Chapter 55 Women's Hearts 17K Original Release

ng over the bottle, he continued pondering every word Qi Lin had said today.But what does 'the world' mean There seems to be a lot about Qi Lin that he doesn't know yet.The next morning, Qi Lin was dr...Chapter 55: Women's Hearts - Exclusive on 17K

For some reason, Qi Lin and Bai Qianye’s story with Feng Changqing was altered into a mythical tale circulating among the people. Everyone seemed to have forgotten what the core of this matter was, neglecting that Bai Qianye had once been the Second Prince who returned from death, and also forgetting that Feng Changqing was their ruler who disappeared in the blaze.

The great fire that burned for five nights and days illuminated the entire Phoenix City under both darkness and light. However, people only remembered this legendary story, and three years later, they had forgotten why the fire started.

Usually when a regime changes hands, it brings hardship to the people, yet Zi Yin ascended to the throne without imposing any burden on the populace; officials paid from their own pockets instead. During these three years, Feng Changqing’s concubines were well taken care of, and Zi Yin's original consorts became part of the harem.

But after Xiao Ran’s death, Xiao Zhirou was deeply affected and fell ill, declining to the point where she could no longer serve as empress. Bu Yao thus naturally ascended to the position of empress.

Managing the six palaces and enjoying the adoration of many should have been a proud role second only to the emperor, but Bu Yao was dissatisfied because what she desired wasn’t to be Zi Yin’s empress, but rather Bai Qianye's. However, Bai Qianye persistently guarded Qi Lin in her unconscious state without ever showing affection to anyone else.

"Empress, His Majesty is staying in the Imperial Study today," said Qiaoer respectfully. "It’s late; should Empress rest"

Bu Yao glared coldly at Qiaoer and said sternly, "Humph, have you grown tired of monitoring me all these years"

"I dare not," replied Qiaoer expressionlessly as she turned to make the bed.

Bu Yao walked alone to the window, took off her hair accessory, and suddenly saw Feng Qiong’huang lying quietly in a box. Bu Yao’s heart ached, and she picked up Feng Qiong’huang; her chest felt like it was being pulled painfully with each beat tonight more than ever before.

"Empress, the bed is ready… Empress" asked Qiaoer when she noticed Bu Yao's face pale suddenly. "Are you alright, Empress"

Bu Yao pushed her fiercely, nearly fainting and said coldly, "Mind your own business."

Qiaoer was not perturbed by Bu Yao’s behavior; after following her for so long, she knew that this was how Bu Yao acted when in a bad mood. Although she could have avoided such treatment once regaining her identity, Qiaoer had grown accustomed to it and usually endured it.

Today, however, Bu Yao's face was extremely pale. Qiaoer looked at the sky; several stars emerged into the night sky with faint light, then whispered softly, "Empress, I shall fetch a physician."

Saying this, Qiaoer turned and left, leaving only Bu Yao behind.

Bi Yao endured the pain in her chest and suddenly noticed a figure darting by. There were already many people in the palace, so Bi Yao initially didn't intend to pay attention, but the figure didn't seem to be part of either the imperial guards or any concubine from the harem, prompting Bi Yao's curiosity as she followed.

Traveling at night was not easy; Bi Yao nearly stumbled a few times, but it seemed that the other person wasn't finding it much easier either—falling down occasionally. Nevertheless, Bi Yao gradually became clearer about who this person was.

It turned out to be Empress Dowager!

And she was heading straight towards沁泉軒 (Qin Quan Xuan), wasn't that Qi Lin's place

Since three years ago when Qi Lin fell into a coma, Bai Qianye had been living there with her. But what could the Empress Dowager possibly want at this location

Just as Bi Yao was pondering over this, Bai Qianye suddenly emerged from沁泉軒 (Qin Quan Xuan) and headed elsewhere, followed by the Empress Dowager entering the place. Bi Yao paused her steps to listen.

"Look at you, you've lost so much weight."

Bi Yao stopped walking, wondering who the Empress Dowager was talking to—there shouldn't be anyone else in沁泉軒 (Qin Quan Xuan).

"Although those medicinal soups can sustain your life, they don’t nourish you," said the Empress Dowager gently as she tidied up Qi Lin's blanket. Her hand touched a cold face; if it weren't for her knowing that Qi Lin was still alive, she would have thought this person here was already dead.

After settling Qi Lin down, the Empress Dowager continued, "You used to tell me that living means eating to fill one's stomach. You haven’t eaten in three years; I suppose you must be very hungry by now."

"Rest assured, Ah Ye always has your favorite meals prepared at Imperial Kitchen even if you don't wake up. The dishes you love will still be sent here every day. Also, Ah Ye spends all his days with you—this is the first time I’ve ever seen him so devoted to a girl. Perhaps, you might actually make him heal from his pain." Empress Dowager sighed softly and continued, "All these years he’s been looking for ways to help you wake up. Even if you have any hatred towards him, it should be fading now."

Bi Yao listened quietly as the Empress Dowager spoke. Initially, she too had treated Qi Lin like a tree hole, telling her everything that happened. But unexpectedly, Qi Lin woke up during their last conversation and simply said, "I’ve completed my task. Now it’s your turn to fight over him," with no apparent concern.

From then on, Qi Lin didn’t refuse any kindness offered by others but neither did she accept requests from anyone; she kept herself isolated in the palace, essentially under self-imposed house arrest.

