In the carriage, Yaoying was awakened by the voice of the personal guard, her long lashes fluttering slightly.
"General Su wants to see me?"
She sat up, smoothing the stray strands of hair at her temples. Fresh from a light sleep, her cheeks were flushed, and the Haloed Blossom patterns drawn with peach blossom rouge at the corners of her brows had faded slightly, making her appear even more radiant—like a bud about to bloom, trembling as it unfurls its petals to reveal tender stamens.
The courtyard torchlight flickered, casting a hazy glow over her face. Beauty viewed by lamplight was utterly captivating.
Yuanjue’s heart gave a sudden jolt, instinctively feeling that the Regent should not see the princess in her current state. Nevertheless, he quickly set down the footstool, inwardly relieved that the princess had changed out of her opulent floral hairpin ceremonial dress.
Yaoying stepped down from the carriage, crossed the courtyard, and ascended the stone steps, her steps slightly unsteady.
After a moment’s thought, Yuanjue followed closely behind her.
A fire burned in the hearth in the hall. Outside, heavy snow fell, while inside, the gentle crackle of flames filled the room. Su Dan Gu sat before the fire, his back to the door, his figure still and unmoving.
Yaoying walked in. "General Su."
Su Dan Gu did not turn around but pointed to a letter on the low table, his hands clad in black leather gloves.
Yaoying brushed the snow from her shoulders, walked over to him, and sat cross-legged. Picking up the letter, she read it carefully, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"We can go see Yuchi Damo now."
She tossed the letter into the brazier and spoke softly, her voice slightly hoarse.
Su Dan Gu watched the faint blue flames leap up in the brazier and said calmly, "Haidu Aling has arrived in Gaochang. Today, a falcon spotted his white falcon along the Great Western Sea Route."
Yaoying’s heartbeat quickened, and she frowned slightly.
Haidu Aling was here. She needed to wrap up matters here quickly and return to the Royal Court as soon as possible to avoid encountering him.
"Yang Qian told me that Lady Yina hosts banquets in the palace every day. He can help us sneak into one... The longer the night, the more dreams arise. Let’s go see Yuchi Damo tomorrow."
Yaoying looked at Su Dan Gu.
He wore a mask, the firelight reflecting off the blue-faced fangs of the demonic visage. Beneath the mask, his emerald eyes flickered with two points of light.
When he was silent, he seemed icy and menacing, truly intimidating.
Yet this was the same person who would sit by her bedside and chant scriptures when she was unwell.
When he said Haidu Aling had arrived, her first reaction was fear and unease. But his tone was so calm that it dispelled her anxiety. Remembering that he was there to protect her, she felt less tense.
Yaoying asked softly, "What does the General think?"
Su Dan Gu’s martial skills were exceptional. Even with Lady Yina’s personal guards heavily stationed, he could come and go freely in the palace.
At the temple, a young novice had once told her a story: During a time when the Northern Rong army pressed upon the borders, a tribe took the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Royal Court from behind. At that time, all five of the Royal Court’s armies were engaged on the front lines, with no troops to spare for defense. The tribe advanced unimpeded, and civilians fled with their families back to the Holy City. Other small tribes, coveting the Royal Court’s wealth, saw an opportunity and prepared to join the fray, eager to seize their share.
When the battle report reached Tanmoroqie’s desk, the court was in a state of panic. Yet Tanmoroqie remained unshaken in the face of danger and resolved the crisis by sending just one person.
That person was Su Dan Gu.
He ventured into the enemy camp alone, without a single personal guard. Clad in black and wielding a long blade, he cut down the enemy leader amidst thousands of soldiers and retreated unscathed.The chieftain's son succeeded his father's position and refused to withdraw the troops. On the second night, Su Dan Gu appeared once more in the tribe's main tent and beheaded the new chieftain.
One death per night, targeting only the leaders.
Ten days passed, and ten chieftains lost their heads.
Su Dan Gu moved like a legendary ghost or demonic warrior. Even the most heavily guarded camps were as penetrable as open fields to him, allowing him to come and go as he pleased. All the tribes besieging the Royal Court were terrified by his reputation. Without waiting for dawn, they hastily broke camp and fled back to their territories, fearing they might become the next victims under Su Dan Gu's blade.
