vrcanaries Chapter 135 Killing someone with a borrowed knife
Chapter 135 Killing someone with a borrowed knife
When the queen witnessed this scene, she felt mixed emotions, but she also understood that her son's affection for Su Rao was extraordinary.
So she decided not to make things difficult for this tough and kind woman.
Su Rao bid farewell to the queen and set out for the palace, feeling both nervous and hopeful.
Along the way, she noticed a group of guards in gorgeous costumes, looking nervous and galloping away. Their hurried footsteps and furrowed brows indicated that the capital might be facing an unknown storm.
The deployment of the Imperial Guards was always accompanied by an oppressive feeling of impending storm, and their every action meant undercurrents surging inside and outside the palace.
Su Rao was secretly speculating in her heart, but she never expected that this sudden change would be inextricably linked to her.
As the sky gradually darkened, Su Rao unexpectedly met Su Yi, who was in a hurry, on her way back.
According to common sense, Su Yi should be busy in the palace at this time, preparing for the Queen Mother's birthday banquet.
Her sudden appearance and pale face undoubtedly revealed the seriousness of the matter.
"Rao'er, it's bad, something big has happened!" Su Yi's anxious words were like a bolt from the blue, making Su Rao's heart tighten.
"What's the matter?" Su Rao asked hurriedly, with a bad feeling rising in her heart.
"Yesterday, a tragedy occurred at the foot of a mountain dozens of miles outside the city. Robbers were rampant, and countless innocent passers-by were killed or injured. It is said that there was a monk among them, and it is very likely that he was Master Mingkong!"
As soon as Su Yi finished speaking, Su Rao felt as if the world had stopped at this moment. Her legs went weak and she could hardly stand.
In order to conceal his whereabouts and ensure his safety, Prince Yi traveled with Master Mingkong, planning to go their separate ways after arriving in Jiangnan.
If anything happens to Master Mingkong, Prince Yi's situation will be in danger.
How could such an arrogant thief appear in the imperial city, at the feet of the emperor, and at such a coincidental timing?
What is even more worrying is that there may be a more complicated conspiracy behind these so-called "thieves".
The King of Qi is preoccupied with his own affairs, so what roles do Concubine Wang and Madam Huo play?
If Mrs. Huo intended to use this opportunity to get rid of Prince Yi, the consequences would be disastrous.
"Rao'er, what should we do?" Su Yi was so anxious that he was running around like an ant on a hot pan.
"I believe that the prince will be fine." Su Rao said firmly, "This matter is of great importance, how can the court remain indifferent?"
"Your Majesty has sent the Imperial Guard to investigate." Su Yi replied, with a hint of helplessness in his tone.
Jinyiwei, that is the sphere of influence of the King of Qi.
If the thieves were really sent by Mrs. Huo, wouldn't this be a blatant cover-up?
"Sister, don't panic. Let's wait and see what happens." Su Rao tried her best to comfort her, and at the same time secretly ordered people to pay attention to the movements of the Jinyiwei.
However, that night, apart from silence and anxiety, they did not receive any new news.
Su Rao and Su Yi could not sleep all night until the next morning, when they received news that the Jinyiwei had returned to the capital. However, the specific circumstances of the thieves were still kept secret.
The two sisters were unable to directly intervene in the Jinyiwei's investigation, so they decided to visit the Fang Mansion through Fang Yuan, hoping to find out something.
Inside the Fang residence, Fang Yuan was all smiles, returning to her usual gentleness, and personally poured tea for Su Rao and Su Yi.
Su Yi asked about Fang Mo's recent situation with concern, but learned that he was extremely busy recently and even Fang Yuan had not been able to see him.
"Ayi, do you have anything to do with your brother?" Fang Yuan asked with concern.
Su Yi nodded slightly, but his heart was filled with doubts.
Fang Yuan promised that she would arrange a meeting for them as soon as Fang Mo returned.
However, time passed by minute by minute, and until the afternoon, there was still no sign of Fang Mo.
Su Rao seemed anxious and decided to go out for some fresh air. In fact, she wanted to secretly look for Fang Mo and find out the truth.
Near Fang Mo's residence, Su Rao found him alone, shirtless, his bronze skin covered with traces of time and battles, and the new wounds were shocking.
Fang Mo suddenly became alert, his eyes fixed on a shadow: "Come out!"
Su Rao slowly stepped into the light corridor and met Fang Mo's sharp gaze head-on.
Fang Mo looked stern, quickly put on his clothes, held a sharp sword, pointed the tip of the sword directly at Su Rao's throat, and asked, "Do you think I dare not do it?"
"If you hurt me, King Yi will never let you go." Su Rao tried to intimidate the other party with the name of King Yi, but she was uneasy in her heart.
Fang Mo sneered, and that laugh was full of disdain, which made Su Rao's heart sink to the bottom.
Her previous test was intended to confirm the safety of Prince Yi, and Fang Mo's reaction seemed to imply the worst outcome - did Prince Yi really encounter misfortune, or was he firmly controlled by Prince Qi?
Su Rao tried to stay calm and changed the subject: "The scars on Lord Xu's body seem to be whip marks, right?"
As soon as the word "whip mark" came out, Fang Mo's face instantly turned gloomy.
"This whip mark is unusual, more like the product of some kind of game. Lord Xu is a member of the palace, and the King of Qi is busy treating his illness and has no time to do it himself. The only one who can show you such a 'favor' is probably..."
Before Su Rao could finish her words, her neck was already tightly strangled by Fang Mo. The breath of death was approaching, and Fang Mo's grip became heavier and heavier, as if he really wanted to take her life.
Su Rao's face flushed, she had difficulty breathing, her life hanging by a thread, but she still used up her last bit of strength and uttered a few words with difficulty: "Master Xu...are you...willing...to do this?"
Just when Su Rao's life was hanging by a thread, the hand that was strangling her throat suddenly loosened.
Fang Mo looked at him coldly, his tone full of helplessness and sadness: "What if I am willing? What if I am not willing? I have no choice."
At this moment, Su Rao seemed to see the heavy constraints and helplessness behind Fang Mo.
If he wants revenge, he has no choice but to rely on the powerful King of Qi, and is willing to give up the most precious dignity as a man and endure all kinds of humiliation and contempt in the world.
Otherwise, how could a person of his ordinary background like him easily climb up to the coveted position of the captain of the Jinyiwei?
"The enemy you identified, Prince Yi, actually did no harm to your brother Cao Feng." Su Rao's voice was calm and firm.
Fang Mo's face was as cold as ice. He chose to remain silent and said nothing.
"Prince Yi was suffering from the poison at the time and his mind was in a state of confusion. Someone took the opportunity to frame him and pinned the crime of killing your brother on him." Su Rao continued to explain.
A cold smile appeared on Fang Mo's lips, and that smile was full of disdain and disbelief for these remarks, as if all the excuses were nonsense.
"If the real murderer goes unpunished and the innocent are left unpunished, with such an outcome, can your brother rest in peace in his grave?" Su Rao's words were filled with urgency.
"I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be false?" Fang Mo's tone was firm and left no room for doubt.
"Sometimes, even what you see with your own eyes can be blinded by appearances. Fang Mo, don't act on your own."
Su Rao advised, her voice soft but powerful, "Whether you believe it or not is up to you, but you should at least retain a trace of doubt and find out the truth, so as to live up to the meaning of your brother's sacrifice."