re were many vines growing around trees that would easily support a person's weight. If she used the vines to escape, along with Xiao Bai's intimidating presence, they could surely get away smoothly,...Chapter Twenty-One Is This Considered Spirit Departure

"Young Miss"

Zhì Lín suddenly opened her eyes and saw Lüzhú staring at her with a look of alarm, her eyes red-rimmed and somewhat at a loss. Zhì Lín frowned slightly and walked up to her.

"Lüzhú, what happened" She asked as she approached, but noticed that Lüzhú seemed completely unaware of her presence. Zhì Lín found this odd and raised her voice, "Lüzhú."

Frightened, Lüzhú hurriedly knelt down in front of her with a thud.

Zhì Lín was now utterly stunned; she could be surprised by Lüzhú's kneeling, but the fact that Lüzhú was kneeling where she herself stood and not noticing her existence puzzled her even more.

"Emperor, Young Miss...!"

Lüzhú’s anxious voice brought Zhì Lín back to reality. The implication of what she heard seemed to suggest something bizarre; turning around slowly, the scene before her was like a bucket of cold water, freezing her thoughts that were previously in disarray.

Lüzhú knelt on the ground with red-rimmed eyes, soaked from head to toe. In front of her stood Feng Changqing, his black hair plastered against his shoulder due to being drenched, and though his usually cold eyes now brimmed with worry, it was Feng Changqing’s embrace that held her attention. The person he held looked pale, their hair disheveled, and the front of their clothes soaked in blood mixed with rainwater, making them look extremely frightening—but even so, Zhì Lín could recognize that person as herself.

What was going on

Why was she in Feng Changqing’s arms Or rather, why did she stand here No—how could she see Feng Changqing holding her own self

"Is there anyone who can tell me what's happening"

"Fetch the imperial physicians." Before Zhì Lín could finish speaking, Feng Changqing carried her into Qìn Quán Xiáng while passing through her body—it was as if it were her soul

“Is there anyone who can provide a reasonable explanation” Zhì Lín clenched her fists and shouted to the heavens.

Unfortunately, everyone was too busy to pay any attention to her.

Unable to bear being passed through by someone else's body, Zhì Lín avoided everyone and went into her own bedroom courtyard via a different route. There, she saw palace maids respectfully holding water basins outside the screen door, with several imperial physicians frowning gravely while waiting in attendance outside—only one physician held a red thread and was feeling his patient’s pulse from afar.

She finally noticed that Zi Yin was also among the people. He had a slightly furrowed brow and stood with his hands behind his back, occasionally glancing at where the screen was. Qi Lin walked over, glared at him a few times, and even poked his face a couple of times, though she always went right through it. Still, how could she let him get away with being so heartless and completely indifferent to her life or death After playing around with Zi Yin for a while and finding it pointless, Qi Lin walked into the crowd, wanting to see what was happening.

So Qi Lin directly went through those people and came behind the screen. She saw Lü Zhu cutting off the clothes of the Qi Lin lying on the bed quite deftly, with Feng Changqing pressing on her wound without any hesitation. The white towel had already turned red, which Feng Changqing casually threw away and replaced it with a new one from an attendant. Not long after, that towel too was stained red.

Bowl after bowl of blood water were carried out, making Qi Lin herself feel shocked at how much blood there was, wondering how many medicinal potions she would have to take to make up for such loss.

When her clothes had been changed and the wound treated by imperial physicians, Qi Lin only then recalled what happened earlier.

She had received a message telling her to go to the Imperial Garden. She had thought it was Bai Qianye, but when she arrived, she saw Feng Changqing practicing swordsmanship instead. At that moment, she felt an aura of killing intent come towards her; Feng Changqing's long sword was at her eyesight next thing she knew. Then it seemed like… Feng Changqing got very angry and then… She was mistaken as a go-between for some assassin and ended up stabbed.

Qi Lin pressed on her chest, unable to believe that such an event had happened.

Bai Qianye, did you set this trap!

In her subconscious, she believed Bai Qianye was the one who set this trap because no one else here would make her do something like this. Only Bai Qianye could think of a way to have someone write in his place without being discovered.

Actually, Qi Lin wasn't certain about that alone, but when she saw Zi Yin, she was sure. There was absolutely no way that Zi Yin would be there at just the right time… Could it be because he still saw some use in her schemes towards them

"What!"

Qi Lin was startled by Feng Changqing's roar of anger, and before she could figure out what was happening, she heard someone bowing.

"Your Majesty, the Concubine… The Concubine."

What! Could it be that this scene was to announce her failed recovery and imminent death Qi Lin widened her eyes at the leading imperial physician; she remembered him. He was the one Bai Qianye had once impersonated—Doctor Jiang.

"The Concubine's sword wound isn't serious. She just needs plenty of rest."

So it is like that… Qi Lin felt slightly relieved, but why was Feng Changqing so angry

"But…" Doctor Jiang hesitated and said, "Your subjects discovered that the Concubine has also been poisoned by some slow-acting poison which caused her to fall into a coma. She may be in danger of losing her life."

“Poisoned” Feng Changqing frowned slightly as he looked at Qi Lin and asked, “How did she get poisoned”

"To the Emperor, it seems that the poison the lady has ingested is a result of long-term accumulation and only recently manifested. Combined with today’s events, these symptoms have all surfaced at once," said Dr. Jiang, his head bowed low and resolute in his statement. "I wonder if she has been experiencing excessive sleepiness and weakness lately."

Feng Changqing then turned to look at the maids of Qi Lin, causing them to kneel down with a loud thud.

