Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 435 Murderous Intent

Xiao Wang explained in detail: "Grandfather had long anticipated that Li Baizhou might harm Consort Jin, so he sent a message to the palace in advance. Consort Jin was prepared and disguised herself beforehand. Last night, Li Chengge secretly entered the palace and took Consort Jin away. As for Si Buping, I rescued him from Qiao Yi. He was injured, but fortunately his life is not in danger, and he is currently recuperating at home."

Yan Ciwan was relieved to learn that everyone was alright.

She then asked, "How is Li Chengge?"

Xiao Wang understood what she meant. Although Li Baizhou was heartless, he was Li Chengge's father. Now that Li Baizhou was dead, Li Chengge would probably not feel good.

“He came to the palace to see me yesterday. He said he wanted to take his mother to live in his fiefdom and begged for my permission. I agreed and also changed Li Siheng’s title from Prince Ning to Prince Tu, and his fiefdom from Beidu to Tuzhou.”

Jinzhou is alright. Although it is far from Chang'an, it is rich and prosperous, making it a good place to go.

Tuzhou is located in a remote and harsh place. Li Siheng went to such a far place that he will probably never be able to return to Chang'an in this lifetime.

Yan Ciwan then asked, "What about Li Cunxing?"

Speaking of this matter, Xiao Wang also had a headache: "I've been troubled by this recently. The Secretariat has already drafted an edict to announce to the world that Li Cunxing has been officially deposed as crown prince. Now the people in the court are divided into two factions. One faction suggests that I eliminate Li Cunxing completely, while the other faction hopes that I will spare Li Cunxing's life. Aci, what do you think I should do?"

“I have only met Li Cunxing twice. He is a man who is prone to acting on impulse, but he is not a bad person at heart. Li Baizhou did commit many crimes, but Li Cunxing did not participate in them. Strictly speaking, he is innocent.”

Xiao Wang looked at her: "So you want me to let Li Cunxing go?"

“But keeping him around is indeed a hidden danger. Even if he is not a bad person by nature, it is hard to guarantee that someone will not use his identity to cause trouble in the future.”

Xiao Wang said helplessly, "That's why I'm struggling with how to make a choice."

Yan Ciwan smiled slyly: "Don't you still have a master? Ask him for help."

Xiao Wang was taken aback, but then he understood what she meant and laughed as well: "Alright, I'll have someone invite Master to the palace in a bit."

Yan Ciwan twisted her neck: "My neck is a little itchy, can you scratch it for me?"

Xiao Wang bent down and leaned closer, brushing aside the strands of hair covering the back of her neck, and gently scratched it with his fingertips, asking, "Is it here?"

"A little lower...yes, right here, scratch it a bit more, it feels so good~"

Yan Ciwan squinted her eyes, revealing an expression of enjoyment.

Chaolu returned with the medicine. As soon as she entered, she saw the two of them being intimate. She felt very awkward and didn't know whether to go in or leave.

Yan Ciwan noticed the person standing at the door and immediately said, "Alu, you're back!"

Xiao Wang withdrew his hand and turned to look at Chaolu.

Chaolu had no choice but to go inside: "The medicine is ready, Aci, drink it while it's hot."

Upon hearing that she had to take medicine, Yan Ciwan's face immediately fell.

Xiao Wang reached out and took the medicine, saying gently, "I'll feed you."

Chaolu removed the things from Yan Ciwan's back and helped her sit up.

Xiao Wang scooped up the dark brown medicine with a spoon and brought it to Yan Ciwan's lips.

Yan Ciwan stuck out the tip of her tongue and licked the medicine. Her face immediately scrunched up. It was so bitter!
Xiao Wang advised, "Good medicine tastes bitter, just bear with it. You won't need to take the medicine anymore once your injury heals."

Yan Ciwan really didn't want to drink the medicine sip by sip, as it was no different from torture. So she simply opened her mouth wide and said, "Pour it all in, quickly."

I'll have to take this medicine sooner or later, so I might as well die sooner and be reborn sooner. I'll just drink it and be done with it.

