Chapter 22: Heart’s Desire

It was several days later before the He Erqi Tribe’s princess officially confirmed her date to enter the palace. Su He had long since received word of her arrival but chose to make no move, feigning complete ignorance and letting the little princess wander about as she pleased.

The day of her entrance into the palace was nothing short of grand. Su Wei had been suffering from insomnia for quite some time; after drinking her medicine, she was perpetually drowsy, but the moment she actually lay down, all desire for sleep vanished.

She had lost more weight.

The clothes Su He had prepared for her were now all a bit too loose. Even last night, her master had told her to eat properly.

Su Wei finished dressing. Her hearing was growing worse and worse. The Imperial Physician had examined her but could offer no explanation, only telling her to come daily for acupuncture and medicine. The external wounds on her body were healing somewhat, at least.

But the injury had reached her foundation; even circulating her Inner Strength was now extremely difficult.

Today, she put her Shadow Guard uniform back on and tied her hair up. Looking at her familiar self, a hint of a smile touched her lips.

This set of clothes was still the most comfortable, after all.

Su Wei pushed the door open. Her master had given her a task: she was to guard the Imperial Study. Not hidden in the shadows, but standing openly and clearly outside the door.

“A noble guest is arriving today, everyone move quickly!”

Su Wei could faintly make out a bit of the sound. She turned her head to look and realized many people outside were bustling about. She observed for a moment, startled by how lively it was today. It was a pity she couldn’t hear; she missed many movements.

She took a deep breath and started walking toward the Imperial Study. She had just approached the entrance when she heard the sound of a teacup hitting the floor. She looked up, and without a second thought, pushed the door open and rushed in.

.

Long before Su Wei arrived, Su He had already had an encounter with the little princess. She was reviewing memorials when she heard a sound outside the window. Without batting an eye, she ordered the Shadow Guards to stand down, watching with amusement as the intruder slipped in.

The woman was dressed in a red outfit, her shoulders, waist, and calves all exposed. A silver bell chain was strung around her waist, and a thin gold bracelet adorned her ankle. Her makeup was flawless, vastly amplifying her natural assets. When she landed steadily on the ground, a soft, tinkling sound came from her, yet it wasn’t grating.

“Your Majesty.” The woman performed a slightly improper bow. “I am He Erlu. I have long wanted to meet Your Majesty. You won’t blame me for my offense, will you?”

Su He put down the memorial and shook her head. “How could I? You are a noble guest, after all. Though this method of entry is indeed rather impolite.”

“But you are even more beautiful than in the portraits.”

He Erlu, like a young girl experiencing her first crush, shyly lowered her eyes, then timidly looked up again. “Your Majesty is also very beautiful. The most beautiful person I have ever seen.”

As she spoke, she walked up to Su He, pushed the memorials aside, and propped herself on the desk, sitting on its edge, face to face with Su He.

“Your Majesty, are you tired? Why don’t you let He Erlu massage your shoulders?”

As she spoke, He Erlu’s hand reached out, but Su He deftly evaded it. The Female Emperor unhurriedly crossed her legs and leaned back—a posture of utmost relaxation. “Little Princess, Gu is not yet so familiar with you.”

He Erlu looked a little aggrieved. “It doesn’t matter. In our He Erqi Tribe, as long as two people find each other agreeable, whether man or woman, they can seek pleasure together—”

Her words stopped abruptly. The dagger in Su He’s hand was pressed directly against her neck, as if it could take her life in the next second.

“Little Princess, there’s no rush. The days are long.” Su He raised an eyebrow, her eyes arrogant and disdainful as she looked down at her. “The days ahead between Gu and you are many.”

He Erlu showed not the slightest fear. She lifted her chin and met Su He’s gaze for a few seconds. In the end, she yielded. “Very well. It was my offense.”

“Your Majesty, He Erlu has something for you.” He Erlu placed an exquisite sachet into Su He’s arms. She winked playfully. “I heard from your people here that giving a sachet represents affection. Then I absolutely must give one to Your Majesty.”

Before Su He could react, He Erlu immediately turned and leaped out the window. It was just that her sleeve accidentally brushed against a teacup on the edge of the desk.

The moment the porcelain shards hit the ground, Su Wei burst in, her face filled with tension as she looked at her.

“Master.” Su Wei scanned the surroundings, and only after confirming there were no other suspicious figures did her anxious heart settle. She turned to look at Su He. “Are you alright…”

Her voice grew increasingly timid, for she realized her master seemed angry; her expression was far from pleasant.

Su Wei immediately knelt on the ground, carefully looking up at her master. “Your subordinate broke the rules. I deserve punishment.”

Su He walked up to her, her tone utterly flat. “Indeed, you deserve punishment. Gu hadn’t yet summoned anyone in. What did you come charging in for?”

“I heard something break, and in my moment of panic, I just…” Su Wei didn’t finish her sentence. She watched the shape of Su He’s mouth from the corner of her eye, afraid she wouldn’t catch all the words.

In the next moment, Su He seemed to recall something. “Gu had forgotten. You are a deaf cripple now. So, I suppose it’s understandable.”

But in the very next instant, Su He turned and left. Su Wei could only catch that faint trace of fragrance lingering in the air. Her eyes trembled slightly, and she stared blankly, lost in thought at the messy desk.

.

