Chapter 39: The night was deep and the dew was heavy, big eyes stared at small eyes.

  "Within three months? When I become the empress? Rolled her eyes speechlessly and burned this white paper. Really don't know what they are thinking."

  Until the paper was all burned to ashes, Qilin finally let Lüzhú and the others come in to serve her bath. Similarly, it was Lüzhú alone by the side, playing with the rose petals in the water pool, and she let out a faint sigh.

  "Miss, what's wrong? Why the sigh?" Seeing Qilin's strange behavior, Lüzhú couldn't help but ask. "Alas... it's not surprising, Miss. The Emperor's temperament has always been eccentric. Clearly, you were the first to arrive in front of the Emperor, and the position of Empress was originally yours... but..."

  "Green bamboo?" interrupted Green Bamboo. Qilin picked up a rose petal and placed it on the tip of her nose, saying "Some things are not for you and me to discuss anymore... I don't need to explain this myself, do I?"

  With a mouthful of elm wood, all that's missing is a white jade fan. This way, she'll definitely knock it on Green Bamboo's head. Just as she was feeling triumphant, who would have thought that with a "bang", Green Bamboo would kneel to the ground.

  "Green bamboo knows its fault?" He buried his head very low, almost touching the ground. "I'm just feeling sorry for my mistress... You jumped down from such a high place and ended up in the lowest position... This is..."

  "Green bamboo, you're getting more and more outrageous!" She leaned against the edge, looking at Green Bamboo. She was on guard against all the maids around her, and Green Bamboo was no exception. Things that were almost impossible would not be told to her. But seeing Green Bamboo being so indignant for herself, Qilin still felt a little moved. She slowed down her voice and said, "I'm not blaming you, but some things are better left unsaid. Be careful what you say, trouble comes from the mouth."

  Green bamboo bowed his head and said "Thank you miss for your teachings"

  Nodding, the green bamboo rises. Qilin continues to soak in the water. Only then does she think that there shouldn't be roses this season. Curiously, she asks, "How can there be roses here?"

  "This is what Master Elmwood had sent over, saying that Miss would be suited to this light fragrance?" said Elmwood. Green Bamboo was filled with admiration instead.

  Qilin slightly shook her head. The rose fragrance was light, but it wasn't what she liked. She still preferred that faint tea fragrance.

  Wait a minute? Her fondness for Elmwood should be crystal clear, right? Normally she doesn't use any flower petals when bathing, but she always uses the tea flower essential oil he blended. Why did she suddenly change today?

  Picked up the rose petals, looked at them carefully, then quietly put them back in the water and said "The green bamboo, the water is a bit cold, go get some more hot water."

  Green bamboo put down the towel and retreated

  When the house was left with only Qilin, she finally collected all the petals in front of her. One by one, she held them high, relying on the power of the candlelight. Only then did Qilin see the words on the petals clearly.

  "Feng is very suspicious... There must be a sequel to this matter... I will pay attention to it..." He put all the petals with words in his hand and thought carefully about their meaning. "Feng refers to Feng Changqing... His suspicious nature is a fact... What does 'a matter after' mean?"

  Qilin's eyes widened suddenly. Could it be that the matter of the empress was related to him? Did he know about it too? Such a big thing, how could he not know? There must be some hidden meaning behind this. What did "later" mean? Was Feng Changqing's arrangement intentional? Pay attention to this... Hehe, indeed thoughtful.

  Just then the door creaked open. Qilin grasped the rose petals and said, "Green bamboo, you can put down the water and go out now. I'll take a bath myself."

  It's better to be careful with such things. Although it was the first time I saw a rose petal message, it's inevitable that someone would find out. Qilin held the flower petals in her hand and put them underwater.

  The sound of water splashing came from behind her. "Don't wipe my back for me," Qilin continued to say, "you go out first."

  Green bamboo didn't respond? Must be what she said earlier was actually her own words? Or is this the first time blaming her for these things? This girl? Can't think straight and is sulking? Wanting to comfort her with some words? But feels a sudden chill and heat on the back of her neck? Qilin's heart skipped a beat, suddenly turning her head around.

  "What?" After saying that, Ziyu only then realized she was a bit out of sorts. She took a sip of tea and continued, "It's my fault."

