Chapter 427: The Crying Shadow

The sun had barely begun to descend when Lady Chen quietly left the Dowager’s courtyard.

The palace corridors were still busy.

Servants carried dinner trays from one hall to another. Palace maids hurried between buildings, carrying folded clothes, water, and lamps. Guards stood at their usual posts, their expressions disciplined and indifferent.

To anyone watching, Lady Chen’s departure looked completely ordinary.

But beneath the calm appearance, she carried an important task.

Tonight, the plan would begin.

And before the night arrived, everything had to be ready.

---

The Monk’s Powder

Lady Chen kept her pace steady as she entered a quieter section of the palace.

She did not look around suspiciously.

She did not speak to the guards.

She simply walked as though she had somewhere ordinary to go.

After passing through several courtyards, she entered a small side building where a trusted servant was waiting.

The servant bowed.

"Lady Chen."

"Has it arrived?"

The servant nodded.

"Yes."

He opened a small wooden box.

Inside were several tiny paper packets filled with pale powder.

Lady Chen’s expression became serious.

"This is the powder?"

"Yes."

"It was prepared by the monk?"

"Yes, my lady."

She picked up one packet and examined it.

The powder was fine and almost scentless.

It looked harmless.

But the monk had instructed them to use it as a protective measure during the operation.

Lady Chen closed the box.

"Good."

The servant lowered his voice.

"Should I deliver it to the others?"

"No."

Lady Chen shook her head.

"I will do it myself."

The servant hesitated.

"My lady, is that safe?"

Lady Chen gave him a calm look.

"We aren’t doing anything tonight that requires recklessness."

She took the box.

"We are simply making sure everyone is prepared."

---

She returned to the Dowager’s courtyard through another route.

By then, several of the performers had already gathered.

The young woman who would play the ghost stood beneath the covered veranda.

Her white costume had been carefully prepared.

Her hair had been loosened.

Her face was painted pale.

Even in daylight, she looked unsettling.

Beside her stood two male performers.

One would imitate footsteps.

The other had been trained to imitate voices.

Several palace servants were also present.

The General was there.

Lady Chen entered the courtyard and placed the wooden box on the table.

"Everyone."

The conversations stopped.

The General turned toward her.

"Did you get it?"

Lady Chen nodded.

"Yes."

She opened the box.

Everyone looked inside.

The young actress leaned closer.

"That is the protective powder?"

"Yes."

Lady Chen distributed the packets one by one.

"Keep it with you."

"Do not lose it."

"Do not use it unless instructed."

The actress accepted hers.

"What exactly are we supposed to do?"

Lady Chen looked around.

"Follow the plan."

Her voice was quiet.

"You will appear."

"You will frighten her."

"You will disappear."

"But you will never allow yourself to become trapped."

The General added,

"And if anything changes, retreat immediately."

The performers nodded.

Lady Chen continued distributing the packets.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Everyone received one.

Finally, she placed a packet into the General’s hand.

He looked at it.

Then at her.

"Are we certain the target will be there tonight?"

Lady Chen’s expression hardened.

"Shin Gu rarely leaves her courtyard after sunset."

The General nodded.

"Then tonight is the night."

---

The Palace Prepares

As evening approached, the palace gradually changed.

The bright afternoon light disappeared.

Lanterns were lit one after another.

The corridors became golden.

The gardens became darker.

The sound of conversation diminished.

Lady Chen moved through the palace one final time.

She checked the people involved.

She checked the routes.

She checked the hiding places.

No one was supposed to act without permission.

No one was supposed to improvise.

And most importantly—

No one was supposed to hurt Shin Gu.

This was a psychological trap.

Nothing more.

They wanted Shin Gu frightened enough to reveal what she knew.

They wanted her to make a mistake.

They wanted her to expose the strange power she had kept hidden.

Lady Chen looked toward the darkening sky.

"Tonight."

She whispered the word.

Then she turned away.

---

Shin Gu’s Courtyard

At the opposite end of the palace, Shin Gu was completely unaware of what was happening.

