A week had passed since General Wei Jian's arrival in Yuecheng (月城), and the palace seemed to hold its breath, waiting for something unseen. The tension that lingered in the corridors was palpable, the servants speaking in hushed tones, the guards more vigilant than ever. In the midst of it all, Lady Qin Yue (秦月) sought solace in the Jade Garden (翠园), hoping to clear her mind.
Dressed in a gown of soft pink silk embroidered with golden peonies, Qin Yue moved gracefully along the winding path. Her hair was styled in an elegant braided bun, adorned with jade pins shaped like butterflies, delicate yet striking against her raven-black locks. She paused by the koi pond, her gaze drifting over the water's surface, her thoughts far away.
On a stone bench nearby, Qin Yuan (秦元) sat with his back against a willow tree, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun. His robes were a deep indigo, embroidered with silver clouds that caught the light whenever he shifted. His dark hair was loosely tied back, a few stray strands framing his youthful face. He watched his sister quietly, feeling a sense of peace he rarely experienced these days.
Absentmindedly, his fingers traced patterns in the air—an imaginary creature that had formed in his mind, a dragon he'd once seen in a tapestry in the palace halls. He imagined its twisting form, its scales shimmering like liquid sapphire. His fingers moved in a dance of their own, sketching invisible lines across his palm.
Unbeknownst to him, the air around his hand began to shimmer faintly, rippling as if stirred by an unseen force.
From the shadows of the pavilion, General Wei Jian (魏健) watched the siblings, his eyes lingering on Qin Yue. He had taken to observing her from afar, his heart weighed down by feelings he dared not voice. His armor gleamed under the sun, crimson and gold, matching the fire in his eyes. His hair, black as night, was pulled back in a simple yet noble knot. He knew it was dangerous to let his thoughts wander like this, but he could not help himself.
Then, suddenly, the surface of the pond began to ripple.
Qin Yue turned at the sound, her brow furrowing in confusion. The ripples grew larger, more pronounced, though the air was still and no wind stirred the trees. Her gaze shifted to Qin Yuan, who sat oblivious, his fingers still tracing invisible shapes.
A soft, faint glow appeared over the water where Qin Yuan's fingers moved, and in an instant, a shape began to form—first mist-like, then solidifying into a serpentine figure that twisted and turned, coiling upwards with an ethereal grace. A water dragon (水龙), its translucent body shimmering in shades of blue and green, rose from the pond, droplets falling from its form like pearls.
Qin Yue gasped, taking a step back, her heart racing in her chest. The dragon's eyes, glowing with an otherworldly light, turned toward her, and it let out a low, rumbling growl that sent ripples through the very ground beneath her feet.
Wei Jian sprang into action. He moved swiftly, positioning himself between Qin Yue and the dragon, drawing his sword in one fluid motion. "Stay back!" he commanded, his voice sharp, though his gaze flickered briefly toward Qin Yuan, who still seemed unaware of what was happening.
Qin Yuan blinked, his hand falling to his side as he finally noticed the commotion. His eyes widened in shock at the sight of the dragon, his breath catching in his throat. "What… What is that?" he stammered, scrambling to his feet, clearly bewildered.
The dragon lunged forward, its massive body surging through the air like a wave crashing against the shore. Wei Jian met its advance head-on, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he deflected the creature's watery assault. The sound of steel meeting water rang through the garden like a bell, reverberating off the walls.
Qin Yue, her eyes wide with fear, could barely comprehend what was happening. She felt a strange mix of terror and awe, watching the dragon twist and turn above them, its movements almost hypnotic. She glanced at Qin Yuan, sensing his confusion and fear mirrored in her own heart.
"Yuan'er, what did you do?" she called out, her voice strained.
"I… I don't know!" Qin Yuan replied, shaking his head, his face pale. "I didn't do anything!"
Wei Jian, focused entirely on the dragon, shouted back, "Stay close to me, Yue'er! This creature is no ordinary beast!" His heart pounded in his chest, not with fear, but with the adrenaline of battle and the overwhelming urge to protect the woman he loved, even if that love remained hidden.
The water dragon circled them, its eyes flickering with curiosity and menace, its movements slowing as if sensing the uncertainty in the air. For a moment, it seemed almost playful, its tail flicking like a cat's, sending a wave splashing against the rocks.
Qin Yuan took a tentative step forward, feeling a strange pull towards the creature. He didn't know why, but he felt… connected to it, somehow. His fingers tingles, and he glanced down, noticing a faint shimmer on his skin. He quickly clenched his hand into a fist, dismissing the sensation as nerves.
Wei Jian saw the hesitation in the dragon's movements and seized the opportunity. He moved swiftly, positioning himself between the dragon and Qin Yue, his blade raised high. "We must get to safety!" he called out, his voice filled with urgency.
