Chapter 49

*Vicious Dog*
The words were too heavy. Zhu Yu froze—could not link cold “harm” to the Bai Shuzhou before her.
In book or life Bai Shuzhou had been flawless.
Cool, proud, rational, merciful—pale blue eyes frosted distant—moon untouched by dust—yet gentle to children—only flaw ever loving that scumbag original.
White Bird was peacock remade phoenix—Xiaoshan’s urban legends—psychos stitching people for “freak shows”—horror in description alone.
But Bai Shuzhou was lab victim too—how tie to that?
“She wasn’t…like this before.”
Bai Shuzhou spoke past she hated—in ruins first memories were tiny bright shards.
AH-003 special—strong NQ band—no visible gift.
At first only companion illness from excess spirit—treatment like Bai Shuzhou’s case.
Sweet mouth, clever—face on glass—remembered every researcher’s name—half-literate—echoed “Little Li—” when director said it—“Little Li—”
They laughed—she added crisp “Sister.”
Surface obedient—bold with Bai Shuzhou—wind time scaled wall—broken umbrella—jump from height—lived—shouted “So fun”—nearly triggered alarm.
Soft voice—Zhu Yu smiled too—fairy warmth—heart soft.
Only White Bird named—but Bai Shuzhou shadow in every story—childhood clearer—then and now alien yet continuous.
She felt Bai Shuzhou should be that—free, happy—sky after rain.
Under indifference—a hot heart—moon so close to earth.
Then awake—Bai Shuzhou did not smile. Bright memory made present heavier.
Now White Bird dazed, shy—fire in throat always.
Bai Shuzhou would not reach to sky, squint at sun, soft laugh—“Jump—I’ll catch you.”
“If you mean failing to protect her—guilt—that’s not your fault. Blame those who struck and profited.”
“If you tell me more past—I’d be glad—I want to know you.”
“We’re closest—you chose me—you can trust and entrust me.”
Zhu Yu hooked fingers—sincere—warm hands melt ice.
“Many things…” Lashes low. Almost pour all—want stronger than body’s thrill—dangerous fire in soul—pain endless.
Only lip pressed—tongue took blood bead—held—“Don’t remember clearly.”
Adult tacit stop—but Zhu Yu nodded serious. “Right—memory disorder—big gap—must be scary.”
“Not afraid.”
Zhu Yu thumped chest. “Fine—I’m with you forever!”
Choose me—trust—entrust—love me.
Bai Shuzhou looked bright eyes and tear tracks—slow nod. “Good.”
Zhu Yu wiped tears awkward. “Accident—won’t cry again—I’m not a crier.”
“No?” Light laugh.
Red face—stubborn—“Yes—planned step.”
Not stupid—cry softens her—useful tears.
Warmth again. Zhu Yu diligently rubbed marks—warm towel—afraid bruises.
Skin thin pale as first snow—touch shows.
Neck marks—high collar could not hide—peek of red—more suggestive.
Silver hair fell—covered fragile neck.
Legs had bent sometime—inner thigh red—guilty—gentle massage down.
Too focused—blanket over feet trembled with her motion unnoticed.
Bai Qianze absent—snow leopards called ministers—none knew emperor’s move.
All silent—sensitive questions deflected.
“Your Highness long from affairs—won’t understand.”
“Without His Majesty’s leave—cannot say.”
“You’re recovering—need not know—rest—we’ll handle—”
First private audience in years—nobles muttered on the way.
Seven years—prodigy became frail Omega—best dance—only under lights.
Ivory tower—care—empire rose—ballet queen—titles made symbol.
Few spoke gift now—gossip and dance—or when heir, better stock.
Ministers who bowed in her childhood aged—power in fine wrinkles—appraising squint.
Sharp eyes caught red under hair—glare at Zhu Yu—scan—eagle-sharp—open hate.
Friendly smile—even uniform—no pressure beside Yzelia—empty epaulets—
—Shallow, frivolous, stupid.
Mixed slum genes—
No wonder no pregnancy—only plays public opinion—
Minister hate too strong—questions failed.
Zhu Yu thought her presence made them vague—excused herself out.
Door—spirit could still listen—rude—but attitude vile—maybe trash talk her.
Trash me? Let me hear.
Gone—they stayed proud.
Elder tone—heartbreak for empire—princess must breed dragon line—not demean yourself.
Demean?
Bai Shuzhou silent—scent suppressed—eyes half—
No rage—curiosity—what seven years did—dare look down?
Sister alive—throne unchanged—only ill—not dead.
She asked budget shares, front reports—reading since childhood—everyone fobbed—“you don’t know—we teach.”
Then—warn—you’re Omega—twenty-five rounds to thirty—heir urgent—mate bad—swap.
Fine words—lotus blooms—jargon sprinkled.
Zhu Yu on wall—straight—fist tight.
Respected titles—bowed polite leaving.
Politeness bought no respect.
What talk was this?
Old fossils—who are you—hand in our bed.
Trash her fine—before Bai Shuzhou magnified—ears pierced.
Outward peace—low profile—power-drunk elders.
They had power.
After names noted—one opened terminal—photos—matchmaking on the spot.
Creak.
Door pushed elegant.
Zhu Yu leaned frame—black hair tied—uniform open two buttons—dagger spinning—cold light—smiling black eyes.
Still smiling—air shifted.
Glance over ministers—none worth mention—light: “Someone called me?”
Laugh in voice—spine cold.
Loudest minister blustered: “Out—who let you in!”
High tone—save face—
Rank below—even puppet now.
Cut off—lazy eye—dagger stilled.
Ignored—boots clear pressure—through crowd like vicious dog on turf—stopped at bed.
Arm tense—met blue blink—pleasant laugh.
Leaned close—silver and black hair almost tangled.
Whisper permission—dagger spun faster—all eyes.
Soft sweet clear: “Her Highness merciful—lets you stand to report.”
“I—lack that breeding.”
Blade flew—wind—skimmed loudest minister’s head.
Clang—white plume pinned to wall—quivering.
“After all,” head tilt, bright innocent, repeating their scorn—“low birth—poor schooling.”
“What I might do—please bear with.”
Inches from skull or eye.
Bar trick—retired octopus taught—grip tail—arm throw.
Learns fast.
Aimed low—meant not plume—better effect.
Silence—needle drop.
Ministers gaped—pointing—no words.
Face insult differs from back.
Hands behind—pinning shaking wrist—face perfect cheeky grin.
Uniform alive—sharp kill air.
Silent Bai Shuzhou moved—touched fingers.
Cool stroke on hot wrist—faint allowance—lip almost curved.
Others wanted scent crush—rose filled room first.
Green vine returned dagger—traced palm.
Zhu Yu caught—kneeled one knee on bed—shadow over Bai Shuzhou—loyal offense—knife hand.
Before top ministers—kissed princess.
Rose cold thick—Zhu Yu gasped between lips—Bai Shuzhou bit up—deepened—pet shoulder—ice eyes on kneeling elders.
Cool finger on gland—silver hair down—voice soft cold:
“Good.”