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 (*≧∀≦*)

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Emotions surged within Xiao Heng’s chest, more violently than even the moment when Shangguan Qing had seemed to die.

That had been a suffocating grief, like an iceberg that not even sunlight could melt. But now, that iceberg cracked open, and joy surged out like magma from the earth’s core.

His organs felt as if they were burning.

“It really worked…”

He fell back onto the floor with a thud, both laughing and crying as he raised a hand to wipe the red from his eyes.

When the darkness at Shangguan Qing’s brow faded to a certain degree, it stopped changing further.

“What does that mean now?” Princess Xinyang’s eyes were rimmed red, like a frightened child. “And why hasn’t Qing’er woken up yet…”

“Not that fast!” The Shadow Division expert said. “The poison’s too deep, it’ll take time to clear. Got more fruit?”

Xiao Heng looked at the large vial, which was filled to the brim. “Plenty!”

The Shadow Division expert said, “Then that’s enough! Feed him every day, and he’ll wake up eventually!”

Xiao Heng carefully carried Shangguan Qing back to bed.

Just in case he didn’t wake up… the purple herb poison would still be needed, he thought to himself.

Half an hour later, Shangguan Qing’s breathing was already noticeably steadier. Though his complexion remained pale, the pained crease between his brows had relaxed significantly.

That meant his suffering had greatly eased.

Xiao Heng surmised that the reason he hadn’t yet woken wasn’t because the poison remained unresolved, but because he had been tormented by the venom for so long that he hadn’t had a single night of proper rest.

Now that the pain had diminished, he had finally fallen into a peaceful sleep.

Xiao Heng turned to Princess Xinyang, who sat beside the bed with great effort, her pregnant belly making it difficult. “Mother, don’t worry. This fruit works very well. Elder brother will definitely recover.”

“Mm.” Princess Xinyang nodded tearfully. She could feel it. Qing’er was making his way back to her.

The joy of regaining something once lost was beyond words. She had already lost Qing’er once; if she lost him again, she knew full well… she wouldn’t be able to go on living.

Her throat had gone hoarse from crying, her eyes were swollen, and she looked an absolute mess.

She couldn’t possibly greet a guest like this without seeming terribly rude.

She turned to Xiao Heng and said, “That young man… please thank him for me. Earlier I was too overwhelmed with sorrow and overlooked the fact that he’s injured all over. It even looks like his face was damaged. When the imperial physician arrives, make sure he gets looked at as well.”

“All right.”

His mother was as meticulous as ever.

Even amid such grief, her powers of observation had not dulled. She hadn’t registered it at the time, but once she regained her composure, she quickly noticed what others would have missed.

That was a truly rare and valuable quality.

The Shadow Division expert was still waiting outside in the corridor. He would need to return and report soon, so he had to know Shangguan Qing’s exact condition.

Xiao Heng stepped outside, cupped his hands respectfully, and said, “Thank you so much for everything today. I haven’t yet asked for your name.”

The Shadow Division expert scratched his head. “Sorry I… kicked your gate down…”

Xiao Heng smiled. “It’s fine. You’re injured, please go sit in the reception hall for now. The imperial physician will be here soon.”

Yu Jin had already gone to summon the imperial physician, both to check on Shangguan Qing’s recovery and to tend to this guest’s wounds.

The Shadow Division expert waved it off. “I’m fine! My name’s Gao Qiang, as in “strong martial arts”, Gao Qiang! Your Highness, that patient… I gotta report back on his condition!”

Gu Jiao hadn’t said who the medicine was for, and members of the Shadow Division were only responsible for carrying out orders; they would never pry into things on their own.

Gao Qiang straightened his expression and said solemnly, “Even if you called him ‘elder brother,’ I didn’t hear a thing!”

Xiao Heng laughed. It didn’t matter even if he had heard. After everything that had happened, he suddenly felt that whether or not their identities as brothers were kept a secret no longer seemed that important.

He said, “Why don’t we wait until the imperial physician arrives? Once we’ve heard the full diagnosis, then you can return and report back.”

Gao Qiang thought seriously for a moment, then nodded. “Got it!”

Xiao Heng looked out toward the courtyard and asked, “By the way, didn’t my father come back with you?”

“Your father?” Gao Qiang was taken aback. The Eldest Imperial Grandson of Great Yan has a father? He had never heard of the man after all these years!

He replied, “Nope! I came alone! And the one who delivered the medicine before me, he came alone too! I didn’t see Your Highness’s father anywhere!”

“How strange… That antidote was incredibly important. Why would he entrust it to someone else?” The more Xiao Heng thought about it, the more wrong it felt.

It wasn’t that he doubted the reliability of the Shadow Division. It was just that such behavior didn’t align with his father’s usual temperament.

Inside the room, Princess Xinyang was using a handkerchief to gently wipe the sweat from Shangguan Qing’s forehead. Upon hearing the conversation, her hand paused mid-motion.

Suddenly, Gao Qiang slapped his own forehead. “Ah! I remember now! Thanks for reminding me! I nearly forgot! There was also a letter delivered with the medicine!”

He fished out a folded letter from his chest and handed it to Xiao Heng.

Xiao Heng had assumed it was a letter from Gu Jiao. But the moment he opened it, he realized it was in Long Yi’s handwriting.

Long Yi had used charcoal pencil to sketch a glacier.

Beneath that glacier lay a man whose hands were covered in blood, his wounds deep enough to expose bone.

Xiao Heng suddenly felt as if a massive hand had clenched tightly around his heart——

“What happened?”

Princess Xinyang had stepped out of the room.

Xiao Heng discreetly hid the drawing behind his back. Looking at his exhausted, about-to-give-birth mother, he clenched his fists tightly and forced himself to remain calm as he said, “…It’s nothing.”

Princess Xinyang turned to look at Gao Qiang.

Gao Qiang didn’t catch on to the subtle cues, and replied honestly, “Oh, it was that guy who went to the icy plains to find the medicine. He died. He’s not coming back!”

Princess Xinyang’s expression instantly froze.

“What did you say? Who died?”

Princess Xinyang asked in an eerily calm voice, her expression composed and unwavering.

Gao Qiang was just about to open his mouth when he suddenly sensed that something was wrong in the atmosphere. Scratching his head in confusion, he stammered, “Did I… say something I shouldn’t have?”

What do you think… Xiao Heng knew very well that with how sharp his mother was, there was no way he could keep it hidden for long. He glanced at her heavily swollen belly, which looked like she could give birth at any moment, and worried deeply that if he wasn't careful, the emotional shock might cause complications.

He spoke with great care and weight in his tone, “We’re not certain yet. I’ll take care of it. Mother, please go back inside and rest for now. Once I’ve sorted everything out, I’ll come and tell you.”

Princess Xinyang’s expression turned serious. “No need. I’m fine. Just tell me.”

“This…” Gao Qiang scratched his head again, leaned closer to Xiao Heng, and whispered, “So… should I say it or not?”

Xiao Heng let out a long, helpless sigh. “Just say it.”

At this point, there was no meaning in trying to keep it a secret anymore.

Gao Qiang responded with a simple “Oh,” then awkwardly asked again, “What was I supposed to say?”

“Who died?” Princess Xinyang reminded him.

Suddenly enlightened, Gao Qiang exclaimed, “Ah, right, that! I was talking about that. General Xiao has died!”

“Where did you hear this news from?” Xiao Heng asked immediately.

Even though he had already seen Long Yi’s painting, Xiao Heng still clung to a desperate hope, praying for even the slimmest of chances that it might have been a mistake, that the man in the report might not be his father after all.

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…