"Indeed, my lady did show signs of extreme drowsiness and fatigue recently. Sometimes she would even sleep throughout an entire day, and upon waking up, she would feel sleepy again very quickly," Green Bamboo said hesitantly, remembering that Qi Lin had instructed them not to reveal her poisoning incident on their own initiative. "Initially, we thought it was just spring lethargy and did not pay much attention to it."

"You fools! How could you not know your mistress is poisoned And how do you usually serve her" Feng Changqing fumed in rage, wanting to execute everyone present for their negligence. He glared at them and ordered, "All of you will be severely punished with twenty strokes each if she doesn’t survive today. You’ll all be buried with her."

Hearing this, everyone was shocked into silence and began pleading for mercy.

Standing nearby, Qi Lin was also startled by his words—she hadn't expected Feng Changqing to be so furious that he would threaten to kill those around her. But now wasn’t the time to think about it; Green Bamboo and the others were in danger.

"Your Majesty, I failed to protect my lady properly and am willing to accept punishment," Green Bamboo said, bowing again and looking at Qi Lin for approval before continuing, "but please find a way to save her first. Let me see her recover; I implore you."

The cries of pleading were overwhelming.

"Your Majesty." Tired of the noise, Zi Yin clasped his hands together and said, "Your Majesty, at this point in time, it’s not about assigning blame. If we don’t hurry to treat her, she may…"

"Hmph, you will live for now," Feng Changqing restrained himself from acting rashly out of anger. "Have you found an antidote"

Dr. Jiang hesitated and turned his eyes around uncomfortably as he said, "We still haven’t identified the specific poison that has afflicted her and thus can’t find a cure."

"Your Majesty, I do have one suggestion," Zi Yin stepped forward without waiting for permission, kneeling down.

Qi Lin gave him a cold smile; she had long suspected that he was behind her poisoning. Thus, at this moment, only he would know the antidote.

"Brother, what’s your suggestion" Feng Changqing gestured for Zi Yin to stand and speak.

Zi Yin rose to his feet and thought for a moment before saying, "Earlier, I heard from Dr. Jiang that the poison my lady ingested is chronic and carefully administered."

"So what" The Emperor was impatient with him. He had already heard enough of this.

Zi Yin smiled slightly and said, "Having served on campaigns for many years, I have a fair understanding of poisons as well.

Turning to the green bamboo instead, he continued, "Tell this King, does your young mistress sleep soundly Is there any sign of her talking in her sleep"

The green bamboo frowned slightly. Qi Lin never had anyone stand guard at night; how could she know about it However, looking at Qi Lin who slept a lot but lacked energy, it seemed like she didn't sleep well. Thus, the green bamboo boldly nodded.

Qi Lin, watching from the side, frowned slightly. She did indeed not sleep soundly and often dreamed of past events. But why was Green Bamboo shaking her head

After inquiring about Green Bamboo, Zi Yin turned to Feng Changqing and said, "Your subject has been away on campaigns for a long time. I heard of a poison that is yin-natured; those who take it over the long term will exhibit symptoms such as excessive sleepiness and weakness, along with hallucinations. In its initial stages, nightmares are common."

In Qi Lin's view, these were evasive words. She was indeed poisoned, but Zi Yin had also poisoned her before and she hadn't taken any antidote for a long time; seeing Zi Yin reminded her of this matter.

"What kind of poison is that" Feng Changqing could only believe in Zi Yin's words, though he was very unhappy about Zi Yin being away on campaigns all the time. At this moment, there was nothing else he could do except suppress his anger.

He hadn't expected him to care so much for Ah Xue!

Zi Yin smiled slightly and said, "Yes, Your Majesty. It is a plant called Mandala Flower; the poison made from this flower is very complex."

"Your Majesty," Imperial Physician Jiang took over after hearing this and said, "Please forgive me for being blunt, Your Majesty. I have heard of the Mandala Flower and know quite a bit about it. But that's why the palace has banned its use. Moreover, making Mandala Flower into poison is very complex; after checking her daily items and food, I haven't found any traces."

This was something Qi Lin agreed with because she had also checked thoroughly. How could this be done then She floated over to Zi Yin's side and glared at him fiercely; it was like a weasel paying respects to the chicken, who knew what his intentions were

Suddenly, Qi Lin noticed an unfamiliar face outside the room peering in with suspicious eyes. After confirming something, the person turned and left. The others were too afraid or anxious to notice her.

Qi Lin looked at herself lying on the bed before chasing after him.

Just then, Qi Lin felt a strong pull dragging her over; before she could react, a sharp pain shot through the soles of her feet, causing her to scream out.

"Ah~" Qi Lin suddenly sat up from the bed, but this pulled at the wound on her chest, making her wince in pain and collapse again.

"You're awake" Seeing Qi Lin wake up, Feng Changqing couldn't help smiling. He held Qi Lin in his arms and said, "Tell me where it hurts."

Qi Lin pulled at the corner of her mouth, enduring the pain throughout her body with difficulty; she nodded but saw Imperial Physician Jiang holding a silver needle about to prick her feet, which made her sit up again in alarm. Unfortunately, before she could say 'no', a sharp pain shot through her soles once more and she fainted.

"Red Snow!" Seeing Qi Lin faint again, Feng Changqing furrowed his brows in anxiety; he laid her down properly and grabbed Imperial Physician Jiang's collar angrily. "Tell me what’s going on"ught like this all along.However, the more the little boy grew up, the worse his attitude towards her became. So she chose to live outside of their home.On her mother's birthday, she brought a gift ho...