Edited by Tnyhy

Chapter 144: Right Hand (Part 2)

Shen Xin was not a fool. They had returned to the Ding capital not long ago, and for those people to deliberately kidnap Shen Miao, this was because of personal grudges. Moreover, ever since the Shen family’s return to the Ding capital till now, the only person that they had offended was only that domineering and arrogant Princess of the Qin country. If it was the Qin people, it was not impossible for them to do such a daring and reckless thing.

Shen Miao said, “Why did Father think that? This is the land of the Ming Qi. Even if Princess Ming An had the intention to deal with me, the Crown Prince of the Qin is not a fool, and how would he allow her to stir things up?” Seeing that Shen Xin and Luo Xue Yan still did not believe, Shen Miao simply raised her hands and spoke tenderly, “That day they threw me out of the horse carriage and my hands hurts because of the stumble. I am also very hungry. Mother, I want to eat something.”

When Luo Xue Yan heard this, she immediately ignored everything else and her heart began to feel anguished. On one hand she instructed the kitchens to prepare some snacks and on the other hand, instructed the maids to support Shen Miao back to the courtyard to rest.

Luo Xue Yan most likely was so anguished for Shen Miao, that she personally went to the kitchens to make soup and Shen Xin pulled Shen Qiu out with a frown, one did not know where did they went. Luo Tan and Shen Miao went back to the room together. When Luo Tan saw Shen Miao sitting on the couch, she said, “Youngest Biao Sister, you were lying just now. Actually it was that Princess Ming An who did it right?”

Shen Miao’s heart jumped and thought when did Luo Tan became that smart before asking, “Why do you say that?”

Luo Tan rubbed her own arm and gave an appearance of unable to tolerate, “The spoilt look that you gave just now made me have a layer of goosebumps. It was obvious that you were sparing no effort to be pampered with that one look, and it was a show for GuFu and GuGu. It is only because they dote on you that they let you go like this.”

Shen Miao laughed in spite of herself before sizing Luo Tan up, “I heard that you have suffered a serious injury. How is it that you have gotten out of bed and not rest more?”

Luo Tan waved her hands, “That Doctor Gao from the Palace has high medical skills that can make a dead person alive. Speaking of which…” Her gaze was shining as she looked at Shen Miao, “It was only this afternoon that I went to His Highness Prince Rui to beg for his help to save you, and you return today at night. His Highness Prince Rui really possesses remarkable abilities. This speed really exceed one’s expectation as I thought one would need to wait for a few days. So that Lu Xi GuGu is also fake?” Luo Tan sighed, “This Prince Rui of the Great Liang is really very considerate and thoughtful.”

Shen Miao, “…”

Xie Jing Xing had saved Shen Miao long before Luo Tan went to the residence of Prince Rui. When Luo Tan went over, Shen Miao had most likely already reached the Princess’ residence. It was a pity that Luo Tan really thought that Xie Jing Xing had that great of abilities. Xie Jing Xing was not an immortal, so how could he be able to save someone in a matter of moments? Shen Miao’s heart was secretly criticising but she did not correct Luo Tan’s words. She thought about something and said, “But why did one did not see Older Brother Ling?” She asked, “Did Older Brother Ling went out?”

Luo Tan’s unrestrained expressions faded in a moment. When Shen Miao saw this, she was puzzled and asked, “Why do you have such an expression?”

“Something happened to Older Brother Ling.” Luo Tan’s voice was somewhat unintelligible, “Gao Yang said that in this lifetime he will not be able to use his right hand… Go and take a look.”

*****

In the residence of the Marquis of Lin An, Xie Chang Wu was currently also very anxious.

After returning from the banquet with Xie Ding, Xie Chang Chao seemed to have disappeared without a trace. Xie Chang Chao’s shadow was not in the secret chamber and even Shen Miao was also not there. After looking over carefully, there were no signs of a fight which made Xie Chang Wu felt puzzled.

Even though it was due to Shen Xin that Shen Miao could not be sent out, but at this moment she indeed disappeared without a trace. Princess Ming An had sent people over to ask when would Shen Miao be sent out, and Xie Chang Wu could only perfunctory delay but in private, his heart was burning with anxiety.

However no matter how he searched and sent the servants out to look at the usual haunts to which Xie Chang Chao would go normally, it was like both Xie Chang Chao and Shen Miao had evaporated from the human world. There was not even a little trace left. One did not know why, but the longer the time passed, Xie Chang Wu’s heart felt more uneasy. He had tried to inquire news about the Formidable Great General Shen’s family, and there was no news about Shen Miao’s whereabouts. This made Xie Chang Wu feel comforted. At least it was not that the people who came to save Shen Miao took Xie Chang Chao away.

