Heaven smiled upon them, as after several days of poor weather, the sun finally emerged on the day Feng Anning planned to go out.

The warm sunshine felt especially comfortable on one’s skin. Despite this, Shen Miao still wrapped herself in a rabbit fur cape. Though the room had a heating stove, there was no guarantee against wind outside, and 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 Guangwen Hall, she grew restless staying at home and preferred to roam the streets daily. However, even the capital city had its limits, and one eventually tired of visiting the same places. Luo Tan’s arrival had delighted Feng Anning, who eagerly served as her guide, finding fresh places for her to enjoy.

Yet as time passed, Feng Anning found herself somewhat overwhelmed. True to her Luo family heritage, Luo Tan quickly tired of jewelry and clothing shops, instead focusing exclusively on visiting weapon shops. Her eyes would light up at the sight of suitable weapons. Feng Anning knew nothing about such things, complained constantly, and finally insisted on bringing Shen Miao along as well.

Feng Anning wore a cherry-colored pleated skirt with a consort-purple brocade cape, appearing exceptionally bright on a winter day. Over the years, her beauty had grown, becoming increasingly pretty. However, when she spoke, that prettiness immediately appeared somewhat arrogant. She lifted the carriage curtain and said impatiently, “Are you waiting for death? Get in already!”

But she was surprised to find Shen Qiu standing outside the carriage.

Shen Qiu was escorting Shen Miao and Luo Tan out, knowing that Shen Miao seemed to have only Feng Anning as a friend in the capital. His memory was still fixed on the somewhat domineering little girl from two years ago, but when the carriage curtain lifted, he saw a vibrant young lady inside.

Seeing him, the girl shrank back, her previously haughty voice instantly lowering as she timidly said, “Young General Shen.”

Shen Qiu gave Feng Anning a puzzled look, nodding slightly in acknowledgment. He helped Shen Miao and Luo Tan into the carriage, cautioned them to be careful, and then departed. Since today’s outing was at Feng Anning’s invitation, and the Feng family had brought many guards, Shen Miao and Luo Tan didn’t bring additional escorts, assuming that Feng Anning would return them to the Shen residence when the time came.

After Shen Qiu left, Feng Anning placed a hand over her heart and sighed in relief. Strangely, whenever she saw Shen Qiu, Feng Anning instinctively felt somewhat fearful. Although Shen Qiu had never spoken harshly to her, a general’s dignity was not merely for show. Recalling Shen Qiu’s appearance just now, after two years and experience in Xiaochun City, he had become increasingly mature and resolute. Though he remained a gentle elder brother, in others’ eyes, his dignity remained undiminished.

Luo Tan asked Feng Anning, “Hey, why is your face red?”

Feng Anning froze, then touched her cheeks, finding them indeed unusually hot. She pretended to fan her face and said, “It’s stuffy in this carriage, a bit hot.”

Luo Tan didn’t suspect anything and replied, “You’re probably dressed too heavily.” Then she remembered something else: “Anning, why are you afraid of Cousin Qiu?”

“When have I ever been afraid of him?” Hearing Luo Tan’s words, Feng Anning hurriedly denied it, startling Luo Tan.

“You looked terrified just now,” Luo Tan said. “There’s nothing shameful about it. Besides, Cousin Qiu is very nice; people probably just think he looks fierce from the outside. If you’re scared of Cousin Qiu, wait until you meet my Cousin Sao—then you’ll know what a real dark-faced god looks like.”

Luo Sao had no idea that thousands of miles away, Luo Tan was already blackening her reputation in front of her “best friend.” Feng Anning insisted, “I’m not afraid of him!”

Luo Tan relented, “Alright, alright, you’re not afraid. Is that better?”

Silently observing from the side, Shen Miao noticed the rapidly reddening blush on Feng Anning’s cheeks and suddenly had a thought.

In her previous life, because the Minister of the Imperial Stables had chosen the wrong side, Lord Feng was implicated. To protect his precious daughter, he had to marry Feng Anning off early to a cousin from their own family. Who would have thought that this cousin, outwardly refined but inwardly corrupt, would take a concubine and even have a son with her after the Feng family’s downfall? With Feng Anning’s proud nature, how could she endure such humiliation? Later, she took scissors and died together with the concubine.

But in this life, due to Shen Miao’s interference, the forces within the Ming Qi imperial household remained balanced, and Lord Feng had not yet chosen a side. However, the outcome of the previous life could not be guaranteed against happening again.

Shen Miao had no particular feelings toward the Feng family, but if it was for Feng Anning, she wanted to help. Feng Anning always reminded her of Princess Wanyu—both were pitiful victims of their family’s circumstances.

