Chapter 102: The Birthday Celebration Begins

Anyone who knew Lord Wuyou, or was familiar with Chu Sheng, the wielder of the Shadow Dragon Twin Swords, would have been utterly shocked to hear Chu Sheng address Lord Wuyou in such a way. No one would have imagined that Lord Wuyou and Chu Sheng were, in fact, blood brothers. Yet, this was indeed the truth—they were siblings born of the same mother. The enigmatic Lord Wuyou, who puzzled so many, also bore the surname Chu; his full name was Chu Wuyou. However, as the master of the Mechanisms Hall, the title "Lord Wuyou" had overshadowed his given name, to the point that most had long forgotten it.

At this moment, Lord Wuyou gazed at his younger brother, whose face was deathly pale, and a wave of sorrow washed over him. "A-Sheng, do you realize you've stirred up serious trouble?"

Chu Sheng lowered his head, looking for all the world like a child caught in wrongdoing. "Brother, I didn't intend for this to happen. It's just that my illness has worsened lately—I fear I won't last much longer. If I don't save him soon, it will be too late! That child is all I have left from Qianqian. No matter how perilous, I must save him."

Lord Wuyou sighed heavily, his heart aching. "But you took a terrible risk this time, daring to infiltrate the Prince Xian's residence and attempt to assassinate the Empress Dowager. Don’t you realize the Prince Xian is far more formidable than you imagine? You are lucky to have escaped with your life. My nephew's fate is indeed fraught with hardship. Very well, tell me—this time, what can I do to help you?"

Chu Sheng hesitated for a moment before replying, "If you truly wish to help me, Brother, could you secure a way for me to enter the Imperial Palace during the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration next week?" He seemed to realize that his request was excessive; if Lord Wuyou could not assist, he feared the mission ahead would be doomed to failure.

Lord Wuyou’s head ached at the implication. "A-Sheng, you aren't still fixated on assassinating the Empress Dowager, are you? And you want to do it during her birthday celebration? Do you know how many masters and experts will be present at the palace that day? Can you guarantee your escape from such a place? What kind of employer would drive you to risk your life so recklessly?"

A shadow crossed Chu Sheng's countenance. Yet, when his eyes fell upon the bamboo cottage, all hesitation vanished. "Brother, today I coughed blood again. I summoned Jun Miaoshou, the finest imperial physician in Eastern Chu. After examining me, he said I have no more than seven days to live.

If I wish to survive, I must find the elixir he mentioned—the legendary Life-Creating Pill, left behind by Empress Ma, the first empress of our founding emperor!"

It was said that Empress Ma Ling'er had left behind a single Life-Creating Pill for future generations—an elixir capable of raising the dead, healing shattered bones, and curing all poisons. Unfortunately, the pill had been stolen from the palace over a decade ago, and its whereabouts remained unknown.

For years, Chu Sheng had stayed his hand, searching tirelessly for the pill. Rumor had it that someone might have already consumed it, but hope, however faint, was better than none. Lord Wuyou, too, had set all his resources to the task, yet no news ever came.

Upon hearing the grim diagnosis, Lord Wuyou’s anxiety was palpable. He seized Chu Sheng's arm in desperation. "What about the child? Is there truly no hope?"

Chu Sheng patted his brother's hand, but instead of answering, he asked, "Brother, do you know why I am so determined to assassinate the Empress Dowager?"

Lord Wuyou shook his head.

Chu Sheng explained, "When the leader of the First Month Organization first approached me with this task, I refused. I would not normally provoke the royal family if I could avoid it. But when he revealed he possessed the Life-Creating Pill—the very elixir that could save me—I agreed without hesitation.

It was my miscalculation, both underestimating the Empress Dowager and the Prince Xian’s residence, that led to the failure of the assassination attempt. When I sought out the employer to demand the pill in advance, he only gave me half. That half alone extended my life by three years.

To obtain the remaining half, I must continue with the mission. This time, the task is to create chaos during the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration, to disrupt her festivities in coordination with the First Month Organization."

Lord Wuyou was silent for a long moment, then turned and walked toward the edge of the bamboo grove. "A-Sheng, allow me to make the arrangements. Come to the Mechanisms Hall on the day of the Empress Dowager's birthday. Also, I told Bai Li Xian that your residence is near the Chu Tan River—do not return there for now."

His voice faded into the distance, disappearing among the bamboo. Upon returning to the Mechanisms Hall, Lord Wuyou issued order after order, his face etched with deep concern.

Liu Ling’er, too, had been exceedingly busy these past two weeks. Her days were packed: rising early to buy breakfast, practicing sword-dance, teaching little Shuangshuang martial arts, and occasionally acting as the household manager to keep the accounts in order. On top of all this, she was responsible for handling the petty squabbles of Bai Li Xian’s concubines as the princess consort.

Most nights, she collapsed into bed and fell instantly asleep. As for Bai Li Xian, who left early and returned late, she barely saw him at all—he seemed even busier than she, though he did not need to attend court. What could he possibly be plotting?

Unnoticed, time slipped by in the midst of their busyness until, at last, the Empress Dowager’s birthday arrived—the twenty-eighth day of the third lunar month in Eastern Chu. The celebration had begun.