However as days passed, even Xie Ding was suspicious and asked why had he not seen Xie Chang Chao for an entire day. Xie Chang Wu could only say that Xie Chang Chao went out of the city for a hunt with friends, and also repeated this when Madam Fang asked. Princess Ming An also sent someone over saying that if the Xie brothers did not take action, then just hand Shen Miao over for her to handle.

Xie Chang Wu was forced to suffer in silence. As of now, not to mention Xie Chang Chao, even Shen Miao disappeared into thin air. If Princess Ming An knew of this, she would blame him for not handling the matter well, and would not speak well of the brothers in front of Fu Xiu Yi, and one fear that one would suffer more for it. It was truly a dilemma where there is no room to advance or retreat. For the first time Xie Chang Wu regretted for picking up such a hot matter.

In any case, Xie Chang Wu continued to send people out to look for Xie Chang Chao’s whereabouts. Speaking of which, it was rather ironic. A few days ago when they kidnapped Shen Miao, the Shen family was searching the entire city for Shen Miao, and now it became Xie Chang Wu’s turn to search the entire city for Xie Chang Chao’s whereabouts. He had some unhappy feeling that this was an appropriate retribution.

Xie Chang Wu naturally did not know that the brother that he was persistently seeking for, was in Xie Jing Xing’s hands.

Tie Yi followed behind the purple clad youth and said, “Xie Chang Chao’s corpse is currently in the tower prison and chilled in the ice coffin. When does Master plan to use it?”

“Let it be. There is no rush.” Xie Jing Xing said, “One must not waste such a good thing.”

He walked slowly back to the residence and when he just entered the courtyard, he saw Ji Yu Shu wearing a purple robe and had a silver mask on his face, in the middle of a chase with the white tiger ‘Jiao Jiao’ in the entire house. As he ran he was saying, “Little brat, do not recognise this Prince? Open your eyes and look carefully! Come over here to this Prince!”

Tie Yi trembled constantly. Sometimes one could not admit that Ji Yu Shu was indeed a talented individual as no matter what the place was, he could portray all types of emotions that are as ridiculous as an idiot. This kind of disguising as Xie Jing Xing to tease the tiger, one guessed that only Ji Yu Shu, this kind of person who was so bored with leisure, would only do it.

The white tiger evaded the ‘warm’ embrace of Ji Yu Shu and when he suddenly saw Xie Jing Xing and Tie Yi, it turned in the middle of her movement and headed over to Xie Jing Xing in a rush, and bit the corner of Xie Jing Xing’s robes before shaking her head.

Xie Jing Xing bent over and picked the white tiger up and looked at that ‘Xie Jing Xing’ who was left in the courtyard, and said with a smile but not a smile, “You really play very happily when I am not around.”

“Third Older Brother!” The counterfeit Xie Jing Xing took of the mask, revealing the sweaty face of Ji Yu Shu. He gasped as he waved his hands, “Third Older Brother, it was not my intention to purposely dress as you. Today a Young Lady came looking for you for help and it was Gao Yang who insisted for me to pretend to be you. But I guarantee that I acted very well, as that Young Lady did not say a second word and knelt down after seeing me and even gave me a kowtow.” Ji Yu Shu felt wronged and worried, “One do not know if this would reduce one’s lifespan.”

“Young Lady?” Xie Jing Xing raised his brows and looked at Tie Yi. Tie Yi quickly said, “In the afternoon, the Luo family’s Biao Young Lady and Gentleman Gao came over. At that time, Young Master Ji feigned your appearance and agreed to the Luo family’s Biao Young Lady’s request… Afterwards both of them left.”

Ji Yu Shu stressed, “It was Gao Yang that made me do this!”

Just as he was speaking, one heard Tie Yi saying, “Gentleman Gao has come.”

One then saw a white clad person walking over from outside. Other than Gao Yang, who could it be? However one did not know if it was an illusion or not, as Gao Yang’s clothes were not as clean and tidy as usual, and his face had some sense of haggardness. Ji Yu Shu was shocked by Luo Tan’s kowtows in the afternoon and did not notice Gao Yang’s appearance but now after seeing it, he asked in surprise, “Gao Yang, why do you look like you have gotten ten years older?”

Originally when Gao Yang and Xie Jing Xing stood together, although he was not as impressive looking as Xie Jing XIng, he was still considered a graceful and elegant gentleman but now standing beside Xie Jing Xing, he looked a little disgraceful.

