Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 371 Rumors
At the Chang'an County government office, Xiao Wang waited for a moment in the corridor. After receiving permission, he stepped into the hall and saw Jiang Qiuyu, who was wearing a scarlet official robe.

"Xiao Jia Liu Lang pays his respects to Magistrate Jiang."

Jiang Qiuyu looked quite tired. He rubbed his temples and asked bluntly, "What brings you here all of a sudden?"

“I would like to meet Mr. and Mrs. Antong. I have something to ask them. Also, my grandfather specifically asked me to give you my regards.”

Jiang Qiuyu smiled enigmatically: "You, Lord Xiao, are so busy, I didn't expect you to still remember a lowly county magistrate like me."

Xiao Wang sensed a hint of distance in the other person's tone, indicating that the relationship between the other person and his grandfather was not as harmonious as he had thought.

"My grandfather greatly admires Magistrate Jiang's talent and has always wanted to invite you to visit for tea, but unfortunately you are too busy with official duties to spare the time."

Jiang Qiuyu did not respond to this question. He said calmly, "You helped when we arrested An Tong and his wife, so I made an exception and let you see them once. But this is the last time."

"Thank you, Magistrate Jiang."

"Go."

Xiao Wang took his leave, and Jiang Qiuyu watched his departing figure, his expression turning dark and inscrutable.

……

Inside the county jail, the clerk who was leading the way entrusted Xiao Wang to the jailer and gave him special instructions: "This is Lord Xiao's grandson. You must take good care of him and make sure the prisoners in the jail don't frighten him."

Upon hearing this, the jailer quickly assured him, "Don't worry, I will definitely protect Xiao Liulang!"

The clerk cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Wang: "You may go in with this jailer. I will wait outside the cell. You may call me anytime if you need anything."

"Ah."

Xiao Wang followed the jailer inside. On both sides of the corridor were rows of small cells.

The jailer led the way, explaining, "We have separate men's and women's cells here. This is the men's cell. An Tong is locked up here, and his wife is locked up in the women's cell next door. I'll take you to see her later. Go down this way, and watch out for the steps."

The two walked down the steps a short distance and then stopped in front of a prison door.

"An Tong lives here." After saying this, the jailer banged on the wooden bars twice and shouted inside, "An Tong, come out!"

A moment later, An Tong emerged from the dark corner with heavy steps.

He looked much thinner, with a stubble beard and messy hair. When he got close, Xiao Wang could clearly smell an odor, as if he hadn't showered for many days.

An Tong was in a very bad mental state. When he saw Xiao Wang, he didn't react much and still looked listless.

The jailer pointed to Xiao Wang beside him and introduced him: "This is the sixth son of the Xiao family. He's here to ask you something. If you know the answer, answer truthfully. If you conceal anything or lie, you know the consequences!"

Faced with the jailer's threat, An Tong instinctively flinched.

When the jailer turned to face Xiao Wang, he put on a fawning smile.

"Ask me anything you want, I'm going to take a look around over there."

Xiao Wang nodded slightly: "Mm."

After the jailer left, Xiao Wang looked at An Tong and asked, "How many years have you been a member of the Five Gods Sect?"

It was a while before An Tong answered.

"It's been about ten years." "In these ten years, has the Five Gods Sect ever spread any rumors about Prince Renxian?"

An Tong remained silent for a while before slowly shaking his head: "I don't know."

Xiao Wang could tell he wasn't telling the truth, so he asked instead, "I heard you have a daughter who was taken away by the sorcerer. What's your daughter's name?"

Upon hearing the word "daughter," An Tong's expression finally changed.

His face tightened, and a look of vigilance appeared in his eyes.

"What do you ask for this?"

Xiao Wang slowly said, "The Divine Shaman and his disciples are all dead, and the headquarters of the Five Gods Sect has been destroyed. The traitors within the sect are either dead or captured. Among them may be your daughter. If you are willing to answer all my questions truthfully, I can help you find your daughter."

Since being imprisoned, An Tong had completely cut off contact with the outside world, and he was unaware that such a major change had occurred in the Five Gods Sect.

He could hardly believe it: "The Five Gods Cult is really gone?"

"To be precise, it was the Five Gods Sect's headquarters near Chang'an that was wiped out. The Five Gods Sect still has a small force in Beidu. The imperial court has sent troops to suppress the rebels, and those remnants will surely be captured soon."

An Tong, hearing his confident words, couldn't help but waver a little.

"The sorcerer is dead? How could someone as powerful as him suddenly die?"

Xiao Wang said in a deep voice, "He committed too many sins in his life, this is called reaping what you sow."

An Tong suddenly lunged forward and grabbed the wooden fence, staring intently at Xiao Wang with wide eyes. He said in a hoarse voice, "My daughter's name is An Mei, nickname Meizi. She's fourteen years old this year. She has a round face, big eyes, and her smile is very similar to her mother's. Please help me find her!"

"Wait a moment, I'll go ask."

Xiao Wang turned and left the cell. He found the clerk waiting outside and asked, "Did some of the Five Gods Sect members who were arrested during the imperial court's siege of Hengqing Temple end up being imprisoned here?"

The clerk answered truthfully: "Several core members have been imprisoned in the Dali Temple, and the remaining ordinary followers have been divided into two groups, with our county government of Chang'an County and Wannian County each taking half. They will be judged one by one according to their crimes. Because there are too many people, everyone in the county government has been working overtime recently. Even Magistrate Jiang has not rested and stayed up all night last night."

Xiao Wang suddenly realized why Jiang Qiuyu looked so tired when he saw her earlier; it turned out she had been working overtime late into the night.

"Could you please help me check if there is a girl named Anmei among those imprisoned? She is fourteen years old this year."

"I need to check to find out, please wait a moment."

"it is good."

The clerk turned and ran away. He returned after a while with a roster in his hand. He pointed to a page in the roster and said, "There is a fourteen-year-old girl named An Mei. She is locked in a cave behind Hengqing Temple. Because of repeated drug trials and long periods without food and water, she is on the verge of death. If the Imperial Guards had been any slower, she would probably have died there."

"Where is she now?"

"She is too weak and has been temporarily placed in Jingxin Hall, where doctors treat her every day. We have already investigated and found that Anmei was previously trained as a divine servant and lived in Hengqing Temple without ever having any contact with the outside world. Later, she was stripped of her divine servant status because she made a small mistake and was thrown into an iron cage in a cave, becoming one of the many drug test subjects."

Xiao Wang expressed his desire to visit her, but the clerk hesitated, saying, "This matter must be discussed with Magistrate Jiang first."

"Then go ask."

The clerk, clutching the roster, turned and ran away.

He returned quickly this time, the roster in his arms was gone. He gestured to Xiao Wang, "Magistrate Jiang has given permission, Xiao Liulang, please come with me."