Chapter 24: Lowly

Su Wei could feel Su He’s silent refusal. She would never disobey her master’s wishes, so she gently shook her head at He Erlu.

“The Princess’s status is noble. It would be better if I went to buy them.”

He Erlu hadn’t achieved her goal, but she wasn’t angry. Her fingertips tugged at the hem of Su He’s clothes. “Fine then, we won’t buy them. Let’s go look around somewhere else.”

The little princess was truly good at acting spoiled. Even though Su Wei couldn’t hear the sound, just watching her demeanor, she could feel that energy from He Erlu. She silently stood behind her master, not taking another step forward.

Even though He Erlu had already strolled this street once, she could still maintain an extremely high level of enthusiasm, staying by Su He’s side with a beaming smile, drawing many onlookers’ gazes toward them.

Su Wei was observing her surroundings when she saw a small bundle charging straight at her, hugging her tightly. The girl looked up and called out loudly, “Big Sister!”

Su Wei looked carefully and immediately recognized the girl who had tried to steal her money pouch that day. But she was completely different now, dressed in clean clothes, her whole demeanor changed. It was just that her eyes were brimming with tears, full of helplessness.

Afraid of disturbing her master and He Erlu, Su Wei was about to carry the child away when she ran into the person who had come looking for the girl. Once she clearly saw the person’s appearance, she couldn’t help but be surprised. He looked like a private tutor—

“I apologize for offending you. This child doesn’t want to study and ran off the moment we weren’t watching. Let me take her.”

Su Wei was still somewhat wary, suspecting some new type of scam. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a pat on her shoulder from Su He interrupted her words. “It’s not a scam. Let the child go back.”

Su Wei subconsciously loosened her grip. Her gaze was fixed tightly on her master, carefully analyzing Su He’s lip movements. She heard her master say, “That day, I saw you were tangled up with this child, so I sent someone to investigate. Following the trail uncovered a group of people. Those children have all been arranged to attend school now.”

“Su Wei, you deserve much of the thanks.” Su He’s eyes were gentle. She raised a hand and gently jiggled the White Jade Eardrop at Su Wei’s ear. “Let’s go.”

The earring had weight. Su Wei could clearly feel the swaying on her earlobe. She paused for a moment but quickly recovered, following Su He, though a trace of confusion lingered in her eyes.

He Erlu’s gaze lightly swept over Su Wei, then she smiled slyly, quietly withdrawing her look.

“Your Majesty.” He Erlu softened her voice. She looked up and said, “I’m a little hungry.”

Su He signaled the Palace Attendant with her eyes. The attendant immediately understood and walked up to He Erlu, saying respectfully, “Her Majesty has already arranged a place, just up ahead. Please, this way.”

He Erlu nodded in satisfaction. Her hands twisted at the fabric of her clothing, looking very nervous, and the gaze she directed at Su He was filled with admiration.

The place Su He had arranged was naturally not poor. Today, it was closed to other customers, serving only their party. The dishes were of the very highest quality.

“Your Majesty, this Capital is truly prosperous. It’s a different kind of scenery from my homeland.”

He Erlu took a sip of wine. “The scenery is beautiful, and the people are good-looking, too.”

As she said this, her gaze landed squarely on Su Wei beside her. Before Su He could speak, she quickly turned her head and smiled at the woman. “Don’t you think so, Your Majesty?”

Su He naturally took in all of He Erlu’s small movements without missing a beat. Her expression remained unchanged. “If the Princess likes it, that’s good. If you were to stay here, you would be able to see even more beautiful sights.”

He Erlu didn’t deny it. She filled a wine cup, lifted it, and unhurriedly brought it toward Su Wei. “Won’t you sit down and eat?”

“Shadow Nine’s status is low. She cannot sit at the same table as her masters.” Su Wei lowered her eyes, avoiding He Erlu’s gaze. She felt something was not quite right somewhere.

He Erlu made a sound of regret, then suddenly changed tack. “Then drink this cup of wine, Little Shadow Nine.”

