At three-quarters past seven, the leaden clouds hung like ink, swallowing the final sliver of moonlight. A cold wind whistled through the eaves of the Shen Estate, carrying fine snow; it sounded like the wailing of countless aggrieved souls. Shen Mingyue pressed herself against the weathered vermilion wall of Shen Qingyao’s courtyard, the fabric of her night-walking gear brushing against the rough surface with a rustling sound. Her stray hairs were tossed into disarray by the wind, and a fine chill rippled across her skin—every inch of her body a reminder of the danger. As her palm brushed the damp moss on the wall, the icy touch mingled with the scent of decaying soil, drifting into her nose. She instinctively held her breath, her ears strained to catch every minute sound inside: the dull thud of the night watchman’s clapper echoing in the distance, the approaching footsteps of the patrol guards crushing gravel with a faint "crunch," and a lingering, ghostly scent of incense, laced with the metallic tang of blood—like a viper flicking its tongue, enough to make one’s blood run cold.
"Miss, there is half a stick of incense left before the guard shift change at the eastern corner gate," Chuntao whispered, crouching in the weeds. The tip of her dagger pried away the clinging vines, revealing a coarse hemp rope they had prepared in advance. Her fingers were deathly pale from tension, her nails digging deep into her palms and leaving crescent-shaped marks. Her eyes were filled with worry. "Should I go in and scout first? You are of noble birth; if anything were to go wrong..." Chuntao’s voice trembled, and tears pooled in her eyes; she could not bear to see her mistress put herself in harm's way.
Shen Mingyue shook her head. As moonlight glided over the sharp, glazed tiles of the wall, memories of breaking her wrist here in her past life flooded back like a rising tide. The agonizing pain seemed to linger in the marrow of her bones. She moved her wrist unconsciously, tightening her grip on the soft sword at her waist, the sharkskin wrapping around the hilt heating up against her palm. "You stay here and keep watch. If I haven't returned by the hour of the Rat, go back to the estate immediately and report to Nanny Liu." Her voice was low and firm, each word erupting from the depths of her chest. "Remember, no matter what happens, do not take risks." She reached out and patted Chuntao on the shoulder, offering silent comfort.
When the watchman's clapper sounded for the third time in the night sky, Shen Mingyue tipped her toes and vaulted onto the wall. The glazed tiles shimmered with a ghostly, cold blue light under the moon, like a lurking serpent. She landed with knees bent, her boots sinking into the soft soil with a faint "pfft," then immediately rolled into the shadow of a corner. A night owl screeched in the depths of the bamboo grove, making her heart jump, but she forced herself to calm down and moved along the silhouettes of the bamboo. She avoided the withered leaves with precision; the falls she had taken in this courtyard in her previous life had left her intimately familiar with its layout. The bamboo leaves rustled in the wind like whispers at her ear, or perhaps like countless eyes watching from the dark. Damp mist hung in the air, striking her face like fine ice crystals.
The scent of incense grew heavy, mixing with the stench of blood and hitting her nose with force. Shen Mingyue’s pupils constricted. This scent was identical to the one on Lady Cao’s sleeves during the family banquet. She realized instantly that this was a variant of the "Soul-Stirring Incense" used by the Blood Fiend Alliance. In her memories, this spice could induce hallucinations and gradually strip one of the ability to act. Holding her breath, she pulled a handkerchief soaked in a special medicinal solution from her robes and covered her nose and mouth. The bitter scent of the medicine stung her tongue, and she felt a flicker of relief that she had prepared in advance. However, as she drew closer to the embroidery chamber, the nauseating smell of blood grew thicker, as if someone were slaughtering livestock in the shadows, blood gurgling and flowing. She could almost imagine the dark, viscous liquid winding across the ground like a river, soaking into the soil.
Rounding the Nine-Turn Corridor, Shen Qingyao’s chamber was brightly lit. The warm yellow glow shone through the carved lattice windows, casting eerie patterns on the bluestone floor. Shen Mingyue crouched beneath a window, dipped her finger in saliva, and poked a hole in the paper. Warm, fragrant air rushed out, mixed with the sound of a woman’s giggling. "Don't worry, Mother. Does that Shen Mingyue really think she can sit back and relax just because she caught Jiang Yanbai?" Shen Qingyao’s voice was as cloyingly sweet as poisoned wine. "Once she dies at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, the people from the Blood Fiend Alliance will naturally deliver the evidence to Father, and then..." Her sharp, shrill laughter sounded as if she were already witnessing Shen Mingyue’s tragic end.
"Yue’er is clever, but I fear she might act desperately," Lady Cao’s voice drifted from inside, carrying a superior's malice. "Tomorrow, have Young Master Jiang send more silver to the Blood Fiend Alliance to ensure nothing goes wrong on the day of the ceremony. Also, the batch of poisonous powder from the Western Regions—have the kitchen mix it into the food boxes in advance..." Lady Cao’s words were calculated, each one like a blade, chilling to the bone.