Xiao Wang supported the back of her head with one hand and held the bowl to her lips with the other, slowly pouring the medicine into her mouth. Yan Ciwan closed her eyes and gulped it down in one go.

Xiao Wang put down the empty bowl, took the handkerchief from Chao Lu's hand, wiped Yan Ciwan's mouth clean, and then stuffed two candied fruits into her mouth.

Yan Ciwan chewed vigorously, the sweetness of the candied fruit dispelling the bitterness, and she immediately felt much better.

She opened her mouth to indicate that she wanted more.

Xiao Wang held the plate and fed her candied fruit one piece at a time.

Chaolu silently withdrew, holding the empty bowl.

After finishing the plate of candied fruit, Yan Ciwan felt her mouth was still cloyingly sweet. She smacked her lips and said, "I want some water."

Xiao Wang got up to pour water and then fed it to her.

Yan Ciwan praised his attentive service.

Xiao Wang smiled with a mixture of helplessness and indulgence.

After eating and drinking her fill, Yan Ciwan felt sleepy and couldn't help but yawn. Xiao Wang helped her lie down and covered her with a blanket. Only after she closed her eyes and fell asleep did Xiao Wang quietly leave.

That afternoon, Master Mo Wen entered the palace and met Xiao Wang. After discussing the matter, the master and disciple quickly determined Li Cunxing's whereabouts.

The next day, Xiao Wang had the Secretariat draft an imperial edict stating that Li Cunxing had seen through the illusions of the world and had no desire to be entangled with worldly affairs any longer. He was granted permission to become a Taoist monk and given the Taoist name Guizhen. He was to follow Master Mo Dao in his cultivation and hope to achieve enlightenment as soon as possible so that he could bring good weather and abundant harvests for the great cause and the country.

Li Cunxing had been under house arrest in the Crown Prince's residence for the past three days. He was utterly despondent and had prepared for the worst, but he never expected that Xiao Wang would show him mercy and not kill him.

Having escaped death, he felt a great sense of relief. Without hesitation, he took the imperial edict from the eunuch and kowtowed to Master Mo, performing the formal ceremony of becoming his disciple.

Li Cunxing left with Master Mo that very day.

Since then, no one in Chang'an has ever seen Li Cunxing again.

Time flies, spring turns to summer, and a coronation ceremony is held in Chang'an. Xiao Wang leads civil and military officials to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth and ancestors, and officially announces to the world that his name has been changed from Xiao Wang to Li Wang. His name is recorded in the Li clan genealogy and registered under the name of Crown Prince Renxian, Li Xuanhe.

Li Wang ascended the throne, becoming the fourth emperor of the Daye Dynasty.

However, their good fortune was short-lived. A sudden urgent report came from Xizhou, saying that the King of Xizhou was furious upon learning of Princess Leyou's murder and was gathering troops to storm Chang'an to avenge his daughter.

Li Wang and his court officials discussed countermeasures in the Sizheng Hall.

Uncle Jiu now holds the position of Left General of the Golden Guard, specifically responsible for protecting Li Wang's safety. He entered the Sizheng Hall, bowed, and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, Yan Ciwan has arrived."

Li Wang told Xiao Wenyi to stay and the others to leave before saying, "Let her in."

Soon Yan Ciwan entered the Sizheng Hall, and she said, "I am willing to return to Xizhou and persuade the King of Xizhou to cease hostilities."

Xiao Wenyi already knew her true identity. He asked, "How confident are you that you can succeed?"

Yan Ciwan couldn't say she was completely confident about this; she could only say she would do her best.

Li Wang frowned: "The King of Xizhou already has murderous intentions towards you. Your journey will be extremely dangerous, and I cannot let you take that risk."

"We have to give it a try. Once the King of Xizhou launches a war, hundreds of thousands of people in Xizhou will be caught up in the flames. I will stop the King of Xizhou at all costs. If he listens to my advice, that would be best. If not..."

Yan Ciwan didn't say anything more, but a murderous intent had already surfaced in her eyes.

(End of this chapter)