Chapter 956: Married Life Begins
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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.] [Michelle N.] [Ziana K.-P.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
[Anasi] [Jwyla C.] [Passerby] [Xena]
G O L D S T A R
[Anne C.] [Rose Ky]
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
[Ava C.] [kuroneko_chan] [Leeyue] [Manon]
[Raquel G.] [Sophia W.] [Val Nes] [Woon Li Ying]
Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧∀≦*)
When Gu Changqing awoke, he immediately felt someone nestled in his arms. For a brief moment he felt dizzy, and then the unspeakable memories of the night before came flooding back like the tide.
Realizing what he had done, he wanted nothing more than to punch himself.
Yuan Baolin woke later than he did. When she opened her eyes, Gu Changqing was already gone from the room. Her clothes were neat and properly arranged, though she had no idea who had dressed her.
She tried to call for her servant girl, but her voice was hoarse beyond use. When she attempted to get out of bed, she found that her legs hardly obeyed her.
Just then, Gu Changqing pushed open the door and entered.
Moonlight trailed behind him, outlining his tall figure. Though his face was half-hidden in the dim light, the clean and refined lines of his features could still be seen.
Years of martial training had given him a tall and lean build, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, his proportions strikingly perfect.
He entered the room carrying a bowl of barley porridge. When he saw the bed curtains lifted and Yuan Baolin sitting up in a flustered state, his gaze wavered slightly before he said calmly, “You’re awake.”
Yuan Baolin nodded.
Gu Changqing stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
“I’m going to light the lamp.” He said, as though asking for her consent.
Yuan Baolin pressed her fingers against her throat, her voice hoarse and weak. “Is it not morning yet?”
Gu Changqing opened his mouth. “It’s already night again.”
Yuan Baolin’s face instantly flushed bright red.
Gu Changqing continued in his usual composed tone, “Don’t worry, the elders have been informed. The bridal handkerchief has also been collected. Grandmother is very pleased.”
He had meant to reassure her, but the mention of the bridal handkerchief made both of them freeze in embarrassment.
So much for their pretend marriage. On the very first night, everything had gone completely off course, and straight into the ditch at that.
“T-then…” Yuan Baolin stammered, her cheeks scarlet as she dared not meet his eyes.
Gu Changqing wasn’t any calmer than she was, but being a man, he couldn’t possibly pretend nothing had happened.
Holding the bowl of porridge, he said seriously, “What happened last night was my fault. I broke our agreement first. From now on, I won’t take another wife, nor will I fall for anyone. If you wish to leave, you may divorce me at any time. But if you have nowhere better to go, I’ll take full responsibility for you.”
Yuan Baolin lifted her gaze to him, her eyes steady and searching. “You truly… won’t fall for anyone?”
“I won’t.” Gu Changqing said firmly. “You have my word.”
Yuan Baolin lowered her eyes, her voice faint and a bit lost. “I see.”
“Drink the porridge first.” Gu Changqing told her.
He was a straightforward man and was completely unaware that there was anything off about her tone, assuming only that she was still upset with him for what happened last night.
Since Yuan Baolin hadn’t responded when he mentioned lighting the lamp, Gu Changqing moved toward the bed in the dark.
Fortunately, a faint candlelight flickered in the corridor outside, and the moon cast a thin silver glow through the window, so he could still see somewhat clearly.
He handed her the bowl.
“You feed me.” Yuan Baolin said softly.
Gu Changqing froze.
Yuan Baolin pouted with grievance. “I don’t have the strength, you’re the one who exhausted me.”
Gu Changqing: “…”
……
The next day, after sleeping through an entire day and night, Yuan Baolin finally woke early, so early that even the Old Marquis hadn’t yet left for the military camp.
She and Gu Changqing went together to pay their respects.
This marriage had been arranged personally by the Old Marquis, and he was quite satisfied with Yuan Baolin. Even if he hadn’t been, he would never have treated her harshly.
“Changqing, take good care of Baolin. Don’t bully her.” He said to his grandson.
Gu Changqing cupped his hands and replied respectfully, “Yes, Grandfather. I’ll remember.”
“Go on, now. Pay your respects to your grandmother.” Old Marquis said.
Yuan Baolin smiled sweetly. “Grandfather, Baolin will take her leave. I’ll come visit you again soon.”
“Good.”
Old Marquis rather liked the way that “Grandfather” sounded from her lips.
The two then went to the Fushou Courtyard to greet Old Madame Gu.
Old Madame Gu took Yuan Baolin’s hands, looking her up and down from left to right, and the more she looked, the more she liked what she saw.
The girl had already looked beautiful in her portrait, but in person, she was even lovelier by far.
Drawing on her experience as a tenth-level reader of romance storybooks, Yuan Baolin successfully played the part of a gentle, virtuous, and obedient granddaughter-in-law.
Old Madame Gu was so delighted she could hardly close her mouth, and in her joy, she presented Yuan Baolin with five full sets of gold and jade hair ornaments.
Yuan Baolin, though no stranger to fine jewelry, still looked startled by such generosity. “Grandmother, these are far too valuable. Baolin can’t possibly accept them!”
Old Madame Gu patted the back of her hand and said, “Take them! You must! You’ll need to bear a child for the Gu Family soon. I’m waiting to hold a plump, healthy great-grandson in my arms!”
Yuan Baolin smiled sweetly. “Baolin will do her best.”
Sitting to the side and drinking his tea, Gu Changqing couldn’t help but choke a little.
After leaving the Fushou Courtyard, the two of them went to visit Yao shi.
Marquis Gu was there as well.
Yao shi was very fond of Yuan Baolin, not because of her noble background, but because of her temperament. Unlike the daughters of other aristocratic families, Yuan Baolin possessed both a calm composure and a bright charm. She was clever without being willful, straightforward without being harsh, and got along easily with everyone in Bishui Alley.
“Baolin greets Father and Mother.” Yuan Baolin said respectfully as she bowed.
Gu Changqing also saluted the two elders. “Father… Mother.”
Ever since Yao shi had married into the Marquis Estate, Gu Changqing had always addressed her formally as “Madame.” This was the very first time he had ever called her “Mother.”
Yao shi stared at him in astonishment, wondering if she had misheard.
Yuan Baolin glanced between the two of them, then tugged lightly on Gu Changqing’s sleeve. “Shouldn’t we offer tea to Father and Mother?”
Gu Changqing’s eyelashes trembled. “Yes.”
A servant brought over the tea. The two knelt upon the cushions, and with both hands, they presented the tea cups in ceremony.
When Gu Changqing held out a cup of tea to Yao shi, his expression was solemn and sincere as he said, “Mother, please have some tea.”
He really had called her Mother. She hadn’t imagined it.
A sudden rush of emotion welled up inside Yao shi, her nose tingling as a faint ache spread through her chest.
From the day she had married into the Marquis Estate, she had never dared to hope for much. And in all the years since, she had never expected anything. Yet at this very moment, a deep, indescribable warmth surged through her heart.
Marquis Gu looked steadily at her. She slowly reached out, accepted the cup her eldest son offered, and smiled faintly through reddened eyes. “Mm.”
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…
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