Chapter 18: Luring

Su Wei felt the chill instantly crawl up her spine. Her hand tightened around the stabbing rod, a rare flicker of fear surging in her eyes.

She had never seen this so-called tiger before, couldn’t even hear how it had gotten there. She could only guess from reading the speaker’s lips. But from that brief encounter moments ago, she already understood the gap between them.

She couldn’t beat it. She would likely die here.

Su Wei’s lips moved. She hesitated briefly, then lowered her head. “But this subordinate cannot defeat it.”

Su He stifled a laugh, leaning down to whisper beside Su Wei’s ear. “But it likes you very much. Give it a try. If it fails, Gu will bring you out.”

“I—” Su Wei’s head swam, heavy and dizzy. She bit her lip hard, finally mustering the courage to touch the iron cage’s lock. The low growl from the tiger made her heart pound with unease, but she chose to gamble.

“You actually took that seriously?” Su He’s words carried a laugh as she grasped Su Wei’s wrist. For a fleeting instant, she was surprised—the Shadow Guard seemed thinner than before. But she dismissed the thought in the next second. “Gu was just teasing you.”

Su Wei set the stabbing rod down. She couldn’t utter a word; the tension had simply snapped. Her temples throbbed, a swelling sensation nearly buckling her knees—but her Master was partly holding her, so there was no way she would be allowed to collapse.

“That’s good, then. Tigers are far too dangerous; it’s best to avoid them.”

Su Wei murmured softly, her pupils struggling to focus, staring blankly at a fixed spot.

Su He sensed something off about her. Just as she lifted a hand to touch Su Wei’s forehead, she heard the sound of hurried footsteps rushing up from behind. She slowly lowered her hand, lifted the corners of her lips, and turned to look.

“Master!”

The Leader cried out urgently, dropping to her knees. Her gaze landed on Su Wei, her face unable to hide its anxiety. “You wouldn’t really—”

Her words died in her throat. Her eyes widened. The moment she saw Su Wei collapse, completely unconscious, she nearly lost control of herself. Thankfully, her Master caught the girl steadily.

Su He lifted Su Wei in a horizontal carry. Her expression was far from pleasant as she looked down from a height, meeting the Leader’s eyes. “What did you want to say?”

“Master.” The Leader had heard Su He intended to make Su Wei fight the tiger and had rushed over immediately. She hesitated, then grit her teeth and spoke. “Su Wei was raised by this subordinate since she was small. Her nature is pure, and she is rigidly honest. This subordinate begs Master not to—”

Su He cut her off gently, her tone almost playful. “Alright, alright. Once Gu has grown tired of playing with her, she will naturally be returned to you. Go back now.”

The Leader remained kneeling, unmoving. Her expression was complex as she gazed at Su Wei. The child had originally been the daughter of a Jiangnan merchant—she should have had a wonderful background. Unfortunately, her whole family was killed. The Leader had picked her up, and the girl had been by her side ever since. When Su Wei had been thrown into prison, the Leader had tried everything to get her out safely. But she never could have imagined things would become entangled with Su He.

Moments ago, she had seen the marks left on Su Wei’s body. She and her Master were like tangled, knotted threads—intertwined, unable to pull free.

Su He couldn’t care less what the Leader thought. Her amusement had been interrupted, her mood dipping considerably. Just as she lifted her foot to leave, she seemed to remember something and turned her head back, as if handling a trivial matter. “And don’t forget about those who leaked secrets without permission. Gu really doesn’t like such behavior. It disgusts me.”

The Leader trembled all over, slowly lowering herself to the ground as Su He walked into the distance.

.

Su Wei was likely close to losing her hearing entirely. She sat on the bed, carefully sensing the activity around her. Regrettably, she could barely hear now—only the faintest trace of sound.

At first, she had certainly been panicked. But now, she had accepted reality.

“Su Wei.”

Su He walked in, holding a silver needle kit. She moved slowly towards Su Wei. She called out, but the Shadow Guard didn’t notice her.

“Master.” A moment of blankness had flashed in Su Wei’s eyes, but the instant she recognized her Master, they lit up brightly. “You’ve returned.”

Su He nodded, gesturing for Su Wei to sit. She drew out a silver needle and inserted it into the proper acupoint.

“Can you hear?” Su He asked. “Gu asked the Imperial Physician. Just persist with the acupuncture, and it will get better.”

Su Wei listened intently, her brows unconsciously furrowing. She guessed the meaning by watching Su He’s mouth. After a moment, she nodded. “Thank you, Master.”

Su He’s eyes curved softly. Her hand landed on Su Wei’s earlobe, kneading it neither too hard nor too gently. She spoke deliberately, one word at a time. “Accompany Gu out on a trip. To meet someone.”

Su Wei couldn’t hear very well. She stared blankly at Su He, tilting her head in naive confusion, cautiously studying her Master’s expression.

“Little cripple. A little fool, too.”

Su He said nothing more, slowly withdrawing the silver needles from Su Wei’s neck.

.

They left the palace together in the afternoon, closer to dusk. Su Wei was dressed in exquisite clothing; at a glance, she looked like a young lady from a wealthy family. Her Master had taken very good care of her…

“Come down.” Wearing a mask, Su He stepped out of the carriage first. She lifted the curtain and crooked her finger. “Let’s go.”

Su Wei quickly followed. The moment she recognized the location, she froze. This place was a pleasure quarter. Why would her Master come here?

She dared to think but didn’t dare to ask. She attributed it entirely to the principle that her Master’s actions always had her reasons. Her inner burden immediately lessened.