Su Wei froze on the spot for a moment. Seeing that her master did not object, she was just about to reach out and take it when Su He stopped her.

“Princess.” Su He looked up. The previous gentleness in her eyes was entirely gone, replaced with a chill. She said blandly, “Shadow Guards are not permitted to drink while on duty outside. This is the rule.”

He Erlu still wanted to speak, but the moment she met Su He’s eyes, she suddenly came to her senses. She didn’t show any sign of backing down either. She gently set the wine cup down, a hint of appeasement in her voice. “Alright, I won’t give it to her anymore.”

She propped her chin on her hand, blinking as she sized up Su Wei, murmuring softly, “It’s just a pity about these ears.”

.

Su Wei didn’t understand the clash happening between the two. Her physical condition had been poor lately, something even her dulled senses could notice. Her ears couldn’t hear, and her eyes seemed to be having problems too. She didn’t have the energy to think about anything else.

He Erlu didn’t intend to stay out for long. After wandering around a bit and buying a scroll of calligraphy, she prepared to return. By this time, the sky was already showing signs of the approaching night.

Since people from the He Erqi Tribe had arrived, Su Wei staying overnight in Su He’s Sleeping Palace last night had been very risky. Today, she was arranged in a side room, which was easier to explain to outsiders.

A personal Shadow Guard, after all, must be there to protect her master’s life.

Su Wei brought her small box over. Inside were her Longevity Lock and the hairpin Su He had given her. Only the sachet remained—she hadn’t brought it. She always felt it didn’t belong to her.

She had just finished straightening the pillow and bedding when she sensed an unfamiliar presence behind her. Su Wei’s expression turned sharp. She reacted swiftly, grabbing the intruder’s wrist. When she clearly saw who it was, all her warnings were suppressed.

It was He Erlu—

“Why have you come?” Su Wei released her hand. She clasped her fists in a neither humble nor arrogant salute. “I have offended you.”

He Erlu didn’t care about any of that. She sat down on Su Wei’s bed with the utmost naturalness, raising her eyes to observe. “Shadow Nine.”

Su Wei didn’t see her lip movement and made no response for a moment.

It wasn’t until He Erlu nudged her with her toe that Su Wei looked over. “What matter brings you here?”

Thinking carefully, she shouldn’t have provoked this little princess at all.

He Erlu seemed a bit angry. “Can I not come see you for no reason?”

Su Wei looked at her blankly, not answering the question.

“I can help cure your ears.” He Erlu raised her head proudly. “Beg me, and I’ll help you.”

Su Wei gave her a deep look. Seeing that this little mistress didn’t have any major issues, she turned and continued tidying the room, not taking He Erlu’s words to heart.

“Hey.” He Erlu bit her lip. She quickly walked up to Su Wei, grabbed her, and made her turn around. “I really can help.”

Su Wei sighed. “It’s fine. I can still understand what people mean now.”

He Erlu fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, “Don’t you want to hear your master’s voice?”

At these words, Su Wei went quiet. She hesitated briefly, and before she could answer, a small paper packet was shoved into her hand. It looked like some kind of powder inside.

Su Wei frowned, immediately looking at He Erlu with vigilance. “What is the meaning of this?”

He Erlu was solemn. “I can treat you. Just put this into your master’s cup—”

“No!” Su Wei immediately refuted. She clutched the object in her hand tightly, gritting her teeth as she stared at He Erlu. “I would never do that.”

Perhaps it was her imagination, but Su Wei felt someone had been watching her just moments ago.

Su Wei quickly scanned outside the door from the corner of her eye. There was no sign of anyone else.

He Erlu watched her reaction and suddenly burst out laughing, tears even appearing at the corners of her eyes. She said with a laugh, “I was teasing you. This medicine is for you to take. It helps your ears recover.”

Su Wei still didn’t believe it, her entire body tense.

“Relax. Do you want me to drink some to show you?” He Erlu crossed her arms and gave a “hmph.” “I was just testing you, that’s all.”

“Sit down. I’ll do acupuncture for you.” He Erlu deftly took out an Acupuncture Kit from her waist. She gestured to Su Wei with her chin. “Come here.”