“What are you staring at?” Seeing Shen Miao gazing at her intently, lost in thought, Feng Anning assumed Shen Miao was dwelling on Luo Tan’s words. She fumed, “Do you also think I’m afraid of your brother?”

Luo Tan giggled on the side while Shen Miao snapped back to reality and shook her head, “Not at all. I was just admiring your skirt—it’s quite distinctive.”

Women generally love to hear praise, and despite her annoyance, Feng Anning couldn’t stay angry at Shen Miao’s compliment. She proudly said, “Of course! My mother specially found this pattern for me.”

Shen Miao lowered her eyes, sighing inwardly. Everyone had their destiny. Rushing things wouldn’t work; some matters were better addressed slowly.

Undeniably, three people wandering together proved more tiring than two. Feng Anning wanted to visit jewelry and tailor shops, while Luo Tan was only interested in weapon stalls. They roamed from east to west, south to north across the city. Luo Tan and Feng Anning constantly bickered, giving Shen Miao a headache. Going out with these two was like being a mother with children, forcing her to act mature. Eventually, after arguing among themselves, they united to target Shen Miao, calling her “a little old lady despite her young age” and “duller than a temple monk.” By the end, Shen Miao simply ignored them both.

The day passed in lively fashion as the three young ladies wandered everywhere, buying so many things that the carriage could barely hold them all. Feng Anning was extremely generous—whenever Shen Miao or Luo Tan liked something, she would wave her hand and say, “Buy it!” Had Shen Miao not intervened, Feng Anning might have brought the entire jewelry shop back home.

After eating, drinking, playing, and frolicking, as the sun began to set, everyone prepared to return home. Since Shen Miao and Luo Tan were invited by Feng Anning, and too many guards would be inconvenient, Shen Miao hadn’t brought guards from the Shen residence, planning to ride back in the Feng family carriage. However, just as they left a shop and boarded the carriage, Feng Anning rifled through her purse with a worried expression: “My cat’s eye hairpin is missing!”

After touring the capital’s jewelry shops all day, Feng Anning’s favorite purchase had been a butterfly-shaped cat’s eye hairpin. The cat’s eye gem was a rare and translucent navy blue, exceptionally beautiful. Feng Anning had taken it out separately to examine with Shen Miao and the others during their meal at the restaurant.

Shen Miao said, “Look again. You were just holding it; how could it disappear?”

Feng Anning searched her purse again and asked her maids, all of whom claimed not to have seen it. Luo Tan asked, “Could it have been left at the restaurant?”

Feng Anning replied, “I don’t know.”

“Let’s go back and check,” Shen Miao suggested. “You just left, so if you dropped it, the restaurant staff would likely have found it. I’ll accompany you to look.”

Feng Anning considered, “I’ll go by myself. It’s just a quick errand. If I can’t find it, so be it. I don’t regret the two silver pieces, but it’s rare to find something I like so much.”

Luo Tan was speechless. Feng Anning was truly wealthy and generous. Though the Feng family was affluent, they weren’t normally so extravagant. They simply loved their daughter dearly and never restricted her finances, which led to Feng Anning’s lack of awareness about money. When she lost something, her first thought was, “It’s rare to find something I like so much.”

“I’ll take some guards to check,” Feng Anning said. “Wait for me here; I’ll be back shortly.”

Shen Miao nodded. Feng Anning left with most of the guards, likely to make an impression—if any restaurant staff had found and kept the hairpin, they would surely be intimidated by such a display.

After Feng Anning left, only Luo Tan and Shen Miao remained, with four guards outside. Looking at the sky, Luo Tan said, “By the time Anning returns and we get back to the residence, it will be dark.” She stretched lazily and added, “Today was exhausting. Tomorrow I’m going to sleep in; no one had better disturb me.”

Shen Miao remained silent, recalling how just moments ago, someone had enthusiastically proposed playing with such abandon again.

Just then, they heard a guard outside say, “Miss Shen, Miss Luo, this subordinate just found the young lady’s hairpin.”

“What?” Luo Tan was startled. She lifted the carriage curtain and indeed saw one of the Feng household guards holding a glittering gem hairpin—what else could it be but the cat’s eye hairpin Feng Anning had lost?

Luo Tan frowned, “How could Anning be so careless, dropping things without noticing?”

The guard approached the carriage, and Luo Tan reached out to take the hairpin.

Just as she grasped it, the guard suddenly yanked Luo Tan outward.

