Chapter 814.2: Battle of the Actors!
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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.] [Victoria] [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] [Scorpion Princess]
C E L E S T I A L C O N Q U E R O R
[Ava C.] [kuroneko_chan] [Manon] [Sophia W.] [Val Nes]
Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧∀≦*)
The only perfect balance both parties could reach was to exchange the Little County Princess for the Crown Prince, nothing more.
Xiao Heng said, “Fine. Have your people bring the Little County Princess here, and I will have my people bring the Crown Prince. But don’t try anything clever, if more than five people come, I will kill the Crown Prince.”
This was a precaution against Han shi bringing soldiers to wipe them out.
Xiao Heng spoke with cold determination, “If we die, the Little County Princess in your hands likely won’t survive either. At worst, before we die, we’ll make sure to grant her a swift end.”
It had to be said, Xiao Heng had thought through every detail, and his words were highly convincing.
Whether he would actually kill the Little County Princess wasn’t important; what mattered was making Han shi believe that he would.
Han shi had indeed been planning to bring soldiers for an ambush, but once again, her scheme had been seen through.
To think that someone the same age as Ming Junwang could already calculate people’s minds to this extent.
Truly, the younger generation was not to be underestimated.
Han shi leaned in and whispered a few instructions to Xu Gao, who nodded in response. “Yes, Your Highness, this servant will go and fetch the Little County Princess at once.”
“The Crown Prince?” Han shi asked Xiao Heng.
Xiao Heng replied, “Once we see the Little County Princess, we will naturally bring the Crown Prince forward.”
During the Hour of the yinshi(3-5 am).
Xu Gao arrived at Bai Feng Pavilion with three people—one was An Hun, while the other two were a wet nurse and the sleeping Little County Princess.
Gu Jiao crossed his arms and gave An Hun a once-over. Despite being wounded so severely by Long Yi, he had almost fully recovered in just a day and a night. Was this the effect of the purple herb poison? His physique was truly impressive.
Gu Jiao whistled.
Little Nine went to deliver the message.
A quarter of an hour later, Long Yi carried the Crown Prince on his shoulder and used qinggong to arrive at Baifeng Pavilion.
An Hun’s eyes flashed with murderous intent as he stared at Long Yi, who had suddenly appeared.
Han shi was focused solely on retrieving the Crown Prince and didn’t want any complications arising at this moment. More importantly, she didn’t want an unexpected fight that might lead to injuries for herself or the Crown Prince.
“It’s time for the exchange, isn’t it?” She said indifferently.
“Let the Little County Princess come over first.” Xiao Heng said.
Han shi hesitated briefly before nodding at the wet nurse.
The wet nurse carried the Little County Princess forward.
An Hun kept his gaze locked on the wet nurse’s back. If they refused to hand over the Crown Prince, he would kill both of them with a single strike!
Fortunately, Xiao Heng didn’t go back on his word. “Long Yi, give them the Crown Prince.”
Long Yi, looking disgusted, tossed the Crown Prince over.
An Hun swiftly reached out and caught him.
“We’re leaving.” Xiao Heng said.
Neither side initiated a fight, not only because they were evenly matched, but also because neither wanted to risk injuring their own people.
After Xiao Heng and his group had left, the Crown Prince finally sat down on a stool, covering his swollen face which was puffed up like a pig’s head; his tears streaming down as he bitterly complained, “Imperial noble consort mother… they went too far in mistreating me!”
Han shi looked at her son, whose face was bruised and swollen from the beating, and felt as if a knife had pierced her heart. She raised her hand and carefully cupped his face, her voice filled with anger and distress. “Those scoundrels! How dare they hurt you like this, my son! Do not worry, this mother of yours will surely seek justice for you!”
However, as a thought crossed her mind, Han shi frowned slightly and asked, “But… how did you end up outside the residence in the first place?”
The Crown Prince took out a slip of paper he had kept in his robes. “I received this note and thought it was from you, imperial noble consort mother.”
Han shi took the note and examined it. The handwriting was indeed hers. She suddenly recalled the matter of the curse ritual and how the letter they had found bore handwriting identical to hers.
Han shi narrowed her eyes and murmured thoughtfully, “It seems our enemy has someone skilled in forging handwriting… But didn’t I just have Xu Gao remind you earlier today? I explicitly told you not to come to the cold palace for no reason. How could I possibly have summoned you? How did you fall for it?”