Su Wei hesitated. She lowered her eyes to the powder in her hand, bit her teeth, and ultimately walked towards He Erlu.

She didn’t know what He Erlu’s purpose was, but… perhaps it was worth a try.

Su Wei lowered her head, allowing He Erlu to insert the silver needles into her. In a daze, she thought, she actually didn’t want to remain the cripple her master spoke of.

.

By the time He Erlu left, it was already dark. Following her orders, Su Wei went to stand guard in front of Su He’s door. She had just taken her position when the door was opened. Su He stood at the entrance, her gaze falling on Su Wei. Her tone was calm. “Su Wei, go brew a pot of tea.”

Whether it was Su Wei’s imagination or not, she felt that Su He’s expression was colder, more suppressed than usual.

Su Wei would never refuse Su He. She immediately went to brew the tea. When she carried it over, He Erlu was at the doorway, looking up and saying something to Su He. Seeing Su Wei approach, He Erlu closed her mouth.

He Erlu had changed into an even more beautiful outfit. The green made the little princess look very pure, and she also smelled very fragrant.

“Master, the tea is here.” Su Wei respectfully lifted the tray up. She saw Su He turn and go back inside, then return very quickly. In the next second, she felt a lightening of the tray, and the sound of water followed.

Su Wei slowly raised her eyes and saw Su He drink that cup of tea down in one gulp. Then, Su He accurately captured her gaze. Her eyes held an unprecedented strangeness.

No longer looking at a person, but rather like looking at… a discarded object.

Su Wei put the tray down and watched the door close. He Erlu also went inside. It wasn’t hard to imagine what would happen.

She returned the tray and went back to stand outside the door. She couldn’t hear anything at all, which at least saved her the trouble of deliberately blocking things out.

And inside the room, the scene was nothing like what Su Wei imagined. Su He sat on the edge of the bed, hands behind her supporting her weight. She relaxed her body, sizing up He Erlu inch by inch.

He Erlu wore a face veil. Her brows and eyes were full of passion, her voice gentle. “Your Majesty, let me perform a dance for you.”

With that, she began to dance. He Erlu’s dancing had great aesthetic appeal, powerful yet rhythmic. Combined with her beautiful face, it was a visual feast.

“Your Majesty.”

He Erlu walked up to Su He. She removed her face veil, but just as she was about to sit on Su He’s lap, she was pushed away. Su He’s expression was normal. “What does the Princess want to do? Didn’t you say you were just coming to offer a dance?”

“Your Majesty.” He Erlu chided playfully. “Since our two sides intend to foster friendly relations, and I am here for a marriage alliance, this kind of thing is bound to happen sooner or later.”

In the next second, He Erlu’s smile vanished. She seemed puzzled. “You couldn’t possibly have an interest in that Shadow Guard, could you?”

Su He narrowed her eyes slightly. She was very direct. “I don’t like her, and I don’t like you.”

He Erlu: “…”

“Your Majesty,” He Erlu called out again.

Su He frowned. “Can you speak properly?”

He Erlu: “…Why do I feel you are in a very irritable mood right now?”

She slowly drew closer to Su He and whispered, “Do you truly have no thoughts whatsoever?”

Su He could feel the physical changes happening in her body, and she could also smell that strange, cloying fragrance in the air. She made a virtual shooing motion at He Erlu, got up, walked to the table, and poured a cup of water. “You are not as beautiful as Gu, nor as powerful as Gu. Do you really think Gu would have any ideas?”

He Erlu forced a smile. “Your Majesty, just one night’s sleep. It’s not a big deal.”

As she spoke, she moved to approach Su He again. She never expected that in the next moment, a teacup would strike her directly in the abdomen. The intense pain forced her to clutch her stomach and double over.

Su He slowly approached her. “Gu knew you had ideas, but didn’t expect your actions would be this quick.”

Blood trickled from the corner of He Erlu’s mouth, but her smile only grew more pronounced. “Your Majesty, He Erlu wasn’t even confident. I just wanted to test you.”

