Chapter 38: The King's Repeated Flavor

  "The Emperor has decreed, to specially select Jade Girl Stepping on Dew, gentle and virtuous, elegant and refined, dignified and composed, strong and yet gentle. Now, she is especially bestowed upon the Imperial Household in marriage, without worry, Prince Wang Longyan's dragon prosperity, the Emperor's benevolence is vast, remembering it in heart, respectfully obey this decree." The eunuch in red attire finished reading the imperial edict in a soft and delicate voice, looking down at Stepping on Dew from his lofty position, continued to say "Congratulations, Miss Stepping on Dew, flying up to become a phoenix, quickly thank the Emperor's benevolence."

  Bu Yaolong smiled coldly, raised her eyes to look at the disdainful official, and with both hands clasped together above her head, softly said "Commoner Bu Yaolong thanks Your Honor for your great kindness."

  The eunuch sneered with a smile, there were countless women like this in the imperial palace, but from his experience, they wouldn't last long.

  Put the imperial edict in Bu Yao's hand, patted her sleeve and continued: "Miss Bu Yao is so lucky, from now on she will be the carefree princess. You should know that the current Carefree King is the emperor's most beloved younger brother. Seven years ago, when the emperor ascended to the throne, he promised the king a life of no worries. The fiefdom of Xuanling is a piece of auspicious land in Fenghuang country, and the king also...

  "Eunuch." Bu Yao slightly raised an eyebrow, sizing up the eunuch from head to toe, and bowed slightly, saying "I don't know your honorable surname?"

  The eunuch slightly raised the corner of his mouth and said, "Your humble servant is flattered. Thanks to Your Majesty's kindness, your humble servant is indeed the chief attendant Jiang Yuancheng who serves before Your Majesty."

  As they spoke, he had already made gestures to thank the Emperor three times, which made Bu Yao feel a slight pain in her arm. With a polite smile, she picked up the imperial edict and handed it to Qiao Er beside her.

  "That's really troubling you, Mr. Jiang." This time, Bu Yao didn't have any luggage at all, and seeing Jiang Yuan Cheng waiting for money, she also didn't take any action. She pulled out a phoenix hairpin from her own head, remembering that she had only mentioned the classic phoenix hairpin in front of Long Ye, not expecting that Long Ye would actually find the best craftsman in Feng Huang Country to make it. Although it was slightly different from the legendary one, it was still pretty good.

  When Feng Qiu Huang was sizing up, Pei Yao was observing Jiang Yuan Cheng's reaction at the same time. His eyes were following Feng Qiu Huang's movements, almost falling out of their sockets. With a pleased smile, he handed Feng Qiu Huang over to Jiang Yuan Cheng and said with a smile: "Since General Jiang is a red person in front of the emperor, his status is naturally noble. Although I am just a princess, I still hope that General Jiang will take care of me."

  Got the Phoenix Prison, held it in hand, carefully measured it, and its appearance was never seen before, but it could touch people's hearts to some extent. Looking at it, I couldn't move my eyes away from it.

  "The princess is a person who understands the overall situation, no wonder the king specially asked the emperor for instructions." She put away the phoenix hairpin and smiled, saying "I'll go back and report now, Princess, take care of yourself and rest well."

  "Thanks for your trouble, Mr. Jiang." Watching Jiang Farong leave, Bu Yao's eyes showed a hint of disdain and she coldly raised the corner of her mouth, saying to Qiao'er, "Qiao'er, tell His Highness later that I'm feeling depressed and have no appetite for tea or food."

  Qiao'er was taken aback and looked at Bu Ya in confusion, but suddenly thought of Feng Qiu Huang's words earlier and smiled knowingly "I understand now."

  Back in the house, looking at the full room of betrothal gifts, not a single thing was missing. The gold and jade were shining brightly, it's just short of decorating this place with gold, hiding a beauty in a golden house. I'll tell him about this allusion another day, let's see if he can create a golden house to hide her away.

  But on one side was Bu Yao who had been blinded by the lavish dowry gifts, and on the other side was Qi Lin who was pretending to sleep with an aching back.

  At that time, it was just a moment of boldness to jump down from above, although she got a little scared and fell asleep for a while, but she didn't expect to sleep for so long. What's more, Feng Changqing had been sitting by her bed all the time, not leaving an inch, and now that she had slept through the whole day, it was almost dusk, and her stomach was already growling with hunger.

  "Your Majesty, I have completed the sacred decree. Princess Baojiao has received and thanked for the imperial edict." Jiang Yuancheng bowed respectfully, carefully watching the tip of Feng Changqing's shoes.

  Feng Changqing played with a strand of hair, the other hand rotating a bright yellow fan, his eyes full of smiles, occasionally placed on Qilin's body.

