mplements a beauty.'" Is that how it goes Qi Lin blinked nonchalantly before continuing: "On my way here today, I was inadvertently captivated by these flowers' beauty. Only Miss Mudan can match them...Chapter 43 Actually, They Don’t Love Each Other

Almost all of Qi Lin's time after that was spent indoors, either rolling around in bed or feigning the use of a brush to write characters which were barely presentable.

However,

Since witnessing that scene,

she suddenly felt an urge to paint it down.

Hence, she faced the final festival.

The weather turned chilly all of a sudden. Although wearing thin gauze was cold, almost everyone present wore similar attire, perhaps because they hadn’t anticipated the drop in temperature. Qi Lin could feel people shivering beside her despite their outward composure.

Feng Changqing, clad in red and black dragon robes, sat atop the highest seat with a cold gaze fixed on the crowd below. His eyes occasionally swept over to the side where concubines were seated; women who met his stare would blush and lower their heads, but Qi Lin’s gaze remained fixed on the altar.

"Your Majesty, the jade maid residing in the Hall of One Hundred Flowers is waiting outside. Shall I give her an order" Zi Yin knelt respectfully before him, bowing his head as he spoke.

Feng Changqing waved dismissively and said, "Begin."

With this command, Zi Yin stood up and nodded at the priest on the altar who then began praying to heaven.

The crowd parted to make way; just like that day, Qi Lin turned her head as a sedan chair was carried in. Though she could not see the face of whoever was inside, judging by their figure, they seemed no older than sixteen years old.

Time seemed to revert back to that day when Yu Mei was carried up and led towards her grave by Feng Changqing.

The cruel blood sacrifice, the anguish of being abandoned by a lover, and the dancing figure in the plum garden under heavy snow.

"Yun Fei, I am Yu Mei. I love you; I love Yun Fei."

Those words echoed incessantly within her mind. Qi Lin slowly closed her eyes, wondering if this jade maiden would be fortunate enough to receive the divine blessing of love and have a deep relationship, but she didn’t wish for such a fate.

Falling in love with someone alters one’s self.

Being blessed by Cupid is not necessarily good. What awaits her at the end would be death from blood loss; it was better not to fall in love at all, leaving everything behind cleanly without pain or regret.

Qi Lin lifted her gaze towards Long Ye who was looking tenderly at Bu Yao beside him, his pride evident; yet Bu Yao’s eyes were fixed on a certain spot. Turning her head, Qi Lin saw Yu Mu sitting there in immaculate white attire, as gentle and kind as ever.

Smiling softly, if Yu Mei had tragically died due to falling for Long Ye by mistake, would it not be fitting punishment for him to fall in love with Bu Yao

Gazing at the woman on the altar, broad white sleeves hid tender hands. A sharp blade mercilessly carved a red gash across her palm; blood trickled down her arm like spider legs, collected by the priest in a bottle, then marked with a crimson dot.

Qi Lin understood what this meant: jade maidens mustn’t be touched by ordinary people yet reside among the pleasures of the world.

Foolishness.

Qi Lin curled her lips, coldly observing everything around her. If this were truly so sacred, why bring such decadent風氣 into it

Using the name of Empress Ji to conduct a holy yet cruel ritual here is truly ironic.

Suddenly, Qi Lin’s eyes widened as an incredible thought immediately appeared in her mind.

Empress Ji was born here. So Establishing a Baihua Pavilion here, ostensibly to honor her, but from another perspective, it seems more like mocking her.

The strings of the zither sound broken,

Jade and pearls fill the boxes.

Playing the melody Qingping Tune,

I can't recall the merchants or craftsmen.

Dancing a song of Rainbow Robes,

I forget about the long sleeves.

Tangled heartstrings, dreams start with sorrow.

In front of the mirror, flowers are yellow, and the orchid sound is weary.

Searching through alleys of poetry books,

Cannot untangle the melancholy.

Tangled emotions exhausted,

New makeup destroyed by tears.

Morning brings heavenly light, mandarin ducks and butterflies perish.

New makeup destroyed by tears. Morning brings heavenly light, mandarin ducks and butterflies perish. If they were so in love, why cry Mandarin ducks and butterflies perish Does this mean Empress Ji didn't actually love the emperor but was forcibly married

Qi Lin was startled by her own thought, her forehead covered with fine sweat. She wiped it off inconspicuously, trying hard to recall what Yu Mu had said about Empress Ji.

And Empress Ji's poem too; Qi Lin couldn't hear any love in it either.

But perhaps it was because Empress Ji was frail and the emperor heartbroken that Wait a moment, it seems Qi Lin realized something. She raised her eyes sharply, looking at Baihua Pavilion and then at the jade maid kneeling on the sacrificial altar.

She could only say, what a ruthless emperor, how pitiful Empress Ji is.

The ceremony finally approached its end, but they were called up under the High Priestess' orders.

First, Xiao Ran stretched out her fair hand and used a white jade blade to cut her finger, with blood immediately flowing down into the white jade jar. Then everyone followed suit.

Finally, when it was Qi Lin's turn, as the white jade blade pierced her finger, the sharp pain felt like she had been forced to give blood before—no, back then there was at least some alcohol for disinfection, but now, with the cold feeling and cold blood, she didn't even feel anything.

