Chapter 539: The Eternal Unknown Truth (1)

Chapter 539: The Forever Unknown Truth (Part 1)

A clear sky stretched overhead as the sun dipped past its peak, its golden rays slanting westward, casting elongated shadows between the palace rooftops. The light gradually lengthened along the palace pathways before being swallowed by the eaves, merging with the shadows they cast.

The Imperial Physicians' Bureau was typically well-stocked with medicinal herbs. Given that the False Empress Yun had secretly raised so many snakes within the palace, it stood to reason that the bureau would also contain antidote herbs, prepared for emergencies. Su Rao and Yun Ji followed the Deputy General of the Imperial Guard there, and Su Rao immediately began searching for the necessary herbs to counteract the poison.

After a thorough search, however, she found nothing suitable. Just as she began to suspect that the antidote ingredients might be stored in the False Empress Yun’s underground palace chambers, Yun Ji discovered a hidden room within the bureau. Inside, it was stocked with various antidote herbs.

Once the antidote herbs were secured, Su Rao set to work.

Measuring, grinding, lighting the fire, and setting up the pot—she began brewing the antidote.

Throughout this process, the Deputy General of the Imperial Guard remained by her side, never straying far. His eyes were particularly fixed on her hands. Though he knew nothing of herbs, he watched intently, as if fearing she might tamper with the medicine.

Su Rao paid him no mind. Once the pot was placed over the flames, she crossed her arms and leaned against a pillar, her *peach-blossom eyes* fixed unblinkingly on the simmering medicine.

Though her gaze was directed at the pot, her eyes held a vacant, dazed expression.

She stood frozen, as if devoid of any human warmth—almost like Han Mochen, exuding that same icy desolation. The only difference was that Su Rao lacked the bloodthirsty aura that clung to him.

"Rao Rao, you’re exhausted. Close your eyes and rest for a while."

Having gone without sleep all night, and with the sunlight now descending, Su Rao had endured repeated emotional turmoil. Yun Ji’s heart ached for her. She must be utterly drained—not just physically, but mentally. Yet she remained stubbornly awake, running on sheer will.

She ignored his gentle words. Acting as if they were alone, Yun Ji guided her head to rest against his shoulder.

Turning slightly, his phoenix-like eyes behind the mask softened with tenderness and deep concern. His slender fingers brushed her cheek before finally covering her eyes, shielding her from the glow of the fire and the sight of the bubbling pot.

"Rao Rao, you’re exhausted. Close your eyes and rest. I’ve spent so long as an invalid that I’ve learned medicine by necessity. I’ll watch over the pot—nothing will go wrong."

His voice was as soothing as a mountain stream, washing the weight from her heart. He pulled her into his embrace, patting her back lightly.

As if soothing a child.

"I don’t understand."

Only then did Su Rao close her eyes, burying her face against Yun Ji’s chest, indifferent to the Deputy General standing guard by the pot. Her voice was hoarse.

She murmured.

She didn’t understand—truly didn’t understand. Was it ambition or true vengeance for the fallen kingdom? Why the repeated rescues? Actions were actions, mistakes were mistakes. No atonement could undo them. Even if there were countless justifications, they could never excuse wrongdoing. She refused to accept it.

"Don’t dwell on it, Rao Rao. If you don’t understand, we’ll find out. Sooner or later, we’ll learn the truth. For now, let’s focus on saving lives—no regrets."

He stroked her hair, Yun Ji offered quiet reassurance.

If the Qin King refused to speak, they would investigate themselves. Sooner or later, they would uncover the truth.

The pot over the fire began to bubble, steam rising from beneath the lid as the medicine bubbled, gurgling softly.

"Princess..."

The Deputy General, after watching Su Rao for a long moment, hesitated before speaking.

"It’s not that His Highness refuses to speak. It’s just... the truth may hurt you. Too cruel..."

His words were left unfinished. A frantic voice interrupted—and in that same instant, Su Rao scalded her hand.

"The Qin King is dead."

Though most (70-80%) of the poisoned blood had been expelled and his life should have been out of danger, just moments ago, he suddenly coughed up dark black blood and then stopped breathing, without even a final lucid moment.

*Clang…*

The medicine pot was yanked over by her flaring crimson sleeves as Su Rao turned abruptly, spilling the scalding medicinal brew onto her dress and the back of her hand. In an instant, her delicate skin turned red and searing, followed by a piercing pain.

The burn spread from her hand to every nerve, making sweat bead up on Su Rao’s forehead uncontrollably.

"Rao Rao."

Yun Ji quickly pulled her right arm and plunged her burned hand into a nearby water barrel. The icy water battled the scalding burn, gradually easing the sharp pain until it dulled.

Su Dan, who had come to deliver the news, rushed into the hall in alarm upon seeing Su Rao injured. The deputy commander of the Imperial Guard immediately grabbed Su Dan by the shoulder and demanded an explanation for his earlier words.

Su Rao also turned to look at Su Dan, but the shock of the Qin King’s death drowned out her injury’s pain.

Seeing her reaction, Su Dan suppressed his concern and repeated what he had just said.

Thanks to the timely immersion in cold water, no blisters formed on her hand. Yun Ji applied ointment and bandaged it just as Su Dan finished speaking.

Su Rao strode out of the medical hall without a second thought.

The howling wind swallowed her crimson form, and when she stopped, she stood outside the side chamber where the Qin King had been staying. Yet, she couldn’t muster the will to climb the steps before her.

Through her peach blossom eyes, she saw the wide-open doors of the chamber—a painted screen, behind which lay a faint outline on the bed.

Kneeling before the bed, bowed in grief, were Wu Yang and the remaining deputy commanders, bidding farewell to their lord.

Su Rao stared, her feet glued to the ground. The world seemed to tilt around her, blurring the scene inside, obscuring the figure of her uncle.

Yun Ji caught up and found her standing motionless before the chamber, frozen in place, fragile and forlorn. As her knees buckled, on the verge of crumbling onto the steps, Yun Ji rushed forward and steadied her.

Su Rao did not fall, but her legs trembled, too weak to lift or stand firm, let alone ascend the steps.

"So this is what it feels like when an ending turns into regret?"

In the end, Su Rao never entered that chamber.

She never saw him one last time—even in death, she could not bring herself to face his remains.

Supported by Yun Ji, she gazed at the screen inside until tears blurred her sight.

The ending had indeed become regret. In the end, only regret remained.

The truth her uncle refused to reveal, the truth he took to the grave—was it truly too cruel for her? His silence was meant to protect her, meaning his motives were rooted in avenging their nation and family, not mere ambition.

Her uncle remained the same man he had always been. Ought she to be moved by such a man?