Chapter 111 Secret Matters: The Dead Cannot Win Against the Living
"Miss...do you already have a plan?" Shen Ao cautiously probed.
Wushuang said calmly, "Manager Shen, you must remember that everything I do will bring a hundredfold or a thousandfold return to the inner workshop in the future. Thinking about it this way, all the efforts I have made now are worthwhile."
"What...do you want to do?"
"I want to forge one hundred fine steel swords."
"One hundred?" Shen Ao's inner calculations were already running.
Wushuang didn't even bother to look at him. "No need to calculate it. Don't use the money from selling it to the Ministry of War to calculate it. It's just refined steel. You and I both know what materials are needed. Besides, it's a very profitable business."
"A hundred fine steel swords can force Xingguofang to leave?" Shen Ao found it hard to believe. Looking at Wushuang's calm expression, he could only suppress his doubts.
With no hands, she wielded her sword with flourish, the longsword neatly sheathed behind her back. "You had the same expression before you severed the Flowing Gold Sword."
Shen Ao dared not ask any more questions, and bowed deeply to Wushuang with his fists clasped, "Then... I'll have to trouble Miss Wushuang."
"Just remember this," the peerless sword sheathed, his eyes as deep as an icy pool, "I'm just like you, even... I want Xingguofang to be utterly destroyed more than you do..."
"Why?" Shen Ao blurted out uncontrollably.
Wushuang smiled, her dimples appearing and disappearing. "Because my name is Wushuang, the Wushuang of 'unparalleled in the world.' I can't stand the existence of anything outside the inner workshop in the world. Manager Shen, I am the same as you. Xingguo Workshop, we will return to where we came from. It was so back then, and it is so now."
These words ignited Shen Ao's resolve, and he was about to agree when he suddenly looked troubled. "However, the Emperor and the Crown Prince have just visited Xingguo Ward in person. If the Inner Ward openly opposes Xingguo Ward, won't the Emperor blame us...?"
A glint flashed in his eyes. "The fine steel sword is forged. The rest, Your Highness knows what to do."
Mu Lexiu? Shen Ao's frail body swayed again, and he couldn't help but glance at Wushuang. He saw that she looked confident and composed, as if everything was under her control. Wushuang, a female swordswoman from another land who performed at Shiya Pavilion, could so casually assign tasks to the Second Prince of the current dynasty? Mu Lexiu grew up by Empress Shen's side and has always been arrogant, preferring literature to martial arts, and even looking down on his own elder brother. How long has he known Wushuang? Has he already become Wushuang's devoted follower?
Impossible. Mu Lexiu had a fondness for actors, especially boys his age. It was rumored in the palace that the Second Prince also had this penchant among the nobles of Jin. Although Shen Ao was skeptical, Mu Lexiu, now sixteen or seventeen, had never shown any interest in women. But ever since he met Wushuang at Shiya Pavilion… he seemed like a different person. Even the inner quarters, which he rarely frequented before, had become his regular haunt. A few days ago, Shen Ao had a chance encounter with Mu Lexiu in the palace. This nephew, who usually ignored his uncle, actually nodded at Shen Ao—a rare occurrence… Shen Ao was so startled he tripped and almost fell flat on his face.
Wushuang… Shen Ao quietly observed her. Wushuang lived up to her name. It was indeed difficult to find a woman in the world who could match her. Her swordplay was unparalleled. She was also knowledgeable in mineral research and material processing. She gave the Mineral Color Lady painting she had drawn to Mu Lexiu. Mu Lexiu loved it every day… She was like a fairy. It was normal for the Second Prince to listen to Wushuang.
"Then I'll leave everything to Miss Wushuang." Chen Ao exhaled the pent-up frustration in his chest, respectfully clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed before departing.
Royal Palace
More than ten days have passed since Mu You returned to the palace from Xingguo Ward, and he has not yet summoned Crown Prince Shen Bi. However, A Jiu, the swordsman from Xingguo Ward who received the fish tally, enters the palace every few days. He goes to Chengen Hall, which is inaccessible to others. The palace servants whisper among themselves, saying that A Jiu has a strange appearance and is favored by the emperor, so he must have some background.
"What utter nonsense!" Luo Yichen was so angry when he bumped into the gossiping palace servants that he was about to draw his sword. "Believe me or not, I'll cut out your tongues."
The palace servants scattered in panic. Mu Chenbi, who was not far away, heard everything and his expression was complicated. Luo Yichen turned around hurriedly, sheathed his sword, and said, "They're just bored. I'll have someone sew their mouths shut later. Your Highness, please don't take it to heart."
