Previous Chapter: Chapter 139 - Heartbeat
Heaven smiled upon them—the weather had been rather gloomy for several days, but on the very day Feng Anning was set to go out, the sun made a rare appearance.
The warm sunlight bathed them, bringing a pleasant comfort. Even so, Shen Miao still wrapped herself in a rabbit-fur cloak. Though the rooms were warmed by stoves, there was no guarantee the wind wouldn’t pick up outside. Catching a cold in such weather would be troublesome.
Early in the morning, Feng Anning’s carriage arrived at the Shen residence to pick up Luo Tan and Shen Miao. The Feng family had always doted on Feng Anning, and now that she had completed her studies at the Hall of Extensive Learning, she could no longer bear staying cooped up at home and had taken to wandering outside every day. However, even the vast Fixed Capital would eventually grow dull. Luo Tan’s arrival delighted Feng Anning, who was more than happy to act as her guide, showing her new and exciting places to explore.
But as time passed, even Feng Anning found it hard to keep up. True to her Luo family roots, Luo Tan had little interest in jewelry or dress shops—her eyes lit up only when she visited weapon stores, scouting for well-crafted arms. Feng Anning, who knew nothing about such things, was at her wit’s end. That was why she insisted on dragging Shen Miao along.
Feng Anning wore a cherry-red patterned skirt with a peach-colored brocade cloak, standing out vividly against the winter backdrop. Over the years, her beauty had blossomed, making her even more striking. Yet the moment she spoke, that charm was overshadowed by her haughty tone. She lifted the carriage curtain and snapped impatiently, “You’re killing me with the wait! Hurry up and get in!”
To her surprise, standing outside the carriage was Shen Qiu.
Shen Qiu had escorted Shen Miao and Luo Tan out. He knew Shen Miao had few friends in Fixed Capital—Feng Anning seemed to be the only one. His memory of Feng Anning was still stuck on the somewhat domineering girl from two years ago. But when the carriage curtain was lifted, he was met with the sight of a radiant young woman.
The moment she saw him, Feng Anning shrank back, her previously imperious voice softening into a timid murmur. “Young General Shen.”
Shen Qiu gave her a puzzled glance but nodded in acknowledgment. After helping Shen Miao and Luo Tan into the carriage and reminding them to stay safe, he left. Since Feng Anning had invited them today, the Feng family had sent plenty of guards, so Shen Miao and Luo Tan didn’t bring any of their own, assuming Feng Anning would escort them back to the Shen residence when the time came.
Only after Shen Qiu had left did Feng Anning exhale in relief, pressing a hand to her chest. Strangely enough, every time she saw Shen Qiu, she felt an instinctive fear. Though he had never been harsh with her, the authority of a young general was not to be underestimated. She recalled his appearance just now—after two years of training in Xiaochun City, Shen Qiu had grown even more mature and resolute. Though he remained a warm and kind elder brother at heart, to outsiders, his commanding presence was undeniable.
Luo Tan suddenly asked, “Hey, why is your face so red?”
Feng Anning froze, then touched her cheeks—they were indeed burning. Flustered, she fanned herself with her hand and said, “It’s just stuffy in here. I’m feeling a little hot.”
Luo Tan didn’t question it. “You must be wearing too many layers.” Then, as if remembering something, she added, “Anning, why are you so afraid of Cousin Qiu?”"When have I ever been afraid of him?" Feng Anning immediately retorted upon hearing Luo Tan's words, startling her in the process.
"You clearly looked terrified just now," Luo Tan said. "There’s nothing embarrassing about it. Cousin Qiu is actually very kind—he just appears intimidating at first glance. If you’re already scared of Cousin Qiu, wait till you meet my cousin Luo Sa. Then you’ll know what a real 'dark-faced deity' looks like."
Unbeknownst to Luo Sa, who was thousands of miles away, Luo Tan had already painted him as a villain in front of her "closest friend." Feng Anning insisted, "I wasn’t afraid of him!"
