Chapter 26: He Who Tames the Qilin Rules the World
hapter 2: Willingly Bound by Dust and SmokeIn this world, there are no things that cannot be obtained; the only thing is whether one desires them or not. If you want something, go all out to get it. I...Chapter 26: Possessing the Qilin Means Possessing the World
Since talking to Bu Yao, Qi Lin felt her enthusiasm for work awaken. Then after speaking with Bai Qianye, all of her cells rejoiced.
She might be able to return to her own world.
This news excited her for three nights and three days straight; she tossed and turned in bed, impatiently wishing she could grow wings right away and go to the place Bai Qianye mentioned.
The urgent task at hand was leaving the palace!
From Bai Qianye's mouth came information that two major events had recently occurred in Fenghuang Kingdom.
The first event involved barbarians invading the border, capturing several cities. The court ministers pushed for Zi Yin to lead the charge against them, but Feng Changqing disagreed, causing a rift between him and the ministers. However, three days ago, Zi Yin volunteered to go out and fight, and surprisingly, Feng Changqing agreed without hesitation, ordering Zi Yin to depart in three days' time. He also used this opportunity to give the court ministers a political lesson.
The second event involved strange occurrences in Fenghuang City recently: every night, ghostly figures would appear, knocking on people's doors, causing panic among the citizens of the normally joyous Fenghuang Kingdom as everyone stayed indoors with their doors closed tight.
Bai Qianye said that whether or not she could achieve her goal by utilizing these two events depended entirely on her abilities.
Her abilities This might be difficult.
"Oh, isn't this Red Snow" Seeing Qi Lin approach, Xiao Ningzi immediately put on a smile and asked, "Looking for the Emperor"
"I've met with Senior Eunuch Ning already," Qi Lin bowed slightly and said as she looked at the door of the imperial study, "I have brewed some tea that needs to be drunk hot in order to nourish my qi and energize me. Would it be possible for Senior Eunuch Ning to pass this message"
Xiao Ningzi hesitated and glanced nervously at the door to the imperial study, muttering, "This..."
"Or perhaps it would be less trouble if you could present this tea to His Majesty on my behalf." She instructed Lvzhu to present the hot tea, smiling as she said, "Please remind His Majesty that he must drink this tea while it's still warm for its effects to work. I will not disturb further."
Then she turned and started leaving, but Xiao Ningzi hurried forward to stop her.
"Lady, why don't you wait here until I present the tea to His Majesty" Xiao Ningzi bowed slightly as he said this, "I'll go right now."
"Thank you very much," Qi Lin bowed and moved aside to wait.
Before coming, Jin Yu had already told her that without being summoned by the Emperor, a concubine of Seventh Rank or below was not allowed to see him; she was taking a big risk doing this.
But at this point, she couldn't think of any other way.
Sure enough, after waiting for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Xiao Ningzi came with a smile on his face to let her in.
However, when she entered the imperial study, Qi Lin saw that besides Feng Changqing and Qin Xiao, there was another man around forty years old present. The man wore black Daoist robes, had fair skin, sharp eyes like those of a fox, and had been staring at her with a meaningful expression since she entered the room.
"Your servant greets the Emperor, may Your Majesty live long and prosper." After performing the traditional kowtow, Qi Lin secretly observed that man, only to find him also watching her. When their eyes met, he actually smiled, which made Qi Lin's heart shiver.
Feng Changqing walked up to help Qi Lin stand and pulled her to sit on his lap in front of the desk, despite her stiff body and awkward expression.
"My beloved consort, this is our court’s High Priest Cheng Ren."
"Your servant greets the lady." Cheng Ren bowed slightly with a smile, looking at Qi Lin and said, "I was really enlightened by what happened in Thousand Carp Pond. There must be more unheard-of stories from your hometown."
"High Priest is too kind," Qi Lin coldly looked at Cheng Ren; his words were like a stone dropped into still water, causing ripples in her heart. Before Feng Changqing could ask any questions, she picked up the teacup on the desk and gently blew it before handing it to him, saying, "Since I am Your Majesty's consort, my heart only has room for Your Majesty. The Heavenly Son is extraordinary; his hometown must be exceptional as well."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Ren gave a meaningful smile and said with a chuckle, "Ah If you are the Heavenly Son’s consort, your servant was out of line."