Her courtyard was quieter than most.

The servants had already finished their evening duties.

Two lamps burned beside the entrance.

Another lantern hung beneath the roof.

Shin Gu sat alone inside her chamber.

A small table stood before her.

Several objects rested upon it.

She stared at them silently.

Something had been bothering her for days.

The palace felt different.

She couldn’t explain it.

There was no obvious threat.

No suspicious messenger.

No unusual movement among the guards.

Nothing.

And yet—

She felt watched.

Shin Gu slowly lifted her head.

The room was silent.

She narrowed her eyes.

"Who’s there?"

No answer.

She stood.

She walked toward the window.

The courtyard outside was empty.

A breeze moved through the trees.

Leaves rustled.

Nothing more.

Shin Gu remained at the window for several seconds.

Then she closed it.

She returned to her table.

She had barely sat down when—

A sound reached her ears.

"Ahh..."

Shin Gu froze.

It was faint.

Almost inaudible.

She looked toward the door.

Silence.

Then—

A soft sob.

"Ah..."

Her face changed.

Someone was crying.

Inside her courtyard.

At night.

Shin Gu stood slowly.

"Who is crying?"

Nothing.

She opened the door.

The corridor was empty.

Her eyes moved from one side to the other.

Nothing.

Then—

A woman’s voice came from somewhere in the darkness.

"Help me..."

Shin Gu’s blood ran cold.

She immediately stepped backward.

"Who are you?"

Silence.

She looked toward the garden.

Nothing.

The crying stopped.

Shin Gu stared.

Her breathing became heavier.

She whispered,

"Who is there?"

A faint movement appeared behind one of the trees.

Shin Gu immediately reached for the object she kept concealed beneath her sleeve.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Come out."

No answer.

She walked toward the tree.

One step.

Two.

Three.

The shadow disappeared.

Shin Gu stopped.

"What?"

She looked around.

Nothing.

No person.

No servant.

No animal.

No one.

Her expression became suspicious.

"Someone is playing a trick on me."

She turned sharply.

But there was nobody behind her either.

---

The First Shadow

Shin Gu returned toward her chamber.

Then—

A shadow crossed the wall.

She stopped.

Her eyes widened.

The shadow was unmistakably human.

A woman.

Long hair.

Long robe.

Head lowered.

Shin Gu stared at it.

The shadow moved slowly.

Then stopped.

Shin Gu’s fingers tightened.

"Who are you?"

The shadow remained motionless.

Shin Gu stepped closer.

The shadow vanished.

She rushed toward the wall.

Nothing.

Only stone.

Her expression darkened.

"Impossible."

She touched the wall.

Cold.

Solid.

Empty.

"There is nobody here."

She looked around.

"Then what was that?"

A faint laugh drifted through the courtyard.

Shin Gu turned immediately.

"Who’s there?!"

No answer.

She hurried toward the sound.

The courtyard remained empty.

---

Someone Is Watching

Hidden beyond the garden wall, one of the performers held his breath.

Another crouched behind a tree.

The actress remained concealed behind a screen.

None of them spoke.

They waited.

The General watched from a distant position.

Lady Chen stood farther away.

Everyone had one instruction:

Do not rush.

Shin Gu had to believe what she was experiencing was happening naturally.

Lady Chen watched her carefully.

Shin Gu walked slowly through the courtyard.

She was no longer merely confused.

She was investigating.

That was expected.

Lady Chen whispered,

"Wait."

The General nodded.

They waited.

---

Another Cry

Shin Gu returned to the center of the courtyard.

Then the crying began again.

This time—

Closer.

"Please..."

Shin Gu’s eyes widened.

"Who are you?"

The voice answered with another quiet sob.

"Help me..."

Shin Gu looked toward the well.

Nothing.

Toward the trees.

Nothing.

Toward the corridor.

Nothing.

She slowly walked toward the center of the courtyard.

"Show yourself."

The crying stopped.

Shin Gu waited.