Luo Tan waved her off. "Fine, fine, you weren’t afraid. Happy now?"
Shen Miao, who had been silently observing, noticed the angry flush rapidly spreading across Feng Anning’s cheeks and felt a sudden pang in her heart.
In her past life, the Feng family had backed the wrong side, and Lord Feng was implicated. To protect his beloved daughter, he hastily married Feng Anning off to a cousin. Unfortunately, the cousin turned out to be a scoundrel—all show and no substance. After the Feng family’s downfall, he took a mistress and even had a son with her. Feng Anning, with her proud nature, couldn’t bear the humiliation and eventually took scissors to end both the mistress and herself.
This life, however, had been thrown into chaos by Shen Miao’s meddling. The power struggles within the Ming Qi royal court were now evenly matched, and Lord Feng had yet to pick a side. But there was no guarantee that the past tragedy wouldn’t repeat itself.
Shen Miao had no particular feelings toward the Feng family, but for Feng Anning’s sake, she wanted to lend a hand. Feng Anning reminded her too much of Wan Yu—both were pitiable souls dragged down by their families.
"Why are you staring at me?" Feng Anning snapped when she noticed Shen Miao’s intense gaze, mistaking it for lingering resentment over Luo Tan’s teasing. "Do you also think I’m afraid of your brother?"
Luo Tan stifled a giggle. Shen Miao snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head. "Not at all. I was just admiring your dress—it’s quite unique."
Most women loved compliments, and Feng Anning was no exception. Even in her irritation, she couldn’t stay mad at such praise. She preened. "Of course! My mother specially commissioned this pattern for me."
Shen Miao lowered her gaze and sighed inwardly. Well, everyone had their own fate. Haste made waste—some things were better handled slowly.
Admittedly, shopping with three people was far more exhausting than with two. Feng Anning wanted to browse jewelry and dress shops, while Luo Tan was obsessed with weapons. They traipsed from the east to the west, the south to the north of the city. Luo Tan and Feng Anning bickered constantly, giving Shen Miao a headache. She felt like a weary mother herding unruly children. Eventually, the two turned their teasing on her, calling her "a young girl who acts like an old granny" and "more boring than a temple monk." By the end, Shen Miao simply ignored them.
The day passed in a whirlwind of excitement. The three girls shopped until their carriage was nearly overflowing. Feng Anning was particularly extravagant—whenever Shen Miao or Luo Tan showed interest in something, she’d wave her hand and declare, "Buy it!" If not for Shen Miao’s intervention, Feng Anning might have bought out the entire jewelry store.Eating, drinking, playing, and making merry—by the time the sun began to set, everyone was ready to head back. Since Shen Miao and Luo Tan had been invited out by Feng Anning, bringing too many guards would have been inconvenient. Thus, Shen Miao hadn’t brought any guards from Shen Mansion, planning to return in Feng Anning’s carriage instead.
But just as they stepped out of the shop and boarded the carriage, Feng Anning rummaged through her pouch and suddenly looked anxious. "The cat’s-eye hairpin I bought earlier is missing!"
Feng Anning had spent the day browsing jewelry shops in Fixed Capital, and the one thing she had been most satisfied with was a butterfly-shaped cat’s-eye hairpin. The rare, translucent sapphire-blue gemstone was exceptionally beautiful, and she had even taken it out during their meal at the restaurant to show Shen Miao and the others.
Shen Miao said, "Search again. You were just holding it—how could it be gone?"
Feng Anning checked her pouch again and asked her personal maids, but none of them had seen it. Luo Tan asked, "Could you have left it at the restaurant?"
"I don’t know," Feng Anning replied.
"Let’s go back and check," Shen Miao suggested. "You just left—if it was dropped there, the staff might have picked it up. I’ll go with you."
Feng Anning thought for a moment. "I’ll go alone. It’s just a quick trip. If it’s not there, then so be it. It’s not about the money—it’s just that I rarely find something I like this much."
