Chapter 7

As Shen Wanrou intended, I went to serve in Su Chi’s study.

He did not like me. He allowed me only to serve tea and water, warning me whenever I spoke too much. “Know your place.”

Other than pleasing him briefly with a few poems chosen to flatter his refined tastes, I could do nothing.

But I was in no hurry.

Better to win a man’s trust than beg for his love.

For an ambitious general like Su Chi, tender affection held no sway. Only usefulness would make him take notice.

And the chance I was waiting for soon came.

Three days earlier, the court had secretly cut off his supply route to the army.

He was furious, losing his composure as he rarely did.

If provisions did not arrive in time and Jiang learned of it and attacked, Xicheng would suffer a devastating blow.

I waited outside, hearing him smash three teacups.

“If the court gets its way, all our years of planning will come to nothing. Is this how you carry out your duties?”

Steadying myself, I walked straight in and knelt before Su Chi and the junior officers.

“I know a path. It’s rough, but hidden. It may help you through this crisis, General.”

The room was silent enough to hear a pin drop. A body beside me, still warm, kept jarring my nerves.

At last, Su Chi’s oppressive voice came from above. “Do you know the punishment for listening to military secrets and lying to me?”

His cold fingers lifted my chin. His eyes were hard with suspicion. “How am I to believe a little maid like you? If you’re a spy for the court, wouldn’t I be bringing disaster on myself?”

I bowed my head low and described the path in detail: its location, the surrounding terrain, and how supplies could be transported along it unseen.

To avoid the troupe master’s harassment, I had often climbed the mountain at night to gather herbs.

That was when I had happened upon this escape route.

Half convinced, Su Chi sent men to investigate. They found it exactly as I had described.

When the report came back, his expression softened almost imperceptibly.

He moved a finger, signaling for me to rise.

“You’ve helped me. I won’t treat you poorly. You needn’t do this menial work anymore.”

He informed Shen Wanrou that he was taking me as a concubine and assigned several servants to attend me.

His voice remained cold. “Since my wife chose you as my concubine, it’s no longer fitting for you to work as a servant.”

Shen Wanrou knew nothing of what lay behind it.

She thought he honored me out of love for her.

While she congratulated herself on keeping everything in her grasp, I worked feverishly to secure my place beside him.

Merely catching his attention was not enough.