The next day at noon, Nini and Lu’er were gossiping in the courtyard, their faces animated as they talked about last night’s sensational news.
They said someone had broken into Madam Black Crow’s place and caused a scene—not only injuring many guards, but also kidnapping a newly debuted Flower Queen.
Fresh and hot off the press.
“Oh?”
Qin Xing rested her chin on her hand, thinking that anyone who could make trouble and escape from Jing Rui’s grasp must have some skills.
No, anyone who hangs around pleasure quarters isn’t a hero—they’re probably just scoundrels.
“I heard it was two handsome young men. One claimed to be Young Master Xiao, the other was notable for his large chest muscles. Both wielded swords skillfully. Now, the city guards are searching everywhere based on the portraits described by servants, suspecting them of being enemy spies.”
“How could the Xiao family have such a disgrace? It must be an impostor!”
Xiao Xinran spoke with a guilty look, a thief crying thief.
Lin Shu stood tall, chest out and hands clasped behind her back. Hearing this, her body stiffened.
She wore a common Golden Crow Mask to hide her identity, and stood behind Xiao Xinran in martial attire, appearing to be just an ordinary warrior.
Ji Shiyu sat cross-legged on the rooftop, holding the Little Yellow Chick.
Her small mouth opened and closed, but no sound could be heard.
Occasionally, she was pecked on the head, as if in a heated debate.
The yellow-haired girl talking to her Ling Pet looked a bit slow-witted, but everyone was used to it.
“It must have been some impulsive pervert acting up. Before the Shengyu Festival, all sorts of idlers sneak into the city. Be careful when you go out for the lantern festival at night.”
“Yes, Royal Princess.”
Jing Tan’er yawned, looking completely at ease.
With the King’s Seal in hand, wasn’t the Red Crow within easy reach?
Since the Saint had grand ambitions, let him put on a good show.
Yun Liu took a sip of Spirit Tea, sitting upright in the garden to cultivate his energy.
From time to time, he looked down at his fingers, as if reminiscing about the taste of the sea.
As the festival approached, the whole city celebrated.
The chaos at Silver Sparrow Terrace was shrugged off by the people.
Tomorrow was the Shengyu Festival.
Tonight, the Guarding Day Grand Ceremony would officially begin, lasting until noon the next day.
The lanterns would burn bright all night.
The Red Bird would arrive with the dawn, hanging in the sky and enveloping the Liyu Royal Court for several hours, absorbing the essence of the Sun’s Dianli.
As night fell, fireworks blossomed in the sky like burning feathers.
The long-awaited Feather Lantern Festival had finally arrived.
Xiao Xinran dressed up meticulously, unable to wait as she stepped out of her room.
The girl’s bright outfit was fiery as flames, wrapped in a fluffy little coat.
A red cloud ribbon wound around her ponytail, lively and cute.
She spent this day with Xiao Yun every year.
Although this year’s circumstances were terrible, and a Dead Yellow Hair had joined her side, there would be no exceptions!
Xiao Xinran ran excitedly outside the Prince’s Room to invite her companion to the festival, only to bump into Lin Shu and learn from her that Mr. Yun had disappeared at dusk.
The Three Fiends were also missing.
It wasn’t good news that Jing Tan’er and Yun Liu had vanished together!
A step too late!?
Xiao Xinran slapped her forehead, biting her lip in frustration.
She hurriedly dashed out of the Palace with her unreliable temp worker in tow.
Damn it, General Lin just looked away for a moment and let them escape—still dares to call herself a master…
Qin Xing watched the two figures disappear and smiled, strolling out of the Court of Blossoms.
She also put away her Spirit Sword, changing into everyday clothes.
Her long green dress was gentle and simple as she wandered the streets alone, soaking in the festive atmosphere.
The Shen Hua Group had different thoughts tonight.
No one traveled together.
Their goals were clear.
“Wuaa~”
The last to leave was the little yellow-haired one.
She stretched and woke up sleepily, having taken an early nap knowing the whole city would be up all night.
The fireworks had just woken her up.
When she looked around, she was dumbfounded.
Not a single person was left in the Court of Blossoms.
Not even the straight-laced guards or the forbidden troops.
Even Ao Tian had ditched her and run off to play.
What’s the meaning of this?
Are they excluding me?
Ji Shiyu pouted and stormed out onto the street, for once shedding her cloud robe for her original outfit—just like when she’d first left the novice village, now missing even her mascot companion.
Tonight, the Golden Crow Avenue was ablaze with lights, the streets and alleys filled with colorful feather lanterns floating in the sky to welcome the descent of the Red Bird Saint.
The night market was packed.
It seemed the whole city had come out of their homes.
Long lines formed at popular stalls, taking ages just to move a step.
At the annual festival of the Zhu Sacred Dynasty, many limited-edition collectibles were up for grabs.
Some treasures were only useful early on—miss them, and you’d have to wait another year.
Anyone could guess where a certain someone had run off to.
As soon as the night market opened, Yun Liu charged in to sweep the stalls, following the guide to collect everything like a veteran player.
He didn’t care at all about the Black Crow rebellion.
Xiao Xinran and Lin Shu were squeezed in the crowd, drenched in sweat and hardly moving forward.
Trying to find that elusive White-robed Youth was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
The red-clad girl leapt onto a lantern to catch her breath, drifting with the current and staring into space.
“Did he say where he was going?”
Lin Mei shook her head.
Mr. Yun disliked crowds, so she couldn’t insist on following.
Amid the brilliant lights and festive scene, the reborn Silver Sparrow had no idea where to go next.
It felt like fate was playing a joke on her, though at least she hadn’t fallen into utter misery.
The joys and sorrows of the world don’t connect.
Xiao Xinran sensed Lin Mei’s mood, took off her fluffy scarf, and clumsily wrapped it around her, trying to comfort her.
“After today, it’s a new year.
The Sacred Crow will carry away all misfortune.
Don’t dwell on the past!”
“Mm.”
Lin Shu smiled and patted the girl’s head, her gaze gentle.
Miss Xiao had a kind heart and a hatred of evil, nothing like a noble lady—such disciples were rare.
“Right, we can’t let today’s situation happen again.
We’re the prince’s sword, and must never leave his side!
From now on, I’ll take duty on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; you cover Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; and on Sundays, we serve together!”
Xiao Xinran gave orders like a veteran, proudly recruiting her junior as Prince’s Chastity* Knight No.2.
Saving a life was more valuable than building a seven-story pagoda, and gaining a Golden Core-level fighter to share the burden was even better.
Amitabha.
“Yes, yes, I’ll obey, Miss.”
Lin Shu nodded in confusion, half-laughing and half-crying.
Why did this sound like a servant’s rota?
What kind of strange relationship did this divorced pair have?
But aside from her brute strength, General Lin’s only other skills probably came from those dirty tricks taught in Silver Sparrow Terrace…
The night sky was filled with lanterns.
Suddenly, Xiao Xinran spotted a nimble figure rising atop the lanterns, the white-clad form increasingly familiar.
“Xiao Yun!”
Xiao Xinran called out in surprise, bouncing after him on the lanterns.
However, the girl’s Wind Movement Spell was far less refined than the boy’s.
She crushed several fragile lanterns, causing startled cries below.
Xiao Xinran nearly fell, but Lin Mei caught her in her arms, leaping upward in pursuit.
As a Golden Core Physique Cultivator, her skills were impressive.
Soon, she was stepping on lanterns—just in time to see the White-robed Youth plummet down.
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