The Emperor was wise and virtuous for half his life. He and the Empress Dowager respected each other and lived in harmony. Although there were some concubines in the harem, Mu Chenbi had very few siblings. Apart from his younger brother Mu Lexiu, he only had one younger sister. The Emperor was devoted to the affairs of state and did not care for women. Mu Chenbi grew up to be twenty years old and never even saw any jealousy or rivalry in the palace. He never expected that one day he would hear the palace servants talking about the Emperor's secrets.
Cui Jin said, "The world is vast and boundless; who knows if there are two people in the world who look alike?" Mu Chenbi had long known that there was a girl named Ajiu in Xingguo Ward who resembled him so much that Guan Ye had mistaken him for her several times. However, Mu Chenbi never took it to heart. Resemblance is natural; others would only find Ajiu amusing. But his father… upon seeing Ajiu, it would be far more than just finding her amusing…
"Your Highness," Luo Yichen tentatively began, "Last time we came out of Xingguo Ward, you rode in the same carriage as the Emperor... I didn't hear what they were saying inside, but the Emperor seemed somewhat displeased..."
"You want to ask what I said that offended Father Emperor, which is why he hasn't seen me for more than ten days?" Mu Chenbi raised her phoenix-feathered eyelashes, exuding an imposing aura without anger.
Luo Yichen quickly lowered his head, "This subordinate wouldn't dare. This subordinate was just talking nonsense."
Mu Chenbi didn't continue. Lately, he had been wondering if his father was acting this way because of Ajiu. But he had been personally raised by his father, and everyone knew how much his father valued his eldest son. How could his father neglect his own son because of a swordsman of unknown origin? His father was determined to be a wise ruler who would be remembered in history, and he had been doing so for twenty years. How could he give others something to talk about?
If it wasn't Ajiu, then what could it be? In the carriage, he had mentioned the counterfeit copper coins that had reappeared in Rongdu to his father. His reaction was calm; he patiently persuaded his son, and father and son reached an agreement without any animosity. Could it be that his father was unhappy with his private meeting with Mei Shiyu, suggesting he was forming a faction? Mu Chenbi felt a chill run down his spine. He had been made crown prince at such a young age; forming a faction? Why would it come to this…
Who were the shadow guards planted in Gongcheng Money Shop under? The Eagle Guards were in the open, while the shadow guards were in the shadows, both under the orders of the Mu royal family. Mu Lexiu? Impossible. Mu Lexiu has changed his ways lately, spending all his free time in the inner workshops… It could only be his father… But he didn’t seem to care about the counterfeit copper coins… So why send shadow guards to guard the Mei family and search for all their valuables?
The day after meeting Mei Shiyu, Mu Chenbi sent someone to inquire at the Salt and Iron Bureau. The drugs collected by the money exchange were immediately destroyed upon arrival at the Salt and Iron Bureau, with shadow guards present to witness the process—no mistakes were tolerated… Shadow guards, again the shadow guards. A thousand thoughts raced through Mu Chenbi's mind. At this moment, he suddenly longed for the wine in Cui Jinyuan.
Mu Chenbi sighed inwardly that he had spoken too soon. He didn't know the taste of sorrow yet, and he didn't need wine to drown his sorrows. Now that sorrow was surging, where was the wine?
—"The Empress has arrived."
Mu Chenbi straightened his body and regained his dignified demeanor. "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
"Chief Luo is also here." Chen Yu looked at Luo Yichen with her phoenix eyes.
Shen Yusheng was elegant and gentle, and had a good reputation in the palace. She was also very kind to Luo Yichen. Luo Yichen was not afraid when she saw her. "Your subordinate greets Your Majesty the Empress."
Mu Chenbi maintained a composed demeanor, but Shen Yu still noticed something amiss. The mother and son exchanged glances for a moment, their thoughts unspoken. Even the most taciturn Luo Yichen knew that the Empress would not visit unless there was a reason, so he bowed and quietly retreated, watching from afar without daring to look away.
"It's all my fault. I haven't paid my respects to Your Majesty for many days," Mu Chenbi said guiltily. "I even made you come to the Eastern Palace in person."
Shen Yu said kindly, "Mother misses you. My son Shen Bi has always been open-minded, but he seems a little different today."
Mu Chenbi gave a bitter smile, "You've come to see me, Mother Empress, have you also heard something?"
Shen Yu looked in the direction of Chengen Hall, "You saw him too?"
