Chapter Seventy-Four: The Shadow Guard and the Princess (I)

Chapter Seventy-Four: The Shadow Guard and the Princess (I)

In the tenth year of Emperor He De's reign, a significant incident transpired within the palace: Jing Mei Ren, who had lived quietly in a corner of Jing Yi Palace for many years, was on her deathbed, with the royal physician declaring she would not last till the end of the month.

Lu Nian had grown up alongside her in this place.

Jing Mei Ren originally came from a humble background, but her God-given beauty had granted her entry into the palace. Once favored by the Emperor, she concealed a pregnancy and gave birth to a little girl, who became known as Princess Duan Yi.

Unfortunately, Jing Mei Ren was somewhat shallow; although beautiful, she lacked proficiency in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and even the delicate art of flirtation. Possessing only her physical beauty, she soon found herself eclipsed by younger and more captivating palace maidens. Hence, the Emperor quickly found new consorts, and the unfortunate mother-daughter duo was cast aside.

Following her mother's lineage, Princess Duan Yi was blessed with captivating beauty, but sadly, her health was frail, a condition seemingly inherited from birth.

Emperor He De had a prolific lineage and was not in need of an heir.

However, when the eunuch Fu Kang conveyed the dire news of Jing Mei Ren's deteriorating condition, memories of their first encounter - the youthful woman, a vision of beauty under the peach blossoms, smiling shyly at him - resurfaced in the Emperor's murky memories.

The Emperor personally embarked on a journey to visit the beauty who was nearing her end.

"Ah Jing, do you have any last wishes? I have neglected you all these years," Emperor He De said, holding the frail hand of the dying beauty, his heart finally stirred with a flicker of compassion.

The woman coughed weakly, uttering her final request, "I desire nothing more, only that Your Majesty grant Duan Yi a companion."

She wished for a shadow guard from the Grey Falcon Camp.

After being confined in the deep palace for many years, her only realization was that the palace was no place for a human to reside.

The complex and convoluted power dynamics here were too vast. Leaving early, she hadn't seen half of it, but she couldn't bear to leave her daughter, who at nine, remained frail and ailing.

A shadow guard from the Grey Falcon Camp would devote a lifetime of loyalty to the master they recognized.

They are the emperor's sharpest blades, striking without shedding visible blood, taking care of all matters that cannot bear the light of day, unwaveringly loyal throughout their lives.

Her desires were few, harboring no ambitions, she only wished for her daughter to survive within the deep confines of the palace, under the protection of someone who would serve her faithfully until death.

Emperor He De pondered profoundly, eventually agreeing, as he looked upon the beauty's withered and pallid face, and her slightly parted lips that moved subtly.

This indeed broke a significant precedent.

The Grey Falcon Camp had always served the royal family, primarily dedicating themselves to the emperor or the crown prince of the Eastern Palace. To now attend to a young princess still in her tender years was an unprecedented move.

Lin Shaode, the commander of the Grey Falcon Camp, was utterly astonished when he received the oral decree in advance.

However, upon confirming its authenticity multiple times, he naturally began to make preparations.

Naturally, those too old or with lacking skills were unsuitable. Those too uncouth or unsightly, potentially frightening the princess, were also out of the question.

The dark guards within the Grey Falcon Camp were primarily orphans, trained in martial arts from a young age and acquiring exquisite skills. By the age of ten, they could begin undertaking missions alongside their seniors. Ranks within the camp ranged from Sparrow to the highest rank of Grey Falcon, determined not by age but by the number of completed missions.

When the news was released, the camp was abuzz with discussions.

The qualified youngsters were practically boiling with excitement. They were humans too, still youthful. Compared to the life in the Grey Falcon Camp, shrouded in darkness and blood, serving by the princess's side seemed evidently more appealing, the answer glaringly obvious without even pondering.

"Have you guys heard?"

"I wonder what the criteria are for the princess to personally make a selection?"

After all, they had never seen the royal princess. Most of these youngsters were still in the training phase, rarely venturing out.

The door opened, and a slender figure entered the camp, their black attire stained with blood that dripped steadily, falling to the ground from the sleeves.

The chatter among the young men seemed to be stifled abruptly, vanishing without a trace swiftly.

The boy was younger than the rest of them, dressed in black, with almost inaudible footsteps. The blade in his sleeve emanated a strong scent of fresh blood.

Usually, they would take a detour upon encountering him.

He clearly showed no interest in their topic of discussion, his eyes deep and expressionless, resembling the desolate deep winter.

Qin Si was quite renowned within the dark guard camp.

Lin Shaode hesitated for a long while when selecting the names for the candidates to present, pondering whether to include Qin Si’s name.

