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]

[Lily J.] [Suong D.] [Tessy Ivy O.] [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

[Nevy] [Roxanne C.]

R A I N B O W S T A R

[Debra W] [Kiiayame] [Smurfinbatik]

T H E S U N

[kuroneko_chan] [Michelle K.]

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

[Ava C.] [Leeyue] [Manon] [Sophia W.] [Tionna M.] [Val Nes]

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

Gu Jiao stood up and headed out.

Advisor Hu looked at her in surprise and asked, “My Lord, you just returned. Where are you going again?”

“To find Li Shen and Zhao Dengfeng.” Gu Jiao replied.

Recalling how he almost threw up from the bumpy ride yesterday, Advisor Hu swallowed hard and asked, “Uh… should I come along?”

Gu Jiao said casually, “Come if you want.”

I don’t want to!

But with the way you put it, could I even dare not to come?

Today, Gu Jiao went to see Zhao Dengfeng first.

She had deliberately mentioned the two men in front of Wen Renchong earlier to observe his reaction.

Wen Renchong remained calm.

Either he hadn’t heard the rumors of Zhao Dengfeng colluding with the Han Family, or he knew they were false.

From Gu Jiao’s observations, the former was unlikely.

“Well, if it isn’t the officer from yesterday. What brings you back to my Crane Tower?”

In a private room on the second floor, Zhao Dengfeng lounged against the window with a beauty in his arms, exuding his usual carefree charm as he looked at the young man on horseback.

“Here to persuade me to return to the army again? Who wants to go back to licking blood off the blade? How about this, Little Commander. Why don’t you become my Second Owner here at Crane Tower instead?”

Advisor Hu was furious, pointing his feather fan at this Zhao bastard and scolding, “Surnamed Zhao! Mind your words! ‘Little Commander? This is Lord Xiao, the new commander of Black Wind Camp! I told you that yesterday!”

Gu Jiao hummed, “Owner? That’s not a bad idea.”

Zhao Dengfeng smirked, amused at how easily the young man followed his lead. “Right? As long as you’ve got the silver, I wouldn’t mind giving you a small share of Crane Tower.”

Gu Jiao looked up at him. “No need. I’ve already bought your Crane Tower.”

Zhao Dengfeng was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. “Do you even know what you’re saying? Crane Tower is the finest tavern in town. What, does your family own a gold mine, Little Commander——”

Before he could finish, the youth on horseback casually tossed something at him.

He caught it instinctively, glanced at it, and froze.

Gu Jiao asked seriously, “Is this enough? If not, I can send someone to fetch more.”

Before leaving this morning, Duke An had given this to her through Steward Zheng. She had never used it before and wasn’t sure how much silver it could actually withdraw.

Zhao Dengfeng swallowed hard, incredulous. “Minghe Bank’s Master Token… You… What’s your connection to Minghe Bank?”

Gu Jiao thought for a moment before saying, “Uh… Young Owner?”

—I don’t have a gold mine, but I do have a bank.

Gu Jiao turned to Advisor Hu. “Stay and handle the paperwork. I’m going to find Li Shen.”

Advisor Hu was still reeling from shock. Was this what they called ‘wealth beyond reason’?

He stammered, “Uh, this…”

Zhao Dengfeng said coldly, “I won’t sell it!”

Gu Jiao replied, “You personally agreed to let me be the owner. No going back on your word.”

Zhao Dengfeng clenched his fist, sneering. “And what if I do?”

Gu Jiao answered with absolute seriousness, “I’ll beat you up.”

Zhao Dengfeng: “…”

……

Li Shen wasn’t at the docks today.

Gu Jiao asked a nearby foreman and learned he had likely gone to buy medicine for his mother.

“Where does he live?” Gu Jiao asked.

“Just over there, my Lord. Keep going straight, take the fork to the east, and you’ll see his house. Everyone else in that alley has moved away; only him and his mother remain. It’s easy to find.”

“Thanks.”

Following the foreman’s directions, Gu Jiao soon arrived at a run-down courtyard.

The front gate was slightly ajar. She raised her hand and knocked. “Excuse me, is anyone home?”

No response.

After a brief thought, Gu Jiao pushed the door open and entered.

Everything in the yard was old but neatly arranged, water vats, hoes, a chicken coop—all in order. The laundry on the clothesline was carefully hung, though faded and patched many times over, yet spotlessly clean.

“Baby Niu, you’re back?”

An elderly voice called from inside.

Baby Niu?

Li Shen’s childhood nickname?

Gu Jiao stepped into the main hall and headed toward the room on the right.

"Baby Niu."

An elderly blind woman sat on the ground. It seemed she had fallen and couldn’t get up again.

She struggled to grasp the chair for support, but it was in vain.

Gu Jiao quickly stepped forward and helped her onto the chair.

"You’re not Baby Niu." The old woman said.

She may have lost her sight, but she could still recognize her son’s scent.

"I’m here to find Li Shen." Gu Jiao said, noticing her wariness. She added, "I’m his friend."

The old woman’s hands found the armor on Gu Jiao’s body, and the vigilance in her cloudy eyes faded. She smiled and said, "Ah, Baby Niu’s friend. He went out to get medicine for me and should be back soon. Have a seat, I’ll pour you some tea."

So Baby Niu really was Li Shen’s childhood nickname.

Gu Jiao said to Li Shen’s mother, "Please stay seated, I’ll get it myself."

The old woman smiled kindly. "Alright, don’t be shy. The tea is on the table in the main hall."

Gu Jiao went to pour tea. Even their teacups were chipped, and there were only two stools. Besides that, the hall had no other furniture.

This home could truly be described as bare.

Gu Jiao went to the kitchen. The cupboard was empty, with no leftovers in sight. On the floor were a few dried corn cobs and half a rotten pumpkin.

The rice jar held barely half a measure of old rice, infested with insects.

Gu Jiao brought the tea to Mother Li. "Here, have some tea."

"Oh dear, you’re a guest, yet I made you serve me. This useless blind old woman..."

"It’s nothing."

……

"This little money only covers three doses of medicine."

At the pharmacy, the impatient clerk spoke to Li Shen.

"Three doses, then." Li Shen emptied his pockets and took the medicine home.

As soon as he stepped through the door, he noticed someone had been in the courtyard.

His hawk-like eyes flashed with alertness, and he rushed into the house. "Mother!"

His mother was lying safely on the bed, though she was startled by his sudden voice.

"Baby Niu, what’s wrong?" She turned toward the sound.

Seeing her unharmed, Li Shen relaxed slightly. He carried the medicine bundle to her bedside. "Mother, did someone come by?"

His mother chuckled. "Yes, a friend from your army camp. At first, I thought it was the debt collectors again..."

To treat her blindness, Li Shen had taken on high-interest loans, and debt collectors often came knocking.

"He left something for you." She reached under the blanket and handed him a bundle.

"Silver, isn’t it?" She asked softly.

Li Shen could tell just by holding it. He unwrapped the bundle, revealing a pile of gleaming silver ingots and a letter from Black Wind Camp.

The letter explained the origin of the money; it was his severance pay. When the Han Family was in power, corrupt officials had embezzled ninety percent of it.

This was the full amount he was owed, along with the interest accumulated over the years.

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…