Glancing down at the people below, they all thought this was a given, without any sense of pain or heartache.

Huh The Hundred Flowers Pavilion A place to mourn Empress Ji, singing praises of their love

But can a love washed in blood give peace to those who have passed away

She could almost see Empress Ji's bleeding heart and the eyes soaked with tears.

And she saw that man's cold gaze, slicing into her heart with each cut of his blade.

Hasn't anyone noticed this

While lost in thought, someone suddenly snatched her hand. The icy grip was immediately enveloped in warmth. She looked up just as Feng Changqing’s deep eyes met hers; at that moment, his usually dead-looking eyes were shimmering with a tenderness she had never seen before.

Gently.

Feng Changqing raised Qi Lin's hand and examined it carefully, placing it by his lips. He gently sucked the blood flowing out of her wound.

Everyone, including Qi Lin herself, was shocked by this action. Qi Lin was taken aback for a moment, unable to say anything. She glanced around quietly, knowing that someone was watching her from somewhere.

No idea what his expression might be like.

"So this is your taste," Feng Changqing said with a smile as he released Qi Lin's hand and casually licked the blood off his lips; he laughed in a very sinister way.

Qi Lin felt her face grow hot, and without any show of emotion she withdrew her hand. Bowing slightly, she said, "The concubine thanks the Emperor for his kindness."

This kind of care might only make things harder for her in the future.

She thought such gratitude would prompt Feng Changqing to leave, but instead she felt herself being lifted up by Feng Changqing.

"Emperor," the words didn't come from Qi Lin's mouth but from High Priestess during the Ceremony.

Qi Lin closed her mouth, praying that the masked high priest would say something to make him put her down—this was really going to kill someone.

"Your Majesty, please don’t," said the high priest quickly as he knelt down and lowered his head close to the ground. "This is a sacred ceremony; even if Your Majesty feels affection for your concubine, we must wait until after the ritual ends. I implore you."

The words made it sound like Feng Changqing was eager to do something with her immediately, making Qi Lin's face burn hot as if on fire. She lightly pushed at Feng Changqing’s chest and quietly called out "Your Majesty," but received no response.

"Hmph." Feng Changqing only gave a cold snort and sternly said, "What do I wish to do Do you think the Great Priest needs to restrict me Then who would be fit to rule this phoenix realm"

His voice was not loud but carried an aura of authority that made Qi Lin shiver with fear.

also made everyone present kneel in fear, shouting "Your Majesty, please calm down."

Feng Changqing snorted coldly and carried Qi Lin away.

"We恭送皇上。"

The thunderous voice came from behind Feng Changqing, but he paid no heed to it.

Amidst this scene, Zi Yin smiled slightly as he watched their backs disappear. He then rose and gave instructions for the subsequent matters, casting a glance at where the elm tree had stood only to find it empty of people.

The situation was becoming increasingly intriguing.

Cradled by Feng Changqing into an obscure little courtyard, Qi Lin instantly recognized the place from its familiar scent of wine.

Setting Qi Lin down gently, Feng Changqing picked up a jar of wine with ease, lifting off the lid and gulping down a large mouthful that soaked his collar. He then handed the jar to Qi Lin, saying in a soft voice, "I remember you said when you're unhappy, you drink alcohol to drown your sorrows."

Qi Lin was momentarily stunned before taking Feng Changqing's jar of wine but not drinking from it.

"Why Don't like it" Feng Changqing picked up another jar on the ground and drank alone. After throwing the empty jar far away and hearing its shattering sound, he said, "I can see that you're unhappy; if you are, drink with me."

Huh Qi Lin was bewildered. Had he seen through his heart

"I'm not a fool. Your unhappiness is written all over your face." With this, Feng Changqing sat on the stone and drank from another jar without hesitation, throwing it away afterwards and continuing, "Is being my woman so unhappy Or do you still have someone in your heart"

Someone in her heart Qi Lin frowned slightly, recalling that time when she had said this to placate him.

Before Qi Lin could explain herself, Feng Changqing cut in again.

"Don't worry. Although there are many women around me, not just anyone will do, like you." He appraised Qi Lin from head to toe and finally fixed his gaze on her slightly protruding chest, shaking his head and asking, "Are you really a woman"

Qi Lin realized what he implied and crossed her arms, glaring at Feng Changqing angrily. "Your Majesty has thousands of beauties in your harem; naturally, you've seen everything. However... this woman is indeed female. It's true, truer than gold."

Feng Changqing paused to look at Qi Lin.

"Haha. Ahahaha..."

Qi Lin looked at Feng Changqing laughing uncontrollably and wondered if the cold Emperor from earlier had transformed into this person before her eyes

Why did he seem so different now

"Do you think Empress Ji and the late emperor were truly in love"

Feng Changqing's unexpected question made Qi Lin almost blurt out what she thought but, considering all the tales over the years, it was best not to disturb the past.

"Then, Your Majesty, what do you believe is true love" Handing this question back at Feng Changqing, Qi Lin sat quietly on the ground, fiddling with her wine jar and then continued, "Who are we to judge"re must be a reason." Li Ping seemed to have realized that Qi Lin wouldn’t punish them and continued, "Those who know will say you are wise, while those who don't would think you are…"“Reason” Qi Lin...