Chapter 483: One Wave Subsides, Another Rises (5)

Chapter 483: One Wave Calms, Another Swells (5)

Through the conversation between grandfather and grandson, the confusion left by Rong Xiao and the lingering uncertainties in Yun Ji's heart were finally clarified. His mind was now clear and at peace.

Rising to his feet, Yun Ji walked to the side of the old Cloud King and knelt down, performing a deep, respectful bow.

"Grandfather, Rong Xiao is gone. He left me as Yun Ji. Rao Rao also told me that since he chose to become Yun Ji, from now on, he shall only be Yun Ji—a child of the Yun clan, merely the grandson of you and Grandmother."

Prostrating himself, Yun Ji kowtowed three times. The old Cloud King did not stop him. Instead, as Yun Ji spoke, his eyes reddened, as if stained with tears.

After a long while, he finally reached out with trembling hands to help Yun Ji up. Without further words, he patted Yun Ji’s shoulder. This boy had always been of his Yun bloodline, and now that he had returned, all was well.

"Old Cloud King, a guest has arrived."

From outside the main hall, Uncle Yun finally spoke.

The servant had already arrived there. The servant had come on behalf of his master to pay respects, as his master had been delayed by prior matters and could not visit the old Cloud King immediately. Thus, he had sent a servant early this morning.

The servant offered gifts and relayed his master’s greetings before promptly taking his leave, not lingering any longer.

The gift was an exquisite inkstone from *Huabao Studio*, carved with lush mountains and flowing rivers. Its patterns appeared lifelike.

As Uncle Yun retrieved the gift, his expression suddenly changed. He quickly handed the inkstone to the old Cloud King and swiftly exited the hall to guard the entrance once more.

This inkstone concealed a message. Among the carvings of mountains and rivers, two or three sections of bamboo were subtly engraved with such skill that, upon closer inspection, they formed a cipher.

The old Cloud King examined it carefully, and soon, his expression darkened. He strode swiftly to the writing desk.

Picking up a brush, he wrote:

"General Wu Yang, Commander of the Chariots, has been imprisoned."

These eight words had just been written when they caught the eye of Yun Ji, who had emerged from the inner chamber.

His brow furrowed with concern.

Not only because General Wu Yang had been one of Rong Feng’s childhood companions and a key figure Rong Ke had intended to nurture, but also because this news had been delivered to the old Cloud King in such a manner.

Was this man Grandfather’s agent?

"Perhaps *Elegant Retreat* has been exposed."

The old Cloud King’s heavy words stirred unease in Yun Ji.

But how could *Elegant Retreat* have been exposed so abruptly?

For now, the old Cloud King couldn’t grasp why.

"Yun Ling—it has to be her."

With just these words, Yun Ji understood the cause. It must have been a slip-up on Yun Ling’s part—yet given her vigilance, how could she have messed up?

"Grandfather, this matter may be linked to Bamboo Master. Since the details remain unclear, I’ll check it out first. Please stay here for now to prevent more trouble."

Considering that Su Rao and Yun Ling were still at *Crane Abode*, if Yun Ling’s cover was blown, then Su Rao and Su Er could be at risk too.

With that, Yun Ji turned to leave immediately.

Moreover, with General Wu arrested—a trusted confidant secretly placed by others—knowing Rong Ke, if General Wu betrayed him, he’d surely use every trick to force the general to reveal his backer. Once General Wu could no longer endure the torture...

"Ji'er, you must protect General Wu at all costs."

The old Cloud King gave only this one instruction. With General Wu captured, if they failed to protect him, the other hidden agents still undiscovered in Dan Liang might waver in their loyalty. General Wu couldn’t be harmed.

As for the Elegant Retreat, it was merely a place he had General Wu use to build ties with Dan Liang’s elite. It wasn’t critical and could be abandoned if necessary.

Then, he retrieved a token from his sleeve and handed it to Yun Ji. Upon seeing this token, General Wu would follow without hesitation.

