Chapter 332 The Prelude to Su Rao’s Dark Transformation (Part 20)

Chapter 332 The Prelude to Su Rao's Dark Transformation (Part 20)

As Yuehua's carriage left the capital, Zhao Guogong's figure appeared at the city gate. He stroked his goatee and, after a moment of silence, let out a heavy sigh of resignation:

"Even as Prince Jiyue, favored by the Emperor, he still cannot withstand the weight of 'imperial power.' In the royal family, there is no room for human emotions. It’s not too late to realize this now."

"Father, the Emperor has ordered us to secretly trail Prince Jiyue to find Su Er. Should we depart now to avoid losing track of him and failing the Emperor's command?"

Zhao Shangshu approached, pressed his lips, and after mustering the courage, asked this question.

In front of his father, he still did not dare to make decisions on his own, seeking approval for every word.

Zhao Guogong stroked his beard again and stepped into his carriage.

"You stay in the capital and keep an eye on Yao Fuyue, that old man. As for Prince Jiyue, I will go myself..."

He no longer held any hope for his son, Zhao Shangshu.

As night fell, the stars shone brightly.

The Crown Prince and the Sixth Prince's entourage also arrived at the Yunlang Army encampment, but they did not enter.

The military camp was a restricted area, and without a general's order, no one could enter. Although the Sixth Prince now held a position in the camp, he could not bring the Imperial Guards inside to search.

Therefore, Yun Murui and his entourage were halted outside the camp.

The Yunlang Army, led by various generals, blocked Crown Prince Yun Murui and the Sixth Prince at the camp gate.

Although Yun Murui was the Yunlang Crown Prince, the Yunlang Army could not be swayed by his status as crown prince.

The Yunlang Army was composed of soldiers selected and trained through layers of examinations by the Su family, the elite forces of Yunlang, known as the tiger and wolf warriors.

"Su Yumo, as the general and commander of our Yunlang Army, is respected by all of you generals. However, it is true that the Su family has harbored remnants of the former dynasty. Now, Su Er has escaped from prison. You should know the seriousness of harboring criminals."

At night in the camp, the bonfires lit up, making the surroundings as bright as day.

Looking at the Yunlang Army that blocked him, Yun Murui noticed that although they appeared calm, there was a hidden fierceness in their eyes. Standing with one hand behind his back, Yun Murui felt a chill thinking about Su Er's prestige within the Yunlang Army. If he escapes, it will be an endless source of trouble.

The wisdom in his eyes seemed deeper in the firelight.

Yun Murui spoke, but the generals, vice generals, and the soldiers guarding the camp all feigned deafness and muteness, ignoring him completely, looking at the sky or the ground but not at Yun Murui.

Although there were one or two people among the generals who were on the Sixth Prince's side, they were like ants trying to topple a tree. Unless the Sixth Prince could gain full control of the camp, they would not expose themselves and become the common enemy of the Yunlang Army.

Moreover, now that the Yunlang Army was taken over by Prince Jiyue, and Prince Jiyue had a deep brotherly bond with their general, as long as Prince Jiyue was there, the fate of the Su family was still undecided. No one could confidently declare the Su family's downfall.

Seeing that his men remained silent, Yun Muxiao's expression became grave, but he understood their thoughts. Stepping forward, he also spoke:

"Generals, harboring a fugitive is equivalent to rebellion. According to Yunlang law, it is treated as a crime of treason. I urge you to consider carefully and not let momentary anger jeopardize your future and implicate your families..."

"What the Sixth Prince said is correct, but we are all rough soldiers, only knowing how to train and defend our country. If the Sixth Prince suspects us of hiding Young General Su, you can report us to the Emperor and have us all arrested."

The Yunlang Army remained unmoved by the Sixth Prince's words, which were ostensibly advice but were actually threats. Although the generals and soldiers were angry, they did not act impulsively. Earlier, when there was initial unrest in the camp, Yun Ling arrived with a message from Yun Ji:

"Generals, I know of your loyalty, but causing trouble in the camp will only push the Su family into a situation where they must be eradicated by the emperor. If you wish to force the Su family into a position where they must be eliminated due to the emperor's fear, you can lead your troops out of the camp and into the imperial city. I, Yun Ji, will not stop you."

Just with that single sentence, the commotion within the military camp came to an abrupt halt, and the loyal generals, enraged by the Su family’s arrest, could do nothing.

Because what Yun Ji said struck a chord in their hearts. If they led their troops into the imperial city, it would amount to staging a rebellion, which would not only implicate them but also push the Su family into a dire situation, truly labeling them as traitors.

"Crown Prince, we, the Yunlang army, have never feared death, nor do we fear it. If the Crown Prince, like the Sixth Prince, believes so, then please bring the Emperor's decree. Only then will we submit to being searched by you. For now, please return, Your Highness."

In the end, the chief general stretched out his right arm, clearly signaling for them to leave. If they wanted to search, then they should bring the Emperor's search warrant.

"Yes! Crown Prince, please go back! This is a military stronghold, and for the Crown Prince to come with the Imperial Guard like this, if those with ill intentions found out, they might use it against you, Your Highness..."

A rough young soldier, pulling his loud voice, added, not knowing since when he had also learned to speak with such veiled intentions, and he did it so well.

"Rough kid, you..."

Yun Muxiao was momentarily enraged.

A mere soldier dared to be so disrespectful to the Third Prince...

"Sixth Brother..."

Yun Murui reached out to pull Yun Muxiao back, his face showing no anger.

The deeply calculating Crown Prince would not easily be provoked to anger.

But beneath this calm, no one knew what he was truly thinking.

"This soldier is indeed frank. Since the general claims that Su Er has not come to the camp, I will not disturb you at night. I naturally trust the Yunlang Army's loyalty to the Emperor. However, I hope the Yunlang Army can honor this trust from the Emperor."

Leaving this sentence, Yun Murui gave the rough kid a deep look before pulling Yun Muxiao away.

"Third Brother, why did you stop me? They are refusing to cooperate, and now the Su family has already fallen..."

Yun Muxiao's anger was hard to dispel.

"As long as the Su family has not been fully eradicated, we must not let our guard down."

With just this one sentence, Yun Murui stopped Yun Muxiao's retort in its tracks.

"Moreover, the Yunlang army is now backed by Prince Yun Ji, the Yun Mansion, and even the Emperor himself. You and I have no evidence to prove that Su Er is in the camp at this moment. If we were to barge in rashly, it would only be counterproductive."

A deep thoughtfulness was evident in his eyes.

This military stronghold is not a place where he can act as he pleases. If the Emperor found out, he might not side with us.

"Third Brother, what should we do now? Should we just wait outside, hoping for something to happen?"

Yun Muxiao asked again, his anger still somewhat unresolved, but he understood Yun Murui's concerns.

"Let me think."

Yun Murui let out a heavy breath as he rubbed his temples.

Outside of Langjing, catching someone, especially Su Er from the Su family, would be no easy task.

"Your Highness, we've found traces of Su Er and the Seventh Prince..."

This voice came suddenly.