antly stimulating her brain, making her shiver.Ooh, recalling the days when she stayed up late into the night under the glow of a lamp, sipping coffee to finish her plan documents, filled with frustra...Chapter Thirty-Six Indeed, She Couldn't Utter It 17K Original Release

The sister of Mu Qingfeng is one of Feng Changqing's concubines!!!

Qi Lin was so surprised by this news that she could have swallowed an egg. Only after Lu Zong reminded her did she manage to calm down and glance at Mu Qingfeng and Feng Changqing, finally understanding why Feng Changqing had sought out Mu Qingfeng outside the palace.

No wonder in his letter, Feng Changqing told her to seek help from those around her. So "those around her" referred to Mu Qingfeng.

"Even if this is true, it won't stop our friendship, right" Mu Qingfeng gently waved his fan and, seeing Qi Lin's sulking expression, added, "Back then when I gave you the flower, you should have guessed. Otherwise, given my status, how could I settle down here Thanks to Brother Bai, right."

Feng Changqing nodded in agreement; he neither considered Mu Qingfeng a friend nor an enemy. They just occasionally played chess and discussed flowers, beauty, and love. Through these interactions, they had developed a rapport. Feng Changqing admired Mu Qingfeng's carefree personality, while Mu Qingfeng appreciated Feng Changqing's decisive nature. Thus, they found common ground.

But Qi Lin always thought that Feng Changqing kept everyone at arm's length and never gave anyone easy rewards.

"However, even if I consider everything carefully, I'm bound to make a mistake once in a while," Mu Qingfeng shook his head apologetically, raising his cup. "I愧對姑娘。"

"Hey! Wait a moment." Qi Lin stopped him and raised her eyebrows. "I didn't entrust my safety to you; don't worry unnecessarily. And I'm naturally blessed with a benefactor and good fortune. If the sky falls, tall people will hold it up."

"Hahaha... That's true," Mu Qingfeng was taken aback but did not dwell on it. He thought for a moment and asked, "Then who is your benefactor"

This question made Qi Lin inwardly sigh; she looked at Feng Changqing. From the start, he had mostly listened to her recount what happened without saying much. Of course, she left out Bai Qianye's part and only mentioned that she was afraid but unharmed, while a ghost-like figure hadn't attacked her but was knocked unconscious by someone else, leaving her with gaps in her story.

She had lost an item of clothing and been taken far away; who would believe she was innocent Yet Feng Changqing believed her without question, saying he trusted her. Such tenderness and trust made Qi Lin even more hesitant to speak up.

"My benefactor..." Qi Lin looked at Feng Changqing and smiled. "It's the ghost-like figure; do you believe me"

Qi Lin carefully observed their reactions: a flicker of surprise in Mu Qingfeng’s eyes, then normalcy returned, while Feng Changqing seemed... perhaps she was imagining it, but he appeared slightly irritated.

"When I was young, fortune-tellers told me I had the ability to command all beasts yet would be hated by a hundred ghosts," Qi Lin recalled the fortune-teller’s gaze, which almost deified her, and the bracelet she forgot to wear. "Perhaps this is fate."

She shook her head and continued, "When I woke up, those ghost-like figures surrounded me; I thought they would eat me but instead followed me wherever I went. That wasn't a solution either; meeting woodcutters or hunters would scare them to death. So I hung my clothes on branches, finally getting rid of them."

Not knowing how convincing this explanation was, Qi Lin poured her heart and soul into it, even recalling the emotions from when she watched "Empresses in the Palace" and witnessed Fei Yu’s miraculous survival.

"But who would believe such a story Right" With that, Qi Lin laughed openly, filled her cup with wine, and was about to drink but was stopped by someone.

Looking at Feng Changqing's gentle gaze, Qi Lin sighed slightly and smiled. "So you understand; those ghost-like figures aren't ghosts but a kind of creature, just ugly and frightening in the night."

Indeed, she couldn't bring herself to say it.

If she were ever going to speak up, it would have to wait until after her heart no longer cared. The warmth emanating from the beating heart in her chest was something she didn't want to lose.

The next thing Qi Lin did was recount many of her inexplicable encounters with animals, even describing an incident where she was surrounded by snakes at a zoo, which amused Feng Changqing and Mu Qingfeng greatly.

After finishing their meal, there was still some time left. Qi Lin considered whether to take a walk but didn't know how to handle the presence of someone as important as Feng Changqing. Sure enough, as soon as she stepped out of the inn, Qi Lin found herself being escorted into a carriage by Feng Changqing without even getting a chance to speak.

Sitting in the carriage, Qi Lin couldn’t help but want to look outside. That cursed Mu Qingfeng said that he would leave if there was something important, clearly trying to avoid trouble while also noticing her thoughts.

“Drive~”

Qi Lin turned her head in surprise; how fast could they have arrived

"Master, we've arrived." The servant respectfully said from outside the carriage.

Qi Lin looked at Feng Changqing in astonishment. Feng Changqing merely smiled slightly and helped her out of the carriage.

Only after stepping out did Qi Lin realize that it was a luxurious estate, no less splendid than Jia Yifang's residence, but... What was she doing here Could this be Feng Changqing’s private residence

"Where are we Uh... what is this for" Suddenly having her eyes covered with a blindfold, Qi Lin squirmed in dissatisfaction.

“Don’t move. You’ll find out soon enough.” Feng Changqing held onto Qi Lin's shoulders and carefully secured the blindfold.

Qi Lin could only obediently follow along. After being tied up, she entered the estate under Feng Changqing’s guidance, stumbling a few times before finally stopping. At this moment, the faint fragrance of tea flowers enveloped her nose, while the sound of sweeping with a broom echoed in her ears.

As soon as the blindfold was loosened and Qi Lin removed it, she saw a scene that instantly made her eyes well up.

