Last Preparation

The atmosphere in the capital city was lively from the moment the sun rose. Loud and cheerful music could be heard in every part of the city. The children were running around happily while humming and singing some happy songs to lift the mood. The adults were chatting as they made the final preparation for the lantern festival.

On the streets, beautiful lanterns were hung around from the city entrance heading towards the city center and stretching towards the Imperial Palace.

The lanterns were expected to be lit up before the sky turned dark.

There were peddlers roamed around the street to sell their beautifully crafted lanterns. Some of them were in the shape of a flower and some were in the shape of animals. The color and various shapes attracted small children as well as women.

Performers danced around along with the loud music and played magic tricks to entertain the passerby, lifting their mood on the festival.

Once in a while, officers and soldiers from the Department of City Security walked among the crowd to monitor the safety of the citizen. The festival was especially a busy day for the soldiers as the lively atmosphere would attract people to commit crimes.

As one reached near the city center, they would find that the festival atmosphere to be livelier.

It was said that the most famous singer in Lantian, Wei Ran, will come and sing a few songs on the big stage.

Then, the Emperor and the royal family were expected to appear at the big tower.

The lantern festival was said to be very auspicious. Following the word of the Emperor's most trusted and well-known monk, His Majesty had suggested for the official dinner to be held inside the grand hall of the tower instead.

Then, before midnight struck, the Emperor was going to lit up a big lantern and release it to the sky.

Rumors about the size of this lantern have been released by the palace months ago. The citizen was naturally curious and could not wait to see this big lantern.

With too many interesting programs on this day, how could the people want to miss joining in the fun?

Around the big stage in the city center, people have started gathering from early morning. Many came early to choose the best spot closest to the stage.

Servants from rich families were asked to stay around and book a good spot. Some stayed in hope that they can sell their spot to a higher bidder.

In the Northern side of the city, the liveliness was as lively as the other place.

On the main road was a famous tea shop. Perhaps because of the festivity, the usually full housed place was unusually almost empty.

A man clad in a dark blue robe and a veiled straw hat lowered his head as he entered the tea shop. The moment he stepped inside, the shop attendant walked over to greet him. However, the attendant's expression changed the moment he recognized the man.

"Is he inside?" The man asked.

"Yes. He has been waiting for you in the usual room." The shop attendant said before he led the man to the second floor. Instead of taking him into one of the tea rooms, this man was taken into a secret passage that led him to another room.

The moment he walked into the room, Officer Zhou, who have long been sitting in the room swiftly stood up. He waited until the shop attendant to walk away before he moves to stand in front of the man and greeted, "Your Highness."

It was only when they were not in the presence of others that he dared to address the prince properly. He was someone on Prince Yi's side but had to conceal their close relationship from others.

Qin Zhi Hao waved his hand. He removed the veiled straw hat aside and sat down on his usual spot. His hand moved swiftly to pour himself some tea. Meanwhile, Officer Zhou went back to his seat silently and waited for the Prince to be the first to speak.

The lantern festival was supposed to be the busiest day for both of them, but it was a rare chance for them to meet up. Using the bustling atmosphere of the city as their cover, Qin Zhi Hao decided to arrange a short meeting for them.

"Is the preparation all done?" Qin Zhi Hao asked. He raised the cup and took a sip, tasting the light fragrance of the tea.

"Your Highness, everything is done as per your instruction," Officer Zhou Ming said.

Qin Zhi Hao's thin fingers touched the rim of the cup. "I will accompany His Majesty and his entourage along with the others tonight." The corner of his lips tilted into a sneer. "I don't know what was His Majesty thinking to suggest this year's dinner to be held in the great hall of the big tower this year?"

"His Majesty should have his reason," Officer Zhou said. "Perhaps he was worried after he received that strange letter. You know that the array will keep His Majesty safe from anyone who wanted to harm him."

"Unless if the one who wanted to harm him is one of the attendees."

Officer Zhou Ming's face paled. "Who would dare to do such things?"

Qin Zhi Hao pursed his lips as he thought of the list of the attendees. After investigating the warehouse, he had a few suspicions about who was trying to hurt His Majesty. But without concrete evidence presented in front of His Majesty, everything will be useless.

The Prince then proceeded to give a few more instructions for their final preparation before the night came and the festivity began.

After their discussion ended, Qin Zhi Hao stood up to leave. But his steps halted when he noticed the hesitant look on Zhou Ming's face. "You have something else to report?"

"Your Highness, I heard from others that you have told the teenage boy the reason we need him as a runner."

"I said something, but not everything."

"Are you sure you wanted to trust him?" Officer Zhou Ming asked with worry.

Although he was the one who had introduced the teenage boy to the Prince, Zhou Ming was still worried. After all, this boy was just a street thief.

"At this time, we have no other choice but to trust him. That boy is smart and should know what he should do. He's a quick thinker and will be able to think of something if he ran into trouble. But that does not mean that I fully trusted him." His eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint. "However, the boy already knows a bit too much. At one sight of his betrayal, that boy should not be allowed to stay alive."