Chapter 546: The Aftermath of the Plot Within a Plot (Part 3)

Chapter 546: The Aftermath of Schemes Within Schemes (Part 3)

The royal mausoleum of the Rong family is located in the northwest of the Dan Liang capital, a hundred miles away. Lush and vigorous banyan trees, their emerald leaves thick and flourishing, envelop the entire mausoleum, shrouding it beneath their verdant canopy.

Xianyi Chishaou oversaw the burial of Rong Feng, laying him to rest alongside Xianmu Yaling within the Rong family mausoleum, so they may rest in peace.

The mountain forest after the rain felt even fresher, with dewdrops clinging to the banyan leaves before dripping down one by one, creating nature’s delicate music.

Prince Yi stood with his hands clasped behind his back inside a leather tent erected beneath a massive banyan tree in front of the mausoleum. He heard the distant sound of hoofbeats. Before Moying could announce them, Xianyi Chishaou had already turned around.

Before the horses even drew near, they had already entered his cold gaze.

The riders approached—one in bold red, the other in muted silvery robes. The red robes were bold and unrestrained, while the elegant attire exuded gentleness. As the wind stirred, their sleeves fluttered and intertwined, their robes entwined like lovers in tender embrace.

After watching for a moment, his usually calm phoenix eyes flickered with a ripple of emotion, the light within them wavering briefly.

Su Rao and Yun Lang arrived, dismounting before the tent.

Xianyi Chishaou raised a hand in invitation, gesturing for them to enter the tent first and warm up with tea against the morning chill of the mountain forest.

Afterward, he personally led Su Rao and Yun Ji into the mausoleum.

The Rong family mausoleum was not as imposing as Yun Lang’s. Instead, it bore the pristine white characteristic of Dan Liang. The brilliant white mausoleum lacked guardian deities; instead, its inner walls were adorned with poetry and verses along the passageways.

Stepping inside, one would not feel as though they were in a tomb, but rather in the secluded abode of an immortal—a serene retreat, where a desireless sage dwelled among poetry and song, living free of worldly cares.

Along the passage, candle stands were placed on either side, their flickering flames illuminating the entire mausoleum as brightly as daylight.

Inside the mausoleum’s grand hall, the coffin was a pale ivory favored by Rong Feng, engraved with elegant poetry.

Rong Feng and Xianmu Yaling had already been laid within the coffin.

As the Crown Prince of Dan Liang, Rong Feng’s passing should have been mourned nationwide, with his coffin resting in the Eastern Palace for half a month while sutras were chanted for his soul before being moved to the royal mausoleum.

However, with Dan Liang just stabilized after turmoil and many affairs still unsettled—and with Xianmu Yaling buried alongside Rong Feng—their marriage lacked the proper ceremonies. Though the betrothal documents had been exchanged, the incomplete ceremonies meant Xianmu Yaling could not be formally recognized as a member of the Rong family. If the coffin were displayed, their joint burial would become known, damaging Xianmu Yaling’s honor. Thus, the customary lying-in-state was omitted.

Su Rao and Yun Ji lit incense to pay their respects, placing the burning sticks into the censer before bowing three times.

"May your journey be peaceful. May your next life grant you a fulfilling ending, where you walk hand in hand and spend your days together."

After paying homage, Su Rao caught sight of Rong Feng’s burial offerings out of the corner of her eye—a pale ivory qin placed on a stand not far away.

The flickering candlelight illuminated this famed instrument, its milky-white body translucent and crystalline, much like Rong Feng himself—uncorrupted by the world’s flaws.

For some reason, Su Rao drifted toward the qin. Her fingers lightly plucked a string, sounding a pure, ringing tone.

In life, Rong Feng had always wished to be her musical kindred spirit, but she had scorned and refused him. That day in Yun Ji’s Qingfengju, when she played "Flowing Water," it had only been to show Yun Ji her skill—to show she was not to be underestimated. Back then, her heart had been far from clear and bright.

