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墨書 Inktalez
"Yi, this is what the master instructed. Find out who caused the trouble, and once the master gives the order, then—" The old man's voice was heavy.
"Uncle Fu, tell the master that no one will escape," said the silver-haired man with a mask, his tone devoid of any emotion.
"Mm," the old man nodded with satisfaction. "The master ensures our safety for a lifetime; we must repay him with all our efforts. You are responsible for the matters of the Assassin's Guild. Do not disappoint Uncle Fu."
The man replied softly, "I understand."
"Sigh," the old man looked at his adopted son’s indifference with some pain, patting his shoulder before turning to leave. He had been out for a long time, and there were many things to attend to back at the estate; it was time to return.
The silver-haired man gazed gently at the old man as he departed before turning around and clapping his hands. "Black Hawk, you and Fierce Leopard are in charge of this matter. I want results as quickly as possible."
A strong black man who had knelt on the ground entered at some point and respectfully said, "Black Hawk takes command. I will handle it right away."
"Notify Diao Hu and Cunning Fox from Martial Arts Prosperity; I have instructions for them. You may go."
"Yes, Master."
Yi sat in a soft chair, suddenly recalling how a few years ago, their unseen master had abruptly demanded a complete overhaul of the organization and its methods. No stirring up trouble in the martial world, no indiscriminate killing of innocents, no unjust deeds, and no acting against orders. Moreover, A Bead of Pearl targeted corrupt officials, seized ill-gotten gains, rescued righteous individuals, fulfilled the people's needs, cleared out scoundrels from the martial world, established a righteous reputation, and protected those who mattered.
An organization notorious for hiring assassins gradually transformed into a celebrated righteous group in the martial world. They established an excellent security system to protect places designated by their master and carried out his commands. Years ago, Uncle Fu had saved him; after Uncle Fu left A Bead of Pearl, he took on the position of Master. Under the master's arrangement, Uncle Fu became the steward and could finally rest. Once a powerful figure in the martial world willingly stepped down for their master and felt grateful. Though he had never met that legendary master, he still held deep admiration for him—a sense of reverence that stirred within him.
What kind of person was he?
In the stillness of night, such quiet moments were perfect for me to focus on completing my work. Jun Jin's business was growing larger by the day; more clothing styles were needed, especially innovative designs. The principle of Jun Jin was to incorporate modern elements into what was popular in this era. To maintain its unique flavor, I couldn't delegate design—the most crucial task—to anyone else, not even to former royal tailors. Their designs reflected only the characteristics of this era without any innovation. Therefore, every new style had to pass through my hands. Although it was exhausting, seeing Jun Jin thrive made it all worthwhile.
"Hey, woman!" Just as I was engrossed in my sketches, someone suddenly appeared behind me.
“Ah?!” I gasped, startled, and my hand trembled, causing my drawing to be ruined. All the effort I had put in for an entire night—who was that damned fool!
I glared at the culprit, whose eyes were slightly red from staying up late, and fixed my gaze on him. “Damn you, brat!” I said, extending my hand and pinching his soft cheek without mercy, twisting it until his delicate face contorted in pain, tears welling up in his eyes.
Once I had vented enough of my frustration, I finally let him go. Oddly enough, he didn’t struggle this time.
The brat rubbed his reddened cheek where I had pinched him, looking up at me with tear-filled eyes. After a long moment, he asked, “Are you done being angry?”
Seeing his childlike face softened my heart a bit. I pulled him into my embrace and gently blew on his cheek, feeling guilty as I asked, “How is it? Does it still hurt?”
He shook his head in my arms. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.” To my surprise, he even let out a soft laugh.
“Hey, brat,” I asked gruffly, “what’s so funny?”
He didn’t answer but snuggled deeper into my embrace and sighed contentedly. “So soft, like a mother’s hug.”
A pang of emotion hit me as I murmured, “Why do you have to speak so poetically?”
