Three days later, the union between the Ling and Lei families had already become little more than passing news in the capital.
The morning dawned gray and quiet.
Shen Yao had been awake for some time. In the training courtyard, his sword cut through the cool air as he sparred fiercely with several guards.
He parried the attacks coming from every direction, moving through the encirclement with practiced precision. One after another, he knocked the guards' weapons from their hands. Their swords clattered across the courtyard, landing several paces away.
"You did well," he said, slowly lowering his sword.
With a slight bow they all retreated back leaving Shen Yao standing in the center alone.
Which happened to be the scene Xi Shu saw when he appeared at the edge of the stone path. Normally his expression was unreadable, but this time his steps were somewhat quick.
"Young Master. A message from the northern camp."
Shen Yao handed his sword to the nearest servant and walked forward.
"From Old Lei?"
"Yes." Xi Shu held out the scroll. The wax seal was already broken—it had been opened, checked, and resealed by the household guards.
"It arrived before sunrise."
Shen Yao took the scroll and unrolled it.
The handwriting was rough and uneven, unmistakably that of a soldier who had spent more years holding a sword than a brush. The characters were bold, almost forceful against the delicate backdrop of the scroll.
Young Master Shen,
I am writing because I have found someone I thought I had lost many years ago. He was seen near the border a few months ago. More importantly, he was there on the night your parents died.
I believe he may have witnessed something that could help explain what happened. He has spoken to no one else, and I cannot say how much he remembers. However, he has agreed to meet you if you come in person.
I know the journey is neither short nor safe, especially with the current state of the northern border. But this is the first real lead I have found in years. I did not want to keep it from you.
Come if you can, and if you are willing. I will be waiting.
Shen Yao read the letter twice.
A witness.
Someone who was there.
Someone who might finally tell him the truth of what happened to General Shen and his wife.
He folded it and tucked it into his sleeve.
"Xi Shu."
"Yes, Young Master?"
"Prepare the horses. I need to seek an audience with His Majesty."
"Understood."
After giving the order, Shen Yao freshened up before heading to his study. Once there, he sat in silence for a long moment.
Ever since waking in this body, Shen Yao had been searching for answers.
The deaths of the Shen couple. The circumstances surrounding the original Shen Yao's death. And now, at last, a lead had finally surfaced.
He had spent years searching for something that might connect the scattered pieces. He wasn't about to let this opportunity slip away.
He slowly reached for a blank scroll and dipped his brush in ink.
He wrote a single line:
Go to the north.
Then he set the brush down and stared at the words.
He didn't know what he would find at the camp. He didn't know if the witness would tell him the truth or if the truth would be something he wanted to hear.
But he knew it was the only gamble he could make.
He folded the scroll and tucked it into his sleeve.
Before leaving, he first needed His Majesty's permission. Only then could he make preparations for the journey north.
With that thought, he rose and walked toward the main hall.
Strolling through the corridors he happened to spot someone.
Walking closer saw Shen Miao in the garden.
She sat beneath the oak tree, a piece of paper resting on her lap. From a distance, Shen Yao couldn't tell what she was reading, but her unfocused gaze suggested that her attention was elsewhere. Her fingers rested motionlessly against the paper.
Slightly intrigued he drew closer. Then as if a spell had suddenly been lifted, she immediately turned to his direction with vigilance before it slowly relaxed.
"Brother?"
She stood to properly greet him, but he had already sat down beside her.
"I'll be leaving."
She looked up. "What? When?"
"Tomorrow"
"The situation at the border has become increasingly concerning. It's approaching a critical point, and war may break out soon."
Her hands tightened on the scroll.
"Oh....Then how long will you be gone?"
Silence spread across the garden for a while.
For a moment Shen Miao felt she wouldn't get an answer. Her fingers trembled slightly beneath her sleeves.
"I don't know."
She was silent again.
The koi pond rippled softly in the breeze.
Then she nodded.
"Alright stay safe"
"And come back soon."
"I will." Shen Yao said.
As if feeling it wasn't enough she slowly gathered her confidence reached out pulling his sleeve lightly.
"Promise me."
Shen Yao fell silent.
Looking into her determined eyes, he knew what she wanted to hear. Yet he couldn't bring himself to remind her that on the battlefield, swords had no eyes. Even the most careful soldier could fall.
After a moment, he sighed.
"I promise."
At his words, Shen Miao relaxed. Her fingers slowly loosened, and the trembling subsided. She didn't need some grand explanation. His words were enough.
Having finished the conversation, Shen Yao quickly excused himself and left heading towards the front hall.
He didn't look back. If he had, he would have seen her standing at the garden gate, watching him go.
Walking into the front hall, Shen Yao didn't expect to run into Old Shen who seemed to have been waiting at the entrance to the main hall.
His hands rested on his walking stick, his face weathered and unreadable. Just as Shen Yao guessed he had been standing there for a while now. Waiting.
"I heard you're leaving."
"I am."
Old Shen studied him.
"The border is not the capital. The rules there are way different from the ones here. And those Xeng are restless bunch who love to exploit the weaknesses of their opponents acting like barbarians"
"I know."
"Their methods are cruel and shameless and the road to the north is also treacherous."
"I know"
"Do you?" Old Shen's voice lowered. "Your parents knew the northern border better than anyone. They understood its dangers, and even they couldn't return."
His cane struck the floor.
"Child, you have no experience of the north. This isn't your battle to fight. Stay here, where it's safe."
Shen Yao met his gaze.
"It is."
Old Shen remained silent for a long moment.
His grip tightened around the walking stick.
"Stay home its safe here"
Shen Yao took a step forward.
"I will be back."
Shen Yao bowed respectfully.
Old Shen looked away for a moment before speaking.
"Watch your back."
Walking out into the afternoon breeze. Shen Yao spotted Xi Shu at the entrance of the residence.
Standing beside Xi Shu were two familiar figures he hadn't seen in some time. Their horses waited beside them, and both wore the steady expressions of seasoned soldiers.
The Su twins.
They had served under his parents. Now, they would serve under him.
"Young Master," they greeted in unison.
Shen Yao nodded. It seemed they would be accompanying him after all.
"Let's go."
They mounted their horses immediately leaving for the palace.