Everything Stop

The moment Yu Feng stepped into the building, there was only a staircase that will lead her upstairs.

Afraid that the guards were going to catch her, Yu Feng picked up her speed and ran up the stairs without looking back. She had reached the watchtower and she cannot afford to stop now.

The lantern has been revealed to the public and soon, the Emperor was going to lit up the lantern. Before that happened, Yu Feng needed to head up and find someone that can help her to stop an upcoming accident. If she failed, then, she too would die.

As she ran up, Yu Feng tried to recall what those men in the drainage system had mentioned.

The moment the Emperor lit up the lantern, there will be a few seconds of delay before the lantern was going to explode. Those who were cheering in the square won't know what will hit them.

In just seconds, the place will turn into a sea of fire. Those happy cheer and laughter will soon turn into the cry of help and desperation.

Yu Feng shuddered as she thought about the scene that will happen later. She tilted her head up and continued to run up the stairs. A frown appeared on her face as she continued to climb the endless stairs.

She didn't know how long will she have to climb up. She has been running round and round the stairs and had not reached her destination.

Yu Feng controlled her breathing and a string of cursing words slipped through her lips.

Just when will these stairs end?

…

Meanwhile, the celebration mood continued in the banquet hall. The imperial family and the ministers continued to enjoy the festivity, eating and drinking merrily, as they watched the big lantern in front of them. Those who were in the banquet hall had the clearest view of the lantern and naturally, they were able to appreciate the scene in front of them better.

However, none of them seemed to know that their lives were now in danger.

Qin Zhi Hao stood at the corner of the banquet hall, observing whatever that was going on. Unlike those who were seated downstairs, Qin Zhi Hao did not have a moment to appreciate the big lantern in front of him. No matter if the paintings on the lantern were exceptional. No matter if the words scribe on the lantern were very good.

Previously, he was given the chance to inspect that lantern before and could not find anything wrong with it.

Qin Zhi Hao had received a few secret messages from his men and they had confirmed that they could not find anything useful. However, the ominous feeling had not disappeared.

At this time, the grand eunuch had approached the Emperor and announced that it was almost time for the lantern to be lit up.

The audience who were gathered in the square could no longer wait. Their cheering had not stopped and the music surrounded the area was getting livelier. It was as if the crowd was hoping for the night to never ended.

The Emperor nodded to the eunuch before he stood up.

Seeing that the Emperor was no longer seated, the others in the banquet all stood up. The ministers and officials who came to join the banquet followed as the Emperor walk over to the viewing platform.

The cheering turned louder as the Emperor appeared on the high platform. It was a rare moment for the Emperor to appear in front of them. The Emperor was someone who lived in the grand palace, and the thought that he had appeared at the same place as them, the people were very excited. They might be separated by a distance, but the audience could recognize that golden yellow robe everywhere.

Qin Zhi Hao came out of his hiding place and walked over to the Emperor to guard him. Although no one could get close to them, Qin Zhi Hao was still worried that someone might pull their bow and arrow to attack the Emperor from afar.

Anything could happen with the Emperor standing in the open space.

As the Emperor's guard for the night, it was his role to protect the Emperor with his life.

At this time, a few officials approached and stood behind the Emperor. They were just waiting for the timekeeper to announce that it was the auspicious time to lit up the lantern before the final event in the festivity could begin.

They did not have to wait for a long time. Just then, the timekeeper hit the gong and announced the time. The officials walked over to the Emperor and handed over the stick to lit up the lantern.

Qin Zhi Hao stood at the side and the frown on his face deepened. He had a hunch that he should do something to stop the Emperor from going forward with this plan. However, he had no evidence that the lantern was tempered with. If he tried to stop the Emperor and tell everyone present that the final event could not go on because he wanted to trust his instinct, then, wouldn't he be laughed at?

His Majesty had wanted to come over to this watchtower and lit up the lantern to cheer his people. It was his way to tell them that he was with them.

Once the final event was to be canceled, the citizen would be unhappy and the Emperor would be disappointed.

Even if he managed to convince the Emperor to trust the instinct, what will happen afterward?

If Qin Zhi Hao had failed to find out anything to prove his claim, then, he will only invite the Emperor's wrath. By then, he could forget about returning to the Capital City to visit his mother. Perhaps, Qin Zhi Hao will be stationed to guard their border from their enemy and will not be allowed to return for years.

Qin Zhi Hao watched as His Majesty walked over to lit up the lantern with his bated breath.

"Stop!"

The stick was a few inches away from the wick when there was a loud voice, shouting from across the room.

Time stopped at the moment.

Everyone inside the banquet hall stared at each other in puzzled. None of them was able to react as they saw something flashed past them. When they were finally able to react again, the Emperor was already rolling on the ground. Beside him, there was a little boy in shabby clothing.

Yu Feng looked at the elderly man in her arms, and then she sat up and her gaze shifted towards the lantern.

A breath of relief escaped her when Yu Feng saw that the lantern was not lit.

However, that relief soon turned to horror as a sharp blade was pointed to her neck.