Race Against Time
The sound of music and chattering gradually faded the moment the timekeeper sounded the gong. Soon, a wide smile appeared on their lips, knowing of what the gong significance to them.
The night sky was dark and soon, the main agenda will begin. Everyone, whether they were watching from the observation platform on the watchtower, or whether they were all gathered around on the square, they were all anticipating for the moment the Emperor was going to reveal the big lanterns in front of everyone.
Other than those who were in charge of the lanterns, none of them knew of how this big lantern was going to look like.
Qin Zhi Hao glanced at the scenery and the grip around his sword tightened, knowing that they were running out of time.
At this time, he had sent out his men to investigate what was going on, but none of them had returned with the result he was waiting for. At this time, Qin Zhi Hao was getting anxious.
If they cannot find out anything, then, it would mean that the person who wanted to harm the Emperor was still on the loose. When the day ended and they ended up with no result, the Emperor will not be too happy.
No one was able to guess what will happen if that happened.
The sound of cough was heard and Qin Zhi Hao turned his head to look at the person.
"My Empress, are you not feeling well?" The Emperor's voice of concern was heard.
Seated on the stage beside the Emperor, the Empress lifted a handkerchief in her hand to cover her mouth. At this time, the maidservant behind her walked over anxiously with a cup of water.
The Empress took a sip to clear her throat, but soon, the cough started again and this time it seemed as if the coughing would not stop. The Emperor grew concerned as the coughing did not stop for a while and soon, the Empress's face turned pale.
"What's the matter? My Empress, if you are unwell, you should have taken a good rest." The Emperor glanced at the maidservant and scowled.
"It's alright." The Empress raised her hand. "Today is the lantern festival. I wanted to accompany Your Majesty with this festivity."
"Are you unwell?" The Emperor asked. His expression turned dark a second later. "What is the Imperial Infirmary doing? How can they neglect the Empress's health?"
"Your Majesty, please don't blame the Infirmary. I'm fine." The Empress smiled. "It's just that, perhaps I was not used to the air around here."
Just as the Empress finished her words, the coughing started again. No matter how much she had tried to suppress it, the coughing just won't stop. A deep frown appeared on her face as her nose pick up an unpleasant smell.
The maidservant beside her shifted her gaze between the Emperor and the Empress in hesitant. Although she had wanted to beg the Emperor to say something to persuade the Empress to rest, the maidservant did not dare to do so. After all, they were at a banquet and there were too many eyes watching them.
"Sister, if you are unwell, why don't you go out a while? If you continue to stay here, the Emperor will only worry," Noble Consort Wei spoke. She turned to the Emperor and spoke again, "Your Majesty, I allow me to take Her Majesty out for a bit of fresh air."
The Emperor exchange his glance between the two women and soon, waved his hand. "The Empress should go and take a walk. Once you are feeling better, then you can return."
The Empress lowered her gaze and was about to say that she wanted to wait until it was time for the Emperor to light up the big lantern, however, at this time, her coughing fit started again.
With the way everyone was looking at her, the Empress had no choice but to stand up and walked out of the banquet hall. At this time, Noble Consort Wei stood by her side to help her out. Then, a long line of maidservants followed after them.
Qin Zhi Hao's gaze followed them. His eyes narrowed as he watched a few others left the banquet to follow the Empress.
…
In the middle of the street, a small figure was seen running through the people. Her head and half of her face were covered under a black cloth.
A chain of cursing words escaped her lips as Yu Feng continued to run. A while ago, she had a conversation with Wen Ping and the man had convinced her to head over to the watchtower and send the message to that bad man by herself.
Yu Feng did not understand why wouldn't Wen Ping helped her to deliver an important message that was related to His Majesty's life by himself.
Wen Ping only mentioned that only Yu Feng will be able to enter the watchtower and deliver those messages. There won't be anyone who was going to block her path if she entered the watchtower.
Though she had a lot of complaints to Wen Ping, Yu Feng had no other choice to go over to the watchtower and deliver the message herself. Meanwhile, Wen Ping was going to find Officer Zhou Ming and tell him the information that Yu Feng had told him earlier.
Someone needed to enter the watchtower, and someone needed to find Officer Zhou Ming and inform him of that traitor beside him.
Yu Feng needed to be quick or else, the Emperor is going to die.
However, those men in black clothing were still pursuing her and there was nothing she could do but to hid well under those clothing.
At this time, the city square was filled with people and Yu Feng had to push around those people to get through. Every time she tried to walk through, the people would mutter a few cursing words.
A few of them wanted to grab her and stop her from running around, but with Yu Feng's small physique, she was able to evade those men well and go through those people safely.
"I'm sorry!" Yu Feng could only shout to apologize. "I'm in a hurry!"
Her eyes widened as she measured the distance between the current location and the watchtower.
Just a little bit!
Yu Feng held on to the token hidden in her cloth tightly.
According to Wen Ping, only that token would allow her to enter the watchtower safely. As long as she flashed that token to the guards, she will be allowed to enter and send the message.