Chapter 15: A Mother’s Heart

“Hmph~”

Lin Hansu truly hadn’t expected Ding Suian to say something so shameless, but she had only intended to tease him, so she said, “This Princess brought it here precisely to bestow upon you.”

“Bestow upon me?” After his surprise, Ding Suian looked serious. “Speak! Who does the Princess Consort want me to kill?”

“Pfft~ Look at your lack of ambition! Willing to risk your life for a mere saber~” Lin Hansu chuckled, then continued, “Look closely, what’s different about this saber?”

Ding Suian re-examined the precious saber in his hand. A circle of complex, incomprehensible Talismans was engraved at the base of the blade, and the words ‘Kunwu’ were inscribed on the spine.

Other than that, he really couldn’t say what was special about the saber.

Lin Hansu felt like she was casting pearls before swine and had to explain herself, “This saber is named Kunwu. It is said to have once belonged to Emperor Ning of the previous dynasty. Of course, it could also be a fabrication by later generations.”

Emperor Ning of the previous dynasty was the number one villain in all the Great Wu storybooks.

This person established the Great Ning dynasty using his surname as the national title, but it perished within a single generation. He was posthumously granted the evil epithet ‘Emperor Li’ by the current Emperor.

Labels like lecherous and debauched, tyrannical and lawless, persecuting loyal officials, and ruthless exploitation were all attached to him.

Furthermore, it was rumored that Emperor Ning Li’s Empress was a demoness.

Ding Suian had heard many rumors about demons since childhood: terrifying ones, alluring ones, bizarre ones, and even provocative, wanton, and self-sacrificing ones.

Even the West Yamen Shadow Division he joined was tasked with observing demons.

But over the years, he had only once, at the age of six, distantly witnessed a demon-hunting scene. A pig demon had somehow infiltrated Central Heaven City, transforming into a mad beggar, and was coincidentally exposed by a passing Cultivator of the State Religion.

With a single ‘Demon-Detecting True Incantation’ from the Cultivator of the State Religion, the beggar struggled, twisted, and fell to the ground, emitting pig squeals.

However, until the pig demon was taken away by the State Religion, it never revealed its true form.

This greatly disappointed Ding Suian, who had been eager to see the pig demon transform.

“Here~ Look at what’s in the other brocade box,” Lin Hansu called out again.

Ding Suian obediently opened the square brocade box.

Inside the box were ten smaller hexagonal brocade boxes, all inscribed with ‘huaju pill’, and below that, small characters reading ‘Made by Imperial Pharmacy Bureau’.

It was precisely the type of Medicinal Pill that Lin Dafu had been refused last month.

The Great Wu enforced a Medicinal Pill monopoly system; those not in the military were forbidden from purchasing them. Even active military officers purchasing Medicinal Pills had to register their names and have records kept, to prevent them from flowing into the market.

Of course, this was merely the superficial law.

In reality, this decree had long existed in name only.

The official departments in Great Wu that could legally refine and sell Medicinal Pills included the Ministry of War, the eleven Prefectural Military Commands, influential vassal kings, and the Imperial Pharmacy Bureau in the Imperial City.

And the Rites and Dao sects, which could only refine elixirs for their own use.

Among them, the Imperial Pharmacy Bureau in the Imperial City, which used the most exquisite ingredients and the most meticulous preparation, often had its Medicinal Pills bestowed by the imperial court as rewards to meritorious generals.

Ordinary huaju pills on the market cost around fifty taels each. Medicinal Pills from the Imperial Pharmacy Bureau required double the price and were often unavailable despite their value.

Under normal circumstances, a low-ranking soldier like Ding Suian would basically have no chance with such Medicinal Pills, except for the rare event of risking his life on the battlefield and accumulating merits for rewards.

Lin Hansu had initially said she would sponsor, no, she said she would cover his Medicinal Pills.

But she hadn’t specified the quality of the Medicinal Pills. Now, she was offering top-grade Medicinal Pills from the Imperial Pharmacy Bureau.

My rich older sister, you are truly wonderful!

“Princess Consort, I cannot accept such a gift without earning it.” He had to be polite, right?

“Don’t act coy in front of this Princess after getting a good deal!”

Lin Hansu cast a sidelong glance from her Phoenix eyes, feigning cold arrogance. “In a few days, it will be the Prince of Lanyang’s twenty-eighth death anniversary, and this Princess must personally go to Jintai Temple to pay respects. Yet, I feel a subtle unease. You must diligently hone your skills so you can protect me when it matters.”

As an Imperial Guard, Lin Hansu’s safety was Ding Suian’s top priority.

“Princess Consort, you needn’t worry about this matter. My An Squad will surely ensure your safety.”

“Mm.” Lin Hansu responded faintly, yet there was a hint of deeply hidden indulgence in her tone. “I had originally planned to give you this saber for your birthday next month, but I’m giving it to you early so you can get familiar with it.”

Ding Suian was startled, and asked in confusion, “How does the Princess Consort know my birthday is next month?”

“That night on the twenty-fourth of last month, you personally said that you had known your esteemed father for eighteen years, ten months, and nine days. Calculating from that, isn’t your birthday the fifteenth of the first lunar month?”

“…”

She remembered something he had casually mentioned?

The feeling of being sponsored by an overbearing female CEO was growing stronger.

Seeing Ding Suian in a daze, Lin Hansu assumed he was touched and couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile. She was older than him and believed she had more experience. Now that Ding Suian had ‘expressed his feelings’ for her, even if Lin Hansu had a good impression of him, she still needed to be the one in control of the pace.

