Chapter 143: The Honored Lawmaster

Seeing is believing, but hearing is deceiving. At the very first glance at Chu Xiaosheng, Chu Sheng immediately realized that the ailment that had plagued Chu Xiaosheng for so many years had completely vanished.

Though unsure how Liu Linger had achieved this, the fact remained undeniable. Even a consummate master like Chu Sheng showed a rare, ecstatic joy, half-crouching as he embraced Chu Xiaosheng. An inscrutable expression crossed Chu Sheng’s face as he murmured repeatedly, “Qian’er, do you see? Xiaosheng is well now; he will never suffer from illness again.”

At that moment, Chu Xiaosheng tugged on Chu Sheng’s sleeve and pointed at Liu Linger. “Father, she has the same dagger as mine. Is she my mother?”

What a stubborn child! No matter how many times it was explained, why would he not believe? Liu Linger was speechless and a bit embarrassed. Did she really look like a young stepmother? She hardly seemed fierce enough for that role.

Chu Sheng cast a slightly apologetic glance at Liu Linger before explaining, “Xiaosheng, how could the virtuous princess consort be your mother? When danger befell me, I entrusted my Three-Star Dagger to the princess consort as a token, so she could help cure you and care for you.”

Upon hearing this, a trace of understanding dawned on Chu Xiaosheng’s face. He then bowed slightly to Liu Linger and apologized, “Sister Liu, actually, I have long wished for a mother. I called you that all these days hoping you wouldn’t mind.”

“You’re such a good boy. But from now on, don’t call me mother anymore. I wish I had a child as sensible as you. Just call me Sister Liu, that’s enough!” Finally clarifying her position, Liu Linger felt relieved. At just over a dozen years old herself, being called ‘mother’ made her feel old beyond her years.

Chu Xiaosheng pulled out the dagger Liu Linger had given him, carefully wrapped in an old handkerchief, and handed both to Chu Sheng. “Father, this is your dagger, and this handkerchief is also from Sister Liu for you.”

Chu Sheng took the handkerchief and gazed at the embroidered character “Qian” in one corner. His eyes suddenly glazed over, as if the lovely maiden was right before him—smiling gently, refined and elegant. Chu Xiaosheng then asked again, “Father, you said the one with the same dagger as mine is my mother, but how come you also have this Three-Star Dagger? How many such daggers exist in the world?”

Fortunately, the handkerchief had been left with Liu Linger that day. Had it been lost elsewhere, Chu Sheng might have carried a lifelong regret. Gratefully, he looked at Liu Linger and explained, “There are three. Only three Three-Star Daggers exist in the world: one with you, one with me, and one with Qian—your mother.”

Uttering a character from Chu Xiaosheng’s mother’s name, Chu Sheng quickly stopped himself, his tone tinged with sadness. “Xiaosheng, would you accompany me back to the bamboo grove?”

Unexpectedly, the usually obedient Chu Xiaosheng hesitated and even stepped back two paces, making it clear he did not wish to follow Chu Sheng.

Puzzled, Chu Sheng asked, “What’s wrong? Xiaosheng, do you not want to go back? Why?”

Given Chu Xiaosheng’s character, disobedience was rare. Something must be amiss. After hesitating, his face flushed. “Father, I promised Baili Shuang I would play with her every day. Suddenly disappearing like this wouldn’t be right! Besides, the bamboo grove is too dull; it’s boring to stay there all the time.”

Previously, due to his poor health, Chu Xiaosheng had little exposure beyond the bamboo grove and was unaware of the many new and exciting things outside. Children rarely resist novelty, and though mature for his age, Chu Xiaosheng was no exception.

Moreover, Baili Shuang visited him every day. Although he was not very talkative, he enjoyed playing with her. Having had no companion since childhood, he was reluctant to part with this friend after so many days together.

Chu Sheng was instantly troubled. If Chu Xiaosheng refused to go with him, he couldn’t just knock him out and drag him back. He already owed the child too much. Now that he had some own ideas, Chu Sheng wanted to accommodate them as much as possible.

Liu Linger noticed this and spoke up, “Chu Sheng, since Xiaosheng doesn’t want to return with you, why not let him stay at the virtuous prince’s mansion? I have a strong bond with Xiaosheng and will take good care of him. If you wish to see him, just come to the mansion. It won’t be a problem.”

“This… it would be troublesome for the princess consort,” Chu Sheng said, though he found the suggestion reasonable. Though he was preparing to follow Liu Linger, he had not yet done anything and felt uneasy about imposing on her to look after the child.

