Lady in the Mirror - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The woman in the Mirror was named Shen Tanyin.

She was Yan Cizhou’s first wife.

She was also the Young Madam of the Yan Family who had been dead for three years.

She looked at me from within the Mirror, her expression gentle.

“Zhaowan, don’t be afraid of me.”

I said, “If Madam Shen truly pities me, then please move away from the side of my bed.”

She was taken aback.

Yan Cizhou frowned.

“Wen Zhaowan, stop this.”

I turned to look at him.

“You can kneel and call her ‘Madam,’ but I can’t even call her ‘Madam Shen’?”

Yan Cizhou was left speechless by my retort.

Shen Tanyin chuckled softly.

“She has more spirit than Mingzhu.”

Yan Cizhou did not smile.

It was as if he couldn’t bear to hear her find me interesting.

“Tanyin, she isn’t the person you’re waiting for.”

His voice was very soft.

Yet it felt like a bucket of cold water being poured over my head.

I looked at him.

“Whose soul is this Mirror meant to draw in?”

Yan Cizhou looked away.

Shen Tanyin’s smile faded as well.

She said, “Cizhou, don’t be so certain.”

Her tone was still soft, but it carried a hint of a warning.

Yan Cizhou closed his eyes.

“She’s already inside; it can’t be hidden anymore.”

I said coldly, “Then tell me now.”

No one spoke.

Suddenly, the voice of an old matron came from outside the door.

“Young Master, the Old Madam is asking if the Mirror has been installed.”

Yan Cizhou stood up.

“It’s installed.”

The matron asked again, “Has the Young Madam looked into the Mirror yet?”

My heart tightened.

Yan Cizhou looked at me.

“Not yet.”

It was quiet outside for a moment.

The matron lowered her voice.

“The Old Madam says she must look into it before the hour of the rat.”

Shen Tanyin sighed from within the Mirror.

“Grandmother is still so impatient.”

I asked, “What happens when I look into the Mirror?”

Yan Cizhou said, “You will see what the Mirror wants you to see.”

“For example?”

“First, your own face.”

I almost laughed.

“What’s wrong with looking at my own face?”

Shen Tanyin said softly, “Because the face in the Mirror might not be willing to recognize you.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the Bronze Mirror suddenly darkened.

The scene inside was no longer the bridal chamber.

I saw a woman falling from the Dressing Tower.

Her red bridal robes billowed upward.

A Bronze Mirror was clutched in her arms.

A man stood below the tower.

It was Yan Cizhou.

He didn’t move to catch her.

He stood in the rain, looking as if he were pinned to the spot.

The woman in the Mirror lifted her face.

That face was exactly the same as mine.

I recoiled violently.

Yan Cizhou grabbed me.

“Don’t look.”

I shook him off.

“When she fell, you were right there below the tower?”

His face turned pale instantly.

Shen Tanyin whispered from the Mirror, “It wasn’t him.”

I stared at Yan Cizhou.

“Then why did he just stand there and do nothing?”

Yan Cizhou opened his mouth.

No sound came out.