Chapter 116: Turks Attack

Life in the Luo house settled into a rhythm.
Shen Xin and Shen Qiu could not sit idle. Each day they drilled on the crude drill ground outside the Luo gate—the remnant vanguard, cooks and camp hands. Shen Xin's training wore the men down and wore his own temper thin.
Luo Xueyan visited old friends. Xiaochun was her girlhood home; she had many sworn sisters here. Daily she took Shen Miao calling. Somehow Shen Miao accumulated a circle of ladies.
The delicate miss from Ming Qi at first received the utmost care—finest food, softest thread, pastries in endless variety, gardens trimmed prettier than before. Past official daughters from Ding had brought tempers; everyone had feared offending Shen Miao. After some time they found the worry needless. Shen Miao fit Xiaochun well and asked for no special treatment. When hail fell—a curiosity here—she only looked interested, not afraid.
In time the Luos relaxed toward their cousin. Of the four young Luos, Luo Ling and Luo Sa served in the garrison and were often away. Luo Tan and Luo Qian stayed home more. Luo Tan made peace when Shen Miao gave her a Western mirror. Luo Qian, lively as a grown Su Minglang, clung to Shen Miao for Ding stories.
In Xiaochun Shen Miao need not think of Fu Xiuyi. Her mind grew clearer. She treated Luo Qian like a younger brother.
One day Luo Qian and Luo Tan came to her courtyard again. Xiaochun had little to shop—unlike Ding where months of strolling would not exhaust the shops. After a few rounds there was nothing left. Shen Miao stayed in the house; the cousins were bored and came to talk.
Luo Qian ate the Jiangnan pastries the kitchen made only for Shen Miao and said: "Yesterday I watched Cousin Qiu drill at the ground. The soldiers are poor—but Cousin Qiu's skill is high. And Guard Mo beside him—I can't last a few moves under him. Cousin, can you ask Cousin Qiu to teach me a few tricks?"
Shen Miao smiled. "If you want to learn, tell Eldest Brother directly. He'll agree."
"Truly?" Luo Qian's boyish heart leaped. It was strange. Young masters in Ding were often proud and sharp beyond their years. The Luo young were different. Luo Qian was frank and sunny, innocent in the way of a real youth—easy to like.
"Cousin," Luo Qian said warmly—he had long counted this pretty, gentle cousin as kin—"Cousin Qiu's martial arts are beautiful. Is he first in Ding? No—first in all Ming Qi? Eldest and Second Brother are tops here, yet they lose to Cousin Qiu."
Luo Tan, flipping a picture book, could bear no more. She bit her orange and rolled her eyes at Luo Qian. "Are you stupid? So ignorant—don't say you're Luo blood, and don't say I'm your sister. Shame."
The siblings bickered daily. Shen Miao was used to it. Luo Qian shot back: "What do you know? Where am I ignorant? You mean Cousin Qiu isn't first?"
"South Xie, North Shen," Luo Tan said slowly.
Shen Miao started. Luo Tan tossed her head proudly. "Everyone knows Ming Qi's two great military houses—your aunt and uncle's Shen house of Might, and Lin'an Marquis Xie's house. Cousin Qiu is Shen talent. They say the Young Marquis of the Xie house is prodigious too. Grandfather once met that Young Marquis and said afterward: this boy is no pond fish—one day he'll rise to the sky."
"Grandfather… met the Young Marquis?" Shen Miao asked, hesitant.
Luo Qian said: "Right, Sister—why didn't I know?"
"All you know is eat eat eat—how would you know." Luo Tan eyed him and went on: "He met him when discussing strategy with Lin'an Marquis in camp. Grandfather sighed over him. I wanted to ask more—but Grandfather told me stay far away. The Young Marquis is dangerous. Don't provoke him."
Shen Miao lowered her eyes. She had not known Luo Sui had seen Xie Jingxing. That Luo Sui could read his depth? Before she climbed out of her thoughts, Luo Tan asked: "Little Cousin—you grew up in Ding. You must have seen the Young Marquis?"
Shen Miao paused. Nodded.
"What does he look like?" Luo Tan seized her arm. "Like the rumors—beauty beyond mortals? Handsomer than Ling Brother?"
