t in my Drunken Flower Courtyard is as beautiful as flowers. Today, I took you in only because of that young master’s face. Otherwise, even if you starved to death on the streets, I wouldn't have look...Chapter 46: Qiaoer Files a Complaint to the Emperor - Exclusive on 17K
In those days, during their verbal sparring at Drunken Flower Tower, Mu Qingfeng conceded defeat and left in anger. But today, seeing Mu Qingcheng, Qi Lin suddenly felt that it was such a blessing to have encountered Mu Qingfeng back then.
Chen Ren was speechless after being talked down by Mu Qingcheng and awkwardly pulled at the corner of his mouth before retreating to the side. The dust covering his nose made Qi Lin want to wipe it off involuntarily.
"That's enough, I will decide for myself." Feng Changqing saw Chen Ren was speechless and could only intervene; otherwise, if a country’s grand priest were left speechless by a concubine, how would he save face in the future Although his trust in Chen Ren had greatly diminished, he massaged his temples and said, "What we just discussed are side issues. What does Jade Concubine have to say about this"
Finally it was her turn to speak. Qi Lin stepped forward and knelt down, saying seriously, "No matter what I say today, I will be considered a witch. As for those two hunters’ words, humph, I am quite curious about the huge snow wolf they mentioned. One day, take me to see it up close; let's see if he sticks to me."
Qi Lin believed that she could not admit anything at this moment. Yu Mu had not spoken a word so far, but why did Feng Changqing suddenly act like this Was it really just to set her up
Wait, Qi Lin secretly glanced at the empty spot; that place belonged to Zi Yin. So far, there was still no news about Zi Yin. Does that mean something happened to him In that case, Feng Changqing would only take advantage of this moment to eliminate Zi Yin’s followers, and she must be one of them.
However, Qi Lin did not give any information to suggest that she belonged to Zi Yin; even Bu Yao had never said anything about it. Who could it be
Qi Lin could only look at Feng Changqing; as the emperor, he merely needed time to investigate a matter, which was why he brought Yu Mu and others here.
No matter what she did now would be futile struggling before death. She didn't care when she died.
"Your Majesty, I still have two witnesses," Qin Xiao seized the opportunity to bring the topic back on track; just now, he almost got sidetracked by Mu Qingcheng's words.
Feng Changqing paused and looked at Qi Lin as if he wanted to say something. In the end, he swallowed what he was going to say and replaced it with a gesture.
Qi Lin thought she would never see that person again in her life; unexpectedly, when she did, she still looked so… plump.
The madam was still dressed as before. Qi Lin’s brows furrowed slightly, suppressing the urge to sneeze. Although they hadn’t interacted much back then, from the Red Beauty incident, it appeared that she should be one of Zi Yin's people.
Oh no, if the Red Beauty matter were brought up, how would she face Feng Changqing
No, it's not the time to think about this.
When Qiaoer walked out from behind the madam, Qi Lin once again underestimated the madam’s physique. It turned out that Qiaoer had been there all along.
Hmph, looks like fate is against her.
Then let things take their natural course; Heaven will not abandon people without a way forward.
"Commoner greets the Emperor and Empress Dowager."
"Tell me everything you know," Qin Xiao said.
"Yes." Both of them nodded in unison.
The madam cast a glance at Qi Lin, saying, "This humble citizen is the owner of Drunken Flower Pavilion. Back then, Jade Concubine was still a third-class maid at Drunken Flower Pavilion. But before that, this humble citizen didn’t know her background either; I just took her in since there were manpower shortages and she came with no charge. However, later on, her appearance…"
"In the past, Jade Concubine’s looks weren’t like this. Who knew how it turned out to be so beautiful," the madam paused before continuing, "Jade Concubine appeared at Drunken Flower Pavilion just when the imperial edict was posted; I wonder if that is a coincidence."
Qi Lin finally felt relieved. No matter what the madam said, she only corroborated Qin Xiao’s claim that Jade Concubine came from White Tiger Mountain.
