Chapter 345: The Su Family’s Execution (Part III)

Chapter 345: The Su Family's Execution (Part III)

The day passed in a hurry, with most of it gone.

"I didn't expect that spoiled and arrogant Seventh Princess would be so loyal. She actually stormed the Ministry of Punishments alone to save someone."

"Yes! The Seventh Princess went as far as to storm the Ministry of Punishments for the Su family. But the princess of the former dynasty is still hiding somewhere, unknown. After raising her for eight years, she turns out to be an ungrateful white-eyed wolf. The Su family is really unlucky."

"Who wouldn't agree? It's hard to believe the Su family could be traitors, but harboring remnants of the former dynasty is a confirmed fact. Now they are implicated and face extermination. Such a tragic end for a family of noble lineage."

These endless whispers filled the air from morning till dusk, echoing through every corner of Langjing.

Xianyi Chishaou and Mo Ying arrived in Langjing, first noticing the wanted posters for Su Wu plastered on the city walls outside the gates. As they entered the city and heard so many such words, the sharp sword-like eyebrows under Xianyi Chishaou's black hood furrowed slightly, and his phoenix eyes rippled.

The guards at the city gates were heavily fortified. The guards each held a portrait of Su Wu, and while they were friendly to those entering, they searched every departing citizen and merchant, comparing them with the portraits.

"Let's go."

Seeing this, Xianyi Chishaou rode to a residence, a simple abode arranged by Mo Ying earlier. It was located in a quiet alley, an ordinary civilian dwelling, not drawing attention.

As they stepped through the gate, just behind them, the closed door of a house opened, and a shy young scholar came out.

By coincidence, the temporary residence Mo Ying found was very close to the courtyard of Qin Niang and Uncle Hao, both located in the same alley, just two or three houses apart.

Disguised again as a shy young man, Su Rao left the alley and reappeared at the back door of 'Tiger Might Escort Agency' in Langjing.

This escort agency was indeed the one opened by Uncle Hao, responsible for escorting goods for the Lian Pavilion.

Even though the Lian Pavilion had been sealed, this escort agency still handled deliveries for other merchants, so it didn't raise any suspicion from Yun Murui's men.

Looking left and right to ensure no one was around, Su Rao lightly leapt inside.

Inside the agency, in the main hall, there were at least twenty escort masters, each with a sturdy build and strong presence, all middle-aged men around Uncle Hao's age.

"Is it really the young master? The young master is alive."

Seeing Su Rao appear, these escort masters knelt in unison, their faces filled with excitement, some even with tears welling up in their eyes.

These escort masters were part of the shadow forces under the Great Qin Crown Prince. Over the years, Uncle Hao had gathered them to ensure that if Su Rao's identity was ever exposed, they could protect her and help her escape Langjing, out of reach of Yun Murui's forces.

Now that they knew the truth, they were filled with intense emotion.

These secret soldiers were different from the other orphans of Great Qin. They were absolutely loyal to the Great Qin Crown Prince.

They had all received the Crown Prince's kindness and, like Uncle Hao, were not just secret advisors but also close confidants of the Crown Prince.

They were just as loyal to Su Rao, their young master.

"Please rise, uncles and elders!"

Su Rao waved her hand, her face calm and composed. She already knew about the Su family's extermination due to Yun Luoling's chaos. Although it had come so swiftly, Su Rao was determined. Coming here to find these secret soldiers meant she had already decided to attempt a rescue at the execution grounds.

Because of Yun Luoling's ruckus, the Ministry of Punishments was now heavily guarded, not even a fly could get in, making a prison break impossible. The only option left was to strike at the execution grounds...

"Uncles and elders, the chief culprit behind the downfall of our Great Qin is the state of Yun Lang. Despite their role in the fall of Great Qin, Qin Rao cannot hold a grudge against the Su family.

The Su family, noble and honorable, protected many of our people, including you, and General Su once saved me from danger."

The Su family had sheltered me for eight long years, allowing me to grow up in safety. Now that they are in trouble, I cannot stand by and watch them perish because of me, becoming just another innocent victim under the executioner's blade, dying such a senseless death.

Her words carried no trace of weakness or fear, only the responsibility befitting a Great Qin princess.

Seeing Su Rao like this, the secret guards felt as if they were in the presence of their true leader. Though born into the royal family, she possessed a heart full of great love and benevolence.

"We shall follow the young miss's commands," they declared in unison, their voices resolute and powerful.

"Please rise, everyone," Su Rao said, bowing as she personally helped up the two in front.

"Once this matter is resolved, I will ensure you all have a safe retreat so you can live in peace and no longer risk your lives."

Before the secret guards could pledge their loyalty again, Su Rao had already laid out her plans.

It was only as night fell that she quietly slipped away.

……

Meanwhile, in the Yun Palace.

In Yunchen Hall, the imperial doctors had just left.

"Jì Yuè, was she the one who injured you so severely? Such a wound to the heart—if the force had been just a bit stronger, what would I say to your mother? Where is she? Where have you hidden her?"

Seeing Yun Ji’s pale and frail appearance upon his entry to the palace, Emperor Yu halted his initial remarks and immediately summoned the imperial doctors to attend to him.

It took an entire afternoon before Yun Ji’s complexion improved slightly.

Now, filled with anger, the emperor questioned him, his eyes blazing with the same fury he had shown when confronting Yun Mujing. The fire in his heart was unquenchable.

He had thought this nephew of his was clear-headed, but now it seemed…

"Cough..."

Yun Ji let out a light cough as he put on the upper garment that the emperor had ordered the palace attendants to remove and adjusted the jade belt at his waist.

"Royal Uncle, if you summoned me merely to inquire about Su Rao's whereabouts, then I must apologize. I cannot disclose her location. This is something I must insist on. No matter how much you pressure me, Royal Uncle, it will be of no use."

"Jì Yuè… you…"

Emperor Yu’s anger flared, and he raised his hand, pointing directly at Yun Ji’s face.

His hand trembled slightly.

"Very well. It seems both you and Mujing have grown into your own."

With a furious swish of his imperial robes, Emperor Yu strode to his desk and sat down, his breath steady.

"The Su family has allegedly committed treason, but they have also served our Great Qin diligently for over forty years. I haven’t yet chosen who will oversee the execution.

As the son of Yun Mansion and a close friend of Su Er, you should be the one to send the Su family on their final journey, as a final act of mercy from the royal family."

"Cough… cough…"

Unable to suppress his coughing, Jì Yuè rose and walked over, his demeanor remaining calm and unreadable.

Even when Emperor Yu tasked him with overseeing the execution, it didn’t stir any emotion in Jì Yuè.

"Uncle Royal, aren’t you worried that I, Jì Yuè, might rescue the Su family when the time comes?"

"Minister Yao and Minister Zhao will oversee the execution with you, and the Imperial Guard will accompany you. I’d like to see how you plan to rescue them."

Unfazed by Jì Yuè’s words, Emperor Yu glanced at him before continuing, "They’ll be executed in the marketplace. Do you really think Ronghua will dare to storm the execution ground? When that happens, will you prioritize Ronghua’s safety or the Su family’s escape?"

With that, Emperor Yu turned away, picking up a memorial to read. He didn’t look back at Jì Yuè.