November 28th, heavy snow in Ning Prefecture.
The rebel army took advantage of the chaos to enter the city. The Liang Army, who should have been suppressing the rebels, suddenly switched sides and formed an alliance with them.
Both armies occupied Ning Prefecture, throwing the entire Prince of Pingnan’s household and all Ning Prefecture officials into Prison.
The snow sealed the roads, making every step difficult.
The people in the city were all on edge, fearing for their safety. Only the Wu Mansion remained calm and peaceful.
Wu Ciyun felt the weight in her heart finally settle. In the latter half of the night, she managed to catch a bit more sleep.
Yet perhaps because she’d caught a chill coming home late last night, she woke up with a dizzy, heavy head, and it took a long time to get out of bed.
“All those fine plum blossoms have been crushed by the snow! Be careful when you pick them, don’t knock off the buds!”
“Wu Mingzhu… slow down, wait for me!”
Walking along the covered corridor, Wu Ciyun heard the siblings’ playful voices. The girl with her hair in double loops spotted her right away and dashed over, throwing herself into Wu Ciyun’s arms, proudly offering her the Crimson Plum in her hands.
“Big Brother, I just picked this for you. Do you think it’s pretty?”
“No manners at all. Running so fast even with the snow—be careful not to fall.”
Wu Ciyun chided her lightly, but Wu Mingzhu just grinned, her cheeks flushed red from the cold, making her look even more like one of those New Year’s paper dolls.
Wu Liangyu lagged behind his sister, panting, arms full of Crimson Plum branches still dusted with a bit of snow.
This morning, when Rong Tan saw the world outside wrapped in silver and the plum blossoms in full bloom, he remembered that Wu Ciyun liked them, so he had the servants pick extra branches to put in vases for her to enjoy.
The siblings thought it was fun and volunteered to help their big brother pick plum blossoms.
In reality, they ended up having a full-blown snowball fight, their clothes soaked and cold to the touch.
“All right, no more playing in the snow. What if you catch a chill?”
Wu Ciyun handed them the Hand Warmer, instructing the maid to take them to change into dry clothes. She took the Crimson Plum branches from Wu Liangyu.
Red plum blossoms against white snow in winter truly was a rare and beautiful sight. Those two hundred-year-old plum trees were specially transplanted by Xiao Boming years ago to please her.
Wu Ciyun had always found them an eyesore and left them untended, letting them grow wild.
Unexpectedly, they’d bloomed into a mass of flowers, looking from afar like a blazing fire.
Recently, it was fashionable among scholars to favor Song Style Sparse Plum.
Many wealthy families even went so far as to bend the pine branches and cut off the plum twigs, claiming it gave the trees the graceful bearing of Xizi Holding Her Heart.
Wu Ciyun had found it utterly ridiculous when she first heard of it.
Perfectly healthy trees twisted into sickly shapes, all for the sake of “elegance”—it was less about aesthetics and more about satisfying the unprecedented sense of control of those frail scholars.
Rong Tan saw her leaning under the eaves, gazing at the two Crimson Plum trees.
He felt a jolt of worry and hurried over to drape a cloak over her shoulders.
“A’Yun, the wind is strong out here. Let’s head back. Breakfast is ready.”
His gaze fell on the Crimson Plum in Wu Ciyun’s hand. He said softly, “I’ll go find a vase for these branches.”
Wu Ciyun nodded and handed the blossoms to Rong Tan, saying casually, “No need to cut any more plum branches for vases in the future. Some Narcissus or Wintersweet in the room will do just as well.”
Rong Tan froze for a moment, but still agreed softly.
Those two Crimson Plum trees had been a gift from Xiao Boming. In the past, Wu Ciyun hadn’t cared either way, but now, her sudden order not to cut any more plum branches made Rong Tan overthink.
Wu Ciyun was usually out early and back late. Except for Lantern Festival, New Year’s Eve, or the siblings’ birthdays, she rarely joined them for meals.
So today, seeing Wu Ciyun at the breakfast table, Wu Liangyu and Wu Mingzhu were pleasantly surprised.
“Big Brother, you don’t have to be on duty today?”
Wu Liangyu eagerly sat beside her and asked, “Does that mean you’ll be staying in the mansion all day?”
Wu Ciyun nodded absentmindedly.
