Chapter 616.1: County Princess Protector
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Princess Xinyang just knew something was up!
Princess Xinyang didn't want to see these two troublemakers anymore; she immediately had someone send them back!
She had Yu Jin fetch Physician Song to let him prepare a bowl of decoction for preventing pregnancy.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Chang Jing had returned. Unaware of Marquis Xuanping's situation, he first went to the Marquis Estate and learned about Marquis Xuanping's whereabouts from Steward Liu.
He displayed his qinggong skills and arrived at Bishui Alley. Xiao Heng and Gu Jiao’s side were full, so Marquis Xuanping, Huangfu Xian, and the former Zhuang Yuheng all stayed on Old Chief's side.
Chang Jing immediately sensed Marquis Xuanping's presence.
He leaped through the window.
However, the scene inside made him draw his sword instantly. With a swift movement, he flashed to the bedside and positioned himself in front of Marquis Xuanping, alert to any movement around.
Marquis Xuanping shook his wrists bound to the bedpost and said, "There's no one here; come and untie this Marquis first."
"Oh." Chang Jing deftly cut the ropes with his longsword. His movements were precise, not harming Marquis Xuanping at all.
He picked up the broken ropes and examined them curiously, "Just ordinary ropes, why couldn't you break free?"
Marquis Xuanping sighed, "You wouldn't understand."
His body had been emptied.
Chang Jing furrowed his brows, his gaze sweeping the messy room before settling on Marquis Xuanping's ‘scarred’ body, "You've been beaten up? Who did this? I'll go kill them!"
This was too much!
Chang Jing had been with Marquis Xuanping for so long and had never seen him so brutally hurt!
Marquis Xuanping glanced at Chang Jing. Considering Chang Jing was still young, he simply waved his hand and said, "Forget it, it's nothing. No need to pursue it. By the way, weren't you supposed to be chasing Nangong Li? Where is he?"
Chang Jing's face darkened, "I didn't catch him; he got away."
Marquis Xuanping looked at him in surprise, "There's someone even you couldn't catch?"
It wasn’t that Chang Jing's martial skills were unbeatable, but Nangong Li was clearly no match for Chang Jing, especially with a broken arm like that. How could he still manage to escape?
"Somebody saved him." Chang Jing hesitated for a moment, then admitted, "It was the guardian of the Hidden Night Sect."
Marquis Xuanping frowned, "The Hidden Night Sect you were associated with before?"
"Yes." Chang Jing nodded.
Marquis Xuanping said, "Since it's the guardian, it's normal that you couldn't defeat them."
"I could have defeated them, I just didn't." Chang Jing muttered to himself.
Marquis Xuanping didn't know much about the Hidden Night Sect, only hearing that it was the most powerful and mysterious assassin organization among the six states. When he encountered Chang Jing, Chang Jing was being pursued by the members of the Hidden Night Sect and inadvertently ended up in his carriage, falling asleep inside.
Marquis Xuanping thought Chang Jing must have offended the Hidden Night Sect to be "chased" like that. Chang Jing then claimed he was part of the Hidden Night Sect, but he didn't want to return.
Seeing Chang Jing's skills, Marquis Xuanping suggested that he follow him. Initially, Chang Jing didn't agree, but Marquis Xuanping noticed Chang Jing liked playing marbles, so after practicing for days, he finally managed to win Chang Jing back home.
Until now, Marquis Xuanping still thought Chang Jing was just a minor traitor of the Hidden Night Sect.
Little did he know, he actually abducted the heir of the Hidden Night Sect!
"But he won't live much longer, I struck him several times." Chang Jing said.
It was as if he wanted to regain a bit of face from that little misunderstanding about not being able to defeat the Hidden Night Sect's guardian.
“Alright." Marquis Xuanping smiled and looked at him, "Are you fine?"
"I'm fine." Chang Jing shook his head, expressing there was no harm.
Marquis Xuanping nodded, "If you're fine, then do another task for me."
Chang Jing's handsome face darkened. Was it too late to come up with an excuse to avoid it?
……
After months of vetting and controversy, the decree regarding the rewards for meritorious individuals had finally been drafted.
