Chapter 7: Whispers of Shadows
The air inside the Shen residence was heavy — thick with unspoken words, unshed anger, and a fear no one dared to name.
Shen Yifan stood before her mirror, pale in a flowing white robe, her long black hair cascading down her back. Her bandaged leg throbbed faintly, but she ignored the pain. The reflection that met her eyes wasn't the timid girl of yesterday.
> Her skin glowed like moonlight. Her eyes — dark as midnight — held a calm, haunting strength.
A sickly beauty, yes… but one that made the world pause.
She took a slow breath, gathered her composure, and opened the door.
---
👑 The Family Gathers
Downstairs, the family sat waiting in the grand hall. Grandmother Shen at the head, her staff resting beside her. Lord Shen and Lady Han seated nearby, their expressions unreadable.
Shen Rou and Shen Lian sat close together — their painted faces twisting when they saw her descend the staircase.
"She dares to show her face…" Shen Lian hissed softly.
Shen Rou's lips curled. "Of course she does. Always playing the victim. Look at her, dressed like some fragile flower. Who's she trying to fool?"
But as Yifan stepped down, silent and graceful, even they couldn't look away.
Her black eyes shimmered with quiet defiance; every step carried dignity. The servants bowed instinctively, as though in the presence of something greater than a mere daughter of the Shen house.
Lady Han leaned toward Lord Shen. "See how she milks the moment? Injured, rescued by a prince… she's scheming, I tell you."
Her voice sharpened. "That girl is nothing but a cheat — a snake in silk!"
SLAM!
Grandmother Shen's palm struck the table, the sound echoing like thunder.
"Enough!" the old woman's voice cracked through the hall. "Not another insult from any of you!"
Lady Han flinched. Shen Rou froze.
The old woman's eyes blazed. "You speak of schemes? The only scheme I see is the poison dripping from your tongues!"
She turned to Yifan. "Child… come. Tell us what truly happened."
Yifan stepped forward, her robe whispering against the polished floor. She bowed slightly to her grandmother before straightening.
"I was attacked," she said simply. "On my way through the market. The Crown Prince aided me. Without him, I might not be standing here."
Shen Lian scoffed. "Convenient story."
Shen Rou added, "Or perhaps a staged rescue? You've always craved attention."
Yifan's eyes flicked to them — cold, sharp. "If attention is what I wanted, I would've let you die in your jealousy long ago."
Gasps rippled through the hall.
Lady Han rose halfway. "You insolent—"
"Sit down!" Grandmother Shen's voice cut like steel. "I asked for truth, not petty venom!"
The room fell silent.
Lord Shen rubbed his temple. "An ambush… in broad daylight? Who would dare such a thing?"
Yifan's voice softened. "Someone bold. Someone who knows me… or thinks they do."
Her words hung heavy in the air, drawing uneasy glances.
Grandmother Shen sighed deeply. "The capital is changing. Enemies hide behind smiles. From now on, Yifan, you will not walk the streets alone."
Yifan bowed her head. "Yes, Grandmother."
But inside, her mind turned like a storm.
---
That night, after calming her grandmother and escorting her to her chambers, Yifan returned quietly to her own room. The moon cast silver light across the floorboards.
She sat by the window, lost in thought.
> An ambush. A crest in the shape of a raven's wing. Old fighting styles… familiar moves.
Her hands trembled faintly. Was this truly the past? Or had her soul been dragged into another world — one that mirrored her own but wore an older face?
> Did I die? Did I wake again in another time?
Why me? Why now?
Her heartbeat quickened.
A soft breeze stirred the paper lanterns.
Then — a flicker.
In the reflection of the glass, a shadow moved.
Her breath caught. Slowly, she turned — eyes scanning the darkened courtyard.
No one.
Silence.
Yet the feeling of being watched lingered, cold and heavy.
Yifan rose, stepping toward the window. She pushed it open, moonlight spilling across her floor.
The garden below was still, only the sound of crickets whispering in the grass.
No movement. No figure.
And yet — she knew someone had been there.
Her gaze swept upward, toward the tiled roof — empty.
After a long pause, she closed the window firmly, latching it.
Then she leaned back against the wall, clutching her arm.
> "Who are you?" she whispered to the night. "And why won't you let me rest?"
A single black feather drifted from the sill, landing at her feet.
Her eyes widened.
> Raven.
The mark of her past had followed her here.
Somewhere in the shadows, an unseen figure smiled.
> "Found you… at last."