Her voice was full of admiration, but she quickly put on a serious expression again.
"Saint Venerable, what should we do now?"
She furrowed her brow, trying to get her thoughts in order.
"Should I return to the palace right now and report this to Father Emperor? We could have him order the Flower Deity Festival suspended, then send the Royal Forest Guard and Imperial Guards to seal off the entire city and conduct another thorough search!"
Lin Changqing pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
"No."
"The Flower Deity Festival is about to begin, and the people are already out in the streets. If we suddenly order it suspended, it will inevitably cause widespread panic."
He paused, his tone growing more resolute.
"Besides, since our enemy dares to strike during the Flower Deity Festival, they must have prepared thoroughly."
"If they notice us making a move, they may well slip away in the chaos. It won't be easy to find them again after that."
Su Wanqing listened attentively, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face.
"Then what do you suggest, Saint Venerable...?"
"Play along with their scheme."
The corners of Lin Changqing's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a confident smile.
"They still don't know they've exposed themselves. That's our greatest advantage."
He stood with his hands behind his back.
"Let the Flower Deity Festival go on as planned. Don't alert them."
"Go report to His Majesty first. Have him issue secret orders for the Imperial Guards and Royal Forest Guard to blend into the crowds in plain clothes. The Demon Suppressing Division's elite should also be placed on full alert in secret."
"Double the number of guards at the Flower Deity Lantern Festival. Have them all change into plain clothes and leave no trace of our preparations."
"Everything should appear normal on the surface, while we secretly cast our net."
He looked at Su Wanqing, his gaze filled with a certainty that put her at ease.
"With me here, they won't be able to make waves."
"Once I spot them, I'll act at once and crush their scheme completely."
A look of understanding flashed through Su Wanqing's eyes as she listened.
This plan really was much better than sealing off the city outright.
It wouldn't alarm the people, and it would let them catch everyone lurking in the shadows in one fell swoop.
And with a Ninth-Rank Martial Saint Peak expert like Lin Changqing personally overseeing things, what was there to fear?
"Good! We'll do as you say, Saint Venerable!"
Su Wanqing nodded firmly and turned to run out of the manor.
"Wait."
Lin Changqing called out to her.
Su Wanqing stopped and turned around.
Lin Changqing raised his right hand and pointed into the air with his index finger.
A streak of purplish-gold light flew from his fingertip and sank into the space between Su Wanqing's brows.
Su Wanqing felt a warm current flow into her body, forming an invisible shield around her.
She could feel how powerful it was, like a warm embrace holding her securely.
"This Saintly Protective Aura can withstand a full-power strike from a Ninth-Rank Martial Saint Peak expert. It'll keep you safe."
Lin Changqing lowered his hand, then patted Golden Radiance beside him.
"Golden Radiance, go with Wanqing and keep her safe."
Golden Radiance snorted and rubbed against Lin Changqing's shoulder reluctantly, but still walked over to Su Wanqing.
"Yes, Master."
Its voice was deep and resonant, naturally carrying an air of authority.
Su Wanqing froze, her eyes widening.
"The Qilin can talk?!"
Golden Radiance turned its great golden eyes toward her.
"I am a Pureblood Qilin. Of course I can talk. I simply can't be bothered to speak most of the time."
There was a hint of smugness in its tone.
Then it bent its front legs, inviting Su Wanqing to climb on.
Su Wanqing cautiously climbed onto its back and settled herself, still stunned that the Qilin could talk.
Golden Radiance lifted its head and let out a low growl. A rift tore open in the space before them.
It stamped all four hooves.
Carrying Su Wanqing on its back, it vanished straight into the Spatial Rift.
In the blink of an eye, they appeared in the Imperial Palace's inner grounds.
The Royal Forest Guard on patrol were making their rounds when suddenly the space before them twisted.
A Spatial Rift split open, and a Qilin covered in golden scales stepped out.
Golden arcs of lightning crackled beneath its hooves as the might of an Early Martial Saint Stage surged from it without restraint.
"Enemy attack!"
The Royal Forest Guard soldiers turned pale and drew their swords in unison.
Dozens of blades gleamed in the moonlight, and almost instinctively, the soldiers surrounded the Qilin and Su Wanqing.
"Protect His Majesty!"
The Seventh-Rank Grandmaster Feathered Forest Officer in command shouted sharply, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
Su Wanqing quickly leaned out from the Qilin's back and waved her hand.
"Don't panic! It's me!"
The captain recognized the Qilin and the figure on its back. He froze for half a second, then dropped to his knees with a thud.
