Chapter 49: A Taboo Su Er Cannot Mention (Part One)

Chapter 49: A Taboo Su Er Cannot Mention (Part One)

At the Eastern Palace.

Yun Muxiao also sought out Yun Murui, with the same matter and the same perplexity.

Could it be that the relationship between Prince Jiyue and Su Er was truly that close, so much so that the pure and unworldly moon-like figure would extend his affection to the ugly woman who had humiliated him just because she was Su Er's sister? He kept her by his side for three days solely because of her connection to Su Er?

"Perhaps it's because of Su Er, or perhaps not."

Thoughtfulness filled Yun Murui's eyes, revealing his remarkable wisdom and insight.

His brows conveyed a keen sense of intelligence.

Yun Muxiao was puzzled. "Third Brother, why do you say that?"

Looking at Yun Muxiao, Yun Murui paused for a moment before placing a hand on his shoulder.

"It might not be solely due to Su Er. Although he is a close friend of Prince Jiyue, with his breathtaking brilliance and celestial demeanor, Prince Jiyue would never lower himself for the sake of Su Er alone. There must be more to it."

Furthermore, Prince Jì Yuè's thoughts are nebulous and hard to fathom. It's also possible that Father might have secretly instructed him to test us."

A sense of astuteness deepened in his eyes.

Ripples upon ripples.

In truth, the best candidate for the Su family's military power would be Prince Jì Yuè. But Father would never betroth Su Rao to him. Ignoring the fact that Su Rao's appearance doesn't match Jì Yuè's, just based on the prince's character, he would never accept such an arranged marriage from Father. If Jì Yuè were to reject the proposal and defy the imperial order, Father's royal authority would be undermined. Father would never allow himself to be put in such an awkward position.

"Third Brother, then what should we do next?"

Yun Muxiao asked straightforwardly.

"In Wulou Temple, Prince Jì Yuè left Su Rao behind, preventing Yun Muyi from making his move and disrupting our plans. Now that Su Rao is back, it will likely be difficult to find another opportunity like that anytime soon. We need to get closer to Su Rao without arousing Father's suspicion."

"This... matter..."

Fingers tapped rhythmically against the table, the clinking sounds echoing in his mind. After a moment, he stopped and looked at Yun Muxiao with a profound, sharp gaze.

"Sixth Brother, Father's intentions are inscrutable. Let us maintain our composure for now. Keep an eye on Yun Muyi; since Prince Jì Yuè hasn't made any moves at the Wishful Temple, he will surely act when the time is ripe..."

He struck the table again, this time with a bit more force.

In the snowy landscape, a veil of white draped over the world like a sheer snow garment, adorning tree branches and rooftops alike.

Nature had woven this scene.

Upon returning to the mansion, Su Rao immediately buried herself under the covers and fell asleep.

Though the carriage ride had been bumpy, she didn't feel exhausted from the journey. However, during the three days spent with Yun Ji, Su Rao had been on high alert. Now, back in her own haven, she could finally let her guard down and relax.

With her tension easing, exhaustion set in.

She slept through the day until Su Wu's raucous voice startled her awake, questioning whether she had truly flirted with Prince Jì Yuè. The sleepiness that had filled her mind vanished instantly.

"Five Brother, how did you...?"

As Su Rao began to speak, she realized it must have been Yun Muyue who couldn't keep his mouth shut.

It was not Yun Muyue who informed Su Wu.

Her actions had, once again, spread to every corner of Langjing.

And the reason was indeed connected to Yun Muyue.

When Yun Muyue and his brother Yun Muyi went to Wangle Temple's main hall to find the Crown Prince and the Sixth Prince, Yun Muyue immediately told them about Su Rao's behavior towards Yun Ji. How she humiliated Prince Jiyue and even physically assaulted him, causing Yun Ji to fall ill due to anger.

The list of her offenses was endless.

Yun Muyue's intention was to get the Crown Prince and the Sixth Prince to help discipline Su Rao together. However, at that time, there were countless people in the main hall paying their respects to Buddha. Su Rao was a well-known public figure in Langjing; any news related to her would spread throughout the city within half a day, even to children as young as three.

Moreover, this incident involved Prince Jiyue, a celestial being.

For the past three days, Su Rao remained unaware of this situation, all thanks to Yun Ji's efforts in suppressing the news.

Now that she had just returned and learned about it from Su Wu, Su Rao could only wish for a block of tofu to end her life.

