Chapter 4: A Glimpse into the Past

Feng Yan walked away from the Feng family mansion, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. The cold night air wrapped around her like a shroud, but she barely noticed it. Her heart was heavy with the weight of the memories that flooded her mind, memories of the life she had lived, the pain she had endured, and the secrets she had kept.

She found a quiet spot beneath an old, towering tree just outside the estate, its thick branches casting long shadows on the ground. The night was silent, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. Feng Yan sat down, resting her back against the rough bark of the tree, and closed her eyes, allowing the memories to wash over her.

The past had always been a blur of pain and loneliness, but now, in the light of her newfound knowledge, she could see things more clearly. Her great-grandmother had been guiding her all along, even when she hadn't realized it. The skills she had learned, the knowledge she had acquired—none of it had been by chance.

She remembered the nights she had spent in secret, practicing martial arts in the dark corners of the mansion, her movements precise and fluid, as if her body had always known the forms. She had felt a strange sense of comfort during those hours, a voice in the back of her mind guiding her, correcting her stances, whispering ancient techniques that she had never been taught.

It was the same voice that had led her to the hidden scrolls on medicine and acupuncture, tucked away in the dusty corners of the library, where no one else had thought to look. She had studied them diligently, absorbing the knowledge as if it were second nature, her hands quickly becoming adept at the delicate art of healing.

The memories came in a rush now—hours spent learning alchemy, her fingers stained with the vibrant hues of rare herbs and potions; the nights she had stayed awake, designing intricate patterns for dresses and embroidery, her mind filled with ideas that seemed to flow from some unseen source. She had mastered the art of dance, her body moving with a grace that had stunned even her harshest critics; she had learned to paint, to play the chessboard with a strategist's mind, to create music that brought tears to the eyes of those who listened.

And all the while, she had thought it was merely her own determination, her own hard work that had driven her to excel. But now, she knew the truth. It had been her great-grandmother all along, guiding her, protecting her from afar, helping her to develop the skills she would need to survive in a world that had been so cruel to her.

A bittersweet smile tugged at the corners of Feng Yan's lips. She was grateful—so grateful for the guidance that had shaped her into the woman she had become. But the realization also brought a pang of sadness. Her great-grandmother had been there, watching over her, and yet, Feng Yan had never known, had never been able to thank her or feel the warmth of her presence.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought of the sacrifices her great-grandmother must have made to keep her safe, to hide the truth from her for so long. The pain of not knowing her true family, of living under the shadow of the cruel Feng family, felt sharper now, more unbearable. But it was tempered by the knowledge that she was not alone, that she had a legacy and a lineage far more powerful than she had ever imagined.

Her thoughts shifted to the times she had used her talents to help the very people who had despised her. The countless hours she had spent crafting solutions to their problems, pouring her knowledge into making her adopted sister, Feng Yue, look like a genius. The way she had silently supported the family, even when they had treated her as nothing more than a tool to be discarded when they no longer needed her.

Anger bubbled up inside her, mingling with the regret that twisted in her chest. She had been so foolish, so desperate for their approval, that she had given them everything—her time, her energy, her brilliance—only to be repaid with cruelty and betrayal. How could she have been so blind?

Her fingers instinctively reached for the necklace tattoo on her neck, the one that marked her true heritage. The moment her fingertips brushed against the delicate lines, a sudden surge of energy pulsed through her body, making her gasp. Before she could process what was happening, the world around her dissolved into a blinding light, and she felt herself being pulled into the very space of her necklace.

When the light faded, Feng Yan found herself standing in a strange, ethereal realm. It was a vast, open space, filled with swirling colors and shimmering light. The ground beneath her feet was made of a smooth, translucent material that seemed to glow with a soft, inner light. The air was warm and fragrant, filled with the scent of flowers and fresh rain, just like the place she had met her great-grandmother.

Her heart raced as she looked around, trying to make sense of what had just happened. This space—it was inside the necklace? How was that even possible? She had known the necklace was special, but this… this was beyond anything she could have imagined.