Luo Tan was speechless. Feng Anning truly had money to burn. Though the Feng family was wealthy, they weren’t so extravagant as to be careless with silver. It was simply that Feng Anning was doted on by her family and never lacked for funds, to the point where she barely even registered the value of money. Losing something, her first thought was, "I rarely find something I like this much."
"I’ll take a few guards with me," Feng Anning said. "Wait here for me—I’ll be right back."
Shen Miao nodded. Feng Anning took most of the guards with her, likely to make an impression. If the restaurant staff had picked up the hairpin and tried to keep it, seeing Feng Anning’s imposing entourage might make them think twice.
After Feng Anning left, only Luo Tan and Shen Miao remained. Outside, four guards stood watch. Luo Tan glanced at the sky and said, "By the time Anning comes back and we return home, it’ll probably be dark." She stretched lazily. "I’m exhausted today. Tomorrow, I’m sleeping in—no one better disturb me."
Shen Miao said nothing. Just moments ago, Luo Tan had been enthusiastically talking about how much fun they’d had and how they should do it again.
Just then, one of the guards outside suddenly spoke up. "Miss Shen, Miss Luo, I just found the young lady’s hairpin."
"Huh?" Luo Tan was startled. She lifted the carriage curtain and saw one of Feng Anning’s guards standing outside, holding a sparkling gemstone hairpin—none other than the missing cat’s-eye one.
Luo Tan frowned. "How careless of Anning—she didn’t even notice dropping it."
The guard took two steps toward the carriage, and Luo Tan reached out to take the hairpin.
But the moment her fingers closed around it, the guard suddenly yanked her forward!
Another Feng family guard leaped onto the carriage, shoving the driver aside. With a sharp crack of the whip, the horses reared in pain and bolted wildly down the street!Everything happened too quickly. Even the other two Feng residence guards hadn't reacted in time. By the time they realized what was happening, Shen Miao and the carriage had already rushed dozens of meters away.
Fortunately, Luo Tan was still in the carriage. Reacting swiftly, when the guard tried to pull her out, she firmly grasped the carriage edge and leaned back. In this critical moment where every second counted, seeing that he couldn't drag Luo Tan out, the guard didn't persist. He leaped onto another horse and galloped alongside the carriage toward the city outskirts.
The streets were crowded with commoners who were stunned by the reckless carriage. Vendors who couldn't dodge in time had their stalls and goods overturned, yet no one knew which family's carriage dared to be so audacious. The carriage sped wildly, tossing Shen Miao and Luo Tan about inside.
At this crucial moment, Luo Tan remembered to hold Shen Miao's hand, saying, "Don't be afraid, little cousin. Let's jump out. If we reveal our identities after jumping, with so many people outside, they'll have to show some restraint."
Shen Miao felt warmth in her heart. Though she was being thrown about uncontrollably in the carriage, she replied, "It's too late. Look outside."
Luo Tan clung to the carriage edge and peered out, only to be shocked. The familiar streets were gone, replaced by a twisting, deserted alley she didn't recognize. A wave of despair washed over her. If she had thought jumping out earlier might save their lives, now in this desolate place, jumping would only leave them at their captors' mercy.
"Don't worry. They're probably after me. When the time comes, pretend to faint or find a way to escape. They won't harm you," Shen Miao said.
"How could I abandon you and run?" Luo Tan grabbed Shen Miao's hand tightly. "You saved the Luo family in Xiaochun City. Even if I can't save you, I won't leave you behind. If we die, we die together."
Shen Miao found this both touching and exasperating—this was no time for heroic sentiments. Struggling to sit upright in the violently rocking carriage, she leaned close to Luo Tan's ear and whispered, "Remember, if you manage to escape, find a way to send a message to Prince Rui's Residence. Say there's a deal to be made, and the price can be negotiated later."