Lest Young Master Ding become too bold, cause trouble, and bring disaster upon them both.

“Alright, this Princess will head back now. Remember to arrange the accompanying guards for the nineteenth.”

As Lin Hansu stood up, she deliberately lifted her skirt, revealing the Shouzheng Temple sachet tied to her waist.

Ding Suian turned to see her off, wondering if he should still ask about the money.

But she had just given him Medicinal Pills and a precious saber; to immediately ask for payment now would seem somewhat heartless and ungrateful.

It doesn’t fit my character!

Lin Hansu had already reached the door, but suddenly turned back to look at Ding Suian. Seeing him hesitate, as if he had something on his mind, her heart softened. After a moment of silence, she suddenly whispered in a gentle tone, “I already understand your intentions. But this matter is fraught with obstacles and cannot be accomplished in a day or two. You should focus on honing your skills, and in the future, I will help you secure a respectable official position.”

At this point, Lin Hansu also seemed to feel that their affair was too difficult. She couldn’t help but turn her head to look at the bleak winter scenery outside, her Phoenix eyes slightly bewildered. “Even if this matter cannot be achieved, I must still do right by you, so as not to waste your sincere intentions.”

On the same day.

Second Brother Du and Third Master Du were invited by Madam Wu to the Mianze Pavilion in the Prince’s Estate.

Madam Wu, who was usually quite strict with the two brothers, was exceptionally kind today. Not only did she have the kitchen prepare a few small dishes they loved as children, but she also broke tradition and shared a few cups of wine with them.

As the sun set at Xu Shi (7-9 PM) and the two brothers were about to leave, Madam Wu suddenly said, “Second Brother, Third Son, your mother has always been strict with you two. You don’t blame your mother, do you?”

Speaking of this, both of them harbored some resentment.

From childhood, Madam Wu had been devoted to Du Jue, paying little attention to her own biological sons.

But neither of them showed it, only repeatedly saying, “Mother’s painstaking efforts, your sons understand.”

Seeing this, Madam Wu said no more, finally admonishing them, “From now on, you two brothers must be kind to each other. Third Son, your temper is volatile, so discuss things more with Second Brother when problems arise.”

The Old Woman was a bit strange today, but the two brothers just thought she was drunk and rambling, so they didn’t think much of it. They agreed and then left.

Afterward, Madam Wu, accompanied by Granny Liu, went to the Buddhist hall.

Madam Wu knelt before the Bodhisattva Guanyin, her eyes slightly closed, her fingers continuously twirling prayer beads, her lips silently moving. No one knew what she was praying for.

After a long while, Granny Liu, who was standing by, suddenly said with a sorrowful voice, “Old Ancestor, must it really be this way?”

Madam Wu opened her eyes at the words, slowly looked at the Bodhisattva statue, then devoutly knelt and kowtowed, before slowly saying, “If I don’t go with her, the imperial court will surely suspect Second Brother and Third Son.”

“The Lin clan is merely a merchant’s daughter, a cheap life. Old Ancestor, if you take your time, there will always be a way.”

“It won’t work now. She’s become wary, making it difficult to act. I’m old, how can I outlast her? If I leave early, she will definitely not spare Second Brother and Third Son. Furthermore, His Majesty just issued an edict praising her as a ‘model woman.’ If she dies mysteriously in the inner chambers, where would the imperial court’s dignity be?”

Granny Liu lowered her head, wiping away tears, and remained silent.

Madam Wu, however, was composed, speaking slowly, “After I’m gone, instruct Second Brother and Third Son. They can petition the imperial court for Second Brother’s eldest son to be adopted by Du Jue and inherit the Prince of Lanyang title. If the imperial court agrees, have him divide half of the Prince’s estate with Third Son. If the imperial court does not respond, absolutely do not force it. Just let Second Brother inherit the Prince’s estate and give five-tenths of Lin’s dowry to Third Son. Their talents are insufficient, so it’s better for them to be wealthy gentlemen and not participate in political affairs.”

“Second Master and Third Master do not yet know the extent of Old Ancestor’s plans for them.”

“No need to tell them about this. Third Son is quick-mouthed; if he speaks out while drunk, it could cause unnecessary trouble.” Madam Wu paused, and a hint of emotion finally appeared on her otherwise placid face. “As a mother, all I hope for is the prosperity of my children and grandchildren. Whether they know of my painstaking efforts or not, it doesn’t matter.”

“Old Ancestor, allow this old servant to accompany you.”

“No, the affairs of the estate still require you and Steward Hou to assist Second Brother and Third Son. I’ll just take Old Woman Li.”

Granny Liu wiped her tears, her face showing a hint of hatred. “It’s all that grunt surnamed Ding’s fault! If not for his interference, why would Old Ancestor be forced to resort to this desperate plan?”

“Hehe~” Madam Wu rarely laughed. “Since that day, Lin has regarded him as her confidant. This time when she leaves the estate, she will surely bring him along. It’ll be convenient to eliminate them both.”

“Killing this little scoundrel won’t even quell this old servant’s hatred!”

“Amitabha! Before the Bodhisattva, one must not harbor anger!” Madam Wu recited a Buddhist chant, twirling her prayer beads and murmuring, “Anger, arising from suffering, is characterized by resentment, and serves as the basis for evil deeds.”

With that, she clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and prayed, “May the Bodhisattva bless Lin to enter Avici Hell, to suffer eternal Reincarnation. May the Bodhisattva bless my children and grandchildren with everlasting prosperity.”

Candlelight spilled across Madam Wu’s face, making her appear kind and compassionate