The Crown Prince, feeling ashamed, lowered his head and admitted, “I… I was careless for a moment.”
Han shi snorted coldly. “More like you became arrogant the moment you were reinstated as Crown Prince.”
The Crown Prince lowered his head further, remaining silent.
Han shi continued, “After they captured you, what did they say to you?”
The Crown Prince hesitated before replying, “They said that… imperial noble consort mother is plotting rebellion and that the Emperor in the imperial palace is a fake.”
Han shi slammed her palm onto the table. “Nonsense! Do not let yourself be fooled by their deceitful words!”
The Crown Prince quickly reassured her, “I thought the same, imperial noble consort mother!”
Han shi opened her mouth as if to say something but then hesitated. In the end, she sighed and said, “Enough, you are already injured. Hurry back to your estate and have the imperial physician take a look at you. Also, with your injuries, you likely won’t be able to attend court. Just rest at home for the next few days.”
The Crown Prince looked at her and asked, “Then… may I visit you, imperial noble consort mother?”
Han shi thought for a moment and said, “Better not. These days… the imperial palace is not at peace. Do not come to the cold palace for now.”
The Crown Prince then asked, “Then may I visit imperial father? I was only just reinstated as Crown Prince and haven’t had the chance to enter the imperial palace and formally express my gratitude.”
Han shi pondered for a moment before saying, “Wait until your imperial father has finished court, then go pay your respects. But with your injuries…”
The Crown Prince smiled slightly and said, “These minor injuries are nothing. Besides, the fact that I still insist on showing gratitude despite being wounded will only make imperial father even more moved, won’t it?”
Han shi thought to herself, that’s just a fake Emperor; what is there for him to be moved about?
But maintaining appearances was something that had to be done for the whole world to see.
Indeed, it was not something to be neglected.
After escorting the Crown Prince back to his residence, Han shi boarded a carriage and returned to the imperial palace.
The Crown Prince called for a guard and impatiently said, “Where is the lantern? Can’t you light the way properly?”
“Yes!” The guard hurriedly raised a lantern to illuminate the path ahead.
The Crown Prince returned to his courtyard and pushed open a slightly ajar door.
The guard asked, “Your Highness, are you heading to the study?”
The Crown Prince paused briefly before saying, “Dawn is almost here. It would indeed be improper to tire myself in the study. I’ll just go back to my room.”
“Please be careful.” The guard walked ahead with the lantern. When they reached the main chamber, he gently pushed open the door and bowed respectfully. “Your Highness, shall I summon a physician for you?”
The Crown Prince clasped his hands behind his back and glanced at him before saying, “No need. These small wounds are not worth making a fuss over. You may go rest. Do not wake me in the morning.”
The guard was momentarily stunned. “Uh… Understood.”
Strange. Since when did the Crown Prince start sleeping in?
Then again, he was getting older and had just returned with injuries. His body must not be able to withstand much exertion.
The guard carried the lantern and quietly withdrew.
The Crown Prince closed the door, locked the latch, and paced around the lavish and exquisitely decorated room. He picked up a plump, juicy peach from the table and took a big bite.
“So this is the Crown Prince Estate?”
The "Crown Prince"—or more accurately, Gu Chengfeng.
Gu Chengfeng muttered to himself, then suddenly let out an exclamation of surprise as he stared at the peach in his hand. “Even the peaches are this sweet?!”
Even in the dead of night, he could still enjoy chilled, fresh fruits. The Crown Prince of Great Yan truly knew how to live!
Gu Chengfeng flopped onto the bed, and the softness of it was so luxurious that he nearly let out a delighted scream.
He kicked off his shoes, holding the peach in one hand while placing the other under his head as a pillow.
Then he crossed his legs, idly swinging his foot as he smugly hummed, “That foolish woman Han shi must be feeling quite pleased with herself, thinking she’s a master negotiator, exchanging just one Little County Princess to get her Crown Prince back. Little did she know that what she actually got back… was none other than your Grandpa Feng! This is what they call… using their own tricks against them!”
Thinking back to his performance at the pavilion, he sat up and marveled at himself. “My acting was so impeccable that even Han shi, his own mother, was fooled! As expected of me!”
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…