The gentle rustle of silk was the first sound Shen Luyan heard as she slowly came to consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open to the soft morning light streaming through the silk curtains, casting delicate patterns across the polished wooden floor. The room was still and quiet, the air thick with the scent of lotus flowers and incense. She was in her childhood bedroom, surrounded by the comforting, familiar trappings of the Shen estate.
For a moment, she simply lay there, staring at the ceiling as the reality of her situation settled in. Five years. It felt impossible, but she could feel the sharpness of her body, the softness of her skin — her body was that of a young woman in her teens, unmarked by the years of hardship, unscathed by the cruel hands of fate.
Had she truly been given a second chance?
Shen Luyan took a deep breath and slowly sat up. Her chest tightened as her mind began to race. The memories of her death, the destruction of the Shen family, and the treachery of Li An flooded her thoughts. But now... now she had an opportunity to change everything. To protect her family. To keep them from falling into the hands of those who would betray them.
Before she could fully gather her thoughts, the soft sound of footsteps outside her door reached her ears. She knew who it was before they even entered.
"Young Miss, you've awoken," came a soft voice, filled with concern.
The door to her chamber opened, and in walked two of her most trusted maidservants, Jin Lan and Mei Zhi. Both women were young, graceful, and loyal, and they had served her since she was a child. They were more than just servants to Shen Luyan — they were her companions, her protectors, and, in many ways, the only true friends she had ever known.
Jin Lan, the older of the two, was a slender woman with a quiet, almost regal presence. Her long black hair was tied neatly at the back, and her eyes, dark and sharp, carried an air of quiet wisdom. She had always been the more cautious of the two, watching over Shen Luyan with a keen sense of protection. Mei Zhi, on the other hand, was a bit younger, with a bright, lively spirit. Her round face often broke into a smile, and her laughter was like the ringing of a bell, though she was just as devoted to Shen Luyan as Jin Lan.
The two had been inseparable since Shen Luyan was a girl, and over the years, they had come to know her as well as she knew herself.
"Young Miss, are you feeling unwell?" Jin Lan asked, her brow furrowing with concern as she moved to her side. "You were tossing and turning in your sleep."
Shen Luyan blinked, her gaze falling on them as she straightened her robes. She could see the concern in their eyes, the same concern they had shown her countless times in her previous life. But this time, it was different. This time, she would protect them.
"No, Jin Lan. I am fine," Shen Luyan replied softly, her voice steady. "I was just lost in thought."
Mei Zhi approached with a soft smile. "You've been through so much lately, Young Miss. Don't overexert yourself. Your body needs rest," she said gently, though her eyes were full of warmth and concern.
Shen Luyan gazed at them for a long moment, her heart aching. They had both been with her until the very end in her past life — fiercely loyal, despite the danger that had surrounded them. And yet, they had died protecting her. Mei Zhi had taken a fatal blow from a guard while shielding her from harm, and Jin Lan had fought bravely until the very last, her body crushed by the weight of the empire's betrayal.
In her previous life, she had never been able to save them. Their deaths had haunted her every waking moment. But now, they were here, with her, alive. This time, she would not fail them.
She reached out, taking their hands in hers, both of them looking at her with curiosity and trust. "Jin Lan, Mei Zhi," she began, her voice low and steady, "I don't know what has happened, but I've been given another chance—a—chance to protect all of you, a chance to make things right."
They exchanged a look, their expressions unreadable for a brief moment before Mei Zhi spoke, her voice soft but strong. "Young Miss, what do you mean? Another chance? Have we… have we made some mistake?"
Shen Luyan shook her head, her eyes hardening with determination. "No, you have done nothing wrong. It is I who have failed you, and I will not let it happen again. You are both my closest companions, and I swear by my life, I will protect you with everything I have."
Jin Lan's eyes softened, her usual calmness replaced by a tenderness that spoke of their deep bond. "We trust you, Young Miss. We are here for you, no matter what happens."
Mei Zhi smiled brightly, her usual cheerfulness returning. "Yes! We will always be by your side!"
Shen Luyan felt a surge of emotion at their words. These two women had given everything to her in her past life — their lives, their loyalty, their devotion. And she had failed them. But this time, things would be different.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with gratitude. "I won't let anyone harm you again."
The two maids exchanged glances, sensing the unspoken resolve in their Young Miss. The room had a new energy, a feeling of strength and purpose. Shen Luyan was no longer the helpless daughter of the Shen family. She was a woman with a plan, a woman with a destiny to rewrite.
"Now," Shen Luyan said, standing up with renewed confidence, "I must speak with my father. I have much to do."
Jin Lan and Mei Zhi nodded in unison, bowing respectfully. "Of course, Young Miss. We will prepare everything for you."
As they left the room, Shen Luyan stood still momentarily, taking a deep breath. She was no longer trapped in the past. She had the power to change everything — to protect her family, to shield them from the storm that was coming.