天下影视

The atmosphere in the Capital city had changed considerably.

Many residents of the Capital city found as they rose from bed that the number of constables from the Bureau of the Lamp on the streets had noticeably increased; every few meters along the wide streets, one could spot several constables standing guard.

After some inquiries, people learned that the Imperial festivities were imminent, and at present, Court officials from various regions and some princes and nobles had arrived in the capital in recent days.

Many dignitaries, personages beyond the wildest dreams of ordinary people, had all gathered in the Capital city. One could imagine the great undercurrents that would be present when the time came.

No wonder then, that the Bureau of the Lamp was so cautious.

The closer the Imperial festivities drew, the livelier the Capital became.

Many people thought that if people had dared to cause trouble during the martial contest between Great Wei and Great Zhou, it was uncertain what mischief might occur during this Imperial festivity.

However, since the martial contest between the two great dynasties of Great Wei and Great Zhou had already been disrupted once, if any disorder were to occur again under anticipated circumstances during the Imperial festivities.

Then the Bureau of the Lamp would truly have no excuses left to salvage their reputation.

The actions of the Bureau of the Lamp merely drew the attention of some interested parties and had little impact on the lives of the citizens within the Capital city.

The streets were lined with shops, the hawking of traders and the laughter of customers mingling together, with a ceaseless stream of pedestrians.

In the midst of this bustling and lively scene, suddenly a clatter of horse hooves broke into the picture.

"Make way, make way!"

"Don't block the road!"

It was a group of soldiers clad in dark armor, riding atop Exotic Beasts and shouting at the pedestrians on the street, herding them to the sides to clear a wide path.

The pedestrians retreated in alarm, yielding their way, not daring to conflict with them.

Down this road, a luxurious carriage moved slowly.

The carriage was made entirely of precious Obsidian, shimmering and lustrous, emanating a faint, mysterious glow, with wheels carved with intricate cloud patterns.

Around it floated a faint aura of golden light, as if a mysterious force was protecting the carriage.

The horses pulling the carriage were no ordinary horses but bred from Cloud Flash Sculptures's bloodline.

They had pristine white feathers and golden eyes, their hooves kicking up streaks of spark-like radiance, inspiring awe in all who saw them.

The moment this carriage appeared, it became the most eye-catching focus on the street, drawing gasps of admiration.

"Isn't that the vehicle of the King of South Ming?"

"The King of South Ming has come to the Capital too, earlier than in previous years."

"After all, it's the Royal festivities. The once-every-few-years celebration of the Great Zhou Dynasty, other Court ministers might not take it seriously, but the King of South Ming couldn't possibly overlook it, coming early is better."

"This Nobleman is deeply favored by the current Emperor, coming to the Capital city and even bringing his private soldiers with him, truly blessed by heaven."

People looked at the vehicle of the King of South Ming, talking animatedly amongst themselves.

In the midst of the animated discussion, the constables from the Bureau of the Lamp standing on both sides of the street caught sight of the King of South Ming's carriage, giving each other a knowing look and, after a silent exchange of glances, became quietly vigilant.

The lower-ranking constables from the Bureau of the Lamp didn't know what had happened, nor did they know the real identity of the King of South Ming. They were merely following instructions from higher up, to be extremely alert and careful with any prince or noble entering the Capital city.
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Their vigilance was not just aimed at the King of South Ming.

Speaking of which, inside the carriage.

Within the opulent carriage where fragrant smoke curled, a middle-aged man sat on a soft couch made from the fur of an Exotic Beast, toying with two Jade Beads in his hands.

He wore a deep purple Python Robe, his expression cold, his eyes surveyed the view outside the window, the Bureau of the Lamp constables standing guard every few yards along the streets, his lips pressed into a thin line, his stern face softened with a hint of a smile.

"Bureau of the Lamp, putting on such a grand show, seems quite worried that something might go wrong at the Royal festivities."

"If under such tight security, an unexpected incident still occurs at the Royal festivities..."

"I imagine the scene would be interesting, very interesting."

The middle-aged man fiddled with the Jade Beads in his hand, examining the constables from the Bureau of the Lamp outside the window for a while before leisurely shifting his gaze back inside the carriage, settling himself down and closing his eyes to rest.

The carriage moved along slowly and upon arriving at the Prince's residence in the Capital city, it came to a stop.

"Prince, we have arrived."

The King of South Ming slowly opened his eyes upon hearing the word, rose, and stepped down from the carriage.

Guards in armor stood on both sides, their faces solemn, their expressions icy, exuding a formidable presence.

As bodyguards of the King of South Ming, most of these men were not mediocre.

If they were in the Martial World's sects, most would qualify to be direct disciples.

But at the side of the King of South Ming, they were merely unknown guards.

The King of South Ming turned his head and asked the steward of his residence, "Where is the Princess?"

"The Princess is inside the residence, she has not gone out."

The King of South Ming nodded thoughtfully and glanced at the front of the residence.

"You all rest here, get the things that have been brought over settled, and then tell the Princess I'll be back later in the evening."

"After arriving in the Capital, I need to go to the Imperial Palace first thing to see my 'brother'."

When he spoke the word "brother," a subtle and meaningful expression crossed the King of South Ming's face.

The steward respectfully acknowledged the order.

The King of South Ming got back into the carriage, and the coachman drove off toward the Great Zhou Imperial Palace.

The residence of the King of South Ming was very close to the Great Zhou Imperial Palace, just a street away, and within a quarter of an hour, the King of South Ming had arrived at the Imperial Palace.