Chapter 19: Instructing

“Eyes…”

Su Wei seemed to finally register the problem with her eyes. She blinked, startled to realize everything she looked at had a hazy, misty quality—somewhat like the period when she had first gone blind.

Her lashes trembled. She pressed her lips together, then lowered her voice: “This subordinate is fine. Master need not worry.”

Su He stared at her for a long while. Only after confirming there was nothing seriously wrong did she release her, murmuring softly: “Gu really likes these eyes of yours. Take good care of them.”

Su Wei’s eyes were large, and she had this habit of looking at you with her whole heart, as if in that moment you were all she had. Anyone would probably fall for that. Su He was naturally no exception.

“Alright.”

Su Wei answered quietly, obediently retreating to the side to await her Master’s orders.

The two top courtesans were truly brilliant dancers. The clothes they wore were strung with tiny chains, little bells swaying with every movement. The soft, incessant noise was grating to the nerves.

Su He blew on her tea. She gestured for the two to pause and asked gently: “Where did you get these clothes?”

One of them answered: “The Madam made them. If the honored guest would like some, she can ask the Madam.”

Su He nodded. Her peripheral vision caught Su Wei, head lowered in silence. Abruptly, she changed the subject. “This is someone I keep. I want to dress her up beautifully. Might I trouble you two for a favor?”

Su Wei belatedly realized this was about her. She stared at Su He in bewilderment, then eyed the two courtesans warily.

The courtesans exchanged glances, not rushing to agree. Su He tossed out a silver ingot, raising an eyebrow. “Now will it do?”

“It will do!”

The two courtesans naturally agreed at once, walking straight towards the resistant Su Wei without another word. “Follow us, miss.”

Su Wei was unwilling. She took two steps back, the gaze she directed at Su He now carrying a silent plea.

She truly didn’t like this place. It was too stifling, too suffocating. She could barely breathe.

“Master…” she called out softly.

Su He’s eyes were very cold as she glanced at her. “Unwilling?”

Su Wei bit her lip hard. After a few seconds, she shook her head and followed the courtesans without a trace of further resistance. She never usually handled these things. Although she had been trained in disguises, there were rarely occasions to use such skills. The two courtesans fussed over her for a good long while, finally producing a brand-new outfit.

The clothes were exactly identical to what the courtesans were wearing—covering only the chest and rear, leaving the waist and back completely exposed. Both legs gleamed pale and bare. Su Wei struggled internally for a long moment before finally changing into them. Unlike the courtesans, she had muscle. While she had lost a lot of flesh recently due to her wounds and lack of training, her lines were still very beautiful.

Awkwardly, Su Wei tried to cover herself. She still carried ugly scars. She had no idea if her Master would be repulsed by them.

Wearing these clothes, she stiffly walked over to Su He. Su Wei almost couldn’t bring herself to look up, only venturing a weak, “Master.”

But Su He’s eyes lit up. She laughed, delightedly signaling Su Wei to turn around. When she got a clear view of the tattoos on her back, her mood became even more joyful. She crooked her finger, beckoning the Shadow Guard closer.

Su Wei was so obedient. Even in great discomfort, she stood before Su He, bending down to listen to her Master. Her Master spoke very slowly, very clearly: “Go ask those two a question.”

Su Wei was taut with tension, waiting very seriously for Su He’s next words. But her Master merely laughed softly. “Go ask them how to serve someone.”

“I—” Su Wei’s pupils quivered in shock. Her body went rigid. But seeing that Su He’s words were no jest, she bit her lip and mustered the courage to go ask the question.

Her Master had given her far too strange a task.

The top courtesans snickered upon hearing it. One leaned close to Su Wei’s ear and murmured a few sentences. Instantly, Su Wei’s face flushed crimson, even her earlobes burning red. She absolutely dared not look at Su He.

Su He thoroughly enjoyed this state of Su Wei’s. She set down her teacup and asked aloud: “Is there any medicine?”

The two courtesans were initially stunned. Su He patiently asked again: “Is there any medicine?”

In a place like this, the meaning of such a question was as clear as day to the three of them. Only Su Wei stood there clueless. One of the women turned and went out to fetch the medicine, returning within moments.

The courtesan placed the medicine on the table, lowering her voice. “Honored guest, this medicine is extremely potent. Do be careful how you use it. These two humble servants will take their leave now.”

Su He tipped them again and added coolly: “Don’t let anyone else enter.”

The two courtesans signaled their understanding. As they closed the door tight behind them, only Su Wei and her Master remained in the room.

Su He poured a cup of tea and mixed in some of the medicinal powder. She had no intention of giving Su Wei too much; the days ahead were long.

“Drink.”

Su He raised the teacup. Su Wei’s hands tightened around her clothes. After meeting her Master’s eyes for a moment, she stepped forward and obediently drained the cup.

She didn’t know what kind of drug it was. She drank only because it was Su He who gave it.

But Su Wei could never have imagined the drug’s kick would be so strong. Not long after, her body began failing her again. Her legs went weak; even her thighs flushed with color. Eventually, she collapsed to the floor, eyes wet as she looked at Su He, panting in shallow little gasps, gaze growing blurred and unfocused.

“Su Wei. What did that person teach you earlier?”

Su Wei’s mind was heavy and sluggish. She sat there pondering for a moment, then laboriously pushed herself upright. Swaying unsteadily, she walked towards her Master. After a single moment of hesitation, she took the initiative to sit down directly on Su He’s lap.

They were face to face.

Su Wei’s hand touched her own lower abdomen. There was a small clasp on the side of these clothes; a flick of her fingertip could undo all the concealing fabric. She licked her lips, her entire body burning hot.

Su He’s hands hung loosely at her sides, neither struggling nor touching Su Wei. She simply waited quietly for the Shadow Guard to act on her own.

“She said…” Su Wei raised her head, her hand moving downwards. The moment she started to act, Su He stopped her. She froze, not understanding why she wasn’t allowed to continue.

She felt so terrible.

Su He breathed out slowly. Her expression was utterly indifferent, but her hands did not stop their work. In the end, Su Wei truly couldn’t bear it anymore. Her whole body shuddered, hands bracing against Su He’s shoulders as she gasped.

Su He lifted her hand, holding it to Su Wei’s lips. She murmured: “Lick it clean.”

Su Wei didn’t have a clue how to refuse. Eyes rimmed red, she pressed closer to Su He and obediently took Su He’s fingers into her mouth. Following the order, she completed the task.

Su He asked again: “Does it feel terrible?”

“Terrible.”

“Then what should be done about it?”

Su Wei fell silent once more. This question was simply too hard for her to think through right now. Her hands unconsciously touched herself, pupils struggling to focus. All she knew was that she was so hot; she desperately wanted… wanted…

“Did she not teach you?”

Su Wei thought about it, then nodded. Mouth opening slightly, the tip of her tongue peeking out. “She taught.”

But she didn’t know how. What would she do if she didn’t know?

Su Wei thought for a few seconds. She stretched out a hand, hooked it around Su He’s neck, lowered her head, and kissed her Master.