Chapter 5: The Storm in the Shen Residence
The moon hung high when the Shen carriage rolled to a stop before the grand gates of the estate. The lanterns were still lit — too bright for such a late hour. Inside, tension simmered like a pot about to boil over.
As Shen Yifan stepped down from the carriage, the servants bowed low, though their eyes flickered with curiosity. She ignored them, walking calmly toward her courtyard — until sharp voices broke the night's peace.
"Do you see how shameless she is?"
Shen Lian's voice, sharp and dripping with spite.
"She still dares to show her face after being cast aside! And she even danced with the Crown Prince — as if she's worthy!"
Shen Rou, still in her glittering gown, tossed her hair and sneered. "It's pathetic. She should've stayed hidden instead of making herself a laughingstock. The nobles pitied her like some poor stray."
Yifan's steps slowed. Her hand brushed against the silk of her sleeve — calm, poised. But her eyes… darkened.
She turned the corner and faced them.
"I didn't realize the palace ball was still going on," she said softly, her voice steady. "You two seem eager to perform."
Both sisters froze.
Shen Lian's face twisted. "You dare talk back?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Yifan's eyes met hers, cold and unwavering. "Or do you think only you're allowed to speak in this house?"
Shen Rou stepped forward, her smile brittle. "Sister, we're only worried about you. You embarrassed yourself in front of the nobles—"
Yifan laughed quietly. "Funny. I didn't realize being praised by the Crown Prince was an embarrassment."
The words hit like a slap. Shen Rou's cheeks flushed red. "You—"
Before she could finish, Yifan stepped closer — and Shen Lian shoved her. "How dare you raise your voice at your betters!"
Yifan caught her wrist mid-air.
Her grip tightened.
Shen Lian gasped. "Let go—!"
"I told you once," Yifan said calmly, "I won't be your punching bag again."
Then — swift as lightning — she twisted, sending Shen Lian stumbling to the ground.
A stunned silence. The servants froze, eyes wide.
"You— you hit me!" Shen Lian shrieked, pointing a trembling finger. "You dare—!"
Yifan's expression didn't waver. "If you touch me again, I'll do worse."
Shen Rou rushed to her sister's side, outrage burning. "Grandmother! Grandmother!"
The old matriarch hurried in, staff tapping the floor. "What is this noise?!"
Shen Lian burst into tears. "Grandmother, she hit me! Yifan hit me!"
Grandmother Shen looked at the three girls — her sharp eyes missing nothing. Then she sighed. "Enough. Lian, Rou, your tongues are sharper than your sense. Yifan, you've changed… but perhaps it's long overdue."
The sisters gaped. "Grandmother?!"
Before they could protest further, the door to the main hall slammed open.
Lord Shen stormed in, robes half undone, followed by his second wife, Lady Han.
"What is this chaos in my house?!" he barked.
Lady Han's eyes gleamed with false concern. "Husband, that child Yifan has grown wild! She attacked her sisters!"
Shen Lian wailed louder, clutching her arm dramatically. "Father, she hurt me!"
Lord Shen's glare turned on Yifan. "Ungrateful girl! After all I've done for you—"
Yifan met his gaze, her voice cool and unwavering. "All you've done? You mean turning a blind eye while they insult me? Treating me as if I'm invisible?"
Gasps filled the hall. No one had ever dared speak to him like that.
"You—!" he thundered.
But before he could take a step, a new voice cut through the air.
"That's enough, Father."
Everyone turned. Shen Jun, her elder brother, stood at the doorway, calm but firm. His eyes — sharp and unreadable — fixed on his father.
"She didn't start this. I heard everything from outside. It was Lian and Rou who provoked her first."
Shen Rou's face paled. "Brother, you're taking her side?!"
"I'm taking the side of truth," he replied. Then his gaze softened slightly as he looked at Yifan. "You don't need to endure everything, Yifan. Not anymore."
For the first time, Yifan's chest tightened — not from pain, but from something unfamiliar. Warmth.
The silence that followed was heavy. Lord Shen's jaw clenched. Grandmother Shen sighed deeply.
"Enough for tonight," the old woman said firmly. "We'll speak again in the morning. All of you, go to your rooms. I won't have this house torn apart by foolish pride."
One by one, they withdrew. Shen Rou shot Yifan a hateful glare, clutching her sister's arm as they left. Lady Han whispered something bitter under her breath.
But Shen Jun lingered a moment, meeting Yifan's eyes. "You've grown stronger," he said quietly. "I'm glad."
Yifan gave a faint smile. "Maybe it's time I stopped being silent."
He nodded once, then turned away.
When the hall was empty, Yifan stood alone, the echo of her heartbeat filling the quiet.
She touched her wrist where she'd grabbed Shen Lian — and remembered the note she'd received at the ball.
> Do not trust your blood.
Now, standing in the house where blood meant nothing but envy, she finally understood.
She looked toward the moonlit courtyard, her eyes cold and resolute.
> "Let them hate me," she whispered. "But they'll never break me again."