The morning light at the hour of Mao pierced the thin mist like a golden sword, slicing diagonally through the carved lattice windows to cast dappled shadows across Shen Mingyue's desk. The blackbird wax seal on the sandalwood box glowed a crimson red, like congealed blood. Her fingertips unconsciously traced the raised patterns on the lid; the warning from Su Yan’s secret letter last night coiled in her heart like a viper—elite assassins from the Blood Fiend Alliance had infiltrated the Capital in waves, their blades coated in a lethal poison that kills at the first scratch. In the bronze mirror on her desk, the ink-dark shadows beneath her eyes betrayed three consecutive nights of sleeplessness, yet her gaze remained sharp as a hawk’s, revealing a ruthlessness that would not rest until her goal was achieved.
"Chuntao." She spoke suddenly, her voice as cold as ice, startling the maid who was busy tidying embroidered handkerchiefs. Chuntao looked up at her mistress’s tightly knit brows, her hand instinctively crushing the silk fabric, words caught in her throat. She understood Shen Mingyue too well; whenever her mistress wore such an expression, something momentous was bound to happen. And this time, judging by the murderous aura radiating from her, it was likely more perilous than ever before. In the end, Chuntao simply curtsied and hurried out, praying silently for everyone’s safety.
Half an incense stick later, the steam from the tea in the side chamber mingled with the scent of candles, yet it could not disperse the oppressive atmosphere. Nanny Liu watched the dark shadows under Shen Mingyue’s eyes, her wrinkled hands trembling slightly, causing ripples in her teacup. "My dear child, you haven't closed your eyes for three nights. Breaking off an engagement is such a massive undertaking, surely we could slow down a little..." Her voice was thick with heartache and worry, and tears welled in her clouded eyes as if she could already foresee the turbulent waves ahead, terrified that one misstep would lead Shen Mingyue to total ruin.
"There is no more time!" Shen Mingyue shoved the sandalwood box open; the crest of the Northern Frontier royalty on the secret letter flickered in the rising heat. She dug her nails deep into her palms, leaving crescent-shaped marks as blood began to seep out, yet she felt nothing. "The Blood Fiend Alliance's curved blade tattoo on Jiang Yanbai’s cuff, and the treasonous letters hidden in the secret compartment of his study—this evidence is enough to prove he is a poisonous tumor planted in the Capital by the Blood Fiend Alliance. If we keep this engagement, the Shen Family will eventually be dragged into an abyss from which there is no return." By the end, her voice was squeezed through her teeth, filled with irrepressible rage and resolve, as if Jiang Yanbai were the culprit responsible for the destruction of her home.
Xuanying had stood in the shadows of the pillar like a black statue the entire time. Upon hearing this, he stepped forward, the soft sword at his waist emitting a faint dragon-like hum. He pulled back a corner of his black face mask, revealing a fresh scar—a souvenir from trailing Shen Qingyao the day before. "Master, Shen Qingyao has been in close contact with the proprietor of 'Jishi Hall' in the East City recently," his voice was low and gravelly, sounding as though it came from the depths of darkness, every word forced from his throat. "In the wheel ruts of her carriage, we found not only rust and saltpeter but also powder of the Western region’s strange poison, the 'Heart-Eroding Powder'." He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing, a flash of vigilance in his eyes. "More importantly, the secret letter Lady Cao brought back from the palace uses the dragon-patterned stationery unique to the Defender-General’s Estate."
The teacup hit the rosewood table with a sharp *clack*. Shen Mingyue stood and paced, her skirt sweeping across the shadows on the floor, each step imbued with firm power. "Saltpeter, poison powder, secret letters from the Estate... they intend to create chaos on the day we break the engagement and use the confusion to frame the Shen Family for treason." She stopped abruptly, her gaze sweeping over the two like a falcon, a chilling intensity in her eyes. "Nanny Liu, go immediately and find the old subordinates who served under my father at the frontier; tell them the Shen Family is facing an existential crisis. Xuanying, lead your men to guard the cellar of Jishi Hall—I want to know exactly how many unsightly things they have hidden there. Remember, exercise extreme caution. The people of the Blood Fiend Alliance are ruthless and will not let anyone who blocks their path live." Every word she uttered carried weight, as if she had already plotted a earth-shattering confrontation in her heart.
Before the last word had fallen, the sound of dangling jade ornaments approached from the corridor, purposeful and ostentatious. Shen Mingyue’s eyes turned cold, and she swiftly rolled the secret letter into her wide sleeves with a fluidity that suggested countless rehearsals. Shen Qingyao entered, swaying with lotus-like steps, dressed in a peach-red woven gold skirt. The nine-phoenix hairpin at her temple trembled with each movement, reflecting a dazzling light that made her beautiful face appear even more seductive. "What secret business is my sister discussing?" She covered a smile at the corner of her lips, though her eyes were like venomous silver needles, darting between Shen Mingyue, Nanny Liu, and Xuanying. "I heard that the Ruined Temple in the West City is haunted lately. Sister, do be careful—don't let anything unclean bewitch your mind." Her words were heavy with obvious mockery and probing, as if she were intentionally provoking Shen Mingyue to see how she would react.
