Chapter 556: Returning Home in Retirement (Part 3)

Chapter 556: Retiring to One's Roots (Part 3)

"No wonder Yao Yeting was rescued so easily back then, catching me completely off guard, leading to Grandpa's imprisonment and the deaths of Hao Shu and Qin Niang."

"The death of Emperor Wei of Zhu Xian was not Rong Ke's doing after all—it was Uncle, Uncle who killed Emperor Wei, who killed the brother Xianyi Chishaou cared for."

Two quiet murmurs. Su Rao's voice gave no hint of her current emotions. Yet the second letter was crumpled into a ball and tossed into the river, swallowed by the currents in an instant.

The wind over the river carried a refreshing coolness, making the breeze pleasantly cool against the skin, especially in the sweltering heat of summer. Yet now, despite the refreshing sensation, Su Rao pulled her collar tighter, as if the wind had seeped into her bones despite the scorching sun overhead.

The only thing preventing her from shivering was the presence of the escorts from the Tiger Might Escort Bureau. They hadn’t been planted by the Qin King from the start—Pei Liang only recruited them after reaching Daliang.

"Rao Rao, feeling chilly? The river breeze can be harsh after a while. Let’s go inside the cabin."

Yun Ji, who had been accompanying her, said nothing to console her. Instead, he took Su Rao’s slightly chilled hand and led her into the cabin.

Inside, old General Su, Su San, and Su Si were sparring on the deck of the lower level.

To be precise, old General Su, restless with boredom, had forced his two usually refined grandsons into a wrestling match just for his entertainment.

"Little sister, you’re finally here!"

The two brothers, who should have been playing the qin or practicing swordplay, now had their sleeves and pant legs rolled up, their long robes tucked into their belts. The stifling heat and the exertion had left them drenched in sweat, their faces flushed.

Their violet-trimmed white robes were soaked through, drenching the outer layers and seeping into the inner garments.

Before the old general could rope in his beloved granddaughter into the fun, Su San and Su Si, unable to endure any longer, cast pleading glances at Su Rao.

*Little sister, please talk some sense into Grandpa. We can’t take this anymore.*

"Come here, my precious granddaughter."

Old General Su noticed their silent pleas. Stroking his bushy white beard, he beckoned Su Rao over. "Don’t mind your third and fourth brothers. These two have gone soft without training. Without their armor, they’re as limp as noodles, flaunting their fans around like bookish scholars. Not a shred of the Su family’s vigor!"

Su Rao, who had felt chilled by the river breeze, suddenly no longer felt cold. Warmth flooded her, not from the sun but like being wrapped in soft silk, comforting to the heart.

Her lips, previously pressed together, curved into a smile, her peach blossom eyes curved into crescents. She squeezed Yun Ji’s hand and pulled him toward old General Su, joining the fun.

"Grandpa’s right. Rao'er also thinks Third Brother and Fourth Brother look a bit thinner. They really should train more."

This earned her twin looks of betrayal from Su San and Su Si.

*No more trips with Grandpa.*

*Little sis is just as bad.*

The usually elegant and courteous third and fourth young masters of the Su family had completely shed their refined images.

Time on the boat flew by in such joyous moments. The unbearable summer heat gradually faded as the days went by.

Finally, amid another summer shower, the cabin arrived at Yun County, where Qingyun River’s dock came into view.

Su Rao’s father, having received word early, was already waiting at the dock to welcome his father home.

Today’s rain was neither heavy nor light, falling steadily without splashing on the ground or forming curtains under the eaves—just a steady, misty drizzle.

Though the rain was light, the Su family servants still held umbrellas to shield Su Rao’s father and the others from the drifting droplets.

Among them, a particular master and servant duo stood out—the deposed Seventh Princess Yun Luoling and the eunuch De Zi, who had always followed her. This pair was here with her parents, and something about it felt off.

From afar, Su Rao first spotted her father, mother, uncles, and aunts, then her eyes immediately landed on Yun Luoling, given their complicated past.

What was Yun Luoling doing here now, waiting alongside her parents? What was going on?

Tilting her head slightly, Su Rao peeked out from under Yun Ji's umbrella, her gaze shifting to her fourth cousin standing beside her grandfather. Was Yun Luoling still up to no good, still hung up on him?

Her nosy stare said it all as she fixed her eyes on Su Si.

Su Si had naturally noticed Yun Luoling as well and got what Su Rao was asking without words. He raised a fist to his lips, cleared his throat and shook his head.

What did that mean? Was Yun Luoling still clinging to him unilaterally, or was he avoiding her so thoroughly that he didn't even want to mention her?

For once, Su Rao was at a loss. Just as she was about to ask, the boat docked at the port, cutting her off before she could speak.

Little did she know, back in the capital, their Su family had already caught the attention of Duke Zhao—precisely the reason Yun Luoling was waiting here. Duke Zhao was scheming to use this very matter to prove his loyalty to the new emperor.

While Yun County was drizzling today, the capital was enjoying perfect weather, as pristine as the day Su Rao and her family had left—blue skies, white clouds, and endless sunshine.

In the imperial study, Yun Mujing, fresh off reviewing the morning court memorials and his midday meal, was preparing to continue with the remaining documents when the Grand Steward announced Duke Zhao’s request for an audience, saying it was urgent.

Duke Zhao arrived before the new emperor holding a letter—one he had received just as Su Rao’s boat was nearing Yun County. It was a letter from Yun Luoling to the Empress Dowager, sent from Yun County.

Yun Yu had once suggested to Duke Zhao that they find an opportunity to bring Yun Luoling, the deposed Seventh Princess, back from Yun County. But in the end, she had never returned, and with the new emperor’s ascension, the political landscape had shifted.

To this day, Yun Luoling had neither regained her status nor returned to the capital. Zhao Shuxuan had repeatedly sought Duke Zhao’s help, but with the court in transition—a critical moment for the Zhao family’s resurgence—he had been too preoccupied to spare any attention for his granddaughter.

Moreover, Yun Luoling’s presence in Yun County was far from detrimental to Duke Zhao—in fact, it was greatly beneficial, securing the family's standing.

And now, an opportunity to further their interests had arrived.