"Your Majesty, this is definitely not a coincidence," Qiaoer continued the madam's words and said as if having made up her mind, "Your Majesty, I used to live under the same roof with Jade Concubine. What I say is true."
Seeing Feng Changqing silent, Qiaoer was afraid that her testimony wasn’t enough. After some thought, she knelt down again, and this time, she even broke her forehead; blood started dripping as Qiaoer bit on her lips with tears welling up in her eyes.
"Your Majesty, Jade Concubine is no ordinary person. Forget about the things that we commoners can’t understand, let alone her intimate relations with animals, just by judging from how scheming she is, I have to report this to Your Majesty today and hope that Your Majesty will take a stand for me and my sisters who were oppressed."
After saying that, Qiaoer knelt down again; the thud of her head hitting the ground could be heard. Watching this scene made Qi Lin's heart ache.
The things that Qiaoer was going to say next, Qi Lin already knew. But what she didn’t know was that Feng Changqing had long known about the sisters she mentioned—Zuoxi and Susong—and how could he not be aware of their situation when he had arranged for them to live in another courtyard
Qi Lin took a glance at Qiao Er. If those words angered Feng Changqing, it wouldn’t be like bringing Bu Yao back to the palace; people could die.
"Speak," said Feng Changqing as he looked at Qi Lin. He noticed the worry in her eyes, but clearly, she wasn’t concerned about him. Frowning slightly, he asked, "Imperial Concubine Jade, before she speaks, do you have anything to say"
Not Consort, but Imperial Concubine Jade Qi Lin looked at Feng Changqing. Today, Feng Changqing was going to put her to death; no matter how much she struggled, it would only make her look like a clown.
After some thought, she said, "Your Majesty, what do you think I can say Or maybe, what should I say"
Hearing Qi Lin’s words, Feng Changqing’s hand clenched tightly. He put down his wine cup and said before the Empress Dowager could question her, "If that’s how it is… speak."
Qiao Er was taken aback; she wiped away tears and said, "Does Your Majesty remember Miss Peony of Drunken Flower Tower She used to be one of the candidates for the Jade Maid."
Miss Peony Qi Lin looked at Qiao Er in surprise. Wasn’t she supposed to talk about Su Feng and the others Frowning slightly, she listened on.
"Actually, before the competition among the hundred flowers, Qiao Er once saw Imperial Concubine Jade privately meeting with Miss Peony. Once, I even got Miss Peony’s pearl hairpin as a reward, but at that time, Imperial Concubine Jade was very generous and gave me the pearl hairpin," said Qiao Er as she wiped away more tears. She continued, "But who would have thought that Pearl, Miss Peony’s maidservant, punished Qiao Er for stealing the pearl hairpin by whipping her."
"If not for my sisters coming to my rescue, I might have died unjustly. But when I woke up, Imperial Concubine Jade had become a maid to Young Master Elmwood," said Qiao Er again as tears streamed down her face.
When the officials and concubines heard that Qi Lin had once been a maid to Elmwood, they all looked at her with strange eyes, talking about her. Some even suggested putting her in a pig cage, but since Feng Changqing didn’t speak up, none of them dared take action.
Qi Lin couldn’t care less about their gazes; she had no intention of being dragged to the pig cage. The respect she’d shown before was gone. Qi Lin sneered inwardly—today, if nothing happened to her, there would probably be so many people at her door that it might break.
However, Qiao Er was quite satisfied with these discussions; as long as Feng Changqing agreed, everything else didn’t matter. Thus, she continued resolutely, "Originally, I thought Imperial Concubine Jade’s cleverness would earn Young Master Elmwood’s favor naturally. But when me and my sisters sought her out, she refused to see us and treated us with cold indifference."