"P-Pay your respects to Princess Yunshu!"
The Royal Forest Guard soldiers behind him also fell to their knees.
"Pay your respects to Princess Yunshu!"
The captain kept his head bowed, cold sweat from his fright still dripping down his forehead.
His heart was still pounding, and his mind was buzzing.
Why had Princess Yunshu appeared riding a Qilin?
Wasn't that the Pureblood Qilin that had acknowledged Prince Wu'an as its master last night?
How could the princess ride Prince Wu'an's mount?
Had things between Prince Wu'an and the princess already reached that point?
Su Wanqing swung herself down from the Qilin's back, considerably more deftly than she had climbed up.
"Rise. I have urgent business with Father Emperor."
The captain hurriedly scrambled to his feet and moved aside, watching as Su Wanqing strode toward the Imperial Study.
Golden Radiance followed behind Su Wanqing at a leisurely pace, its four hooves making crisp clinks against the golden-brick floor.
Every palace maid and eunuch they passed fell to their knees in fright.
Only after the princess and Qilin had gone far away did the captain wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.
"Th-this... Why was Prince Wu'an's Qilin carrying the princess?"
A young soldier beside him asked in a hushed voice, brimming with curiosity.
The Feathered Forest Officer glared at him.
"Don't pry! The affairs of important people... aren't for the likes of us to question."
But his own thoughts were in turmoil.
Prince Wu'an's mount, a Pureblood Qilin at the Early Martial Saint Stage, had let the princess ride it just like that?
How close did they have to be?
Inside the Imperial Study.
Su Gan was seated behind the Dragon Desk, reviewing memorials, when he heard hurried footsteps outside the hall.
He frowned and set down his vermilion brush.
Who was being so disorderly?
The hall doors swung open, and Su Wanqing hurried inside.
Her face showed some urgency, but even more than that, she looked grave.
"Wanqing?"
Su Gan froze for a moment, then a knowing smile appeared on his face.
"The Flower Deity Festival is about to begin. Why aren't you getting ready? What brings you here to see me?"
He paused, his tone teasing.
"Did you have a quarrel with Prince Wu'an? I just heard someone report that the two of you rode a Qilin over the Capital City. The people are saying you're a perfect match, handsome and beautiful, born for each other."
Su Wanqing's cheeks flushed, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Father Emperor, Your Son has something important to report."
She hurried to the Dragon Desk and recounted Lin Changqing's assessment in full.
There were still remnants of the Holy Demon God Sect hiding in the Capital City.
The enemy might take advantage of tonight's Flower Deity Festival to launch an attack.
And Lin Changqing's plan—to let the Flower Deity Festival proceed as usual, secretly deploy their forces, and play along with the enemy's scheme to draw them out.
The smile on Su Gan's face slowly vanished as Su Wanqing spoke.
By the time she had finished, his expression had turned utterly grave.
He set down his vermilion brush, rose to his feet, and paced across the hall with his hands behind his back.
"That's what Prince Wu'an said?"
His voice was low. He wasn't questioning her, only confirming.
"Yes."
Su Wanqing nodded firmly.
"He told Your Son himself. He said his senses couldn't be wrong: there are still people from the Holy Demon God Sect in the Capital City, and they'll strike during the Flower Deity Festival tonight."
Su Gan fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"I believe him."
His tone was firm and decisive.
"There were so many suspicious points last night. Xiao Qianjun said the hideout was outside the city, while Prince Wu'an said it was inside. It turned out to be inside."
"Xiao Qianjun said he hadn't found a basement, while Prince Wu'an said there was something underground. One punch proved him right. His assessment this time must be right as well."
A murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
"What a Holy Demon God Sect. Their Branch Sect was wiped out just last night, yet they're already making a comeback today. It seems they're still set on bringing down Great Yu and won't be satisfied until they turn the Capital City upside down!"
He made his decision at once.
"We'll do as Prince Wu'an suggested."
He turned and issued orders to the elderly eunuch beside him.
"Deliver my secret decree to Xiao Qianjun, Chen Zhan, and Han Yue. Send out every elite from the Demon Suppressing Division. Assign capable men from the Imperial Guards and Royal Forest Guard as well. Have them all change into plain clothes and blend into the Flower Deity Lantern Festival."
"Double the number of guards, but leave no trace. No one is to act without orders from me or Prince Wu'an."
"Tell them there'll be a hard fight tonight. The enemy are traitors who have thrown in their lot with demons. No prisoners are to be taken."
"Kill them on sight."
The elderly eunuch bowed hurriedly.
"This old servant obeys!"
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