Chapter 331 The Prelude to Su Rao’s Dark Transformation (XIX)

Chapter 331 The Prelude to Su Rao's Dark Transformation (XIX)

A cough escaped him, and Yun Ji's complexion appeared pale once more.

His slightly sallow face, colorless lips, and increasingly thin frame indicated that his condition had worsened, with no sign of improvement by evening.

Though the sunset was as brilliant as a summer's day, Yun Ji was already wrapped in a heavy cloak. It was only early autumn, yet he felt as if he had entered the cold winter months, a clear sign of his weakened state.

He sipped a cup of clear tea to suppress his cough, then finally spoke:

"Uncle, whether it’s an inside job or a diversion, it’s no longer crucial. What matters now is finding Ah Jing!"

With a calm voice and composed demeanor, Yun Ji showed no distress even when suspected by the emperor or when mentioning Yun Mujing and Su Er's situation. His face remained expressionless.

By focusing on finding Yun Mujing rather than Su Er, Yun Ji's words seemed to directly address Yun Mujing's situation, further confirming the emperor’s suspicions.

Last night, Yun Mujing was taken out of the city by Su Er. If the Crown Prince and the others find Su Er, there’s no guarantee they won’t take the opportunity to eliminate Yun Mujing.

"What Yue Ji says makes sense. If so..."

The emperor’s voice grew low for a moment, but his face showed no anger despite his suspicions about Yun Ji.

"While I am concerned about your health, I know your concern for Jing is no less than mine. Go and bring him back safely."

As a ruler, he was also a loving father. For the safety of his beloved son, he had to use Yun Ji, sending him personally to capture Su Er.

When referring to Yun Mujing’s safety, the emperor emphasized the word 'safely,' stressing that Yun Mujing was important to Yun Ji.

"As for the Su family's second son, if he agrees to release Jing, bring him back too. But if he resists..."

The emperor left the rest unsaid, but it was clear what he meant.

Those who resist and rebel will be killed on the spot.

"Yue Ji, I know of your relationship with Su family's second son, but when it comes to royal matters, I understand you will prioritize the bigger picture. If you can’t bring yourself to act, leave it to the Crown Prince."

After this final instruction, the emperor, as he had done twice before, patted Yun Ji's shoulder.

This gesture seemed to say: don't truly disappoint me, and don’t be like Jing, unaware of what truly matters. You are Yue Ji, the light of our Yun Lang's sky. Don’t let emotions cloud your clarity.

"Yun Ji, understood."

With a simple response, Yun Ji remained calm, still the Yue Ji with the serene composure of a clear moonlit night.

"Yue Ji, you must bring Jing back to me 'safely.' He is your 'brother.'"

With these weighty words, the emperor looked at Yun Ji once more before turning his gaze to the Prefect of Jingzhao, his imperial eyes unable to suppress their anger.

The Prefect of Jingzhao, a third-rank official responsible for governing the Capital Region, had been negligent in his duties, allowing remnants of the former dynasty to rescue their comrades. His punishment was to receive fifty lashes and be demoted.

The emperor's gaze finally rested on Yun Ji one last time before he turned and strode into the imperial study.

The punishment of the Prefect of Jingzhao was, in truth, a message to Yun Ji.

In the emperor's heart, he believed Yun Ji was responsible for rescuing Huan Niang and Mu Lian. Now, he placed the blame on Su Rao, a remnant of the former dynasty, as part of his scheme.

In his ears, the Prefect of Jingzhao's screams and pleas for mercy echoed.

"Royal Uncle, please do not worry. I will definitely bring Ah Jing back safely and ensure no harm comes to him."

The pair of slender phoenix eyes beneath the silk cloth finally fluttered, and Yun Ji rose to his feet, stepping away.

The evening breeze was stirred by the Yuehua cloak, the ink-black hair ribbon fluttering in the wind. The Yuehua robes fluttered, and the slender jade fingers adjusted the cloak to block the cold wind entering the collar.

The Yuehua carriage drove away.

Yun Ji finally left the palace.

With only Yun Ji and the carriage driver Yun Ling, Emperor Yu did not send any troops with Yun Ji, trusting him not to disappoint him.

By sending Yun Ji out to handle matters, Emperor Yu believed Yun Ji would accomplish the task well.

However, not even half an hour after Yun Ji left the palace, an edict targeting the Su family was released from the imperial study.

The Su family was to be imprisoned in the Ministry of Punishments. In consideration of their years of service, even though they had committed treason, the Emperor decided that if Su Er and Su Rao surrender themselves, only the direct line of the Su family would be punished, avoiding the extermination of the entire clan. Otherwise, the entire clan would be exterminated.

This edict reached Yun Ji’s eyes instantly.

"Cough... cough cough..."

Another bout of coughing began, and the Yuehua carriage had not yet left Langjing when Yun Ling quickly pulled the horse to a stop.

"My lord..."

"I’m fine..."

A weak voice.

The silk cloth over his eyes was removed again, and Yun Ji's gaze fell directly on a message sent by Chief Administrator Yun:

"I, Jì Yuè, must not take the danger to the Su family lightly. This mission must be handled with care. Consider carefully. Royal Uncle actually does not wish for the Su family line to be completely severed."

The jade fingers crumpled the yellow silk, revealing a pale blue hue. For the second time because of Emperor Yu, Yun Ji's anger flashed briefly, and his calm demeanor could no longer be maintained.

Saying he did not wish for the Su family line to be severed, but in reality, it was merely using the Su family as leverage to force Yun Ji not to have any more thoughts...

"Royal Uncle, you have worked so hard to restrict Jì Yuè, making it difficult for me to advance or retreat. But you do not know, Uncle, that actually, Jì Yuè suddenly feels you have done the right thing."

The silk paper turned into tiny pieces, scattering on the carriage bed.

"Rao Rao is no longer Su Rao, and no longer Yu Mo's younger sister. The Su family can no longer protect Rao Rao's safety. In fact, we cannot and dare not keep her any longer.

Otherwise, with Rao Rao's temperament, if she realized the Su family could not leave safely or with honor, she would sacrifice her life for the Su family's safety and honor.

Ah Xiao has waited for seven years for the possibility that Rao Rao might still be alive, searching for three years to find her. How could Ah Xiao stand by and watch her sacrifice herself for the Su family?"

As these words left his mouth, Yun Ji's pair of slender phoenix eyes showed a chill, not because Han Mochen was about to show up, but because the real him, the true Rong Xiao, did not want to keep the Su family, nor could he keep them.

"Let's go! Since Royal Uncle wants to exterminate the Su family, let's first eliminate Yu Mo! He has already developed the intent to kill Rao Rao. Rong Xiao can no longer spare him."

The carriage moved again, and Yun Ling quietly drove, not saying a word about Yun Ji's decision.

Unlike Yun Feng, if Yun Feng were here, he would not be able to help but speak up.

Yun Ji's choice not only severed the only way out that he and Su Rao had painstakingly found, but also likely the path that could have led to light. He was also making Su Rao hate him, and Su Rao might even kill him for it.

But Yun Ji would only smile faintly, not explaining anything, or perhaps explaining with a single sentence, telling Yun Feng:

"Hate, at least, can give Rao Rao the motivation to continue living. It's better for her to hate me than to hate herself, unable to forgive herself for implicating the Su family. Since the Su family cannot retreat safely and must be exterminated, then let me be the one to do it!"