Another Feng household guard leaped onto the carriage, knocked the driver over, and cracked the whip fiercely. The horses, feeling the pain, suddenly reared up and, in their fright, began running wildly through the street.

Everything happened so quickly that even the other two Feng household guards couldn’t react in time. By the time they realized what was happening, the carriage with Shen Miao had already traveled dozens of meters away.

Fortunately, Luo Tan remained on the carriage. She had reacted extremely fast when the guard tried to pull her out, firmly grasping the carriage edge and throwing her body backward. In such a critical moment, the man, seeing he couldn’t pull Luo Tan down, didn’t persist but leaped onto another horse, racing alongside the carriage toward the city gates.

The street had originally been filled with commoners, all of whom were stunned by the rampaging carriage. Some vendors couldn’t dodge in time and were overturned along with their stalls, yet no one knew which family’s carriage was acting so recklessly. The carriage moved incredibly fast, tossing Shen Miao and Luo Tan around inside.

In this crucial moment, Luo Tan remembered to grab Shen Miao’s hand and said, “Little cousin, don’t be afraid. We’ll jump from the carriage, reveal our identities—with so many people around, they’ll have some reservations!”

Shen Miao felt warmth in her heart, but even as the carriage tossed them about uncontrollably, she said, “It’s too late. Look outside.”

Luo Tan held onto the carriage edge and looked out, only to be shocked. The familiar streets had disappeared, replaced by crooked alleys without a single person in sight. She had no idea where they were. Luo Tan felt a sudden despair. If earlier she had thought of jumping from the carriage to at least save their lives, now, in this desolate place, even jumping would only make them prey for the hunters.

“Don’t worry. They’re probably after me,” Shen Miao said. “When the time comes, pretend to faint or find a way to escape. They won’t harm you.”

“How could I possibly abandon you to save myself?” Luo Tan grabbed Shen Miao’s hand. “You saved the Luo family in Xiaochun City. If I can’t save you, I won’t leave you—if we die, we die together!”

Shen Miao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This was hardly the time for heroic speeches. She struggled to sit upright in the violently shaking carriage and whispered in Luo Tan’s ear, “Remember, if you successfully escape, find a way to send a message to Prince Rui’s residence. Say there’s a matter for negotiation, price to be discussed later.”

Luo Tan was stunned, looking suspiciously at Shen Miao. “How is Prince Rui involved? Little cousin, you—”

“Don’t ask so much,” Shen Miao said. “This matter is crucial. Don’t mention Prince Rui to anyone. I’m telling you because I trust you.”

Luo Tan nodded, then shook her head, “No, I won’t leave you alone.”

Shen Miao was about to say more when the carriage suddenly lurched to a stop. Unprepared, Shen Miao and Luo Tan crashed into the small table inside. Then the carriage curtain was violently lifted, and someone entered to drag Shen Miao out.

Luo Tan grabbed Shen Miao’s legs, “Little cousin!” She used all her strength, and the person outside couldn’t pull Shen Miao away. The man, evidently furious, suddenly kicked Luo Tan hard.

Despite years of martial training in the Luo family, Luo Tan was still just a young girl. Kicked in the chest, she immediately fell out of the carriage with a “thud” that made Shen Miao’s heart jump.

The remaining guard urged, “Hurry up! Don’t let anyone discover us.”

They cut the carriage free. One man wordlessly gagged Shen Miao, bound her hands and feet, knocked her unconscious, and threw her across a horse. Their actions filled Luo Tan with rage. Suddenly, her gaze fell on a short sword that had fallen from the carriage. Earlier that day, after Feng Anning had finished browsing jewelry shops, she had magnanimously accompanied Luo Tan to some weapon shops, where they had purchased this sword. Without thinking, Luo Tan grabbed it and charged at one of the men.

However, the man was skilled. He quickly knocked Luo Tan to the ground. Luo Tan’s eyes suddenly focused, “Military family!”

These were no ordinary guards. The few moves revealed that they were distinctly from a military background—these two people had at least some connection to the army.

Hearing Luo Tan’s words, the man’s eyes suddenly flashed with murderous intent. He seized the short sword from Luo Tan’s hand and stabbed her with it.

Luo Tan clutched her waist and slowly collapsed.

The other man urged, “Stop dawdling! Let’s go!”

Only then did the man drop the sword and mount another horse. The two quickly disappeared into the alley.

In the gloomy alley, only the scattered remains of the carriage and Luo Tan lying on the ground remained. Her apricot-colored dress was gradually stained with large patches of red, presenting a particularly horrifying sight.

“Slap!” Feng Anning struck two guards across the face.

