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

Seeing Xiao Heng lost in thought, Gu Jiao said, “Let’s stop here for today. Take your time to process it, and we can continue another day.”

“Alright.” Xiao Heng nodded.

Gu Jiao continued, "I should go check on Gu Changqing now. Ah, by the way, there's something I've been struggling to understand."

“What is it?” Xiao Heng asked.

Gu Jiao paused for a moment before saying, “Gu Changqing mentioned that the Crown Prince… wait, he’s no longer the Crown Prince. Shangguan Qi already knows I’m not the real Xiao Liulang, so why hasn’t he exposed me to the Emperor?”

Xiao Heng had analyzed this point carefully as well and replied, “Because exposing you would only prove you’re a spy, but it wouldn’t absolve him of the crime of regicide. The two matters are entirely separate. Even if he accuses you of being Shangguan Yan’s spy, where’s the evidence? Without proof, it would just be an unsubstantiated slander against Shangguan Yan.”

Gu Jiao suddenly understood. "I see now."

Xiao Heng added, “There’s another important reason. You don’t have a powerful backer. For him, the Black Wind Cavalry being in your hands is better than them falling into the hands of other noble families. It’ll be easier for him to reclaim them from you in the future.”

Gu Jiao hummed thoughtfully. “So, he’s actually using me as well. Shangguan Qi is more cunning than I imagined.”

Xiao Heng reached out to gently tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his gaze warm yet firm. “One day, he’ll realize that the person he underestimated is his most formidable enemy.”

“Speaking of enemies.” Gu Jiao frowned slightly, “It’s strange that the Crown Prince had someone by his side capable of injuring Gu Changqing. Gu Changqing had never seen this person before.”

Xiao Heng pondered for a moment. “That is indeed odd. If this person is so skilled, why weren’t they sent to participate in the selection? They should be an even more suitable candidate than Gu Changqing.”

Gu Jiao rubbed her chin. “I’ll find an opportunity to investigate the Crown Prince Estate and uncover the truth.”

“Let me investigate.” Xiao Heng said. “As the Eldest Imperial Grandson, I can find an excuse to visit the Crown Prince Estate once the Emperor wakes up. I’ll see for myself who this mysterious figure is.”

The news of Shangguan Qi being stripped of his title as Crown Prince spread to the imperial palace that very night.

Imperial Noble Consort Han was in her chambers, copying Buddhist scriptures. When she heard this disastrous news, the brush in her hand fell onto the half-finished scripture, smudging the entire page.

The Buddhist scripture was ruined in an instant.

Imperial Noble Consort Han knelt on her cushion, turning her head sharply to glare at the eunuch kneeling at the doorway. “Repeat what you just said! What happened to my son?”

The eunuch pressed his forehead to the floor, trembling all over as he stammered, “Replying… replying to Your Highness, His Highness the Second Prince attempted to assassinate the Emperor at the Imperial Advisor’s Hall. The Emperor was enraged and… and stripped His Highness of his title as Crown Prince!”

Imperial Noble Consort Han clenched the Buddhist scripture in her hands, crumpling it into a ball. “Nonsense! How could the Crown Prince possibly attempt to assassinate His Majesty?”

The eunuch quivered and replied, “This servant… this servant only just heard this news.”

Imperial Noble Consort Han shouted sharply, “Go! Summon the people closest to the Crown Prince!”

“Yes, yes!”

The eunuch scrambled out in a panic, nearly tripping over himself as he hurried away.

“There’s no need to summon anyone. It’s true.”

A low voice echoed from the shadows as a man in a black cloak stepped forward, emerging from the night.

Imperial Noble Consort Han gave a subtle glance to the head eunuch beside her.

Understanding her signal, the head eunuch led the two trusted palace maids out of the hall and closed the doors behind them.

Imperial Noble Consort Han glanced at the man, her expression no longer as disdainful as it had been in front of the servants. However, given the gravity of the situation, her face still carried a frosty demeanor.

“You’re here.” She said coldly. “What’s going on?”

The man in the black cloak sat cross-legged across from her, “It’s a tricky opponent.”

Imperial Noble Consort Han raised her eyebrows in slight surprise. “There aren’t many people you would consider tricky.”

The man let out a slow sigh, “It’s that aide from the Crown Prince Estate. This was my oversight. I failed to kill him with a single strike, and he managed to escape. The Crown Prince went after him and ended up falling into Shangguan Yan’s trap.”

