Chapter 2: You Shall Be Gu’s Consort

“Mmph.”

Su Wei groaned. She felt as though she were burning in a furnace, a fiery pain searing her entire body. She lifted her head, forcing her eyes open. Turning on her side, her hands gripped the edge of the bed as she laboriously surveyed her surroundings.

This was not her room.

Su Wei snapped fully awake. Her chest heaved. After catching her breath, she turned her head and met the gaze of Su He, who was leaning against the headboard reading a book.

Her voice was raw and hoarse: “Master.”

How could she be here? Sharing a dwelling with her Master was the height of insolence.

Su He put down her book, her tone unreadable: “Awake, are you?”

Su Wei scrambled off the bed and knelt on the floor, her face full of self-reproach: “Master, it is this subordinate’s fault. How could I share a bedchamber with my Master?”

“Why is your voice so hoarse?” Ignoring her question, Su He frowned. “Didn’t the Imperial Physician say you’d be fine once you woke tonight? Why is it still like this?”

Su He’s interest was piqued. She propped her chin on her hand, her dark hair falling naturally over her shoulders. A faint smile curved her brows. “Should Gu kill him for this?”

Startled, Su Wei immediately prostrated herself, pressing her lips together. “When vitality is damaged, the voice changes. Please rest assured, Master, it will fully recover within three days.”

“Really?” Amusement colored Su He’s eyes. Barefoot, she walked unhurriedly to Su Wei, lifting the Shadow Guard’s chin with a finger. She laughed. “I was only teasing. Why did you take it seriously?”

Su Wei’s gaze was fixed on Su He, full of guilt. “This subordinate is dull-witted.”

Su He was in a good mood. She withdrew her hand and sat on Su Wei’s bed, saying gently, “You please Gu. It was an exception to let you stay here. Don’t be nervous.”

“Master.”

Su Wei looked at Su He cautiously. She bowed her head and kowtowed again. “Thank you, Master.”

Su He rested her gaze on Su Wei’s form, then raised her foot and placed it on Su Wei’s shoulder. Her clothes were thin, and the slight movement caused the robe at her shoulder to slip down. She smiled wantonly. “Stay with Gu from now on. Gu will not treat you poorly.”

Her chin was lifted by Su He’s foot. Su Wei looked eagerly at her Master, her heart and eyes filled with nothing else. Without a second thought, she replied, “Master, Shadow Nine will stay by Master’s side forever.”

Her Master was also the most beautiful person she had ever seen. Even the beauties in paintings couldn’t compare in the slightest.

.

Before Su He attended the morning court session, all Shadow Guards had to be washed and ready. Su Wei was no exception. After rising and washing up, she stood waiting by the door. The Palace Attendant did not obstruct her. The two of them waited, one on the left, one on the right.

Su Wei’s gaze drifted towards the shadows, then withdrew dejectedly a moment later. She didn’t know if the other Shadow Guards were willing to accept her back. She had, after all, brought them shame.

“Your Majesty.”

The Palace Attendant opened the door, respectfully greeting Su He.

Su He glanced at Su Wei and suddenly pointed at her. “You, come with Gu.”

Su Wei’s eyes widened. She exchanged a look with the Palace Attendant, but said nothing else, immediately replying, “Yes, Master.”

In the Main Hall, the ministers were already standing in formation, all waiting for the Female Emperor’s arrival. Su Wei was positioned to the side of the Dragon Throne, concealing her figure.

“Your Majesty, your subject has a matter to report.”

Su He leaned lazily against the Dragon Throne. She gestured with her hand, her tone rising at the end. “Speak. Gu is listening.”

“A famine has erupted west of Crane City. Many commoners are starving, with nowhere to go. We beseech Your Majesty to open the granaries and rescue the people from dire straits.”

The petitioner was an old minister. No sooner had he spoken than others came forward to second his words—a neatly coordinated and rather conspicuous display.

Su He slowly sat up straight. She rose and strolled down from the dais. “Gu dispatched grain supplies half a month ago. Why have conditions not improved yet?”

The old minister replied neither humbly nor arrogantly. “The affected population is too vast, the area too wide. I’m afraid they are still mired in the disaster.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Su He laughed. She reached out and drew the sword from a nearby guard’s scabbard. The tip scraped across the floor with a grating sound. Her smile vanished. “Gu occupies the supreme throne, yet is blinded and deafened by all manner of reports. Isn’t that the greatest farce under heaven?”

She raised the sword and pressed it against the old minister’s arm, slowly dragging it down to hook his sleeve. “Elder Ji, who do you think consumed this grain? Was it Gu?”

Cold sweat beaded on the old minister’s forehead. This Female Emperor was a tyrant, utterly ostentatious in her actions. Cross her words, and it was blades and slaughter. The previous emperor had ten sons, nine dragons and one phoenix, yet it was the phoenix who clawed her way out and firmly seized the throne.

“This old minister does not know.”

Su He clicked her tongue in a short laugh. “Is that so? Then are you incorruptibly poor, or rolling in illicit wealth?”

The sword abruptly pressed against the old minister’s neck. Several people cried out in alarm. Su He’s eyes were full of ruthlessness. “Whether corrupt or honest, don’t be so blatant about it. Don’t you agree?”

The old minister’s face paled. Clenching his teeth, he echoed, “Your Majesty speaks the truth.”

Su He was satisfied. With a slight movement of her wrist, a bloody line was drawn across the man’s neck. Blood immediately trickled down. The old minister hastily clutched his neck and stumbled backward in retreat.

“Grand General He.”

Su He shifted her gaze to another person. She tilted her head. “Would you investigate this matter clearly for Gu?”

