ms, and passed it to Qi Lin, saying, "Extra items will only result in her dying horribly. You should also hurry back; otherwise, you’ll be the one to die horribly."Qi Lin accepted the White Plum. The...Chapter 50: Six Months of Sleep, Exclusive on 17K

The scorching summer had passed, yet the stifling heat continued unabated. The heavy humidity enveloped her like a giant steamer.

Qi Lin was awakened by this oppressive atmosphere, but when she realized how hot she was, she found herself unable to open her eyes. She tried to shout for help, but no sound came out. Her sweat had already soaked the sheets, and she barely had any strength left in her body.

A faint footstep echoed by her ear; Qi Lin wanted to seek help just as a blurry figure appeared before her struggling vision. Even though it was unclear, Qi Lin knew who it was.

"King ZiYin has returned."

The familiar voice rang in her ears, tinged with a hint of weariness. Qi Lin decided to listen to Bu Yao continue speaking.

"With his army at the city gates, the emperor is outnumbered and unable to resist; court officials are defecting en masse to King ZiYin's side. It's only a matter of time before the emperor abdicates."

What Qi Lin was astonished as she tried to make sense of Bu Yao’s words. She had merely fainted for a short while, and such significant events had transpired already King ZiYin returned and laid siege to the city—does this mean he's ready to seize the throne Or does it imply that Bai Qianye couldn’t wait any longer

Right, what about Bai Qianye’s whereabouts

Bu Yao sighed again before continuing, "Do you know how much has changed in the palace since your slumber First, the barbarians were repelled, which is usually a joyful event. However, the secret letter allowing their invasion was made public; didn’t you hear about it This time’s barbarian attack was sanctioned by the emperor to eliminate King ZiYin during his military mission."

So that's how it was, Feng Changqing truly outsmarted everyone.

"The truth behind the Ghost Shadow incident also came to light. It was all orchestrated by the emperor, who ordered barbarians into the city to sow discord and destabilize public sentiment. Do you know what his ultimate aim was Hehe, perhaps you're still in the dark," Bu Yao sneered as she looked at Qi Lin’s haggard yet tranquil face. "He wanted to force a person out of hiding—someone you know well; the former Second Prince, Bai Qianye."

Bai Qianye! Upon hearing this name, Qi Lin's fingers twitched, nearly causing her eyes to snap open.

"Right, if you were awake, I might have been asked why I know Bai Qianye. Let me tell you," Bu Yao held Qi Lin's hand and trimmed her nails gently, saying, "I got to know Bai Qianye shortly after regaining my memories. He was so gentle back then."

Qi Lin felt blank in the head; Bai Qianye visited her daily at that time, and she never doubted that he would be with Bu Yao.

"You probably haven’t heard this yet. Back then, I teamed up with Bai Qianye as per his instructions. Marrying Long Ye was also his idea," said Bu Yao, looking very resentful as she gripped Qi Lin's hand tightly and spoke angrily, "To smoothly enter the palace, I endured the humiliation of being seen with Mudan to eliminate her since they were still entangled."

"But I don’t accept it. Why can you enter the palace while I am only allowed to be a concubine"

Bu Yao became more agitated as she spoke, but then noticing Qi Lin was asleep, she calmed down slightly and gently caressed her thin cheek, easing her tone of voice and saying, "However, Bai Qianye often visited me to cheer me up by telling me your foolish antics in the palace. Initially, I thought he was merely highlighting how stupid you were to make me happy, but later on, I realized that his tone softened only when talking about you."

"Qi Lin, did you know I had wished for you to die during the political upheaval. I even believed that when the Emperor killed those around you, he would eliminate you too. But then I was stunned by how much he loved you, willing to risk everything to make you Empress," Bu Yao sneered and mocked herself, "If he made me or Xiao Ran empress instead, we wouldn’t be in this predicament."

Qi Lin found it increasingly confusing; Feng Changqing initially wanted to kill her to quench his hatred. Furthermore, how could there have been such significant political changes within a short period What did Zi Yin exposing all of Feng Changqing mean

What was there that she didn’t know about

"Many times, I wanted to expose you, but Bai Qianye stopped me," Bu Yao continued, "That time, I thought he really intended to kill you. Do you recall Xiao Ran's child Initially, Xiao Ran didn't even realize her pregnancy and would never have known it if not told. But who informed her Not me; of course, it was Bai Qianye."

Qi Lin listened calmly to Bu Yao’s words, somehow wanting to stop yet also being rational enough to listen through.

"That time, I thought he didn’t care about you and everything was just a facade. I even believed that he loved me instead! But..." Bu Yao suddenly became agitated, grabbing Qi Lin's clothes as her hot breath hit Qi Lin’s body while she gritted her teeth and said, "When Feng Changqing thrust his sword into your chest and you nearly died, the sight of him being helpless and anxious hurt my eyes. Qi Lin, in the end, you won."