"You overstate it," Qi Lin felt uneasy; she had a strange feeling that the last sentence was specifically aimed at her, and the Heavenly Son he mentioned seemed to be someone else.
It's said that people like being state tutors or High Priests are always mysterious, able to say things that cannot be explained. She had seen it during the sacrificial ceremony, but she never expected them to hold such a high position.
However, this High Priest made her feel uneasy.
"Why did my beloved consort come to see me today" Placing his hand on Qi Lin's waist and ignoring everyone else, he asked gently, "Did you miss me"
Touched by Feng Changqing’s action, Qi Lin’s body stiffened. She pulled the hand placed on her waist and said, "I heard that Your Majesty is busy handling state affairs every day and hasn’t rested well for several days. I might be foolish, but even though I solved the problem of Thousand Carp Pond, I don't know if I can help alleviate some burdens for Your Majesty."
At this point, Qi Lin noticed that the tenderness in Feng Changqing’s eyes gradually faded while his smile grew more apparent, which was a sign he was getting angry.
"Your Majesty," Qi Lin immediately stood and knelt to one side, looking at Feng Changqing with a pitiful expression. "I am aware that consorts cannot interfere in state affairs."
"Don't say anymore." Feng Changqing had no desire to listen further. "You must be tired; go back and rest."
This was clearly an order for her to leave, which disappointed Qi Lin. She hadn’t expected that Feng Changqing would dislike consorts interfering in state affairs so much. Perhaps he was wary of being betrayed by women.
How amusing, wasn't she doing just that
"Your Majesty, may your servant speak frankly."
Qi Lin looked at the High Priest with surprise; what was this guy planning!
Feng Changqing's gaze shifted to Cheng Ren and coldly said, "Shut up!!!"
"Your Majesty, there might be a possibility...,"
"Get out of my sight." Feng Changqing threw the teacup without hesitation; at this moment, he did not want to hear anyone’s words.
Qi Lin was taken aback by this side of Feng Changqiang. Was this the real him
Cheng Ren seemed unable to control the current situation as well and was contemplating whether he should retreat first, but Qi Lin knew that if she retreated now, she might lose this chance forever.
"Your Majesty."
All present were stunned, including Feng Changqiang.
Because Qi Lin didn’t know where she got the strength and courage from to rush over and hug Feng Changqiang tightly from behind. Her head was pressed against his back, listening to his strong heartbeat and rough breathing sounds.
Somehow, since that moment of hugging Feng Changqiang, Qi Lin seemed to understand why he didn’t want her to continue speaking earlier.
Perhaps, he was protecting her.
"Your Majesty, as a concubine, perhaps my only way to alleviate Your Majesty’s worries is by abiding by the rules and doing nothing extra. As a confidant, maybe my method of helping Your Majesty would be brewing a pot of good tea for him to refresh his spirit. But...," Qi Lin held back her inner turmoil, closed her eyes, gritted her teeth and said, "As a wife, my way of alleviating the worries of my husband is sharing responsibilities."
She didn’t know if Bai Qianye had seen this.
Tightening her hold around Feng Changqiang, Qi Lin waited for all kinds of hypothetical possibilities in her heart. She might be dragged out and beaten to death, or she might be sent to the Cold Palace... or...
"What did you say"
After a long time, Feng Changqiang’s somewhat hoarse voice was heard. Qi Lin smiled slightly. Success.
At this moment, Qi Lin didn’t notice Cheng Ren’s mouth slowly curling upward, his eyes flickering with something eerie.
Feng Changqiang turned around, supporting Qi Lin's shoulders and said seriously, "What did you just say"
"Your servant said that Your servant wants to alleviate Your Majesty’s worries," Qi Lin also opened her eyes and sincerely looked at Feng Changqiang. This was what a friend wanted to do for him, but she had no choice but to say it: "Wants to alleviate the worries of her husband."
