Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 370 Connivance
Li Chengge noticed the unusual atmosphere between Yan Ciwan and Xiao Wang and guessed that something might have happened between the two.

However, because there were many other people present, the two of them were very restrained and hardly communicated.

Li Chengge took the initiative to suggest, "I've long heard of Qingping Residence's great reputation, and I've always wanted to visit but never had the chance. Now that we finally have the opportunity, we should take a good look around and see what's so special about this garden."

Du Lingzhou and Chaolu went out with him to stroll in the garden, while only Xiao Wang stayed behind.

At this moment, only Yan Ciwan and Xiao Wang remained in the room.

Xiao Wang sat down by the bed and asked, "Did you receive the sachet?"

Yan Ciwan nodded.

"How do you like it?"

Yan Ciwan teased him deliberately, "Guess."

Seeing her smiling with her eyes crinkled like a cunning fox, Xiao Wang couldn't help but laugh along: "I'm too stupid to guess the answer, I can only wait for you to tell me."

Yan Ciwan immediately changed the subject: "Next time I don't want a sachet, I want a handkerchief."

"Okay, I'll do it for you."

Yan Ciwan continued, "I want a pair."

"it is good."

"I also want a purse."

"it is good."

Xiao Wang agreed too quickly, giving Yan Ciwan the illusion that he would agree to any request she made, no matter what.

Such unbridled indulgence is far too easy to make people lose their heads.

Yan Ciwan said, "I want embroidered shoes."

This time, Xiao Wang did not agree immediately. He said, "I have never made embroidered shoes before, so I need time to learn. Also, I need to know how long your feet are."

His original intention was to have Yan Ciwan have someone measure her foot length and then inform him of the result.

To everyone's surprise, Yan Ciwan said directly, "Then take your measurement now."

Xiao Wang was taken aback, then his ears gradually turned red, and he said awkwardly.

"This isn't a good idea..."

Seeing his embarrassed expression, Yan Ciwan couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Just kidding."

Xiao Wang breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a sense of inexplicable disappointment.

"Do you still need those embroidered shoes?"

"No need for now, I'll let you know when I need it."

Xiao Wang lowered his eyes to hide his disappointment: "Mm."

Yan Ciwan then changed the subject.

"Today I met Physician Liu and asked him about the events before Crown Prince Renxian died."

Xiao Wang immediately perked up and pressed for details: "What did he say?"

Yan Ciwan repeated everything that Physician Liu had said in detail.

After listening, Xiao Wang fell into deep thought, and after a moment he spoke.

"If it is confirmed that the poison that killed Crown Prince Renxian came from the Western Regions, then the King of Xizhou will be the prime suspect."

Yan Ciwan understood his meaning. Xizhou was adjacent to Tubo, and many people from the Western Regions lived in Xizhou. It would be easy for them to obtain the gallbladders of the highly venomous snakes unique to the Western Regions.

She said, "I heard from my grandmother that the King of Xizhou and Prince Renxian were cousins, and the King of Xizhou was also Prince Renxian's study companion. The two had a very good relationship, so the King of Xizhou had no reason to harm Prince Renxian."

Xiao Wang thought to himself, "This doesn't make sense. It seems we need to continue investigating this matter."

Yan Ciwan recalled that during her out-of-body syndrome attack, she had heard the shaman say that he would tell the truth about what happened back then to the King of Xizhou, thereby intensifying the conflict between the King of Xizhou and the Emperor and forcing the King of Xizhou to send troops to seize power.

What exactly is the truth he's talking about? Could it be related to the death of Crown Prince Renxian?
If so, how would the shaman know these things? Is it because the Five Gods Sect was secretly involved in the murder of Prince Renxian?
Unfortunately, the shaman was dead and could no longer provide a definitive answer. Yan Ciwan's heart stirred; she suddenly remembered two people and asked, "Where are An Tong and his wife?"

"They were imprisoned in the Chang'an County jail."

