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.] [Christine G.-L.] [K.Rom]

[Suong D.] [Ziana K.-P.]

Y E L L O W S T A R

[Anasi G.] [Passerby] [Xena]

G O L D S T A R

[Anne C.] [Nevy] [Roxanne C.]

R A I N B O W S T A R

[Debra W] [Kiiayame] [Tionna M.]

T H E S U N

[kuroneko_chan] [Michelle K.] [Smurfinbatik]

C E L E S T I A L C O N Q U E R O R

[Ava C.] [Hong] [Leeyue] [Lily J.] [Manon] [Sophia W.] [Val Nes]

Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧∀≦*)

In just two short months, they had managed to gain entry to the Imperial Advisor’s Hall and even be treated as honored guests.

While Xiao Heng’s imperial lineage undoubtedly played a role, surviving the journey and reaching the Imperial Advisor’s Hall alive was a testament to the children’s own skills.

They were young and lacked experience, but they possessed sharp minds, fearless determination, and a fortuitous destiny that neither an Empress Dowager nor a court official of their stature could claim.

“Hmm, not bad.” Empress Dowager Zhuang muttered.

Gu Jiao didn’t quite understand what her Grandaunt meant by this, and Empress Dowager Zhuang didn’t bother explaining, lest the little girl become overly smug.

She asked, “What is that big-eared one doing?”

Gu Jiao replied, “Little Li is sweeping the corridor with three others. I made a point to observe him this morning. He hasn’t made any moves, hasn’t tried to gather information, and hasn’t attempted to approach Shangguan Yan.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang snorted. “He’s lying low for now.”

Gu Jiao asked, “If he keeps lying low, how are we supposed to flush out the mastermind?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang replied nonchalantly, “If he won’t act on his own, then we’ll find a way to make him act.”

With that, Empress Dowager Zhuang left the room.

She stepped into the corridor.

The four individuals were diligently sweeping, spaced neither too far apart nor too close together.

Empress Dowager Zhuang, exuding the faint scents of medicinal oil and wound ointment, walked past them.

As an ordinary patient, she naturally did not warrant any bows or greetings from the palace servants. Similarly, her presence didn’t attract much attention.

As Empress Dowager Zhuang brushed past Little Li in the corridor, she paused momentarily, and in a voice only the two of them could hear, she said, “Your master instructed you not to act rashly. Stay calm, no matter what.”

With that, she walked away as if nothing had happened.

Gu Jiao observed Little Li through the crack in the door. His demeanor remained unchanged, though he did glance at her Grandaunt with a slightly puzzled expression.

It was the perfect reaction for someone confronted with strange words from a stranger—natural and unremarkable.

His acting skills were impeccable.

If her Grandaunt hadn’t revealed he was a spy, who could have possibly guessed?

Empress Dowager Zhuang returned to Gu Jiao’s side. She had managed to stay here overnight without anyone noticing, and during the day, it didn’t matter. As a patient, it was only natural for her to see a physician.

Gu Jiao closed the door, led her Grandaunt to the window, and whispered, “Grandaunt, what did you say to him just now?”

“I told him not to act rashly and to stay calm.” Empress Dowager Zhuang replied, adding, “I said it in the State of Zhao’s language.”

“Huh?” Gu Jiao blinked in surprise.

“Don’t worry; he understands. You three are all tough opponents, and he’s been keeping an eye on you. Since you’re from the State of Zhao, if you were to exchange information with someone, would it be safer to use the State of Zhao’s language or the State of Yan’s language?”

“The State of Zhao’s language.” Gu Jiao replied, as most disciples wouldn’t understand it.

Gu Jiao understood now.

To better monitor her, the mastermind behind the scenes must have sent someone who could understand the State of Zhao’s language.

So thorough. These days, it seems you can’t even be a spy without being multilingual.

Gu Jiao then asked, “But what does that phrase even mean? Why not just instruct him to take action instead of telling him to hold back? Wasn’t he already lying low?”

Patiently, Empress Dowager Zhuang explained, like an eagle teaching its fledgling to hunt, “His master told him to lie low. If I were to tell him to act, he’d immediately see through me as someone testing him. By echoing his master’s instructions, he’ll be unsure whether I’m testing him or if his master really sent someone else.”