  With a wave of his hand, he dismissed everyone, but Feng Changqing did not leave.

  Damn it, she's really about to collapse, save her. What's worse is that she wants to go to the toilet.

  I've had enough for one day, can't take it anymore, can't pretend anymore.

  The person on TV let out a sob, furrowed their brow, wiggled their fingers, and then slowly opened their eyes, pretending to say "Where am I?"

  "In your other courtyard." Feng Changqing suddenly opened her fan and turned to Qi Lin, narrowing her eyes as she said "Don't you recognize me?"

  She slightly froze, and her face changed slightly. She feigned surprise, got out of bed, and knelt down neatly: "The commoner girl didn't know the Emperor was here, she has committed many offenses, please forgive her."

  Feng Changqing slightly narrowed his eyes, stretched out a long hand and grasped Qi Lin's slender arm, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed as he said "Are you trembling? Are you afraid of me?"

  "No." Zilin hastily denied, suddenly feeling that she had used the wrong words, and quickly lowered her head. Only she knew that she was trembling with anger, and slowly continued to speak, "Replying to Your Majesty, this humble woman is only lightly dressed, and can't help but feel a bit chilly."

  Are you cold? Looking at Qilin wearing thin clothes, he raised his hand to let her get up and said, "You keep saying that you are a commoner's daughter. Do you know that this morning, you were the first one to arrive in front of me? I promised that the first one to arrive would be the empress."

  Empress? I've heard that Feng Changqing has been on the throne for seven years and hasn't appointed an empress, it's simply imitating Qin Shi Huang. But suddenly hearing the word "empress" still gave me a fright.

  "Female citizen..."

  "Hey, shouldn't you change your tone?" Interrupting Qilin, but also catching the surprised glint in her eyes, feeling slightly displeased, he continued "Are you defying orders?"

  Qilin bowed her head and knocked on the ground, saying in a strong and calm tone: "To report to Your Majesty, I am from Zuihuatang, my family background is not as good as those of the Yu girls, my talent and learning are shallow, and I am not worthy of the honor of being an empress, let alone..."

  Jian Zilin did not speak, Feng Changqing asked "What's more?"

  "I told you, can't you??" Innocently looking at Feng Changqing, blinking eyes, dryly laughing twice.

  "Very well, I pardon you and declare you innocent."

  Having obtained the special amnesty order, Qi Lin finally relaxed her mind, but she didn't dare to be presumptuous and said: "Replying to Your Majesty, your subject dares to guess that since it is quiet in front of and behind the gate at present, Your Majesty has not yet issued an edict to depose the Empress, so your subject has not disobeyed the imperial order."

  After finishing speaking, Qilin carefully observed Feng Changqing, seeing his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed, and fine sweat on his forehead, really didn't know how he could sweat in such cold weather.

  After waiting for half a day, Feng Changqing still didn't say anything, but she super wanted to go to the toilet and was already at her limit, so she endured it with fine sweat all over her forehead.

  Just as Zilin thought Feng Changqing had fallen asleep, Feng Changqing suddenly got up and left.

  Sigh~

  She finally left, although she left quietly, Qilin couldn't bear it anymore and got up to grab a coat and hastily put it on before rushing out the door.

  But when she rushed out of the door, she saw the eunuchs and palace maids standing neatly in the courtyard. Zi Yun Long Ye was also standing respectfully among them. Behind them were all the jade women candidates, while Feng Changqing wore a dark long gown, fanning herself as she gazed at her.

  Her eyes rolled around in a circle, she walked over with a swagger, just about to kneel down when Feng Changqing stopped her.

  "Didn't you say I hadn't issued an edict?" Feng Changqing raised his hand, and Jiang Yuancheng respectfully took out an imperial edict. The other palace maids waited with brush and ink, "I will issue the edict now."

  Qilin looked at Feng Changqing in surprise, just wanting to open her mouth to stop him, but was stopped by a glance from Ziyu. She had no choice but to shut up and go along with the situation.

  Feng Changqing waved his brush a few times, took out the imperial seal and stamped it with several chapters, saying "Imperial brother, please read the imperial edict."

  Zi Yun was taken aback for a moment, then took over the imperial edict, unfolded it respectfully, and saw the content on it. He was slightly stunned, but covered it up well, walked forward, and said in a stern voice, "All Jade Maidens listen to the edict."

  Everyone knelt down, waiting for a foregone conclusion.