Feng Changqiang stared at Qi Lin for a long time before slowly saying, "Do you know what you are facing"
Hearing this sentence, Qi Lin felt her heart tighten because she confirmed that Feng Changqiang was worried about her.
"Then does Your Majesty know what I am afraid of" Without answering Feng Changqiang's question, she gave him a rhetorical question. But before Feng Changqiang could answer, Qi Lin continued, "I fear not being able to find anyone who can drink with me and talk until dawn."
After hearing Qi Lin’s response, Feng Changqiang restrained the urge to embrace her tightly and told Qi Lin everything about the ghost appearances in detail.
"Your servant has never believed that there are ghosts or monsters in this world." After listening, Qi Lin smiled slightly and continued, "Your Majesty, your servant is willing to alleviate Your Majesty’s worries. Please grant it."
"Your Majesty," Cheng Ren also seized the opportunity and said, "Based on my observation of Madam's complexion glowing with golden light, this is a sign of divinity. According to my calculations based on the spiritual aura emanating from her eyes, she might be an extremely rare woman in a hundred years."
Surprising woman Unparalleled in a hundred years!
Qi Lin snorted coldly. The High Priest was nothing special; she was just an ordinary woman who happened to know more than others, but that was all thanks to her era and circumstances. How could she be so miraculous
"Where did you get such thoughts" Feng Changqing still believed in Cheng Ren halfheartedly, otherwise why would he appoint him as the High Priest
“Your Majesty, may I have a chance to try it out It will just cause some fright to the Lady.” Cheng Ren smiled and looked at Qi Lin with deep meaning. "I wonder if the Lady is willing to give it a shot."
Qi Lin raised her eyebrows and nodded in agreement. “Thanks for your trouble.”
But when she found out how to test it, Qi Lin started to regret it.
To make things convenient, the High Priest led them to a spacious area with an enclosed cage covered in black cloth in the middle. Judging by the sounds coming from inside, Qi Lin had an idea of what was there.
“Please put your hand into the cage.” Cheng Ren raised his arm as if inviting her and smiled. "As you were born with divine ability, surely this will bring you good fortune."
Qi Lin looked at Cheng Ren coldly; she could almost read what he was thinking from his eyes.
But ever since she could remember, animals had surrounded her. Her innate attraction to them made even soothsayers respectful towards her. This time she would have to risk her life for the sake of a test.
After walking up to the cage and glancing at Feng Changqing, Qi Lin saw that he was clueless about what was inside.
"Please." Cheng Ren smiled wryly.
Qi Lin took a deep breath and tried to calm down. She felt terrified but didn’t show it on her face as she raised her hand and put it into the cage.
A hot breath hit her palm, and the sensation of whiskers brushing against her skin made Qi Lin wrinkle her nose in disgust. When she saw Cheng Ren’s smug look, she found him utterly detestable.
Suddenly, something wet and soft swept across her hand; it frightened Qi Lin so much that she froze on the spot, but when she tried to move her fingers, she knocked over a furry object and felt its soft ears. The creature seemed to enjoy her touch as it kept rubbing its head against her palm. Qi Lin petted its head.
“Whoosh”
A moment later, Cheng Ren pulled off the black cloth when everyone wasn’t looking. All of them took a few steps back after seeing what was in the cage.
Qi Lin’s eyes went wide as well; inside was an adult white tiger with black stripes that gave people goosebumps. Its size even surpassed that of Little White, but right now it acted like a kitten and kept half-closing its eyes while enjoying Qi Lin’s caress without realizing it had been discovered.
“As I predicted,” Cheng Ren nodded in satisfaction and smirked triumphantly before kneeling down to say, “Congratulations to Your Majesty.”
Feng Changqing frowned in confusion. "What is there to celebrate"
Qi Lin withdrew her hand from the cage after figuring out what Cheng Ren was going to say next. Majesty is wise."The Empress Dowager’s Changle Palace was the last place concubines would want to go. The Empress Dowager was eccentric and had fired many chefs over the years; nobody knew how many o...