Su He had arranged the time and place long in advance. She navigated with practiced ease to a private room, where someone was already waiting for them.

It was He Chengjiang.

Su Wei raised an eyebrow, finding it curious. He Chengjiang should logically still be handling the disaster zone; why would he pick this time to return to The Capital?

“Your Majesty.” He Chengjiang started to rise, but Su He pressed him back down.

Su He surveyed the room briefly, confirming no tricks had been played, before speaking. “Grand General He has worked hard. When we return, Gu will certainly reward you handsomely.”

He Chengjiang dared not accept it. “Your Majesty flatters your minister. The matter is still under investigation, but it is not safe to act rashly. Too many people are implicated.”

“I understand. Gu comprehends it all.”

Su He raised a teacup and blew gently on it. She didn’t drink, instead passing it to Su Wei. Her fingertip pointed in the empty air, silently commanding Su Wei to drink it all.

Su Wei didn’t hesitate. Cleanly, she drained the tea in one gulp.

“Does General He desire any other reward?”

“Your minister does indeed have one matter he would beg Your Majesty to grant.” He Chengjiang licked his dry lips. “Your minister begs Your Majesty to grant the marriage between him and the Elder Princess.”

Su He’s movements paused slightly. She lifted her eyelids, casting a cool, neither warm nor cold glance at He Chengjiang, scrutinizing him for how much credibility these words held.

Suddenly, she laughed softly. She agreed with exceptional ease. “Of course. Since you and Gu’s elder sister are mutually in love, Gu naturally cannot beat the mandarin ducks apart.”

“However—” Su He smiled, “General He must firmly remember one thing: a bird without wings can never fly, no matter what. Gu letting you stay in The Capital is already the greatest mercy to you.”

“Gu will believe for now that you truly share mutual affection with Gu’s elder sister. If not, then present your head to Gu.”

He Chengjiang knelt on one knee, voice earnest. “Thank you for your fulfillment, Your Majesty.”

Su He didn’t look at him. Her voice was soft. “Gu’s elder sister is such a fool. You are a dog who supported the Former Crown Prince. Gu’s dear elder brother tormented Gu’s sister for a long time; she, surprisingly, doesn’t hold it against you.”

“She would not vent anger on an innocent person.”

“Are you saying that Gu vents anger on the innocent?” Su He crossed her legs, leaning back against the chair in complete relaxation. Her foot pressed down on He Chengjiang’s shoulder. “General He, do not forget your own status. Make sure you never overstep.”

He Chengjiang replied humbly, unyielding. “Your minister will remember.”

Su He snorted a laugh. She didn’t trouble He Chengjiang further. Her gaze fell on Su Wei, and a sudden spark of interest ignited. She crooked her finger for Su Wei to lean closer, then told the Shadow Guard: “Go summon two people to accompany Gu.”

“Yes.” Su Wei was initially a bit stunned, but quickly adjusted. Her Master needed company, so she would find it. It didn’t have to be her.

Su Wei informed the Madam. The Madam remembered Su He—the noble bearing was impossible to mask. The Madam laughed with delight and selected two men with excellent figures and appearances to send upstairs, thinking she was finally going to make a tidy profit.

But the moment Su He saw the two men enter, her face darkened slightly. She let out a short laugh, cocked her head, and fixed her icy gaze on Su Wei. Her lips moved. “Idiot.”

Su Wei froze. Panic and helplessness flared in her eyes. She didn’t know what kind of person Su He had wanted. She had heard the Madam say those two men were quite popular.

As for the issue of gender, Su Wei had never even considered it. She always felt her Master shouldn’t be like that—just as she always felt an underlying unease about her relationship with her Master.

“You head back first.” Su He dismissed He Chengjiang with a tap of her finger. “We’ll catch up another time.”

He Chengjiang was no fool; he quickly retreated, pulling the door shut behind him.

Once the man was gone, Su He’s face fell. She barked at the two men. “Get out. Bring two women in here.”

The male attendants had seen far stranger things. They obeyed and retreated. Instantly, only Su He and Su Wei remained in the room.

Su He looked at Su Wei and laughed, incredulous. “Why did you find two men?”

Su Wei said nothing, merely kneeling to accept punishment.

“Gu has done it with you so many times, and you are still this wooden?” Su He gestured for Su Wei to look up. “Hm?”

Su Wei couldn’t hear clearly. She struggled to decipher her Master’s meaning, then cautiously spoke. “This subordinate… wasn’t sure. I thought the Master would be satisfied.”

Su He’s fingertip kneaded Su Wei’s earlobe. Her voice was soft. “Truly stupid.”

But Su Wei didn’t hear a single one of these words. She knelt on the ground, expression blank, staring into space.

Soon, the Madam delivered two top courtesans. All fair-skinned, beautiful, dressed in extremely enticing clothes. Seeing a woman as their client didn’t faze them at all; coquettishly, they cooed at Su He. “What might the honored guest desire?”

Su Wei turned her head once, then shifted her gaze away. Even she couldn’t help thinking: These people are really beautiful.

Su He adapted quickly. She stroked Su Wei’s hair, pulling the girl up. The exposed eyes showed a hint of apology. “The one I keep isn’t very well-behaved. You must be laughing at us.”

The top courtesans covered their mouths, giggling. They said nothing.

“Perform a dance.”

Su He’s tone was flat. Her gaze wandered to Su Wei, who stood off to the side. After a moment, she sensed something was wrong. She furrowed her brows imperceptibly, pinched Su Wei’s face, and lowered her voice to ask:

“What’s wrong with your eyes?”