Five seconds.

Ten.

Nothing.

She laughed nervously.

"Do you think you can frighten me?"

Silence.

Then—

A woman’s voice whispered directly behind her.

"Shin Gu..."

She spun around.

Nothing.

Her face had lost its calm.

"Who said my name?"

No answer.

She stepped backward.

"Come out!"

Still nothing.

She looked toward every corner.

Her eyes searched desperately.

"Who is doing this?"

---

The Shadow Returns

A movement appeared near the wall.

Shin Gu turned.

There it was.

The same female shadow.

This time—

Closer.

Shin Gu stared.

The shadow raised its head.

Its face could not be seen clearly.

Its hair covered part of it.

Shin Gu’s heart pounded.

"You..."

The shadow did not move.

Shin Gu took one cautious step forward.

"What are you?"

The shadow disappeared.

Shin Gu rushed toward the spot.

Nothing.

She searched behind the curtain.

Empty.

Under the veranda.

Empty.

Behind the tree.

Empty.

Her breathing became uneven.

"This isn’t possible."

She looked around.

"Nobody could disappear that quickly."

She suddenly stopped.

Unless—

Her expression changed.

"Ghost."

The word escaped her lips.

The moment she said it—

The courtyard became completely silent.

---

The Woman Behind Her

Shin Gu slowly turned.

Nothing.

She took another step.

Then—

A pale figure appeared at the far end of the courtyard.

A woman.

Standing motionless.

Shin Gu stared.

This time, the figure was visible.

Not merely a shadow.

A person.

Or something that looked like one.

Shin Gu’s eyes widened.

"You..."

The figure lifted its head.

Shin Gu stepped backward.

"Who are you?"

The woman didn’t answer.

She simply stared.

Then she began walking.

Slowly.

One step.

Then another.

Shin Gu’s face turned pale.

"Stop."

The figure continued.

"Stop!"

Still walking.

Shin Gu raised her hand.

The figure vanished.

Shin Gu froze.

Her hand remained suspended in the air.

Her eyes darted around.

"Where did you go?"

Silence.

---

Lady Chen Watches

From her hiding place, Lady Chen remained completely still.

She whispered,

"She’s frightened."

The General watched Shin Gu.

"Not enough."

Lady Chen nodded.

"We need her to think she’s being haunted."

"But not enough to make her attack."

"Correct."

The actress waited for the next signal.

Lady Chen gave the smallest nod.

The operation continued.

---

The Voice in the Garden

Shin Gu stood alone.

Then a man’s voice came from the garden.

"You shouldn’t have come here."

Shin Gu’s expression changed.

"Who are you?"

The voice did not answer.

Another voice came from the opposite side.

"Leave."

Shin Gu turned.

Nothing.

A third voice whispered behind her.

"Too late."

She spun around.

Nothing.

Her hands trembled slightly.

"Show yourself!"

No answer.

She rushed toward the courtyard entrance.

But before she could reach it—

A woman’s voice whispered,

"Shin Gu."

She stopped.

Slowly—

She turned.

The shadow stood beneath the lantern.

Shin Gu stared.

This time she didn’t approach.

She simply watched.

The shadow raised one hand.

Then pointed toward Shin Gu.

Shin Gu’s breathing stopped.

"What do you want?"

The shadow disappeared.

---

The Empty Courtyard

For several moments, nothing happened.

Shin Gu stood completely still.

Then she looked around.

Nothing.

The courtyard looked exactly as it had before.

Lanterns.

Trees.

Stone path.

Walls.

No ghost.

No stranger.

No intruder.

Nothing.

She slowly lowered her hand.

"Someone is trying to deceive me."

Her voice was steadier now.

She walked toward the door.

"I won’t be fooled."

But as soon as she stepped inside—

A soft sound came from behind her.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Shin Gu stopped.

She slowly turned.

The courtyard was empty.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

The sound came from the window.

She approached it.

Opened the curtain.

Nothing.

She closed it.

Then—

A pale handprint appeared on the glass.

