Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 394 Seeing Death as Homecoming
Inside Qingping Residence, Yan Ciwan sat by the window, watching the fierce wind and torrential rain outside, which made the banana leaves tremble.

Suddenly the window was slammed shut, followed by Nie Xiayun's scolding voice.

"It's raining so hard outside, why are you sitting by the window like an idiot? Your injuries haven't healed yet, and you're still weak. What if you catch a cold? You really don't know how to take care of yourself!"

Yan Ciwan said helplessly, "I just wanted to get some fresh air."

"What are you looking for? Isn't this big room enough for you to breathe? I think you're just being dramatic because you have nothing better to do!" Nie Xiayun placed a bowl of herbal soup in front of her and ordered, "Drink it while it's hot."

Yan Ciwan took the bowl and drank it all in one gulp, then grabbed two jujubes and threw them into her mouth, asking questions as she ate.

Has anyone come looking for me today?

Nie Xiayun picked up the empty bowl and walked out, muttering, "Who would come looking for you on such a rainy day?"

Yan Ciwan called out to her retreating figure, "If anyone comes looking for me later, remember to let me know immediately."

"Okay, okay, I understand."

Nie Xiayun rushed in and then rushed out again, leaving Yan Ciwan alone in the room. She wanted to open the window, but remembering her grandmother's lesson, she hesitated for a moment and finally withdrew her hand.

Well, the old lady meant well, so it's best not to upset her any further.

The orchids on the table by the window are growing very well, with lush and vibrant green leaves that are quite appealing.

Yan Ciwan reached out and touched the leaves of the orchid, muttering softly, "I wonder how Xiao Liu and the others are doing now?"

……

Near an ordinary residence in Buzhengfang, dozens of Imperial Guards were gathered. They were all wearing straw raincoats and bamboo hats, carrying swords, and had Imperial Guard tokens hanging from their waists.

Si Buping dismounted, and Fu Bai immediately opened an umbrella for him, respectfully saying, "We have already investigated. Jiang Qiuyu came here after returning to the city. This is his residence. Besides himself, he only has a fifty-year-old servant at home."

Si Buping ordered, "Open the door."

Yue Jin stepped forward, raised his leg and kicked hard, kicking the courtyard gate open.

He rushed in first with a knife in hand, circled the courtyard, and found nothing unusual before Si Buping stepped over the threshold and went inside.

It was raining heavily at this time, and Fu Bai had to use a lot of strength to keep the oil-paper umbrella in his hand from being blown away by the wind. He followed closely behind Si Buping.

Si Buping crossed the front yard and walked to the front door.

He knocked on the door: "Is Magistrate Jiang in?"

There was no response for a long time.

The light coming through the window indicates that someone is inside.

Si Buping wasted no more time. He gathered his strength in his palm and slammed it against the door. With a crack, the wooden bolt behind the door broke, and the door opened immediately. A gust of wind, carrying rain, rushed into the room, and the oil lamp on the table shook violently, almost being blown out by the wind.

Si Buping immediately spotted Jiang Qiuyu sitting at the table, writing furiously, and spoke up.

"Magistrate Jiang, the Inner Guard is investigating a case. We need you to come with us." Jiang Qiuyu was still engrossed in writing, not even glancing at the intruder.

Si Buping walked over and saw that he was writing a memorial of impeachment. The person he was impeaching was Li Baizhou, who was none other than the current emperor!

He wanted to impeach Li Baizhou for harming his own brothers, killing Crown Prince Renxian, plotting to seize the throne, and murdering loyal officials. Such a despicable, shameless, insidious, and vicious person deserved to be punished by heaven and earth and was not worthy of pity!

Si Buping said in a deep voice, "Jiang Qiuyu, even at this point, you still want to oppose the Sage? I think you're really tired of living."

Jiang Qiuyu ignored him and wrote rapidly with his brush. Each stroke seemed to be filled with blood and tears, and his accusations were almost overflowing from the paper, directly confronting the person's face.

He was a frail scholar, ignorant of martial arts and incapable of killing enemies; his only weapon was the pen in his hand.

Si Buping snatched the memorial and placed it on the lamp.

Jiang Qiuyu jumped up and lunged to snatch back the memorial, but Fu Bai and Yue Jin grabbed his shoulders from both sides and forced him back into the chair. He tried his best to break free but could not, and could only watch helplessly as the memorial was lit by the lamp.

His eyes were bloodshot: "Give it back to me! Give me back my document!"

The flames leaped up and instantly engulfed the entire memorial.

Si Buping loosened his grip, and the memorial floated to the ground, only to be burned to ashes in a short while.

At this moment, a guard ran in and reported, "We have searched the entire house, but we haven't seen anyone."

Si Buping looked at Jiang Qiuyu, who was still struggling, and slowly asked, "Where is your old servant? Where did you hide him?"

Jiang Qiuyu couldn't break free and had to give up. He said breathlessly, "Uncle Quan is too old to do servants anymore. I gave him some money and sent him back to his hometown."

Si Buping wasn't stupid; he naturally knew that Jiang Qiuyu had hidden the old servant in advance to avoid being implicated.

He slowly drew the sword from his waist, pressing the blade against Jiang Qiuyu's neck.

"I'll give you one last chance. If you reveal who your accomplices are, I might consider sparing your life. Otherwise... I'll let you experience firsthand just how ruthless the Inner Guard is."

Jiang Qiuyu seemed oblivious to the sharp blade right in front of him, and said expressionlessly.

"I have no accomplices, no relatives, I have always been all alone. You may kill me or torture me as you please."

Si Buping narrowed his eyes slightly: "What we in the Inner Guard love most is a tough guy like you. We feel a great sense of accomplishment every time we break your backbone."

“Only a despicable person like Li Baizhou would like to employ a jackal like you who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. So what if you kill me today? I have already copied that paper hundreds of times and distributed it. By tomorrow, the entire city of Chang'an will know the truth about what happened twenty years ago. If you don’t want people to know, then don’t do it in the first place. Li Baizhou’s actions are despicable, and he will eventually get his comeuppance!”

Looking at his fearless and reckless demeanor, Si Buping asked in bewilderment.

“I have investigated your background. Your only relationship with Crown Prince Renxian is that he once read aloud and praised your writing in public. Apart from that, he has not given you any help in your career. Why would you go to such lengths for him?”

"You will never understand what it means to die for one who understands you. Crown Prince Renxian improved the imperial examination system, increasing the opportunities for many poor scholars to enter officialdom. He toured the south on behalf of Emperor Wen, investigated old cases, helped the wronged people seek justice, sympathized with the hardships of the lower classes, and proposed to reduce taxes and corvée labor. When Luzhou was plagued by plague, he raised supplies and sent the imperial physicians to Luzhou to help... He is the most ideal wise ruler in my heart. To receive his praise and affirmation is the greatest honor of my life!"

Si Buping sneered: "Looks like you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin!"

After saying that, he slashed down with his sword at Jiang Qiuyu's neck!