as smiling at him, with his lips gleaming brightly against the coldness of his face. The numbing pain thus dissipated, but it left Ziyin feeling nauseous; he glared fiercely at the man before quickly...Chapter 53 Women's Common Ailment - Exclusively First Published on 17K

A celebrity once said that under specific circumstances, the body reacts before the brain issues commands. Qi Lin initially didn't believe this until she found herself acting in a way she hadn't anticipated.

When she picked up the dagger from the floor and handed it to Xiao Ran, she wasn’t sure why she did so.

"Hmph, do you pity me" Xiao Ran glared at Qi Lin and held onto the knife tightly. She was hesitating whether or not to continue with her earlier action.

Qi Lin took Xiao Ran's hand and placed it on her chest, speaking solemnly, "If you believe that I caused your child’s death, killing me would avenge your child. But I, Qi Lin, have no regrets before heaven and earth. Even if I die, I will do so with my head held high. If I am lucky enough to meet your child in the future, I will tell him about his mother who loved him very much."

Upon hearing her mention of her child, Xiao Ran's heart clenched tightly and tears overflowed from her eyes, falling onto her arm as well as into her heart.

"But if your child knew that his mother was not happy, he would surely be sad and cry." Holding onto Xiao Ran’s hand firmly, she continued, "Would you like to see your child in such a state"

"No... no, don’t," Xiao Ran's body went limp as she collapsed into Qi Lin's embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.

Qi Lin gently patted her back and whispered soothingly, "Rest assured. With his loving mother by his side, he will surely be happy. In the next life, please don't be born into an imperial family."

Ziyin silently observed them both, pondering over Qi Lin's words: "In the next life, please don't be born into an imperial family."

Heh heh, is there really a next life

Seeing that Xiao Ran was gradually calming down, Qi Lin slowly released her and stood up, saying, "Your Excellency, after doing so much for you, it's time for you to do something too. This way we will be free from each other."

Ziyin was taken aback but then laughed, asking, "What does Your Excellency need me to do"

"Take care of Xiao Ran. She is a casualty in your political struggles." Qi Lin spoke with a calm tone, "I have done nothing."

"Take care I don’t take care of anyone," Ziyin immediately refused without hesitation, finding it somewhat amusing to say, "She just tried to kill you."

"Didn't you also want to kill me" Qi Lin raised her eyebrows and said indifferently, "It doesn't matter who kills me. Besides, my life is almost over anyway."

Although others did not mention it, she knew the signs all too well: no one would sleep for days on end or lose their sense of taste. Her strength was rapidly declining and she occasionally experienced sharp pains in her chest – these were clear symptoms of poisoning.

Every time she woke up, she could smell a faint medicinal scent in the room that even the overpowering floral fragrance couldn’t conceal. The food Qi Lin ate also carried this same scent. Since she had no sense of taste anymore, she pretended to know nothing about it.

From what was happening around her, she knew her time was running out.

"You seem quite composed." Zi Yin smiled faintly and said, "I don't have a penchant for killing."

Qi Lin gave a slight smile; this was probably the greatest concession from Zi Yin. She looked towards the Phoenix Hall and prepared to leave.

But sometimes life and death hinge on an instant. When she heard someone fall, it was too late for her to stop what had happened.

"Hehe... You... Do you think that if I'm like this... Will I meet my child" Xiao Ran tugged at the corners of his mouth weakly as he smiled and said, "Child..."

Qi Lin trembled slightly as she hugged Xiao Ran tightly. She tried to sound sure.

"Yes, you will see him."

"Then I... I..." With a peaceful gaze towards the sky, his hand dropped weakly and he fell silent.

Qi Lin bit her lips hard as she looked at the dagger in Xiao Ran's chest. She slowly lowered him down.

"Please."

Saying this, Qi Lin left without looking back. Zi Yin watched Qi Lin’s retreating figure with a frown that never eased.

Inside the Phoenix Hall, swordlights and daggers clashed; the air was heavy with killing intent. Even standing outside made Qi Lin shudder uncontrollably. She showed her gold medal and everyone cleared the way for her as she climbed up the stairs to the hall. The steps leading to the Phoenix Hall were nine hundred ninety-nine in total. With each step, Qi Lin sensed the oppressive atmosphere emanating from above. At the end of the staircase was the person she wanted to see.

Qi Lin had always thought that she was prepared for everything. But when her footsteps grew heavier and she could no longer lift them, she realized that she was trembling because she was afraid of facing what lay ahead.

The remaining few dozen steps, Qi Lin lacked the strength to stand up again and simply sat on the ground panting, sweat pouring down her face like pearls. Wiping away her perspiration from her forehead, she tried once more to support herself but fell back before she could steady herself, her vision blurring.

Noises of commotion reached her ears; feeling something soft behind her and moisture on her face, Qi Lin struggled to regain consciousness.

"Xiao Bai!" Qi Lin exclaimed in surprise. The Imperial Guards around her were all looking at her fearfully. She comforted Xiao Bai softly as she asked, "How did you get here"

Xiao Bai looked at the Phoenix Hall and then wagged his tail. Qi Lin remembered Bu R yan mentioning that Bai Qianye was like her, and the wolf pack on White Tiger Mountain obeyed him. Looking at Xiao Bai’s clear blue eyes shining with a regal aura,

Qi Lin said, "Xiao Bai, please take me there."

"Boom!"

The Phoenix Hall suddenly erupted in commotion, capturing everyone's attention.

Zi Lin peeked out from behind Xiao Bai. The Phoenix Shop was in a mess, and Zi Lin quickly sat on Xiao Bai's back, holding onto him tightly and saying, "Xiao Bai, please."

