Chapter 547: The Aftermath of the Plot Within a Plot (Part 4)

Chapter 547: The Aftermath of Schemes Within Schemes (Part 4)

"Prince Yun Ji—or should I say, the true leader of Freedom Pavilion, Han Mochen—the second prince of Great Qin who was stillborn at birth—your heart seems troubled, shadowed by darkness. Since Rao has been returned to you, I hope you will protect her well and not let Han Mochen harm her."

Yun Ji's odd behavior was clear to anyone sharp enough.

From their dealings in Great Qin, Xianyi Chishaou had already discerned and understood. Previously, he had been misled time and again by successive events, muddling his judgment.

Now, it all made sense. He also recognized Yun Ji's condition—particularly that momentary shift when Yun Ji intended to kill Rong Ke. Xianyi Chishaou had observed it.

Though he did not guess that Yun Ji's condition stemmed from dual personalities, given the sinister scheming of Old Ding and the poison that afflicted his elder brother, Xianyi Chishaou could surmise that Yun Ji's abnormality must also be due to some medicinal influence.

He had his suspicions but did not inquire further about Yun Ji's well-being. If Yun Ji had made it this far with the aid of Master Bamboo and Master Hui Shan, his life probably wasn’t at risk.

"Yun Ji is just Yun Ji. Han Mochen is just a name I don’t need anymore. With vengeance fulfilled, that name is gone—never to be used again."

Before Yun Ji could respond, Su Rao, having finished her piece, rose and approached. She clasped Yun Ji’s limp hand in hers and met Xianyi Chishaou's gaze as she spoke these words.

She’d be fine. She acknowledged and appreciated Prince Yi's affection, though she could never reciprocate it in this lifetime. She hoped Prince Yi would not dwell on it too much. Among the countless women in the world, one day he would surely meet someone worthy of his devotion. Su Rao would not monopolize his heart.

"This prince knows. Rao has always been this way with me—never left things unclear, never giving me false hope."

Su Rao's gratitude, so clearly reiterated, was just that—gratitude, and nothing more. Xianyi Chishaou accepted it openly, even cracking a joke. Even the icy Prince Yi had loosened up enough to joke.

Through their collaboration with Su Rao and Yun Ji, they’d really become friends—genuine friends who could share laughter, friends who could draw close to the otherwise unapproachable Prince Yi.

Su Rao also smiled faintly at this change in Xianyi Chishaou, willing to be his friend as well.

No need to say more to express the openness in their hearts. As they exchanged a knowing smile, neither noticed the brief flash in Yun Ji’s calm, moon-bright eyes—whether due to their shared understanding or Su Rao's words to Xianyi Chishaou.

"Han Mochen is gone. He will never be used again."

But Han Mochen hadn’t vanished. He truly existed. Even if he ceased to be Han Mochen, he would always be Ah Xiao—never to become Yun Ji.

For that split second when his gaze lingered on Su Rao, it felt like he’d switched back again.

He suppressed Yun Ji, seizing control of this body again. He was Ah Xiao.

Yet, in that brief instant, Yun Ji's calm demeanor returned.

As if that momentary shift had never occurred.

After honoring Rong Feng and Xianmu Yaling, Su Rao and Yun Ji discussed their true purpose for coming here with Xianyi Chishaou.

Hearing Su Rao's words—that no matter what conditions he proposed, as long as she and Yun Ji could fulfill them, they’d move heaven and earth to do it without hesitation—Xianyi Chishaou didn’t bring up any moral limits.

"If I hadn’t fought to put my brother on the throne, would his later years have been peaceful and smooth? Even if Rong Yuer schemed, she would have targeted me, not him."

Xianyi Chishaou did not state any conditions. Instead, he spoke these words to Su Rao and Yun Ji. He had never sought imperial power. While his elder brother lived, he had only wished to protect him—so that when sent to Great Qin as a hostage, he would not be powerless to resist.

Had his elder brother not volunteered to go in his stead, it would have been Xianyi Chishaou who was sent.

By securing the throne for his brother, he had not protected him but hastened his death.

Now, his elder brother was gone. Changle was gone. Only he remained, destined to sit upon that cold throne—the very seat his brother once occupied—alone.