It was clear that if Su Dan Gu wished to see Yuchi Damo, he could enter the palace at any time.
Yaoying suspected that Su Dan Gu had already met Yuchi Damo in secret. They remained in Gaochang only because she had not yet had an audience with Yuchi Damo.
She needed to meet Yuchi Damo as soon as possible to avoid delaying Su Dan Gu's affairs. Although he usually moved like a shadow and the Royal Court seemed unaffected in his absence, he surely could not stay away for too long.
Others might not notice, but she understood what he meant to the Royal Court.
Tanmoroqie was the god whom the people willingly followed—noble, sacred, untouched by dust, revered by all. Su Dan Gu, on the other hand, silently bore all the sins of killing. He was feared, despised, and hated, risking his life for the Royal Court, walking on the edge of a blade, yet forever shrouded in darkness.
The wrath of the Vajra and the compassion of the Bodhisattva were both meant to pacify a troubled world.
Yaoying added softly, "Yang Qian's father was Yuchi Damo's teacher. He often entered the palace since childhood. With him present, nothing will go wrong."
Su Dan Gu gazed at the charcoal fire and said, "I will escort the princess into the palace tomorrow."
Yaoying nodded. Having him accompany her was certainly more secure than relying on others.
She waited a moment, and when he remained silent, she guessed that his purpose in waiting for her was only to discuss Haidu Aling. She stood and said, "The night is deep and cold, General Su should retire early."
Su Dan Gu's seemingly frozen figure shifted slightly. He lifted his chin, his gaze settling on her face.
Yuanjue, standing guard in the corner, couldn't help but widen his eyes and hold his breath.
Yaoying paused mid-step, meeting Su Dan Gu's cold, detached gaze. Her eyes widened in confusion, the Haloed Blossoms at her temples trembling delicately. Their pale, elegant hue glowed under the firelight, the fashionable makeup resembling dew-laden leaves and fragrant blossoms—radiant and breathtakingly beautiful.
"General?"
Su Dan Gu withdrew his gaze and motioned for Yaoying to sit back down. He removed his leather gloves, revealing slender, well-defined fingers that were both bony and powerful.
Suddenly understanding, Yaoying bent to sit, rolled up her sleeve, and extended her fair, jade-like wrist toward Su Dan Gu, watching him expectantly.
Had it been any other man, she would not have so freely offered her arm. But Su Dan Gu was different. The tests during their journey to Gaochang had shown her that he likely saw no distinction between men and women. To him, she was merely a patient, so there was no need for shyness or reservation.
Moreover, she had grown accustomed to him checking her pulse every night these past days.
Su Dan Gu placed two fingers on Yaoying's wrist and remained silent for a long while. Beneath his mask, his brow furrowed slightly.Yaoying, exhausted from the day's toil and mentally drained, sat by the fireside warming herself. Her entire body felt limp, the heat flushing her cheeks as her eyelids grew increasingly heavy. After a while, her consciousness grew hazy. Struggling to stay awake, she began nodding off, her head drooping intermittently. She didn’t know how much time had passed when she suddenly jolted awake and found herself staring at the Ghost Face Mask mere inches away. She froze for a moment.
Instinctively, she reached out with her left hand, her fingers brushing against the mask—cold to the touch.
Su Dan Gu remained motionless. Beneath the mask, his emerald eyes lifted to meet Yaoying’s gaze.
They were close, their eyes locked.
His expression held a hint of inquiry.
Yaoying looked up at him from below, her eyes glistening and unfocused, shimmering with a spring-like allure. The Haloed Blossom at the corners of her brows was delicately painted, exuding an enchanting charm as if a subtle fragrance wafted from her.
The room was utterly silent, so quiet one could hear a pin drop, the atmosphere strangely tense.
Su Dan Gu was the first to avert his gaze.
Yaoying snapped back to reality and realized her fingers were resting on Su Dan Gu’s face, still clutching his mask. Instantly, her limbs stiffened, and she dared not move, her face burning even hotter.