In front of her were only two people. One was sitting in a wheelchair carefully trimming tea flowers, savoring their fragrance before picking some to put into a bamboo basket. Though the movements seemed clumsy, his expression was full of joy. The other person was gently sweeping together any fallen branches and leaves on the ground; when a few leaves slowly drifted down, they were tenderly swept away.

This picturesque scene moved Qi Lin, unwilling to disturb it.

It wasn’t just the shock but also the profound emotion this sight brought her.

Touched beyond measure, she couldn't help covering her mouth and trembling, afraid that if she blinked, the scene before her would disappear.

"I am Su Feng. Feel free to contact me for anything in the future."

"I am Zhen Xi, feel free to ask for help if you need anything."

"Xue, don't say that. From now on, we are all your family."

"Do you know Because of you, Su Feng had his eyes gouged out and was thrown away with his tendons cut."

"For you, Zhen Xi was forced to marry an old man as a concubine."

"Because of you, everyone's happiness has been destroyed."

Recalling these things again and again, everything seemed to be happening right in her ears today. Qi Lin trembled and moved back with her legs, not yet ready, unable to

"Who is there" Su Feng sensed the noise and called out.

This also startled Zhen Xi nearby; turning around, she saw Feng Changqing's tall figure and said, "It’s Master. Zhen Xi greets Master."

“Master… uh….” Su Feng moved her body somewhat excitedly but nearly fell due to her clumsiness. Fortunately, Zhen Xi steadied her and said, "Forgive me."

Qi Lin leaned against the back of Feng Changqing and silently wiped away tears. So this is how Su Feng recovered And Zhen Xi was free. Suddenly feeling a chill from behind, a cold breeze ran up Qi Lin’s legs to her head as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Is it you!"

Zhen Xi's voice full of surprise and resentment sounded slowly from behind, each word like a sharp sword piercing into Qi Lin with great force.

“Zhen Xi, who is it Isn't it Master” Su Feng seemed to hear the resentment in Zhen Xi’s voice and was evading something. She panicked, overturning her bamboo basket and flailing her hands in the air, shouting anxiously, "Zhen Xi, who is it Are those people back again Where are you, Zhen Xi!"

Su Feng's agitated and frightened voice stabbed Qi Lin’s ears as well as her heart.

“Humph, you came. You actually came.” Zhen Xi glared coldly at Qi Lin’s back; her black eyes were filled with tears that seemed about to fall out. She continued, “You dare come!”

Su Feng finally managed to grab onto the corner of Zhen Xi's clothes but fell on the ground due to carelessness. However, she still clung tightly to Zhen Xi like grasping a lifeline and crawled toward her.

Hearing Su Feng’s fall, Qi Lin turned around and rushed over to support her trembling body.

"Is it you, Zhen Xi" Su Feng grabbed Qi Lin's hand instead and shouted, "Zhen Xi, why don't you speak"

Qi Lin saw that a silk ribbon covered Su Feng’s eyes. Trembling, she slowly reached out to remove the ribbon.

"Do you know what it feels like to have your eyeballs gouged out while still alive"

She knew it would be extremely painful, excruciating pain that made her heartache and caused tears to finally overflow, falling onto Su Feng's hand.

She never thought would be so cruel. Without the support of eyeballs, Su Feng's eyes were sunken in a large area; perhaps due to medication, the skin there was as black as charcoal, looking very frightening.

Su Feng withdrew her hand and nervously tied on the ribbon, fearfully saying, "You're not Zixi. Who are you"

“I am .”

"Get away."

Zixi pushed Qi Lin aside forcefully, shielding Su Feng behind her back, unwilling for her to see any more of Su Feng's face and pointing at Qi Lin said, "What right do you have to see her Get out! Go away!!!"

“I'm sorry.” The sharp pain in her heart deprived Qi Lin of her breath; all she could say now was "sorry" over and over again.

"Ah~!" Upon hearing Qi Lin's voice, Su Feng screamed as if seeing a ghost. Unfortunately, her voice sounded hoarse.

Qi Lin weakly raised her hand wanting to grab Su Feng, but she was pushed away again by Zixi; lying half-crouched on the ground with tears soaking her clothes, Qi Lin stretched out her hand and managed to grasp Su Feng's frail one.

"Ah Ah" Su Feng kept yelling and pulled Qi Lin’s hand to her mouth biting down hard.

Sharp pain shot through Qi Lin's finger but it couldn’t hide the excruciating ache in her heart; she drew near Su Feng, hugging her in tightly and tremblingly said, “I’m sorry... I'm so sorry, please forgive me, Su Feng, Zixi, I'm so sorry.”

“What good is an apology” Zixi coldly replied but couldn’t bear to look at Su Feng.

Tasting the metallic taste of blood, Su Feng suddenly let go of Qi Lin and cautiously held onto her hand. However, due to a lack of strength, it kept slipping; finally, Qi Lin firmly grabbed hold of Su Feng's hand.

Poor Su Feng, without eyes, could she not even shed tears for her sorrow

Su Feng carefully blew on the wound on Qi Lin’s hand. Gradually quieting down, Zixi immediately kneeled and pounded onto Qi Lin's shoulder incessantly.

"What right do you have to say sorry What use is an apology" By then, Zixi could no longer hold back her sobs.

Qi Lin held them both tightly, saying sorry over and over again.

Once upon a time, she had wanted to explain everything to them, regardless of what it was; but now, those explanations seemed so feeble and insincere. All that came out at the end were three words: "I’m sorry."

[17k Original Work, Report Plagiarism]. To receive such kindness from My Lady and the Emperor’s favor means you will bring glory to your family from now on."Isn't this pushing her into a fire Qi Lin nonchalantly shook off Yu Mu's hand and...