Gatekeeper Festival 2

The festival really brought in a huge crowd.

People from all Three Divine Realms showed up.

Divine Lord Tanya Quinn and Lord Noctis came too.

And they brought their Little Phoenix, Cassie.

The moment Cassie saw Lily Bai, she insisted on being held, clinging to her like glue.

Lily Bai smiled and asked, "Usually at events like this, you’re off running wild in the sky and earth. What’s with wanting me to hold you today?"

"I just missed you!" Cassie dove straight into her arms.

Tanya Quinn looked jealous and teased, "Crown Princess, did you slip my Cassie some love potion? She’s never stuck to me like this!"

Lily Bai laughed, "I’m just glad your Cassie isn’t dosing me with something! I wouldn’t dare drug her!"

She glanced down at Cassie, "Isn’t that right, you little rascal?"

Cassie just giggled.

......

There’s a whole sacrificial ritual at the festival, which should’ve been led by the Celestial Emperor and Empress.

But since His Majesty the Celestial Emperor hasn’t returned, the Empress specially asked the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to preside.

After going through all the set rituals, the final step was for the two of them to drink a cup of wine, marking the end of the ceremony.

Ezra Cloud and Skye tested the wine and cups with needles, making sure everything was safe, then Chacha brought the tray over and handed the drinks to the couple.

He stood right next to Lily Bai.

Lily Bai picked up a cup and handed it to Sean Shaw.

Then she picked up her own cup, and the two drank together.

Moments after drinking, Sean Shaw’s face flushed red, his pupils filled with blood, and he collapsed.

Lily Bai was horrified. She rushed over to check Sean Shaw’s pulse, only to realize... he’d died from poisoning.

"Crown Prince! Sean!" she screamed, suddenly coughing up blood and fainting on the spot.

The two kids were terrified, crying and trying to run to their father, but Adrian Drake and Luna Lian each grabbed one, not letting them get close...

......

When Lily Bai woke up, she found herself surrounded by a crowd.

Everyone who’d been at the ritual was there, including the Empress, Tanya Quinn and Noctis, and the gods of Drake Abyss.

Even those who hadn’t been present showed up too.

Like the First Prince, Second Prince, Third Prince, Fourth Prince, and Quinn Xiao.

Lily Bai stared blankly at them and asked, "Where’s the Crown Prince? Where is he?!"

"He’s right here," Tanya Quinn said, frowning. "Calm down first!"

Lily Bai staggered to the back of the crowd, and saw Sean Shaw lying on a bench—completely lifeless, his death terrifying to look at.

Lily Bai just stood there, numb and motionless.

Seeing her like that, Luna Lian’s eyes reddened as she went to support Lily: "The Crown Prince was poisoned to death."

"What kind of poison? Where did it come from?" Lily asked.

Luna started, "It’s—"

"Crown Princess! Stop pretending!" The Empress suddenly cut in. "Tell us—why did you kill the Crown Prince?"

"Your Majesty!" Luna Lian protested, eyes red. "We shouldn’t jump to conclusions before we know the truth!"

"The Crown Prince died of poisoning, and Lily Bai has poison on her. Isn’t that clear enough?" the Empress demanded.

"Your Majesty, she’s the Crown Princess and has adorable twins—she has no reason to poison him." Tanya Quinn frowned. "There must be more to this."

"If there’s more to it, Lily Bai needs to explain!" the Empress said. "Why would you kill the Crown Prince? What would you gain? Is there something you’re not telling us?"

Lily Bai still said nothing, standing there like a carved statue.

"If you don’t speak, we’ll take it as a confession."

Lily Bai remained silent.