Chapter 31: You Can Only Be Mine

This was the first time they had done something intimate in front of those around them. Even if everyone else tacitly acknowledged their relationship, when witnessing it with their own eyes, they still turned their heads away, not daring to look directly.

The Leader’s hands clenched so tightly her knuckles cracked. She kicked the captured assassin, all her fury directed at the man as she strode over. “Who sent you?”

“I’ll never tell you.” The man raised his head stubbornly. The next second, he bit down on poison and died.

A flicker of surprise passed through the Leader’s eyes. She turned her head to look at Shadow Seven, who was standing guard, examining her with scrutiny. “Didn’t I tell you to watch him?”

“You can’t even handle the most basic task properly?”

Shadow Seven hung her head in self-reproach. “It was my fault. I await the Leader’s punishment.”

“It had better be your fault.” The Leader coldly snorted and kicked Shadow Seven’s leg. Seeing the woman fall uncontrollably to her knees, she left without looking back.

Shadow Seven looked at the assassin collapsed on the ground and gritted her teeth.

.

Su He didn’t kiss Su Wei for too long. She used her fingertip to wipe the trace of blood smeared at the corner of Su Wei’s lips, gently embracing her. She whispered into her ear, “You were very obedient today.”

Su Wei opened her mouth, but no sound came out. When had she ever not been obedient?

They were surrounded by people. It was as if they had made a declaration before all eyes. But Su Wei felt not a shred of warmth, only fear.

As if what Shadow Seven had said to her had suddenly become a prophecy.

And then—Su Wei revealed her eyes, staring fixedly at the boat slowly sinking to the riverbed, the flames reflected in her pupils. Why did she exist in this scheme?

She was currently a person without martial arts, her body even weaker than an ordinary person’s. So why did her master want her to appear here?

And it clearly seemed to have been anticipated all along. Otherwise, her master wouldn’t be wearing the Leader’s clothes, even mimicking her voice to near perfection.

Su Wei watched the struggling figures gradually lose their breath. A sudden realization struck her—the reason she and her master had become like this.

She had been ambushed by assassins while escorting her master on an outing. And that day’s itinerary had been confidential. So she was deemed responsible, accused of secretly colluding with external enemies.

So… was her master still suspecting her now?

Thinking of this, Su Wei’s heart felt much clearer. All those strange, unsettling feelings finally had an explanation. But how had their relationship come to this?

She withdrew from Su He’s embrace, looking at her master with utmost seriousness.

Su He noticed her expression was off and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Do you want to kill me?”

“Hm?” Su He instinctively felt that Su Wei was blaming her, accusing her of putting her in danger. Her gaze instantly turned cold. “Are you blaming Gu?”

Su Wei shook her head. She even made a move as if to jump into the river. “What this subordinate means is, does Master wish for me to die?”

“Then I shall die.”

Saying so, she truly moved to jump into the river. But in the next instant, Su He firmly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back inward, her voice sinking. “What madness are you spouting? When has Gu ever meant that?”

Su Wei lowered her eyes. Suddenly, she felt profoundly exhausted, lacking even the energy to speak.

She couldn’t refute it. She just felt like she was trapped inside a circle. Why did she know nothing, yet still be forcibly dragged along?

If her master didn’t mean that, why test her time and time again?

Su He sighed, as if guessing something. She rubbed Su Wei’s head. “Don’t guess wildly. Trust Gu, alright?”

Su Wei looked up. She pressed her lips together and, in the end, nodded.

They couldn’t linger on the river for long. Just as they returned to the harbor, they saw Master He rushing over in a panic. He was sweating all over and only sighed in relief upon seeing Su He uninjured.

“Is Manager Cheng alright?” Master He panted heavily. “This… I had no idea about this either.”

Su He’s face was dark with anger. She cursed at Master He, “Get lost! If I didn’t have some martial arts foundation myself, I fear I’d have lost my life here.”

“You weren’t unwilling to sell and deliberately hired people to assassinate me, were you? Master He, your business practices are quite dishonest!”

Su He pressed him relentlessly with every word. Master He was already in the wrong. It was he who had guaranteed that this shipment would be delivered safely to the Jiangnan region. Who knew that before it even set out, disaster would strike?

“Manager Cheng, this is truly an injustice.” Master He slapped his thigh. “I’ve never encountered such a thing in my business dealings before. Who knew it would happen precisely today?”

Su He sneered. “I don’t believe a single word you say now! I’m going back to rest. You can explain yourself to the Grand Magistrate!”

With that, she flicked her sleeve and left with her entourage, leaving only the assassin’s corpse, dead by his own poison.

.

“Master, the corpse has been examined. It left no markings; it was handled very cleanly.” The Leader spoke quietly beside Su He. “I fear this should be enough to clear Shadow Nine’s suspicion.”

Her words were cautious, her peripheral vision constantly gauging Su He’s mood.

Su He leaned by the window. She was currently in the Leader’s room, while Su Wei had already been sent back to rest.

“Naturally—” Su He paused, then her eyes curved into a smile the next moment. “It cannot.”

“Speak. How did that assassin die? As a Shadow Guard, can you not even manage the most basic search for poison?”

