"Rong'er..." Chunyu Qinghua was filled with helplessness. He had indeed led Rong'er onto an irreversible path.
"Master, it's not good! Our people ambushed near the Mingyue Villa have all been killed, and there's a large group of troops approaching from the south of the city," a masked figure hurriedly reported.
"What?" Jun Yue Rong didn't expect her brother, Huage Ge, to be right about his suspicions.
"Immediately evacuate from here, lower the stone gate, activate all mechanisms, and retreat to the Ghost Palace," Jun Yue Rong made a decisive decision and gave urgent instructions.
"Yes, Your Highness," the person responded.
Chunyu Qinghua breathed a sigh of relief. When Rong'er became stubborn, even he couldn't do anything about it.
"Rong'er, let's go!" Chunyu Qinghua stood up and embraced Jun Yue Rong.
Jun Yue Rong nodded reluctantly, with a trace of sadness on her face.
The appearance of Su Zimo had ruined all her efforts in life.
When Su Zimo and their group arrived at the courtyard, it was already empty.
Su Qi looked around and angrily kicked over a chair. "It seems they've discovered us."
Mu Yunxuan's stunning face remained calm. "They couldn't have evacuated so quickly. There must be an underground passage here!"
"Father, there is indeed an underground passage. Xiaoli knows where the entrance is," Su Li said, releasing Xiaoli.
Xiaoli led them to the central main hall of the courtyard.
After assessing the location, Xiaoli tapped on a spot. "Xiaoli, the entrance to the underground passage is right here."
Su Qi walked to Xiaoli's position and knocked on it. "It seems quite solid, not like it's empty."
Mu Yunxuan's lips curled up, and he glanced around. Suddenly, he noticed the bonsai by the window. Mu Yunxuan quickly walked over and saw traces of movement on the bonsai. His eyes lit up as he gently rotated it.
"Boom!"
A tile under Su Qi's feet began to retract, and he quickly jumped back.
"There really is an underground passage."
"Let's go down and take a look." Su Zimo stepped forward, and Mu Yunxuan instantly appeared in front of her.
"Mo'er, I'll go first. Follow closely behind me."
Su Zimo was deeply moved, and she nodded softly.
Mu Yunxuan turned around and looked at Jun Shaochen. "Your Highness, underground palaces are usually heavily guarded. It would be better for Your Highness to wait here."
Jun Shaochen took a few steps forward and said, "Yunxuan, I'm not afraid of danger. If I fear even this level of danger, then I'm not worthy of being the Crown Prince of this nation."
After Jun Shaochen finished speaking, he instructed his men to stay in their positions.
"Since Your Highness has made up your mind, please be extremely careful," Mu Yunxuan said and walked up the stone steps.
One by one, they descended.
"Wow! There really is an underground passage here!" Su Qi looked around. The underground passage was decorated like an indoor space, as if someone intended to live here for a long time.
Su Zimo looked around and examined the decorations inside. The scene felt familiar, as if she had seen it in a TV drama before.
Su Zimo walked towards a room and saw a simple table, chairs, and some women's belongings. Then she noticed a pile of black clothes in the corner. She picked up a piece and examined it, and a sign fell out from the clothes. Su Zimo picked it up and saw a gold token with the word "Ghost" engraved on it.
Su Zimo became even more certain that this was the Ghost Palace.
She looked around and found a set of white men's clothes in the corner, which seemed familiar to her, but she couldn't recall where she had seen them.
"This must be the entrance to the Ghost Palace. Look at this token," Mu Yunxuan took the token and saw that it was a special token used by the people in the Ghost Palace.
"Your Highness, the Ghost Palace has always been elusive in the martial world. If it weren't for the death of Princess Yue Rong, we would never have discovered this underground passage. The people from the Ghost Palace have likely heard the news and will be even more cautious," Mu Yunxuan said, looking at Jun Shaochen. "Yunxuan, I trust your abilities, even more so now."
Jun Shaochen was somewhat surprised by Mu Yunxuan's change. In the past, he rarely spoke, almost indifferent. It seemed that Su Zimo's charm was quite significant.
"Let's go!" Su Zimo suggested, gesturing for her two sons to follow behind her.
The group continued along the passage until they suddenly reached a dead end.
"Ah! Another dead end." Su Qi felt frustrated. If they wasted any more time, everyone would have escaped.
Su Zimo took a look and didn't even pay attention to such a small stone gate.
"You all step back, I can open this stone gate," Su Zimo said.
Su Zimo looked up and examined the mechanism. She had seen the design of this type of stone gate before and knew how it worked.
