Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 404 Hostages
“They insisted on exposing my identity. I gave them a chance to change their minds, but they wouldn’t repent! Since they’re determined to die, I’ll grant their wish.”

Pei Yan spoke these words with complete composure, as if killing a few people was no different from killing chickens to him.

His indifference to human life weighed heavily on Yan Ciwan's heart.

She said, "Not everyone is a threat to you, right? For example, Crown Prince Renxian, he shouldn't even know you, but you still killed him."

Instead of answering, Pei Yan asked, "How can you be so sure that I killed Crown Prince Renxian? Do you have any evidence?"

"I have no evidence; this is just my guess."

Pei Yan laughed: "Don't make things up without evidence."

“Your identity has already been exposed. Even without the matter of Crown Prince Renxian, you wouldn’t have survived. Anyway, there are no outsiders here now, so why not tell me?”

Pei Yan retorted, "Who said I can't live?"

Yan Ciwan frowned, thinking about the purpose of his trip, and guessed, "Do you intend to use me as a hostage to force the emperor to release you?"

“The idea is good, but it’s useless. I’ve followed Li Baizhou for over twenty years, and I know him better than you do. He can pamper and protect you, but if you harm his own interests, he will abandon you without hesitation.”

"So what do you want? Do you want to kill him? But even if you kill him, you won't get away unscathed."

Pei Yan kept everyone in suspense: "You'll find out when the time comes."

The conversation ended there, and no matter how much Yan Ciwan inquired afterward, he refused to speak again.

Yan Ciwan could only ponder in her heart that Pei Yan's biggest crisis right now was the exposure of his identity. If he wanted to survive, he had to solve this problem first. If he could come up with a suitable solution, the emperor might be able to help him through this crisis, but then all of Xiao Wenyi's plans would be wasted.

She secretly resolved that no matter what Pei Yan was going to do next, she would not let him succeed.

If possible, she wanted Pei Yan to fight the emperor. If she could use Pei Yan to kill the emperor, that would be the best outcome.

Time passed slowly, and when the morning drum sounded, it meant a new day had begun.

Footsteps approached outside. Yan Ciwan guessed it was Dongli or Qiushuang. She looked at Pei Yan.

Pei Yan stood up and walked over, placing the blade against her neck. He whispered, "Have someone send a message to the palace, asking the emperor to come to Qingping Residence. Remember, your grandmother is still in our hands. If you don't want her to die, don't try anything funny."

The next moment there was a knock on the door, and Qiu Shuang's voice came in.

"Madam Ning, are you awake?"

Yan Ciwan felt the blade against her neck press even tighter. She glanced at Pei Yan, whose expression was cold and indifferent, before speaking.

"I'm not feeling well today and want to lie down for a while longer. Could you please pass on a message to the palace for me? Last night I dreamt of my mother and it brought back some memories. I'd like to have a chat with the Emperor. If the Emperor is available, please invite him to Qingping Residence."

Qiu Shuang asked with concern, "Are you sick? Should we call a doctor to take a look at you?"

"No need, I'm just feeling a little unwell, I'll be fine after a rest."

"Alright then, you get some rest. I'll take my leave now."

The footsteps outside the door gradually faded away.

Pei Yan waited a while longer, and only after confirming that there was no more movement outside the door did he sheath his sword. From then on, he stood by the bed, staring intently at Yan Ciwan, to prevent her from making any moves.

Yan Ciwan said helplessly, "My hands and feet are tied up, I definitely can't run away. You don't need to stare at me like that, it makes me feel uncomfortable."

"You're no simple woman, I have to keep an eye on you, otherwise I won't feel at ease."

Yan Ciwan said, "The emperor is a busy man. Even if I send him a message, he may not come."

Pei Yan said coldly, "If he doesn't come, you and your grandmother will both die."

Yan Ciwan shut her mouth and remained silent. She had to prepare for the worst. If the emperor didn't come, she would have to take preemptive action to control Pei Yan and then use him to exchange for her grandmother. With the doors and windows closed, she couldn't see the changing colors outside, and naturally, she couldn't feel the passage of time.

After an unknown amount of time, footsteps sounded outside again, and soon there was a knock on the door, and Qiu Shuang's voice came in.

"Madam Ning, the Emperor has arrived. Shall I come in and help you get up, wash, and change your clothes?"

Yan Ciwan looked at Pei Yan, who was standing by the bed.

Pei Yan bent down and whispered in her ear, "Don't let her notice anything amiss, or you know what will happen."

After saying that, he used his lightness skill to fly onto the roof beam.

Yan Ciwan's hands and feet were still bound and she could not move. She lay on her back on the bed. From this angle, she could see Pei Yan hiding on the roof beam, which meant that Pei Yan could see her every move.

The door was pushed open, and Qiu Shuang came in carrying hot water.

Yan Ciwan was covered with a blanket, and the ropes binding her hands and feet were concealed. Qiu Shuang thought she had just woken up and was about to go forward to help her up when Pei Yan suddenly jumped down. Qiu Shuang sensed something was wrong and immediately turned around. Before she could see clearly, she was struck on the back of the neck and fainted on the spot.

Pei Yan took out a belt from the wardrobe, tied it up with Qiu Shuang, and then stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth.

He pushed the footstool next to the bed aside, stuffed Qiushuang under the bed, and then moved the footstool back to its original position.

Footsteps approached from outside the door. Pei Yan gave Yan Ciwan a warning look, then flew up to the roof beam again and hid.

The emperor arrived shortly afterward, followed by a eunuch and a member of the Imperial Guard.

He was quite surprised to see Yan Ciwan still lying in bed when he entered the room.

"Why aren't you up yet? Didn't Qiushuang come to help you get dressed and wash up?"

Yan Ciwan smiled awkwardly: "I feel a little dizzy. Have her go get me some medicine to refresh my mind. Please forgive me, Your Majesty, for not being able to stand up and perform the proper rites right now."

The emperor walked to the bedside and sat down: "You don't look well. You seem to be really ill. I'll have Physician Liu take a look at you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The emperor glanced at the Imperial Guard beside him and ordered, "Go to the Imperial Hospital and summon Physician Liu."

"Yes."

The Imperial Guard accepted the order and left.

The emperor asked, "It's rare for you to invite me here. Is there something important you need to discuss?"

Yan Ciwan hesitated, "May I speak with His Majesty alone?"

The emperor raised his hand, and the eunuchs understood and silently withdrew.

"Now that it's just the two of us here, feel free to say whatever you want."

"Actually, I was not the one who invited His Majesty here this time."

The emperor was surprised: "Who is that?"

Yan Ciwan did not answer; her gaze passed over the emperor and looked up at the roof beam.

The emperor noticed her gaze, was startled, and immediately turned his head to look up, just in time to see Pei Yan jump down from the roof beam.

Before the emperor could even call for help, Pei Yan's knife was already pressed against the emperor's neck.

Pei Yan said, "The one who truly wants to see you is me."