The Leader immediately knelt. “It was this subordinate’s failure in discipline. I will certainly train them strictly upon return.”

Su He stepped on the Leader’s shoulder, applying force until the woman was pressed flat onto the ground. Her tone lifted. “No matter. You might as well wait until Gu is dead before doing so.”

“Have the mistakes already made been resolved by a few words from you?” Su He mocked. “But, Gu doesn’t intend to deal with Shadow Seven so quickly. She… still has some uses.”

The Leader felt the pressure on her shoulder lessen. Just as she raised her eyes, Su He stomped down hard. “Did Gu permit you to look up?”

“No, it was this subordinate’s fault.”

Only then did Su He leisurely release the Leader. “Assign a few people to watch this Master He. Even if he makes a fuss at the Magistrate’s Office, he likely won’t get any good result. We might as well finish him off early tomorrow morning.”

“That man is no good person. He eats until he’s fat-headed and big-eared, and he’s done plenty of immoral deeds.” Su He poured a cup of tea but didn’t drink it, placing it on the table instead. “Gu trusts you greatly, but I hope you won’t let Gu down.”

“Also…” Su He was about to leave when she turned back, as if remembering something. She pointed a finger in the Leader’s direction. “Do not mention Shadow Nine before Gu again.”

“You understand Gu’s meaning.”

The Leader’s back was ramrod straight. She shifted direction on her knees, kowtowing heavily towards Su He. “This subordinate obeys the decree.”

As her words fell, she clearly heard the sound of the door closing. Su He wouldn’t suspect her. Even less would she suspect that the Leader would violate her orders. That was how the Supreme Sovereign was—holding supreme, unquestionable power.

.

Just as Su He stepped out, she ran into Su Yun, who stopped and saluted. “Master.”

“Lift your head,” Su He beckoned with a hooked finger. “Can you smile now?”

Su Yun nodded. She naturally curved her lips, then waited eagerly for Su He’s assessment.

Su He merely swept a glance over her, not making things too difficult. She only left one sentence: “As expected, you can only ever be you.”

Fundamentally unable to replace anyone.

Su Wei was still the most interesting. When her little Shadow Guard looked at people, the expression in those eyes was what invited affection and pity.

Su Yun had no idea what this sentence meant. She was lodging in the same room as the Palace Attendant and humbly asked about it upon returning. Unexpectedly, the attendant sized her up from head to toe, ultimately arriving at a conclusion: “It means you shouldn’t try to imitate anyone else. Like Dongshi imitating a frown.”

Su Yun: “…”

“Alright, stop arguing. I want to sleep.” The Palace Attendant lay directly on the bed and wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, completely ignoring whatever the person behind her said.

And Su Wei, who lived not far away, had long since lain on her bed and closed her eyes in a daze, feeling like she might faint into sleep at any second.

After bathing, Su He saw Su Wei in this state. She couldn’t help but chuckle, pinching Su Wei’s face. “Were you truly frightened today?”

This question needed no asking; the answer was undoubtedly yes, without surprise.

When Su Wei thought she was the Leader, she had left without hesitation, clearly knowing she would only be a burden. Su He hadn’t even seen Su Wei’s flustered expression at that moment—she probably almost dove into the river to find her.

Su He had long since calculated this turn of events. She wouldn’t joke around with her own life.

Su Wei was still not fully clear-headed, but could converse normally. “This subordinate was indeed frightened. Master, what you did was far too dangerous.”

“Would you worry about others, too?” Su He wrapped her arms around Su Wei’s waist, her voice carrying a smile. “Like those admirers of yours, for example?”

What admirers? There was no one by Su Wei’s side, only the Shadow Guards who were as close as true family to her.

“Su Wei, Gu suddenly realized tonight that you are irreplaceable.” Su He kissed the corner of her eye. “Especially these eyes. No one else can replicate them.”

Su Wei opened her eyes. She was facing away from her master. At this moment, she couldn’t show a trace of a smile. “Everyone is unique, just as there is only one Master in this world.”

Su He was immensely pleased by her words. Her arm tightened even more, yet skillfully avoided the wound. “Su Wei, as long as you stay by Gu’s side, everything will be alright.”

“This subordinate believes it.” Su Wei kept her eyes open. “This subordinate will always stay by Master’s side.”

She was a Shadow Guard, meant to be by her master’s side. So why did she feel so miserable tonight?

She had done nothing, yet a hat of blame was unjustly placed on her head. She couldn’t even clear herself of suspicion.

Su Wei pressed her lips together and suddenly spoke: “Master, Shadow Nine will always be your Shadow Guard.”

Su He extinguished the candle. Her hand was very warm. Her palm clasped Su Wei’s face, forcing the Shadow Guard to turn her head. She smiled. “Good. Gu truly likes you so much.”

“Su Wei, you are so beautiful.”

Tears silently slipped down Su Wei’s face. She made a sound of agreement: “Mm.” As if nothing had happened at all.

“Su Wei.” Su He buried her head in the curve of Su Wei’s neck and sighed deeply. “You can only be Gu’s.”

This sentence soundlessly imprisoned Su Wei, just like the birdcage tattoo she couldn’t wash off her back—following her like a shadow.