Chapter 48 Two Imperial Decrees 17K Original Release

ath bravely, but now why is she about to cry This damn woman, if she's going to cry, then do it properly; holding back her tears isn't crying!"Qi Lin, I will ask you one last time: Do you choose life...Chapter 48: Two Imperial Edicts, Exclusively on 17K

The heart is so weary.

Qi Lin quietly watched as those people took away Yu Mu's body. From beginning to end, she kept her gaze fixed without moving it.

Strangely, this time when looking at Yu Mu, she didn't recall the past events; not that she didn't want to remember but whenever she tried to, all she remembered was the scent of tea on her fingertips.

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she realized how dry today's air was. She felt thirsty and lifted her wine cup only to find it empty. Had Bamboo lost its freedom too Qi Lin threw the wine cup aside and looked at Feng Changqiang. It seemed like it would be her turn next.

Just give a quick end, please.

But Feng Changqiang lifted his wine cup, smiled slightly at her, and downed its contents in one go. Qi Lin couldn’t respond to an empty cup, but she didn't want to anyway.

She had thought that they would execute her immediately next, but Qi Lin, like Qiao Er, waited for the execution instead of receiving it. What arrived was Feng Changqiang drinking wine glass after glass; everyone else awkwardly drank and ate as if nothing had happened before.

In the end, Qi Lin decided that even in death, she wanted to be a well-fed ghost. She grabbed chopsticks without hesitation and started eating. To her surprise, it tasted surprisingly good. A great deity once said, "Eating is the most important thing in the world; no matter what happens, one must eat until full to have strength for thinking."

But after all the food was gone and still nothing happened, people around her were curious about Qi Lin's eating manner. She could even see the astonished expressions of the ladies-in-waiting across from her.

"Emperor."

Qi Lin looked at Xiao Ran; she was the first to lose patience. Other ladies-in-waiting also showed signs of restlessness, waiting for an order to act immediately.

This wasn’t just the ladies-in-waiting but even officials seemed to be waiting for this moment, putting down their utensils and staring at Feng Changqiang.

"Hmm What is your concern, my lady" Feng Changqiang smiled slightly and said, "Go ahead."

"Emperor, do you just let Jade Noble Consort get away with her actions like this" Xiao Ran's voice was barely audible at the end. She then added, “Doesn't Emperor intend to protect her”

"Your Majesty, I believe the Queen of Western Palace is right; we can’t delay dealing with the matter concerning Jade Noble Consort any longer."

Qi Lin looked at the person who spoke. He had a righteous aura, thick eyebrows and large eyes. Although his temples were white, he was still robust. This man was Xiao Ran's father, the current Chancellor—what was his name again Qi Lin tried to recall but unfortunately, Feng Changqiang rarely mentioned matters of state; she only vaguely knew this person. She could recognize him as Xiao Ran’s father because they shared an indescribable aura.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to risk my life and petition for the execution of Jade Noble Consort to ensure national peace and prosperity," Chancellor Xiao said resolutely.

Hearing Chancellor Xiao's words, other officials followed suit, "Please grant death sentence to Jade Noble Consort to ensure national peace and prosperity."

Zi Lin looked at these people and didn't expect them to be so impatient. They all thought it was good that she appeared calm, but only those who remained composed were the real leaders.

"Your Majesty." Seeing that everyone had run out of words, Feng Changqing still ignored them. Zi Lin didn't feel comfortable sitting there any longer and said, "Given today's rare unity among everyone, let me grant myself death as a favor."

As soon as she spoke these words, she felt millions of eyes on her body. She smiled indifferently and asked, "Did I say something wrong"

Feng Changqing stared at Zi Lin for an entire minute before finally speaking, "Xiao Ning."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiao Ning received the command and walked to the front.

Under everyone's gaze, he took out an imperial edict, slowly unfolding it. Everyone's hearts were raised with this imperial edict; some people seemed to have guessed its content already, merely going through a formality.

"Imperial Concubine Hongxue of the Jade Rank is gentle, virtuous, and graceful, elegant in demeanor, wise, capable, tranquil, harmonious, and pure. She shall be immediately enthroned as the Empress Consort of the Eastern Palace! Imperial decree!"

What!

Including Zi Lin, everyone else was very surprised and doubted that they had heard correctly. They started whispering among themselves.

"Your Majesty, how can this be..."

"Humph Didn't Chancellor Xiao always want me to establish an empress consort I've adopted the opinions of all ministers today; is there a problem with that" Feng Changqing said coldly, "Imperial Concubine Hongxue—oh no, Empress Consort, quickly receive the imperial edict. You are my first and last empress."

"Your Majesty, this absolutely cannot be allowed." Everyone else also knelt down to express their refusal of such an outcome.

Zi Lin was snapped out of her thoughts by Feng Changqing's thunderous voice. Her black eyes glared coldly at Feng Changqing; intense anger was trying to break through her limits and reach her throat but was suppressed back by the little rationality she had left.

"Your Majesty, are you mocking your servant" Zi Lin's voice sounded as if it came from afar, very hollow, making people feel a chill. Even officials who had just knelt down stopped speaking to look at Zi Lin. She glared coldly at Feng Changqing and said, "Heh heh, Your Majesty, I don't value this title of empress consort; please rescind your decision."

"The title you don't value is what everyone in the harem wants." Feng Changqing curled up the corner of his mouth and ignored the objections from the courtiers, continuing to say, "High Priest."