Xiao Bai nodded knowingly and took Zi Lin to the outside of the Phoenix Shop. Thick smoke kept coming out from the door. Zi Lin got off Xiao Bai’s back, pulled a handkerchief out to cover her nose and mouth, only to realize that she had taken White Qianye's handkerchief. She tried to put it back but couldn’t find anything suitable in place of it, so she could only make do with it as such. Zi Lin patted Xiao Bai’s head.

"Find a safe spot and hide." After saying that, Zi Lin crouched down and rushed inside.

Xiao Bai looked at Zi Lin's figure, wandered around for a bit, and could only turn away to leave.

“Bang”

Zi Lin single-handedly held her head and lay on the ground. After confirming that nothing else would fall down again, she got up slowly and cautiously advanced forward. The situation inside was worse than what she had imagined. Zi Lin could only take things one step at a time.

“Sizzle sizzle sizzle”

The fire grew bigger with the sound of crackling, and from time to time objects would fall down; it was impossible to proceed even for an inch.

What she feared had come true. Zi Lin heard the sound of a wooden board turning above her head and saw a large piece of wood falling down when she looked up. Zi Lin instinctively closed her eyes.

"Clang"

The two swords clashed, sparks flying out. Neither would yield, maintaining their standoff until flames from the side rushed in, forcing them to jump apart.

“Since that’s how it is, you could still calmly take advantage of her up to this point,” Feng Changqing sneered coldly; his eyes glinted frostily as he looked at White Qianye and said, “Just like when you took advantage of Lady Lan.”

White Qianye curled the corner of his mouth slightly and replied, "Yeah It looks like your Lady Lan didn’t treat you well enough; you’re not satisfied."

Feng Changqing frowned slightly as he lifted his sword to strike.

Lady Lan was once White Qianye’s most beloved woman. Everyone said that he had taken her away from Feng Changqing, but only he knew the truth: Lady Lan was a pawn planted by White Qianye next to him. In those days, Lady Lan was beautiful and although Feng Changqing admired her beauty, he never took an interest in her romantically. But one day when he returned to his quarters, lying on his bed was Lady Lan who had been poisoned.

“When you delivered her into my arms, I did jump at the surprise,” Feng Changqing dodged White Qianye’s sword and thrust it toward him as he continued, “But thanks to your actions, I made up my mind.”

"Resolutely decide to get everything." Feng Changqing leaped aside. Flames had already spread here; avoiding falling debris, he said, "Since she was a pawn, I’ll turn the tables on you. You didn’t expect that Mother would eventually take sides with me, did you"

White Qianye calmly looked at Feng Changqing and tore off a piece of cloth to bind his arm, temporarily stopping the bleeding.

"What are you muttering to yourself about

Feng Changqing was taken aback. "What does that mean"

"I'm saying that Imperial Consort Lan has always liked you," Bai Qianye said nonchalantly. "I don't use pieces that won't follow my orders. Since she chose you, I'll give her to you."

He chuckled sarcastically. "At a time like this, are you still saying this!" Feng Changqing roared at Bai Qianye and charged toward him with his sword raised. "Bai Qianye, isn't it too bad that you didn’t anticipate falling in love with Qi Lin, the very person you used Could this be your downfall"

"So, is this why you’ve never allowed yourself to fall for anyone else" Bai Qianye replied casually. "You also fell in love with Qi Lin, which is why things have reached this point. If you had killed her, you wouldn’t have faced this situation."

"Yes," he conceded.

Feng Changqing laughed heartily. Whether Imperial Consort Lan loved him or Qi Lin loved Bai Qianye, in the end, whoever was more deeply invested would lose.

This was what Qi Lin had said: In the realm of love, whoever takes things seriously first is bound to lose.

The number of collapsing objects continued to increase; smoke filled the air, making it hard for them to see clearly. Relying on their inner strength alone, they resisted the suffocating fumes, but as the battle raged on, their energy levels were depleted at various rates. Feng Changqing could no longer hold back the smoke.

Seeing that Feng Changqing was putting in his all to attack him, Bai Qianye also wanted to settle things here and now. He focused his strength onto his sword.

The flames danced around them but failed to disrupt their vision.

Suddenly, the two lunged at each other simultaneously; it was a decisive moment.

Bai Qianye's sword pointed straight for Feng Changqing’s chest, while Feng Changqing’s sword was aimed directly at Bai Qianye’s throat.

Their pupils dilated as blood flowed rapidly down the sword blades and dripped onto the ground with a soft plopping sound.

"Hmph, in the end, I still can’t bring myself to wager your life," Feng Changqing retracted his sword from Bai Qianye’s body after taking a step back. The blood spurted out as a result of this action.

Qi Lin tried weakly to smile but could barely see Feng Changqing, her vision blurring more and more. However, she felt the trembling in the sword that was now lodged within her chest.

She collapsed backward with no strength left in her body, finally landing in a warm embrace.

"Idiot, why did you come out" Bai Qianye held Qi Lin tightly; he found himself helpless against the sword piercing through her heart and could only hold her close.

Qi Lin tugged at her lips. "I… haven’t told you that women have a spirit of self-sacrifice" she asked as she felt life draining away with every drop of blood flowing out of her body. Gradually, the world faded to black; only when Bai Qianye injected his inner energy into her did she regain some strength and weakly said, "If you’re willing to risk your life for everything that belongs to you, then… have you ever thought about whether I’m prepared to sacrifice my own life for you"nd said with a mischievous tone.Bai Fenghuang! Isn't that the handsome man from Qin Shi Huangyue who never touches the ground when he walks, leaving feathers wherever he goes, and has a precious Broth...