"Because he loves you; at your words, he got furious wanting to show Xiao Ran that Feng Changqing isn’t as gentle as you say, thus impulsively telling her about the pregnancy. When he realized I had led you to the Imperial Garden and said those things to Feng Changqing, he rushed into the palace like a madman. Feng Changqing stayed awake for three days and nights by your side in the Imperial Palace while Bai Qianye fasted outside for three days and nights."

What was all this Qi Lin became even more puzzled; it felt as if Bu Yao was merely complaining, which wasn’t her usual style. Or could it be that she could only say these things to her out of frustration, but not a single word made sense except for the fact that Bu Yao liked Bai Qianye

If it's true, as Bu Yao said, then it's truly laughable. Up until now, Qi Lin still doubts how much she really understands Bai Qianye.

"Actually, I also thought about this: If you fall in love with Feng Changqing, that would be great too. That way, he wouldn't have the idea of having you anymore. After all, Feng Changqing is so kind and gentle to you; if it were me, I'd already be charmed by his kindness." Bu Yao released Qi Lin's collar, carefully tidying up her clothes before continuing, "I believe Bai Qianye thought the same as me, that you would fall in love with Feng Changqing."

"But what I didn't expect is that to eliminate your feelings for Feng Changqing, he was even willing to negotiate with the barbarians. He wanted them to lead vampire bats into Phoenix City and spread rumors about ghost sightings. Then, he sent his own assassins to impersonate the barbarians to kill you, so that you would mistakenly believe Feng Changqing killed you without hesitation after using you. See how much effort it took just for you to lose your feelings for Feng Changqing."

"That's why I hate you, Qi Lin. I thought destroying you in front of him would make him truly give up on you." Bu Yao spoke with some self-mockery at this point and coldly said, "So that night when I told Feng Changqing about your relationship with Bai Qianye and everything about you, including all your interactions with Bai Qianye, I also put a drug in his body. A drug to make him lose control."

Qi Lin had the urge to jump up and strangle Bu Yao, but what she said next was like being struck by lightning.

"That medicine was actually given to me by Bai Qianye. Do you know why He wanted you to hate Feng Changqing so much that you'd stab him in the heart a few times. Imagine how any man wouldn't be hurt when his beloved woman treats him like that, especially since you're the first woman Feng Changqing ever loved."

How could this be Qi Lin felt dizzy and almost lost consciousness as her head buzzed. She tightly grabbed onto the bedsheet before letting go.

What else did she not know Please tell me, just say it all out.

"And you wouldn't have thought that your sister Qiao'er was also Bai Qianye's person. They were all killers he trained specifically to make you determined to enter the palace. Oh right, even before entering Drunken Flower Building, you were already a pawn of Bai Qianye's. Though I don't know how you met him, but I can clearly tell you that White Tiger Mountain is where Bai Qianye resides, which means all those wolves are under his control."

"Oh yes, remember Mulberry Wood Actually... Mulberry Wood was just an act by Bai Qianye to make you give up completely. I could imagine the look on your face then. At that moment, half of your heart must have died."

Mulberry Wood She had asked him if he was Mulberry Wood, and he seriously said he wasn't.

Little White Ah Man and the others too

"Don't you know yet Bai Qianye can also command animals like you do. Hahaha..." Bu Yao sprawled on the bed, half her body pressing against Qi Lin as she said, "How much did he use you for But even more foolish is Feng Changqing."

"In order to protect you, he made you his empress, went against the officials, and confined you in a cold palace to prevent you from being used as a pawn. He bore all of it alone, even during your six months of unconsciousness. Although he didn't openly come here, I know that every night, he would come by himself until dawn. Qí Lín, if you knew this, who would you choose to love"

"Unfortunately, no matter whom you loved, you will be remembered as a sinner throughout history. You helped the person who plannedfully used you to harm the one who cared for and loved you so much. Though these two people both loved you, Qi Lín, what you owe Feng Changqing is something that can never be repaid, nor do you have the chance to repay it anymore. Just like..."

Shù Yáo lowered her eyelids and touched her chest where a caged phoenix was hidden.

"I also owe him."

Qí Lín felt light as a breeze brushed past her face, and the footsteps grew fainter.

Shù Yáo had left.

Qí Lín slowly opened her eyes; she was not used to the brightness and covered her eyes with her hand.

Surprisingly, she had been asleep for half a year since that time.

Haha, judging from Shù Yáo's tone, it seemed like she treated me as a confessional, spilling out all her troubles to me.

She supported herself and slowly got up; her entire body was weak and it took great effort for her to sit on the edge of the bed勉強坐在床邊。然而，一陣眩暈讓她險些摔倒，齊琳緊緊抓住床欄，環視了一下所謂的冷宮。

The furnishings were similar to those in Qìn Quán Xiáng, but now they seemed glaringly bright and hurt Qi Lín's heart.

She staggered to the window and quietly watched the empty courtyard. She stood there for a long time.rhaps you have something even more precious on you Let me take a look." With that, his large hand started rummaging over Qi Lin's body without hesitation.What! Shocked by this sudden turn of events, Q...