  Yu Mu smiled slightly and opened her fan, continuing, "It's rare for Your Highness to be so..."

  Zi Yun shook her head silently, her eyes rolling slightly as she took the fan from Yu Mu's hand and began to fan herself. "Hmph, I heard that Qi Lin has a nice fragrance, so I tried it out... and indeed, it's quite alluring."

  After finishing speaking, Zi Yun tightly stared at Yu Mu's face, which still had a faint smile on it. However, the cold aura emanating from his body became even more apparent. With a pleased smile, he continued, "However, this little girl has quite a fiery personality, daring to bite me. I originally wanted to taste her flavor, and also..."

  "Your Highness?" He took his own fan and fanned himself quietly, saying in a soft voice "You should go back home now, your virtuous wife is waiting for you."

  Did you hear that Yumu has issued an order to expel the guests? Zi Yin smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll take my leave. Farewell, Young Master Yumu."

  After Zi Yun left, Yu Mu put down the fan and pulled off the blindfold. His eyes were as cold as winter frost, frozen in place.

  "It's really worth savoring!"

  Qilin blinked her eyes, quickly put on her clothes, and looked at Feng Changqing through the screen. She really didn't expect him to wear night-traveling clothes and suddenly come here. Moreover, she almost took Feng Changqing for that mysterious man and mentioned the rose affair. Fortunately, she was too shy to speak up at that time.

  However, she still instinctively slapped Feng Changqing hard. It was this slap that made her realize that the person was Feng Changqing.

  I didn't expect Feng Changqing to be so gentlemanly. It's indeed the body of a king. Although he was beaten, he only scolded her once. It was his scolding that revealed his identity. At that time, Qi Lin happened to want to open her mouth and scold that man as a bastard.

  This isn't... letting her change clothes? Still peeking? Maybe it's because she's seen too many beauties? Not very interested in her, huh?

  "Emperor?"

  "Am I a white phoenix?" interrupted Qi Lin's words, but didn't notice that his own speech still carried honorific language.

  Qilin rolled her eyes speechlessly. This guy is really something else... and he even says he's the White Phoenix? Is this guy sick or something?

  Wait a minute... Is this what Yumu said "afterwards"?

  "So, White Phoenix, what brings you to me? Since you want to pretend, then pretend properly. Qi Lin also walked over without courtesy and casually poured a cup of tea for Feng Changqing "Drink."

  Feng Changqing didn't hesitate, taking the cup from Qilin's hand. Because he had just bathed, his body still had a rose scent and his hair was still dripping with water, giving off a unique charm. Feng Changqing couldn't help but be mesmerized for a moment before quickly covering it up.

  "You must be feeling uncomfortable in your heart, right?" When I came in, I saw Qi Lin with a worried face. Presumably it was because of today's affairs. Hmph! Women are indeed insincere. Unfortunately, Feng Changqing is not someone who will compromise for others.

  Isn't it unbearable? Do you want to try holding it in for a whole day and see how anxious you become? And on top of that, go hungry too? However, Qilin just pouted and drank the tea in her cup in one gulp. She said softly, "If it were you, would your heart feel better?"

  "Feng Changqing sneered and smiled, 'Then why do you still refuse? What's wrong? Do you think all women can be coaxed by men? But... I am not that kind of person who will coax people, the Emperor is not that kind of person.'"

  "Yes? Eh? What does this have to do with coaxing people?" Qilin always felt that something was a bit off about this.

  Feng Changqing grasped Qi Lin's hand, his eyes flashing with coldness. "Your dance is very good, and your courage in jumping down is also commendable. However, Hong Xue, you use the emotions of sisters to get rid of opponents, and even use Long Yan to get close to me. Do you know that these tricks of yours are just like those concubines in the harem vying for favor? Only you're more ruthless, and ordinary people can't see through it."

  "I thought Qilin would make excuses or say something else, but looking at her expression, it seems like she's enjoying the show. Feng Changqing couldn't help but feel surprised and slightly furrowed his brow as he continued to speak. 'That day you fainted there, was that part of your plan? If so, I can take you with me and make you an object of envy for everyone. Then, using this, Ziyin will protect you. He's probably guessing my thoughts, thinking that those who want to give you a hard time won't succeed either. That peony is just one of the pawns in your scheme, isn't it? As for Bu Shao, you knew long ago that Long Ye likes her, so this is a two-for-one deal, right?'"

