Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 389 The past

Yan Ciwan's suggestion was very bold, but if used well, it could indeed produce good results. After pondering for a moment, Xiao Wenyi said, "The question is how to make this secret public?"

This matter is of great importance; the slightest carelessness could implicate innocent people, so we must be extremely cautious.

Yan Ciwan said, "It would be best to start with the Fu family in this matter."

“But Madam Fu, Master Fu, and Fu Hui are all dead. The remaining servants are all obedient to Fu Zheng and are very difficult to bribe.”

Yan Ciwan's gaze fell on the document in front of her, and she slowly said, "Then let's use it to bring the body back to life."

She then explained her plan in detail, and Xiao Wenyi nodded slightly after listening, indicating that it was feasible.

Yan Ciwan continued, "To be on the safe side, we should take a two-pronged approach. Send someone to Fu Zheng's hometown to investigate Fu Zheng and find out his background."

"Yes, I will send someone to investigate this matter."

With the topic of Fu Zheng put to rest, Yan Ciwan turned her attention to another person.

"I heard that Si Buping was wrongfully imprisoned years ago. Has Lord Xiao heard of this?"

Xiao Wenyi was surprised that she would suddenly ask about this matter. He thought about it carefully before saying, "That happened twenty-seven years ago. The eldest son of the Si family forcibly took a woman from the countryside. The woman was so unwilling to be humiliated that she threw herself into the river and committed suicide. Her family carried her body to the gate of the Jingzhao Prefecture to demand an explanation. This matter caused a great uproar. The Censorate impeached the Si family. Emperor Wen was very angry when he heard about this and ordered a thorough investigation. In order to appease Emperor Wen's anger, the head of the Si family handed over his illegitimate son."

Yan Ciwan asked, "Is that illegitimate son Si Buping?"

"Yes, Si Buping was born to the head of the Si family and a Hu dancer. I heard that he was not well received in the Si family and had a very difficult life. But the ordinary people outside did not know these things. When they saw that the head of the Si family had handed over his son, they stopped making a fuss. Si Buping was imprisoned and severely tortured, but that kid was very stubborn. Even when he was beaten to the point of death, he refused to sign a confession."

Yan Ciwan could understand Si Buping's actions at that time. If he didn't confess, there might be a chance to overturn the case, but once he confessed, he would definitely die.

“He wants to overturn the verdict,” Yan Ciwan said.

Xiao Wenyi sighed: "Yes, he wrote a letter in blood on the wall in prison, indicating that he was wronged. This reached the ears of Crown Prince Renxian. Crown Prince Renxian personally reviewed his case file and found many suspicious points in the case. So he pleaded with Emperor Wen to thoroughly investigate the case again, and Emperor Wen agreed."

Upon hearing this, Yan Ciwan couldn't help but ask, "But I heard Si Buping say that it was the Fifth Prince... who is now the Emperor, who cleared his name back then."

“Si Buping wasn’t wrong. The person who took over the case back then was the Fifth Prince, but because Crown Prince Renxian was very busy at that time and couldn’t spare the time to investigate the case, he handed Si Buping’s case over to the Fifth Prince.”

After listening to Xiao Wenyi's explanation, Yan Ciwan frowned: "In other words, if Crown Prince Renxian hadn't intervened back then, the Fifth Prince would never have bothered with Si Buping's case."

"Yes, the Fifth Prince had a very good relationship with Crown Prince Renxian at that time. Crown Prince Renxian took good care of him and often gave him opportunities to make meritorious contributions. The Si family case was one of them. The Fifth Prince investigated the case and determined that Si Buping was wronged. The real culprit was actually the eldest son of the Si family. The head of the Si family and his wife were convicted of harboring a criminal and were punished together. Because he handled this case well, Emperor Wen praised him a few times, which was rare for him."

Yan Ciwan suddenly realized: "Oh, I see."

Xiao Wenyi asked, "Why are you suddenly interested in these old stories?"

“I wanted to win over Si Buping, but he said that the emperor had saved his life and he could never betray the emperor, so I wanted to know about his past with the emperor.”

Xiao Wenyi had no good feelings towards Si Buping. He said, "If Crown Prince Renxian had known that Si Buping would eventually become the kind of person who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, he certainly wouldn't have saved Si Buping back then."

Yan Ciwan said, "If Crown Prince Renxian were still alive, perhaps Si Buping would never have had the chance to become what he is today." Xiao Wenyi fell silent upon hearing this.

After a long silence, he finally couldn't help but sigh, "Crown Prince Renxian was the most outstanding heir apparent I had ever seen. He was kind, generous, and intelligent. Most importantly, he was tolerant and receptive to advice. Even if what others said was unpleasant, as long as it was right, he would take it to heart. Although Emperor Wen often complained to me privately that Crown Prince Renxian was too mild-mannered and lacked the majesty of an emperor, Emperor Wen was actually very satisfied with the crown prince he had raised. He had long been prepared to hand over the throne to Crown Prince Renxian after his death, but alas..."

Unfortunately, life is unpredictable. Crown Prince Renxian died young, and the successor whom Emperor Wen had painstakingly cultivated was gone.

The current emperor is doing a good job, but he still falls short compared to Crown Prince Renxian.

Xiao Wenyi had fantasized more than once about whether the Great Cause would be more prosperous and successful if Crown Prince Renxian had not died.
He looked at Yan Ciwan and said, "I won't stop you from trying to win over Si Buping, but I must remind you that Si Buping is no benevolent person. Cooperating with him is like asking a tiger for its skin. I hope you will be careful."

Yan Ciwan nodded: "I will be careful. Thank you for informing me, Master Xiao. It's getting late, I should take my leave."

Xiao Wenyi wanted Yan Ciwan to stay for dinner, but Yan Ciwan politely declined.

Xiao Wang saw Yan Ciwan and Nie Xiayun off. After they got into the car, Yan Ciwan opened the window and beckoned to Xiao Wang, who obediently leaned in.

Yan Ciwan leaned out of the car window and whispered something.

"I have already told Master Xiao about our situation."

Xiao Wang was taken aback.

By the time he realized what was happening, Yan Ciwan was already seated, and Dongli was driving the carriage away slowly.

Xiao Wang involuntarily took two steps to chase after it, but finally stopped and could only watch helplessly as the carriage disappeared at the end of the street.

He returned home and saw Xiao Wenyi, who had just come out of the tea room.

"Grandfather, what did Aci say to you just now?"

Xiao Wenyi smiled and said, "She asked me about some things."

Xiao Wang pressed further, "Did she mention anything related to me?"

"Yes, she said she already knows about your relationship with Crown Prince Renxian, and she wants to help you find out the truth about Crown Prince Renxian's murder."

Xiao Wang was getting a little anxious and couldn't help but step forward: "Is there anything else?"

Xiao Wenyi countered, "What else could it be?"

Xiao Wang saw the mischievousness in the other person's eyes and finally realized that his grandfather was deliberately teasing him.

He was quite embarrassed: "Never mind, it's nothing."

Just as Xiao Wang was about to leave, he suddenly heard his grandfather say something.

She said she likes you.