Chapter 452: Defiance Beneath Dan Liang’s Royal City (12)

Chapter 452: Defiance Beneath Dan Liang's Royal City (12)

Vice Minister Pei’s trip to the palace and back to the Diplomatic Bureau took only about an hour. Upon returning, he immediately inquired of his subordinates about Su Rao and Yun Ji—whether there had been any movement.

His subordinate reported that shortly after Vice Minister Pei left, the lights in the guest quarters were extinguished, followed by noises from within. Up to now, the commotion had yet to cease.

Hearing this, even Vice Minister Pei, a man already past thirty, felt his face flush with embarrassment. Though inwardly scornful of Su Rao’s unrestrained debauchery, he did not let it distract him. Instead, he went to listen for himself. The rhythmic groaning of the bedframe prompted him to flick his sleeves dismissively and leave.

The rustling of his official robes stirred a faint night breeze, altering the wind’s flow. Though the movement was slight and hardly noticeable, the two inside the chamber—both possessing refined inner strength—instantly detected the brief presence outside before it vanished.

The groaning of the bed ceased. Su Rao donned a set of prepared black stealth attire and, together with Yun Ji, melted out through the window.

In that fleeting moment, as the watchers’ gaze trailed Vice Minister Pei’s retreat, the two made their escape. By the time the watchers’ attention returned to the guest quarters, Su Rao and Yun Ji had already slipped away undetected.

Like shadows, they slipped free of the Diplomatic Bureau.

Outside, they headed to a secluded alley in the inner city, where Yun Ling emerged. Bamboo Master, having learned of the heir’s awakening, was already waiting at his residence for their arrival.

As they followed Yun Ling to meet Bamboo Master, she relayed another piece of news: Xianyi Chishaou had set out, and the Freedom Pavilion had also received word of his departure. He was expected to arrive within half a month.

“So he’s finally made his move.”

At this remark, her peach-blossom eyes glimmered like stirred petals, her gaze darkened with calculation.

Was it as Han Mochen had once asked her before they reached the Dan Liang royal city—whether she intended to join forces with Xianyi Chishaou?

After all, the death of the Zhu Xian royal family was inextricably linked to Dan Liang. Given Xianyi Chishaou’s reverence for his late brother, his hatred for Dan Liang would be no less than theirs. Teaming up with him now would bring only benefits, no drawbacks.

“Rao Rao, are you worried that Prince Yi’s arrival might spark a war between Zhu Xian and Dan Liang, becoming a wildcard?”

Han Mochen was unaware of the conversation between Su Rao and Xianyi Chishaou at the Su family villa, but Yun Ji knew. He understood that Su Rao had chosen to distance herself from Xianyi Chishaou and would not entangle with him further, lest she bring him harm.

“Yun Ji, a sudden thought occurred to me…”

Su Rao turned to look at him, her breath steadying slightly.

“Rong Feng’s marriage to Xianmu Yaling was a ruse by Rong Ke to force the leader of the Freedom Pavilion—me, the ‘princess of the fallen dynasty’—to remain in Liangjing under a legitimate pretext. But if Rong Feng and Xianmu Yaling were to truly wed, sealing the alliance, then Zhu Xian would inevitably send envoys for the marriage.”

Abruptly, she added:

“Xianyi Chishaou’s arrival might also be Rong Ke’s handiwork. Given his character, if he could use a letter to threaten me with my fifth brother’s safety, expose my identity as the ‘leader of the Freedom Pavilion,’ and force me to Dan Liang, then what might he have orchestrated with Zhu Xian and Xianyi Chishaou? His schemes are never simple.”

Under the night sky, the alley seemed even darker, yet Su Rao’s composed expression was unmistakable. Recalling her treatment of Xianyi Chiwei—though his body was already failing, his death should not have come so easily—perhaps his demise, too, had been manipulated by Rong Ke, just as he had used her fifth brother to coerce her.

If so, what was his aim?

Having already exposed her identity as the ‘leader of the Freedom Pavilion,’ provoking further conflict with Zhu Xian would be unwise—a suicidal move.

This fog of suspicion clouded Su Rao’s mind, leaving her momentarily unable to decipher his motives.

“Rao Rao, there’s no need to worry. Prince Yi is no pushover. Since he’s coming, he must have his own considerations.”

Yun Ji listened, and moonlight caught her furrowed brow. Gently, he reached out and smoothed the crease with his elegant fingers.

The scheme stemmed from sheer ambition, perhaps aiming to draw both Zhu Xian and Yun Lang into the game with a single plot.

"Since nothing’s happening now, they might be waiting for Prince Yi's arrival!"

As they conversed, they arrived at Bamboo Master’s residence.

Regarding Xianyi Chishaou’s matter, Su Rao set it aside for the time being.

Moreover, Yun Ji’s words made sense—Xianyi Chishaou was no easy target for schemes. With Emperor Wei gone, no one could restrain his hands or clip his wings. If he acted, Dan Liang would surely suffer greatly.

Bamboo Master lived in the inner city, not far from the Ding Family Clinic, just across the street in a secluded courtyard—blending into the city.

When Su Rao and Yun Ji arrived and met Bamboo Master, they didn’t bring up other matters right away. Only after Bamboo Master checked Yun Ji’s pulse and confirmed he was fine did they engage in casual conversation, like catching up with an old friend.

Su Rao did not stay to listen, as it pertained to Bamboo Master’s private affairs. Since he did not invite her to remain, she naturally did not wish to make Yun Ji uncomfortable.

She left the main hall and quietly waited in the courtyard.

Tonight’s moon was bright, the stars sparse, and the night breeze had lost its bite—especially in Dan Liang, where the wind felt as smooth as warm jade, soothing and gentle.

A place like this, under a truly just ruler, could indeed be a haven amidst chaos, bringing stability to its people.

But the ruler was hypocritical, driven by insatiable ambition, masking his schemes with false benevolence—all for the sake of seizing the world.

"Miss..."

Shortly after Su Rao took a seat, Yun Feng arrived in the night, and someone trailed behind him.

Before they even got close, Su Rao stood up.

Because it was Su Han.

Su Er had left ahead of Su Rao and the rest, so logically, he should have arrived in Dan Liang long ago. Yet, until now, there had been no word from him. It wasn’t until yesterday, after Su Rao’s group reached Liangjing and Su Wu and Yun Mujing made their appearance, that Su Er finally located Yun Mujing. Now, he had sent Su Han to deliver the news.

Su Han brought word that Yun Mujing had rescued Su Wu, and they were now hiding safely in a refined hideout in the entertainment district. Ying Ying, her brother, and Xiao Zhi were also unharmed, their injuries from the journey already healed.

"Safe and sound—that's good."

The weight of Su Rao’s worry, her concern for Su Wu and the others, finally eased at this moment. Then, Yun Feng added that the other group surveilling the Ding Family was the goldenclad secret guard—a piece of news they’d just gotten. No sooner had they received the news than Su Han appeared, so Yun Feng brought him here under the cover of night to meet Su Rao.

These two pieces of news, these two matters—Yun Mujing’s actions, as Yun Ji had said, showed that while he schemed against the Su Family, he had never truly intended to harm them.

But then, Su Han’s next words shattered Su Rao’s changing view of Yun Mujing.