Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 385 Rhetoric
The emperor had many other things to attend to, so he only stayed at Qingping Residence for a short while before leaving.

As evening approached, Yan Ciwan finished her dinner and was about to go to bed when Si Buping suddenly arrived.

Yan Ciwan looked at Si Buping, who was dressed in a scarlet round-necked official robe, and asked leisurely, "Why did you come at this time, Grand Commander? We just finished eating and have no dinner to entertain you."

"I came to talk to you about something."

Yan Ciwan glanced at the door and saw Dong Li guarding outside. Inside, only she and Si Buping were present.

She leaned back and said, "Let's sit down and talk."

Si Buping did not sit down, but remained standing upright. He asked seriously, "Have you been investigating the Fu family recently?"

Instead of answering, Yan Ciwan asked, "Did Dongli tell you?"

"answer me!"

Yan Ci readily replied, "Yes."

Si Buping frowned, his tone quite stern: "Stop investigating."

"why?"

"The Fu family's affairs are far more complicated than you think. If you continue to investigate, it could very well bring you death!" Si Buping's expression was more serious than ever before.

Yan Ciwan raised her head slightly, looked directly into his eyes, and slowly said, "It seems that the Fu family really does have a secret."

Si Buping emphasized, "I'm doing this for your own good!"

I appreciate your kindness, but I have my own plans.

Si Buping knew her temperament; she was the type who responded better to gentle persuasion than force.

He softened his tone and earnestly advised, "You finally escaped from the Five Gods Sect and can finally live a peaceful life. Why do you have to put yourself in danger again? Even if you don't think about yourself, don't you think about your grandmother?"

Yan Ciwan said calmly, "Grandma said she would support me no matter what I do."

Seeing that she wouldn't budge no matter what he said, Si Buping couldn't help but get a little impatient: "Whatever secrets the Fu family is hiding, it has nothing to do with you. Why do you insist on getting involved?"

"Because I don't want to fight."

Upon hearing this, Si Buping was stunned.

He stared intently at Yan Ciwan for a long time before finally saying, "Are you really going to tear a hole in the sky?"

"If this heaven cannot allow the people of the world to live, what harm is there in stabbing it?"

Si Buping walked up to her. He was standing while she was in a wheelchair. His tall figure was like a mountain, standing firmly in front of her and giving her a strong sense of pressure.

He lowered his voice and asked, enunciating each word clearly, "What do you care about the lives and deaths of the people?!"

"Because I am just an ordinary citizen, I don't want to live in fear and anxiety every day. I just want to live a peaceful and stable life. It's that simple."

Yan Ciwan looked directly at the other person with neither arrogance nor servility. Her voice was soft and her tone was calm.

But Si Buping could sense from her eyes that she had made up her mind to go down this dark path.

He asked, "Aren't you afraid I'll tell the emperor about this?"

Yan Ciwan said, "Of course I'm afraid."

"Then why did you tell me all this?"

"Because I want you to help me."

Si Buping sneered: "You're overestimating yourself. The reason I'm protecting you is because I remember the kindness your mother showed me when she saved me back then, but that doesn't mean I'll betray the emperor."

Yan Ciwan was very curious: "Why are you so loyal to the emperor? Is it just because he gave you your current position?"

Si Buping walked to the window, looked at the setting sun outside, and slowly said, "Back then, I was falsely accused and convicted. I suffered all kinds of torture in prison and was worse than dead. At that time, the emperor was still the fifth prince. He stepped forward to investigate the case and got me out of prison. He did me a great favor."

Yan Ciwan suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. No wonder." Si Buping glanced at her sideways, "No wonder what?"

"No wonder you were willing to do whatever he asked you to do, even if it meant being condemned for it."

Si Buping is very open-minded: "There are gains and losses. I traded my reputation for my current status, which is fair."

“But Fu Zheng doesn’t have to lose anything. He is now not only in a high position and has a good reputation, but the emperor would never let him do those dirty jobs that can’t be seen in the light.”

"Since it's dirty work that can't be seen in the light of day, it's not something you can see."

Yan Ciwan raised an eyebrow: "So, Fu Zheng also did dirty work for the emperor?"

Si Buping turned around, stared at her intently, and slowly said, "You're trying to trick me into telling you something."

Yan Ciwan laughed: "No way! You're overthinking it."

Si Buping glanced at the orchids on the table by the window and suddenly asked, "Did Xiao Liulang give these to you?"

Yan Ciwan nodded: "Yes."

“Since you have feelings for him, then go back to the Eastern Capital with him. From now on, you can live in the Eastern Capital and live a good life. Never go back to Chang’an again. This is not a place for you. I have things to do, so I’ll be going now.”

After saying this, Si Buping turned and walked out.

Yan Ciwan asked his retreating figure, "Didn't you dislike Xiao Liu before? Why have you suddenly changed your attitude?"

Si Buping kept walking: "I still don't really like him, but you don't have any better options right now, so you have no choice but to choose him."

As the last word fell, his figure had already disappeared into the afterglow of the setting sun.

Yan Ciwan called Dongli in and asked, "Have you found anything about the matter I asked you to investigate?"

Dongli stammered, "The Grand Master gave instructions that you are not to concern yourself with the Fu family's affairs, so..."

"Tell me quietly, I won't tell him."

Dongli lowered her head: "I'm sorry."

Seeing her like this, Yan Ciwan knew she wouldn't get anything out of her, so she waved her hand and said, "Never mind, you can go now."

Dongli felt as if he had been granted a pardon and ran out in a flash.

The next morning, Yan Ciwan and Nie Xiayun had breakfast together.

Nie Xiayun put the peeled boiled eggs into Yan Ciwan's bowl, urging her to eat more.

Yan Ciwan finished the egg in a few bites and said, "I plan to go to the Xiao family to visit Uncle Xiao who was injured."

“You were unconscious before, and we were so grateful for the care of the Xiao family. We should have gone to thank them properly long ago. You continue eating, and I will have someone prepare gifts and a carriage. I will go with you later.”

"You should finish your meal first."

"I'm already full." Nie Xiayun wiped her hands clean and ran out in a hurry.

After Yan Ciwan finished breakfast, she was pushed by Tui Dongli to go out.

A carriage was already parked outside the gate of Qingping Residence, and Nie Xiayun was directing the servants to load all the gifts onto the carriage.

Seeing the endless stream of gifts, Yan Ciwan couldn't help but say, "This is too much. We're just going to visit Uncle Xiao and will be back soon. There's no need for such a grand gesture."

Nie Xiayun took a moment to reply to her.

"What do you know? This is called being overly polite!"

Yan Ciwan sighed helplessly and then asked, "Where did you get these gifts?"

She's dirt poor right now and definitely can't afford that many things.

Nie Xiayun pointed behind her: "Taken from the warehouse."