“Do not mention about it.” Gao Yang said. “These few days one have been staying in the Shen mansion treating that Young Lady of the Luo family. Really treat me like a doctor?” When he spoke of it, there was some anger on his face, “I am not a doctor. I am an Imperial Physician!”

“Both also treat illnesses.” Ji Yu Shu did not bother about him and looked at Xie Jing Xing, “Fifth Shen Young Lady was found?”

Xie Jing Xing nodded his head.

Ji Yu Shu released a long sigh and said, “Scare me to death. If such a good person like Fifth Shen Young Lady ended up in other people’s scheme, one fear that I would not be able to sleep well.”

Xie Jing Xing looked coldly at him, “Oh? You are so familiar with Shen Miao?”

Ji Yu Shu instinctively felt danger and shook his head unconsciously. He only felt that Xie Jing Xing’s gaze had a deeper meaning and quickly said, “Third Older Brother and her also have some relationship. I am not worried about her but worried about you. Now that you have rescued her, my heart has calmed down a lot. One thinks that Fifth Shen Young Lady is also very grateful to you.”

“Kissing up!” Gao Yang said disdainfully.

“What does it got to do with you!” Ji Yu Shu answered back in mutual bickering and ridicule.

Gao Yang took a deep breath before putting on a serious expression and asked Xie Jing Xing, “Was it by Princess Ming An’s hands?”

In fact in the Ding capital, the only person who would have the courage to do such a thing to Shen Miao, would be no other person than Princess Ming An. If others wanted to touch Shen Miao, they would have to take into consideration the Shen family, as everyone knew that Shen Xin dotted on his daughter to the level of being subservient to her every wish. To touch Shen Miao was equalling to plucking the fur on top of the tiger’s head, and there would be no end of trouble. Only Princess Ming An, this kind of brainless female, would disregard all consequences. Not only it was bold, it was indeed very shocking.

“Not only that.” Xie Jing Xing said indifferently, “Xie Chang Wu and Xie Chang Chao also participated.”

“Are they insane?” Gao Yang was unable to hide his surprise, “Even if Princess Ming An promised them benefits, how could Xie Chang Wu and Xie Chang Chao take such risks with their lives?”

Everyone would have a steelyard in their minds when they make decisions, thus risks and benefits were rather levelled. However Xie Chang Wu’s and Xie Chang Chao’s actions were just too uneconomical for Gao Yang to understand. In order to climb up, the Xie family brothers did not care about making enemies with the Shen family, and only cared about what was in front and not about the future?

“Presumably, they had lived peaceful days for far too long and not know of how high Heavens are.” Xie Jing Xing’s smile emitted a cold air, “Consistently stupid things.”

Gao Yang and Ji Yu Shu silently agree. At this moment both of them could feel the chill that was emitting from Xie Jing Xing. After silently pitying the Xie family brothers for a moment, Gao Yang said, “Actually, Princess Ming An’s action this time not only impacted Shen Miao.”

Xie Jing Xing turned his head and frowned, “What do you mean?”

“They also intended to scheme against Shen Qiu. Today when I was in the Shen mansion, one heard that someone used Shen Miao’s situation to lay a trap for Shen Qiu, and waited for Shen Qiu to be alone before taking action against him. Those people were highly skilled in martial arts and should be the masters that were trained from the Palace. The more I thought, they were most probably from Princess Ming An’s hands.”

No only wanting to destroy Shen Miao but to also destroy Shen Qiu. Shen Miao and Shen Qiu were the only two people of the Shen family’s younger generation, thus by destroying these two people, it would be difficult for the Shen family to stage a comeback again. Moreover Shen Miao and Shen Qiu had a strong sibling relationship, if Shen Miao returned in the future and knew that Shen Qiu fell into such a predicament for her, one fear that she would blame herself for her entire life. No punishment would be more painful than living on with that pain. Princess Ming An’s methods were indeed malicious.

Xie Jing Xing’s emotions were slightly moved and he asked, “At the end what happened?”

“Shen Qiu was not taken in.” Gao Yang said.

“However… Although Shen Qiu did not fall into the trap, that Biao Young Master that is staying in the Shen mansion fell into it. Those people thought that Shen Qiu was called out but in actual fact, it was Luo Ling. Luo Ling’s martial arts skills are inferior to Shen Qiu’s, and thus did not end well in those people’s hands.”

Xie Jing Xing’s eyebrow raised, “How is he now?”

“Not very good.” Gao Yang said, “Even with my medical skills, one’s hands are still bound and unable to do anything about it. In this life, he most probably will not be able to use his right hand to hold a sword anymore.”

Xie Jing Xing was stunned and his brows gradually sank and his eyes turned cold.