His age was appropriate, and his talents were unparalleled, yet so young. The missions he had completed in the camp and the blood he had shed surpassed many veterans who had been there for a decade, particularly excelling in agility and assassination.

Apart from fulfilling missions, he had scarcely been heard speaking, leading to speculations amongst them that he might be mute.

Lin Shaode knew well that he wasn’t mute, merely reluctant to speak.

Everything met the criteria, but with such a temperament, it was feared that he might not be very well-received while serving the princess.

Let it be written down, then.

Lin Shaode thought, anyway, the duty at hand is to safeguard the princess. Considering age and martial skills, Qin Si naturally is the most suitable candidate. Besides, it's just a recommendation, not guaranteed that he will be chosen.

The next day, Lin Shaode went to the imperial study to submit the list.

After understanding the details, Emperor Hede was most intrigued by the last name on the list.

He asked Lin Shaode, “Tell me more about this child in detail.”

Lin Shaode did not dare to conceal anything, narrating Qin Si's family background and past experiences one by one, including the bloodshed he has been involved in, without omitting any details.

Emperor Hede smiled and praised, “Remarkably accomplished at such a young age.”

"Princess Duanyi will personally meet them tomorrow. If she is also satisfied, then it shall be settled," Emperor Hede said, appearing somewhat fatigued as a maid gently massaged his shoulders in the background.

"Bring these few individuals together," Emperor Hede selected a few other young men who caught his eye.

In case Lu Nian is not satisfied with Qin Si, he had others to present, having promised Jing Mei Ren to assign a guard from the Grey Falcon Camp to her.

Lin Shaode responded to each command.

Lu Nian woke up very early the next day, aware that she was about to meet her new companions.

Jing Mei Ren, despite her weakening state, reminded her, “Tomorrow, no matter who it is, you... cough... must treat him well... He will be the most trustworthy person in your life.”

Lu Nian etched her words deeply in her heart.

As the boy was brought before her, the palace was warmed with heating basins, the ambiance as warm as spring, surrounded by intricate carvings and splendid decorations.

He looked somewhat stunned at his surroundings.

Usually, his world was confined to the narrow campgrounds, and once released, it meant another mission to kill.

Lu Nian scrutinized the boy before her with curiosity.

He appeared only a few years older than her, seemingly frail with a face marred with scars, barely revealing his original appearance, except for a pair of somber yet beautiful eyes, large and pitch-black.

"Duanyi," Emperor Hede gestured for her to step forward, "This is my birthday gift to you. Take a look, are you satisfied?"

Lu Nian slowly approached, examining him curiously.

The little girl suddenly stretched out a hand, gently touching the boy's bruised face.

In the winter, her sleeves were adorned with a circle of warm, soft rabbit fur, her palm small and warm.

Everyone was taken aback, including the person being touched.

Yet, he did not shy away.

Numerous thoughts flashed through Lin Shaode's mind in an instant.

Given Qin Si's reaction speed, not to mention a tender young girl, there's hardly anyone he couldn't avoid.

Lin Shaode instinctively took a step forward, intending to reprimand him, but the amiable smile on the smooth, white face of the eunuch Fugong behind him stopped him in his tracks.

Yet, Lin Shaode managed to restrain himself from moving further.

"Does it hurt a lot?" Lu Nian asked softly.

The boy's long eyelashes fluttered, but he remained silent, lowering his eyes, suppressing all emotions deep within them.

A genuine warmth radiated from her palm, tender and gentle.

This was the first contact he had experienced that bore no malice, a touch that wouldn't bring him harm.

Innocent, warm, and soft.

"Father, I like him," the little girl said, her face pure and lucid.

Yet, Emperor Hede posed another intriguing question, "Are you willing?"

Beads of sweat trickled down Lin Shaode's back, yet he dared not utter a word.

He was fearful, afraid that Qin Si, without thinking, would bluntly decline, potentially inciting the Emperor's wrath, with him bearing the brunt of it.

A long while passed.

Everyone waited in silence.

"...I am willing." After such a long period of silence, the boy's voice was somewhat hoarse, his words still somewhat awkward.

He did not use formal titles, his words were disjointed, and he did not express gratitude, leaving Lin Shaode with a face drenched in cold sweat.

Fortunately, Emperor Hede did not mind; instead, he chuckled warmly, seemingly in high spirits.

Hence, on the following day, when the imperial decree formally arrived, Qin Si's status had changed.

Perhaps, having seen her last wish fulfilled, Jing Mei Ren passed away with a smile on her face in mid-February.

Princess Duanyi continued to be raised under the Queen's care, the only difference being the addition of a young shadow guard in the palace she resided in.

