The Grand Secretary's Pampered Wife

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Among Gu Jiao’s group, Li Sande only recognized Mu Chuan. Smiling, he greeted him, "Young Master Mu, it’s been a long time."

"I..." Mu Chuan clearly didn’t recognize Li Sande.

Li Sande chuckled and said, "I used to work in Baohe Hall. It was only earlier this year that I was transferred to serve in front of His Majesty. I once saw Young Master Mu from afar during the Lantern Festival banquet."

"I see." Mu Chuan nodded and greeted him back, addressing him as Eunuch Li.

One shouldn't underestimate the eunuchs of the Jinluan Hall. They had daily access to imperial presence, making them the closest to the Emperor. While it might not be necessary to win them over, one should at least not show them disrespect openly.

Though Mu Chuan usually appeared loud, naive, and carefree, he actually had the sharp social instincts of a noble family’s young master.

Li Sande's smile grew so wide that his eyes nearly disappeared.

Gu Jiao and Yuan Xiao, along with the others, didn’t go out of their way to ingratiate themselves with Li Sande. Li Sande wasn’t someone who interacted with just anyone. He respected Teacher Wu because he was the instructor of the polo team and showed deference to Mu Chuan because he was the legitimate son of the Mu Family.

As for the status of the other three——

Li Sande’s gaze swept across and paused slightly when he saw Gu Jiao, who had a birthmark on the left side of her face.

This kind of appearance was indeed rare.

But what was even rarer was the air of confidence surrounding the youth.

By all accounts, people with facial imperfections tend to feel self-conscious, yet this youth carried himself with such poise, radiating an aura of boldness and strength, exuding a rebellious and unrestrained spirit.

Truly?

How could someone look like that and still exude arrogance?

"Eunuch Li?" Mu Chuan stepped in at just the right moment, blocking Eunuch Li’s view. He didn’t want anyone to focus too much on Xiao Liulang’s appearance and end up looking down on him.

Li Sande snapped back to attention, giving a sheepish smile, "We’re almost there. By the way, why didn’t Young Master Su come this time?"

Mu Chuan replied, "My fourth brother suddenly had an urgent matter at the last moment, and has already asked Imperial Consort Xian to apologize to His Majesty on his behalf."

Imperial Consort “Xian” Wang was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Wang Family. Her elder sister-in-law, Old Madame Wang, was the younger sister of the Mu Family’s patriarch. [T/N: Xian is a title meaning virtuous person.]

Li Sande remarked with a sigh, "You all have some real guts, daring to swap rewards with the students of Canaan Academy. Aren’t you afraid His Majesty will punish you?"

Gu Jiao nodded in agreement——Exactly! Hurry up and return my gold!

Mu Chuan chuckled and said, "Canaan Academy is run by the Imperial Advisor's Hall. Do you know how many times the Emperor has allowed them to enter the imperial palace for polo games? His Majesty is probably tired of seeing them."

He had already asked Imperial Consort Xian, and it was only after she approved that he dared to proceed.

They walked along a long palace path paved with bluestone slabs. Both the Heavenly Mandate Gate and Upright Gate had checkpoints, and once they passed the Upright Gate, they entered the area where the outer court was located.

Mu Chuan introduced to Gu Jiao, "Look, to the east is the Office of the Imperial Clan, the Six Ministries, and the State Ceremonial Bureau. In earlier years, the Astronomical Bureau was also here, but after the Imperial Advisor's Hall was established, the Astronomical Bureau moved. To the west are the Imperial Court of Judicial Review and the Four Districts of the Commandery Office—Front, Rear, Left, and Right."

As they spoke, they arrived at the Meridian Gate.

The checkpoint at the Meridian Gate was noticeably stricter than at the previous three gates. If it hadn’t been for Li Sande stepping in, Gu Jiao and her companions would have almost been searched.

"They're preventing us from bringing in weapons." Mu Chuan whispered in explanation.

