Chapter 58: Summoned to the Cloud Mansion (Part 2)

Chapter 58: Summoned to the Cloud Mansion (Part 2)

"Since you understand my thoughts, why are you so restless and provoking Yu Mo..."

A faint smile played at Yun Jil's lips as he turned around. The silk blindfold over his eyes served as a stark reminder to anyone who came into contact with him. Such a man of clear skies and bright moonlight, if only his eyes were illuminated like the full moon, how radiant and splendid would the stars within them be, enough to make the moon itself envious.

Alas...

"Jing, perhaps after your meeting, Su Rao will give you a shocking delight, leaving you without the heart or strength to wallow in self-pity."

He shook his head gently and walked towards the Moon Room, each step leisurely and unhurried.

The cold wind stirred the moonlit robes, swaying gracefully.

A golden sun cast a tender glow upon him, as if a divine aura was swirling around his body.

"Brother, what do you mean by that?"

Yun Mujing froze for a moment, not understanding, before hurrying after him.

Meanwhile, inside the Ráo Xiāng Pavilion, if Su Rao's gaze were a blade, the resplendent yellow imperial decree on the table before her would have been sliced into countless pieces.

"Miss..."

Yisu pursed her lips.

Thinking about how the steward of the Yun family had announced the decree for Su Rao to go to the Cloud Mansion, and it was such a resplendent yellow jade scroll...

"Resplendent yellow, golden dragons..."

Su Rao's voice was somber.

When the imperial family issued decrees, the choice of decree varied according to its significance. Generally, this kind of resplendent yellow decree was rarely used. This type of decree was reserved for major decisions and significant events concerning the imperial family.

This resplendent yellow decree, with its handle and scroll made from the finest warm jade and superior silk brocade, was embroidered by royal-designated seamstresses stitch by stitch. It featured golden dragons embroidered with gold and silver threads, coiling and soaring. The inner side of the decree was made of fine silk gauze that wouldn't stain with a single drop of ink.

Ordinary imperial decrees, on the other hand, were of a slightly darker hue than this resplendent yellow. They featured patterns not of coiled golden dragons leaping through the sky, but of cranes or silver dragons.

But now, the decree placed on the table had two golden dragons, coiling and soaring on either side of the handle, glaringly conspicuous.

Different decrees, besides their different uses, also differed in one other aspect. If Emperor Yu had given Su Rao a decree embroidered with silver dragons or cranes, given the status of the Su family, defying the decree wouldn't have been a big deal. But this decree left no room for defiance, no matter how unruly Su Rao might be, because the golden dragon symbolized the Son of Heaven.

True... Dragon... Son of... Heaven...

"Miss, I must admit, I don't quite understand. Given your affection for Prince Jil, why would Emperor Yu issue such a decree, using a resplendent yellow decree? Isn't it an unnecessary move? To outsiders, all it would take is a word from that steward, and Miss would rush to..."

Yiyin spoke up.

A fierce, dark fire suddenly ignited in Su Rao's eyes, layered with depth.

Yiyin and Yisu suddenly felt a chill in the air, the wind whistling eerily.

"It must be because of Yun Jil. Emperor Yu must think that if it were just an oral command or another type of decree, Yun Jil would shut me out. Now, whether Yun Jil accepts or rejects me, he has cut off my escape route, leaving me unable to defy the decree, forcing me to go to the Cloud Mansion..."

All her struggles amounted to nothing against the power of the throne.

The authority of those in high places.

That dragon chair...

Her father and mother, her homeland's peace, her fate and marriage, were merely tools in their hands, decided by their words...

Yet she had to obey, because she was Su Rao, and thus she must listen.

She curled her fingers into fists, watching for a moment before finally instructing Yisu to pack her things.

"Miss..."

Qinniang held Su Rao's clenched hand, prying it open. The marks of her nails were deep, almost drawing blood.

"Don't hurt yourself like this. You're just going to receive guidance from Prince Jil. He treats you kindly, Miss. If you listen well and learn, I'm sure Prince Jil won't keep you for long."

"Qinniang..."

Su Rao didn't feel consoled in the slightest.

She didn't want to become too entangled with Yun Jil. She didn't want it, nor did she wish for it.

Such a man of clear skies and bright moonlight, his presence was too dazzling, his heart even more so, from that brief three-day encounter...

In this life, she was a person living in darkness. Her heart never knew light, but there was a fear that one day she would be illuminated by that person's radiance, exposing the darkness within her that dared not touch even a sliver of light.

And then she would wound such a splendid man.

Light and darkness could never merge, not even for a fleeting moment.

If they had no intersection, then the wound would be inflicted...

But if...

"Miss, Fifth Master has arrived."

A soft whisper reached her ear.

As soon as Yiyin finished speaking,

Su Wu's voice echoed:

"Younger sister, Grandfather asked if you're packed yet. Steward Yun is personally escorting you to the Cloud Mansion. Hurry up, this is such a good opportunity, why are you dawdling? Grandfather is already overjoyed..."

