Chapter 20: Marriage Alliance

Su Wei couldn’t remember how much time had passed. When her mind cleared enough to push herself upright in bed, the sky outside was already dark. The clothes draped over her body slid off, but she had no strength left to retrieve them. Even her fingers were numb.

“Master.” Her voice was hoarse again, scratchy and dry. “Are we returning to the palace?”

Su He’s spirits were still fairly good. She placed a set of prepared clothes beside Su Wei, her tone gentle. “Let’s go back. It’s getting late. Go back to the palace and get some proper sleep.”

Su Wei clutched the clothes tightly. In her lifted eyes, there flickered a timorous, uncertain emotion, but she quickly suppressed it.

Efficiently, she dressed, straightened herself out, and prepared to leave. Just before leaving, Su He called out to her. Su Wei watched with her own eyes as her Master took the little packet of medicine—the same that had given her nightmares—and stuffed it into the sash around Su Wei’s waist, securing it firmly.

Su Wei’s pupils trembled. She was truly terrified of this substance now. She had learned her lesson and understood exactly what it contained.

But if Su He asked her to drink it again, she would still do it without a moment’s hesitation.

Thankfully, nothing else happened after their return to the palace. Su Wei took a hot bath and then fell into a deep, unconscious sleep. She didn’t even know when her Master came to bed.

She was so sleepy. And her eyes hurt so much.

.

When Su Wei woke the next day, Su He was already preparing to attend the morning court session. Su Wei blinked, immediately sitting up. But just as she started to rise, her Master stopped her. She stared blankly upward, tilting her head just a little.

“Rest properly. You are permitted to return once today.” Su He’s voice was very soft, her eyes gently curved. “Gu is leaving now.”

Su Wei’s lashes fluttered. She didn’t understand why her Master was so gentle this morning. Her heart gave a sudden lurch. After quickly collecting herself, she found the clothes meant for the day.

Su He prepared clothes for her daily, always in familiar styles, though the colors varied more now. But today was different. The instant Su Wei’s fingertips touched the fine silk gauze, she yanked her hand back.

What is this?

Still, Su Wei picked up the clothes. Barefoot, she walked to the mirror and spread them open. This was a red silk dress. She had never worn anything like this.

Except for yesterday’s kind…

Su Wei struggled internally for a moment. Pressing her lips tight, frowning slightly, she eventually put the garments on.

The collar of this red dress was slightly large, cut rather wide, exposing a bit of her collarbone and chest. But it wasn’t overly revealing. Su Wei stood stiffly in front of the mirror, studying her reflection carefully. She had intended to return to the Shadow Guard Camp today. She might have even trained a little. But judging by the circumstances, that seemed impossible. Now, she didn’t even particularly want to leave the room.

Since when do Shadow Guards dress like this?

Su Wei lowered her eyes and used a wooden hairpin to tie up her hair. Having stayed by her Master’s side for so long, she’d noticed that her Master wasn’t keen on her wearing the white jade hairpin. Su He had asked her about it once, and she had simply said, “It’s too valuable. I’m afraid of breaking it.”

Su He had just laughed. The next day, a servant had delivered a whole selection of wooden hairpins. The quality was clearly excellent, and her Master had forbidden her from just using a simple tie for her hair. A simple hairpin was to suffice.

Su Wei was naturally obedient.

After wrestling with herself a little longer and drinking her medicine, she ultimately headed to the Shadow Guard Camp. At this hour, the other members were just finishing their training. She stood out like a blazing torch in her red dress amidst the crowd.

“Who’s that? Could it be Little Nine!”

Shadow Seven was wiping off sweat. Hearing the outburst, she immediately turned to look. The moment she got a clear view of Su Wei, her eyes almost popped out of their sockets; mouth agape, she simply couldn’t believe this was their Little Nine.

Su Wei’s features weren’t classically, stunningly beautiful, but she had a pure, adorable look. Those eyes alone were enough to pierce the heart. Her figure and proportions were exceptionally good. Even in these clothes, she didn’t seem out of place—rather, she carried a wholly different kind of charm.

And something subtle about her aura had changed, though Shadow Seven couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

“Is it very strange?” Su Wei fidgeted with the hem of her clothes. She walked towards them, distinctly uncomfortable. Seeing everyone just staring at her without a word only deepened her doubts. “These are clothes the Master gave me. I also think they’re too strange.”

Someone finally spoke. “Not strange at all. They look great. Never thought our Little Nine could look this beautiful after dressing up.”

Shadow One patted Shadow Nine’s shoulder briefly before quickly pulling his hand back. “We’re all rather filthy. Since you attend the Master closely, your clothes should stay clean. Let’s not chat here for now. Did you come to find the Leader?”

Su Wei shook her head. She smiled softly. “I’ll just wander around on my own for a bit.”

The crowd automatically parted to let her pass. Shadow Seven wanted to follow and say a few words. She called out, “Little Nine! Hey, wait for me!”

