nd... Qi Lin glanced at Mu Qingfeng; indeed, his gaze was fixed on Peony. Has he been completely captivated by her"Although maple leaves are beautiful, they need a beauty to match them." Mu Qingfeng w...Chapter 52: Finally Drawing Swords 17K Original Release

When Qi Lin woke up again, she felt utterly exhausted and her stomach protested loudly. Initially, she intended to get something to eat, but as soon as she got out of bed, she saw Qin Xiao standing solemnly by the bedside, which frightened Qi Lin so much that she immediately curled back into her blanket.

"You... What are you doing here" Qi Lin glared at Qin Xiao while wrapping herself tightly in the blankets. However, due to the humid weather, she soon began sweating profusely.

Qin Xiao gave Qi Lin a frosty glance and coldly said, "I'm here by His Majesty's order, to protect Your Highness."

"Then you don't need to stand right beside my bed!" Qi Lin practically shouted. She had thought Feng Changqing’s words wouldn’t come true; yet they did. Still, she asked after a moment of consideration, "When did you come How long have you been standing here"

"The emperor ordered me to stay close by and protect you without any break," Qin Xiao glanced impatiently at Qi Lin before continuing, "I've been here for three days, standing guard for three days."

Qi Lin was stunned. Three days Did that mean she had slept for three more days She clearly remembered drinking with Feng Changqing and then... Could the alcohol have contained poison

In this thought, her vision suddenly darkened as Qin Xiao’s large figure blocked her line of sight again. Qi Lin swallowed hard, warily watching Qin Xiao.

"I've prepared your meal. Please take a seat to eat," Qin Xiao said and then turned to leave the room.

Qi Lin was momentarily stunned before she let out a sigh of relief. She pushed aside her blankets and waved away the heat, jumped off the bed, put on the clothes that had been laid out for her, and only then noticed how comfortable Phoenix Kingdom’s summer attire was.

The set Qi Lin wore today was mainly orange with an exposed chest and a separate skirt, cinched at the waist by a purple sash forming a bow in front. The hem of the skirt was embroidered with a colorful floral pattern, vividly lifelike, and she had draped over it a semi-transparent orange silk robe. Her hair was decorated as always with that unique white jade hairpin.

After finishing all the food on her table and eating two huge honey peaches, Qi Lin finally belched contentedly and narrowed her eyes as she asked, "Where's... I mean, where is His Majesty Why isn't he here"

The moment these words left her mouth, Qin Xiao’s entire face turned cold. Although he had always looked stern before, now there was a hint of menace that even made the humid air feel somewhat cooler.

Ignore it; why get so angry Qi Lin thought to herself as she got up and went out the door into the bright sun. She felt her skin burn from its intensity but only then noticed how well-tended the camellia bushes in the courtyard were, blooming brightly before her eyes. Qi Lin recalled the camellias of Bamboo Idle Residence, wishing she could see them again; however, now there was no longer that sense of longing.

These flowers seemed to hurt her eyes.

"Move aside and let this Palace lady pass."

A commotion suddenly broke out outside the palace gates. Qi Lin frowned slightly but before she could say anything, Qin Xiao had already moved to deal with it. Qi Lin pondered that the sound just now must have been Bu Yao who had come upon hearing of her awakening and telling her what happened while she was asleep might infuriate Bu Yao even more.

However, as soon as this thought crossed her mind, Qin Xiao hurried in looking anxious, followed closely by Bu Yao. Qi Lin frowned slightly; someone must have happened for Qin Xiao to allow entry under such circumstances

The scene that had been replaying countless times in her mind became vividly clear.

"You're awake," Bu Yao lifted her chin and said, "Hmph, I didn't expect you'd wake up so soon."

Qi Lin smiled lightly as she fanned herself and replied, "But it looks like you hoped for me to recover quickly.

"Yes, I wish you would wake up in my dreams."

Qi Lin was momentarily taken aback by Bu Yao's affirmation and asked softly, "What is it"

Huh She didn’t expect Qi Lin to be so gentle with her. Bu Yao fell silent, only looking at Qi Lin.

"General Qin, I’m a bit thirsty. Could you fetch me some plum soup" Qi Lin concocted an excuse to send Qin Xiao away. However, Qin Xiao looked at her questioningly. Qi Lin asked again, "What’s wrong"

"What is plum soup" Qin Xiao pondered and asked不解地問道“Emperor ordered me to protect you, not do these things.”

Huh "Did the Emperor tell you that if I don’t drink some plum soup, I will die with regrets" Qi Lin blinked seriously, ignoring Qin Xiao's angry expression. She continued, "Plum soup is made from plum juice and a bit of ice cubes. Do you understand now"

What an unromantic man. Nevertheless, despite his reluctance, Qin Xiao left.

"Talk." After Qin Xiao left, Qi Lin shifted her position to let Bu Yao sit down. She then asked after some thought, "Has Bai Qianye appeared"

Bu Yao was slightly taken aback and asked in confusion, "How do you know"

"Next time, don’t treat people like tree holes or I wouldn't have known." Qi Lin smiled and continued, "What’s the current situation"

"Zi Yin has entered the palace."

Qi Lin frowned. It seemed the overall situation had already been decided. She then fell silent, having made up her mind not to interfere with their affairs. Let them fight it out.

"I believe Bai Qianye has met Feng Changqing by now." Bu Yao sneered coldly. "They say Phoenix Hall is filled with explosives."