"Ling Brother" meant Luo Ling. Of the three Luo sons, Luo Ling was mild, Luo Sa fierce, Luo Qian lively—all handsome. Luo Ling's gentleness made him seem the most "dashing."
Shen Miao: "Not as handsome as Cousin Ling."
"Ah?" Luo Tan released her, all disappointment. "But they say the Young Marquis has such looks and such a roving temper that one glance makes women drunk. Not even Ling Brother?"
Luo Qian grinned at her. "For men, skill matters—not face. Besides, even if that fellow Xie marries, he won't want your sort." He smiled at Shen Miao. "He'd want a soft, gentle girl like Cousin."
Luo Tan and Luo Qian tangled again in mock fight.
Shen Miao pressed her temples, helpless. Even in Xiaochun, Xie Jingxing's fame reached. He should be on the northern road by now—first campaign as young commander. She knew his gift for war—yet his past-life end still made her chest tighten.
She shook her head and drove the thoughts away. She had thought his greatest skill was deployment. This life, crossing him, she found his true strength was playing the board from the shadows. So clever, so steady—surely… surely he would turn ill fate aside.
Days slipped by. Luo Tan and Luo Qian sat with Shen Miao until evening. The sky turned heavy. In Xiaochun's ninth and tenth months the steppe dried while the town often saw great rain—unlike Ding's rain, mixed with sand, fierce. Clouds nearly swallowed the sky. In moments it felt like night.
Luo Tan looked up. "Bad—probably hail again."
"Why aren't Uncle and the rest back yet?" Luo Qian stood, frowning.
Though the Luo army had scattered, the town still needed guards. Usually Luo Lianying and Luo Liantai served in the garrison. Shen Xin and Shen Qiu helped after arriving. They should return for the family dinner at dusk—yet today they had not.
Shen Miao glanced outside. Something struck her. Her face changed sharply.
Luo Tan thought she feared hail and found it odd. "Little Cousin—afraid of hail? It fell before and you weren't scared. Why now?" She patted Shen Miao's shoulder. "Don't fear. We've lived here years. Hail comes every season. You'll be fine."
Shen Miao did not improve. Her color worsened. Even easygoing Luo Qian sensed something wrong. "Cousin—why so tense? Worried about Uncle? It's all right—"
Before he finished, a shout came from outside—a Luo servant running so fast he tripped. "Young Master, Miss, Cousin—Madam wants you in the hall at once."
Luo Tan frowned. "What happened?"
"Turks are raiding again. Old Master took both masters and General Shen to the steppe. Both young masters are home. Weather's turning—Miss, go to the hall quickly." The servant was urgent but not panicked. This had happened many times—they had practice.
Luo Tan stamped her foot. "Damned Turks!"
Luo Qian told Shen Miao: "Cousin—come with us. It's fine." Even now he tried to comfort her.
Shen Miao nodded. In the front hall many had gathered. Madam Yu and Madam Ma were there. Seeing the three, both relaxed. Madam Ma, fearing Shen Miao would be frightened, took her hand. "Jiaojiao—you've never seen hail this big. No matter. We'll chat in the hall. You've never told us Ding stories." She avoided mentioning Turks entirely. Madam Yu, softer, smiled. "Tonight we'll have boiled lamb. Don't know if Jiaojiao can stomach it."
Near the steppe, when Turks were not raiding, they traded cattle for goods. The animals were stout; fresh lamb sliced thin, dipped in boiling broth, nearly cooked at once, a touch of chili—a joy to eat. Luo Tan had wanted Shen Miao to try it but feared she would not. Tonight it was offered—to distract her.
Shen Miao smiled faintly at Madam Yu. The Luos always gave their kindness openly.
Turk nests lay deep on the steppe. Pursuit always outstripped the Luo men available. Every able Luo male went out. This year Shen Xin's party helped. Shen Xin, Luo Xueyan, Shen Qiu, Luo Lianying, Luo Liantai—even Luo Sui had gone. Only the Luo house remained to guard the town. Luo Ling and Luo Sa would have gone too—but with Shen Xin there, they stayed in Xiaochun.
Outside, the sky was black. Luo Tan bit her lip, sullen. Her home robbed every year—how could she not hate it?
Most in the hall were women, maids, servants. Bailu and Shuangjiang quietly offered Shen Miao noon's leftover pastries. She ate a little.