Before the words faded, a copper bell rang softly. Relying on the experience of her past life, Shen Mingyue’s body instinctively jerked backward. A poisoned silver needle whistled past her nose, pinning into the pillar behind her with a crisp "ding," the tail of the needle still vibrating. "Assassins!" a scream erupted from the room. Shen Mingyue rolled into the flower bushes; the thorns instantly tore at the back of her hand. The sharp pain brought a sudden clarity. Blood dripped between her fingers, blooming like red plum blossoms on white petals. Lanterns lit up all around, the red glow washing over the bamboo grove like a tide, staining everything the color of blood. She counted the footsteps to judge the positions—five people closing in from every direction. The footsteps of the leader directly in front were heavy, and the clinking of the jade pendant at his waist sounded remarkably like Jiang Yanbai’s.
"Eldest Miss Shen, what a refined interest you have, coming to your sister’s courtyard to admire flowers in the dead of night?" Shen Qingyao leaned against the doorframe, her silk shawl fluttering in the breeze. The cinnabar mole at the corner of her eye looked as bewitching as blood under the moonlight. She hooked her lips into a mocking smile, her eyes full of triumph, her henna-stained fingers tapping the doorframe in a rhythmic "tap, tap, tap." "It is a pity that this night-blooming jasmine can be quite intoxicating if you smell too much of it." As she spoke, she gently turned the jade bracelet on her wrist, her eyes flashing with venom.
Shen Mingyue tightened her grip on her soft sword, the blade reflecting her cold, sharp gaze. She sneered in response, "Compared to the illicit dealings you and the Blood Fiend Alliance are engaged in, this flower-viewing seems quite refreshing. I am actually curious: whom did you intend to feed those poison-laced food boxes? Were you planning for me to die suddenly at my Coming-of-Age Ceremony, or were you hoping to frame someone else?" Her words were filled with fury and accusation, each one like a sword piercing Shen Qingyao’s heart.
Jiang Yanbai stepped out from behind Shen Qingyao, fiddling with a folding fan; the curved blade symbol of the Blood Fiend Alliance was faintly visible on the fan face. With a smirk, he said, "Miss Shen, you shouldn't throw around such baseless accusations. Empty words could damage the Shen family’s reputation. As for you trespassing in a private residence in the middle of the night, what is your intention? Are you coveting your sister’s belongings, or is there another ulterior motive?" As he spoke, he moved slowly toward her, his eyes filled with a predatory threat.
The air grew increasingly viscous. Even with the medicated handkerchief, the aftereffects of the Soul-Stirring Incense began to set in. Shen Mingyue’s temples throbbed, and her vision began to blur, as if covered by a layer of fog. Her head grew heavy, and her body began to defy her commands, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Young Master Jiang, to defend my sister so fiercely—could it be that you are involved as well? The secret meeting at the Yuelai Inn in the East City, the soul-chasing crossbows of the Blood Fiend Alliance... I will bring all this evidence to light sooner or later. When that time comes, you can wait to face your due punishment! My mother’s death—I will not let this go!" Her voice was weak, yet undeniably firm.
Jiang Yanbai’s expression flickered, then returned to normal. He waved a hand, a flicker of ruthlessness in his eyes. "Take her! I want her alive, or her body if she dies! Shen Mingyue, today is your end; no one can save you!" At his command, a group of men in black surged forward like starving wolves.
Shen Mingyue suddenly flicked her wrist, casting three copper coins into the air. They drew three arcs of silver light. Taking advantage of the moment everyone dodged, she tipped her toes and vaulted onto the roof. The tiles crunched faintly beneath her feet. The footsteps of the pursuers followed closely, the sound of blades slicing the air grazing her ears like sharp scissors trimming her hair. "Shen Mingyue, you can't escape!" Shen Qingyao’s shrill cry came from behind. "Today is the day you die! Do you think you can escape by luck again like you did last time?"
As she cleared three courtyard walls, Shen Mingyue acutely sensed that an expert had mixed in with the pursuers—the man landed without a sound, his breathing long and steady; he was clearly a dark guard of the Blood Fiend Alliance. She veered into the rockery, her fingertips brushing against a hidden trigger in a crevice. Memories of being lured here in her past life flooded back. Back then, she had been trapped here for an entire night, suffering endless torment. The voices of her pursuers grew closer. One of them shouted, "She must be hiding in the rockery! Search it carefully! Don't miss a single stone! Even if you have to dig three feet under, find her!"
As the pursuers entered the range of the formation, Shen Mingyue slammed the trigger. Stones crashed down from above, accompanied by screams. Amidst the swirling dust, she seized the chance to slip into a secret passage. From the entrance of the tunnel came Jiang Yanbai’s furious roar: "Chase her! I want her alive, or bring me her head! If she escapes, you will all pay with your lives! Shen Mingyue, you cannot run, just give up and surrender!"