The two guards immediately knelt, kowtowing and pleading, “We failed to protect our charges. Please punish us, Young Lady.”

“Punish you?” Feng Anning laughed coldly. “How should I punish you? Beat you with rods or sell you off? What use would punishing you be? Would it bring Shen Miao and Luo Tan back?”

The two guards remained silent. They had attempted to pursue the carriage, but it had moved extremely fast, and they had already started with a considerable distance between them. The kidnappers had come prepared, taking only small alleys, and eventually, they had no idea where they had gone.

Feng Anning was nearly frantic. She had merely gone to the restaurant to ask if anyone had seen her cat’s eye hairpin. When she came back downstairs, the carriage was gone, and people were gathered around gossiping. She sent her maid to inquire and learned that someone had hijacked her carriage.

And inside that carriage were Shen Miao and Luo Tan.

Shortly after, the remaining two guards returned, having failed to track the carriage. Feng Anning looked at the dust-covered hairpin on the ground, closed her eyes briefly, and despite her usual carefree attitude, she clearly understood the situation. Today’s events had been carefully planned—someone had infiltrated the Feng household guards with the sole purpose of abducting 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—both had some standing in the capital. For someone to target them meant they were willing to take an enormous risk, and it likely spelled doom for Shen Miao and the others.

Realizing this, Feng Anning began to tremble all over. It was she who had invited Shen Miao and Luo Tan to tour the capital, she whose guards had been compromised, she who had gone back to the restaurant. If she hadn’t gone back for that hairpin, perhaps the additional guards could have prevented the kidnappers. If she hadn’t insisted on convenience and agreed to let Shen Miao bring some Shen household guards, this mishap wouldn’t have occurred. If she hadn’t invited Shen Miao at all, today’s events wouldn’t have happened.

It was her fault—all her fault.

Feng Anning swayed, nearly collapsing. Her maids, alarmed, quickly stepped forward to support her, saying, “Young Lady, please don’t blame yourself. Harming your health will only distress the Master and Mistress.”

Feng Anning shook her head, laughing bitterly, “My parents worry when I’m like this, but what about when Shen Miao and Luo Tan’s families learn of this? Even if they killed me, it wouldn’t compensate for my mistake.” She covered her face and, for the first time regardless of her status, broke into loud sobs in the restaurant before everyone’s eyes.

“What happened? Where is Jiaojiao? Where is Cousin Tan?” Suddenly, a stern male voice came from outside the restaurant. Feng Anning uncovered her face to see Shen Qiu striding in, followed by a group of soldiers, each with an imposing presence that made the restaurant patrons shrink back.

Shen Qiu had finished his duties early today, intending to return home and ask Shen Miao and Luo Tan if they wanted to join him hunting another day. But before reaching home, his subordinate reported that Shen Miao and Luo Tan had gone out with Feng Anning and encountered trouble at the restaurant.

Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan had not yet returned home and were unaware of this news. Upon learning it, Shen Qiu had rushed over immediately. But upon arrival, he saw the sorrowful atmosphere in the restaurant and the normally proud young lady Feng sobbing loudly. Instantly, an ominous premonition rose in Shen Qiu’s heart.

He strode to Feng Anning and demanded, “What happened?”

Feng Anning froze. Shen Qiu stood before her, tall and imposing, his eyes filled with anxiety. Suddenly, she found herself unable to speak.

Everyone knew that Shen Qiu and Shen Miao were close. For Shen Miao, Shen Qiu would willingly kill or set fires—if he learned that Shen Miao had been abducted…

With a pallid face, she struggled to speak, “I went with Shen Miao and Luo Tan to browse shops, then returned to the restaurant to retrieve something. Shen Miao and Luo Tan remained in the carriage… Spies had infiltrated the Feng household guards and hijacked the carriage, abducting Shen Miao and Luo Tan. I’ve already asked my father to secretly investigate, 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 him clench his fists so tightly that one could almost hear his knuckles crack.

Taking a deep breath, his voice remained perfectly calm as he instructed Mo Qing, “Report to the authorities, seal the city, find the people. The Shen family troops can mobilize. Use my command tablet to issue orders—search the entire city. For whoever finds them, the Shen family will reward ten thousand gold taels.”

Ten thousand gold taels—those around them gasped.

Feng Anning was also stunned, but when she recovered, her self-reproach intensified. Shen Qiu’s willingness to offer ten thousand gold taels without blinking indicated how precious Shen Miao was to him, yet now Shen Miao’s fate was uncertain. “I didn’t kill Bo Ren, but Bo Ren died because of me”—that’s exactly what this situation was.

