Chapter 320: The Kingdom Awaits the Festival

The wedding celebrations of Lian Rou and Chen Ruyi had already concluded.

The newlyweds had begun their married life, and the capital slowly returned to its normal rhythm.

But only for a short while.

Because another event was approaching.

The Grand Autumn Festival Market.

And this year, excitement spread through the kingdom faster than wildfire.

---

In villages far from the capital, news traveled through merchants, travelers, and wandering storytellers.

"The festival market is opening soon!"

"The capital merchants are lowering prices!"

"Clothes, shoes, jewelry, decorations—everything will be discounted!"

Wherever the news reached, people became excited.

---

In one small mountain village, a young girl tugged on her mother’s sleeve.

"Mother, can we go this year?"

Her mother smiled.

"If we save enough."

The little girl immediately ran outside.

"I’m getting a new dress!"

Her father laughed from the doorway.

"You haven’t bought it yet."

"But I will!"

---

Across the kingdom, families began preparing.

Coins were counted carefully.

Small savings hidden for months were brought out.

Children eagerly discussed what they wanted to buy.

Women talked about fabrics.

Men discussed tools and household items.

Everyone had plans.

---

The capital itself looked completely different.

Large banners stretched across the streets.

Lanterns were hung everywhere.

Workers decorated market districts day and night.

Rows upon rows of stalls were being constructed.

The entire city seemed to transform into one enormous celebration.

---

Inside the palace, the Empress stood by a window overlooking the distant city.

Even from here she could see the preparations.

Bright colors.

Busy streets.

Endless movement.

The city looked alive.

Beside her floated the female ghost, Fen Yu.

"Can we go?"

The Empress immediately sighed.

"You haven’t even seen it yet."

"I want to."

"You always want everything."

"Because everything is interesting."

The Empress rolled her eyes.

---

At the market district, merchants worked tirelessly.

Silk sellers displayed colorful fabrics.

Jewelry merchants polished jade ornaments until they sparkled.

Shoemakers arranged rows of embroidered shoes.

Pottery sellers carefully unpacked delicate vases.

Every stall competed to attract customers.

---

A merchant shouted proudly,

"This year’s prices are the lowest!"

His neighbor immediately responded,

"No, mine are lower!"

Soon both merchants were arguing loudly while customers laughed.

---

The food district was even busier.

Large pots simmered over fires.

The smell of roasted meat drifted through the air.

Sweet pastries cooled on wooden trays.

Vendors experimented with new recipes hoping to attract crowds.

---

The owner of a tea stall smiled as he watched workers pass.

"This year’s festival will be the largest in decades."

His wife nodded.

"Everyone is talking about it."

---

Even travelers from neighboring regions began arriving.

Caravans filled the roads.

Inns quickly became crowded.

Restaurant tables filled before noon.

Business was booming.

---

Meanwhile—

Inside the palace.

The Emperor had just finished court.

An official stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, preparations for the festival are proceeding smoothly."

The Emperor nodded.

"Ensure prices remain fair."

"Do not allow merchants to exploit villagers."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor knew many common families waited all year for events like this.

The festival wasn’t just entertainment.

It was opportunity.

---

Elsewhere in the palace, Princess Zhi sat with the Empress.

"I heard there will be flower lanterns this year."

The Empress smiled.

"So that’s what you’re interested in?"

Princess Zhi nodded enthusiastically.

"And sweets."

"Of course."

"And jewelry."

The Empress laughed softly.

"Of course."

---

The three ghosts immediately joined the conversation.

"I want sweets too."

"You can’t eat."

"I still want them."

The scholar ghost shook his head.

"Hopeless."

---

As days passed, excitement only grew.

Children practiced performances.

Musicians prepared instruments.

Dancers rehearsed routines.

Storytellers memorized tales.

The festival was becoming the most anticipated event of the year.

---

At night, the city glowed with thousands of lanterns.

The reflections danced on rivers and canals.

People walked through the streets discussing their plans.

Some wanted new clothes.

Some wanted decorations.

Some simply wanted to experience the celebration.

---

And above it all—

The palace stood illuminated beneath the moonlight.

The Empress watched the city quietly.

Listening to distant sounds carried by the wind.

Laughter.

Music.

Life.

For a moment, she forgot the dangers hiding in the shadows.

The dark magic.

The attacks.

The schemes.

Because tonight—

The kingdom was looking forward to something joyful.

And soon, when the festival officially opened, the streets would overflow with excitement, color, and celebration.

But hidden beneath the happiness—

Unseen by anyone—

Dark eyes continued to watch.

Waiting patiently for the perfect opportunity to strike.

The Imperial Palace was unusually peaceful that afternoon.

Warm sunlight filtered through the carved windows of the Dowager Empress’s Hall, casting golden patterns across the polished floor.