Shin Gu froze.

Her eyes widened.

She stared at the handprint.

Five fingers.

Clear.

Fresh.

Impossible.

She stepped backward.

The handprint slowly faded.

Shin Gu’s face became grim.

"Who are you?"

Silence.

Then—

A faint whisper.

"We remember."

Shin Gu’s eyes widened.

"What?"

The whisper disappeared.

She stood frozen.

---

The Trap Tightens

Outside, Lady Chen watched carefully.

She knew the operation had reached the important stage.

Shin Gu was beginning to react.

But no one celebrated.

No one moved.

They waited.

The actress remained hidden.

The General remained ready.

The guards remained at their positions.

The entire palace seemed asleep.

But within that quietness—

A carefully prepared game was unfolding.

---

Shin Gu’s Suspicion

Shin Gu slowly walked back toward her table.

Her mind was racing.

Ghosts were not supposed to appear like this.

Unless—

Someone was using spiritual techniques.

Someone might be sending something into her courtyard.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Someone is sending ghosts here."

She looked toward the door.

"Who?"

No answer.

She suddenly walked outside again.

This time, her fear had been replaced by anger.

"If someone is playing tricks on me..."

She raised her voice.

"Come out!"

Nothing.

She walked toward the garden.

"I know you’re here."

Nothing.

She checked behind every tree.

Every corner.

Every corridor.

Nothing.

She checked the roof.

Nothing.

She checked the courtyard wall.

Nothing.

She returned to the center.

Her breathing was heavier.

"There is no one."

She looked around.

"Then how?"

A quiet sob came from behind her.

Shin Gu turned.

The female figure was standing there again.

Only a few steps away.

Shin Gu’s eyes widened.

"You!"

The ghostly figure stared at her.

Shin Gu stepped closer.

"Who sent you?"

The figure remained silent.

"Answer me!"

Nothing.

Shin Gu raised her hand.

The figure vanished.

Her eyes widened.

She immediately looked around.

"Where?"

Nothing.

---

Someone Is There

Shin Gu suddenly noticed something.

The lantern beside the corridor was moving.

Not swinging naturally.

It was moving slightly.

Back.

Forward.

Back.

Forward.

As though someone had brushed past it.

Shin Gu approached.

She looked beneath it.

Nothing.

Behind it.

Nothing.

Then—

A cold breath seemed to pass beside her ear.

She turned sharply.

Nobody.

Her expression changed.

"Someone is here."

She whispered,

"I know someone is here."

But the courtyard remained empty.

---

End of the Night

Far away, Lady Chen slowly lowered her hand.

That was enough for tonight.

She didn’t want the operation to go too far.

The performers quietly began retreating.

The General signaled the guards.

Everyone disappeared from their positions without making a sound.

Shin Gu remained in her courtyard.

Alone.

She stared into the darkness.

She knew something had happened.

She simply did not know what.

Her eyes moved toward the place where the female figure had disappeared.

"Someone is sending ghosts into my courtyard..."

She whispered.

Her expression hardened.

"If that is your game..."

She slowly closed her door.

"...then I will find you."

The door shut.

The courtyard became silent.

Outside, Lady Chen looked back once.

A faint smile touched her lips.

Shin Gu had not discovered them.

She had not discovered the actors.

She had not discovered the guards.

She had not discovered the trap.

But she had done exactly what they wanted.

She had begun to wonder whether someone was sending ghosts after her.

And that suspicion—

Would follow her into the next night.

Lady Chen turned away.

"Let’s go."

The General nodded.

The palace swallowed them into the darkness.

Behind them, Shin Gu stood alone beside the window.

She stared at the fading handprint on the glass.

Her expression was no longer confused.

It was wary.

Suspicious.

And deeply unsettled.

Outside her chamber—

A single leaf fell from a tree.

Shin Gu immediately looked toward the sound.

Nothing.

Yet somewhere in the darkness beyond the courtyard—

A quiet female laugh echoed for only a moment.

Then disappeared.