Yuanjue stood in the corner, staring at Yaoying’s audacious hand, his face twitching, eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.
The princess had actually laid hands on him!
Yaoying maintained her raised hand, frozen in place, her eyes darting around nervously. Fully awake now, she caught Yuanjue’s horrified and accusing glare from the corner of her eye. The corners of her mouth twitched slightly, and she broke into a sweat from sheer embarrassment.
Su Dan Gu remained silent.
Why wasn’t he reprimanding her for her impropriety?
Her hand grew sore, and seeing that Su Dan Gu showed no intention of speaking, she steeled herself and leaned closer. Her fingers traced the edge of the mask, and with a slight tug, she pulled it off.
“We’re all among friends here, General. There’s no need to wear the mask at all times.”
As the mask was removed, Su Dan Gu’s face was revealed.
Yuanjue stared, dumbfounded, his jaw nearly hitting the floor.
Yaoying clutched the mask tightly, her expression feigning confidence while her limbs remained rigid and her heart pounded like a drum.
Su Dan Gu lowered his gaze without a word, allowing her to remove the mask, and continued checking her pulse.
He seemed like an elder indulging a child’s mischief.
Yaoying glanced up to study his expression.
His face was calm, and in the firelight, the fierce scars covering it appeared somewhat softened.
Yaoying quietly sighed in relief, releasing the Ghost Face Mask. She thought his actual face was far more pleasing to look at than the mask.
Su Dan Gu withdrew his fingers and gestured for Yaoying to switch hands. After checking the pulse on both wrists, he frowned and said, “You’re running a slight fever, Princess. Take two more doses of medicine tomorrow.”
A troubled expression crossed Yaoying’s face.
When she bid farewell to Yang Qian, she had felt feverish but assumed it was due to exhaustion and paid it no mind. Later, she succumbed to sleep and felt somewhat better upon waking, though she experienced dizziness while stepping out of the carriage. She had thought a good night’s rest would suffice, never expecting Su Dan Gu would detect her discomfort.
Su Dan Gu stood up and said, “Since you’re unwell, Princess, it’s best not to go out tomorrow. You may enter the palace the day after.”
Yaoying rose as well and quickly shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll take the medicine diligently. Let’s proceed with entering the palace tomorrow.”
Su Dan Gu glanced at her and replied calmly, “You were born with a delicate constitution, Princess, and must take diligent care of your health. Avoiding treatment for fear of illness may lead to serious consequences.”Yao Ying put on an obedient expression to listen to the lecture. After he finished speaking, she smiled and said, "The General is right, but this is an old ailment of mine. A good night's sleep tonight, and I'll be fine by tomorrow morning. Could the General check my pulse again tomorrow morning? If I've recovered, shall we enter the palace that very day?"
She sought his opinion, her eyes fixed steadily on him, her voice hoarse yet soft and melodious, carrying a hint of coquettishness.
Su Dan Gu looked up, gazing at the snowflakes drifting densely beyond the courtyard, nodded, and swept a glance toward Yuanjue in the corner.
Understanding the cue, Yuanjue bowed his head in acknowledgment, stepped forward to Yao Ying, and said, "Princess, it's late. Allow me to escort you back to your room."
Yao Ying turned and left the hall. No sooner had she settled in her room than a guard brought a freshly decocted bowl of medicine, saying, "The Regent requests that the Princess take the medicine before retiring."
She paused in surprise, thanked the guard, drank the medicine, and lay down. Resting her head on the pillow, she closed her eyes and pondered.
Su Dan Gu understood medical principles—from whom had he learned his skills? Ashina Bisha was his fellow disciple, so why hadn't he studied medicine?
Yao Ying grew increasingly convinced that Su Dan Gu must have cared for someone chronically ill, someone who, like her, required long-term medication, which explained his thorough understanding of dispersed medicines.
In her recollection, it seemed only Tanmoroqie in the royal palace was taking medicine...
Overwhelmed by exhaustion, Yao Ying drifted into slumber before she could untangle her thoughts.
OpenNovel