Chapter 330 The Prelude to Su Rao’s Dark Transformation (Part Eighteen)

Chapter 330 The Prelude to Su Rao's Dark Transformation (Part Eighteen)

Though the sky was clear and the sun brilliant, the air seemed to carry an indescribable sense of oppressive gloom. Every passing moment felt tense and stifling.

The afternoon passed in this manner.

By the time of the setting sun, a brilliant sunset appeared on the horizon, with golden-red hues spreading in all directions. The golden light cast by the sunset was dazzling, illuminating a red-clad woman crouching in the forest, intensifying the heavy feeling in the air.

Su Rao's fingertips touched the dried dark red stains on a rock in the forest, while in her other hand she held a small piece of fabric. Her peach-blossom eyes were heavy with concern.

"Su Rao, could it be that your second brother is in danger?"

The piece of fabric was from Su Er's robe, which had been caught and torn by a branch. As Su Rao passed through the forest on her way to the military camp, her keen eyes spotted it.

Huan Niang asked, but Su Rao firmly shook her head.

"There are no signs of a struggle, nor additional bloodstains. This appears to be a self-inflicted wound by my second brother."

As she spoke, Su Rao's heart sank even deeper.

Her second brother had escaped from prison and now self-inflicted a wound—was it all because of her, a remnant of the fallen dynasty? Or was it because of something that had happened between him and Yun Muxiao?

Observing the spot in the forest where Su Er and Yun Muxiao had briefly stayed for a moment longer, she noted the trampled grass from the horses, indicating that their destination was not within the military camp...

This realization deepened Su Rao's already furrowed brows.

"Su Rao..."

Seeing this, Huan Niang spoke again but did not elaborate. A sound of horse hooves approached from the official road.

Clop, clop, clop...

Despite being some distance away, the sound was clearly audible.

Su Rao and Huan Niang exchanged a quick glance.

The reason the sound of the horse hooves on the road was so distinct was because it was the sound of the specialized horseshoes used exclusively by the Imperial Guard.

Immediately, Su Rao's group swiftly hid in the forest.

Her peach-blossom eyes also scanned the road...

The yellowing leaves on either side of the road rustled.

A group of Imperial Guards, led by Yun Murui and Yun Muxiao, galloped toward them from the distant road.

After a search that lasted from late night until noon today, Yun Murui and Yun Muxiao finally discovered that Su Er and Yun Muxiao had left the city.

When the Prefect of Jingzhao received news of the incident at the Jingzhao government prison, and learned that Huan Niang and Mu Lian had also been rescued during the night, his face turned pale. He dared not delay reporting it, so he hurriedly entered the palace to inform the emperor.

With the news of the prison break, the Crown Prince, upon connecting the dots, discovered the gate commander’s failure to report the incident.

Under the pressure of the Crown Prince, the gate commander and the guards, trembling, confessed that they had been coerced by the Seventh Prince into letting him leave the city, not daring to disobey.

This account did not mention Su Rao's group, placing everything on Su Er and the Seventh Prince.

Their words were twisted to lessen their guilt and to avoid revealing that Su Rao's group was secretly dispatched by the Crown Prince.

If they spoke without understanding the situation, they would not only suffer for failing to report it, but they might also invite death and be eliminated by the Crown Prince.

"Third Brother, the direction they’re heading is toward the Yunlang army camp. Could it be that Su Er fled to the camp?"

The Crown Prince and the Sixth Prince galloped past this official road.

As Yun Mu Xiao watched them, following the direction the gate general had indicated Su Er and Yun Mu Jing took after leaving the city, a chilling thought crossed his mind.

Could it be that Su Er escaped from prison to start a rebellion...

"Third Brother, should we send someone to inform the Chancellor to be prepared, in case any danger arises? Third Brother, as the Crown Prince, if you were to be injured..."

Although Yun Mu Xiao hadn't voiced his chilling guess, the bond between the brothers over the years meant Yun Mu Rui understood without more words.