During the battle on the border, Supreme Commander Tang Yueshan made outstanding contributions. He was conferred the title of Count Tang and rewarded with a thousand taels of silver.
Marquis Ding'an's heir, Gu Changqing, led the Gu Family Army bravely, annihilating the remnants of the previous dynasty and repelling the State of Chen’s army. He was titled as the third-ranking Northern Defense General and rewarded with a thousand taels of silver.
In addition, the Second Young Master of Marquis Ding'an Estate, Gu Chengfeng, contributed to the city's defense and was granted the sixth rank position, Yue Cavalry Captain, as well was rewarded with eight hundred taels of silver.
Several other outstanding generals in the battle were also rewarded accordingly.
The imperial physicians and Physician Song assisted in quelling the plague and were granted the title of Outstanding Physician of the State of Zhao, rewarded with five hundred taels of silver.
Other accompanying physicians also received their respective rewards.
Naturally, Gu Jiao was no exception. She was not only the prime contributor to quelling the plague but also a crucial figure in defending Yuegu City. Not to mention, she single-handedly annihilated five thousand troops of the previous dynasty.
The Emperor bestowed upon her the title of County Princess Protector.
Marquis Xuanping and Princess Xinyang were also meritorious officials who guarded the State of Zhao. The Emperor's intention was to either appoint Marquis Xuanping as Xuanping Wang or elevate Princess Xinyang to the rank of Grand Princess Protector.
They couldn't have both.
It all depended on the couple's choice.
Furthermore, Grand Secretary Yuan submitted a memorandum to the Emperor, requesting the appointment of a Junior Secretary in the Imperial Cabinet.
"Oh?" Inside the study, the Emperor looked at Grand Secretary Yuan with surprise. "Beloved Official Yuan, after so many years in the Imperial Cabinet, why suddenly propose such an idea?"
Grand Secretary Yuan saluted and said, "Your Majesty, this old official is getting advanced in age, and many things are beyond my capabilities now. Moreover, Grand Preceptor Zhuang's affair has deeply affected the Imperial Cabinet. With the cabinet in turmoil, both its power and prestige have greatly weakened. This old official hopes someone can revitalize the cabinet and better serve Your Majesty and the Zhao Dynasty."
This struck a chord with the Emperor. Grand Preceptor Zhuang had caused quite a bit of trouble in the cabinet. Both Deputy Grand Secretaries were his men, though they hadn't done anything particularly harmful. Still, the Emperor wasn't entirely comfortable handing over the cabinet to them.
The Emperor asked, "The candidate for the Junior Secretary position in Beloved Official Yuan’s mind is——"
Grand Secretary Yuan smiled and replied, "Hanlin Academy's Reader-in-waiting and the Chief of Records of the Ministry of Justice, Xiao Liulang."
The crucial point here was that Xiao Liulang was Xiao Heng. The Emperor was still thinking how he could restore his former identity.
He couldn't keep carrying the identity of Xiao Liulang forever.
The Emperor pondered for a moment, "Let me consider it."
"Of course." Grand Secretary Yuan agreed. It was a significant matter, and careful consideration was appropriate.
"Oh, by the way." Just as Grand Secretary Yuan was about to leave, the Emperor stopped him, "Zhen heard that the Yuan Family’s daughter is going to marry into Marquis Ding'an Estate. Is that true?"
Grand Secretary Yuan replied, "Indeed, Gu Changqing and my granddaughter, Yuan Baolin."
The Emperor was quite surprised but upon reflection, he found it fitting, "Changqing and Baolin... it seems like a match made in heaven."
At this mention, Grand Secretary Yuan chuckled helplessly, "Actually, it was the decision of the two children themselves."
The misunderstanding about Yuan Baolin being pregnant had long been cleared up. To be honest, Grand Secretary Yuan felt that they didn't have much of a chance together and neither of them had much enthusiasm for each other. He thought that if either of them was unwilling, Grand Secretary Yuan had no intention of forcing them into marriage. Who would have thought that one day they would both suddenly agree.
It was as if they had discussed this together, and this made it difficult for Grand Secretary Yuan to refuse.
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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…