Chapter 103: Unrest in Tianguguan County (Part 15)

Chapter 103: Unrest in Tianguguan County (Part 15)

Yun Luoling seemed startled by Xiao Yu's words; her furious gaze flickered with tears. Yet, it was as if she said, "If you dare to harm this princess, if even a single hair on my head is harmed, my father the emperor will never let you commoners off. He will surely dismember all of you."

Xianmu Yaling understood this meaning. She twirled a lock of hair with her delicate hand, then her gaze shifted, revealing a vicious glint. She promptly drew the curved sword at her waist.

On her round and chubby face, the dimples deepened. Her fingers brushed over the blade, lightly plucking it, causing an immediate sharp sound. The clear ringing of the blade resonated, its snowy color reflecting its sharpness.

"This idea isn't bad. Death by a single blow would be too easy and too lenient for her. Let's start by gouging out her eyes, then cut out her tongue..."

The curved sword suddenly rose.

Yun Luoling's eyes instantly went white as she fainted.

So easily frightened. Xianmu Yaling actually wore a regretful expression.

The viciousness vanished from her face.

"Xiao Yu, this Yunlang Princess isn't much. I've heard that she is the most favored daughter of Emperor Yunlangyu. And yet, she's just a good-for-nothing. It seems that the newly enthroned Emperor Yunlangyu is no different. My mother actually wanted me to help Uncle the Prince. But I don't think there's any need for that. Uncle the Prince wouldn't need my help."

She knelt down on one knee and lifted Yun Luoling's drooping chin with the curved sword. She glanced at the guard captain lying motionless nearby.

She casually threw a small porcelain bottle.

An antidote.

"I am Xianmu Yaling, the Jia Chun Changle Princess of Zhu Xian. I await Emperor Yunlangyu's visit to reason with this princess about his Seventh Princess. This princess is curious to see whether Emperor Yunlangyu is also so 'arbitrary.'"

She emphasized the word 'arbitrary.'

It was a mockery.

A subtle criticism of Emperor Yunlangyu for raising such a Seventh Princess who only knew how to oppress the people, losing the dignity of the Yunlang Empire and disgracing its etiquette.

She mounted her horse and galloped towards Langjing.

"A mouse has skin, but a person lacks decorum. Without decorum, why live?"

Xiao Yu wore a look of disdain as she mounted her horse and followed.

On another bend, the black sandalwood carriage stood quietly. Judging by the thickness of the snow on the carriage, it had been here for quite some time.

Facing the wind and snow, Mo Ying approached. "Your Highness, the princess has left."

Prince Yi's gaze fell on the other side of the bend, his expression inscrutable. After a moment, he said, "Have those following keep their distance so Changle doesn't notice."

Mo Ying nodded, having already given the order.

He handed a note into the carriage window, a message he had just received.

It read:

Yang Weiyu is dead. Xiao Gongzi found nothing at North Beacon Fortress and left Tianguguan County yesterday. His whereabouts are unknown.

"The Crown Prince of Yunlang seized the goods from Lian Pavilion and plotted against the Su family's daughter, but unfortunately, the illness of Prince Jiyue foiled his plans. All his machinations were for naught. What a pity..."

These words carried a hidden meaning.

The note burned in the candle holder as Prince Yi caressed the carefree token in his hand.

His eyes remained devoid of light, only deep and unfathomable.

Mo Ying understood, his gaze equally profound.

Yang Weiyu's death must have been part of the Crown Prince of Yunlang's plot to scheme against Miss Su. No matter how much Xiao Gongzi investigated, he wouldn't find any connection to the Prince.

"Your Highness, there is one more thing. Our men found the bodies of the three missing subordinates in a cave in the West Peak. One had their tendons severed and committed suicide by poison, while the other two were killed with a single strike to the throat. The bandits of North Beacon Fortress are likely not ordinary bandits. Their methods were so swift and efficient..."

"Mo Ying, the destruction of North Beacon Fortress was orchestrated by the Crown Prince of Yunlang behind the scenes."

At these words, Mo Ying's next words were cut off.

"It's time for this Prince to return. I've been away too long. Emperor Yunlangyu is no ordinary man, and we must proceed with caution."

"Yes, I understand."

Prince Yi's words were clear to Mo Ying. There was no need to further inquire or intervene in the matters here. Their objective had been achieved.

The carriage departed.

At noon, in the West Peak, Jin Chao and his group bowed.

"Xiao Gongzi is magnanimous and doesn't hold grudges. You went to great lengths to devise our escape and saved my son's life. Jin Chao will never forget this kindness."

"Boss Jin, my master isn't magnanimous nor does he hold no grudges. What he did was for his own benefit. He spared you only because of the deal with Little Mountain."

Su Rao still wore a white robe, though it was no longer the 'rolling snow fine gauze' but ordinary cloth. She still wore a hat to conceal her face and did not accept Jin Chao's gratitude.

After saying this, she walked to Little Mountain's side and knelt down. The cool detachment around her diminished slightly as she reached out to touch Little Mountain's head.

"Little Mountain, our deal is now over, and so is our farewell. Your gang interfered with my Lian Pavilion's goods, and my people interfered with your gang. There's nothing wrong with that. I won't waste words with you or try to persuade you not to hate me. I'll only tell you this: cherish the present. Don't waste your time on unimportant people and things and miss out on the joy of being with your family. That's what many people yearn for..."

She got up and walked away.

She didn't bother with Little Mountain's reaction.

She had said what she needed to say and done what she believed was right. Whatever the outcome, good or bad, she would accept it, whether he hated her or not.

Yi Ying followed her with a bow and large strides.

Not until the two figures vanished did Xiaoshan withdraw his gaze, tilting his head to look at his father beside him, only to find him frowning with an inscrutable expression on his face.

He tugged at Jin Chao’s black bear fur cloak.

"Father, our stronghold wasn’t actually destroyed by Sister and her people, was it?"

Jin Chao also retracted his gaze, then picked up Xiaoshan, giving just a smile in response without saying a word.

Xiaoshan seemed to understand, curving his lips into a smile as his gaze swept over the rest of his family members behind him.

From now on, he and his younger brother would no longer be the sons of bandits. They would go to private school to study, and there would be no more strange looks or accusations of being bad kids from bad families.

Entering the cave in Xifeng, Jin Chao and his group vanished from sight.

They would henceforth live incognito.

The head of North Beacon Fortress, along with all the bandits who had fled, died that night in the avalanche while robbing the supplies, buried beneath the snow.

The cold snow continued to fall gently, shrouding the world just as it had when they first arrived in Tianguguan County, yet unable to obscure the graceful figure atop the slope outside the perilous valley path once again.

The stone arrow marker placed by the guard of the Lian Pavilion last night had been disturbed; Su RAO stepped on one of the stones, her clothes fluttering in the wind.

"Miss, Eldest Young Master has learned of your arrival here. You must return to the capital, or else he will send word to Second Young Master about your departure..."

Ying turned to look at Su RAO.

Last night, Su Dan had approached him, saying that Eldest Young Master would not inquire about Miss's visit, knowing how important their father and the Su family were to her. He would not ask about this matter, but she must return to the capital soon. With the New Year approaching, if it were discovered that the Su family's daughter had secretly left the capital...

Although the Su family's daughter was known for her dissolute and licentious ways, her departure from the capital for several days without anyone knowing was something that even the notoriously wayward daughter of the Su family could not have done so secretly without any news leaking out.