Their journey wasn’t rushed. They planned to rest in a small town.
Su Wei’s fever started two shichen after they departed. Her face was flushed bright red from the heat, she was nearly unconscious, and she was mumbling unintelligible words.
“Stop here.”
Su He carried Su Wei horizontally and settled into an inn. She was disguised, her appearance more plain than before, attracting less attention.
The other Shadow Guards were also dispersed, following their master. Su He placed Su Wei on the bed, pressed the back of her hand to the girl’s forehead, and turned to the Leader. “Go find a physician. She’s likely had a fright.”
“A fright?” The Leader’s eyes flickered. Something occurred to her. She suppressed her thoughts and left to find a doctor.
Fortunately, the doctor, upon examination, said Su Wei’s life was not in danger. The fright was one factor, but she also had a chill. Her constitution was already poor. Getting sick so frequently and erratically meant it would be difficult to nurse her back to health later.
Su He sat on the edge of the bed. After hearing the prognosis, she didn’t react much. She just needed to know Su Wei’s life wasn’t in danger.
The Leader naturally took over, paying the physician with silver and respectfully sending him off, also bringing back the medicine Su Wei needed to drink.
“You stay here and watch her. Gu will go out and look around.”
Su He adjusted her robes and checked the disguise on her face. Only after confirming it was flawless did she select two people to accompany her. The Palace Attendant was left to care for the unconscious Su Wei.
“Yes.” The Palace Attendant was very familiar with this routine. Only after Su He left did she release a silent sigh. She fetched hot water and walked to Su Wei’s side, wiping her neck.
The Palace Attendant’s gaze toward Su Wei carried a trace of pity. “Sick again? You must get well.”
The person on the bed was pale, shaking her head slightly in a daze, murmuring words under her breath. She couldn’t hear anyone’s well-wishes, nor could she convey her own hopes. She had just lost consciousness in this muddled state.
.
Su He hadn’t chosen this town for Su Wei. They had passed a bustling town earlier when Su Wei’s fever first started, but that wasn’t the best option.
She never questioned her decisions, nor would she disrupt her plans because of one person. What Su He wanted, she had to obtain. Others were merely stepping stones for her.
Su Wei was no different.
“Master.” The Leader walked beside Su He, her voice deep. “Shadow Nine’s health is poor. Having her along will likely hinder our plans. Why not leave her here for now while we continue on our way?”
It was now dark, but the streets were decorated with lanterns and banners. Su He looked around as she walked, casually picking up a small Puppy Wood Carving and examining it. She replied offhandedly, “And then send her back?”
Su He held the carving up, waving it in front of the Leader’s face, raising an eyebrow. “Does Gu not treat her well?”
The Leader lowered her head. “Of course you treat her well. This subordinate only feared—”
“Alright.” Su He cut her off heartlessly. “Gu’s mood isn’t too bad right now. Don’t go making Gu unhappy.”
She motioned for the Leader to pay. Holding the Puppy Wood Carving in her palm, she rubbed it, weaving through the crowd. She observed the people on the roadside while speaking to the Leader. “You’ve followed Gu for so long, you should understand. Su Wei will follow Gu even in death, much less alive. Even if she’s sick—”
Su He stopped walking, turned her head slightly, and casually pronounced Su Wei’s fate. “She has to die before Gu’s eyes.”
“She still hasn’t cleared her suspicion regarding the attack on Gu that day.”
The Leader’s pupils shook. She frowned. “You know it wasn’t her.”
Su He raised a hand. “Don’t say that. Gu doesn’t know. If Gu knew for certain, Su Wei wouldn’t be alive now.”
“Alright, we’re out to look around. Why bring these things up?” Su He winked at her hand gesture. She truly seemed in a good mood, stopping in front of quite a few shops.
“Boss, can this be cheaper?” Su He had taken a liking to another dagger. It was entirely black, the design simple, but thankfully sharp enough. “It’s so lively here.”
The vendor glanced at the item in her hand and stated firmly, “No bargaining on this one. Not a single coin less.”
Then he answered Su He’s second question. “Of course! We’re right at the Imperial Domain. Who would dare cause trouble here? You’re right, miss.”
Su He nodded, signaling the Leader to pay. She continued forward. “Gu didn’t know Gu was so impressive, governing this place so well.”
The Leader followed, keeping a pace behind her. “You have always been impressive and outstanding.”
“Thank you.” It was unclear how much Su He believed. She let her smile fade, her gaze landing on a spot. “What’s happening over there?”
The Leader looked over and quickly understood. “Looks like selling oneself to pay for a parent’s funeral.”
“Selling oneself to bury a father.” Su He’s interest was piqued. She walked over, suddenly asking, “Do you think if you hadn’t brought Su Wei back, she would be doing this too?”
The Leader said nothing. In her heart, she knew that if she hadn’t taken that child in, she would have died long ago.
Seeing the silence, Su He gave a soft “hmph” and crouched down beside the woman. “Are you alright?”
The woman finally looked up. Her eyes were vacant. She gave Su He a wan smile. “Answering my lady, not well at all.”
“My father was murdered. The entire family is dead. Only this slave is left. Please, my lady, have mercy and help this slave bury them.”
As the woman spoke, tears fell. She kowtowed repeatedly, begging for Su He’s help.
Su He’s expression shifted slightly. She sighed, as if pitying this unfortunate woman. “Who killed your family? Do you know?”
The woman nodded, then shook her head. “It was an enemy of my father. That person hired men. In one night, they slaughtered my entire family. This slave truly has no other option.”
“Why not report it to the officials?”
“The Magistrate’s Office couldn’t do anything. That person already left this place long ago. There’s no trace of them.”
