After the conversation with her father, Shen Luyan stood still for a moment, the weight of his words pressing on her like an invisible force. Victory and peace were fleeting—she knew that now more than ever. And if the future was to be shaped by those who wielded power most effectively, then she would need to ensure that she wasn't just a passive observer in the game.
Her fingers brushed over the scabbard of her sword, which hung neatly by the wall. Her mind replayed the moment in her previous life when she had been unable to protect her family, unable to defend herself as they were surrounded by the imperial soldiers. That weakness—she would never allow it to define her again.
She glanced at the window, where the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the estate. It was time. Time to stop dwelling on the past and instead prepare for the future.
"I've been idle long enough," she whispered softly to herself, the quiet determination clear in her voice.
With a graceful motion, she rose from her seat and made her way to the training grounds.
The pathway was familiar, the sound of her footsteps echoing through the stillness of the estate. The training yard, once a place she'd avoided as a young lady due to the restrictions of her gender, now felt like a sanctuary. In this life, she wouldn't make the same mistakes. She would take control of her destiny—not just with her intellect, but with her strength.
Shen Luyan paused for a moment, her fingers lingering on the hilt of the sword. The weight of it was reassuring, a familiar presence in her hand as she prepared to face the task ahead. She had spent too long in the shadows, relying on her intellect and cunning. Now, there was no room for weakness. Every strike, every movement, was a step closer to the strength she had lacked in her past life.
The evening air was cool against her skin, carrying with it the faint, sweet fragrance of jasmine from the garden nearby. The soft rustling of leaves in the trees was the only sound, a quiet whisper of nature that seemed to approve of her decision. She glanced up at the darkening sky, the faint glow of the moon beginning to cast a silvery hue over the courtyard.
With a deep breath, she stepped forward into the training yard, the gravel crunching softly underfoot. Her mind was clear now, her resolve as firm as the steel of the blade in her hands. She moved purposefully toward the racks of practice swords, her eyes scanning them. She chose a blade—light enough to wield quickly, yet strong enough to endure the force of each blow. The moment the hilt settled in her grip, a surge of anticipation rushed through her veins.
Her maids, Jin Lan and Mei Zhi, were in the distance, quietly preparing for the evening tea, when they noticed her stride. The normally composed and proper Shen Luyan—always so poised—was different today. There was a fierce determination in her movements, a stark contrast to the graceful, reserved lady they had always known. Jin Lan exchanged a glance with Mei Zhi, who furrowed her brow in confusion.
"Second Miss, where are you going?" Mei Zhi called after her, her voice laced with curiosity and a tinge of concern.
Luyan didn't turn around, but her voice carried with a certainty she had never shown before. "I'm going to train."
The words hung in the air like a challenge, and both maids stared at her, wide-eyed. This was completely unexpected. Mei Zhi, still unsure of what was happening, rushed forward. "But... training, Second Miss?" Her tone was hesitant, unsure whether she was hearing correctly.
Luyan stopped just before the door to the yard, turning slightly to face them. There was no hesitation in her gaze. "I am not a child anymore," she replied calmly, her voice firm and clear. "If I am to face what is coming, I will not wait to be protected. I will stand on my own."
Jin Lan's expression softened, a hint of understanding in her eyes. She had long known that the quiet strength Luyan possessed was more than just grace—it was resilience. Mei Zhi, however, remained silent, a mixture of awe and uncertainty on her face.
Luyan turned away again, her resolve settling firmly in her chest. "Leave me to it," she added, her tone final.
Mei Zhi hesitated before nodding slowly, and Jin Lan, always the steady presence, simply gave a small nod in agreement. They knew better than to question their mistress when she was set on something.
Inside the training yard, the quiet stillness of the evening wrapped around her. She moved toward the center, where a space had been cleared for practice. The air was cool against her skin as she raised the sword, feeling its weight, the familiar grip of the hilt. She took a deep breath, grounding herself, and began with slow, controlled movements. Her body remembered the motions from her previous training, but this time, there was something different in her. Her strikes were more deliberate, more powerful.
At first, the movements were hesitant, as she adjusted to the blade in her hand. Her muscles, unused to this level of intensity, burned with the effort. The rhythm was not yet smooth, and there were moments when the sword felt like a stranger. But with each swing, she grew more attuned to the weapon, her form becoming more fluid, more confident.
The sweat began to bead at her brow, trickling down her face as she continued. Her breath came faster now, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Every strike was a challenge to the weakness she had once harbored, a promise to herself that she would not be helpless again.
She recalled the helplessness she had once felt—the inability to protect her family, the terror of seeing them fall while she could do nothing. The memory burned like fire in her chest, and with every swing of the sword, she fought to bury it. This time, she would be different. This time, she would be ready.
Her muscles screamed in protest as she pushed herself harder, faster. A swift movement, a twist of her wrist, and the sword sliced through the air with more precision. She felt the sting of her arms, the tightness in her shoulders, but she didn't stop. The practice yard blurred as her body and mind focused on nothing but the rhythm of the fight.