A pot was set up; the kitchen sliced lamb. Broth began to boil, scent rising—yet no one felt merry.
Luo Qian grew hungry, saw pastries beside Shen Miao, sat by her, and took a piece.
Shen Miao watched him without blinking. Luo Qian felt strange under that gaze, scratched his head, and said: "Cousin—why stare? Are you afraid…"
They sat far from Madam Yu and the rest. Ordinary people could not hear. Shen Miao said: "Cousin Qian—why won't Grandfather rebuild the Luo army?"
Luo Qian froze.
"That day when I spoke, Grandfather grew angry. Surely it's not only that there's no silver. Cousin—can you tell me?"
Luo Qian's eyes darted, avoiding hers. He mumbled: "What reason… just no silver. Cousin, don't think too much. Without silver how can you build an army?"
Shen Miao watched him quietly. Her eyes were bright and clear, without extra feeling—yet that open honesty made lying feel like sacrilege.
Luo Qian was only a lively boy, close to her. He lost. In a low voice: "Cousin—our house dares not speak of this. But you're family. I'll tell you. Don't tell others. If Father and Mother know I told you, I'll be beaten."
Shen Miao nodded.
"You're not the first to raise rebuilding the army," Luo Qian said. "The Luo army truly declined soon after Little Aunt was born. The house was already weak. Grandfather still had unspent ambition. Grandmother saw him depressed daily and proposed restoring the Luo army."
"Grandfather already wanted it. Grandmother's words moved him to act. They lacked silver. Grandmother said what you said that day—armies should make a name. Win a battle, catch the emperor's eye, silver would follow. So Grandfather asked to lead a border campaign himself."
Luo Qian sighed. "The result—you can guess. Grandfather lost badly—almost a laughingstock. The Luo army was weak; after such a blow it never rose. Worse—while he fought, Grandmother fell ill. To ease his mind the family hid it. When he returned defeated, Grandmother was already dead."
"Grandfather believes he failed her promise. Even in the earth after a hundred years he has no face to meet her. All these years he won't rebuild—not for lack of courage to face old defeat alone, but no courage to face that failure at all." Luo Qian set down his pastry and looked at Shen Miao. "Cousin, I know you want the Luo army proud again. But we Luos don't need fame above all. Mother said cherish those before you. If time could turn back, Grandfather would not fight that battle—he'd stay beside Grandmother. If Grandfather can be happy, even if the Luo army stays thin forever—that's enough."
Shen Miao looked at Luo Qian, slightly surprised. She had not expected such words from his careless manner. The Luo uprightness and warmth were real.
From his mouth she learned an old wound and felt some sorrow. A great general's worst defeat—was it overconfidence, or betting on an uncertain end? She thought Luo Sui did not fear losing a battle. He could not bear losing Madam Luo—choosing glory over a dying wife, then the outcome slapping his face. No wonder his face had changed the day she spoke. The hidden pain had been touched again.
"But if the house stays bleak—would Grandmother be glad?" Shen Miao said suddenly.
"Huh?" Luo Qian turned, puzzled.
Shen Miao smiled. "If I loved a man and he were a hero, I would want him to wear the sword he should wear, ride the horse he should ride, lead the bravest men, win the proudest merit. I would not let him suffer wrong. Grandfather suffers wrong now. Would Grandmother not ache? If it were me—I would ache."
Luo Qian was dizzy from her speech. Before a young man she spoke of "love"—that shocked him. Madam Ma had said Shen Miao was a shy Ding girl needing care. Where was the shyness? She was more open than Luo Tan!
A servant shouted outside: "Eldest Young Master, Second Young Master have returned!"
Everyone looked to the door—Luo Ling and Luo Sa. The air outside was damp, near rain. Their clothes seemed wet. Fresh from the garrison, they looked travel-worn.
Madam Yu ordered tea poured. Luo Sa gulped a cup. Luo Tan ran up. "Ling Brother—how is it outside?"
"Sky will hail—we've sent folk indoors. All's ready," Luo Ling answered with a smile. "Second Brother and I will keep watch here tonight. This hall is stout enough."
"What about Father, Uncle, Grandfather?" Luo Tan pressed.
Luo Sa frowned. "Not back yet."
