the scene unfold, immediately darkened his face and said coldly, “Sir, did your pouch fall off somewhere? You clearly had it when you came in, and now suddenly it’s gone?”

Shangguan Qing frowned in confusion. “How do you know that?”

The shopkeeper rolled up his sleeves. “Heh! I’ve heard this excuse too many times! You look all refined and respectable, but turns out you’re a con artist! Do you even know whose establishment you’re in? Think you can pull scams in my shop? You must be tired of living! Someone! Grab him! Drag him to the back! If he doesn’t pay up, break one of his legs!”

Shangguan Qing stared in disbelief. “You're way too ruthless! Just for that little bit of stuff, does it really warrant paying off the debt with a leg? You have no respect for the law or the authorities!”

The shopkeeper gave a cold snort. “The law? This is the law here in Quyang City!”

Uh… given how chaotic things were at the border, it did seem like local enforcement had changed a bit.

The shopkeeper barked, “Grab him!”

“Wait a minute!” Shangguan Qing shot up a hand, palm out, making a stopping gesture. “I’m the Eldest Imperial Grandson!”

The shopkeeper reached beneath the counter, pulled out a rolled-up portrait, and slapped it open with a snap, “You think I haven’t seen the Eldest Imperial Grandson before? This is him!”

Shangguan Qing looked at the portrait of a man whose facial features were so mangled it looked like his face had been attacked by ghosts. It was a hideous, skull-like caricature, his whole body jolted in horror upon seeing it.

What the hell!

Had the Eldest Imperial Grandson really fallen this far in public perception?

Or was it that nowadays, just by dotting on a tear-shaped mole, one could become the Eldest Imperial Grandson?

Shangguan Qing pointed at the portrait with deadly seriousness. “That’s not the Eldest Imperial Grandson!”

The shopkeeper sneered, “And how would you know?”

Shangguan Qing stood tall and righteous. “Because I am!”

He had been the Eldest Imperial Grandson of Great Yan for twenty years! If anyone knew what the Eldest Imperial Grandson looked like, it was him!

The shopkeeper said, “You don’t have a tear mole on your face. You’re not him!”

Having a tear mole didn’t necessarily mean you were, but not having one meant you definitely weren’t!

This was like arguing reason with a soldier, utterly pointless.

Shangguan Qing was so furious, smoke nearly came out of his ears.

Yet he couldn’t really pull out his firelance and shoot them either. After all, they were just running a business and hadn’t actually done anything evil.

Just as Shangguan Qing was being held down in an utterly undignified state, Xiao Heng strolled over, composed and calm.

He glanced into the shop, and with genuine surprise blooming on his face, he said, “Elder brother, you really were here!”

Shangguan Qing turned to look. “You… you… you’re out… here?”

He had originally wanted to ask how he got out, but realized midway that it might give something away, so he smartly changed the last word just in time.

So clever.

Xiao Heng replied, “Oh, I finished my noodles, so I came to find you.”

Shangguan Qing opened his mouth slightly. “So… so did you pay the bill?”

“I did. Fifty-three taels in total. Elder brother, that wine was really expensive.” Xiao Heng frowned slightly.

Shangguan Qing stared blankly at him. “Didn’t you say you didn’t bring any silver?”

Xiao Heng widened his clear eyes. “Elder brother, did you forget? You left your money pouch for me.”

Shangguan Qing: “Huh?”

Xiao Heng said, “It was right there on your stool.”

Damn!

He did leave the money pouch on the seat earlier!

So that fifty-three taels… came from his pouch?

Shangguan Qing gasped sharply, drawing in a cold breath.

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…