Chapter 136: Near Death

Heaven favored them—several days poor weather—on the day Feng Ning'an went out—the sun came out.
Warm on the skin—pleasant. Still Shen Miao wore rabbit-fur cloak—brazier in house—but wind outside—catch chill in such weather—trouble.
Early—Feng Ning'an's carriage at Shen house gate for Luo Tan and Shen Miao. Feng family doted on her—Guangwen Hall done—could not stay home—daily outings. Ding large—one day bored. Luo Tan's arrival delighted Feng—glad to guide—find fresh places for play.
Long days wore Feng out. Luo Tan was Luo blood—jewelry and dress shops forgotten—always weapon shops—eyes bright at good blades—Feng knew nothing—complained—had to drag Shen Miao along.
Feng wore cherry blossom cage skirt—concubine-color brocade cloak—bright in winter—beauty grown these years—prettier—yet speech made the prettiness seem proud. She lifted the curtain—impatient. "Slow as death—get in!"
Outside stood Shen Qiu—not Shen Miao.
Shen Qiu saw them off—knew Shen Miao seemed to have only Feng as friend in Ding—memory still the bossy girl two years ago—curtain lifted—a fresh girl inside.
Seeing him she shrank—voice dropped from arrogant. "Young General Shen."
Shen Qiu looked at her puzzled—nodded greeting—helped Shen Miao and Luo Tan up—warned safety—left. Feng brought many guards—Shen Miao and Luo Tan brought none—would return at hour.
After Shen Qiu left Feng pressed her heart—relief. Strange—each time she saw Shen Qiu instinct fear—he was not harsh—but young general's weight was real. Two years in Xiaochun—Shen Qiu more mature—still warm brother to family—outsiders—awe undiminished.
Luo Tan asked. "Eh? Why is your face red?"
Feng paused—touched cheek—burning hot—fanned with her hand. "Carriage stuffy—hot."
Luo Tan believed. "You dressed too thick?" Then. "Ning—why fear Cousin Qiu?"
"When did I fear him!" Feng snapped—startling Luo Tan.
"You looked terrified just now." Luo Tan said. "No shame—Cousin Qiu is kind—just looks fierce outside. If you fear him—wait till you meet my Cousin Sa—then you'll know black-faced god."
Luo Sa did not know Luo Tan blackened him a continent away to her "best friend." Feng stressed. "I don't fear him!"
Luo Tan. "Fine fine—you don't—happy?"
Shen Miao watching—Feng's cheeks red with quick anger—heart stirred.
In past life Guanglu Marquis house chose wrong faction—Lord Feng implicated—to save his pearl he married Feng early to a cousin—cousin gold outside rotten inside—after Feng house fell he kept an outside woman—had a son—proud Feng could not bear—took scissors and died with the woman.
This life Shen Miao's chaos left royal factions balanced—Feng Lord had not picked a side—past ending might still repeat.
Shen Miao felt little for Feng house—but Feng herself—she wanted to pull once—Feng reminded her of Wanyu—family's victims.
"Why stare?" Feng thought Shen Miao still on Luo Tan's words—angry. "You think I fear your brother?"
Luo Tan snickered—Shen Miao woke—shook head. "No—your skirt is rather special."
Women love praise—Feng could not rage. Proud again. "Of course—Mother had this pattern made for me!"
Shen Miao lowered eyes—sighed inward—each has fate—haste spoils broth—some things must go slow.
……
Three together was more tiring than two—Feng wanted jewelry and tailor shops—Luo Tan wanted weapons—east to west, south to north—bickering—Shen Miao's head split—as if leading two children—mature—then both turned on her—young as old nun—more dull than temple monks—she ignored them at last.
The day was lively—three girls everywhere—carriage nearly full. Feng was generous—whatever they liked—wave hand—"Buy!"—without Shen Miao's stop Feng might buy the whole shop.
Eat drink play—sun near set—time to return. Shen Miao and Luo Tan were Feng's guests—many guards inconvenient—no Shen guards—Feng's carriage home. Just seated from a shop—Feng searched her purse—anxious. "My cat-eye hairpin is gone."
Best find of the day—a butterfly cat-eye pin—rare clear sapphire blue—at the wine house she had shown Shen Miao and Luo Tan.
Shen Miao said. "Search again—you had it—how lost?"
Feng emptied purse—asked maids—none saw. Luo Tan. "Left at the wine house?"
Feng. "Don't know."
"Go back look." Shen Miao said. "Just left—if dropped staff may have it. I'll go with you."