After what seemed like an eternity, she slowed, her arms trembling with exhaustion. The moon had risen higher in the sky, its silver glow casting long shadows across the yard. Her chest heaved as she caught her breath, sweat dripping down her face.
She stood still for a moment, her eyes scanning the practice grounds, feeling the familiar weight of the sword in her hand. It wasn't perfect—there was still much work to be done—but it was progress. She had done something she had been unable to do in her past life, something that marked the beginning of her path toward strength.
Turning back toward the door, she saw that her maids had silently watched from the sidelines. Mei Zhi stood in shock, her mouth slightly open in astonishment. "Second Miss, you…" she began, her voice trailing off.
Jin Lan, ever steady, merely nodded, a small but approving smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You've changed," she said softly. It wasn't a question—it was a statement of fact.
Luyan met their gaze with calm resolve, wiping the sweat from her brow. "It's just the beginning," she said, her voice steady and filled with quiet confidence.
Without waiting for further comment, she turned to leave, her mind already focused on the next step in her training.
Mei Zhi watched her go, still struggling to grasp the transformation she had just witnessed. "She's different now," Mei Zhi whispered to Jin Lan, her voice tinged with awe.
Jin Lan said nothing, but her eyes followed Luyan with quiet understanding. The world was shifting, and the young miss was preparing to shift with it.
Late Night, Shen Estate — Luyan's Study
The flame of the oil lamp flickered as Shen Luyan's brush came to a pause above a scroll. She had been re-reading the same paragraph for nearly a quarter hour, the words blurring behind the weight of her thoughts. Outside, the cicadas sang beneath the moonlight, the estate wrapped in the hush of night.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Luyan?" came a familiar voice, low and warm.
She turned, surprised. "Brother?"
The door creaked open and Shen Yichen, clad in a dark robe, stepped in with a lantern in hand. His hair was loosely tied back, and his eyes — always gentle — warmed upon seeing her.
"You're still reading?" he asked, glancing at the table scattered with ledgers and correspondence. "Do you ever sleep like the rest of us mortals?"
She smiled faintly, setting her brush down. "Sleep feels like a luxury I can't afford right now."
Yichen chuckled and walked in, setting the lantern down beside her. "Father's been working you too hard. Or is this your own doing?"
"A bit of both."
He looked at her for a long moment, then sat across from her, arms resting on his knees. "I wanted to check on you. You've seemed… different lately."
Luyan's breath caught. For a moment, she feared she'd slipped too far out of character — too serious, too calculating.
"Different?" she asked, keeping her tone light.
"Quieter. You're always sharp, but now you're—" he paused, searching for the word, "—measured. Like you're planning something no one else can see."
She looked down at her hands, folded neatly on her lap. "I've just… been thinking. About the future. Our family's future."
He tilted his head. "That sounds like something I should be worrying about."
"I know." Her voice softened. "But I want to be useful too. I don't want to be the quiet Second Miss who does nothing but wait for the world to change around her."
Yichen watched her for a long moment. "You've always had that fire. I just didn't expect to see it burn this brightly so soon."
A silence fell between them. Luyan turned her eyes to the warm light of the lamp, then carefully asked, "Brother… do you still see the daughter of Minister Wu often?"
His brows rose slightly, surprised. "Xiaowan? Not really. We met at a poetry gathering not long ago. Why?"
Luyan's heart twisted. So it hasn't begun yet.
She shook her head gently. "No reason. I just remembered how fondly you used to speak of her."
Yichen gave a small smile, unaware of the shadow crossing her gaze. "She's kind. A bit shy, but thoughtful. Why the sudden interest?"
"No reason," she murmured again. But her thoughts were racing.
In her past life, this quiet affection had turned into a whirlwind — one that ended in betrayal and blood. When their father left for the border, a sudden case against Shen Yichen had erupted. Her brother had been framed, beaten, and crippled. His name was tarnished. The Wu family had turned on him like wolves. And just when despair swallowed them whole…
Li An had arrived. Offering his hand. His help. His trap.
This time, she would not let that path unfold. This time, she would look beyond appearances.
Her brother leaned back, unaware of her inner storm. "I still can't get used to how serious you've become. It's like you've aged five years overnight."
She smiled, eyes shining faintly. "Maybe I have."
Yichen rose, stretching. "Don't work too late. If Father sees the lights on at this hour, I'll be the one scolded for not taking care of you."
Luyan chuckled. "Yes, yes, I'll sleep soon."
He paused at the door. "If something's weighing on you, Luyan, you can tell me. You've never had to carry things alone."
She nodded slowly, watching him with affection. "I know. Thank you, Brother."
As the door closed softly behind him, Luyan turned back to her desk, but the words on the scroll no longer held her attention.
This time, I'll protect you. Even from the kindness that hides a knife.