Shadows of the Past
Li Han rode through the moonlit streets of Changlu, his cloak billowing behind him as his horse's hooves echoed against the cobblestones. Captain Wei's directions had been precise—the physician's son and his family lived in a modest estate on the outskirts of the city, far from the prying eyes of the court.
This was the lead he had been waiting for. If the physician's son had any knowledge of what happened to his mother, it could be the key to unraveling the conspiracy that had haunted him for years.
As he neared the estate, something felt off. The air was unnervingly still, the surrounding fields silent as if holding their breath. Li Han slowed his horse and dismounted a short distance from the gate, signaling for his guards to remain hidden.
The gate was slightly ajar. A faint flicker of torchlight could be seen from within. Drawing his sword, Li Han pushed the gate open with deliberate caution. What he saw made his blood run cold.
The courtyard was littered with bodies. The physician's son, his wife, and their two young children lay lifeless, their faces frozen in terror. Pools of blood glistened under the faint light of the moon.
Li Han knelt beside the physician's son, his jaw tightening as he inspected the wounds. The man had been killed with precision—clean slashes to vital areas. This was no robbery; it was an execution.
Captain Wei approached from behind, his voice hushed but urgent. "Your Highness, whoever did this left in haste. There are signs of a struggle in the house."
Li Han rose to his feet, his eyes scanning the scene. "Search the area. If there are any survivors, we need to find them. And take care of the bodies—we cannot let the court discover this yet."
As Wei began issuing orders, Li Han entered the house. Inside, the destruction was worse. Furniture lay overturned, papers scattered, and blood smeared across the walls. It was clear that whoever had come for the family had been searching for something—or ensuring nothing was left behind.
Li Han's gaze fell on a small wooden chest that had been smashed open. Inside were fragments of old medical records, but most of the pages had been burned or torn beyond recognition.
"This wasn't random," he muttered to himself. "Someone wanted to erase their connection to my mother's death."
Suddenly, a faint sound caught his attention—a soft rustling from behind a cabinet. Li Han drew his sword and approached cautiously.
"Come out," he ordered, his voice firm but low.
A boy, no older than ten, emerged, trembling and clutching a small wooden box to his chest. His face was streaked with tears, but his eyes held a spark of defiance.
Li Han sheathed his sword and crouched to the boy's level. "You're safe now. I'm not here to hurt you."
The boy hesitated before speaking, his voice barely above a whisper. "They came for my father. He said... he said to hide and not make a sound."
Li Han placed a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "Who were they? Did you see their faces?"
The boy shook his head. "They wore masks. But... but one of them said something about the palace. They were looking for something."
Li Han's chest tightened. "Do you know what they were looking for?"
The boy clutched the wooden box tighter. "My father told me to protect this. He said it was important."
Li Han carefully took the box from the boy's trembling hands and opened it. Inside was a single, delicate scroll sealed with wax. The seal bore the emblem of his mother's household—a symbol that hadn't been seen since her death.
Before he could examine it further, Captain Wei appeared at the doorway. "Your Highness, we need to leave. Whoever did this might return, and we can't risk being seen here."
Li Han nodded and stood, tucking the scroll into his robes. He turned back to the boy. "You'll come with me. I'll make sure you're safe."
The boy looked up at him, his expression a mixture of fear and hope. "Are you... are you a prince?"
Li Han's lips curved into a faint smile. "Yes. And I promise you, no harm will come to you."
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As they rode back to the palace under the cover of darkness, Li Han's mind raced. The scroll in his possession was a thread—a tenuous connection to his mother's murder and the shadowy forces at work in the palace. But whoever had silenced the physician's family wouldn't stop there.
He glanced at the boy riding beside him, bundled in a guard's cloak to keep him warm. Protecting this child was now as vital as uncovering the truth.
Li Han tightened his grip on the reins. He had underestimated the lengths to which his enemies would go to keep the past buried. But he was no longer a child grieving his mother's death—he was a prince determined to bring justice, no matter the cost.
And for the first time, he realized that the battle ahead would require more than just strength and cunning. It would require allies. Perhaps, even someone like Shen Yue.
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