wd.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 Li...Chapter 20 Haha, Stabbed

"What! It's already afternoon"

The palace servants working stopped simultaneously and looked at the inner room. Then they acted as if nothing had happened and went back to their tasks.

Zi Lin was in a mess, completely disoriented; she actually slept until the afternoon and didn't even feel hungry.

After frantically pulling her hair a few times, she hastily washed her face, grabbed some food, and suddenly felt sleepy again. She slapped her face several times and said, "Lü Zhu, is there any news from Thousand Carp Pond"

"Governor Zhou visited twice. He said that the carpenter師傅is insufficient, and there are still a few places where things aren't working properly. He also brought some plans." Lü Zhu then took out the plans Governor Zhou had brought and handed them to Zi Lin: "They're all here."

After taking the plans, she found that the original design was slightly different from the terrain and needed modifications. But her body was already tired; her whole body weakened, almost falling to the ground.

Lü Zhu quickly caught Zi Lin and worriedly asked, "Young Master, do you want me to call a royal physician"

Zi Lin waved her hand, indicating that she didn't need one.

Actually, she understood; she was poisoned. It wasn't something that accumulated over just a couple of days but likely happened when she first entered the palace. Since there's no way to find out who did it, she can only wait and observe how things develop.

Surely someone will lose their cool at some point.

So she had Lü Zhu brew the strongest tea possible and also asked for some invigorating medicine from a royal physician. This was the first time she forced herself to drink bitter medicine, and she should be thankful that being poisoned has almost eliminated her sense of taste—though it does seem to work.

It just makes one sweat more.

"Ah."

"What's wrong"

While Zi Lin was revising the plans, Lü Zhu suddenly called out. This brought Zi Lin, who had been half-asleep, back to her senses.

"This… Young Master." Lü Zhu rubbed her head and picked up a paper ball from the floor, saying, "Young Master, I need to go outside."

Zi Lin shook her head, took the paper ball, and silently opened it—someone obviously couldn't hold back.

"After dinner, meet me in the imperial garden; we have something to discuss."

The handwriting was unfamiliar, but Zi Lin's first thought was that either Bai Qianye or Ziyin must be behind this. These are really careful people; if things go wrong, and the handwriting isn't theirs, she'll take all the blame.

"How can this be."

"Your Majesty, please calm down." All the officials trembled and knelt, not daring to utter a sound.

"Calm down" Feng Changqing sneered. "You turn into cowards at crucial moments. Don't tell me there isn't one general with some backbone in our Phoenix Kingdom A few barbarians scare you How can I calm down"

"Your Majesty, we still believe…"

"Say another word and your heads will be displayed on the city walls for everyone to see what cowards you are." With a wave of his hand, documents scattered across the table. Feng Changqing's eyes were still red with anger as he continued: "Hmph, I'll see if these barbarians can do anything to me."

After saying this, he left in a huff, leaving a group of officials kneeling on the palace grounds.

Stepping out of the imperial study, he looked at the gloomy sky and smiled slightly. How could he not know why no one was willing to suppress the barbarians when it came to such a large Phoenix Kingdom Wasn't it because they wanted to help Zi Yin regain command over the army

Suppressing capable generals is indeed quite an ingenious idea.

However, Feng Changqing wasn’t someone who could be taken lightly either.

"How’s everything going"

"Your Majesty, the secret letters have already been distributed. I believe that within ten days or so, we’ll see results," Qin Xiao walked forward and said. "Your Majesty’s move is brilliant; separating the military pendants from the secret letters and distributing multiple copies to confuse them. Those people probably never would’ve thought of such a plan."

Feng Changqing gave a cold humph and said, "We can’t let our guard down yet. The most important part hasn’t arrived just yet."

"Yes."

"I want to take a walk in the imperial garden; go patrol and strengthen security," he then disappeared after giving his orders.

Qin Xiao nodded, looked behind him, and gave a cold laugh. A group of mediocre talents indeed.

The night came quickly, and Qi Lin had already downed seven or eight bowls of medicinal tea for energy. When she patted her belly, the sound of water could be heard. She truly couldn’t eat anything more.

