Chapter 124: The Profession of a Shadow Guard Is Too Inhumane

"That is truly impressive! How did you manage that? Still, you are so young; staying up all night on rooftops is not suitable for you. Your uncles really should have taken better care of you." Su Jingluo was neither angry nor displeased; she was simply astonished that Xiao Jingxuan had assigned a personal shadow guard to her.

"My father was a shadow guard, and ever since I was a child, I’ve wanted to be like him—serving the Prince and the Prince's estate. My uncles have been very good to me; they were supposed to be off today, but they came to keep me company just to help me get up to speed quickly. It was my own incompetence that caused the trouble." Mentioning his father, 10009’s face beamed with pride, and he quickly defended his uncles. The few shadow guards behind Su Jingluo looked at 10009 with doting eyes.

"Just because your father was a shadow guard, you have to be one too? Seeing how hard you all work, I’m surprised your father was willing to let you." Su Jingluo was almost finished with the treatment. Because his attention was diverted, 10009 felt significantly less pain.

"My father died while on a mission. He was one of the top ten shadow guards. I want to be like him, and I cannot always rely on my uncles and the Prince to take care of me. I want to be a man who can stand on his own two feet." When speaking of his father, 10009 looked a little saddened.

Su Jingluo’s hand stiffened. His father had died in the line of duty as a shadow guard, and now the son had stepped up to take his place—wasn't that just too cruel?

"Don’t say that. Although I don't know what mission your father died on, he contributed greatly to the estate and earned its gratitude. It is only right that the estate takes care of you for a lifetime. I’m not saying you need to be wealthy or powerful, but you should at least live a life of comfort and safety. You don’t have to be like your father; you are your own person." Su Jingluo had not expected this child to have such a background. As the mistress of this estate, she felt a deep sense of sorrow for him.

"Princess, please don't say that. I want to become the kind of person my father was—loyal and capable. That is my ambition." The boy’s youthful passion was ignited in an instant. Su Jingluo looked closely into 10009’s eyes—full of longing and sincerity—and felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. She wished this child a lifetime of peace and prosperity.

"Do you all have your own code names?" Su Jingluo had finished setting the bone. To lighten the oppressive atmosphere, she turned around and asked the shadow guards behind her.

"Yes. I am 15, this is 92, he is 131, and the chubby one in the corner is 77." The leader, 15, introduced them to Su Jingluo. Hearing her words earlier, the shadow guards felt a warmth spread through their hearts. In truth, they were already loyal enough to the estate without her validation, but hearing her speak so kindly made them feel that everything they pursued was worth it.

"You may go and rest. I will need your help with something tomorrow." Su Jingluo looked at 10009’s leg. A child of this age would always be restless; bamboo splints were too simple. She needed to make a plaster cast. While this era might lack the technology, the process of making plaster wasn't difficult—she just needed the raw materials.

"Princess, about 10009..." They hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. "You’ve immobilized him on your bed... are we supposed to carry him away, or...?" 15 and the others were in a dilemma.

"He stays right here. He cannot move. He must remain still until the bone heals," Su Jingluo answered earnestly. If he could move, would she have even needed to use splints? This was a fracture, not a simple muscle cramp that would go away after a rest—did these people really think it would just heal on its own?

"But this is your room, Princess. If he... I’m afraid it might affect your reputation..." 15 looked troubled. Having him recover in the Princess's bedroom was a situation that would be difficult to explain to others.