By the next morning, they had to set out. Su Wei hadn’t slept deeply. The moment Su He stirred to get up, she woke as well and sat up too.
“Since you’re awake, come change your clothes.” Su He’s movements were swift and efficient as she quickly tied her sash. “We must depart today.”
Sitting naturally, Su Wei gave a soft “Mm” and slowly rose from the bed. Today, she put the red robe back on, but added an extra outer layer.
The weather was gradually losing its heat, the wind now carrying a biting chill. She took a deep breath and pulled her outer robe tighter.
Su Wei stepped out first. Just as she exited the inn, she saw Shadow Seven, whose face was deathly pale. She frowned slightly. “What happened to you? Were you punished?”
Shadow Seven nodded. “Yesterday, we captured an assassin alive, but I didn’t notice he still had poison hidden on him. So the Leader punished me.”
“Indeed, you deserved punishment.” Su Wei didn’t press further. She was about to follow the Palace Attendant onto the boat when she suddenly thought of something and turned back. “That day at the inn, when you and I were attacked, did you leave any alive?”
Shadow Seven shook her head. “That situation was far too dangerous, and you were injured too.”
Su Wei’s eyes flickered slightly. “I see. I understand.”
Her lips pressed into a line, her eyes lowered slightly. Her complexion was a bit better than the previous days, but she still gave off a feeling of frailness. Su Wei lifted her eyes and cast a bland glance at Shadow Seven before turning to follow the attendant away.
“That day I was injured… how many corpses were on the ground?”
Su Wei made it sound as if she was just casually asking. “I suddenly recalled this matter. Those who came to rob the goods this time should be from the same place as the previous batch.”
The Palace Attendant answered truthfully: “Three people, I think.”
She had rushed out upon hearing the commotion and came out to find Su Wei collapsed unconscious on the ground, which was covered in blood. She had been nearly scared to death. After hastily glancing at those corpses, she had frantically gone to find the Imperial Physician.
“Three people?” If Su Wei remembered correctly, there should have been five people that day. She had engaged two, and Shadow Seven had engaged three. One had died in the well. There should have been more than that.
“Understood.” Su Wei gave the Palace Attendant a smile, coughing twice. “Sorry for the trouble.”
She took a deep breath and walked forward steadily.
.
The boat this time was very large. It was Su Wei’s first time on a boat, but she didn’t feel any discomfort. Su He, on the other hand, was somewhat seasick and leaned pale-faced against her lap.
“Master, have some medicine.” Su Wei bent her finger to touch the bowl beside her. The temperature had already cooled enough.
Su He kept her eyes closed, then opened them to reveal a hint of vulnerability. “Gu doesn’t want to drink it.”
Su Wei looked down at her, then replied, “Then don’t drink it.”
“Sleep for a while, Master. There’s a bed here. This subordinate will keep watch outside.”
Su He raised her hand and rubbed Su Wei’s earlobe. “Won’t you accompany Gu for a nap?”
“Master should sleep alone. This subordinate isn’t tired.”
Su He sighed regretfully. “Very well. It seems Su Wei is unwilling to stay with Gu.”
Su Wei shook her head. “That’s not it.”
“Forget it. You go out first. Gu will change clothes.” Su He sat up. The Human Skin Mask on her face couldn’t reveal her complexion, making her look normal.
“Alright.” Su Wei turned and left. She sank her eyes and went to stand beside Shadow Seven. “How is your body holding up?”
Shadow Seven grinned, showing her teeth, and clapped her chest heartily. “Don’t worry, I’m in great shape!”
Su Wei forced a smile too. She tilted her head to rest on Shadow Seven’s shoulder, squinting into the distance. “I hope you stay well.”
“I will,” Shadow Seven’s voice lowered. “Don’t worry.”
.
The temperature inside the cabin was much higher. They would be sailing for a full day and night. Su He took off the stuffy Human Skin Mask and exhaled a long breath of relief.
Her complexion was not good at all—deathly pale—but her eyes were very clear. She removed her outer garment and put on another, thinner one. The wind pressed the fabric against her skin the moment it blew, faintly revealing her shoulders. Su He had just finished tying her waist sash when she sensed someone enter.
“Master.” Su Yun’s fingertips pushed aside the curtain. “Are you feeling any better?”
The moment her words fell, she fell silent, stunned at the sight of Su He’s face. She hadn’t expected her master’s true appearance to be so beautiful.
Su He cast a sidelong glance at her, a flash of killing intent surfacing in her eyes. Calmly, she asked: “How much longer do you intend to stare?”
Su Yun jolted back to her senses instantly and immediately retreated, her expression panicked as she found Su Wei.
“Do you know Master…” Su Yun caught herself. “No, you must definitely know.”
Su Yun continued: “I saw Master’s face. It’s truly beautiful. I’ve never seen such a stunning person!”
Su Wei let out an “Ah” and gestured for Su Yun to continue. “And then? Did Master not blame you?”
“No!” Excitement gleamed in Su Yun’s eyes. “She just told me to leave!”
“Su Wei!” Su Yun thought of something, growing even more excited. “Master really resembles someone!”
“Mm.” Upon hearing this, Su Wei prepared to leave, but her wrist was tightly grasped by Su Yun. She frowned but still turned back. “Is there something else?”
“Could Master be the current—” Su Yun timely cut herself off, a sly smile appearing. “You are Master’s Shadow Guard, and the trusted confidante by her side. Can you help me?”
Su Wei drew a sharp breath. She instantly understood what Su Yun intended to do and said sternly: “Don’t even think about it!”
“Su Wei!” Su Yun took a deep breath and lowered her voice. “Don’t you want to climb higher? Are you content to remain just a Shadow Guard?”
“Whether I’m content or not has nothing to do with you. Don’t expect me to help you with such a thing.”
Su Wei’s voice was severe, already carrying a hint of anger. No matter who she was, she couldn’t do such a thing.
“You don’t like Master, do you? That’s why you’re unwilling.” Su Yun said suspiciously. “You’re too stingy. She stands above ten thousand people; it’s impossible for her to only have you alone.”
Su Yun worshipped power and desired it. Su He was undoubtedly her best choice.
Su Wei took a deep breath and stared directly at Su Yun. She was somewhat tired of dealing with this, but her next words were very steady. “This subordinate only holds feelings of admiration for Master, nothing like what you imagine.”
“Su Yun, I don’t have time to stand here discussing this with you.”
Su Yun was already irritated. A glance from the corner of her eye made her freeze. She swallowed and lowered her voice urgently. “Look to the side.”
Su Wei swept her eyes over warily, but upon seeing Su He, she froze on the spot.
But she quickly relaxed. She hadn’t done anything wrong. She was Shadow Nine, and Shadow Nine was Su He’s Shadow Guard, the Shadow Guard of Her Majesty. She protected her master from those with ulterior motives. Her answer contained no fault—what was there to be guilty about?
But she felt the expression in her master’s eyes and brows was very subtle, as if suppressing something.
Su He leaned against the edge of the cabin, dressed in white. She let out a soft snort and beckoned to Su Wei with a curled finger.
“Su Wei, come here,” she said gently.
