Chapter 336: The Prelude to Su Rao’s Dark Transformation (Part 24)

Chapter 336: The Prelude to Su Rao's Dark Transformation (Part 24)

Time passed quickly.

As the sunset dipped below the horizon, the Crown Prince's entourage entered Yun Palace, carrying Su Er's body.

Seeing the Yue Hua dagger embedded in Su Er's chest, a symbol of Yun Ji's handiwork, and upon seeing Duke Zhao nod in confirmation that Su Er was indeed killed by Yun Ji, Emperor Yu's eyes darkened, but in an instant, a hidden smile crossed his face.

Emperor Yu seemed quite satisfied with Yun Ji's choice of killing Su Er, and even more pleased with the nephew he had nurtured, a nephew whose mind was sharp and transparent.

"Since Su Er is already dead, the crime of prison escape will be overlooked. Duke Zhao, find a proper burial site and lay him to rest. After all, he was a military commander of my Yunlang army and the grandson of old General Su."

With one hand behind his back, Emperor Yu gazed at Su Er's lifeless body for a moment, noticing the blood-stained Yue Hua cloak covering him. A flicker of emotion crossed the emperor's face, as if he still mourned the Su family's betrayal, yet beneath that regret, there was a deeper sorrow.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Duke Zhao bowed, his eyes downcast, a flicker of emotion in his gaze. Only he knew what it truly meant.

The Crown Prince and Yao Yeting reacted similarly.

"The Crown Prince has been searching for two days and nights. Go and rest to recover from your fatigue. I am also tired. Everyone, retreat!"

Emperor Yu entered the imperial study without further instructions. As for how to deal with the Su family and the whereabouts of Su Rao, he said nothing more, leaving the Crown Prince and Yao Yeting with no choice but to withdraw.

Duke Zhao also ordered his men to take Su Er's body back to his mansion, temporarily setting up a mourning hall until a proper burial site could be found.

The night sky was clear and bright.

The sunset was swallowed by the starry sky.

Night fell.

A nearly full, luminous moon hung in the sky.

The night of the tenth day.

So bright.

The moonlight, radiant and shimmering, combined with the soft glow of lanterns, made Yun Palace feel like daytime.

"Why did you force Brother to kill Su Yumo, his only true friend? All these years, has your favor towards him been fake?"

Yun MuJing returned to the palace alone; Yun Ji had not entered. There had been no word from Yun Ji regarding Su Er's death, only that Yun MuJing was to return to the palace.

His voice was low as he spoke, his hands pressing down on the desk in front of Emperor Yu, his enchanting eyes surrounded by a faint redness.

It was unclear if this was due to grief over Su Yumo's death, Emperor Yu's schemes, or because Emperor Yu had also involved Yun Ji and his beloved son in his plans, causing Yun MuJing's inner turmoil to rise uncontrollably.

"Are you questioning your father, the Emperor?"

Emperor Yu's expression remained blank.

"I once told you to leave with Su Er, to stay away from the imperial power. You did not listen. I confined you to reflect, but you did not listen either. Not only did you leave the mansion without permission, but you also helped Su Er escape from prison. Will there come a day when you will go to any lengths for the Su family, even to the point of opposing your own father?"

With these words, Emperor Yu's anger flared, the anger of an emperor.

"The Su family, with just Su Er, a remnant of the former dynasty, has caused two of my sons to lose their focus. The Su family's existence threatens my imperial power and has led my most cherished nephew to act recklessly, losing all sense of royal decorum and his own identity."

The emperor's voice was low and grave as he rose from behind the desk and approached Yun Mujing. The anger on his face showed no signs of fading.

"Su Er's death was a consequence of your decision, Yun Mujing. The Su family's standing in the military, Su Er's reputation—these were sealed the moment he chose to escape, and you aided him in that escape. His death was inevitable.

In this matter, Jì Yuè is more clear-sighted and discerning than you. He understands the necessity of sacrifice and comprehends that no one should rest easy beside the emperor's throne. That is the mindset a true royal should have when entangled in the vortex of imperial power.

But you, Yun Mujing, have been protected too well by your father and Jì Yuè. You lack the essential qualities of a royal, yet you still desire this emperor's throne?"

At these words, Yun Mujing was struck dumb, staring blankly at the emperor.

Seeing Yun Mujing's reaction, the emperor's anger finally lessened slightly, but he still struck another blow to Yun Mujing's heart.

"This throne of mine is built upon piles of bones and countless bodies. From being the son of a vassal king, to being named crown prince of a vassal state, and then becoming the crown prince of Yunlang, to now sitting on this imperial throne, ruling Yunlang—I have lost count of how much blood is on my hands.

Now, with just the death of Su Er, you lose control of yourself. In the future, when those dear to you leave one by one, how will you bear it?

To sit in a position of imperial power, one must be utterly ruthless and heartless. The position of emperor is one of solitude. If you cannot understand this basic truth, then even if you ascend the throne, you will not be able to hold onto it.

If you are unwilling to leave, unwilling to live as a woman, and still unwilling to let go of your ambitions, then I, your father, will now grant you your wish.

If you wish to challenge the crown prince and claim this throne, I will no longer stand in your way. As long as you can harden your heart enough to control the entire court, I will not hesitate to grant you the throne."

Turning around, the emperor walked into the inner chamber, leaving Yun Mujing alone.

As he entered the inner chamber, the emperor left Yun Mujing with one final sentence:

"Since you cannot let go of your ambitions, then Su Yumo's death and the departure of the one you hold dear will be the beginning of your path to imperial hegemony.

From now on, I will watch to see if my seventh prince can sit on the throne beneath me and become an even more exceptional heir to the imperial power than the crown prince.

I will be waiting with great anticipation."

The bead curtain fell, obscuring the emperor's figure, the imperial yellow disappearing from the outer hall but lingering in those captivating eyes.

Yun Mujing's gaze flickered, and all the feigned anger and frustration on his face vanished the moment the emperor left, returning to calm.

Silently, he looked at the inner chamber, but complexity welled up in his eyes. After a moment, Yun Mujing turned and strode away.

Father, not every emperor must rule alone. Must those born into the royal family be heartless and ruthless?

This son of yours does not believe so. Royals, too, are human. Brother once said that a heart that grows cold is but a walking corpse.

I desire imperial power, but not out of greed for authority. I simply wish to protect the one dear to my heart. That is all.

"Yun… Lang… Yu… Huang…"

This murmur echoed abruptly through Yunchen Hall.

It carried a bone-chilling coldness and suppressed killing intent.

A bone-chilling cold, like that of an ancient ice chamber, silently spread through Yunchen Hall.