Su He listened without speaking. Her gaze slowly swept over the woman, finally resting on her eyes.
This person’s eyes were beautiful, large and round. Tears welled within them, looking utterly pitiable. There was a hint of resemblance…
Su He pulled out a handkerchief. Through the fabric, she held the woman’s hand. She asked softly, “Have you trained in martial arts?”
“Yes, I have trained.”
Su He made an “ah” sound, her expression showing satisfaction. She looked at the Leader and suddenly said, “I’ll buy you. Your old name is no longer valid. I shall bestow a new name upon you. Do you accept?”
The woman immediately agreed. “My lady, if you are willing to buy this slave, you are this slave’s master. This slave shall obey all commands.”
“Good.” The amusement swirled in Su He’s eyes. “Rosy clouds and billowing mist—from now on, your name shall be Su Yun.”
“Yun, as in ‘contained’ or ‘profound.’ How is it?”
“Su Yun thanks her Master!”
Beside her, the Leader’s heart had already been stirred into turmoil. She turned her face slightly away, for a moment not daring to look directly.
Su Wei (Wei), Su Yun (Yun)—
In the end, Su He loved no one.
[T/N: The names Su Wei (苏蔚) and Su Yun (苏蕴) form a wordplay on the Chinese idiom “Xia Wei Yun Zheng” (霞蔚云蒸), which means “rosy clouds rising and billowing mists.” By naming the new girl Yun (蕴, a homophone for 云/mist) to match Su Wei’s Wei (蔚), the Empress is completing the idiom. This poetic matching of their names highlights Su He’s cold, possessive nature: she views both women as a “matched set” of decorative toys rather than individuals, prompting the Leader’s realization that she loved no one.]
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Back at the inn, Su Wei knew nothing of this. She woke up not long after Su He had left. Seeing her awake, the Palace Attendant was about to fetch some food, but Su Wei stopped her before she could move.
“No need.” Su Wei slowly put on her clothes, head bowed, looking for her shoes. “I’m not hungry. I have no appetite. I’ll skip the meal for now.”
“Where is the Master?”
The Palace Attendant replied, “Went out. She told me to watch over you.”
“My body is too much of a burden on the Master.” Su Wei stood, flexing her wrists. “Do I still need to drink medicine?”
The Palace Attendant nodded. “It’s being brewed in the back courtyard. That Shadow Seven, I believe, is watching it for you.”
Su Wei understood. She had been lying down for almost an entire day. Feeling much better now, she naturally wanted to go out and move around. She smiled at the Palace Attendant. “I’ll go check on it. You rest here. Sorry for the trouble.”
“It’s nothing.” The Palace Attendant shook her head immediately. “You getting sick less is better than anything.”
Su Wei gave a shy smile. She pushed the door open and slowly walked toward the back courtyard. She had never been to this small town before. The air felt much better than in The Capital. She took a deep breath and quietly pushed the gate open, stepping out.
“Little Nine, I’ve spotted you.” Shadow Seven poked her head out, expressionless. “You could have worn more clothes.”
Su Wei sighed helplessly, crouching down beside Shadow Seven. “This weather is too hot. Are you trying to smother me with too many layers?”
“Don’t talk nonsense.” Shadow Seven fanned herself. “Did the Master send you to find me?”
Su Wei shook her head. “No. The Master went out. The Palace Attendant told me you were here, so I came to find you.”
Shadow Seven immediately fell silent. After a long pause, she spoke. “When you’re by the Master’s side, you must be extra careful. Follow her will. Don’t act on your own, or you’ll risk punishment.”
“Why are you suddenly saying this?” Su Wei was a bit puzzled, guessing casually. “Don’t tell me the Master forbids me from seeking you guys out?”
Shadow Seven said nothing. In her heart, she thought: You guessed it right—just got the target wrong.
“Alright, I’ll remember.” Su Wei was slightly excited. She leaned against Shadow Seven’s shoulder. “I feel like my ear is almost better. I can hear much more clearly now.”
Shadow Seven let her lean. “That’s good. Don’t get hurt anymore. It’s always either losing your sight or going deaf.”
Su Wei made a sound of agreement. “This place feels so peaceful.”
She stood up, wandering aimlessly in the back courtyard. There was a well, many trees, and some flowers scattered here and there.
This summer, they were blooming brightly.
Out of the corner of her eye, Shadow Seven swept past a spot. Her gaze sharpened, the hand holding the fan gripping tightly. Just as she started to rise, she sensed a force tearing through the air toward her. She retreated backward, her foot kicking over the medicine pot. Her eyes instantly widened. She met the attack with full force.
Su Wei heard the commotion and immediately turned around. Her expression changed. Just as she was about to rush over to help, she halted her steps. Reacting with extreme speed, she twisted her body sideways, dodging an incoming palm strike. She immediately adjusted her stance, turning and raising her arm to meet the attacker’s blow.
These people were dressed in black, wrapped up tightly. Looking at them, Su Wei couldn’t help but remember that night, years ago, when her family was slaughtered.
Those people had been dressed exactly like this.
Thinking of this, Su Wei clenched her fist and actively engaged the attacker. But there were far more of them than she had imagined. In no time, Su Wei realized Shadow Seven was fighting two opponents alone.
And she was still sick. Her strength was inevitably less than usual. The other Shadow Guards were probably following the Master, or had been dispatched elsewhere. Right now, only the two of them were left.
Su Wei gritted her teeth, kicking one person away. Just as she started moving toward Shadow Seven, she felt a murderous intent behind her. She heard Shadow Seven’s voice change pitch, filled with terror:
“Little Nine!”