Luo Tan stared at her in bewilderment. "How is Prince Rui involved? Little cousin, you—"
"Don't ask too much," Shen Miao interrupted. "This is extremely important. Don't mention Prince Rui to anyone. I'm only telling you because I trust you."
Luo Tan nodded, then shook her head. "No, I won't leave you alone."
Before Shen Miao could say more, the carriage suddenly jerked to a halt. Caught off guard, both girls crashed into the small table inside. Then the carriage curtain was yanked open, and someone reached in to drag Shen Miao out.
Luo Tan wrapped her arms around Shen Miao's leg. "Little cousin!" She mustered all her strength, and for a moment, the person outside couldn't pull Shen Miao away. Enraged, the assailant kicked Luo Tan hard.
Despite her martial arts training with the Luo family, Luo Tan was still just a young girl. The kick to her chest sent her tumbling out of the carriage with a loud "thud" that made Shen Miao's heart lurch.
The remaining guard urged, "Hurry up. Don't let anyone spot us."They directly hacked apart the carriage. Without a word, one of them gagged Shen Miao with cloth, bound her hands and feet, knocked her unconscious, and threw her onto a horse. The way he handled her made Luo Tan see red.
Luo Tan's gaze suddenly caught on a short knife that had fallen out of the carriage. Earlier that day, after Feng Anning had her fill of jewelry shops, she mercifully accompanied Luo Tan to browse a weapons store—that was where the knife had been purchased. Without a second thought, Luo Tan grabbed the knife and charged at one of the men.
But the man was trained. With a few moves, he knocked Luo Tan to the ground. Her eyes suddenly sharpened: "Military techniques."
These weren’t ordinary guards. These moves were unmistakably those of military-trained fighters. These two were at least connected to the army.
Hearing Luo Tan’s words, the man’s eyes flashed with malice. He snatched the knife from her hand and slashed back in one swift motion.
Luo Tan clutched her waist as she slowly collapsed.
The other man urged impatiently, "Stop dawdling, let’s go!"
Only then did the man toss the knife aside and mount another horse. The two quickly vanished into the alley.
In the gloomy alley, only the wreckage of the carriage remained. Luo Tan lay sprawled on the ground, her apricot-colored dress slowly staining with spreading red—a horrifying sight.
Slap!
Feng Anning struck both guards across the face.
The two immediately dropped to their knees, kowtowing. "We failed to protect our mistress. We beg for punishment!"
"Punishment?" Feng Anning laughed coldly instead of raging. "How should I punish you? Beat you? Sell you off? What good would that do? Will Shen Miao and Luo Tan come back because of it?"
The guards fell silent. They had tried to chase the carriage, but it had already been moving too fast, and by the time they gave pursuit, there was already distance between them. The attackers had clearly planned their escape, sticking to narrow alleys until they disappeared without a trace.
Feng Anning was going mad. She had only gone into the tavern to ask the staff if they’d seen her cat-eye hairpin. When she came back downstairs, the carriage was gone, and the surrounding crowd was gathered in hushed whispers. After sending her maid to investigate, she learned that someone had hijacked her carriage—with Shen Miao and Luo Tan still inside.
Before long, the remaining two guards returned empty-handed, having lost track of the carriage. Feng Anning stared at the hairpin lying dust-covered on the ground and closed her eyes. Even someone as carefree as her understood the gravity of the situation. Today’s events had been planned. Someone had infiltrated the Feng family’s guards—all to abduct Shen Miao and Luo Tan.
Who were Shen Miao and Luo Tan? One was Shen Xin’s legitimate daughter, the other Luo Xueyan’s niece. Either of them held some renown in Fixed Capital. For someone to dare target them meant they were willing to take enormous risks—and that Shen Miao and the others were likely in grave danger.
The thought made Feng Anning tremble uncontrollably. She had been the one to invite Shen Miao and Luo Tan out to explore Fixed Capital. She had brought the guards. She had insisted on stopping at the tavern. If she hadn’t gone back for the hairpin, more guards might have stopped the attackers. If she hadn’t taken the easy way out and allowed Shen Miao to bring some of Shen Mansion’s guards, this wouldn’t have happened. If she hadn’t invited Shen Miao at all, none of this would have occurred.
