The ride back from Fragrance Tea House was quiet.
Shen Yao rode alone, his thoughts still tangled in the conversation with Guo Yun, the portrait, the invitation, just everything.
The city moved around him, unaware of the storm that was brewing in his mind.
A few moments later, he dismounted at the Shen residence and handed his reins to a waiting servant.
"Young Master, you're back" Xi Shu stepped forward to welcome him.
Xi Shu had come back a few minutes before after finishing his own errands he had purchased some supplies that Old Lei had asked him for and sent them to the camp before he returned.
"Yes"
Standing at the entrance of the main hall, the servants could be seen moving through the courtyard in rushed footsteps carrying boxes, arranging flowers, their voices light and hurried.
They were so focused on their work that one of them nearly collided with him, apologizing profusely before rushing off.
Shen Yao frowned.
What's happening?
He walked into the main hall. The scent of fresh peonies drifted past him as a pair of maids hurried past with trays of pastries.
His brow raised slightly as he watched everyone rush off without a word.
Following them he finally heard it.
Laughter.
Soft. Familiar. Coming from the garden.
Shen Miao
Hurriedly stepping through the corridor, He walked towards the edge of the garden and paused.
At this time the garden was bathed in warm evening light.
Not far away, Shen Miao sat on the stone bench beneath the oak tree, a cup of tea in her hands, her face bright with a smile he rarely saw. Across from her sat Feng Yin—the Crown Princess, dressed in soft blue satin robes.
Her posture relaxed and her expression warm though no obvious smile could be seen.
Between them, on a low table, sat an array of gifts—silk, jade trinkets, a small carved box.
Shen Yao nodded though he was equally amused by his Grandfather Old Shen who stood near the garden gate hiding behind a few bushes, his hands resting on his walking stick, watching with a quiet, pleased expression.
Seeing this scene, Shen Yao didn't step forward. But he realized that indeed military personnel were far more different from everyone else as they found joy from the simplest things.
For a moment, no one seemed to have noticed him.
He watched his sister laugh at something Feng Yin said then watched the crown princess smile slightly as she found Shen Miao amusing. He turned to his grandfather who seemed to have heard their conversation and nodded along contentedly.
This is what a young girl should be like, he thought.
Having a normal life.
Friends.
Laughing.
He wanted that for her.
He wanted it more than anything.
Maybe because Shen Miao had been paying attention to the movement at the door she immediately spotted him.
Then looked up and saw him.
"Brother!"
Shen Yao glanced at his sister whose expression hadn't fully recovered its restraint yet and was about to turn away when he noticed his grandfather's irritated gaze lock on him.
As if saying if I get found out because of you, we'll have a problem.
Shen Miao had already risen when she saw her brother walk forward voluntarily, her smile widening as her gaze flickered to the bushes Shen Yao had just passed but she didn't say anything more.
"Brother, you're back." She stepped forward standing not too far away from where Shen Yao was.
Seeing his grandson step forward the Old Shen scoffed in a low voice. Of course, Shen Yao caught both actions aimed at him but right now he was more curious as to how these two in front of him had gotten so close.
Feng Yin slowly stood up and turned, her gaze meeting Shen Yao's. She inclined her head. A small, respectful gesture.
"Young Master Shen."
"It's an honor to finally meet you"
Shen Yao stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Your Highness."
"The pleasure is all mine"
Old Shen watched from the gate, his expression unreadable.
Shen Miao smiled, gesturing to the gifts on the table.
"Brother, her Highness brought gifts. For the household. She said she wanted to check on me after..." She trailed off, not needing to finish.
Shen Yao nodded turning his attention from his sister to the crown princess.
Feng Yin spoke, her voice calm and warm.
"I wanted to see how she was recovering. With the banquet being... difficult."
Shen Miao nodded, her smile softening.
"Yes, brother she also brought some gifts from Imperial Aunt Fei and her royal majesty too"
Shen Yao glanced at the gifts, then at Feng Yin, then at his sister.
"I see."
Feng Yin met his gaze. And in that moment, something close to curiosity flickered in her eyes.
"Young Master Shen," she said quietly, "I hope you don't mind my visit."
He shook his head. "Not at all."
She smiled genuinely this time then turned back to Shen Miao.
The conversation resumed. Light. Warm.
Shen Yao stood at the edge of the garden, watching for a while.
He didn't stay long.
As after a few minutes, he excused himself and walked toward his study.
In the quiet of the halls, the laughter seemed to follow him down the corridors.
Closing the door behind him, he took another deep breath as he stood in silence.
The seal.
The portrait.
Guo Yun's invitation.
Dalishu.
He walked to his desk, sat down, and reached for a blank scroll.
It all felt like a fever dream.
He hesitated for a while before dipping his brush in ink.
Then he wrote:
I need to know who Qui Qian is.
And also, how the original Shen Yao came to be here.
Who he's related to?
He set the brush down and stared at the words.
Then he remembered the scene he'd just witnessed. Shen Miao was the original Shen Yao's little sister. How would she react if she learned that the person standing before her wasn't actually her brother?
Taking a deep breath, he didn't know what he needed to do now.
He folded the scroll and tucked it into his sleeve.
Then he sat back.
Thinking of the family he had finally gotten back in this life after losing everything, for once he felt afraid.
Very afraid.
He sighed heavily, covering his face with his hands in silence.
In the silence of his mind, a face appeared
Yanyan.
His little sister from another life. The one he couldn't save.
And then, slowly, her face merged with Shen Miao's.
His chest tightened.
I hope this is a nightmare because I want to wake up soon.