Chapter 137: He Came

Luo Tan was found in a nearly abandoned alley west in Ding—connecting several hutongs—twists hard to find—only A Zhi's garrison men who knew every corner of Ding discovered her.
Found—but no relief. A deep stab near waist and belly—wound grave—delay returning—by Shen house she was dying.
Several doctors came—looked—shook heads—beyond help—Shen Xin nearly drew his sword. Luo Xueyan said. "If all are quacks—use Xin's plaque—summon palace physicians! Who saves Tan—Shen house will reward heavily!"
Shen Qiu sent men with Shen Xin's plaque to the palace. All crowded Luo Tan's bed—Luo Xueyan's eyes red. "Who did this—so cruel!"
Luo Ling's gaze was heavy—cousin—life unknown—harder still—Luo Tan found—Shen Miao still missing. If Luo Tan suffered so—the enemy was ruthless—what Shen Miao endured—they dared not think.
Shen soldiers searched Ding without rest—not a thread of clue—as if vanished—common homes searched—alleys nearly done—could not search official mansions—even if they wished—no power.
The room fell terrible silence.
Outside Shen Miao knew nothing—when she woke—she did not know the hour.
Hands and feet bound—she opened eyes slowly—they forgot to blindfold her—perhaps thought it needless.
An empty secret room—a desk, a cabinet, a bed—unknown place—seemed a mansion's hidden chamber. She could not move—only watch.
Outside—no sound—nothing heard. She had been knocked out—did not know what happened—whether Luo Tan escaped—whether word reached Xie Jingxing.
Shen Xin was someone all Ding feared now—especially with Qin and Liang envoys still here—Wenhui relied on Shen Xin—status rose—troops returned—ordinary people would not touch Shen Xin. Yet someone had—bold and reckless—Shen Miao could guess with her eyes closed—besides Ming'an—who would use such crude means?
She had not expected Ming'an found helpers in Ding so fast. Ming'an would not act herself—Huangfu Hao would not allow such stupidity. Kidnappers mingled in Feng guards—knew Feng well—knew her and Feng Ning'an's route—carriage outran Feng guards into deserted alleys—all clear—the helper knew Ding roads—a native.
Proud Ming'an would not tie to nobodies—yet men with rank would not risk future for her gamble—if Shen Xin traced them he would not forgive—Ming officials chased gain and avoided harm—such danger they would not take.
So—those with some rank yet desperate to climb higher—even life disregarded. Which bureaucrat? Shen Miao could not recall at once.
Ming'an involved—Shen Xin's moves would tangle trouble—why first thought—if Xie Jingxing acted he might find her fast—Fengxian pawnshop—intelligence everywhere—if kidnapper knew Ding—Fengxian's years in Ming Qi—web complete—how lose?
She could only hope Xie Jingxing found her soon.
She forced her hand into her sleeve—rope tight—wrist skin scraped raw before she touched the hairpin in her sleeve.
Made on purpose since rebirth—for accidents—the tip curved to a hook—in crisis could blind eyes—palace lesson—now to saw binding rope.
About to act—footsteps outside—she quickly hid the pin—pressed to wall—eyes shut—feigning unconscious.
Door opened—more than one entered.
One said. "Shen house makes too much noise—when can we move her out?"
Other. "Don't panic—she's in our hands—wait for the storm to pass."
Two men. She calculated—from tone—temporary hide—would send her out eventually. Ming'an's destination—never good. Comfort—Shen Xin's speed—city sealed—many eyes—hard to move her out—short term—perhaps safe.
Yet—voices familiar?—she could not open eyes while feigning sleep.
A gaze on her—one hesitated. "Why isn't she awake—did we hit too hard before?"
"Second Brother—what time is this—you care if she wakes?" Other said. "Relax—even if she never wakes—Princess only rejoices. You saw her attitude—the worse for Shen Miao the better—life or death—no matter."
"I only worry—" the "Second Brother" truly worried—"if Father finds out—"
"So what if he finds? Remember—you and I are Father's true sons—since that bastard died—Father can only rely on us two." He said. "Besides—Xie house and Shen house never matched. You think Father would report his own sons for an unfriendly Shen family?"
Xie house—Xie house!
Her lashes trembled in the corner—shock unstoppable.
Kidnappers were Xie men—"Second Brother"—no doubt Xie Changwu and Xie Changchao!
Unbelievable—allied with Ming'an—Changwu and Changchao hated Xie Jingxing—in past life like master Fu Xiuyi they endured—why this life so arrogant—risk body—kidnapping?