If Su Er reaches the camp and rallies the Yunlang army, going with only a few dozen Imperial Guards would be dangerous.

"Sixth Brother, don’t worry."

If Su Er truly rebels, he would be walking into his own destruction.

The wisdom in his eyes remained undiminished.

"The rest of the Su family is still in prison. No matter how capable Su Er is, he wouldn’t dare act rashly."

Yun Mu Rui’s implication was clear: with the rest of the Su family in hand, even if Su Er escaped to the camp, he would still be constrained.

He added:

"Father has entrusted this matter to me and the Duke of Zhao. With the Duke of Zhao involved, it’s best that Grandfather doesn’t get involved."

The old fox, the Duke of Zhao, was always watching the Chancellor's mansion. For safety’s sake, it’s better that Grandfather doesn’t get involved.

Since Yun Mu Rui had considered every possible factor so thoroughly, Yun Mu Xiao had no more to say.

"Third Brother, you’re always so thorough."

In no time, they left the area of the official road.

Only when they could no longer see any trace of people on the road did Su Rao and Huan Niang emerge from the forest.

"Su Rao, from the sound of their words, your second brother really did go to the camp. Do you think he might actually..."

Huan Niang guessed.

The word ‘rebellion’ was left unspoken, but her unusual expression had already told Su Rao.

"If it were in the past, I would firmly believe that Second Brother would never..."

But now, she couldn’t be sure at all...

Su Rao’s voice carried a heavy weight.

But in an instant, she leaped onto her horse.

"Let’s go, we’ll follow them for now. I won’t let anything happen to Second Brother."

Because of the appearance of the Crown Prince and the Sixth Prince’s group, Su Rao’s concern for Su Er made her forget about the clue she had just discovered in the forest. Instead, she followed Yun Mu Rui and the others, thus missing the chance to meet Su Er earlier.

Just a step earlier or a step later would have led to a completely different outcome.

For now, let’s set aside this different outcome.

The Crown Prince and his party, followed by Su Rao and her group, headed towards the Yunlang army camp. Meanwhile, in the Yun Palace, Yun Ji faced another challenge posed by Emperor Yu, another test of imperial authority.

Outside the imperial study, the oppressive atmosphere and heavy pressure made the Prefect of Jingzhao tremble as he knelt on the steps below, sweat pouring down his forehead, each drop staining the official robe spread over the steps.

"With hundreds of officers and guards under your command, someone still managed to sneak in and rescue all the prisoners without a sound. What use are you to me?"

After a long afternoon of silence, as the bodies of the officers and guards killed by the jade bone fan were carried out of the hall, Emperor Yu finally spoke.

"Emperor... please calm your anger. I am guilty, but last night, when Su Er escaped from prison, the entire prefecture jail was slaughtered and raided. This might be a collaboration between the Su family and the remnants of the former dynasty, using a decoy tactic..."

Though trembling with fear due to the jail incident, the Prefect of Jingzhao hurriedly tried to excuse himself. As he finished speaking, he swallowed hard and bowed even lower.

"Collaboration..."

"Diversion..."

Emperor Yu’s gaze then turned to Yun Ji, who sat quietly on a soft chair brought by the young attendant.

"What do you think, Jì Yuè?"

This question seemed to ask Yun Ji for his thoughts or whether he agreed with the Prefect’s excuse.

But both knew in their hearts that Emperor Yu suspected Yun Ji, that he doubted him. It was because all the guards had died by the jade bone fan, and Huan Niang and Mu Lian were both shadow guards of the former Yun Princess, as Yun Ji mentioned. So, was Su Er’s escape actually orchestrated by Yun Ji?

By having Yun Mujing rescue Su Er, Yun Ji could use Yun Mujing’s safety to restrain Emperor Yu, and secondly, with Su Er’s escape, Emperor Yu would not dare to act against the Su family easily, otherwise, if Su Er was pushed too far, he might start a rebellion...