  "We respectfully obey the Imperial Dowager's benevolent decree. Since ancient times, emperors have been cautious and frugal in their virtues, fully equipped with the ranks of the palace, to assist in internal affairs. Reviewing past systems, rituals are all grand. The lady Xiao Shi is warm, kind, virtuous, and good. Her merits are outstanding. Now she is promoted to be the Empress. Du Ruo Huan is promoted to be the Consort Xiao, Bai Lu as the Consort Zhuang, Jun Zi as the Consort Hui, Yu Nu Hong Xue is enfeoffed as the Lady. Choose a day for the investiture ceremony. Respect this."

  After hearing such an imperial decree, everyone was shocked. It was originally thought that Qi Lin would be crowned empress, and for this reason, everyone couldn't help but look at Qi Lin again.

  Although slightly surprised, Qilin was still relatively satisfied with this result, after all, a big tree attracts wind.

  "Thanks for your kindness."

  Feng Changqing walked up to Qi Lin, lifted her chin with his fan, forcing her to look at him. Noticing the hidden resentment in Qi Lin's eyes, Feng Changqing sneered coldly and said, "What? Are you not satisfied with my arrangement?"

  "The common people." Seeing Feng Changqing's slight frown, Qi Lin hastily changed her address: "Your humble servant dares not be presumptuous. Thank you for your great kindness."

  However, Feng Changqing suddenly became displeased, not with Qi Lin's words, but with the disappearance of that hint of restraint in her eyes, replaced by a lack of concern. He let out a cold snort and left without saying anything.

  Until everyone had left, Zilin finally lifted her head and saw Ziyan standing quietly in front of her. Zilin could no longer hold back and rushed to the bathroom.

  "Is this the result you've brought upon yourself?" Zi Yun teased, playing with a nearby branch. Suddenly, she noticed a rose vine entwined around it, and on the other side of the withered branch was a small flower bud. She looked up at the evening sky, and the air didn't feel as cold anymore. Time had passed so quickly without her realizing it.

  Qilin relieved her physiological needs, Qilin walked out of the toilet and strolled to the creek to wash her hands, taking the opportunity to take out a handkerchief to wipe her face, finally feeling refreshed, almost suffocated to death, but after relieving herself, she felt hungry.

  Stretching her waist, she suddenly saw a tall figure, turned her head to look, and it was Zi Yan. At this time, he was staring at her with a smile on his face, but his whole body was emitting cold killing intent, which scared Qi Lin to quickly retract her smiling face.

  Zi Yun stepped closer and closer to Qi Lin, while Qi Lin retreated step by step. When Qi Lin backed up to the edge of the stream, her foot slipped on the muddy ground, causing her to lose balance and fall into the creek.

  Fortunately, Zi Yun's eyes were quick and her hands were fast. She stretched out her long arm to wrap around Qi Lin's slender waist and pulled her into her embrace. With a swift turn of her body, they arrived at a safe place. However, instead of releasing Qi Lin immediately, she lowered her head to nuzzle against Qi Lin's neck, taking a deep breath. Apart from the rose essential oil emanating from her hair, there was no unusual fragrance that people had mentioned.

  "Zi Yin, what are you doing?" With Zi Yin's breath making her feel ticklish, Qi Lin tilted her head slightly and said softly, "Shouldn't you let me go now?"

  Zi Yun raised his head and looked at Qi Lin's calm eyes. In his heart, Qi Lin always seemed very rational, even when being held in a man's arms, she wouldn't refuse or react otherwise. However, hearing it from someone else's mouth, it seemed like another Qi Lin. Why was that? He also wanted to see another side of Qi Lin.

  "I don't know."

  Qilin only felt a buzzing in her head and lost consciousness, the softness on her lips didn't feel like that person's tenderness, but rather a tentative touch, just as the wet tongue was about to pry open her teeth, Qilin suddenly thought of that man.

  He suddenly pushed open Ziyin, wiped away the bloodstain from the corner of his mouth, and stared at Ziyin with a smile on his face. He didn't expect that faint red mark to add a few points to his evil charm. From this light and angle, he felt that he and that man had some similarities in their eyebrows and eyes.

  "Hmm, quite intense." Casually licking the bloodstain on the corner of his mouth, a faint sweet flavor lingered on the tip of his tongue and spread throughout his mouth. It seemed to be true. He slightly raised the corner of his mouth and looked at Qilin with eyes that seemed more resentful than ashamed. "I kiss you once, and you feel wronged?"

  Upon hearing this, Qilin raised her hand and vigorously wiped away the lingering taste of the purple grape on her lips, biting them as she said "Your Highness, with your noble status and life of luxury, you naturally have a heavy flavor, I, Qilin, cannot bear it."

  Does he have a strong flavor? All Ziyu wanted was for him to have bad breath.

  Glared fiercely at Qilin, shook her sleeves and walked away with a flourish.