Qi Lin's hand tightened and then relaxed. She smiled and asked, "Why tell me this"

"This is what Bai Qianye told me to give you."

Qi Lin looked at the sachet in Bu Yao’s hand but did not take it. Smiling, she said, "Give it back. I don’t need it. Aren't you fond of him Why are you still doing these things"

"Do you think I want to" Bu Yao glared at Qi Lin and forcefully pushed the sachet into her hands. She then said, "I can’t refuse his words, but this is the last time. Qi Lin, I don’t understand why you’re always better than me. But after today, it won't be you who becomes his empress; it will be Bu Yao."

"Bang!"

Both Qi Lin and Bu Yao were taken aback, looking at the door where Qin Xiao stood woodenly. The bowl on the floor was shattered, its contents spilling out, ice cubes making a sizzling sound.

"Clang!"

The sword flashed as Qin Xiao’s longsword came to Bu Yao's neck, and a string of blood beads slid down the blade slowly, falling to the ground before reaching the hilt where they quickly evaporated under the sunlight.

"Splat, splat"

Blood dripped onto the ground as if out of control. The sword was pulled out, and Feng Changqing backed away to one side. Just after he steadied himself, another wound appeared at the same spot on his left side, staining his clothes with fresh blood.

bai Qianye casually tapped two spots on his body, stopping the bleeding from his arm. He did not even furrow his brow over such injuries and smiled, saying, "After eight years, your sword skills are still as excellent."

"Brother has improved," Feng Changqing said with a cold smile. "But Brother has mistaken something; we have already met before."

Bai Qianye shrugged offhandedly and the two shared an unspoken understanding.

From that time when assassins appeared in the palace, Feng Changqing had vaguely known Bai Qianye was around.

"After eight years of separation, it's good to see you well," Feng Changqing said. "Still as fond of your tricks."

"You flatter me," Bai Qianye smiled lightly and said, "Compared with you, I find you still rather immature."

Feng Changqing was not bothered by Bai Qianye's words; he had often been told this before.

"You've become better at keeping your composure," Feng Changqing rebutted without backing down. He then laughed, finding it amusing that their arguments were still like when they were children.

Indeed, since childhood, they had always acted friendly on the surface but fought fiercely behind closed doors.

This was something only the two of them knew about.

"I didn't expect it to happen so soon."

"This day should have come eight years ago," Bai Qianye said dismissively. "Today, things will finally be settled."

"It's time. I just want to ask you a question."

"Did you ever love him" Feng Changqing asked seriously.

The moment those words were out, an uncomfortable silence fell between them and neither wanted to break it.

"No," Qi Lin looked sincerely at Qin Xiao and said without hesitation. "I never liked Feng Changqing, but I never meant to hurt him either. Even though... in the end, it seems like I did."

Qin Xiao's hand tightened then relaxed as he pulled out a golden token from his chest and tossed it at Qi Lin. "Without this, you wouldn't have made it to Fenghuang Hall," he said. "Go."

Huh... Qi Lin was taken aback for a moment, looked at the token, clutched it in her hand, and said, "Thank you."

"Hey, are you done with your last words" Kung Qing was impatient now and shouted while swinging his spear. "If you're done talking, get over here and fight me three hundred rounds."

Qin Xiao drew out his long sword and said, "Hurry up."

Qi Lin nodded her head and turned to leave.

After Qi Lin left, Qin Xiao's lips finally curled into a slight smile. Perhaps he started to understand why Feng Changqing loved Qi Lin so much. But there was no time to think about this now.

"Looks like you're finally ready to face me seriously." Kong Qing had already thrust his spear towards Qin Xiao while talking.

Qin Xiao calmly dodged the attacks, knowing that today's battle would be a tough one.

Qi Lin rushed straight toward Phoenix Hall as soon as she left. Unfortunately, her strength was much weaker than before since she woke up; after running just a few steps, she found herself out of breath. Although she knew it wasn't the time to rest, Qi Lin still leaned against a pillar, gasping for air and feeling dizzy, unable to take another step.

Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine from behind. Qi Lin instinctively dodged sideways but unexpectedly found herself falling as her footing failed.

"Die!"

Before she could react, Xiaoran's shrill voice rang in her ears, and Qi Lin's consciousness cleared up significantly. However, when she reacted, a cold light rushed towards her.

"Clang."

The pain that was expected didn't come; instead, there was the sound of someone falling to the ground.

"It’s you!"

Qi Lin slowly opened her eyes. Xiaoran, who had just tried to kill her, now lay on the ground pitifully. Standing in front of Qi Lin was Zi Yin.

"Hmph, do you also want to protect this little wench" Xiaoran sneered and asked, "What's so good about her that all of you are protecting her!"

"Hmph, I’m just here to watch the show," Zi Yin smiled slightly and turned to look coldly at Xiaoran, saying, "Anyone who interrupts my show will die."

Xiaoran was stunned. This felt a lot like Feng Changqing; he opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.

Qi Lin struggled to stand up. Pain shot through her palm as the wound on it had worsened after the impact, with blood dripping profusely, looking extremely terrifying.

This injury happened when she impulsively grabbed Qin Xiao's sword just now when he rushed over to kill Bu Yao.

"The person you're searching for is right ahead," Zi Yin said indifferently. "You might still see him alive."

Qi Lin was taken aback, looking at the disheveled Xiaoran who had his dagger knocked away and was now trembling in fear.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！