“Hey, woman,” he said with a hint of pleading in his voice, “will you be my mother?”
Mother?! My instinct was to refuse; I was still young—having such a big child would be absurd! But when I saw him looking up at me with those eager eyes, my resolve softened again.
I wondered aloud, “But don’t you already have a mother?”
His gaze dimmed. “She has never held me or kissed me since the day I was born. After I was named the crown prince, she even feared me and hid away in the palace without seeing me or anyone else. She’s just a coward who avoids trouble. While I’ve been bullied and poisoned by others, she turned a blind eye just to protect herself. To me, she is nothing more than a stranger.” His tone was sorrowful; though he spoke lightly, there was an endless bitterness behind his words.
"Poor child," I held him close again, feeling an endless surge of maternal love welling up from somewhere within me, truly an overflow of motherhood.
"Promise me, okay? I just want you to be my mother," he looked at me with pleading eyes.
I couldn't bear to disappoint him and reluctantly said, "Alright then."
Upon hearing this, he wriggled out of my embrace and jumped up joyfully, excited for a while before standing in front of me, bowing respectfully, and saying earnestly, "Mother."
Looking at him, I was taken aback; I really had picked up a son. But "Mother"? How strange.
"Stop, stop, stop," I interrupted him and corrected, "If you want me to be your mother, that's fine, but you can't call me 'Mother' anymore; it makes me feel so old. How about you just call me 'Mom'?"
"Mom?!" He tilted his head in confusion. "What does that mean?"
I affectionately patted his head. "It means 'mother.'"
He hugged me again and murmured, "Mom, Mom..." over and over again, without any sign of annoyance.
I took out a piece of leftover cake from the kitchen and handed it to him. He happily accepted it and said while eating, "I wish I could eat the meals Mom makes every day. Hehe."
Seeing his innocent demeanor brought me some comfort. Usually, he had to act like a little adult in front of those women to protect himself at such a young age, which made my heart ache. What was his mother, that Consort Li, thinking to let her child struggle amidst deceit and treachery every day while turning a blind eye? How many more human feelings would be buried in this palace?
"Take your time eating." I didn't even realize how affectionate I looked at him at that moment.
I assured him, "No matter what happens in the future, I will protect you and never abandon you."
He stuffed his mouth with cake, yet looked up at me with tears in his eyes, lost in thought. After a long moment, he wiped away his tears and lowered his head to eat the cake again, a slight smile appearing on his lips as he said, "Mm." No one had ever told him this before. Never. Though they were all consorts of the same emperor, they only sought ways to harm him; no one had ever cared for him. He thought he would never encounter such kindness in his life. But—heaven favored him, and he met her.
"By the way, how did you end up here all alone?"
He gasped, remembering that he had sneaked out because he wanted to see her—so desperately. If the palace maids or eunuchs found out, there would be chaos in the palace again.
He hurriedly set down his plate, flustered as he walked away while saying, "Mother, I will come to see you again." Then he flashed a big smile and rushed off.
I watched him, so innocent and adorable, standing there unable to contain my laughter.
This child. Ha ha.
Suda stood in the shadow outside the door, staring blankly at that warm maternal smile. Why? Why could she do this? That boy she knew was Consort Li's child and the current crown prince; every woman in the harem despised him. Even she had once hated that proud and arrogant child. But why could she make him willingly drop his facade and act like any innocent child, playfully chatting with his mother?
Why was she so special? Suda couldn't understand.
Watching that oblivious woman return to her desk with a smile still on her lips as she continued to draw, Suda gazed at her under the soft light, her expression gentle and serene. In her heart was an endless curiosity—who was this mysterious woman?
After being disgraced and demoted to the Cold Palace, she not only refused to be disheartened or lost but also managed to arrange her life well and care for those madwomen without complaint. Moreover, she could secretly bring so many things into the palace without anyone noticing. It was truly astonishing, leaving one in awe and admiration.
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