Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 107 Hidden Disease
It was like a desperate traveler who had walked in the desert for three days and three nights finally saw an oasis.

Yan Ciwan was cheered up and ran in the direction where the piano sound came from.

The invisible wall that had trapped her disappeared at this moment, and she ran down the mountain unhindered. Most of the fields at the foot of the mountain had been abandoned, and the way was littered with ragged, sad-looking refugees.

Yan Ciwan's pace gradually slowed down.

She saw a conscription notice posted next to the city gate, and the soldiers were forcing more than a dozen skinny men with pale faces to sign the military household register.

As she passed through the city gate, she heard the soldiers complaining quietly.

"I don't know when this war will end. The court has ordered the conscription of soldiers and the collection of grain, which has caused widespread resentment among the people. We are almost being scolded to death by the people."

"Just bear with it for now. I heard that the Saint has issued an order to send General Pei to lead troops to quell the rebellion. I believe that the King of Xizhou will be beheaded soon."

Yan Ciwan paused.

She turned to look at the two palace soldiers who were talking and asked, "What are you talking about? What does this have to do with the King of Xizhou?"

However, no one present could hear her voice.

The two soldiers then began to brag about the glorious deeds of General Pei, without mentioning the name King of Xizhou again.

Yan Ciwan was extremely confused. Could it be that the King of Xizhou would rebel in a year?

The melody of the piano became more and more urgent, as if reminding her that she didn't have much time left.

She couldn't linger here any longer. She could only suppress the chaotic thoughts in her mind for the time being and quicken her pace to run towards the direction where the piano sound came from.

There are also refugees in Xiangzhou City, and children are often sold on the streets. Most shops have closed down, and the city is undoubtedly in a state of depression.

Yan Ciwan's mood became increasingly heavy.

Even Xiangzhou City, which is far away from the border, cannot avoid being affected by the war, so the people of Xizhou, who are at the center of the war, will probably have a harder time.

War is cruel and swords and guns are merciless. I wonder if my father who is far away in Xizhou is safe?
Amid the blowing wind and snow, she ran quickly along the street, finally ran into the imperial palace, and came to the familiar gate of Songtao Pavilion again.

The cold wind blew open the door, and the sound of the piano suddenly became extremely clear.

Yan Ci Wan stepped over the threshold and walked in. She saw Xiao Wang sitting behind the desk. He was playing the piano seriously, his bony fingers plucking the strings quickly.

It was still the song "Returning People", but this time, Yan Ciwan heard it with less loneliness and desolation, and more anticipation and eagerness.

He seemed to be waiting for someone, and he hoped that person would come back soon.

Yan Ciwan felt a little nervous for some reason.

She walked towards Xiao Wang step by step and called out softly.

"Xiao Liulang."

As soon as Xiao Wang's fingers stopped, the sound of the piano came to an abrupt end.

He raised his head and met Yan Ciwan's eyes.

In an instant, Yan Ciwan felt as if his soul was hit by something, his eyes went dark, and everything returned to nothingness.

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself still sitting in the chair.

Chaolu shouted in surprise: "Aci, you finally woke up, that's great!"

Yan Ciwan supported himself on the armrests of the chair, slowly sat up, looked around, and saw Chaolu, Liu, and Uncle Jiu were all looking at him eagerly, with an expression of uncontrollable joy on everyone's face.

Finally, her eyes fell on Xiao Wang.

At this moment, he was sitting behind the desk, still wearing loose dark pajamas, but with a moon-white robe draped over him. His black hair was scattered behind him, and his face was slightly paler than that of ordinary people.

Yan Ciwan's eyes were sore and he unconsciously compared his appearance with that one year later.

A year later, he looked pale, skinny, with many gray hairs mixed in with his black hair. He looked haggard and old at only twenty years old.

And now he is still handsome, with a head of black hair that shines softly under the moonlight. She looked down at herself again, her fingers were slender, her skin was white, and her whole body was intact, all of which proved that she was still alive and she had not turned into a broken corpse.

