The Grand Secretary's Pampered Wife

Chapter 688: Settling the Score

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"Your Majesty," Zhang Dequan, the Grand Eunuch of the imperial palace, returned to the imperial study drenched in sweat.

By now, night had fallen, and the sky darkened as shadows gradually engulfed the entire palace.

Though oil lamps were lit in the imperial study, the night breeze would occasionally blow, causing the oil lamps to flicker. The Emperor’s already violent and cold expression became even more unpredictable under the shifting light.

The Emperor asked in a deep voice, "Have you found out how the Little County Princess ended up there?"

Zhang Dequan reported, "This servant questioned the palace attendants around the Little County Princess carefully. It seems it was the Little County Princess herself who went there."

In other words, no one led her there.

The Emperor picked up a document and said, "That matter, proceed with it."

Zhang Dequan understood and respectfully bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will carry out the order."

That night, the dark guard who had injured the former Crown Princess from the Crown Prince's side was executed. Over a hundred members of the Crown Prince’s embroidered-uniform guards were taken away during the night, imprisoned in the dungeon, and subjected to severe interrogation.

The interrogation focused on three questions: first, whether the Crown Prince was involved in the assassination of the former Crown Princess; second, whether the Crown Prince had any part in the destruction of the imperial mausoleum; and third, whether the Crown Prince was connected to the Crown Princess's memory loss.

In the study of the Crown Prince Estate, the Crown Prince's expression was icy cold, "I truly didn’t expect that as soon as she arrived, she would give me such a severe warning."

Nangong Li agreed, "This doesn't seem like the former Crown Princess's usual behavior."

The deposed Crown Princess came from an incredibly high background, and in the face of absolute power, all schemes and intrigues were trivial. She was someone who disdained to play tricks on others.

After a moment of contemplation, Nangong Li added, "But people change, and after all that she's been through, after so many years of keeping a low profile at the imperial mausoleum, perhaps she's no longer the same person we once knew."

The Crown Prince's eyes darkened as he let out a cold snort, "After so many years, she has truly made me see her in a new light."

Nangong Li said, "I believe His Majesty's actions were not just to stand up for the former Crown Princess."

The Crown Prince sighed helplessly, "I know. Imperial father is just overly suspicious."

The Emperor was naturally suspicious. Rather than worrying about the Crown Prince bullying the deposed Crown Princess, he was more concerned with warning the Crown Prince not to harbor rebellious thoughts.

The Crown Prince stood up, paced to the window, and looked at the crescent moon on the horizon, "I am completely loyal to imperial father. How could I ever harbor rebellious thoughts?"

Nangong Li walked over to the Crown Prince's side and said, "It's not just for Your Highness to see. It's also for all the princes and the civil and military officials to witness. After all, His Majesty doesn't want a second Xuanyuan Family to emerge."

Thinking of the events from back then, the Crown Prince fell silent for a moment.

Nangong Li asked with concern, "Zhang Dequan won’t be able to extract anything during the interrogation, will he?"

The Crown Prince gave a cold smile, "I would actually like him to find something. I'm also curious—how did the bridge break, how was the imperial mausoleum destroyed, and how did the Crown Princess lose her memory? Ha, memory loss!"

Hearing this, Nangong Li understood that the Crown Prince had likely already dealt with everything that needed to be handled. The embroidered-uniform guards who had been taken away probably had nothing to do with the assassination of the Crown Princess, so no matter how they were interrogated, there wouldn't be any testimony harmful to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince's gaze turned icy as he looked at Nangong Li, "Didn't you say she had no capable people around her? So why haven't any of the men I sent returned?"

Nangong Li hurriedly bowed and said, "I secretly investigated the Crown Princess. These past years, she indeed hasn't had any skilled experts by her side. Could it be... some remnant of the Xuanyuan Family?"

The Crown Prince replied, "The Xuanyuan Family was exterminated long ago. Where would there be any remnants left?"

The men of the Xuanyuan Family had either died in battle or been executed, and even infants in swaddling clothes weren't spared. Although the women were sent to the pleasure quarters, they couldn't endure the humiliation and all took their own lives.

The Crown Prince continued, "The only remnants are the former Crown Princess and the eldest imperial grandson!"

At the mention of the eldest imperial grandson, the Crown Prince's face grew even colder, "Haven't you found that child's whereabouts yet?"

Nangong Li quickly responded, "I have already given the orders. There should be results soon."

The Crown Prince said coldly, "When you cut the weeds, you must pull out the roots."

Nangong Li replied, "This subordinate obeys!"

"Imperial father! Imperial father!"

Suddenly, a young, innocent voice called from outside the study.

The Crown Prince's icy expression immediately changed. He gave Nangong Li a look, and Nangong Li understood, swiftly hiding behind the bookshelf.

A small, unsteady toddler stumbled into the room.

The Crown Prince, now all smiles, walked over and picked up his little daughter, "Ling’er, what brings you here?"

His little daughter replied, "I couldn't sleep and missed you, imperial father."

The Crown Prince smiled and said, "How about I sleep with you, would you like that?"

"Yes! And I want imperial father to tell me a story."

"Alright, alright. What story does Ling'er want to hear?"

The Crown Prince carried his little daughter out of the study, and along the way, his laughter, full of joy and affection, could be heard.

Nangong Li emerged from the study, touched the wound on his right arm, and his gaze turned cold as he muttered, "Xiao Liulang, the debt of the father shall be paid by the son. This time, you won't escape!"

......

Gu Jiao was preparing to leave after having dinner at the Tianxiang Pavilion when suddenly, a falcon swooped down and landed on Gu Chengfeng's windowsill.

Gu Jiao was surprised, "Little Nine?"

Little Nine also looked at Gu Jiao in surprise, its wings flapping in mid-air.

The only one not surprised was Gu Chengfeng.

It seemed that Little Nine had been here more than once or twice.

A red string was tied around Little Nine's right foot, with a rolled-up note attached. Gu Jiao looked at Gu Chengfeng, who said, "Take it off and have a look. It's probably from Xiao Heng."

Gu Jiao had learned from Lady Nan that during the days she was away, Xiao Heng and Gu Chengfeng had run into each other multiple times while frequently visiting the rented house to wait for her.

However, Gu Jiao hadn't expected that the two of them would be secretly exchanging messages.

Gu Chengfeng explained, "He has many inconveniences in the inner city. If there's a day he can't leave the inner city, he told me he'll send Little Nine with a message asking me whether you've returned."

Gu Jiao untied the note from Little Nine's right foot.

The note was written in Xiao Heng's handwriting. It wasn't long—first, he asked about Gu Jiao's whereabouts, and then mentioned something important.

"What is it?" Gu Chengfeng asked when he saw Gu Jiao's expression turn cold, "Is something wrong with Xiao Heng?"

Gu Jiao handed him the note, "He ran into Nangong Li."

It was precisely because he ran into Nangong Li that Xiao Heng decided against leaving the inner city, to avoid accidentally leading Nangong Li's people to Gu Jiao.

Given Nangong Li's methods, he would surely investigate those entering Shengdu from the State of Zhao, especially focusing on the identities of "Gu Jiao" and "Xiao Liulang." In the note, Xiao Heng reminded Gu Chengfeng to pay attention to any developments at Tianqiong Academy.

Seeing this name, Gu Chengfeng's gaze darkened instantly, "It was Nangong Li who injured Gu Yan, right?"

He caused Gu Yan's heart condition to flare up, leaving him half-dead and forcing him to go to the State of Yan for surgery.

"It was him." Gu Jiao looked through the window toward the inner city, her eyes filled with murderous intent, "It's time to settle the score with Nangong Li!"

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…