"Commandery Princess—" Nian Xia’s voice was trembling. Zheng Nianru atop the tree dazzled brightly, so much so that it was hard to keep one’s eyes open.
Zheng Nianru seed blissfully unaware of the danger, instead staring in amazent at the scene visible through the gaps between the leaves. It was a completely new experience for her, not necessarily moving, but the montary wonder was breathtaking.
Moreover, when had Zheng Nianru ever been so bold and reckless? She wouldn’t dare do this in the palace; that would be like walking straight into the clutches of the Empress Dowager. And during the days of rebellion, she was in constant fear, with no mind for such actions. Once she had beco the Empress Dowager herself, had she done this, the servants would have long been kneeling, leaving no mood for such endeavors.
Yin He firmly grasped the tree trunk with one hand and encircled the waist of the girl in his arms with the other, an action that almost drained him of all his courage. Yet, at that mont, he felt his adventure had been worth it; it was the most correct impulse of his entire life.
"Is that Weixing Mountain over there?" Zheng Nianru pointed at the continuous mountain range, a peaceful scene like a landscape painting. She leaned more comfortably against the young man’s chest, utterly unconcerned that her action had blocked his view and deprived him of the beautiful scenery.
The young man’s nostrils were imdiately filled with the girl’s fresh fragrance. Last ti, he hadn’t felt such a rich and lingering fragrance due to the tension. It was fragrant and filled his embrace without being overpowering.
"Do you want to help you retrieve the kite?" Yin He asked, seeing the people below getting anxious. Although he was reluctant, he knew Elder Can was right: everything should be done step by step.
Zheng Nianru nodded her head, and the young man reached for the kite, handed it to Zheng Nianru, and with a gentle force, safely placed her back on the ground.
Nanny Yun’s heart finally settled back to earth, and she rushed over to support Nian Ru. She pushed Yin He to the side; the boy’s audacity was growing. Even within Prince Duan’s Mansion, there were several house servants just outside the courtyard. What if they saw?
Yin He bowed his head. Faced with Nanny Yun’s murderous glare, he felt sowhat guilty. But he didn’t care—at least not now. Even if Nanny Yun killed him, he would die happy, feeling that Nian Ru didn’t dislike him.
"Let’s go—" Zheng Nianru threw the kite to Nian Xia; the kite was broken, its tail slashed by tree branches. Naturally, Zheng Nianru had no intention of flying it again and wanted to go back inside.
...
Early this day, many citizens had already been waiting in front of the Zong Sheng Residence. Soon, they had surrounded the area in front of the residence, making it impassable, because today was the day Zong Yunqian had promised to open the altar and conduct a ritual.
Although there were many people, there was not a single sound to be heard.
Gu Dao and Xi Feng dressed their Heir Zong in Taoist robes. Now, Zong Yunqian looked full of life, which eased their worries considerably.
Old Lady Zong and Eldest Madam Zong, worried, ca to Zong Yunqian’s courtyard early in the morning.
"Grandmother, Mother, don’t worry. I will be back in half a day," Zong Yunqian bowed respectfully and didn’t plan on letting Old Lady Zong and Eldest Madam Zong accompany him.
"Yunqian, your grandmother is sowhat concerned. Since it’s an altar ritual..."
"Grandmother—" Zong Yunqian interrupted Old Lady Zong’s words. "Conducting the ritual requires concentration. If you are there, standing for several Shichen Chinese Ti, I will inevitably be distracted."
Gu Dao and Xi Feng exchanged looks, finding their Heir Zong’s reasoning a bit strange. But since the Heir had said so, he must have his own plans.
Old Lady Zong and Eldest Madam Zong, upon hearing this, could only helplessly nod in agreent.
When Yunqian stepped out of the grand entrance of Zong Sheng Residence, the common people already kneeled down in unison before him. Yunqian did not look at the crowd, but directly headed towards the palanquin that was waiting outside the mansion.
Four robust palanquin bearers lifted the palanquin and slowly rose to their feet, headed for the Lian Plaza’s central altar set up by the Qiandao Temple in Zheng Capital for praying for favorable weather.
The commoners followed the palanquin spontaneously, slowly making their way to the Lian Altar, and there were even more people waiting there, so having been there since before dawn.
So of the commoners brought their sick family mbers directly to the plaza, waiting with great anticipation.
Heir Zong, a disciple of Master Huo Yi, was one of the six major disciples personally taught by Master Huo Yi. His distinguished status and boundless magical power had once resolved the troubles of the Ghost Shadows at the Northwest Border.
As everyone waited in eager anticipation, Yunqian’s palanquin slowly arrived at the Lian Plaza. The crowd parted to make way, and Governor of Zheng Capital, Governor Tian, along with his guards, were maintaining order. He was the first to greet Yunqian as the palanquin approached.
"Heir Zong, you have the people of the dawn in your heart, I, on behalf of the commoners of Zheng Capital, thank the Princely Heir," Governor Tian, along with his n, first bowed respectfully to Yunqian, who exited the palanquin and returned the gesture.
"Heir Zong, please—" The altar was already prepared, and the rumors of Ghostly Beasts had made the people of Zheng Capital anxious in recent days. Heir Zong’s actions conveniently solved a problem for Governor Tian, who was nothing but eager to assist.
Yunqian glanced at the densely packed crowd in the plaza, his expression calm, yet his mind pondered whether that "thing" was perhaps among them, waiting for a mont to strike unexpectedly and attack him.
However, amidst the bustle of people, Yunqian could not discern any presence, nor could he sense the aura of any Ghost Shadows. But he was not in a hurry; what was destined to co would co. As long as he presented the bait, the Ghost Shadows would certainly not miss such an opportunity.
Having dealt with this Ghost Shadow nurous tis, Yunqian was almost certain that the Ghost Shadow was targeting him specifically.
Yunqian slowly approached the cushion at the center of the altar. The offering on the table before him gave off a scent of blood. He sat on the cushion as the common people in the plaza also began to sit down.
"Elder, what do we do now?" Gui San and Gui Si eyed everything transpiring in the plaza and turned to Elder Can.
"No need to hurry, we have plenty of ti," Elder Can was not worried about the potential for failure. He was quite satisfied with the number of commoners in the plaza; his concern was that if the event was not grand enough, it could be swiftly suppressed by the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family. In that case, their many days of planning would be in vain.
Elder Can decided to close the inn’s window and leisurely drink his tea. Gui San and Gui Si exchanged glances, still not daring to lower their guard, peering through the crack at every move in the plaza.
Ti ticked away, and the prolonged prayers from the altar continuously floated through the air. Gu Dao and Xi Feng stood guard on either side of the altar’s steps, watching the common people in the plaza.
Elder Can was just about to speak, telling Gui San and Gui Si to step away from the window and not to be so anxious when Gui San suddenly turned around, his expression one of astonishnt.
"Elder, co and see—" Surprise etched onto Gui San’s face, as if he had just witnessed sothing inconceivable.
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