Chapter 726.2: Recognition
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"When my mother went to the imperial mausoleum years ago, her martial arts were abolished." This was well known and not a secret. Xiao Heng had long heard about it, but the next few sentences were based on Xiao Heng's own speculation from Shangguan Yan’s behavior at Tianxiang Pavilion. "However, over the years, my mother has accompanied me in martial arts practice to strengthen my physique. I, unfortunately, have not achieved much, but my mother has regained a little bit of skill."
To say that Shangguan Yan resumed her martial arts training would imply ulterior motives, but saying she did it to teach the frail Shangguan Qing seemed uncontroversial.
The Emperor recalled how Shangguan Yan climbed over the wall of the cold palace; indeed, she had some basic skills.
She shouldn’t be too formidable though; otherwise, she wouldn’t have crawled out of the imperial palace through a dog hole.
Lady Nan was also someone whose martial arts had been abolished, and Xiao Heng knew what level one could reach after resuming training, which was why he didn’t exaggerate Shangguan Yan’s martial arts prowess.
He continued, “My mother is very clever and has basic martial skills. I don’t believe she would fall like this on her own.”
‘But that’s the imperial palace! Would anyone dare to harm your mother there?’ The Crown Prince thought about saying this, but if he did, it would cast suspicion on himself.
The Crown Prince stepped forward and personally moved a chair for the Emperor to sit beside the bed.
Ha, filial piety was still his strong suit.
He actually made the Emperor stand for so long.
“Imperial father.” the Crown Prince said, helping the Emperor to sit down with a pained expression, “I also find this matter suspicious. Since you have confined Shangguan Yan then, I believe she wouldn’t have gone out of Zhaoyang Hall on her own. Perhaps she discovered someone suspicious and went after them.”
What a clever way to suggest that Shangguan Yan’s injury was suspicious while subtly emphasizing that she had defied the Emperor's order of confinement.
Who told her to run out of Zhaoyang Hall in the middle of the night?
If she had just obediently listened to the Emperor, nothing would have happened, right?
Wasn’t this just bringing trouble upon herself?
The Little County Princess didn’t understand what they were talking about. She simply hung motionlessly on her little nephew’s leg, looking like a confused little fruit.
Xiao Heng’s gaze turned cold, and with the temper and spirit of a young man, he retorted, "How does Your Highness know that my mother was lured out, and not forcibly taken?"
The Crown Prince was momentarily speechless, “This…”
Xiao Heng coldly replied, “I heard that not long after my mother returned to the imperial palace, Your Highness had your guard injure her.”
The Crown Prince defended himself, saying, "I didn’t! The guards acted on their own! I tried to stop them, but it was too late! The reason it started was because your mother pushed me! She shoved me down the steps of the pavilion! Do you know how high that pavilion is?"
Xiao Heng countered, “So Your Highness held a grudge and had someone throw my mother down a steep slope?”
The Crown Prince’s gaze trembled, and he suddenly raised his voice, “I did not!”
“Enough! Stop arguing!” the Emperor spoke sternly.
The Little County Princess plugged her small ears with her fingers.
The Emperor said to Zhang Dequan, “Take the Little County Princess outside.”
"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhang Dequan came over and carried the Little County Princess out.
"We’ll know what really happened once your mother wakes up. How is your health?" the Emperor asked Xiao Heng.
Xiao Heng was about to say he was fine but remembered that Shangguan Qing was a sickly child. He shifted from his youthful, energetic demeanor and replied weakly, “Same as always.”
The Emperor said, “Since you’re here, let the Imperial Advisor check on you later.”
Xiao Heng didn’t respond.
The Emperor frowned and glanced at him, "What's wrong?"
Xiao Heng lowered his gaze and said softly, “It can’t be cured anyway, so there’s no need to waste medicine on me.”
The Emperor looked at his weak grandson and then at the seriously injured and unconscious Shangguan Yan, deeply furrowing his brow.
The room fell into an eerie silence once more.
The Crown Prince's heart gradually sank.
The Emperor was getting old. Although he still had a volatile temperament and was often brutal, there was a part of him that had softened slightly.
This could be seen from his attitude toward the Little County Princess.
He had never been so tolerant of the young Shangguan Yan.
Did he prefer the Little County Princess?
Not at all. He just wasn’t as cruel as he had been in his youth.
Shangguan Yan’s injury and the Eldest Imperial Grandson’s illness struck at the soft spot in his heart.
The Xuanyuan Family had been eradicated at just the right time. If it had happened now, with Empress Xuanyuan’s pleading, who could guarantee that the Emperor would still raise his blade against the entire Xuanyuan Family, sparing not even the infants in swaddling clothes?
The Crown Prince cupped his hands in salute and said, “Imperial father, let me investigate this matter; I will definitely get to the bottom of last night’s events and give third imperial sister justice.”
This time, the Emperor did not correct him for calling her “imperial sister.”
The Crown Prince discreetly clenched his fingers.
“Zhen has his own plans regarding this matter.” the Emperor refused.
The Crown Prince was not surprised by his imperial father’s decision.
He wasn’t truly trying to take over the investigation, but simply making a show of loyalty before his imperial father.
The Emperor glanced at Shangguan Yan with a complicated expression, then said to Xiao Heng, "Take good care of your mother... your palace quarters have not been touched."
That last sentence was undoubtedly an invitation for the Eldest Imperial Grandson to return to the imperial palace.
Xiao Heng said almost without hesitation, “No, I want to stay in the Imperial Advisor's Hall to accompany my mother while she recuperates.”
The Emperor didn’t say much and stood up, walking towards the door.
The Crown Prince instructed the servants to leave behind some supplements before turning to follow the Emperor.
As the Emperor stepped over the threshold, his pace briefly slowed, as if waiting for something.
But in the end, he didn’t hear it.
Xiao Heng had done it on purpose. He knew the Emperor was waiting to hear "imperial grandfather" from his mouth. In truth, this was just an act, and if required, he could call him that a hundred times. But he didn’t want to let the Emperor get his way too soon.
After all, things that came too easily were seldom cherished.
Xiao Heng carefully reviewed his earlier performance, ensuring he hadn't made any major mistakes.
The Emperor’s affection for Shangguan Qing was an unexpected delight, and one reason for his favoritism was likely because Shangguan Qing didn’t have much time left to live.
The Emperor was wary of anyone associated with the Xuanyuan Family, but a grandson who wouldn’t live long posed no threat to his imperial authority.
The Crown Prince’s performance today was quite mediocre—impulsive, irritable, quick to anger, and unable to keep his composure.
However, considering the Crown Prince’s covert actions, Xiao Heng speculated that this was merely a facade.
The goal was to make others think he couldn’t keep secrets and that he wasn’t capable of underhanded schemes.
Xiao Heng lightly touched the teardrop mole painted under his right eye and said calmly, "Let’s see who can keep up the act better."
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…