Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 294 A Promise
Xiao Wang involuntarily took a step forward, staring intently at Yan Ciwan.

Through his dark, deep eyes, Yan Ciwan could clearly see her own reflection.

At such close range, she noticed that he had dark circles under his eyes, his face was paler than usual, and he looked much thinner.

For the past two days, Xiao Wang has been busy with Yan Ciwan's affairs, and he has no appetite at all. He can't sleep at night either, and his mind is filled with images of Yan Ciwan.

At this moment, the person he had been thinking about day and night suddenly appeared before him, and he felt a sense of unreality, as if he were in a dream.

He wasn't sure if it was real or fake, and he involuntarily reached out to touch the person's cheek.

Suddenly a scream brought him back to his senses.

"Ning Ci!"

Xiao Wang paused, suddenly came to his senses, and immediately put his hand down.

Du Lingzhou strode over, his eyes wide as he looked Yan Ciwan up and down, his face full of surprise.

"It really is you?!"

Yan Ciwan put her hands on her hips, quite pleased with herself: "The Sage has declared me innocent and released."

Looking at her bright smile, Xiao Wang's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. He couldn't help but smile along and said sincerely, "That's wonderful."

"Thank you and Lord Xiao for investigating the case and clearing my name."

After Yan Ciwan finished speaking, she clasped her hands in a fist salute to him.

Du Lingzhou retorted indignantly, "Why should we only thank them? I helped too!"

Yan Ciwan smiled brightly at him: "Thank you too, Du Erlang!"

Du Lingzhou was momentarily dazzled by her radiant smile, and his cheeks involuntarily flushed red.

He cleared his throat forcefully and said in a pretentious tone, "Words of thanks are not enough."

"I'll treat you to drinks later."

Du Lingzhou immediately replied, "You said it yourself! I heard that Daozhengfang has just received a new batch of wine, so I'll go try it tonight!"

"Not tonight, let's do it another day."

Xiao Wang immediately asked, "Do you have plans for tonight?"

Just as Yan Ciwan was about to speak, she heard footsteps. She turned her head and looked in the direction of the sound, and saw Xiao Wenyi walking towards her, followed by other members of the Xiao family.

Yan Ciwan could only quickly reply, "I'll explain in detail later."

Although Xiao Wang really wanted to know the answer now, he knew it wasn't the time to talk, so he responded softly, "Okay."

The group entered the flower hall.

Xiao Wenyi asked Yan Ciwan when she left the palace.
“I left the palace at the hour of Wei (1-3 PM).” Yan Ciwan paused and continued. “I was able to escape unscathed this time entirely thanks to Lord Xiao’s help, and I will remember this kindness in my heart.”

Xiao Wenyi smiled and said gently, "You have done a great favor for our Xiao family, so you don't need to be so polite to us."

Xiao Qu continued, "We were all very worried about you these past three days. Now that we see you are safe and sound, we are all relieved."

Jiang Tingyue, who was sitting next to him, said, "Although you have not been home for the past three days, I have had someone clean Changhong Residence every day. In addition, I have also had two spring dresses made for you. Since I don't have your exact measurements, I am not sure if they will fit. Try them on later, and if they don't fit, I can have them altered immediately."

Yan Ciwan felt the goodwill from the Xiao family. She first expressed her gratitude, and then politely declined.

“I’ve already found a place to stay, so I don’t need to stay at your residence anymore.” Xiao Wang was taken aback, and he blurted out, “Where are you going?”

“I now live in Qingpingju in Yongxingfang.”

Xiao Wenyi's expression changed slightly when he heard the words "Qingping Residence".

Outsiders were unaware of the inside story, but as a veteran official of three dynasties, he knew that Qingpingju was actually the private property of the current emperor.

He pondered to himself, "The Sage not only released Ning Ci, but also allowed Ning Ci to live in his private residence. What is the reason for such special treatment?"
Xiao Wenyi's gaze lingered on Yan Ciwan's face. In terms of appearance alone, Yan Ciwan was stunningly beautiful. It was normal for men to be attracted to her. Could it be that the Sage...

Xiao Qu was surprised: "You mean Qingping Residence, which has been vacant for many years? I heard that someone offered a high price to buy that residence, but they couldn't find the owner at all. I didn't expect that Madam Ning moved there. Are you an old acquaintance of the owner of that residence?"

Although Yan Ciwan could address the emperor as "Father" without batting an eye, she had no intention of spreading the news.

She answered vaguely, "We are distant relatives. He knew that I had no relatives or friends in Chang'an, so he let me stay in Qingping Residence for the time being."

Xiao Wenyi's expression grew increasingly subtle. Was she a distant relative of the Sage?
Jiang Tingyue glanced at the maid following behind Yan Ciwan and tentatively asked, "And who is this?"

Yan Ciwan had already prepared her explanation, saying, "Her name is Qiushuang. She is a maid from a distant relative's family. Knowing that this is my first time in Chang'an, my relative specially sent her to take care of me."

Qiu Shuang stepped forward and curtsied: "This servant, Qiu Shuang, greets all the gentlemen and ladies."

Jiang Tingyue saw that her appearance and figure were both above average, and her words and actions were also composed and measured. It was clear that she had been carefully trained. Such an excellent maid could not be raised by an ordinary family.

Not only Jiang Tingyue, but the rest of the Xiao family also noticed it, and they all wondered who the distant relative Yan Ciwan was talking about was.
Only Xiao Wenyi knew who the person was. He was increasingly suspicious and uncertain. Why was the Sage so concerned about Ning Ci? Could it be that he truly harbored feelings for Ning Ci in that way?!

Qiu Shuang lowered her head and meekly retreated behind Yan Ciwan.

Jiang Tingyue wanted Yan Ciwan to stay for dinner, but Yan Ciwan politely declined.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Madam. I would very much like to stay and have dinner with you all, but unfortunately I have other matters to attend to. So I apologize and will have to visit you another day."

Jiang Tingyue did not insist on keeping her, but instead asked about her recent situation over the past two days.

Yan Ciwan picked out some things unrelated to the emperor and told them about them, including mentioning Consort Jin.

Xiao Wenyi couldn't help but ask, "How is the Imperial Concubine doing lately?"

"The Imperial Concubine is doing well in the palace, and the Emperor often visits her at Xianju Palace."

Xiao Wenyi always felt guilty towards his daughter. He sighed inwardly, thinking that if he had arranged a marriage for her earlier, she might not have caught the emperor's eye when she went to the palace banquet.

He would rather forgo the honor and favor that came with the position of Imperial Concubine than have his daughter live deep within the palace, unable to see her family for years, and forced to separate from her closest relatives.

Although he felt a pang of sadness, he still maintained a smile on his face.

"It is the Imperial Concubine's and our Xiao family's good fortune to receive the Emperor's favor."

Jiang Tingyue noticed that Xiao Wang kept looking at Yan Ciwan, his eyes seeming to hold many unspoken words. So Jiang Tingyue took the initiative to ask, "The weather is fine today, and the flowers in the garden are in full bloom. Would you like to take a walk with me, Aci?"

Yan Ciwan smiled and replied, "Okay."

She stood up, took Jiang Tingyue's arm, and the two walked out affectionately.

After they left, Xiao Wang also took his leave.

Seeing this, Xiao Qu understood that his sixth brother was going to sneak out to meet Ning Ci. After hesitating for a long time, he decided to test his grandfather's words first. So he picked up his teacup and sighed casually.

"Sixth Brother is getting on in years, shouldn't we start looking for a wife for him?"