“Mm, after breakfast, I’ll check your studies in the Study.”
The siblings pouted, throwing helpless glances at Rong Tan.
Rong Tan pretended not to notice, quietly serving Wu Ciyun a bowl of Lianzi Congee.
The two children were growing, and since the System said a good breakfast with plenty of meat, eggs, and milk was essential for strong bodies, Wu Ciyun had the kitchen make a variety of dishes every day.
But she herself barely touched meat, eating as light as possible.
The house servant hadn’t planned to disturb breakfast, but the matter was urgent.
He hurried over and quietly reported to Wu Ciyun’s side.
“My lady, a Liang Army officer is waiting outside. He requests that you visit the Inspector’s residence.”
Ning Prefecture had changed overnight. Most officials had been captured at the Prince of Pingnan’s banquet.
Those left in the city were either obscure minor officials or hardliners who had avoided the banquet and escaped disaster.
Given Wu Ciyun’s close ties with the Prince of Pingnan, being summoned by the Liang Army to the Inspector’s residence was hardly a good sign.
Wu Ciyun was not surprised by the news. She gently explained to the siblings, “Liangyu, Mingzhu, I have some matters to handle today. I’ll keep you company another day.”
The two children, still unaware of what had happened, looked disappointed.
Wu Mingzhu swallowed her Milk Cake, her eyes darting as she mumbled, “So you’re not going to check our studies?”
If there was no study check, that meant they could go build snowmen!
Wu Ciyun was always indulgent with the children, except when it came to their studies—there, she was strict and allowed no slack.
Seeing Wu Mingzhu and Wu Liangyu shift from disappointment to secret glee, Wu Ciyun raised her brows and said unhurriedly, “You wish. I’ll check when I return.”
“If you two have been slacking lately, you’d best use this chance to catch up.”
The two reluctantly agreed, looking just like a pair of dejected puppies.
Rong Tan accompanied Wu Ciyun to the gate. As they parted, he looked worried and whispered, “I heard the Liang Army’s commander is Chu Mingyi, the Crown Prince of the State’s second son. He’s a proud, difficult man. Why don’t I go with you…”
“Chu Mingyi…”
Wu Ciyun slowly repeated the name, a half-smile on her lips.
“You sound like you know him. Are you acquainted?”
Rong Tan stiffened slightly, instinctively avoiding Wu Ciyun’s gaze.
“No, I just heard the name before.”
“You don’t need to come with me, nor stay with Mingzhu and the others.”
Seeing Rong Tan’s reluctance to speak, Wu Ciyun didn’t press further. She calmly said, “Go to the Prison. Xiao Boming is yours to handle now.”
“I’m to handle him?”
Rong Tan was taken aback, hesitating.
“Wouldn’t that be… inappropriate?”
He searched Wu Ciyun’s face for any sign she was joking, but her expression was cold, and her words left no room for doubt.
It was as if Xiao Boming were nothing more than a stranger.
“He hurt you. Now you’ll send him on his way. That’s retribution.”
She lowered her lashes, her tone chilly. “If you really can’t bear it, at least let him die quickly.”
Xiao Boming was proud and had done plenty of evil.
Now, as a prisoner, who knew what more he’d suffer?
Better to die than drag out a miserable existence.
Wu Ciyun’s indifference startled Rong Tan, but then a faint smile appeared on his face.
He was secretly delighted, sure that Wu Ciyun was doing this for his sake.
He smiled, tugged lightly at her sleeve where no one could see.
“A’Yun, you’re so good to me.”
“Rong Tan, don’t let me down.”
Wu Ciyun squeezed his hand, then got directly into the Liang Army’s carriage.
Rong Tan watched the carriage until it disappeared around the corner.
Only then did he slowly lower his gaze, staring at the small Ceramic Bottle in his palm.
The joy in his heart was instantly wiped away.
Wu Ciyun had pressed it into his hand before she left.
He’d seen it before in the Study—a poison called Deadly upon contact with blood. Just a few drops would send someone on their way painlessly.
But why…
Even someone as filthy and sinful as Xiao Boming could win her pity and die so easily—why should he get such mercy?
Rong Tan felt a sour ache twist through his heart.
He couldn’t help but recall Wu Ciyun’s sudden coldness last night, and those two Crimson Plum trees, red as blood.
