At this time, Mo Han Zhao, who had left Qingshan Temple, had fully devoted himself to suppressing the bandits.
The martial arts of the Shadow Guards trained by the Eastern Palace were first-rate, more than sufficient to deal with the mountain bandits. Originally, suppressing the bandits should not have been difficult.
However, when Mo Han Zhao later led the Eastern Palace Shadow Guards to suppress the bandits, they frequently encountered interference from another group of Shadow Guards.
On several occasions, the Eastern Palace Shadow Guards were entangled by them, giving the bandits time to react and escape, resulting in failed operations.
Mo Han Zhao grew quietly furious. He devised a plan to capture a few alive and, under interrogation, discovered that they were actually Prince Yu’s men.
“Mo Yu…” Mo Han Zhao’s gaze turned icy. “Does he think such underhanded tactics can stop me from suppressing the bandits?”
“Listen up! Split into two teams and act separately. One team will follow the original route to suppress the bandits, moving slowly to draw their attention.”
“The other team will take a shortcut and immediately head to the bandits’ hideout to eliminate them.”
“Yes!”
As Mo Han Zhao’s orders were issued, all the Eastern Palace Shadow Guards began carrying out the commands in an orderly and steady manner.
In just one night, Moqian Mountain was swept by a storm of bloodshed.
By the time dawn broke again, all the bandit gathering places had been completely wiped out by the Eastern Palace Shadow Guards. Only a few bandits who had escaped in the chaos remained to be pursued.
The matter of suppressing the bandits was preliminarily settled.
Mo Han Zhao stood under a massive osmanthus tree in the mountains, looking up at the rain-like falling osmanthus flowers stirred by the wind. Despite having largely completed his official duties, he still felt deeply restless.
Even the aura around him faintly exuded sharpness.
“Your Highness!”
Zhu Ye, following the marks left by the Eastern Palace along the way, accurately located Mo Han Zhao’s position.
He landed behind Mo Han Zhao using Qinggong, clasped his fists, and said, “I have gathered information.”
“Hmm.” Mo Han Zhao’s breathing imperceptibly quickened slightly, though his handsome face remained as cold and detached as usual. He replied faintly, “Speak.”
Zhu Ye glanced at Mo Han Zhao’s back, his expression hesitant.
“Have you gone mute?” Mo Han Zhao turned sideways, narrowing his eyes at Zhu Ye. “Could it be that the General’s Mansion has colluded with the enemy and committed treason?”
Zhu Ye trembled. “That’s not it, it’s just… Miss Jing probably won’t survive.”
Upon hearing this, Mo Han Zhao was momentarily stunned.
The next second, before Zhu Ye could even see his master’s movements clearly, Mo Han Zhao had already grabbed him by the collar again.
Zhu Ye: “…”
“What’s going on?!” Mo Han Zhao narrowed his eyes, his voice icy and sharp. “Explain clearly to me. What do you mean Yun Mu Jing won’t survive?”
“Before coming to Qingshan Temple, Miss Jing was still under house arrest in the Ancestral Hall. Madam Yun personally went to Yuwang Mansion, intending to betroth Miss Jing to Prince Yu,” Zhu Ye had no choice but to report truthfully.
“Prince Yu had seen Miss Jing’s portrait earlier and was already interested in her. When Madam Yun extended the invitation, he went to the General’s Mansion to meet Miss Jing in person.”
“Upon seeing Miss Jing, Prince Yu was struck by her celestial beauty and instantly fell in love with her at first sight…”
As Zhu Ye spoke to this point, Mo Han Zhao’s handsome face darkened completely, his eyes seemingly suppressing hidden fury.
“Heh.” Mo Han Zhao suddenly let out a cold laugh, staring at Zhu Ye. “Continue!”
Zhu Ye hadn’t seen such a terrifying look in Mo Han Zhao’s eyes for a long time. He couldn’t help but shiver, then steeled himself and continued, “The reason Miss Jing was able to be released from confinement is because Madam Yun made an oral marriage agreement with Prince Yu.”
“Out of consideration for Prince Yu’s face, General Yun and Madam Yun didn’t continue keeping Miss Jing locked up.”
Zhu Ye raised his eyes to observe Mo Han Zhao’s expression, seeming somewhat hesitant to speak further.
Given Prince Yu’s character—though he dared not show it openly due to the Emperor’s presence—those who needed to know were well aware of what he was like behind the scenes.
Prince Yu had married so many consorts, yet none of them lasted more than three months in Yuwang Mansion before being carried out horizontally.
And their deaths were extremely gruesome.
If Miss Jing married him, it would be a miracle if she came to any good.
Moreover… Miss Jing had already given her body to Your Highness. If Prince Yu found out Miss Jing was no longer a virgin, he would likely feel insulted.
It was entirely possible he would give Miss Jing a swift end on their wedding night.
“General Yun and Madam Yun truly have the heart to be so ruthless!” Mo Han Zhao pushed Zhu Ye aside with one hand, his voice icy as he said, “Bring my horse. I’m going to Qingshan Temple.”
Now he finally understood where Yun Mu Jing’s resolute death wish came from.
She probably already knew that the day she married into Yuwang Mansion would be the day of her death.
That was why she was so fearless, constantly thinking of dying. Mo Han Zhao pressed his lips together, feeling completely overwhelmed by guilt.
The life-or-death predicament Yun Mu Jing now faced was entirely of his own making.
He absolutely could not stand by and watch Yun Mu Jing meet a wrongful death.
With this thought, the idea of marrying Yun Mu Jing into the Eastern Palace alongside him flashed through Mo Han Zhao’s mind once again.
“Yes.” Knowing his master was currently anxious, Zhu Ye quickly stepped forward, untied the reins of one of the horses from the carriage, and brought it to Mo Han Zhao.
Mo Han Zhao immediately mounted the horse and galloped away.
“Hyah—”
Dust swirled, and the dark silhouette soon became just a speck in the distance.
Qingshan Temple.
Yun Mu Jing passed by Madam Yun’s room carrying a basin of clean water and happened to overhear Yun Si Yu coquettishly complaining to Madam Yun.
“Mother, I saw Eldest Sister seemed to have left us behind and returned to the General’s Mansion first this morning,” Yun Si Yu said worriedly. “Let’s hurry and leave too, to catch up with Eldest Sister.”
“Jing’er?” Madam Yun frowned. “Why is she in such a rush to return to the mansion?”
“Probably…” Yun Si Yu’s eyes darted around as she casually made up an excuse, “because we abandoned Eldest Sister earlier, she’s still a bit upset and doesn’t want to travel with us.”
“Yesterday she pretended to be understanding, saying she wasn’t angry anymore,” Madam Yun said, her face darkening. “Turns out she was just fooling me in front of the Crown Prince! How dare she!”
“Let her go first! Just wait until we get back—I’ll teach her a proper lesson!” Madam Yun scoffed. “Without her, I’ll enjoy the peace and quiet.”
“Mother…” Yun Si Yu said helplessly, “I also think Eldest Sister is really being unreasonable. But right now, since Eldest Sister has agreed to marry Prince Yu, we still need to coax her a little.”
“What if she gets even angrier when she sees we’re not chasing after her, and then refuses to marry Prince Yu? That would only lead to more complications, wouldn’t it?”
Madam Yun frowned, feeling that Yun Si Yu’s words weren’t without reason.
“Then… alright,” said Madam Yun. “Go and inform our accompanying coachman that we will leave now.”
“Your daughter will go at once,” Yun Si Yu replied with a smile.