“Actually, compared to Your Majesty—” He Erlu slowly straightened her body. She leaned close to Su He’s ear. “I prefer that Shadow Guard by your side.”

She let out a low chuckle. “Are you truly not feeling uncomfortable right now?”

Su He looked down upon her arrogantly. Her lips moved. “Get out.”

He Erlu stared at her for a few seconds. She messed up her own hair accessory, tore at her clothes to dishevel them, and looked up at her innocently. “Then I’ll die right here for you to see.”

With that, she immediately ran out, her eyes slightly red, looking as if she had been wronged. Su He made no move, merely watching darkly as she fled. Her gaze landed on Su Wei, and a few seconds later, she shut the door, not sparing Su Wei an extra glance.

Su Wei had also seen He Erlu’s disheveled state. Not understanding why things had turned out this way, she hesitated for a moment, feeling that He Erlu’s state wasn’t quite right. She looked at the Palace Attendant and said, “I’ll go take a look. You guard the master.”

He Erlu couldn’t be allowed to come to harm.

Su Wei’s steps were much faster than He Erlu’s. She quickly caught up with the bedraggled figure. She raised her voice. “Princess, what are you doing?”

“Me?” He Erlu’s eyes brimmed with tears. She turned around weakly, then suddenly chuckled lowly. “I just tried to seduce your master. I didn’t succeed.”

Su Wei took two steps back. Seeing that He Erlu was otherwise unharmed, she turned to leave, but He Erlu stopped her.

“Why don’t you keep me company instead?” He Erlu’s expression was earnest, not seeming like a joke. “Or better yet, the three of us together.”

Su Wei had always been easily embarrassed by such matters. She couldn’t bear such blunt words. Her earlobes turned red. “What are you saying? Stop talking nonsense.”

He Erlu snorted a laugh. She suddenly asked, “You don’t love Su He, do you?”

“I do like her. My master is—”

“The kind of fondness that is affection of the heart,” He Erlu said, crossing her arms and tossing out the words lightly. “If you don’t like her that way, why not come with me? I like you.”

“Princess!” Shocked, Su Wei stumbled backward. She sharply cut He Erlu off, then felt it was inappropriate. “I… I’m sorry, I couldn’t control my emotions.”

He Erlu gave her a deep look and left only one sentence behind. “I’ll come give you acupuncture again tomorrow. Your ears will be better soon. Don’t forget me.”

Su Wei turned sideways to let He Erlu pass. She was shrouded in the moonlight, standing in place for a few seconds before walking back with her thoughts in turmoil.

Her return didn’t take long, but the Palace Attendant was still waiting for her anxiously. “You should go in now. Her Majesty is waiting.”

Su Wei suppressed the questions she couldn’t figure out and pushed the door open to enter. But no one was there. She followed the room deeper inside and, sure enough, saw her master bathing.

Su He was dressed in a red bathrobe, loosely held together at the front with a sash. Seeing Su Wei, she crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”

“Master.” Su Wei knelt before Su He and said softly, “Princess He Erlu is fine. She has already returned.”

“Is that so?” Su He curved her lips. She patted Su Wei’s cheek. “You seem to get along very well with He Erlu.”

Su Wei didn’t understand why Su He would feel that way. She denied it. “Not at all. She was just helping to treat my ears.”

Su He let out a short laugh, her eyes filled with sarcasm. “Even if your hearing recovers, what use is it?”

She asked, “Do you like me?”

Su Wei was just about to answer when He Erlu’s earlier words suddenly echoed in her mind. She paused briefly. Before she could answer, her master was no longer listening.

Her face was grabbed by Su He, pinching it as it was forced downwards. “Su Wei, this won’t do.”

With difficulty, Su Wei raised her eyes and met Su He’s gaze. That look was as if Su He were looking at a dog. She understood her master’s meaning with crystal clarity. Su He said:

“You are nothing but a Shadow Guard. A dog raised by Gu. Lowly in status. Did you really think, in just a few months, that you could climb to a high position?”