Chapter 35: Those Searching for Her, Exclusive on 17K.com
轉碼失敗！請您使用右上換源切換源站閱讀或者直接前往源網站進行閱讀！Chapter 35: Those Searching for Her, Exclusively on 17K.com
Filling her belly and sensing the humidity in the air growing stronger, a sign of impending rain, Qi Lin didn't know how to suggest leaving as staying in the forest during rainy weather was the most unsafe.
"I'll send you back to town."
Unexpectedly, Bai Qianye would volunteer. The branch Qi Lin held snapped, but when she saw Bai Qianye, she thought her eyes were deceiving her.
"You... what happened Aftereffects of your injuries" Approaching Bai Qianye and looking at his silvery hair, "When did this happen Is it the true transmission of the White-haired Witch" Also why had his fair skin become pale with dark spots appearing on it, even his eyebrows were different; if she wasn't careful, she would think she saw a completely different person.
Bai Qianye lifted the brocade box in his hand and smiled. "Disguise. There must be soldiers all over town right now. If I take you there like this, it's likely we won’t return."
Qi Lin nodded; so that was why. She also wondered how Green Bamboo was doing and whether she was alright. She wanted to go back as soon as possible.
Initially thinking they would "fly" back like when they arrived, but unexpectedly they were walking out this time. The forest wasn't as large as White Tiger Mountain, so they didn’t encounter any wild beasts or poisonous snakes along the way; only some rabbits and deer kept following them from afar. Qi Lin knew her “special ability” was acting up again.
After three hours of walking, she finally saw people around. A few individuals in blue tight suits were asking everyone about a missing person.
"I'll see you here," Bai Qianye knew who those people were and didn't want to linger here. Seeing Qi Lin hesitate, he instructed her, "You must complete Zi Yin’s mission. I’ll always be by your side."
The same words this time felt cold to Qi Lin; he would always be by her side... as a spy Qi Lin nodded, and Bai Qianye slipped into the crowd.
Qi Lin looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. She didn’t know anyone here and was parched with thirst. There happened to be a teahouse nearby. Qi Lin patted her clothes; she couldn't wear the outerwear anymore, nor could she wear Bai Qianye’s clothes, leaving only a thin shawl and long undershirt that were torn in places. Hopefully no one would misunderstand.
"Sir"
"A bowl of hot tea," Qi Lin wiped her sweat off her face, wondering when it would rain today; if everything went smoothly, she should be able to reach the inn before dark. But she didn’t know whether the inn was still accessible and if Mu Qingfeng had found her.
"Tea is available." The waiter sized up Qi Lin, concluding that she was a refugee without valuable possessions on her. He then said with disdain, "There's nothing for free."
Qi Lin frowned slightly, looking at the waiter’s indifferent expression and smiled faintly. However, thinking carefully, it seemed like she didn’t have any money; even the jade hairpin from before was gone.
"I wouldn't drink it without paying," Qi Lin said with a raised eyebrow. "Just give me a bowl of hot tea, and I'll pay you."
"Then show me your money first." The waiter gestured for her to take out the money but when he saw she didn’t react after a while, he said again, "If you don't have any money, why are you here drinking tea Go away."
A man who sees money and nothing else; can't he tell that the clothes she's wearing are of fine silk
"Waiter, bring us two pots of tea."
The arrival of a few men solved Qi Lin's awkward situation, but they couldn’t ask them to pay. Fortunately, the waiter didn’t dare to neglect their request; otherwise, she really would have felt embarrassed beyond belief.
"We've been looking for her all day and there’s still no news. Do you think..."
"Shut up! Don't let Master hear you or you'll be in serious trouble."
Just as Qi Lin was about to leave, she heard someone talking behind her and couldn’t help but turn around to take a look. The few men were the ones dressed in tight-fitting clothes who had appeared earlier — they were either not officials or servants hired by some family. Sigh, no chance.
"No, you see last night’s incident made everyone nervous, and there were even people who heard fighting sounds. But we also heard that she doesn’t know any martial arts; even if the ghost didn't take her away, it should have..."
"Reckless."
The man's deep roar startled everyone in the teahouse to shrink back their heads. Qi Lin couldn’t help but look over and suddenly saw a person painted on white paper — willowy eyebrows, large eyes, oval face, long hair, small mouth... how familiar did she seem
"What are you looking at Go away." The waiter feared that Qi Lin's identity would affect the mood of these few men and smash his teahouse; he hurriedly urged her to leave. "This isn't something for you to look at, you don’t even recognize a single character."
Qi Lin looked disdainfully at the waiter and said, "You chase away an actual god of wealth — it's your own fault if you don’t want to live."
Hearing Qi Lin’s argument with the waiter, one of the men shot her a dissatisfied look but then suddenly frowned when he saw her. He looked at the person in the painting again and then back at Qi Lin.
"Move aside." The man in charge barked.
"Yes, yes, I’ll tell her to scram right away," said the waiter as he bowed and curtsied.
The man kicked him with his foot. "Scram yourself, you fool!" He walked up to Qi Lin, looked at the painting, then exclaimed happily, "I’ve finally found you, miss."
Qi Lin was stunned; she warily observed this man who suddenly bowed before her. The others also approached and bowed after glancing at Qi Lin; the waiter was completely bewildered.
"Who are you people" Thought Qi Lin: could they be sent by Mu Qingfeng But seeing that these men were all wearing official boots, she worried otherwise.
