inked her eyes, looking at the fully covered Little White and the wild boar in its mouth. She found herself both amused and exasperated."Great hero, spare our lives!" Seeing Qin Xiao's fierce expressi...Chapter Thirty-Seven The Position of Empress Goes to the Early Bird

After saying that, the man turned and left silently. In a few leaps, he arrived at the very top of Baihua Pavilion, where someone was kneeling.

The person shivered slightly in the wind, their lips tightly sealed, fear evident in their eyes.

The man walked up to them; his wide sleeves fluttered wildly, and his dark blue hair left his shoulders. The coldness in his gaze cut through the darkness straight at the person opposite him. He said coldly, "Qi Lin belongs to me. You dare not touch her."

That person was slightly taken aback but didn't dare act rashly. They pressed their lips together and slowly responded with a 'yes.'

However, the man didn’t just scold verbally; he took out a pill from his sleeve and quickly threw it into the person's mouth, which dissolved instantly.

"Don't be overly clever," he said before turning to leave.

The figure collapsed onto the ground無力地倒在了地上，險些跌落下去，腹部猶如火燒般疼痛。她不過一時心軟，將齊琳丟在鳳長卿的必經之路上，原本打算借鳳長卿的手除去齊琳，卻冇想到鳳長卿非但冇有這麼做，反而對齊琳更感興趣，並讓公子對她出手，真是該死。

In the dark, the figure curled up in agony, sweat trickling down her face as she shivered in the wind.

The next morning, Qi Lin was dragged out of bed early by Green Bamboo and a group of maids. She bathed, changed clothes, and spent two hours grooming herself.

She had shed her usual plain white dress for an elegant light yellow wide-sleeved waistcoat with a delicate green sheer over it, her hair falling to her waist. Thanks to Green Bamboo's skillful styling with just a few yellow ribbons, Qi Lin looked very much like the character Linghu Chong from the novel "The Smiling Proud Wanderer," except for a small braid across her forehead.

No matter how one looked at it, she was a beauty.

Just as she finished getting ready, an acute eunuch voice came from outside the door:

"Imperial edict arrived."

So this was why. Leading everyone to kneel in formation in the hall, Qi Lin was dizzy with the ornate language of the decree which simply meant they were summoned to Baihua Pavilion but had her kneeling until her legs went numb and felt as if tiny insects were biting them.

After paying off the eunuch, she casually tossed the imperial edict onto the bed and led everyone to Baihua Pavilion.

The sky was clear today, promising a good day. But when they arrived at Baihua Pavilion, others had already gathered except for Peony.

Step Yao was seen first. Although she wasn't from an official's family, her red attire made her stand out. The rest were dressed in luxurious costumes and adorned with gold hairpins—clearly a gathering of noblewomen.

In contrast, Qi Lin looked rather plain.

"How could you dress like this Haven't you ever been to an upper-class party" Step Yao sneered but had to admit that the simple attire made Qi Lin appear even more delicate and showcased her strengths without reservation. She didn’t have any decorations like Step Yao, yet looked spirited.

Amidst a crowd of sumptuous costumes, Qi Lin was quite noticeable.

"If everyone wants to vie for beauty, I don't mind. This suits me just fine." Shifting her body casually, the long skirt swayed slightly, stirring leaves on the ground. She looked at Clever beside Step Yao who had dressed up nicely in green attire too. Smiling gently she said, "Wishing you good luck."

Before leaving, she heard Step Yao say, “I will definitely make you kneel before me.”

"We'll see," Qi Lin replied with a slight smile, unshaken. She continued, "Nor will I hold back."

Just as Step Yao was about to retort, the announcement of the Emperor's arrival interrupted her.

The crowd bent down and knelt, saying, "We pay our respects to His Majesty Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, may you reign for ten thousand years"

Feng Changqing's gaze swept quickly over everyone. The first thing he noticed was Bu Yao in her fiery red attire, followed by Qi Lin's elegant simplicity. Indeed, these were two extraordinary women.

"Rise," the voice wasn't loud but carried the dignity unique to an emperor.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Truly a beauty." Without any hesitation, he praised them openly and could see the blush on some of the women's faces. Yet there were exceptions; Bu Yao’s arrogant demeanor and Qi Lin’s calm expression didn't change. Feng Changqing smiled slightly as he continued, "Then let's begin."

