Before the morning mist of the Mao hour had fully dispersed, it hung like thick milk over every corner of the Shen Estate, shrouding the pavilions and courtyards in a hazy veil. Shen Mingyue leaned against the carved wooden window, the cold light of the bronze mirror reflecting the ferocious, scabbed wound on her shoulder. The wound looked like a twisted centipede, silently telling the tale of last night's brutal ordeal. The agonizing memory of steeling herself to dig the arrowhead of the Soul-Chasing Crossbow out of her flesh was still fresh in her mind. Her fingertips instinctively brushed against the gauze on her shoulder, and the lingering burning sensation beneath the bandages seemed to remind her just how ruthless Shen Qingyao and her accomplices were. Every touch felt like tearing open a yet-unhealed wound; the pain spread from the injury, yet it only made her resolve all the more unshakeable.
Chuntao walked lightly into the room carrying a medicinal bowl. Amidst the rising steam, a bitter herbal scent filled the air, making even the atmosphere feel heavy. "First Miss, Nanny Liu is already waiting in the side parlor." Her voice was soft and laced with worry, her gaze involuntarily falling upon Shen Mingyue's injured shoulder, filled with heartache.
Shen Mingyue took the medicinal bowl and, without the slightest hesitation, tilted her head back and drank it down in one go. The bitter medicinal liquid slid down her throat, leaving an endless bitterness blooming on the tip of her tongue, yet it instantly cleared her mind. "Go call Xuanying." She set the empty bowl heavily onto the side table with a dull thud, her gaze sweeping over the classified letters scattered on the desk. They detailed the various atrocities committed by the Blood Fiend Alliance, and every single word was like a sharp blade piercing her heart. "Although last night's secret reconnaissance was perilous, it made me realize that I can no longer fight alone." A few crisp bird chirps drifted in from outside the window, breaking the indoor silence. As she gazed at the branches swaying in the morning light, a new plan took shape in her mind, and her eyes flashed with a resolute light.
Half an hour later, candlelight flickered in the side parlor, casting mottled shadows against the walls like countless dancing demons. Xuanying, wearing a mask, appeared silently on the rafters like a ghost, then landed as lightly as a feather without making the slightest sound. "Master." He dropped to one knee, his voice low and hoarse as if coming from the depths of the darkness, while the soft sword at his waist emitted a faint, chilly gleam in the candlelight, looking exceptionally menacing. "The matter you entrusted me with has yielded some progress. Some suspicious individuals have indeed been frequenting the Yuelai Inn in the East City recently. One of them matches the build of the Blood Fiend Alliance secret guard who appeared at Shen Qingyao's detached residence the other day. That person appears precisely at the You hour every day; although his right gait has a slight limp, his steps are steady and his eyes reveal a fierce ruthlessness. At a glance, one can tell he is no ordinary person."
Shen Mingyue stroked the bronze fragment in her hand, the edges of the piece biting painfully into her palm as if reminding her of the heavy burden of her mission. "Shen Qingyao colluding with enemy secret guards is definitely not a matter of simple correspondence." She stood up and walked over to the map hanging on the wall, her gaze burning as she used a vermilion brush to draw a heavy circle around the location of the Yuelai Inn in the East City, the red mark striking and glaring. "Xuanying, take the shadow guards and split into three groups. One group is to closely monitor Shen Qingyao's detached residence and keep a sharp eye on her every move; the second group is to watch the Yuelai Inn, paying special attention to that limping man; and the third group is to investigate Lady Cao's recent whereabouts, especially her interactions with the outside world. Remember, only trail them; do not alert the enemy. Report to me immediately if there is any abnormality."
"Understood!" Xuanying cupped his fist and was about to withdraw when Shen Mingyue called him back. "Also, have the shadow guards look out for any secret codes related to the Blood Fiend Alliance." Recalling the incense in Shen Qingyao's room, she furrowed her brow tightly, a trace of vigilance flashing in her eyes. "They frequently use soul-bewitching incense, so you must all be careful when carrying out your missions. Here is a specially prepared antidote." She produced several small porcelain bottles and handed them to her subordinate. "Keep them on your person; they can save your lives at a critical moment."
For the next half-month, the surface of the Shen Estate was as calm as stagnant water, while underneath, undercurrents surged and crises lurked on every side. Shen Mingyue attended poetry gatherings and etiquette lessons as usual, presenting a gentle and serene demeanor to everyone, yet whenever no one was paying attention, she would repeatedly check the notes sent by the shadow guards from within her sleeve. Every time she looked, her heart tightened as though awaiting the judgment of fate.
That afternoon, she was playing the zither in the garden, her fingertips gently plucking the strings as the melodious music echoed through the grounds. Suddenly, with a sharp *twang*, a string snapped, emitting a harsh sound that felt like an ominous omen. Chuntao hurried over and whispered in her ear, "Miss, word has come from Xuanying: Shen Qingyao will be going to the Ruined Temple in the West City at the Yin hour tomorrow."
