Chapter 42: Farewell

The banquet lasted late into the night. By the time Su Wei returned, she was already drowsy. After bathing, she naturally lay down on the bed, not even waiting for Su He.

It was a gesture that carried a hint of acting spoiled through favor.

When Su He emerged in an outer robe, she saw that Su Wei was already close to falling into a deep sleep. She put on a stern face, walked over, and pinched her Shadow Guard’s cheek, her tone laced with reproach: “Why didn’t you wait for Gu?”

Su Wei could discern just how much truth Su He’s words held. She forced herself to stay alert, hooked her arms around Su He’s neck, rested her head on the woman’s shoulder, and mumbled, “I’m so sleepy. Master should sleep earlier too.”

“I… can’t speak anymore.”

Su Wei murmured a single phrase, then closed her eyes completely, relaxing into Su He’s embrace.

The Female Emperor sat on the edge of the bed. She could smell the scent on her Shadow Guard—a scent identical to her own. They had lived together for a long time, and as for sharing a bed, it had already been half a year. Time was passing in the blink of an eye.

The weather had turned cold, and the wind outside howled fiercely. Su He carefully placed Su Wei on the bed. She lowered her gaze and looked at her Shadow Guard for a long while before extinguishing the flickering candle flame, silently concealing everything within the darkness of the night.

.

Ancestral worship ceremonies were usually held in winter, on the days of Heavy Snow, simply to let the heavens witness their sincerity. But this year was different; the time was moved up. Fortunately, all preparations were sufficiently thorough.

Su He, along with several clan relatives and high officials, were all to go. Su Yuan was pregnant, so He Chengjiang would go in her stead. There were other scattered individuals as well. The traveling party numbered nearly a hundred people.

Just the protective Shadow Guards and royal guards alone were numerous enough.

Su Wei never brought up the topic of going herself. Since she didn’t mention it, Su He didn’t discuss it either, only instructing Su Wei to prepare her clothes the day before departure.

The Shadow Guard was soaking in the bath, her back leaning against the pool wall, half her body draped over the edge. She squinted at Su He, not answering. She merely extended the tip of her tongue and licked her master’s lips, and then the two of them tumbled into the water together. When they resurfaced, Su Wei was completely soaked through.

Her legs were hooked over Su He’s arm. She tilted her head back in enjoyment, her hand caressing Su He’s face as she whispered, “This subordinate will accompany Master.”

Any further words were broken apart into fragments, but Su Wei could feel it—Su He was very satisfied.

.

The location for their ancestral worship was a famous mountain to the north. Along the entire way, there were tourists rushing to visit and enjoy themselves. During a rest stop, Su Wei even asked those people some questions.

She was dressed very plainly, but not shabbily. It gave off an impression of being easy to approach. When Su Wei smiled at someone, those round eyes would curve downwards, making her look like a good kid at first glance.

“Is there anything fun to do at Harmony Gold Mountain?” Su Wei accepted the melon seeds a person handed her and leisurely began to crack them open.

The other party was a married couple, a child held in their arms. The little baby was a girl who smiled the moment she saw Su Wei, causing Su Wei’s heart to soften. She reached out and took the child. Fortunately, the baby was well-behaved, neither crying nor fussing, just gripping her hand and playing with it on her own.

“There is,” the woman said. “The Master there tells fortunes very accurately. You can go find the Master to have your fortune told. And making wishes there is also very effective. You can pray for a Peace Talisman or something similar.”

Su Wei nodded, indicating she had noted it all down.

The man then chimed in to add: “You also have to be careful, there are cliffs there. Many people have had accidents there. It’s said that no one has ever survived.”

The woman spoke up at this: “Didn’t we say there was one person?”

“That’s different. That kind is divine protection. They just happened to fall into a cave within the cliff. How could other people have such good luck?”

The woman nodded: “It’s also a matter of a lucky life, snatching their life back from death. So, young lady, don’t go out at night. You must be extra careful.”

Su Wei nodded emphatically: “I understand. Many thanks to you two.”

She gently returned the child to the woman, then took out a Sachet and placed it in the baby’s embrace: “This contains medicinal herbs. It’s good for the body, and it’s safe even for a child to use.”

The woman was about to refuse, but Su Wei shook her head, turned around, and went back into the inn, meeting them no more.

The group’s pace wasn’t slow, but there were many among them with old bones. Su He had to be somewhat accommodating.

And then there was Bai Su, causing trouble anytime and anywhere, frequently making things impossible to settle.

But Su He didn’t seem ready to give up on Bai Su. She still brought her along, not saying a single word.

This also aroused Su Wei’s curiosity. She watched Bai Su for a long time without figuring anything out. Her actions were blatant, not concealed in the slightest. Naturally, Su He noticed her actions too. Somewhat helplessly, she pulled the person back into the carriage and said sternly, “It’s windy and cold outside. Be careful not to get sick.”

Su Wei naturally leaned into Su He’s embrace. She tilted her head up and blinked her eyes, then broke into a smile towards Su He the next moment. She assented, “Alright.”

Su He reached out and hugged Su Wei. She whispered, “Bai Su was a blood sister to Gu’s mother, but back then, Bai Su mysteriously disappeared. We searched hard for a long time, but in the end, we concluded she had died. I never expected she was imprisoned by He Shuqi.”

“General Bai and He Shuqi are…” Su Wei fell silent. The words that followed weren’t spoken aloud by either of them, but they were clear in their hearts.

As for those years trapped and confined, just what kind of feelings He Shuqi held for Bai Su was something no one could know.

“Master,” Su Wei called out softly, “It seems you are willing to speak of some things with me now.”

Su He chuckled lightly: “When has Gu ever not spoken with you?”

