Chapter 626.2: Secrets
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S T E L L A R C L O U D
[Celeste S.] [Galetron]
O R A N G E S T A R
[Alma S.] [Christine G.-L.] [Fazzienaz] [K.Rom]
[Onepiece] [Suong D.] [Tori D.] [Ziana K.-P.]
Y E L L O W S T A R
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G O L D S T A R
[Nevy] [Roxanne C.]
R A I N B O W S T A R
[Allie] [Debra W] [Kiiayame] [Peggy F.]
T H E S U N
[kuroneko_chan] [Michelle K.] [Smurfinbatik] [Sophia W.]
CELESTIAL CONQUEROR
[Ava C.] [Kiroxsu] [Lily J.] [Malinkat] [Manon]
Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧∀≦*)
Gu Xiaoshun didn't understand, "He's a Duke in the State of Yan, and still has a troubled life?"
Lady Nan sighed again, "You don't know. This Duke An lost his mother in his childhood, his wife in his youth, and later his daughter... He's essentially a lone figure, with no family."
Gu Xiaoshun clicked his tongue, "That's really tragic."
With people at home, conversations naturally turned to gossip. Since the conversation had reached this point, Lady Nan decided to share more about Duke An's life with the children.
Duke An was the eldest legitimate son of the former Duke. His mother, the Duchess, passed away early and didn't leave him any siblings. It was only after the former Duke remarried that his stepmother gave birth to a son and a daughter.
Duke An treated his half-sibling with kindness and their relationship was harmonious.
After the former Duke passed away, he, as the eldest legitimate son, inherited the title of Duke An.
Gu Jiao said, "So, the Second Madame I saw at the estate is his sister-in-law?"
Lady Nan nodded, "That's right. Duke An only ever married one wife and never took any concubines."
Gu Jiao touched her chin, thinking that men with such loyalty were rare in ancient times, "What about his wife..."
“Ha…” Lady Nan sighed again, unsure how many times she had sighed tonight.
Master Lu's face turned incredibly dark.
What‘s this?
Sighing so much over another man?
What about my pride!
Lady Nan routinely ignored her husband and said regretfully, "This is something we can only talk about behind closed doors. No one dares to mention his wife outside."
"Why?" Gu Jiao asked.
Lady Nan hesitated and then said, "His wife is from the Xuanyuan Family."
Gu Jiao glanced at the red-tasseled spear hanging in her room, "The Xuanyuan Family of Xuanyuan Li?"
Lady Nan nodded, "Yes, the Xuanyuan Family was once esteemed as the foremost martial clan in the State of Yan, boasting a million soldiers and unparalleled prestige. They were so powerful they overshadowed the monarch. Both the men and women of the Xuanyuan Family were exceptionally brave and skilled in combat.”
“Unfortunately, they chose the path of rebellion. Throughout history, rebellion never ends well, and even a powerful clan like the Xuanyuan Family was no exception. The imperial army clashed with the Xuanyuan army, and all the Xuanyuan generals died in battle.”
“Duke An's wife, pregnant at the time, donned her armor to save her father and brothers and ultimately died in battle as well. Her unborn child didn't survive, leaving only a two-year-old daughter behind."
"This incident nearly implicated the Duke An Estate. The State of Yan's ruler demanded that Duke An hand over the remnant of the Xuanyuan Family, namely his two-year-old daughter. Duke An went to great lengths, even resigning from his position, to save his daughter's life.”
“However, the direct descendants of the Xuanyuan Family were not as fortunate. Every male surnamed Xuanyuan was killed, with the youngest being just an infant in swaddling clothes. Meanwhile, the female relatives were all consigned to the pleasure quarters and thus became courtesans from then on."
Gu Jiao said, "The State of Yan's Emperor is a tyrant."
Lady Nan gave a bitter smile, "Not everyone aspires to be a benevolent ruler like the Emperor of the State of Zhao."
Gu Jiao frowned and asked, "Lady Nan, you said the Duke lost his daughter. Wasn't she saved?"
Lady Nan smiled and shook her head, "The Emperor's hatred for Xuanyuan Li was deep. How could he truly let his granddaughter go? After Duke An resigned from his official position, he entrusted the management of the Duke Estate to his younger brother, while he himself left the capital with his daughter, finding a secluded place to live.”
“However, within a few years, that child also departed. Her departure was sudden, akin to being struck down. At the time, many speculated that she was assassinated by the monarch. However, anyone who dared to voice such suspicions was apprehended by the monarch, and thereafter, no one dared to discuss the matter.”
Gu Jiao understood, "I see."
Lady Nan said, "This was over a decade ago. Who in the State of Yan still remembers the Xuanyuan Family? Maybe some do, but they no longer dare to mention them. The Emperor loathed Xuanyuan Li so much that even his divine weapon was thrown away like scrap metal and given to the State of Chen."
……
After finishing their meal, Master Lu went to tidy up the dishes, while Lady Nan still felt somewhat uneasy about the events of the day. She said, "JiaoJiao, Duke An Estate has many eyes and ears. It's best for you to avoid going there too often, to avoid exposing your identity."
"Okay." Gu Jiao agreed.
Lady Nan added, "Also, be cautious with your deskmate. Since he has connections with the Duke An Estate, he is likely not an ordinary person. It's good to be acquainted, but don't get too involved."
Shengdu was a place full of intrigue, and Lady Nan was worried that a promising young person like Gu Jiao might inadvertently attract attention and get caught up in its troubles.
Gu Jiao knew Lady Nan meant well and nodded, "Don't worry, Lady Nan. I'll change seats tomorrow and not sit with him anymore."
She and Mu Qingchen would not have further interactions.
Early the next morning, Gu Jiao went to the classroom. She arrived early, and there weren't many people there.
She saw Zhong Ding and, after a moment's hesitation, walked over to him with her book bag.
Zhong Ding was surprised, "What are you doing?"
Gu Jiao said, "I'm sitting with you today."
Zhong Ding thought for a moment, "Are you afraid those people will beat you up? Actually, it's better this way. Someone like Young Master Qingchen isn't someone we can associate with. It would make others jealous."
Gu Jiao didn't respond, "Let me copy your homework."
She had forgotten to do her homework yesterday and only remembered when she saw Zhong Ding reviewing his.
Zhong Ding generously handed over his homework.
Mu Qingchen arrived for class again, breaking his usual record of not showing up.
He belonged to the type who wouldn't come even once in half a year, and would never come two times in a row in his lifetime.
As soon as he entered the classroom, he saw Gu Jiao sitting beside Zhong Ding.
He didn't say anything and expressionlessly sat in the last row from yesterday.
The square-faced student who had picked on Gu Jiao yesterday was the first to enter the classroom among his group. Seeing the seat next to Mu Qingchen empty, he grabbed his book bag and rushed over.
"Young, Young, Young Master Qingchen!"
Slam! Mu Qingchen placed his book bag on the empty stool next to him.
Square-face no longer had a place to sit.
Square-face: “...”
Gu Jiao had practiced with her red-tasseled spear until late last night and hadn't slept well. She spent the morning dozing off.
"Which student can explain this sentence?" The teacher asked, looking at the students.
"Teacher." Mu Qingchen stood up, "Xiao Liulang can."
Gu Jiao, who was about to peck the table like a chick pecking at grains of rice: "…!!"
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…