Yet Rong Feng, because of that one competitive tune, had wanted to be her musical kindred spirit. A true kindred spirit was rare, but how could she have been the one he sought?

Her heart held darkness. Even if she played "Flowing Water," she was never the kindred spirit he desired.

Circling the qin stand, Su Rao sat on the cushion behind it. She rested her hands on the instrument, gently stroking the strings. Their jade-like smoothness felt exquisite to the touch—their smoothness alone made her cherish them.

After a moment, she plucked the strings and began to play—the very same "Flowing Water" she had performed in Qingfengju. She played it for Rong Feng, so he would understand clearly: she was not his musical kindred spirit. He had misjudged her.

The zither melody of "High Mountains and Flowing Waters" found its kindred spirit—clear, resonant, and harmonious, as if a hundred birds sang in chorus and flowers burst into bloom.

Played within the mausoleum, the lingering echoes carried an impure resonance, marred by restless thoughts—no longer truly pleasing.

As Su Rao played this piece, Yun Ji and Xianyi Chishaou listened from where they stood, neither making a move to step closer. Their gazes remained fixed upon her.

Clad in crimson, seated behind the zither table, her jade-like fingers flitted deftly across the strings. A faint breeze stirred within the mausoleum, brushing past her cheeks and lifting a strand of hair at her temple, while the two men watched her with eyes clouded with emotion.

Yun Ji knew exactly what Su Rao’s melody conveyed, his gaze filled with nothing but tenderness.

Though Xianyi Chishaou had not heard her play "Flowing Waters" that day, he remembered their first encounter outside Prince Yi’s manor, where she had mentioned it. Later, at Emperor Wei's birthday banquet, the Left Historian Cao had also spoken of Rong Feng's wish to regard her as a kindred spirit in music. Thus, he too was aware.

Now, hearing it for the first time, though the music bore a discordant strain, the melody was immersive, its timbre soaring. As the gentle breeze passed, it seemed to summon the songs of countless birds.

"A remarkable woman. What a shame she could never be mine."

This murmured remark drew a faint smile from Xianyi Chishaou, his usually cold features briefly softened with warmth, his admiration laid bare.

Hearing this, Yun Ji turned to look at him. There was no trace of jealousy in his heart—only gratitude for Xianyi Chishaou's willingness to let go. He loved openly and let go without regret.

"Prince Yi, Rao Rao’s heart belongs to only me. Yun Ji has won her, after a lifetime of yearning. She has promised me the rest of her days, and I’ll selfishly keep her to myself. In this life, I thank you for stepping aside."

Cupping his hands, Yun Ji expressed his sincere gratitude.

Had Xianyi Chishaou not relinquished his claim, though he and Rao Rao had already bared their hearts to each other, it would surely have led to complications.

Just as Yun Ji began to bow, Xianyi Chishaou caught his arm to stop the bow, preventing the gesture of thanks.

"There is no need for thanks, Prince Yun Ji. I chose to let go because Rao held no place in her heart for me. If she’d spared me even a single glance of love—I would never have yielded to you. Moreover, the depth of your devotion to her—Xianyi Chishaou knew he could never rival."

In the past, he had struggled to understand why Yun Ji, despite his profound love, had pushed Su Rao toward him, all for her sake. Only after this journey to Daliang did Xianyi Chishaou fully grasp the nature of Yun Ji's feelings for her.

Every action Yun Ji took was for Su Rao's sake—regardless of love or hatred, right or wrong. His sole desire was her safety and well-being.

In the Hall of Loyalty and Virtue, Yun Ji had spoken plainly to the Qin King: in this life, he sought neither fame nor profit. His only wish was for one person to live in peace and contentment.

The calm sincerity of Yun Ji's words struck a chord in Xianyi Chishaou, his quiet conviction resonated deeply.

And so, he also came to understand Su Rao's feelings for Yun Ji.

Their connection was a meeting of souls—love freely given, trust unshaken, a silent understanding in each other's gaze, a faith that held true no matter the other's actions. The love between them left no space for any other.