Chapter 358: Su Rao Forced to Finally Descend into Darkness (Part VI)

Chapter 358: Su Rao Forced to Finally Descend into Darkness (Part VI)

The brief respite of clear skies was merely a fleeting mercy from the heavens. In just a moment after Moying finished his report, the weather gradually changed again, returning to a misty fog.

The cold wind fluttered and swayed the robes.

On the hilltop, Su Rao still stood there, but her heart, which had just begun to feel a little warmth, suddenly felt as if it had been plunged into an icy abyss.

The cold spread from her heart, seeping into her limbs, making it nearly impossible for Su Rao to move her fingers.

It felt as though the surrounding air was squeezing her heart, crushing her very soul.

"Su... Rao..."

Xianyi Chishaou’s face showed deep concern.

That Emperor Yun Lang actually took action against old General Su—how could he act so recklessly against his own nation, or was there some hidden plot?

Xianyi Chishaou was worried for Su Rao and also keenly sensed that the emperor might be up to something. However, Su Rao did not respond to him. Suddenly and numbly, she spoke again:

"That year, that night, just like the previous five years, I wore a festive red cotton jacket, waiting for my father and mother to return and celebrate the New Year with me.

I waited eagerly, but what I got was the hurried and panicked footsteps of my mother and father, covered in bright red blood, shocking me. They repeatedly urged me to live on.

A huge fire—my mother pushed me to Uncle Hao and Qin Niang, and a fire burned down the palace we had lived in for nearly six years. My mother, to prevent those brutal executioners from finding me alive, resolutely set herself on fire, while I could only watch with wide eyes.

Until I could no longer see the bright red flames, until the heavy door of the secret passage closed, until I could no longer hear the incessant sounds of slaughter, I could not cry or shout. I could only bite my lips tightly, holding back all the cries in my throat.

I hated, I wanted to rush out, to cut those cruel killers into a thousand pieces, but I couldn't. My life was bought with my mother's self-immolation and my father's tall figure."

Once again, that scene of blood-red slaughter filled her eyes, completely dyeing Su Rao's eyes red and darkening the small remaining red part of her heart, turning it completely dark at this moment.

"Even though I suffered from sleepless nights, I endured it because I wanted my father and mother to rest peacefully in the afterlife. But my endurance only led to witnessing yet another family of mine being slaughtered."

Turning her gaze to Xianyi Chishaou, a touch of emotion finally appeared on Su Rao's otherwise calm face, filled with regret and self-reproach.

"I am no longer a helpless child. I am no longer that powerless child. I have grown up long ago, but why am I still unable to save the Su family? Why am I still so powerless and useless..."

"Su Rao, it's not your fault."

The tallest trees catch the most wind. With the Su family's prestige in the Yunlang army, even without you, Emperor Yu would have been wary. The Su family would have eventually...

Suddenly, blood trickled from Su Rao's mouth—"Puff..." she collapsed into Xianyi Chishaou’s arms.

"Su Rao..."

Xianyi Chishaou hurriedly called out, supporting Su Rao as her body went limp.

Whether it was due to emotional turmoil or the immense burden her heart had carried these past days, at this moment, the fall of the Su family finally sapped her strength, both physically and mentally, causing her to faint and lose consciousness.

Another autumn rain began to fall as night approached.

The fifteenth Mid-Autumn Festival, the sixteenth full moon, but this sixteenth night of the year had no full moon hanging in the sky.

Not a single star graced the darkened sky.

The stars scattered across the dark night sky provide a faint glimmer of light.

Even a single star can illuminate a small patch of darkness, preventing it from being completely swallowed by the night.

But there is nothing—not even the smallest star—only complete darkness envelops the night.

And those ten days of warm sunshine are long gone.

On this night, a fierce cold wind howls, making the leaves rustle loudly, and the autumn rain begins to drizzle once more.

And at this moment.

In the bamboo forest behind Wanglu Temple, the sound of Buddhist chants echoes through the room: "Namo Amitabha Buddha."

Master Hui Shan has brought Yun Ji to Wanglu Temple.

The palace is noisy and disruptive, making it unsuitable for Master Hui Shan to treat Prince Yun Ji. Prince Yun Ji now needs an extremely quiet place. Yun Ji’s Qingfengju would have been ideal, but both the old Prince Yun and the old Princess Yun are elderly. This time, Yun Ji's illness flared up, and there was concern that the news might worry the elderly couple. The Emperor did not let them know.

Therefore, the Emperor arranged for Master Hui Shan to bring Yun Ji to Wanglu Temple, with Yun Mujing accompanying them.

No matter what, Master Hui Shan is determined to save his nephew.

The lanterns hanging outside cast an anxious figure, its shadow shifting with every movement.

Yun Mujing paces back and forth outside the room, his delicate, jade-like hands unsure where to rest, his brow furrowed in worry.

Like him, Yun Ling waits anxiously as well.

"I can't wait any longer; I need to find Rao. I can't let Brother..."

Yun Mujing can't wait any longer, fearing that Yun Ji might not wake up, and he is about to leave in big strides when Yun Ling grabs his wrist.

"Seventh Prince..."

Yun Ling's breath is heavy.

"The Emperor went to great lengths to manipulate the situation so that Miss Su would distance herself from you. If the Emperor believes it was his own doing, he can be constrained by you. If you look for Miss Su now and the Emperor finds out, all our efforts will be for nothing. You are the Seventh Prince, but you are also the younger brother raised by him. You shouldn't be so impetuous."

The words of Yun Ling weigh heavily on Yun Mujing, and the rebuke he was about to give is swallowed.

"Amitabha..."

After what feels like an eternity, Master Hui Shan finally opens the door.

Master Hui Shan walks out.

Yun Mujing and Yun Ling hurry forward, not even having asked about Yun Ji's condition yet, when Master Hui Shan already shakes his head.

"If the young master wakes up now, there may be more bloodshed, and he might lose his true nature. It's better to let him rest for some time, and then I will awaken him."

Losing his true nature...

In his heart, he thinks of the first time he met Han Mochen. Comparing it to the later encounters with Yun Ji, if he hadn't seen the stunning beauty under that mask before meeting Han Mochen, he truly wouldn't have believed that the graceful Yun Ji and the blood-stained Hao'er, full of killing intent, were the same person. His illness...

In the end, the Duke of Zhao does not enter but leaves quietly.

Hao'er must have endured significant hardship while being held hostage in Great Qin.

This has resulted in the chronic and difficult-to-treat illness he suffers from today.

Emerging from the purple bamboo forest, the Duke of Zhao called for his attendants.

"Go tell the Emperor! Master Hui Shan says Prince Yun Ji's health is too weak, but with medicinal treatment, acupuncture, and herbal baths, he will recover soon."

The Duke of Zhao's message reached Emperor Yu in no time.

The dragon-engraved palace lantern cast light on the letter’s text, and seeing that Prince Yun Ji would recover soon, Emperor Yu felt relieved.

He burned the letter and then retrieved the Yunlang army tiger tally from the box on the imperial desk, clutching it tightly in his palm for a moment.

"Send an edict to all provinces and counties..."

He hesitated after speaking, then waved his hand dismissively.

"Forget it, since she has already fled, let her go! Go tell the Crown Prince to thoroughly search every part of Langjing, and make sure no other remnants are left hiding."

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."

Chief Administrator Yun bowed, careful not to show any sign of negligence, and hurried out of the imperial study to deliver the message.

Emperor Yu stared at the tiger tally for a moment before returning it to the box.

"Yun Ji, I’ll spare that woman today. As for the forces backing her, since she’s your beloved, wait until you recover to handle them yourself..."