"The second son of the Su family is capable. If Great Qin were left in his hands, the future would surely be bright. I desire nothing, nor do I owe any explanations to the courtiers. Prince Yi acts as he pleases—who dares question him?"

Prince Yi, with all his power, didn’t owe anyone an explanation for his actions. In his position, he fulfilled his duties. The courtiers of Zhu Xian need only attend to their own responsibilities.

Although Xianyi Chishaou had no demands, Su Rao and Yun Ji still made a promise: if they ever needed assistance in the future, just send a carrier pigeon, and they would surely come.

With the formal matters concluded, Su Rao and Yun Ji said their goodbyes.

As the three of them left the royal tomb, they saw Moying rushing toward them, his face even more grim than when Yun Mujing left.

For a moment, Su Rao and Yun Ji exchanged glances—was Zhu Xian also...

"Your Highness, there's trouble back home."

Indeed, Moying spoke, confirming that the Zhu Xian kingdom was in chaos too—and not just in the Capital Region, but rebellions had broken out in other provinces as well.

Xianyi Chishaou had concealed the news of Emperor Wei's passing, but now, for some reason, the court had learned of the emperor's death. The incompetent princes of Emperor Wei, seizing the opportunity while Xianyi Chishaou was in the capital of another kingdom, had turned court officials against each other in a power grab. They even spread rumors that Xianyi Chishaou was plotting treason, hiding the emperor's death to usurp the Zhu Xian throne.

Moreover, the former princes and lords who had been ousted and exiled to wastelands during the previous succession crisis were now making power plays, inciting unrest across various provinces.

The situation in Zhu Xian was much worse than Yun Lang's rebellion.

General Yanlie, who had originally been ordered to the Lingtong Pass, immediately turned back to the capital upon receiving news of this wave of bad news, stabilizing the Capital Region first and sending word to Xianyi Chishaou, urging the prince to return swiftly to restore order in the court.

Xianyi Chishaou had kept Emperor Wei's death tightly under wraps, yet now the entire court knew, throwing all of Zhu Xian into disarray.

Just from hearing this, it was clear that this must once again be the doing of the Qin King.

Xianyi Chishaou had dared to leave for the capital even after Emperor Wei's death precisely because he had arranged everything in Zhu Xian to ensure no disturbances would arise in his absence. Yet now, disaster had struck.

The only one capable of stirring such trouble in Zhu Xian was likely that scheming uncle, who had remained undetected in the shadows.

Unseen, no one was prepared for him—and with just a single move, he could easily ignite chaos.

Thinking this, Su Rao felt more uneasy. Seeing Xianyi Chishaou finish reading the letter from General Yanlie brought by Moying, she stepped up.

"Yun Ji and I will go with you—"

Before she could finish, Xianyi Chishaou shook his head in refusal.

Unnecessary.

Since they had chosen to rebel, let them act. Zhu Xian was due for a purge.

Though Su Rao and Yun Ji were concerned about the severity of the situation in Zhu Xian, Xianyi Chishaou's refusal was firm, his expression showing not a trace of worry—only the cool confidence of Prince Yi.

If Xianyi Chishaou needed no help and had such confidence, Su Rao and Yun Ji said no more, only adding that if any difficulties arose, he should let them know.

Xianyi Chishaou nodded in agreement, not refusing Su Rao's goodwill this time, and ordered Moying to get the troops ready to move.

Leaving the Rong family mausoleum together, they parted ways after descending the mountain forest.

The Zhu Xian cavalry, moving like the wind, left only countless hoofprints in the rain-soaked mud, their leaders already gone from view.

Watching until the Eagle Army had completely vanished, Su Rao and Yun Ji also set off.

Yun Feng brought the carriage forward, with the Qin King's ashes and spirit tablet inside.

Just as they were about to leave, Wu Yang caught up.

Without a word, he dropped to his knees and knocked his head three times, letting the mud stain his forehead—one last tribute to his master.

Su Rao lifted the carriage curtain, watching Wu Yang wordlessly swing onto his horse and ride away.

She then let the curtain fall without speaking.

At her signal, they moved out.

Yun Feng drove the carriage, with Yi Ying and Yi Su riding close guard alongside, while the rest of the Cloud Guard followed unseen.