Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 85: Dead lips and cold teeth
Yan Ciwan was testing Chao Yue. She was not actually sure that the well was related to Fang's death.

Now from Chao Yue's struggling and uneasy reaction, it can be seen that her guess is very likely to be true.

Perhaps Fang died in that well. Chao Yuanzhi concealed the truth and announced to the public that Fang died of a sudden illness.

Chao Yuanzhi was not panicked at all: "You are really ridiculous. You can associate so many things with a painting. Since we left Chang'an, the old house has been idle. After more than ten years, I think the well must have grown weeds. If you don't mind the trouble, just go and check it out."

Yan Ciwan knew why he was so confident.

So many years have passed. Even if there was any evidence in the well, it has long been eroded by wind and rain. There would be no gain if we check it now.

As long as they don't have evidence, they can't do anything to Chao Yuanzhi.

Yan Ciwan didn't have any better solution for this, so she turned to face Si Buping and said helplessly.

"Grand Lord, what do you think we should do about this?"

Si Buping's method was very simple and crude. He directly ordered: "Lock up the father and son of the Chao family and torture them slowly. I don't believe that they will not confess their crimes."

Chao Yuanzhi didn't expect him to be so arrogant, and shouted immediately.

"You have no right to do this to me. I will submit a memorial to the emperor to tell him the truth. You are torturing an official appointed by the imperial court without any evidence. You are ignoring the law and showing contempt for the imperial order!"

Most of the guests present were local officials from Xiangzhou. Seeing how Si Buping treated Chao Yuanzhi, they couldn't help but feel that they were in danger if one of them died. Si Buping dared to arrest Chao Yuanzhi and put him in jail without any evidence today. Would he be able to use the same method against them in the future?
As the highest-ranking local official present, Wang Changshi was pushed forward to speak for Chao Yuanzhi.

"Grand Lord, Chao Yue has confessed his guilt. It is understandable that you want to put him in jail, but there is no evidence pointing to Chao Canjun. If you force someone to be convicted, it may give people a reason to criticize you, and it will not be good if it gets to the Saint's ears."

Si Buping seemed to have anticipated this situation. He said calmly, "When I left Chang'an, the saint predicted that I might encounter obstacles on my way, so he gave me the goldfish talisman and allowed me to do what I wanted."

After saying that, he took out something from his arms. It was a privilege that only high-ranking officials of the third rank and above in Daye could have, a goldfish bag.

In the light of the candle, the gold thread embroidery on the surface of the goldfish bag shines brightly.

The sage would bestow fish tokens on officials whom he deeply trusted. There were rules for these fish tokens. Officials of the third rank and above were given goldfish tokens, while officials of the fifth rank and above were given silverfish tokens. The brocade bag used to hold the fish tokens was called a fish bag.

Si Buping was the chief of the Inner Guard Department, a fourth-rank official, but the saint made an exception and gave him the goldfish talisman that could only be used by third-rank officials. Everyone present knew the meaning of this move.

Moreover, the sage also allowed him to act at his own discretion, which meant that he had the privilege of acting first and reporting later.

Wang Changshi shut his mouth obediently and said no more.

Since even he is like this, others will naturally not meddle in other people's business.

Chao Yuanzhi stared at the goldfish bag blankly, his head buzzing. He stammered and muttered to himself like a madman.

"You are not here to suppress bandits. You are here to find me. The saint asked you to come, right? This day has finally come. I can't avoid it..."

Everyone present was confused after hearing this.

Si Buping put away the goldfish bag, and the inner guards stepped forward to take Chao's father and son away.

When he was about to leave, Chao Yuanzhi suddenly struggled desperately as if he had just woken up from a dream, and shouted like a madman.

"I am loyal to the Saint and have never betrayed him. The Saint cannot treat me like this! I want to see the Saint..."

Before he could finish his words, he was knocked unconscious by a palm strike from the inner guard.

The Chao father and son were taken away. The guests in the banquet hall waited for a while, and when they saw that Si Buping and Yan Ciwan had no intention of asking to keep them, they all said goodbye.

This time, the inner guards did not stop them, and the guests were able to leave Caique Terrace smoothly. Too many things happened tonight, and no one knew what impact these things would have on Xiangzhou and even the entire court.

At this time, the lantern festival in the city has not yet ended, and people are still immersed in the joy brought by the Mid-Autumn Festival.

But some people have sleepless nights.

Seeing Yan Ciwan standing there without moving, Xiao Wang asked, "Madam Ning, aren't you going back?"

"The Grand Master and I have something to discuss. If you are not in a hurry, Xiao Liulang, could you please stay and wait for me for a while? I need your help with something later."

Xiao Wang was originally worried about her facing the Grand Leader alone, so when he saw her asking, he readily agreed.

After everyone had left, only Xiao Wang, Yan Ci Wan and Si Buping were left in the banquet hall.

Si Buping returned to the main seat at the top and sat down, speaking slowly.

"Ning Ci, I have cleaned up the mess for you. Next, you should tell me what the key clue you found in Haoyuezhai is?"

Yan Ciwan also found a seat and sat down.

She had been busy running around all night, being tied up and confronted, and she hadn't even had a drink of water yet. She was really hungry and thirsty.

She poured herself a cup of chrysanthemum tea, drank it all in one gulp, and only then did she correct herself after her thirst was relieved.

"I'll help you do your job, and you'll keep me safe. This was agreed upon in advance. The chief minister is just doing what you're supposed to do. How can you say he's helping me clean up the mess?"

Xiao Wang sat down in the empty seat opposite her and listened quietly to their conversation.

Seeing that she did not directly answer his question, Si Buping guessed that she might have other plans, so he spoke.

"Just tell me what you want. It's getting late now. There's no need to beat around the bush with me."

This is the advantage of talking to smart people, it’s simple and direct without wasting words.

Yan Ciwan picked up an orange, twisted it in his hand, and said with a smile: "A friend of mine has disappeared. The soldiers have searched the entire Xiangzhou City but have not been able to find her. I would like to ask the Grand Chamberlain to help look for her. The Internal Guard is very powerful, and I believe they will be able to find her soon."

"You mean the morning dew?"

Yan Ciwan smiled even more: "Yes, it's her. She really deserves to be the Grand Chamber Leader. She guessed it right away."

Si Buping asked slowly, "How do you know I can definitely find Chaolu?"

Yan Ciwan seemed not to have noticed the other party's probing, and said with an exaggerated smile: "Didn't I just say that? Because the Inner Guards have great powers, there is nothing they can't find as long as they want to find someone."

Si Buping smiled calmly: "You think too highly of the Inner Guards. We are not as powerful as you think."

"You are too modest. You have only been in Xiangzhou for a few dozen days, but you have solved the serial rape and murder case, the case of the governor colluding with mountain bandits, and the murder of the Fang family. Who in the whole Daye can match you with such an efficient speed? As long as you agree to help, the second lady of the Chao family will be found soon."

Yan Ciwan's flattery was so direct and explicit that Xiao Wang couldn't help but look at her twice more.

Si Buping met her eager gaze and said slowly, "You are the one who investigated these cases. You don't have to put all the credit on me."

Yan Ciwan immediately said: "The reason why I was able to investigate the case so smoothly is because of the protection and support of the Grand Master. If it weren't for the token you gave me, I would definitely not be able to find out anything. The credit should naturally belong to the Grand Master."

"You are quite a good person."

(End of this chapter)