Su Zimo carefully observed and indeed found an iron chain hidden in the gap of the wall, at least as thick as an arm.
"Everyone, lean against the stone wall. I'm sure there are hidden weapons behind this stone gate," Su Zimo said.
"Mo'er, be careful," Mu Yunxuan stood behind Su Zimo, his eyes fixed on her.
Su Zimo gave Mu Yunxuan a reassuring look.
The group pressed against the stone wall, and Su Zimo infused her energy into her hands. With a strong pull, the heavy stone gate started to move upwards.
In an instant, hundreds of arrows shot out as the stone gate ascended, astonishingly fast.
The group pressed against the stone wall and remained unharmed. After the brief arrow rain, the passage returned to calm.
Su Qi patted his chest, thinking this was really a life-or-death situation. If he had brought Lixiao Nuan with him, she would have been terrified.
Mu Yunxuan raised an eyebrow. It seemed that the mechanisms inside were intricate, and this was just a small test. The challenges ahead would be even more formidable.
However, as Mu Yunxuan glanced at Su Zimo's back, he wondered what experiences Mo'er had gone through. Faced with these mechanisms, she showed no fear. Few women could remain this calm in such situations.
"The mechanisms inside will be even more dangerous," Su Zimo spoke, her expression serious.
"If we can disable the triggering mechanism, we can pass through the passage effortlessly," Su Zimo turned around and smiled. "Yunxuan, you and I are thinking the same thing."
"In that case, let's search around and find the main mechanism," Mu Yunxuan said.
Jun Shaochen felt a sense of danger, but also excitement. It felt as if once they passed through this passage, he would find the answers he sought.
"Your Highness, as soon as we step through this stone gate, hidden weapons will be activated. We shouldn't move around," Su Zimo quickly stopped Jun Shaochen's actions.
"Li'er," Su Zimo signaled to her son.
Su Li nodded and elegantly stepped to the center of the entrance.
Whoosh! A piercing sound echoed.
Su Li, with his cultivation at the third stage of the Spirit Profound Realm, sent his energy surging into the passage.
After completing this, Su Li stood upright, looking at the other end where the stone wall was destroyed by the energy, causing various hidden weapons to fall to the ground.
Su Zimo smiled confidently. When they were at the border, she often led Su Li to explore abandoned underground passages full of mechanisms, and there were always unexpected gains.
A flicker of surprise appeared on Jun Shaochen's face. "From the way Big Brother skillfully executed the action, I can tell he has experience?"
"Your Highness, people are forged through training. Big Brother and my mother are beyond comparison," Su Li replied.
"So you mean to say your mother is not human?" Su Zimo glared at her son, who liked to talk too much.
"Mother, I never said that," Su Qi stuck out his tongue and, catching a glimpse of his mother's dark gaze, wisely kept his mouth shut.
"Alright, let's proceed," Su Li took the lead.
Su Zimo looked at the ground. "Be careful, follow Li'er's footsteps closely. Otherwise, we might trigger the mechanisms."
Su Qi took a deep breath. He had to be extra cautious. He didn't have the same confidence as his older brother.
Su Li's steps were unpredictable, moving left and right.
Su Qi followed with sweat pouring down, and Jun Shaochen wasn't faring any better.
Suddenly, Su Qi stopped in his tracks, his expression tense.
Su Li turned around and said, "Qi'er, don't move."
Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan knew what was going on. Of course, Su Qi also knew what he had stepped on.
Su Qi smiled awkwardly, "Sorry, I got distracted for a moment. The stone was just too dazzling, and I accidentally stepped on it with my small foot."
Su Zimo's lips twitched, and she said impatiently, "You still have the mind to joke around? In this narrow passage, once the triggering mechanism is activated, there are hidden weapons on both sides. There's no chance to hide at all."
"Hehe!" Su Qi cracked a smile again.
"Mother, Your Highness, you should continue following Li'er. I have a way to safely bring him out," Su Zimo said.
Su Zimo nodded. With Qi'er's willpower, he wouldn't last long.
After all, he still had them to rely on.
Mu Yunxuan looked at Su Zimo and the others reaching the exit before turning back to Su Qi.
"Qi'er, are you scared?" Mu Yunxuan asked with a smile.
Su Qi had a bitter expression and said, "Daddy, I'm about to wet my pants."
His legs were so sore. His father should have made a joke at the right time. Asking him if he was scared now, was he some kind of god? Everyone feels fear, okay?
"Daddy wants you to understand that in the face of life and death, there is no room for hesitation. This is something you must learn from your older brother. Only when you're alone will you know how to face difficulties," Mu Yunxuan explained.