That such a token could issue orders said a lot—the forces the old Cloud King had arranged in Dan Liang were no small players.

Vice Minister Pei and General Wu, both trusted confidants of Rong Ke, were his grandfather’s plants. Who else might there be?

With a glance, Yun Ji took the token. He didn’t voice his racing thoughts but strode away. Yet, just as he reached the door, he turned and added:

"Jing's arrival in Dan Liang... Grandfather had a hand in that too, didn't he?"

He left the question hanging as Yun Ji departed. He sought no further explanation—his biggest doubt was answered. Whatever else he knew or didn’t know no longer mattered.

All that mattered was his grandfather's sincerity toward him, Jing's safety, and Rao Rao's affection. That was enough.

As Yun Ji left, the old Cloud King froze for a moment before shaking his head slowly, his expression grave.

"Ji'er... People’s loyalties change, especially in royal courts. Though I have laid plans for years, we might still need force to suppress rebellion. To mobilize troops so swiftly after Yun Lang's recovery—only the Emperor could do so without the court interfering."

When Yun Ji had arrived, he scaled the back wall of the Guest Bureau. Now, he left the same way.

"As soon as he stepped out, Su Rao was waiting for him in the alley.

She and Yun Ji had often used this path to slip out of the Guest Bureau, so this time, she knew he would come this way and waited there.

"Rao Rao, did something happen at Crane Abode?"

Seeing her unharmed, Yun Ji’s panic eased instantly. Her waiting here instead of entering the Guest Bureau told him they were not returning just yet.

"Something has happened, but not at the Crane Abode."

Su Rao filled him in on the events after Yun Ji's departure, then asked whether the Elegant Retreat truly belonged to the old Cloud King...

Before she could finish, Yun Ji’s nod confirmed her fears. Her face fell, brows knitting into a faint frown, her forehead scar wrinkling with tension.

"Rao Rao, there's no need to worry."

Yun Ji reached out, gently smoothing the furrow between her brows with his fingers.

No use crying over spilled milk. Their priority now was to resolve the aftermath as swiftly as possible.

They had to save General Wu.

Su Rao understood—if the Elegant Retreat truly was part of the old Cloud King's network in Dan Liang, then General Wu had to be rescued before he could expose the old king and endanger him.

Moreover, they needed to ascertain the safety of Bamboo Master and his associates—whether they remained unharmed or had already fallen into Rong Ke's hands.

"Yun Ji, from these days of confrontation, I've come to realize one thing. To deal with someone like Rong Ke, who is greedy for fame and profit and engages in underhanded dealings, we must force him to ruin his own reputation and tear off the hypocritical mask he wraps himself in. Only then can we fully expose his ugly true face for all to see."

Only in this way can we ensure that Dan Liang does not plunge into chaos due to internal strife within the royal court, ultimately harming the common people.

Otherwise, no matter how much trouble they stir up within the imperial city, Dan Liang's people won't believe without seeing for themselves. If the people do not believe, the imperial city will become unstable, and once the imperial city is in chaos, all of Dan Liang will be thrown into turmoil.

And this is not the outcome Yun Ji wishes to see, nor is it the fate he desires for Dan Liang.

"You're absolutely right, Rao Rao."

Yun Ji nodded.

Indeed, it is so.

"Rao Rao, now that they've provoked us again, let us act once more to drive him to his breaking point and disrupt his plans. I have a strategy—one that can both resolve General Wu's predicament and corner Rong Ke, throwing him into disarray."

Yun Ji shared the plan he had already devised with Su Rao.

In his expression, the depth characteristic of Rong Xiao resurfaced once more.

Taking Su Rao's hand, he led her away from the spot.

"This plan, however, will require Rao Rao to play the role of the wild, arrogant Honorable Princess Ronghua once again, to cause another scene. Moreover, it will also require Rao Rao's fifth brother to make an appearance—no more holding back."