A nameless jealousy nearly burned away his reason. Staring at the Ceramic Bottle for a long time, Rong Tan, for the first time, defied Wu Ciyun’s wishes. He opened the bottle and poured out all the clear liquid inside.
The drops fell into the white snow, leaving only a faint melted trace, soon silently covered by the drifting flakes.
The snowfall in Ning Prefecture was so heavy that the carriage rocked for ages before finally stopping.
Wu Ciyun’s dizziness grew worse, her face visibly pale. At last, the carriage halted, but the Liang Army’s Assistant General was already knocking at the window outside.
“Master Wu, there’s a problem with the carriage. Please step out for a moment.”
Wu Ciyun frowned, lifted the curtain, and stepped down. Seeing the carriage wheels perfectly fine, she paused. Then, catching sight of the Assistant General’s gloating expression, she instantly understood.
“Master Wu, our General has been waiting for you at the Inspector’s residence since early morning. It wouldn’t do to keep him waiting.”
The Assistant General had been told to give Wu Ciyun a hard time. He said lazily, “It’s not far anyway. Why don’t you just walk the rest of the way?”
It was at least two or three li to the Inspector’s residence. Not terribly far, but making a sickly person walk through the snow—when every few steps she coughed—was real torment.
“Is there no other way?”
Wu Ciyun’s expression calmed. She asked gently, “Can’t the carriage be fixed?”
“No.”
The Assistant General raised his brows, deliberately adding, “Or, if you can ride, you could take the horse yourself.”
He didn’t believe this sickly person could ride alone. He only said it to humiliate her.
He patted the horse. “It’s a fine animal.”
Wu Ciyun glanced at the horse, then, without hesitation, drew the sword from the Assistant General’s side.
Before he could react, she sliced through the carriage reins and, stepping onto the carriage frame, mounted the horse with practiced ease.
“You—”
The Assistant General was startled by Wu Ciyun’s actions, but before he could finish, she tossed the sword back at him.
He dodged in a panic, stumbling back as the sword landed in the snow. He stared after Wu Ciyun, shocked and furious.
Wu Ciyun looked down at him from the horse, speaking unhurriedly: “Assistant General Chen, I’ll go on ahead. Please make do and walk the rest yourself.”
Assistant General Chen was livid, but he couldn’t take back his words. He could only watch as Wu Ciyun rode off.
The biting wind, laced with snow, whipped against her. The Liang Army guarded every street. Every household kept their doors shut.
Only Wu Ciyun rode alone, slowly making her way through the city.
It wasn’t that she was dragging things out on purpose, but her dizziness was getting worse, her body growing colder. Only the chill wind kept her barely conscious.
At last, she reached the Inspector’s residence and dismounted to state her business.
As soon as she gave her name, several guards tied her up tightly and dragged her into the main hall, as if it had all been prearranged.
“So you are Wu Ciyun?”
Forced to kneel on the ground, Wu Ciyun’s mind buzzed. It took her a moment to process the question before she slowly answered, “I am.”
The general in dark robes sitting in the Grand Tutor’s chair had deep features and eyes cold as stars.
He looked her up and down, asking, “It was you who opened the city gates and let the Ruijing Army into Ning Prefecture?”
Wu Ciyun nodded, acquiescing to his words.
“In that case, you are guilty of treason and collusion with the enemy.”
He sneered and ordered, “Take her away.”
Several soldiers moved to drag Wu Ciyun out. The others in the hall were startled and instinctively tried to stop him. “General, this isn’t right!”
Their successful alliance with the Ruijing Army and easy entry into Ning Prefecture were all thanks to Wu Ciyun.
She was also close to Prince Rui—not some insignificant nobody. How could they just kill her like this?
The Liang Army officers all pleaded for Wu Ciyun, but the man in the main seat was unmoved.
Wu Ciyun staggered to her feet. She neither defended herself nor begged for mercy, only looked at him with indifferent eyes.
Two soldiers dragged her out of the hall. Blood stains dotted the snow outside; no one knew who had died there earlier.
The System, seeing the blood, finally realized what was happening. It panicked, voice stammering: [Wh-what are they going to do?]
This isn’t right! There was nothing like this in the original plot…
[What else could it be.]
Wu Ciyun was exceptionally calm, expressionless as she replied: [Your host is about to become Xing Tian.]
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