Chapter 127: Becoming a Mother Again

Approaching closely, Ling’er finally saw clearly where the sound had come from: a thin little boy was intently practicing punches and kicks against a large tree. Even Xiao Shuangshuang could tell that this boy was seriously dedicated to his martial arts training.

Though frail, his every movement carried the essence of Chu Sheng, especially his face—it was as if he had been carved from the same mold. Ling’er only glanced briefly but was certain—the boy practicing was none other than Chu Sheng’s son, Chu Xiaosheng.

Chu Xiaosheng had long suffered from illness, his body poorly developed. Overall, he looked only a year or two older than Xiao Shuangshuang, yet exuded a sickly aura, a stark contrast to Xiao Shuangshuang’s lively and vigorous spirit.

Another poor child, Ling’er felt a deep sympathy for Chu Xiaosheng from the bottom of her heart. If before she was determined to save him because of Chu Sheng’s great paternal love, now she was willing and eager to do so of her own accord.

Xiao Shuangshuang tugged at Ling’er’s sleeve, snapping her back to the moment. “Sister Ling’er, is that the little friend you found for me? Can I talk to him now?”

Seeing the hopeful look in Xiao Shuangshuang’s eyes, Ling’er smiled softly. It was no wonder the girl was so eager—there were no other children her age in the Xian Palace, and now that she had found one, she naturally wanted to get close.

Patting Xiao Shuangshuang’s head, Ling’er said with a smile, “Of course. If you like him, I’ll bring him into the Xian Palace. Then you’ll always have someone to play with.”

“Really?” Xiao Shuangshuang’s big eyes sparkled with excitement as she imagined all the fun she and her new friend would have. And since he knew martial arts, she wouldn’t have to practice alone in boredom anymore.

Holding Xiao Shuangshuang’s hand, Ling’er walked over to the tree where Chu Xiaosheng was training and called out, “Chu Xiaosheng!”

The boy hesitated for a moment but then resumed his punches and kicks as if Ling’er and Xiao Shuangshuang were nothing more than air.

Ling’er was not offended; she simply stood there watching him practice until he finished the set. Then she stepped forward, offering him a handkerchief. “You’re sweating. Wipe it off.”

Only then did Chu Xiaosheng look up at her, but he didn’t take the handkerchief. Instead, he asked suspiciously, “Who are you? How do you know my name?”

His words were surprisingly mature for his age, leaving Ling’er momentarily speechless. Could it be that children in ancient times were precocious?

She smiled gently at him. “Who I am isn’t important. Your father, Chu Sheng, sent me to save you. How about that?”

Upon hearing his father’s name, a flicker of urgency crossed Chu Xiaosheng’s face. He hadn’t seen Chu Sheng for some time. Hearing that a woman with a child had news of his father, he hurriedly asked, “You’ve seen my father? Where is he now? You say he sent you—do you have proof?”

Calmly, Ling’er took a dagger from her bosom and waved it before him. “Recognize this?”

To avoid misunderstanding, Ling’er had specifically asked Chu Sheng for a token. Though reluctant, Chu Sheng had no other items on him and had handed her this dagger. Now it finally came in handy.

Though she only waved it briefly, Chu Xiaosheng suddenly leapt up in surprise. “This is the Sanxing dagger! How do you have this?”

Then he pulled out an identical dagger from his own bosom. Ling’er was stunned—Chu Sheng had never mentioned that Chu Xiaosheng had one. Now it seemed these two daggers were a matched pair, like a pair of lovers’ tokens.

What Ling’er never expected was that after looking at her dagger and then his own, Chu Xiaosheng suddenly threw his arms around her leg. “Mother, have you come back?”

Boom—Ling’er felt as if struck by a muffled thunderclap. Why did ancient troublemakers so easily mistake people for their mothers? Here she was, an unmarried young woman, suddenly being called “mother.” Who could explain this strange situation?

Chu Xiaosheng clung to her leg, sobbing uncontrollably. If not for the torrents of tears streaming down his face, Ling’er would have thought he was joking. Her mind became a muddled mess; she stood there utterly bewildered.

Xiao Shuangshuang, standing nearby, was not having it. She tugged at Chu Xiaosheng forcefully. “Hey! What’s wrong with you? Who’s your mother, huh? Look carefully—she’s my Sister Ling’er, not your mother!”

Xiao Shuangshuang was frustrated. She clung to Sister Ling’er every day, yet Ling’er never claimed her as a daughter, while this boy shamelessly called her mother.

Ling’er pressed a hand to her forehead, crouching down to gently pull Chu Xiaosheng aside. Her mouth twitched. “I’m not lying to you. I just got married this year. There’s no way I could have a son your age. Besides, why do you say I’m your mother?”

Chu Xiaosheng grew anxious and wiped his tears with Ling’er’s handkerchief. “The dagger! My father said my mother has a dagger just like mine. If a woman with that dagger came that day, then she must be my mother!”