Once Su He made her stance clear, she dismissed the ministers. She beckoned with her hand for Su Wei to approach.
“You’ve already visited the Shadow Guard Camp?”
Su Wei nodded. Without drawing attention, she tucked the longevity lock away. “Thank you, Master. This subordinate was very happy today.”
Su He nodded. A faint smile lingered in her eyes, her voice even. “Go tell the Palace Attendant to bring the portrait of the He Erqi Tribe’s princess.”
“Very well.” Su Wei turned and went to relay the order. The Palace Attendant seemed to have anticipated this and had the portrait delivered with impressive speed.
The He Erqi Tribe comprised the nomadic people who constantly threatened the frontier. It was said they were master horse-riders and archers, every one of them brawny and fierce.
Su Wei placed the portrait before her Master. Just as she stepped back to retreat, Su He caught her wrist and pulled her closer.
“Look at it together with Gu.” Su He unfurled the portrait with great interest. The moment the face within came into clear view, she raised an eyebrow. She didn’t offer her own assessment. Instead, she turned the question back on Su Wei. “Beautiful?”
Su Wei’s lips moved faintly. She had been stunned the instant the portrait was opened. It was so rare to encounter someone this good-looking—apart from her Master, she’d rarely ever seen the like. It was evident the He Erqi Tribe had invested considerable care in raising this princess, to be willing to send her as a tribute bride.
“Beautiful.” Su Wei answered dully. “But the Master is the most beautiful.”
This was her honest truth. Her Master was the most beautiful person she had ever seen!
Su He cast her a sidelong glance. Her fingertip landed on the face in the portrait. Her tone was nonchalant. “Su Wei, someone so beautiful would indeed be a match for Gu, wouldn’t she?”
Su Wei paused for a microsecond, then nodded quickly. “A match. The Master deserves even better.”
“Then shall Gu take her into the imperial harem?”
Su He was throwing questions at Su Wei again. Without waiting for an answer, she continued. “At that point, you would be someone Gu keeps on the outside.”
Su Wei thought for a moment. She didn’t quite agree with Su He’s phrasing. “This subordinate has always been the Master’s Shadow Guard. Not someone just kept on the outside.”
Su He was tickled by this. She laughed lightly, making a soft “tsk.” “So are you someone kept in the household, then?”
“I—” Su Wei couldn’t find the right words to respond. She dimly sensed something wasn’t right about the phrasing, but she couldn’t parse it.
Su He pinched her cheek, then lowered her head slightly to meet Su Wei’s eyes directly. “But Gu likes you the most.”
So saying, she pulled Su Wei into her embrace. The trace of warmth that had briefly flickered in her eyes was long gone, replaced by nothing but the cold, mocking amusement left after the game.
“So obedient. Little fool.”
Su He’s voice was so light, so soft, that it couldn’t even mask the sound of Su Wei’s heartbeat. The Shadow Guard was held in her Master’s arms, body stiff. Then, after a moment, she slowly, softly nuzzled against her Master’s shoulder—hearing absolutely nothing at all.
.
“The Capital really is so bustling and prosperous.”
The woman’s voice was clear and pure. A pair of clean, fair hands pushed aside the carriage curtain, looking out at the streams of people flowing through the streets. “Elder Brother, do you think the Female Emperor will like me?”
The driver glanced back, voice hearty. “My little sister is an unparalleled beauty rarely seen in this world. If she likes women, how could she not fall for you?”
The woman pursed her lips, clearly not in agreement with his words. She dropped the curtain. Her upturned, expressive eyes brimmed with soft tenderness. She wore the finest garments; thin gauze veiled her figure in sheer, illusionary layers. “But I hear the Female Emperor keeps a person constantly by her side. What if your little sister cannot compete?”
“Just a low-born, worthless wretch. You should know that clearly enough.”
The woman considered this for a moment. A hint of malice surfaced in her eyes. Her voice was very faint:
“Then I’ll simply have her killed.”