The man in charge approached and whispered to her, "We’ve been sent here to find your whereabouts on the orders of Mr. Bai."
Mr. Bai Qilin naturally wouldn’t think it was Baise Qianye, but she didn’t know anyone else named Bai. Wait a second.
White Phoenix! Feng Changqing!!
Qilin looked at the man in surprise and nodded knowingly.
"Is your master well" Qilin asked carefully.
"Master is currently searching for Miss elsewhere, I will immediately send a pigeon post to notify him," he said as his subordinate released a white dove behind him. "I have also arranged for a carriage to escort you back."
Qilin nodded and looked at the terrified waiter beside her. Smiling, she said, "I don’t have any money on me; can I borrow some"
"Of course," he replied as he took out a silver ingot and placed it in Qilin’s hand before stepping back.
Qilin walked up to the waiter and showed him the silver. "Do you have any hot tea"
"Oh dear, my eyes are not good at recognizing important people; I didn’t know Miss was here, I am so sorry," the waiter stammered as he slapped his own face in fear. "I will immediately prepare some of our best hot tea for you to ensure your satisfaction."
Qilin gave a cold huff and seeing that the carriage was ready, she said, “Next time, make sure your eyes are sharper so as not to offend any high officials or noble people.”
Saying this, she tossed some silver at him and turned towards the crowd. She loudly announced, "Good folks of the village, today’s tea is on me; feel free to ask for it from this young waiter. If he dare slight you in any way, let me know so I can punish him properly."
"Alright."
The crowd cheered and Qilin looked at the waiter’s miserable face with satisfaction before climbing into the carriage.
She had thought it was someone dispatched by Mu Qingfeng, but who knew it would be Feng Changqing. He actually left the palace; he must have gone out in disguise for an inspection tour.
Unfolding Ziyin’s letter, she saw the words written on white paper: She had to tell Feng Changqing about the situation regarding the Ghost of the White Phoenix Country and Second Prince Baise Qianye's vengeance. The goal was to accuse the current emperor of murdering his father and brother, and now he was collaborating with the barbarians in order to eliminate King Ziyin of Anbang
Qilin felt conflicted; should she really tell him
Feng Changqing was clearly a benevolent emperor who cared for his people. Although some of his methods were extreme, he was willing to isolate himself in the Imperial Study Room for days on end for their sake and would even miss morning court sessions because of her. He didn’t care about criticism from ministers
Zhiliin was in a dilemma as she traveled by carriage for two hours and finally arrived at the inn. It had started to drizzle outside, and she was carefully helped down from the carriage whereupon Feng Changqing rushed over.
Feng Changqing was dressed in dark clothing, his long hair tied up high; he had a furrowed brow and pursed lips. He snatched an umbrella from someone behind him and placed it directly over Zhiliin's head, then reached out to touch her face, his brows knitted even tighter upon seeing the scars on her face.
Zhiliin lowered her head; Feng Changqing’s hand was cold, perhaps he had been standing in the rain for quite some time.
"I'm fine," Zhiliin softly said as she covered Feng Changqing's hand with hers and smiled slightly. "I caused you to worry."
Feng Changqing handed the umbrella over to someone beside him, scooped up Zhiliin horizontally, and carried her into the inn; those around them all lowered their heads respectfully.
"Miss!" When Lüzhú saw that Zhiliin had returned safely, she immediately teared up. She ran over and asked, "Are you alright"
Only upon speaking did she realize her clothes were missing a piece; she hesitated for a moment but didn’t say anything further. Only after Zhiliin sat down did Lüzhú run over and kneel on the ground.
"Miss, you frightened your servant to death! I thought... !"
“It's alright,” Zhiliin felt warm inside as she saw that Lüzhú was thoroughly soaked, likely having been searching for her. Feng Changqing had been sitting silently by the side since he carried her in and did not speak a word. Zhiliin turned to look at Feng Changqing and said, "I'm sorry."
Feng Changqing buried his head in Zhiliin’s neck, after some time, he spoke with a hoarse voice, “It's such a relief that you're safe.”
Zhiliin moved her lips slightly at last, lifting the corners of her mouth and said, "How could I die so easily Besides, I’m protected by the beasts and am invincible. Look, isn’t everything fine"
“Never leave my side again.” Feng Changqing held Zhiliin’s hand with great seriousness as he said, “When I heard what happened here, I was ready to dig up the earth three feet deep for you. If anything had truly befallen you, then...”
"But I am fine," Zhiliin covered Feng Changqing's lips lightly with her hand and said, "Nothing will happen to me; everything is well. I'll tell you in detail after I’ve washed."
After speaking, she stood up to take a bath but was pulled back by Feng Changqing. When she turned around, she saw that Feng Changqing was looking at her with gentle eyes and there was an unusual light in his gaze.
"You won’t leave me, right" After some time, he slowly said this sentence as if revealing a great secret; like a child, he tightly held onto Zhiliin’s hand.
Zhiliin smiled slightly and nodded. "I won't."
“Good,” Feng Changqing bowed his head to lightly kiss the back of Zhiliin's hand, then said, “Go on, I'll wait for you.”
Even though she was puzzled, Zhiliin obediently went to take a bath. Feng Changqing watched her leave and finally lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling above him.ing as she quickly retreated. Even after leaving through the main door, she still wasn’t satisfied; turning around to run into the courtyard, she tripped over her robe corner and fell flat on her face...