She clenched her fingers into fists and cried with joy. Both she and Xiao Wang were still alive. It was so great!

"Aci, why are you crying?" Chaolu suddenly became nervous again and asked with concern. "Are you in pain somewhere?"

Yan Ciwan wiped away her tears immediately: "I'm fine, there's just sand in my eyes."

Liu took her pulse and confirmed that it was normal, only then did she feel completely relieved.

Chaolu said with lingering fear: "Just now I came downstairs to look for you, and saw you sitting here motionless. You didn't respond when I called you. I reached out to check under your nose, and found that you were not breathing. I was scared to death! I thought you were dying, so I hurried to find my mother, but she was helpless. Finally, Xiao Liulang said that you have a hidden disease and occasionally show symptoms of false death. As long as you rest for a while, you will be fine."

Yan Ciwan looked at Xiao Wang again and saw that he was also looking at him.

The two looked at each other.

Although Xiao Wang's gaze was very calm and non-aggressive, Yan Ciwan felt that he seemed to see through his thoughts.

Perhaps he had guessed her secret. The so-called hidden illness was an excuse he made up to fool Liu and Chaolu.

Yan Ciwan's emotions were in turmoil. She had a lot to say to Xiao Wang, but she knew that what she had just seen and heard in her dream was only known to her. It was an experience that belonged to her alone. Even if she told it to him, the other party would not be able to empathize with her.

She could only suppress the emotions in her heart and try her best to stay calm.

"I do have this old problem. Occasionally, I will suddenly fall asleep and look like I'm dead, but I will wake up on my own after a while. I'm sorry for making you worry for nothing."

Liu recalled that a similar situation had occurred to Yan Ciwan before, and said seriously.

"This disease is too scary. I'll check the medical books later to see if I can help you cure it."

Yan Ciwan smiled at her and said, "Thank you for your concern, madam. It's getting late. I should go back and rest."

Zhaolu immediately said, "Let me take you back."

"it is good."

Chaolu helped Yan Ciwan stand up, and the two of them left Songtao Pavilion together.

It was almost dawn at that time. Chaolu was very tired after being busy all night. After sending Yan Ciwan back to the guest room, she went back to her own Tingfeng courtyard.

Yan Ciwan's internal energy was exhausted and her body urgently needed rest, but she still forced herself to stay awake, took out the piano score of "The Returnee", then picked up the pen and dipped it in ink, and filled in the ending of "The Returnee" that she heard after her soul left her body into the piano score.

After doing all this, she immediately took off her clothes and went to bed. As soon as her head touched the pillow, she fell asleep immediately.

She slept very deeply and didn't wake up until the afternoon.

Yan Ciwan felt hungry. Liu and Chaolu were busy counting the family property. Yan Ciwan didn't want to disturb them, so he went out alone to find food.

She found a restaurant near the palace, sat down and asked the waiter for a large bowl of steamed buns, a plate of the local specialty fried shrimp, and a portion of stir-fried amaranth.

Soon the food was served on the table. Yan Ciwan couldn't wait to pick up the chopsticks and started eating.

A man came over and asked her.

"Is anyone here?"

The voice was very familiar. Yan Ciwan put down the bowl and quickly raised his head, and saw that the person coming was Xiao Wang.

He was wearing a loose-fitting dark blue Taoist robe today, with a pattern of white cranes flying in the clouds embroidered on the hem. As the weather was getting cooler, he also had a white round-necked robe draped over his shoulders. His black hair was all tied up and secured with only a white jade hairpin.

He smiled at Yan Ciwan, and his originally cold and indifferent features suddenly became warm and gentle.

"Can I sit here?"

Yan Ciwan couldn't help but clench her chopsticks. She felt a little nervous but kept a calm expression on her face.

"Sit wherever you like."

(End of this chapter)