The Grand Secretary’s Pampered Wife

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Gu Jiao came to his side at some point, also gazing at the dazzling fireworks above, and said softly, “Your brother-in-law made these especially for you.”

“Hm?” He froze for a moment.

Gu Jiao continued, “Last year when you came back from the State of Liang, didn’t you say the fireworks there were beautiful, so your brother-in-law made these for you, planning to set them off for you on your twelfth birthday, but then you went to join the army.”

Although Xiao Heng never said it aloud, he had always remembered it in his heart, and as Jing Kong grew another year older, he had made even more fireworks.

He had been waiting for Jing Kong to return safely.

Gu Jiao curved her lips slightly as she looked at him and said, “Your brother-in-law really dotes on you.”

Just like doting on one’s own eldest son, strict and picky, yet if the son wanted the stars, the father would not hesitate to lift the entire galaxy and place it in his hands.

Xuanyuan Xi rubbed his slightly reddened little ear, glanced at his bad brother-in-law who was also watching the fireworks not far away, and muttered softly, “JiaoJiao dotes on me the most!”

……

After the fireworks ended, Shangguan Qing brought over osmanthus wine brewed by the palace wine master.

Xuanyuan Xi drank alcohol for the first time in his life.

Well, he was force-fed by Shangguan Qing.

He perfectly inherited Gu Jiao’s alcohol tolerance, getting drunk after just one cup.

And then he also perfectly inherited Gu Jiao’s drinking manners.

He was seen holding onto the wine jug with one hand, staggering across the grass in the small garden, taking a deep breath, and starting to sing.

“…What matters if I sing these old worn lines~ Bone white or ash gray are all mine~

In precarious times one endures~ the sight of war flames engulfing our lands~

Despite humble standings I dare not forget my homeland~ even if I should be understood by none~”

He raised his right hand to strike a pose, spun lightly, and lifted his voice into an operatic register as he sang, “People pass beneath the stage~no trace of old colors remain~the one upon the stage sings on~a heartbreak song of parting~the word ‘love’ is hard to set down in ink~she must sing it mixed with blood~the curtain rises~the curtain falls~in the end, all are merely guests~”

The youth’s figure was slender and tall, his posture elegant, his features handsome like carved jade, carrying the faint haze and dreamy disorientation of intoxication, his cheeks lightly flushed, and his singing both stirring and resonant, exuding an indescribable blend of charm and dash.

Such a young man truly made one lose their heart.

The palace maids’ hearts thumped wildly in their chests, and before they realized it, their faces had all turned shyly red.

Shangguan Qing was also drunk, listening while keeping time by patting his thigh.

When the song ended, he lifted the wine jug and shouted loudly, “Good!”

Gu Jiao sat beside Xiao Heng, resting her chin in her hand as she watched the youth who had grown so outstanding that he looked like a banished immortal, and she smiled gently as she said, “Really handsome.”

Xiao Heng: “…”

Wife, just look at me.

……

Xuanyuan Xi drank a couple more mouthfuls and became completely unconscious from drunkenness, so Xiao Heng came over and carried him on his back to take him back.

“I can… walk by myself!” He waved his hand in refusal.

Xiao Heng looked at him, both annoyed and amused. “Then walk a couple of steps for me to see.”

Xuanyuan Xi: “…”

Xiao Heng hoisted him onto his back.

Xuanyuan Xi lay against his back, pinched his shoulder lightly, and muttered, “Bad brother-in-law… why do I feel like… you’ve gotten smaller…”

“It’s because you’ve grown bigger!”

How could he possibly have gotten smaller?

An eight-year-old child and a thirteen-year-old child lying against the same back would naturally feel different.

Even while drunk, Xuanyuan Xi did not forget to worry as he asked, “C-can you carry me?”

Xiao Heng carried him toward the sleeping quarters and said, “I’m only twenty-seven, still young, how could I not carry a thirteen-year-old little brat like you?”

“Oh.” Xuanyuan Xi buried his cheek against his shoulder and said indistinctly, “Then promise me… don’t grow old too much… you and JiaoJiao… neither of you are allowed to grow old…”

Xiao Heng smiled. “Alright, we won’t grow old.”

