Chapter 9: Do Not Get Hurt

Su He—

That was Master’s name.

Su Wei’s eyes fluttered rapidly, but she couldn’t produce a single sound. She didn’t know what to say, yet her Master still demanded she speak, asked what she was thinking.

She opened her mouth, her voice trembling at the end of her words. “Thinking of Master.”

Su He made an “Mm” sound, seeming slightly puzzled. She asked again, “But I am right here in front of you.”

Su Wei shook her head. “No. Because this subordinate cannot see.”

Because she couldn’t see, therefore she had to think.

Hearing this, Su He’s hand paused its motion. She slowly began to admire her work, her fingertips tracing along Su Wei’s spine, watching the person tremble before her eyes. She let out a laugh and gently pulled the disheveled robe back up.

She said, “Go back and wash it off. It’s very late.”

.

Su Wei still waited until Su He returned and lay down on the bed before closing her eyes. She placed the hairpin by her pillow, guarding it carefully, afraid of it falling off.

She was sick, so the night was somewhat difficult to endure. She woke up repeatedly, though fortunately without startling her Master.

Lying in bed, Su Wei couldn’t sense when day broke. She could only judge by the sounds outside. She wanted to return to her own quarters and not trouble her Master anymore. When her eyes got better, things might improve.

“What are you thinking about?”

Su He’s voice suddenly came from above Su Wei’s head. Su Wei instantly pulled her thoughts back, not knowing when her Master had come to her side, while she hadn’t noticed at all.

Su Wei scrambled up to kneel. “Master, I was thinking it might be better if I just went back. Shadow Nine is too much trouble here. And this subordinate’s strength is too weak; I need more intensive training.”

As soon as her words finished, her face was pinched by Su He. She was still stunned when she heard Su He say, “Has the fever muddled your brain? How can you keep saying such things to displease me?”

“Master…”

“Enough. Accompany me to morning court.”

Su He gave Su Wei no further chance to speak. She gestured for the Palace Attendant to come in and serve. “Use the clothes I prepared. Change her into them.”

The Palace Attendant’s hand paused for a split second, but quickly returned to normal as she helped Su Wei dress.

These clothes were different from the black garments Su Wei usually wore. They were dark blue, similar in style, but clearly much more casual. They no longer cinched tightly at the waist. When worn by Su Wei, they accentuated her appearance even more.

Those eyes, even sightless, could not be considered unsightly.

But Su Wei felt uncomfortable. She tugged at the sash, an expression of helplessness on her face. Unsure where to direct her gaze, she simply lowered her head again. Her waist and abdomen usually concealed weapons. Now, dressed like this, she had nothing. How could she protect her Master?

Could it be that Master no longer wanted her as a Shadow Guard?

Thinking of this, Su Wei’s face paled considerably. She pressed her lips tightly together, unable to hide the disappointment in her eyes.

Su He was straightening her sleeves. A sideways glance revealed Su Wei’s distress. She dismissed everyone else with a wave of her hand and walked over to her. She asked gently, “You don’t like this outfit?”

“You’re just a little blind thing, can’t see a thing, yet you’ve become picky?” Su He’s gaze swept Su Wei up and down thoroughly, finding nothing improper.

Su Wei denied it immediately, her tone becoming urgent. “It’s not that, Master. It’s that this subordinate fears you no longer want me.”

“Hmm?”

Su Wei’s hand twisted on her sash. She explained: “Because in this outfit, I can’t conceal any weapons. Then I can’t protect Master.”

Su He hadn’t expected that to be the reason. She gave a short laugh and bent down. “You have so many comrades and kin all around me. They’re enough for you. Set your mind at ease.”

“Alright.”

Su Wei suppressed the slight bitterness that had arisen in her heart. She adjusted her state of mind, blinking rapidly. She thought, it’s fine. Even without weapons, she could still protect her Master. If worst came to worst, she could just use her own life.

Having calmed herself, she silently followed behind Su He. No one guided her, so she relied on discerning sounds. Fortunately, no accidents occurred along the way.

Today’s morning court was exceptionally lively. Su Wei stood in the shadows, listening as the noisy voices quieted the instant Su He appeared.

Su He sat on the Dragon Throne, fiddling with a new bracelet made of extraordinarily precious jade. Her gaze drifted lightly towards them. “What matter is so lively today?”

As soon as she spoke, no one responded. Su Bai stood at the very front, wearing a pair of White Jade Handcuffs, extremely conspicuous. His expression was full of disdain; it seemed more like he had given up entirely as he knelt forward. “Your Majesty!”

“What is the meaning of this, Imperial Brother? Such a grand gesture?” Su He’s expression remained indifferent. “Could it be you dislike the White Jade Handcuffs I bestowed upon you?”

Su Bai shook his head, his tone full of emotion, tears glistening in his eyes. “Your Majesty, your own elder sister’s life is in danger within her residence.”

Su He immediately looked away upon hearing this, her hands ceaselessly turning the bracelet. She sneered, “I understand Imperial Brother’s meaning. No need for this pretense; it is truly nauseating.”

“Your Majesty!” Su Bai nearly failed to hold his composure. “I beg Your Majesty to spare the Elder Princess.”