Just then, the dragon let out a deep, resonant growl, its form beginning to waver as if unsure of its existence. Its eyes turned towards Qin Yuan, and for a fleeting moment, they seemed to lock onto his gaze, as if recognizing something within him.
But the moment passed, and the dragon, with a shudder, dissolved back into water, cascading down into the pond with a splash that sent ripples across the surface.
Wei Jian lowered his sword, his breath heavy. He turned to Qin Yue, his expression softening with concern. "Are you hurt?" he asked gently, stepping closer.
Qin Yue shook her head, still stunned. "No… I am fine, thanks to you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Wei Jian's eyes lingered on her, and for a moment, everything else faded away. He opened his mouth to speak, his heart pounding with words he had kept hidden for too long. "Yue'er… I…"
Before he could finish, Qin Yuan stepped forward, his face still pale with confusion. "I don't know what happened… I didn't mean for any of this," he said, his voice laced with anxiety.
Wei Jian nodded, though his gaze remained fixed on Qin Yue. "We must be cautious," he replied. "There are forces at work here that we do not yet understand."
As they turned to leave, a soft, ethereal whisper floated through the air, sending a chill down their spines. The words were faint, but clear: "Beware the shadows that move in silence…"
Wei Jian tensed, recognizing the voice from before. His grip tightened on his sword, his senses alert. Qin Yue and Qin Yuan exchanged uneasy glances, and Wei Jian knew that whatever had happened, it was only the beginning.
Certainly! Let's continue Chapter Four, maintaining the mystery around Qin Yuan's abilities and the aftermath of the water dragon's appearance.
Qin Yuan (秦元) shook his head, pushing the unsettling thoughts aside. He took a deep breath and turned toward his sister, who was still standing close to General Wei Jian (魏健). Qin Yue (秦月) looked shaken, her face pale beneath the soft glow of the lanterns that were beginning to light up around the garden.
"Yue'er, are you truly alright?" Qin Yuan asked, concern evident in his voice.
Qin Yue nodded, though her expression remained troubled. "I am fine, Yuan'er… just surprised," she replied, her voice a bit steadier now. "That creature… it seemed to come from nowhere." Her gaze flickered to the pond, now serene, as if the water dragon had been nothing more than a trick of the light.
Wei Jian sheathed his sword with a swift, practiced motion and stepped closer to Qin Yue, his brows furrowed. "This garden is meant to be a place of peace, yet something strange is afoot," he murmured, his tone a mix of curiosity and caution. "I will speak with the palace guards. We must find out if anyone else witnessed this."
Qin Yue gave him a grateful nod, though she could not quite meet his gaze. There was something intense in the way he looked at her, something she wasn't ready to confront. "Thank you, General," she said softly. Her hands clutched her sleeves, the fabric of her pink silk gown crinkling slightly under her grip.
Wei Jian hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching hers, as if trying to find the right words. Then, with a small, almost imperceptible sigh, he bowed slightly. "Your safety is my duty… and my honor, Lady Qin Yue," he replied, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Qin Yuan watched the exchange, sensing a tension between the two that he couldn't quite place. He stepped closer, wanting to comfort his sister. "Shall we return to your chambers, Yue'er? I think some rest might do us both good after… whatever that was."
Qin Yue nodded again, looking relieved to have a reason to leave the garden. "Yes, perhaps that would be best," she agreed, her voice regaining some of its usual steadiness. She reached out, and Qin Yuan gently took her arm, guiding her away from the pond and the unsettling memories it now held.
As they walked, Wei Jian followed a few steps behind, his gaze lingering on Qin Yue. His heart felt heavy with words unspoken. The moment with the water dragon had brought something to the surface within him—a fierce, protective instinct, yes, but also something deeper, something more tender.
He knew he had to speak with her, to make his feelings known. But how could he, when the palace was filled with eyes and ears that would seize upon any scandal, any hint of impropriety?
They continued down the garden path, past the blooming jasmine and the neatly trimmed hedges. The twilight air was cool, carrying the faint scent of honeysuckle. The palace loomed ahead, its walls bathed in the soft hues of the setting sun.
At the entrance to her chambers, Qin Yue turned to Wei Jian, offering him a small, polite smile. "Thank you again, General Wei Jian. Your quick actions were… most appreciated," she said, her voice formal but sincere.
Wei Jian inclined his head. "It is my duty, Lady Qin Yue," he replied, though his eyes spoke of something beyond duty—something far more personal.
Qin Yue hesitated for a moment, then offered a small bow before turning to her brother. "Come, Yuan'er, let us speak inside." She gave Wei Jian one last, unreadable glance before disappearing behind the heavy wooden doors.
