Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 79 Paying Life
Yan Ciwan ran with her hair and clothes in disarray.

Soon, the patrolling security guards rushed over.

When they saw Yan Ciwan with disheveled clothes and messy hair, they were all shocked and hurriedly went up to her to ask what was going on.

Yan Ciwan's eyes were filled with tears, his face was pale, and he spoke tremblingly.

"The study room... the study room is flooded. Master Qi is still inside. Go and save him."

At this moment, thick smoke was rising from the direction of the study. Seeing this, how could the guards dare to delay? They immediately divided into two teams, one team went to put out the fire, and the other team went to notify other people in the mansion.

Xiao Wang was looking for Yan Ciwan everywhere. When he heard the news that the governor's study had caught fire, he immediately ran towards the study and happened to meet Yan Ciwan on the way.

Seeing that Yan Ciwan's clothes were in disarray, he immediately took off his coat and put it on her.

"Are you hurt?"

Yan Ciwan shook his head to indicate no.

She took off her coat and gave it back to the man, saying, "You shouldn't be here. Go away."

Xiao Wang knew that if people saw him and Yan Ciwan together, it might cause a lot of suspicion, which would not be good for either of them.

He took the coat, but didn't put it on. He just put it on his arm and asked in a low voice, "What are you going to do next?"

"I'm going to find the chief minister. He's the only one who can protect me now." Yan Ciwan said.

Si Buping is not a gentleman who keeps his word. He has always had a bad reputation. Xiao Wang feels that he cannot put all his hopes on Si Buping. In case Si Buping has other plans, Yan Ciwan may very likely become the sacrificed pawn.

Xiao Wang reminded: "Don't trust the Grand Chief too much."

"I know."

Xiao Wang said sternly: "If you don't leave the governor's mansion safely in an hour, I will find a way to save you."

Yan Ciwan looked at him in confusion: "How can you save me?"

Although he had a powerful grandfather who was a prime minister, he himself had no achievements and was just an ordinary child of aristocratic family. Qi Songsheng was willing to be courteous to Xiao Wang for Xiao Wenyi's sake, but if it came to major matters, this little bit of face would not be enough.

Xiao Wang did not answer, but only reminded: "No matter what happens, you must prioritize your own safety."

Then he turned and left, his figure quickly disappearing into the night.

Yan Ciwan looked up in the direction of the study. At this time, almost all the servants and guards in the mansion had rushed over. They were either carrying buckets of water or sandbags, and rushed to the fire like a tide.

Qi Songsheng, who was supposed to be chatting happily with the guests at the banquet, also rushed over at this moment.

He looked at the study room where smoke continued to billow out and became furious.

Fortunately, the thick smoke was quickly extinguished. Qi Songsheng ignored the dissuasion of others and strode into the study, but saw that there was no trace of fire in the study.

He immediately yelled, "Who said there's a fire here? Get out of here!"

Yan Ciwan was pushed out.

Qi Songsheng fixed his eyes on her and asked with a stern expression.

"What the hell is going on? Where is Ming?"

Yan Ciwan hunched his shoulders, looking pitiful and as if he was about to cry.

She pointed to the wall with a picture of Buddha meditating.

"Master Qi knocked me unconscious and took me into the secret room. He wanted to humiliate me. I broke free and tried to escape, but he refused to let me go. We accidentally knocked over the candlestick while struggling, and his clothes were caught on fire. I took advantage of the situation and escaped. Master Qi should still be inside..."

Qi Songsheng cursed angrily: "Nonsense! How could Ah Ming do such a dirty thing to a lowly maid like you? It must be you who didn't know how to behave and deliberately seduced him!"

Yan Ciwan lowered his head in grievance, not daring to say anything back. Madam Qi cried and shouted, "It's already this time, why are you still saying these things? Hurry up and call for help to save Ah Ming!"

Qi Songsheng didn't want outsiders to know the existence of the secret room, but Qi Ming was his only son, and he couldn't just ignore his son's life or death.

His face turned livid and he ordered everyone to leave.

The door of the study was tightly closed. Yan Ciwan and others stood outside the door, not knowing what Qi Songsheng was doing in the study. After a while, the door was opened and Qi Songsheng shouted anxiously to the outside.

"Bring some water! Call a doctor!"

The guards rushed into the study carrying buckets of water. Seeing thick smoke pouring out of the secret room, they quickly ran in and found Qi Ming, who had been burned beyond recognition.

They hurriedly carried the person out.

Looking at her dying son, Qi Songsheng was extremely anxious. Mrs. Qi cried and called Qi Ming's name, fearing that her son would fall into a coma and never wake up again.

Everyone sent Qi Ming to the guest bedroom next door and handed him over to the doctor for treatment.

The guards were still trying desperately to put out the fire.

Fortunately, the fire was not big and was put out soon.

The doctor told Qi Songsheng that Qi Ming not only suffered severe burns, but also had a stab wound on his shoulder. He could only try his best to save Qi Ming's life, but could not remove the scars left by the burns.

In other words, Qi Ming was disfigured.

Mrs. Qi almost fainted from crying, and Qi Songsheng was furious.

He ordered the palace soldiers to arrest Yan Ci Wan. He wanted this woman to pay with Qi Ming's life!
Who knew that Yan Ciwan had already taken advantage of the chaos and ran away.

She lowered her head and sneaked into Caiquetai as a maid.

At this time, the guests in Caiquetai only knew that there was a fire in the governor's mansion, but they were not clear about the details, so no one cared whether there was an extra maid in the banquet hall. Only Xiao Wang and Chao Yuanzhi and his son looked at her twice.

Yan Ciwan found Si Buping and started talking.

"You promised me that if anything happened to me, you would do your best to protect me."

Si Buping had already learned from the internal guards that the study had caught fire and Qi Ming was seriously injured. He knew that this must have been done by Yan Ciwan.

He asked, "Have you found evidence that Qi Songsheng is colluding with the bandits?"

"I haven't found the evidence yet, but I have a clue."

Seeing her confident look, Si Buping didn't completely believe it. He asked what the clue was.
"I'll tell you later. For now, help me deal with Qi Songsheng."

Si Buping narrowed his eyes slightly: "Are you negotiating terms with me?"

"I help you and you keep me safe. This was agreed upon in advance. How can it be said to be negotiating conditions?" Yan Ciwan smiled, but thought to herself that now was not the time to negotiate conditions. She would wait until she found out the truth about Qi Songsheng's collusion with the bandits, and then she would negotiate conditions with the other party, and her chances of success would be greater.

"Ning Ci, I hope you are not lying to me, otherwise you know the consequences."

Si Buping's tone was very dangerous, but Yan Ciwan was not afraid at all.

She smiled innocently: "I will definitely not let the Grand Lord down!"

Due to a sudden fire in the palace, the Mid-Autumn Moon-Viewing Banquet ended early. The guests were in panic. They wanted to go home but were stopped by the palace soldiers.

In a blink of an eye, the entire Caiquetai was surrounded by palace soldiers.

Chao Yuanzhi was very dissatisfied: "What do you mean by this? We are here as guests, not to be imprisoned. All of you please get out of my way!"

(End of this chapter)