Su Wei knelt until dusk before she received permission to rise. She had reflected on herself as well. Ever since her hearing became unclear, she had grown somewhat sensitive, becoming hyper-focused on the sounds she could hear. She had charged in without thinking. If there had been real danger, it wouldn’t have been her turn anyway.

That was a job for the other Shadow Guards.

Su Wei had no one to talk to all day, and her master certainly wouldn’t listen to her worries. She felt she must have been affected by her surroundings. She had never been like this before.

“Her Majesty says she wants you to stay by her side.” The Palace Attendant had been sent personally to summon her. “Can you still walk?”

Su Wei’s legs had gone numb from kneeling too long. Any movement sent a piercing, prickling numbness through her. But she just smiled and nodded at the attendant. “I can walk. It’s fine, don’t keep my master waiting.”

Just as she finished speaking and prepared to leave, the Palace Attendant stopped her. Su Wei turned around in confusion, seeing the other party’s troubled expression. She asked, uncomprehending.

“What is it?”

“You know, we women here, if we like someone, we embroider a sachet ourselves and toss it to our beloved.”

Su Wei gave an “mm,” but still didn’t understand. “Why bring this up all of a sudden?”

The Palace Attendant ultimately waved a hand helplessly, urging her to hurry along and not keep Su He waiting. This was all she could do.

At the time, Su Wei didn’t understand the meaning of the Palace Attendant’s words. It was only when she stood guard behind Su He that she reacted.

She saw an exquisite sachet hanging from her master’s waist. She had never seen her master wear it before. Su Wei guessed it might just be an accessory matching the outfit.

But she quickly overturned this thought.

The He Erqi Princess was truly beautiful, a flamboyant, striking beauty, different from the people here. Her nose bridge was high and elegant, her eyes deep and profound, their color seemingly a shade of green.

Even Su Wei couldn’t tear her eyes away for a moment.

“He Erlu pays respects to Your Majesty.” He Erlu’s bow was much more standard this time. Her gaze was burning, not concealing her desire for Su He in the slightest. “I wonder, has Your Majesty worn the sachet I gave you?”

“It’s a little token of my regard.”

At these words, many ministers stirred, their gazes flying towards Su He.

Su He slightly curved her lips. She hooked the sachet at her waist, lifting it up and shaking it. She raised her voice. “Gu likes it very much. Thank you.”

He Erlu shyly lowered her head and smiled. “I also have a song and dance to offer Your Majesty.”

She clapped her hands, and the musicians came out, finding a position and beginning to play.

When the sound of the bells rang out, Su Wei was distracted. Her gaze quietly fell on the sachet at her master’s waist. It took her a long while to digest the Palace Attendant’s words. But thinking about it, it should be like this. He Erlu had come to seek a marriage alliance. Her master was good-looking, and this princess was also good-looking.

They were indeed a perfect match—

Su Wei thought this and withdrew her gaze, shifting it to He Erlu, who was dancing. Perhaps it was because she hadn’t taken her medicine today, or for some other reason, she felt waves of double vision before her eyes, making everything seem unreal.

She rubbed her eyes and took two steps back.

“Your Majesty, the He Erqi Tribe comes with sincerity.” He Erlu finished her dance without even being out of breath and had people bring forth the jewels and treasures. “Your Majesty, this is our regard.”

Su He didn’t move a muscle. She raised a hand, gesturing for the treasures to be taken away, then lifted her wine cup towards He Erlu and drained it in one gulp, her expression unreadable.

He Erlu wasn’t impatient either, keeping Su He company in this social maneuvering.

Little food was eaten at the banquet, but much wine was drunk. Su He’s tolerance was not bad; after drinking for so long, her face wasn’t even flushed.

Su Wei silently followed behind Su He. Seeing that her master’s figure didn’t sway at all, she felt reassured.

“Su Wei.” Su He suddenly stopped in her tracks and casually tossed something over. “A gift for you.”

Su Wei reached out and caught it. It was the sachet He Erlu had given.

She immediately became anxious. “Your Majesty, I cannot accept such a valuable item.”

Su He turned around and fixed her gaze on Su Wei. “Why not? She gave it to Gu, so it is Gu’s thing now. Is Gu not allowed to give away her own things?”

Su Wei shook her head, her voice urgent. “Your subordinate didn’t mean that. I just feel its symbolism is too heavy.”

“Alright, be quiet.”

Su He directly forbade her from speaking further. She was just about to step forward when she heard the sound of bells and He Erlu’s delighted voice: “Your Majesty, what a coincidence to run into you.”

“It is indeed quite a coincidence.” Su He looked at her with a smiling face and harmless eyes. “Princess, please hurry back and rest. If there’s anything unsatisfactory, feel free to mention it.”

He Erlu lowered her eyes, and when she raised them again, she looked much more pitiable. She said, “Then may I ask for the Shadow Guard closest to you?”

At these words, the atmosphere between them vanished completely. There was no longer any smile in Su He’s eyes. She looked down upon He Erlu and said in a low voice, “The Princess is being a little too greedy.”

He Erlu smiled and didn’t deny it.

“It’s getting late. The Princess should hurry back.” Su He’s tone became gentle again, as if that other person just now hadn’t been her.

He Erlu said nothing more. As she brushed past Su He, in the instant she turned her head, she saw Su Wei holding her sachet. A pair of eyes looked at her, cautious and panicked, their gaze incredibly pure—

Truly, utterly adorable.