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This year, Gu Jiao and Xiao Heng had brought the children to the State of Yan to celebrate the New Year.

One reason was to visit Duke An and Shangguan Yan, and another was because the situation in the State of Yan was tense, with Xuanyuan Qi having been stationed at the border for two years without returning to the capital.

It was possible that Gu Jiao herself might have to go to the battlefield.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law strolled through the imperial garden, which was covered in silver snow, while the laughter of the children occasionally drifted from behind the flower bushes ahead.

The children’s laughter was innocent, carefree, and full of pure joy.

A trace of gentle fondness passed through Shangguan Yan’s eyes.

The longer one served as a monarch, the sharper and harsher the aura one carried became, and the palace attendants had seldom seen this softer side of her.

Shangguan Yan sighed softly and said, “During this recent southwest rebellion, Jing Kong accomplished a great feat. Do you know that he volunteered to go to the southwest himself? He said that if he didn’t go, you would have to.”

Gu Jiao’s expression froze.

Shangguan Yan let out a soft sigh. “He said that from now on, you should never go to war again; he will handle all the battles. He told me and the Supreme Commander not to inform you of any military affairs, only to tell him. He said he will surely win, and he promised it.”

Gu Jiao felt as though something had struck her chest with a heavy blow.

Suddenly, she remembered the words Jing Kong had said when he first came to their home.

“JiaoJiao, you are very strong!”

“I also want to become very strong! Stronger than JiaoJiao! Then JiaoJiao won’t have to be strong!”

She had not understood at the time.

Three-year-old Little Jing Kong had lifted his head, his eyes clear and pure without a single trace of impurity, staring unwaveringly into her own, and said, “JiaoJiao, it must be hard for you, right? Master said that people who are strong have all endured a lot of hardship, and they will continue to endure even more in the future.”

Because those who are strong were destined to climb the mountain!

Climbing the mountain was hard, and descending was the comfortable part!

“JiaoJiao, wait for me to grow up. When I grow up, I will carry you up the mountain!”

If all strong people have to climb the mountain, then he would carry JiaoJiao on his back up the mountain!

JiaoJiao wouldn’t have to walk; he would bear all her hardships himself.

At the time, Gu Jiao had not really understood what it meant when a three-year-old little dumpling had spoken about climbing up and down the mountain; it was only gradually, much later, that she came to comprehend it fully.

She also finally understood why, at the age of twelve, he had suddenly decided to join the army.

His decision to abandon scholarly pursuits for a martial path was not because repeated misfortunes had made him lose confidence in the imperial examinations, but because he wanted to go to war on her behalf.

To establish a heart for Heaven and Earth, to secure life for the people, to continue the teachings of the sages, and to bring peace to all generations.

She had not even had the chance to teach him these lofty ideals, yet his mind was simple and clear.

All he wished to do was give her a world of enduring peace.

“He didn’t even tell me when he left.” She whispered softly.

“If he had told you, you wouldn’t have let him go.” Shangguan Yan said, glancing at Gu Jiao before continuing, “The southwest rebellion has been settled, and Jing Kong will be back soon. When he sees you, he will be overjoyed.”

Gu Jiao nodded.

She missed Jing Kong.

She missed him very, very much.

“Also.” Shangguan Yan paused briefly, “The situation among the six states may be about to change again.”

Ever since the last campaign against the State of Jin, the six states had enjoyed years of relative peace, but just recently, this delicate balance had been disrupted.

Shangguan Yan had proposed building a transport network for the six states, but her suggestion had been met with opposition from each state.

The reasons varied, ranging from claims of not wanting to disrupt the feng shui of their lands to complaints about the burden on the people and the cost.

But the true reason lay in a certain island known as Baoshan.

Baoshan Island was located within the territory of the State of Jin. When the State of Jin had been defeated, it had ceded many cities in the hope of securing peace, including Baoshan Island.

At the time, Baoshan Island was a desolate land that no one had cared for, so the State of Yan claimed it.

Who would have thought that the settlers who later cultivated the island would discover gold mines there, creating envy and unrest among the other states, all of whom believed that the State of Yan had deliberately concealed the mineral deposits and made everyone think it was a barren island.

Now every state wanted a share of the spoils.

And that was impossible.

Shangguan Yan would never yield.

However, the tension among the six states was not the only cause; there was also a significant factor involving the Turkic people.

The Turkic Tribe had undergone a dramatic change in leadership.

Originally, the Turkic Tribe had split off from the State of Jin and consisted of thirteen sub-tribes, which over the years had each ruled independently, constantly in conflict with one another.

It was not that no one had tried to unify the thirteen tribes, but no one had the means to succeed.

Yet three years ago, the once weakest of these the Turkic tribes suddenly rose to prominence, gradually annexing each of the other tribes one by one.

In less than three years, it had succeeded in unifying all thirteen tribes, ending hundreds of years of division within the Turkic Tribe.

Two months ago, the Turkic Tribe formally established a state, naming it Wei.

Whether or not the six states recognized it, the State of Wei had become a nation capable of inaugurating a new era of prosperity.

The State of Wei’s ruler had not yet taken the title of Emperor, instead calling himself King.

“Perhaps he intends to wait until the envoys from the six states arrive to witness his coronation ceremony before he officially ascends to the throne.” Shangguan Yan said, as she drew an imperial decree from within the wide sleeves of her robe. “This is a handwritten letter from the King of Wei, inviting the imperial families of the six states to attend his coronation.”

Gu Jiao took the letter, unable to read the Jin characters, and asked, “Do you plan to go, Mother?”

Shangguan Yan replied, “Qing’er said he wants to go, but I have always been somewhat worried, so I hope to find someone to accompany him, whether it is you or your uncle.”

Gu Jiao nodded, knowing this was not a difficult issue.

Either she could go, or Xuanyuan Qi could.

“Additionally, I must remind you of something.” Shangguan Yan said.

“What is it?” Gu Jiao asked.

Shangguan Yan frowned and said, “Rumor has it that the reason the King of Wei was able to rise from the son of the weakest tribal leader to where he is today is entirely thanks to a highly intelligent and resourceful prime minister serving under him.”

Gu Jiao instinctively asked, “What is his surname?”

Shangguan Yan answered, “Liu.”

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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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