Chapter 583: Minor Waves on the Wedding Day (1)

Chapter 583: A Small Stir on the Wedding Day (Part 1)

"Your Majesty, please treat this matter with caution and avoid any carelessness."

Seeing that Yun Mujing remained indifferent to the current crisis, even toying with his ever-present wrist-mounted arrow tube, Marquis Mu felt compelled to offer a warning.

Only then did Yun Mujing pause in dismantling the arrow tube. He looked up at Marquis Mu, noting the genuine concern in the older man’s expression, before smiling and saying:

"Marquis, your concern is a boon to our Yun Lang. To have such a loyal minister brings me great comfort. In this matter, I have not taken action—Miss Zhao’s fate was her own doing. If Heaven itself would not spare her, and I have not intervened, why should I need to defend myself? That would be a needless confession.

Moreover, this incident fulfilled my prophecy. Who could’ve predicted Zhao Lianxin’s disastrous fate? Though I mentioned that winter accidents are common, even I could not have predicted this. Nor, I imagine, could those who sought her death.

Since you, Marquis, are troubled by this, they likely are as well. If neither side acts, then let the matter pass. But if guilt makes them twitchy, I need only wait for them to expose themselves. Then, I can pin it on them without lifting a finger. There is no need for you to worry over this."

His hands resumed their work, assembling the arrow tube with the same practiced ease Yun Ji had once demonstrated before him.

Besides, whether that old fox, Duke Zhao, believes in Zhao Lianxin’s accidental death or not—if he acts out of guilt, would that not be an open admission that her demise was orchestrated? Taking the blame for something I didn’t do? That’d be idiotic.

"Ah... Your Majesty is wise. This old fool nearly endangered you."

Marquis Mu was momentarily stunned by Yun Mujing’s reasoning. Realizing his own oversight might have caused trouble, he moved to kneel and beg forgiveness, but Yun Mujing waved him off.

"There is no need for apologies, Marquis. Your devotion does you credit. Your concern is for my sake—if I were to punish you for it, would that not make me a fool? If there is nothing else, you may retire."

After Marquis Mu withdrew, Yun Mujing finished assembling the arrow tube, then picked up a case from the edge of the imperial desk and left the study, heading for the Skyview Pavilion in the imperial gardens.

Upon arrival, a goldenclad secret guard opened the case. Though outwardly plain, the interior was lined with frost, containing three crystalline arrows forged from ice. Each exuded a bone-deep chill. Yun Mujing took one and loaded it into the arrow tube, then aimed out the window and pulled the trigger.

A gust of force erupted from the tube, followed by droplets of water as the ice arrow shot forth.

*Whoosh—*

The target was a rock in the garden’s artificial mountain. The arrow struck a crevice, dislodging a small stone that tumbled down. The arrow itself snapped clean in two, vanishing into the snow below without melting.

"Brother, the method you taught me—killing without a trace—went unused this time. But since she dug her own grave, so be it.

You did not wish to remain in Langjing, fearing it would destabilize the court and burden me. Yet I always wanted to do something for you. Now that Zhao Lianxin is no longer a threat, if Su Yumo cannot even capture a mere herbalist apprentice, then as the new emperor of Danliang, he’s a joke. To rule another country yet lack such basic competence...

Now, the only danger left is you yourself. With the grand weddings of the Su, Zhao, and Liu families, many nobles will attend. If you appear, someone will inevitably recognize you—there’s no hiding. If you wish for a peaceful future with Su Rao, you’ve got to come back to life. Without an identity, how can you marry her? I’m still waiting to toast your wedding."

Musing aloud, he fired another arrow. This time, the rock did not fall—it was too large. One more should do the trick.

The pavilion was warmed by a blazing brazier, but the open window let in the dawn’s icy wind, chilling Yun Mujing’s hands without disturbing his steady aim. Another arrow flew, and at last, the rock finally gave way, tumbling down with a sharp *crack*.

After firing all three arrows, he did not return immediately to review memorials. Instead, he stepped out of the Skyview Pavilion and gazed toward Yun County.

Once the Su family’s sons are wed, it will be their daughter’s turn, won’t it? When that day comes—when my brother celebrates his happiness—I will be there in person.

"I wonder how lively it is today. That brat Su Rao must be thrilled. When will she finally marry Brother? He treats her so well—if she still hesitates after her brothers’ weddings, if she strings him along, I won’t have it."

Yun Mujing’s impatience for Su Rao and Yun Ji’s wedding stemmed from his longing to see his brother again. Meanwhile, far away in Yun County, Su Rao felt her ears grow inexplicably warm. Whether from excitement over her brothers’ weddings or not, she rubbed her earlobes and woke up.

As soon as Su Rao stirred, Yun Ji, lying beside her, sensed the movement and awoke as well.

They had slept late the night before. By the time they opened their eyes, the day was bright, the streets alive with noise, and the household staff already busy with their duties.

The greeters welcomed guests, the stewards recorded gifts, and the kitchen staff prepared the wedding feast—all in perfect order, without a hint of chaos.

The grand wedding day of the Su family’s eldest and third sons.

The celebration was in full swing.

Su Rao and Yun Ji washed up and dressed meticulously.

Today, they set aside their usual YueHua tones and donned new attire with festive colors.

Su Rao wore a light rosy xiangfei shade, slightly paler than her usual bright red. On her, it looked understated yet elegant and refined.

This outfit added to the celebratory atmosphere of her eldest and third brothers' weddings without stealing the brides’ spotlight.

As for Yun Ji’s attire, it was a mysterious and noble deep purple. Even motionless, he exuded authority. Paired with an outer robe of frost-white, more dazzling than YueHua hues, the deep and light tones blended together, softening his aura and highlighting his refined grace.

"Hmm, quite fitting."

Yun Mujing had always favored these colors. On Yun Mujing, they radiated a bewitching charm that captivated the soul.

Now, Yun Ji wore this ensemble, merely adding a frost-white outer robe to temper the impact of the deep purple. It contrasted sharply with Yun Mujing’s style, and compared to Yun Ji’s usual YueHua attire, it did not diminish his ethereal charm in the slightest.

Praising him warmly, Su Rao personally fastened the jade belt around Yun Ji’s waist, adorning it with an exquisite hook.

Once they were fully dressed, the two prepared to head to the front courtyard.

Just as they stepped out of the inner chamber, Yun Feng stopped them.

Interrupting them this early in the morning, the matter at hand was still related to Zhao Lianxin—they had already received news.