Shen Mingyue picked up her teacup and sipped, the scalding tea turning into a cold smirk on her tongue. "Sister is well-informed indeed. But compared to ghosts and gods, the ghosts in some people's hearts are far more terrifying—such as those who collude with the Blood Fiend Alliance..." She paused deliberately, her gaze piercing Shen Qingyao like a blade, speaking one word at a time as if to tear away her mask completely.
"Watch your tongue, Sister!" Shen Qingyao slammed her hand on the table, sending pastry crumbs flying. Her beautiful face twisted in rage, looking for all the world like a clawing demon. "You would slander me with empty words? Aren't you afraid the wind will catch your tongue? As for you, throwing away a perfectly good marriage contract to run around with commoners of the underworld, it is truly a disgrace to the Shen Family!" As she spoke, she paced the room, waving her silk handkerchief as if to cover up her inner panic. To Shen Mingyue, this display of fury was the very definition of a guilty conscience.
"Disgrace?" Shen Mingyue stood up abruptly, smashing her teacup against the blue bricks; the shards scattered just like her frayed patience. "I have three full trunks of proof regarding Jiang Yanbai’s private collusion with enemy nations and human trafficking! Three days from now, I will expose these filthy deeds one by one before my father and the entire court! Let everyone see exactly what kind of snakes you have for hearts!" Her voice resonated throughout the room with an undeniable majesty, as if she were already standing on the dais of judgment.
Shen Qingyao’s smile froze instantly, and she backed away, knocking over a footstool with a harsh, grating sound. She quickly regained her composure, pulling a gilded hairpin from her sleeve and twisting it slowly between her fingers, attempting to mask her panic. "Sister, are you dreaming? The Jiang Family is the Defender-General’s Estate personally bestowed by the Emperor. Do you think a few scraps of paper can..."
"Enough!" Shen Mingyue drew the soft sword from her waist, the blade reflecting her icy gaze. "Tomorrow at the hour of Chen, I will personally ask my father to preside over justice. If you remain obstinate—" The tip of her blade lifted a lock of Shen Qingyao's hair, the cold metal pressed nearly against her skin, "this sword does not recognize sisterly affection. When the time comes, don't blame me for not remembering the past!" Her eyes were filled with murderous intent, as if she would strike Shen Qingyao down in the next breath.
After Shen Qingyao fled in a panic, Nanny Liu finally dared to emerge from behind the screen, her forehead covered in cold sweat and her undergarments soaked through. "Miss, by tearing off the mask like this, they will surely be driven to desperation!" she said anxiously, her voice filled with dread.
"I intend to force their hand." Shen Mingyue wiped the blade, the cold light turning her pupils icy. "Xuanying, have the shadow guards set the 'Heavenly Net' formation around the Jiang Estate. Anyone seen entering or exiting with fire starters or iron weapons is to be seized immediately." She looked out at the swaying bamboo shadows beyond the window, a corner of her lips curving into a confident smile. "A storm is coming, and we must prepare our umbrellas. Furthermore, I want them to know that the Shen Family is not so easily bullied!"
Three days later, in the main hall of the Shen Estate, the sandalwood incense in the bronze beast-headed burner burned brightly, the smoke rising in spirals yet failing to disperse the tension. Shen Mingyue knelt on the blue bricks, her plain-colored dress soaked through with cold sweat, yet her spine remained as straight as an unyielding pine. Shen Zhengtang’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the document for breaking the engagement, the paper rustling under the strain. "Nonsense! The Jiang and Shen families have been joined by marriage for three generations—you want to break it just like that? Do you have any idea how many people will laugh at us? How do you expect me to stand in the court after this?" His voice was filled with rage and dissatisfaction, clearly unable to accept his daughter’s decision.
"Father, please look at this!" Shen Mingyue knelt forward and presented a wooden box wrapped in layers of oilcloth, her hands trembling slightly from nerves. The moment the lid was lifted, over a dozen secret letters, a blood-stained dagger, and a token engraved with the Blood Fiend Alliance’s insignia spilled out, each item falling like a heavy bomb. "Jiang Yanbai used the marriage as a cover, but in reality, he sought to drag the Shen Family into an abyss of treason! This evidence is enough to have him executed ten times over! Father, you must not be deceived by them any longer!" Her voice was firm and powerful, hope shining in her eyes as she tried to convince her father to trust her.
"Slanderous lies!" Lady Cao suddenly appeared from behind the screen, the seven-phoenix gold hairpin on her head swaying blindingly, her face twisted in a mask of hypocritical fury. "Yue'er, even if you do not wish to marry, you should not use such base methods to slander Young Master Jiang!" She turned to Shen Zhengtang, her eyes instantly reddening as she squeezed out a few tears. "Master, you must uphold justice for Qingyao and the Jiang family! Yue'er is going to destroy the reputation of the Shen Family!" Her performance was highly convincing, as if she were truly protecting the honor of the Jiang family, when in fact she was merely muddying the waters.
