The Rebirth of a Concubine's Daughter and Her Heartless Lover!

The Hand Behind the Scenes

The moment Shen Yiyao stepped out of Lin Garden, her steady steps didn't calm the turmoil within her. Instead, an unprecedented heaviness weighed heavily on her chest, making it difficult to breathe. Her parents weren't members of the Shen family, and had even been their enemies. This all left her bewildered and panicked. But she also knew this was just the beginning, and the mystery behind it remained elusive.

The moonlight still shone on the garden path, illuminating her determined yet slightly melancholic face. Shen Yiyao knew she was already deeply entangled in this complex vortex of power. There was no turning back, and all she could do was to exhaust herself in exploring every clue ahead.

"Miss." Xiaoyu called softly, standing in the corridor beside her with a nervous expression, obviously waiting for Shen Yiyao's return.

"Let's go back." Shen Yiyao did not stop and spoke in a firm tone.

She returned to her courtyard, casually placed a scroll on the table, and sat down. Everything in her mind was like a surging river, unable to calm down. Nangong Xiu's words were like a thorn, deeply embedded in her heart, leaving her unable to rest for a long time. What kind of people were her parents? Why did they become enemies of the Shen family? And what role did she play in this power struggle?

She picked up the scroll and carefully flipped through its contents. It was a document given to her by Nangong Xiu, detailing the history of the Shen family and the complex relationships between the families. The handwriting on each page was clear and heavy, as if every stroke carried a profound history.

As the page turned, Shen Yiyao's eyes suddenly froze - she saw a name, a name she had never heard of - "Shen Yaoyue".

Shen Yaoyue, the daughter of the Shen family's legal wife, seems to have an unspoken connection with the Shen family's enemies. Shen Yaoyue's mother is actually the head of Yueying Palace, a faction outside the Shen family! And Yueying Palace is part of the same underworld faction her parents belong to!

This means that Shen Yaoyue is not of the "pure bloodline" of the Shen family at all, but a descendant of her parents' enemy - the Yueying Palace.

Shen Yiyao's heart skipped a beat, and countless unanswered questions flooded her mind. Shen Yaoyue had always been her greatest rival, both in the power struggles within and outside the Shen residence and in her relationship with Shen Qianyun. She had never doubted Shen Yaoyue's origins, but now, she finally realized that all the conflicts stemmed from a deeply hidden secret.

At this moment, Xiaoyu hurried in, her face pale: "Miss, Shen Qianyun wants to see you."

Shen Yiyao was slightly startled, a flicker of alarm flashing through her mind. Shen Qianyun's visit to her was definitely not just a simple visit or out of concern. This heir to the Shen family was no longer the "pure and kind young man" in her eyes. His hidden lust for power and deep scheming far exceeded her imagination.

"Let him in." Shen Yiyao took a deep breath, sorted out her emotions, and regained her usual calmness.

A moment later, Shen Qianyun walked into the room. He was dressed in a black brocade robe, with a steady pace and an extraordinary demeanor. Unlike his usual gentle demeanor, at this moment, he seemed to have a strong sense of oppression, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

"Yiyao." Shen Qianyun's voice was gentle, yet it carried an elusive depth. "How have you been lately? I heard that you met Nangong Xiu in Lin Garden. I wonder if he had any deep feelings for you?"

Shen Yiyao raised her eyebrows slightly, a sense of alarm welling up in her heart. None of this seemed to be a coincidence; Shen Qianyun already knew about her contact with Nangong Xiu. She smiled to herself, but a complex mix of emotions surged within her. She knew that Shen Qianyun was more than just a simple "heir." Behind him, there must be a much larger network and layout.

"Don't worry, sir. I'm fine." Shen Yiyao replied calmly, her eyes deep. "What Nangong Xiu said really shocked me, but I don't ask for much."

Shen Qianyun didn't seem to understand the true meaning of her words. She just nodded slightly, her eyes flickering slightly: "Yiyao, do you know? Everyone has their own bottom line, and the Shen family also has its own bottom line. The relationship between you and Shen Yaoyue is no longer as simple as a sisterly quarrel."

Shen Yiyao sneered, "The relationship between her and me is no longer that of sisters. If she wants to provoke me, I will naturally not be polite."

Shen Qianyun glanced at her, his eyes flickering. "You've never considered that Shen Yaoyue isn't just the legitimate daughter of the Shen family. She has enormous support behind her. Her father, Shen Yaoyue's mother, the Palace Master of Yueying Palace, has been secretly supporting her. If we want to gain a foothold in the Shen family, this power struggle must unfold under the influence of Yueying Palace."

Shen Yiyao's heart sank. Shen Yaoyue's mother, the Palace Master of Moon Shadow Palace? She had never heard of such a relationship, but now it seemed that the power behind Shen Yaoyue far exceeded her imagination. Moon Shadow Palace was actually the Shen family's sworn enemy, and Shen Yaoyue, as the heir to Moon Shadow Palace, was undoubtedly her most powerful enemy.

"What do you want to say?" Shen Yiyao's tone was no longer gentle. Her eyes were deep, revealing a calm threat. "If there is a conflict between Shen Yaoyue and me, will you stand on her side or on my side?"

An inexplicable light flashed in Shen Qianyun's eyes, and the corners of her mouth rose slightly: "Yiyao, you will never understand that in this power struggle, everyone has their own calculations. You may think that you are just Shen Yaoyue's opponent, but you are wrong. In this struggle, the biggest enemy is not Shen Yaoyue, but... yourself."

Shen Yiyao's heart trembled, and her eyes changed slightly. The implication of Shen Qianyun's words made her feel a little uneasy. This game was no longer a simple palace struggle, but involved more hidden forces and connections. Every step she took would be the key to determining her fate.

"Shen Qianyun, what exactly do you want to say?" she asked again in a cold voice.

Shen Qianyun didn't answer her question. He just gave her a deep look, then turned and slowly walked out the door. His back became increasingly lonely, as if blending into the depths of the night.

"You will understand." His voice was low, but it carried a hint of inexplicable prophecy. "The future of the Shen family is already determined."

The wind outside blew the curtains, bringing a chill. Shen Yiyao clenched her fists, her mind resonating with Shen Qianyun's words. Every word was like a heavy hammer, hitting her heart, making her feel an unprecedented sense of oppression.

She knew very well that she was about to step into an even more unfathomable vortex, and this struggle was not only a showdown between power, love and hate, but also a challenge for her to control her own destiny.

Shen Yiyao slowly stood up and looked out the window at the distant moonlight. No matter how difficult the road, she was ready to face the storm - because she knew that this war had just begun.

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Chapter 12: Secret Deal