Lin'an Marquis house was great clan—even illegitimate sons surpassed many legitimate sons—once exposed—the whole house destroyed—were they mad?
Changwu spat. "This place safe?"
Changchao proud. "Naturally—who'd think Shen girl hides in our house? Even on our grounds—only we two know this chamber—even if Shen Xin gets imperial order and inspiration searches us—I guarantee he leaves empty."
"Good." Changwu exhaled. "Success or fail—one thought—no flaw. When wind dies—send her out fast."
Changchao nodded—took basket—water and rice—set two bowls before Shen Miao.
"Wake her to eat? Can't starve her." Changwu asked.
"No." Changchao said. "Bound—she has a mouth—don't you think—a thousand miss eating like a dog—Princess would be pleased? Later Princess happy—speak for us before His Highness—good."
Changwu. "Fine—Third Brother thorough. Let's go—lest suspicion."
When outside was silent she slowly opened her eyes.
Two bowls on the floor—water and rice. Fortune—they brought nothing fouler.
She sighed inwardly.
She had eaten worse—cold palace scraps—even spoiled—so what? For life dignity could wait—one day revenge.
Changwu and Changchao's words slowly knit her brow.
This was Lin'an Marquis secret chamber—Shen Xin would be hard to find here. First—without imperial order—no searching an official's mansion—unless solid proof—yet brothers and she had no daily tie—who would suspect them. Second—even with order—as they said—the chamber was secret—Shen Ding did not know—how would Shen Xin find it?
Xie men took the inverse—most dangerous safest—matter grew thorny.
She looked at the water.
Could Xie Jingxing find her?
……
At Shen house the palace doctor arrived at last.
White robes—folding fan—if not the medicine chest—like a gentle young lord come to view flowers—not to save.
The man was young palace physician Gao Yang.
Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin looked doubtful. Gao Yang was praised in palace—but patients were consorts and women—women loved pretty things—who knew if looks made them praise skill. And the world thought—older doctors greater—young ones only knew skin.
Shen Xin had not expected Gao Yang—hard to refuse—re-request would waste time.
The legendary Physician Gao knew the world—entered with full manner—walked to unconscious Luo Tan—took her pulse.
All watched—long while—Gao Yang shook head sighed. "Breath faint—pulse chaotic—wound deep—lung hurt—much blood lost—hard."
Luo Xueyan at once. "Another quack—Qiu'er—take Father's plaque—fetch doctors again."
"Wait!" Gao Yang displeased. "I said hard—not hopeless—you invited me then seek others—what does General Shen mean?"
"Can you truly save Cousin Tan?" Shen Qiu stepped forward.
"If delayed further—I am helpless." Gao Yang said.
"Good." Shen Xin said. "Trust employed—doubt not employed—I trust you. If Physician Gao saves Tan—Shen house pays gold!"
Gao Yang laughed. "Don't dare—doctor's heart—silver unnecessary. Miss Luo dying—no delay—I must needle—please wait outside."
Luo Xueyan still hesitated—Shen Xin already left—years campaigning—capable men had odd habits—medicine feared leakage—Gao Yang likely feared being watched.
Shen Qiu and Luo Ling followed—Luo Xueyan had to go out.
Only Gao Yang and the bed. He set down the chest—muttered. "None of my business—yet I do the labor."
He took a cloth bundle—spread it—dozens of gold needles varied size.
Gao Yang said. "Pleasing Shen Miao is one thing—now her family too?" He shook head—opened Luo Tan's collar—helpless. "Forgive me—I didn't want to—if you want responsibility—go Prince Rui Manor—the masked one."
……
Days flew—two passed.
Palace Physician Gao showed skill indeed—when all doctors failed—Gao needled twice—decoction two bowls—Luo Tan's breath steadied—pulse stronger—another doctor said life at least saved.
Doubt turned to honor—Luo Xueyan treated Gao as guest—fearing relapse—two needlings remained—so Gao stayed at Shen house—daily watch.
Luo Tan stabilized—Shen Miao—still no good news.
Wenhui furious too—setting aside grudge with Shen Xin—kidnapping a minister's legitimate daughter under the Son of Heaven—especially with Qin and Liang envoys—proved Ding had villains—people unsafe—he allowed Shen Xin's loud search.
Turn Ding three feet deep—no Shen Miao—as if vanished. Common homes done—next only official households—tangled relations—one misstep—great chaos—Wenhui refused.
Stalemate—soldiers patrolled—Ding safer—for Shen family—oil on fire—more frantic.