Caught off guard by his words, everyone was a bit surprised, but only Qi Lin remained composed. Until the door behind them creaked open, a strong wind blew in from inside, lifting their skirts and causing everyone to shiver.

"Ladies, please." The eunuch gestured for them to proceed, continuing, "His Majesty has an announcement; he requests that all ladies ascend to the rooftop."

The rooftop This was even more perplexing. Although surprised, they maintained their composure and listened obediently.

Upon reaching the highest point, the wind grew stronger, almost as if it wanted to blow them down. From here, one could see the entirety of Fenghuang Kingdom below.

Qi Lin quietly gazed in the direction of Baihu Mountain. The last time she came was at night when there wasn't much to see; today, seeing Baihu Mountain made her miss it dearly.

I wonder how Xiao Bai and the others are faring

"Creak."

The side door behind them closed one by one. It seemed that downstairs was the same, leaving only the entrance they came through open.

Why is this so Why does it feel like a scene of combat

"The Emperor's command," announced a eunuch in rose-colored robes standing at the door, "Since my ascension to the throne, there have been countless beauties in the harem but no empress. Therefore, I hereby promise that whoever reaches me first among these ladies will become my empress."

"Empress" Everyone was startled; clearly, they hadn't expected this.

Qi Lin also didn’t anticipate it; it looked like a contest for the position of Empress.

No wait… looking at the women eager to move, this is indeed a fight for the title of empress.

Awaited till the eunuch departed, everyone exchanged glances. Xiao Ran was the first to dash out, followed by others who ran to the door and began struggling in an unladylike manner; seizing any opportunity to escape. In an instant, only Qi Lin and Bu Yao remained.

"What You're not going" Seeing Qi Lin's calm demeanor, Bu Yao smirked coldly, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance."

"You didn't go either."

"Hmph. A bunch of madwomen who will only end up as such. Madwomen cannot achieve anything." Disdainfully, Bu Yao looked outside and heard the chaotic footsteps growing distant before walking out slowly and calmly saying, "I am destined to become empress."

Seeing Bu Yao's confident demeanor, Qi Lin gave a slight smile and said, "Good luck to you then."

Bu Yao snorted coldly and ignored Qi Lin as she walked towards the door alone.

Finally left to herself, Qi Lin moved to the edge. Looking down at the crowd below, Feng Changqing in his black robe was the most noticeable figure; he stood perfectly against the wind.

Cute lady...no matter how you look at it, she's a cute lady.

Zi Lin raised her gaze to the azure sky and then looked towards the tranquil White Tiger Mountain in the distance. He must be here somewhere, right He always comes and goes like a ghost, but I can feel his eyes on me all along...

"Your Majesty..."

Feng Changqing turned his head slightly to see that Long Ye's cheeks were faintly red, and there was a hint of bashfulness in his eyes. This kind of Long Ye is indeed rare to see.

"Why Do you also want to be the empress" Feng Changqing couldn't resist teasing him and said with a slight smile, "If you ask me, I might agree just not to disappoint my brother's good intentions."

Zi Yin beside them couldn't help but laugh too. "Long Ye, quickly thank the emperor."

"Eldest Brother, why are you saying that to me" Long Ye was embarrassed and lowered his head; soon, both of his cheeks turned red. He bent down intending to kneel but was stopped by Feng Changqing first.

"I understand what you want to say; I agree," he said with a straightforward laugh. Rarely did he see Long Ye's face flushed like that. Feng Changqing originally wanted to continue teasing him, but if he did, Long Ye might turn as red as beetroot.

Amidst their conversation, he suddenly glanced up at the rooftop and saw a figure in pale yellow shrinking down; only her flowing clothes could be seen standing at the very edge where the wind was strong. If she wasn't careful, she would fall down.

Hair flew about wildly in the wind, which she brushed behind her ear. Zi Lin opened her arms wide and took a deep breath before finally taking a step forward and closing her eyes.

She remembered what her teacher once said: dancers must have no distractions in their minds.

What else could there be for her to think about now

This was the only way she had survived.

So, she had to dance.

"Sir..." Mai Dong looked up at Zi Lin with surprise; he wasn't worrying that she would fall anymore but rather amazed by her dancing skills. "Snowflake..."

The last time she danced on flat ground, even twenty consecutive spins were a wonder for anyone to achieve, let alone the situation now where it was as if she were dancing in mid-air.