Gu Jiao nodded in sudden realization. “And since you spoke in the State of Zhao’s language, it’s like a secret code between you.”

“You could say that.” Empress Dowager Zhuang said calmly. “Next, he’ll be cautious and try to verify my identity.”

“Will he believe you?” Gu Jiao asked.

Empress Dowager Zhuang replied, “He can’t fully believe me, but he can’t entirely dismiss it either. He’s a cautious person, and because of that caution, he’ll make every effort to confirm my identity to rule out the possibility that he’s been exposed.”

As expected, everything unfolded just as Empress Dowager Zhuang had predicted. By the end of the day, Little Li could no longer contain himself.

In one minute, he glanced outside the Qilin Hall three times.

This indicated that he was eager to leave.

Gu Jiao was happy to make it easier for him.

She called over two eunuchs. “I’m running low on medicinal herbs. Little Li, Little Deng, you two go to the pharmacy and buy some for me. I feel bad always using the ones from the Imperial Advisor’s Hall.”

The two eunuchs took the list she handed them, boarded a carriage, and left the Imperial Advisor’s Hall.

Little Li, being specially trained, was adept at spotting anyone tailing him, even skilled experts.

However, he never would have imagined that the one following him this time wasn’t a human expert but the sky’s undisputed ruler—Little Nine.

Who would pay attention to a bird soaring through the night sky?

It was practically invisible!

Little Li slipped some drug into Little Deng’s tea, and while Little Deng was repeatedly rushing to the latrine with a stomachache, Little Li made his way to a gambling den.

In the backyard of the gambling den, he met someone and received a pre-prepared carrier pigeon. Using a brush dipped in ink, he drew three strokes on the pigeon’s right leg.

He then released the pigeon.

The pigeon flew straight toward the palace, heading for Imperial Noble Consort Han’s chambers. Just as it was about to land on her windowsill, Little Nine swooped down and snatched it away in one swift motion!

Little Nine returned to Qilin Hall and dropped the fainted pigeon onto Gu Jiao’s windowsill. Along with it, Little Nine also brought back a Buddhist scripture pierced through by its claws.

The pigeon bore no useful information—only three ink strokes, likely a type of code.

Such caution.

Gu Jiao took the Buddhist scripture to Shangguan Yan’s room.

Shangguan Yan immediately recognized the handwriting as Imperial Noble Consort Han’s.

Gu Jiao remarked, “So it was her.”

That’s fine then.

If it turned out to be Zhang Dequan harboring malicious intentions, then the kindness Empress Xuanyuan showed back in the day would have been wasted on someone unworthy.

When it came to dealing with Imperial Noble Consort Han, the three female strategists held a heated discussion in the room, primarily between Gu Jiao and Shangguan Yan, while Empress Dowager Zhuang listened with a composed and indifferent demeanor.

Shangguan Yan proposed using a strategy of counteraction: waiting for Imperial Noble Consort Han to have Little Li frame her, and then turning the tables on them at the right moment.

Without even lifting her eyelids, Empress Dowager Zhuang remarked, “Too slow.”

Gu Jiao advocated for taking the initiative. She suggested using a hallucinogen to make Little Li speak the truth and confess that Imperial Noble Consort Han was the mastermind. Alternatively, they could feed Little Li false information to lure Imperial Noble Consort Han into a trap.

Empress Dowager Zhuang dismissed it with a simple, “Too complicated.”

They neither had the luxury of time to waste nor multiple opportunities to exploit.

When it came to Imperial Noble Consort Han, they had to strike with precision and decisiveness. One shot, one hit!

The more intricate the plan, the more variables it introduced, increasing the risk of failure.

Empress Dowager Zhuang’s meaningful gaze shifted to Shangguan Yan.

The intensity of her stare made Shangguan Yan feel an inexplicable unease. “What is it?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang said calmly, “Your injuries have healed.”

Shangguan Yan quickly retorted, “No, they haven’t.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang countered with a firm tone, “Yes, they have.”

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…