It was her. All of it was her fault.Feng Anning swayed unsteadily, startling the maid by her side, who quickly stepped forward to support her, saying, "Young Miss, please don't blame yourself. If you harm your health, the master and mistress will be heartbroken."
Feng Anning shook her head and smiled bitterly, "If my parents feel heartbroken over me like this, how would Madam Luo and General Shen feel upon learning about Shen Miao and Luo Tan? Even killing me wouldn't be enough to atone for my mistake." Covering her face, she disregarded her status for the first time and burst into loud sobs in the middle of the restaurant, under the gaze of the crowd.
"What's going on? Where's Jiaojiao? Where's Cousin Tan?" A deep, stern male voice suddenly rang out from outside the restaurant. Feng Anning lowered her hands to see Shen Qiu striding in, followed by a group of soldiers, each imposing and intimidating, causing the restaurant patrons to instinctively shrink back.
Shen Qiu had finished his official duties early today and had planned to return home to ask Shen Miao and Luo Tan if they wanted to go hunting another day. But before he could reach the residence, his subordinate came to report that Shen Miao and Luo Tan had gone out with Feng Anning today and something had happened at the restaurant.
Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan hadn't returned home yet and naturally didn't know the news. Upon hearing it, Shen Qiu rushed over without delay. Yet upon arrival, he was met with a scene of gloom in the restaurant, and the usually haughty young miss of the Feng family was sobbing uncontrollably in the center. Instantly, a terrible premonition rose in Shen Qiu's heart.
He strode up to Feng Anning and demanded, "What happened?"
Feng Anning froze. Standing before her, Shen Qiu was tall and imposing, but his eyes were filled with anxiety. Suddenly, she found it hard to speak.
Everyone knew how close Shen Qiu was to Shen Miao. For Shen Miao, Shen Qiu would willingly kill and burn. If he learned that Shen Miao had been abducted...
Her face twisted with difficulty as she forced out the words, "After shopping with Shen Miao and Luo Tan, we returned to the restaurant to fetch something. Shen Miao and Luo Tan stayed in the carriage... but the Feng family guards had been infiltrated by traitors. They hijacked the carriage and took Shen Miao and Luo Tan. I've already asked my father to send people to investigate secretly, but..." Feng Anning fought back tears. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault."
Shen Qiu didn't even glance at Feng Anning, but everyone saw his fists clench suddenly, the sound of cracking knuckles audible.
He took a deep breath, his voice eerily calm as he ordered Mo Qing, "Report to the authorities, seal the city, and search for them. Mobilize the Shen Family Army immediately. Use my spirit tablet to issue the order—search the entire city. Whoever finds them will receive ten thousand taels of gold from the Shen family."
Ten thousand taels of gold! The surrounding crowd gasped in shock.
Feng Anning was also stunned, but when she regained her senses, her guilt and sorrow only deepened. That Shen Qiu would offer ten thousand taels without blinking proved how precious Shen Miao was to him. Yet now, Shen Miao's fate was unknown. "I did not kill the man, but the man died because of me"—this was precisely the case.
Mo Qing's expression turned grave as he turned to carry out the orders. Feng Anning said, "Though reporting to the authorities will help secure the city, doing so will inevitably spread rumors in Fixed Capital, damaging Shen Miao and Luo Tan's reputations."
As a woman, Feng Anning understood the importance of reputation. If word got out that Shen Miao and Luo Tan had been abducted by villains, malicious speculation would surely follow. Moreover, the Shen family had enemies in Fixed Capital who might exploit the situation.Shen Qiu said, "Reputation is worthless compared to life. Even if their reputations are truly damaged, what does it matter if the Shen family supports them for life? It's not like we can't afford it."
He turned to leave. Feng Anning said, "I'm sorry. Today's incident was all because of me. I will definitely visit to apologize another day."
