Chapter 573: More Troubles Before the Wedding (Part 2)

Chapter 573: Another Wedding Worry (Part 2)

This year, the first snow of winter arrived in early October.

As winter began, swirling snowflakes followed closely behind. Amid this early winter snowfall, the herbalist apprentice left no trace.

Checkpoints across all prefectures and counties strictly monitored travelers moving between the three nations, particularly those entering Zhu Xian or Yun Lang from Danliang. Su Rao’s strikingly accurate portrait was posted right before the guards, with copies carried on their belts. If the image faded from wind or snow, it was immediately replaced. Yet, even with such measures, there was still no trace of him.

Though the search had not lasted long, the lack of any trace of him under such tight surveillance across three nations suggested he either had not left the mist-shrouded mountains or was hiding in some remote wilderness, constantly shifting his hiding spots to avoid being devoured by wild beasts, leaving no trace.

But how long could he last on the run? Moreover, winter had arrived, and the cold in the mountains was even more biting. If he did not enter a city, he would freeze to death in some unknown forest within three days, with no one the wiser.

In forests inhabited by hunters, even illiterate ones, soldiers had spread news of the manhunt across three nations for a dangerous criminal, along with the rewards and punishments involved.

Thus, the herbalist apprentice could not hide in any hunter-populated woods.

Another month passed, with snow falling multiple times. Bamboo Master had already reached Yun Commandery, yet there was still no sign of the herbalist apprentice across the three nations. Even on his journey to Yun Commandery, Bamboo Master had found no clues.

Though the herbalist apprentice remained at large, the Su family’s wedding plans would not be canceled. Were Su Da and Su San’s weddings to be postponed indefinitely just because the apprentice had not been caught? That was impractical.

Moreover, Bamboo Master had come at top speed, and with the three nations’ combined efforts in surveillance and search, there was little to fear from a lone fugitive.

The herbalist apprentice was alone. If he truly lurked in the shadows, seeking revenge for the Ding family, poison would likely be his weapon—his only viable means, given his weak martial skills and lack of allies.

After this thorough analysis and dismissal of concerns, the Su family proceeded methodically with preparations for Su Da and Su San’s weddings, which would be held on the same day for twice the joy.

This grand celebration could also serve as bait. If the herbalist apprentice truly sought revenge, the wedding would be his best opportunity—in the crowd, poison would be easy to slip, and his chances of success would be high.

If the wedding passed without incident, it would strongly suggest the apprentice had not infiltrated Yun Lang, narrowing the search.

Snow fell again. By early winter, heavy snowfall had already occurred several times.

This was an unusually harsh winter, but the chill could not dampen Yun Commandery’s festive atmosphere. A prestigious noble family and a rising military household were uniting in marriage with the Su family, who had recently returned in glory.

The Su, Liu, and Zhao families consulted the esteemed Master Hui Shan to select an auspicious date. The first favorable day for marriage was just five days away.

Though snow still swirled in the sky, the skies were clearing, promising clear weather the next day or the day after—just in time to melt the snow. A few days would melt the snow entirely, just in time for the auspicious wedding day.

The next highly auspicious date would not come until mid-December or even the new year. While the winter months offered good dates, with the threat still looming, it was better to act sooner rather than later. Thus, the wedding was set for five days later.

The Su, Liu, and Zhao families were no ordinary households. Dowries and betrothal gifts were ready well in advance, so the short notice posed no issue.

With the date settled, only minor wedding details remained. The greatest concern was the wine—poisoning was most likely to occur through drink, so absolute safety had to be ensured.

Su Rao had initially intended to oversee the procurement herself, but with Yun Ji’s frail health worsening in the winter, she could not divide her attention. Fearing oversight, she entrusted the task to Su Si, ensuring the wine’s safety for the wedding.

Su Si took charge of the wine procurement, with Bamboo Master’s daughter accompanying him for added security.

Bamboo Master had brought his daughter, Ning Wanyue, who had studied poisons since childhood. Her presence would aid in tracking down the herbalist apprentice.

After a day of snowfall, the storm lessened by the next morning. Though it had not fully stopped, the sky grew brighter, hinting at a possible cessation by afternoon.

By midday, as Master Hui Shan had predicted, the snow ceased shortly after lunch.

The world was blanketed in white—dazzling, almost blinding, leaving a pale haze in the eyes. But this time, there was no crimson staining the snow, no unbearable scenes of bloodshed.

This winter's snowy scenery truly filled Su Rao's heart with the sight of silver-white snow blanketing everything.

In the past, she never imagined that the winter snowscape in her eyes and heart could be so beautiful.

She had only been moved once before, during a chance meeting with her royal brother outside Shanjian Village. Now, she could fully embrace such pristine snowy beauty.

How wonderful.

The curve of her lips lifted, and her peach blossom eyes shimmered with a natural rosy hue. Only when the person beside her struggled to suppress a cough and excused himself for a moment would her smile fade, replaced by a worried frown creasing her brow.

Yun Ji's condition—she had thought that under her deliberate care, he could finally stand in the sunlight. Yet, when the first winter snow arrived this year, he quietly left Raoxiang Pavilion in the dead of night. Once again, his consciousness split, and his desire to erase the self that exists in sunlight persisted. Worse still, for some unknown reason, he grew to despise his true self even more.

No matter how much Su Rao pondered, she couldn’t understand. Where had she gone wrong? What had she overlooked that made him slip back into darkness?

This inner darkness, the war between his alternate and main selves, was why his cough resurfaced uncontrollably, and his recently improved health took a sudden turn for the worse.

Before Bamboo Master arrived, Su Rao sought guidance from Master Hui Shan. Over the years, Master Hui Shan had helped Yun Ji find peace. He would likely understand Yun Ji’s sudden change—perhaps even a clue to its cause.

After Su Rao recounted her actions, Master Hui Shan pondered at length. Nothing she had done seemed likely to provoke him, and even he found the change puzzling.

"Illnesses of the mind aren't easily cured by ordinary means. In the past, the young man's heart was filled with hatred. When that hatred overwhelmed his willpower, it gave rise to his dark side—a version sustained by that very hatred.

Now, with no hatred left in his heart, his sustaining force has unwittingly shifted to you, young mistress. Your every action influences his thoughts. Yet, based on what you’ve said and done, there appears to be no misstep on your part. Even this old monk finds it hard to discern."

These were Master Hui Shan’s exact words. Su Rao’s every action—yet no matter how she reflected, she couldn’t pinpoint what she might have done wrong. Where had she failed? It wasn’t until Bamboo Master arrived that...