Chapter 290: The Critical Time of the Su Family (Part Four)

Chapter 290: The Critical Time of the Su Family (Part Four)

Though several days had passed, the rumors in Yunlang Border Town were still occasionally brought up by the townsfolk as topics for their leisurely chatter.

At the window of the inn, YueHua's figure stood quietly, his ears filled with the gossip of the diners downstairs.

What Su Rao had heard a few days ago, Yun Ji could now hear as well. Under the veil, his elegant brows slightly furrowed, though his face remained calm like the moon, the crease in his brows revealed his inner turmoil.

"Master..."

Yun Ling returned.

"Where is she?"

Yun Ji turned and walked to the table.

On the table lay a piece of paper, sent from Langjing.

It read: "Jier, the Su family may be in peril. Xiao Qi and Su Er have grown too close, and the Emperor seems wary. If Chancellor Yao and the Crown Prince seize this opportunity to stir trouble, the Emperor might decide to eliminate the Su family."

The note was from the old Duke of Yun, delivered to Yun Ji that morning.

"Master, Miss Su has noticed something amiss and used a plan to lure Yao Yeting out. She has captured Yao Yeting and learned that her identity as Xiao Gongzi is exposed.

Knowing that the Su family is in trouble because of her, Miss Su and Su Can are taking Yao Yeting to Tianguguan County. They should reach Langjing within three or four days."

Yun Ling approached.

He saw water seeping through the cup held by those jade-like fingers.

Despite Yun Ji not exerting any force, the cup had cracked, tea leaking through the cracks, staining the tablecloth and his long, slender fingers.

"Just a makeup box and Xiao Gongzi are not enough to make Uncle Emperor issue an order to besiege the Su family."

This thought weighed heavily on Yun Ji's heart, causing him unprecedented anxiety.

Never before had Yun Ji felt so anxious, especially after receiving the news from the old Duke of Yun.

Yun Ji knew better than anyone how much Emperor Yu indulged and tolerated Yun Mujing, and he was also aware of the relationship between Su Er and Yun Mujing.

Now, Emperor Yu's wariness over the relationship between Su Er and Yun Mujing made Yun Ji think that the Emperor might be planning to abandon the Su family to cut off Yun Mujing's support and curb his ambitions.

If so, the makeup box and Xiao Gongzi would indeed spell disaster for the Su family.

Thinking of this, Yun Ji found it hard to remain calm.

He took out YueHua's handkerchief to wipe the water from his hands, then instructed Yun Ling to prepare the horse, ready to ride directly to the rescue.

The Su family must not be harmed; otherwise, Rao...

...

Five Grain Inn.

After a year, they returned to Tianguguan County.

Tianguguan County, which had suffered from a snow disaster, had nearly recovered its former bustling activity after almost a year of reconstruction.

Today was market day, and the streets were filled with vendors' cries, creating a cacophony that masked the sounds inside a room at the Five Grain Inn.

"Princess Ronghua truly lives up to being Xiao Gongzi. Despite the current situation, you still have the composure to dine here. I admire your courage, but I wonder if you will remain so calm once we return to Langjing..."

"Is that so?"

Su Rao put down her chopsticks and looked at the bound Yao Yeting.

"Whether I remain calm or not, only time will tell. But what I do know is that soon, your Yao family will no longer be calm."

Her almond eyes glinted with a deep, hidden meaning, while her face wore a carefree smile.

"Yao Yeting, it seems you've forgotten one thing. This Xiao Gongzi has been protected by Empress Yao multiple times. If my Su family suffers because of me, do you think I'll let your Yao family off scot-free? If we die, we all die together."

These words showed that Su Rao was not worried about the troubles caused by her identity as Xiao Gongzi being exposed, nor was she concerned about the Su family being confined at home. Instead, she continued to enjoy her meal.

After finishing her meal, Su Can returned and whispered something in Su Rao's ear.

Not only was the Su family confined at home, but Old General Su was detained in the palace under the pretext of discussing military affairs with Emperor Yu. Even outside the Makeup Box Pavilion and the Free and Easy Residence, there were Imperial Guards disguised as guards, as if waiting to capture them the moment Su Rao returned.

The hand holding the cup clenched tightly, and a red hue appeared around her almond eyes, as if stained with blood.

"It seems the situation in the capital is extremely unfavorable for Princess Ronghua. It would be best for you to return obediently. Perhaps the Emperor will consider the Su family's years of service and merely strip you of your title..."

Hmm...

Yao Yeting spoke again, despite being a prisoner, still finding ways to provoke. Su Rao kicked Yao Yeting in the abdomen with great force, causing blood to trickle from the corner of his mouth.

"Shut up..."

She ordered Su Can to gag Yao Yeting's mouth with a cloth, then whispered to him again before they began to pack and continue their journey, no longer in such a hurry.

Two guards carried Yao Yeting out through the back door of the Five Grain Inn.

Outside the Chancellor's residence, a small beggar knocked on the back door as night was about to fall.

A letter was delivered into the hands of Chancellor Yao through this little beggar.

"The opening of the Bridal Chamber is not just a matter for my Su family. Over the years, how much profit has the Bridal Chamber made for Her Majesty the Empress? How many benefits have been reaped?

Now, the Yao family wants to withdraw and push all the responsibility of the Bridal Chamber onto our Su family. Truly worthy of you, Chancellor Yao, playing such a clever game. Unfortunately, the Su family is not under your command, and we will not let you manipulate us so easily.

If you want Yao Yeting to be safe, send the Crown Prince alone to Bailipo. Otherwise, I, this County Lady, do not mind making an example of Yao Yeting first, followed by Her Majesty the Empress. Since your Yao family is so unrighteous, do not blame us for being unkind. If we must die, then let us all die together."

Along with the letter, there was also Yao Yeting’s personal jade pendant and items once bestowed by the Empress to Lord Xiao, all present and accounted for.

The letter was written by Su Rao and sent via a homing pigeon, arranged by Xiao Zhi.

Although the Bridal Chamber was under surveillance by the Imperial Guard, Su Rao had her own ways to communicate with Xiao Zhi, understanding the current situation in the capital, and the position of the Bridal Chamber and the Su family, thus making the most appropriate response.

Su Rao’s letter was not baseless.

Chancellor Yao immediately understood Su Rao’s intentions.

The Bridal Chamber, opened by the Su family for the Empress, had secretly been profiting the Empress all along. Otherwise, why would the Empress repeatedly protect it...

By implicating Empress Yao, the entire Yao family would inevitably come under suspicion from Emperor Yu.

As Su Rao said, if her Su family were to suffer because of the Bridal Chamber, she would drag the Yao family down with her. Over the years, Empress Yao has indeed benefited greatly from the Bridal Chamber.

For a moment, Chancellor Yao’s face darkened.

"What audacity this woman has."

This single outburst of anger came from a mere letter and two accessories, enough to enrage the usually composed Chancellor Yao.

"Father, what should we do now?"

His son, Yao Wenge, was even more anxious.

That ugly woman of the Su family could be so audacious, with such deep and cunning thoughts, wanting to implicate both the Empress and the Crown Prince, dragging their entire Chancellor’s residence into this mess. Now, Yeting is in her hands...