Chapter 80: Threat from Yun Ji (Part 3)

Chapter 80: Threat from Yun Ji (Part 3)

Just because of this...

Peach Blossom's bright eyes fixated on the person before her, her brows tightly furrowed for a moment. Su RAO understood what Yun Ji meant.

If she were to go to Heavenly Valley Pass County as Young Master Xiao, if Xian Yi and Chi Shao saw her, they would surely realize that the woman in red who appeared at Wanglu Temple was actually Young Master Xiao.

It wasn't about gender or identity, but rather a feeling, an eerie intuition.

Then everything Yun Mujing had done for her would have been in vain.

To protect Yun Mujing, he threatened her to return—it was truly a painstaking effort.

"Yun Ji, you've merely overstepped..."

A hint of coldness and sharpness hid within Peach Blossom's eyes.

If Xian Yi and Chi Shao were Han Mochen...

And she no longer wanted to continue her pretense. Her disguise couldn't give her the peace she desired, the safety her father and mother wished for her.

She wouldn't sit idly by, waiting for fate to dictate her life once more.

In a daze.

"You're so concerned for Yun Mujing, unwilling to let his efforts for Su RAO be in vain. You want to ease his guilt, but do you know if Su RAO can accept it, accept that guilt..."

You don't know, nor do I. If I were Su RAO, I wouldn't accept it, because Yun Mujing owes a life, Su RAO's life.

And now, I am Su RAO.

"I cannot, nor will I accept it. What's done is done, what's wrong is wrong. No compensation can change that, because I hold grudges."

The jade hand hidden within the moonlit robes trembled slightly, and Yun Ji fell silent.

After a moment, he turned and walked into the moonlit gate, his face suddenly turning pale.

"If you can't accept this reason, then here's another. Last night, during the imperial court session, the Crown Prince was ordered to head to Heavenly Valley Pass County for disaster relief. He plans to use 'Young Master Xiao' to lure you there..."

His voice seemed clearer.

"If the Crown Prince handles this matter well, the Fourth Prince will inevitably be suppressed. This time, he must make a move. If Su RAO goes as Young Master Xiao and encounters an ambush by the 'Fourth Prince' on the way, the Crown Prince will save her in her time of need..."

The clear voice paused for a moment.

"Su RAO must remain in Langjing right now."

As the words faded, the figure disappeared from sight.

"Yun Murui..."

Murmuring, Su RAO pursed her lips.

Has Yun Murui made his move? Planning to kill two birds with one stone?

"Yun Ji, I accept your reason, but it doesn't negate the fact that you threatened me to come back. I've said it before, Su RAO isn't a good person, and neither should you be. I won't be grateful for this."

Turning around, she left.

"And also, my affairs don't require your repeated interference."

The crimson figure vanished.

These two reasons Yun Ji gave were indeed the true causes for threatening her to return.

Su RAO believed them.

Because with what Yun Da said about Noble Consort Shu hosting a banquet, given Yun Ji's status, he didn't even need to think; a single word would suffice.

Prince Jiyue disliked crowds. Teaching Su RAO, he had his own rules.

What could Noble Consort Shu do to him?

Qingfeng Residence fell silent, so quiet that even the passing cold wind felt desolate.

The moonlit figure that had seemingly vanished reappeared at the door.

"I know you never liked being controlled, but I had no choice but to intervene. I'm not a good person either. Everything I've done has been for..."

Suddenly, a cough, followed by continuous wheezing, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth.

"Your Highness..."

Yun Ling and Yun Feng's expressions changed dramatically.

Meanwhile, at the Fourth Prince's residence, just as Yun Ji had said, papers and books were scattered across the floor of the study, teacups and utensils shattered.

That gentle figure, now, all the gentleness in his brows had turned into gloom, his head shrouded in dark clouds, a storm brewing.

Xuan Ti knelt on both knees, still not daring to breathe heavily.

...

Leaving Qingfeng Residence, Su RAO's mood was far from good, her anger simmering. She changed into men's clothing, a shy young man, and headed to Xiaoyao Residence.

Boats glided on the lake, music and dancing filled the air, figures graceful and enchanting. The extravagance of Xiaoyao Residence, filled with singing and beauty.

A cup of wine, in Joy's Pavilion, she lay casually on the noble concubine's couch, the liquor slipping from the corner of her mouth into the slender white nape of her neck.

"Yoo-hoo, what's this all about?"

Joy twisted her waist and walked gracefully over, seeing Su RAO drowning her sorrows like this, her brows furrowed as she snatched the wine cup from her hand.

"The old lady's liquor is all silver, for you to waste it like this..."

"Silver..."

Su RAO sat up, her eyes tinted with peachy hues, her gaze wandering, this scholar's attire simply couldn't suppress the dazzling aura emanating from her.

Pulling out the Free and Easy Order from her waist, she tossed it onto the nearby table.

A clattering sound echoed.

"Can this replace it?"

She seized the wine cup again and reclined, crossing her legs.

"If not, then I'll owe it. If not owing, then I'll offer my body in return."

Drunk words, her eyes blurred with intoxication, she gulped down more wine.

"I wouldn't dare, you're now the second master of our Free and Easy Abode, drink however you want, how could I, your servant, control you."

Joy, helpless, took the Free and Easy Order and stuffed it back into Su RAO's bosom.

This couldn't be tossed around carelessly.

Su RAO glanced sideways, then patted her chest.

"Joy Beauty, is this thing really so useful? Tell me, why does your master hold me in such high regard! Could it be that your master has a fancy for me, wanting to dominate me."

As if already drunk, she began to babble.

"But I want to see him, and you still haven't given me any news, Joy Beauty! Your master is even more elusive than this Xiao Scholar, you say... you say why hasn't he appeared yet..."

"What happened, Su RAO?"

Joy knew Su RAO wasn't drunk, her alcohol tolerance was such that a thousand cups wouldn't make her tipsy, let alone just half a cup. What had made her so agitated?

Another mouthful of wine down her throat, Su RAO sat up, the drunkenness on her face gone.

After a moment of silence, she spoke:

"I regret giving the identity of Xiao Scholar to your master of Free and Easy Abode, Uncle Hao is missing, but I can't... can't go find him..."

Her jade fingers curled, cracking the wine cup, the crystal-clear liquor seeped out, staining Su RAO's fingertips, dripping onto her bamboo-blue robe, painting a landscape, the ink spreading, rich and vivid.

"Uncle Hao is missing?"

Putting down her fan, Joy's brows furrowed even more.

"What happened?"

"The Heavenly Valley Pass County snow disaster, the Lian Pavilion goods were looted."

With those simple words, Joy instantly understood, then got up and left.

"We have people in Heavenly Valley Pass County, I'll have them search with all their might, don't worry, I'll send word to the two Protectors of Free and Easy again, once the master appears, I'll inform you immediately."

Su RAO's eyes flashed, then she smiled, a teasing expression appearing.

"Joy Beauty, no need for thanks, it's too formal, if Joy Beauty needs anything, this Scholar can fully compensate in flesh."

"The compensation of Scholar Xiao is something your servant can't bear, how dare I offend, leave it to the master! After all, the master has already dominated you."

Joy was completely unaffected by Su RAO's teasing, instead, she left Su RAO speechless.

The cracked wine cup struck the table, spilling all the wine, staining the noble concubine's couch, dirtying the fine silk spread on it, Su RAO got up, patted her buttocks, and left.

"If you want to dominate this Scholar, you must enter this Scholar's heart and please this Scholar's will, otherwise, this Scholar won't comply."

Rakish words, her eyebrows raised, a flirtatious demeanor, she disappeared by the window.