Chapter 268: The Storm Rises (Part II)

Chapter 268: The Storm Rises (Part II)

In the early morning, as soon as the news reached Ronggu, she immediately went to inform Empress Rong.

What was written above...

Xiao Mubai had met with Prince Yi of Zhu Xian, Chi Shao, in secret on two occasions.

Once last night.

And once when Yun Ji came to the Capital Region of Zhu Xian.

There were no other incidents.

In just one night, Ronggu's investigation was naturally limited, but these two events were enough for Empress Rong to confirm that Prince Yi and Xiao Mubai had secretly formed an alliance.

At Emperor Wei's birthday banquet, the envoy from Danliang was Rong Feng, while Xiao Mubai, as the head of the Xiao family of Danliang, secretly came to Zhu Xian and met with Prince Yi of Zhu Xian. It didn't take much imagination to know that there must be some secret matter between them.

"Even if Prince Yi knows the origin of the elixir, so what? Even if he and Xiao Mubai have secretly allied, so what? He can never do anything to me."

With a cold laugh, Empress Rong then grabbed Emperor Wei's chin, forcing him to face her.

"Do you think that by acting like you don't want to live, I, Rong Yuer, will lose my leverage over Prince Yi? Wei Lang, when did you become so naive? I am truly disappointed in you!"

Her hand caressed Emperor Wei's face, and the disappointment on Empress Rong's face was evident.

He was ultimately an incapable fool, and after all these years, he remained as unrefined and unremarkable as ever.

The person who could match her, Rong Yuer, should be a hero-king with ambitions for the world, not this kind of weak and unambitious man.

"Xiao Mubai just met with him last night, and today Shao disguised himself and left the city. Wei Lang, if we spread the news that Lady Ronghua is being attacked by bandits, do you think Shao will return to save Lady Ronghua or continue his search..."

"Rong... Yu... er..."

This low, heavy voice again ignited Emperor Wei's anger. He shook off Empress Rong's grip on his chin, his breathing labored, his face turning pale, struggling to breathe.

Empress Rong's cold, beautiful eyes flickered for a moment but quickly returned to their usual icy state.

"If Shao saves Su Rao, we, as his elder brother and sister-in-law, should also arrange his formal wife. If he doesn't go to save her, it would be a pity..."

She didn't finish the sentence, but the murderous intent emanating from her body made it clear.

If Prince Yi didn't return to save Su Rao...

Then the pawn that had lost its usefulness, or worse, might turn against her, would no longer need to be kept alive and must be eliminated.

Wei Lang, you had better hope that your younger brother goes to rescue Lady Ronghua. Only then can I barely maintain peace with him. Otherwise...

She fiercely swung her wide sleeves and left Emperor Wei's chambers, her cold, beautiful gaze falling on the Grand Eunuch waiting outside.

"Watch the Emperor closely. If anything happens to him, you know the consequences."

After Empress Rong left, the Grand Eunuch, who had been bowing and scraping, did not dare to wipe the sweat from his forehead. He looked nothing like a grand eunuch but more like a spy monitoring Emperor Wei.

Empress Rong's words were heard clearly by Emperor Wei inside the chamber. His brush broke into two pieces, and the crimson blood dripped onto the paper, further muddying the painting.

"Rong Yuer, the greatest regret of my life, Xi Yi Chi Wei, is loving you and aiding your tyranny. If you harm Shao in any way, I will take you down with me."

These words, filled with deep regret, sounded even more sorrowful and aged. Emperor Wei coughed and gasped, blood appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Father..."

In the dark corner outside the hall, Xianmu Yaling clenched her fists tightly, struggling to control her urge to rush out. She was stopped by Rong Feng, who had followed her, preventing her from revealing herself to Empress Rong.

"Cousin, why are you here..."

Xianmu Yaling hadn't expected Rong Feng to follow her in secret. Seeing him now, her expression changed.

"Ling'er, how long do you plan to keep things from me? Aunt and Uncle, and Prince Yi, what is going on between them..."

The deep bond between Xianmu Yaling and Rong Feng, built since childhood, allowed Rong Feng to notice something was wrong with Xianmu Yaling within two days.

This morning, Empress Rong had come to see Emperor Wei, and shortly after, Xianmu Yaling received the news. She used a flimsy excuse to send Rong Feng away and came here secretly. Rong Feng, having left, followed her in secret.

"Ling'er, I am your cousin and the one you will entrust your life to. Your mother is also my aunt..."

Before Xianmu Yaling could say more, Rong Feng continued, gripping her shoulders firmly, his usually warm face now serious.

Xianmu Yaling bit her lip.

Rong Feng rarely showed such a serious expression to her, but when it came to her, he always did. However, she had no time to explain now.

"Cousin, can you wait until later to hear everything?"

Holding Rong Feng's wrist, Xianmu Yaling's face was anxious.

"Right now, Uncle Shao is in danger. Mother sent people to attack Su Rao to test Uncle Shao's loyalty. I can't leave the palace. You must find Uncle Shao and make sure he goes to save Su Rao, no matter what."

It was crucial that Uncle Shao save Su Rao; otherwise, there would be no room for reconciliation between him and Mother.

The sky, which had been stiflingly hot all morning, changed completely by noon. The originally grayish-white clouds in the high sky turned dark as they swallowed the hazy sunlight, painting the horizon in deep ink.

Meanwhile, Su Rao and Yiyin, who had left the Capital Region, were unaware of the impending danger. Following the secret marks left by the Imperial Guards, they arrived at the foot of Guanyang Peak, reaching the edge of the maple forest, where the marks were disrupted.

"Miss, this..."

In the mountain forest, the stone arrows indicating direction had been disturbed, either by passing animals or by someone who discovered them, losing their orientation.

"It was caused by an internal force sweep."

Su Rao dismounted directly, kneeling on one knee to observe for a moment before her gaze shifted to the surrounding shrubs and trees.

The pebbles were scattered in disorder; if they had been trampled by beasts, it would not have resulted in such a scattered and dispersed state.

Moreover, there were no signs of beast tracks around the signal markers. Instead, the disorder resembled the aftermath of a strong wind, especially the maple leaves scattered on the ground, which clearly indicated human activity.

A fierce battle must have taken place here not long ago.

"Miss, where should we go now?"

Guanyang Peak is just one of the many peaks in the vast mountain ranges outside the Capital Region of Zhu Xian. The maple forest on Guanyang Peak is not a small patch but covers a large area of the mountain, with winding paths crisscrossing through it.

Su Rao and Yi Ying were on a small mountain path at the edge of the maple forest. Without the guidance of the signal markers, they might find it difficult to locate where Xian Yi Chisha went for some time.

"We should head towards the side where the maple leaves and grass are more disordered and where more leaves have fallen."

In just a moment, Su Rao stood up.

Her gaze fell upon the dense and lush maple forest.

The direction where the shrubs and trees were more disordered and where more maple leaves had fallen coincided with the denser side of the maples.

"Let's go north."

In the absence of the sun, one can determine the cardinal directions by observing the density of leaves or branches.

Crack...

Just as Su Rao was about to mount her horse, this sudden sound reached her ears.

The sound of a foot inadvertently stepping on a branch.

Yi Ying suddenly looked at Su Rao.

Su Rao's deep eyes, her almond-shaped eyes flickering with understanding.

Someone was following them...