Chapter 282: The Eve of the Second Storm (Part Six)

Chapter 282: The Eve of the Second Storm (Part Six)

The bright sun cast its light, the shimmering rays illuminating the carriage approaching the city gate, casting shadows on its body.

Creak, creak...

The sound of the wheels turning.

Rong Feng's carriage, after departing from the back gate of Prince Yi's mansion, headed straight for the city gate, leaving Zhu Xian.

After passing through the city gate, a tear finally fell from the corner of Xianmu Yaling's eye, landing on Rong Feng's hand.

"Ling'er..."

Rong Feng lifted Xianmu Yaling and wiped away her tears.

"Ling'er, don't cry. Your young uncle sent you away for your own good, the matters between Aunt and Uncle..."

"I know..."

She sniffed.

Xianmu Yaling continued to cry in Rong Feng's arms.

"Cousin, why? Why did it have to come to this?"

"Ling'er, if you don't want to go, we can turn back."

Rong Feng's eyes were full of concern.

"No..."

Xianmu Yaling shook her head.

"Uncle is doing what's best for me; I must leave."

Only by leaving would she no longer be a pawn used by her mother to threaten Uncle and Father, and...

After bringing Rong Feng into Prince Yi's mansion, Xianyi Chishao directly led him to the pavilion where Xianmu Yaling was staying within the mansion, allowing Rong Feng to take her away.

"If you don't want Changle to suffer, it's best not to ask too many questions. Take Changle to Danliang, tell her that if she doesn't want anything to happen to her father and mother, she should leave obediently. Without my permission, she must never set foot in Zhu Xian again, or she will have to come and collect our remains..."

These words, spoken by Xianyi Chishao to Rong Feng, were actually meant for Xianmu Yaling to hear, as he knew she was not unconscious.

"Ling'er, I will have people keep an eye on things here. If Prince Yi or Aunt's life is in danger, we will return immediately. Don't worry, everything will be fine with me around."

Rong Feng tenderly wiped away another tear from Xianmu Yaling's eye and held her in his arms.

The carriage disappeared in an instant.

On the city wall, the figure in dark robes finally emerged from the tower, one hand behind his back, gazing in the direction of Danliang.

"Princess has left, accompanied by Prince Rong Feng. Your Highness need not worry."

Mo Ying said.

Xianyi Chishao watched quietly for a moment before speaking:

"It's not that I made her leave, but rather Rong Yuer. Rong Yuer understands better than anyone that if Changle stays in Zhu Xian, there will come a day when she will have to choose between me, her brother, and herself."

With these words, Mo Ying immediately understood the meaning behind Xianyi Chishao's statement.

Perhaps from the moment Empress Rong confined Xianmu Yaling, using her to threaten Xianyi Chishao, she intended to force him to send Xianmu Yaling away. Empress Rong could not abandon her years of planning just for Xianmu Yaling. Only by sending her away could they prevent her from disrupting the plan and preserve the bond between mother and daughter, avoiding a final estrangement.

"Send two secret guards to follow discreetly."

After giving this order, Xianyi Chishao left the city wall, his gaze briefly sweeping over a corner of the wall, his expression cold and unreadable.

As Xianyi Chishao and Mo Ying departed, the figure in a simple robe, Empress Rong, appeared at the corner of the wall, her face hidden by a veil.

"There's no need to worry, Your Majesty. The Prince will take good care of Her Highness in Danliang. The Emperor and Empress will surely treat her like their own. Once matters here are settled, if Your Majesty misses Her Highness, you can have her return."

Ronggu comforted.

"I no longer have this daughter."

Empress Rong glanced at the city gate, showing no sign of reluctance, then turned and ascended into her palanquin.

Back to the palace.

Even in such a simple robe, her presence could not be concealed.

Noble and cold, Empress Rong.

...

At this moment, in the most bustling restaurant in the Capital Region, 'Baike Tower,' a room was filled with a heavy, icy silence.

Su Rao and Xiaoshan had come here after leaving.

In the room, she had Xiaoshan clean himself up, then called for dishes from the waiter before questioning him.

What were you doing outside Prince Yi's mansion?

And why did you dress yourself up as a dirty beggar?

Before Xiaoshan spoke, Su Rao's face was not yet cold and indifferent, but after Xiaoshan opened his mouth, the matter he spoke of...

A few days ago, Xiaoshan followed his father to the Capital Region for a market day, purchasing daily necessities, and accidentally encountered Mo Ying.

The two magistrates of Tianguguan County who once captured him and his younger brother had secretly made contact with Mo Ying.

That was why Xiaoshan disguised himself as a little beggar outside Prince Yi's mansion, to find out more about this matter.

"Sister, the robbery of the dowry goods at that time wasn't just a collaboration between my second uncle and the magistrate..."

"Xian... Yi... Chi... Shao..."

This name, at this moment, was uttered word by word from Su Rao's cherry lips. She had her suspicions before, but there was no evidence until now...

In her peach-blossom eyes, a red hue appeared.

To tamper with her dowry goods, to harm Uncle Hao, she still thought of cooperating with him openly...

"Sister, are you alright?!"

Feeling the sudden chill around her, it seemed as if the room had turned into a cold winter day. Xiaoshan shivered, but not out of fear of Su Rao's appearance. His bright childlike eyes were filled with concern and worry for Su Rao.

Such eyes made the coldness around Su Rao dissipate.

"I'm fine, Sister. Thank you, Xiaoshan, for telling me about this. I will handle this matter. Don't get involved anymore, don't let your parents worry."

She patted Xiaoshan's head gently, and Su Rao's lips curved slightly, giving Xiaoshan a piece of the dish with her chopsticks.

"The food will be tasteless if it gets cold. Eat quickly! Sister will send you home later."

Xiaoshan wanted to say something more, but looking at the food in his bowl and then at Su Rao, he finally nodded.

He ate lunch silently.

After the meal, Xiaoshan bought two roasted chickens for his younger brother and some other snacks. Su Rao also bought some miscellaneous items and then sent Xiaoshan back to Shanjian Village.

Changing back into her bright red clothes, she let Xian Yi Chi Shao know that she had 'left'.

Just as Su Rao changed back into her own clothes and restored her true appearance, Xiaoshan stared in amazement.

Not only because of Su Rao's miraculous disguise, but also because he had seen her like this before.

After leaving the Capital Region and arriving at Guanyang Peak, Yinyin quietly stayed behind to investigate what happened to Xianmu Yaling.

One of the guards from the dowry shop disguised herself as Yinyin and returned to Yunlang first.

After all, the Shadow Merchant of the dowry shop and the Lady Ronghua of Yunlang could not both leave together.

And this 'Yinyin' returning first would also make it easier for Yinyin to continue acting in secret without being noticed by Xian Yi Chi Shao.

All of this left Xiaoshan staring in amazement once again.

"Sister, you... you really are from Langjing..."

Looking at the ugly scar on Su Rao's forehead, now covered by another flower patch, Xiaoshan showed an expression rarely seen on a child, utterly amazed.