Wei Jian stood there for a moment, watching as the doors closed with a soft thud. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. He had to tell her—had to find a way to express what he felt, to make her see that his concern was not merely that of a loyal subject but of a man who loved her deeply, who would protect her with his life.
But how? And when?
As he turned to leave, he noticed the shadow of a figure lurking near the far end of the corridor. His instincts sharpened, and he quickly moved toward the figure, only to find one of the palace servants—an old woman with a hunched back and sharp, curious eyes.
She bowed quickly, her eyes darting between him and the now-closed doors. "My apologies, General. I was just on my way to deliver a message," she said, her voice low and deferential.
Wei Jian narrowed his eyes, sensing something amiss, but nodded. "Be on your way then," he said curtly, watching as she scurried off. He remained there for a moment longer, his thoughts turning back to the strange events in the garden and the whispering voice that had warned them.
"Beware the shadows that move in silence…"
---
Inside Qin Yue's Chambers
Qin Yue and Qin Yuan sat together in her chambers, the soft glow of lanterns casting a warm light across the room. Qin Yue's hair had come loose from its braided bun, falling softly around her face, and she looked more at ease, though her eyes still held a trace of worry.
"Yuan'er," she began gently, "did you feel anything unusual before the dragon appeared?"
Qin Yuan shook his head, frowning. "No… I was only… lost in thought," he replied, though he did not mention the strange tingling in his fingers or the momentary shimmer he had seen. "It felt… almost like a dream."
Qin Yue nodded, seeming to consider his words carefully. "Perhaps it was some trick of the light or a reflection on the water. The palace holds many mysteries, and not all of them are harmful," she said, trying to reassure him as much as herself.
Qin Yuan gave a small, uncertain smile. "Yes… perhaps you're right," he agreed, though something inside him felt different, as if a door had been opened to a place he did not yet understand.
As they spoke, a faint sound drifted through the open window—a whisper on the wind, just at the edge of hearing. Qin Yuan glanced toward the window, his brow furrowing. "Did you hear that?" he asked, turning back to his sister.
Qin Yue looked puzzled. "Hear what?" she replied.
Qin Yuan shook his head again, unsure. "Nothing… it was probably just the wind," he murmured, though his heart began to beat a little faster, a chill running down his spine.
And as the last light of day faded from the sky, a shadow moved silently in the garden outside, watching… waiting.
Qin Yuan closed the window, feeling a strange, uneasy sensation crawl across his skin, as though unseen eyes were upon him. He glanced over his shoulder, sensing something was not right. His sister, Qin Yue, had already turned her attention back to the tea she was pouring, her hands steady as she tried to brush off the earlier incident.
But Qin Yuan couldn't shake the feeling. The room felt colder, the shadows in the corners seemed to stretch longer than they should. He swallowed, forcing himself to focus.
"Yue'er," he began softly, "have you ever felt… as if something is watching us? Something we cannot see?"
Qin Yue paused, her expression turning thoughtful. "There are many eyes in this palace, some seen, some hidden," she replied cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper. "We must always be mindful… but tonight, I feel a sense of unease too."
Outside, a gentle wind blew through the trees, rustling the leaves. But within that rustling, a faint sound echoed—a whisper, soft and melodic, like a lullaby sung from the shadows.
Qin Yuan stepped closer to the window, peering out into the dimly lit garden. The moonlight cast eerie shadows, and for a moment, he thought he saw a figure—a dark silhouette moving swiftly between the trees. His heart pounded in his chest, a cold sweat forming on his brow. "Did you see that?" he asked urgently, turning to Qin Yue.
She shook her head. "See what?"
Qin Yuan blinked, and the shadow was gone, leaving only the stillness of the night behind. He tried to convince himself it was nothing, just a trick of the light, the aftermath of the day's strange events playing tricks on his mind.
Yet, as he turned back to his sister, a chill settled in the room, and a soft voice, almost like a breath, whispered close to his ear: "The balance is shifting… and so must you…"
He spun around, but there was no one there. Only the flickering lantern light, and the soft, steady breaths of his sister.
Qin Yuan's hands trembled slightly as he slowly pulled the window shut, the latch clicking into place with a finality that sent a shiver through him. He looked back at Qin Yue, his voice steady but low. "Perhaps it is best we stay inside tonight," he murmured.
She nodded in agreement, yet her eyes were full of questions—questions neither of them dared to voice.
Outside, unseen by human eyes, a pair of glowing, amber eyes watched from the treetops, fading slowly into the dark, as the last traces of twilight disappeared, and the garden sank into deep, unsettling silence.
The shadows moved, and somewhere, deep in the palace grounds, something ancient and powerful stirred awake.
End of Chapter Four