Xuanyuan Xi wrapped his arms around Xiao Heng’s neck and muttered drunkenly, “Even if you grow old, it’s fine…”

You raised me when I was little, and I will take care of you when you are old.

The three children were tired from playing as well.

Xiao Cong was the first to slump crookedly into Duke An’s arms and fall asleep, while little Xiao Xuan was being held by Shangguan Yan and was also so sleepy he could barely keep his eyes open, his little shaved head bobbing forward and back like a chick pecking at grain.

Xiao Yan, on the other hand, still wanted to light a few more firecrackers, but unfortunately the power had already been completely drained, so she dragged her small body over to Gu Jiao with no energy left in her at all.

At this point she truly could not walk another step, so Gu Jiao picked her up in her arms.

Duke An said gently, “Let’s send the children back to sleep first, and Your Majesty should also get some rest.”

Shangguan Yan nodded, looking indulgently at Xiao Xuan sleeping soundly in her arms as she wrapped his cloak more tightly around him and said, “In this freezing weather, it really is time to head back.”

In truth, the twins were usually quite hardy, rarely falling ill no matter the wind or rain, and it was only little Xiao Xuan who had a weaker constitution and needed constant care.

“Your Majesty, let this old servant do it.” Wu Sixin said as he stepped forward, intending to take the child from Shangguan Yan’s arms and send him back to Xiao Heng and Gu Jiao’s bedchamber.

The drunken Shangguan Qing suddenly put down his wine flask and strode over in big steps. “That’s enough, that’s enough, I’ll do it. You go back with my mother.”

Shangguan Yan looked at her own son with suspicion, deeply worried that in his tipsy state he might drop and hurt her precious treasure.

Shangguan Qing had the constitution of a wine immortal, getting drunk quickly but sobering up just as fast; otherwise, back at Xiao Heng and Gu Jiao’s wedding, how could he possibly have drunk an entire table of relatives and friends under the table all by himself?

“Don’t worry, I won’t drop him. I don’t even have an heir yet, I’m counting on him to take care of me in my old age!”

Shangguan Yan shot him a fierce glare again. “After the New Year, you must choose a proper consort for me!”

Shangguan Qing awkwardly rubbed his nose.

Drinking too much really did make his mouth reckless. Of all things to bring up, why bring that up?

He grinned and said, “All right, all right, I’ll choose, I’ll choose, I will! I’ll listen to everything Imperial Mother says! I’m the most obedient!”

Shangguan Yan knew at once that he was just brushing her off, so she shook her head helplessly and said, “I really should have knocked you out with a stick and thrown you into some remote mountain ravine, just to see whether you’d have your younger brother’s luck and get picked up by one of my daughters-in-law.”

Shangguan Qing: …Mother, you’re not serious, right?

With Xiao Cong in his left arm and little Xiao Xuan in his right, Shangguan Qing sent them back to Zhaoyang Palace.

Gu Jiao, holding Xiao Yan, escorted Duke An to the palace gates.

Now that Duke An could move freely again, he looked at Gu Jiao and the little one slumped over her shoulder and sighed. “I told you not to see me off, yet you insisted on braving such strong winds to walk me this far. What if Yan’er catches a chill?”

Xiao Yan lifted one eyelid. “Grandfather, I won’t catch a chill.”

Duke An laughed despite himself.

Among the three children, Xiao Yan had the strongest constitution and the most abundant energy, and from childhood to now she really did seem never to have fallen ill with anything.

Even so, he still did not dare to be careless.

“This is far enough, I’ll be going now.”

“Goodbye, Grandfather.” Xiao Yan said, waving her little hand at him from her mother’s arms.

Duke An smiled dotingly and turned to board the carriage.

Gu Jiao lowered her head to look at the little one in her arms. “All right, let’s go back to the pa—”

Before she could finish saying the word “palace,” Xiao Yan’s eyes closed, a soft snore followed, and she fell asleep instantly.

It really hadn’t been easy for her to hold out until now.

Gu Jiao curved her lips slightly; children really were amusing.

Holding Xiao Yan, she returned to the palace.

......

T/N: The song featured in this chapter comes from

Raz P.ʼs 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, ”Donʼt abandon me, alri—”

Shi Dai responded, ”Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah.”

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

He hasnʼt finished his lines yet though…