Imperial Noble Consort Han asked, “This was Shangguan Yan’s doing?”

The man replied indifferently, “It could also be the Eldest Imperial Grandson. In any case, both mother and son were involved. It wasn’t an impeccable scheme, but it exploited human nature to its fullest. Additionally, the Imperial Advisor’s Hall played a rather intriguing role in this incident.”

Imperial Noble Consort Han frowned. “What do you mean by that?”

The man explained, “Given the Imperial Advisor’s status, he could have stopped the Second Prince from entering the hall to conduct a search. But he didn’t. I believe it was deliberate.”

Imperial Noble Consort Han’s disbelief was evident. “Are you saying the Imperial Advisor colluded with Shangguan Yan? That’s impossible! The downfall of Shangguan Yan and the Xuanyuan Family was entirely thanks to the Imperial Advisor!”

The man sighed and spoke slowly, “Your Highness, the most impossible things often catch people off guard. You’re too close to the matter to see clearly, while I, as an observer, can discern the situation better. If the Emperor had even the slightest suspicion about the role of the Imperial Advisor’s Hall, he wouldn’t have stripped the Second Prince of his title as Crown Prince so hastily.”

Imperial Noble Consort Han calmed herself and sneered. “So what? No matter how far the Imperial Advisor’s Hall extends its reach, it can’t touch me. I don’t care what kind of deal Shangguan Yan and the Imperial Advisor have made in secret. If she dares to reclaim her title as a princess, I have ways to deal with her!”

The man advised earnestly, “Shangguan Yan is no longer the same as she was over a decade ago. Your Highness must not underestimate her.”

Imperial Noble Consort Han scoffed. “Just a mere imperial princess. Even her mother, Xuanyuan Hanyan, was defeated by me! If an Empress couldn’t win against me, does she think being an imperial princess makes her anything special?”

The man raised his teacup and said, “Your Highness’s cunning is undoubtedly unmatched in the six palaces.”

Imperial Noble Consort Han chuckled coldly. “When it comes to palace intrigue, I’ve never lost!”

……

The night was quiet, with a clear moon and sparse stars.

A rickety carriage clattered along the road, arriving at the city gates of Shengdu’s outer city.

The guards stationed at the gate stopped the carriage. “Halt! Who goes there?”

The coachman pulled the reins, bringing the carriage to a stop.

An elderly man with a stern expression, exuding a scholarly aura, lifted the curtain of the carriage and handed over a document. “Pardon me, young brother. We’re in a hurry to enter the city.”

The guard opened the document and glanced at it. “You’re a teacher from Lingbo Academy? What were you doing outside the city?”

The old man smiled. “Ah, I went back to my hometown to visit my family.”

“The gates are closed!”

Another guard inside the city barked sharply, his tone unyielding.

Typically, once the city gates were closed, no one would be allowed entry under any circumstances.

The old man discreetly handed over a pouch of money.

The guard weighed it in his hand, the heft of the pouch more than satisfactory.

With a subtle motion, the guard tucked the pouch into his chest pocket and adopted a serious expression. “There’s been a lot happening in Shengdu lately, so anyone entering the city must undergo strict inspection. Technically, I should check your travel permit for your return journey, but the guards responsible for that inspection went off duty about fifteen minutes ago. However, considering your advanced age and the hardships of traveling in the open, I’ll make an exception for you. Wait—who else is in the carriage?”

The old man replied calmly, his demeanor unflinching, “It’s my wife.”

The guard peered into the carriage through the curtain.

Inside, he saw an elderly woman dressed plainly, clutching a jar of candied fruit and noisily chewing on a piece.

“What are you staring at?” The old woman glared at him fiercely, her tone full of hostility.

The guard froze, stunned by her sharp retort.

Was he really supposed to verify their household registration? If they claimed to be husband and wife, did that make it true?

Just at that moment, the old woman’s back began to itch, and she instinctively raised her hand to scratch it.

As soon as her hand lifted, the guard noticed the old man beside her reflexively ducking his head and covering it with his arms, as if bracing for impact.

The guard: “...”

Uh… only someone who’s been oppressed for decades would have reflexes like that.

There was no need to investigate further. If they weren’t a married couple, he would chop his own head off!

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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…

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