"Daddy, all Qi'er knows is that if you leave without taking Qi'er, Qi'er will just sit on the ground," Su Qi whimpered.
Waaah!
What grand philosophy was his father spouting now! He just wanted to free his little foot.
That damn stone just wanted to pop out, and he was already using all his energy. He could barely hold it any longer.
Mu Yunxuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he swiftly picked up Su Qi.
He quickly set up a barrier around them.
As soon as the barrier was formed, rows of iron nails filled the wooden planks on both sides, converging towards the passage. If it wasn't for the barrier, there would be no chance to hide at all.
Standing at the exit, Su Zimo anxiously watched the father and son.
She saw the rows of iron nails closing in, but she couldn't see Mu Yunxuan and their son. Su Zimo's face tensed, and she stared intently at the exit.
Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of a dark figure. Su Zimo clenched her fists tightly and thought, "Yunxuan, hurry up, or I can't imagine the consequences."
At the moment when the rows of iron nails were about to close, Mu Yunxuan appeared with Su Qi in front of Su Zimo.
Mu Yunxuan let go of Su Qi, and his legs gave way, causing him to sit on the ground.
"Pathetic, you're scared to the point of having weak legs," Su Zimo wanted to comfort her son, but when she thought about how he didn't value his own life, she hardened her heart and turned sarcastic.
Su Qi looked up, pursed his lips, and for the first time, he didn't retort against his mother's words. He had seen her being tough, but he had never seen her this heartless.
"Qi'er, get up, Daddy will carry you."
"Let him walk by himself," Su Zimo looked displeasedly at Mu Yunxuan. Her son had to be independent and use his own strong will to protect his life in tense situations where he had no reliance.
"Mò'er, Qi'er is just a child," Mu Yunxuan couldn't understand. She cared so much for Qi'er and the others, but why did she insist on such a approach in this situation?
Jun Shaochen also couldn't comprehend Su Zimo's way of teaching. Most five-year-old children don't understand anything, but Su Li and Su Qi could already handle themselves. Su Zimo still found fault with it.
"Hmph! Just walking? Is it rare for me, Su Qi, to walk?" Su Qi hardened his heart, his face filled with stubbornness. He refused to believe that he couldn't walk through this passage.
"Brother, lead the way," Su Qi shouted in frustration.
Su Li didn't say anything and stepped forward to lead the way. Getting up, Su Qi understood his mother's intentions, but he was still angry.
The group proceeded cautiously and eventually found the main mechanism. After destroying it, they successfully completed the passage.
Upon reaching the exit, they noticed that it was already dark outside.
Mu Yunxuan raised her gaze and saw a flickering fire not far away.
"That should be the Ghost Palace ahead," she said.
Seeing patrolling guards approaching, the group quickly pressed against the stone wall.
Once the guards passed by, Mu Yunxuan looked at Su Li and asked, "Li'er, can you bring His Highness's men here within an hour?"
"Daddy, I can," Su Li answered simply. The answer was about to be revealed, and he would naturally do his best.
"Young Master, take this token. The entire Imperial Guard will follow your command," Jun Shaochen handed the token to Su Li.
Su Li accepted the token and turned to disappear into the dark passage.
Inside the palace, the Moonlit Emperor looked down from his high position at the trembling Empress kneeling before him.
"Emperor, how many times must this concubine explain before the Emperor believes? How could the Emperor easily believe those rumors? Besides, on that day, this concubine was in the midst of giving birth, suffering unbearable pain. How could there be time to plot other things?" The Empress didn't expect the Moonlit Emperor to find her so quickly.
"There is no smoke without fire. Suddenly, rumors from twenty years ago resurface. If you want Us to believe your words, provide Us with evidence," the Moonlit Emperor's face darkened as he stared at the Empress. If Manqi was truly killed by the woman before him, he would not easily forgive or spare her.
"If the Emperor insists that it was done by this concubine, then there must be evidence proving it. How could this concubine be falsely accused for no reason?" When it came to evidence, the Empress also found words to counter.
"Fine! You want evidence, don't you? We have already dispatched people to investigate overnight. After Manqi's death, the nanny who had served her for many years resigned. At that time, she clearly had something to tell Us, but Our mood was understandable..." The Moonlit Emperor suddenly regretted. He should have let the nanny finish speaking.
Upon hearing this, the Empress froze for a moment, her body stiffened. She looked up, disbelief evident in her eyes as she stared at the Moonlit Emperor.