But Su Wei gave no reaction at all, continuing straight ahead.

Shadow Seven froze, suddenly recalling something the Leader had mentioned offhandedly: “Shadow Nine’s ears aren’t doing so well now.”

Not doing well… she was nearly deaf already?

Su Wei had always been the most well-behaved among them, following every rule, a little sunbeam of a person. Optimistic every day, close and warm with all of them. She wouldn’t just ignore her like that.

Thinking this, Shadow Seven fell silent and turned to go bathe instead.

Su Wei’s purpose for this visit was still to pick up a few items. She walked to the sleeping quarters she used to share with Shadow Seven. There was a cabinet where they kept their things. Opening the cabinet door, she retrieved a small wooden box from the top shelf—light as air, containing only a longevity lock.

The Leader had given it to her, saying Su Wei had been wearing it when she was first taken in. One side of the longevity lock was engraved with her name; the other, “Peace and Joy.” It didn’t look like the work of a master carver, but more like someone with an unsteady hand, carving each stroke with painstaking care.

Su Wei had speculated it was her mother or father. Someone who had loved her very much.

She had heard from the Leader that her clothes back then were all very fine, the fabrics top quality. She’d been raised to be plump and fair-skinned. It was only a pity that Su Wei could barely remember any of it now.

A sudden pat on Su Wei’s shoulder jolted her out of her thoughts. She spun around, hyper-alert, meeting Shadow Seven’s worried gaze. “Little Nine, what happened to your ears?”

Shadow Seven deliberately slowed her speech and raised her voice considerably, afraid Su Wei wouldn’t hear properly.

“Just speak normally. I can read your lips perfectly well by now.” Su Wei laughed. “I’ve been guessing what the Master wants based on her lip movements every day. I’ve trained very hard at it.”

Shadow Seven sighed, folding her arms, saying nothing.

Su Wei gave her an ingratiating wink. “The ears… it’s just an injury from the prison dungeon before. It’ll get better, don’t worry.”

“The dungeon, huh.” Shadow Seven let out a deep breath, leaning against the cabinet. She asked a question she’d been mulling over for a very long time. “Staying there by the Master’s side… are you doing alright?”

Su Wei nodded. “Quite well, actually. The Master treats me very well.”

Shadow Seven hesitated briefly before pressing further. “Then… what exactly is your relationship right now?”

“The Master is simply the Master.”

Su Wei’s face grew solemn. “Nothing will ever change that. Don’t listen to those rumors and gossip flying around outside.”

Shadow Seven nodded. Watching Su Wei’s much-thinner figure, she suddenly remembered that earlier, everyone had been discussing whether they were even allowed to speak with Su Wei. But if you thought about it carefully, you’d understand: without the Master’s consent, Shadow Nine probably wouldn’t have been allowed to return at all.

She watched Su Wei rummage through her things and tidy up a bit, but in the end, she still didn’t voice what her Master had said: that they were forbidden from getting too close to Shadow Nine.

Knowing nothing was the best outcome after all.

But Su Wei didn’t linger long. She pocketed the longevity lock, grabbed a few concealed weapons and stashed them on her person, and hastily met with the Leader. They hadn’t even exchanged more than a few words before it was time for her to leave.

The Leader didn’t ask why. She simply stepped forward, stroked Su Wei’s head, and murmured softly: “You must be as this longevity lock says. Live in peace and joy.”

Su Wei’s brows and eyes curved in a bright smile. She rubbed her cheek against the Leader’s shoulder affectionately, then left the camp in high spirits.

She couldn’t stay long—couldn’t risk her Master becoming displeased.

Still, Su Wei timed it quite well. She had just gotten back to the Sleeping Palace when Su He returned from the morning court.

Before Su Wei could go greet her Master, she was promptly summoned to the Imperial Study. She was still clutching the longevity lock, unable to put it away.

Several ministers were already waiting inside the Imperial Study. Su Wei silently moved to the side, minimizing her presence.

“Your Majesty, those barbarian tribes from the frontier suddenly proclaim they wish to visit our nation. They must harbor ill intent.”

“Indeed. We’ve been at war with them for so many years. How could we not understand their schemes?”

“Your Majesty, you must decide with great caution.”

Su He leaned back in her seat, her tone betraying little emotion. “The court has already made things clear. Since they wish to offer goodwill, we naturally must accept with magnanimity. We are a great nation; we must show the generosity befitting one.”

“But—”

Su He interrupted, a trace of a smile surfacing in her eyes. “Do you know what other intention they have for this visit?”

“They… wish to arrange a marriage alliance.”

The old ministers were stunned. Sending someone for a political marriage—would it be a man or—

“Don’t let your imaginations run wild. It is a princess—a gift to Gu.”

Su He narrowed her eyes slightly, interest clearly piqued. She smiled. “It is said this princess possesses a beauty that shocks the heavens. Gu is truly quite eager to meet her.”