Feng Changqing would miss.But did he actually dare to use such a lame excuse Was it really possible that all he wanted was to wipe away the blemish by clearing White Tiger Mountain of its demons and...Chapter 5: Snowflakes Asking for Affection 3

It was snowing. Snowflakes fell onto her eyes, melting into water that flowed out from under her eyelids. Qi Lin didn't wipe them away and didn't want to lower her head either. (Find this site with Baidu search:)

The place was so cold; it was truly very cold, making Qi Lin tremble a little.

Suddenly she felt icy-cold in the palm of her hand, and Qi Lin originally thought that it would be Mu Qingfeng. She didn't want to refuse either then. So she just pretended to remain calm as she stared at the altar.

The woman remained motionless on the bed, with snowflakes settling upon her as if blooming white plum blossoms crying over a woman’s demise. Qi Lin quietly observed the woman who had also kept her eyes open; she wondered whether snow would fall into the woman's eyes and melt into tears.

The white plum blossoms nearby were half-bloomed in red. Suddenly, the High Priest appeared on the altar with a group of men wearing peculiar masks. The High Priest stood beside the Jade Maiden while others formed a circle holding ritualistic implements, beginning to dance.

Qi Lin closed her eyes and seemed to see a woman under similar snowy circumstances: her face blooming like peach blossoms, graceful in form, dancing amidst plum trees; a man with gentle brows played the zither as his fingers lightly touched it, producing melodious tunes. Both had mutual affection but were secretly betrothed, their happiness shattered by an imperial edict that tore them apart. Today, when plum flowers are blooming profusely and snow complements, she pours herself a cup of heart-wrenching wine to ask her beloved: "Are you waiting for me on the Bridge of Forgetfulness" Suddenly, there was a murmur beside her; Qi Lin opened her eyes as people pointed towards the altar where Feng Changqing stood holding a silver mask.

Feng Changqing’s lips curved into a faint smile as he looked at Long Ye who still wore a smile. He then slowly approached the woman, disregarding the High Priest's objections and whispered softly in her ear: "Even if you go to hell, you won’t see him because he is right here, sending you personally to hell with his own hands."

The lifeless eyes suddenly sparkled with a hint of light. The woman mechanically turned her head and, through the gaps between dancing men, spotted the figure in blue amidst the snow. However, she lacked even the strength to raise an arm or call out; the warmth in her eye sockets was now all that she could feel, and the pain in her chest was the only sensation left for her. The hollow in her wrist had been drained away, yet she didn't have enough energy left to make out who this person was.

Under the High Priest's frenzied gestures, Feng Changqing carried the barely alive woman over to him. Two veiled women lifted a red plum blossom that had fully bloomed and, following the High Priest’s instructions, placed it at the entrance of Baihua Pavilion.

All eyes were now on the door of Baihua Pavilion, but Qi Lin was fixated on the woman Feng Changqing held in his arms. Her head hung limply against his neck, her arm dangling lifelessly by her side.

Feng Changqing walked up to Long Ye and said, "The Jade Maiden's body is now entrusted to you."

Long Ye's smile did not fade; he raised his hand in a salute and said, "Your servant complies with the order."

He took the woman from Feng Changqing’s hands, turned around in the wind and snow, and walked slowly down the altar steps while blue and white garments fluttered in the breeze. Long Ye carried the woman as people cleared a path for him; his smile remained.

Qi Lin did not care what would happen on the altar next and turned to follow quietly from within the crowd.

She had thought that there would be coffins or similar items outside, but after following for so long, she saw nothing. Suddenly, a blue handkerchief fell out of the woman’s dangling sleeves. Qi Lin picked it up; it was made of fabric similar to what the man was wearing. Staring blankly at her find, she did not want to follow anymore.diot!"Without caring about his suffering, Qi Lin grabbed Lüzhu and quickly left.After Qī Lín left, Mài Dōng raised her eyes and curled the corners of her mouth up. Her eyes were full of smiles as she...