The secret passage was damp and cold, the smell of rotting wood sickening. Shen Mingyue groped her way forward, her palm touching a raised carving on the stone wall—a secret escape mark she had carved herself in her previous life. Her nails scraped the rough wall, making a "hissing" sound. Behind her, the cursing of the pursuers grew louder, the red glow of their torches gradually drawing near, casting her shadow on the wall in a twisted, grotesque shape. She tore off a piece of her hem to block her nose and mouth—there was bound to be a smoke trap at the end of the passage. "Quick, she must be just ahead! We cannot let her escape this time!" Their voices became clearer, and she could even hear their rapid breathing and the clatter of their weapons.
Sure enough, the moment she pushed open the hidden door, a plume of cyan smoke rushed at her, smelling of acrid sulfur as if she had been plunged into hell. She sprinted while holding her breath, her lungs feeling as if they were being scorched by fire, every breath accompanied by searing pain. She crashed through the wooden board at the exit and tumbled into the icy moat. River water poured into her collar, the cold instantly engulfing her entire body. The water washed over her wounds, bringing bone-chilling pain as if countless tiny knives were slicing her skin. She struggled in the water, the blood from her wounds staining the surrounding river, appearing strikingly bright in the darkness. She counted her heartbeats, waiting until she was sure there was no movement on the bank before surfacing. The Shen Estate on the opposite bank was brightly lit, while she, drenched and disheveled, hid in the reeds. Her fingers unconsciously caressed the jade pendant at her waist—it was a memento left by her mother, and the warm, smooth texture made her eyes burn. Tears mixed with river water as they slid down her cheeks. She thought of her mother’s gentle smile and the agony she had suffered before her passing; the fire of hatred in her heart burned once more.
By the time she returned to the Shen Estate, it was the hour of the Tiger. Nanny Liu’s hand, holding the oil lamp, trembled uncontrollably, the flame flickering unsteadily. "Miss, this is..." She saw Shen Mingyue covered in wounds, her voice changing pitch. The lamp nearly dropped from her hands. "How are you hurt so badly? What happened? Who was so heartless?" Nanny Liu’s tears burst forth, her hands shaking as she looked at her mistress with heartache.
Shen Mingyue pulled open her soaked collar; half a crossbow bolt was embedded in her shoulder, the tail feathers stained an eerie blue-black. The surrounding skin had already begun to turn purple, emitting an unpleasant odor. "Get the dagger and the fire starter," she said, gritting her teeth. Cold sweat dripped from her chin, forming dark spots on the floor. "The Blood Fiend Alliance’s soul-chasing crossbow—it seals the throat upon drawing blood. If I don't remove the arrowhead immediately, I fear I won't survive." Her voice was weak yet firm; she knew there could be no shrinking back now.
Nanny Liu was deathly pale, her lips trembling, but she hurried to obey. When the dagger was heated until red-hot on the fire, emitting a "hissing" sound, Shen Mingyue bit down hard on a cloth, the taste of blood filling her mouth. The moment the blade pierced her flesh, the memories of being tortured in the Cold Palace in her past life overlapped with the present pain. She felt as if her soul were being torn apart by the agony, but she endured it, digging out the arrowhead. Sweat the size of beans rolled down her forehead, soaking the bedsheets beneath her. "Hiss..." she groaned in pain, her body trembling violently, her hands gripping the sheets until her knuckles turned white.
"They had laid a trap long ago, just waiting for me to walk into it." Shen Mingyue stared at the smoking wound, her voice hoarse, as if every word were tearing at her injury. "Lady Cao, Shen Qingyao, and Jiang Yanbai—they intend to act during my Coming-of-Age Ceremony. They want to use the poison to kill me, frame someone else, and use the Blood Fiend Alliance to scapegoat the Shen family." Suddenly recalling Shen Qingyao’s mention of the "Coming-of-Age Ceremony," she gripped Nanny Liu’s wrist, her eyes flashing with a resolute light. "Check immediately if any craftsmen have entered the estate these past few days, especially those who build mechanical devices. Also, notify our informant within the Blood Fiend Alliance; tell him to uncover the detailed plan for the day of the ceremony. No matter what, we must get ahead of them! Even if I have to die, I will drag them down to hell with me!"
Nanny Liu nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with tears. "Don't worry, Miss, your servant will see to it. You must rest now; the wounds need to be treated immediately. If the pain is too much, shout it out, don't hold it in..." Nanny Liu looked at Shen Mingyue with distress, gently wiping the sweat from her forehead.
The first cock crowed outside the window, and the dawn light began to show. Shen Mingyue leaned against the head of the bed, toying with the half-broken piece of jade she had brought back from the secret passage. The cloud pattern carved on the jade was identical to the bronze fragments, and fresh blood still stained the edges, appearing particularly harsh in the morning light. She gazed at the fish-belly white of the sky, her eyes growing firmer. She murmured to herself, "Lady Cao, Shen Qingyao, Jiang Yanbai—at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, I will certainly expose your conspiracies to the world. Even if a bottomless abyss lies ahead, I will never retreat. This time, victory will belong to me! Mother, may your spirit in heaven protect me; I will surely avenge you and clear the Shen family’s name!"