Su He finally placed her gaze back on Su Bai. She made an “Mm” sound, drawing out the final syllable as if in thought. She abruptly asked, “But Imperial Brother also didn’t spare his own elder brother, did he?”

She blinked, her face appearing perfectly innocent. “Is Imperial Brother implying that I intend to harm my own elder sister? Am I a monster beyond redemption?”

Su Bai’s body stiffened. He hadn’t expected Su He to dare bring up the matter openly in public. Back then, vying for the throne, he and several brothers had died or been crippled. In the end, only the three of them remained.

And the throne still wasn’t his.

“Your Majesty, that is not what I meant—”

“Then what do you mean? Disrupting my court?” Su He could not be bothered to engage with this fool over such trivial nonsense. She clapped her hands, her eyes brightening, her tone turning excited. “I imagine this is not what Imperial Brother meant either. Since Imperial Brother is so worried about Eldest Sister, why don’t you join her?”

“Take him away, take him away.” Su He waved her hand. “Don’t let my Imperial Brother die of anxiety here. Oh, and make those handcuffs heavier. I fear Imperial Brother is not suffering enough.”

She curved her lip, ignoring Su Bai’s protests entirely. She had long wanted to deal with this waste. He truly believed that by relying on ministers from the Previous Dynasty, he could overthrow her and take the throne. In reality, those old fossils probably looked down on him as well.

“Is there anything else?”

No one spoke. So Su He spoke herself. She first looked at Elder Ji with an expression of utter concern. “Your health is not impaired, is it, esteemed elder? I am very worried about you.”

Elder Ji forced a rigid smile and still bowed with complete deference. “Thankful for Your Majesty’s concern, this old official is fine.”

“That’s good then.” Su He stood up. She looked at the assembled officials, her smile suddenly vanishing. She asked softly, “And how goes the disaster relief?”

She had received He Chengjiang’s message. The situation was under control. The letter also mentioned he had executed several officials on the spot. Su He pretended she hadn’t seen it, then burned the letter into ashes that scattered with a single puff of air.

Afterward, she ordered He Chengjiang to suppress the news and exaggerate the severity. Naturally, these lies couldn’t fool these old foxes, but Su He didn’t care about that. She merely needed an excuse.

Su He stood at the high hall, spread her hands, and asked them seriously: “The disaster is severe. The common people are suffering. You ministers should also reach into your pockets. Otherwise, how can you be the honest officials the people see in their hearts?”

Just as Elder Ji was about to speak, Su He cut him off. Her fingertip pointed at him through the void, her words light as a feather. “Anyone who refuses, just kill them.”

“Tomorrow is the annual hunt. This year, let’s change the method. How about changing it to: you hide, I seek?”

The officials looked at each other, not understanding her meaning.

Su He let out a mocking laugh. “Why so foolish? Naturally, you will be the prey, and I shall be the hunter.”

“Your Majesty, this is absolutely—”

“Shut up!” Su He curved her lip, raising an eyebrow. “Speak again and I will make sure you are the first to go hide. Understand that the hunt is for my amusement, not for your enjoyment.”

“It is so decided. Court is dismissed.”

With a grand sweep of her sleeve, Su He didn’t wait for these people to protest. She directly dispersed the court and left the Main Hall.

This time, she did not return directly to the Sleeping Palace, but came to the Shadow Guard’s Training Ground. She asked lightly, “Didn’t you want to come back? I brought you back to look.”

Su Wei hadn’t expected her Master to do this for her. She suddenly widened her eyes, but her words of thanks were cut off before they could leave her mouth. “Fooled you. You are my person, after all.”

Having said this, Su He grabbed Su Wei’s wrist and led her step by step inside. The Shadow Guard Leader had long received the news and was waiting with all the Shadow Guards for their Master’s arrival.

How glaring Su Wei was, walking at Su He’s side. How obvious. The Shadow Guards all saw Su Wei being led by the hand. Their hearts immediately stirred up a storm of shock, but none of them showed it on their faces.

“Why are you all so nervous.” Su He told them to rise. “I am getting along splendidly with your kin.”

She released her hand and pushed Su Wei forward gently. She herself cast her eyes down, scanned the Leader, and walked with practiced ease into a Side Room.

It took Su Wei a moment to grasp what was happening. She couldn’t see, so the information she received was limited. It wasn’t until Shadow Seven confronted her that she finally understood the situation.

“You’ve been these past few days…” Shadow Seven looked completely incredulous. “You haven’t become Master’s little—”

Her words were cut off as someone else covered her mouth. The few of them had relatively good relationships. The oldest was Shadow Three. He warned Shadow Seven not to speak carelessly and lowered his voice to ask Su Wei, “Are you?”

Su Wei immediately shook her head. “No. I am a Shadow Guard. How could that be possible.”

Even though she and her Master had already done intimate things, it was merely to amuse her Master, nothing more.

“Little Nine, have your injuries still not healed?” Shadow Seven worried. “How is it your eyes still can’t see?”

Su Wei smiled at them. “I really am fine. I’m living very well at Master’s place. Don’t worry about me.”

Of course, they could see Su Wei was living very well, but they couldn’t help worrying. That was their Master, someone they could not hope to reach.

“You absolutely must not get hurt.”

Su Wei swore firmly: “Don’t worry, I can distinguish clearly.”