Chapter 11

It seemed there was nothing left to ask.

There was no need to go to Tianxiang Pavilion.

As I pondered an excuse to return to Pei Mansion, Long Shuang continued to watch me, her expression full of concern.

“Don’t overthink it. I believe His Highness the Third Prince… does have feelings for you.”

“I know,” I replied, “which is why I must work even harder to repay him.”

Long Shuang looked as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

After a while, she said, “Never mind, it’s not my place to speak about other people’s masters.”

She glanced around, her gaze landing on a tailor shop by the street.

Before I could make sense of it, Long Shuang dragged me inside.

She whispered a few words to the proprietress, who then turned and went to the back room, returning with a Gauze Garment.

It was an exceedingly beautiful and delicate red dress, adorned with intricate gold thread and jewels, shimmering even in the dim light.

She handed the Gauze Garment to me with great care.

I didn’t understand her intention.

Long Shuang grasped my fingertips, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Yu Sui, it’s so hard for women to survive in this world, with so few choices. So, no matter what you decide to do, I will never blame you. I’m destined to sink into the abyss for the rest of my life, with no hope of escape-but you’re different.”

As she spoke, she reached out and covered my ear with her hand.

“Your ear… is it better now?”

“Don’t worry, it healed long ago, it’s just occasionally not as sharp.”

She nodded, lowering her graceful neck, gentle and lovely.

Through the gap in her collar, I caught a glimpse of the scars crisscrossing her nape.

“The Third Prince is a good person,” she said. “If you wish to gamble for a better fate, you should go for it.”

Her words moved me deeply, and I couldn’t help but grasp her hand.

A fresh Pear Fragrance drifted to my nose as she pinched my cheek lightly.

“Sui Sui, a Shadow Guard belongs to their master-inseparable as a shadow, loyal unto death, never allowed to appear in the sunlight. If you could return to the sunlight in my stead, I would be so happy.”

I opened my mouth, wanting to say that I am doing well, that my lord is stern in appearance but soft at heart, and he has never treated me harshly. I have always been in the sunlight.

But in the end, I chose to remain silent.

Not chewing too loudly when others are hungry is also a kind of propriety.

I must try even harder.

If I can accomplish the task with Pei Su, perhaps my lord will value me even more.

Perhaps, I could beg him-to save Long Shuang.