Couldn't the current situation be seen? The Ji family had fallen. Who would support his beloved Chen'er now? Jun Lintian was ambitious, and now he was even forming an alliance with the Purple Mulberry Kingdom. Didn't the Emperor consider any of this? Instead, he focused solely on condemning her to death. Was she, a flesh-and-blood person, no match for a dead person?
"Emperor."
Qin Gonggong walked in.
"Speak."
The Moonlit Emperor's face was full of anger as he gazed at the dark night sky outside the window.
"Emperor, we have news about Princess Yuerong."
"Where is she?"
A trace of excitement crossed the Moonlit Emperor's face. He had already done wrong by Manqi; he couldn't repeat the same mistake with Rong'er.
The Empress focused her attention and exclaimed, "Thank the heavens! Rong'er is not dead!"
"His Highness has already taken people there, to the Ghost Palace," Qin Gonggong informed.
"The Ghost Palace?" The Moonlit Emperor frowned. "Summon Qinghua and his men to reinforce them. They must bring Rong'er back."
"But, Your Majesty..."
"What are you waiting for?" The Moonlit Emperor lost his patience and roared angrily.
Qin Gonggong's forehead was covered in cold sweat, feeling the weight of the situation. With the Emperor's current rage, everyone was in danger.
"He is not here," Qin Gonggong bent even lower. "Ever since he left the palace last night, he has not returned."
The Moonlit Emperor's eyes flickered with a hint of confusion. Qinghua had been acting strangely lately. What was he doing outside the palace?
"Send someone to find him and bring him back."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Qin Gonggong felt as if he had just been granted a new lease on life and quickly retreated.
"Your Majesty," a shadow guard named Qin Feng appeared outside the window.
The Moonlit Emperor glanced at him and without paying any attention to the kneeling Empress, walked straight out.
"What happened? Where is Qinghua?"
Qingfeng lowered his head, deep in thought. After all, he didn't have any evidence in his hands.
"What's the matter? Are you also trying to conceal something from Us?" The Moonlit Emperor narrowed his eyes and looked at Qin Feng.
Qin Feng's eyes flashed with fear. "Your Majesty, please calm down. I have no evidence in my hands and dare not make any assertions."
"Speak."
"Your Majesty, last night, we followed Mr. Chunyu and discovered that he went to the South City Quadrangle. Today, we saw the Crown Prince, the Holy Lord of Yuncheng, and the Lord of Mingyue Manor leading people to the South City Quadrangle. It seems they have found Mr. Chunyu and Princess Yuerong."
"What?" The Moonlit Emperor took a few steps back as if struck by a blow.
Qinghua and Yuerong, how could it be? The Qinghua family had been loyal for generations. How could Qinghua betray him?
"Your Majesty...!"
"Go and thoroughly investigate inside the palace. Check if there are any people loyal to Qinghua and Yuerong."
Suppressing his heartache, the Moonlit Emperor could vaguely guess the results he didn't want to face. If his beloved daughter and the person he trusted most betrayed him, how would he face the painful outcome?
In the Ghost Palace, Mu Yunxuan, Su Zimo, Jun Shaochen, and others led the way, slaughtering their path until they reached the main hall.
"Yuerong, I never expected you to be truly alive," Jun Shaochen couldn't understand why Yuerong had done all this. During their attack on the Ghost Palace, they discovered many weapons, indicating signs of rebellion.
"Hmph! Why should I be surprised that I'm alive?" Yuerong coldly replied, not looking at Jun Shaochen.
"What is your motive for doing this? Instead of being a proper princess, you chose to become the master of this Ghost Palace."
Yuerong turned her head and stared coldly at Jun Shaochen. "You're asking me why I did this, right?" Yuerong looked at Jun Shaochen, a cold smile appearing on her lips.
"It's all because of you."
Jun Shaochen's eyes narrowed sharply. Why would it be because of him? What connection did he have with her?
Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan also found it strange. Yuerong's actions seemed to be for the sake of the Crown Prince. However, this statement didn't make much sense.
"Yuerong, explain yourself clearly. Why would it be because of me?"
Jun Shaochen vaguely guessed that Yuerong must have learned something.
Su Li had been watching the man in the black robe all along. As soon as she saw him, she recognized him instantly.
Suddenly, she spoke up, interrupting Yuerong's next words.
"You are the one who killed Princess Yuerong that night."
Su Li looked at Chunyu Qinghua coldly, each word filled with a chilling tone.
Chunyu Qinghua stood up and removed the veil from his face. At this point, there was no need to hide anything.
Seeing the face revealed beneath the veil, everyone was shocked into speechlessness.