Yan Ciwan really wanted to see them right now, but she was too physically unable to move, so she could only entrust the matter to Xiao Wang.

"Could you go and see them for me? I have a question I'd like to ask them."

"What do you want to ask?"

Yan Ciwan thought to herself, if the Five Gods Sect really did participate in the plot to murder Crown Prince Renxian, given the personality of the sorcerer, he would definitely seize this opportunity to create trouble and disrupt the entire Daye Dynasty.

"Over the years, has the Five Gods Sect spread any rumors? Especially those related to Crown Prince Renxian and Emperor Wen?"

Xiao Wang sensed another layer of meaning in her words, and his heart skipped a beat: "You suspect that someone within the Five Gods Sect knows the inside story of the murder of Crown Prince Renxian?"

Yan Ciwan nodded: "Yes, I have heard the shaman say some ambiguous things, so I have this guess, but I don't know if it is true or false."

"I'll ask them for you."

Yan Ciwan thought for a moment and then said, "They may not answer honestly. They have a daughter who was taken away by the sorcerer. I guess the sorcerer may have used that girl as a tool for alchemy. You can use this as leverage to negotiate with the couple."

"Yes, I know what to do."

……

That evening, Xiao Wang, Chao Lu, Li Chengge, and Du Lingzhou stayed at Qingping Residence for dinner. Nie Xiayun personally cooked a sumptuous meal.

In order not to disappoint the old lady's kindness, the four of them insisted on finishing all the dishes, until their bellies were bulging.

It was already dark, and the gates of the ward were closed. Yan Ciwan asked the four of them to stay overnight at his residence.

The next morning, after breakfast, the four said their goodbyes and left. Yan Ciwan was unable to move around easily, and Nie Xiayun was an elder, so neither of them could see the guests off. They could only ask Dongli to do it for them.

Dongli saw the group off at the gate.

After leaving Qingping Residence, the four parted ways and went home.

After Xiao Wang returned home and changed his clothes, he was about to go out again when Xiao Wenyi stopped him.

"You didn't come home last night, where did you go?"

“I went to visit Ning Ci, but it was too late to come back, so I stayed at her place for the night.”

Xiao Wenyi sighed: "You visited Ning Ci yesterday morning, went to Qingping Residence in the afternoon, and stayed there last night. Liu Lang, even if you are interested in her, you should restrain yourself. Being too flamboyant is not good for either of you."

Xiao Wang humbly accepted the instruction: "Grandson understands, and will certainly be more careful in the future."

"Qingping Residence was the private property of the Sage before he ascended the throne. The house has been empty all this time, but now Ning Ci has moved in. You must know the meaning behind this."

Xiao Wang lowered his eyes: "Aci has already made it clear to me that there is no ambiguity between her and the Sage."

Xiao Wenyi clearly didn't believe it: "Then why would the Sage take such good care of her?"

Xiao Wang could not reveal the past between Ning Qingyang and the emperor; it was Yan Ciwan's secret, and he could not tell anyone, including his closest relatives, without her permission.

He could only lower his head and remain silent.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Wenyi knew that no matter what she said, he wouldn't change his mind. He had always been like this since he was a child. He seemed gentle and easy to talk to, but he was actually stubborn.

Xiao Wenyi could only change the subject: "Where are you going now?"

Xiao Wang truthfully replied, "I want to go to the county government office in Chang'an to take care of some business."

"The Chang'an County government office... Have you met the Chang'an County magistrate?"

The question came as a surprise, and Xiao Wang was taken aback before nodding: "I've met him."

"I originally wanted to ask him to be your teacher, but unfortunately he is too busy with official duties to teach you. If you happen to see him on your trip, please remember to give him my regards."

"Yes."

This story mainly focuses on the plot, with less romance; it's a new attempt for me. Readers who enjoy romance can look forward to my next story, which will mainly feature romance mixed with lighthearted slice-of-life elements.