Shen Mingyue looked up sharply, her wide sleeves sweeping the floor as she pushed the evidence toward the others with crisp, decisive movements. "Slander? On the fifteenth of last month, Jiang Yanbai smuggled weapons at the West City wharf; three days ago, he met secretly with the left protector of the Blood Fiend Alliance at the Yuelai Inn—I have witnesses for all of this!" Her gaze swept over Shen Qingyao’s suddenly pale face. "Second Mother, you defend him so fiercely—could it be that you are also involved? Or are you simply cut from the same cloth?" Her questioning was like a sharp blade, striking straight at Lady Cao's heart.
"Silence!" Shen Zhengtang slammed his fist onto the desk, knocking off a layer of incense ash and making the tea cups rattle. "What kind of behavior is this! All of you, just..."
"Father!" Shen Mingyue suddenly kowtowed, her forehead hitting the blue bricks with a dull thud, her voice thick with tears. "My daughter begs you, for the sake of the hundred lives in the Shen household, to sever this cursed connection! I cannot watch as the Shen Family is destroyed in their hands; I cannot allow Mother’s spirit to be restless in the afterlife!" When she lifted her head, blood was already seeping from her brow, winding down her pale face like a red thread. The sight was both heartbreaking and moving.
Shen Zhengtang stared at the evidence scattered on the floor, his throat working several times, his eyes filled with struggle. Finally, he grabbed the document and hurled it to the ground, his voice tinged with helplessness and compromise. "Tomorrow, I will go to the Jiang Estate! This marriage, it ends here! But if there is no solid proof, Yue'er, do you have any idea how grave the consequences will be?"
That night, the sound of the wooden clappers from the Shen Estate’s watchtower startled a flock of crows, the *fluttering* sound jarring in the silent night air. Shen Mingyue stood atop the city walls, watching the three red lanterns lit in the direction of the Jiang Estate—the signal that the Blood Fiend Alliance had moved. She gripped the soft sword at her waist, the tassel whipping in the night wind. "It has finally begun. I have waited for this day for a long time." There was no fear in her eyes, only anticipation, as if she were waiting for a vigorous, cleansing battle to wash away the shame.
Three black shadows swept across the rooftops like ghosts, only to trigger the mechanism the moment they stepped into the Shen Estate garden. A bronze beast head suddenly opened its giant maw, spewing thick smoke that smelled of sulfur. The air filled with the sound of arrows raining down from the rockery. The leader of the men in black tore off his mask, revealing a hideous, scarred face, his eyes filled with malice and murderous intent. "Shen Mingyue, today is your death day! Die!" His voice was filled with killing intent, as if victory were already in his grasp.
"Just because of you lot?" Shen Mingyue whirled and swung her sword, cold light weaving with the glow of torches to create beautiful, dangerous patterns in the night. "Tell the Blood Fiend Alliance that they aren't good enough to take my life!" With her shout, Xuanying and twenty shadow guards lunged from the shadows. The sound of clashing steel and whistling hidden weapons echoed through the night. During the fight, a man in black suddenly lashed out with an iron chain, sweeping toward Shen Mingyue with a sharp, whistling wind that threatened to tear her apart. Shen Mingyue dodged to the side, her soft sword slicing along the chain and sending sparks flying. Another attacker tried to ambush her from behind; Shen Mingyue tapped the ground with her toes, vaulted into the air, and flipped, her soft sword striking like a viper toward the attacker’s throat. The man raised his blade to block in a panic, only to be kicked in the chest by Shen Mingyue, sent flying backward to land on the ground with a grunt.
By now, more men in black had joined the fray, coordinating their strikes to surround Shen Mingyue and her guards. Shen Mingyue remained fearless, weaving through the enemy ranks with her soft sword, each strike precise and fatal. Her clothes were stained with blood, her face smeared with dust and gore, yet her gaze remained unyielding, filled with a defiant fighting spirit.
By the time the battle ended, the east was already glowing with the pale light of dawn, the morning rays spilling onto the chaotic battlefield and adding a touch of warmth to the brutal scene. Shen Mingyue looked at the bodies of the black-clad men sprawled on the ground, the blood dripping from her sword tip seeping into the cracks of the bricks. Chuntao approached with a bowl of warm porridge, her voice trembling with tears. "Miss, your wounds..."
"It is nothing." She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, staring in the direction of Shen Qingyao’s villa, her gaze colder than her blade. "This was merely an appetizer. On the day of my coming-of-age ceremony, I will make sure every conspiracy is laid bare under the light of day. Lady Cao, Shen Qingyao, and the Blood Fiend Alliance—I will make you pay a heavy price for what you have done!" Her words were filled with determination and conviction, as if she could already see the day her enemies fell. Just then, a breeze blew past, ruffling her messy hair but failing to shake the resolve in her eyes. Far away, Shen Qingyao’s villa remained quiet, as if brewing an even greater conspiracy.