Lin'an Marquis study—Changwu and Changchao talked.
Changwu. "Shen house watches too tight—we can't move Shen Miao. Ming'an will blame."
Ming'an was angry already—kidnap succeeded—but she hated Shen Miao—wanted her in brothel today—Shen Xin's citywide search—brothers dared not move—Shen Miao locked in the chamber—impatient Ming'an sent warning this morning—if not sent out soon—the deal was void.
Shen soldiers door to door—Ming'an pressing—even clever Changwu had headache.
"Second Brother don't rush—Shen Xin searches hard—we must not be exposed first." Changchao said.
"I'm not rushing—Princess pushes." Changwu complained. "She doesn't think—if we slip—she's implicated too!"
"Enough—" Changchao said. "Princess wants Shen Miao humiliated—we can't send her out—bring people in. Marquis house hires rough servants—buy from steward—legal—no suspicion?"
Changwu paused. Right—humiliation was the point—wind tight—why not bring the brothel into the house—make her a kept prisoner—satisfy Ming'an?
"Third Brother—you thought of it?"
"Father has Ministry reception today—we cannot both absent—suspicion." Changchao said. "Second Brother go—I'll have steward buy strong men… after—report Princess."
Days they declined social calls watching Shen Miao—too abnormal—Changwu said. "I know—Third Brother careful—no handle left."
Changchao agreed. After Changwu left—Changchao drew the chamber key from his sleeve—strange light in his eyes.
……
Shen Miao had been in the chamber two days—by meal count she guessed—heart sank—two days—they did not move her—Shen Xin's noise was real—yet no one found here—brothers' gamble was right—hard to think of this place.
Thinking—footsteps—door pushed open.
Dim light—he met her eyes—paused—smiled. "Every visit you feigned sleep—why not today?"
Changchao resembled Changwu—less patient—more restless—walked close—saw half-eaten rice and water—clicked tongue—regretful. "Not only Princess—I wanted to see a thousand miss eat like a dog—why not wait for me?"
She looked cold.
A moment she understood why Xie Jingxing hated these half-brothers—as Shen Qing and Shen Yue—those two at least hid malice—these showed petty villain faces—venom unmasked.
Her contempt seemed to anger him—he gripped her chin—forced her look. "Miss Shen doesn't know—General and Madam search all Ding—ten thousand taels gold—no claimant yet. Say—if I hand you out—do I get ten thousand taels?"
Silent.
"Pity I work for others—can't release you so easily." He smiled again. "Rest easy—after today life eases a little… Princess meant lowest brothel—General chased too hard—we open the brothel inside the marquis house."
Her eyes darkened.
Pleased at her face—he leaned—whispered odd tone at her ear. "Morning I told steward to hire yard men—strong farmhands—say—after tonight—still strength to glare at me?"
She lowered eyes—sleeve hand found the hooked pin. Two days not idle—daily impossible patience—sawed rope behind her back—now a thin thread left—one struggle free—then blind him.
Roads are walked—so-called dead end—only lack courage to try.
Changchao said. "But I won't give such a pretty thing to others. Fine-skinned legitimate 'daughter'"—he bit "daughter"—smiled—"better I enjoy first."
"That bastard Xie Jingxing seemed special to you." Changchao leered. "I was his brother ten years—I know him best—you two aren't ordinary. What—Miss Shen his kept woman?"
So foul even she showed anger—which pleased him—he laughed loud. "His woman fine—years that bastard pressed us in Lin'an—today I sleep his woman—not a loss." Wicked smile. "Thank me—your first to a master's son—better than mud farmers! After me you'll know real roughness!"
He twisted her head—thumb on her cheek—drunk ugly lust—nauseating.
Her eyes calm—calculating when to stab his eye—then the other—blind both—see how he struts!
His eyes cleared—face sank—looked at her. "Why aren't you afraid?"
She looked at him.
He was displeased at her calm. "Why not afraid? Waiting for rescue?"
She said. "What do you want?"
He lunged—no dodge—thrown down—no time for niceties—ropes broke—before pin out—he gnawed her wildly—mad—shouting. "Waiting for who? That dead Xie Jingxing?"
Pin at last—his back to her—face at her neck—tearing clothes—cold eyes—hand raised to stab his back!
Peripheral glance at the door—she stopped.
"You think Xie Jingxing will save you?" Changchao yelled. "That bastard was skinned and beheaded—bones gone!"
A calm voice—restrained vast anger—in the empty chamber.
"Is that so?"