He Chengjiang, thus addressed, immediately clasped his fists. “This subject will not fail Your Majesty’s charge.”

Su He licked her lip. She turned, but after only a couple of steps, she looked back and added flatly, “Killing them for disobedience works too.”

“Oh, right. Quickly summon the Imperial Physician for Elder Ji. Don’t let him die of fright.”

She snorted a laugh. “Any other matters?”

The remaining officials looked at each other. Finally, one bold soul stepped forward. “Your Majesty, the Rear Palace is currently empty. It is imperative to—”

Su He turned around, her gaze landing on that person as if genuinely puzzled. “Then would the offspring be borne by him, or by Gu?”

She curled her lip. “Why don’t you become a consort for Gu?”

The man fell to his knees in terror, not daring to raise his head for a long while.

Su He’s smile faded. She asked once more, “Are there any other matters?”

No one answered. The Palace Attendant immediately stepped forward to announce the dismissal of court.

This was the first time Su Wei had witnessed her Master’s bearing at court. In the past, she hadn’t possessed the seniority to attend.

Su He beckoned with a hooked finger for Su Wei to come closer. The Female Emperor led her towards the Imperial Gardens, saying softly, “The flowers are blooming quite well, don’t you think?”

Su Wei looked carefully and offered a praising reply. “They are naturally beautiful, but my Master surpasses them.”

“Really?”

Su Wei heard Su He’s rhetorical question. The next moment, her face was pinched by Su He’s fingers. She blinked, her body relaxing.

Su He asked, “Aren’t you afraid Gu will kill you?”

Kill her? Her Master wanted to kill her?

Su Wei didn’t hesitate for an instant. “This subordinate’s life belongs to my Master.”

Su He was amused by Su Wei once more. She released her and walked all the way to a pavilion before stopping, as if casually inquiring, “What do you think of the way Gu handles matters?”

Shadow Guards were forbidden from discussing court politics. Su Wei knelt, her gaze pure, looking at Su He but saying nothing.

“Well, well. Gu will change the question.” Su He rested her head on her arm, a trace of mirth swirling in her eyes. “Do you think it’s time for Gu’s Rear Palace to gain some occupants?”

Su Wei earnestly considered this question. She frowned slightly. “If Master likes them, bring them in. If not, then don’t.”

Her speech was a little slow. Her voice, though hoarse, was much softer. Su Wei’s gaze at Su He was always fervent, something Su He found immensely satisfying.

Su He changed the question again. “The Emperors of the previous dynasty were all men, and their Rear Palaces were all filled with female consorts. By all reason, now that Gu sits on the throne, Gu should be taking male consorts.”

“A bunch of men, all decked out and vying for favor—does Gu really need to hold a selection show for them?”

Su He’s tone was laced with laughter. She bent her waist slightly, meeting Su Wei’s eyes. “But Gu doesn’t want to go against the old conventions. What to do?”

Su Wei grew nervous. Her Master’s words felt like a knife pressing against her. One wrong answer could cost her her head.

She pursed her lips. “This subordinate does not know.”

Su He gave a short laugh. “You don’t know? What a shame.”

The Female Emperor sighed, as if speaking in jest. “Gu is thinking of taking a female consort. What do you think of that?”

The Palace Attendant’s eyes instantly widened in shock, though she quickly erased the expression.

Two women together? Unthinkable!

Su Wei, too, was taken aback for a moment, but she quickly accepted it. Whatever her Master said was, after all, correct.

Su He tapped the table. “Su Wei, come a little closer.”

Su Wei complied, shuffling forward on her knees bit by bit until she was right before Su He. If she were to lower her back even slightly, she would touch Su He.

“Why don’t you answer?”

“Whatever pleases Master is good.”

Su Wei truly didn’t know what else to say, but that statement was indeed what she felt.

Su He let out a soft laugh, raising her hand to touch Su Wei’s face. Noticeably, the Shadow Guard flinched.

Su Wei felt somewhat unnatural, but remained absolutely still, allowing Su He to do as she pleased.

Her lip was pressed down by a delicate, fair finger. Su He kneaded her lip, pressing from side to side, even commanding Su Wei to open her mouth.

Confused but obedient, Su Wei complied. She tilted her head up slightly and parted her lips to accept Su He’s bestowed digit. The action made her squint, her eyes blinking rapidly as tears welled up in their rims.

Witnessing this, the Palace Attendant was so alarmed she immediately fell to her knees, exclaiming frantically, “Your Majesty!”

This absolutely could not be seen by others. If word got out that the current sovereign harbored such intentions towards her Shadow Guard, it would be a disaster.

“Dog slave, did Gu give you permission to speak?” Su He shot a cold glare to her side. She withdrew her finger and wiped it clean on Su Wei’s clothing.

Su Wei’s eyes were rimmed red. Her hands clutched her robes so tightly the wounds on her body split open, bright red blood quickly soaking through the bandages.

Su He bent down, the distance between her and Su Wei barely a breath apart. She asked gently, “How about you become Gu’s consort?”

“Master, I cannot.” Su Wei was truly frightened this time. She said hastily, “This subordinate is a Shadow Guard, of lowly status. How could I be worthy of my Master?”

Su He’s expression chilled. “Does that mean you refuse?”

Su Wei shook her head again. “Master.”

“Very well, Gu will not force the issue.” Su He gestured for the Palace Attendant to rise. She stood and walked around the kneeling Su Wei. “I didn’t much like your performance today. Gu wants to punish you.”

“You shall kneel here. Without Gu’s decree, you are not permitted to rise.”