Chapter 212 Snowy Night
The days are shorter in winter, and it gets dark earlier when it snows heavily.

The two lanterns with the words “Zhongshun Prince’s Palace” on them were lit above the vermilion lacquered and copper-nailed gate, dimly illuminating the snowflakes floating down from the dark sky and drifting to the snow pile under the big stone lions in front of the gate. Looking closely, one could see that there was a person kneeling on the snow pile!

The side door opened and two guards with swords came out. Qi Guan was thrown out from under the eaves of the main porch like a bundle and fell into the snow.

The two guards walked in through the side door and it closed.

The “snowman” moved, as if his hands and feet were frozen. After a while, the man finally stood up and walked with difficulty towards Qi Guan who was lying in the snow.

“Master!”

The man moved to Qi Guan’s side, squatted down, and held Qi Guan in his arms. The snow on the ground had been stained red with blood.

The man’s hand trembled, and he slowly stretched it over and placed it next to Qi Guan’s nose. “There’s still breath!” He called out twice, scooping up a handful of snow and wiping Qi Guan’s arms, then his legs and feet.

“Ouch!” Qi Guan finally let out a groan.

The man said excitedly: “Master, you finally woke up!”

Qi Guan coughed twice and recovered. Although he was very weak, he still struggled to stand up.

The man also stood up and supported Qi Guan: “Master, are you okay?”

Qi Guan: “I’m not dead yet.” Then he started coughing again.

That person: “Master, let’s go home.”

Qi Guan hummed, and as usual he looked towards the gate of the mansion and was stunned.

The man said: “Sir, our carriage was smashed by the people in the palace, and the horses were killed.”

Qi Guan said in a trembling voice: “That’s good, it’s smashed.” Then he dragged his stiff legs and walked forward step by step.

The man hurried forward to support Qi Guan, and the master and servant walked forward with difficulty in the wind and snow, disappearing in the heavy snow.
As he walked into the alley and was not far from his own gate, Qi Guan’s teeth were already chattering.

Suddenly, a dark shadow jumped out and blocked their way.

The servant was startled and shouted, “Who?”

“Is that Qi Guan?” It was Jiao Da’s voice.

Qi Guan: “You, who are you?”

Jiao Da came forward and asked, “Have you seen me?”

Qi Guan was stunned for a moment, then replied, “He looks familiar, but I just can’t remember him at the moment.”

Jiao Da: “It’s okay as long as you have an impression. Just follow me.” After saying that, he walked straight to the alley diagonally opposite.

The servant: “Master”

Qi Guan thought for a moment and said, “Wait for me here.” Then he walked towards Jiao Da.

There was a warm-house carriage parked at the entrance of the alley, and several men in cloaks stood around it, with bulges on their waists, obviously hiding knives.

Officer Qi hesitated for a moment, but still walked into the alley.

After walking less than three or five steps, he stopped and saw Jiao Da standing in front of a big tree with a man standing behind him.

Jiao Da waved to Qi Guan: “Come here.”

Qi Guan walked over and when he got closer, he saw the man’s face, which looked familiar.

Qi Guan stopped beside Jiao Da, looked at the man, took a closer look, and was slightly surprised. The old man with his eyes closed in front of him was none other than Jia Jing from Ningguo Mansion!

Jiao Da said softly, “Master Sun, Officer Qi is here.”

Officer Qi knelt down with difficulty and said, “I pay my respects to Lord Jia!”

Jia Jing spoke: “There is snow on the ground, let’s get up and talk.”

Official Qi: “Thank you, Lord Jia!” He kowtowed and then stood up with the help of Jiao Da.

Jia Jing: “It must be unpleasant to be bullied, right?”

Qi Guan was startled at first, then his face turned green and yellow, and he said, “I don’t understand what Lord Jia means by this.”

Jiao Da said angrily: “Look at what you are like now. You have been bullied like a bird! We called you here, so we naturally know everything.”

When his scar was revealed, Qi Guan gritted his teeth with a clattering sound.

Jia Jing still closed his eyes: “Do you hate it?”

“Hate!” Qi Guan’s voice seemed to come from hell, carrying a monstrous hatred. Jia Jing still closed his eyes: “Do you want revenge?”

Officer Qi stared at him: “What do you want me to do?”

“You are much smarter than I thought.” Jia Jing then opened his eyes.

Qi Guan smiled, and his face became even paler, as if the wound was hurt.

Jia Jing looked at him. Qi Guan’s body was covered with whip marks and his clothes were torn in many places. He looked horrible.

Jia Jing glanced at Jiao Da and said, “Give him some wine.”

“Yes.”

Jiao Da took out a pot of wine from his arms and handed it to Qi Guan: “Drink some wine to warm yourself up.”

Qi Guan took the wine pot and smiled: “Thank you.” He sipped from the spout for a long time, wiped his mouth, and said to Jia Jing: “I may disappoint Lord Jia. I am just a puppy raised by that old dog. I have no access to any secrets.”

Jia Jing: “Can you come into the study?”

Qi Guan: “You can enter the outer study room at will, but you can only enter the inner study room if that old dog is happy.”

Jia Jing nodded and said, “Try to bring out the calligraphy written by King Zhongshun. The more the better.” At this point, he was silent for a moment, “It would be even better if we can get his handwritten warrant.”

Hearing this, Officer Qi was shocked. Warrant, what did he need the old dog’s warrant for?
Qi Guan: “I can’t go to Prince Zhongshun’s mansion for a while.”

Jia Jing: “Don’t worry.”

Officer Qi nodded.

Jia Jing: “After the matter is done, if you want to leave the capital, I can arrange a safe hiding place for you.”

“No, no, the capital is good enough.” Qi Guan waved his hands quickly.

Jia Jing stared at him and asked, “Are you afraid that I will kill you to silence you?”

Qi Guan: “No, no.” Then he started coughing violently.

Jia Jing: “Do you have any requests?”

Officer Qi was silent for a moment, then said, “Help me kill someone.”

Jia Jing: “Who?”

Qi Guan gritted his teeth and said, “Butler of the Zhongshun Palace!”

Jia Jing looked at him closely: “Why?”

Qi Guan: “I hate him!”

Jia Jing: “What else?”

Qi Guan: “Almost everything that Prince Zhongshun did was planned by him. If we kill him, Prince Zhongshun will be a useless person who only knows how to get angry! The things that Lord Jia has asked us to do will be much simpler and easier.”

Jia Jing hesitated for a moment, then said, “Go back and wait for news.”

Qi Guan was stunned for a moment, and just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered: “That old dog is probably going to attack Master Bao and Xue Pan.”

Jia Jing: “Mind your own business and save your own life.”

Qi Guan had no choice but to swallow the words on his lips, bowed to Jia Jing, and turned to leave.

“When will Shui Rong come back?” Jia Jing suddenly asked.

Qi Guan shuddered and stared at Jia Jing with frightened eyes. How did he know? !

Jia Jing’s face was as calm as water, but Qi Guan instantly felt a bone-chilling chill rising from his spine. It was the fear rising from the depths of his heart.

Jia Jing spoke: “Go ahead.”

Qi Guan swallowed hard, his voice trembling: “Yes.” He turned around tremblingly and walked out of the alley.

A gust of snowy wind blew, making Jia Jing’s beard flutter in disarray.

Jiao Da said softly: “It’s snowing hard, let’s go back.”

Jia Jing stretched out his skinny hand to catch the snow falling from the sky. A large snowflake fell into his palm. Jia Jing looked at the snow and said, “Just wait. They will all go down to accompany you!”

(End of this chapter)