Chapter 545: The Aftermath of the Plot Within a Plot (Part 2)

Chapter 545: The Aftermath of Schemes Within Schemes (Part 2)

The rhythmic thud of hooves churned the rain-soaked mud as the rider approached, sending muck flying in all directions, staining shoes, socks, and robes alike, splattering boots and sullying robes.

Yun Mujing had barely left when Su Er showed up, galloping in without even changing out of Han Mochen’s black robes. Upon reaching the ten-mile pavilion, he reined in his horse and did not pursue further.

Without an umbrella or rain cloak, he had been drenched the entire way, leaving him even more aloof and indifferent. The black robes, darkened further by the rain, lent him an even more imposing aura than usual, his aura oppressive.

Especially when Su Er gazed in the direction Yun Mujing had departed—his eyes were unreadable, emotions hidden deep within.

Su Rao had always known her second cousin’s thoughts were hard to decipher, but in the past, she could still catch a glimpse or two. Now, even that was impossible.

This trip to Dan Liang had made Su Er even more reticent.

"What are Yu Mo’s thoughts? Has the matter been settled?"

As Yun Ji and Su Rao approached, Yun Ji posed these two questions. Only then did Su Er dismount and enter the pavilion, withdrawing his gaze from Yun Mujing’s path. He first checked on Su Rao, ensuring she was unharmed and had come to terms with the Qin King’s death, before curling his lips slightly.

Yet this faint smile sent a chill down Su Rao’s spine.

"What… do… you… expect… me… to… think? She… goes… where… she… pleases. Did… you… think… I’d… keep… her… locked… up… forever? That’s… not… what… I… want."

"One… day… I’ll… make… her… willing. The… pain… she’s… inflicted… on… Su… Yu Mo’s… heart… I’ll… serve… her… every… last… drop. Su… Yu Mo… isn’t… someone… to… provoke."

Speaking even a single sentence strained Su Er’s recovering throat. Now, two full passages, word by word, syllable by syllable, tore at his throat painfully—yet he spoke with deliberate gravity.

Yun Mujing had finally played with fire and gotten burned. Poking a tiger comes with a price.

Her peach blossom eyes darted to Su Er’s injured throat.

Though Second Brother could now string words together, it was still a struggle. He would need time to fully recover.

"Second Brother, if you want the throne of Dan Liang, Wu Yang remains a stubborn obstacle. But Rao’er will handle it. You just wait to ascend. Only a fair fight is worth having—our Su family isn’t one to be bullied."

Pursing her lips, Su Rao finally spoke after a pause.

Su Er hadn’t answered Yun Ji’s second question, but from his words alone, Su Rao and Yun Ji already understood.

Prime Minister Wang had been dealt with. Now, only Wu Yang remained. Su Er was no longer of Yunlang or Zhu Xian—he was merely Qin Rao’s elder brother. If Wu Yang demanded their princess take Dan Liang, but Su Er stepped in instead, and if Su Er could subdue the new emperor of Yunlang, then whether Wu Yang was willing or not, compliant or not—

"Wu Yang… is… a… fierce… general. To… secure… Dan Liang’s… throne… he’s… indispensable. Second Brother… will… make… him… bend… the… knee… willingly. Rao’er… you… and… Yun Ji… just… stick… to… your… mission. Second Brother… will… handle… this… himself."

The Su family’s young general, a commander of the Yunlang army, the successor to old General Su’s legacy—when it came to winning over hardened soldiers, no one was more adept than Su Yu Mo.

Since Su Er didn’t need Su Rao’s help, she wouldn’t interfere.

As for Langjing’s unrest, since Su Er hadn’t pursued, Su Rao wouldn’t pry further. Just as Yun Ji had said, Su Er had his own game to play.

Returning to the Dan Liang capital, they informed old Cloud King and Su Da before Su Rao and Yun Ji set off for Yunlang to cast the Qin King’s ashes into Great Qin’s river.

Old Cloud King and Su Da would return only after Su Er’s coronation.

This trip to Yunlang would also reunite Su Rao with old General Su. The Su family’s vanishing act had likely been witnessed by many during the rescue of Langjing.

The summer downpour, raging nonstop for twenty-four hours, finally ceased by the next morning.

After briefing old Cloud King and Su Da, Su Rao and Yun Ji prepared to ride out.

This time, heading to Langjing, their retinue was just Yun Feng, a handful of Cloud Guards, Yi Ying and her brother, and Cui Can.

They traveled light.

Bamboo Master did not accompany them this time. As for the matters in Dan Liang, the Ding family had been eradicated. The young herbalist apprentice and other captives taken by Su Er from the Ding family were to be taken back to their clan by Bamboo Master for disposal. The second volume of the "Ning's Pharmacopoeia," hidden inside Old Ding's cane, had also been retrieved and handed over to Bamboo Master to be returned to the clan.

Moreover, Yun Ling remained unconscious from severe injuries, and Su Er's throat wound required gradual recuperation. As for Huan Niang and Mu Lian, their limbs had been crippled for so long that reconnecting their meridians was nearly impossible. However, Bamboo Master's clan had an elder specializing in bone and meridian restoration; there might still be hope for their recovery. Yun Ling's spinal injury might also have a chance of healing.

Thus, Bamboo Master needed to make another trip back to his clan.

After tending to Su Er's throat, Bamboo Master would depart with Yun Ling, Huan Niang, and Mu Lian in tow. Xiao Mubai and his subordinates would escort Bamboo Master back, with Xiao Zhi accompanying them to assist in caring for Huan Niang.

As for Yun Ji's current condition, with Su Rao by his side, Han Mochen had learned to control his emotions. With Su Rao present, Yun Ji could stay fully conscious even during his fits. Additionally, Master Hui Shan was also available. Bamboo Master was aware of Su Rao's medical skills, so his temporary absence wouldn't be an issue.

Furthermore, to ensure Yun Ji's complete recovery, the first volume of the pharmacopoeia was still needed.

Once Bamboo Master returned to deal with the clan's traitors and obtained approval from the clan elders and senior members, he could bring the complete Ning's Pharmacopoeia.

With all arrangements settled, Su Rao and Yun Ji prepared to depart. Before leaving, they visited Xianyi Chishaou to pay their respects to Rong Feng and Xianmu Yaling, wishing them peace in the afterlife.

They also had matters to discuss with Xianyi Chishaou.

Originally, in their collaboration, Xianyi Chishaou had demanded the head of the Dan Liang royal family as a condition. However, Rong Ke had been charred beyond recognition in the fire, reducing the head to ashes and rendering the demand meaningless. Though Xianyi Chishaou had not brought it up in recent days—nor was he in the mood to—Su Rao still felt obliged to provide an explanation.

Moreover, Su Er's ascension to the Dan Liang throne was something that had to be communicated to Xianyi Chishaou. Dan Liang had been conquered jointly by Yun Lang and Zhu Xian, and now that the throne had fallen into their hands, they owed Xianyi Chishaou a proper resolution. Whatever additional conditions Xianyi Chishaou proposed, they would meet any demand he made.

This wasn't because they misunderstood Xianyi Chishaou's character, treating him as a ruler driven solely by power and influence. Rather, Xianyi Chishaou also needed to answer to his own people in Zhu Xian. They could not afford to place him in a difficult position.

This matter was not about their personal relationship but strictly a matter of state between two nations.