  As they spoke, Feng Changqing kept staring at Qi Lin, not letting go of the emotions in his eyes. But the more he did so, the calmer Qi Lin became, and now it seemed as if he was the one being interrogated.

  It's really infuriating! Feng Changqing suddenly stood up and continued, "Actually, you woke up a long time ago today. But in order to let me stay for a while longer, you pretended to be asleep. You thought I would make you the empress, so you were being coy and playing hard to get. Unfortunately, you didn't expect me to do this."

  As she turned around, Qilin was drinking tea. Feng Changqing suddenly snatched the teacup from Qilin's hand and drank it all in one gulp. What was this woman thinking?

  Look at Feng Changqing, doesn't seem to want to continue speaking. Qi Lin also poured herself another cup of tea and slowly said, "I originally thought that only others would analyze it so well. I didn't expect the Emperor... Bai Fenghua could be so discerning too! However, hearing you say this, I realized I'm actually quite formidable. Not only can I do things without making a sound, but I also managed to catch the Emperor's attention."

  She nodded in agreement

  "But isn't that Emperor an idiot?" she said, and then observed Feng Changqing's furrowed brow, hastily adding "You said you were the White Phoenix, didn't you?"

  Feng Changqing didn't get angry? He nodded and let Qilin continue speaking.

  Qilin smiled secretly in her heart and continued, "Since you know all this and still want to go on, cooperate with me. Is he being kind or trying to give me a surprise today?"

  "Is this just another one of Your Majesty's whims?"

  "What's gotten into you?" Zilin glared at Feng Changqing, who continued, "That's why I say, emperors are all detached from the worldly affairs. But they also think they're superior, believing everyone is the same, infatuated with vanity. Do you know that glory, wealth, and nobility aren't what I want? I just want a happy, free, and easy life. Are you playing tricks on me? Indeed, these things exist everywhere, but not everyone is the same."

  Here is the translation:

  "Speaking of which, Qi Lin couldn't help but think of the unwritten rules in the workplace. She sighed and continued, 'Life is precious, love is even more valuable. If it's for the sake of freedom, both can be discarded. But I don't have love, so to want freedom, I must first keep my life. Who isn't the same? I'm not a god, but I'm also not a devil. If others think that way, there's nothing I can do about it. The mouth is on someone else's face, what can you say?"

  I don't know why, looking at Qilin so calm, speaking in between has never defended himself even a bit, but instead said many helplessness.

  Feng Changqing couldn't say anything blaming, but after thinking about it, this seemed to be scolding himself in a roundabout way.

  "Hey? Dead woman? Were you just scolding me?"

  "Ah? Emperor? What emperor? Am I not talking to Bai Fenghuang??" Qi Lin smiled foolishly and lowered her head to drink tea, almost burying her face completely. However, she was caught by Feng Changqing's firm grip on her chin. "Hehe, Emperor, please don't misunderstand... I, your subject, have been referring to others from the start. Although I said a sentence that sounds foolish, in my hometown, 'foolish' has many meanings, such as 'lovely'..."

  "Charming?" It was the first time someone had described him that way. Feng Changqing couldn't help but feel a spark of interest. The anger from just now instantly dissipated. He looked at Qi Lin with a serious expression and said, "Go on."

  Qilin sat cross-legged, disregarding her image, and continued to say, "You know, some people who speak well of you may not necessarily think that way in their hearts. Some people who don't speak up may not necessarily have nothing to say. Some people who spoke out were then killed. Why is that? I won't spell it out here, but tell me, can you call a dead person stupid?"

  "What does this have to do with being cute?" Feng Changqing sat cross-legged on the ground, staring at Qilin like a child listening to a story.

  "It doesn't matter!!" There is absolutely no connection whatsoever.

  It doesn't matter. Feng Changqing slightly furrowed his brow, thinking for half a day before realizing he had been fooled by Qilin. Just as he was about to get angry, he saw Qilin burst out laughing.