Shen Mingyue's fingers paused on the zither strings for a moment before she let out a light laugh to mask her inner tension. "This string really needs changing." She stood up, returned to her room, and pressed a small lacquer seal into Chuntao's hand. Carved onto the seal was a lifelike black bird. "Tomorrow, go to the silk shop in the West City and ask the shopkeeper for a sandalwood box. If he asks, tell him it's the betrothal token I requested. Remember to be extremely careful and not reveal any flaws." Chuntao looked at the black bird pattern on the lacquer seal, nodding with a half-understanding look, though her eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness.
At the third quarter of the Yin hour, the night was as thick and unyielding as ink. Shen Mingyue changed into night attire, nimbly leaping onto the roof to observe Shen Qingyao's movements. She saw Shen Qingyao accompanied by two maidservants, sneaking out through the back door in a carriage. The carriage wheels rolled over the flagstones with a dull rumble, exceptionally clear in the quiet night. Shen Mingyue tapped her toes and followed silently behind like a black ghost. The Ruined Temple in the West City loomed in the night like a dormant beast; between its broken walls and crumbling ruins, a cold wind wailed like weeping ghosts, sending a chill through anyone who beheld it.
Shen Qingyao alighted from the carriage and looked around vigilantly, her eyes full of wariness. Only after confirming there was no abnormality did she slip into the ruined temple. Shen Mingyue pressed herself flat against the roof tiles, holding her breath and steadying her nerves until even her breathing became cautious. Before long, a man dressed in black emerged from the shadows, the curved saber at his waist gleaming with a dark red light under the moonlight—the hallmark of the Blood Fiend Alliance. The blade still seemed stained with dried blood, looking exceptionally ferocious in the moonlight. "Here is the latest classified letter; make sure it reaches the Northern Frontier as quickly as possible." The man's voice was hoarse, sounding like abrasive sandpaper as he handed an oiled paper package to Shen Qingyao. "If this intelligence gets delivered, the master will richly reward us. If the slightest thing goes wrong, neither of us will have an easy time."
Shen Qingyao took the oiled paper package and giggled coquettishly. "Rest assured, when I handle things, aren't you confident? But you lot need to be careful of Shen Mingyue; she has been acting sneaky lately and likely suspects something. If she ruins the big plan, I won't let you off." The two exchanged a few more low words before parting ways.
Once they had gone far enough, Shen Mingyue crept lightly into the ruined temple. The interior was filled with a rotting, nauseating stench. She searched carefully where the man had been standing, leaving no corner unchecked. Finally, beneath a brick, she discovered a slip of paper. Unfolding it, the handwriting was scrawled and crooked, yet it caused her pupils to constrict sharply: "Mid-month, Xu hour, the Northern Frontier army presses upon the border. With a joint inside and out, the Shen Family is doomed." At the bottom was unmistakably stamped the curved-saber emblem of the Blood Fiend Alliance, a symbol that seemed to mock her.
She carefully tucked the note away and was about to leave when she suddenly heard the sound of hurried hoofbeats from outside. "Oh no, someone is coming!" Shen Mingyue quickly hid in the shadows, her heart hammering like a drum. Several shadow guards of the Blood Fiend Alliance rushed into the temple carrying torches; the firelight illuminated the entire interior and revealed a ferocious bloody handprint on the wall. "Strange, someone was definitely here just now!" The leading guard glared fiercely, holding a torch and searching everywhere. "Search thoroughly! Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, find that person!"
Shen Mingyue held her breath, her palms slick with cold sweat as her fingernails dug deep into her flesh, though she felt no pain at all. She groped for the soft sword at her waist, gripping it tightly to deal with any situation. At that very moment of extreme peril, the hoot of an owl echoed from afar—the signal of her shadow guards. Hearing the sound, the guards exchanged glances, their complexions changing drastically. "Retreat! It might be Shen Mingyue's people playing tricks. If we walk into an ambush, we'll all die here!"
Once the guards had departed, Xuanying dropped down from the rafters. "Master, are you alright?"
Shen Mingyue shook her head and handed him the note. "Take this straight back to the Estate and have Nanny Liu hide it safely. This is ironclad proof of Shen Qingyao's treason. Be careful not to let anyone discover you."
Xuanying accepted the note, his figure flashing as he vanished into the night like a streak of black lightning.
Gazing at the waning moon outside the ruined temple, Shen Mingyue felt a blazing fire of hatred consume her, as if it would ignite the very night. She clenched her fists and muttered under her breath, "Lady Cao, Shen Qingyao, your good days are about to end. At the coming-of-age ceremony, I will strip away your disguises before everyone! I will make you pay a bitter price for what you have done!"