He rarely showed himself, but most of the time, at her single call, he would appear silently and swiftly.

This was a privilege granted to him by the Emperor.

He was allowed to stay by the princess's side until her eventual departure from the palace.

Lu Nian was very happy; having always resided deep within the palace, she had no friends and hardly any entertaining activities each day.

Yet, it seemed that Qin Si could fulfill any wish she had.

Birds in the sky and flowers on the earth, it seems he could fetch any of them if she wishes.

She is very fond of him.

Though her own allowance isn't particularly substantial, she utilizes it to provide him with well-fitted clothing, concerned about his thin frame. She commissioned a diet plan for him and instructed the royal physician to tend to his injuries.

She firmly remembers the request from Jing Mei Ren on her deathbed: to treat him kindly and regard him as the most trustworthy person in this world.

Emotions naturally flow and spill over, impossible to conceal.

Especially when it comes to him.

It's the first time in over a decade, a series of many firsts.

A stark contrast to his previous life where he tasted blood at the edge of a blade.

Having grown up in the Grey Falcon Camp, loyalty was ingrained in him from a young age. In the past, he mechanically carried out orders, but now, everything seems to have been reborn.

He lives for her, gradually with heartfelt willingness.

He regards her as the one person in his life for whom he would not hesitate to risk everything, his sole master.

Lu Nian lifts her skirt.

She notices a peach tree across the pond. Spring has arrived early this year, and a branch has already bloomed with an early peach blossom, glowing radiantly.

"Si Si, I want that one!" The little girl lifts her skirt hem but doesn't dare to step into the water. The peach tree is too tall, and she cannot reach it. In her urgency, she resorts to her old trick.

As expected, a gentle breeze blows by.

She sees a dark figure darting through the branches. His movements are extremely agile, and he makes almost no sound when walking. He quickly plucks the peach blossom, and within a few breaths, he reappears before her.

"Is it for me?" Lu Nian exclaims in delight, reaching out to take it.

Their statuses are worlds apart.

Lin Shaode has already admonished him, instructing him not to engage in any close interactions with the princess. Even if the princess initiates contact, he must avoid it.

The boy presses his lips together and ultimately places the flower on the ground. Then, his figure flickers, disappearing without a trace.

Lu Nian knows that he speaks very little. Usually, unless she encounters any danger or needs help with a difficult situation, calling him is the only time he appears.

If nothing happens, the prospect of calling him out just to sit and chat over a cup of tea seems rather unlikely.

Nevertheless, despite this, a hint of color has been added to her otherwise dull and mundane life.

As the princess's personal shadow guard, Qin Si has left the Grey Falcon Camp. However, to ensure his martial skills remain sharp, Lin Shaode proposed to the Emperor that Qin Si be allowed to return to the camp for training each week.

After all, he is a promising martial arts prodigy at the golden age of learning. Lin Shaode couldn't bear to see him waste away his time within the depths of the palace.

He assured Emperor Hede that in at most two more years, there would be nothing more the Grey Falcon Camp could teach him.

Emperor He De granted the permission.

Thus, in this manner, he would still return to the camp for training every week, only no longer participating in those missions.

The infamous wild dog from the camp had astonishingly been tamed to become the personal watchdog of the princess.

The scent of blood on him was being gradually subdued; his physique was sprouting robustly, no longer frail. The face that emerged after the scars healed was startlingly handsome. This naturally irked some in the camp, whether out of jealousy or resentment, rumors spread like wildfire.

Qin Si never bothered to conceal, seldom minding others' feelings.

Now, the only person he watched over and cared for was her.

"Don't you feel the princess is excessively kind to him?" Apricot Rain whispered to Nightingale, being the personal maidservants to the graceful princess, they had witnessed everything.

After all, he was merely a minor shadow guard. Once the princess gets married off, he won't be serving her anymore; she shouldn't expend so much effort on him.

A shadow clothed in black flickered past.

He stood in the shadows, watching them coldly, his sleeve dagger almost drawn.

Killing them would upset her.

Thinking of this, he retracted his dagger, vanishing without a trace.

Apricot Rain felt something amiss, she looked down to see her face pale instantaneously. A significant portion of her green silken sleeve had been sliced away seamlessly at some unknown time.

Clearly, the work of that ominously cold and terrifying young wolf cub.

Envious and spiteful, vengeful to a fault, ruthless in action, it was rumored that at his tender age, his hands had already been stained with blood.

Apricot Rain's face alternated between shades of green and white, daring not to say another word, yet inwardly she spat a curse resentfully.

In the future, when the princess is married off, they would become her accompanying maidservants. By then, there wouldn't be a place for him anymore.