Luo Tan wanted more—but Luo Ling saw Luo Qian and Shen Miao approaching and changed subject. "Nothing to fear. Tonight may be busy—they'll return tomorrow." He turned cheerful. "Smells good—boiled lamb tonight? Cousin hasn't tried it. Wonder if she'll like it."
Shen Miao came before Luo Ling. At eighteen his brows were handsome like Luo Lianying's; his temper like Madam Yu's—gentle and thoughtful. Unlike Luo Sa's violent, hard mind—the gap was vast. She said: "Cousin Ling—is the garrison deployment set?"
Luo Ling paused—he had not expected that question. "All arranged."
"How many men guard the walls?" Shen Miao asked.
Now Luo Sa's gaze fixed on her too.
The juniors spoke apart; the madams were far. Luo Qian said: "Cousin—why ask? Tonight's hail—no one will enter the city."
"East thirty, west thirty, north ten—seventy-odd in all," Luo Ling answered patiently.
"Usually this many?" Shen Miao asked.
Hesitating, Luo Ling said: "Usually more—but today Father and the rest took men away. What's left is thin. Still, if nothing happens in town, seventy is enough. Weather's bad tonight. No one should enter."
Every able Luo man had gone to chase Turks. The garrison was stretched. Xiaochun had been safe for years; guards mostly caught thieves or fugitives—not much use.
Luo Sa stared at Shen Miao a while, then said abruptly: "You fear Turks will storm the city?"
Everyone froze. Luo Tan's mouth fell open. Luo Qian said: "Second Brother—what are you saying? How could Turks enter?"
Luo Sa laughed coldly, eyes locked on Shen Miao. "The day Cousin arrived she said Turks have ambition and strength—why not enter? Is that what you fear?"
His manner pressed hard. Under his sharp gaze Shen Miao nodded. "Yes. That's what I fear."
"How is that possible?" Luo Tan said. "Even if what you said could happen—today Father and Uncle and them are chasing Turks on the steppe. Why split force to hit Xiaochun? If they had ambition, better chances came before."
"Lure the tiger from the mountain—not only Ming Qi knows that trick," Shen Miao said calmly. "Turks are nomads, not fools. They've lived beside Xiaochun folk for years. You think they learned nothing? Even weasels copy human ways. Unless Turks are idiots, they learned long ago."
Her cold, unusual tone startled them. After silence Luo Ling spoke first. "Cousin—is this your guess—or news from somewhere?"
Shen Miao had feared Turk assault all along. Tonight she was strange. Anyone not blind saw the difference. Simple fear was one thing; other intelligence would be another.
"Intuition."
"Intuition?" Luo Sa laughed without warmth. "Cousin—this is no jest."
"Haven't both Cousins served in the garrison years—don't you know to guard before trouble comes?" Shen Miao's gentleness faded; resolve rose in her eyes. "If Turks truly come, early ready is blessing. If they don't, Xiaochun is spared—also good. Must disaster happen before you prepare? Not knowing even that—no wonder the Luo house declines."
"You—!" Luo Sa flared. Luo Tan and Luo Qian looked ugly too.
Luo Ling studied Shen Miao, expression unchanged, still mild. He bowed his hands. "Cousin is right—we were dull. But garrison men are short—that's fact. In Cousin's view, what then?"
Surface question, real test—could she solve a hard problem? Shen Miao smiled inwardly. This mild cousin was not as wide as he seemed.
She said: "If it comes to that, men won't appear from air. Turks come prepared—we're no match. I'm only a woman—I don't know martial arts. Better protect ourselves than rush into danger. Cousin Ling might gather more guards at the Luo gate. If trouble comes, we can hold a while."
Her slippery answer left them stunned. So bold before—now helpless. The Luo young did not understand her aim.
Luo Sa simmered, wanting to rage yet finding no cause, sitting furious.
Luo Ling looked at her with meaning, then said unexpectedly: "We'll do as Cousin says."
They sat again in the hall. After Shen Miao's words the air grew stiff. Even Luo Qian and Luo Tan tensed. Only Madam Ma and Madam Yu, unaware, still ordered the kitchen.
When the sky was fully black, a Luo Ling guard asked urgent audience. Luo Ling admitted him. The man looked anxious, whispered in Luo Ling's ear. Luo Ling's color changed. He jerked his gaze to Shen Miao.
Shen Miao was drinking tea, unhurried.