She looked at the pitch-black sky and gave a signal to Lüzhu with her eyes before stretching her arms out.

"Oh, Young Miss, I heard that there are several new flowers in the imperial garden that only bloom at night. Would you like me to take you to see them" Upon receiving the signal, Lüzhu obediently said, "Young Miss has been tired all afternoon; a walk would be very good for you."

Qi Lin smiled and nodded; she truly was an understanding servant girl.

After leaving the palace gates, Qi Lin ordered Lüzhu to guard them to prevent anyone from suddenly visiting.

Having made all her arrangements, Qi Lin quickly headed towards the imperial garden.

A dark figure arrived at her quarters right after she left and left upon seeing that she wasn’t there.

When Feng Changqing arrived at the imperial garden, he had his attendants step back to prevent anyone from approaching him.

Misty rain drifted through the air and landed on his face. Soon enough, his long hair was wet and stuck to his face. Feng Changqing seemed like a statue, but his mind was swirling with turbulent thoughts.

Since he ascended the throne, all officials had been supporting Zi Yin; slowly, his ability to protect the nation was recognized by everyone, making those old foxes even more arrogant and proud.

"Clang!"

A sword left its scabbard as Feng Changqing leapt up with it in hand. Wherever he pointed his sword, branches broke and flowers scattered, while the rockery split cleanly down the middle.

"Swoosh swoosh swoosh"

He didn’t care about the ministers’ pressure; he wasn’t afraid of the power he held in his hands. But…

“How much do you know about Hongxue”

The moment Bu Yao stood before his study and flattered him, he felt disgusted by her. If not for Long Ye’s protection, he would’ve beaten her to death with a stick long ago.

He didn’t believe a single word she said; however, when he heard the words "Hongxue," his hand paused in midair until ink dripped from his brush before he looked at Bu Yao directly.

"Besides knowing her name, Red Snow, what else do you know about her"

He thought for a moment. He knew that she had another side to her—when she was unhappy, she drank alcohol. They hadn’t confessed their feelings to each other on the first occasion, but they had both opened up.

"That's not right; you don't even know her name."

“Clang!”

He knew that she was called Red Snow and also Ah Xue. But...

The moment he sensed something, his gaze sharpened, the sword tip turning towards the corner, its force causing the rockery to split into two.

"Ah!"

Qi Lin panicked and tried to retreat, but she could not outrun Feng Changqing's longsword. Instinctively, she closed her eyes, shielding her face with both hands, waiting for the sharp pain.

Feng Changqing was also caught off guard by her sudden appearance. Fortunately, he had superb sword control and turned his sword just in time before it hit Qi Lin, piercing into a nearby flower bush instead. The bushes were instantly split in half.

"How did you get here" He sheathed his sword, looked around, then asked, "Has the prince entered the palace"

Kong Qing smiled faintly and swung his spear behind him as he walked to Qin Xiao’s side. He scrutinized the imperial guards with a pitying expression and shook his head. "Oh dear! Enjoying all the luxuries in the palace while having poor martial arts skills, how could they defend against any assassins I wonder if you drink too much wine daily, General Qin"

"Kong Qing, stop your nonsense," Qin Xiao turned calmly and said, "You being here means that the prince has entered the palace. Why didn't you report it to me"

“Our prince likes to go about alone and there’s no time for reporting trivial matters. So our prince went straight ahead,” Kong Qing smiled again after finishing his reply and joked with Qin Xiao, "By the way, we haven’t finished our competition."

"This is the imperial palace, not a place where you can act recklessly," Qin Xiao sternly rebuked him. Although he knew that Kong Qing wouldn't actually come, there was an attempted assassination before Prince Zi Yin entered the palace, could it be... The thought sent a shiver down his spine: "Oh no."

He leaped lightly and rushed towards the imperial garden.

Kong Qing folded his arms and cleared a path for the guards. After everyone had disappeared from sight, he bowed in the corner saying, "Prince Zi Yin, they have left."

Zi Yin walked out from around the corner with a smile, "Let’s go to the imperial garden; we don’t want to delay any further."

"Yes."

Feng Changqing was in the imperial garden, and so was Qi Lin.