Su Wei enunciated each word: “I mean, you are willing to speak of some past matters with your subordinate.”

The Shadow Guard’s gaze met Su He’s eyes without deviation. She reached out and lightly touched the area near Su He’s eye, asking softly, “The words you said that day in Jiangnan—”

Su He reversed her grip, grasping her hand and holding it. Then she buried her head in the crook of Su Wei’s neck, not giving a reply. Only her heavy breathing disclosed everything.

So it was like this—

A sense of vengeful pleasure arose in Su Wei’s heart. Look, she was falling for it after all.

.

Harmony Gold Mountain was truly high. By the time Su Wei followed them to the halfway point, she couldn’t hold on any longer and had to give up.

She sat down on a rock to rest, watching the endless stream of people climbing upwards. Some were crying, some laughing. But those hardships and joys had nothing to do with her. What she needed to do was simply free herself.

“Benefactor.”

Su Wei heard the voice and raised her eyes. She didn’t turn around, just remained silent.

But that person also sat down beside her. From the voice, it was clearly a gentle nun.

Su Wei finally reacted. She curved her lips towards the other person and said respectfully, “Master.”

The nun shook her head: “I don’t deserve that title.”

“You, child…” her hand touched Su Wei’s brow and eyes, “Why are you so sad?”

Su Wei also denied it: “Sadness is something everyone experiences. No one is happy for their entire life.”

The nun said again: “Let me tell your fortune with a divination. I feel there is a karmic connection between us.”

“Alright.”

Su Wei generously reported her own birthdate and time. Her hands twisted together; she was still somewhat nervous.

A moment later, the person said: “You will survive a desperate situation.”

Su Wei responded with a sound of acknowledgment: “Thank you, Master.”

The nun stood up, just about to leave, when she suddenly threw out a final sentence: “Trust your own judgment. You will live on.”

The moment the words fell, Su Wei whipped her head around to look, but where was the nun’s figure anymore? It was as if what happened moments before had been nothing but an illusion.

.

The sacrificial ceremony lasted three days, but Su Wei’s constitution was genuinely too poor. She couldn’t climb up. Su He arranged for people to guard her side. The Gu insects had also been pacified during their separation. Apart from an inescapable feeling of longing, she felt no other sensations of pain.

So she leisurely wandered around with her escort, praying for a Peace Talisman. After the ceremony ended, they would come down the mountain to stay for one night.

Su Wei had not seen Su He for three whole days. She stuffed the Peace Talisman into Su He’s clothes and said, “Master, I prayed for it for you.”

Su He hugged her: “Did your body hurt?”

“No.” Su Wei hugged Su He back, her voice softening, “Everything was fine.”

“That’s good then.”

The two held each other. In that moment, it seemed all thoughts in their hearts were fully understood. They kissed, bathed together, and then lay down in bed.

Su He kissed Su Wei’s brow and eyes. Su Wei smiled: “So sleepy.”

Su He made a sound of agreement: “Then sleep. No more tiring activities.”

Then sleep—hoping she could have a good sleep.

Su Wei kept her eyes open, curving her brows and eyes.

That night, Su He erupted in fury. It was already past midnight when she discovered Su Wei was gone. The Leader took a portion of the Shadow Guards and went out searching together.

Su Wei had not hidden her footprints. Very naturally, she led Su He and the others to her.

She stood right at the edge of the sheer cliff. One step back and she would be dashed to pieces. Su Wei held her hands behind her back, quietly watching Su He.

“Master,” Su Wei sighed deeply, “The sky is cold, the wind is harsh.”

Su He could not produce even a ghost of a smile. She stretched out her hand: “Come over here.”

Su Wei shook her head: “Forget it. Your subordinate… doesn’t really want to go back.”

“Su Wei!” Su He could finally no longer suppress her anger, “Has Gu not treated you well enough?”

Su Wei naturally responded: “Good. Master is truly extremely good.”

“Then you—”

“Master,” Su Wei interrupted Su He’s speech for the first time. She said seriously, “Come a bit closer.”

The moment the words were out, the Leader moved to stop her, but Su He gestured for her to retreat. She boldly walked over, stopping a few steps before Su Wei. She didn’t dare make any rash moves either. Su Wei truly looked like she intended to jump.

Su Wei took out a Jade Hairpin—the very one Su He had once given her. She extended her hand: “It’s repaired. I’ve always wanted to find a chance to return it to you.”

The wind picked up, whipping Su Wei’s loose hair strands along with it. Su He slowly reached out her hand. A shadow passed through her eyes, and she suddenly seized her Shadow Guard’s wrist, pulling the person over. Strangely, Su Wei did not struggle at all, obediently allowing herself to be caught in her embrace.

“Master,” Su Wei steadily placed the Jade Hairpin into Su He’s hair. The next moment, she cupped Su He’s face with both hands and fiercely kissed her. Su He’s eyes widened as she was forced to accept the blood being transferred over.

“Your Majesty,” Su Wei pulled back slightly. The eyes she raised were filled entirely with hatred and the thrill of revenge. She said, “You must remember me forever.”

The next instant, using all the strength in her body, she forcefully pushed Su He away. Even Su He, whose martial prowess was so formidable, staggered back several steps from that push. She could only watch helplessly as Su Wei, like a kite with its string cut, plunged into the mountain abyss, her corner of clothing no longer visible.

“Su Wei!”

Su He was stopped by the Leader. Her eyes stared fixedly, desperate. She roared lowly: “Alive, I want to see her; dead, I want the corpse. Find her for Gu!”

She stood up, gasping violently for breath. Just as she was about to turn around, she halted her steps. She stood frozen in place, stunned—

The Gu was lifted.