Mo Qing’s expression was also solemn as he turned to carry out the orders. Feng Anning said, “Although reporting to the authorities can better seal the city, this will inevitably cause rumors in the capital, damaging Shen Miao and Luo Tan’s reputations.”

As a woman, Feng Anning naturally understood the importance of reputation for women. Shen Miao and Luo Tan being abducted by villains—if this news spread, it would inevitably be maliciously speculated upon by those with ulterior motives. Moreover, the Shen family had enemies in the capital who might exploit this.

Shen Qiu replied, “Reputation is worthless compared to life. Even if their reputations are damaged, the Shen family can support them for a lifetime. It’s not as if we can’t afford to.”

He turned to leave, and Feng Anning said, “I’m sorry. Today’s events were caused by me. I will surely come to apologize properly later.”

“This has nothing to do with you,” Shen Qiu’s voice revealed no emotion. “Those people came prepared. Knowing their identities yet still acting means that even if it wasn’t you, they would have found another opportunity to strike.”

Feng Anning felt slightly comforted, but before she could speak, she heard Shen Qiu’s detached words.

“However, I apologize, but seeing you inevitably makes me resentful. So it would be best if Miss Feng doesn’t visit for a while.”

He left without looking back, leaving Feng Anning standing dumbfounded in the hall.

Outside, Zhi asked Shen Qiu, “Young Master is directly mobilizing the Shen family troops without consulting the Mistress and Master?”

“What’s there to ask about?” Shen Qiu cursed. “There’s no time to think about this and that now. Those people dared to take such a risk; Jiaojiao and Cousin Tan are in great danger. They dared to target my Shen family—when I catch them, I’ll kill them all!” The typically gentle young general was unmistakably furious at this moment. He mounted his horse, “Go to the Capital Governor. Even if we have to turn the entire capital upside down, we must find them!”

News that the Shen family’s daughter and cousin had been abducted in the capital spread throughout the entire city within moments. This was impossible to conceal for two reasons: first, some commoners witnessed Shen Miao and Luo Tan’s abduction and knew Feng Anning’s identity; second, the Capital Governor, City Guard, government offices, Shen family troops, and Feng family guards had all mobilized, creating such a commotion that it would be difficult not to know about it.

Everyone knew Shen Xin doted on his daughter, but this level of doting—nearly turning the entire capital upside down—frightened many people. After learning this news upon returning from court, Luo Xueyan and Shen Xin personally led troops to search house by house.

They continued searching tirelessly through half the night.

Xie Jingxing returned from outside and had just arrived at Prince Rui’s residence when he saw Ji Yushu and Gao Yang waiting in the compound. These two normally met at the Fengxian Pawnshop, and given Gao Yang’s sensitive identity, they generally wouldn’t both come to Prince Rui’s residence.

Xie Jingxing gave them a surprised look, handed the items he was carrying to Tieyi, and watched as the white tiger in the courtyard, seeing him enter, joyfully pounced near his boots, affectionately biting his trouser leg.

Xie Jingxing bent down to pick up the white tiger and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Gao Yang glanced at Ji Yushu, who stared eagerly at the white tiger for a while before finally resolving, “There’s something we need to tell you.”

“What is it?” Xie Jingxing had traveled outside the city alone today and genuinely didn’t know what had happened in the capital.

“The capital’s security has been poor lately, somewhat chaotic,” Ji Yushu scratched his head, beating around the bush. “Today, some young ladies went out to tour the city, and right below a restaurant, spies infiltrated their guards and directly hijacked the carriage, which contained two other officials’ daughters. They still haven’t been found.”

Xie Jingxing stared at Ji Yushu.

Ji Yushu, intimidated by his gaze, trembled and said, “Gao Yang and I wanted to remind you that your beauty is no less than those young ladies. You must be extremely careful.”

Xie Jingxing calmly said, “Ji Yushu.”

“I’ll tell you—you know one of them, it’s the fifth Miss Shen!” Ji Yushu blurted out, subtly retreating a step to hide behind Gao Yang.

There was a moment of silence in the room.

“Where did he go?” Ji Yushu looked bewilderedly at the empty courtyard, where only the white tiger remained, casually tossed on the ground and whimpering in pain.

“Are you stupid?” Gao Yang gave him a cold look.

“As long as I’m smarter than you,” Ji Yushu retorted.

Meanwhile, Shen Qiu, who was searching various parts of the city for Shen Miao, received news that Luo Tan had been found.

Mo Qing said, “Miss Luo is almost gone.”