Returning to the Shen Estate, Shen Mingyue spent the rest of the night organizing the evidence. She placed the secret letters, the token of the Blood Fiend Alliance, and the note outlining the treasonous plot together into a sandalwood box, sealing it with a black-bird wax seal. The wax glowed with an eerie light in the candlelight, adding a mysterious hue to this ritual of vengeance. "Chuntao, go invite Su Yan to come over tomorrow." She gazed at the brightening sky outside the window, a ruthless glint flashing in her eyes. "Tianji Pavilion has well-informed intelligence networks; perhaps I can obtain some more useful information from him. I will leave their conspiracy nowhere to hide."
The next afternoon, Su Yan arrived as promised. Twirling his folding fan, he glanced lazily and playfully around the room. "Eldest Miss Shen, calling for me in such a rush—could it be you have another major deal?"
Shen Mingyue produced the sandalwood box, opened it, and laid the evidence out on the table one by one, every movement charged with power and resolve. "Pavilion Master Su, I want your help to investigate the specific connections between these people and the enemy nation of the Northern Frontier. Furthermore, I want to know who the true master behind the Blood Fiend Alliance is. This concerns the life and death of the Shen Family, and it concerns my grand plan for revenge."
Su Yan raised an eyebrow, picked up the classified letter to examine it closely. His expression gradually grew solemn, and his frown deepened. "Eldest Miss Shen, you've really poked a hornet's nest this time. The forces behind the Blood Fiend Alliance are feared even by the imperial court. Aren't you afraid of courting disaster? Once they discover this, you'll be doomed beyond redemption." He lowered the letter, his gaze falling upon Shen Mingyue's face with a hint of warning.
Shen Mingyue sneered, a flash of utter resolve in her eyes. "If I were afraid, I wouldn't have made it to today." Recalling her mother's tragic death and her own miserable end in her past life, the hatred in her heart surged like a tide, making her determination all the more unshakeable. "Pavilion Master Su, as long as you help me, I can agree to any condition you name. Even walking through fire and boiling water, I will not hesitate."
Su Yan stared at her for a long time before suddenly bursting into laughter that echoed through the room. "Good! I like your grit. But let's get the ugly words out first—once this matter begins, there is no turning back." He closed his folding fan, turning serious with a hint of earnestness in his eyes. "In three days, I will give you an answer. During this time, you must be extremely careful. The people of the Blood Fiend Alliance will not take this lying down; the moment they sense danger, they will eliminate you by any means necessary."
After Su Yan left, Shen Mingyue looked over the table full of evidence, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. This was a crucial step on her path of vengeance; success or failure hung in the balance. She walked to the window, gazed in the direction of Shen Qingyao's detached residence, and murmured, "Shen Qingyao, you thought everything was under your control? Soon, you will realize that provoking me is the greatest mistake of your life. I will make you pay for your stupidity and regret ever being born."
The next three days felt like years to Shen Mingyue. Every minute and second was like a form of torture. On one hand, she arranged for the shadow guards to step up defenses, setting up covert sentries in every corner of the estate while watching their surroundings with heightened vigilance. On the other hand, she continued gathering evidence, leaving no trace unexamined.
Finally, late in the third night, Xuanying brought back startling news. "Master, we discovered that Lady Cao has been corresponding with a certain imperial concubine in the palace. Those letters are highly likely related to the Blood Fiend Alliance! We found a hidden compartment in Lady Cao's study containing some confidential letters. Although there are no explicit signatures, the content and tone are most unusual."
Shen Mingyue gripped her teacup tightly; tea splashed out, scalding her hand, but she felt nothing at all. "Keep investigating; we must get all the evidence into our hands." She paced the room with hurried, heavy steps. "The coming-of-age ceremony is drawing closer; we cannot afford the slightest negligence. Lady Cao having someone in the palace is likely why they dared to be so arrogant. We must handle this carefully and not let them discover our plans."
Just then, Chuntao rushed in anxiously. "Miss, Pavilion Master Su sent someone with a letter!"
Shen Mingyue eagerly unfolded the missive to read: "The person behind the Blood Fiend Alliance is closely connected to the Northern Frontier imperial family. The confidential letters in Shen Qingyao's possession could very well alter the course of the war. Guard against them carefully and do not act rashly. To my knowledge, they are already secretly gathering forces and preparing to move against you."
Shen Mingyue read the letter over several times, a new plan already forming in her mind. She looked out the window at the dark night sky, where a shooting star streaked across, illuminating her determined face. "Mother, do you see this? The moment for vengeance is almost here," she said softly, her eyes flashing with resolve. "Not only will I ruin Lady Cao and Shen Qingyao, but I will completely eradicate the tumor that is the Blood Fiend Alliance, and avenge everyone who died because of them! I will see justice served and evil punished!" She clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, as if she could already see the day of her enemies' destruction.