She had intended to have no further interactions with Yun Ji upon her return. Yet, her actions had somehow become common knowledge throughout the entire city of Langjing.

Heavens...

He slumped, completely drained.

"Sis!"

Su Wu watched and immediately pulled Su Rao's shoulder towards him. However, his gaze was peculiar, with his eyeballs rolling around in a strange and extremely unusual manner. He scanned her up and down incessantly.

"You said you didn't like Prince Jì Yuè anymore, so why did you do that? Fifth Brother nearly jumped off the bed in shock and hit his head. I really can't understand you, Sis. What are you thinking? Fifth Brother can't read you at all."

Su Rao's face twisted into a bitter expression as she knitted her eyebrows. She turned to look at Su Wu's penetrating gaze and pulled his hand off her shoulder. Then, she fell back like a lifeless body, burying her head under the covers.

"Fifth Brother, leave! Don't bother me, I want to be alone."

Her voice was muffled and filled with frustration.

"Alone?"

Su Wu was utterly perplexed.

"Little Sister, who's Jingjing? Which Jingjing do you like now? Little Sister, isn't your heart changing too quickly?"

These words made Su Rao feel as if dark lines were cascading down her forehead.

She abruptly sat up, her eyes ablaze with fury.

"Su Yuyuan, get the hell out of here right now, smoothly and swiftly."

A book on the bedside table flew straight at him.

Su Wu dodged it swiftly, but felt that he had struck a nerve, otherwise why would his little sister be so enraged, as if she had just ignited a firecracker?

"Little Sister, Jingjing? You don't mean Jingjing, as in Yun Mu Jing, right?"

With this, Su Wu's eyes widened, but he quickly continued,

"Little Sister, you can't like him! No matter who you like, it can't be him. Otherwise, Second Brother will really make a cooked rice out of you and Prince Jiyue..."

"Su... Yu... Yan..."

A furious cry resounded, shaking the entire Ruo Xiang Pavilion as Su Rao threw her bedding and pillows in anger.

Su Wu dodged left and right.

"Sis, I'm being serious. Truthful words may be harsh, but you shouldn't ignore them..."

Seeing that Su Rao was about to jump off the bed, Su Wu hastily took to his heels. However, he abruptly halted just outside the Ruo Xiang Pavilion.

Then, he took two hurried steps back.

"Secon... Second Brother..."

Crap... Did Second Brother hear that?

Su Er regarded Su Wu with a detached expression, sensing an oppressive aura around him.

Su Wu pressed his lips together, holding his breath.

Su Er must have heard it; it was over, truly over now.

As Su Rao rushed out and saw Su Er, she also came to an abrupt halt, just like Su Wu had done.

"Secon... Second Bro... Why are you here...?"

In her question, she secretly shot a glare at Su Wu, blaming him for mentioning Yun Mu Jing.

Feeling guilty, Su Wu returned the look.

weren't you the one who called him 'Jingjing' first?

The two exchanged subtle glances, thinking they were being discrete, but Su Er caught their exchange with a single glance. He walked straight through them and into Ruo Xiang Pavilion without any extra emotion on his face.

However, Su Rao and Su Wu felt a chill sweep past them, sending shivers down their spines. They both involuntarily shuddered in unison.

goosebumps crept up their skin.

Even Su Han, who followed behind, unusually furrowed his brows.

Glancing at Su Wu and Su Rao,

the pair returned the look, exchanging uneasy glances.

Yun Mujing—this was a name that could never be mentioned within the Su family.

It would stir up great trouble.

"Still not coming in?"

With an indifferent tone, Su Er walked to the table and poured himself a cup of tea.

Su Rao and Su Wu instinctively trembled once more, in unison.

Reluctantly, they shuffled their feet, ultimately being pushed inside by Su Han.

Both turned their heads back, shooting Su Han a fierce glare.

In the end, they approached Su Er, hanging their heads low like two guilty children, standing uneasily, as if sitting on pins and needles.

Su Er fell silent once more, and within the span of a cup of tea, both Su Rao and Su Wu felt as if they were being suffocated in the oppressive silence that filled the entire space.

Even Yi Su and Qin Niang, who were waiting outside, along with Su Han, could sense the stifling atmosphere.

This sort of torment was almost preferable to a straightforward beating and getting it over with.

Su Rao twined her hands around the sash in front of her, gradually dozing off while standing.

Su Wu also swayed his head back and forth.