Liu Linger laughed softly, “It’s nothing serious. Xiaosheng’s presence will bring more liveliness to the mansion. You can rest assured.”

After bidding farewell to Chu Sheng, Liu Linger looked the child up and down and mischievously poked his cheek. “Little one, do you have feelings for our Shuangshuang?”

“No, no! Not at all!” Chu Xiaosheng stammered for a long time, unwilling to admit it. Finally unable to withstand Liu Linger’s knowing gaze, he blushed and hurried away.

That morning, just after Liu Linger finished her morning routine, a servant reported that three people had come seeking an audience with the virtuous princess consort: two men and one woman, among them a married couple.

Liu Linger found this odd. “Are you sure they want to see me and not the virtuous prince? Is he not here?”

The servant nodded confidently. “Yes, Your Highness. They specifically requested to see you. The virtuous prince is in the study attending to affairs. Shall I call him?”

“Since he’s busy, no need. I’ll go see who they are. Lead the way,” Liu Linger instructed.

Soon they arrived at the main hall. The servant asked, “Princess consort, you don’t know these three. Which would you like to meet first?”

Originally, Liu Linger intended to summon all three at once, but realizing they came in two groups, likely for separate matters, she said, “Call in the couple first.”

Shortly, a pair entered, carrying a paper bundle. Liu Linger immediately recognized them as the couple who ran Ma’s Morning Tea Shop, from whom she regularly bought breakfast to please the Empress Dowager—always stopping by each morning to get fried dough sticks.

But recently, due to her injury, she hadn’t risen early and hadn’t visited. She hadn’t expected the couple to come by today.

The woman handed the paper bundle to Liu Linger. “Virtuous princess consort, you haven’t been to our shop lately. Today, I carefully prepared some breakfast. I figured you haven’t eaten yet, so please enjoy it while it’s hot.”

Liu Linger blushed deeply. It was maddening—her stomach had just begun growling, and the woman must have heard it. But with sleep came pillows, and with hunger, delicacies. It all felt unusual.

Still, since the offer was openly generous, poisoning was unlikely. Ravenous, Liu Linger unwrapped the bundle without hesitation. “Then I won’t be polite.”

The snacks from Ma’s Morning Tea Shop were always delicious; otherwise, so many people wouldn’t line up at midnight to buy them. Having not tasted them for a while, Liu Linger found herself nostalgic.

The couple exchanged excited glances as they saw Liu Linger enjoying their food. Perhaps the sect leader would overlook their concealment of certain matters.

Halfway through her bun, the couple suddenly knelt before Liu Linger with a loud thud. “Sect leader, we pay our respects. We have doubted you before and ask for your punishment!”

Coughing, Liu Linger nearly choked on her remaining bun. She had never publicly declared the existence of the Heavenly Law Sect, nor that she was its inheriting sect leader. How could they know? And what was this “sect members” business?

Her puzzled expression seemed to herald an impending storm to the couple, who dared not move.

They knelt and shouted, “Please punish us, sect leader. We accept any penalty.”

What was going on? Liu Linger hurriedly helped them up. “Get up! I don’t understand what you’re saying!”

But their knees felt rooted to the ground. No matter how she pulled, they wouldn’t rise. Liu Linger sighed in frustration. “I am the sect leader. When I say get up, you get up. I’m not used to questioning people while they’re kneeling. Also, how did you know I am the sect leader? I’ve never revealed it, and only a few know.”

“Sect leader, do you remember how we first met?” the man from the tea shop asked as he stood.

Liu Linger thought for a moment. “It was the day your limited-edition breakfast sold out. By the time it was my turn, there was none left. I showed the virtuous prince’s token, and you remade a portion for me.”

“Your words are partly right, but also not. That was indeed our first meeting. But the real reason Mei Long and I remade your breakfast was because you showed us the sect leader’s token!” Ma Tianqiong explained, confirming the truth.

Liu Linger took out a golden token—the sect leader’s token left to her by Ma Ling’er—and showed it to the couple. “Is this the token you mean?”

Upon seeing the token, Ma Tianqiong and Mei Long immediately knelt again. “Sect leader, we await your instructions.”

Liu Linger’s eyes widened. “What is this? I didn’t ask you to kneel. Please stand and speak.”

“Sect leader, it is forbidden. The law rules the world, and the sect members follow! When the sect leader’s token is shown, one must kneel to receive orders, or be hunted by all sect members!” Ma Tianqiong explained solemnly. His seriousness made Liu Linger wonder if he had masochistic tendencies—and who devised such a twisted rule...