Chapter 54: Fireworks

Once Yu Feng returned with Qin Zhi Hao with that box in her hand, everyone presented craned their neck to look at it. However, none of them dared to step forward, afraid that it was going to explode anytime soon.

The Emperor tilted his gaze to look at the box. "Is that it?" He then turned to Qin Zhi Hao as he was waiting for his answer.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Open up."

"Yes." Qin Zhi Hao put the box on the floor and opened it up to reveal its contents.

The others jumped back and covered their head as if expecting it to blow. A few seconds passed and once they could not hear anything, everyone turned their head back towards the box, but from their distance, they could not see anything.

Seeing the contents of the box, the Emperor glanced at Yu Feng who was down on both knees and her head lowered. He was not expecting that Yu Feng would be telling them the truth.

Although Yu Feng had successfully passed through the array and did not have the intention to harm the Imperial Family, the Emperor was still wary of her. There will always the possibility that Yu Feng was lying about the lantern.

After all, that lantern was crucial, and he had let someone he trusted to check on it.

The Emperor swept his gaze among the crowd and his face darkened when he could not see the face he was expecting to see.

After the Grand Eunuch had reminded him that no one who harbored ill intention towards the Imperial Family will be able to pass the array, the Emperor tried to clear his mind and forget the embarrassment of being tackled by a young boy and fallen into a sorry state.

As Qin Zhi Hao and Yu Feng went to check on the lantern, the Emperor stood at the viewing platform and began to think things over. When the Empress left the hall, there were a few others who had left to accompany her. And that person was among those who had left.

He was too absorbed with the festivity's mood that he was unable to see things well. Never had he thought that those people would be ruthless enough to kill everyone in the hall... The Imperial Family would perish and only those who were not around at this time will have the right to sit on the throne.

A few of his sons did not join this banquet due to various reasons...

"Is it safe now?" the Emperor asked. He turned around towards the crowd who was cheering on the square. Each one of them was still waiting for the Emperor to lit up the lantern and they could not understand why the Emperor delaying the most important event.

"If I lit up the lantern at this time, do you think that there will be no accident? That the lantern was not going to blow up?" the Emperor continued to ask.

Qin Zhi Hao lowered his head. "I've checked everywhere and could not find anything suspicious."

The inside of the lantern was not very complicated and he really couldn't find anything wrong with that place.

"And you, little boy," the Emperor turned to Yu Feng. "What do you think?"

Yu Feng continued to lower her head and did not speak. Her back started to perspire as she sensed the Emperor and Qin Zhi Hao's intense gaze both at the same time. The experience was too frightening and she could not find her voice to speak.

Soon, the Grand Eunuch walked over to the Emperor and whispered something to his ear.

The Emperor's gaze flickered, but the expression on his face stayed the same.

After both Qin Zhi Hao and Yu Feng had left, the Emperor had sent his trusted eunuch to send a message to his shadow guard to keep their eyes on both of them, as well as to check at the lantern once again.

The report he got back told him that those two had walked over to do what they were supposed to do and left. The shadow guards had checked the lantern and found that there was no problem with it and that the lantern was safe.

His Majesty then turned around and signaled the official to come over with the stick.

Everyone in the hall watched the Emperor walked over towards the platform again anxiously.

Although Prince Yi had assured that he had personally checked the place, they were still worried that there was a possibility that the lantern was going to blow up.

They have seen the box and had heard the conversation between Qin Zhi Hao and the Emperor that there were explosives in that box. It would be impossible to say that they were not worried.

Everyone in the hall held their breath as the Emperor walked closer to lit the wick. They wished to stop the Emperor from making his move but were too afraid of saying anything.

The Emperor decided to lit up the lantern and they all have to trust their lives in the Emperor's decision. If the lantern blew up, then, everyone in the watchtower will die.

Time seemed to slow down for everyone who was seated on the viewing platform. The stick got closer to the wick and slowly, it was lit up. The fire traveled from the viewing platform through the wire and soon, the lantern was lit up.

The cheering was heard coming from the square as everyone presented was celebrating to see the final that the final event was concluded. However, none of those on the viewing platform dared to celebrate.

It was only after a long time had passed that they dared to let out the breath they were holding.

The lantern did not explode as they had feared and the ministers and officials who were chosen to participate in the banquet cheered up happily. Some cried their tears of joy.

The Emperor glanced at everyone in the room and sneered. But the expression on his face showed that he too was relieved the explosion did not happen. Turning around, the Emperor looked at the box of fireworks and then to Qin Zhi Hao.

"You. Send that box of firework to General Li Mu and tell him to lit them up at a safe place," The Emperor spoke. "Since they are waiting to see fireworks, then, we will let them see the fireworks they were waiting to see."

Qin Zhi Hao nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty." He then left, carrying the box of fireworks with him.

It did not take a long time for General Li Mu and his subordinates to lit up the fireworks.

The viewers who came to see the lantern were shocked when the first lantern was released. Seeing the sky filled with various colors, everyone started to get a little excited and the cheering gradually grew louder.

Everyone in the square had thought that this was a perfect ending to the night. They were very happy that the Emperor was willing to let them enjoy the pretty fireworks with them.

None of them had thought that once this fireworks show ended, another frightening incident will occur. There will be more to come on this night...