Feng thought. "I'll go alone—one word—if not found—never mind—not the silver—just rare to like one."
Luo Tan speechless—Feng truly rich—Feng house loved her—silver never short—lost things—first thought "rare to like."
"I'll take guards up." Feng said. "Wait here—down soon."
Shen Miao nodded. Feng took most guards—for show—if staff hid the pin they'd fear.
Feng gone—only Luo Tan and Shen Miao—four guards outside. Luo Tan looked at sky. "When Ning returns—dark at home." Stretched. "Tired—lazy tomorrow—don't wake me."
Shen Miao silent—who had vowed next outing same fun.
Then a guard outside. "Miss Shen, Miss Luo—your servant just found the young lady's hairpin."
"Huh?" Luo Tan lifted curtain—a Feng guard held a flashing gem pin—the cat-eye.
Luo Tan frowned. "Ning so careless—dropped and didn't know."
The guard walked toward the carriage—Luo Tan reached for the pin.
Just holding it—the guard yanked Luo Tan outward!
Another Feng guard leaped on the carriage—threw the driver—whip cracked—horses reared—mad dash down the street!
Too fast—even two Feng guards late—Shen Miao and carriage twenty meters off!
Fortune—Luo Tan still aboard—fast—when pulled she gripped the rail—leaned back—seconds matter—could not drag her off—he leaped another horse—ran with carriage toward the city exit.
Streets had crowds—cart overturned stalls—no one knew whose carriage so wild—speed threw Shen Miao and Luo Tan in the cabin.
Luo Tan still held Shen Miao's hand. "Little Cousin don't fear—we jump—show identity—crowd—they'll fear!"
Warmth in Shen Miao's chest—tossed uncontrollable—she said. "Too late—look outside."
Luo Tan clung to the frame—stunned—familiar streets gone—twisted alleys—no one—where was this? Despair—if jump might live—now wilderness—knife and meat.
"Don't worry—they want me—you feign faint or escape—they won't harm you much." Shen Miao said.
"How could I leave you?" Luo Tan gripped her hand. "You saved Luo family in Xiaochun—I won't abandon you—die together!"
Half laugh half cry—not time for heroism—she forced upright in the lurch—whispered in Luo Tan's ear. "If you escape—send word to Prince Rui Manor—say business to discuss—price later."
Luo Tan stared. "Prince Rui—Little Cousin you—"
"Don't ask more—grave matter—tell no one about Rui—I trust you only."
Luo Tan nodded—shook head. "No—I won't leave you."
Before more—the carriage jerked stop—both slammed into the table—curtain ripped—a man dragged Shen Miao out.
Luo Tan hugged her thigh. "Little Cousin!"—all her strength—the pull failed—the man kicked Luo Tan's chest.
Luo Tan trained in Luo house—still a girl—kicked out—"thud"—Shen Miao's heart jolted.
The other urged. "Quick—don't be seen."
They cut the carriage loose—gagged and bound Shen Miao—knocked her out—threw on a horse—Luo Tan nearly spat fire—eyes caught a short knife fallen from the carriage—today Feng had indulged a weapon shop—that knife—she grabbed and charged.
He was trained—flipped her down—Luo Tan's eyes sharpened. "Military—"
Not common guards—those moves—army men—at least tied to the military!
Hearing that—murder in his eyes—snatched her knife—reverse stab.
Luo Tan clutched her waist—slowly fell.
Other urged. "Don't linger—go!"
He dropped the knife—mounted—both vanished in the alley.
Gloomy alley—broken carriage—Luo Tan face down—apricot dress spreading red—horrible.
……
Slap—Feng Ning'an struck two guards.
They knelt—foreheads down. "Failed to protect—punish us, Miss!"
"Punish?" Feng laughed cold instead of rage. "Beat you or sell you—what use? Can Shen Miao and Luo Tan return?"
Silent. They had chased—the carriage was fast—gap at start—enemy knew alleys—lost track.
Feng was near mad—only asked wine house staff about the pin—downstairs carriage gone—crowd pointing—spy learned—someone hijacked her carriage.
Inside—Shen Miao and Luo Tan!
Soon the other two guards returned—no trace. Feng looked at the dusty pin on the ground—closed eyes—even careless she knew—planned today—spies in Feng guards—to take Shen Miao and Luo Tan.
Who were they—Shen Xin's legitimate daughter—Luo Xueyan's niece—names in Ding—who dared such risk meant grave danger.