Yu Mu still smiled faintly; though he couldn't see her, he raised his head towards Zi Lin's direction.

The gossamer gown fluttered in the wind, with strong winds making her look like she was stepping on the wind while dancing.

Zi Lin started spinning in place using her left foot as a pivot point and opened her arms wide, resembling a butterfly flapping its wings.

Through the thin gown, Zi Lin could see people below staring at her with surprise; good...

Feng Changqing stared fixedly at Zi Lin. Such a method was his first time seeing it, but by sound alone, he knew others were fast approaching. No matter how beautiful the dance was, if she couldn't be the first to reach him, it would all have been in vain.

But Feng Changqing was shocked at this thought of his own...

He actually cared about Zi Lin's position as being first; not her life but whether she could take the lead.

Quickly hiding away this worry, he saw Zi Lin's graceful body lean outward and then fall straight down.

"Good heavens!"

No one knew who shouted out in alarm, causing everyone else to hold their breaths with anxiety.

"Rustle rustle"

The wind quickly whistled past her ears. Qi Lin still had her arms spread wide, facing the sky, like a fallen butterfly saying goodbye to flowers.

Qi Lin smiled in relief.

If this went on, she would die, right

If no one caught her...

But not jumping would lead to death, and jumping also leads to death. Since it was inevitable, might as well die with a bit of decisiveness.

Suddenly feeling tight around the waist, her body quickly spun round. Frightened, Qi Lin hurriedly closed her eyes and tightly hooked onto this person’s neck.

Feng Changqing held Qi Lin in several flips before slowly landing on the ground. However, the person who had jumped with unwavering resolve was now clinging to his neck with her eyes shut tight, her face deathly pale.

"If you are afraid, why do this"

Qi Lin heard Feng Changqing’s calm voice and knew she was saved. She slowly opened her eyes; just as she raised them, they met his deep dark pupils. His breath brushed against her forehead in rhythmic intervals, tickling.

Qi Lin steadied herself before smiling gently, "I am afraid because I might die. But I jumped knowing you would save me."

Feng Changqing was slightly taken aback. Before he could say anything, the gate of the Baihuage Tower opened and a strong wind blew outwards, lifting their long sleeves.

"Why did you trust this emperor" After saying that, Feng Changqing was momentarily stunned; Qi Lin’s words stirred ripples in his centuries-old heart that surfaced within his eyes.

Qi Lin smiled faintly and tried to get close to Feng Changqing's ear to whisper softly, "I trust the White Phoenix."

With those words, her head fell heavily on Feng Changqing’s neck as her hand dropped limply.

Even for a moment, Zi Yin found a hint of tenderness in Feng Changqing’s eyes that he had never shown before. Satisfied, she raised the corners of her mouth and stepped forward, "Your Majesty, this woman is extremely daring. Shall I..."

"Brother Emperor should focus on the next candidate," said someone without looking up.

Zi Yin was taken aback; turning around to look at the women still in shock. Most of them had disheveled hair, red cheeks and were breathing heavily. But towards the back, Bu Yao held a scroll painting calmly.

"The outcome is clear today, I am tired," Feng Changqing said as he prepared to leave without putting Qi Lin down.

“Your Majesty,” Bu Yao quickly walked through the crowd and bowed before him in his cold gaze. "Your Majesty, the person who reached first today was me."

Not only Feng Changqing but even Long Ye and Zi Yin were confused.

Bu Yao calmly took out the scroll painting and unrolled it; it was a lifelike portrait of Feng Changqing’s handsome face.

"So that's how," replied Feng Changqing indifferently, then glanced at Long Ye before leaving.

Long Ye gently helped Bu Yao up. He looked at the scroll painting in her hand with a slightly darkened gaze.

“The Emperor has an edict,” without waiting for everyone to start speculating, Zi Yin sternly announced: “Red Snow is incredibly intelligent and skillful, while Bu Yao is exceptionally clever and beautiful; they are hereby betrothed as the primary consorts of the Xianyao Prince. The rest of the jade beauties will be bestowed titles on a later date.”b him. Qi Lin merely lowered her head, trying not to let others see her face."Well done." Suddenly, Mu Qingfeng clapped his hands in approval, walking over to牡丹as if he had encountered a kindred spiri...