Him? It could only be Ajiu. Mu Chenbi remained silent, and Chen Yu asked again in a low voice, "He looks... exactly like you?"
Mu Chenbi's stillness was the answer, and an expression of disbelief appeared on Chen Yu's face. "Are there really two identical faces in the world? If I can't see it with my own eyes, I... can't believe it."
"The world is vast and boundless, yet who knows what it may hold..."
“You don’t need to repeat Cui Jin’s bluffing words to me,” Shen Yu interrupted her son. “How could a swordsman from Xingguo Ward, a visitor from Canglang, possibly bear the exact same appearance as the Crown Prince? The world is full of absurd things, but this matter… is truly bizarre…”
"What does Mother think?" Mu Chenbi hesitated before speaking.
Shen Yu was middle-aged, but time had been kind to her; her face showed almost no signs of aging, her skin was full and radiant, and her figure was as graceful as in her youth. She was loved and cherished by her husband, the harem was peaceful, and she was the empress. Shen Yu's life had been smooth sailing, so fulfilling that she could wake up smiling even in her dreams. Shen Yu was kind and generous, but not stupid. Of course, she could sense Mu You's occasional unusual behavior, but she didn't want to think about it, much less ask. There wasn't even a woman in the harem vying for her favor; outside the harem… the world was vast and boundless… who knew there wouldn't be…
Shen Yu's body trembled uncontrollably. She didn't understand why she suddenly remembered Cui Jin's words... Whether it was true or not, this person had left Mu You, and no one knew whether he was dead or alive. If he was dead, why should she bother with him? If he was alive... the fact that she hadn't come to see Mu You for twenty years was enough to prove that her heart was dead. The body lingers on, but the heart is as dead as dust. A person with a dead heart is not worth fearing.
"Does Mother suspect Ajiu's origins?" Mu Chenbi asked again.
His name is Ajiu. Shen Yu closed his eyes and pondered. Ajiu, nameless and without surname, what kind of person in the world would give himself a name so casually that he doesn't even have a surname? Either he is a true orphan, and being alive is already a stroke of luck, so how could he dare to ask for a name? Or... his identity is something that cannot be revealed to others, and his name, as insignificant as grass, is just a cover... Ajiu, is it a huge coincidence, or... a huge conspiracy?
Shen Yu suddenly felt a throbbing pain in her temples, her vision went black, and she swayed forward. Mu Chenbi quickly supported her, saying, "Mother, be careful."
Shen Yu calmed down and indicated that she was fine. "No one can enter or leave Canglang Island except the Pei family. It has been almost a hundred years now. Since Ajiu is about the same age as you... as long as the Pei family keeps their oath, this Ajiu must have been born on the island. Then his face is just a joke played by God."
Shen Yu stroked Mu Chenbi's chiseled face. Her beloved eldest son had an enviable face. How could Heaven create two identical masterpieces? Great blessings can only be bestowed upon one person.
“But what if…” Shen Yu continued hesitantly, “Canglang Island isn’t truly isolated from the world, with no one coming or going…”
"Does Mother think..." Mu Chenbi asked, "A-Jiu, is it related to the Cheng'en Palace?"
Shen Yu felt as if she were being pierced by needles. She possessed the favor that all women in the world longed for, yet she could not bear the imperial grace she craved. Only she knew that her position in Mu You's heart was not even as high as that of an old sword.
"Your Majesty, I have never heard of any concubines residing in Cheng'en Palace," Mu Chenbi said. "What exactly is in Cheng'en Palace? Why does Father Emperor often stay there alone? Apart from the eunuchs and Mother Empress, no one else is allowed to enter..."
"There is a sword in the Cheng'en Hall." A deep, melancholic voice lingered.
—A sword? Mu Chenbi reached for the twin-dimpled swords hanging at his waist.
“It’s just an ordinary sword.” Shen Yu’s gaze slowly slid down and settled on Mu Chenbi’s sword. “Just like the one you’re carrying, a bit older, a bit more old-fashioned, that’s all.”
—An ordinary sword? Mu Chenbi gripped the Twin Dimples Sword tightly. What others saw as an ordinary sword was a treasure to him, weighing a thousand pounds in his heart. The Twin Dimples Sword was a secret hidden deep within Mu Chenbi's heart; the old sword of Cheng'en Palace… it must also carry the untold secrets of his father. His mother had long suspected this, but refused to delve deeper. She cherished the dream of growing old and dying with her husband; she preferred to believe that inanimate objects could not prevail over the living, rather than have that dream shattered.
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