Chapter 340: The Prelude to Su Rao’s Dark Transformation (Twenty-Eight)

Chapter 340: The Prelude to Su Rao's Dark Transformation (Twenty-Eight)

"Miss..."

A guard appeared beside her, his voice cutting through the silence.

"Steward Xiao just informed me that they’ve run into Ying Ying."

A letter was handed to Su Rao.

Finally, she had news of Ying Ying and the others.

Su Rao's face, which had been filled with bitter self-mockery, instantly returned to calm.

The letter was opened.

Yi Ying was with Jin Chao and the others. They met Xiao Zhi and Yi Su on their way to Yun Lang. They are now in Tianguguan County and should arrive in Langjing within days. Miss, don’t go after them alone—it’s too dangerous.

As for why Yi Ying was with Jin Chao and why Jin Chao came to Yun Lang, the letter did not mention the reasons, but Su Rao suddenly thought of something.

"Jin... Chao..."

She took out the object that the old man had given her in the palace dungeon. It was just an ordinary half jade token, something that could be bought anywhere on the street market.

But Su Rao knew that this half jade token must represent something. It had to be some kind of connection between the old man and Jin Chao. So Jin Chao's sudden arrival in Yun Lang...

"Miss, there’s one more thing. The Su family has been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice."

The guard added, "Miss, there’s one more thing. The Su family has been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice."

"Ministry of Justice?"

Since returning to Langjing, Su Rao had been preoccupied with Su Er’s situation and hadn’t paid much attention to other events, so she did not know about the imperial decree that Emperor Yu had issued after Yun Ji left the palace.

The overcast morning gave way to a brighter afternoon.

The sunlight struggled to part the clouds and forcefully climbed out from the depths, dispelling the sky's gloom.

The Crown Prince only headed to the Chancellor's mansion that afternoon. No one knew what he said to Prime Minister Yao, but in the evening, after the Crown Prince left, Prime Minister Yao also left his mansion, heading in the direction of the Ministry of Justice.

The clear afternoon sky turned to night, and the moonlight, like the previous night, shimmered beautifully, not hiding behind the clouds because of the brief grayness earlier that morning.

The moon emerged from the night sky, and the stars, like the night before, dotted the sky one by one.

In the twilight night, where the moonlight spread, it was as bright as day, while in places not touched by the moonlight, it was as dark as ink.

Such places included not only the Jingzhao Prefecture's prison but also another place that handled all the various cases across Yun Lang—the Ministry of Justice.

The cells in the Ministry of Justice were clean and tidy. Although they were not as comfortable as the palace dungeon, they had all the necessary bedding and furniture. Even though the Su family had fallen, Old General Su was still treated with some respect.

"We’ve both served as ministers in Yun Lang for over thirty years. Now that my grandson has died, out of respect for our friendship, I thought to inform you, so you won’t leave this world with unrest."

Prime Minister Yao sat opposite the wooden table, dressed casually. He spoke to Old General Su, sipping some tea. His old eyes looked at Old General Su, observing him as he heard about his grandson's death, killed by Yun Ji. Although Old General Su showed no outward reaction, water stains suddenly appeared on the table as his trembling hands caused the water to splash from the cup.

Old General Su sat in silence for a moment, then, in a rough tone, he put down his cup, wiped the water splashed on his hands, stroked his big beard, and shook his head with a scoff.

"The pot calling the kettle black."

"Old man Yao, are you hoping to see me weep or watch the Su family fall into disgrace? You will be disappointed. I, Su Hong, have spent more than half my life on the battlefield. I've faced death countless times. Death means nothing to me. Su Hong has never feared it, nor has he ever been afraid."

The powerful and forceful voice showed no sign of grief even upon learning of his grandson's death. He would not give these petty people the satisfaction of using it to mock the Su family. This was the last dignity of the Su family.

"Each son of the Su family that perishes is a loss to Yun Lang and the Yun family. The emperor has listened to the flattery of you traitorous ministers and wrongfully accused us, aiming to destroy the Su family. He is blind to reality.

Yao Fuyue, don't be too smug. With such a foolish and ignorant monarch, I will watch from beyond the grave as you bring about the ruin of Yun Lang. I'll be waiting to see how your Yao family's end will be any better than mine, old foe."

Rising to his feet and turning his back, his hands clasped behind him, the straight figure of the elderly man, though frail and weak, did not lose an ounce of his tiger-like demeanor in front of his enemies.

"Get out of here!"

Once Yao Prime Minister had left, the old general's rigid, tiger-like stance finally crumbled. His pale hands covered his aged face, and his body trembled slightly.

In the nearby cells, the rest of the Su family were filled with grief and anger. Even Su Wu, usually full of energy, clenched his hands until the veins bulged. If not for Su Da, Su San, Su Si, and the other elders, including Su Father, holding him back, Su Wu would have smashed the prison door and charged at Yao Prime Minister, the man who had come to humiliate his grandfather and family.

"Are we just going to sit here and wait to die? Grandfather, how can the Yun family be so ruthless? Second Brother was killed by Yun Ji. Are we just going to sit here and wait to be exterminated?"

The suppressed roar made the veins on Su Wu's forehead bulge like blue cords.

"Wu..."

Before the old general could speak, it was Su Father's large hand that pressed down on Su Wu's shoulder, gripping it with great force.

"Our Su family has always been loyal to the country, with no second thoughts. Now, framed by traitorous ministers, we are imprisoned. Rao'er is truly the princess of the former dynasty. If we resist, it will only confirm the charges of treason. For generations, the Su family has been known for its integrity. In the end, we would only be condemned by the world..."

"If everyone is dead and gone, what good is this so-called reputation for integrity? What good is being remembered for generations if no one will stand up for us?"

"Huff..."

From around the corner outside the prison, a soft breath could be heard. Yao Prime Minister had not left. Only at that moment did he depart, his suspicions finally dispelled.

Although Su Er's death had been confirmed multiple times by the Crown Prince and his men, Yun Murui was still somewhat uneasy. He had gone to the Chancellor's mansion to ask Yao Prime Minister to test the waters. If Su Er's death had been a conspiracy between Yun Ji and the old general, there would surely be some slip-up when the Su family learned of Su Er's death.

Hiding outside the prison and hearing the old general's sorrowful cry, Yao Prime Minister believed that Su Er was truly dead. With Su Wu's words, Yao Prime Minister, who had already experienced Su Wu's temperament, knew that nothing could be hidden from him.

He left quietly, without making a single sound that the Su family could detect. What he didn't know was that while the Su family hadn't noticed him, everything had been seen by the pair of crimson peach blossom eyes in the darkness.

Su Rao had no idea how long she had been lurking in the Ministry of Justice prison.