Inside, three of the most influential people in the empire sat together.

The Dowager Empress.

The Emperor.

And Prince Liang.

Tea steamed quietly between them as they discussed recent affairs.

For once, the conversation was not about court politics.

It was about public opinion.

And memories.

Dangerous memories.

The Dowager Empress slowly set her teacup down.

"The banquet announcement is well timed."

The Emperor looked toward her.

The Dowager continued.

"People have short memories."

Prince Liang nodded.

"Especially commoners."

The Emperor remained silent.

The Dowager sighed.

"Since the market festival incident, rumors have spread endlessly."

Her expression darkened slightly.

The festival disaster had left a deep impression on the capital.

People still spoke about the strange events.

The panic.

The confusion.

The deaths.

The mysterious happenings that no official explanation had completely erased.

Prince Liang crossed his arms.

"Every tea house in the capital was discussing it."

"Some blamed ghosts."

"Some blamed criminals."

"Others created ridiculous stories."

The Dowager frowned.

"Fear spreads faster than truth."

The Emperor finally spoke.

"That is why the wedding banquet is important."

The room fell quiet.

He continued.

"The Duke family."

"The Chen family."

"The Empress."

"All of them are respected by the people."

Prince Liang nodded slowly.

The Emperor’s reasoning was correct.

When noble families held a grand celebration—

People naturally focused on it.

Talk shifted.

Attention moved.

Memories faded.

The Dowager took another sip of tea.

"The capital enjoys happy news."

Prince Liang smirked.

"They enjoy gossip."

"Happy gossip is simply more pleasant."

The Dowager almost rolled her eyes.

The Emperor ignored him completely.

His gaze drifted toward the courtyard outside.

The wedding announcement would be discussed everywhere.

Markets.

Tea houses.

Restaurants.

Merchant halls.

Government offices.

Everywhere.

Instead of speaking about tragedy—

People would speak about marriage.

About gifts.

About banquet preparations.

About dresses.

About the Empress returning to her family home.

The Dowager smiled faintly.

"It is fortunate."

Prince Liang raised an eyebrow.

"What is?"

"The Empress survived."

The Dowager’s voice was quieter now.

"If she had died..."

She stopped.

Neither man interrupted.

The atmosphere grew heavier.

The Dowager sighed.

"The palace would still be drowning in rumors."

The Emperor’s hand tightened slightly around his cup.

Prince Liang noticed.

But wisely said nothing.

After a moment, Prince Liang changed the subject.

"I heard the Duke hired the Whisper Bowl restaurant for the banquet."

The Dowager looked surprised.

"Really?"

The Emperor nodded.

"Yes."

Prince Liang laughed.

"The entire capital will talk about that."

"The restaurant is already famous."

The Dowager nodded.

Even she had heard reports.

Whisper Bowl had expanded rapidly.

Multiple branches.

Excellent reputation.

Educated staff.

Unique food.

Clean management.

Many noble families secretly admired it.

Prince Liang grinned.

"And once everyone attends the banquet..."

"They’ll spend the next month discussing food."

The Dowager laughed softly.

The Emperor shook his head.

Yet even he knew there was truth in those words.

People loved celebrations.

Especially after fear.

Especially after uncertainty.

Prince Liang leaned back.

"The timing couldn’t be better."

The Emperor looked toward him.

Prince Liang’s expression slowly became more serious.

"But..."

The room quieted again.

The Dowager frowned.

"What?"

Prince Liang tapped his fingers lightly against the table.

"People may forget."

His gaze sharpened.

"But whoever caused those incidents..."

"...has not forgotten."

Silence.

The Emperor’s eyes darkened.

The Dowager’s smile vanished.

Prince Liang continued quietly.

"The market incident."

"The attack on the Empress."

"The strange events inside the palace."

He looked at both of them.

"Someone is still moving in the shadows."

The pleasant atmosphere faded.

The Emperor spoke slowly.

"I know."

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

Prince Liang immediately recognized that tone.

It was the Emperor’s dangerous tone.

The one he used when he had already begun planning.

The Dowager noticed as well.

"Have you found anything?"

The Emperor shook his head.

"Not enough."

The answer frustrated him.

For the first time in years—

He was facing an enemy he could not see.

An enemy who struck indirectly.

Carefully.

Patiently.

The Dowager folded her hands.

"Then we continue watching."

Prince Liang nodded.

"We celebrate publicly."

The Emperor finished.

"And investigate privately."

The three exchanged looks.

Agreement.

Unspoken but understood.

Outside the palace, the capital would soon celebrate.

The marriage announcement would become the newest topic.

People would smile again.

Laugh again.

Forget old fears.

But inside the palace—

The three of them understood something important.

The danger had not disappeared.

It was merely hidden.

Waiting.

Watching.

And sooner or later—

It would move again.