Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 297 Just settle for the next best thing
Shortly after the carriage entered Xingqing Ward, the evening drum sounded throughout the city, and the ward gates were closed one by one.

When Yan Ciwan got off the carriage, she saw that there were already guards at the entrance of Qingping Residence. She knew that Si Buping must have arrived, so she quickened her pace and walked into the courtyard. Xiao Wang and the others followed closely behind.

Qiu Shuang tried to reach out to help Yan Ciwan several times, but Yan Ciwan pushed her away because she thought it was too much trouble.

Yan Ciwan inquired with the servants in Qingping Residence and learned that Si Buping was currently waiting in the main hall of the courtyard. She then spoke to Xiao Wang and Du Lingzhou.

"You may wander around for a bit. I'm going to meet with the Grand Secretary. See you later."

Xiao Wang nodded: "Okay, see you later."

He stood there watching Yan Ciwan hurry towards the main courtyard. Du Lingzhou asked curiously, "What is Si Buping doing at Qingping Residence at this time?"

"He probably has something to discuss with Aci."

Du Lingzhou was even more puzzled: "What important matter could these two people, who are not related, have that they must meet to talk about?"

"If you want to know, you can ask Si Buping directly later."

Du Lingzhou snorted: "That bastard Si Buping would never tell me the truth. Even if I were to ask, I would ask Ning Ci."

After saying that, he put his hands behind his back and began to stroll around Qingping Residence in a swaggering manner.

At the same time, Yan Ciwan met Si Buping in the main hall of the main courtyard. He was wearing a scarlet round-necked official robe and a black cloak. He hadn't even had time to change out of his everyday clothes, so it was clear that he had just finished his errand and came straight here.

Yan Ciwan instructed Qiushuang to make tea, and Dongli to wait outside the door, telling her not to let any unauthorized personnel approach.

"How's the investigation going?" Yan Ciwan asked impatiently.

"There is indeed a merchant from the Western Regions named An Tong in the West Market. He comes from the Western Regions and specializes in trading various spices. He has been in Chang'an for over ten years and has long since settled down here. His wife is a notorious shrew, fierce and ruthless. Despite being married for many years without conceiving, she still has An Tong completely under her thumb, and he obeys her every word. They get along well with the neighbors and always pay their taxes on time and in full. There is no record of An Tong with the Chang'an County government, which means he has no criminal record. Apart from being timid and afraid of his wife, there is nothing wrong with him; he is a very exemplary citizen."

Footsteps approached, and Yan Ciwan and Si Buping's conversation paused.

Knock, knock, knock—there was a knock on the door.

After receiving Yan Ciwan's permission, Qiu Shuang came in carrying a tray. She placed the tea and snacks next to Yan Ciwan and Si Buping, then lowered her head and silently withdrew.

Dongli stood at the door, staring intently at Qiushuang until her figure disappeared outside the courtyard gate before turning away.

Inside the main room, Yan Ciwan pressed further, "Didn't you find any connection between him and the Five Gods Sect?"

Si Buping said in a deep voice, "The Imperial Guards have searched all the places An Tong frequents, but found nothing unusual. He seems to be a law-abiding Hu merchant, and they can't find any connection between him and the Five Gods Sect."

Yan Ciwan frowned: "Can we search his residence?"

"Yes, but that would alert them."

Yan Ciwan was worried about Grandma's safety. If the Five Gods Sect was alerted and they became suspicious, they might harm Grandma.

Searching residences is clearly not a suitable method. After a moment of contemplation, Yan Ciwan quickly made a decision: "Since their target is me, let me go find An Tong. Only when I show myself will An Tong be able to slip up, and then you will have the opportunity to find the Five Gods Sect's stronghold hidden in Chang'an City through him."

Si Buping warned, "Doing this is very dangerous."

“I know, but this is the most effective way right now.”

The safest approach was to have the Imperial Guards continue investigating An Tong. No matter how well he hid, with patience, they would eventually find a weakness. But Yan Ciwan didn't want to wait any longer. She had to rescue Grandma as soon as possible. As long as Grandma remained in the hands of the Five Gods Sect, her danger would only increase.

Si Buping knew that she had made up her mind, so he did not try to persuade her further.

He asked, "When do you plan to take action?"

Yan Ciwan naturally felt that the sooner the better. She wished she could rush to the West Market right now, but it was already evening and the gates of the market were closed, so she couldn't get out. She had no choice but to settle for second best.

"tomorrow."

Si Buping said, "Tomorrow is the Crown Prince's wedding day."

"That's perfect. Everyone's attention has been drawn to the Crown Prince's wedding. They never expected me to make a move on this day, which will catch them completely off guard."

Si Buping looked at her with a complicated expression: "Are you really willing to watch Yan Tingyu become the Crown Princess?"

Yan Ciwan was naturally unwilling, but right now she was more concerned about her grandmother's life or death.

She said, "Anyway, Yan Tingyu is right there, he can't escape. I'll settle the score with Yan Tingyu after I rescue the old lady."

"I heard that she and the Crown Prince have a good relationship, and the Crown Prince will definitely protect her."

Yan Ciwan neither confirmed nor denied this. She said, "If the Crown Prince knows that his Crown Princess has committed the crime of deceiving the Emperor but still chooses to tolerate it, I don't even need to lift a finger. The Emperor will teach him a lesson."

"And what about you? How will you conduct yourself in the future?"

Yan Ciwan is in a very awkward situation. She was originally the Crown Prince's fiancée, but now she has become the Crown Prince's half-sister. Once this is exposed, her mother's past will be dug up and become the talk of the town.

"Let's talk about the future later." Yan Ciwan didn't seem to care much about this, and she changed the subject back to business. "I will go to the West Market first thing tomorrow morning. When I do, send two people skilled in light-footed skills to secretly follow me."

Si Buping really wanted to accompany her, but tomorrow was the Crown Prince's wedding day, when guests would come from all directions to offer their congratulations, and he had to stay by the Emperor's side to protect his safety.

He said, "I'll have Fu Bai and Yue Jin go with you to the West Market. It will be easier for you to get to know them and communicate with them."

Yan Ciwan nodded in agreement.

Si Buping continued, "I will arrange for some of the Imperial Guards to meet you near the West Market. I will also make arrangements with the magistrate of Chang'an County in advance, asking him to send more men to patrol the area near the West Market tomorrow. I know that you are highly skilled in martial arts and that ordinary people cannot harm you, but you still need to be careful. Only if you live will you have a chance to reunite with your grandmother."

Yan Ciwan nodded solemnly: "I understand, thank you very much, Your Excellency."

Si Buping got up to leave, and Yan Ciwan saw him off at the door.

Just before leaving, Si Buping suddenly stopped and looked at her, asking a question.

Why exactly is the Five Gods Sect targeting you?

Yan Ciwan wasn't entirely sure about this either. She said, "Perhaps it's because they know I'm the illegitimate daughter of the Sage, and they want to control me to plot against the Sage."

Si Buping stared at her for a while, and his intuition told him that the truth was probably not that simple.

But he couldn't think of any other more reasonable reason right now, so he could only silently turn around and leave.