Chapter 123: Hidden Sorrows

Although it was unclear why Chu Sheng was hiding at Ning Susu’s place, now that she knew, she couldn’t just pretend not to see it. If Ning Susu was being held hostage by Chu Sheng, she would risk her life to save her.

With this thought, Liu Linger didn’t hesitate. She opened her eyes and looked toward the hiding place of Chu Sheng. “Come out! I know where you are!”

Ning Susu’s heart pounded nervously, almost leaping into her throat. The reason was simple: Liu Linger’s gaze was fixed exactly on the spot where she had hidden Chu Sheng.

“What’s the matter? Is the mighty Shadow Dragon Twin Swords so cowardly that he doesn’t dare to face a weak woman? Or was the rumor false, and the Shadow Dragon Twin Swords was always just a coward!” After a long silence without Chu Sheng’s appearance, Liu Linger mocked again.

“Linger, what’s wrong? Why are you talking over there? Besides us two, who else is here?” Ning Susu asked, though secretly sweating, afraid that Liu Linger would notice something.

Liu Linger glanced back at Ning Susu, then turned again to the secret passage where Chu Sheng was hiding, clearly unwilling to give up without seeing him.

Ning Susu’s heart skipped a beat. She feared Liu Linger had discovered the secret. Her worry deepened, but Liu Linger was so focused on the other person in the room that she didn’t notice Ning Susu’s unease.

Inside the secret passage, Chu Sheng sighed. Misfortune was unavoidable—one could only avoid it for a time, not forever. Resigned, he reached out and pushed open the door.

As the door swung open, applause came from behind it. “Truly worthy of being the general’s daughter. It seems the rumors were wrong. If Miss Liu had no skills, this capital would be without any capable people.”

Seeing Chu Sheng emerge from behind the door, Liu Linger’s pupils contracted sharply, but she quickly composed herself, stood, and fixed her gaze on him. “The Shadow Dragon Twin Swords have been falsely praised. But now I’m more curious—why are you hiding here with Susu? What are your intentions?”

Chu Sheng looked deeply at Ning Susu, his eyes betraying neither joy nor sorrow. Then, in his cold gaze, a hint of gratitude flickered. “Miss Ning is my lifesaver. I can never repay her kindness. How could I have any ill intentions toward her?”

What! It was Ning Susu who saved him? Had he gotten it all wrong? Liu Linger turned to Ning Susu, her eyes filled with questioning.

Ning Susu’s eyes flickered nervously like a frightened deer. Then, timidly, she said to Liu Linger, “Linger, please don’t capture him. Chu Sheng has his reasons.”

That day, Chu Sheng hid at Ning Susu’s place, narrowly escaping the imperial guards’ search. After the guards left, when Ning Susu opened the secret passage door, Chu Sheng, weakened by his injuries, had fainted.

His wounds that day were even more severe than Liu Linger’s, and reaching the secret passage was already his limit. Fortunately, he was lucky to meet kind-hearted Ning Susu. She naturally couldn’t bear to watch him die and carefully tended to him for several days, which was why Chu Sheng survived against all odds.

Though he survived, he couldn’t use his martial power. In the heavily guarded royal palace, escaping without martial skills was impossible.

Ning Susu, being kind to the end, kept Chu Sheng there, planning to decide what to do once he recovered. The reason she knew Chu Sheng’s plight was because he confided in her.

Upon hearing that Chu Sheng had desperately allied with the January Organization to assassinate the Empress Dowager in order to obtain half of the Shengsheng Creation Pill to save his son, Liu Linger’s eyes widened. She never expected the Shadow Dragon Twin Swords to be such a devoted father.

In that moment, she finally understood why Chu Sheng had fought so desperately. Deep down, she forgave him and no longer intended to capture him.

On the contrary, Liu Linger wanted to help Chu Sheng. After twisting a handkerchief for a moment, she finally made up her mind. “Chu Sheng, perhaps I can save your son.”

What! Chu Sheng was stunned. Even the foremost imperial physician of Eastern Chu, Jun Miaoshou, had been unable to save his son. Yet this virtuous princess consort claimed she could—and with such certainty. Where did her confidence come from?

His mission had failed. Obtaining the remaining half of the Shengsheng Creation Pill from the January Organization was now impossible. Whether or not Liu Linger could truly save his son, this was a glimmer of hope—and Chu Sheng would never let it go.

He immediately knelt before Liu Linger with a thud and kowtowed deeply. “I earnestly beg the virtuous princess consort to save my son. Chu Sheng will serve you faithfully, no matter the cost!”

Liu Linger quickly helped him up. “There’s no need for such formality. Since I say I can save him, I will do everything I can.”

Returning from the cold palace, the halls of Phoenix Rest Palace were bustling with hurried crowds. Seeing Liu Linger, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The scene felt strangely familiar to Liu Linger. Later she recalled a similar moment when she had sneaked away from the general’s residence to play, and the residence had a similar commotion.

Outside the room, Baili Xian hurried over. When he saw Liu Linger, he visibly relaxed but immediately grabbed her arm in urgency. “Where have you been? You made us worry and search everywhere!”