Su RAO looked towards the pavilion door, her eyes narrowing fiercely, the peachy hue at the corners of her eyes becoming even more brilliantly crimson, a vivid scarlet.

The loud bellow of Su Wu suddenly stopped, then he cleared his throat twice before walking over with a chuckle and placing an arm around Su RAO's shoulders.

"Little Sister, don't glare at Fifth Brother! It wasn't Fifth Brother who sent you to Prince Yun's Mansion; it was the Emperor's decree. That's the golden dragon imperial edict, one that can't be defied. You'll just have to bear with it for now."

As he spoke, he patted Su RAO's shoulder in consolation.

He leaned close to her ear, whispering softly:

"Little Sister! If you really don't want to marry Prince Jingyue, you need to take action against him. If you can make Prince Jingyue not want to marry you, to the point where he'd rather defy the imperial edict, then everything will be settled. Prince Jingyue is no ordinary man; defying the edict wouldn't be a problem for him."

Su RAO's eyes suddenly lit up.

Right!

How could she have not thought of this?

"Little Sister, this was something Third Brother told me to tell you. Whatever you do, don't let Second Brother and Eldest Brother know! Otherwise, all three of us will be in trouble because of you."

Another whisper, and he pulled on Su RAO's arm, lifting her up.

He led her out of the Raoxiang Pavilion.

"Alright, alright, such a great opportunity! How many women in Langjing would kill for this chance! Little Sister, you should be secretly delighted!"

All the heavy gloom in Su RAO's heart dissipated at once, replaced by a smile that brightened the peachy hue at the corners of her eyes.

"Fifth Brother is right, absolutely right. I'm secretly delighted indeed."

Those within the situation couldn't see as clearly as those outside. How could she have not thought of this? Yun JI had someone he loved, and he had already made it clear that he wouldn't marry her. She could collaborate with Yun JI!

From what she heard from Yun JI that day, he and the person he loved might not be able to be together either. If she collaborated with him, they could help each other. He could help her avoid this marriage, and she could help him win the heart of the person he loved. Wouldn't this be a win-win situation for both of them?

With her mood lifted, Su RAO wore a radiant smile throughout the journey. To the Yun Steward, this naturally meant something else. Being able to go to Prince Yun's Mansion and spend her days with her beloved Prince Jingyue, Miss Su was so happy she could almost fly with joy.

The Yun Steward was a favorite of Emperor Yuyu, personally escorting Miss Su to Prince Yun's Mansion to be taught by Prince Jingyue himself.

This matter spread through Langjing like wildfire as the carriage of the Grand Marshal's Mansion passed through Beiyang Street and headed for Dongxing Street.

"How could the Imperial Family issue such a decree? This is pushing Prince Jingyue into the fire!"

Voices of shock rose instantly.

The ugly girl of the Su Family, now that Xiao Gongzi was gone, she was eyeing their exquisite and splendid Prince Jingyue! What were they to do?

Prince Jingyue, with his frail body, would surely be worn out by the ugly girl of the Su Family.

...

In the Duke Zhao Mansion,

in the Xiangxin Garden,

in Zhao Lianxin's chamber,

a woman, as elegant as orchids by the riverbank, dressed in a blue robe, serene and far-reaching, held a brush in her hand. A lifelike image of a gentleman's orchid leaped onto the paper, her painting skills exquisite, every stroke and line carefully rendered.

"Miss, it's bad, it's bad."

Shulan's voice came from afar.

Such a ruleless shout startled the orchid-like woman, causing her brush to slip and ruin the painting.

Her gaze turned to the door, her brows furrowing.

"Shulan, how dare you..."

"Miss." Shulan snatched the brush from Zhao Lianxin's hand, "How can you still have the heart to paint here when Prince Jingyue..."

"Brother Jingyue, what happened? Did he fall ill again?"

At the mention of Yun JI, Zhao Lianxin lost interest in scolding Shulan and instead gripped her hand anxiously.

Shulan waved her hand.

"Miss, it's not Prince Jingyue, it's that ugly girl from the Su Family, it's about Prince Jingyue..."

"Is it Brother Jingyue or Su RAO? Shulan, speak clearly."

Shulan's unclear words only increased Zhao Lianxin's anxiety.

Could it be that Su RAO was bothering Brother Jingyue again?

"Miss, it's Su RAO going to Prince Yun's Mansion..."

Shulan's direct statement caused Zhao Lianxin's expression to change. She lifted her skirt and ran out of her chamber without waiting for Shulan to finish.

The elegance she had earlier was completely gone, her demeanor as a lady lost.

Su RAO actually went to bother Brother Jingyue again. How could she be so shameless?

"Miss, wait for your servant."

Shulan hurriedly chased after her.