Bi Yao couldn't forget that day when she angrily told Qi Lin about Bai Qianye and Feng Changqing’s fatal duel at Phoenix Hall—Qi Lin still managed to grab Qin Xiao’s sword bare-handed. Although Qi Lin claimed it was a reflex action, Bi Yao felt touched in that moment.

Many years had passed, with Qi Lin remaining in her coma all the while. Though she hadn’t become Bai Qianye's empress as intended, she was now Empress of Zi Yin and could consider her goal somewhat achieved.

Ever since she found out that Bai Qianye loved Qi Lin, Bu Yao had tried hard to win his heart, felt不甘心 (gān bù xīn), and was angry. However, when she stood naked before Bai Qianye, he preferred to tenderly hold a living corpse rather than look at her once, so she gave up. After all, Qi Lin would never wake up.

She always believed that Qi Lin wouldn’t ever wake up.

She had always held on to this belief.

"By the way, this should be the last time I speak to you like this because you will soon wake up," Empress Dowager suddenly raised her voice and said excitedly, "Ah Ye’s senior brother has found a way to bring you back."

This news was like a bolt from the blue. Bu Yao struggled for breath and slowly sat on the ground as sweat dripped down her face, and she felt an agonizing pain in her heart.

Qi Lin would wake up! He hadn’t given up making Qi Lin wake up all this time!

This was the reason why he couldn’t accept her Not because the person he loved had become like this and therefore could not accept others, but because he never gave up.

Ha ha So if she lived on, it would be as good as being dead

"There are some things I’ve always wanted to say. I am sorry to Ah Ye; it was my fault that harmed him. If only I hadn’t been biased back then and allowed Ah Ye…," Empress Dowager cried so hard she couldn’t speak.

Back then, she had personally given Bai Qianye a bowl of poison, causing him to fail miserably. Ultimately, between the two children, she chose Feng Changqing and abandoned Bai Qianye; thus, for all these years, she didn’t leave Changle Palace, intending never to step outside.

But on the day Qi Lin entered the palace, someone suddenly rushed into her bedroom, drugged everyone inside, and in her shock, seeing Bai Qianye among them made her think he had come back as a vengeful spirit.

However, when she realized that Bai Qianye was still alive, she thought it must be a dream. She kept repenting for her mistakes; yet, Bai Qianye neither forgave nor hated her.

He just said, "Help Qi Lin."

She knew then that Bai Qianye had returned to seek revenge.

"But at that time, I abandoned him and didn’t expect to abandon him again," Empress Dowager closed her eyes and continued, "The fire three years ago was set off by me. I wanted to kill Ah Ye."

The dowager empress was already sobbing uncontrollably, kneeling on the ground. She continued to say, "In the end, I chose Changqiang; it was me who took away Changqiang and left Aye. If not for Japan's intervention, Aye would have died. I am the most despicable mother in this world."

"But back then, the High Priest said that Aye is a malevolent star, and if he becomes king, he will inevitably bring harm to those around him and calamity upon the nation." The dowager empress paused before continuing, "When His Late Majesty was on his deathbed, I finally realized that Aye cannot be emperor; he killed my husband, whom I loved most deeply."

"Haha, in the end, you still abandoned Bai Qianye out of selfishness."

"Who" Startled by an unexpected visitor's presence, the dowager empress got up anxiously and asked in surprise, "How did you get here"

Bu Yao gave a cold laugh and said, "This is what I want to ask the dowager empress."

"Y-you..."

"A malevolent star" Bu Yao mocked with a smile.

The dowager empress was startled and said guiltily, "What nonsense are you talking about"

"If Aye truly is a malevolent star, how could he have drunk the poison you sent him Was it because Bai Qianye didn’t know Have you ever considered why" Bu Yao gave another cold laugh and continued, "In the end, it was for your own selfishness that you harmed him. If initially it was because of his malevolent star nature that caused him to kill His Late Majesty, what about three years ago Phoenix Changqiang killed countless civilians in order to save this woman from poisoning. Yet, you still chose Phoenix Changqiang over Bai Qianye; how can such actions not be selfish Don’t pretend to care for the people."

The dowager empress was speechless when faced with Bu Yao's accusations and could only close her eyes in pain before slowly saying after a long pause, "I am selfish. I am very selfish."

The dowager empress repeated this phrase as she walked toward the door and left.

Qi Lin suddenly sat down on the ground, staring at Qi Lin lying there. Perhaps due to being frequently force-fed medicinal soup, her body emitted a faint fragrance of medicine.

"If only you could stay asleep forever," Bu Yao whispered softly, "But that's why I can't bear it. Why don’t you die Why are you still alive"

The person she had wanted in the end was taken away by Qi Lin, leaving her with an icy and empty spot to face alone.

"I won’t let you wake up. I won’t let you succeed; if I can't have it, neither will anyone else." Bu Yao suddenly raised her hand and placed it on Qi Lin's neck. A chill ran through the fingertips into the heart as Qi Lin suddenly exerted strength and said excitedly, "I won’t let you succeed. No, no way! Give me back what belongs to me; give everything of mine back to me!looked up and down at Qi Lin. Indeed, the white male clothes made her look very spirited; she was rosy-cheeked and fair-toothed, with clear eyebrows and eyes that were well-proportioned. If one didn't...