"Not only that; Imperial Concubine Jade feared we might tell others about the pearl hairpin incident, so she struck back at us maliciously. First by killing Pearl to cover up, then…" Qiao Er was in tears already, her appearance pitiful as she continued through sobs, "My two sisters were poisoned one after another and lived miserably; luckily, I was taken under Lady Plum’s wing and spared from the poison. But my two elder sisters… Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine Jade’s crimes don’t stop there."
At this point, Qiao Er was filled with righteous indignation as she pointed at Qi Lin, saying, "A few days before Your Majesty visited Drunken Flower Tower, she started to get close to Miss Peony. Miss Peony kindly helped her, but who knew what trick she used to make Miss Peony lose her mind and nearly… Your Majesty saw it with your own eyes that day; you must fight for Qiao Er’s justice, and clear Miss Peony’s name."
"Qiao Er!" Qi Lin shouted angrily—more from heartache than anger. This Qiao Er could not be the real one, but when she called out her name, she realized everyone was silent. ‘Bad sign,’ she thought to herself. Suppressing her rage, she said, "Man does it, Heaven sees it; for everything you’ve just said today, this Empress can admit that it happened, but it doesn’t mean I did any of these things."
"So, you're saying that these incidents are true" Xiao Ran sneered and said, "Your Majesty, Jade Concubine has already personally admitted to the truth of these matters. Please instruct accordingly."
"Please instruct accordingly," everyone else also pleaded.
Qí Lín curled her lips upwards, stood up, and with a proud posture, swept her gaze around the room. When she saw Mù Qīfēng's worried eyes, Qí Lín felt warmth in her heart and turned to look at Fèng Chángqīng, changing back to calmness.
"What do you want to say" For some reason, Fèng Chángqīng felt an urge not to meet Qí Lín's eyes; he lowered his eyelids to avoid her gaze and said in a voice she could hear, "Speak up then. This emperor will decide."
"This concubine has only one question for Your Majesty," Qí Lín spoke loudly, as if declaring war to everyone present without being submissive or arrogant.
Mù Qīfēng slightly curled the corners of his mouth; Qí Lín's expression was just like when she saw the fates of Mèn Xī and others back then, which made him feel at ease.
Fèng Chángqīng nodded lightly and said softly, "Uh-huh. Speak."
"Does Your Majesty believe this concubine" Qí Lín observed Fèng Chángqīng's expression calmly, not missing any subtle changes in him.
However, Fèng Chángqīng merely stared at her quietly; his eyes were as still as a stagnant pond. But there seemed to be something vague that could be glimpsed momentarily—though Qí Lín couldn't make out what it was.
"This concubine understands," without an answer being the most definitive response, Qí Lín raised her delicate hand and said in a nonchalant yet dignified tone, "There's nothing more for this concubine to say. Please Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly. The Young Master of Elmwood is innocent; if Your Majesty decides that this concubine is a witch based merely on the wolves' dependence on me or deems these creatures ominous, then will Your Majesty be willing to kill all life in this world This concubine begs Your Majesty not to harm the innocent and for this concubine to take full responsibility for all crimes."
"Innocent Full responsibility" Fèng Chángqīng suddenly found it laughable. He leaped before Qí Lín, grabbing her jaw so she had to look at him and whispered in her ear, "Do you know what awaits you It's not something that can be borne by one person."
Hearing Fèng Chángqīng say this, Qí Lín sneered and said in a voice only he could hear, "Since the Emperor has already dug a pit for this concubine, if I don't jump into it, wouldn't that be letting down Your Majesty's kindness However, this concubine doesn't need the Emperor to worry about her; this concubine won’t feel lonely on her own. There’s no need to involve others—unless... your Majesty still values our friendship from back then."
"Well done, very well indeed."
Fèng Chángqīng used a firm grip and sent Qí Lín sprawling onto the ground. He looked down at her from his imposing height and said in an extremely cold and serious tone, "I will make your decision for you right now."轉碼失敗！請您使用右上換源切換源站閱讀或者直接前往源網站進行閱讀！