“Emperor” With doubtful eyes, he quickly scanned around but found no one else. "Your Majesty... such a refined pleasure."

Feng Changqing sneered coldly; his killing intent spread with the drizzle, transforming it into sharp daggers circulating between them.

"My Consort is also quite refined," he recalled that he had arranged for imperial guards to patrol around the garden. A weak consort would never make it in here.

But why was she here

Sensing Feng Changqing's hostility, Qi Lin was startled: Had she entered his forbidden territory by mistake

"This..."

"Swoosh."

Just as she was about to speak, a crumpled piece of paper fell from Qi Lin's sleeve.

Damn it.

In response to this reflexive desire to pick up the paper, Feng Changqing beat her to it. Qi Lin regretfully closed her eyes; why hadn't she destroyed this letter She foolishly believed in ancient people’s sleeves.

"What is this" Unfolding the crumpled piece of paper and placing it before Qi Lin, he asked with a smile, "Can you tell me, my beloved concubine"

"Your Majesty!"

Qin Xiao arrived first. Seeing that Feng Changqing was unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the somewhat disheveled Qi Lin, he reported to the emperor, "My lord, I received news that the assassin will be acting in concert with his accomplices tonight."

Feng Changqing raised his hand and looked straight ahead without turning back, watching Qi Lin quietly. He gently wiped away the rainwater from her face and softly asked, "Who were you here to meet, my beloved concubine"

"Your Majesty..." She was schemed against and had no way of defending herself. Damn it; she actually wanted to sleep now.

"Speak!" Seeing Qi Lin's sleepy expression, Feng Changqing suddenly grabbed her jaw and shouted angrily, "Tell me!"

"This concubine... didn't do anything."

“Clang.”

Qin Xiao was stunned and stood still.

The focus of Qi Lin’s gaze slowly shifted downward to the long sword that had been plunged into her chest. She cringed in pain; only now did she feel the agony. Even though she hadn't seen Feng Changqing take up a sword and stab her, this stabbing sensation was enough to wake her up somewhat. She raised her hand and grabbed onto the blade, tugging at the corner of her mouth as she said, "Your Majesty, this concubine... did nothing."

Qi Lin felt all her strength drain out with her blood; she collapsed softly to the ground without expecting a warm embrace. The salty tangy taste hit her mouth as she smiled faintly.

This is what you wanted Bai Qianye

Feng Changqing tightly shut his eyes, slowly touching his chest—this stabbing pain had been absent for seven years.

"Your Majesty."

“” Seeing Zi Yin appear suddenly, Feng Changqing frowned and looked at Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao bowed his head; he was just about to report the incident when… He had been a little too anxious.

"This... Your Majesty, what is going on" Unexpectedly arriving late, Zi Yin's eyebrows furrowed and he quickly walked over to hold Qi Lin in his arms, completely forgetting about the scene. Feeling her pulse, he felt relieved as he asked, "Your Majesty, why did this happen"

"Hmph, do I need to explain myself" He threw down the crumpled paper without looking at Qi Lin.

Zi Yin glanced at the paper and said, "Your Majesty has misunderstood. The crumpled piece of paper was written by this minister’s order. There's a problem with the windmill in Bai Qili Lake, and Minor Consort Hongxue wanted to discuss it with Your Majesty. However, given that Your Majesty is busy these days, she came to me hoping for assistance. Today, I found all the carpenters in the country and planned to bring them into the palace to talk things over with her, but unexpectedly..."

Hearing Zi Yin's explanation, Feng Changqing turned around and said, "What did you say"

"Your Majesty, even though this minister has only a few encounters with Minor Consort Hongxue, she touched my heart by wanting to help Your Majesty. That is why I took the initiative to assist her." He quickly tapped on Qi Lin’s body two times before stopping the bleeding.

Feng Changqing rushed over and pushed Zi Yin away, hugging Qi Lin tightly as he asked, "Why didn't you tell me to Qi Lin.Huh Eh!Isn't this... her name in pinyinWhy would Bai Qianye write this Qi Lin looked at Bai Qianye as if he were an alien and said stiffly, "How do you know how to write pinyin Besides that...