This journey certainly took a while, but at least they finally made it through the Meridian Gate.

The majestic and imposing Jinluan Hall came into view, like a regal lion king beneath the sky, radiating an aura of solemnity and grandeur.

Mu Chuan thought they were headed to the Jinluan Hall, but to his surprise, Li Sande led them to the Zhonghe Hall behind it.

Li Sande smiled and said, "His Majesty is still in morning court. I'll first take you to wait in a side hall."

The group arrived at the side hall of the Zhonghe Hall, where Li Sande had servants serve fresh lychees and snacks.

Perhaps sensing that his presence made them uncomfortable, Li Sande considerately went to stand guard outside the side hall door.

Except for Gu Jiao, everyone in the room began to show signs of either excitement or nervousness.

"W-we’re really about to meet the Emperor." Teacher Wu stammered, holding up a teacup, his hands trembling.

Zhao Wei and Yuan Xiao weren’t shaking their hands, but their legs were bouncing.

Mu Chuan, on the other hand, was filled with excitement and anticipation. They were finally going to meet the Emperor!

Although Mu Chuan had entered the imperial palace before, he had only ever met the imperial consorts or caught a distant glimpse of the Emperor during palace banquets. He had never been summoned to meet the Emperor face-to-face.

He felt like he could brag about this for the rest of his life!

Gu Jiao, however, seemed a bit distracted.

Was Nangong Li an idiot? Or did he not have the guts to chase them all the way to the imperial palace?

If he didn’t make a move soon, they would be meeting the Emperor and heading back before long.

Gu Jiao stood up.

Mu Chuan asked, "What are you doing?"

Gu Jiao responded with an "Oh," and said, "Going to the outhouse."

"Do you want me to accompany you?" Mu Chuan asked considerately.

Gu Jiao glanced at him, "No need."

Mu Chuan said, "Oh come on, let me go with you! It’s your first time in the palace…"

Gu Jiao replied, "Are you going to hold it for me or what?"

Mu Chuan choked suddenly!

Gu Jiao stepped out over the threshold and asked a palace maid in the corridor where the outhouse was, and the palace maid pointed the way.

Gu Jiao left the side hall and walked toward the outhouse.

As she passed by a small garden, a hurrying young palace maid came walking straight toward her. The palace maid wasn’t paying attention to where she was going and crashed right into Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao stood firm like a rock, not budging an inch, while the palace maid herself fell to the ground.

A few gold ingots fell out of her arms. She quickly grabbed the ingots into her hands, glanced at Gu Jiao briefly, and with a guilty look, lowered her head, hiding the ingots behind her back. "I-I’m sorry!"

"It’s fine." Gu Jiao said.

The palace maid bowed slightly to Gu Jiao and then ran off without looking back.

Stealing in the imperial palace?

Knowing Gu Jiao's temperament, she naturally wouldn’t bother with such matters.

Gu Jiao continued walking forward.

Just as she neared the outhouse, a breathless young eunuch hurriedly caught up, “Are… Are you Young Master Xiao?"

Gu Jiao stopped and looked at him indifferently, "I am. You are?"

The young eunuch, bent over with his hands on his knees, gasped for air as he spoke, "I’m Little Dengzi. His Majesty… His Majesty has summoned you... Eunuch Li took the others already... I’ve come to take Young Master Xiao... Please hurry... Don't keep His Majesty waiting... or else if His Majesty gets angry... Young Master Xiao will be in trouble..."

"Oh." Gu Jiao calmly turned around, "Then I'll trouble you to lead the way."

The young eunuch wiped the sweat off his neck with his sleeve, "This... this way, please!"

Gu Jiao followed him forward.

"This isn’t the way I came." Gu Jiao said.

The young eunuch replied, "That route would take too long. We’d have to go around the corridors. If we go this way, we’ll get to the Jinluan Hall in no time!"

Gu Jiao: "Oh."

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…