"Uh... Your Majesty" Cheng Ren hadn't expected Feng Changqing to suddenly call him. He was a bit slow in reacting and answered hastily.

Feng Changqing said coldly, "A few days ago when you observed the celestial phenomena for me, do you remember what you said"

Cheng Ren was stunned, then recalled and said, "I remember. I observed the heavenly signs and divined..."

"Wait." Zi Lin knew what Cheng Ren would say next; it would just be about her appearance with Bu Yao being some celestial sign, thus making her title of empress consort legitimate. If she spoke up, she wouldn't value these things either. "Your Majesty"

"High Priest!" Feng Changqing roared to prevent Qi Lin from continuing.

Cheng Ren was initially stunned before he said, "Yes. The divination shows that whoever obtains the Qilin will obtain the empire."

The Qilin At this mention of its name, everyone whispered to each other in astonishment.

"Your Majesty, is what High Priest says referring to the prophecy by the first High Priest of Phoenix Nation" Chancellor Xiao asked in surprise. "High Priest, has the Qilin appeared"

"This... ." Cheng Ren glanced at Feng Changqing and did not speak further.

Qi Lin glared coldly at Feng Changqing; her chest heaved with strong emotions. If she had not been restrained, she would have charged forward to tear him apart piece by piece.

Feng Changqing raised his hand and pointed at Qi Lin, loudly saying, "Empress, tell them what your name is!"

Qi Lin clenched her fists unwillingly and said, "Qi Lin."

She told the truth only because Feng Changqing's gaze and tone had warned her that lying would result in the deaths of everyone associated with her.

The Qilin!

All were staring at Qi Lin in astonishment, then looking at Cheng Ren as if seeking answers from him.

"So what" Qi Lin suddenly stood up. Perhaps because the guards behind her had yet to react and remembered that she was not allowed to move freely, Qi Lin walked over briskly to Feng Changqing and snatched his wine glass, saying, "So what I am Qi Lin; so what Is this why you are doing all of this"

"Bold!"

Feng Changqing raised a hand, and Chancellor Xiao and the others fell silent.

Quietly looking at Qi Lin, he saw that her anger was still in her eyes. That was good enough; it was all he needed for now. Feng Changqing turned away and said, "Quickly help Empress to change clothes."

Change clothes Qi Lin was taken aback. She saw a few palace maids carrying the empress' attire walking over, some of them holding screens. Qi Lin glared at Feng Changqing and asked, "Do you want to humiliate me so much Or was this your intention from the start"

Feng Changqing stroked Qi Lin's face with his hand and smiled, saying, "Yes, I decided on it the moment I recognized you."

"I won’t let you die easily," Feng Changqing’s last sentence was only audible to Qi Lin.

Qi Lin grasped Feng Changqing’s hand. Her grip gradually tightened until her sharp nails dug into his flesh. She finally released him and glanced down at the crowd below, who were restless. Qi Lin suddenly gave a bright smile as she said, "Then please do your best."

The crowd was once again astonished; Qi Lin seemed increasingly unpredictable.

Qi Lin stood quietly behind the screen, allowing the palace maid to dress her in the empress’s attire. Fortunately, Lüzhu participated in this process.

"Your Excellency Empress, this might be the last time I serve you with dressing. No matter what happens from now on, please do not give up your will to live like today," said Lüzhu as she fastened Qi Lin’s waistband and spoke loudly enough for her to hear: "The young master has always been by your side."

Young master Qi Lin opened her mouth but fell silent once more.

The empress’s attire was now in place, and Qi Lin looked exceptionally radiant in the scarlet dress. She was not only the first empress to change clothes before court officials but also the one foretold as such.

On this day, almost everyone forgot that it was the dowager empress's birthday banquet.

The simple ceremony of granting titles had barely ended when Feng Changqing ordered Xia Ningzi to retrieve a second imperial decree.

"Imperial Consort Qi, your background is unclear, and you are deceitful and treacherous, harming lives with low morals. Concealing your identity constitutes an offense against the emperor. Your improper conduct and violation of women's virtue constitute disrespect towards the sovereign. According to Phoenix Law, you should be executed and publicly displayed for your crimes as a warning to others; however, considering your contributions in inventing water wheels, alleviating hardships for the people, and assisting in managing the harem, I spare your life but revoke all your titles and rights. You will be confined to the cold palace with no permission to leave its gates henceforth. Palace maid Lüzhu shall be demoted to a military concubine and sent to the frontier immediately! Imperial decree!"

"I won’t comply," Lüzhu, upon hearing her fate, drew out a dagger from her sleeve and plunged it into her chest.

"Lüzhu!" Qi Lin cried out as she caught her and shouted: "Lüzhu, don’t die."

"Empress I can't...," Lüzhu’s voice trailed off as her head drooped, her slender hand slipping from Qi Lin’s grasp.

Qi Lin pressed hard on her chest before a mouthful of blood gushed out; all emotions erupted into one long scream.

"Ah~"

Surely this was just a dream

A nightmare.

She thought she could endure it.

Feng Changqing, how cruel you are! You bestowed her the title of empress with one imperial decree and then took everything away with another.

It was all within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

If this is the dowager empress’s birthday banquet, why has so much happened in an instantbirthday is approaching. You've been working hard these days."Long Ye had been in charge of the preparations for this event directly."It's my duty as a vassal to relieve Your Majesty of worries." Afte...