She shook all over—it was her invite—it was her guards—it was her trip upstairs—if she had not gone for the pin—more guards might have stopped it—if she had let Shen bring guards—no accident—if she had not invited Shen Miao—today would not happen!
Her fault—all her fault!
Feng swayed—maids rushed—"Miss don't blame yourself—hurt yourself—parents will grieve."
Feng shook head—bitter smile. "Parents grieve for me—what of Madam Shen and General Shen when they hear? Kill me cannot repay." She covered her face—first time ignoring rank—weeping loud in the wine house before all.
"What happened—where is Jiaojiao—where Cousin Tan?" A stern male voice outside. Feng lifted hands—Shen Qiu strode in—soldiers behind—awe—guests shrank.
Shen Qiu left office early—meant to ask about hunting—before home—report—Shen Miao and Luo Tan out with Feng—trouble below the wine house.
Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan not home yet—Shen Qiu rode at once—wine house gloom—proud Feng girl sobbing—bad omen in his chest.
He strode to Feng. "What happened?"
Feng paused—he was tall—all anxiety—words stuck.
All knew Shen Qiu loved Shen Miao—for her he'd kill and burn—if he knew she was taken—
Face bitter—hard to speak. "After shopping we returned—I went upstairs—Shen Miao and Luo Tan in the carriage—spies in Feng guards—they took carriage and them. Father sent secret search—but—" tears held—"sorry—all my fault."
Shen Qiu did not look at her—all saw his fists clench—knuckles crack.
Deep breath—voice calm—ordered Mo Qing. "Report—seal city—search—mobilize Shen army—use my command plaque—citywide hunt—found—ten thousand taels gold from Shen house!"
Ten thousand taels! Gasps around.
Feng stunned—then more guilt. He would pay without blink—she was treasure to him—now life unknown—not kill Bo Ren but Bo Ren dies for me.
Mo Qing grave—turned to go. Feng said. "Reporting helps seal—but rumors will harm Shen Miao and Luo Tan's names."
A woman knew—a maiden kidnapped—malice would spin—Shen house had enemies too.
Shen Qiu said. "Name versus life—worthless. If names hurt—Shen house feeds them life—can afford."
He turned out—Feng said. "Sorry—my fault—I will call to apologize."
"Not your fault—" his voice flat—"they came prepared—knew who they were—if not you—another day."
Slight comfort—then his flat words behind.
"But sorry—seeing you—I cannot help blame—Feng Miss—don't visit for now."
Gone—Feng stood blank in the hall.
Outside A Zhi asked. "Young Master mobilize Shen army—without Madam and Master?"
"Ask my ass!" Shen Qiu cursed. "No time for that. They dared risk—Jiaojiao and Cousin Tan are in grave danger. On Shen family's head—when I catch them I'll damn well kill!" The warm young general—bandit rage—mounted. "To the capital magistrate—turn Ding three feet up—find them!"
Shen Miss and cousin kidnapped—in moments all Ding knew—could not hide—witnesses at the scene—knew Feng's house—magistrate, garrison, yamen, Shen army, Feng guards—all moved—hard not to know.
All knew Shen Xin doted—but this almost overturning the capital still shocked many. Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin off court—led search house to house—no food or rest till deep night.
Xie Jingxing returned from outside—at Prince Rui Manor—Ji Yushu and Gao Yang waited—usually Fengxian—Gao Yang's status sensitive—rarely all at Rui Manor together.
Surprised glance—handed package to Tieyi—yard cub pounced his boots—bit affectionately.
He bent—gathered the tiger—asked. "What is it?"
Gao Yang looked at Ji Yushu—Ji stared at the cub—decided. "Something to tell you."
"What?" Xie Jingxing had been out of city—did not know Ding news.
"Ding security poor—some chaos." Ji scratched head—evaded—"Today a miss went out—below wine house—spies in her guards—hijacked carriage—two other young ladies inside—still missing."
Xie Jingxing stared at Ji.
Ji cowed under the gaze—trembled. "Gao Yang and I warn you—your looks no worse than those misses—be careful."
Xie Jingxing flat. "Ji Yushu."
"I'll say! You know her—Fifth Miss Shen!" Ji blurted—stepped back behind Gao Yang.
A moment's silence in the room.
"Where is he?" Ji looked at empty yard—cub tossed on ground—yowling hurt.
"Are you stupid?" Gao Yang cold.
"Smarter than you." Ji returned.
Meanwhile Shen Qiu searching—news—Luo Tan found.
Mo Qing said. "Miss Luo is near death."