Chapter 316: The Prelude to Su Rao’s Dark Transformation (Part Four)

Chapter 316: The Prelude to Su Rao's Dark Transformation (Part Four)

The sky, dazzling all day, gave way to a brilliant starry night, sparkling in splendor.

Within the entire night sky, the stars seemed crowded, one next to another, forming a continuous river of stars, showing how enchanting the night was.

Moonlight bathed the earth, covering every corner of the land like a mirror exposing any darkness.

At that moment, within the imperial study, the candlelight was still bright red, with dragon-shaped palace lanterns and flickering candles.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Guard has searched for the entire day but still found no trace of the remnants of the former dynasty. In my humble opinion, the person who rescued the remnants of the former dynasty remains in Langjing. They might be hiding in a place difficult to search; otherwise, how could there be no sign?"

Prime Minister Yao spoke, his old eyes falling on Emperor Yu, seated on the dragon chair, a flickering light in his eyes, hiding an underlying inquiry into the emperor's thoughts, difficult to discern.

In Langjing, if the emperor truly wanted to find someone, with the abilities of the golden-clad secret guard, how could there be no sign? The emperor likely still harbors some reluctance towards the Su family.

"Minister Yao..."

Emperor Yu looked at Prime Minister Yao, his imperial eyes deep, the darkness in his eyes unhidden.

"I have not pursued the actions you and the Crown Prince have taken. Now, it is time to rein in the Crown Prince. As the heir, he should be virtuous, benevolent, and loving towards the people, broad-minded and kind. As the Crown Prince's grandfather, you should set an example."

These words implied that Emperor Yu still had some lingering feelings for the Su family. Even though Su Rao's identity as a princess of the former dynasty had been confirmed, he still found it hard to let go of the Su family. This was actually a warning for the Crown Prince, advising him to be a benevolent ruler and not to exterminate the family completely.

"This old minister admits his fault in requesting the Crown Prince to secretly save my grandson. However, Your Majesty, the Su family's merits have long surpassed their station..."

Suddenly, Prime Minister Yao swept his robe and knelt on the ground, speaking frankly.

"There have already been disturbances in the military camp on the side of the Sixth Prince today. If not for Yun Ling, who was sent by Prince Yun Ji, there might have been numerous military officers at the Yun Palace today, pleading for the Su family."

A loyal minister, loyal to the king and country, dared to advise, even if such words might arouse suspicion of personal motives.

Unable to move the Seventh Prince, they aimed to eliminate the Su family, who might obstruct the Seventh Prince, to stabilize the Crown Prince's position as the heir.

"Your Majesty, such a Su family, we would rather kill them by mistake than let them go! If they are exploited by the remnants of the former dynasty, it will surely bring great disaster to our Yunlang dynasty..."

"I understand your concerns, Minister Yao."

The darkness in Emperor Yu's eyes vanished suddenly, and the profound thoughts of a king were no longer visible on his face, replaced with a hint of weariness.

"If the Su family's imprisonment truly causes unrest in the military camp and disrupts the order of our dynasty, then they cannot be kept. Minister Yao, you have also been tired these days. Go and rest first. We will decide the fate of the Su family tomorrow morning."

Whether the Su family had truly become too powerful or posed a threat to the royal dynasty would be seen tomorrow morning. Whether the Su family would be spared or executed...

Tomorrow...

Prime Minister Yao's old eyes flickered once more and he no longer spoke, bowing and taking his leave.

"The emperor is wise. This old minister takes his leave."

As soon as Prime Minister Yao left, Emperor Yu narrowed his eyes and glanced outside the door of the imperial study before getting up and heading to Yunchen Hall.

Once again, that figure in purple appeared, clearly overhearing the conversation between Emperor Yu and Prime Minister Yao. This time, he was hiding beneath the eaves outside the imperial study, not inside.

The figure jumped down from the palace terrace, his enchanting eyes looking in the direction of Yunchen Hall, his charming face lost in thought.

"The heart of an emperor... Father, you still fear the Su family. Tomorrow, the court will surely be in turmoil, and I fear for the Su family..."

In a single breath, he leaped twice and quietly departed.

As Yun Mujing just left, the Emperor Yu, who was quietly gazing at the portrait of his beloved hanging on the wall in Yunchen Hall, suddenly murmured a soft imperial whisper:

"Yao'er, if Jing'er can lay down his ambitions for the Su clan, and if Qin Rao offers her own life in exchange for the safety of the Su clan, I will spare them. Otherwise..."

The glimmering night illuminated not only the darkness within Yun Palace at that moment but also the darkness in the bamboo forest.

On the bed, the figure of Yue Hua, lying next to Su Rao, woke up under the night sky after collapsing. The icy chill in his eyes was so cold that it seemed to freeze even the white blindfold over his eyes, freezing the area around him.

For Su Rao's two cries of slaughter had awakened the true self within Yun Ji, the one who revels in slaughter. Han Mochen had emerged again, uncontrollably, taking over the body once more.

The slit-like phoenix eyes beneath the white blindfold shifted again, the black gem-like clarity turning icy, as the icy coldness of a slaughterhouse reappeared.

"Su... Rao..."

But as his gaze fell on the person beside him, the sense of slaughter weakened for a moment. His slender, jade-like fingers removed the white blindfold from his eyes, and his slit-like phoenix eyes fell on Su Rao's face.

Her pale appearance, her colorless lips, and the conspicuous indented scar on her forehead made Han Mochen's heart stutter for no reason, finding the scar glaring.

Suddenly, the corner of his mouth curled into a cold, bloodthirsty smile, as his jade-like fingers caressed the indented scar on Su Rao's forehead, and his phoenix eyes filled again with bloodlust, his aura sinking instantly.

A bloodthirsty whisper:

"Who do you want to kill, Su Rao? Whoever you want to kill, Han Mochen will kill them for you. You are Han Mochen's exception; no one can hurt you like this."

After a moment of caressing Su Rao's forehead, Han Mochen left the room, still dressed in Yue Hua's clothes, not realizing what he had become.

Walking into the bamboo forest, the icy coldness in his eyes vanished suddenly, and his feet suddenly halted. Yun Ji clutched his chest, feeling turmoil inside.

A drop of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth, and his once handsome face turned pale instantly. The killing intent in his heart was momentarily suppressed.

"Han Mochen, do you want to drag Rao Rao into your slaughter, into your darkness? Don't you forget who she is? Your actions will implicate the Su clan."

A heavy, oppressive feeling sank in, and his heart sank with it.

If something were to happen to the Su clan, how could Rao Rao forgive herself for it?

"Rao Rao..."

This murmur brought a moment of bewilderment to Yun Ji's face, a confusion that belonged to Han Mochen.

"Is she really Rao Rao?"

"Yes, she is Rao Rao. She must not be like you, dragged into that darkness, that hell where no light can be seen. If she falls into it, she will no longer be Rao Rao."

"No, she is Rao Rao. Rao Rao has always sought revenge on her enemies. She will not cower and hide like you. You, Yun Muhao, have never even caught Rao Rao's eye. How could you ever understand her?"

The cool, sorrowful voice suddenly turned cold again.

Only during these fleeting moments of transition between the two personalities could a moment of coexistence occur.