"This matter has nothing to do with you," Shen Qiu's voice betrayed neither anger nor joy. "Those people came prepared. Knowing their identities yet still attacking—even if it weren't you, they would have found another opportunity."
Feng Anning felt slightly comforted, but before she could speak, Shen Qiu's indifferent words followed.
"However, I apologize. Seeing you, I can't help but feel resentful. So, Miss Feng, it would be best if you refrain from visiting for now."
Without looking back, he strode away, leaving Feng Anning standing alone in the hall, stunned.
Outside, A Zhi asked Shen Qiu, "Young Master, you directly mobilized the Shen Family Army without consulting Madam and the Master—"
"Consult my ass!" Shen Qiu cursed. "There's no time to waste thinking about this and that. Those bastards dared to take such a risk—Jiaojiao and Cousin Tan are in grave danger. To dare plot against my Shen family—once I catch them, I swear I'll make them pay!" The usually gentle young general was now unmistakably furious. He mounted his horse in one swift motion. "To the Capital Magistrate's office! Even if we have to turn the Fixed Capital upside down, we will find them!"
The news that the young ladies of the Shen family and their cousin had been abducted in the Fixed Capital spread throughout the city in no time. There was no hiding it—firstly, when Shen Miao and Luo Tan were taken, there were witnesses among the common folk, and some even recognized Feng Anning. Secondly, with the Capital Magistrate, city guards, government offices, the Shen Family Army, and the Feng family guards all mobilized, such a massive commotion was impossible to ignore.
Everyone knew Shen Xin doted on his daughter, but the sheer scale of his response—practically turning the entire Fixed Capital upside down—shocked many. Upon hearing the news after court, Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin personally led teams to search house by house.
They pressed on without rest, searching well into the night.
Xie Jingxing had just returned from outside the city and arrived at Prince Rui's Residence when he saw Ji Yushu and Gao Yang waiting in the courtyard. These two usually gathered at Fengxian Pawnshop, and given Gao Yang's sensitive position, it was rare for both to appear at Prince Rui's Residence together.
Xie Jingxing gave them a surprised glance and handed what he was carrying to Tie Yi. The white tiger in the courtyard, spotting his return, bounded over joyfully to his boots, affectionately nipping at his pant leg.
Xie Jingxing bent down to scoop up the tiger and asked, "What's the matter?"
Gao Yang glanced at Ji Yushu, who was staring intently at the tiger. After a moment, Ji Yushu steeled himself and said, "There's something we need to tell you."
"What is it?" Xie Jingxing had been outside the city alone that day and truly had no idea what had happened in the Fixed Capital.
"The security in the Fixed Capital hasn't been great lately—it's been chaotic," Ji Yushu hedged, scratching his head and avoiding the point. "Today, some young ladies went out to stroll the city, and right under a tavern, their own guards were infiltrated by criminals who hijacked their carriage. There were two other noble ladies inside. They still haven't been found."
Xie Jingxing fixed his gaze on Ji Yushu.
Under that piercing stare, Ji Yushu trembled and stammered, "Gao Yang and I wanted to warn you—your beauty rivals those young ladies. You must be careful."
"Ji Yushu," Xie Jingxing said calmly.
"The person involved—you know her. It's Fifth Miss Shen!" Ji Yushu blurted out, swiftly retreating behind Gao Yang.
Silence filled the room for a moment.
"Where'd he go?" Ji Yushu blinked at the now-empty courtyard, where only the white tiger remained, tossed aside and yowling in protest.
"Are you an idiot?" Gao Yang said coldly.
"Smarter than you, at least," Ji Yushu retorted.
Meanwhile, Shen Qiu, who had been searching the city for Shen Miao, received news that Luo Tan had been found.
Mo Qing reported, "Miss Luo is in critical condition."
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Envious of Feng Anning—her daily routine is just shopping.
Back to work tomorrow :3 I'm about to collapse :3..
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